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Brigadoon – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

14Aug

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Brigadoon – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, Brigadoon is a timeless tale brought vividly to life in this revival. As someone who had never encountered the 1950s musical before, I found myself instantly swept into its world. From the music to the set design, everything evoked the feeling of a mid-century classic, and it was immediately clear why this story has endured for so long. The experience began before the first note. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is tucked away behind lush gardens in its own charming enclave, complete with bars and food stalls. The space feels like a small village within the city, and the outdoor setting is perfect for a warm summer evening. The intimate layout means every seat has a clear view of the stage, adding to the sense of connection between audience and per...

14Aug

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

Holly Street – theSpace on the Mile

This is a play produced by Long Face Theatre Company and New Celts Productions, set in a meeting room where five writers brainstorm the 35th anniversary episode of Holly Street, a soap opera. The writers plan, plot, squabble and tease until they inadvertently/magically slip into an alternate reality and in the process, they reveal to the audience who they really are behind their facades. So far, so interesting. It’s the magical whiteboard, y’see – whatever’s written on it comes true and that gradually dawns on the writers, who manage to bravely and noisily unite to confront and overcome the zombie attack out with the performance space and reach the crescendo of the piece - returning to the ‘stage’ triumphant, much to the audience’s noisy appreciation. Yep, this is a v...

14Aug

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

The Oberons – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

This is a show showcasing the talents of a couple called The Oberons – Marc, described as a master illusionist and Emily, described as a mind reader who also happens to be a classical singer. The show opens gently and fairly classically with the use of magic trick props, which I must confess seem all too familiar, but it soon starts to reach breakneck speed attempting to display an almost bewildering array of magic and mind reading in the time given, using song in its presentation. There is no doubt that there are elements of this show which are highly entertaining – particularly at the level of competence displayed by the charismatic Marc and Emily. Individually, they are charming. They engage the audience with olde worlde ease and experience, inviting them into thei...

Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space? – Greenside @ Riddles Court 45

14Aug

By Joe LangNo Comments

Scotland

Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space? – Greenside @ Riddles Court 45

This show masterfully blends a dark, dystopian setting with grounded comedy and cutting drama, creating a powerful commentary on modern Britain and its uncertain future, performed by a minimalist three-actor cast. Written by and starring the talented Briony Martha and Zach Reay-Barry, the two bring layers of comedic authenticity and a raw emotional honesty to the stage. Lily and Gareth, the only characters visually present throughout the show, appear to be a happy and content couple at first. However, The Parental Act Law forces them on a journey that makes them question every aspect of themselves and their relationship. This unravelling of their psyche and dynamics is the driving force of what’s so great and intimate about this performance. You really grow a closeness for the pair,...

Bury The Hatchet – Pleasance, Queen Dome, Potterrow

14Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Bury The Hatchet – Pleasance, Queen Dome, Potterrow

Bluegrass, courtroom drama, and Victorian murder meet in a sharp, witty retelling of the Lizzie Borden’s story. “Myth always makes for a good story.” Quite right. We get the back and forth on whether we’re here for drama or history, and before you know it, they’re breaking the fourth wall to bicker about the whole thing. At one point, an exasperated “Come on, this is GCSE drama level!” gets lobbed into the audience. It’s all very knowing, very winky, and the crowd laps it up. The set up is straightforward, Lizzie Borden, accused of axing her father and stepmother in 1892, faces us, the jury. It’s clear in this telling that she cannot stand her stepmother. Old Yankee stock, dripping in mill money, she hardly needs the inheritance, which makes the whole “why would she?” question al...

School of Rock – Northwich Memorial Court

14Aug

By Dan GrimesNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Northwich Memorial Court

It was a pleasure to be invited, along with my 13-year-old son, Sam, to Northwich on this warm August evening to see Together For Theatre's School of Rock. This was my first time watching this Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation although, like many people, I'm a big fan of the original 2003 film that inspired it. For those not familiar, the musical tells the story of Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck rock musician who has been thrown out of his band and is overdue on his rent. An intercepted call meant for his flatmate, Ned Schneebly, gives him the opportunity to earn a quick buck by posing as a substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green School. High expectations set by Principal Rosalie Mullins fall on deaf ears and "Mr Schneebly" has every intention of putting the privileged kid...

2:22 A Ghost Story – Opera House, Manchester

14Aug

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – Opera House, Manchester

Everyone loves a ghost story. Whether it is by M R James, Edgar Allen Poe or Stephen King, we all love stories that make us jump out of our seats and scare the bejesus out of us. This show certainly did that and more! At base, this is a tremendously well-structured play which brilliantly ratchets up the tension and keeps everyone on the edge of those seats they will certainly be jumping out of. There is more, though, to this play than being a simple ghost story. It also explores ideas of rationalism, belief, control and identity whilst also being a supremely entertaining romp. It has been a phenomenally successful show, having been three years in the West End, and has been seen by over one million people in 17 different countries. I can understand why, as the play zips along faster t...

13Aug

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

Scotland

Mr Jones – Greenside, George St

The word ‘Aberfan’ may not mean too much to the world nowadays, but nearly 60 years ago in October 1966, it was the scene of one of the most tragic events in post-war British history. On that day 144 people - 112 of them children - died when a 150,000-tonne coal heap engulfed a school in that small Welsh mining village. Liam Holmes wrote and stars in this superb new piece of writing which avoids polemic political statements around blame and cause, choosing to focus on the effect that the disaster had on two young people intimately associated with the event. Steven Jones (Liam Holmes) and Angharad Price (Mabli Gwynne) are both on the cusp of life beginning, their late teens bursting with unfocused dreams; rugby stardom as fly half in the local team for Steven; escape to the bri...

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence – Assembly George Square

13Aug

By Juliette PepinNo Comments

Scotland

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence – Assembly George Square

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is at its most camp in the form of a neon pink, electro-pop teen drama. Crash Theatre Co's Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence shoots and scores with a delightfully creative, sparkling Fringe debut about how inter-school netball bring out the most ruthless ambition. Through an engrossing intro number ‘Pick Your Player’ we met a determined and ferocious all-girls netball team, the Dunsinane Hellhounds. ‘Mac Beth’ will stop at nothing to achieve the coveted status of inter-school netball team captain, even if it destroys her friendships and isolates her from the team. The entire Netball team of characters are unique and united in fierce friendship – after all, this is at its heart a story of girl power, solidarity and glory. Writer and actress for Coach Duncan, C...

13Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Gladiatrix – theSpace@Venue45

Female Gladiators? It’s not something that ever really think of. Most assume gladiators to be men, unwilling Christians and slaves, so it’s a surprising twist to find that in the deep pools of ancient history there were indeed females in the arena. Gladiatrix takes us back to the arena to meet 4 female gladiators, fighting for their freedom, rights and identities, or at least they were until Septimius Severus (Dashan Severus) decided that the arena was no place for a woman. With the options of becoming a servant or wife not fitting for all, what happens to the women who are left behind? The show opens with some very impressive stage combat and choreography, 4 brilliant actresses battling to the words of “what am I doing here?” in the song: Sex Sells. Whilst I wouldn’t call it the mo...