Theatre Review -DAD'S ARMY - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Of course, it’s going to be a winner to do a much-loved classic sitcom but, The Peoples Theatre does it with style, flare and a belly full of laughs. Here the familiar show is reimagined for the stage to bring you a delightful show full of chuckles. We follow Captain Mainwaring and his motley crew as they navigate home life during the war, finding love, guarding Nazi prisoners and even Morris Dancing!

Director Tracey Lucas brought us in with an exceptionally strong opening, by having LCpl. Jones singing a charming rendition of ‘Who do you think you are kidding Mister Hitler’ timed perfectly to the marching beat of the rest of the cast parading onto stage. There was not a person in the audience who was not won over by this, as applause rang through the theatre. Set design by Sands Dobson, Lighting Design by Claire Brissenden and Joseph Ingram with Wardrobe by Dianne Edwards and the team all worked hard to give a strong sense of the period and setting of the show.  Military Advisor Oskar Avery and Gun Build Stewart Dives added an authentic feel to the piece. The whole show was a delightful experience with even set changes made into a dance from one position to another.

The only fly in the ointment was that some plot points of the assembled episodes seemed to clash a little when placed one after the other. However, the exceptional joy of the piece allows you to be carried away with this, moving ever-onward to the next laugh.

The characters were all simply wonderful.  Many actors may feel the need to impersonate their television counterparts but instead the whole cast hit the perfect balance of using enough of the mannerisms while bringing their own charm to the part. It is becoming somewhat of a cliché for me to say a show at the People’s Theatre was perfectly cast, but they keep doing it! Everyone brought something exceptional to their role no matter how great or small. From carefully folded tea towels, dancing and singing, to disgruntled prisoners, everyone on stage was interesting to watch and kept you involved in the story. To mention names seems unfair in such a large and high-quality cast, all of whom had me in stitches. Quite frankly, words can not do justice to this production, you must simply go out and experience it for yourself. A truly wonderful show, Dad’s Army is showing at the People’s Theatre until 27^th April 2024.

Theatre Review - BLUE STOCKINGS, PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Written by Jessica Swale, Blue Stockings takes us to Cambridge in the late eighteen hundreds where we follow four spirited young women who want an education. Everything, and seemingly everyone, is against them, as they try to learn and hope the right to graduate, will be granted to them. The women’s frustrations are in contrast to the freedom of their male counterparts. It is strange and disquieting to think this world, where people fear women learning, becoming educated, could be so close to today. With International Women’s Day on Friday, this is the perfect production to attend right now.

 

Director Sam Hinton has created an intriguing production, using even the set to create a feeling of uncertainty and obligation – the characters themselves even have to move the walls, shelves, tables and chairs between, and within, scenes. The set (designed by Claire Leighton) was simple but ingenious, with university bookshelves spinning to create different interiors. The costumes (Julie Tucker and Jenny Davison) fitted the period nicely and set the tone of each character. The cast is sublime, each actor taking time to create believable and entertaining, if not always likeable, characters. I have not enough ink on the page to do justice to each member of the cast. Anna Dobson is fundamental as Elizabeth Welsh, the College’s Headmistress, as she fights constantly, making very tough decisions to keep pushing their cause forward. Ben Ostell as Will neatly conveyed a subtle change in his view of his family friend Tess and how she is treated by those around them. Luke Newey brought a wonderful wit to Edwards, even singing a charming ballad; a true natural on the stage. Sara Jo Harrison as Miss Blake showed the fire of a woman whose will for freedom could easily see her burned. Kirstie Corfield, as Ms Bott, took a sympathetic, knowing and humorous view of her charges. Lauren Aspery as Maeve broke my heart as the scholarship girl who wanted to learn, but ultimately proved it’s always money that buys freedom to choose. Lauren Allison presented the strength and humour of early bohemian Carolyn nicely. Ashton Matthews gave a gentle and subtle quality to the hard working, passionate Celia. Ginny Leigh revealed the innocence, hope, fire and a burning desire for life in protagonist Tess. An excellent production.

 

As the final curtain came, wave after wave of applause erupted as the true weight of this magnificent production sank in and brought forth more appreciation from its viewers.

Blue Stockings is showing at The People’s Theatre running until 9^th March.

Theatre Preview - BLUE STOCKINGS - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 Four young women fight to change the future of education!

