REVIEWS Archives - Page 92 of 578

26Jul

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

The Invocation – The King’s Arms

In one of the most suited theatres for such a performance, the King's Arms welcomes "The Invocation", a bizarre twilight zone-esque evening by Casino Improv, an Improv troupe from Wigan as part of Greater Manchester Fringe.As the audience settled into their seats, the cast, clad in black clothing and red capes, began engaging with the audience in a ceremonial fashion as they asked for "requests" that could be improvised into a horror story. The requests chosen were randomly selected via an iPad and then the stories began!The evening then essentially became the presentation of a bunch of improvised horror stories in a hilarious "off the cuff" style by the comedy quintet. Eerie music and various sounds to accompany stories were used throughout. There is no denying the talent on stage and the...

Extraordinary Women – Jermyn Street Theatre

26Jul

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Extraordinary Women – Jermyn Street Theatre

In post-First World War Italy, a multi-national group of women are enjoying a bohemian lifestyle on the fictional island of Sirene off the coast of Naples, with new-found freedoms and relationships. The island's calm is maintained by a group of four sirens who watch over the island and its inhabitants. It's an idyllic set-up, until the arrival of the penniless Rosalba upends the island's serenity. Flirting with everyone, manipulating relationships, and enjoying creating chaos and mayhem, she causes distress and jealousy to her lover Aurora, who has sunk her money into buying a villa as their intended home. Friendships and relationships are formed and shattered as Rosalba romps through the group like a human Vesuvius, egotistically declaring how extraordinary she is. Every...

The Daughter of Time – Charing Cross Theatre

26Jul

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

The Daughter of Time – Charing Cross Theatre

It must be the ultimate cold case: the investigation of the reputation of Richard the Third and his involvement in the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. This is the task which Inspector Alan Grant sets himself when he is laid up in bed convalescing from an injury in M Kilburg Reedy's new play, based on the renowned book by Josephine Tey. The setting is Grant’s rather spacious hospital room, where nurses are encouraging their reluctant patient to undertake the necessary exercises to ensure his full recovery. His interest in King Richard is stimulated by a portrait provided to him by a friend. Using his police skills and assistance from a number of friends and acquaintances, he obtains as many contemporary accounts as he can to try and uncover the truth behind the life of Ric...

26Jul

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Robo Bingo 2.0 – The King’s Arms

‘IT Consultants’ Lloyd Henning and Peter Sutton, better known as Foxdog Studios, have, in true IT style ‘turned it off and on again’ on one of their popular shows, Robo Bingo, rebooted as 2.0 with new wi-fi, new games and a whole lot of new coding headaches to keep both our dynamic duo and audience on their virtual toes. Mixing Flight of the Conchords musical jamming with the social awkwardness of The IT Crowd, Foxdog invite the audience to play along not only in games of bingo but also classic childhood games of Snap, Guess Who and Spot the Difference albeit constantly interrupted with a variety of pop-ups and other technological interludes. Henning and Sutton are a charming and witty duo, with quips and quick thinking as they navigate the chaos, bringing gales of laughte...

25Jul

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

101 Dalmatians – Eventim Apollo

A well-known Disney classic retold in musical form, showing at the Hammersmith Apollo. This big production has spared no expense in its flashy lights, big stage and a few well-known faces. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hit you quite the same way as it may have in your childhood. This retelling is scatty, nonsensical and just basic. Photo: Johan Persson We begin with meeting Pongo, one of our central characters and told through puppetry. The stage is mostly filled with beautifully designed puppets, moving very effectively and breathes so much life into this story. Eventually met with Purdy before birthing 15 adorable puppies. After this, the story goes a little bit diagonally- Cruella played by Sydnie Christmas, a fashion idol is looking for her big hit for London’s fashion week and has h...

25Jul

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

For the Lack of Laura – Shaw Theatre

I have medals in Irish dancing. My Dún Laoghaire-born father busks in Borough Market with a fiddle, and my youngest sister plays jigs on a penny whistle, so one might say the Emerald Isle is in my blood. This cultural heritage led me like a lilting leprechaun to a musical by Kurt Rosenberg called For the Lack of Laura. It’s billed as, ‘a new Irish fantasy romance musical with Celtic and classic musical theatre-inspired songs. That’s a lot to live up to and a risky mixed grill to say the least. Thankfully, this project is in highly skilled hands. Over 26 songs, using a 12-person cast and a couple of hours, the show conjures up a charming and often dazzling dose of entertainment. Kurt Rosenberg is a multi-award-winning composer, lyricist, filmmaker, and theatre creative who hails fro...

Marcus Is Alive – Manchester Jewish Museum

25Jul

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Marcus Is Alive – Manchester Jewish Museum

With direction and dramaturgy by Mark Rice-Oxley, Marcus J Freed’s solo show recounts the true story of his near-death experience and two brain surgeries following a hit-and-run incident one crazy night in LA. Add in six failed marriage proposals, a psychic detective, and a wayward rabbi and you get a glimpse of some of the surreal experiences which also follow. But never fear, as Marcus’ friend Metuka (voiced by Jill Moray Reichman) assures Marcus’ mum, Gill (voiced by Amy Wisenfeld), in the opening scene, ‘Marcus is alive.’ Coming in at just shy of ninety minutes, which, like Marcus’ accident, went by in a flash, it segues through its three acts with perfect pacing whilst serving up a much deeper exploration of the mystery as to why he survived as well as to why any of us are here...

24Jul

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Soaked – The King’s Arms

As Greater Manchester Fringe makes a welcome return, The King’s Arms is appropriately in the hub of it all again! This time, directed by Peter Macqueen, the play ‘Soaked’, a La'al Marra production, is gracing its stage. Written by Emma Rydal, ‘Soaked’ it is a story that many can identify with. The writing seems effortless, and the main characters could be any one of us chatting, interacting and simply trying to juggle life. Soaked is an intelligent piece of theatre with no pretentions and a thought-provoking storyline. At times it felt like the audience were presented with potentially a challenge as to whether it was appropriate to laugh or not. There are some seriously amusing parts of the play and Emma Rydal must be applauded for interjecting humour into such a serious thread of ...

24Jul

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Echo – King’s Head Theatre

I’d never been to the King’s Head Theatre before, which is criminal considering its proximity to where I’ve lived for the majority of my life. It prides itself, and rightly so, on being the longest running theatre pub in London, having been established in 1970 and recently moving to a new home, just around the corner. It’s a fantastic space with friendly, welcoming staff, and the perfect setting for an intimate and atmospheric production. And so does Suan Eve Haar’s Echo (previously titled Saugerties and performed as a one act titled Paper Dolls) begin, with Jen and Roge celebrating their tenth anniversary in a quirky B&B. Their exchange is heated and at times somewhat confusing – emotions are constantly at 11 out of 10 and the two swing between love and hate at an alarming rate. Th...

When You Die – Anthony Burgess Foundation

23Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

When You Die – Anthony Burgess Foundation

When You Die pitches itself as a Gothic horror comedy exploring the afterlife through the lens of undead housemates—but despite a promising concept, the show is let down by sluggish pacing, underwhelming humour, and several frustrating production choices. Finn, Yuri, Devon, and Boby are sharing a flat in death, trying to get along in the afterlife when their already turbulent dynamic is disturbed by the arrival of a mysterious briefcase. With the help of the cryptic Lazlo, they must uncover who—or what—is behind the growing sense of threat. It’s a quirky setup with potential, and the cast give it their all, but the execution falls flat. The first half drags considerably. There’s far too much time spent establishing the characters’ personalities and routines, with little dramatic ...