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I Am Who I Am

Thalia Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press 28 November 2009 I Am Who I Am (ergo sum qui sum) Arriving at the Playhouse, Leonard Cohen songs playing, felt like coming home as Thalia presented their annual show. This is the arts related-learning provider for disabled people in particular who provide innovative theatre to challenge negative perceptions about disability. Slides of members’ art work set the scene for I Am Who I Am, a perfectly pitched exploration of identity and self; what makes us different, unique. In the audience or on stage, it doesn’t matter what you look like, you have value. You are a personality. Three sections – from Dereham, Great Yarmouth and Norwich – started from the same stimulus – a residency with visual artist Tanya Raabe. Each … Read entire article »

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Private Lives

Open Space Theatre at The Fisher Theatre, Bungay Review published in Eastern Daily Press  9 November 2009 and East Anglian Daily Times 10 November 2009 Private Lives Open Space provide an invaluable service touring quality amateur drama around the rural areas, and their latest offering confirms their reputation as entertainers of the highest calibre. Noel Coward’s vintage period piece sparkles with repartee and one-liners in the Oscar Wilde tradition with all the 1930s’ wit and elegance. Many lines are deliciously acerbic, cruel and downright hilarious. The characters deliver them with panache – ‘I’m glad I’m not normal,” gets the response – “What an odd thing to be glad about!”. The unlikely premise is a once-married couple meeting accidentally on their respective honeymoons to new partners, while sharing neighbouring hotel rooms. These are people who can’t … Read entire article »

Filed under: Reviews