Posts with the label Once On This Island
Showing posts with label Once On This Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Once On This Island. Show all posts
Tuesday 31 December 2019
Olivia's Top Shows of 2019
This year I saw 150 shows, from glitzy West End productions to smaller fringe pieces and many UK tours. Before we step into the new decade, I want to feature some of my favourite pieces of the year and those which have stuck with me in some way.
Dolly Parton has been a family favourite growing up so this musical ticks all the boxes for me. 9 to 5 is a catchy, colourful celebration of girl power. With another tour planned for next year, this show is sure to delight audiences in 2020 and beyond.
Six featured in last year's Top 10 list, but having seen it a few times this year, I thought it warranted a place once again. The fantastically, feminist musical is pure joy on stage and a complete treat. Enthralling audiences around the world with its pop/musical theatre crossover sound and the heart which is retained in all its incarnations, Six's world domination is only just beginning.
I mentioned the Broadway production of Come From Away last year, but 2019 saw the triumphant West End transfer of this show which is completely spectacular and special beyond compare. Telling the heartfelt story of the unity formed in a small village in Canada during the traumas of 9/11, the Celtic sounds and complete ensemble feel of the piece make it effective and oh so powerful.
Performed by members of the British Theatre Academy (BTA), the young cast transported audiences on a mystical journey of love and magic. Lee Proud and Harrison Clark created a production worthy of much acclaim and showcased some of the future stars of UK theatre.
Having missed the Open Air production of Jesus Christ Superstar, I was thrilled to get the chance to see it at the Barbican and it did not disappoint. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's score soared thanks to the ingenious staging which made the space feel as though it was outside, and Lee Curran's lighting which made the atmosphere both electric and intimate. Amazing performances all round made this a production not to be forgotten.
Not only was it a treat to see this enchanting song cycle by Dave Malloy brought to life by such talented actor-musos, but getting to experience the new space of the Boulevard Theatre was a delight in itself. The whole space feels fresh, welcoming, modern and all in all a wonderful addition to the London theatre scene. Ghost Quartet was a wacky mish-mash, but there's something about it that was truly enchanting.
The Cher Show | Neil Simon Theatre
If you'd told me at the beginning of the year that The Cher Show would be in my top shows, not just of 2019 but ever, I doubt I would've believed you. The cast were amazing but as someone unfamiliar with Cher's music and kind of bewildered by the whole idea, I didn't expect to come out beaming after one of the best night's ever at the theatre. The biopic musical tells the story of the superstar's rise to fame via three Cher's representing different times in her life. The performances are other worldly and the humour hits all the right spots. This is the embodiment of a grand musical and I can only hope it comes to the West End sometime soon!
The Jungle | St Ann's Warehouse
This is another show I missed in London but was lucky enough to catch in New York at the incredible setting of St Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn. This is the most striking piece of theatre I have ever witnessed, and I can't even explain how spectacular the entire production was. The community feel that was created within moments of entering the theatre is like nothing I've ever experienced and every element of theatricality was so perfectly used to highlight the stories of those on stage.
The Adam Guettal musical was on my 'To See' bucket list, so it was a complete joy to experience the sumptuous score performed by such a stellar cast this year. The story about young Clara falling in love with Fabrizio on a trip to Italy is beautiful and made me want to go to and have my own romantic holiday accompanied by a beautiful classical soundtrack.
Fiver played a brief run at the Southwark Playhouse and earned itself much praise and many fans. With a fantastic score by Alex James Ellison, the musical follows the story of a £5 note and how it's value changes in the hands of various people. This was a completely unexpected treat of a show which completely enraptured me and left me feeling joyous, thanks to the wonderful mix of musical styles and fantastic array of stories involved. The superb cast of five gave everything and made it a real gem of a piece. A delightful musical, lets hope we see more of Fiver in the future.
Thursday 15 August 2019
Once on This Island, Southwark Playhouse | Review
Once On This Island
Stockwell Playhouse
Reviewed on Wednesday 14th August 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
The British Theatre Academy's production of the Caribbean-inspired Little Mermaid adaptation, Once On This Island is an enchanting show with dynamic, heart-wrenching performances, energy in spades and a glorious uptempo score. Through beautiful harmonies and high-intensity choreography, the young cast bring sunlight to rainy London and infuse a gust of tropical warmth into the magical story and score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Once On This Island tells the legend of Ti Moune, a young orphaned peasant girl raised by Tonton and Euralie, who falls in love with a boy from a wealthy family on the other side of the island, Daniel. Guided by four Gods, Ti Moune rescues Daniel from a life threatening car crash and nurtures him back to health. However, though they may be divided by only a few miles, they are worlds apart and after promises made to the Gods, Ti Moune must see whether love can conquer all, including death.
At the heart of it, Once On This Island is a much needed delivery of the message of the need for inclusion for people from all walks of life. In a world doused in prejudice, where literal walls are being built and we are continually bombarded with stories of segregation, it's crucial that we speak loudly and take a stand to highlight the necessity for equality. The diverse BTA cast do an outstanding job of this and deliver the heart-warming but emotionally raw tale with grace and cohesiveness you would expect to see from older, full-time West End performers.
The BTA team have done an outstanding job of bringing the Tony Award Winning show to life in the pretty intimate space of the Southwark Playhouse. An ever versatile venue, it's fantastic to see it transformed to house a traverse stage where the performers integrate themselves into the audience, and interact as though they are locals wandering the streets. Lee Proud and Harrison Clark's dynamic choreography fills the space and works with the Calypso sounds and rhythms to create an upbeat party feel, as well as highlighting the more deeply emotive parts of the story. Thanks to the ensemble, there isn't a moment that feels under-energised and it's both enthralling and authentic to watch.
