REVIEWS Archives - Page 301 of 548

Improbotics: Artificial Intelligence – International Anthony Burgess Foundation

23Jul

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Improbotics: Artificial Intelligence – International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Comedy improvisation partly powered by artificial intelligence. A real-life imitation game, or Turing test. Given the current Hollywood strike and the rapid growth of models like ChatGPT, there can surely be no better moment for the Improbiotics troupe. Sadly, instead of a hilarious show tapping into the zeitgeist, this is a rather chaotic experience, and it all feels fairly dated. Kraftwerk’s Pocket Calculator brilliantly soundtracks the audience entrance. An EZ-Robot, now a mainstay of classrooms around the world, tells people to ‘find your door’. Purposeful error or a reminder of the fallibility of technology? Either way, it generates a laugh. The show begins with an awkward scripted double act from our host, AI researcher Piotr Mirowski, and the aforementioned robot: ALEX (Art...

Whatever Happened to Billy Kenny? – Liverpool Theatre Festival

23Jul

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

Whatever Happened to Billy Kenny? – Liverpool Theatre Festival

The 2023 Liverpool Theatre Festival once again sees writer, Ian Salmon and director, Mikee Dickinson united for another poignant and emotional piece about the complexities of life and regret. Whatever Happened to Billy Kenny? is a one-man show performed by Jay Johnson which rockets at breakneck speed through the short and dramatic career of an Evertonian footballer who was derailed by his heavy use of alcohol and cocaine. The play opens with voiceovers talking about Kenny and everything he has thrown away. The disembodied voices disintegrate into Johnson’s creation of a club scene where he does a remarkable job of creating the illusion of a crowded nightlife alone on an empty stage. The voiceovers then repeat with overlap and distortion, creating a real sense of anxiety and panic. Jo...

22Jul

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Maybe Dick – The Squad House, Stockport

As the pun in the title implies, this is a comedic interpretation of ‘Moby Dick’, the 1851 novel by Herman Melville depicting the obsessional pursuit of ‘the great white whale’ by Captain Ahab. In the hands of Hambledon Productions this great work of Victorian literature becomes a jumping off point for puppetry, puns and silly slapstick which purposefully elicits as many groans as it does belly laughs. Writer and Performer John Hewer plays every character throughout the hour long show (with an unnecessary interval), and clearly has a deep knowledge and love of post war British comedy. Paying homage to his heroes by heavily drawing on Ronnie Corbett and Tommy Cooper in the delivery style, he concocts a ‘Carry On Moby Dick’ structure which allows a constant stream of wordplay and double e...

22Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

The Crisp Review: LIVE – King’s Arms

Having tickled audiences’ palates at last year’s Fringe, Adam Evans takes to the stage once more with a presentation packed to the rafters with all things crisp-related. If the title doesn’t give his game away, Adam unapologetically spells it out: he reviews every variety of the potato snack imaginable with the aim of encouraging suppliers to send him free bags. A high-and low-light reel of his videos offers a hilarious insight into the review process. Adam gives honest verdicts on crisps’ names, texture, flavour, and value, regaling everyone in the room with observant critiques. In person, his nonchalance and cynicism allow him to deliver one satirical quip after another, but put-downs (almost entirely aimed at himself) tagged onto the end of them regularly get the biggest laughs...

ADHD The Musical: Can I Have Your Attention Please – Shakespeare North Playhouse

22Jul

By Daniel CoxNo Comments

North West

ADHD The Musical: Can I Have Your Attention Please – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a condition that includes symptoms such as being restless and having trouble concentrating. If you fancy concentrating (or not and simply getting lost in this production) for 70-minutes then why not check out ‘ADHD The Musical: Can I Have Your Attention Please’ as this new piece of passionate theatre embarks on its 2023 tour. Written and performed by Dora Colquhoun, ADHD The Musical tells the story of Dora’s exploration and challenges she faced as she gets her diagnosis as a neurodivergent adult. Touching on work, family, relationships and revelations that come in the form of a Lush Bath Bomb it follows the format of Dora answering the questions that would show signs of an Adult with ADHD. It is a piece of theatre that takes a moment t...

