Wednesday 7 March 2018
Honest Lies, Etcetera Theatre | Review
Honest Lies
Etcetera Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 6th March 2018 by Shaun Dicks
★★★★
‘Amateurs do it for fun, artists do it to live.’
This is one of many quotable moments of Honest Lies. The show is a commentary of the Theatre Industry as a whole; it’s peaks, it’s troughs and everything in-between. It tells the story of Claire and Sam, a couple, who are both actors. Claire has just delivered the performance of her life, or so she thinks. When she returns home, Sam is waiting for her, and gives a very blunt opinion of her performance. We follow their night as they fight, make up, practise Shakespeare with Gummy Bears and descend into an unexpected twist.
The script written by Christopher Walthorne is flowing, frank and prophetic. The script is really well written, containing deliciously sizzling dialogue and a very well-crafted commentary on theatre. One stunning moment of commentary was delivered by Claire played by Georgie Matthews, where she gave an unapologetic monologue about the state of female roles in modern theatre and the position of women in theatre. Matthews lets the words out with a passion that is second to none; she was saying what every woman in theatre wish they could say. Matthews delivers a well-rounded performance, with a fully fleshed out and realised character.
Sam, played by Alexander Jeremy was another wonderful performance, giving a scathing but humorous character who is a contradiction in himself. His performance is well pitched and gives a good contrast in energies in the beginning of the piece.
The Etcetera theatre is in the colourful and artistic Camden. It’s part of a great group of theatres that do a box office split, therefore supporting new and innovative new work like Honest Lies. This show has an amazing twist that surprised me in the best way possible, it is something that I have never seen before in theatre. I sincerely hope that this show has a long life ahead of it. It deserves to be seen in its limited run and taken further, onto a larger stage. If you want something different and innovative, Honest Lies is for you. Check it out and support new theatre.
Honest Lies runs at the Etcetera Theatre until March 10th
Hairspray (UK Tour), Bristol Hippodrome | Review
Hairspray (UK Tour)
Bristol Hippodrome
Reviewed on Monday 5th March 2018 by Calvin Welsford
★★★★
Hairspray has always been a show I’ve been dying to see live. I fell in love with the 2007 movie and then most recently with NBC’s tv special, Hairspray Live! starring Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson and Dove Cameron, to name a few!
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have high expectations of the show, because I did. Thankfully the show lived up to these; it was so amazing and a lot funnier than I’d anticipated.
I think my expectations were so high as previous cast members have been very strong and unique, such as Ariana Grande, Matthew Morrison, Harvey Fierstein and Queen Latifah. But the UK tour cast did a phenomenal job of bringing the characters to the stage and evoked the same emotions I’d previously felt and hoped for.
Max Rixton & Norman Price completely stole the show with their version of ‘You’re Timeless To Me’. A unscripted innuendo ‘I can feel your bells’ managed to have the audience and the cast laughing for several minutes. It was clear that the two actors on stage had a good connection as there were non stop innuendos and comebacks during the whole scene.
Rebecca Mendoza made an impressive professional debut as the larger-than-life, Tracy whilst Layton Williams and Edward Chitticks were fabulous as Seaweed and Link.
Although the show overall was incredible, the only thing which I personally think could be improved would be the set. During certain scenes the background is projected on a screen rather than being an actual set piece. This felt a little lacking and made the show feel slightly amateur.
However, I can’t knock the performances of the cast or the direction- everything else was 10/10. Mention must go to Drew McOnie’s choreography which perfectly fits the vibe of the show and is energetic throughout.
If you like musical theatre and especially Hairspray, I’d 100% recommend seeing the current UK Tour!
Hairspray is at the Bristol Hippodrome until 10th March, before continuing its tour.
photo credit: Darren Bell
Friday 2 March 2018
Bismillah! An Isis Tragicomedy, Vault Festival | Review
Bismillah! An Isis Tragicomedy
The Vaults
Reviewed on Thursday 1st March 2018 by Nicola Louise
★★★★
I’ve never really been a fan of shows with a single set (or no set in this case) and two people. It always seemed a bit boring (not that it was the actors fault, the writing was just not up to scratch), so when I decided to attend Bismillah! An Isis Tragicomedy I was little apprehensive.