It is 1896 and at Cambridge University a battle is raging for the right of women to sit for degrees.

While the female students of Girton College study hard and match their male peers grade for grade, they graduate with nothing other than the stigma of being a 'blue stocking' - an unnatural, educated woman.

But now four Girton girls (played by Ginny Leigh, Ashton Matthews, Lauren Aspery and Lauren Allison - pictured) are taking on the system and are determined to overcome the prejudices they face.

BLUE STOCKINGS premiered at Shakespeare's Globe in 2013 and won writer Jessica Swale a nomination for Most Promising Playwright in the Evening Standard Awards.

Set against the larger backdrop of women's suffrage, this is an energetic and eye-opening drama which highlights a period in history and a passionate fight for education and self-determination.

Sara Jo Harrison who plays teacher and suffragette Miss Blake comments: “It might seem that the play is irrelevant because women can graduate now and are educated in this country, but in other countries around the world sadly that is not the case. Women still face a lot of inequality when it comes to education, and even in this country women still face barriers to education with things like caring responsibilities and poverty. So it’s still a very relevant play, highlighting how far we’ve come but also that the fight isn’t over here and around the world”.

BLUE STOCKINGS opens on Tuesday 5th March on the Main Stage.

Also at the People's in March, head back to the swinging sixties in Joe Orton’s ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE. A slick conman becomes entangled in a dangerous game of sex and violence in this mischievous and wickedly sharp black comedy.

ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE runs from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 March on the Main Stage.

Tickets for both of these productions are available from the People’s Theatre Box Office on 0191 265 5020 (option 2) and online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Theatre Review - THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Aimee McKay - Fran, Maggie Childs - Kathy photo Paul Hood

So it’s the ‘last call’ for the planet as an asteroid hurtles towards it; where would you rather spend your final hours? In the pub, doing a quiz, obviously. Written by Alison Carr, The Last Quiz Night On Earth is an innovative and heartening story of four people’s final decisions as they face their approaching demise.

You find yourself as less of an audience member, more a patron of your local, joining in with answering questions on your table. The atmosphere is electric and, with nothing left to lose, everyone is up for a good night. Amidst the quiz, however, we have a couple of unexpected visitors who add a little drama to an already explosive night. A humorous and over-all warm look at what we would regret at the end.

Sam Burrell - Rav photo Lauren Aspery

Alison Carr and Director Kath Frazer have crafted the ultimate theatre phenomenon. Not so much an immersive experience as an ‘involved’ experience. You really feel like you are just joining-in with a pub quiz – and for people afraid of audience participation, you should feel safe in the knowledge that’s as involved as you’re expected to be, just a quizzer hoping to get the right answers. The atmosphere is light-hearted and joyful; certainly the place I’d be happy to spend my last hour. Set Designers Daniel Magee and Rhiannon Wilson created a bar you feel you could walk up to and order a pint, while Claire Brissenden’s lighting design added to the effect of the experience. Actor Aimee McKay brought to life the ever-hopeful Fran as she has one last shot at true love, while Mark Burden is the better-late-than-never estranged brother of publican Kathy – but what’s the real reason he came tonight? Sam Burrell brings fun as Rav, the man determined to do it properly, on this night more than ever. Maggie Childs is Kathy, the brilliant woman who brings everything you want, and more, to the role. A strong cast, a great show and a wonderful experience.

The Last Quiz Night On Earth shows at the People’s Theatre until 17^th February.

This is so much more than any other night at the theatre. See it now before it’s too late!

Theatre Preview - A POIROT DOUBLE-BILL by Agatha Christie - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 Join the People’s Theatre this week for not one but two thrilling mysteries for Hercule Poirot to solve!

In The Wasp’s Nest, the Belgian detective comes between a bitter love triangle in the hopes of preventing a murder before it can take place.

Yellow Iris brings the moustachioed investigator to the hotel Jardin des Cygnes when a distressed phone call from a mystery woman throws up questions about a suspicious death years earlier.

Ian Willis - Poirot photo Paul Hood

Ian Willis (pictured) stars as Hercule Poirot across both of the stories, and the two thrillers mark milestones for the character. The Wasp’s Nest was the first story Christie wrote to be adapted as a TV play and aired on the BBC in June 1937, while Yellow Iris marked Poirot's debut appearance on radio!

