Monday, October 14

Tag: Bryan Hodgson

Noises Off – Frinton Summer Theatre
South East

Noises Off – Frinton Summer Theatre

I do love a show-within-a-show, especially when its madcap, farcical and funny - which is how I would describe Noises Off. The story is as follows: a touring theatre company are putting on a show called ‘Nothing On’, Noises Off (the show you are watching) is then the play about the play they are trying to put on and all the drama, mishaps and miscellany that go into a production. Split into three acts, the first act is the show, the second act is the backstage/ behind the scenes view of the first act, and the third act is the calamitous finale at Stockton-on-Tees. It is utter genius. Having missed Noises Off when it was showing in London, I was delighted to be able to see it at Frinton Summer Theatre – and it doesn’t disappoint. The trick (or rather magic) with any comedy, is t...
Tommy On Top – Above The Stag Theatre
London

Tommy On Top – Above The Stag Theatre

Billed as a “giddy and gloriously foul-mouthed comedy”, the storyline on ‘Tommy On Top’ is one of jeopardy and hilarious lies. Our lead character, Tommy is a closeted Hollywood heartthrob struggling to keep a lid on his love life and he is willing to go to the greatest lengths to achieve his goal, to win the award for his latest movie. After all, no “out” gay man has ever won Best Actor at the Oscars. Fortunately, Tommy isn’t an out gay man, he is very much in the closet. Unfortunately, gossip hack Kiki (Becky Sanneh) suspects he’s got a lot more in his closet than just a freshly pressed white tuxedo... The development of a perfect theatrical farce takes careful planning and structure is everything. It is vital that things happen with exact precision so as never to get lost on the au...