Theatre Review - THE RAT PACK - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas brings not three but four legends to the stage transporting us to style and glamour of the Sands Hotel for a fast-paced evening of high class entertainment with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis JR and Dean Martin.

The band led by pianist MD Matthew Freeman produce a superb sound which certainly does justice to the range of songs performed which included Mr Bojangles, New York, New York, S’Wonderful, Mack The Knife That’s Life and My Way to name just a few of the long list of hits.

Nigel Casey was impressive as Dean Martin and never seemed to stop smiling. Darren Charles was full of energy as Sammy Davis JR and Stephen Rashbrook came into his own especially in the finale with My Way. One of the highlights, which is new to the production, is the introduction of Nicola Emmanuel as Ella Fitzgerald. What a voice. My only complaint would be that we did not see more of her. The Burelli Sisters bring a freshness to the numbers where they appear.

Runs until May 12^th 

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Theatre Review - BRIGHTON ROCK - NORTHERN STAGE

Brighton Rock 2018 Sarah Middleton as Rose and Jacob James Beswick as Pinkie

Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock is a journey of pure evil. Telling the story of gang land Brighton. Ida, Gloris Onitiri, becomes suspicious after the death of a man she has briefly met. She sets of on the trail of Pinkie, Jacob James Beswick, the psychotic gangster, and tries to save his girlfriend Rose, Sarah Middleton, from his violent conduct.

Brighton Rock 2018 The Ensemble

The first act, punctuated by many short scenes, with aggressive percussion, swirling mist and synchronised movement perfectly puts us in the heart of the dark and menacing world inhabited by mob rule.

Brighton Rock 2018 Jacob James Beswick as Pinkie, Dorian Simpson as Dallow, Marc Graham as Cubitt
and Angela Bain as Spicer

Brighton Rock 2018 Jennifer Jackson as Mollie and Shamira Turner as Delia

In the second act the relationship develops between Rose and Pinkie and these are certainly the two stand out performances. Sara Middleton brings the perfect childlike naivety as the 16-year-old waitress in love for the first time and under the evil control of Pinkie. Jacob James Beswick is incredibly captivating in his performance of the anguish suffered by Pinkie and his control of Rose. Without giving anything away, one of the final scenes with Pinkie took a lot of trust and bravery, creating an outstanding moment of theatre.

Brighton Rock 2018 Jacob James Beswick as Pinkie,
Marc Graham as Fred and The Ensemble

The use of physical theatre from the ensemble cast added to the intensity, drawing the audience into the seediness of the under world of gangster life. The choreography and movement is skilfully created and perfectly complements the subtle lighting and superb soundscape. The multi-functional two-level set, with musicians centre stage, provides plenty of scope for the ensemble cast to lurk in corners.

This is a highly slick and brilliantly directed production.

Theatre Review:- MY ROMANTIC HISTORY - THE LIVE THEATRE< NEWCASTLE

My Romantic History is a hilarious look at the world of dating, firstly through the eyes of Tom, the new boy in the office. Tom, Brain Lonsdale, isn’t looking for love but at the end of his first week joins his new workmates for drinks and ends up going home with fellow worker from another floor Amy, Bryony Corrigan. Here follows the story of their relationship from his point of view, as he changes from addressing the audience directly to showing the scenes from his current relationship and his one true love of the past. Brian has fantastic comic timing. Act II changes to the perspective of Amy, where we find out things might not have all been that accurate from Tom’s perspective. Act III brings the whole piece together.

Amy McAlistar plays Sasha, another co-worker and all the other parts. The scene where she plays all the past relationships of both Amy and Tom is well worth going for alone.

Alison Ashton’s set is stark and easily conveys several locations from the office, streets, pubs and even a toilet without having to change anything which keeps the pace fast and furious. The excellent pen and ink illustrations from Ben Holland which are projected help with the location changes and firmly locate this production in Newcastle instead of Glasgow from the original production.

This is certainly an adult production due to the nature of the language used, but it isn’t used to shock, only to enhance and bring some reality to the production.

A hilarious production, full of energy, which hits the spot on all counts.

Theatre Preview - Jesus Hopped The A Train 14th May, The Assembly Rooms, Durham

Theatre Preview: SISTER ACT AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE - SOUTH SHIELDS

Young Performers Ready To Spread The Love This April

SING HALLELUJAH! Performers Stage School returns to the Customs House as part of their Spring Season. Fresh from their successful production of Hairspray Jnr’ performed by their younger students, it’s now the turn of the older performers to perform a multi-nominated divine musical. 

Based on the 1992 hit film, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. 

With an original score written by the award-winning composer Alan Mencken and lyricist Glenn Slater, this show is set to be a tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music. So raise your voices and book your tickets today! 

(Sister Act runs from 13th-15th April. Tickets are £12, £10 concessions and family of 4 ticket £35. Tickets are available from Customs House box office on 0191 454 1234 or via the website https://www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/performers-stage-school-presents-sister-/) 

Theatre Review - THE LAST SHIP - NORTHERN STAGE

Full cast of The Last Ship (c) Pamela Raith

The Last Ship has finally reached its home port after a stormy start from its voyage in America. This brand new Northern Stage Production directed by Lorne Campbell, who has extensively reworked the book, looks to have ensured a smooth sailing lies ahead.

