on - 26.5.23
Reviews, news, interviews and previews of THEATRE, COMEDY, FILM, MUSIC, ART, LITERATURE in Greater Manchester and the whole of the UK.
Tuesday 30 May 2023
STUDENT THEATRE REVIEW: The Addams Family - The New Adelphi Theatre, Salford University, Salford.
on - 26.5.23
STUDENT THEATRE REVIEW: Pippin - The New Adelphi Theatre, Salford University, Salford.
on - 26.5.23
STUDENT THEATRE REVIEW: The 39 Steps - The Ampitheatre, Preston College; Preston.
Think
of Preston and the image likely to occur is that of a post-industrial
Lancashire town just off the M6, not really known for having great theatres.
The fact is that the city has a hidden gem that has only recently seen a return
to live performances and deserves to be much better known, Preston College
amphitheatre. This remarkable venue is set amidst an array of tall pine trees
and has everything a theatre production might require, with side and centre
walkways, a semi-circle of descending rows and a stage backed with a stone
structure allowing for two middle and two side entrances. Such was the setting
for the Actor Training Academy end-term production.
John Buchan’s classic novel has
undergone several movie and television adaptations as a gripping thriller and
in recent years been transposed into a farce with four actors playing over a
hundred roles. This production took a middle ground, very much a comedy, at
times bordering on farce but with several scenes of serious drama.
The
amphitheatre was used to great effect starting with an entrance from the rear
by Richard Haney the central protagonist, giving an introductory monologue and
the action taking place in the descending aisles, along the rows and in the
forest to the sides of the audience area as well of course around the central
stage. Fortunately, with the evening was blessed with warm weather and a clear
sky, the use of the amphitheatre was demonstrated to its full potential. The
story unfolded staying close to the original film version by Hitchcock with the
audience exposed to entrances and performances from all sides.
A stylising device of the production
was the incorporation of some twenty members of the cast dressed in blue and
orange some of whom would put on costumes for bit roles but for the most acting
as an audience or crowd in various scenes, from a London music hall to a
Scottish political meeting and clowning around between scenes. This worked to a
degree but at times was a distraction from the period feel of the story,
perhaps a deliberately Brechtian move? The central characters were fully in
costume however with the story effectively revolving around the Haney
character.
Luke Ray was almost never off stage
during the whole show and gave a splendid performance with period speech and
mannerisms as Richard Haney, the self-deprecating Londoner inadvertently involved
in murder and espionage. This was a very physical role with Ray seen at some
time or other seen all over the auditorium and stage. Jessica Rolfe was well
cast as the woman fate had thrown together with Haney as a pair of fugitives on
the run whilst gradually bonding. There were several notable characterisations,
notably Lucy Vernum as Mr Memory and Tom Byers as the cockney milkman with the
amusing double act of Horatio Goldthorpe
and Darci Slater as Mr and Mrs McGarrigle (this was the kind of show where you
could get away with a racial stereotype!).
This was a very good production but
it could have better still if the pace had been faster. An essential element of
farce is pace and particularly in the first Act, many of the exchanges between
characters were interspersed with far too many long pauses. There were also
some key scenes which would have been more effective had they been shorter,
cases in point being Haney addressing the Liberal party rally and the bedroom
scene at the McGarrigles. Otherwise, this was an excellent production in an
excellent venue.
Reviewer - John Waterhouse
on - 26.5.23
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Guys And Dolls - The Little Theatre, Wigan.
on - 29.5.23
THEATRE REVIEW: The Lost Spells - Theatre By The Lake, Keswick.
Friday 26 May 2023
NEWS: Join the Forever Tenors this June to support Leeds Hospitals Charity.
Made up of tenors, Adam Lacey and Robert Durkin, Forever Tenors have had a meteoric rise in the classical crossover world over the last two years. With their personable stage presence, and Yorkshire charm they have captivated audiences with their beautiful harmonies and captivating performances.
