Showing posts sorted by date for query Dougie Carter. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Dougie Carter. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review
Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 22nd January 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
The recent trend in my life seems to be watching things about the golden age of Hollywood and actresses who can't face the loss of fame. If you watched Ryan Murphy's recent television series, Feud, you'll notice the strong similarities between the life of fictional Norma Desmond and film royalty Joan Crawford. Both women were stars of the silent film era and the embodiment of Hollywood glamour, however as they grew older and their fame and fans disappear, they fall into a draining game of always trying to appear young and live as though their glory days aren't over.
In Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of Billy Wilder's 1951 film, Sunset Boulevard, we meet a reclusive Norma who's in a dark phase of her life as she's trying to get back into the film world. Enter Joe Gillis the struggling screenwriter desperate to get his lucky break who somehow ends up in Norma's sprawling mansion.
Dreaming of making her comeback, Norma recruits Joe to edit and finish her screenplay. However, their relationship slowly spirals into it's own film of drama and tension as Norma becomes obsessive and possessive over Joe- threatening suicide if he leaves.
Dreaming of making her comeback, Norma recruits Joe to edit and finish her screenplay. However, their relationship slowly spirals into it's own film of drama and tension as Norma becomes obsessive and possessive over Joe- threatening suicide if he leaves.
The staging is slick and perfectly evocative of the 40s/50s, helped hugely by Douglas O'Connell's spectacular video and projections which not only add to each scene and song but make the whole thing cinematic and help to blur the line between reality and film which Norma struggles to deal with.
The show, like it's characters, is full of melodrama and power. Ria Jones takes on the role of the narcissistic, fading Norma Desmond with masterful skill. Her performance is truly remarkable and she embodies the role with every fibre of her being. Commanding the stage and audience with her every word and whacking Andrew Lloyd Webber's huge numbers out of the park. Jones puts in everything the has to earn her extensive standing ovation at the end.
As the handsome, aspiring screenwriter Joe, Dougie Carter is outstanding and versatile. From fairly innocent at the start to dark and tortured. He is absolutely faultless, with his rendition of Sunset Boulevard gripping the audience at the start of Act 2 along with is sharp, engaging chemistry with Ria Jones.
Special mention must go to Adam Pearce who deftly plays the Phantom-esque role of Max Von Myerling and superbly balances his endearing and chilling sides whilst delivering some top class vocals that almost steal the show.
This production is a musical theatre masterclass that perfectly charts a story of obsession, drama, age and lust. It's a must see for any musical theatre fan, with Ria Jones' performance worth the ticket price alone.
Sunset Boulevard runs at the New Victoria theatre until January 27th before continuing it's tour.
Thursday, 16 March 2017
La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour), New Wimbledon Theatre | Review
La Cage Aux Folles
★★★★
We're starting to see glimpses of summer but if you need something else to warm and brighten your life then the UK Tour of La Cage Aux Folles is the show for you! The production is high-kicking, glitzy, high energy and feather filled.
The Tony Award winning musical tells the story of Albin and Georges, a couple living idyllically in France. Albin moonlights as the drag star Zaza in the glamourous club: La Cage Aux Folles, which is owned by Georges. Their peaceful existence is put to halt when Georges' son (played by Dougie Carter) announces that he is engaged to Anne, the daughter of a politician: Dindon (Paul F Monaghan), who is against all things homosexual and wants to close down Georges' "den of debauchery"!
This is a story of love, family and individuality. The family struggle to stay as a strong unit whilst trying to change themselves to impress Anne's parents, therefore allowing their son to be happily married.
John Partridge, veteran of the stage, plays the larger than life Albin. Having recently seen John in Chicago, I was extremely impressed at his versatility on stage and ability to transform into someone else completely. The role is demanding both physically and emotionally, with moments of laugh out loud humour, to quiet moments of pin drop silent emotion. John perfectly nails the character, with the the right amount of sincerity and vulnerability to balance the over the top flamboyance.
Partnered with Adrian Zmed as Georges, the pair have a believable and touching relationship which works very well in the theatrical setting. West End legend, Marti Webb also gives a lovely performance as Jacqueline.
Overall the show is full of life, laughs and lunacy. There is enough energy to power London and enough sparkle to give the Chrysler building some serious competition! Every performance is energetic and the production is really a gem! For a fun, carefree night out, be sure to make a visit to La Cage Aux Folles!
La Cage Aux Folles runs at the New Wimbledon theatre until March 18th 2017 before continuing it's tour.
La Cage Aux Folles runs at the New Wimbledon theatre until March 18th 2017 before continuing it's tour.
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