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<strong>Notre Dame – Online Digital Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Kiefer WilliamsNo Comments

REVIEWS

Notre Dame – Online Digital Theatre

Victor Hugo’s seminal gothic work is brought to life in a new adaptation from writer Stuart Crowther in this live online one-shot promenade performance from the exciting Threedumb Theatre. The story is basically one of obsession and retribution as the three main characters (Esmerelda, Frollo and Quasimodo) plummet into a vortex of passion, hatred and violence. Crowther’s exquisite script breathes new and vibrant life into a story that is perhaps over familiar to many, but the strength of the writing ensures that the characterisation is both fresh and dynamic. Stephen Smith’s adroit direction is thoughtful and painstakingly detailed throughout and he gets some fine performances from his small cast of four. Gary Duncan as the tortured Quasimodo gives a hugely sensitiv...

<strong>Tam O’Shanter, Tales and Whisky – Traverse Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Tam O’Shanter, Tales and Whisky – Traverse Theatre

One Burns Night, a group of friends gather around the soothing glow of a campfire in an Edinburgh forest, to tell stories and sing songs. On a chilly January afternoon, Traverse 2 is sold out as folks gather to celebrate the poetry and music of Scotland. The set, by Polly Morris, is cosy – a campfire, with logs for the performers to sit on, and the musicians at the back in amongst the spooky trees. The lighting, by George Cort, creates a dappled forest floor effect. When I came downstairs to go into the theatre, I briefly thought I had got lost, and that I was about to go outside. Happily, the room is nice and warm, and not at all Januaryish in temperature. Some tickets include a complementary nip of whisky, which would further enhance the atmosphere, but sadly I’m dri...

<strong>In Clay – VAULT Festival</strong>

26Jan

By Zara OdetundeNo Comments

London

In Clay – VAULT Festival

This is the first show I have seen at the 2023 VAULT festival and what a start. In Clay is one of the best new musicals I have seen, full of heart and passion, it was an experience I won’t soon forget. In Clay is a one-woman musical based on the life of Marie-Berthe Cazin, a French artist. The story is set in her home in the suburbs of Paris in the 1930s. When we meet her in this story, Marie is awaiting the arrival of her fellow artist friend Henrietta. As she waits, she starts to tell the story of how they met in school and as a result the story of her life thus far. She is reflecting on her journey and career, thinking about what could have been and how she ended up on her current path. Rosalind Ford is very charming as Marie. Her comedic timing bundled with her ability to convey ...

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals Returns to Manchester

25Jan

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals Returns to Manchester

For the second year running, The National Lottery is shining a light on the magic of musical theatre by hosting a musical extravaganza at the AO Arena, Manchester, on Monday 27th February. Hosted by Jason Manford, The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will feature performances from best-selling West End musicals and touring shows including We Will Rock You the Musical, Wicked, The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and Aspects of Love featuring Michael Ball The show serves as a special thank you to National Lottery players who have helped tens of thousands of arts projects across the UK and supported over 2,000 theatres through the Covid crisis After the huge success of its first musicals extravaganza last year, on Monday 27th February The National Lottery is o...

<strong>Othello – Lyric Hammersmith</strong>

25Jan

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Othello – Lyric Hammersmith

Frantic Assembly bring back their widely celebrated production of Othello adapted and directed by Scott Graham at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith. This modernised show follows Othello (Michael Akinsulire), the leader of a gang in a pub setting. They protect this area of land through violence shown in a series of movement pieces and dances. Desdemona (Chanel Waddock), daughter of gang member meets Othello in a montage hitting it off straight away, exuding with sexual connection and quite quickly becoming the metaphorical king and queen of the pack. In the background, Iago (Joe Layton) looks at this relationship as a threat and therefore creates his plan of revenge. The revenge? I’m not too sure- it could be the rumours that he has slept with his wife, Emilia (Kirsty Stuart) or simply just ...

