James Bradwell Archives - North West End UK

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Blackpool Grand Theatre

12Feb

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Blackpool Grand Theatre

Murderous happenings in Midsomer have been entertaining television audiences for almost thirty years. With over 130 episodes and still going strong, Caroline Graham’s iconic countryside drama arrives on stage for the very first time, with Guy Unsworth’s adaptation of 1997’s very first episode, ‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift’. Set in the fictional picturesque village of Badger’s Drift, the story centres around the death of a well-liked elderly villager, Emily Simpson. When her friend suspects foul play, DCI Tom Barnaby is called upon to investigate, uncovering hidden truths, sordid secrets and deadly rivalries. With a wonderful ensemble cast playing multiple roles, the production is slick and in the most-part entertaining, as they flip between playing victims and suspects, with cost...

Corrina, Corrina – Everyman Theatre

Even allowing for a couple of spiced rum punches in the interval, I have to say, there is nothing better after a play than hearing repeated comments of Brilliant and Amazing. So, you may have wondered about the appeal of this tale, the only woman working as Safety Officer on a container ship heading to Singapore, encountering sexism and racism, for a start – but there are plenty of comical moments, and karaoke. with the music of Muse, Dolly Parton and of course, the eponymous title, sound overall is most effective, predominately building up the tension as well as helping convey the sense of being aboard ship and highlighting emotions and actions. That said, it is sometimes perhaps too haunting, implying the supernatural. And when sinister, with the frequent references to pirates, you ar...

My Night With Reg – Turbine Theatre

Kevin Elyotand’s 1994 comedy ‘My Night With Reg’ is a heartwarming exploration of the lives of a group of friends set against the backdrop of a mounting AIDS crisis. Winning an Olivier Award for Best Comedy after its transfer to the West End's Criterion Theatre in its original run, this revival directed by Matt Ryan is an ambitious attempt to capture the fragile lives of the gay community in the 80s as personal insecurities and anxieties quickly gave way to a larger question about their legacy and mortality. This production by The Turbine Theatre is successful in highlighting some of these dilemmas but is unable to sustain the larger argument put forth by the playwright. The story follows the lives of 30-something men, some friends and others mere acquaintances, over a period of several...