REVIEWS Archives - Page 383 of 458

31Oct

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Spring Awakening – Hope Street Theatre

In most instances, a quiet audience would be a sign of a failed, boring performance. Tonight, the quiet is a reflection of an audience completely captivated by the story being played out before them. Spring Awakening is the multi award-winning musical tale, based on the 1891 play, of teenage discovery – of the wider world around them, and of the more intimate desires starting to blossom as they reach puberty. In the setting of late 19th century Germany, we watch our cast explore new ideas and sensations that have both sweet and tragic consequences. The show is presented by students of the First Act Drama Studio, which means leading roles are tackled by much younger performers than you might usually expect, given the subject matter. It is an ambitious ask of any performer to bring lig...

31Oct

By Natalie J RomeoNo Comments

London

Tender Napalm – King’s Head Theatre

No set, no props, no effects except a few subtle lighting changes; just two barefoot actors and a full house. It is shows such as these that remind us, trudging through our day to day reality, of what it is to imagine, and how easy it is, if all the elements are right, to become completely immersed in a scenario totally removed from normality—immersed enough that it makes you squirm. The audience last night was fully immersed in this 10th anniversary in-person production of Tender Napalm, directed by Max Harrison at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington. Trapped on a remote Island—as we are told—a Man and a Woman tell each other stories, passing time, playing much in the way children might. However, there’s an edge to these games. An undercurrent of pain runs through most, of resentm...

Beckett in Birkenhead – Christ Church, Oxton Village

28Oct

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Beckett in Birkenhead – Christ Church, Oxton Village

I adore Samuel Beckett, so I jumped at the chance to see two of his short plays being performed. There’s a perception that his writing – like the man – is complex but in reality, it is a theatrical experience that credits its audience with being intelligent and allows them to interpret accordingly. Tonight’s pieces also highlighted the continuing relevance of his work in capturing the consistency of human emotion and behaviour over time, or as he may well have put it: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Directed by Daniel Taylor and produced by Pauline Fleming, we open with Play as we observe three heads poking out from funeral urns – Man (Phil Perez), W1 (Fleming), and W2 (Paula Simms) – in some kind of purgatory as they recall the events of an affair that connects them although ...

Nightmares – London Horror Festival Online

28Oct

By Nicky LambertNo Comments

REVIEWS

Nightmares – London Horror Festival Online

Produced by Shock Horror Theatre and written and directed by and also starring Joseph Helsing, “Nightmares” is a one man show, described as a horror musical about a man plagued by nightmares. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a nightmare to watch. I try very hard to find positives in every show I review but I simply cannot find anything good to say about this. The character is in a cellar, sleeping on a quilt (which Helsing kept slipping on and falling over). He has repetitive nightmares. In one corner there is a skeleton. There are also two other bodies. We eventually glean – over a very long hour – that he has killed his wife and his brother because they were having an affair. Helsing’s acting is over the top, cringeworthy and unconvincing, as is the dialogue. There are long...

28Oct

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Old Bridge – Bush Theatre

Old Bridge by Igor Mimic is a powerful drama about the effects of civil conflict on the lives of ordinary people. Set in the town of Mostar in the former Yugoslavia, it tells the experience of four young people enjoying life in the way all young adults do when the brutal effects of the civil war which broke up that country changed their lives in ways they could never have imagined or wanted. It is told through the eyes of Emina, now in her later years, who was one of a group of four youngsters who lived through these epic events and is in effect a dramatised narrative with her account of events delivered directly to the audience , while the other four actors dramatised scenes interwoven with her storyline. The set design by Oli Townsend was empty of scenery or...

28Oct

By Natalie J RomeoNo Comments

London

The Dresser – Richmond Theatre

The Olivier award-nominated tragicomedy The Dresser, by Ronald Harwood, is poignant, funny and a little heart-breaking. The show at Richmond Theatre last night was emotive enough to draw a tear or two from some in the audience as well as a cacophony of laughs. After it’s run at Richmond, this touring version will surely draw audiences all over the UK. Set in wartime Britain, with the rumble of bombs falling and air raid sirens disturbing the otherwise peaceful dressing room of a revered actor known only as ‘Sir’, the play opens with the dresser himself, Norman, played by Julian Clary, hard at work. Confidant, counsellor and loyal friend, it’s hard to distinguish where Norman’s job ends and where his duties to the man he admires and ultimately loves begin. As Sir struggles to prepare ...

An Unexpected Hiccup – The Studio, Edinburgh

28Oct

By Oliver GigginsNo Comments

Scotland

An Unexpected Hiccup – The Studio, Edinburgh

“An Unexpected Hiccup” was directed by Ian Cameron and Maria Oller and produced by touring theatre company Plutôt La Vie and Lung Ha Theatre Company, an Edinburgh-based theatre company for people with a learning disability. It tells the story of Murdo, a musician who, caught in a storm, is forced to take refuge in an isolated house whose inhabitants he may or may not have mutual friends with. They also seem to have quite a lot going on, including an apparently dying father in the next room and a fair few conflicting stories about what's going on... The play is based on a story by co-director Ian Cameron, itself apparently inspired by something that happened to him years ago. The script was subsequently developed by Michael Duke and the cast, Emma Clark, Ryan Duncan, Tim Licata, Emma ...

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Sheffield Lyceum

28Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Sheffield Lyceum

First, we had the spectacles that are The Phantom of the Opera, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Mary Poppins and now there is a new contender to the crown with more magical illusions than you can shake a magic wand at! From the very opening sequence we are inundated with illusion and magic from Illusion Designer Jamie Harrison and it doesn’t let up for one moment. The children in the audience gasp and the technically minded amongst us try to work out how it was done. From flying broomsticks to beds, magical moving clothing to magical magician’s tricks. Then there is Kenneth MacLeod’s puppets of mighty lions to neon fish and rabbits to ostriches, this production is nonstop wonderment with a sense of humour and more than a dash of panache! The 1971 Disney film classic staring Angela...

28Oct

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

The Show Must Go On – Theatr Clwyd

What a joy seeing Tip Top back doing what they do best, on a stage entertaining the masses and tonight they came back with a bang. The Show Must Go On brings us a mash up of musicals with something for everyone. The vast stage in the Anthony Hopkins theatre stood completely empty with just a few lights shining across the darkness but it was soon filled with incredible vocals, killer choreography and a cast so full of joy and enthusiasm. Bringing a show of this size together during a pandemic brings its own challenges and Tip Top rose to those challenges. Three groups created their own bubble, carrying out lateral flow testing and following Covid regulations, doing everything to pull together a show stopping show and co-directors/choreographers Phil Cross and Rhian Lyon should be applaud...

27Oct

By Rachel FosterNo Comments

North West

Fred – The Kings Arms

Trish and Danny are getting divorced and are having couples counselling to finalise the finer details such as who gets custody of Fred and the couples’ assets, it’s never going to be plain sailing. Their Counsellor Marc has disappeared out of the blue, so they get another counsellor Ellie at the last minute played by Louise Wilson. Louise has appeared in Coronation St as Nurse Lingard. She takes a brilliant part as the slightly unhinged replacement therapist who turns out to be Marc’s partner. Complicated? Yes. The dialogue is carefully concocted to reflect real life woes. Themes of jealousy, infidelity and conflict in relationships are brought to life in a sparklingly realistic way. The gender divide is comically highlighted with seething dialogue as the couple lock horns and take s...