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.

Theatre Review - THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Written by E. Nesbit and adapted by Mike Kenny for the stage, The Railway Children is (as Phyllis explains) a family friendly show, of gentle humour. For those who are not familiar with the children’s book, or the film, we follow three children (Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis), as misfortune strikes their family. They move from a wealthy lifestyle in the city to a much simpler life in the Yorkshire countryside. Where before they had servants whose jobs they were unsure of, now it is a choice of Jam or Butter on their bread, not both. They begin to take great joy in the local railway and become familiar and welcome faces to all.

It was a wet Tuesday, but coming into The People’s Theatre, I was transported to Oakworth railway station in Yorkshire for a delightful evening. Then, as if the weather had been timed to the performance, the rain paused as the audience left, giving us a chance to bask in the wonderful glow of a good show. I can’t promise the weather but I can promise a blissful and fast-paced evening at the theatre. Director Chris Heckels-Thompson takes you on a pleasant journey with this children’s classic, leaving the audience chuffed. She created a particularly poignant moment on stage as the ensemble/stage crew pack away the props and furnishings from the children’s old life as their circumstances change. While the children spoke, moving on, their mother lingered and watched. Seamless scene changes whisked us ever-on to the next part of the story. The set, designed by Annelise Clifton, put the audience on the right track from the beginning, with a railway bridge in the centre and the suggestion of a home to the left and the station to the right. With lighting by Glen Maddison and Karen Dales and sound designed by Kate Scott, the settings for the scenes were changed with care and skill.

The whole cast was absolutely marvellous, congratulating all of them on individual quirks would take too long! It featured Steven Arran (Father), Jim Boylan (Butler), Margaret Shaw (cook), Holly Stamp (Maid), Daniel Magee (Perks), Maggie Childs (Mrs Viney), Emily Jeffery (Mrs Perks), Tony Childs (Old Gentleman), Callum Mawston (Doctor), Lukas Cordes (Jim), Ivy Hartwood, Claire Brissenden, Jacob Easton and Martin Johnson (Ensemble), Kaitlyn Aiken and Robin Power (Perks Children). Also, my heart melted to see Billy and Anneliese Clifton as a small boy and his mother. A deep and respectful nod goes to Bill Harrington as Mr Szezcpansky for speaking both French and Russian which (to my untrained ear) sounded perfect. Mother (Kay Edmundson) brought a delicate sympathy to her role. Peter (Joe Moore) and Phyllis (Stephannie Moore) punctured any sombre moments with well-timed humour and were both a true delight to watch. Bobbie (Ashton Matthews) brought a hopeful light to the stage that shone as beautifully as her performance.

An excellent show more than worth the ticket price, The Railway Children is on at the People’s Theatre, until 20^th July 2024.