Theatre Review - THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK - THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE - NEWCASTLE

The latest production from The People’s Theatre in Newcastle for their Autumn / Winter Season is The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.

The story of Anne Frank is very well known, but it is productions like this that really bring home what so many people went through, which should never be forgotten, even though the most horrific elements of this period are not covered in detail in the production.

Otto Frank, Pete McAndrew, took his family into hiding into a secret annexe in Amsterdam. His wife, Mrs Frank, Rachel Kilburn and his two daughters, Margot, Honor Macphearson and Anne, Abigail Martin were joined by the Van Daan family, who helped Otto when his family moved to Amsterdam, Mrs Van Daan, Ellie North, Mr Van Daan, Jon Carlile and their son Peter Van Daan, James Hardy. They are helped with news and limited food by two of his employees, Miep Gies, Nicky White and Mr Kraler, Gordon Mounsey. Later they are joined by dentist Mr Dussel, Stuart Douglas.  The play focuses on the relationships of the eight crammed into the small space for 761 days. One of the main elements which plays out is the poor relationship Anne has with her mother.

The cast are outstanding throughout, especially as they are all on stage for the entire performance adding to the atmosphere by creating business in each of the rooms. As we move through the 761 days it is of course Anne who undergoes the most changes as she grows from the naive 13 year old. Abigail Martin captures this development with perfection.

The set cleverly designed by Tim Swinton uses the full width of the stage and shows the 4 rooms in the attic space giving the impression of the cramped conditions they all lived in. His lighting and soundscape create just the right atmosphere for this powerful production.

I am sure Anne Frank would be proud to know that her story is still being heard today.

The Diary of Anne Frank runs until Saturday 2^nd November.

Theatre Review - JEKYLL AND HYDE - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

DARLINGTON Operatic Society are renowned for not shying away from the more complex and challenging productions and this is no exception with their ambitious autumn production of the blockbuster musical Jekyll and Hyde. This gothic horror drama is based loosely on The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Dr Jekyll has the passion to discover the good v evil in men, played on the opening night by Julian Cound his transformation from Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde sends shivers across the auditorium. As Mr Hyde he is delightfully creepy as he wreaks havoc across the city. The other stand out members of the cast are Beth Hopper playing Emma Carew who is engaged to Dr Jekyll and Rhiannon Walker playing lady of the night Lucy Harris. Both with outstanding vocals specially during their duet. The rest of the cast complement the three main members with perfection.

The choreography by Joanne Hand was slick and tight. The 17-piece orchestra make Darlington Operatic Society stand out from many touring musicals, as they are as much a part of the show as the cast, so it is fantastic to have them in their rightful place in front of the stage.  The costumes, lighting and set complete the dark atmosphere perfect for this time of year.

Darlington Operatic Society could grace any stage in the world and no one guess that they weren’t a professional company.

Jekyll and Hyde runs at Darlington Hippodrome until Saturday 2^nd November.

Darlington Operatic Society returns to the Hippodrome from April 22 to May 2, 2020 with Strictly Musicals 3.

Theatre Preview - JEKYLL & HYDE - DARLINGTON OPERATIC SOCIETY

GOTHIC CLASSIC ALL SET FOR THE STAGE

Local theatre company Darlington Operatic Society is just weeks away from curtain up on their next blockbuster musical, Jekyll & Hyde.

Directed and choreographed by Joanne Hand (Top Hat, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, West Side Story) alongside Musical Director Steven Hood (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Strictly Musicals 2), Jekyll & Hyde will run at Darlington Hippodrome for 11 performances only from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 2 November.

The title role of Dr Henry Jekyll (who transforms into the evil Mr Edward Hyde) will be shared between Julian Cound and Luke Oldfield who play the role on alternate dates. It is widely known that this is possibly one of the toughest musical theatre roles for any male performer to undertake. Beth Hopper will take the role of Emma Carew with Rhiannon Walker and Jessica Harrison sharing the role of Lucy Harris on alternate dates.