Around the World in 80 Days – Churchill Theatre

20Jul

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Around the World in 80 Days – Churchill Theatre

This Titled Wig Production, originally developed in collaboration with York Theatre Royal, is a romp from beginning to end. It is colourful, energetic and engaging. Based on Jules Verne's famous novel, it creatively combines Verne's narrative of the imaginary journey of Phileas Fogg with that of Nellie Bly, a real life American journalist who circled the world in 72 days in 1890. The stage design by Sara Parks had a circus theme, with a colourful red and white tent-like tower structure with several gangway protrusions. The cast ascended and used these in a number of creative ways as the story progressed. Fogg’s journey was illustrated by means of a revolving banner, wound on by the cast. It gave some problems on press night which the cast imaginatively solved. The five strong e...

Arisha’s OK Cabaret: An Operatic Extravaganza – Sonata Piano & Cabaret Lounge

20Jul

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Arisha’s OK Cabaret: An Operatic Extravaganza – Sonata Piano & Cabaret Lounge

Tucked away in the alley ways of Manchester, not too far from Deansgate, is new(ish) piano bar, Sonata. It’s the perfect setting for a cabaret performance filled with jazz, musicals and pop. Arisha’s OK Cabaret: An Operatic Extravaganza, presented by ToBee Productions, is an autobiographical musical revue exploring Arisha’s lived experiences during their time studying Musical Theatre in Oklahoma City, when it was turned upside down by the worldwide disruptor known as Covid-19. Stuck halfway around the world from their home in Manchester, Arisha tells their tale of their, should-be-so-exciting, journey training in the renowned university where Broadway icon Kristin Chenoweth once graced the halls. However, it quickly became apparent that this tale wasn’t all jazz hands and high notes,...

Bright Lights City – Salford Arts Theatre

20Jul

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

Bright Lights City – Salford Arts Theatre

When two people meet in a seaside café at the end of a pier on a grueling wet afternoon it can go one of two ways; either sulkily sit out the storm in a sad soggy state or stop for a moment and absorb what is actually going on around you and even gain a new perspective on life, love and latte. Laura Gender’s play introduces us to Woman (Marchia Brogan)– middle-aged, successful, demanding, rude, disappointed, angry, entitled and caught out in a storm. In the empty café in which she takes refuge she meets Waitress (Blue Blackburn) – sixteen years old, unambitious, open, funny, patient, tolerant, smart and ready to shut up shop for the day. In the unfolding drama we see two women, seemingly from very different places, whose worlds collide and clash but who find a way to connection, reso...

19Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Titanic the Musical – Sheffield Lyceum

Sheffield Lyceum hosted Titanic the Musical this week and it proved to be a rousingly decadent piece of ensemble theatre. The star of the show, as should be, is the ship itself with its hull of steel that claimed to be unsinkable. The production covers its fateful maiden journey in April 1912 and its promise to make history as the fastest liner to cover the transatlantic voyage. History was indeed made on the tragic voyage, but not as intended, over 1500 souls were lost at sea as an iceberg tore a gash in its hull below the water level. This production with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and the book by Peter Stone is directed by Thom Southerland. The set by David Woodhead depicts the interior of the ship with its walls of steel towering over the cast and is a constant reminder ...

19Jul

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Diana – Soho Theatre

In Diana, a captivating one-person musical, Peter Smith draws inspiration from the enigmatic Diana, the blonde British icon who bared her soul on television. Smith, a renowned figure in the New York cabaret circuit, reveals their fascination with Diana, ignited by watching Martin Bashir's infamous interview. Yet, the show appears more about Smith, frequently delving into anecdotes about family, leaving us perplexed about its true focus. The lack of clarity leaves us yearning for a clearer narrative. Smith excels at crafting sensationalist one-liners, but disappointingly, do not lead anywhere substantial. Instead, it feels like a collection of shallow headlines, akin to tabloid gossip that entices but lacks depth. This alluring yet ultimately open production leaves much to be desired. ...