Posts with the label the other palace studio
Showing posts with label the other palace studio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the other palace studio. Show all posts
Monday, 4 February 2019
MT Fest UK, The Other Palace | Press Launch
Brainchild of Paul Taylor-Mills, MT Fest, opens at The Other Palace in one week's time and is set to provide a host of new and exciting theatrical events. Last week saw the launch of the festival in The Other Palace Studio and featured special performances from Luke Bayer, Evelyn Hoskins and Sooz Kempner.
When introducing the festival, Paul explained how he's always wanted to put an event like this on because of the large amount of work he gets sent that doesn't get the chance to be showcased. He told us how many pieces don't lack quality, but can't be developed because there is a "lack of resource and audience appetite"; and how this festival is his way of showcasing hidden gems in musical theatre and allowing composers, writers etc... to be seen by not only a paying audience, but industry professionals who can help them develop their work in the future.
He also reminded us that no one knows what makes a successful musical (and if they say they do, they're lying.) So this whole showcase of musicals is an exploration and adventure to see what works in front of an audience and what doesn't.
The two week event is structured so there's something to see at all times of day, including:
- The Taster Menu: the main event for showcasing new musicals. Eight semi-staged shows lasting 45 minutes each. Information about the shows and tickets can be found here
- BEAM Brunches: Shining a light on some of the most talented up and coming musical theatre songwriters. Full listings can be found here
- Tea for Two: Frank and inspirational afternoon chats with some of the most celebrated people in musical theatre. Including chats about choreographing a musical, the do's and don'ts for auditions and how theatre criticism is changing. Full listings can be found here
- Night Caps: Informal late night concerts with some of the top musical theatre performers. Paul told us he's also asked the performers to add in a song or two which hints at their next career move which is exciting. To see the performers and book tickets, click here
Evelyn Hoskins described the festival as a "pick n mix of new work" and it certainly seems like there's going to be something for everyone to discover so why not immerse yourself in theatre and attend this event!
MT Fest UK runs from 11th-23rd February 2019. Tickets are available online or from the box office at The Other Palace.
post by Olivia Mitchell
Saturday, 14 July 2018
The IDA Girls (Concert), The Other Palace Studio | Review
The IDA Girls (Concert)
The Other Palace Studio
Reviewed on Wednesday 11th July 2018 by Emma Gradwell
★★★★★
While the rest of the country sat down to watch England vs. Croatia on Wednesday night, a small but select group gathered in the intimate studio at The Other Palace. A few rows of chairs and tables with a convenient bar made it a very personal affair.
We were treated to a classy and sleek evening by London classical crossover girl group IDA. Performing as part of The Big Smoke Festival (The Other Palace's week long music, cabaret and variety festival) Wendy Carr, Laura Coutts, Georgi Mottram and Sarah Vaughan make up the quartet. Having trained at some of the worlds leading conservatoires they have been singing together since 2016 when the met during a West End Production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida - hence the name.
We were taken through a journey from Bizet to Adele with clever mashups fusing traditional opera with both pop and musical theatre. The result is truly beautiful. The four ladies may hail from worlds apart - Scotland, Jersey, Ireland and Australia - but their chemistry is undeniable. All of the arrangements are self written making this combination genre completely their own.
After the opening verse of Phantom of the Opera a booming bass-baritone voice could be heard from the back of the room. Rodney Earl-Clarke appeared from the darkness to duet with the girls with superb effect.
Also accompanying was Steinway pianist Dominic Ferris - one half of the critically acclaimed double act 'Ferris and Milne'. There was a special performance of his own at the mid way point allowing for a quick costume change and an update of the Football. Dominic is a very expressive pianist and an absolute joy to hear and watch.
The show was exquisite from start to finish. The IDA Girls are talented, beautiful and funny. I would highly recommend an evening in their company and cannot wait to see what comes next from them.
Thursday, 21 September 2017
35mm: A Musical Exhibition, The Other Palace Studio | Review
35mm: A Musical Exhibition
The Other Palace Studio
Reviewed on Wednesday September 20th 2017 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
I assumed that each photo and song would follow on from one another but they are actually not linked, instead they each tell a personal tale or capture a fragment of time told through music. However, as the show progresses there are some connections as well as juxtapositions, with each song blending into one another to create the idea that we are all the same in our overall experiences. Whilst the photos may look different to our own and even abstract in some cases, the stories behind them are often very similar to each of us and the magic of music and photography is that they can capture that and hold it as a memory. These memories allow us to reminisce but also grow.
The music itself, written by Ryan Scott Oliver is an amalgamation of styles which are performed wonderfully by the outstanding cast made up of Maisey Bawden, Gregor Duncan, George Maguire, Christina Modestou and Samuel Thomas. Each member gets a chance to shine and take centre stage with their own story and the varying emotions from joy to anger to hatred are shown wonderfully by the small but extremely powerful cast.
I particularly enjoyed 'Leave Luanne' and 'The Ballad of Sara Berry' both of which were dramatic and emotive and worked wonderfully with the quick, sharp movements of the cast. 'Stop Time' opened the show in an interesting way, with sounds of swaying and movement as if we were travelling. To me it came across as a very unique form of music with the use of unusual sounds creating an impressionistic vibe which worked well in the intimate space. The religious choral section were also stunning with flawless harmonies which resonated wonderfully in the space.
Musically the songs are complex and layered which is a great contrast to the fairly simplistic looking photos. Most of the photos by Matthew Murphy are pretty basic looking with minimal action so it's wonderful to delve into them and bring out meaning with the music. Joe Bunker leads the six-piece band very well and pulls off each genre perfectly.
The movement is also brilliant, with sharp, quick steps which flow and pop exquisitely with the music. The studio is small but seems bigger because of how easily the cast move with one another, never seeming like they're running out of room but instead working the space and using it to add to the story.
At seventy minutes through, a unique show, a great cast and variety of musical genres you can't really go wrong and I would definitely recommend going along to The Other Palace Studio to see it.
35mm: A Musical Exhibition runs at The Other Palace Studio until September 30th.
photo credit: Brittain Photography
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