Theatre Review - THE COMMITMENTS - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

RODDY Doyle’s The Commitments has given us a fantastic ending for The Coronation bank holiday weekend at Darlington Hippodrome. I’ve never seen the film, so although I knew the basis of the story, I had no idea what to expect. From the second the show began I was completely engrossed with a great mix of superb music, humorous script and great movement.

Set in Dublin during the 80’s, a group of working-class friends decide to create a soul band covering classics from the 50s and 60s. Which gives us a mix of part gig weaved with the story of the group setting up the band showing their development through music, arguments and relationships.

The music is non-stop and full of energy. The story merges in well with the music performed as rehearsal or performances, making it almost feel concert like, but this doesn’t detract from the story. The cast are outstanding throughout, from the range of singers, musicians and acting. Ben Morris as Deco was incredible, he is perfect for the role.

The set is incredibly impressive, designed by Tim Blazdell, with a mixture of levels, the various venues transform swiftly enhanced by the effective from lighting designer Jason Taylor.

As the show concludes The Commitments take centre stage as they take charge with a finale to get the audience on their feet, they all appeared disappointed when it finally ended.

Runs until Saturday 13^th May at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Preview - NELL GWYNN - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 Join the People’s Theatre next week for a bawdy, 

witty romp celebrating an unlikely heroine!

 

1660, London. King Charles II has ascended to the throne with a love of all things extravagant and sexy. Over at Drury Lane, theatregoers are finding themselves stirred by young orange-seller turned actress Nell Gwynn. Praised for her comic performances, lively wit and good looks, Nell was a woman ahead of her time who became a celebrity figure and one of the first actresses on the English stage!

 

Sam as Charles II & Emma as Nell photo Paul Hood

“They’ve disgraced our trade. Ruined our art. They’ve put a woman on the stage.”

 

Described as Shakespeare In Love, meets Blackadder, meets My Fair Lady, meets the Carry On films, NELL GWYNN won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. It’s a riotous royal rom-com that sees Nell causing gleeful havoc in a traditionally male world. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, can her charm and spirit protect her from the dangers of the Court?

 

Rehearsals Sara Jo Harrison - Director

Directors Sara Jo Harrison and Tracey Lucas comment: “We are so delighted to be able to present this joyful celebration of theatre and the story of one of the finest actresses to have graced the stage, the inimitable Nell Gwynn.  Famed for being Charles II mistress, but revered for her comedic talent, she is one heck of a leading lady. This is a timely production, featuring England’s last King Charles while the next one is being crowned! It’s a modern take on a 17^th Century story and it offers a thoughtful and vital consideration of how far women have really come in the last 400 years. The play is bursting with music, dance and comedy, and we can’t wait to give audiences a hugely entertaining night out – of the kind Charles II himself would have greatly approved!”

 

NELL GWYNN by Jessica Swale opens on Tuesday 16^th May. Tickets are available from the People’s Theatre Box Office on 0191 265 5020 (option 2) and online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Panto Preview - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS - PLAYHOUSE, WHITLEY BAY

 

Playhouse Panto: who’s the fairest EastEnder of them all?

 

Mirror, mirror on the wall, where’s the fairest fun time of them all? It’s at the Playhouse Whitley Bay, this August, as the EastEnders legend, best known as Heather Trott, plays the Wicked Queen in this year’s Summer Panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

 

Star of stage and screen, Cheryl Fergison returns to the prestigious coastal venue after a record-breaking appearance in 2019 in the smash-hit Rapunzel. Produced by Reece Sibbald Productions Ltd, who have been bringing “the best panto’s ever” to the Playhouse each summer since 2018, Snow White is set to be the biggest and best to date.

 

Producer, Reece Sibbald commented:

“Each year, we ask our audiences who they would love to see in the Summer Panto, and every year Cheryl Fergison is a top hit. So, we were thrilled once we approached Cheryl, that she was able to fit Snow White into her schedule. She’s one of the country’s most sought-after performers and to have her with us, in our native North East, is a great booking for the Playhouse.”

