Wednesday 25 October 2017

Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour), Edinburgh Playhouse | Review


Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour)
Edinburgh Playhouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 24th October 2017 by Liv Ancell

Memorialising the famous jam session of 1956, where fate brought together legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis, Million Dollar Quartet is an energetic show which rattles through instantly recognisable hits from the golden age of rock n’roll at a lightning-fast rate.

Martin Kemp plays the ‘ringmaster’ of the show, Southern music mogul Sam Phillips. The man who brought them all together under his grass-roots label Sun Records, he also provides commentary as to the back stories of the four stars, frequently breaking the fourth wall and treating the audience like an old friend. 

This is a fast-paced show with little time for dialogue; the first half is a mere 40 minutes of back-to-back tunes, with little time for talking. During this time, the characters share a little camaraderie, but the focus is on the hits. The spectacular array of voices as well as world class musicians in the tiny recording studio set turns the theatre show into a veritable live rock concert.


The leg-shaking, foot-tapping firecracker, Jerry Lee Lewis, is portrayed with limitless vitality by Martin Kaye - a role he has been playing since 2013, but astonishingly, not a single iota of his energetic and charismatic presence has waned in this time. He really stole the show and was an audience favourite - his cheeky and youthful, unpolished and unfiltered personality was both refreshing and infectious.

The other actors had clearly studied the iconic voices of their roles in great depth, with Robbie Durham (Cash), Matthew Wycliffe (Perkins) and Rhys Whitfield (Presley) all achieving near-perfect matches of their famous characters, even mimicking their stage presence and movements. Katie Ray played a supporting role of Dyanne, but when she did take to the microphone, the versatility and depth of her voice shone through. My only criticism of Katie Ray would be that her accent strayed from American to English at times, which was a little confusing.

The pace slows in the second half, as the session slowly winds down and reality sets in. It becomes clear that the session that we have witnessed was a remarkable and fleeting moment in history, where these four stars came together under one roof, united by the music they loved.


The ending was extremely ambiguous; for the last half an hour, it wasn’t clear quite when the show was going to end. The story ended, and the characters bowed. This was immediately followed by an impromptu seeming concert, allowing each of the 4 a solo to really showcase their talents, which whipped the audience into a frenzy. During this time, the lighting effects were amped up with extra rigging lowered, as we were no longer witnessing a performance in the confines of the recording studio.

In terms of staging and lighting throughout, it was relatively low key, with no transitions in staging. The singular static setting meant that a small recording studio was recreated on stage, which was a small place for such a big sound. This reinforced however how small-town Phillips’ recording studio really was though, making this encounter all the more unbelievable. 

Overall, the talents in this show were incredible - particularly Martin Kaye’s performance in which playing complex scores on the piano while jumping around animatedly somehow seemed effortless. More dialogue and more of a back story would have perhaps given the show a little more depth and narrative however, but if you simply want to see a performance which showcases these artists or this style of music, Million Dollar Quartet is guaranteed to rock your socks off!

Monday 23 October 2017

In Conversation With... Peter Becker | Interview

Peter Becker is currently starring in the UK Tour of War Horse and is the first  German person to play Friedrich in the show. He sat down with me to discuss the show and his role...



Can you tell us a little bit about the rehearsal process for War Horse?

On the first day of rehearsals I was seriously overwhelmed by the sheer scale of things. We were rehearsing in a massive industry complex at Morden Wharf in London and I could not quite get my head around the enormity of the undertaking. There are so many people involved in creating the show! The actual stage floor was already installed, we were immediately provided with all the necessary props and costumes. It felt like stepping into a whole new universe. I was invited to  improvise with both horses in order to find out how to interact with them. Since the puppeteers knew everything about the anatomy and the natural behaviour of horses it all felt very natural. Like the audience I totally forgot they weren’t real horses I was dealing with in the matter of minutes. As the horses will solely react on the tone of our voices and the way we move I started speaking German to them. It was very interesting to learn that it didn't matter what language I used, they still understood my intentions and reacted accordingly. The attention to detail and the love that has been invested by the National Theatre is immense. 

During rehearsals we had a visit from the Imperial War Museum, providing us with in-depth information. We visited the King's Troops, who answered all questions about the military handling of horses. We had military training, shooting lessons, went to several exhibitions and prepared presentations on the First World War from English, German and French perspective.


What’s the most challenging part about bringing this story to life?

In Germany actors are mostly hired to play repertoire shows as a permanent cast member with one particular theatre where as over here it is common to play one show with a company every night. I first had to adapt to the different system. In addition, it is very challenging to interact with the horse puppets. On one hand it is very easy to believe they are real as they are so brilliantly manipulated, on the other hand you have to be technically very precise in order to achieve certain effects. Funnily for me the most demanding part was speaking English with a very strong German accent. I am half an Englishman and have a much less pronounced accent in real life. When playing, I got confused at first. It was very interesting to determine how different my brain works when I have to switch back and forth between the two languages. I feel a little delayed sometimes because I will often translate mentally before I react. My voice also sounds different when I speak English I believe.


