Posts with the label the vaults
Showing posts with label the vaults. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the vaults. Show all posts
Monday 13 March 2023
The Phase, The Vaults | Review
The Phase
The Vaults
★★★★
A new, British musical, The Phase follows four best friends and bandmates, Aziza, Rowan, Sage and Ava as they take on their Catholic school's oppressive rules which restrict them from expressing their queerness. The coming-of age musical tackles a number of issues in a short time and is a well written exploration of teenage life and identity.
The Vault Festival is a great event for shows to form and find audiences but the space, budget and time constraints don't always allow for much development. The team behind The Phase have done a great job working with these limitations and have created a musical that feels pretty well rounded and has design interest as well as great performances. The set comprises of large drawn out items such as rulers and pens that are transformed into various other things, and the band dressed as crayons complete the pencil case assortment and give the show a unique look and feel.
Led by musical director Amy Hsu, the band do a great job of leading the piece and accompanying the cast who provide consistently strong vocals. With Jocasta Almgill as Aziza, Ashley Goh as Rowan, Holly Ryan as Sage and Gracie McGonigal as Ava, the quad create a wholesome group who really support one another and give each other room to grow and be who they want to be. All four have well defined characteristics, and in a different setting there would certainly be room to flesh them out further. The occasional mic issue did mean some moments were lost at this performance but this is something that can be easily ironed out.
The Phase is a show which knows its identity and retains it throughout. Every moment is cohesive and feels quite genuinely like a school drama. There is a lot of angst and a whole host of personal struggles from anxiety to friendship, and although at times it feels a little too much, there is a sincerity sewn through which makes it a lovely piece.
Zoe Morris and Meg McGrady have created a great piece of musical theatre, that under Izzy Rabey's direction really gets to soar. It's lovely to see queer stories told that are not surrounded by trauma, and this show does a great job at highlighting the joy and community found, even when individuals are struggling. From body dysmorphia to relationship boundaries, there is so much packed into the hour long show. At times it comes across a little too dramatic, but at the same time it is very evocative of school life.
Mention must also go to how accessible the team have made the show. With sensory items available as well as chill out spaces, the whole experience embodies inclusivity and is certainly paving the way for others.
The show has just finished its run at the the Vault Festival, but there's sure to be a future life for The Phase and it will continue to spread joy via a touching storyline and absolutely killer vocals.
Reviewed on Sunday 12th March 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Thursday 2 March 2023
Someone of Significance, The Vaults | Review
Someone of Significance
The Vaults
★★
Last night I attended a performance of Someone of Significance at The Vaults and unfortunately, it was one of the weaker shows I've seen at the festival. It basically chronicles the life of two business people and the issues they have when mixing work, politics and their social lives. In theory it could be entertaining, and whilst there are occasional moments and pieces of social commentary that make you think, overall it doesn't offer much and fails to really nail home any enduring messages.
The two hander written by Amalia Kontesi, is led well by Funlola Olufunwa (Rosie) and Simon Bass (Brad) who bring some elements of charm to their characters. The duo's chemistry isn't particularly strong but they do a good job of bringing the story to life, and have brief sparks where they really bounce off one another well. Unfortunately they've not got much to work with as the script itself is lacklustre and fails to be engaging. The pacing of the play is also quite slow, which make it difficult to maintain interest, even with it only being an hour long.
Additionally, the technical aspects of the production leave something to be desired. The lighting and sound effects are often out of sync with the action on stage, and the incessant costume changes between every scene feel completely unnecessary and take you out of the action continually. These issues are frequently distracting and make is very difficult to fully immerse yourself in the story.
Overall, while the show has some interesting moments, it never really develops any ideas enough and as a whole is an aggressively fine production. In its current form, the play doesn't feel like it has much to say. It would be much more interesting if it further developed its exploration of classism instead of trying to be a love story. The underwhelming script and strange scene changes definitely need tweaking to make any future versions of this show memorable enough to recommend.
