Posts with the label the other palace
Showing posts with label the other palace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the other palace. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 November 2019
Reputation, The Other Palace | Review
Reputation
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Friday 8th November 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★
It's the 1930s and the males in Hollywood are King. The world is glamourous, 'talking pictures' are all the rage and a good story can get you far. Alick and Suzanne Glass' musical is narrated by Freddy Larceny, a huge Hollywood producer who steals a young up-and-coming writer's work and has to fight for the reputation he's so carefully sculpted.
At this time, women are expected to be domestic creatures who stay in their lane and are there to support men with all they require; however, our heroine Michelle Grant confronts this and aims to write a novel and be her own boss. Maddy Banks plays Michelle with a burning energy and a sweet level of self-confidence. Her voice is strong, well-controlled and perfectly fitting for the musical style of the show, but the lack of variation in the score means we don't hear the full extent of Banks' vocals.
Alick Glass' music is entertaining at times and is certainly evocative of the 30s, New York and Paris, but overall the musical feels overstuffed with underdeveloped pieces. Abrupt stops and repetitive melodies often hinder the flow of the show and instead of adding anything to the story, just reiterate something already mentioned. The best musical moments happen when the girls join together in ensemble harmony but these are equally overused and begin to lack oomph quickly.
Tamsyn Salter's choreography is delightful and again very fitting for the time period. Salter has worked wonderfully with the limited space of The Other Palace Studio and will surely look even better when the show develops to bigger venues.
As the sleazy but kind of likeable crook, Jeremy Secomb is superb as Freddy Larceny. He is confident, slick and highly accomplished in his performance, giving a super strong vocal performance and is seeming well rounded despite actual character development. The lawyer who takes on Larceny, Archie Bright is played well by Ed Wade who is charmingly awkward and gives a stand out performance in act two when his vocals really shine.
Overall this is a production which certainly has potential but definitely needs to be edited and streamlined. It's great to see a show which focusses on a female narrative and rewriting history but it's hard to sympathise fully with our leading lady when many of her decisions remain motivated by a man. The love story is sweet but overshadows the female empowerment aspect which had the potential to be crucial and really make this show stand out. The cast do a great job and there are glimmers of magic but there absolutely needs to be more.
photo credit: photo donato
Thursday, 5 September 2019
Falsettos, The Other Palace | Review
Falsettos
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Thursday 5th September 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Despite feeling a little too long and being shrouded in recent drama, the current production of Falsettos at The Other Palace makes it clear why this musical was nominated for five Tony Awards in 2017.
The musical in its current form is based on three one-act musicals which have been fused together by James Finn and William Lapine. It began in 1979 with In Trousers, followed by March of the Falsettos in 1981, and Falsettoland in 1990. In 1992 these were combined to create the show which played on Broadway for over a year and is currently making its UK premiere.
Falsettos begins with the hilarious 'Four Jews in a Room Bitching' where we are introduced, as the name suggests, to four Jews and "one half-jew". Throughout the show we learn about a family as they crumble and put themselves back together. Family patriarch Marvin (Daniel Boys) is falling in love with a charming man, Whizzer (Oliver Savile) and is ready to leave his wife Trina (Laura Pitt-Pulford) and son Jason (Albert Atack). Meanwhile Trina gets closer to her therapist, (Joel Montague).
PJ McEvoy's set of blocks which are moved around to form the various locations, are highly effective and just simplistic enough to provide interest without taking away from the emotional songs. Bright, evocative lighting by Nic Farman is equally entertaining.
Although this show does feel a tad too long, with a lot of songs crammed in and not a whole lot of story, there's no denying that it's fabulously staged and features an absolutely stellar cast. Laura Pitt-Pulford brings the audience to rapturous applause with her stellar rendition of 'I'm Breaking Down'. In fact, this is a cast made up of crystal clear singers with perhaps some of the best placement on the West End. Natasha Barnes and Gemma Knight-Jones brings lightness and power both vocally and physically as the "lesbians next door", and Oliver Savile also provides many stand out vocal moments. The entire team act through song fantastically and truly bring out the best of the work, whilst, Chris Whybrow's sound design highlights the strong vocal techniques which course through the cast.