Can you explain a little about your character?

When introduced at first, we get to know Friedrich as a high-ranking German military officer - shortly after capturing English soldiers. The challenge is to give the "enemy" - from an English perspective - a human face. In the course of the story, Friedrich will lose his beliefs in the concept of war and thus question his entire life. From a dramatic point of view, he reflects Albert's development in a nearly mirror-like manner: Whereas Albert continues to harden, Friedrich, in his desperate desire to defend his humanity, continues to soften through his experience in the war. What binds the two characters together is their unconditional love for the horses. 


Besides yourself, which actor in the production is going to blow people away?

I have the privilege of being part of an outstanding ensemble. It is unbelievable what talented actors our Casting Director Jill Green and Director Katie Henry have gathered to bring this enormous show to life. It is merely impossible to emphasise individual colleagues at this point as War Horse is a true ensemble play with everyone contributing equally to it’s success.


You’re the first German Friedrich in War Horse, what’s the experience been like? Do you feel an extra pressure taking on the role?


It is very exciting in many ways to meet this challenge. In Germany, the First World War is completely overhauled by the reprocessing and remembrance of the Second World War. Because of the Germans' war guilt, there is no collective mourning of the dead, we have no equivalent to Remembrance Day. Only in recent years have there been attempts to tell the differentiated history of German soldiers. I too grew up with the image of the unscrupulous murderer, who would literally stop at nothing. Now having the opportunity to give the German soldiers a human face is a great responsibility which stirs me every evening anew. It is important to point out that we are all human beings with the same fears, hopes and needs, especially in those times when we seem to be moving farther and farther apart. Besides, I am very much looking forward to perform before my English family for the first time. My aunts, uncles, cousins and grandcousins have so far only seen me on TV, never on stage before...


What do you think makes War Horse so special and lasting? 

To me War Horse almost represents a deep psychological inventory of the British nation. The songs put together by John Tams and performed by Bob Fox are deeply rooted in the DNA of the British people - partly going as far back as Celtic times. The story has a universal character whilst, very concretely taking place in a time that characterises Great Britain to this very day. The unspeakable suffering and the social upheavals, caused by the First World War, which interestingly is called The Great War over here, have in the most brutally possible way ushered in modern society. The audience is invited to witness the transition from 'innocent' country life to technologically alienation. Through the identification with the horses those unconscious experiences are being made accessible again. I believe it is a very cathartic experience for a lot of people.



What do you think will people be saying as they leave the theatre? 

No more wars, hopefully.


If you had a magic wand, which show would you do next? 

The place in Germany I come from (interestingly founded in the Middle Ages by an English monk from Malmesbury) is home to the largest German open-air  theatre festival - the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele. There I saw a stunningly current version of Cabaret last year. The piece has accompanied me since I was 15 as it was the first I ever performed in. Ten years ago I also had the chance to play the role of Ernst Ludwig in Vienna. I would very much like to have the opportunity to bring the time before the Nazis took over to life in English-speaking countries because there are so many obvious parallels to our present time, which I would love to explore - preferably in the role of the M.C.


If you could travel back to any era, when would you go to and why? 

Last year I had the opportunity to play in an exciting new series, which will soon be broadcast in England on Sky and in America on Netflix. It is called Babylon Berlin and like Cabaret it is set in the period of change between First and Second World War. An incredibly ambivalent era between joy and despair. A hysterical time in which a whole society is living on the edge. If I had the chance I would love to go back to the Twenties in Berlin to experience what people felt and how ultimate freedom could turn into repression so easily.


Finally, what’s your best piece of advice for aspiring performers? 


Our profession is increasingly internationalising. I am personally experiencing just how enriching it is to work in another country at the moment. In this respect, I would advise young actors: Travel as much as you can, learn different languages, the world is great and the possibilities are more diverse than ever before!

Thank you so much Peter for chatting with us! Make sure you catch War Horse on it's UK Tour.

Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor

Saturday 21 October 2017

Kristin Chenoweth, London Palladium | Review


Kristin Chenoweth (Concert)
London Palladium
Reviewed on Friday 20th October 2017 by Olivia Mitchell 

When this post goes live it will officially be my 21st birthday which is crazy, but what’s even crazier is how incredible my birthday eve was. I spent the night at the London Palladium seeing the amazing, pint-sized superstar Kristin Chenoweth in concert. Before I continue on this review I must say that it’ll be pretty different to my usual ones as it’s going to be way more informal and personal, purely because I’ve had such a long history with Kristin so it was a pretty momentous night and I’m finding it hard to put into cohesive words.

