REVIEWS Archives - Page 72 of 549

26Jun

By Ralph JeffreysNo Comments

London

Orpheus Descending – The Cockpit

Orpheus Descending is a difficult and unwieldy play in which the creative team and especially the cast of this production do an excellent job of infusing with serious energy and inventiveness. Orpheus Descending is another of Tennessee Williams plays set in small town USA examining the knotty and repressed relationships of its residents. Mostly we follow the story of Val Xavier (Johnathan Aarons), an outsider with a sordid past who is trying to make a new life for himself. He is quickly drawn into the maelstrom of the town. He is pursued by Carol Cutrere (Daisy Hargreaves), the town’s own scandal, who both wants him romantically and is trying to warn him of the potential danger he is in. Soon, however, Val is falling in love with Lady Torrance (Madison Coppola), the daughter of an I...

26Jun

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

This Bitter Earth – Soho Theatre

Following his recent turn as Emcee in Cabaret, American actor Billy Porter has clearly developed a taste for the West End. This time, however, he’s on directing duty, as he stages a new production of Harrison David Rivers’ play This Bitter Earth at Soho Theatre. It follows the relationship between Black playwright Jesse (Omari Douglas) and his white BLM activist boyfriend Neil (Alexander Lincoln), with fragmented snapshots of their love story playing out against the tragic backdrop of the killings of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and more Black people facing police brutality. Porter’s jaunty personal style translates to a slick and energetic staging, weaving the non-linear narrative together carefully through simple movement, props, and lighting changes. There are no other characte...

26Jun

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Evita – Capstone Theatre

One of the country’s oldest musical theatre society the Bentley Operatic Society once again proves its enduring legacy with a stirring production of Evita at the Capstone Theatre. The iconic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber follows the meteoric rise and tragic demise of Eva Perón. Under the direction of Alice McCormack this staging breathes fresh energy into the decades-old classic by adopting a minimalist modern era approach. This production also introduces Rosa Harrison as a new concept of ‘Young Eva’ From the outset, the production captivates. The dimly lit opening sequence, announcing Eva Perón’s death, sets an immediate tone of reverence before seamlessly transitioning into the vibrant narrative of her early ambitions. In spite of some early technical issues narrator ...

25Jun

By Zak RosenNo Comments

London

54.60 Africa – Arcola Theatre

In 54.60 Africa, what begins as a funeral for a continent quickly turns into a breathless adventure as ten friends of different ages and backgrounds, all members of the diaspora in London, spurred on by their Mother Africa, seek to discover and document all those 54 countries, and all that one and a half billion people, have to offer. All in one week. All in time for Gambia’s 60th anniversary of independence. From South Africa to Tunisia, Cameroon to Seychelles, Kenya to the Republic of Congo, this show is nothing short of extraordinary. Written and directed by Femi Elufowoju jr and based on his own experiences visiting all 54 African nations before his 60th birthday, 54.60 Africa approaches the events on stage with a simultaneous vitality and thoughtfulness, deeply attentive to the hum...

Nick Costley-White Quartet – Traverse Theatre

25Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Nick Costley-White Quartet – Traverse Theatre

Although small in number, they certainly weren’t small in sound—Nick Costley-White and his band absolutely rocked the Traverse with their unique jazz sound. Pulling inspiration from Brazil, West Africa, Malta, and more, Costley-White has curated a full-on hubbub of sound with an inventive and experimental flair. Those pieces which used these multi-cultural influences all began with a distinctive fusion sound. However, as improvisations took over from the pre-written work, we lost those cultural distinctions, falling into patterns and conventions that are perhaps more stereotypical to the traditional western jazz sound. It would have been exciting to hear the themes and ideas presented at the beginning of each piece carry over into the solos. Nonetheless, the quality of the solos was unq...

25Jun

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Calamity Jane – Blackpool Opera House

Based on the 1953 film, Calamity Jane is finally back on stage and whipping up great audiences all over the UK. This time starring multi award-winning theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Misérables, Heathers) as the titular Wild West heroine, this touring revival is bound to have your feet a-stomping and your hands clapping. Fearless, gun-slinging Calamity is always telling tales of her adventures to her friends in Deadwood, but this time might be one lie too many. When she promises to bring back an adored actress to appease the obsessed men of the town, Calamity not only causes chaos amongst the people, but she may have instigated a love battle… and who will get her heart in the end? Alongside the classic tunes from Sammy Fain and Paul Francis, this new adaptation by Charles K. Free...

Dear Evan Hansen – Grand Opera House, York

25Jun

By Abigail PendleburyNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dear Evan Hansen – Grand Opera House, York

An emotional and thought-provoking masterclass. Dear Evan Hansen at the Grand Opera House York, was one of the most emotionally resonant and beautifully staged productions I've ever seen. From the moment the lights dimmed and the opening chords of “Waving Through a Window” echoed through the theatre, it was clear we were in for something special. The cast delivered powerful, nuanced performances that held the audience in rapt attention from start to finish. Ryan Kopel’ portrayal of Evan brought a vulnerability and raw honesty to the role that made his journey incredibly moving as well as hugely relatable to most audiences. His vocal performance was both delicate and commanding, effortlessly navigating the show’s emotionally charged score, and the sensitivity of Evan trying to find hi...

24Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

RANT – Traverse Theatre

With yet another instalment of Scottish traditional music, RANT brought their lively fiddle quartet tunes to an even livelier audience at The Traverse. Comprised of Bethany Reid, Anna Massie, Lauren MacColl, and Gillian Frame, RANT are a powerhouse of a band, bringing an energy to their music that finds your toe tapping involuntarily. Having attended many a music night at The Traverse, never have I seen an audience in such high spirits as I did at RANT. Starting off as a rather coy but enamoured crowd, after Anna Massie came to introduce the next tune, the audience were soon whooping, clapping and stamping. It is quite a skill to evoke that kind of energy from an audience—especially given that the demographic of most of The Traverse’s music nights are of an older, very well-mannered gen...

Me, You and The Fit Bloke Next Door – King’s Arms, Salford

24Jun

By Philip EdwardsNo Comments

North West

Me, You and The Fit Bloke Next Door – King’s Arms, Salford

It’s not very often I leave a theatre and think “so what”, but I did on Sunday night as I left the Kings Arms Theatre. I suspect what caused me the problem was the play being written for a “fringe” performance. Pip Carew has written a piece which lasted 60 minutes but would perhaps benefit from lasting a bit longer and the time then used to develop the three characters who inhabit this play. We are presented with a married couple of whom I know very little. That back story would tell us what lead to this point in their relationship. As it is, we quickly discover they both fancy the bloke, Alex, from the next flat (of whom we are told a bit more). They proceed to seduce him but make clumsy efforts to engage his interest on their own. The element of of “will they, wo...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

24Jun

By Harry AltyNo Comments

North West

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Taking on the life story and songbook of two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Carole King is no easy task - but this Altrincham Garrick Playhouse production, fronted by the incomparable Madeleine Healey, is a sure-fire hit. With high-production value, a top-tier company and imaginative staging, this feel-good jukebox musical is truly Some Kind of Wonderful. Director Joseph Meighan seamlessly moves through the nearly thirty musical numbers with simplicity and pace, whilst still managing to craft the emotional story beats between the numbers. Stage management ensures the scenes transition efficiently, as set pieces and decoration create the various environments for this biographical story. The live camera work during One Fine Day tapped into the Jamie Lloyd’s Andrew Lloyd Webber r...