Gill Lewis, Author at North West End UK

12Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

The Black Hole – The Space @ Venue 45

Frisky fun and frolics take a gripping turn as emotions get twisted and past traumas are revealed in this explosive two hander. Presented by Shooting Star Studios, and written, performed, and directed by Vkinn Vats, The Black Hole is an interesting, dramatic piece of theatre which takes its audience through the twists and turns of love, lust and all things in between. Dangerous games are played, heightened by the seemingly lack of control of the two actors as they rough and tumble around the stage. A drunken game of charades quickly takes some dark turns as the whiskey continues to flow and confessions are made. Rosalind Jackson Roe provides a strong scene partner to Vats, who both deliver an interesting and watchable portrayals of two seemingly damaged souls. We flip flop ...

Hold The Line – Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two

12Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Hold The Line – Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two

A build-up of pressure is intensely captured as we take a call on the frontline of the NHS. With a brilliant use of movement and staging, creative elements beautifully demonstrate quite literally, how our frontline workers get tangled up in the ever-growing demand for help. Squeezed by the grip of bureaucracy so tight, the increasing pace of work leaves staff gas lighted into quitting, as they’re told “It is what it is”. Emerging writer Sam Macgregor taps into his own lived experience and perfectly portrays the relentless and urgent nature that NHS call handlers have to deal with, whilst keeping a smile in their voice and a calm, professional tone. This is an immersive two hander which delves inside the belly of an NHS 111 call centre. Macgregor, is Gary, a call handler with 5 ye...

15Jun

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Rum – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Grafting through the grief, a beautifully vulnerable, and nuanced portrayal of the psychology rooted in working-class masculinity. Max Emmerson Productions present a deeply authentic portrayal of working-class masculinity—its constraints, contradictions, and quiet vulnerabilities. Joe Mallalieu’s brilliant solo performance is raw, emotive, and powerful. Over the course of an hour, we are deeply drawn into a part of society rarely given such unflinching, unapologetic, and compassionate focus on stage. Under Tess Seddon's astute direction, Mallalieu writes a piece that is not only theatrically engaging, but also socially urgent. Mallalieu, a former plasterer himself, brings a lived-in truth to his performance. His presence is magnetic—naturalistic, grounded, and emotionally nuanc...

3Oct

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Wales

Kin – Theatr Clwyd

A two-hander which deftly weaves together and unravels an abyss of unexpected, shocking revelations and emotional depths. An end of seat dark comedy drama exploring the complexities of a strained sister-in-law relationship amidst a backdrop of loss. The affluent McGregor family, steeped in privilege, is rocked by the sudden death of Robert McGregor, leading to a tense reunion between his logical wife, Kay (Roberta Kerr), and her free-spirited estranged sister-in-law, Steph (Kerry Willison-Parry), Robert’s younger sister. As Kay attempts to navigate her grief with a veneer of control, Steph’s irreverent probing unearths some deep-seated resentments, particularly with Kay’s pointed comments about Steph’s financial irresponsibility, and Steph’s disdain of Kay’s working-class roots, incl...

William Kite Has Memory Issues – Paradise in the Vault

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

William Kite Has Memory Issues – Paradise in the Vault

With an ageing population, it is becoming more likely that your life will be, or has been touched by a diagnosis of Dementia. You’ll have experienced first-hand, its ripple effect on all the lives it leaves an impression on. For the affected individual, the advocacy provided by family and friends is paramount to ensure that they’re receiving the care they need, and that they’re kept safe and feel supported. Dottyb / Robot Parrot Productions present a snapshot of the barriers faced by advocates in seeking the necessary assessments and appointments for their loved ones. Such as the long wait times on the phone, lack of communication between agencies, feeling at a loss with all the various barriers, feeling powerless as their loved one’s care needs slowly increase as the disease tak...

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Stuffed – Pleasance Courtyard

It’s already been said, but when is it going to change? This call to action becomes even more frantic, accompanied by pounding heavy synth beats which pulsate with the warning of arson on a national scale. Multi award winning Ugly Bucket Theatre are back with ‘the bad stuff’, and a heavy sprinkling of macabre comic relief. Its feasible that foodbanks could soon set to become one of the biggest industries in the UK as it establishes itself as a permanent fixture in communities. Notably for those people in the bottom 25%. The demand has grown at a phenomenal rate and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down with more people than ever having no choice but to access this support. Ugly Bucket use a range of mime and clowning, playfully creating nightmarish sequences which highlig...

Christopher Hall: Girl For All Seasons – Gilded Balloon

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Christopher Hall: Girl For All Seasons – Gilded Balloon

A celebration and salute to all the women who have made an impact on Christopher’s life, and no doubt, have helped shape his funny bones into the stellar comedian he is today. An hour just isn’t long enough to spend with Christopher, his natural warmth and cheeky quips are laugh out loud funny. Oozing natural charisma and charming flamboyance, he glides around the stage with vivaciousness, throwing in spunky one liners and cheeky observations. From navigating a ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ moment of soul searching with a potential sexual conquest, to his own ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ epiphany. Christopher takes us through his younger days and beyond with stories and recollections which are extremely funny and relatable. Reminding those of us over a certain age that the ability to measure someone’...

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Addict – theSpace on the Mile

This new piece of writing hooks you in to the addictive dark side of social media use. Where the line between what’s virtual and real, can disappear within the space of 174 characters of a simple Tweet. Written by Tony Voller, Addict is structured and based around the five stages of addiction which demonstrates the psychological impact and behavioral changes as addiction takes hold. In this case, triggering a freefalling snowball effect of when reality is blurred upon the creation of an online alter ego. Likeable Paramedic John unexpectedly becomes a Twitter sensation after a tweet challenging a misogynistic comment made against a female MP goes viral, turning John into an overnight hero. Amongst all the likes and comments is the expected attacks from trolls who ma...

44 Sex Acts in One Week – Pleasance Dome

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

44 Sex Acts in One Week – Pleasance Dome

Hilariously bonkers and face aching funny. A squelchy take on the classic radio play. There’s no room for blushes in this deliciously naughty apocalyptic rom-com. Smutty sex guru Malaine Guttierez suggests that she may be in the possession of some seriously strong pelvic floor muscles by recommending that we ‘grab life by the clunge’, and have as much sex as we possibly can, all we need to do is buy her new book, ‘The 44 Sex Acts that will change your life!’. We’re sold! Guttierez’s hardcopy ends up on the desk of budding journalist Celina, working at the magazine ‘She Squad, and fed up of writing mindless clickbait articles (including a hologram baby announcing its own death). Struggling to pay her rent, and with her precious ‘serious’ writing held to ransom by her dominee...

15Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Out of Woodstock – Underbelly, Cowgate

Follow a young man’s descent into one of the worst festival disasters in recent history. Its legacy is rooted in an unleashing of Millennial anger. Baby Boomers enjoyed the summer of love, with Woodstock 69, united in their quest for peace and harmony. Thirty years later the attempt to recreate this significant cultural event, with Woodstock ’99, brought about overpriced beer, boobs, and misogyny. This play intrigues, based on real life events during the infamous music festival which ended in carnage and controversy. Poor organisation and dollar hungry management created a ticking timebomb as revelers exploded in the accumulation of sweltering unbearable heat, poor sanitation, serious sexual assaults, looting and several deaths. Written and directed by Tom Foreman,...