REVIEWS Archives - Page 49 of 548

13Aug

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

Two Into One – Frinton Summer Theatre

There’s nothing like a silly scrape to raise a smile, and Ray Cooney’s ‘Two Into One’ farce, is Frinton Summer Theatre’s latest offering to spread laughter this season. The premise of the story is quite simple: Richard Willey (Harry Ludlow) an MP wants to have a secret liaison with the Prime Minister’s secretary, Jennifer Bristow (Phoebe Shepherd). Of course, this being a farce, it means a much more complicated arrangement (they’re both married) and involves an array of characters (including their spouses!) telling half-truths and a whole catalogue of misunderstandings and misdemeanours. As you would expect with a classic farce, there’s a lot of door action (opening, closing, slamming and the like). And Juliette Demoulin has cleverly thought out the set design for maximum aesthetic a...

13Aug

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

The Addams Family – The Lowry

Attending The Addams Family at The Lowry in Salford is a curious experience—part charming gothic comedy, part family-friendly farce—but it never quite reaches the deliciously dark heights it hints at. It’s a pleasant night out, but one that fades quickly from memory. The cast is strong across the board. Morticia (Alexandra Burke) and Gomez (Ricardo Alfonso) share an easy chemistry, with their tango being the evening’s clear highlight—sultry, stylish, and perfectly timed. Alistair David’s choreography gives the undead ensemble moments of real flair, with slick formations and physical comedy that suit the show’s eccentric world. Diego Pitarch’s set design also deserves praise: grand, shadowy, and dripping with Addams-style atmosphere. Kara Lane steals scenes as Alice Beineke, bringing ...

Uncle Barry’s Birthday Party – Muse at Braw Venues @ Hill Street

12Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Uncle Barry’s Birthday Party – Muse at Braw Venues @ Hill Street

It’s Uncle Barry’s birthday this week at the Edinburgh Fringe, but please don’t tell him - it’s a surprise! Everyone is invited to Braw Venues where the scene is set with party hats, a DJ, and a mandatory conga line. This immersive experience is probably the introvert’s worst nightmare as the whole night we make small talk - the more we talk, the more everyone realises Barry is not who he seems… Some people I spoke extensively to, and some people I didn’t speak to at all. But the strange thing is, each person had a wildly different take on Barry’s life and his character, leading to rising tensions and gossip amongst the group - does anyone really know Barry? As I entered the party I was greeted by Mimi (Mia Foster) who promptly offered me a shot, proceeding t...

12Aug

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Wonderscape – Etcetera Theatre

Wonderscape is part of the annual Camden Fringe Festival which presents an eclectic array of performances at 40 venues around Camden. Running throughout August, the Festival showcases new talent in theatre, dance and music. Roxanne Barron is making her debut as writer and director of this piece about creativity, ambition and the destructive influence of the pursuit of fame and fortune. Finley (Conrad O'Callaghan), brilliant but manically spiralling inventor is sharing a home with Emma (El. X Speciali) and Jake (Jack Torres). Emma and Jake do not appreciate the chaos Finley brings to their lives, with his inventions strewn all over the place as he rushes around spewing ideas and thoughts like dust mites. He believes his genius will enable him to make a world-shattering inventio...

12Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

The Black Hole – The Space @ Venue 45

Frisky fun and frolics take a gripping turn as emotions get twisted and past traumas are revealed in this explosive two hander. Presented by Shooting Star Studios, and written, performed, and directed by Vkinn Vats, The Black Hole is an interesting, dramatic piece of theatre which takes its audience through the twists and turns of love, lust and all things in between. Dangerous games are played, heightened by the seemingly lack of control of the two actors as they rough and tumble around the stage. A drunken game of charades quickly takes some dark turns as the whiskey continues to flow and confessions are made. Rosalind Jackson Roe provides a strong scene partner to Vats, who both deliver an interesting and watchable portrayals of two seemingly damaged souls. We flip flop ...