Having gone from treading the boards in local productions, to international stages and beyond, the duo will be returning to their home city for this special benefit show. The performance will be in support of Leeds Hospitals Charity which helps continue the vital work carried out at the Bexley cancer ward at St James’s hospital. With proceeds from the show being donated to the charity to help in their fight against cancer.
The show will feature that unique sound of Forever Tenors with their perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation. Taking classic compositions, you know and love and infusing them with new life and energy. From "Nessun Dorma" to "Unchained Melody," their rich and emotional renditions are sure to take your breath away.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be able to give back to our local community in Leeds by performing this benefit show," said Adam Lacey, one half of the duo. "We really want to help raise much needed funds for the charity that is supporting the important work being done at the Bexley cancer ward at St James’s hospital. We hope that people come along and show their support with us!"
Tickets to the show are now on sale and can be purchased directly through the Leeds City Varieties website.
About Forever Tenors:
Forever Tenors are an international classical crossover duo
made up of Adam Lacey & Robert Durkin. Throughout their incredible career,
Forever Tenors have had the privilege of performing alongside some of the
biggest names in the industry, including Russell Watson, Alfie Boe, and Wynne
Evans, cementing their place as one of the most exciting classical crossover
duos to emerge in recent memory.
THEATRE REVIEW: Quality Street - The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
on - 25.4.23
Thursday 25 May 2023
THEATRE REVIEW: The SpongeBob Musical - The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield.
on - 24.5.23
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Blackberry Trout Face - The Forum Theatre, Romiley. Greater Manchester.
on - 24.5.23
THEATRE REVIEW: The Card - The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
Arnold Bennett’s 1911 comic novel The Card, telling the story of the rise of Edward Henry “Denry” Machin from humble office boy to successful entrepreneur and beloved youngest Mayor in the history of Bursley, was adapted for the stage by Deborah McAndrew for Claybody Theatre and was very well received during its inaugural run at Fenton Town Hall in 2022. I wanted to go and see it then, but couldn’t, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to see it at the New Vic.
The show begins
with the unveiling of a statue of Denry in St. Luke’s Square, Bursley, 120
years on from his appointment as Mayor, the pomp and ceremony of this occasion
being underlined by the presence of the Bursley Brass Band (the Acceler8 Band
under the direction of Jef Sparkes) who feature prominently throughout the
production. The drape comes off to reveal Denry (local lad and New Vic regular Gareth
Cassidy) and as the cast take turns to narrate the story – essential as
eighteen years of Denry’s life are packed into little over two hours – we are
whisked back in time to the office of Mr. Duncalf (Howard Chadwick) where Denry
is working as a rent collector.
A chance
encounter with the Countess of Chell (Molly Roberts) gives Denry the idea of
sneaking his name – and a few others whom he hopes will prove useful to him –
onto the invitation list to the Countess’s Ball, where for a bet he asks the
Countess to dance, winning himself £5. The Ball is beautifully choreographed by
Beverley Norris-Edmunds and indeed the performance is peppered with dance
throughout.
When Duncalf
fires him, Denry sets up on his own using the £5 he won and takes a disgruntled
client of Duncalf’s with him. This is the real start of Denry’s meteoric rise
and, although the ethics of some of his tactics are questionable, his quirky
lovability and basically good nature win us over.
Denry becomes
engaged to his former dance instructor Ruth (Jessica Dyas) after he saves her
life, leaping aboard a runaway pantechnicon, ending up trapped inside it with
her in the canal. The slow-motion depiction of how this happens is one of the
stand-out scenes of the whole piece, a simply wonderful few minutes of theatre.
On holiday in Llandudno, chaperoned according to the proprieties of the time by
sweet Nellie (Jenny Murphy), Ruth’s big-spending habits alarm Denry who has to
find a way of breaking off the engagement but make it look like it was Ruth’s
idea. This done, Denry buys an old lifeboat and makes a fortune taking tourists
on trips to see a shipwreck by the Little Orme.