Currently being shown as part of The Vault Festival at Waterloo, the tunnels provide the perfect setting for what is meant to be a holding cell controlled by Isis- as you walk in and take your seat there’s already something happening. A solider is tied to a pole in the middle of the stage with a bag over his head, he’s struggling and the action begins.
Bismillah, written by Matthew Grenhough -who also plays the prisoner of Isis- is a perfect mix of comedy and true horror. The IS solider played by Elliot Liburd arrives with food and water and the show starts; conversation flows between the two soldiers and they find themselves bonding over shifts at Wetherspoons and a £4.39 meal deal at the airport.
It soon becomes clear however, that Liburd’s character has some issues with himself. As he starts to lose his temper, you can see the confidence in Grenhough’s character leave his body as he suddenly becomes a terrified little boy.
Both actors performed Grenhough's thought-provoking script well, asking the questions: How well do you really know somebody? How different are we to them? Just because the news reports one thing does it make it true?
Never before have I been gripped so much in 75 minutes watching a conversation between two people than I have seeing this show. As this show was first staged in 2015 a few things are a little out dated but still work. Even the over use of pop culture but that’s what makes this show what it is.
Bismillah! An Isis Tragicomedy is currently showing at the Vault Festival until the 4th March 2018. Get your tickets quick.
Thursday 1 March 2018
Pippin, Southwark Playhouse | Review
Pippin
Southwark Playhouse
Reviewed on Wednesday 28th February 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Based on the real-life story of Prince Pepin and his father, King Charlemagne, Pippin tells the story of a young prince who longs to find adventure, fulfilment and passion in his life. To prove himself to his distracted father, Pippin goes to war. He finds no fulfilment there so when the Leading Player convinces him to fight tyranny, Pippins kills his father and takes over the throne.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger O Hirson and original direction by Bob Fosse, Pippin brings spectacle, comedy and whimsy to the transformed Southwark Playhouse. Maeve Black's set complete with a false proscenium and footlight bulbs around the tongue of the stage, has transformed The Large into a magical, slightly decrepit playground of mystery.
Braving the snow, I enjoyed this production despite feeling it took a little while to get into. The story is fast paced and full of intricacies but the varying styles and scenes are a bit too much of a mish-mash to be fully cohesive.
However, the performances are stellar across the board. Genevieve Nicholas is absolutely outstanding as the Leading Player. Poised to pounce and vocally faultless she commands the stage every second she's on it. She is very dynamic alongside Jonathan Carlton in the title role who sings the role perfectly as well as having great comic timing and stage presence. The two bounce off one another and have a sort of unsettling relationship.
Mention must also go to Bradley Judge as Lewis, Pippin's brother, and Mairi Barclay as Fastrada and Berthe who both nailed the comedic side as well as providing some scene stealing vocal moments. As director, Jonathan O'Boyle has done a wonderful job of bringing the small cast together to create something electric and well as showcasing individual talents.
Choreographer William Whelton has stuck to the shows iconic past, with Bob Fosse's choreography central to the action but has brought a somewhat modern twist with some sharp, almost frantic movements at times.
Whilst the jumpiness of the book does let this show down at times, this production is like nothing else I've seen on a London stage recently and for that reason it must be applauded. The cast do an outstanding job and the razzle-dazzle of the costumes and in-your-face lights by Aaron J. Dootson do a wonderful job of wowing the audience.
For a magical, mystical, whimsical show that will surprise, make sure you get along to the Southwark Playhouse for the limited run of Pippin.
photo credit: Pamela Raith
Wednesday 28 February 2018
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 27th February 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
The New Victoria theatre was a buzz last night as an excited audience took their seats to take a trip down memory lane with the sentimental songs of the 60s. I must admit when I sat down I wasn't really a Carole King fan having never really been exposed to her music, but two and a bit hours later I was well and truly a lover of all things Carole and have been playing Tapestry on repeat all morning.
