The Cut, Halesworth Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 11 November 2006 Barley Corn Ingredients – one regional story teller, a leading folk artist, new local choir, landscape and barley that was once transformed to malt in this amazing old building. But it is the way the ingredients were mixed that made it a special evening. The power of the spoken word, the magic of music and song – now that’s a heady brew! Hugh Lupton spun great yarns – his smoothly rich voice enchanting. Often with his tongue in cheek, he conjured a forgotten age it’s easy to feel at home in. Chris Wood worked into the mind with his voice and guitar evoking a rural life that is gone yet lives in us. Sian Croose conducted Halesworth Community Choir – no instruments, but voices … Read entire article »

Theatre Is… at The Playhouse, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 8 November 2006 Master Juba “I’m not a victim, I’m young, gifted and black”, is the proud opening of a statement of one man’s assertiveness. Pressing a number of buttons, this show launches Theatre Is…, a new venture producing quality theatre in East Anglia. Hard on the heels of Black History Month, it takes the true tale of a young black dancer, William Henry Lane from freed slave background, who danced before Queen Victoria at the Palladium It is also the story of artistic exploitation foiled and adversity defeated – all told with panache. Fusing black dance rhythms with Irish folk, Lane’s contribution to dance -“the perpendicular expression of horizontal desire” was tap. Call and response dance steps from the lively ensemble punctuate body rhythms, … Read entire article »

Christian McKay at the Norwich Arts Centre Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 19 January 2005 Rosebud: The Lives of Orson Welles It takes a big man to fill the shoes of a larger-than-life legend like George Orson Welles. Clearly, Christian McKay is a man with a passion to bring to the stage the complexities of a great film director, actor, writer and self-confessed ‘Jack of all Entertainment’. The tightly written sardonic script allowed actor and audience to share a unique journey. “My name is Orson Welles, or is it?” We gradually discovered the man, the icon. He name-dropped across the early movie decades. From magician to wonder kid director, to the first love that never died – Shakespeare – he slipped between roles, insights and anecdotes. The 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds that … Read entire article »

Eastern Angles Theatre Company at the Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 3 April 2007 Peapickers Eastern Angles have built up a reputation second to none in the world of devised theatre from well-researched, local heritage. They bring the past to life, with meaning for today. This one is different in that it has no songs to punctuate the narrative or give characters a commentary opportunity. It’s a well-written play, though – by Nicola Werenowska – the tale of an American geneticist who is the product of a relationship between an Essex peapicker and a black US airman in the 1960s. He comes looking for his roots. Straddling two eras, it gets to grips with the nature-versus-nurture debate. He was raised in England with mum till he was six; thereafter with dad … Read entire article »

Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company at The Garage, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 30 March 2007 Popcorn From the pen of Ben Elton, wrapped in the velvet glove of great gags and comic characters, comes the iron fist of thought-provoking issues about responsibility. “These days, however guilty you are, you’re innocent. Nobody is responsible”. Which came first: the modern, violent movie, or modern violent society? This play sets the audience wondering. Fast and furious dialogue, modern American setting and hopping between thriller and farce, it’s a perfect vehicle for the Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company. Drawing on the Bonnie and Clyde story via the Oscars and a Tarantino director (Tom Hopkin), it rollercoasters to an analysis of what people will do to get on television. The Mall murderers (Jack Churchill and Mary Wilkinson) are outstanding … Read entire article »

Sewell Barn Theatre, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 23 March 2007 An Enemy of the People Marking the centenary of Henrik Ibsen’s death, this classic of ideas and social issues resonates sharply, sadly, with today. The whistle-blower becomes the outcast; the baying mob damns the man with the conscience. A doctor finds impurities from a factory in the town bathwater supply. The revelation incurs the wrath of the business community including his own bother. Director Peter James brings to life the upturning of stones through Victorian characters and the constraints of the stage shape with more humour than one would have thought possible from Ibsen. The doctor (Bob Young) carries rebel’s passion well and his funereal brother (Ralph Yarrow) is an excellent foil. Petra (Rachel Miller), the doctor’s daughter, is a chip from his … Read entire article »

Theatre Royal, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 7 March 2007 Dennis Lacorriere To describe an album or show as “the soundtrack of your life”, is not a bad strap-line for marketing. But this concert was all that and more – for those of a certain age. Celebrating almost 40 years since Dr Hook and the Medicine Show was formed, Dennis “The Voice” Lacorriere came to Norwich to take us down Memory Lane. Sylvia’s Mother, When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman, If Not You, Sexy Eyes, More Like the Movies … these were melodies to luxuriate in with lyrics both emotional and comic. All done with a crazy panache as fresh today as they were originally. The band at first had Ray Sawyer with his eye-patch and some original material that ignited … Read entire article »

Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 18 August 2007 Charley’s Aunt One of the signs of a good comedy is a pain from laughing. The new offering from the Maddermarket creates that, plus a tide of well-being and enjoyment. It’s a Victorian comedy of manners which is more than pure farce. All the classic ingredients are woven throughout. There is mistaken identity, cross-dressing, ludicrous coincidences, doors for endless, improbable timed arrivals of near stereotypical comedy characters. Born in 1892, the play carries some whiskers and linguistic anachronisms, but has stood the test of time rather well. The quality of the performers is the magic touch that brings it to life. Two young blades Charley and Jack (Barnaby Matley and David Blood) in need of a chaperone persuade their friend (the priceless hilarious Trevor … Read entire article »

The Cut, Halesworth Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 8 September 2007 Cambridge Footlights Fun seekers go to a comedy sketch show with certain expectations. Cambridge Footlights raises anticipation even higher. Think of stars like Peter Cook, Eric Idle, Fry and Laurie and Mitchell and Webb. It’s the perfect testing ground for young comic talent, and it has been around since 1883, in fact. Today’s version, whimsically called Wham Bam, begins as a two-hour journey down the road of the obvious. Sketches in a bookshop, playing chess, teachers, a Christmas party, a speaking ATM… Gradually it dawns on the audience that the road has become decidedly more surreal and ends in a land of comic high ground with tragedy and pathos for good measure. Some poignant moments at the edge of life and death are brilliantly … Read entire article »