REVIEWS Archives - Page 285 of 548

Sunshine on Leith – Assembly Rooms, Bijou (tent) George Street

12Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Sunshine on Leith – Assembly Rooms, Bijou (tent) George Street

Set in the inspired venue choice of a giant tent on George Street, Captivate Theatre bring this breezy and lively musical which can easily cope with some background street chatter. In fact, it fits right in (as if it’s meant) to many of scenes; in the pub, on the football terraces or in the hospital. And as for the lighting techie! It took me a while to realise that we were at nature’s mercy, and miraculously it seemed that the light rose and fell at all the right points. Behind a cloud for the sad scenes and full sun for the bright ones. Miraculous! To the wonderful music and lyrics of Scotland’s finest, The Proclaimers, Scottish Country (without the Western), we follow two likely lads, Ally and Davy, discharged from the army and returning home to Edinburgh (no, Leith!) to try to carve...

A Caravan Named Desire – Camden People’s Theatre

12Aug

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

A Caravan Named Desire – Camden People’s Theatre

Split Infinitive presents the play 'A Caravan Named Desire'. The experimental piece is performed by married couple Alexander and Helen Millington. The play starts on the premise to curiously unpack the living experience of a sex worker but meanders into the personal journey of the writer/character's sexual exploration. 'A caravan named Desire' is the John Beecher Memorial Award winner for original, challenging work with high production value at the Buxton Fringe Festival. For time immemorial, men have lied and deceived women to share their stories and services. The play's premise's inherent deceit sits uncomfortably and is invisible in the room. Though the play's premise is attractive, the tension, curiosity and apprehension around sexual exploration falls flat in the latter h...

Quiz Night – Vaginus Hemmingway’s Cabaret Rathole

12Aug

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Quiz Night – Vaginus Hemmingway’s Cabaret Rathole

'Quiz Night at Vaginus Hemmingway's cabaret rathole' by Lara Cosmetatos is a personal essay with a creative imagination and talented acting and singing. The solo piece contains multiple realities and endearing characters crafted and delivered with aplomb. Fruit of her labour of the past six years, one can't help but admire the many diverse stories she weaves, with characters who have some resemblances to those around us but are totally unique and quirky in how they express and exist. The most enchanting part of the show was Lara's voice and original songs. She sings like a nightingale, switching tones, delivering with precision and commanding stage presence. The songs also have so much depth, rhyme and poetic imagery, tying significant knots in the plot. The show is about a sweet...

The 39 Steps – Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

12Aug

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

The 39 Steps – Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Take a step into an entertaining, exhilarating and comical production of John Buchan's classic thriller The 39 Steps at Theatre by the Lake - and you won't be disappointed, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth. Patrick Barlow's adaptation is an imaginative and brilliant telling of the story of an innocent upper-middle-class, Richard Hannay who finds himself on the run, accused of murder and the only person who can prevent spies from stealing British military secrets. This is a Theatre by the Lake and Stephen Joseph Theatre production, which is based more on the successful movie version of The 39 Steps by Alfred Hitchcock - and look out for the names of other Hitchcock movies littered throughout the performance. For fans of 'The Play That Goes Wrong' you shouldn't miss this production whi...

12Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Food – The Studio

I am one of the ‘lucky’ ones chosen to be seated at a gargantuan table fully laid out with plates and glasses and cutlery, with about 30 other guests, the rest of the ‘audience’ are seated around us on three sides. Geoff Sobelle dressed as a fancy waiter struts around us, in charge of proceedings. He pretends to light a candle and pulls it on a cloth into the middle of the table. Of course, it is only a little pretend candle; no one is allowed to use a naked light in theatre land these days. In fact, as he pulls it, it falls over, so we can all see that it is a little battery powered prop, there is a ripple of laughter. Sobelle shrugs with a grin. Any so it begins. As the lights drop lower and lower and we are asked to close our eyes and are taken on a journey with Sobelle’s sonorous vo...