Back in the
Potteries, we follow Denry on several more adventures, but only really get to
his heart when we meet his elderly Mother (Howard Chadwick) whom he introduces
to us as the most important woman in his life. The bearded Chadwick’s brilliant
performance as the feisty, curmudgeonly Mrs. Machin put me in mind of Steve
Pemberton as Tubbs in “The League Of Gentlemen”, with an underlying pathos
behind the humour. Mrs. Machin hasn’t had life easy: widowed young, she brought
up her son alone in a cold, rundown cottage, but it takes a special wheeze on
Denry’s part, aided and abetted by Nellie, to get her to accept the idea of
moving to nicer surroundings.
Given that the
play starts with the unveiling of Denry’s statue it is hardly a surprise when
he becomes Mayor but we are universally delighted for him when he does. The
final objection to Denry’s elevation comes from a rival councillor who asks,
“what great cause is he identified with?”
“He is
identified”, comes the response, “with the great cause of cheering us up”.
Cue celebratory
music and dancing, and a hearty ovation from a North Staffordshire audience who
have most definitely been cheered up.
This is
feelgood theatre at its best and it has everything: a great story, beautifully
told with superb music, dance and even a display of footballing skill from
Eddie Westbury as Callear (“the greatest centre forward in England”). Gareth
Cassidy’s performance is first rate throughout as is the support he receives
from the rest of the cast, the Claybody Community Company and the Acceler8
band.
The Card is
definitely a must-see. I had high expectations of it beforehand and they were
surpassed by some distance.
Reviewer - Ian Simpson
on - 23.5.23
Wednesday 24 May 2023
CHILDREN'S THEATRE REVIEW: Seussical Jr - Woodend Mill, Mossley. Greater Manchester.
on - 23.5.23
Tuesday 23 May 2023
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Witness For The Prosecution - The Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham. Greater Manchester.
Monday 22 May 2023
STUDENT THEATRE REVIEW: The Nick - The Main Theatre, City College, Manchester
on - 19.5.23
STUDENT THEATRE REVIEW: A Chorus Line - The Eccleston Theatre, Pendleton Sixth Form College, Pendleton, Manchester.
on - 20.5.23
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Showstoppers! - The Forum Theatre, Romiley. Greater Manchester
on - 19/5/23
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: It Runs In The Family - The Little Theatre, Altrincham
on - 21/5/23
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Flamingoland - Bolton Little Theatre, Bolton.
on - 21.5.23
THEATRE REVIEW: A Force To Be Reckoned With - The Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester.
on - 20/5/23
Friday 19 May 2023
AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods - Pyramid Theatre, Union Building, The University, Leeds.
on - 18.5.23
THEATRE REVIEW: Bi-Topia - Waterside, Sale. Greater Manchester
Sam Danson set up the status quo immediately with a satire on the American military man’s idea of perfect masculinity. With cod American accent and a lot of toy guns, he worked his way through a flip chart of all the key characteristics of manhood, beginning with “Don’t cook! Except on a barbecue…..” and ending with “Don’t Be Gay!” This page of the flipchart was left on stage for the remainder of the performance, and was the dominant throughline of the show.
Once the American persona was dropped, Danson brought us into the world of a gauche teenage British boy who had a girlfriend, but also accepted invitations from other boys. Running over the next few years, Danson’s character progressed to working in a 'McJob' in a gelato parlour, getting his own flat, and having blundering experiences around town as he tried to work out what made him tick. He even visited a therapist – twice.
Danson is a lively and personable actor, with a deft sense of comic timing. He really performs solo theatre well, bringing a variety of other characters in this small world to life, each with their own take on the main character’s situation. The script is quite clever in returning to the American soldier motif to show what the real problem is, then zinging off into another bout of youthful cack-handedness that is reminiscent of “Fresh Meat.”
But just to be a picky little reviewer, the overall effect was of a gay coming-of-age story – not a bisexual one. The pull towards men plainly was what was dominating Danson’s character’s thoughts, and quite understandably. Yet there was next to no acknowledgement of the pull towards women. In fact women hardly existed at all, except as a fleeting reference here and there. Which made the eventual ending rather flat, forced and unearned.
on - 17.5.23