Hold The Line – Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two

12Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Hold The Line – Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two

A build-up of pressure is intensely captured as we take a call on the frontline of the NHS. With a brilliant use of movement and staging, creative elements beautifully demonstrate quite literally, how our frontline workers get tangled up in the ever-growing demand for help. Squeezed by the grip of bureaucracy so tight, the increasing pace of work leaves staff gas lighted into quitting, as they’re told “It is what it is”. Emerging writer Sam Macgregor taps into his own lived experience and perfectly portrays the relentless and urgent nature that NHS call handlers have to deal with, whilst keeping a smile in their voice and a calm, professional tone. This is an immersive two hander which delves inside the belly of an NHS 111 call centre. Macgregor, is Gary, a call handler with 5 ye...

Escape the Past, Escape Room: The Deacon’s Cabinet – 25 Nicolson Square

12Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Escape the Past, Escape Room: The Deacon’s Cabinet – 25 Nicolson Square

History, high stakes, and a heap of puzzles, Brodie’s neck isn’t going to save itself. I’m standing in the cramped workshop of Edinburgh’s most notorious thief, Deacon William Brodie, with an hour to save him before the hangman comes calling. It’s my first escape room. My friend’s done a couple before, but neither of us is exactly Sherlock Holmes in a hurry. Before we begin, the ever-vigilant assistant, Ronak, greets us and with a quick waiver to confirm that neither of us are wearing a pacemaker; jump scares and magnetism within the game are noted, we begin. Cloaked, lantern in hand, we are given a quick primer on Brodie’s life, gentleman by day, burglar by night. Then we’re off! The clock is ticking, and we aim to make the leader board! The first task, which I don’t think gives ...

Erin McKinnie: Deep Heat – Hoots @ The Apex

12Aug

By Ross MackieNo Comments

Scotland

Erin McKinnie: Deep Heat – Hoots @ The Apex

What do a pussy loving granny, a swearing parrot and a sugar daddy have in common? They all feature in the wonderful stories told by Erin McKinnie as part of her work in progress show, Deep Heat. She embodies all that is good in Scottish comedy with a flavour of a young Victoria Wood. A blend of stand up, amazing singing and poetry, and I hear she can dance a step or two. This multi-talented Scottish lass weaves it all together to provide nonstop laughter that does not disappoint. Erin disembarked from her cruise life direct to the Edinburgh fringe. Greeted at the door by the enthusiastic comedian herself, you felt welcomed like a long-lost friend, into her comedy family. It was hosted in a conference room with a stage set up, with a lone microphone and chair. This was s...

Darkfield Radio: Visitors – Summerhall, Old Lab

12Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Darkfield Radio: Visitors – Summerhall, Old Lab

Darkfield has a well-earned reputation for bending the mind through total sensory control, and Visitors is no exception. Presented in complete darkness with only a pair of high-quality binaural headphones as your lifeline to the outside world, it’s a strikingly intimate encounter. The sound design is astonishing, voices slip behind you, whisper in your ear, or circle the space with uncanny precision. Every creak of a chair or shuffle of a foot lands with hyper real clarity, making you question what’s in your head and what’s in the room. The premise requires two people and sees your +1 sit opposite you as Jean and Alex, two characters clearly existing somewhere in the afterlife, make their presence known. There’s a gentle eeriness to it, an unsettling suggestion of being used as a ve...

Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story – theSpace @ Niddry Street

12Aug

By Charles PipeNo Comments

Scotland

Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story – theSpace @ Niddry Street

“I think God looks like a horse: big and beautiful.” With their imaginations ignited by dime novels and magazines about “Wild West” legends, two young boys in Gonzales, Texas, in 1889 decide to escape their quaint, unexceptional lives to pursue the excitement of life in the “Wild West” as cowboys. Theorising that legendary outlaw Billy the Kid is still alive and out there somewhere – either literally, or as a metaphorical symbol of the West – they head towards New Mexico to find him. They soon learn that adventuring in the West isn’t as glamourous as the stories would have you believe. Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story wears its influences proudly on its sleeve. It includes a diverse array of references, from Cormac McCarthy’s grim Western epic novel Blood Meridian, via John Ford ...