Samantha Collett, Author at North West End UK

False Accounts: Exposing the Post Office Cover Up – Upstairs at the Gatehouse

22Jun

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

NEWS

False Accounts: Exposing the Post Office Cover Up – Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Last year I listened to a podcast that made my blood boil. It centred on innocent Sub Post Masters being accused of theft by The Post Office due to errors in the new computing system. Some had been sent to jail, some had committed suicide, and all of them had faced unbelievable stress. I couldn’t believe such a travesty of justice could have happened - and was still ongoing, in the UK. False Accounts, a satirical play, by Lance Steen Anthony Nielsen takes a closer look at the events leading up and the aftermath of this scandal. It is not an easy watch, but then it is not meant to be. What happened to these people – and the lack of adequate resolution for their suffering is an outrage. Nielsen does an excellent job in explaining a very complicated situation in a digestible format. We ...

Fastlove: A tribute to George Michael – Adelphi Theatre

21Jun

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Fastlove: A tribute to George Michael – Adelphi Theatre

With all the current talk about George Michael (it would’ve been his 60th birthday on June 25th and July 9th is the 40th anniversary of Wham’s debut album) I decided to hotfoot it to the West End for some music therapy. I’ll admit now, I’m not a massive George Michael or Wham fan, but I am fed up with the constant gloom and doom so I was in the mood for a pick-me-up. Fastlove ticks this on every box. And what did surprise me was how many of the songs I knew all of the words to! From the outset Michael Joseph (the tribute act to George Michael) sets the audience expectations. He proclaims: ‘There will only ever be one George Michael, we are just here to honour the music.’ It’s an honour they do well. The hits come thick and fast and every song you’d want to hear is played. Michael ...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Charterhouse

5Jun

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Charterhouse

Having watched hundreds of productions, it’s hard to surprise me. But stepping into Charterhouse gardens, a small patch of green in the shadow of the Barbican towers, I found myself confused by the set up. In the corner, under some ancient trees, was a primitive looking stage reminiscent of a village fete. In front of said stage were a collection of people joyously picnicking on camping chairs and mats. The atmosphere was peaceful, happy, relaxed and easy. It was hard to believe you were in central London amidst this little gathering chowing down on wine and home-made sandwiches. It was also hard to believe the production I was about to see was to be performed by The Handlebards - cycling actors who tour across the world presenting Shakespeare. It was at that point I knew I was in fo...

The Makings of a Murderer – Adelphi Theatre

19Apr

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

The Makings of a Murderer – Adelphi Theatre

I’m currently reading a crime fiction book about a serial killer who chops up their victims and keeps souvenirs. Ears, tongues and hands are kept as trophies. It’s a grisly read. But it’s a story, and I know (hope) in the end the good cop will catch the baddie. Listening to David Swindle, the detective who brought serial killer Peter Tobin to justice, I was unnerved to realise just how true, my story book was. The true crime scene has exploded in recent years. The evil amongst us has always been a source of fascination, and with so many podcasts and programmes to choose from, it’s amazing that the Adelphi theatre was packed out to listen to The Scottish Detective. In a whistle-stop tour of the most notorious murders and investigations, Swindle does well to remind us of the victims...

<strong>Police Cops: Badass be thy name – Vault Festival</strong>

8Feb

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Police Cops: Badass be thy name – Vault Festival

I’ll be honest, I’m not overly sure I got the storyline right – but what I can tell you: this is the most frenetic, supercharged, high production piece of theatre you’ll likely see at the Vaults. The story is set in the 1990s. Tommy Dixon quits his job because he wants to get more out of life. But he also wants to find his dad who walked out on him when he was younger – not before repeatedly punching a photograph of his young son. As it turns out Tommy then ends up on a quest to become a vampire slayer and finds his dad. And there’s a lot of talk of Manchester and sweets. I wish I could explain more about how all of this makes sense, but I can’t, and I don’t think it really matters because this is a feast (and feat) of physical comedy theatre you rarely get to see. It’s unbelieva...