Reviewed on Wednesday 1st March 2023
Photo credit: Vasiliki Verousi
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Caligula and the Sea, The Vaults | Review
Caligula and the Sea
The Vaults
★★★
Caligula and the Sea is a beautiful theatrical experience, that really works within the setting of the Vaults Festival. The play does a good job at immersing its audience in a vivid and surreal world, and expertly brings scenes to life with minimal set and just a few well-crafted props. The performances are great, with each actor bringing a unique energy and presence to their role.
Noah Silverstone as Caligula has both a childlike innocence and an unstable menace that works well to bring the mad Emperor to life; his guard, friend and confidant Cassius played by Felix Ryder is pretty nicely nuanced and has some well thought out character development which works well, and bodes well for future iterations of the play. Early on, Caligula meets Neptune (Riko Nakazono), God of the sea, who he makes a deal with for absolute power. Riko's performance is mystical and a lovely addition to the story which is dark and thought-provoking, delving into themes of power, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked desire.
Under the direction of Yuxuan Liu, Caligula and the Sea is hugely impressive in both technical aspects and staging. Fiona McKeon’s set design and visual aesthetic bring about striking visuals, from a forceful storm to a disappearing tide; it continually transports the audience to a world that is both familiar and otherworldly. The show's use of lighting (Hannah Bracegirdle) and sound (Aaron J Dootson) is particularly impressive, creating a haunting and evocative atmosphere that lingers long after the performance has ended. Also noteworthy is the use of puppetry, designed by Silverstone, that moves so well and adds an element of true interest to the show.
Whilst a lot of the show works, there are elements that need a fresh sweep over. The short running time means that in trying to cram in an epic story which spans many years, a lot doesn't have time to be properly explored and the nuances which work so well at the start, cannot be retained throughout. Beginning with Caligula’s exile, his rise to power and through to his eventual assassination, there's a lot to be seen and some of the more moving and effective aspects, such as Caligula's relationship with Cassius don't have time to be really developed. This means that there are some pacing issues and in attempting to say a lot of things, the show loses an overall moral or key plot point so the audience leave unsatisfied.
There's a lot of good in this show and with some edits it could certainly become a hit. While the play can be challenging at times, it is ultimately a rewarding and interesting show. Good performances and really strong theatrical elements make it a solid production.
Reviewed on Wednesday 1st March 2023
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Friday 27 January 2023
In Clay, The Vaults | Review
The Vaults
Reviewed on Friday 27th January 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
A sweet tale of a female artist, specifically a potter/clay creator, in 1930s France, In Clay follows our protagonist Marie-Berthe developing her love of creating as well as looking at a few of her relationships and ultimately, the way she strives for and eventually defines, success.
Rosalind Ford takes the helm of this one woman show and does so with glorious affect. Not only does Ford play Marie-Berthe, but also a number of side characters such as her best friend Henrietta and her teacher Jean-Charles, all of whom you truly feel have entered the stage. With the noise of next door's performance and the rattling trains overhead, your attention could easily wander but Rosalind does a stellar job of keeping you engaged throughout. Her vocals are also gorgeous and an absolute treat to listen to.
Aside from the performance, the star of this show is the lovely music that is typically and gloriously French. Jack Miles and Rebecca Simmonds's songs completely embody French-cafe, pre/post war vibes and are so fitting to the story, with an especially wonderful scat section that really mirrors the freedom of art. A couple of the songs feel abruptly/imperfectly ended and could do with a slight rework but overall they're very smooth and the clever lyrics are so witty and compelling.
It's also impressive that there's a live four-piece band on stage, a sight not regularly seen at the Vaults, but Matt Herbert on keyboard, Rhiannon Hopkins on bass, Daniel Kemshell on guitar and Auguste Janonyte on violin do a great job and add even more to the feeling of being in France in the throngs of the creative, artistic circles.
For a 60-minute show, Rebecca Simmonds' book is surprisingly detailed and sleek; telling Marie-Berthe's story in a pacey fashion that never loses momentum or lacks emotion. From love to the pain of loss, a whole spectrum of life is explored and there's a wonderful celebration of fragility and putting yourself back together after you fall. Grace Taylor's direction allows the story to be told in a way that still feels free and spacious given the confines of the Vaults and Sorcha Corcoran's set design adds visual interest as well as mirroring the emotional turmoil on display in the piece.
