Kathleen Mansfield, Author at North West End UK

The Addams Family – Memorial Hall, Innerleithen

27Mar

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

The Addams Family – Memorial Hall, Innerleithen

The Addams Family, a musical comedy, promises ghoulish jokes and familiar characters. These were dished with aplomb by a society with 123 years of productions under its belt. Innerleithen and District Amateur Operatic Society served its apprenticeship many years ago and, while the name Amateur sticks and the commitment to community involvement is at the very heart of each performance, this circle of talented singers, dancers and actors are anything if not professional in their commitment and style. The main characters are spot on: Morticia, played by Angela Duncan, oozes sensuality and confidence; Gomez (Douglas Russell) has a wonderful voice, fabulous delivery and great comic timing; Erin Thompson as Wednesday is suitably grumpy and very likeable as the crazy love-sick teenager and Ros...

14Mar

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Blue Beard – The Lyceum, Edinburgh

In the early 1400s, a French nobleman, Gilles de Rais, was found guilty of kidnapping, raping, torturing and murdering children. He got away with his heinous crimes for longer than he should due to high birth rate and fear, amongst the lower classes, of retribution, should they speak up. This true story became the legend of Blue Beard and the children he murdered morphed into a series of murdered wives, whose mutilated bodies Blue Beard hid in the cellar. The fairy tale explores and warns of the perpetual fear, always in society, of abuse and cruelty forced upon the innocent and the weak. Emma Rice has reworked this famous Bartók opera into a modern-day musical, balancing fresh, boozy, party-loving female confidence against the scales of ongoing malevolence towards specific, known, w...

6Mar

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Hamilton – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

The hype over Hamilton is spot on. This show tells the story of a political man, ambitious to make his mark in a time long gone and it does so with incredible spectacle, drama, humour and pathos. Currently touring the UK and Ireland, I was lucky enough to catch it at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. The set is a work of art by acclaimed designer, David Korins. It enables the bold, powerful dancers to tell their story on every level. As the auditorium fills, the empty stage is beautifully lit with a rich, almost visceral palette and Howell Binkley’s lighting design lends nuance and substance to every musical note throughout the evening. Howell Binkley deserves his award for lighting this show. The entire cast did their director, Thomas Kail, and his associates proud. It’s a word-hea...

Guys and Dolls – Edinburgh University Footlights

20Feb

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Guys and Dolls – Edinburgh University Footlights

When you witness talent, team-work and dedication combined with youth, you know you’re onto a winner. The Edinburgh University Footlights production of Guys and Dolls was superlative. The orchestra was stellar (musical director, Emily Philips assisted by Amelia Brennan), the colourful costumes spot on (Tara Healey), the set so simple yet so effective (Holly Stephens) and the choreography was sharp, varied and hugely entertaining (Rosie Fletcher with Lyss Britton). Then, of course, there were the performers themselves: wonderful characterisation across the board was matched by confident voices and lithe bodies. Director Phee Simpson was blessed with an abundance of talent on this show. Megan Le Brocq as Miss Adelaide in this classic musical cannot be faulted. She has a rich, wide-rang...

15Feb

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

WAKO – The Traverse Bar, Edinburgh

Valentine's night with the unpredictability of a jazz band proved interesting and entertaining at The Traverse bar. Wako, Norwegian Grammy nominees, had several returning fans who saw them in 2020, on their last visit to Edinburgh. I was joined by a Finnish gentleman, working in Edinburgh. It seems that while Jazz appeals to the older, more sophisticated crew on our island nation, it is very much a young, innovative musical style in Norway and Finland. The government funds music education, having invested its oil money with intelligence and now earning from past investments rather than oil itself. Norway is no longer investing in fossil fuels. It invests in its people and their creative talents. Hence, Wako is a band of four young men who make music together. A collaborat...

[Un]lovable A Scratch Night Performance – St Augustines, George IV Bridge

13Feb

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

[Un]lovable A Scratch Night Performance – St Augustines, George IV Bridge

[Un]lovable A Scratch Night Performance by Not so Nice! Theatre company is one hundred percent loveable. Each of the five scratch theatre pieces were deftly crafted: the writing was thoughtful and witty; set design simple yet apt; costumes spot on; lighting simple and the quality of acting perfectly matched the rigor of the black box. Performed in the basement of St Augustine’s, this young company is brimming with talent and has a keen following. Not subject to the delays and restrictions of bidding for a grant, Not So Nice! are free to play and create collaboratively and with vigor. Each of the five vignettes on love and the rejection of love were equally as entertaining and thought-provoking. The evening began with It’s Always a Sad Song by Will Evans. In this exploration of wants ...

6Feb

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

The House – Traverse Theatre

The House is a fantastic little puppet world centered on the Warehouse Family Funeral Home. This particular cremation business is burning the midnight oil to please a manipulative, greedy woman. It is chillingly superb. The set is clever, revealing room upon room where unspeakable deeds are carried out. On her deathbed, the undertaker, Mrs Esperanza, changes her will which does not please some. And so begins the shenanigans of hidden identities, lost souls and nonsensical goings on with open and closing doors offering just one more opportunity for farcical fun. This magnificently bizarre horror story made me smile from ear to ear. It’s surreal, funny and enticing. Sofie Krog and her talented partner, David Faraco, clearly love their jobs and, as a result, they are master crafts...

20Nov

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Learning to Fly – Traverse Theatre

James Rowland’s one-man show, Learning to Fly, is engaging, heartwarming and very funny. He is a gifted storyteller with a tender heart and a grand sense of the absurd. After a tough week, he really lifted my spirits. His tale is personal. It’s about growing up and having an unusual bond with the old lady across the road. He lives it on stage and so do we. There’s something about his face and expression that transforms into a twelve-year-old with all its innocence that I found charming. He embodies the three characters he portrays with simplicity. It’s not a show of gymnastic characterisation, it’s a confessional, sharing a poignant and funny episode between people from different age groups, growing closer over classical music and cups of milky strong tea. Some people had seen...

Scottish Ballet: Twice-Born – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

21Oct

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Scottish Ballet: Twice-Born – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

I defy anyone not to love Schachmatt by Spanish choreographer, Cayetano Soto. It translates as Checkmate and playfully works its way through a range of eras, drawing an ongoing smile from this reviewer. Acting as a warm-up to Scottish Ballet's latest work, Twice-Born (developed by new boy on the block, Dickson Mbi) it is a fabulously entertaining and quirky piece. At the get-go your curiosity is piqued as a moody stage is slowly revealed. What follows is witty, unique and brilliantly executed by a top-notch team performing with precision and speed. Christopher Hampson, Scottish Ballet’s CEO, watched Schachmatt two nights in a row: “I remember feeling instant joy because I was watching craft at its highest level,” he said. He knew immediately he wanted to bring it to the Scottish B...

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Festival Theatre

29Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Festival Theatre

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Programme 2 toilet talk: “It wouldn’t have been my choice, but it was good. I liked the last piece best.” For me, it was all an excellent choice. The dancing was supreme from this group of inclusive and artistic athletes. Their strength and supple limbs pleased me no end. Additionally, I really enjoyed the retro music. The beat and rhythm were retro because this programme hails from 1960 onwards. It was all choreographed by the company’s founder, Alvin Ailey and it still part of their international repertoire. This company is founded on the ethics of inclusivity, mutual support and opportunity for all. With this in their back pocket, the team at Alvin Ailey routinely invite local aspiring dancers to be part of their performances. The youngsters (...