So let’s start with the history... like many UK Kristin fans, I saw Wicked when it opened back in 2006, subsequently listened to the Broadway recording and fell in love with the cast. I then entered an obsessive phase where I watched all Kristin videos, listened to every song she'd ever sung, read every interview she'd done and was generally that annoying fan that could talk about nothing else. Since then I have become less over the top with my obsession but my love for Kristin has definitely not diminished and I was dying with excitement when I knew I was finally going to see her live.

The concert was marketed as an "Intimate Evening" with Kristin which I was dubious about seeing as it was taking place in the vast London Palladium; and whilst the venue certainly isn't intimate in any way, shape or form, Kristin somehow managed to pull me in and make me feel as if I was watching her sing in her living room.


Whilst I could go in depth about each song, there isn't really much point as I'll just be praising every one to no end, so what I will say is that each piece was vocally beautiful and Kristin gave honest, heartfelt performances from start to end. Of course she sang a number of her most famous songs including 'Popular' and 'Taylor The Latte Boy' (my grade 8 musical theatre piece!) but she also sang some lesser known tracks such as 'Upon This Rock' and 'I Was Here'. A particularly stunning moment was Kristin's rendition of the Les Miserables classic: 'Bring Him Home'- I was in floods of tears... as I was for the entire concert! We were also treated to a spine tingling duet of 'For Good' with one of my favourite performers ever: Rachel Tucker... truly epic!

I must be honest and admit that I was a little wary about watching Kirstin perform. Obviously I am a huge fan but I was worried that seeing such a big idol of mine live would be a bit of a let down. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. This was honestly the best concert I have ever experienced and I have never had such a strong emotional reaction to seeing someone live. Sure I cry at emotional parts of shows but this was another level, my mum and I were blubbering messes throughout... especially when Kristin finished the show with a NO MIC rendition of 'Smile'... tears upon tears! 

I just want to touch upon my personal connection to Kristin so you can really understand how much this concert meant to me. Firstly, as a Classical singer in training, Kristin is just everything I aspire to be. Her stage presence and vocal technique are things I can only dream of mastering on her level and her unapologetic performances inspire me to no end. I don't want to go too in depth with the second reason but several years ago I had a series of extended hospital stays and 20 operations on my knee (ouch, right?) due to an illness and during that time I remember reading Kristin's book 'A Little Bit Wicked' and being motivated and positive to get better. It wasn't something I had thought about until watching her perform but Kristin's influence on my life has truly been vast and way more involved than I'm going to explain but basically this was a magical and emotional night.



I'm still struggling to really put into words what made this concert so special but it was truly the most incredible theatrical experience I've ever had. Kristin is a master of her craft as well as a hilarious woman who completely commands the stage. Her outfits were the glitziest things I've ever seen but honestly, she could've worn a paper bag and I still would have been blown away. I couldn't have asked for a better entrance to being 21 and I will continue to strive to reach the levels Kristin is continually climbing. I pray to all the theatre gods that we can get Ms Chenoweth over on our turf for a bit. But in the mean time I will continue to relish in the delight and emotion that this devastatingly brilliant concert provided and I hope to one day meet Kristin and tell her in person how amazing I think she is!


Watch my vlog of the concert: https://youtu.be/5-Bsh6_UKJk

Thursday 19 October 2017

All Or Nothing (UK Tour), Waterfront Hall | Review


All Or Nothing – The Mod Musical (Tour)
Waterfront Hall, Belfast
Reviewed on Wednesday October 18th by Damien Murray
 

Having missed its planned opening night due to cast travel problems caused by Storm Ophelia, the touring production of All Or Nothing – The Mod Musical blew into town for its Belfast debut a night later than expected.

Combining the story of a popular music-linked culture with the more personal, tragic and human story of one of its main bands, The Small Faces, who not only spear-headed the movement but also encapsulated its dress style, attitude and music, All Or Nothing is a jukebox musical … with a twist.

For, in the role of the ‘older’ Steve Marriott, Chris Simmons narrates what is essentially Marriott’s own story from beyond the grave as he guides us chronologically through the group’s history in flashback to give us a raw account of what being the front-man of this important British pop group was really like… warts and all.

Apart from Simmons’ believable performance as the ever-present ‘older’ Marriott and the show’s nostalgic and hit-filled score, the key to the success of this show is that it was written by Carol Harrison, who – as a friend of lead singer, Steve Marriott – had real insider knowledge of the man, the Small Faces as a group, their musical and business frustrations and of the Mod movement during its early days.


Named after the group’s biggest hit and only chart-topper (which knocked The Beatles off the chart’s top spot), All Or Nothing is a biographical piece of 60s nostalgia about a generation of free spirits.

