REVIEWS Archives - Page 339 of 367

21Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

West End Musical Drive In – Live Stream

Why settle for one musical when you can watch the iconic hits from all our favourites? In the Summer of 2020, the incredible team at ‘West End Musical Brunch’ brought us ‘West End Musical Drive In’ and stunned audiences from their vehicles in the two-hour performance. Now in 2021 we are brought the recorded experience of all five concerts in the comfort of our own homes. Hosted by Shanay Holmes (co-founder of ‘West End Musical Brunch’) act one of the first concert presents us with a lineup of moving, heartfelt songs such as ‘On My Own’ from ‘Les Misérables’ performed by former Éponine Shan Ako and ‘Burn’ from ‘Hamilton’ performed by Maiya Quansah Breed. Shortly after we were introduced to the headline act Layton Williams who is known for a number of roles such as Billy Elliot in ‘Billy...

Barnes’ People: A True Born Englishman – Perfectly Normal Productions

21Feb

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REVIEWS

Barnes’ People: A True Born Englishman – Perfectly Normal Productions

This is another piece written by Peter Barnes in the series of monologues going under the title of Barnes People. Again the “action” takes place in the form of an interview on an empty stage with the lead character, Leslie Bray, who has been a footman working at Buckingham Palace for thirty years and has in that time risen from humble beginnings as third door opener to the heady heights of first door opener! A lifetime of keeping secrets, putting up with poor pay for the social prestige and privilege of working in the Royal Household and knowing that the role involves upholding the dignity of the Crown at all times. We are given numerous insights into what goes on behind the scenes, the characters which are introduced from both upstairs and downstairs, what is needed to make a success ...

Barnes’ People: Billy & Me – Perfectly Normal Productions

21Feb

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REVIEWS

Barnes’ People: Billy & Me – Perfectly Normal Productions

This is a piece written by Peter Barnes, one in a series of monologues going under the title of Barnes People. The lead character of Michael Jennings in this is taken by probably the best impressionist in the country at the moment, Jon Culshaw, and relies less on his impressionist skills and more on his taking on the role of a ventriloquist. Set on the stage of an empty theatre, the “cast” consists of Culshaw and four of his puppets; the Billy of the title, the Major, Aunt Agnes and Uncle O’Pat, all voiced by Culshaw making use of his myriad voices. The characters of the different puppets are well developed as the narrative proceeds, as is the complex relationship between the puppeteer and his dummies, in fact you begin to wonder who is manipulating who? Are they really 2 sides of the sam...

The Secret Society of Leading Ladies! – Barn Theatre

21Feb

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REVIEWS

The Secret Society of Leading Ladies! – Barn Theatre

Ready, player one? In a concept devised by Ryan Carter, an eclectic roster of musical theatre’s best-loved female personalities unites for a unique character select screen-style production. For each of the five ‘levels’, a trio of leading ladies and their song titles are displayed, and it’s up to the viewer to pick who takes to the stage. This is a really fun opportunity to relive some of your favourite musical tunes or experience something completely new. If it’s too difficult to decide, though, an automatic selection is made after 45 seconds. Exploring the mysterious venue she has been invited into, the first performer then breaks into song. This might well be Jarnéia Richard-Noel who gives an attention-grabbing rendition of ‘I Didn’t Plan It’ as Waitress’ Janet. Her smooth voice ...

Short Form Scratch Night – Reflex Theatre

21Feb

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REVIEWS

Short Form Scratch Night – Reflex Theatre

Scratch nights give new writers, directors and performers the opportunity to explore and test works-in-progress. This is often a collaborative process, audience feedback helping the further development of the work. Reflex Theatre have taken this concept to a new level, with online short plays under the tagline "First page, last page - we do the rest". In other words, the first and last pages are scripted with the cast improvising the part in between. This unique idea works remarkably well, especially in the hands of this talented ensemble, giving an airing to new works and providing splendidly enjoyable, though occasionally scary, performances. Part of the Living Record Festival, four short stories make up this presentation, with the overarching theme of hopes and dreams resolving in u...

