The Alexandra Archives - Page 2 of 3

Demon Dentist – The Alexandra Birmingham

30Jun

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Demon Dentist – The Alexandra Birmingham

Neal Foster sustains his formidable reputation as the doyen of commercial children’s theatre with a production of David Walliams’ “Demon Dentist" which fizzes and pops with buoyant joy and good humour. Tearing children from their screens is a huge ask these days, but within seconds of the play starting hundreds of children surrounding me were entranced by the sheer energy, vitality and strength of the show. There’s a naughty tooth thief about the unspecified Northern town, stealing various teeth from under the very pillows of unsuspecting children and replacing them with gross and surprising objects. Who is it? What are they doing and why? Alfie and Gabz set out to find out. A company of commanding performances prove the play’s true strength. Sam Valley as Alfie captures the angst of...

Wish You Were Dead – The Alexandra, Birmingham

22Jun

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Wish You Were Dead – The Alexandra, Birmingham

I’ve never heard of Peter James, but to be fair he’s probably never heard of me. So, when his voice echoed around the auditorium of the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham last night we all felt we’d been given special treatment. Though rumour has it Dolly Parton used to do it on “9 to 5”. It added an element of personal involvement and validation as James wouldn’t personally be joining us that night. Now there were those in the audience last night who may have regarded what followed as preposterous hokum, cut and pasted from the Crime Writer’s Handbook riddled with a litany of hackneyed cliches smothered with lashings of clunky exposition. But no, I disagree. At first we’re confronted by a selection of our favourite mystery tropes - a crashing storm, no wi-fi, electricity gone out and the ...

9 to 5 The Musical – The Alexandra, Birmingham

15Jun

By Robert BartleyNo Comments

West Midlands

9 to 5 The Musical – The Alexandra, Birmingham

Dolly Parton’s instantly recognisable hit “9 To 5” became the signature anthem behind the film of the same name, which kicked off the 1980s with a huge dose of female empowerment. The film’s legendary cast (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Parton herself) made the film an instant classic still beloved today, and as is often the way these days, went on to inspire a stage musical. Though it was short-lived on Broadway, running just a few months in 2009, it has found a larger audience here in the UK, with a year-long West End run (curtailed by Covid) and two successful national tours. The uplifting and empowering musical is the latest choice for the long-running BMOS group based in Birmingham. Incredibly this is their 166th production in a history spanning nearly 140 years...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – The Alexandra, Birmingham

24May

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – The Alexandra, Birmingham

Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, this stunning National Theatre production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane arrives in Birmingham this week. Returning to visit a place from his childhood, the unnamed man finds a familiar face. As he talks to Old Mrs Hempstock, he starts to remember long forgotten and buried memories. Along with him, you are transported into his world as a 12-year-old, a world that is as familiar as it is fantastical. There are strong performances throughout from the main characters and the ensemble. The ensemble is a large part of this production, they take the incidental roles, bring creatures to life, create the atmosphere with their movement and interaction with the lead characters and even move the pieces of set. Keith Ogikvy portrayed the confusion and d...

Derren Brown: Showman – The Alexandra, Birmingham

7Sep

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Derren Brown: Showman – The Alexandra, Birmingham

I promised Derren I wouldn’t tell you anything. Well, it wasn’t just me - there were about fifteen hundred of us. All sworn to secrecy which, to be fair, doesn’t allow me much scope to tell you about the show, but let’s have a bash anyway. So, Derren Brown has been beguiling, bewitching and bewildering us with brash bravado and unashamed chutzpah for over twenty years offering a self-proclaimed blend of "magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection, and showmanship” and last night at the Alex in Birmingham he certainly provided examples of all of those in equal measure. He proved himself a master of reading body language and facial ticks to an uncanny and unsettling, Sherlockian level. He sniffed out someone’s childhood accident after a few minutes of looking them over. Did he read it on...

4May

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

Cluedo – The Alexandra

If you love classic board games, then you are in for a real treat because the detective board game Cluedo, a fan favourite has been made into a play. This play is a brand new comedic whodunnit. The Hasbro board game has had several versions and has seen many alterations over time. There was also a 1985 hit film called CLUE based on the game itself. This new stage play is directed by Mark Bell who is known for The Play That Goes Wrong, another comedic spoof on stage. This is no different and is just as farcical and nonsensical, however, this only adds to the experience, I could clearly hear the audience in hysterics at almost every other line spoken. The plot occurs on a dark, stormy evening at a country house where Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Reverend Green, Mrs White...

Dreamboats and Petticoats – The Alexandra, Birmingham

22Mar

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Dreamboats and Petticoats – The Alexandra, Birmingham

“Petticoats and Dreamcoats’” first incarnation arrived in theatres over eleven years ago and happily and squarely hit their target demographic straight in the bulls’ eye. It was preppy and fun and joyous and brought back many memories for those who lived through the years portrayed. This latest re-incarnation is ten years on as is its target audience and perhaps a little less eager to jump to its feet. This is a show holding great memories for those who were there - particularly Butlins’ and a youth club - but holding little else for the rest of us. The plot is scant and characters merely cyphers - but what holds it together is the music and, though the choices are not the most memorable of the period, there are a few great tunes to bop to. If you can still bop. “Lipstick on Your Collar...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – The Alexandra

9Mar

By Priya GuptaNo Comments

West Midlands

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – The Alexandra

If you want some adventure, then all you must do is open those wardrobe doors and step into the Alexandra Theatre where The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Tour has transported itself to town. This lavish retelling of the classic 1950’s novel by CS Lewis has had a revamp from director Michael Fentiman, whose theatricalisation of the time-honoured novel has been in rehearsal; this production itself is based upon Sally Cookson’s acclaimed stage adaptation that premiered in Leeds late in 2017 before finding a London home 2 years later at the Bridge Theatre. The book is a favourite for many and Fentiman brilliantly navigates the mythical, and magical atmosphere onstage. The production features an incredible ensemble who really took the phrase ‘triple threat’ to a whole new level. ...

2Mar

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Fatal Attraction – The Alexandra

This well-known thriller based on the film of the same name, comes to Birmingham this week to bring a touch of romantic drama. Beth and Dan have a happy life until she spends a weekend at her mother’s and Dan goes to a bar. From here Dan (Oliver Farnworth) makes a series of bad decisions, the first being to have dinner with a beautiful lady in the bar, Alex (Kym Marsh). Will Dan be able to keep his weekend activities secret, or will Alex reveal the truth as she gets more desperate for him to stand up to his responsibilities. There is a tension throughout the play, partly because most people have an idea where this is going. There are audible reactions when there is mention of a pet rabbit and when a phone number is handed over. Adding to this tension the sound design keeps you on edg...

24Nov

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Death Drop – The Alexandra, Birmingham

Having started life in the West End, Death Drop comes to Birmingham to bring its unique twist on the murder mystery genre to brighten the city. It is 1991, the Lady of Shantay Mansion invites a seemingly random group of personalities to celebrate a special anniversary. However, on this stormy night strange things soon start to occur. As secrets are revealed, will anyone make it out alive? I have never seen a show like it, it brings the art of Drag (be it Queens or Kings) into a mainstream theatre. The lines of gender are blurred, all you see are larger than life characters as they fill the stage with their performances, and it works, it makes you wonder why this hasn’t happened before. This is part pantomime, with slap stick and tongue twisters, part musical with a couple of crack...