Thalia Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Norwich Review published in Eastern Daily Press, 20 November 2008. Nature’s Force and Fury It was a welcome return to the Playhouse in their fifth annual show for local group Thalia who incorporate the work of differently abled people in the performing arts. Nature’s Force and Fury was a timely exploration of climate change and the power of the elements with social comment through performance arts. It was a powerful message through a vibrant medium, a series of devised ideas and interpretations using movement skills. The first half was a hypnotic and moving rendition of a storm using moving tableau and dramatic still images, with some accomplished rhythmic marching. The discipline and training that the arts demand was fully realised throughout. The second half had its scene set by video … Read entire article »

Thalia Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Norwich Review published in Eastern Daily Press, 21 November 2007. Step Into The Light Thalia is a theatre company for disabled adults and young people with a range of impairments and difficulties. They describe themselves as a registered charity and social enterprise. They should add talented performance and physical theatre ensemble to their banner. Their latest work was a series of explorations of our senses. A stylised masked comedy opened the show devised from workshops by Garlic Theatre. The mask may define us or we can hide behind one. The second item by the youth section was about light – a single pool can mesmerise, blind or illuminate. It was a thoughtful piece punctuated by oriental music which was intriguing and highly atmospheric. A dance medley was fun and excellently … Read entire article »

Eastern Angles Theatre at the Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft. Review published in Eastern Daily Press and East Anglian Daily Times, 27 February 2009. Return to Akenfield Many of a certain age will recall the book of the late 60s and the film of the 70s about fictional Akenfield in rural Suffolk with all the stresses of farming life then. Now it’s updated with migrant workers, intensive farming and supermarket buying power, making it relevant to now, whether we live in town or countryside. One old character says – I never dreamed how much things would change. None of us ever does, and that’s the truth, the power of this fine piece. Canadian playwright, Craig Taylor presents it in verbatim theatre style, where the voices (some real, some fictional) of forty five characters from Akenfield and surroundings … Read entire article »