Caroline Worswick

Blue Remembered Hills – The Daneside Theatre

6Oct

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

North West

Blue Remembered Hills – The Daneside Theatre

After a long period of ‘resting’, the Congleton Players are back in business and begin their season with a Dennis Potter play. The ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ began its life as a television play broadcast in 1979, in the days when the BBC broadcast plays for the TV. Potter came up with the idea that this story of seven children should be played by adults, an idea that he first tried in his play ‘Stand Up, Nigel Barton’. Set in the Forest of Dean in the Summer of 1943, wartime lurks in the background and tells of the life of a group of children, trying to be young and carefree, but with the knowledge that their life has changed and the innocence of their youth is a mere reflection in the eyes of the adults inhabiting their personas. As we enter the theatre, the ...

Witness For the Prosecution – London County Hall

30Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

Witness For the Prosecution – London County Hall

‘Witness For the Prosecution’ started its life as a short story called ‘Traitor Hands’. Agatha Christie herself thought the story wasn’t anything special, but her theatre producer Peter Saunders, thought he could develop the story into a courtroom drama for the stage. Christie challenged him to adapt the story into a play and he took her up on it. She dismissed his attempt but went ahead and wrote her own version which became one of her greatest achievements as a dramatist. The play received its West End debut at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1953 and the following year opened on Broadway. The setting at the London County Hall could not be bettered for its authenticity. The courtroom feel, fits perfectly with the play’s location at the Old Bailey, where the ...

Wicked celebrates turning 15 in London’s West End

28Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

NEWS

Wicked celebrates turning 15 in London’s West End

Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, tonight (28th September 2021) celebrates 15 years at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre. The award-winning production will play a celebratory performance attended by the composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz together with a host of former cast members. Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz said: “I'm thrilled to be in London and in the audience at the Apollo Victoria Theatre as Wicked celebrates its 15th anniversary. The amazing emotion and euphoria from the audience on the night the show resumed performances on Broadway made clear to us all the magic that only the shared experience of live theatre can deliver. I am so excited to feel the response from London ...

Never Lost At Home – The New Wolsey Theatre Livestream

26Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

REVIEWS

Never Lost At Home – The New Wolsey Theatre Livestream

For die hard Ipswich Town fans this year is the 40th Anniversary of Ipswich Town F.C.’s UEFA Cup win and something to celebrate. Finally, the New Wolsey Theatre can help fans to celebrate this piece of Ipswich’s history, by programming ‘Never Lost At Home’ which charts how the team made it to the finals, and how their fans supported them along the way. It is no coincidence that they have run with a theme of joyous celebrations and the enjoyment of being in a crowd with friends, togetherness is a feeling that has been sorely missed! I joined in to watch the show via livestream, which is a welcome addition for audience members who do not live locally or have disabilities that make it difficult for them to go to the theatre. The New Wolsey have some wonderful shows progra...

16Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

North West

Jordan – The King’s Arms

Writer Anna Reynolds drew on her own personal experience when she wrote about the fictional character Shirley Jones. The character is based upon the true story related to her by her fellow inmate that the teenage Reynolds met whilst she was in prison. The Writers Guild gave Reynolds the Best Play of 1992 Award, and at Buxton Fringe Festival 2019, the play was nominated for the Best Play Award and Sara Gray won the Award for Best Actress. Produced by Easy Company, the play is set in 1987 and begins with Sara Gray sitting in an easy chair, feet crossed ready to tell us a fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin to be exact. This is a tale of a bargain between a father who promises a King that his daughter can weaver straw into gold in exchange for him marrying his daughter, and...

Spotlight on Rhys Whitfield or ‘Raoul’, The Phantom of The Opera

15Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Spotlight on Rhys Whitfield or ‘Raoul’, The Phantom of The Opera

The Phantom of The Opera returns to Her Majesty’s Theatre which has been its home since October 1986 and has been seen by over 140 million viewers worldwide. After an extended period of closure, the play has recently re-opened with new cast members and we caught up with new West End cast member Rhys Whitfield, who takes on the role of Raoul, after playing the same role for the UK tour. To book tickets for The Phantom of The Opera go to https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-phantom-of-the-opera/ You are stepping into the role of Raoul and following in the footsteps of many great performers over the last 35 years. How have you individualised the role to suit your own style? I suppose by trying not to shy away from the chances to bring humour and levity to the role.&n...

Spotlight on Kayi Ushe or ‘Simba’ in The Lion King

14Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Spotlight on Kayi Ushe or ‘Simba’ in The Lion King

The Lion King has returned in all its colourful splendour to The Lyceum Theatre. As the existing cast welcome new members, we asked Kayi Ushe what it means to him to join the cast playing the role of Simba. To book tickets or find further information about The Lion King go to the website https://thelionking.co.uk/london/#booking-information Is Simba a role that you have always wanted to play? Being a part of the Lion King has always been a goal for me. There’s so much to explore in every aspect of the show. So, to get to play Simba, a character that has resonated with me and so many since childhood, is a blessing. As a new cast member to the team, how have your previous stage roles prepared you for this very energetic lead role? Simba is such a high energy role...

Spotlight on George Asprey or ‘Scar’ from The Lion King

13Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Spotlight on George Asprey or ‘Scar’ from The Lion King

After a long period of closure, London gave ‘The Lion King’ a very warm welcome back to the stage. Opening night was a ‘roaring’ success and all the smiles and standing ovations made the period of lockdown fade into the distant memory. One of the characters making a triumphant return was Scar (George Asprey), whose lack of morals and slippery cunning, makes him the villain people love to hate. We asked George Asprey about his return to the role of Scar, his costume, playing a bad guy and Lego! To book tickets to see ‘The Lion King’ go to the website - https://thelionking.co.uk/london/#booking-information After such a long break from performing, how did you prepare for your return to the stage? I managed to keep myself physically fit during the lockdown period...

1Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

Salomé – Southwark Playhouse

Salomé written by Oscar Wilde, was originally written in French in Paris 1891, and was later translated into English. For many years, Salomé was banned from British theatres due to a censorship law forbidding the staging of scriptural characters. It wasn’t until after Wilde’s death in 1900, that a private performance took place in London (in 1905), and then later in 1931, the first public performance took place. Critics at the time believed that time had lessened the impact of such a play and were less than enthusiastic. Lazarus Theatre Company have taken up the challenge of staging this play, but in their own style. Their reimagining of classic tales brings a freshness to the telling of the stories and after performing Salomé previously at the Greenwich Theatre,...

Interview with Oliver Senton of ‘The School of Night’

30Aug

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Interviews

Interview with Oliver Senton of ‘The School of Night’

After a long time away from the stage, the Fraters are set to return with their first shows being held at a rather unique location; the ‘Willow Globe’ in Wales. Following their inaugural gig many years ago at ‘Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre’, it seems only fitting now that they return to a replica of ‘The Globe’, that was grown organically by planting willow in the shape of Shakespeare’s magnificent theatre. The School of Night’s unusual and eccentric type of improvising stimulates the literary appetite, whilst catching you off guard with their humorous sleight of hand. This event at the ‘Willow Globe’ is to be held on the 11th of September at 3pm and 7pm. To book tickets for this event go to https://www.shakespearelink.org.uk/productions/2021/9/11/the-school-of-night ...