REVIEWS Archives - Page 369 of 402

13Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Vigil – Mechanimal and Pound Arts

Vigil is a poignant one-man show that urges you to consider the impact of humanity on the world around us. Created by Bristol-based devised theatre company Mechanimal and presented in a new ‘online’ version with the support of The Pound Arts Centre in Wiltshire, Vigil blends physical theatre, projection, sounds and poetry to create a unique, deeply reflective journey focused on the devastating relationship between humans and nature. The original stage piece was supported by Bristol Old Vic Ferment, University College London, Arts Council England and Pound Arts, but was unable to tour in 2020 due to the pandemic. The show has the performer, played by Tom Bailey, encounter twenty-six thousand species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s ‘Red List’ within the space of ...

Charley’s Aunt – Proud Haddock Productions

12Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Charley’s Aunt – Proud Haddock Productions

Who doesn’t love a good farce? Double entendres and mistaken identity ahoy are the order of the day with ‘Charley’s Aunt’, the acclaimed farce by Brandon Thomas (adapted by Paul Thain). This virtual table reading (not a production) presented by Proud Haddock gives the audience great insight into how this play could be/ would be on the stage, through the power of Zoom. Gyles Brandreth and Gary Wilmot MBE are just a couple of the well-known names in this all-star cast who the audience get a chance to be up close and personal with. ‘Charley’s Aunt’ follows two Oxford undergraduates, Jack and Charley who, in an attempt to woo two girls, invite them over for lunch to meet Charley’s aunt. However, when they learn that her visit has been postponed last minute, they persuade their fellow...

10Apr

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

West Midlands

Rooms – Birmingham Hippodrome

I don’t think there are enough jaw-droppingly awesome words in my vocabulary to say how absolutely astonishing this production is. If you see one show this year Rooms should be it. Imagine if you will, sitting in a train carriage and glimpsing into a series of lit rooms on a dark night. You can see the goings-on, the occupants, the lives – but only for a brief tantalising moment. Now imagine stepping into that room; literally being in that room, such is the power of the close cinematography. Rambert’s 17 brilliant dancers will literally transform your life into their lives as their stories unfold over 36 scenes and involving 100 characters. Captivating and beautiful, funny and dark, their stories will surprise you, engulf you and become a part of you. Shot as if you are in the ro...

10Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

West End In Blackpool – Winter Gardens

That entertainment mecca of the Lancashire coast, the Winter Gardens, Blackpool celebrates its star studded heritage with the sparkling streaming event: West End In Blackpool. Described by its director and choreographer, Ashley Luke Lloyd as a “docu-concert stageavaganza”, this combines performances from West End artists with commentary detailing the history of the iconic building. It features Blackpool born Jodie Prenger (Oliver!) with former on screen Emmerdale siblings, Tom Lister and Kelsey-Beth Crossley. Others appearing include Top Hat co-stars, Charlotte Gooch and Alan Burkitt along with Luke Lloyd himself. Prenger breathes new life into Sondheim’s evergreen Send In The Clowns whilst Lister pays admirable homage to Frank Sinatra (who appeared at the venue) with All Of Me. ...

10Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Sitting – BBC4

Originally written for the stage, ‘Sitting’ finds itself in the new home of television, courtesy of BBC4. The three merging highly naturalistic monologues really do find a home here. In fact, they are just as home here as they would be on stage. The concept of sitting for a portrait is somewhat a little laboured. Indeed, we are led to believe that a painting is one of the most intimate depictions of a human soul. The ‘sitting for a portrait trope’ is used throughout literature, film, plays and television. Thus, the trope no longer feels as revolutionary as it once did. Perhaps the original Fringe run revelled in the novelty, but here, the concept feels a little stale. As you can imagine with a portrait scene- nothing much happens. Nothing apart from the occasional munch o...