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band – Edinburgh Summerhall (Dissection Room)

12Aug

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band – Edinburgh Summerhall (Dissection Room)

‘My baby loves Happy Mondays, My baby drinks leftovers in the morning.’ Piccadilly Records, Manchester, second half of 1995. There’s - as usual - something good playing as I go through Parlophone’s releases for the week with the buyer(s) and three tracks in I’m forced to break off, ‘What’s this playing?’ ‘Waterpistol, Shack. They did it a while ago, but it sort of… got lost.’ 27 years later the same record store made ‘Dear Scott’ their album of the year for 2022. It topped Mojo magazine’s chart too. At Summerhall’s Dissection Room tonight we’ve a chance to catch up with the latest episode of Michael Head’s career. Long story but: The Pale Fountains, Shack, The Magical World of The Strands, and now The Red Elastic Band. A Postie reference, I believe. Having had ‘Kismet’ off ...

Dizney in Drag – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

12Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Dizney in Drag – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

From the moment I stepped into the venue for 'Dizney in Drag,' I knew I was in for an extraordinary experience. Before the show the cast came round to the audience in character, it felt like I was at Disneyland! The show started with a spectacular rendition of 'Be Our Guest,' letting the audience know what they would be in for - an hour filled with hilarious performances and fabulous surprises. 'Dizney in Drag' celebrates diversity with its message of acceptance within the LGBT, creating a safe space for everyone. The show weaves in provocative elements, tastefully whilst filling the hour with innuendos, and even cleverly placed "Hairy" Godmother segments. Some highlights for me were The Little Mermaid's unexpected bondage twist and the unforgettable 'Paint with All the Colours o...

Bowjangles: Dracula in Space – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

12Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Bowjangles: Dracula in Space – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

As I entered the venue for Bowjangles' "Dracula in Space," the atmosphere had been set with the unsettling sound of bells and crow noises, alongside the red gothic wallpaper against elaborate gold wall decorations, this further intensified the mysterious allure of the space. The stage came alive with the presence of the musicians that showcased a fusion of dancing, string instruments and singing. The choreography was well crafted, the musicians moved seamlessly with the music; the combination of the choreography and the different singing voices created a mesmerising visual and auditory experience. The comedy aspect consisted of musical humour, sprinkling in plenty of music-related jokes that I didn't understand myself but got some good laughs from the audience. Apparently, ...

12Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Cowboys and Lesbians – Pleasance Dome

As I stepped into the theatre, the twang of country music surrounded me, setting the tone for the story that was about to be told. Each backdrop on the stage meticulously hand-painted, setting the scene for a world waiting to be explored, with this a ladder and a simple box, unassuming yet intriguing, overall, a very charming and well crafted set The audience buzzed, it was clear that this was a full house, ready for what we were about to see. The show started and we were transported into the lives of ordinary teenagers, casually chatting about crushes on teachers, which was nostalgic and familiar to most. The play developed into a coming-of-age narrative; a story that resonated with experiences many LGBT people have all shared. The transitions were accompanied by music that p...

Sheldrake on Shakespeare: Live! – Paradise in The Vault

11Aug

By Danielle FarrowNo Comments

Scotland

Sheldrake on Shakespeare: Live! – Paradise in The Vault

This show does not live up to expectations. The main show information promises ‘anecdote, insight, performance, analysis and laughter’ and the website states there will be ‘live performance of some of Shakespeare’s greatest moments. There weren’t. During the show mention was made of how this piece means getting to play great roles without having to audition. Entertaining moment… no great roles played. No roles played at all. Anecdote, insight, some analysis and some laughter, mostly of the dry chuckle variety, were delivered as James Sheldrake talked about Shakespeare and the ideas he has developed over 8 years of teaching. Sheldrake has some performance experience in Shakespeare plays and the one moment he moved to the back of the stage - a small section of an old Edinburgh vaulted ...