All in all In Clay is a short, sweet, well-moulded show that with a few more tweaks on the potters wheel could be perfect. A great opener to the 2023 Vault Festival, it will be a treat to see how this musical progresses.
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Friday 27 September 2019
Shida, The Vaults | Review
Shida
The Vaults
Reviewed on Thursday 26th September 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Combining jazz, R&B, gospel and rock music, Shida tells the story of a young African American girl who dreams of becoming a writer. Written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle and directed by Tony Award winning producer Andy Sandberg, this UK premiere is exciting, truthful and special.
The beaming yellow posters lining the walls of the Vaults may lead you to think you are in for a shiny, feel-good show, but that's not quite true. This is a stark look at a woman who suffers a variety of injustices and prejudices before finding the light at the end of the tunnel. There's light and shade and an emotional journey which will tug at your heartstrings but continually entertain.
This is a quick paced show, which at 75 minutes really does pack in a lifetime of drama. At times it feels too much is being focussed on, and the audience aren't given a moment to process and sometimes things get jumbled, but for a debut this is very good.
Clancy Flynn's lighting design is fantastically expressive, with some striking moments; and Charlie Corcoran's simple design is a great backdrop for an emotional show. Under the musical direction of Noam Galperin the bank tackle the varied score with energy and fizz.
Bayardelle is a quadruple threat indeed, having both written and performed this show. Her voice is the definition of power and she siiiiiings throughout, however her writing leaves a little to be desired. Whilst the story is striking, the text and song lyrics often describe as opposed to show. Instead of allowing the audience to draw out the meaning themselves, they are almost spoon fed the plot. This does give the show an unsophisticated feel at times but thanks to Bayardelle's fantastic characterisation and performance, everything is still highly entertaining.
It's rare to see such a provocative performance from a stellar performer in such an intimate space and it's worth taking a trip just for the bragging rights of seeing Bayardelle up close.
photo credit: Helen Maybanks
Monday 29 July 2019
Games for Lovers, The Vaults | Review
Games for Lovers
The Vaults
Reviewed on Friday 26th July 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Making its world premiere at The Vaults underneath Waterloo station, Games For Lovers examines the fast-paced, complicated, often embarrassing and downright tough topic of love and how it fits into a modern world.
The play, written by Ryan Craig follows four individuals looking for love, a connection or just someone to spend the night with. The incredibly talented actors are energetic and dynamic throughout, with many memorable moments, however, at times the dialogue does feel a little claggy. The interludes of playful, almost game-like scenes are entertaining but seem somewhat like games that would be played in the rehearsal room. That's not to say they aren't enjoyable to watch, but they have minimal effect on the storyline and therefore feel detrimental to the pacing of the play.
The small cast are really outstanding though. Calum Callaghan is believable and relatable as Logan as he struggles with his emotions and the pressures to have a relationship. Tessie Orange-Turner is completely in charge of the stage in the entirety of her scenes. A masterful actor, her subtle mannerisms, facial expressions and gestures convey a boat load of subtext behind each line of dialogue. She has fantastic chemistry with the other three; the role-play scene with Callaghan is particularly entertaining.
Evanna Lynch is beautifully warm as Martha, consistently bringing an aura of sincerity whilst also providing spades of humour. Billy Postlethwaite is utterly fantastic as the charismatic, often non-pc but always humourous Darren, who is imbued with both energy and vulnerability.
Simon Scullion's vibrant and playful set with Ben and Max Ringham's sound and Matt Haskins' lighting, all add to the dynamic of the show and make it feel like a mix of game show and Netflix rom-com. Overall it feels very of the moment and perfectly fitting for millennials today.
Whilst there is definitely some room to make all four characters fully rounded and cohesive, this is a fantastic debut for Games for Lovers. The cast are clearly tight knit and thanks to Anthony Banks' strong direction, everyone provides a comfortable, enjoyable and fun performance.