Beautiful opens with King (played expertly by Bronté Barbé) sitting alone on stage behind a piano and singing her heart out to a packed audience at Carnegie Hall. Suddenly the piano moves out of view and we are thrown into a Brooklyn apartment where a 16 year old Carole with big dreams and songs to sell arrives on stage.
From here we follow Carole through the ups and downs of her life from the energetic teen to mother, wife, divorcee and Grammy award winner. From the opening scene to the very end, Bronté's Carole is endearing, humourous and engaged with the audience. Her incredible voice, acting and spot on accent hold the show up and our hearts really ache whenever Carole experiences a set back.
The show mainly focuses on the relationship between Carole and her husband/lyricist, Gerry Goffin. Played by Kane Oliver Parry, the character is raw and passionate and the chemistry between the pair is compelling to watch. Alongside we see their best friends and writing rivals, Cynthia Weil (Amy Ellen Richardson) and Barry Mann (Matthew Gonsalves) who are comedic as well as being fantastic singers. The rendition of their hit 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' was a standout as well as a clear audience favourite.
Beautiful cleverly transitions from the song-writing to the actual performance with the artists appearing to perform the songs as soon as the final chords and lyrics were written. These moments were humourous as well as being genuinely good and allowed the audience to revel in the delightful music by the likes of The Drifters and The Shirelles.
This production is indeed Beautiful and the perfectly moving, magical, sentimental way to spend a few hours. Myself, my mum and those around us found ourselves smiling throughout, just proving that this show has what it takes to enrapture audiences of all generations. The talent of Carole King is undeniable and I can't help but think that no 2000s artist will stand the test of time to have a musical made about them in the future! Whether you think you're a fan of Carole or not, you're sure to recognise many of the hits and leave feeling elated, with a new sense of love and appreciation for the songwriting industry.
Beautiful runs at the New Victoria Theatre until March 3rd before continuing it's tour.
Tuesday 27 February 2018
Harold and Maude, Charing Cross Theatre | Review
Harold and Maude
Charing Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 26th February 2018 by Shaun Dicks
★★★★★
‘We come in with nothing, we go out with nothing.’
This may be the truth in life but not when it concerns Harold and Maude. The home of the show is the Charing Cross Theatre, one of London’s hidden gems. The show is filled with a plethora of joys, including an Actor Musician element which gave a movie like feel. We follow the story of eccentric characters Harold and Maude; Harold, the young man who acts out multiple suicides and Maude, the free spirited and law bending hippie pensioner. The story tells us of these two quirky characters and their unconventional, blossoming relationship.
The show is full of many joys. To begin with, the story written by Colin Higgins, is incredibly well crafted. The script is littered with quotable lines that uplift the soul and the story warms your heart. The direction by Thom Sutherland – whose work I have followed for years – was assured and inspired. With the multiple moving parts and minimal space, Sutherland succeeded in maintaining fluidity. Another incredible factor was the Actor Musician ensemble, their multi-rolling and musicianship was outstanding. Mrs Chasen portrayed by Rebecca Caine was a particular highlight, her comedic timing and character work was incredible.
Harold played by Bill Milner was very well pitched. The use of dark humour with his character was perfect – giving an Alan Ball type feel - and the evolution of his character was a sight to behold. The crowning glory of this piece was Sheila Hancock as Maude. Hancock gives a masterclass on how theatre should be done. She is balanced, hilarious, endearing, truthful and tender. Her creation of Maude is so well-rounded and makes you feel all the emotions in the two hours you spend with her.
This is a story of non-conformity, love and life. It portrays a beautiful relationship between a man in the beginnings of adulthood and a woman nearing the end of hers. This show breaks down generational divides and shows the beauty of friendship. The line Maude says, ‘We don’t need to build anymore walls, let’s build more bridges.’, covers this show in a nutshell.
Harold and Maude is so full of happiness and magic. This gem cannot stay hidden, it is too special to stay hidden, it needs the recognition it deserves. In a dreary winter, treat yourself to this ray of light.
Harold and Maude runs at the Charing Cross Theatre until 31st March 2018
photo credit: Darren Bell
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