Theatre Review - DIAL M FOR MAYHEM! - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

Dial M for Mayhem! from Middle Ground Theatre Company instantly took my mind to Dial M for Murder, the 1950’s thriller, but clearly with a twist. So, begin to think more Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off as comedy drama rather than thriller and you’ll know what to expect.

Set in 1991 a small group of actors are travelling around village halls and open their production in a remote area of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. This is emphasised from the large screen behind the set highlighting the remoteness of the area. The group are performing Frederick Knott’s classic 1950’s thriller Dial M For Murder. The play within the play, shows the set of the village hall with their set for Dial M for Murder, which to be honest does create a very busy set, with little space for movement, but does show exactly what touring theatre is like, trying to fit the set into anywhere they go.

During the first act we discover the dynamics of the group as they rehearse the murder scene, showing the stresses of the group of people being thrown together as they work on the road, including some of the locals which appear. The main comedic elements are set up during this act with several accidents. The highlight being Joey Lockhart as George the AA Man, with his oversized AA mug and moving props on the set. The second act the pace instantly increases as we are back stage with the performance, where the set and props fail, crew members feel ill and a rat keeps appearing.

The six actors, Joey Lockhart, Isabella Inchbald, Theo Woolford, Estrid Barton, Luke Rhodri and Alasdair Baker, playing nine characters with some doubling perform incredibly well. The range of accents were the only possible issue with my companion who occasionally struggled to hear fully.

This was a highly entertaining evening with lots of comedy and if you’ve ever been to a village hall as an actor or member of the audience you’ll love it.

Dial M For Mayhem! runs until Saturday 22^nd February at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Review - TOP GIRLS - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

TopGirls - dinner party - photo Paul Hood

An interesting show that subverts the audience’s expectations. Top Girls was written by Caryl Churchill in the early eighties. Seeming to have rather a dour perspective on the age-old question ‘Can woman really have it all?’, it starts with a sort of fantasy dinner party with various women from history celebrating Marlene’s promotion. As the evening goes on, they all lay bare the wounds their successes brought them. Scene Two feels like a whole new play as we watch an argument between two teenagers. Scene Three finds us back with Marlene, though this time with actual living people, as we join her at ‘Top Girls’ employment agency. The final scene has the audience catapulted back in time one year to see Marlene visiting her sister.  An intriguing plot looks at how women of various states view one another.

Angie (MyahRoseWilson) photo Paul Hood

Directors Kath Frazer and Sue Hinton have created a dynamic show that combines anticipation and depth of feeling with a humour and drama. Set Designer Luke Durham created a simple but effective set with little furniture that created each different environment perfectly. Geogina Purvis was an absolute wizard of the wardrobe as she created not only effective and characterful 80’s fashion for each individual character but also dressed a Pope!

Shona (Erin Thwaites) & Nell (Steph Moore) - photo Paul Hood

The entirely female cast was absolutely flawless and naming the numerous talents of each of these women would take too long. Each actress brought something different and interesting to their roles and made it their own. Here are a few of the wonderful performances in store for anyone who goes to a performance: Sarah McLane had me in stiches as the woman of few words, Dull Gret, and Anna Dobson was equally hilarious as the fantastic Pope Joan. Hayley Simpson, as the uber-sophisticated and graceful Win, is that girl we all wish we were, until we know her back story that is. Kay Edmundson invokes such emotion as the struggling Joyce and Myah Rose Wilson creates an effective, angry, yet unaware teenager Angie. Finally, Sara Jo Harrison is extraordinary as the ambitious Marlene and always has the audience in the palm of her hands.

Top Girls is showing at The People’s Theatre until 15^th February.

Shona (Erin Thwaites) & Nell (Steph Moore) - photo Paul Hood

Panto Review - THE NEW ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN - THE PLAYHOUSE, WHITLEY BAY

 

Christmas just isn’t the same without a trip to Whitley Bay to visit the pantomime at The Playhouse. This year Blue Genie Entertainment have brought to us a brand-new adventure of Peter Pan.

The story is set years later after the original Peter Pan, with Jessica and Angela Darling, the great, great, granddaughters of Wendy. Tinkerbell arrives looking for Wendy wanting help in Neverland as Tinkerbell fears for Peter Pan and the return of Captain Hook. Wendy persuades Jessica and Angela to fly to Neverland to help.

Steve Walls as Smee is on top form, full of energy, plenty of jokes for young and old, instantly connecting with the audience with perfect rapport. Playing brilliantly alongside Steve was Luke Martin as Starkey, with some hilarious interaction. Luke’s excellent comic timing makes a perfect panto match. The spirited Peter Pan, Harry Downes, is incredibly likeable. Captain Hook, Darren Day, is probably the best villain I’ve seen this season., with perfect vocals taking in every boo and hiss with relish. Daniel Mawston, one of the best Dames in panto land, adds the glitz and glamour with plenty of humour.