In the role of Ti Moune, eighteen year old Chrissie Bhima is otherworldly. Maintaining a poise and depth of someone much older, whilst imbuing the character with an innocence that draws the audience to her; she is a certain star in our midst. Bhima's killer vocals earn rapturous applause after her first solo and set the tone for the nuanced but electric performance she continues to give throughout.
Aviva Tulley as Erzulie is clearly born to perform and she brings the ethereal Goddess of Love to life with a vocal and physical warmth that calms the room. On the other hand, Jonathan Chen is the embodiment of energy as he brings Asaka to life. As the other gods, Kyle Birch (Agwe) and Martin Cush (Papa Ge) embody their elements well.
Sam Tutty is charismatic and sincere as Daniel, who shows genuine heartbreak as the pair struggle through their relationship, whilst, Marie-Anna Caufour oozes affection alongside divine vocals as Ti Moune's adopted mother Euralie. Special notice must go to Elliot Gooch who plays Armand among a variety of ensemble characters and stands out throughout thanks to his energy, facial expressions and witty interactions with both the cast and the audience. At the core, this is really a piece about community so it's a winning factor that the ensemble are so strong. The tight knit group work incredibly hard throughout and are consistently strong. Mention goes to Ella Biddlecombe and Grace Venus who draw the eye throughout.
Despite a few technical issues at the start with sound, the cast's energised portrayal of this provoking, mystical piece keeps the audience in the palms of their hands, and Simon Wells' simplistic but detailed set transports us to an island where magic really happens. The sweet story directed with a winning touch by Lee Proud, alongside vast vocal talent and and an authenticity that courses through, is a must see show this summer.
photo credit: Eliza Wilmot
Wednesday 26 September 2018
Once on This Island, Circle in the Square | Review
Once on This Island
Circle In The Square
Reviewed on Tuesday 18th September 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Once on this Island is basically the show version a huge hug; filled with a heartwarming story, spectacular talent and amazing use of theatrical devices it's a truly brilliant piece of theatre.
The Circle in the Square theatre provides the perfect, semi-immersive space for this show which follows the story of Ti Moune, a young peasant girl, who with the help of the Gods, sets on a journey to unite with the boy who has captured her heart. The story itself is pretty random and far-fetched: Ti Moune falls head over heels with this boy she has only glimpsed at for a second (very Little Mermaid-esque) and decides she must dedicate herself to saving him. However, the way the story is told is truly beautiful.
Michael Arden has directed a feast for the eyes which is magical, moving and heartfelt in equal measure. The simplicity of the show is what makes it so special. The use of debris and fragments of clothes/products immerses us in the world and transports us subtly to a place ravaged by a natural disaster which has to piece itself together the best it can. Clint Ramos has done an outstanding job of bringing pieces together without making anything look tacky of lacklustre.
With musical gems such as Mama Will Provide, Waiting For Life and Why We Tell The Story, it's no surprise that this show is a hit. The Caribbean-infused musical theatre songs are catchy and supremely well performed. Despite premiering in 1990, the entire production feels fresh and enticing and is undeniably a show to be loved by any audience members.
The cast perform Ahrens and Flaherty's music with life and joy, Alex Newell's Mama Will Provide is a sure stand out, whilst Tamyra Gray brings an Angels in America vibe to the death God, Papa Ge who flicks around the stage with a menacing presence, especially in Forever Yours. Other stand outs include Quentin Earl Darrington who's booming voice fills the intimate space, Kenita R. Miller who draws the eye from the moment the audience enters the theatre and Isaac Powell who is vocally strong as Ti Moune's love interest, Daniel.
Whilst this is truly an ensemble piece, with the cast filling the space with sounds and movements whilst every 'solo' piece takes place, the heart is definitely Hailey Kilgore as the young Ti-Moune. Her voice and performance is compelling and heart-wrenching whilst remaining vulnerable and full hearted. There's no doubt that Hailey will be a staple on Broadway stages from years to come as she performs free from constraint and provides one of the most moving and nuanced performances I have ever witnessed.
Michael Arden has directed a feast for the eyes which is magical, moving and heartfelt in equal measure. The simplicity of the show is what makes it so special. The use of debris and fragments of clothes/products immerses us in the world and transports us subtly to a place ravaged by a natural disaster which has to piece itself together the best it can. Clint Ramos has done an outstanding job of bringing pieces together without making anything look tacky of lacklustre.
With musical gems such as Mama Will Provide, Waiting For Life and Why We Tell The Story, it's no surprise that this show is a hit. The Caribbean-infused musical theatre songs are catchy and supremely well performed. Despite premiering in 1990, the entire production feels fresh and enticing and is undeniably a show to be loved by any audience members.
The cast perform Ahrens and Flaherty's music with life and joy, Alex Newell's Mama Will Provide is a sure stand out, whilst Tamyra Gray brings an Angels in America vibe to the death God, Papa Ge who flicks around the stage with a menacing presence, especially in Forever Yours. Other stand outs include Quentin Earl Darrington who's booming voice fills the intimate space, Kenita R. Miller who draws the eye from the moment the audience enters the theatre and Isaac Powell who is vocally strong as Ti Moune's love interest, Daniel.
Whilst this is truly an ensemble piece, with the cast filling the space with sounds and movements whilst every 'solo' piece takes place, the heart is definitely Hailey Kilgore as the young Ti-Moune. Her voice and performance is compelling and heart-wrenching whilst remaining vulnerable and full hearted. There's no doubt that Hailey will be a staple on Broadway stages from years to come as she performs free from constraint and provides one of the most moving and nuanced performances I have ever witnessed.
photo credit: Joan Marcus
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