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50 years old, and getting stronger by the day, Mikron Theatre Company cast off their 50th National Tour, “bringing theatre anywhere for everyone”. This year Mikron are reprising this show, Raising Agents (2015), and premiering their alternate show, Red Sky At Night (2022).
Inside the Square Chapel in Halifax, an annex from the fabulous Piece Hall, lies the Red Brick Theatre, which is where this performance was held. A busy, and bustling bar area in the pre-show moments lead to an excited hum as the auditorium filled. Then, a door flew open, a trombone appeared, and off we went!
The show was a mixture of excellent writing (Maeve Larkin) and hilarious songs (O’Hooley & Tidow), combined with the direction from Rachel Gee, and left the audience wanting more. Our cast this season brings Mikron stalwart performers James McClean and Thomas Cotran back to the company, alongside Mikron first-timers, Alice McKenna & Hannah Bainbridge, who together, have a very harmonious ensemble sound, and a great group connection, to bring a very warm feeling about the performance.
Different to many companies, Mikron Theatre Company hire actors who also play musical instruments, and they then accompany the show, whilst performing, and singing, its all very impressive.
Larkins's play starts in song, introducing us to the Bunnington Women’s Institute, which then leads on to an in-depth, yet brief history of the WI, and all the achievements they have made, but where would a good play be without drama, as the ‘Bunnies’, end up in civil war, having argued over the details of an event, which nearly caused the branch to close. All coming together near the end with a sad, yet endearing twist.
This was a really well performed show, not without hiccups, but that’s live theatre! I would imagine after running it every night for a couple of weeks, the show will be a silky-smooth performance. The cast all brought a great level of energy and enthusiasm, and weird as it may sound, they all seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. Not only that, but as soon as the show finished, the cast became the front of house staff, and manned the merchandise stall, (which was full of goodies, I picked up some anniversary coffee, which is delicious!!) So if you fancy some hilarious evening entertainment, please go and see Mikron this season. They are playing in over 120 venues across the country, from allotments to theatres, they could be in your local pub next week, so make sure you keep an eye out for them. I can’t wait to go back to see them again.
Reviewer - Simon Oliver
on - 12.4.22
Different to many companies, Mikron Theatre Company hire actors who also play musical instruments, and they then accompany the show, whilst performing, and singing, its all very impressive.
Larkins's play starts in song, introducing us to the Bunnington Women’s Institute, which then leads on to an in-depth, yet brief history of the WI, and all the achievements they have made, but where would a good play be without drama, as the ‘Bunnies’, end up in civil war, having argued over the details of an event, which nearly caused the branch to close. All coming together near the end with a sad, yet endearing twist.
This was a really well performed show, not without hiccups, but that’s live theatre! I would imagine after running it every night for a couple of weeks, the show will be a silky-smooth performance. The cast all brought a great level of energy and enthusiasm, and weird as it may sound, they all seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. Not only that, but as soon as the show finished, the cast became the front of house staff, and manned the merchandise stall, (which was full of goodies, I picked up some anniversary coffee, which is delicious!!) So if you fancy some hilarious evening entertainment, please go and see Mikron this season. They are playing in over 120 venues across the country, from allotments to theatres, they could be in your local pub next week, so make sure you keep an eye out for them. I can’t wait to go back to see them again.
Reviewer - Simon Oliver
on - 12.4.22
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