The show is pretty much sung through, with a variety of rhythms, colours and musical feels. There's humour and heartbreak and a warm sense of conversation throughout. Intricate but not in-your-face Falsettos is a must-see reminder of human love; and a great example of how moving music can be.
photo credit: The Standout Company
Tuesday, 3 September 2019
The Feeling, The Other Palace | Review
The Feeling
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Monday 2nd September 2019
With an influx of Broadway transfers and film/book to movie adaptations dominating the London theatre scene, it's always wonderful to see new British theatre developing. The Feeling by Kyra Jessica Willis is a good example of this, as it brings social troubles to light in a headstrong way that feels authentically British.
The Feeling follows a tight knit group of friends who congregate in their local cafe to chat, moan and laugh. Various issues begin to plague the group as they struggle through life's ups and downs and we see how easy it is to fall apart. The small cast features cafe owner Mel (Halie Darling) who is a little unsure of herself as she begins a relationship with geeky and incredibly caring Jamie (George C Francis). Kyra Jessica Willis plays the snide Jessie who has an innuendo to offer at every moment; with PJ Tomlinson playing her ex and moral supporter Kasey. Chloe Hazel brings the psychologically controlling Edie to life and Chris Barton is Holt, the new man in Jessie's life. Completing the cast are Pippa Lea as Lexie and Sean Erwood as Archie who have a good chemistry with one another and provide some touching moments.
Director George C Francis does a good job of utilising the small stage of The Other Palace but at times there seems to be either too much or too little going on in terms of action. The cast are clearly developing their characters as they exchange knowing glances which extend beyond the text, but these sometimes detract from crucial moments on stage. This is especially evident when conversations continue as the cast exit the stage and space. Whilst, at times this brings an effective realism to the characters, at others it takes away from the main action and would perhaps be more efficient if mimed.
The text lends itself to being a straight play but this show takes on a jukebox format, with several pop songs dotted throughout to further the drama and emotions. Often these work but the show could work equally well as a sleek play, perhaps with musical interludes to fill scene changes as opposed to full songs. Despite this, the song choices are catchy and there are a number of strong performances, especially from Pippa Lea and Chloe Hazel. From Kelly Clarkson to Kate Nash, there's a variety of music that does provide entertainment and varies the tone throughout. The lighting changes from the spoken scenes to the sung scenes are somewhat abrupt in their contrast but do a good job of differentiating the emotions from being internal to external.
As Willis' first foray into theatrical writing, this is a production which shows promise and a positive willingness to create new work which sheds light on intense subjects. For the most part the dialogue is realistic, the characters are well defined and the subject matter is delicately handled. There are several tweaks which can made in terms of rounding out the story and bringing further truth to the text, and the show definitely needs to be streamlined to make it a real competitor in the theatre scene, but as a work in progress The Feeling definitely has potential. Monsteers Artistry continues to rattle forward with innovative ways to break down barriers in the theatre industry and provide opportunities for a range of people, something which can only be applauded.
The Feeling plays at The Other Palace on 7th September at 3pm and 8pm
Monday, 12 August 2019
Squad Goals, The Other Palace | Review
Squad Goals
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Saturday 10th August 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Squad Goals written by Michelle Payne follows Lexi who wants to have the best summer ever playing football with her friends (and foes) before results day comes and they all have to take steps towards their futures.
What's great about this piece is that each person has a characteristic or emotion the audience can relate to; so whilst football may not be your bag, there are other aspects which will draw you in and entertain. From Mel the theatre fanatic to Missy the wannabe lawyer and Ellie-Mae the social media influencer, there's a whole array of characters, each of whom are well identified and enjoyable to watch.
This is the third play to be performed by students of the Caspa Arts: Acting for New Writing part time course and it's terrific to see a showcase of performers in training, and new British theatre. The 10 strong cast work incredibly well as a team and it's clear that they are loving working and developing together.