Marvin Ford Michael Blair Matt Corner Joe Caffrey Richard Fleeshman (c) Pamela Raith

Anyone living in the North East is familiar with the personal hardship faced by families involved in shipbuilding and their constant, passionate struggles of work, life and politics. It was this which inspired the 1991 album ‘The Soul Cages’. Over the years this has transformed from the personal accounts of Sting’s childhood to what we have today as ‘The Last Ship’.

Parisa Shahmir Orla Gormley Frances McNamee Annie Grace (c) Pamela Raith

The story begins in the early 70’s where the young Gideon Fletcher, Matt Corner, leaves his true love, young Meg Dawson, Parisa Sharmir, and Wallsend behind looking for a life away from the shipyards.

Matt Corner as young Gideon and Parisa Shahmir as young Meg (c) Pamela Raith

Seventeen years later Gideon, Richard Fleeshman, returns to find the shipyard facing its last few days and a daughter he never knew he had. Richard Fleeshman has mastered the sound of Sting through his singing voice which echoes well Sting’s similar journey. Meg, Frances McNamee, has the most amazing voice delivering a powerful performance to match. Ellen, Katie Moore, their daughter has such a presence on stage as she follows Sting’s journey leaving for a future in music.

The Last Ship Joe McGann as Jackie White (c) Pamela Raith

The Last Ship Frances McNamee
 as Meg Dawson (c) Pamela Raith

One of the central shipyard workers is Jackie White, Joe McGann, and his wife Peggy, Charlie Hardwick. Joe McGann looks so natural in the role. It may be cliché to say that it looked as if Charlie Hardwick was loving every minute, but she certainly was and what a talent. She is certainly making the most of this role. When the news is given to the men of the impending closure of the yard it is from Baroness Tynedale, Penelope Woodman, that they learn their fate as she produces a perfect caricature of Thatcher, reminding the audience of politics of the 80’s.

The rest of the shipyard workers include Davey Harrison, Kevin Wathen, as the wayward drunk. Billy Thompson, superbly played by Joe Caffrey and word loving Adrian Sanderson, Charlie Richmond.

The projection has to be the best I have ever seen creating seamless changes between scenes, meaning the action becomes incredibly slick. The production takes projection to a whole new level. From the direction, staging, lighting, sound, music and acting this is one of the most complete productions I have ever seen. I can’t wait to see it again later in the run.

Richard Fleeshman as Gideon Fletcher (c) Pamela Raith

2018 TOUR DATES

Monday 12 March – Saturday 7 April
NORTHERN STAGE
northernstage.co.uk
0191 230 5151

Monday 9 – Saturday 14 April
LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE
everymanplayhouse.com
0151 709 4776

Monday 16 – Saturday 21 April
THE NEW ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM
atgtickets.com/Birmingham
0844 871 7647

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 April
ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON
royalandderngate.co.uk
01604 624 811

Monday 30 April – Saturday 5 May
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

The Last Ship projections by 59 Productions (c) Pamela Raith

leedsgrandtheatre.com
0844 848 2700

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 May
NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE
nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
0115 941 9419

Monday 14 – Saturday 19 May
WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF
wmc.org.uk
029 2063 6464

Monday 4 – Saturday 9 June
BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN

Projections by 59 Productions (c) Pamela Raith

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
+353 1 677 7999

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June

FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH

edtheatres.com
0131 529 6000

Monday 18 – Saturday 23 June
THEATRE ROYAL GLASGOW
atgtickets.com/Glasgow
0844 871 7647

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 June
YORK THEATRE ROYAL
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
01904 623 568

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 July
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
thelowry.com
0843 208 6000

Theatre Review - WAR OF THE WORLDS - NORTHERN STAGE

First published as a book in 1898 War of the Worlds has seen many versions produced over the years, but not many stage versions come to mind. This iconic novel has been brought back to live with Laura Lindow’s new version set in Newcastle, the industrial capital of the North East.

Jack Lloyd as Phillip Ridley photo credit Topher McGrillis

Through the mist the story is told as each of the four narrators begins to tell us how their ghostly situation occurred as we are transported from the banks of the River Tyne to Alnmouth where the invasion first began.

Luke Maddison, Charlotte Ryder, Jack Lloyd and Lauren Waine photo credit Topher McGrillis

The young cast of Phillip Ridley, Jack Lloyd, his wife Jill Ridley, Charlotte Ryder, Boots, Luke Maddison, and Mo, Lauren Waine are terrific throughout and also play the roles of many other characters including a very realistic horse.

Luke Maddison, Lauren Waine and Charlotte Ryder photo credit Topher McGrillis

With very little set, a few ingeniously used props Elayce Ismail’s creative direction fires the imagination making you believe you really saw more than was actually on stage. This is assisted by the immersive and unnerving soundscape by Mariam Rezai and lighting by Richard Flood.

Luke Maddison, Lauren Waine, Charlotte Ryder and Jack Lloyd photo credit Topher McGrillis

Running at just over an hour this fast-paced production makes for a fantastic trip to the theatre.

Tue 13 Feb - Dynamix Skatepark, Gateshead Book: northernstage.co.uk

Thu 15 Feb - Kirknewton Village Hall Book: 01890 850285 / 01668 282 406

Fri 16 Feb - The Witham, Barnard Castle Book: thewitham.org.uk

Sat 17 Feb - Shilbottle Community Hall Book: shilbottlecommunityhall.com

Thu 22 Feb - Phoenix Theatre, Blyth Book: thephoenixtheatre.org.uk

Sat 24 Feb - Watson Institute, Castle Carrock Book: highlightsnorth.co.uk