<strong>First major revival in 20 years of Neil Labute’s The Shape of Things</strong>

24Jan

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

First major revival in 20 years of Neil Labute’s The Shape of Things

Trish Wadley Productions, in association with Park Theatre, today announce a major revival of Neil LaBute’s acclaimed play The Shape of Things in Park200. Nicky Allpress directs, with set and costume design by Peter Butler. Casting is to be announced. The production opens on 30 May, with previews from 24th May, and runs until 1st July. From the producers of Clybourne Park, this will be the first major revival of The Shape of Things since 2004 – a dark comedy about the drama of human relationships and the nature of love and art. How far would you go for love? For art? What would you be willing to change? What price might you pay? Adam, a geeky young student, works part-time in an art museum and video store to pay his way through college. When he meets post-grad art student Evelyn, his...

<strong>Voice over artists announced for Idiots Assemble – Spitting Image Saves the World at Birmingham Rep</strong>

24Jan

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Voice over artists announced for Idiots Assemble – Spitting Image Saves the World at Birmingham Rep

Twelve voice-over artists, a mix of actors, impressionists and comedians have just started work on recording voices for over one hundred Spitting Image characters for the World Premiere of the stage show, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World which previews at Birmingham Rep from 1st February. They are: Al Murray (The Royal Variety Performance, Al Murray’s Happy Hour, Why Does Everyone Hate the English? We Have Ways of Making You Talk), Debra Stephenson (The Impressions Show, Dead Ringers, Rich Hall’s Election Breakdown, Newzoids, Coronation Street and Bad Girls), Jess Robinson (Spitting Image, The Last Leg, Stars in Their Ears, and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Britain’s Got Talent, Jojo Lin (Spitting Image Puppeteer), Jason Forbes (The Tracy Ullman Show, The Ma...

<strong>imitating the dog take on the Bard with a high-tech version of Macbeth</strong>

24Jan

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

imitating the dog take on the Bard with a high-tech version of Macbeth

imitating the dog built their reputation reinventing some of our biggest cultural moments, so it seemed inevitable that they would eventually turn their attention to Shakespeare. And not just any Shakespeare as they are taking on Macbeth, and this tragic tale of the terrible cost of the lust for power seems perfect for their unique blend of theatrical daring and high-tech trickery. Our Yorkshire Editor Paul Clarke caught with their Co-Artistic Director Andrew Quick during rehearsals to find out more about how they are reimagining a classic work. Any self-respecting theatre fan will have seen Macbeth at least once so why should they come along to your version? Hopefully they’ll have never seen anything like it before. Our version only has five actors in it, so we ha...

<strong>Cast announced for Of Mice and Men at Leeds Playhouse</strong>

24Jan

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

NEWS

Cast announced for Of Mice and Men at Leeds Playhouse

Tom McCall and William Young take on the roles of friends George and Lennie battling to survive in tough times in a new stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel Of Mice and Men at Leeds Playhouse. This version of the classic tale of doomed friendship is directed by Iqbal Khan, who was in charge of the impressive multi-genre Opening Ceremony for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the show is a co-production between the Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Fiery Angel. “I'm ecstatic to be playing Lennie again,” says William Young. “I played him in Chapter, Cardiff in 2017 with August 012 Theatre Company. He reminds me of Roald Dahl's BFG. “I was born with a rare brain condition called Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, which means I find it easy to ...

<strong>The Elephant Song – Park Theatre</strong>

24Jan

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Elephant Song – Park Theatre

When a psychiatrist misses work unexpectedly the head of the hospital, Doctor Greenberg (Jon Osbaldeston) covers for him. One of the patients, Michael (Gwithian Evans) claims to know Doctor Lawrence’s whereabouts but will only cooperate if he gets something in return. Nicolas Billon’s cleverly plotted script teems with intrigue, as two mysteries unravel throughout the play; Doctor Lawrence’s disappearance and Michael’s past related to his peculiar obsession with elephants. As he saunters in singing with abandon, we hear him before we see him, which already establishes the notion of prejudice in the play. Evans’ portrayal of Michael is immaculate, from his jerky movements to the playful yet calculating gaze. His sharp delivery indicates a disregard for social norms and Evans gives us a s...