Panto Review - ALICE IN WONDERLAND - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of adventure into the obscure is adapted and shaped by Tom Whalley into a fun family pantomime hitting all the usual tropes. This time the rabbit invites Alice to follow him into Wonderland and, in turn, remember that our imaginations are the key to the world of wonder that awaits. A flashy show, full of songs, fun, laughter and lots of opportunities to shout.

Director Pamela Willis has created an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza that will have all the family on their feet yelling. Musical Director, James Robert Hedges, working with Rhys Chamers (Bass) and Lewis West (Drums) lifted the show through joyous musical numbers that had the audience clapping along. Choreographer Julie Bowman, with assistant Daisy Burden, helped make the show an exuberant and well-timed experience for all the senses. Scenic Designer Anneliese’s Clifton created a space that was a riot of colour and added to the magical feeling of the show. Each of the characters’ unique personalities were well-reflected in their clothes thanks to Wardrobe’s Sarah Pearson.

Overall, this is an exciting show that wakes-up the panto-lover in all of us. The only minor production gripe would be the strobe lights used, which were at times a little blinding and had me closing me eyes as the show started and re-started.

A fine cast of all ages is packed full of talent. The many dancers added so much to each song, creating a frantic force of fantastical proportions. Erin Hattrick was Alice, who is drawn into the amazing adventures by the hilarious White Rabbit (Alison Carr). The Duchess (Ian Willis) brought humour and inuendo to each scene she graced. Anneliese Clifton, Emily Jeffery and Sophia Mawston brought added musical depth as Vocal Support and extra fun as Cards (Ace, Three and Seven). Robbie Close looked and sounded fantastic as the slow and deliberate Caterpillar, Dormouse (Rosa Cole) was a charming sleepy inhabitant – balanced perfectly by the over-exuberant March Hare (Zara Baqir). Tweedle Dum (Ben Watkins) and Tweedle Dee (Callum Mawston) deserve an award for the longest and most complex handshake ever and Queen of Hearts Kirstie Corfield was immense as the sassy wonderland monarch. Perfection, however, thy name is Luke Newey – no-one could be a better Mad Hatter.

Alice in Wonderland is running at the People’s Theatre, until 15^th December 2024.

Panto Review - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - DURHAM GALA

THE first pantomime of the festive season has started with Beauty and the Beast at Durham Gala. I must admit that as the lights went down and the band began, the excitement across the auditorium was felt from all ages.

Although Beauty and the Beast is a classic tale and will be very familiar by many, in terms of a panto it is always very different. In this version Gary Kitching has set it in Chester le Rue, with the Beast living in the mysterious abandoned Château de Pitié pour Moi, known by locals as Pity Me Castle. He has created a strong storyline, with the sparkle of panto, rather than a very loose storyline placed around panto style scenes. It works perfectly engaging people of all ages.

Belle, Beth Crame, is a feisty yet delightful character, where she, of course ends up in the castle, where she gets to know The Beast, Suryan Hadrick, showing a range of emotions. Also in the castle is Monsieur Brillant, Adam Donaldson and Madame Horloge, Sarah Bulmer, they have an excellent rapport and often command these scenes. Jude Nelson playing Jongleur is full of energy and quickly engages with the audience. She has been one of the highlights over the last few years and I hope she will be here for many years to come. The only part which didn’t work for me, was Jongleur’s juggling, running through the performance it just didn’t add anything and ended slightly flat, though this may change during the run. Jongleurs’s side kick was the mad-cap Madame Perplexe, Zoe Lambert, this felt as if it was replaced for the Dame style character, for me though I didn’t miss the Dame, Zoe was perfect for the role complementing Jangleur perfectly. My favourite character had to be Gourmand, Kieron Michael, as the villain, he provided plenty of opportunity for the audience to react with, full of comedy, the perfect lovable villain. The ensemble completed the cast, as the hard working dancers, with some very quick changes.

The set, lighting and sound are perfect for the production, faultless throughout. Excellent, bright and colourful costumes and delightful choreography.

Beauty and the Beast is engaging to all ages, with an amazing cast full of humour and fun, great story with a local twist and plenty of opportunities for the audience to interact with.

Beauty and the Beast runs until Tuesday 31^st December at Gala Durham Theatre.  

Theatre Review - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Company photo Paul Hood

Most of us are aware of the well-loved James Stewart / Frank Capra film. This adaption for stage, written by Mary Elliott Nelson, loses nothing of its joy and, in my opinion, adds to the experience. The story starts as we hear the well-wishes of the many people praying for George Bailey. George is in crisis, and contemplating the stark realisation that ‘financially’ he’s worth more dead than alive. With so many people asking for help on his behalf, how could Heaven not seek to help him? Angel-in-training Clarence is dispatched to assist and looks over the events that brought George to his crisis point. George is ultimately given a chance to look at the world without him in it – and we are all reminded that the good deeds we do in life, no matter how small, may mean a lot to someone else.

