Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Cabaret. Sort by date Show all posts

Thursday 25 April 2019

Ain't Misbehavin', Southwark Playhouse | Review

Ain't Misbehavin'

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed on Wednesday 24th April 2019 by Olivia Mitchell

★★★★

Tyrone Huntley makes his directorial debut with this vivacious production that hasn't been seen in London for almost 25 years. With Oti Mabuse's choreography, the show is a whirlwind of energy which excites and entertains throughout.

Originally conceived by Richard Maltby Jr the show is billed as The Fats Waller Musical. It's more of a cabaret revue than a musical but, thanks to Huntley's direction, the performers have their own characteristics which thread throughout the show and create a fantastic cohesion. Songwriter and pianist, Fats Waller had a hugely successful career which combined jazz, slapstick comedy and gin. However, this show isn't about the man himself, but the music he created.

The powerhouse cast bring spades of energy and vocal prowess with every number. Renée Lamb is sassy and animated, Carly Mercedes Dyer is sweetly comedic, Landi Oshinowo brings spades of soul, Wayne Robinson is smooth and sharp and Adrian Hansel is sleek throughout. Alongside the strong five-piece band, the team give contagious performances.

The set and costume design by takis is glitzy and exuberant, with sparkles and swing embodied on every inch. The Southwark Playhouse is transformed to have an almost speakeasy feel as we are whisked away to a world of jazz and gin.

The 100 minute show is a sexy and sassy celebration of Fats Waller's music, with choreography and vocals to impress everyone. The cast do an outstanding job of selling all of the thirty musical numbers and providing both emotional and hugely comedic moments.

Ain't Misbehavin' runs at the Southwark Playhouse until June 1st 2019

photo credit: Pamela Raith

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Monday 5 December 2022

Orlando, Garrick Theatre | Review

Orlando

Garrick Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 5th December 2022

★★★★

Thought to be inspired by Virginia Woolf's romance with Vita Sackville-West, Orlando depicts a boisterous protagonist whose journey spans five centuries and two genders. Its awareness of gender politics and expectations as well as the way is defies them is really something special, and it's astounding that Woolf wrote such a groundbreaking piece of work in 1928 and that it remains so relevant now.

Tilda Swinton famously took on the role in the 1992 film adaptation but it's the superb Emma Corrin who plays the title character in Neil Bartlett's production. As a non-binary performer, Corrin feels like the perfect fit for this gender fluid role and they do an outstanding job of bringing Orlando to life with wit and momentum. At 90 minutes, it's impressive how much range Corrin is able to show and as a whole, the production manages to really pack a punch.

Michael Grandage's intelligent direction gives the show a real buoyancy. The ensemble help to create the story as it goes and the narration is spread around to give a continual movement. This adaptation also sees Corrin's Orlando assisted by Deborah Findlay's Mrs Grimsditch who maintains the pace whilst adding comical insights on the predicaments faced throughout. Much of the script is mischievous and sharp, and there are also some really brilliant homages to other literary and theatrical moments, including a particularly witty nod to Cabaret. Despite not being full of content, Bartlett's adaptation does a good job of keeping the audience engaged and showcasing what's there to its fullest extent. The overall idea of personal identity and growth is key throughout.

Peter McKintosh's set design is superbly effective in demonstrating the various eras of Orlando's life, without being at all over the top or gimmicky. The use of banners, beds and boats is extremely well done and cleverly combined lighting choices (Howard Hudson) and projections not only help emphasise the plot and script, but also add an almost fairy-tale like feel to the whole piece.

That line between childlike dreams and theatrical astonishment is truly the heart of this play and it allows the audience to ponder some pretty deep topics, whilst also feeling swept along in the magic and mystery of it all. It may not be quite as groundbreaking as in 1928 but this is definitely a show that's been revived at the right time, with a stellar cast to boot!

photo credit: Marc Brenner

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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!

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell

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