REVIEWS Archives - Page 380 of 416

Short But Sweet: Zoom Edition Liverpool Network Theatre Group

15May

By Louise PennNo Comments

REVIEWS

Short But Sweet: Zoom Edition Liverpool Network Theatre Group

Liverpool Network Theatre, a company of non-professional local creatives, share five short plays in their first Zoom live-stream. In Private Number, written by Steve Bird, William (PJ Murray) and Judy (Liana Jane Bourne) have an awkward first date, but events conspire against them. Although the ending was weak and the premise a little unconvincing, the plot twist was interesting and there could be room for expansion of this piece to find out what happened next. First-time director Gillian Paterson Fox does a respectable job. The Interview, by John Jones, has moments of comic mania as it progresses. You can tell it was written for a couple of male characters, but Katarina Dobrovodska gives a lot of expression to her keen candidate with tall tales, and Karolina Gorska’s reactions are a...

Ross and Rachel – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse Online

10May

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

REVIEWS

Ross and Rachel – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse Online

What happened after friends ended? When there was no one to tell us that life was gonna be this way? After the will-they-won’t-they became they will? Ross and Rachel was written by James Fritz and isn’t actually about the couple we spent ten years screaming at the television to get together. An unnamed couple, in their 40s who are perceived to be ‘meant-to-be’. However, whilst he is still madly and deeply in love with her, she has doubts and feels that the relationship has been over for years. Then, like in all 90s/early 2000s sitcoms that we know and love, throw in a curveball… a brain tumour. With references to not only the fan-favourite sitcom, but other pop-culture films and shows too, the play is definitely a reflection on modern relationships, with a dark twist that touches on ser...

8May

By Louise PennNo Comments

REVIEWS

Deep Blue – Paperwork Theatre

Riley is a woman of a certain age, caught in-between two worlds, above and below the water. Deep Blue is a show about what it means to belong and the importance of human connection when you live alone. Its Twitter tag is #StopLoneliness and the original music is by the Mono LPs. The four-person cast (Danielle McLauren, Tom Wilson, Edalia Day and Holly Phelps) play all the characters and the indie-rock soundtrack in this honest, heartfelt and humorous show from a company who explore theatre, community and workshops across the North West of England. Fully aware of both the changes in climate and the need for humans to have friendships, families, or a transient chat with a stranger on the street, Deep Blue presents Riley as an ordinary woman who creates her own little worlds while she s...

8May

By Rachel FosterNo Comments

REVIEWS

The Sorrows of Satan – Online

The Sorrows of Satan is a musical melodrama filmed in the ballroom in the sumptuous surroundings of a quintessential stately home in the South of England, which, follows a successful run at the Tristan Bates Theatre some time back, now returns digitally, directed by Adam Lenson. The team also behind The Fabulist Fox Sister at Southwark Play House, Luke Bateman and Michael Conley have reimagined the story of Faust in 1920’s London. Geoffrey Tempest played by Luke Bateman is a struggling penniless writer who chances upon a mysterious benefactor in the form of Prince Lucio Rimanez. A tense and provocative mix of comedy, thought provoking and humorous slapstick unravels. This performance is intriguing, sometimes dark and claustrophobic. The set and lighting gave it an authentic at...

7May

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

REVIEWS

I Could Use A Drink – stream.theatre

What is going on in the minds of the young people around you? Have you ever wondered? Wonder no longer… This song cycle, I Could Use a Drink, written by Drew Gasparini provides snapshots of different situations facing young women and men. Gasparini is a young American composer and lyricist, and the breadth of his writing talent is clear from this concert. Covering themes as diverse as teenage pregnancy, the fatal consequences of bullying, and all stages of relationships, I Could Use a Drink was originally released as an album in 2013, and now receives its UK premiere in the format of an audio-visual album. While the cast of talented young West End actors did a brilliant job of translating Gasparini’s music onto the screen, for me personally the presentation may have benefited from th...

6May

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

REVIEWS

A Killer Party – stream.theatre

The whodunnit musical Curtains meets everybody’s favourite video conferencing software Zoom in this nine-part murder mystery by Rachel Axler and Kait Kerrigan. Having been created and developed in America last year, it is now premiering in the UK with an array of stage stars-turned-suspects. When jaded traffic warden Justine Case (Emma Salvo) is inexplicably asked to investigate a killing, she eagerly dons her deerstalker and heads to the crime scene. There, a gaggle of outlandish guests of West End producer Varthur McArthur (Jason Manford) nervously, bitterly and/or hungrily await questioning. Annoyingly, the reason Justine is asked to step up is never addressed and, as the main character, her aversion to theatre is unfortunate. Salvo nevertheless pumps the new mystery-solver with m...

6May

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

Needs Must – Alex Carr

What would you do for your children? What would you give up or sacrifice even? These questions are at the heart of this short film, written and directed by Alex Carr, with original music from Florence King and original song performed by Michael Weston King, which explores the desperation of humanity and the lengths people will go to for those they love. Mick (Shaun Fagan) and Liam (Anthony Roberts) wait frustratingly for the arrival of another man, Darren (Josh Ennis), who they don’t appear to know. There is an air of danger and these three have been brought together for a purpose, but what is it? Whilst Fagan goes off to see to the ‘business’, Roberts and Ennis are left minding the car. What do you do but talk; their backgrounds whilst different share some similarities in terms of t...

The Storm Shepherd – All Things Considered

5May

By Tracy RyanNo Comments

REVIEWS

The Storm Shepherd – All Things Considered

For eight years All Things Considered has been quietly but powerfully ploughing their own unique, socially engaged theatre furrow in Liverpool - encouraging conversations between people through intimate, participatory and immersive performance, and exploring topics from male suicide to parenthood and poverty. Their new play, The Storm Shepherd, is an extremely up close & personal, absorbing audio-kinetic/sensory/tactile and interactive experience for adults and children. And it’s brilliant! Written by ATC stalwart Stuart Crowther, The Storm Shepherd takes place in audience homes, ears and imaginations, as participants are issued with an online audio link, plus a physical storytelling pack through the post. (The initial glee I experienced unboxing the beautifully compact and colourfu...

3May

By Bethany EastonNo Comments

REVIEWS

Being Mr Wickham – Original Theatre

When Pride and Prejudice is mentioned, many of us think back to the 1995 BBC version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Now Adrian Lukis who played Mr. Wickham in that infamous adaptation returns to the role in this live streamed performance at the Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmonds. In this one man play, Wickham is at home on the eve of his sixtieth birthday retelling what has happened in his life since his run in with Elizabeth Bennett and her family decades ago. Cleverly, this one hander is effectively produced for an online audience so that those watching can view the theatre at various moments in the show. As the theatres have been closed for so long, seeing the theatre lit up and the stage full was an exciting and heart-warming moment, even before the production had begun. Prior to the...

Eurobeat: The Pride of Europe – stream.theatre

3May

By Coral MourantNo Comments

REVIEWS

Eurobeat: The Pride of Europe – stream.theatre

Once a year we gather in front of our TV’s, expect the unexpected and enjoy a singing competition like no other. Parodying the popular tournament of talent, Eurobeat is a wacky, hilarious piece of theatre sure to appeal to the masses. After previous concern, Liechtenstein finally has its chance to host this celebration of European pop and it does not disappoint! It’s everything you wish for, and some more. There’s questionable lyrics, hidden politics (ahem, Brexit), outlandish costumes and campness galore! Marlene Cabana, (played by David O’Reilly’s Orla Board) is the glamorous host with the most, treating us to costume changes and double entendres with every appearance. Marlene also dazzles with some performances of her own, opening the show with a classic dance tune and a hil...