George (Sam Hinton) & Clarence (Tony Sehgal) photo Paul Hood

As we returned home from the theatre, with snow falling in the real world, it was as if the Directors had ordered it. I’m not convinced they didn’t orchestrate the weather as Directors Anna Dobson and Sam Burrell had certainly thought of everything else. Even as we found our seats, the atmosphere was glowing as we listened to live Christmas classics – on piano (Tracey Lucas), saxophone/flute (Rye Mattick) and with singing by Moira Valentine. The Set, designed by Tim Swinton, was refined, yet simple, with in-set lighting providing a separation between the town and the celestial beings overseeing proceedings, while also neatly evoking a scene in a snow globe. Musical director Tracey Lucas added warmth with well-chosen harmonies to match the atmosphere on stage. Scene changes were slick and expertly executed, and Movement Director Maya Torres had crafted fluid and effortless action.

Musicians photo Paul Hood

The whole cast were sensational! However, I must single out a few as outstanding: Sam Hinton (George Bailey) took us on a journey of George’s highs and lows with Steve Robertson, as his Uncle Billy, adding joy as he helps and hinders George. Sara Jo Harrison (Mary) added glamour and elegance to the story while Tony Sehgal, as Clarence, was the perfect mix of quirky and wonderful needed to help save the day.

A resounding triumph for all those involved in this production.

You need to see this feel-good play. You need to cry as a happy ending unfolds in front of you. You need to see It’s a Wonderful Life. After all, it’s a wonderful play.

It’s A Wonderful Life is showing at the People’s Theatre until Saturday 23^rd November.

Theatre Review - BLOOD BROTHERS - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

BLOOD Brothers continues to delight audiences through its seemingly never-ending tour and the latest production is certainly no different. The themes are timeless, telling the tragic story of the Johnstone twins who are separated at birth with their lives being intertwined, highlighting the differences in the system from the struggles of the working class to the wealth of the middle class.

Sean Jones plays Mickey to perfection taking the audience on a journey through his life from his youthful exuberance, as an almost 8-year-old, during the first act. To the much darker life as a desperate and broken man in jail who then struggles to adjust to a life with no future. The twin given away to a life of privilege, Eddie, is played superbly by Joe Sleight contrasting to Mickey through his innocence and lack of understanding. Scott Anson as the narrator is relatively understated in his performance moving through scenes interacting with the cast menacingly, whilst providing thought provoking moments especially during the scenes with Mrs Lyons as Sarah Jane Buckley. Vivienne Carlyle as Mrs Johnstone gave a powerful performance with perfect vocals. You could feel the tension from the audience build towards the final scene culminating in ‘Tell Me It’s Not True.’

You can understand why this musical is still so popular, it’s incredibly well structured with a perfect mix of humour and darkness taking us through a range of emotions. The set and lighting complement the overall effect making this an outstanding evening’s entertainment.

The standing ovation is nothing more than the cast deserved.

Blood Brothers runs until Saturday 17^th November at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Review - DR JEKYLL AND MT HYDE, PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Ryan Smith - photo Paul Hood

The tale of Jekyll and Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson, is well-known and loved by many - and here it is adapted for stage by David Edgar. We start out with the good Doctor visiting his widowed sister and her two children, establishing his character as a good man. Jekyll takes possession of certain effects of his late father and brings them to his house in London. Soon we see the rise of Mr Hyde as he begins to attract the attention of Jekyll’s friends and servants - for his sinister most ungentlemanly behaviour. Lines blur as the two personalities fight for dominance. The age-old question arises: which is stronger, our animal urges or our civilised ego?

Directed by Andy Aiken, Helen Doyle and the company, it’s clear a lot of time and work has gone into this production. The Lighting (Glen Maddison and Karen Dales) was transcendent in bringing about the seemingly supernatural changes between Hyde and Jekyll, while Sound (Alistaire Wu) created the perfect eerie atmosphere with excellent timing. The set (designed by Kaila Moyes) was extremely complex, taking us to a variety of locations.

However, with such an ambitious staging, and some technical issues, the scene changes often seemed a bit clumsy. Also, as the show is tightly-packed with important dialog, it would have helped the audience if some of the actors’ diction was a little clearer.

The second act raced through powerfully to its dramatic end, my favourite scene being between Jekyll and an irritating Pastor in a train carriage, as Hyde slowly takes control. Ryan Smith played the disturbed Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde, Jenny Davison the innocent Annie Loder, Holly Stamp the faithful housekeeper Poole, Silvia Mosquera his niece Lucy Urquart with Madeleine Egner as nephew Charles Urquart. Natalie Plunga was his widowed sister and Jim Boylan his long-time friend Gabriel Utterson. Emma Mitchell was Dr Hastie Lanyon and Conor McCahill was Richard Enfield. Jamie Gallagher became Hyde’s victim as Sir Danvers Carew, MP, while Steve Strouzer saw Jekyll transform before him as the Parson.