 

Snow White features a host of west-end performers and the crème de la crème of the North East talent alongside children from the community, this is sure to be the hottest ticket in town. Don’t delay and book your tickets for this Summer’s most unmissable spectacular family show.

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will play for a limited run of 8 performances from 2^nd – 6^th August 2023 at the Playhouse Whitley Bay.

Theatre Review - TWELFTH NIGHT - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Viola (Alex Burns) photo Paul Hood

A story of separated twins, mistaken identities, gender confusion, love and much pomposity! Director Sam Hinton brought us to ‘Illyria Fest’ where a flood has separated twins Sebastian and Viola. The festival theme starts the moment you enter the lobby, with posters for Olivia, bunting and glitter-faced bar staff. As you move to the Studio, the original score, created by Thomas Brumby, and actors sat chilling out on a blanket, instantly transports you to ‘Illyria Fest’. Claire Brissenden created bright colourful lighting effects that added to the theme of the production, while Panos Ioannou had perfect timing with sound effects. Sarah Pearson (costumes) made simple and effective choices to distinguish between the two houses and brought the house down with Malvolio’s yellow-stockings outfit.

 

Feste (Jo McGarry) photo Paul Hood

There was a lot of cross-casting which only added to the wonder the show. There are not enough words in the English language, old or new, to express how truly magnificent the entire cast of this production are. Sir Toby Belch (Moira Valentine) and Maria (Alison Carr) had perfect timing and chemistry as they went about their schemes with clueless and hilarious raver Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Sam Burrell). Casting Antonia (Brooke Milburn) as a woman clearly in love with Sebastian (Sean Burnside) brings different meaning to the character’s devotions, then heartbreak, when it seems she is betrayed. Our Welsh Malvolio (Anna Dobson) is superbly arrogant and yet brings so much sympathy out when so abused. Feste the jester is always fun to watch but Jo McGarry made every word seem as if it was her own, whether witty or affecting thought, and entertained us all with a beautiful voice and some acrobatics; it seems as if Feste was written purely for her.

 

Olivia (Emma Robson) photo Paul Hood

Each change to the original had reason, be that added poignancy, or humour. It’s evident that Sam Hinton had a very clear vision for the production and I promise it will not disappoint. The whole production seems to politely inform you that no matter our age, gender, or persuasion, love is always confusing and often frustrating.

 

Fabian (Ruth Gibson) Sir Andrew (Sam Burrell) photo Paul Hood

A wonderful cacophony of music, light, glitter and words. The show is, in a word, enchanting!

 

Twelfth Night is at the People’s Theatre until 1^st April

Theatre Review - LUCKY NUMBERS - PEOPLE'S THEATRE - NEWCASTLE

A play by Mike Yeaman, Lucky Numbers takes us on a hilarious romp through the various mishaps of a family after matriarch Nana wins the lottery. Everyone has their own opinions on how to spend the money but Nana isn’t sure she wants to cash in her ticket yet. As Nana seems more and more muddled by life, the family begin to wonder if they will ever get the money. It’s a hilarious and enriching show that will leave you wondering what you would do. 

Director Ian Willis has created a show full of fun and laughs that keeps you engaged through each ludicrous turn. Stewart Dives’ set design brings you into a typically miss-matched family living room, setting the scene for family drama. Sound design by Mike Cornish and Lighting Design by Claire Brissenden gave a fun feeling to the show and helped keep the correct tone for the piece. Annie Elizabeth Cairns played Janice, Nana’s exasperated daughter, as she tries to care for her mum. Pete McAndrew is Ronnie, Janice’s lacklustre husband who through the course of the show becomes a new man. Declan Marshall plays the lazy son, Steven, who’d much rather stay in and play his computer games than go out, while Emma Cockburn was simply magnificent as the ditzy misunderstood daughter Lisa. Mark Buckley played family friend Mick and Jack Stuart was Shane, Lisa’s ex-boyfriend, who both end up caught in the family’s shenanigans.

