Friday, August 21

Tag: Nicole Palka

On Some Far Shore – Greenside George Street
Scotland

On Some Far Shore – Greenside George Street

Sometimes the architecture tells you almost as much about a Fringe show as the programme. On Some Far Shore plays in a tiny space, perhaps 40 square metres, with audience on two sides and a playing area barely three metres by three in one corner. This is theatre in your front room, exposing for the performers and with absolutely nowhere to hide. Written by Louis Benneyworth, with book by Benneyworth and Madi Bouchta, this new musical follows Euan, played by Thomas Perry, struggling to write the eulogy for his mother Helen, Nicole Palka, while his girlfriend Isla, Francesca Knoop, attempts to help. It is a piece about grief, memory, storytelling and the people we leave behind. The three performances are strong, vocally and emotionally, but On Some Far Shore nee...
Jack – Courtyard Theatre
London

Jack – Courtyard Theatre

Having celebrated previously successful runs, ‘Jack’ (the musical) arrives in London with a gothic-electro music fusion bringing the vibes of Victorian London crashing into the modern day. This is an intriguing and exciting concept, based around the story of “Jack The Ripper”, and within Sahar Malaika’s storytelling there are moments of genuine promise, but the execution of this production ultimately falls well short of the standard expected on a professional stage. At its core, the ‘Jack’ suffers from a lack of cohesive artistic vision from Co-Directors Rosie Sutton and Sasha Ranawake. Casting choices feel under-baked and poorly considered, with very young performers presented to the world without a clear or consistent aesthetic. Facial jewellery, modern bleached hair highlights, m...