Games for Lovers isn't going to leave you questioning your life choices but it will leave you beaming from an utterly hilarious and fantastically enjoyable two hours.
Games For Lovers plays at The Vaults until August 25th
photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Thursday 27 June 2019
Bare: A Pop Opera, The Vaults | Review
Bare: A Pop Opera
The Vaults
Reviewed on Wednesday 26th June 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★
Bare is a pop-rock chronicle of ill-fated gay love at a Roman Catholic boarding school. It focusses on issues including bullying, depression, homophobia and stigmatisation. The score is often touching and intricate and the young cast mostly do a fantastic job of performing it earnestly.
Having premiered off-Broadway and receiving various productions around the world, the show has gained a considerable cult following so this London production has been highly anticipated. Showing at Waterloo's Vaults, the theatrical experience is somewhat immersive as the action comes at you from all angles. Whilst most of the time this is effective, at moments the novelty of peering through heads to see what's going on does wear off, and the large, long stage feels underused.
Personally the pacing of this show is what lets it down. Act one is all about the set up and then everything major happens in act two. For this reason there are times, especially in the first half, where you feel uninvested. However, there are moments which stand out, namely Georgie Lovatt who is making her professional debut in the show, before she graduates. Her touching and humourous portrayal of Nadia is marvellous to see and she provides outstanding vocals to match.
Lizzie Emery gives a well rounded performance as Ivy and beautifully highlights the internal struggles many people face growing up. Her well nuanced performance is furthered by her fantastic solo, All Grown Up in act 2 which is a goosebump-inducing vocal powerhouse moment. Tom Hier is wonderfully motivated as Matt and gives a magnetic performance whenever he is on stage.
As the lead couple, Daniel Mack Shand (Peter) and Darragh Crowley (Jason) have a simmering relationship. Whilst facing the struggles of being oppressed for their sexuality and struggling to come out to those around them, it's clear they are trying to use their love to keep them grounded. Whilst there are moments of clear affection between them, most of the time they feel a little disconnected. The audience never really see a pure moment of love between them all because there's always something going on with them. Whilst of course this is partly the point, it does mean we root for the pair less. However, Darragh Crowley's performance is excellent both vocally and acting wise.
Andrew Ellis' lighting is effective, mostly so in the second act. The angelic murals on the wall are lit up at crucial times and the contrasts between cool and warm are well done.
Overall this is a musical of two halves. The performances are strong and the music itself is extremely clever and mostly engaging, but at the same time there are moments that drag. For fans of Bare this is a must to tick off your list, but I suspect it will be a bit of a marmite show.
photo credit: Tom Grace
Thursday 24 May 2018
In Conversation With... Freya Parks | Teddy | Interview
Teddy runs at the Vaults until June 3rd, it is an innovative show which not only showcases the actors on stage, but also the musicians. One of whom is Freya Parks who talked to us all about her experience with the show...
Teddy is such a fun show, it must be amazing to be a part of! Have you had a favourite moment so far?
Yeah it's a complete dream to be playing rock 'n' roll on a stage!
Yeah it's a complete dream to be playing rock 'n' roll on a stage!
Looking back I think my favourite moment was probably when everything came together the first time we performed to an audience. That was when we all realised how wild and intricate and special what we'd created really was. That's always a good feeling.
For anyone that hasn't seen the show, can you explain what it's about and how you fit into it?
For anyone that hasn't seen the show, can you explain what it's about and how you fit into it?
It's about a Teddy boy and Teddy girl (Teddy and Josie) and the adventures they have during a rainy Saturday night in Elephant and Castle in 1956. After their paths cross, they discover they're both massive fans of an American band called Johnny Valentine & the Broken Hearts and so do anything they can however risky to get into their gig. Then everything kicks off...
I play Jenny O'Malley, the bassist, a lady with sass who keeps her boys (fellow band mates) in line!
Teddy is set in the 50s, if you could transport to any other era, when would you go to and why?
Teddy is set in the 50s, if you could transport to any other era, when would you go to and why?