Talking about his role in the show, Julian Cound said “This has been one of the hardest rehearsal periods I have been through in a very long time. Vocally the role of Jekyll and Hyde is immense, requiring the soft, loving nature of Dr Jekyll and then the angst-ridden frustration of Mr Hyde.”

“This show very rarely gets performed by amateur groups due to the difficult nature of the vocals and the demands it places on the leading actors. The entire cast are loving the darker, gritty nature of the show – it’s just so different from shows we have presented most recently. If you don’t know the show you have to give it a try – audiences will not be disappointed, they will get the usual high standard of performance values audiences expect from a DarlingtonOS show – it’s Les Miserables meets Sweeney Todd.”

Jekyll & Hyde will run at Darlington Hippodrome from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 2 November. Thursday 31 October is a BSL Interpreted performance and both Friday performances will be audio described.

Tickets are on sale now by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01325 244659 or online at www.darlingtonos.org.uk

Recommended age 12+

Theatre Review - THE LADY VANISHES - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

BASED on the film directed by Alfred Hitchcock this talented star-studded cast transported the audience back to 1938.

Opening in an Austrian Railway Station there are a mix of passengers all rushing to return to England for various reasons. Amongst them are socialite Iris, Scarlett Archer, who is returning to marry a Lord and Miss Froy, Gwen Taylor, a former governess. After Iris has a slight accident just prior to boarding the train, Miss Froy takes care of her and after a cup of tea followed by a short sleep Iris wakes to find Miss Froy has disappeared and no one will admit to seeing her on the train. Also, on board are the secretive lawyer Eric, Mark Wynter, and his mistress Margaret, Rosie Thomson. Cricket loving Charters, Denis Lill, and Caldicott, Ben Nealon, who bring a touch of comedy to the proceedings and show we perhaps have not changed that much as the Englishman abroad. Dr Hartz, Andrew Lancel, an Italian magician, Martin Carroll, a military official, Joe Reisig and a nun, Natalie Law. After reluctantly befriending Max, Nicholas Audsley, the pair begin to unravel the mysteries onboard.

The set, Morgan Large, effortlessly transforms from the station to the interior of the train and back again. The atmosphere is enhanced with subtle lighting, Charlie Morgan Jones and sound, Dan Samson. Direction by Roy Marsden is slick throughout.

The intrigue and suspense of The Lady Vanishes will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the twists and turns trying to spot the red herrings.

Runs until Saturday 19^th October at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Review - MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL

Madagascar The Musical instantly bursts into life with music, fun and colour. Aimed at the younger audience and based on the Dreamworks animation motion picture there is plenty for the whole family from the colourful characters to the jokes many adults would appreciate.

The story opens in Central Park Zoo, New York where a group of penguins have decided to escape. Marty the zebra, Posi Morakinyo, discovers their plan and dreaming of a life in the wild joins their escape. Marty’s friends Alex the lion, Joseph Connor, Gloria the hippo, Hannah Victoria, and Melman the hypochondriac giraffe, Connor Dyer, on realising his escape, rush to find Marty to bring him back. Chaos ensues in New York and all the animals find themselves trapped on a ship and then stranded on Madagascar.

It is during the 2^nd Act on the island of Madagascar that the story livens up and the children in the audience certainly became more engaged. That was largely due to the introduction of King Julien, Kieran Mortell, who, as the leader of the non-meat-eating wild animals, instantly bonds with the younger members of the audience.

The songs though catchy are instantly forgettable, apart from ‘Move It Move It’ which had everyone on their feet during the finale.

The entire cast work hard throughout the show, and create a slick production which is the perfect introduction to live theatre for young children.

Madagascar the Musical runs at Darlington Hippodrome until Sunday 13^th October.

Theatre Review - THE VICAR OF DIBLEY - THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

As with the original, well known BBC show by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, when the new Vicar shows up in Dibley locals are shocked to discover she is a woman!