Tinkerbell, Mary J Proud, providing a twist with Tinkerbell on skates. This year Mary has shown us what an incredible singing voice she has. Jessica Darling, Sophie Mckinnon, was gutsy and energetic. Angela Darling with three actors playing the part at various times. In the performance I saw was Marta Cooper-Jarzynka, a star for the future, both singing and acting was sensational.

The ensemble of dancers filled the stage and added the right amount of sparkle with incredibly energetic performances from the choreography by Joanne Walls. The lights, sound and staging are perfect with incredible flying effects.

Of course, the star of the show was ‘the bench’ with an inventive twist!

If you only see one panto this season, it must be Peter Pan.

Peter Pan runs until 4^th January at The Playhouse, Whitley Bay.

Panto Review -TREASURE ISLAND, GEORGIAN THEATRE ROYAL, RICHMOND

 

PANTOMIME in Richmond is anything but traditional, they take panto and using traditional elements create something fresh in their own unique style. Director and writer, Jo Mawhinney, this year has transported us to the magical adventure of Treasure Island. As soon as I entered the theatre, I instantly arrived to that well known coastal Yorkshire town of Richmond-by-the-Sea!

Nick O'Connor (Dame) on board the HMS Georgian Theatre Royal

After the opening scene, Nick O’Connor, this year as the Dame Wilhelmina Whippy, spent quite a long time doing several shout outs and adlibbing with the audience, in other theatres this wouldn’t work, here it just feels as if a group of friends have met up for their yearly outing. The intimate setting, putting us firmly in the middle of every scene. Nick commands the stage with an incredible presence making him firmly adored by the audience.

Susie Chaytow (Long Jane Silver)

Long Jane Silver, Susie Chaytow, is the most delightful panto baddie, complete with her saxophone! She was perfect to boo and hiss at throughout. Jim Hawkins. the brilliant Marcus Jones, worked-well alongside Dame Wilhelmina Whippy. Polly, Georgie O’Reilly, add a gentleness to the adventure. Billy Bones, Moses Gale, added a different style of comedy, which I absolutely loved. Boris the Rat, Aidan MacFarlane, was an exceptional twist to the proceedings. The energetic Young Company were a delight.

Marcus Jones and Georgie O'Reilly

I enjoyed the interruption of the performance by Peter Pan, Jack McGarry, desperate to get in on the action, even trying to fly!

Nick O'Connor with a member of Young Company at ice cream van

The singing was excellent, superb choreography from Anna Bridgeman, perfect lighting as ever from Tony Wilcock, delightful costumes from Dawn Summerlin, with the highlight of the set being a gigantic moon settling over the audience to end the first act.

Nick O'Connor (centre), Marcus Jones and Georgie O'Reilly

Richmond certainly do panto differently and of course; it wouldn’t be the same unless we all saved the day using knitted items. This time knitted ice creams – pure joy, with so many delighted faces as they hurled them towards the stage.

Moses Gale and Susie Chaytow

Get yourself on board the HMS Georgian Theatre Royal, before it sets sail without you!

Treasure Island runs until 5^th January 2025 at The Georgian Theatre, Richmond.

The cast of Treasure Island

Panto Review - SLEEPING BEAUTY, DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 CROSSROADS Pantomimes brings Sleeping Beauty to Darlington Hippodrome for this festive season and it certainly will not send you to sleep, with a burst of life and energy it’s non-stop from start to finish.

Josh Benson, Lee Mead, Jamie Jones

I found it very difficult to boo and hiss this year’s panto baddie, with Carabosse, being the incredible Su Pollard. With her career spanning over 50 years, I’ve never been disappointed in any performance I’ve seen her in. She was certainly that lovable baddie with plenty of charm, of course she still got plenty of boos and hisses throughout.

Josh Benson, Su Pollard

It was Carabosse that filled in the story of Sleeping Beauty, so that the story element of the performance moves swiftly on, leaving us with plenty of panto magic.

Jamie Jones

The sprinkling of panto goodness is there to save the delightful Princess Aurora, Stephanie Costi, from Carabosse. Panto Dame, Nurse Nellie, Jamie Jones, has an incredible wardrobe and copes very well with the high heels. The love interest for Princess Aurora is provided by Prince Lee, Lee Mead, known for winning the role of Joseph in the West End, musical fans were pleased he was able to show his singing skills from Joseph. The wonderful Spirit of the Pantomime, Olivia Foster-Browne provided the sparkle required for panto.

