Theatre Review - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Company photo Paul Hood

Most of us are aware of the well-loved James Stewart / Frank Capra film. This adaption for stage, written by Mary Elliott Nelson, loses nothing of its joy and, in my opinion, adds to the experience. The story starts as we hear the well-wishes of the many people praying for George Bailey. George is in crisis, and contemplating the stark realisation that ‘financially’ he’s worth more dead than alive. With so many people asking for help on his behalf, how could Heaven not seek to help him? Angel-in-training Clarence is dispatched to assist and looks over the events that brought George to his crisis point. George is ultimately given a chance to look at the world without him in it – and we are all reminded that the good deeds we do in life, no matter how small, may mean a lot to someone else.

George (Sam Hinton) & Clarence (Tony Sehgal) photo Paul Hood

As we returned home from the theatre, with snow falling in the real world, it was as if the Directors had ordered it. I’m not convinced they didn’t orchestrate the weather as Directors Anna Dobson and Sam Burrell had certainly thought of everything else. Even as we found our seats, the atmosphere was glowing as we listened to live Christmas classics – on piano (Tracey Lucas), saxophone/flute (Rye Mattick) and with singing by Moira Valentine. The Set, designed by Tim Swinton, was refined, yet simple, with in-set lighting providing a separation between the town and the celestial beings overseeing proceedings, while also neatly evoking a scene in a snow globe. Musical director Tracey Lucas added warmth with well-chosen harmonies to match the atmosphere on stage. Scene changes were slick and expertly executed, and Movement Director Maya Torres had crafted fluid and effortless action.

Musicians photo Paul Hood

The whole cast were sensational! However, I must single out a few as outstanding: Sam Hinton (George Bailey) took us on a journey of George’s highs and lows with Steve Robertson, as his Uncle Billy, adding joy as he helps and hinders George. Sara Jo Harrison (Mary) added glamour and elegance to the story while Tony Sehgal, as Clarence, was the perfect mix of quirky and wonderful needed to help save the day.

A resounding triumph for all those involved in this production.

You need to see this feel-good play. You need to cry as a happy ending unfolds in front of you. You need to see It’s a Wonderful Life. After all, it’s a wonderful play.

It’s A Wonderful Life is showing at the People’s Theatre until Saturday 23^rd November.

Theatre Review - BLOOD BROTHERS - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

BLOOD Brothers continues to delight audiences through its seemingly never-ending tour and the latest production is certainly no different. The themes are timeless, telling the tragic story of the Johnstone twins who are separated at birth with their lives being intertwined, highlighting the differences in the system from the struggles of the working class to the wealth of the middle class.

Sean Jones plays Mickey to perfection taking the audience on a journey through his life from his youthful exuberance, as an almost 8-year-old, during the first act. To the much darker life as a desperate and broken man in jail who then struggles to adjust to a life with no future. The twin given away to a life of privilege, Eddie, is played superbly by Joe Sleight contrasting to Mickey through his innocence and lack of understanding. Scott Anson as the narrator is relatively understated in his performance moving through scenes interacting with the cast menacingly, whilst providing thought provoking moments especially during the scenes with Mrs Lyons as Sarah Jane Buckley. Vivienne Carlyle as Mrs Johnstone gave a powerful performance with perfect vocals. You could feel the tension from the audience build towards the final scene culminating in ‘Tell Me It’s Not True.’

You can understand why this musical is still so popular, it’s incredibly well structured with a perfect mix of humour and darkness taking us through a range of emotions. The set and lighting complement the overall effect making this an outstanding evening’s entertainment.

The standing ovation is nothing more than the cast deserved.

Blood Brothers runs until Saturday 17^th November at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Review - DR JEKYLL AND MT HYDE, PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Ryan Smith - photo Paul Hood

The tale of Jekyll and Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson, is well-known and loved by many - and here it is adapted for stage by David Edgar. We start out with the good Doctor visiting his widowed sister and her two children, establishing his character as a good man. Jekyll takes possession of certain effects of his late father and brings them to his house in London. Soon we see the rise of Mr Hyde as he begins to attract the attention of Jekyll’s friends and servants - for his sinister most ungentlemanly behaviour. Lines blur as the two personalities fight for dominance. The age-old question arises: which is stronger, our animal urges or our civilised ego?

Directed by Andy Aiken, Helen Doyle and the company, it’s clear a lot of time and work has gone into this production. The Lighting (Glen Maddison and Karen Dales) was transcendent in bringing about the seemingly supernatural changes between Hyde and Jekyll, while Sound (Alistaire Wu) created the perfect eerie atmosphere with excellent timing. The set (designed by Kaila Moyes) was extremely complex, taking us to a variety of locations.

