David Porter

Marina Theatre, Lowestoft Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 3 May 2004 The 40th Anniversary Tour of the Animals and Friends 1964 was a different age. But if you were a teenager then, you can relive the excitement. We’ve replaced records with CDs, but to share the Animals and friends’ 40th anniversary tour is to spend an evening with living old friends. True, only two of the original Animals played, but there was a founder Kink and the others are talented survivors of other groups. All looked as lived in as most of the audience. Eric Burdon and the deceased were missed. Songs from a new album interspersed classics in  their rhythm and blues style including I’m Crying, Don’t Bring Me Down, Bring It On Home to Me, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Baby, … Read entire article »

Northern Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 26 April 2004 Poisoning Pigeons in the Park While some classic comedy is genuinely timeless, much of what we see of it today hopelessly obscure or out of fashion. However, this revue of songs by America satirist Tom Lehrer by the Northern Theatre Company shows material still funny. Songs were drawn from the 50s and 60s and showed him as a political folk musician commenting freely on social and cultural life. Drawing from dozens of musical styles via pastiche and mimicry, they ranged from the amusingly eponymous Poisoning Pigeons in the Park to the biting ‘satire is taking things to extremes” Masochism Tango. College days and Harvard featured, but when NBS broadcast an Americanised version of That Was The Week That Was … Read entire article »

Ridiculusmus at the Playhouse Theatre, Norwich Review published by the Eastern Daily Press, 23 February 2004 Ideas Men Comedy has many parents and the one night offering at the Playhouse nodded in the direction of everything from stand-up to the Theatre of the Absurd. After the success of the Ricky Gervais’ school of office management, the merciless satire on contemporary office life might seem already a full house. However, Ideas Men, written by Jon Hough and David Woods, adds a fierce surrealism to the genre that was occasionally painful. They came with high expectations and humour hype from the Barbican, but they didn’t quite bring tears to the eyes for more than short sequences in their 80-minute work. The intentional laid-back, understated and under-rehearsed effect contrasted well with the inspired madnesses like smashing a keyboard and … Read entire article »

Norwich School at the Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 6 February 2004 The Beggar’s Opera Anyone arriving at the Norwich School annual senior play expecting John Gay’s 1728 classic concoction of 69 street songs, parodies and arias would be surprised. The story is still peopled by thieves, whores, beggars, jailers and low-life, but has a keener political edge. Even those thinking former Czech president Vaclav Havel’s 1970’s play is a direct descendent of Brecht’s Threepenny Opera with its haunting Mac the Knife song, would also be surprised. The noose hanging over the central Macheath (Justin Beardsell) is less threatening than expected. However, none of the surprises is a bad experience. The programme note by director Michael James tells us that everyone except the pickpocket lies. Even criminal business has to co-operate with … Read entire article »

Norwich and Norfolk Operatic Society at the Theatre Royal, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 27 January 2004 Kiss Me Kate A sizzling heart-warmer is filling the stage of the Theatre Royal this week – a perfect antidote to the winter chill outside. The plot is cleverly interwoven with The Taming of the Shrew, but it isn’t necessary – as the song says – to Brush Up Your Shakespeare. This is no ordinary backstage-onstage romance. It is what many regard as Cole Porter’s finest work. Songs such as Another Op’ning Another Show, Why Can’t You Behave, Wunderbar, So In Love and I Hate Men stick in the mind and come back afterwards very agreeably. The show is a treat. It looks good, sounds good. Costumes and lighting, singing and full orchestra, actors and dancers … Read entire article »

Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 18 February 2005 Sleuth It is no big mystery why this thriller has stood the test of time. It has some of the best twisted plots in the business. Parallels with earlier productions since its first outing in 1970, or with Michael Caine/Laurence Olivier are beside the point. This production in the intimacy of the Maddermarket, its stage converted to a country house, is a joy to watch – a parody of the Agatha Christie genre yet utilising many of its tricks. Built around the classic rivalry of a younger and an older man over a woman, the twists and turns are both pleasing and ingenious. What marks this thriller is the humour that crackles throughout – “never speak ill of the deadly”. Noel Jones as the … Read entire article »

Hull Truck Company at the Cut, Halesworth Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 3 April 2006 I Want That Hair John Godber, now one of our most performed living playwrights, directed this bittersweet piece by Jane Thornton. A cracking good job he made of it too. That they are married to each other is entirely coincidental I am sure. Set in a hairdressing salon, it is a lively slice of life in crackling Hull Truck’s fast-paced comic style. Two well matched staff – Bex and Heidi – fortysomethings, one older and brighter than the other, engage in daily banter and old jokes until, suddenly, the laughter dries up. The relationship fractures. Talking, an occupational hazard in a hairdressers – is “more like psychiatry sometimes” and gradually we are drawn in. We care. Yet the sting in the … Read entire article »

The Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 20 October 2007 The Tempest A brave new world that hath such creatures in it. This production is a brave experiment indeed. Director Peter Sowerbutts steps out with a mainly female cast. And why not? In Shakespeare’s day all parts were played by men. Susan Seddon holds sway as Prospero, gradually growing into the wordy role of rightful duke. On one level it is a story about justice restored, and the feminine touch lends a fresh perspective. Lucy Stevens is Ariel, the airy spirit, and, if not ethereal, brings a quirky presence. Caliban the ragged and deformed slave (Barnaby Matley) finds the humour along with the jester and drunken butler. Billy Dickens as Miranda, the innocent girl raised, knowing so few other faces, had the most difficult … Read entire article »

Open Space Theatre Company at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 27 November 2008 One Glass Wall A new local theatre company in the rural areas is welcome. Open Space Theatre Company’s debut play by Danusia Iwaszko is intriguing, so it makes for a compelling evening. Clearly drawing on her own childhood with a Polish father and Irish mother, the playwright explores a comic surface rippling with dark undercurrents. Direction comes from the accomplished David Green, the driving force behind the company and he interprets the comic yet complex family relationships while allowing the deeper moods to bubble up periodically. First the family goes on a drive in their Morris Minor – mum, dad and eight year old daughter. Amusing references to the 1970s are strangely comforting but finally dad can take … Read entire article »