Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

22Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

OFFIES 2021

We were delighted to be able to attend this year’s Off West End Awards which were hosted online by Geoffrey Brown, Director of Off West End with a number of special guests in attendance. The awards began with an introduction by Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, welcoming everyone and joining in our hope that theatres can re-open soon. Special guests included Judi Dench, Linda Marlowe, Su Pollard, Michelle Terry, Sharon D Clarke, Samuel West, Sonia Friedman, Brian Blessed, Stephen Fry and Louise Jameson, all sending messages of congratulations and encouragement. Using the fringe streaming platform Scenesaver ( www.scenesaver.co.uk ), we were treated to a reminder of the diversity of shows that have been available to watch this year, in spite of the challenging environment. B...

Shane Richie to star in digital revival of Scaramouche Jones or the Seven White Masks

22Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Shane Richie to star in digital revival of Scaramouche Jones or the Seven White Masks

Much-loved and multi-talented stage and screen actor Shane Richie (EastEnders; The Entertainer; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here) will take on the role of the titular tragic clown in the digital revival of Justin Butcher’s absorbing solo show, Scaramouche Jones. Filmed in a London theatre, and available to stream on Stream.Theatre from Friday 26th March to Sunday 11th April, this is the latest production from Ginger Quiff Media - the OnCom award-winning team behind the acclaimed revivals of Martin Sherman’s Rose starring Dame Maureen Lipman, and Little Wars (The Guardian and New York Times top picks) featuring Juliet Stevenson and Linda Bassett. Richie swaps the I’m A Celeb Welsh castle for the digital stage, taking on the role made famous by the late...

Strong casts announced for next three Sound Stage Productions

22Feb

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NEWS

Strong casts announced for next three Sound Stage Productions

Pitlochry Festival Theatre and The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in association with Naked Productions have announced three more strong casts for their forthcoming Sound Stage plays. Sound Stage will premiere Tennis Elbow, the new comedy from playwright and artist John Byrne, the creator of the BAFTA award-winning BBC television series Tutti Frutti, and the critically acclaimed plays The Slab Boys Trilogy. The new play, running from 30th April – 2nd May, will be Byrne’s first for 13 years, and is the follow up to his acclaimed 1977 debut play Writer’s Cramp. It’s a bittersweet comedy about the life and work of a mischievous lost artist trying to make her way in the world. Directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman, Tennis Elbow’s exciting cast wil...

22Feb

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REVIEWS

Improv News Hour – The Nursery Theatre

The Nursery Theatre is a mainstay within the world of improvisation, and they have continued to perform and support their fellow performers during these very trying times. It was an absolute pleasure to be asked to come along to their ‘Improv News Hour’ to see that the craft of ‘improv’ is alive and kicking albeit it in a digital environment. Tonight, we were treated to a news show from the Nursery news team. We met Muffins Miami and Gravy Cambridge the co-anchor’s, Tikki Manila the interviewer, Cherry Cumberland the roving field reporter and Figgy Amsterdam the sports reporter. The weather report was provided by Daal Von Doncaster. After turning up at the news station wearing no trousers, Gravy Cambridge and team introduced the news item – ‘Scientists have discover...

22Feb

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REVIEWS

Outside – Minty Fresh Productions

A disturbing and traumatic exploration of child abuse and neglect. In this harrowing one-woman show Gabrielle MacPherson plays Willa, a traumatised young woman, who hasn’t left her home for 30 years, as her controlling and dysfunctional parents have kept her safe from the ‘bad’ outside. True to a theatre production this monologue takes place on a small messy stage with few changes in camera angle. A tannoy speaker and Dictaphone make regular interruptions and there is a projection of some of the activity on the wall. The stage has two locked doors and is strewn with papers, books and boxes. Willa flits around her personal history as though stuck in her childhood searching for “evidence”. We learn she has an unfaithful father who is a publisher and collector of old books. There are...