I could quite easily spend every night at a Weimar Cabaret in the 20s. Thinking about it, the 20s and 50s were both quite wild times as there was a similar post-war attitude of making the best from nothing, living in the moment and partying amongst the rubble. They must've been exhilarating times to live in.
You not only get to play live during the show, but also after the show. What's been your best audience reaction post-show?
You not only get to play live during the show, but also after the show. What's been your best audience reaction post-show?
The audiences always impress us with their dancing but there was one particular Friday night during our cover of Johnny B. Goode when a guy - who was joyously reliving his youth - jumped up onto Johnny Valentine's platform, grabbed the microphone and sang the rest of the song to perfection! I'm really glad there's video footage...
In 5 words, can you tell us why people should come and see Teddy?
Female-empowering, gritty, nostalgic, heartfelt....ROCKIN'!!!
If you had a magic wand, which show would you do next?
Female-empowering, gritty, nostalgic, heartfelt....ROCKIN'!!!
If you had a magic wand, which show would you do next?
I recently read Teeth 'n' Smiles by David Hare. It's a bit like Teddy but a decade later! I'd love to have a bash at that.
What's your number one piece of advice for aspiring performers?
What's your number one piece of advice for aspiring performers?
If it's really what you want to do, keep going no matter what and whenever you hit a lull, surround yourself with other creative things - just keep your mind active! You never know what's round the corner.
Thank you so much Freya for taking the time to do this interview. Teddy runs at The Vaults until 3rd June.
Thank you so much Freya for taking the time to do this interview. Teddy runs at The Vaults until 3rd June.
Friday 6 April 2018
Teddy, The Vaults | Review
Teddy
The Vaults
Reviewed on Thursday 5th April 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Personally, I think The Vaults is one of the most brilliant venues in London. Not only because it's home to some wonderful shows but because it is so versatile. Every time I've visited the mystical underground theatre, I've been overwhelmed by how different it looks. Set designer Max Dorey has done an outstanding job of transforming the space for Teddy into a cool, rustic, junkyard with so much to look at. From a (creepy) doll in the corner, to a car bumper, to a giant T, every detail has been meticulously picked out and the small space feels vast but homely at the same time.
Now onto the show. Teddy tells the story of two young teens, Josie and Teddy who are out for a good night in London town. It's a story about the birth of new music and the rebellious youths of 1956. Featuring a live onstage band 'Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts', this show is fresh, exciting and energetic.
The ridiculously talented duo Molly Chesworth (Josie) and George Parker (Teddy) take on this unique script with such ease and grace that it seems they were born to play the roles. The story is written using rhyme as well as normal speech which makes it jumpy but lyrical at the same time. Both actors speak the poetic text so naturally that you forget it's not a 'normal' way of speaking. Adding to this, they also take on the roles of all the other characters. Twisting and contorting their bodies and voices to become the other people they are very effective.
The story line is pretty simple and I must admit that I did find the first half dragged somewhat but the second act has a Bonnie and Clyde feel and there are unexpected twists and turns. If I were to change something, I would cut some of the earlier dialogue and make the show 90 or so minutes straight thought. I think this would keep the pace going and not allow time for our minds to wander.
Tom Jackson Greaves' and Eleanor Rhode's choreography is perfectly fitting with the show and had me out of breath just watching! The movements work very well in the small space and manage to convey the excitement of the era of change in terms of clothes, music and everything else.
The onstage band are wonderful. Made up of Freya Parks, Dylan Wood, Andrew Gallo and Harrison White, they provide a soundtrack of original music (by Dougal Irvine) which has us tapping our feet and feeling truly immersed in the era. The post-show gig is an innovative and joyous way to end your night- I'd definitely pay to see Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts on a sold out arena tour!
Teddy is an innovative show which uses everything it has to it's advantage whilst showcasing fantastic musicians, incredible actors and an exciting story. Like nothing else I've recently seen, Teddy is the refreshing show you need to get a ticket for. Get "ready Teddy to go" along to The Vaults and don't miss this show!
Teddy runs at The Vaults until June 3rd 2018
photo credit: Scott Rylander
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