REVIEWS Archives - Page 75 of 549

14Jun

By Dave SmithNo Comments

London

…Earnest? – Richmond Theatre

Celebrating 130 years of Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest, Say It Again, Sorry? offer up their own chaotic twist - part homage, part catastrophe. Oscar Wilde meets The Play That Goes Wrong - a heady blend of farce, improv, and gentle audience manipulation. ...Earnest? begins as normal: a servant considers it rude to listen to the piano, then cucumber sandwiches - but then the doorbell rings and Earnest is loudly announced… Yet now, the door stays closed and no one arrives. A quick interruption from the director fills some time while the cast of the play-within-a-play try to figure out how the show will keep going. The answer is simple: an audience member will join them on stage to stand in for the missing actor. When funny, ...Earnest? is hilariously funny. ...

Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope – Shakespeare North Playhouse

14Jun

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Actor and writer Mark Farrelly’s portrayal of Quentin Crisp is mesmerizing. Under Linda Marlowe’s careful direction, Farrelly delivers a 75-minute performance that is both insightful and engaging. His ability to embody Crisp’s unique mannerisms, voice, and flamboyant style transforms this solo act into an intimate and deep theatrical experience. Naked Hope depicts Crisp at two phases of his remarkable life, firstly alone in the 60’s in his Chelsea flat convinced that life had passed him by and thirty years later as a celebrity who has conquered New York. Crisp, born Dennis Pratt was known for his sharp wit, and Farrelly makes sure these one-liners hit with the right mix of humour and emotion. From the funny yet bittersweet line, “Sex is the last refuge of the miserable; if we do not suf...

14Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Soundhouse: Sian – Traverse Theatre

With tales of criminals, swan hunters, and torrid affairs, folk-group Sian had the audience of the Traverse in awe. Presented by Soundhouse, we were blessed with yet another live folk performance at the Traverse Theatre. Sian is a three-piece group of folk singers, performing exclusively in Gaelic and accompanied by Innes White on electric and acoustic guitar. Composed of Ceitlin Lilidh, Eilidh Cormack, and Ellen MacDonald, this is a group that celebrates its Hebridean roots—featuring songs that tell the traditional stories which have stood the test of time, having been passed down through the ages in areas around Skye and Lewis. The vocal agility and control of Sian is astounding, as they sail through the lilting nature of the pieces with ease. They uphold the rich history of the songs...

14Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

King of Pangea – King’s Head Theatre

King of Pangea is a new musical produced by Jerry Mitchell that takes audiences on an emotional journey through the challenges of growing up, family bonds, illness, and grief. It tells a moving story about a boy named Sam Crow, who grows up in a loving household only to face the devastating impact of cancer—not once, but twice. The musical begins with Sam watching his mother battle and survive cancer. Later, as a university student, he is confronted with a similar situation—but this time, it ends in loss. The narrative powerfully explores how grief reshapes a person's world. Sam Crow is played by Alfie Blackwell, with Tayt Joshua Silvester-Stoller portraying his younger self. Both deliver compelling performances, capturing the deep emotional struggle of processing trauma at a young a...

13Jun

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Finding Nemo Jr. – The Forum Theatre

This show was performed by the NK Theatre Arts junior youth theatre members (all 85 of them!) and I cannot remember ever seeing such an enthusiastic bunch of children, many of whom were taking part in their first ever stage show. I must say at the outset that HUGE congratulations must go to Hannah Thomas who in addition to directing the show also took on the role of musical director and choreographer and she excelled in all of these disciplines. I have to say that, going back many years, this must be just about the best production I have seen that Hannah has taken charge of. She really does excel in bringing out the talents of the youngsters in her charge. The storyline of the production is based on the 2003 Pixar animated film of the same name. Living on the great barrier reef off ...

What Does It Take to Slay a Dragon – 53two

13Jun

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

What Does It Take to Slay a Dragon – 53two

The first rule of dramatic writing is to “show not tell”. Drama works best when the audience is engaged in the story, its characters and the conflict that lies within it. They are drawn in and become involved, developing a genuine care for the characters. That feeling may be love, or it may be hate, but they are interested because they are watching something dramatic unfold. It is disruptive, then, for people watching if the actors simply break the fourth wall and just tell them what is happening. Structurally, this play was a mess. The writer, Rebekah Harrison, warned the audience that they were in for something different, and whilst it may be seen as a brave move to tell the story in the way she did, it simply did not work. It stopped you from caring about the characters and made itse...

12Jun

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

The 39 Steps – Gladstone Theatre

For their final instalment of their centenary season, Bebington Dramatic Society have brought the hilarious The 39 Steps to the Gladstone theatre and what a treat it is. Originating as a novel in 1915, it then inspired the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, which in turn was turned in to a play. The set, to start, is rather bare, with a covered chair, a table with a few props on, a window and 2 step ladders at the back providing the set up for the play and with clever use of different pieces such as a lamppost, a door and numerous suitcases, we are transported through many scenes from the theatre, a train, to a hotel room and everything in between. The story follows Richard Hannay (Richard Dodd) as he goes on the run after being falsely accused of murdering Annabella Schmidt (Danielle Jones...

12Jun

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Romeo and Juliet – Wilton’s Music Hall

Flabbergast Theatre have returned to Wilton’s Music Hall, this time with a visceral reimagining of Romeo and Juliet. A thunderous, and unrelenting feat of physical theatre that carries an energy that brings something entirely fresh to Shakespeare’s tragedy. Renowned for rejecting classic Shakespeare, this latest production from Flabbergast is fiercely modern and embraces a raw, and highly expressive way of presenting the story of star-crossed lovers, injecting a whole new level of modern storytelling into the text. From the moment the audience enters the auditorium, it’s clear that something unusual, is about to unfold. The ensemble is already on stage, shifting and murmuring with an unnerving intensity. It’s difficult to tell whether they are intoxicated, possessed, or gripped by some ...

12Jun

By Oliver GigginsNo Comments

Scotland

Quadrophenia – Festival Theatre

Translating a rock opera to the stage might seem like a logical sequitur, until one remembers that in this case it is translating an album – in which the storytelling is done almost entirely through lyrics (and may still not be the clearest then) – into an entirely non-verbal medium – a ballet. But this was the task of Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, taking The Who's (well... really Pete Townshend's) second/third rock opera (depending on whether we count A Quick One While He's Away) 1973's Quadrophenia, stripping out its lyrics and replacing guitars, synths and Moonish drumming for an orchestral version of the album by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. While waiting outside, another audience member asked me how many people I thought were there for the music. Having seen at least one The Who...

Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare North Playhouse

12Jun

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Ever seen a punk version of Shakespeare? No, well take a seat for Laura J Harris's adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. With a colourful cast of emerging LGBTQ+ and Northern talent, I can guarantee you haven't seen Shakespeare quite like this. Set in the North West of England during the 1980s We have the cunning and dastardly Captain Don John (Mike Bell) who orchestrates mayhem with his band of mischief makers Boracchio (Amy-Lou Harris) and Conrad (Elinor Boult). The trio play great villains and they are the characters you want to see brought to justice in the end. Entangled in their corrupt plan are the poor lovers Claudio (Coda James Neil) and Hero (Shannon Lancashire). Both characters were well portrayed with some excellent emotive scenes, especially Claudio, a very powerful and mov...