Articles Comments

David Porter » Archive

Peddling

Peddling at the High Tide Festival, The Cut, Halesworth Review commissioned by Eastern Daily Press, but not published by them through their administrative oversight! April 2014. Remarkable drama sets tone for national festival Halesworth’s High Tide Festival with its reputation for new, experimental and unexpected work is in its 8th year and running till 19th April. Only able to catch one from a tempting catalogue of new, homegrown and visiting acts, Peddling came up for review in an afternoon showing. An inspired choice as it turned out. Steven Atkinson, co-founder of High Tide and child actor Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter movies, wrote and performed this remarkable drama about a young offender peddling household goods door to door in London. He wakes in some sordid field and journeys back from a ‘long list of yesterdays as … Read entire article »

Filed under: Reviews

Phantom of the Opera

Norfolk Youth Music Theatre, at Norwich Playhouse Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 12 April 2014 The increasingly ambitious, hugely talented Norfolk Youth Music Theatre team excelled in their magnificent, confident Phantom, which is a big show by any definition. Whether in the dramatic solos and duets or the entire ensemble on stage, this was a smooth operation allowing the music, singing and Marina Bill’s tight choreography to drive the emotions in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s dark love story. Never easy musically, the orchestra under Mark Sharp’s expert baton sounded so good somebody near me thought it was a professional backing track. Norwich School of Dance delivered glorious ballet routines. Adrian Connell, stage and musical director, should be proud of his performers and know that he is guiding many future stars. Hyoie O’Grady donned the … Read entire article »

Filed under: Reviews

Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down

Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down Sewell Barn Theatre Review published in Eastern Daily Press, 5 April 2014 Norwich is blessed with many performance venues, but the welcoming Sewell Barn is an overlooked gem. This play makes a visit essential. Staged at very short notice after the scheduled one had to be cancelled, this south Yorkshire narrative about local community tragedies during the 60s to the 70s is well judged, immaculately timed and paced. Talented Michelle Montague directs with deftness and flair what is a series of interlinked monologues with life’s experiences, growing up, disillusionment, humour, tragedy and the period brought to life in the crucible of the stage. Charlotte Pound, Alice Haskell and Louise Waller superbly play women intimidated by the dark figure of a violent womaniser, finally wreaking their terrible revenge. This is compelling … Read entire article »

Filed under: Reviews