REVIEWS Archives - Page 151 of 342

<strong>The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Jack Studio Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Jack Studio Theatre

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886 will be familiar to many. However, in order to avoid impairing the pleasure of those who do not know the story I will be circumspect in this review about the plot. This one-man stage adaptation has been written and performed by Mark Stratford. It closely follows the plot and characterisation in Stevenson's original. The play starts with the investigating officer Inspector Newcomen explaining to the audience of background to the case and introducing the testimony of Gabriel Utterson, the lawyer and friend of Dr Henry Jekyll. Concerned by the strange behaviour and disappearance of his friend plus a strange will left in his keep, Utterson starts to investigate and soon comes across the st...

27Jan

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Touch – Unity Theatre

Becky Downing has carefully crafted a beautiful script that brings four people’s stories together. As they were playing to a sold-out crowd, there was high expectation for the long-awaited verbatim piece, and it was received with great warmth. Verbatim, for those that are unaware, is a theatrical device where the real words of people are used in the script. In this instance, it was handled well, and the language of those people was owned and honoured by those on stage. Set over one day, this play tells a lot more about the connections between four neighbours, and for me the best moments were when everyone was still. At times it felt that the movement in and around the space was scripted and not spontaneous, which distracted from what was being said. Using a wonderfully diverse ca...

<strong>Noises Off – Phoenix Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Noises Off – Phoenix Theatre

Michael Frayn’s ‘Noises Off’ is 41 years old this year, and yet it still manages to hold the audience in stiches from start to finish. Even after all this time, it remains a highly entertaining and truly hilarious comedy. In the very unlikely event that the reader is unfamiliar with the storyline, it is a farce within a farce, following the comedic and highly energetic mishaps of a small time theatre company as they perform a fictional play, "Nothing On". Frayn’s expertly crafted script, filled with puns, innuendo, snappy one-liners, and physical comedy, keeps the audience in fits of laughter throughout, and this latest version’s pacing is spot-on, with expertly choreographed action, and impeccable timing of jokes, which is a testament to Lindsay Posner’s skilful direction and the bril...

Madama Butterfly – Manchester Opera House

27Jan

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Madama Butterfly – Manchester Opera House

What a privilege to be able to see one of Puccini’s most iconic operas, in one of auditoriums built for such a performance – at the Opera House in Manchester. I was so delighted to see this (even if it was on a school night!) and as it was a packed house so were a lot of people. The set was stunning, with the Japanese pagoda and trees across the stage and as the curtain rose we were taken to a mountain top village in Nagasaki, where life was simple, traditions obeyed and love was strong. Lieutenant Pinkerton of the American Navy, awaits his bride to be, the 15 year old naïve Cio-Cio-San, and is shown around his mountain top home by the marriage broker Goro. The American is joined by the American Consul Sharpless, who has adept knowledge of Japanese traditions and knowing that ...

<strong>Jersey Boys – Edinburgh Playhouse</strong>

27Jan

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Jersey Boys – Edinburgh Playhouse

Twelve months into an epic 18-month tour of the UK and Ireland, Jersey Boys splashes down at Edinburgh Playhouse. The lines are smooth as silk, the choreography is on point, hair is perfect, music is tight and the vocals – well… they are simply fantastic, and from the look of the packed audience, dancing, singing and whooping by the finale there is no denying this slick production is a hit. Having previously seen this musical 3 years ago, my expectations of being slightly bored by what I recalled as a somewhat formulaic juke box musical were quickly blown away by the sheer energy of this new cast with superlative acting and by the imaginative and brilliant staging. The two-storey scaffold set looked simple but with imaginative modelling and brilliant choreography the actors moved aroun...

<strong>Notre Dame – Online Digital Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Kiefer WilliamsNo Comments

REVIEWS

Notre Dame – Online Digital Theatre

Victor Hugo’s seminal gothic work is brought to life in a new adaptation from writer Stuart Crowther in this live online one-shot promenade performance from the exciting Threedumb Theatre. The story is basically one of obsession and retribution as the three main characters (Esmerelda, Frollo and Quasimodo) plummet into a vortex of passion, hatred and violence. Crowther’s exquisite script breathes new and vibrant life into a story that is perhaps over familiar to many, but the strength of the writing ensures that the characterisation is both fresh and dynamic. Stephen Smith’s adroit direction is thoughtful and painstakingly detailed throughout and he gets some fine performances from his small cast of four. Gary Duncan as the tortured Quasimodo gives a hugely sensiti...

<strong>Tam O’Shanter, Tales and Whisky – Traverse Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Tam O’Shanter, Tales and Whisky – Traverse Theatre

One Burns Night, a group of friends gather around the soothing glow of a campfire in an Edinburgh forest, to tell stories and sing songs. On a chilly January afternoon, Traverse 2 is sold out as folks gather to celebrate the poetry and music of Scotland. The set, by Polly Morris, is cosy – a campfire, with logs for the performers to sit on, and the musicians at the back in amongst the spooky trees. The lighting, by George Cort, creates a dappled forest floor effect. When I came downstairs to go into the theatre, I briefly thought I had got lost, and that I was about to go outside. Happily, the room is nice and warm, and not at all Januaryish in temperature. Some tickets include a complementary nip of whisky, which would further enhance the atmosphere, but sadly I’m dr...

<strong>In Clay – VAULT Festival</strong>

26Jan

By Zara OdetundeNo Comments

London

In Clay – VAULT Festival

This is the first show I have seen at the 2023 VAULT festival and what a start. In Clay is one of the best new musicals I have seen, full of heart and passion, it was an experience I won’t soon forget. In Clay is a one-woman musical based on the life of Marie-Berthe Cazin, a French artist. The story is set in her home in the suburbs of Paris in the 1930s. When we meet her in this story, Marie is awaiting the arrival of her fellow artist friend Henrietta. As she waits, she starts to tell the story of how they met in school and as a result the story of her life thus far. She is reflecting on her journey and career, thinking about what could have been and how she ended up on her current path. Rosalind Ford is very charming as Marie. Her comedic timing bundled with her ability to convey...

<strong>Othello – Lyric Hammersmith</strong>

25Jan

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Othello – Lyric Hammersmith

Frantic Assembly bring back their widely celebrated production of Othello adapted and directed by Scott Graham at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith. This modernised show follows Othello (Michael Akinsulire), the leader of a gang in a pub setting. They protect this area of land through violence shown in a series of movement pieces and dances. Desdemona (Chanel Waddock), daughter of gang member meets Othello in a montage hitting it off straight away, exuding with sexual connection and quite quickly becoming the metaphorical king and queen of the pack. In the background, Iago (Joe Layton) looks at this relationship as a threat and therefore creates his plan of revenge. The revenge? I’m not too sure- it could be the rumours that he has slept with his wife, Emilia (Kirsty Stuart) or simply just...

<strong>The Elephant Song – Park Theatre</strong>

24Jan

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Elephant Song – Park Theatre

When a psychiatrist misses work unexpectedly the head of the hospital, Doctor Greenberg (Jon Osbaldeston) covers for him. One of the patients, Michael (Gwithian Evans) claims to know Doctor Lawrence’s whereabouts but will only cooperate if he gets something in return. Nicolas Billon’s cleverly plotted script teems with intrigue, as two mysteries unravel throughout the play; Doctor Lawrence’s disappearance and Michael’s past related to his peculiar obsession with elephants. As he saunters in singing with abandon, we hear him before we see him, which already establishes the notion of prejudice in the play. Evans’ portrayal of Michael is immaculate, from his jerky movements to the playful yet calculating gaze. His sharp delivery indicates a disregard for social norms and Evans gives us a ...