Songs for a New World – Lambert Jackson Productions

21Feb

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REVIEWS

Songs for a New World – Lambert Jackson Productions

Recorded remotely in June 2020, this abstract musical is a breath of fresh air in this confined lockdown. Jason Robert Brown’s song cycle captures the feeling of transitioning as we explore the effects of “one moment” of change. The piece opens with footage of closed theatres and soundbites of the news. The uncharacteristically empty theatre districts are accompanied by the words of hope in “A New World”. The show premiered in 1995 but, as with this song, the whole show’s premise feels especially poignant in this time. Almost instantly I had goosebumps and there was many more of that to come. The idea of a moment igniting change couldn’t be more significant when thinking of last year’s Black Lives Matter protests. The footage of Windrush and street art of George Floyd gave even more...

Barnes’ People: Rosa – Perfectly Normal Productions

18Feb

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REVIEWS

Barnes’ People: Rosa – Perfectly Normal Productions

Dr Rosa Hamilton is a specialist in geriatrics. Sitting in her office dictating into a voice recorder, she is charged with assessing the elderly for council residential care. She's overworked, jaded after 20 years of trying to make a difference, frustrated by a system of what she sees as institutionalised injustice against the "undeserving poor" of London's East End. Yet her professionalism constrains her to continue referring elderly people to care homes that they believe will be an improvement on the conditions they are living in and remove the burden on their families. But Rosa recognises that the care homes are simply "waiting rooms for death", rather than the havens her patients expect. Rosa is a desperate, totally believable character full of self-doubt. She fears that, over the yea...

Barnes’ People: Losing Myself – Perfectly Normal Productions

18Feb

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REVIEWS

Barnes’ People: Losing Myself – Perfectly Normal Productions

Adams is a man who feels he has lost everything, himself, his faith, his hope. He sits on a bench in a dilapidated cemetery that is about to be redeveloped, contemplating his life and chatting to the deceased Maurice as he tries to come to terms with who he has become. He used to be a trusted and dedicated doctor but, somewhere along the way, he realised that his ability to care was a sham and his concern for others was condescension. So he walked away from that life and became a cemetery attendant. This is a play about guilt and self-judgement, loss and rediscovery. The vastly under-rated Matthew Kelly is wonderful as the introspective Adams. He's haggard but still smartly dressed, a man who "never thought there was anything serious enough in the world to care about." In talking...

18Feb

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East Midlands

The Color Purple – Curve@Home

Based on the seminal prize winning novel by Alice Walker and later filmed by Steven Spielberg, Curve@Home in association with Birmingham Hippodrome presents this theatre in the round version of the award winning production. The Color Purple is a sprawling story about friendship and personal triumph through adversity as the main character Celie (played by the amazing T’Shan Williams) makes the journey from the dark heart of abuse and misery to the glories of personal fulfilment, kindness and love. In short, the story is about change and the power that it gives to the individual. It’s also a story about connection and the importance of community and family. This musical version (book by Marsha Norman with music by the fabulous Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray) cleverly ...

17Feb

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Yorkshire & Humber

Jane Eyre – Hull Truck Theatre

Written by Charlotte Brontë, the classic that is Jane Eyre never fails to impress audiences - whether on film, TV or in the theatre. I viewed this particular performance (a world premiere) online - a necessity in these Covid lockdown times - and it wasn’t until the final words were uttered in the final scene, and I lifted my head from my computer, that I realised I had become totally and utterly engrossed in what I had witnessed on my 13ins screen. Filmed in Bracknell last November, it was originally scheduled to grace Hull Truck Theatre’s stage in March 2020, but the coronavirus put paid to that. So, settling down on my sofa at home, coffee and snacks at the ready and my husband promising not to utter a sound, I entered the fascinating world of the well-known orphan, Jane Eyre. ...