REVIEWS Archives - Page 7 of 596

The Lady Boys of Bangkok: Full Moon – Sabai Pavilion, Shepherd’s Bush Green

2Jul

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Lady Boys of Bangkok: Full Moon – Sabai Pavilion, Shepherd’s Bush Green

For almost thirty years, The Lady Boys of Bangkok has been a reliable fixture of the UK's touring entertainment calendar, building its reputation on flamboyant spectacle, irreverent humour and an unapologetically camp celebration of Thai-inspired cabaret. Its latest production, ‘Full Moon’, arrives at Shepherd's Bush Green promising a glittering evening of music, comedy and escapist fun. Unfortunately, while the enthusiasm remains intact, the production itself feels increasingly outpaced by the modern cabaret landscape. Entertainment has evolved dramatically since the show first toured in the late 1990s, audiences are now accustomed to the polished excellence of international drag artists, contemporary cabaret, immersive productions and televised performance competitions. Against that b...

2Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Car Man – Hull New Theatre

Sparks literally flew as Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Car Man hit the Hull New Theatre stage on Tuesday evening. Performed by Bourne’s New Adventures dancers, it’s billed as “Bizet’s Carmen re-ignited”. Set in a 1960s garage, the sparks we saw were presumably from a welding gun used by one of the dishiest set of mechanics I’ve ever set eyes upon. All the action takes place in the US town of Harmony; however, events are far from harmonious after a drifter answers Dino’s Diner and Garage’s ad for “man wanted”. Garage owner, Dino Alfano (Alan Vincent), is married to the beautiful, younger Lana (Ashley Shaw). He has no idea what tragedy will enfold by employing the traveller, who goes by the name of Luca (Harrison Dowzell). The stage setting was a hive of activity even before...

2Jul

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Rocky Horror Show – Storyhouse

Rocky Horror Show stops off at Storyhouse this week as part of its UK tour, and it opened with a bang. If it’s a party evening you’re after, this is the show for you. With brilliant music, fantastic costumes (not just on the stage), great lighting and a cast that gives you everything and more, Rocky Horror Show ticks all the right boxes. With songs such as Sweet Transvestite and The Time Warp. Brad and Janet are on their way home from a wedding when their car blows a tyre so they go to the nearest castle to ask if they have a telephone they can use and come across a ‘different’ group of people where they find themselves dragged into a series of interesting events as the real identity of those living here become apparent. The set designed by Hugh Durrant is very creative, all wi...

1Jul

By Charlotte MansfieldNo Comments

London

Springwood – Hampstead Theatre

On the verge of the WWII, King George VI (Bertie) and Queen Elizabeth visit President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to try to gain U.S. support for Britain. The occasion takes place, not at the White House, but at Roosevelt’s country home, Springwood. Written and directed by Richard Nelson, the play explores the meeting between these two men from a human angle, rather than a political one – what personal challenges were they facing, and where might they have found a connection? Springwood opens with a simple set of dining furniture that is immediately moved off stage and replaced with a small table and a few chairs. Presumably there was a reason for this, but whatever that was is not clear, and it makes for a disconcerting and awkward beginning. Perhaps it’s to foreshadow the awkwardness of th...

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical – Sheffield Lyceum

30Jun

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical – Sheffield Lyceum

The Sheffield Lyceum Theatre basked in the 80s/90’s disco glitter ball disco hits as Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical drove into town. With more sequined glamour and glitz than a red carpet event the audience went wild and this full throttle jukebox musical hit all the right notes with unadulterated pizzazz. Based on the Motion Picture, Stephen Elliott and Allan Scott’s adaptation does a stellar job in retaining its heart-warming story of acceptance, queer identity and family. The 13 years since its premier has seen Drag become a mainstay and accepted part of our culture not just in theatre but on prime time TV and Media. But, Priscilla, the trailblazer adds the Trans community central and upfront - no hiding - with the character of Bernadette which is written with sinceri...

Love and Friendship – St Augustine United Church

30Jun

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Love and Friendship – St Augustine United Church

There is no shortage of ambition in Edinburgh Rep’s latest production, an affectionate parody of Jane Austen’s youthful novella Love and Friendship, adapted and directed by Oliver Giggins. Packed with heightened Regency melodrama, broad physical comedy and moments of gleeful absurdity, the production showcases a company with obvious talent and infectious enthusiasm, even if the material itself doesn’t always provide the strongest framework for that talent to flourish. Rather than adapting one of Austen’s familiar novels, the production draws on one of her earliest works, written when she was still a teenager. The story follows the young Marianne persuading her Aunt Laura to reveal the astonishing tale of her youth, a tale involving doomed romances, improbable revelations of parenta...

30Jun

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Archduke – Royal Court Theatre

Rajiv Joseph's ‘Archduke’ arrives at the Royal Court with an intriguing premise, imagining the lives of the young conspirators whose actions would trigger the First World War. On paper it sounds epic, and it promises a darkly comic examination of radicalisation, friendship and history, yet despite moments of theatrical flair, the production never quite justifies its existence. Although its themes remain strikingly relevant, this production struggles to offer a compelling dramatic perspective on such a familiar historical event, leaving it feeling oddly unnecessary The greatest obstacle is its uncertain identity. The script lurches between historical drama and absurd comedy without ever settling comfortably into either. There are clear echoes of “Blackadder Goes Forth” and the anarchic w...

Summer Holiday The Musical – Crucible Theatre

26Jun

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Summer Holiday The Musical – Crucible Theatre

Jump aboard as The Bus stops at the Crucible! A Sheffield Theatres Production in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre bring the summer to Sheffield and the Yorkshire weather played its part too. With a giant sandpit outside the theatre and stripy blue and white deckchairs, with buckets and spades abound both children and adults had a lovely time with live music adding to the ambience. The fully air-conditioned Crucible Theatre gave a wonderful place to escape the blistering sun and enjoy a Summer Holiday from a cool vista. The stage version of the classic film has been specially adapted for the Crucible’s round stage by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan resetting the story of Don and the gang from Sheffield on South Yorkshire Transport to Paris, Italy, the Alps and Greece. A fun sto...

Blood Wedding – The Drama Studio, Sheffield

26Jun

By Nathan DunnNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Blood Wedding – The Drama Studio, Sheffield

The Company brought their production of Federico Garcia Lorca’s Spanish tragedy ‘Blood Wedding’ to Sheffield this week, and with it plenty of endeavour. How does this horrorful, mysterious tale of lovers torn astray weigh up today? It ought to be said that many (if not all) of the performers on stage demonstrated strong performative capability. They were confident, expressive, at times dynamic and at times deeply committed. Equally Mia Stephenson and Bella Rodgers’ costumes are great, and John Ansari’s fight co-ordination is strong. However, unfortunately I feel this production faced some challenges that proved difficult to overcome. Ed Bancroft and Heather Ellis’ direction has its moments. Specifically, it has a big moment in the second act – in which the sinister, abstract underwor...

26Jun

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Sting – Young Vic

This is a confusing and poorly constructed play. According to the publicity and the programme it is about witchcraft and how persecution of women through the ages has led to the current appalling levels of domestic abuse. That sounds intriguing, but the play lost its way several times. Photo: Helen-Murray It starts in an archive where archivist Lily, played by Phoebe Ladenburg works, although there was not much evidence of that on her empty desk. Enter her new assistant the effervescent Ash (Adelle Leonce), dressed and hung over from a wild night out at a nightclub. Despite appearing to be totally unsuitable for a role in the archive she is actually a very bright individual with a considerable knowledge of the history of witchcraft. She has, however, a dark personal history. Ne...