Whilst the ensemble work is wonderful, there are a number of stand out performances. Firstly Mia Kelly as the hopeful drama student Mel. Mia is fantastically natural on stage and has great comedic timing, her performance is witty and well thought out. As leader of the squad Lexi, Hannah Khalique-Brown gives an ardent and charismatic performance as she races forward to fight inequality between women's and men's football and break barriers between social groups in her local area. As a character, Lexi is very truthful as she steps up to the plate without being over the top or unbelievable, something Khalique-Brown emphasises well.
The influencers who are forever taking selfies and posting #ad posts are everywhere you look these days and Sophia de Souza brings the squad's resident 'It Girl' Ellie-Mae Hague to life with a marvellous balance of humour and kindness. Whilst Ellie-Mae is extra in every sense of the word, she is also a team player and the bond she has with the other girls is put across very well by de Souza, as is the compassion she shows as she influences the union of the groups. Lauren Cooper also shines as the dippy Sharky who is charming throughout and naturally gets the audience on her side.
Elsewhere, Emily Clark gives a strong performance as Amanda and has a great chemistry with Verona Smith as Missy who delivers some great one-liners and bounces off the other girls well. Morag Davies is suitably feisty as Scrappy-Doo and Stephanie Stevens gives a well nuanced portrayal of Misha who is consistently fighting for equality but also longs for a group of friends to share her triumphs with. Antonio Ayuso provides comedic moments as he tries to prove himself to be a "man's man", Clara Mainardi is greatly mysterious as Assassina and as a whole the cast are very strong.
The use of movement is very effective in this piece, with the opening scene giving Spring Awakening vibes as the women approach the issues they face not only in football but in life. Throughout there are entertaining passages where the cast transition from one place to another or highlight specific feelings through sharp movement. This does well to both further the story and keep the intensity high from start to finish.
In a time when the world seems pretty dark, it's lovely to see such an uplifting piece of theatre that highlights the importance of passion, hard work and friendship. Of course this is the beginning stages for Squad Goals and there's certainly room to pad out the story and establish the characters a bit more but overall, this is a really enjoyable hour, with a company of fantastic promise. Hopefully the show gets the further development it deserves and we don't see the end of this female story.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Sunday Favourites: Marisha Wallace, The Other Palace | Review
Sunday Favourites: Marisha Wallace
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Sunday 19th May 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
The Other Palace is playing host to a new series of intimate solo concerts, where the West End's finest get to perform their favourite songs in a laid back session called Sunday Favourites. Last Sunday Dreamgirls and Waitress superstar Marisha Wallace, took us on a soulful journey where she opened up about her life and showed off her golden pipes in a wonderful celebration of music.
Featuring an eclectic selection including an Aretha Franklin medley, My Funny Valentine, Zero to Hero and How Deep is Your Love, Marisha provided something for everyone and vocal gem after vocal gem.
As well as a fine solo repertoire, a number of guests also helped the proceedings. Nicole Raquel Dennis and Nathaniel Morrison brought some smooth, crazily tight backing vocals to a few songs, including a remixed version of Britney Spears' Lucky which was hauntingly brilliant. Jodie Steele also took to the stage for a lovely performance of the India Arie classic, Ready For Love; whilst Lucie Jones joined Marisha for a fiery rendition of Take Me or Leave Me. Both Jodie and Lucie complemented Marisha excellently and all three created a warm, natural environment that welcomed the audience in. It goes without saying that the vocals were super and it's great to know that all the performers are thriving on musical theatre stages where their talents can really shine. Competition winner Lashayah, also showed that the future of the West End is in very safe hands.
Despite having missed the concert version of The Colour Purple I was lucky enough to hear Marisha perform the powerful I'm Here at her 2017 Soul Holiday concert, and was absolutely thrilled to have another chance to hear her incredible rendition on Sunday. Marisha has a wonderful ability to word paint even the smallest of words to truly bring a piece of music to life. Her vocal skills are matched by her magnetic personality and witty rapport with the audience.