At the eleventh hour, Rhiannon Wilson set aside her duties as Assistant Director and took on the role of Nana. It is true testament to the dedication of all working on the production that the show continued on joyfully. Nana was fantastically funny. It’s a very fun show that leaves you chuckling.

Lucky Numbers is on at the Peoples Theatre from until the11^th March.

Theatre Review - TINY FRAGMENTS OF BEAUTIFUL LIGHT - ALPHABETTI THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Written by Allison Davies, Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is the experience your soul has been waiting for. The Story is of Elsa as she tries to fit in and get on in the world. But how do you fit in when you have an Octopus in your brain? It deals with the misunderstanding, castigations and general awkwardness autistic people can face in a savage world. The frustrations to be found when people who are ‘trying to help’, but don’t, and the elation that can be found when we find people who actually understand us. The plot doesn’t shy away from awkward topics, neither does it throw them in your face, instead hitting the perfect balance of honesty and tenderness. Also, as an audience member, it’s really nice to be given the chance to move a little during a show.

 

It isn’t often you are offered a pair of headphones when entering a theatre but it was an interesting addition to the theatre experience. They provided the audience with a more in-depth soundscape designed by Roma Yagnik that gave a feeling of immersion. For those who don’t feel comfortable using headphones, the show is still just as enthralling without. The stage area is simply marked using wood chippings and plants giving a calming feeling, with a basic pine frame that doubled to be multiple places and things (designed by Verity Quinn).  Director Karen Traynor brought out the gentle humour and warmth in this exquisite piece of theatre. Hannah Genesius as the main character Elsa played a very real performance of a person just trying to get on with life and not be weird. While Zoe Lambert showed a heart-warming tenderness as the Mum just trying to do the right thing. Yemisi Oyinloye played a multitude of interesting characters, all of whom she made distinctly different and fun to watch. The whole show had me engaged from the moment I sat down to long after the curtain call. This play reminds you that you don’t belong in the bin. Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light will give you light in the dark winter. This is not a show you should go to see, it is a show you have to see.

 

Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is showing at the Alphabetti Theatre 4^th February and 7^th-18^th February.

Theatre Preview - DEATHTRAP - PEOPLE'S THEATRE - NEWCASTLE

The People’s Theatre in Heaton are well-known for kicking the year off with pulse-quickening thrillers … and 2023 is no exception!

Next week’s classic comedic thriller DEATHTRAP is a rollercoaster that alternately terrifies and amuses, packed full of dastardly deeds and plot twists you’ll never see coming!

When washed-up writer Sidney Bruhl meets an unknown playwright who gives him a copy of a thriller for some input, Sidney sees an opportunity to resurrect his career … but how far is he willing to go to get back on top?

A stage and screen success, Ira Levin’s play holds the record as the longest-running thriller on Broadway and was made into a Hollywood movie starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.

Levin’s other credits include the iconic and genre-defining ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, which was the biggest selling horror novel of the 1960s, and suburban horror ‘The Stepford Wives’ which has lost none of its cultural impact over fifty years since its first publication.

DEATHTRAP promises to get your 2023 theatre-going off to a great start with gasp-inducing thrills and spontaneous laughter, all while keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seats!

Director Mark Buckley comments: "It's been a fantastic experience putting together this production of Deathtrap. With its twists and turns, laughs and scares, it's a great way to spend a cold January evening, watching a hugely enjoyable production on which the cast and crew have worked fantastically hard".

DEATHTRAP is playing at the People’s Theatre in Heaton from Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st January at 7.30pm each evening. The run includes a reduced-capacity performance where mask-wearing is encouraged on Tuesday 17th. All details and booking at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk