Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Open Space)
Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Open Space Theatre in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay
Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 11 May 2015
The versatile Open Space Theatre company are touring Albee’s 1960s’ classic study of marriage, aspirations and personal pain levels in a production by David Green that is masterful, moving and memorable.
Yves Green and Peter Sowerbutts are the well-matched, long married couple who niggle and goad each other with alcohol-fuelled vitriol. They sustain the rollercoasster of emotion superbly, ultimately revealing how their fantasies and games have fed them and how their sometimes mutual loathing is another side of love and need.
Mick Davison and Emma Martin are the young married couple, their increasingly reluctant guests, who watch in horror as their hosts wield personal emotion scalpels before themselves being gradually drawn into the dance that wedlock, offspring issues and thwarted ambition have become.
It is a challenging play forcing the audience to face realities of relationships and this cast raise the emotion stakes outstandingly well. Not to be missed.
Filed under: Reviews
Caligula
Sewell Barn Theatre staging Caligula
Caligula
at the Sewell Barn Theatre
Review published in Eastern Daily Press, 11 April 2015
Generally held to be from Albert Camus’ ‘absurd phase’ of philosophical thinking, Caligula demonstrates a disconnection between aspiration and reality while condemning dictatorship/power but not in an agit-prop way.
It’s a thoughtful and considered treatment currently being presented in the Sewell Barn’s intimate closeness as we watch aghast as the all-powerful, God-like Roman emperor Caligula disintegrates.
Joe Darbyshire captures escalating madness underpinned with a terrifying logic in a consummate performance, as he murders at whim – ‘it’s no more immoral to steal openly than to inflict taxes on people.’
He is ably supported by terrified ‘yes’ men who finally fight back from fear and humiliation while his sinister sidekick (David White) and his aging mistress (Ginny Porteous) bring different shades to the intense drama.
In his programme notes director David Green says, ‘We have to reinvent the character of Caligula each time this play is staged, because this play is written for the present, not for the past.’
It’s essential viewing in this election season and is a timely reminder that we are all fallible; and even the greatest cannot ‘possess the moon.’
Filed under: Reviews
The House of Bernarda Alba
Lorca’s House of Bernarda Alba performed at Norwich Garage.
The House of Bernarda Alba
Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company
at The Garage, Norwich
Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 4 April 2015
Norwich’s Theatre Royal Youth Company tackles Lorca’s final play in a version by David Hare with skill and commitment.
It opens after Bernarda Alba has been widowed for the second time leaving her with five daughters and step daughters. She declares eight years of mourning upon the hapless girls in the claustrophobic confines of the hot Spanish household, proclaiming, ‘You have no right except to obey.’
However, young women’s rising passions and natural desires are not easily suppressed. As their struggles to break free of Bernarda (Kirsty Clarke) and each other reach a tragic ending, human nature cannot be held back by social normality.
Director Michelle Montague produces intriguing moments of physicality to heighten tensions, religious undercurrents, raw hurt and bitter jealousies that divide the girls.
Millie Amies, Alexandra Bannon, Cathryn Fenton, Gemma Faulkner, Jane Prinsley and Francesca Ali sustain family and personal struggles with excellent pacing, well supported by Hannah Bethell and Savanah Gray as staff.
It’s a brave play choice, but this production successfully juxtaposes life and death, hope and despair, fear and obsession with style and conviction.
Image: Loudes Cardenal
Filed under: Reviews
Barnum
Theatre Royal where a great ‘Barnum’ was performed!
Barnum at the Theatre Royal, Norwich
Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 6 March 2015
Circus overflows with razzmatazz and spectacle. Musical theatre entertains, delights and stirs us through dance, drama, music and lavish laughter.
If we add outstanding singing, quality choreography, production by showbiz maestro Cameron Mackintosh and starring roles from multitalented Brian Conley and Linzi Hateley, then we have a sure-fire smash hit, available until 14th March.
Based on the life of irrepressible showman PT Barnum in the mid 1880s as he explored his dreams of mass entertainment, this traditional love musical combines jugglers, trapeze artists and clowns together with real personalities General Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind.
The song catalogue includes gems like There Is a Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute; Thank God I’m Old, One Brick at a Time, Love Makes Such Fools of Us All, The Colours of My Life and Join the Circus.
The ensemble is tight with some standout delights of acrobatics. Direction is superb; it’s hard not to stomp along with the exuberance. The band is outstanding.
The high energy spotlight belongs to the versatile Conley as Barnum and Hateley as Chiary, his down-to-earth wife who at one points wishes he’d get a clock factory job but takes him back after he falls for soprano Jenny.
There’s powerful audience rapport as we share the pain of showbiz struggles, the joys of success and the damaged personal relationships experienced by many great performers. He even tries politics – ‘politics is showbiz.’
Barnum finally establishes a three-ring circus with JA Bailey – ‘the greatest show on earth’ – a label that resonates to this day. This is showbiz at its best. Prepare to laugh, cry and marvel in equal measure.
Filed under: Reviews
The Borrowers
The Borrowers – 2014 Maddermarket Christmas show
The Borrowers at the Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich
Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 22 December 2014
Mary Norton’s Borrowers stories are ideal family entertainment. The Maddermarket brings them to glorious stage life for their heartwarming, fun-filled and comic Christmas show.
Peter Sowerbutts’ direction is inspired with clever use of levels for upstairs and under the floorboards, large props, video as the ‘human beans’ discover the world beneath them and puppets when the Borrowers interact directly with big people.
It’s a coming-of-age story as Arrietty (the superb Fionna Monk) enters the real, dangerous world outside and her parents (the well-matched Robin Watson as Pod and Harriet Waterhouse as Homily) have to accept dramatic life changes.
Tim Seely is the not-so-daft gardener while Dawn Brindle is the perfect baddie with a nose for other people’s business. Oskar Schmidt-Hansen handles the helpful boy well; Liam Arnold is a hilarious outside Borrower, Spiller, and Moira Hickson plays the Gypsy with a golden heart.
‘We’re not stealing, we’re borrowing’ is a recurring theme while we ponder survival, possibly being the last of a race and about size in the end not mattering. A five star recommendation this Christmas.
Filed under: Reviews
Hairspray
Hairspray is fun!
Threshold Theatre Company, at Norwich Playhouse
Review of Hairspray published in Eastern Daily Press, 18 December 2014
Hairspray is a musical that doesn’t take itself over seriously while dealing with serious topics and offering ‘serious fun’ way that leaves your feet tapping for ages.
Based on the 1988 film, it harnesses the power and swing of early 1960s downtown rhythm and blues and youth culture to showcase a plump teenager (the incredible Charley Smith) becoming an overnight celebrity when winning a place on a local TV dance show.
Martin Rodwell plays her ample-bossomed mother, avoiding pantomime dame and hitting the perfect comic note.
Numbers are performed faultlessly including Good Morning Baltimore, Velma’s Revenge, You’re Timeless to Me and the show-stopper I Know Where I’ve Been, sung by the magnificent Tranetta Jones.
The show deals with race relations in a white-dominant society, celebrity, image and love in fast-paced, cameo scenes with clever movement of the large, high-energy ensemble and through outstanding individual performances.
Threshold do themselves proud, sparkling and popping under Jeremy Tustin’s inspired direction with a first class musical and choreographic team. It’s hard to know who enjoys it most – the performers or the packed audience.
Filed under: Reviews
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: The Voice Project performed in Norwich City Hall
Lost and Found
The Voice Project Choir, Norwich City Hall
Lost and Found review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 8 December 2014
Norwich’s fine City Hall has seen many dramas in its time, but nothing like the exhilarating range of emotions stirred by the Voice Project’s latest.
Lost and Found was ambitious, mainly set in the 1930s, in which the 150-strong audience were led on a promenade through committee rooms and the magnificent council chamber to experience their ‘memories and imagination’ concept.
