Sue Jenkins Archives - North West End UK

7Dec

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

Bette and Joan – Park Theatre

Bette and Joan is a lively exploration of the rivalry between two Hollywood legends, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, set against the backdrop of the making of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. Directed by Sue Jenkins, this production offers a humorous and sharp dissection of their frenemy dynamic, blending biting wit with illuminating glimpses into their shared struggles. Photo: Simon Annand The play thrives on the fiery chemistry between the leads - "two queen bees in one hive” battling for the same crown. Neil Gordon’s masterful set design, paired with gorgeous costumes, features opposing dressing rooms without actual mirrors. The actresses’ reflections are thus projected onto one another, cleverly underscoring how deeply intertwined their lives are. The initial exchange of barbs an...

31Oct

By Louise KershawNo Comments

North West

KIN – HOME, Manchester

Steph (Kerry Wilson-Parry) and Kay (Roberta Kerr) are sisters in law. They are not close, are very different women and have been relatively estranged for years. Following the funeral of Bob/Robert - Steph’s brother and Kay’s husband, they find themselves in Kay’s middle class, middle England drawing room where both tensions and whisky flow and where family secrets emerge and shocking revelations are made. Presented in a naturalist style, designer Rachel Dennis recreates the tastefully bland home of the smugly comfortable. If you like a dado rail and a decanter clad drinks cabinet you’ll be happy as the proverbial pig. Wilson-Parry is engaging and vibrant as Steph, Bob’s younger sister. Having been born and raised into an aristocratic family, surrounded by nannies and privilege ...

Fanny’s Burning! – Frinton Summer Theatre

7Aug

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

Fanny’s Burning! – Frinton Summer Theatre

Fanny Cradock was before my time, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t heard the name. I know she’s synonymous with cooking, I think most younger people would say the same. The ballgown wearing was a new one (love it! ordered one!), but more importantly – and what this World Premiere of Anton Burge’s new play displays: she was a female pioneer. Opening onto Fanny’s (Brenda Longman) cooking studio, you at once feel like you’re part of a television audience. Fanny’s assistant, Carol (Phoebe-Loveday Raymond) who was apparently silent during the real filming, is given a voice. We are also introduced to Johnnie (Sam Cox) who from the outset, is clearly the love of Fanny’s life and the backbone to her indomitable spirit. As recipes unfold, so does the story of Fanny’s life. Through the cut away...

8Sep

By Carole BaldockNo Comments

North West

Cuckoo – Everyman Theatre

Familiarity breeds contempt and seeing the whole of this household glued to their phones is exasperating to say the least. They appear to be trapped in the mobile world, excuse the dichotomy, with every aspect covered: news flashes; online buying and selling; videos, posts, messages. It feels as if there's more ping than dialogue sometimes. Set in a slightly shabby, old-fashioned house in Birkenhead; a bit parochial but like everywhere else, places are closing down, there's a gig economy and all sorts going on in schools, the increasing vice of violence, and the influence of the would be virtuous. We learn all this through the Greek Chorus of Doreen's two daughters, didactic Sarah in particular. The division between the cosy interior and the scary outside world (and let's face it, has i...