REVIEWS Archives - Page 117 of 570

5Apr

By Savitha VenugopalNo Comments

London

Per-Verse – Riverside Studios

Just about everyone would have those moments in life that seem to be straight out of fiction or could make for great stories. But only few of them actually go ahead and turn those into forms of entertainment. Georgie Wedge is one of them and that’s a good thing, because now we have Per-Verse. Written and performed by Wedge, this one-woman act is directed by Ilya Wray and combines poetry with stand-up with storytelling with physical comedy. It may not be all that new to get on stage and talk about your dating life, but it is the way in which Wedge does it that makes this a standout show. The script is tight, packed with wit, and engaging all through. The word play of the title carries on into the performance as well, with puns and rhymes by the dozen. You better keep up, because t...

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth – Unity Theatre

5Apr

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth – Unity Theatre

Creative, fun and delightfully unique. If you are looking for a family fun show to suit all ages and really get yourself immersed into a show then look no further, the Rubbish Shakespeare Company has you covered with their hilarious and eccentric performance 'The Story Forge; Make your own Myth. As the title suggests, you the audience are involved in the creativity of what you see in front of you. Every person in the theatre was engaged, laughing and left with a smile. Two very talented actors with fantastic improvisation skills, comedy and physical theatre will immerse you, and especially those children in the audience in an engrossingly lively story using information, props and input from the audience. The show could go in any direction and trust me it does, this certainly isn't a sho...

The Worst Witch – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

5Apr

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

The Worst Witch – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Before JK Rowling launched Harry Potter on the world there was Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch. A series of books which delighted young readers who fell in love with the goings on in Miss Cackles Academy for young witches. Initially adapted from the books for television and then for theatre this musical production offers everything a young audience might enjoy with its pantomime style and magical narrative. The drama presents as a play within a play. A group of trainee witches perform their story as a school production, and it is to their credit that this young cast grab the material with energy and spirit. Characters that have been well written are very well performed and the rapport amongst the cast shone through. Megan Sorrel as Mildred Hubble, the hapless new girl who doesn’t fit in, ...

Darkfield at The Ditch – Shoreditch Town Hall

5Apr

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

Darkfield at The Ditch – Shoreditch Town Hall

Set in the basement of Shoreditch Town Hall, Darkfield at The Ditch offers four immersive micro-experiences around theme of fear and darkness. I sampled two: VISITORS and ARCADE. VISITORS was a big no from me. After a monotonous and fast pre-show briefing that left me overwhelmed with instructions and still no clue as to what I was getting myself into, I was invited to take a seat and put on some headphones. Then hell broke loose. With noise-isolating headphones flooding my ears with 360-degree voices of the Dead and no visual cues to ground me, my body went into high alert; for 20 minutes I sat in palpable panic, hyper-aware of every breath and terrified at the idea of something suddenly appearing or touching me without my consent. The added instruction to stand with my back to a door ...

5Apr

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Rhinoceros – Almeida Theatre

Deeply relatable, remarkably crafted and rooted in reality. Rhinoceros was originally written by Eugène Ionesco in 1959. Based on his personal experience of dissenting Nazi propaganda and bursting left-wing disbelief of the growth of fascism. The play is already rich with symbolism, metaphors and satire. It makes a mark not just with the doyens of theatre who have come together for this production. Hayley Carmichael, Paul Hunter and Alan Williams bring effortless wit and candour to their roles. Director Omar Elerian walks the tightrope of bringing humour in recreating the everyday. He also brings into sharp focus the political reality in our everyday interactions. The crowd engagement tools offer a live example of how and how much humans are willing to follow. Movement Director: Toby Se...

5Apr

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Wake – Peacock Theatre

Wake is an exhilarating variety production by Irish theatre company THISISPOPBABY, showcasing an eclectic mix of talent and movement. The show features everything from Riverdance-inspired footwork and tap dancing to balloon dancing, acrobatics, pole dancing, strip teases, and breakdancing. It seamlessly blends traditional Irish music with club classics, creating a vibrant, unexpected fusion that feels both nostalgic and cutting-edge. I went into the performance with scepticism, unsure of what to expect. As it opened with traditional folk music, my doubts remained. But then—the beat dropped, a breakdancer took centre stage, and suddenly, the party had begun. One of the show’s greatest strengths was its unpredictability. It was packed with comedic moments that had the audience in fits ...

Do I Love You – Shakespeare North Playhouse

5Apr

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Do I Love You – Shakespeare North Playhouse

A love letter to Northern Soul from the witty playwright John Godber tours the UK this year, and it’s guaranteed to tug at a few heartstrings and give us all the nostalgia kick we crave. Three twenty-somethings from Hull contemplate life, friendship and the state of the world in this delightful comedy. Finding an appreciation for Northern Soul, the friends explore why this phenomenon was so popular, and how we’re all just wishing for the simple joys of the old days. With dreams paused because of Covid, and a feeling of helplessness and resentment in their working-class roots, the trio find their solace in the discovery of Northern Soul dancing. Sally’s gran has a load of vinyl in the attic, the song “Do I Love You” is constantly played at their work (a drive through takeaway, which m...

5Apr

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Fluff – New Wimbledon Theatre

This is a one-woman play and is the first creation from the duo James Piercy and Tayla Kenyon, the founders of Teepee productions. This story focusses on a life afflicted by Alzheimer’s in ways that highlight how this debilitating disease impacts the lives of the people it penetrates. Tayla Kenyon as Fluff herself acts out the story through her many different roles, narrative and dramatisation from birth, school years from young love and boyfriend crush to her adult years as a teacher and a mother. Surrounded by her father for whom she loved dearly, and an Irish mother. Fluff faced challenges of her own as she navigated her way through life. The staging is simplistic, the lightning and projection of pictures amplify the poignancy of how people change and mem...

4Apr

By Ralph JeffreysNo Comments

London

RELIC – Coronet Theatre

RELIC suggests in its blurb that it is about “what survives from the past. A thing left behind, be it a memory, an object, a language or being”. On stage, we are treated to a barrage of images, sequences, and absurdist stand up and cabaret style performances from a strange figure: initially in just heels and a kind of bloated, amorphous body suit, this grotesque mannequin transforms and mutates throughout the performance, taking on several forms that are barely, but not entirely un-human. It's a strange show. At the heart of the piece is Euripides Laskaridis’ incredible performance which is itself a serious feat. Purely on a physical level, it demands a great deal of endurance and an incredible physical awareness of the body on stage. But considering he is also the director and set desi...

4Apr

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Nessie – The Studio, Edinburgh

Produced by Capital Theatres & Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Nessie, is a family-orientated tale of friendship, set to music with nods towards global warming, climate change and clean energy production that plays out a bit like a tick-box exercise for the 21st Century. However, from the reactions, the ooos and awwws, of the younger audience members and their quiet attention for 80 minutes it certainly seems to hit its target. And that, as we all know, is no easy feat! The life-sized puppets of Otter, ‘Oggie’ played by Keith Macpherson and Grey Heron ‘Heather’, operated by Alison Orr play a big role and are certainly cute and cuddly. And star of the show Nessa operated by Eden Barrie has a gurgling prehensile presence and a clever operation which allows her to be handled and operated r...