8Feb

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Quench – Vault Festival

I bet you’ve walked past a drinks vending machine many times in your life and never given a second thought to the lives of those who reside within. Those cartons, cans and bottles all illuminated and waiting to be picked have lives too – or so that’s what Quench made me realise. Set in a vending machine in a leisure centre facing closure we follow the tragi-comedy lives of Appletania, Sparkling, Fizzy Orange and Electrolyte. If it sounds absurd – it is, but the minimal yet effective costumes and behavioural tics make this an incredibly believable set – and idea. Despite sounding like an insane idea for a play, this works really well to tell the story of the hopes, dreams and fears of life. On the surface this may be a funny comedy, but there’s a depth to the writing that leaves t...

<strong>Potted Panto – Apollo Theatre, London</strong>

19Dec

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Potted Panto – Apollo Theatre, London

I’m always sceptical when a show claims it can cater for ages six to 106, but this is Panto season, so I let myself go for the festive ride – and thank the jingle bells on high I did, because ‘Potted Panto’ is the funniest panto I’ve ever seen. From the start you’re not really sure how the dashing duo of Dan (Daniel Clarkson) and Jeff (Jefferson Turner) will turn out seven pantomimes in 70 minutes, until you realise the sheer creative power this pair have. Incisive and utterly brilliant they take the panto punchline and regale the tales in the most madcap funniest display of wit and fun. Their energy and enthusiasm are boundless and infectious. I laughed until my teeth hurt. I know some people aren’t fans of the panto genre, but to call this Olivier Award nominated festive celebr...

<strong>A Christmas Carol-ish – Soho Theatre</strong>

11Dec

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol-ish – Soho Theatre

I’ll say it now: I love a good Christmas Show. I don’t consider myself over-the-top when it comes to festive feelings, but I do like the spirit of Christmas – the warmth, good tidings and all that razz the season brings. And so it was with much excitement I got myself down to Soho Theatre for ‘A Christmas Carol-ish’ by Mr Swallow (aka Nick Mohammed). I was not disappointed. ‘A Christmas Carol-ish’ is loosely based on a musical retelling of Dicken’s festive classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. And when I say loosely, I mean basically think of the story outline: three ghosts turn up to change a man to be a better person, and that’s as close to Dicken’s as this show gets. And it’s all the better for it. The writing on this show in insanely clever, funny, relevant and on the pulse of current eve...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Frinton Summer Theatre

1Sep

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

Jesus Christ Superstar – Frinton Summer Theatre

It’s astonishing to think Jesus Christ Superstar first hit the stage 50 years ago when you watch Clive Brill’s reimagining of this iconic rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Packed to the gills with creative ingenuity this is a show worthy of any London stage and to find it in a tent in Frinton-on-Sea is mind-blowing. Opening with Jesus being portrayed as a vain cult-leader, Tim Rogers is the role to perfection with his handsome looks and aloof swagger. Enter Judas (Hugh Maynard) who’s set to bring Jesus down by betraying him to Caiaphas (Jad Habchi). Unfortunately for Jesus, despite the deep love and care from Mary (Rebecca Birch), and his followers, Judas in a delicate kiss, betrays Jesus to his enemies and seals his death with his lips. Despite being a small theatre, t...

9Aug

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Together At Last – Aces and Eights

What I love most about shows at the Camden Fringe is the experimental, test-the-waters nature. Dave Hazelnut’s ‘Together at Last’ not only tests the water – it blows the water out of the lake and way beyond. His madcap one-man act of witty ditties and audience participation will have you squirming in awkwardness and crying with laughter. Looking like a lost ornithologist crossed with ‘Where’s Wally?’ Hazelnut takes up a variety of instruments to sing about everything from Love Nuts to a Long Spoon to Princess Anne. The lyrics show he’s clearly talented, but he doesn’t let that skill get in the way of being hilariously funny. Photo: Samantha Collett Vaguely reminiscent of ‘Flight of the Conchords’ if you squint hard enough and if they had solo careers, ‘Together at last’ is what fr...