REVIEWS Archives - Page 202 of 548

The Nine Day Queen – Barons Court Theatre

20May

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

The Nine Day Queen – Barons Court Theatre

It’s said that birds of a feather flock together- until the cat comes. When danger looms does solidarity dissipate? Can you really save yourself if no one else is safe? How can women do right by each other when the world seems so determined to do us wrong? The fledgling Itchy Feet Theatre Company asks these questions and more in their new staging of The Nine Day Queen both written and directed by Jen Tucker. A youthful and bright-eyed company of four delicate but determined looking girls is anchored in this performance by Maddie White as Rita, a fifteen-year-old, whose best friend Lena (Moya Matthews) has suffered a brutal attack and is hospitalized and comatose. While Rita awaits Lena’s eventual reawakening or untimely passing, she dwells in memories of their friendship, buries herself...

Jean-Michel Bernard Plays Lalo Schifrin – Coronet Theatre

20May

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Jean-Michel Bernard Plays Lalo Schifrin – Coronet Theatre

Acclaimed French pianist and composer Jean-Michel Bernard is best known for writing, performing, and scoring for films such as Hugo and Be Kind Rewind. But in his second of two nights delighting audiences at Notting Hill’s Coronet Theatre, Bernard played tribute to another icon of the genre, Lalo Schifrin. Bernard delicately took us along a journey through Schifrin’s music, as well as other compositions inspired by his artistry, for an evening that highlighted the inimitable power of music to transport us to another time and place entirely. Accompanied by nothing but his piano, simple lighting and an adorable picture of his beloved chihuahua Onion, Bernard had an astutely commanding presence in the characterful space, and his effortless mastery of his instrument was bewitching. ...

20May

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Tender – Rich Mix

Phosphoros Theatre, renowned for its impactful and thought-provoking productions, returns with its fifth play, "Tender." Building on the success of their previous tours through a collaborative research and development process across the UK, "Tender" is a timely, robust, and engaging production. With the new Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Bill, this piece fills an urgent gap that mass media seems unwilling to report on factually. The play features a diverse cast from Albania, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Iraq. Each actor brings unique flavours and perspectives, adding authenticity and depth to the production. Abel, Klevina, Ibrahim, Ismael, and Sara form a terrific and talented team on stage, seamlessly adopting numerous roles. "Tender" humanises the pain and suffering of young ...

20May

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

Now I See – Stratford East

In a unique fusion of movement, music and text, “Now, I See” takes audiences on a vibrant, emotional journey through the joys and pains of being black and male in contemporary Britain. Directed, choreographed and written by Lanre Malaolu, this 130-min nugget offers a luscious dive into male consciousness and the culture that shapes childhood adventures and a man’s ability to choose his narrative later in life. Fans of Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Topdog/Underdog” should feel right at home. The story centres on three brothers, and the aftermath of the middle one’s death, Adeyeye, from sickle cell disease. His passing leaves big brother Kieron and youngest brother Dayo grappling with their grief and searching for a way forward. History, big and small, has not been kind to either and the brothers’ c...

20May

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

Sniff – Park Theatre

Pissing on stage has never been more popular. From Travis Alabanza’s Overflow to Sam Grabiner’s Boys on the Verge of Tears plays set in bathrooms proliferate. It seems all the best new writing owes its inspiration to some form of cubicle poetry. Poetry this play is. Lewd, brash, and at times nauseating poetry it may be but it is poetry and a very powerful sort at that. With spectacular writing and performances by Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson & Felix Grainger under Ben Purkiss’s deft direction the chemistry between Liam (Fogarty-Graveson) and Alex (Grainger), two men who meet in a pub toilet, genuinely sizzles. Fogarty Graveson is especially undeniable as Liam, a character so intensely charming and menacing that he is somehow impossible not to root for even as he gets up to nothing but b...

20May

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

Cold Water – Park Theatre

Cold Water is fantastic writing by Philippa Lawford who also directs this both uproariously and understatedly funny small-scale, world-premiere production. The play is exceptionally well cast, a necessity in a two-character, full length play of any scale. Whereas some two-handers will focus on generating unbearable tension or palpable chemistry, Cold Water is the rare theatrical experience in which connection does not come at the cost of comfort. Both actors are thoroughly convincing in their characters both together and alone on stage. Under wondrously ambient lighting design by Ed Saunders even dim transitions between scenes feel captivating and revelatory. This is a play it is impossible to tear your eyes away from, not because it keeps you on the edge of the seat or fearmongers an e...

20May

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

The Syndicate – The Lowry

Can you imagine winning the lottery and becoming a millionaire overnight? Well… you’ve got to be in it to win it! Written by the late, great Kay Mellor, The Syndicate is based on the hit BBC series of the same name. Critically acclaimed, Mellor was renowned for her string of hit television dramas, such as Band of Gold, Fat Friends, Playing the Field and of course The Syndicate. Her sharp, true to life writing of ordinary people, usually set in the North of England, have been much loved by us all over the years. The stage adaptation of The Syndicate follows five supermarket workers (Denise, Bob, Jamie, Stuart and Leanne), each with their own story to tell and, perhaps predictably, all with reasons for needing money. Their jobs are all in threat as the supermarket is set to close and b...

17May

By Anne PritchardNo Comments

North West

Frankie Goes to Bollywood – HOME Mcr

Rifco Theatre Company delivers two and a half hours of delightful entertaining theatre with this enjoyable show; with comedic stereotypical depictions of characters from the Bollywood film industry, beautiful Indian costumes, energetic dance routines, an original musical score and abundant high-speed costume changes this production is a ‘must-see’. The story centres on Frankie (Laila Zaidi), a British Indian girl working in the Milton Keynes branch of a multi-chain cinema, serving popcorn with her cousin, Goldy (Katie Stasi). Frankie’s mother (Helen K Wint) passes away leaving her daughter with memories of her career and her longing to break into Bollywood. Frankie decides to try and fulfil her mother’s ambitions and auditions for a part in a Bollywood film, although never having ...

17May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

David Bowie and Me – Traverse Theatre

Beg, steal or borrow to see this one, it’s an absolute banger! Now nearing the end of his UK wide tour, the laconic Scots Squad Chief, Jack Docherty, is a man who has found his stride, and his voice. And why not, when you have a script this good to deliver. Funny, heroic, nostalgic, musical, Parrallel Lives always aspires to keep it real and delivers on multiple levels, whipping the audience to belly aching laughter one minute and wiping away real tears the next as Docherty takes us on a whistle stop trip back in time to his 13-year-old self, and his joint first loves, Eleanor Mackie and David Bowie. We are transported back to the 70’s, to a time when Jack’s best friend Mark would sit cross-legged in the school playground, carefully placing pebbles around himself and playing with ...

And Then There Were None – Rainhill Village Hall

17May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

And Then There Were None – Rainhill Village Hall

Agatha Christie’s most popular novel from 1939 – and apparently the bestselling crime novel of all time – is a quintessentially English affair with almost as many copies of it in circulation as The Bible and in too many languages to count. The perfect vehicle for the array of talent that makes up Rainhill Garrick Society, and with the action all taking place in the living room of a house on an island off the coast of Devon, it had the added benefit of the real sound effects from a stormy windblown night outside to add to the suspense on stage. Two servants, Rogers (Rob Williams) and Mrs Rogers (Ruth Proffitt) and eight strangers – secretary Vera Claythorne (Sophie Brogan); adventurer Philip Lombard (Richard Parker); lady-about-town Antonia Marston (Alison Mawdsley); retired police inspe...