However, with such an ambitious staging, and some technical issues, the scene changes often seemed a bit clumsy. Also, as the show is tightly-packed with important dialog, it would have helped the audience if some of the actors’ diction was a little clearer.

The second act raced through powerfully to its dramatic end, my favourite scene being between Jekyll and an irritating Pastor in a train carriage, as Hyde slowly takes control. Ryan Smith played the disturbed Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde, Jenny Davison the innocent Annie Loder, Holly Stamp the faithful housekeeper Poole, Silvia Mosquera his niece Lucy Urquart with Madeleine Egner as nephew Charles Urquart. Natalie Plunga was his widowed sister and Jim Boylan his long-time friend Gabriel Utterson. Emma Mitchell was Dr Hastie Lanyon and Conor McCahill was Richard Enfield. Jamie Gallagher became Hyde’s victim as Sir Danvers Carew, MP, while Steve Strouzer saw Jekyll transform before him as the Parson.

This is an ambitious production of this well-loved Gothic classic. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is showing at the People’s Theatre until 26^th October.

Theatre Review - ABIGAIL'S PARTY - NORTHERN STAGE, NEWCASTLE

 

Amy Rockson Leander Deeny and Laura Rogers in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Abigail’s Party, by Mike Leigh, is synonymous with seventies’ ‘of its time’ taste and attitudes. However, a lot of those attitudes and insecurities have persisted and I’d challenge you to find a modern suburb without a ‘Beverly’. The curtains may have changed, but the people have not. Perhaps that’s why this play still resonates with a modern audience. Whatever the reason, its delicious in its awkward humour and devilish jibes. For those unfamiliar with the plot, Beverly is holding a small drinks party to get to know her new neighbours, Angela and Tony. She’s also taken pity on divorcee Sue whose teenage daughter, Abigail, is having her first house party. As Beverly and husband Laurence’s social ambitions clash with each other, the party music next door gets louder and you see the cracks within their relationships become larger.

Chaya Gupta Joe Blakemore & Laura Rogers in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Director Jack Bradfield brought forth new layers and depth that force even those who are very familiar with this play to look at its characters in a new way. You walk away questioning their behaviour, while also recognising people you know (perhaps even seeing a little of your own insecurities) on stage. All this while experiencing an exquisite evening of awkward pauses, laughs and one hell of a crescendo. The set seemed much larger than the one normally seen for this show with a plush, statement shag carpet and decadent furnishing. A place to show off and lounge around after far too many gin and tonics. However, it still feels claustrophobic and at times downright suffocating to be at this party.  A clever twist of having a disco ball going with loud music blasting in the foyer afterwards made me feel as if I was exiting through Abigail’s actual party. Laura Rogers is resplendent, in a winged chiffon dress, as the over-sexed and incorrigible Beverly. Leander Deeny had the audience both giggling and worrying at his portrayal of Laurence. We see Laurence sneer at people who don’t read the right sort of books, even though he hasn’t read them himself. Joe Blakemore plays the almost wholly monosyllabic Tony with quiet menace and tempered perfection. Perhaps my favourite changes to this show are the way in which Angela (Ange) and Susan (Sue) are portrayed. The stupendous Chaya Gupta shows Ange not as silly and oblivious but socially awkward and painfully aware of her situation. My heart broke for her. Amy Rockson as Sue took the character to a very classy and confident level. Sue may not say much, but not out of shyness. Sue says what she feels she needs too.

An immensely good evening of theatre that should definably be paired with gin and nibbles. Abigails Party is showing at Northern Stage until 28^th September 2024.

Amy Rockson Laura Rogers & Chaya Gupta in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Production photos credit Pamela Raith

Theatre Review - THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Sweet young Rosie is travelling Europe, trying to be a grown up and not having the best time. She needs to go home to her family’s rose garden, where everything is safe and everything stays the same. Or does it? Hard-working parents Fran and Bob Price have invested all their hopes into the future generation but what does that mean?  What does happy look like? How much should you sacrifice for the happiness of others and is it worth it? As the Siblings share their secrets and life choices, we ask what should – or would – we do in their place? A fast-paced and fun story with a very touching heart that reminds us all how we ultimately have to change – and what really makes us grow up.