21Feb

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REVIEWS

West End Musical Drive In – Live Stream

Why settle for one musical when you can watch the iconic hits from all our favourites? In the Summer of 2020, the incredible team at ‘West End Musical Brunch’ brought us ‘West End Musical Drive In’ and stunned audiences from their vehicles in the two-hour performance. Now in 2021 we are brought the recorded experience of all five concerts in the comfort of our own homes. Hosted by Shanay Holmes (co-founder of ‘West End Musical Brunch’) act one of the first concert presents us with a lineup of moving, heartfelt songs such as ‘On My Own’ from ‘Les Misérables’ performed by former Éponine Shan Ako and ‘Burn’ from ‘Hamilton’ performed by Maiya Quansah Breed. Shortly after we were introduced to the headline act Layton Williams who is known for a number of roles such as Billy Elliot in ‘Billy ...

Barnes’ People: A True Born Englishman – Perfectly Normal Productions

21Feb

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REVIEWS

Barnes’ People: A True Born Englishman – Perfectly Normal Productions

This is another piece written by Peter Barnes in the series of monologues going under the title of Barnes People. Again the “action” takes place in the form of an interview on an empty stage with the lead character, Leslie Bray, who has been a footman working at Buckingham Palace for thirty years and has in that time risen from humble beginnings as third door opener to the heady heights of first door opener! A lifetime of keeping secrets, putting up with poor pay for the social prestige and privilege of working in the Royal Household and knowing that the role involves upholding the dignity of the Crown at all times. We are given numerous insights into what goes on behind the scenes, the characters which are introduced from both upstairs and downstairs, what is needed to make a success o...

Barnes’ People: Billy & Me – Perfectly Normal Productions

21Feb

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REVIEWS

Barnes’ People: Billy & Me – Perfectly Normal Productions

This is a piece written by Peter Barnes, one in a series of monologues going under the title of Barnes People. The lead character of Michael Jennings in this is taken by probably the best impressionist in the country at the moment, Jon Culshaw, and relies less on his impressionist skills and more on his taking on the role of a ventriloquist. Set on the stage of an empty theatre, the “cast” consists of Culshaw and four of his puppets; the Billy of the title, the Major, Aunt Agnes and Uncle O’Pat, all voiced by Culshaw making use of his myriad voices. The characters of the different puppets are well developed as the narrative proceeds, as is the complex relationship between the puppeteer and his dummies, in fact you begin to wonder who is manipulating who? Are they really 2 sides of the same...

All-star cast for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Bolton Octagon

21Feb

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NEWS

All-star cast for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Bolton Octagon

Russell Tovey, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley head an all-star cast for a digital production of The Picture of Dorian Gray at Bolton Octagon. They’ve joined forces with Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich will co-produce The Picture of Dorian Gray with Theatr Clwyd in Mold and the Oxford Playhouse in Oxfordshire to offer the production as co-producers. Fionn Whitehead is in the title role, are Alfred Enoch as Harry Wooton, Lumley as Lady Narborough, Emma McDonald as Sibyl Vane and Tovey as Basil Hallward with Fry as the Interviewer. From the creative team behind the critically acclaimed What a Carve Up!, the belov...

The Secret Society of Leading Ladies! – Barn Theatre

21Feb

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REVIEWS

The Secret Society of Leading Ladies! – Barn Theatre

Ready, player one? In a concept devised by Ryan Carter, an eclectic roster of musical theatre’s best-loved female personalities unites for a unique character select screen-style production. For each of the five ‘levels’, a trio of leading ladies and their song titles are displayed, and it’s up to the viewer to pick who takes to the stage. This is a really fun opportunity to relive some of your favourite musical tunes or experience something completely new. If it’s too difficult to decide, though, an automatic selection is made after 45 seconds. Exploring the mysterious venue she has been invited into, the first performer then breaks into song. This might well be Jarnéia Richard-Noel who gives an attention-grabbing rendition of ‘I Didn’t Plan It’ as Waitress’ Janet. Her smooth voice c...