Josh Benson

The highlight must be Muddles, Josh Benson, returning, again this year. From the moment entering the stage, he’s full of energy providing excellent humour, great timing and instantly loved by the audience, he truly is Mr Panto.

Lee Mead, Stephanie Costi

Plenty of panto magic with sparkling costumes, stunning sets and lighting and the incredible special effects to end the first act which gets everyone talking about make this yet another spectacular panto at the Hippodrome.

Sleeping Beauty runs at Darlington Hippodrome until 31^st December 2024.

Panto Review - ALICE IN WONDERLAND - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of adventure into the obscure is adapted and shaped by Tom Whalley into a fun family pantomime hitting all the usual tropes. This time the rabbit invites Alice to follow him into Wonderland and, in turn, remember that our imaginations are the key to the world of wonder that awaits. A flashy show, full of songs, fun, laughter and lots of opportunities to shout.

Director Pamela Willis has created an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza that will have all the family on their feet yelling. Musical Director, James Robert Hedges, working with Rhys Chamers (Bass) and Lewis West (Drums) lifted the show through joyous musical numbers that had the audience clapping along. Choreographer Julie Bowman, with assistant Daisy Burden, helped make the show an exuberant and well-timed experience for all the senses. Scenic Designer Anneliese’s Clifton created a space that was a riot of colour and added to the magical feeling of the show. Each of the characters’ unique personalities were well-reflected in their clothes thanks to Wardrobe’s Sarah Pearson.

Overall, this is an exciting show that wakes-up the panto-lover in all of us. The only minor production gripe would be the strobe lights used, which were at times a little blinding and had me closing me eyes as the show started and re-started.

A fine cast of all ages is packed full of talent. The many dancers added so much to each song, creating a frantic force of fantastical proportions. Erin Hattrick was Alice, who is drawn into the amazing adventures by the hilarious White Rabbit (Alison Carr). The Duchess (Ian Willis) brought humour and inuendo to each scene she graced. Anneliese Clifton, Emily Jeffery and Sophia Mawston brought added musical depth as Vocal Support and extra fun as Cards (Ace, Three and Seven). Robbie Close looked and sounded fantastic as the slow and deliberate Caterpillar, Dormouse (Rosa Cole) was a charming sleepy inhabitant – balanced perfectly by the over-exuberant March Hare (Zara Baqir). Tweedle Dum (Ben Watkins) and Tweedle Dee (Callum Mawston) deserve an award for the longest and most complex handshake ever and Queen of Hearts Kirstie Corfield was immense as the sassy wonderland monarch. Perfection, however, thy name is Luke Newey – no-one could be a better Mad Hatter.

Alice in Wonderland is running at the People’s Theatre, until 15^th December 2024.

Panto Review - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - DURHAM GALA

THE first pantomime of the festive season has started with Beauty and the Beast at Durham Gala. I must admit that as the lights went down and the band began, the excitement across the auditorium was felt from all ages.

Although Beauty and the Beast is a classic tale and will be very familiar by many, in terms of a panto it is always very different. In this version Gary Kitching has set it in Chester le Rue, with the Beast living in the mysterious abandoned Château de Pitié pour Moi, known by locals as Pity Me Castle. He has created a strong storyline, with the sparkle of panto, rather than a very loose storyline placed around panto style scenes. It works perfectly engaging people of all ages.

Belle, Beth Crame, is a feisty yet delightful character, where she, of course ends up in the castle, where she gets to know The Beast, Suryan Hadrick, showing a range of emotions. Also in the castle is Monsieur Brillant, Adam Donaldson and Madame Horloge, Sarah Bulmer, they have an excellent rapport and often command these scenes. Jude Nelson playing Jongleur is full of energy and quickly engages with the audience. She has been one of the highlights over the last few years and I hope she will be here for many years to come. The only part which didn’t work for me, was Jongleur’s juggling, running through the performance it just didn’t add anything and ended slightly flat, though this may change during the run. Jongleurs’s side kick was the mad-cap Madame Perplexe, Zoe Lambert, this felt as if it was replaced for the Dame style character, for me though I didn’t miss the Dame, Zoe was perfect for the role complementing Jangleur perfectly. My favourite character had to be Gourmand, Kieron Michael, as the villain, he provided plenty of opportunity for the audience to react with, full of comedy, the perfect lovable villain. The ensemble completed the cast, as the hard working dancers, with some very quick changes.

The set, lighting and sound are perfect for the production, faultless throughout. Excellent, bright and colourful costumes and delightful choreography.

Beauty and the Beast is engaging to all ages, with an amazing cast full of humour and fun, great story with a local twist and plenty of opportunities for the audience to interact with.

Beauty and the Beast runs until Tuesday 31^st December at Gala Durham Theatre.