Director Sara Jo Harrison and Assistant director Craig Fairbairn have triumphed in creating a moving, fast paced, poignant and funny show that had the audience enthralled from start to finish. The simple set (Anneliese Clifton), designed to be in-the-round, captures the warm and inescapable feeling of a loving and occasionally stifling family.

The play starts powerfully as the characters congregate in the centre. The lighting (Xander Burbidge), and discordant music threaded with whispers (Sound Craig Fairbairn), gradually intensify, then cut to black. Maya Torres, as Rosie, is sensational as the jubilant younger sister, searching for the rites of passage to help her grow up. Jay Hindmarsh as Mark/Mia gives an understated and superb performance as they explore the true pain of the difficult choices of someone who doesn’t fit their parents’ expectations. Alison Carr plays older sister Pip with vivid visions of being the child that their mother resents, while Sam Burrell, as Ben, gives us an intense look at what can happen to the sibling that has been the ‘favourite’.  Steve Robertson and Moira Valentine have perfect chemistry as long-suffering parents Fran and Bob.

Altogether, this is a marvellous production with much dazzling talent on show. It also has a great story that will remind you to call that person in your family you haven’t spoken to lately. It’s simply one of the finest pieces of theatre it is possible to see; get a ticket before you miss out.

Things I Know To Be True is showing at the People’s Theatre 9^th -14^th September.

Theatre Review - THE MOUSETRAP, DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

AGATHA Christie is certainly the Queen of Crime and her stories are a regular feature on the touring circuit, but The Mousetrap is undoubtedly the most famous stage play, with its record-breaking run, having been in the West End since 1952, now with its 70^th anniversary tour.

Set in an old country house we meet Mollie and Giles Ralston, played by Hollie Sullivan and Barnaby Jago, as they are about to open their home for the first time as Monkswell Manor Guest House and nervously await their first arrivals. There follows an ecliptic mix of guests who would never be together in any other circumstance. Once the guests have arrived, they are cut off from civilisation by snow. We hear about an initial murder in London on the wireless, where obvious clues are dropped in, instantly drawing me into the story. Detective Sgt Trotter, played by Michael Ayiotis, arrives on skis to explain that everyone is in danger, which is soon followed by a murder in the guest house, so it isn’t long before everyone appears to have something to hide and could either be the murderer or the next victim.

The outstanding cast gave brilliant performances with the hilariously charming Shaun McCourt as Christopher Wren and Judith Rae as Mrs Boyle, the annoying guest, who complains about everything. Steven Elliott as Mr Paravicini, who turns up unannounced, putting everyone on edge, Amy Spinks as Miss Casewell, who gives the impression there is much more to her than we see and Todd Carty as Major Metcalf, who quietly observes and becomes more and more suspicious as the events are revealed.

The set is exactly as you’d expect from a Christie production, with perfectly subtle lighting.

Of course, after seeing a production of The Mousetrap you are bound by the code of keeping it all a secret in your heart, there is only one way to join this elite club and that is to make sure you catch The Mousetrap.

The Mousetrap runs until Saturday 27^th July at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Review - PETER PAN AND WENDY - GALA, DURHAM

 

DURHAM Gala theatre is renowned for creating excellent pantos every Christmas, more recently they are creating outstanding summer shows and this year is no exception. Peter Pan and Wendy adapted by Laura Turner tells the story of 13-year-old Wendy, with a modern setting. She ends up finding herself lost in a magical enchanted forest, meeting Peter and Tinkerbell and having an awfully big adventure.

Although it does have a pantomime feel to the show, thankfully it isn’t, as I prefer pantos around Christmas. It’s only breaking the fourth wall talking to the audience and encouraging them to join in at times, that gave me the panto feel.

The cast of six, work incredibly hard. Wendy, played by Lucy Davis has the perfect teenage attitude. Peter Pan, played by Lucas Bradley Benson, is fearless and mischievous. A number of the cast including Rosie Stancliffe, Meena Al-Nawrasy and Jordan Larkin play several roles throughout, showing an excellent range of characterisation. Captain Hook, played by Kieron Michael, was certainly a highlight of the evening. He brilliantly shows himself as a menacing and cunning villain, with a perfect vulnerability.

The original music by Joshua Tarrier, subtly drives the plot on, especially with Captain Hook during ‘The Magpie’s Way.’ The brilliant set, designed by Amy Watts, seamlessly changes between scenes. There are plenty of familiar lines you would expect from the traditional story with an excellent Tinkerbell.

My younger companions for the evening, really enjoyed the show, especially Captain Hook.

This is a perfect show for all the family.

Peter Pan and Wendy runs until Saturday 27^th July at Durham Gala.