Alice Rose, Author at North West End UK

7Dec

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Hansel and Gretel – Shakespeare’s Globe

A new version of the classic tale ‘Hansel and Gretel’ directed by Nick Bagnall takes us through a journey of abandonment, survival by all means and some slightly odd creatures luring the kids astray along the way. Ned Costello as Hansel has a fiery spirit who uses his intelligence and determination to keep the pair hopeful. Yasemin Özdemir as Gretel is just as powerful in spirit and never shy to show how angry she may feel, staying smiling all through the hardships of finding their way back home. Supported by an incredible cast, narrator Jenni Maitland is cheerful and engaging keeping everyone on their toes for what could possibly happen next. Photo: Ellie Kurttz As to where it goes, it is slightly confusing on what message we can take from this new adaptation by Simon Armitage. A...

28Sep

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Giant – Royal Court

In 1983, weeks before Roald Dahl’s new book ‘The Witches’ is to be released, a fury is coming back round to question and confront Dahl’s recent book review in which he comments on Tony Clifton’s ‘God Cried’ picture book. This review sparked a huge amount of controversy and corrupted Dahl’s sweet and humorous image. In this imagined piece, Mark Rosenblatt creates a fictitious afternoon in which Dahl’s publicists are pushing for an apology for his review. John Lithgow as a superbly complex Dahl is adamant on standing by his beliefs no matter the consequences to who might cull his books from the shelves. Rosenblatt comments that this piece although fictitious, has intertwined verbatim comments made from Dahl on this matter. As our current day viewers are now confronted with the long hi...

21Aug

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

The Fabulist – Charing Cross Theatre

1920’s Tuscany, Mussolini and the Church hold overwhelming authority and in the mix lives two sisters, their movie studio and their big dreams for the future. Screenwriter Clarice (Réka Jónás) is a well sought after, independent woman. Her 43 previous suitors have never quite lived up to her and her father’s standard- or more appropriately haven’t lived as they all died in their heroic demonstrations to deem themselves worthy. An unsuspecting 44th suitor tumbles on stage, clownish and down to earth ‘Julian’ (Dan Smith). A ‘fabulist’ or as more often known be a ‘magician’ who is being hunted by the church for fears of the Occult. Julian’s presence alters the course of the play as the question of magic vs science stirs our characters who believe themselves to be logical and marry fo...

3Jul

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

I’m Still Here – Ambassadors Theatre

Debbie Wileman found viral success during the pandemic whilst performing a ‘Song a Day’ as Judy Garland. She has now performed worldwide as Garland, singing the songs that we love and also the songs that we never got the chance to hear. A whirlwind start to her career has allowed her to release a debut album called ‘I’m still here’ in which she impersonates Judy Garland throughout a range of her repertoire and a few personal favourites that she wishes Garland could have sung. There is no doubt that Debbie Wileman possesses an incredible talent- her impersonation is staggeringly accurate and effortless. The difficulty in this performance is expert level but she holds her own. Beginning with a very famous ‘I’m Still Here’ and title of the album, we begin the show with a bang- conductor...

Mario the Maker Magician – Underbelly Boulevard

25Jun

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Mario the Maker Magician – Underbelly Boulevard

After an incredible whirlwind of success in the USA, London finally gets to witness the incredible Mario the Maker Magician- currently sold out for June at the Underbelly Boulevard. Mario has made whistle stop tours on Sesame Street and Jimmy Fallon and although the show centres and celebrates the children in the audience, it is definitely not just a kids show. It’s a hug to your inner child and a beautiful reminder that you should ALWAYS do what you love. The stage is seemingly cluttered with old broken objects, inflatable tins of soup tower over the magician as he enters with the most breathtaking energy- I couldn’t quite believe how a person might keep it up. But he did. The most difficult audience is an audience of children, keeping them in their seats and excited all the same ti...

The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience – Soho Theatre

24Jun

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience – Soho Theatre

Daniel York Loh’s semi-autobiographical piece, new to the Soho Theatre is a non-linear experience following a young British Chinese young person growing up in the West Country. Their experience is washed with extreme racism in the playground, difficulty with exclusion which leads to an unhealthy drug habit and after stealing a car has to deal with a racist police officer believing they ‘will be dead by 21’. Our two actors (Melody Chikakane Brown and Aruhan Galieva) bring this story to life supported by Daniel himself on the side, guitar in hand. An important part of this story is its rage through punk rock- sudden bursts of pent up fury, beautifully poetic writing in the genre of rock. Our younger performer’s personal purpose is to write the Dao of the British Chinese experience in w...

Ushers: The Front of House Musical – The Other Palace

18Apr

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Ushers: The Front of House Musical – The Other Palace

A new musical housed in The Other Palace, Ushers: The Front of House Musical. We are introduced to the characters who make the theatre run. A newcomer Lucy (Danielle Rose) starts her shift, disrupting the well working machine to try and slot herself in this odd little family. As the evening runs, backstage dramas unfold between relationships, Gary (Cleve September) finally landed a role and is moving to Austria for the year while his boyfriend Luke Bauer (Ben) stays here, still front of house. Rosie (Bethany Amber Perrins), a very funny but creepy TikTok fanatic obsessed with leading men is preyed upon by the failed Opera star ‘Manager’ Robin (Daniel Page) desperate for a raise, money and the little power that comes from overworking your equals. Lucy gets to know this team over the evening...

Spencer Jones: Making Friends – Soho Theatre

12Apr

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Spencer Jones: Making Friends – Soho Theatre

Actor and comedian, Spencer Jones is back with a brand-new hour of chaos at the Soho Theatre Downstairs. We explore the creation of his lockdown crafts, new friends found and lost in Devon and his justification of career as his kids seek advice to escape bullies and chickens. From the very entrance Jones is excitable and generous with his audience. Humble and giddy to be here, we are immediately put at ease ready to enjoy whatever he has crafted for us this evening. Pre-warning us “if you haven’t seen one of my shows before, ah ahaha. At least you’ll have a story”. There is loose plot, but we can put ourselves in his ‘study’ at home in his new house in Devon mid lockdown trying to create ‘new material’ to pay his mortgage. Longing to make new friends here, with anyone: neighbours, raili...

10Mar

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

The Duchess of Malfi – Globe Theatre

For the Sam Wanamaker’s 10th anniversary season, we are treated to John Webster’s Duchess of Malfi. This beautifully clear and impactful performance modernised the themes to highlight the sexism and misogyny of men in power, lit only by candlelight and at one point plunged into darkness completely. We follow this tale with huge anticipation and energy: Francesca Mills as Duchess lights the stage with incredible generosity and spirit as she takes on this ‘young Widow’ to discover her new love in life. Passionate to find romance herself and not on her brother’s command. Her twin Ferdinand (Oliver Johnstone) shares the deepest connection with her and yet betrays her so suddenly when discovering her pregnancy. His rage from losing control of her sends him mindless and he loses his sanity. The ...

The Hills of California – Harold Pinter Theatre

10Feb

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

The Hills of California – Harold Pinter Theatre

Jez Butterworth graces us with another play with depth and wonder, beautifully directed by Sam Mendes. The play currently resides at Harold Pinter Theatre in which the world is clear and grand as we walk into a house with a huge staircase, old wooden design and a little bar filled with very old alcohol. The staircase seems like it goes up and on forever, set in a hotel in the 80s which once in the past housed very many visitors but always 4 young girls and their mother. We switch from present day to past, now the mother is dying, the girls all await their eldest sister Joan to come say goodbye. In the past we watch the mother run the home, military style as the girls practice their singing and dancing with the biggest dreams of making it to the London Palladium. Their mother also, pushing ...