Again, Marisha spoke candidly about her life, namely the ups and downs she has experienced throughout her career and more recently as she soared in Dreamgirls but struggled in her personal life. Hearing someone be so honest on stage is refreshing and works to unite the audience through common emotions.
It's evident from the new levels Marisha has consistently been reaching since she came to our side of the pond, that she's got a long career ahead of her and a loyal fanbase over here. It just goes to show that talent really is appreciated and alongside being a kind, genuine person, will get get you everywhere. Of course there are negatives and lows, but Marisha is proof that with perseverance, hard work and real skill, you can succeed.
photo credit: Danny Kaan
Thursday, 21 February 2019
In Conversation With... Shaun McCourt | West End Live Lounge | Interview
West End Live Lounge is back at The Other Palace on March 10th for a celebration of WOMEN. The stellar line up of performers will sings songs from powerful ladies, all whilst raising money for Samaritans. I spoke to founder, Shaun McCourt about all things West End Live Lounge...
Can you tell us a bit about the creation of West End Live Lounge?
West End Live Lounge started in 2017 as an idea for a series of concerts to raise money for charity and has since grown to where it is today. I wanted to create an event which would allow West End performers the platform to sing material which was not from the world of musical theatre with a live band. There was a gap in the gig/concert circuit for such an event and I simply decided to go for it-and what an exciting journey it has been.
You’ve gone from the Union Theatre to the Other Palace Studio to the main house and each concert is getting bigger and better. What’s the next thing you’d like to achieve with your concerts?
I am always overwhelmed by the support that West End Live Lounge receives. It is great to see so many people enjoying the concerts. Without this support, its reputation would not be where it is now. The show continues to grow and there are certainly exciting plans in place for its future. However, I am going to keep the secrets for now I am afraid. Watch this space!
In terms of what I would like to achieve, my aim is to continue to produce concerts that not only entertain our audiences, but also raise as much money for charity as possible.
What’s your favourite part of putting the Live Lounge concerts together?
Though I may look slightly stressed on the day of a Live Lounge concert, I have to say that I enjoy the whole process of putting it together- from picking the theme, to casting the line-up, liaising with The Other Palace, to the day of the concert itself. However, if I had to pick a favourite moment, it would be the rehearsals and soundcheck on the day of each event. The Live Lounge band are all incredible musicians and our musical director, Sam Coates, is a genius. That moment when we are all set up and I hear the band play for the first time is really special. It is always a reminder of just how much hard work people put into making these events a success.
West End Live Lounge has become a bit of a family. The central team is made up of Sam Coates (musical director), Will Miney (technical manager) and myself. However, all performers and musicians that have been involved become part of this family. Getting to work alongside so many talented individuals always makes this such a rewarding process.
What can people expect when they come and experience a West End Live Lounge?
People can expect a great night at the theatre. If this doesn't happen, then I am doing something wrong! A West End Live Lounge event promises a fantastic line up of incredible singers and musicians. Each concert has an exciting theme and gives the audience the chance to see their favourite West End performers step out of the world of musical theatre.
Each concert you raise money for a different charity, how do you choose the charities to support and what do they mean to you?
Choosing the charity for each concert is always a tricky job. There are so many important charities, so rather than continue to raise money for just one, I decided that it was really important to me that each concert raised money for a different cause. For some concerts, the theme and charity often go hand in hand. There have also been times where a major event has happened in the world around the time of the concert and it makes total sense to donate the proceeds to this cause.
If you could have any performer dead or alive to perform at a Live Lounge, who would you choose and why?
This is a tricky question! I am incredibly grateful to every single performer who has given up their time to be part of a West End Live Lounge event. They each bring an amazing talent and such a great energy to the stage. It is important to me that I continue to introduce new faces to the Live Lounge stage and that each concert offers a diverse and exciting line up.
But if I had to pick one person...
Well...If I could get Jennifer Hudson along to sing a number, would I be excited? Absolutely!
Can you sum up in 5 words why people should come to the next West End Live Lounge?
Belting for a good cause.
West End Live Lounge tickets go on sale March 25th.
