REVIEWS Archives - Page 326 of 548

4May

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Unexpected Twist – The Lowry

Michael Rosen is a British children's author, poet, presenter, political columnist, broadcaster, and activist who has written 140 books. Rosen wrote ‘Unexpected Twist’ in 2018 which is the re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic ‘Oliver Twist’ - Michael Rosen has combined the two stories into one, with his modern story ‘Unexpected Twist’ and the 1838 Dickens classic that he states inspired it. The two stories allegedly twist together unexpectedly, set in modern-day, teenager Shona (Drew Hylton) lives with her single dad (Thomas Vernal) and relies on benefits to survive. They have been forced to move due to a familiar cycle of debt of her unemployed father following the death of her beloved mother - moving means yet another school to attend an all too cyclic event f...

3May

By Marita MatarNo Comments

London

Stars – Institute of Contemporary Arts

Just because I am born here doesn’t mean I am from here’ -MRS In an effort to elicit sexual arousal and understanding of bodies that are queer, Black, female, or undocumented, STARS present an Afrofuturist music play performed by Debra Michaels (MRS) and Bradley Charles (DJ Michael Manners), written by Mojisola Adebayo, an internationally acclaimed theater maker artist and Alfred Fagon award winner and directed by Gail Babb and S. Ama Wray. Huge acknowledgments to the cast, the creative team and the production who successfully made a 90-minute piece possible with the creative intervention of experimental music, digital tills, acting, animation, lighting and stage managing. The actor was accompanied by music played by the DJ in a space-like cabin who sets the tone with his trippy, univer...

3May

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Blanket Ban – Southwark Playhouse

Performing to a packed Southwark Playhouse audience on Tuesday night, writers and performers Davina Hamilton and Marta Vella open their one act show by extolling the virtues of their home country, Malta. And it sounds idyllic – 300 days of sunshine, beautiful beaches and coastline, jewel blue sea – which features as a recurring theme of beauty and power – delicious food and a friendly community spirit across the country. Ah, and it has – or had up until very recently – a blanket ban on abortion. And so, the premise is set, with Hamilton and Vella breaking down the internal conflict they feel for a country they clearly love, with otherwise open and progressive views, taking such a stern, outdated position on abortion. The piece has been well researched and uses a mix of first-person t...

3May

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

Sucker Punch – The Lowry

Set in London during the 1980s Sucker Punch follows the relationship of Leon and Troy, two young black men who have been caught breaking into a local boxing gym and are now paying penance to, gym owner, Charlie (Liam Smith) in exchange for him not involving the police in their misdemeanors. Why these two young men break into the gym in the first place was not clear, it does not matter. What does matter is that the middle-aged Charlie is white, racist, sexist and homophobic and these two young men are at his mercy. On entering the theatre it is 1981. Ska music plays. Charlie and protégé Tommy (John Rogers) are warming up and then training in the ring as the audience settle. Sandra Falase’s set very successfully creates the back street gym typified in the East End of London; the boxing...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Liverpool Empire

3May

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Liverpool Empire

A celebration of the worlds possible to create onstage. Katy Rudd and Joel Horwood, along with their creative teams have transformed Neil Gaiman’s story into a masterclass of theatre making. The attention to detail and appreciation for the magical realism of the world in and around the Hempstock’s farm, did not go unnoticed. The slick choreography and complicated set changes proved part of the magic and kept the audience gasping and giggling at just how they did it. Photo: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg Standout aspects were Ian Dickinson’s sound design and Samuel Wyer’s puppets. With delicate power, these aspects of the performance brought more life and atmosphere to the stage than any other. A perfect accompaniment to the actor’s performances, that kept us believing in the world onstage a...

The Beekeeper of Aleppo – Richmond Theatre

3May

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Beekeeper of Aleppo – Richmond Theatre

‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’, adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, is based on Christy Lefteri's bestselling novel. The play follows the story of Nuri, a beekeeper, and his wife Afra as they navigate a dangerous journey from war-torn Syria to the UK. The couple's experiences are shaped by the trauma they faced during the war, and the challenges they encounter as refugees seeking safety and a new home. As Nuri and Afra struggle through Turkey and Greece, leaving behind the shattered remains of their lives, audiences bear witness to their resilience and strength and see the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Lefteri's novel is a powerful story that offers a glimpse into the harsh realities faced by refugees, and the play adaptation seeks to bring th...

3May

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The King and I – Hull New Theatre

I start this review with an apology to anyone involved with the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, which came to Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening. I apologise because there simply aren’t enough words in the English - or any other - language, to describe just how good it is. The King and I comes to the city following a sold-out season at the London Palladium, bringing with it the West End’s Annalene Beechey as Anna, and Broadway’s Darren Lee as the King of Siam. Before curtain up, we in the packed theatre enjoyed snippets of some of the show’s well-known tunes, played by a full-scale orchestra whose musical talents were an integral part of proceedings. We knew we would be treated to the complete versions of unforgettable tunes such as Shall We Dance?, Whi...

3May

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Julius Caesar – Alhambra Bradford

Many moons ago the RSC came to my small northern town putting on a production of Henry IV, Part One which blew my teenage mind, and one can only hope that the school group waiting patiently in the foyer to see this challenging version tale of the price of power would have the same transformative experience. It’s a coup for the Alhambra to bring this production from Strafford as Atri Banerjee is one of the new breed of RSC directors determined to make the Bard’s words resonate with new audiences, so no togas or laurel wreaths as the big cast wander around in dress shirts, vests and sweatpants. This version which takes some risks has divided audiences, which all good theatre should do. The long first half starts with the cast moving as one to symbolise the mob that will ultimately decide ...

2May

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Glory Ride – Charing Cross Theatre

“Good is something you do, not what you talk about”. A new musical based on the true story of a heroic conspiracy to rescue children from fascist Italy by bicycle, Glory Ride a tale of passion, friendship, grief and pride. The plot centres around the beloved Italian athlete Gino Bartali (Josh St. Clair), an Italian household name, who cycled across European countries delivering edited identity cards to fugitives to save their lives. Written by Victoria and Todd Buchholz and directed by Olivier-winner Kelly Devine, this production has been developed through workshops in New York and Los Angeles and a staged concert at The Other Palace in London last year. The set is dimly lit and has a sombre feel to it, setting the scene for Italy in 1935, depicting the tone of the musical a...

Eurovision (Your Decision) – Above The Stag

2May

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Eurovision (Your Decision) – Above The Stag

In the upcoming, major event that is Eurovision we are transported back to the classics throughout the years. Four actors take us through a parody musical journey all the way back to the 70's, to covid finding all the most wonderful obscurities through the way. Set in a cabaret style theatre, the audience are encouraged to band together, make new friends and sing-along in the true Eurovision style. This fast-paced piece parodies every element, from the voice-over to the presenters. Incredibly well-timed comedy and chemistry between the cast as they jostle on and off stage clownishly. Even if you don't know the older tunes, everything is so easily available for the audience to get involved and show support. Interactive, of sorts as we decide the winner of the whole show during the int...