Music was frequently minimalist, with repeated motifs such as ‘you, me, are already ghosts’ and sung, whispered and chanted by this aptly costumed, versatile choir led by co-directors Jonathan Baker and the inspirational conductor, Sian Croose.
It uplifted the spirits, soaring and echoing through acoustically perfect spaces, before moving into introspective, spooky, surreal, flashbacks of grim past days. One sequence was based on the 1795 Norwich Patriotic Society Manifesto, ‘we believe that the great end of civil society is happiness.’
Collective voices from the past cried out to us today, warning, urging as we build our futures. It will stay in the heart and mind for a long time, which is where a first-class theatrical ensemble’s great work should live.
Filed under: Reviews
A Christmas Spectacular 2014
Christmas Spectacular 2014
Lowestoft Players’ Christmas Spectacular
at The Players’ Bethel Theatre
Christmas Spectacular 2014 review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 8 December 2014
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Lowestoft Players annual Christmas Spectacular has transformed their headquarters at The Bethel into a warm, welcoming and family- oriented Christmastide theatre.
This is a variety show that crackles throughout with seasonal celebration from a large, all-aged cast. A host of traditional festive songs and carols are treated in a wide range of styles from Dickensian to 1950s.
Once again pupils from the Louise Elizabeth School of Dance are a delightful addition with extracts from Anastasia and The Snow Queen.
The choreography is inventive and there are moments of more reflective images interspersed among the glamour and comedy. Costuming and effects are carefully planned to make for a great night out.
Excellent musical direction and accompaniment comes from Francesca Warren and the whole show is directed by Louise Clarke on her first solo directorial outing, assisted by experienced hands. Total teamwork and a professional approach are part of the hallmark of the consistently award-winning Players.
This certainly is a lovely antidote to the stresses of Christmas shopping!
Filed under: Reviews
Oh What a Lovely War!
Oh What a Lovely War!
Theatre Royal Youth Company at The Garage, Norwich
Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 5 December 2014
The Garage is an ideal setting for this Youth Company and Joan Littlewood’s ironic classic a perfect vehicle in this WW1 centenary.
That it shocks while it entertains is a testament equally to the devised material from 1963, looking back on 1914-18 through eyes that had experienced 1939-45 and to the skill of this young ensemble.
Brechtian-style information slides drive home the futility of trench warfare with losses on a jaw dropping scale. The pierrot show format gives the humour full rein and original wartime songs make it a variety show with a compelling message.
I’ll Make a Man of Any One of You, Hitchy-Koo, Goodbyee, Gassed Last Night, Kaiser Bill, They Were Only Playing Leapfrog, When This Lousy War Is Over and the title song are a selection of danced and sung numbers which push the narrative along.
Whether they are playing the stuffed shirts of the officer class, ‘the donkeys’, ground troops, ‘the lions’ or the myriad of other cameos this show demands, they tackle them with enthusiasm, energy and much talent.
Filed under: Reviews
The Sensational 60s’ Experience
The Sensational 60s’ Experience at Marina Theatre, Lowestoft
Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 2 December 2014
A packed audience, mainly of a certain age, rocked and rolled the The Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, revelling in a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane.
This 1960s’ experience showcases groups, some with surviving original members, performing songs from their own hit catalogues and sampling the massive range of timeless classics which were the cultural hallmark of that iconic decade, when the world was a very different place.
Alan Mosca of Freddie and the Dreamers compered. Dave Berry proved himself much the same showman and song interpreter who first hit the charts fifty years ago.
The Ivy League, Union Gap UK, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Herman’s Hermits entertained with banter and jokes as well as melodies, harmonies and lyrics from the era. There was self-deprecating humour about aging, such as, ‘In the 1960s, everyone took drugs; now we take medication.’
The longevity of these skilled performers, who have worked Britain’s stages for half a century, is an inspiration. Old rockers never fade away and they’ll be back a year from now – catch them if you can!
Filed under: Reviews