This is an ambitious production of this well-loved Gothic classic. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is showing at the People’s Theatre until 26^th October.

Theatre Review - ABIGAIL'S PARTY - NORTHERN STAGE, NEWCASTLE

 

Amy Rockson Leander Deeny and Laura Rogers in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Abigail’s Party, by Mike Leigh, is synonymous with seventies’ ‘of its time’ taste and attitudes. However, a lot of those attitudes and insecurities have persisted and I’d challenge you to find a modern suburb without a ‘Beverly’. The curtains may have changed, but the people have not. Perhaps that’s why this play still resonates with a modern audience. Whatever the reason, its delicious in its awkward humour and devilish jibes. For those unfamiliar with the plot, Beverly is holding a small drinks party to get to know her new neighbours, Angela and Tony. She’s also taken pity on divorcee Sue whose teenage daughter, Abigail, is having her first house party. As Beverly and husband Laurence’s social ambitions clash with each other, the party music next door gets louder and you see the cracks within their relationships become larger.

Chaya Gupta Joe Blakemore & Laura Rogers in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Director Jack Bradfield brought forth new layers and depth that force even those who are very familiar with this play to look at its characters in a new way. You walk away questioning their behaviour, while also recognising people you know (perhaps even seeing a little of your own insecurities) on stage. All this while experiencing an exquisite evening of awkward pauses, laughs and one hell of a crescendo. The set seemed much larger than the one normally seen for this show with a plush, statement shag carpet and decadent furnishing. A place to show off and lounge around after far too many gin and tonics. However, it still feels claustrophobic and at times downright suffocating to be at this party.  A clever twist of having a disco ball going with loud music blasting in the foyer afterwards made me feel as if I was exiting through Abigail’s actual party. Laura Rogers is resplendent, in a winged chiffon dress, as the over-sexed and incorrigible Beverly. Leander Deeny had the audience both giggling and worrying at his portrayal of Laurence. We see Laurence sneer at people who don’t read the right sort of books, even though he hasn’t read them himself. Joe Blakemore plays the almost wholly monosyllabic Tony with quiet menace and tempered perfection. Perhaps my favourite changes to this show are the way in which Angela (Ange) and Susan (Sue) are portrayed. The stupendous Chaya Gupta shows Ange not as silly and oblivious but socially awkward and painfully aware of her situation. My heart broke for her. Amy Rockson as Sue took the character to a very classy and confident level. Sue may not say much, but not out of shyness. Sue says what she feels she needs too.

An immensely good evening of theatre that should definably be paired with gin and nibbles. Abigails Party is showing at Northern Stage until 28^th September 2024.

Amy Rockson Laura Rogers & Chaya Gupta in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Production photos credit Pamela Raith

Theatre Review - THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Sweet young Rosie is travelling Europe, trying to be a grown up and not having the best time. She needs to go home to her family’s rose garden, where everything is safe and everything stays the same. Or does it? Hard-working parents Fran and Bob Price have invested all their hopes into the future generation but what does that mean?  What does happy look like? How much should you sacrifice for the happiness of others and is it worth it? As the Siblings share their secrets and life choices, we ask what should – or would – we do in their place? A fast-paced and fun story with a very touching heart that reminds us all how we ultimately have to change – and what really makes us grow up.

Director Sara Jo Harrison and Assistant director Craig Fairbairn have triumphed in creating a moving, fast paced, poignant and funny show that had the audience enthralled from start to finish. The simple set (Anneliese Clifton), designed to be in-the-round, captures the warm and inescapable feeling of a loving and occasionally stifling family.

The play starts powerfully as the characters congregate in the centre. The lighting (Xander Burbidge), and discordant music threaded with whispers (Sound Craig Fairbairn), gradually intensify, then cut to black. Maya Torres, as Rosie, is sensational as the jubilant younger sister, searching for the rites of passage to help her grow up. Jay Hindmarsh as Mark/Mia gives an understated and superb performance as they explore the true pain of the difficult choices of someone who doesn’t fit their parents’ expectations. Alison Carr plays older sister Pip with vivid visions of being the child that their mother resents, while Sam Burrell, as Ben, gives us an intense look at what can happen to the sibling that has been the ‘favourite’.  Steve Robertson and Moira Valentine have perfect chemistry as long-suffering parents Fran and Bob.

Altogether, this is a marvellous production with much dazzling talent on show. It also has a great story that will remind you to call that person in your family you haven’t spoken to lately. It’s simply one of the finest pieces of theatre it is possible to see; get a ticket before you miss out.

Things I Know To Be True is showing at the People’s Theatre 9^th -14^th September.