Theatre Review - CLEAR WHITE LIGHT - LIVE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

Joe Douglas, artistic director, makes his directorial debut at The Live Theatre with Clear White Light. Based on the gothic short story, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, and inspired by the songs of Alun Hull from Lindisfarne it is set in the psychiatric hospital where Alun Hull once worked.

Following the journey of Alison, Bryony Corrigan, as she begins a student placement on a nightshift in an all-male ward, she is mentored by Rod, Joe Caffrey, who shows her the ropes. As they get to know each other we learn just enough about their lives which also includes many hints to the strains and underfunding of the NHS. The music is a major part of this production and was one of the main catalysts in its creation. The music appears to inexplicably intertwine the story. Sung by Maddie, Charlie Hardwick, appears in a range of wonderful costumes, singing with great passion. The rest of the cast are made up of actor musicians Phil Adele, Alice Blundell and Dale Jewitt, with Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlow as musical directors also playing live on stage, Billy also took on the role of one of the patients.

There is a disjointed feel to the 2^nd act which adds to the intensity of the psychotic episode that follows, where suddenly soon after everything becomes clearer. The lighting and sound effects perfectly create the gothic horror feel of the piece.

Charlie Hardwick is a delight to watch, her performance is a mix of psychosis to hippy freedom. Joe Caffrey yet again shows what an immensely powerful actor he is. The connection between Bryony Corrigan and Joe Caffrey develops perfectly throughout. The emotional impact Bryony delivers on her journey is sublime to watch.

This production has been many years in the making and it has been well worth the wait. As this run is already fully sold out, these must be the most sought-after theatre tickets this Halloween, I just hope it tours or returns in the future.

Theatre Review - ROCK OF AGES - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

ROCK of Ages is one of those shows I have heard of, but have never seen.  Set in the 80’s this jukebox musical is crammed with classic rock songs.

The story is narrated by Lonny, Lucas Rush, who works in The Bourban Room owned by Dennis, Kevin Kennedy. Also working in the bar is aspiring rocker Drew, Luke Walsh, who instantly falls in love with Sherrie, Danielle Hope, who has just arrived from Kansas to follow her dream to become an actress. Add to the plot a pair of German developers Hertz, Vas Constanti, and his son Franz, Andrew Carthy, who persuade the mayor, Adam Strong, to introduce clean living to the city and demolish the Sunset Strip, much to the anger of the city planner Regina, Rhiannon Chesterman. As if that wasn’t enough we then have rock star Stacee Jaxx, Sam Ferriday, and his band Arsenal performing their final show at Bouban. Finally, the nearby Venus Club run by Justice, Zoe Birkett, provides a refuge for Sherrie.

That is quite some plot but the use of the narrator is well used, providing many comic moments as he regularly breaks the fourth wall to talk to the audience.

It is the 2^nd half where the show really develops and has the best scenes and lines.

The entire cast are amazing from the ensemble to the main characters, but the singing voices of Danielle Hope and local girl Zoe Birkett are outstanding.

Aspects of the show are excellent, but I must admit I have never left theatre so confused as to if I really loved the show or just didn’t really get it, But I can recommend you give it a try and find out for yourself.

Theatre Preview - ROCK OF AGES - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Danielle Hope

A HOST OF STARS SET TO ROCK DARLINGTON 

A host of stage and screen stars will be rocking the Hippodrome next week as the UK tour of Rock Of Ages stops off in Darlington.

Danielle Hope, best-known for having won BBC One's Over the Rainbow, will be joined by Kevin Kennedy who played the role of Curly Watts in Coronation Street for over 25 years and Darlington’s own West End diva Zoe Birkett when the UK tour of Rock of Ages stops off in Darlington next week.

Zoe Birkett

Following her time in Oz playing the role of Dorothy, Danielle has since starred in some of the most iconic musicals including Les Miserables, The Sound of Music and Grease.

Away from Coronation Street Kevin Kennedy is no stranger to the theatre having appeared in West End musicals including Chicago, We Will Rock You as well as UK tours of The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Commitments.

Kevin Kennedy

Zoe Birkett is no stranger to Darlington audiences with several Hippodrome pantomime appearances to her name. Zoe has most recently played Rachel Marron in the UK tour of The Bodyguard as well as starring in shows such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hair, Rent, Tommy and Thriller Live.

Rock Of Ages is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can't Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, played loud and proud by an awesome live band.

Rock Of Ages runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 October.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Review - ROMEO AND JULIET

Romeo & Juliet

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by Anna Dobson

People’s Theatre

Stephenson Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5QF

www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

2^nd -  6^th October 2018

We were delighted to have the opportunity to see the latest offering from Newcastle’s People’s Theatre. The newly redeveloped entrance foyer and bar area is stunning and sets the standard of this impeccably run amateur theatre group.

We ventured into the 500-seat theatre to see what is arguably the most famous of Shakespeare’s plays.

The set would not have looked out of place gracing a theatre in the West End of London, with excellent use of the height and depth of the stage area with creative lighting setting a post First World War ‘Beaky Blinders’ theme.

This decision from the director provided a darkness to gang culture that the audience to could buy into whilst also allowing scope for the wardrobe to excel cementing the period look.

It was a pacey start with a rainbow of accents from the cast and some very effective stylised fight scenes. The two lead characters Craig Fairbairn (Romeo) and Emma Jane Richards (Juliet) both exuded confidence in their roles, clearly enjoying the opportunity to play the famous lovers.

With a little bit of singing and live music adding to recordings of Nic Cave and the like we were absorbed into the world of feuding families, violence and love.

The whole cast is to be congratulated for delivering an excellent play with not one weak link.  Well done to Peoples Theatre! 100 years and going strong.

7.30pm to 10.20pm with 20 min interval