REVIEWS Archives - Page 327 of 571

Making it Up (One Playwright to Another) – Greater Manchester Fringe Digital

12Jul

By Donna M DayNo Comments

REVIEWS

Making it Up (One Playwright to Another) – Greater Manchester Fringe Digital

Making it Up (One Playwright to Another) is a touching tribute to the theatre industry and renowned playwright, Edward Albee. Written and performed by Norm Reynolds, the show was filmed for online streaming by John Bertram at the Red Sandcastle Theatre, Toronto. Director, Lesley Ballantyne has brought out the best in Reynolds and made this one man show about how one man’s life was touched by theatre, into something which has universal appeal and something which everyone, whether they are familiar with Albee or not, could take something from. The play is primarily focussed around an interview with Edward Albee, and Reynolds narrates his character’s life before, during and after this interview. Beginning his career as a teacher, this endeavour was put aside on writing a semi-successful pl...

12Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Enough – The King’s Arms, Salford

"Enough," a thought-provoking production by Moonstone Theatre, plunges into the harsh realities of systemic misogyny and sexism within UK police forces. Written by Emily Hunter and inspired by the heart-wrenching Sarah Everard case, the play delivers an essential message, though its predictability somewhat hampers its impact. The script showcases the experiences of Constable Irie Dayton, a role brought to life with remarkable emotional depth by Riah Amelle. However, at times, the dialogue leans towards predictability, reducing the punch that such a profound topic merits. Despite this Fringe production's minimalistic setting, the performances are noteworthy. Emily Hunter, taking on the role of Constable Chris Dash, brings a marked intensity to the play, particularly during a pivotal i...

The King’s Speech – Frinton Summer Theatre

12Jul

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

The King’s Speech – Frinton Summer Theatre

Most people will know ‘The King’s Speech’ as the Oscar winning film with Colin Firth, but the writer David Seidler, originally came up with the idea as a play. As a boy, Seidler himself suffered from a stammer, and the fact King George VI also suffered a speech impediment was a source of huge creative interest. The story is mainly set in the 1930s as King George V comes to the end of his reign and his eldest son abdicates to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Bertie (Duncan Wilkins) is thrust into the position of being crowned King George VI. The challenge being, Bertie, was rather hoping for a quieter royal life, and his debilitating stammer leaves him open to the charge of not being suitable to rule as a King. Set against the backdrop of mounting political tensions in Europe...

11Jul

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

Bones – Park Theatre

Rugby – a physically tough sport, with broken bones, but there is also a camaraderie around playing a team sport that creates a supportive network, all pulling together for ‘the Club.’ The players physical toughness belies the mental wranglings that go on with any team sportsperson before a match – will I be good enough today; I hope that I do not let the team down! Written by Lewis Aaron Wood, Bones delves into the mental health of the rugby player, in particular Ed (Ronan Cullen). Ed is used to being in the thick of the action, in the scrum, fighting for the ball, taking the knocks, beavering away in the background to help his team on to victory. His closest friends Charlie (Samuel Hoult) and Will (Ainsley Fannen) play for the same team, and the play begins with thei...

11Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Bodyguard – Hull New Theatre

In my opinion, no-one can beat Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner’s performances in the 1992 smash-hit movie, The Bodyguard. But after watching Emily-Mae Walker and Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks), in The Bodyguard: The Musical, at Hull New Theatre on Monday evening, they certainly could give the superstars a run for their money. A frisson of disappointment ran through the theatre on hearing Pussycat Doll, Melody Thornton, would not be playing the role of Rachel Marron, on stage that night. Her understudy, Walker, would be stepping into her shoes. According to the glossy programme, Walker usually plays Marron’s sister, Nicki, but on this occasion that role went to Rosie Cava Beale, and a great job she did of it, too. Callaghan plays ex-Secret Service agent, Frank Farmer, ...

11Jul

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

Bosie – The Fitzgerald, Manchester

Because of his historical significance we know much about Oscar Wilde, playwright, wit, man about town and sodomite. We know he was infatuated by his muse Lord Alfred Douglas, or “Bosie” to his friends, but perhaps we know a lot less about Bosie himself. Rik Barnett corrects that with this play. Not only writer, but Rik Barnett also has an outing as the subject of this short, but sharp piece of theatre being staged as part of the Manchester festival. First a mention of the venue. The Fitzgerald advertises itself as a “speakeasy” bar and with an entrance of Little Lever Street in the city northern quarter, the heavy dark doors set the scene well. The performance space on the first-floor suits this play very well but might be a bit limiting to other ventures. I look forward to seeing h...

Blonde Bombshells of 1943 – Theatre by the Lake

10Jul

By Karen Morley-ChesworthNo Comments

North West

Blonde Bombshells of 1943 – Theatre by the Lake

Audiences at Theatre by the Lake are whisked back in time with a foot-tapping live swing band which tells the story of one day in the life of a grandma in 1943, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth. Blonde Bombshells of 1943 is a rip-roaring night at the theatre set out in the round, capturing the big break for an all-girl swing band. From writer Alan Platter this production by Theatre by the Lake, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Stephen Joseph Theatre is a musical play with a gripping story, classic music and a talented cast. With a schoolgirl, a nun and a man in a dress trying to escape call up to the army, this wonderful production has the warm, cosy feel of a black and white Ealing comedy - yet in glorious technicolour. When the Blonde Bombshells lose members every time they play an Am...

10Jul

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Electric Dreams – Norton Priory

I was very excited to be invited to the opening night and start of PRIDE week activities in Halton, Cheshire for the eclectic take on Shakespeare’s fantasy tale “A Midsummer Night's Dream” that was being performed by local young talent A “A Place for us Theatre Company CIC” in the holy ground of the remains the 12th century Norton Priory. To such deliver such a wonderful love story in such an amazing sacred space was the ingenious idea of Kate Allerston & Chris Bastock -Artistic Directors of Norton Priory Theatre Spaces who worked in partnership with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens and “A Place for Us Theatre Company CIC” for this unique experience. Thankfully the storm that had drenched everyone earlier in the day, had now subsided and the evening was sunny and bright just as the ...

Four Weddings and a Breakdown – King’s Arms, Salford

9Jul

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

Four Weddings and a Breakdown – King’s Arms, Salford

Phil Green’s pre-Edinburgh stand up show, presented to a small audience who had made their way through the torrential rain of a humid summers evening, took us on a journey of his life over the past twenty years and the trials and torments that have brought him to where he is now. Relaxed, quick witted and very likeable, Green quickly got down to the business of pondering the life experiences and learnings of each generation from the Babyboomers who raised him to the current Generation Z cleverly highlighting the differences and similarities between them. Using the power of his beloved and adored Sugababes, who have accompanied him for the whole journey and assisted by observant and entertaining photographs, visual charts and graphs, Green highlights the features of each generation with ...

9Jul

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

Miss Brexit – Rose Theatre

Discussing controversial topics is one of the prerogatives of theatre. Immigration and European identity, or lack thereof, is as controversial as it gets in these post Brexit years. Enter Miss Brexit. In this devised new piece, under the direction of Alejandro Postigo and Amaia Mugica, we find an unnamed presenter, played by George Berry, and 5 contestants: Maria Alba, played by Alba Villaitodo, Maria Isabel, by Isabel Mulas, Maria Marie, by Maxence Marmy, Maria Shivone, by Shivone Dominguez Blascikova, and Maria Ricardo, by Ricardo Ferreira. As simple as the indicates, the audience is promptly informed about the show they are about to witness: Miss Brexit is a contest where one of the five contestants will be awarded the right to remain in the UK. The premise is straightforward, and...