Poirot first appeared in Christie’s novel ‘A Mysterious Affair at Styles’ published in 1920. Over the next 55 years he starred in 33 novels, 59 short stories and 1 original full-length play by Agatha Christie, and the character’s ‘death’ in 1975 prompted an obituary to appear on the front page of the New York Times!

This is an opportunity to see two early cases tackled by the beloved sleuth, and they’re as intriguing and full of twists as we’d expect from Agatha Christie, aka the Queen of Crime!  

Director Ben Watkins comments: “As Agatha Christie herself said, ‘Very few of us are what we seem’. With these two shorter stories of hers, she really brings that to the forefront. This is a fantastic opportunity for audiences to see a side of Hercule Poirot they may not have seen before. There is a high level of excitement bubbling away amongst the team as we bring these two mysteries to life and audiences can expect a surprise or two (or three!) along the way!”

The People’s has a long tradition of bringing exciting thrillers and head-scratching whodunnits to their stage in January, and it’s the perfect way to beat the winter blues!

A POIROT DOUBLE BILL opens on Tuesday 16 January on the Main Stage. Tickets are available from the People’s Theatre Box Office on 0191 265 5020 (option 2) and online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Panto Review - RAPUNZEL - THE GEORGIAN THEATRE ROYAL, RICHMOND

 

I HAVE to admit, that every year, I especially look forward to the pantomime at The Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond. The panto here is very different to the glitz and glamour in the bigger theatres. This small intimate space gives the most incredible environment for a panto. This year Rapunzel, written by Nick O’Conner, who also plays the dame Desiree Spud, has created one of the best panto scripts I’ve seen.

The story begins with Detective Febreeze (Nigel Fyfe), searching for Jimmy ‘Prince’ Charming (Marcus Jones) who has been on the run. Jimmy takes refuge in Desiree Spud’s vegetarian Café. We find out that Desiree Spud’s daughter, Rapunzel (Rebecca Huish) was taken from her as a baby. The search for her begins with the help of Detective Febreeze, it turns out the evil Mother Gothel (Paige Rochelle) has taken Rapunzel and has been keeping her in the tower. This is probably one of the most in depths stories for a pantomime as many just lightly follow the stories.

The entire, hardworking, cast work well together, though the highlight must be Nick O’Connor, he appears so at ease with great comic timing and the audience feels as if they’ve been friends for years. Nick takes advantage of the intimate size and chats to members of the audience at appropriate times. The young company of three teams are full of energy and enthusiasm, not only through their dancing, but becoming an integral part to the cast.

Traditionally at Richmond you’ll also find knitted items, this time vegetables, to help save the day as well as the opportunity to catch a Tunnock’s Teacake.

Rapunzel runs until 7^th January at The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond.

Panto Review - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

SNOW White and the Seven Dwarfs burst into life at Darlington Hippodrome with the fairest panto of all the land and what a spectacular it is.

Snow White (Marina Lawrence-Mahrra) provides the innocence and charm with perfection. Providing Snow White with a wonderful Prince Gareth (Gareth Gates) It’s not a surprise that we’re treated with his singing, more of a surprise was from the reaction to the audience when he took his top off. The evilness, is Queen Dragonella (Jenny Ryan) as she tries to dispose of Snow White. Jenny from the TV quiz show The Chase, is used well with the theme music and a quiz. She certainly enjoyed receiving the reactions from the audience. Mrs Nelly Nightnurse (Jamie Jones) is full of glamour with a range of incredible costumes. The dwarfs as The Magnificent Seven (Jonny Weston, Eva-Theresa Chokarian, Will Keeler, James Lowrie, JB Maya, Logan McQuillan and Charlotte Northover) here they played on their knees, which must have been very uncomfortable, they do look effective, but there’s something that just doesn’t feel right. No panto can ever be without the funnyman, here as Muddles (Josh Benson). Josh is incredible, he holds the whole show together and works so hard through the whole performance.

The story has a few surprise twists, which makes it more interesting, especially for the adults. The first act finale has my young companions trying to work out how it really works, just enjoy the magical experience and take in that panto feeling. They also loved the show, with one claiming it’s the best she’s seen so far, loving Gareth Gates for obvious reasons. The sets have the most amazing ones I’ve seen this season so far.

Snow White has all the glitz and glamour you would expect from Darlington Hippodrome with so much more.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs until Sunday 31^st December.