Full cast (subject to availability): Adam Bailey, Christina Bennington, Louise Dearman, Lauren Drew, Simon Gordon, Jennifer
Harding, Matthew Harvey, Emma Hatton, Lisa Marie Holmes, Claudia Kariuki, Sejal Keshwala,
Emma Lindars, Shekinah Mcfarlane, Kayleigh McKnight, Christina Modestou, Brady Isaacs Pearce,
Lauren James Ray, Danielle Steers, Laura Tebbutt, Jennifer Tierney, Rodney Vubya.
Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell
Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell
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, 2 February 2019
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, The Other Palace | Review
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Thursday 31st January 2019 by Nicola Louise
★★★★★
There’s a reason Showstopper! won an Oliver award; there’s a reason why this show (which on the tin has the potential to be messy) has been running for near enough 12 years without fail, and that reason is that it's pure brilliance.
Showstopper! is fun, new and refreshing and a different show every performance means you can go back and enjoy the comedy again and again without boredom setting in. There’s always something new and exciting to watch.
The basic premise of the show is this; Cameron Mackintosh wants a new musical, and he wants it written within the next two hours- as audience members we’re invited to help. Our job is to set the ball rolling and call out places for the setting as well as styles of musicals or composers, then vote which ones we think are the best. We also help with the title of the performance, ours was ‘Austria the Moosical’ (can you guess what that was about??)
We had a range of musical styles within out show, Fiddler on the Roof, Mamma Mia, Les Mis, Titanic, The Sound of Music and School of Rock.
There’s clearly a format which the actors follow but this doesn’t make the show less enjoyable. The story and songs are made up on the spot with the band doing very well to keep up with the styles of musicals being called out by the producer who’s sat on stage and helps move the story forward.
From scene to scene there seems to be a leader within the improv group, who the cast refer to for leads. The company work very well together and apart from a couple of actors speaking at the same time, there’s nothing bad to say about this show.
Improv is always going to worry some theatre goers: "Are they going to be boring?", "Are they going to now know what to say next?". But personally I feel improv adds a whole other level to shows. Even scripted shows which include some improv always feel unique and special.
The cast on stage clearly love what they do and this comes through from the moment they step on stage and the first word is spoken. They enjoy the laughter their improv brings and you can see the hard work and dedication they put in to performing a new musical every night.
I wasn’t too sure what I’d make of this show when I first heard about it, but from the moment the show started, I realised that my worries were just that of how I’ve seen previous improv shows performed.
If you’re questioning whether to see this show or not ... STOP! This show defies theatre as we know it and will bring a smile to our face from beginning to end. I’ve already informed friends that they need to see this show, I suggest you run out now and buy the tickets, you won’t regret it.
Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical is currently playing at The Other Palace until the 16th March 2019. Tickets can be purchased via London Box Office here
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, The Other Palace | Review
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Wednesday 23rd January 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
It's. So. Good.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is exactly what it says on the tin, a musical that is created new every night by audience input and the amazing, fast thinking and uber talented cast. Every show is different and every show is a celebration of the amazing improv performers. Tonight was the 1000th performance of Showstopper but you could've been at every single one and seen something unique every time; that's the joy of the show.
Tonight's show, titled The Cream of Yorkshire, was set in a soup kitchen and featured songs inspired by Singing in the Rain, Oklahoma, The Producers, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Joseph and Bat Out of Hell. It was wild and wonderful.
The cast work together to create priceless, drama filled and absolutely wild shows. Up to seven performers appear at each performance, with each one having an unrivalled amount of comedic and improvisational talent. They create a show, and command an audience who are in the palm of their funny hands from the second they step on stage.
Despite the full improv of this show, it's so well planned it's unreal. The cast know each other and their movements so intensely that they pick up every innuendo and make it into a polished, laugh out loud performance.
This is top dollar entertainment that will have you laughing your socks off and feeling inspired to create. Showstopper! is a magical, mysterious and wonderful show that needs to be seen... and then seen again!
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is at The Other Palace until March 16th 2019
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is at The Other Palace until March 16th 2019
photo credit: Savannah Photographic and Alex Harvey-Brown
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