 

Mrs Cropley (Rye Mattick) and Geraldine (Kirstie Petley)
photo Jack Thompson

Directed by Eileen Davidson, this is a skilfully crafted and delightfully funny journey from Geraldine’s first arrival to the rather eccentric wedding. The audience is quickly pulled into Dibley by the flawless set, which creates three beautiful defined areas; Geraldine’s house, the village hall and the Horton residence (designed by Rhiannon Wilson), with so much attention to detail you could happily walk in and sit down. The soundtrack of ‘90s pop music and the occasional jingle from ‘Radio Dibley’ added to the enjoyment of each scene (sound designed by Philip Bradley). The lighting (designed by Matthew Todhunter) gave a gentle glow from behind colourful stained-glass windows and, with subdued lights, created a intimate feeling before relishing in the use of a vibrant disco light to give a real ‘party’ feel. The wardrobe department (Dianne Edwards) triumphed in creating a truly unique wedding dress for Alice.

Geraldine (Kirstie Petley) and Alice (Alison Carr)
photo Jack Thompson

The ensemble (Heather Birleson, Barbra Edmundson, Ann Mattick, Helen Poole, James Taylor, Jack Thompson, Stephen Waller, Cat White and Ann Zunder) gave life to the village and performed some beautiful songs, though it would have been nice if instrument versions of the recorded pop songs could have been used in the second half, so we could hear their voices better. Mrs Cropley was played by Rye Mattick with a naughty twinkle to her eye. Reverend Pottle, played by Alan Potts, and Lady in the Church, by Ann Zunder, although only featuring in short scenes, created a lasting impression. Frank Pickle (Mike Smith) was charming as he came out as ‘gay’ to his listeners. Owen Newitt (John MacDonald) had us equally both disgusted and amused whenever he spoke. Hugo Horton (Robbie Close) and Alice Tinker (Alison Carr) had us guffawing in the aisles at their kissing shenanigans. David Horton (Roger Liddle) hit the perfect tone of arrogance when facing the wonderful Geraldine Granger (Kirstie Petley) to make my sides ache with laughter and ‘no, no, no, no’ one could have done a better job with the character of Jim Trott than Tony Sehgal despite being a great deal younger than his character.

Owen (John MacDonald) and Geraldine (Kirstie Petley)
photo Jack Thompson

A thoroughly enjoyable show; not be missed, it runs until 5^th October at the People’s Theatre.

Jim (Tony Seghal), Frank (Mike Smith), Mrs Cropley (Rye Mattick)
photo Jack Thompson

Theatre Review: CLEAR WHITE LIGHT - THE LIVE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

Charlie Hardwick

After the sell out success last year, Clear White Light has returned to The Live Theatre and tickets will undoubtably be in short supply. 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 and wrote many Lindisfarne songs during his nightshifts.

Elizabeth Carter, Charlie Hardwick and Joe Caffrey

There has only been one cast change for this run, with Elizabeth Carter playing Alison, the student nurse about to start her first nightshift on an all-male ward. Her mentor is Rod, Joe Caffrey, who under the pressure of running the ward on his own, gives Ali three patients to look after. Charlie, Dale Jewitt, the maths expert. Barry, Billy Mitchell, the former garage owner and Aaron, Phil Adele. Joe Caffrey gives a polished performance and instantly draws you into the life of an overstretched nurse working under the NHS. The versatile and incredibly talented Charlie Hardwick plays Maddie, Joe’s twin sister, who is a patient on another ward in the hospital. The cast is completed by Alice Blundell as Jo, the nurse who appears with updates from Maddie’s ward.

Elizabeth Carter

The haunting appearances of Maddie and her powerful singing are superb her performance is a mix of psychosis to hippy freedom. The entire cast in amazingly strong, and once again Joe Caffrey shows what an immensely powerful actor he is. The music is a major part of this production and was one of the main catalysts in its creation, with each song inexplicably intertwining the story. The perfect addition to this is Ray Laidlaw playing drums along side the actor musicians.

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.