Talking Gods V: Icarus – Arrows and Traps Theatre

10Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Talking Gods V: Icarus – Arrows and Traps Theatre

The final episode of Talking Gods from Arrows & Traps Theatre, tells the story of Icarus, his father and the deep, dark secret which haunted his life. Written and directed by Ross McGregor, this is story family, and what happens when something alters your view of your closest relatives. Icarus (Adam Elliott) is a well-spoken journalist and new father. The piece opens with him reminiscing about his scientific and loving father, who recently passed away. The funeral was busy, and Icarus spent much of it ensuring his mother didn’t become overwhelmed. Wanting to be a part of the real world, Icarus goes straight back to work, reporting on Zeus’ trail for various sexual assaults. Interviewing Hestia, he is discomfited by her omniscience. As she hints at the dark secret Icarus’ father k...

Talking Gods III: Pygmalion – Arrows & Traps Theatre

8Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Talking Gods III: Pygmalion – Arrows & Traps Theatre

The third episode of Talking Gods from Arrows & Traps Theatre, tells the story of Pygmalion. Written and directed by Ross McGregor, this is a modern retelling of the story of a man who falls in love with his own creation. Pygmalion (Edward Spence) is a reclusive, award-winning game designer, who spends most of his time with Ratbag (Richard Baker), his sentient but virtual assistant. Editing his latest game, it quickly becomes clear that he is a perfectionist. Many people do reach out to him, including numerous nymphs sending over dating profiles and his mother trying to establish regular contact, but Pygmalion is determined to avoid any difficult conversations or conflict, and so responds by deleting the many messages he is left and ignoring news broadcasts. He does watch old vid...

Saving Britney: Prologue – Old Red Lion Theatre

7Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Saving Britney: Prologue – Old Red Lion Theatre

Hot on the heels of the recent television documentary Framing Britney Spears, this collaboration from Fake Escape and the Old Red Lion Theatre is a prologue for a live show opening in the Islington space in mid-May. It opens with a shadow puppet introduction which made me think back to the Barbie dolls which populated the film Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1988), although the words were borrowing heavily from Romeo and Juliet. This tells, very quickly, the story of the rise of Britney Spears from a child artist to a woman who is denied her financial and professional independence. As a one-woman show, Saving Britney: Prologue focuses on Shereen Roushbaiani as Jean, a moderator on a Britney Fan Group. She is around thirty-years old, seems to populate a room full of Britney memo...

Talking Gods II: Orpheus – Arrows & Traps Theatre

7Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Talking Gods II: Orpheus – Arrows & Traps Theatre

The second episode of Talking Gods from Arrows & Traps Theatre, tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Written and directed by Ross McGregor, this is a modern retelling of a tragic love story of one man for himself and the woman he spends his life with. We are reminded that the Greek Gods are alive and well in our world, and then we meet Eurydice (Charlie Ryall) who tells us that her relationship with Orpheus (Christopher Neels) has left her a shadow of her former self. Blue lighting creates sharp shadows which emphasise the mood as she walks us through a depressive state where tiredness never abates and then we see Orpheus himself, sitting a few feet in front of her. They are on a train and, of course, he isn’t allowed to turn around and look at her. Orpheus is a rock star wit...

6Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Shrek the Musical – Netflix

When William Steig’s 1990 picture book ‘Shrek!’ was adapted for the screen in 2001, the subverted fairy tale became an ogre-whelming success. A musical version came to Broadway in 2008, which has now been made available to watch on UK Netflix for the very first time. Centred around the story of the first Shrek film, the unsociable ogre (Brian d’Arcy James) is outraged to find his swamp taken over by fairy-tale creatures, banished there by Lord Farquaad (Christopher Sieber). Travelling to Duloc, Shrek agrees to rescue and deliver Princess Fiona (Sutton Foster) to the knee-high ruler to get his home back. James’ commanding voice compliments the titular role, and he demonstrates his singing talents by making Act One finale ‘Who I’d Be’ a standout, but his Scottish accent is painfully un...