Although the set was relatively basic, it was functional and the production not only boasted that most coveted of Mod essentials, a Vespa scooter, but also authentic costumes, hairstyles and dances, with some great choreography, incorporating the trademark 60s moves of the dancers in various television pop shows of the era.

However, this musical is not so much about the Mod movement as it is the disturbing story of a young pop group, covering its many non-glamorous moments from being mismanaged and vigorously exploited by the ‘Al Capone of pop’ – Don ‘I’ll exploit you for all your worth’ Arden – to the slow demise of the group and from Marriott being a trouble maker at school through to his tragic and untimely death.

We learn: how the group got its name; why they were the only group to be banned from performing on Top Of The Pops; why there was a change of style from Mod to Hippie; of Marriott’s relationship with P.P. Arnold; how his ego got too big; and how he got Rod Stewart’s girlfriend … while Stewart got his band.


Playing live and loud, the actor musicians playing the members of The Small Faces – Samuel Pope (young Marriott), Stanton Wright (Ronnie Laine), Alexander Gold (Ian McLagan) and Stefen Edwards (Kenny Jones) – were all exceptionally good, not only at recreating the group’s many hits, but for perfectly capturing the personality, physical appearance and even the individual playing/performance styles of their respective characters.

The show is peppered throughout with humour and references to and appearances by other celebrities from the era like Andrew Oldham, Robert Stigwood, Rod Stewart, David Jacobs, Cathy McGowan, Stanley Unwin and Tony Blackburn (and even including performances from such characters as Sonny and Cher, Dusty Springfield and P.P. Arnold), as the group appears on such iconic television pop shows as Thank Your Lucky Stars, Juke Box Jury, Ready Steady Go and Top Of The Pops.

Ahead of its transfer to the West End for a limited run, it is easy to see why this touring production has been building up quite a cult following. However, offering, perhaps, too much detail (particularly in early scenes), this show could benefit from some cuts and, with such basic sets and sound balance issues between the pre-recorded extracts and the live music, a higher degree of production values could easily make this cult piece the mainstream hit it deserves to be as a biographical/jukebox musical.

This raw, true and sad story has a moving and emotional ending with a heart-breaking solo acoustic extract from All Or Nothing by Chris Simmons before the mood changes in an up-beat hit-filled finale.

All Or Nothing runs at Waterfront Hall until October 19th


Photo credit: Phil Weedon

War Horse (UK Tour), Bristol Hippodrome | Review


War Horse (UK Tour)
Bristol Hippodrome
Reviewed on Wednesday 18th September 2017 by Isobelle Desbrow

On the 10th anniversary since their first show, I was lucky enough to go and watch War Horse. The play is emotion filled and the stunning story telling through the music and ensemble work make the show a must see.

The first act tells the story of Albert training his horse, Joey who we see grow from a foal, to a riding horse, to a farm horse and finally to a war horse. Joey is controlled by 3 puppeteers: the head, heart and hind. This allows the puppet to mimic and move as if it were a real horse, something that is not easy by any means. Bob Fox’s spectacular folk voice helps tell the story through music,adding the perfect amount music to accompany the drama onstage. The cast are amazing as they all play multiple characters but if I hadn’t have looked throughly at the program I would never had known, as each character on stage had a different accent and characteristics. This show truly highlights the amazing work that can be produced by an ensemble cast. 



Thomas Dennis as Albert brought the perfect mix of innocence and will to fight for what he believes in: saving and bringing Joey home from the war. His portrayal of Albert was emotional and moving he deserves credit for his acting talents. 

At the end of the first act we see the beginning of the war and Albert going off to find Joey. These scenes were powerful, compelling, honest and emotional, showing the audience another aspect of World War 1, which I had never seen before.

Something that I haven’t mentioned yet but is off massive importance for the story telling aspect of War Horse is the large projection on to a cloud above the stage; throughout the story, drawings and animations are shown. This adds another dimension to the story, and without spoiling the show for those who haven’t seen it without these images the story wouldn’t be as complete.




Act 2 is spectacularly beautiful and sad. We are shown both the loss on the home front and the front line. However instead of just being shown the fighting aspects we are also shown how the Germans used the horses to move machinery around and pull carts, we follow Albert and Topthorn on their journey through France and whether or not they get the happy ending they deserve. We also see the cruel side when the horses go lame they are no longer required, something that although normal is still shocking to see.

“The puppets in the show are only wood, however it is our imaginations that make them real.” This is how the play was described by Tom Morris at the end of yesterday’s special 10th anniversary show, and I believe this is the perfect way of describing the complexity and beauty of War Horse.

I don’t want to give too much more away but if you have the opportunity, go and watch War Horse- it is not to be missed. 

Thursday 12 October 2017

Hair, The Vaults | Review


Hair
The Vaults
Reviewed on Wednesday 11th October 2017 by Olivia Mitchell 

First premiering on Broadway in 1967, Hair is about hippies, the anti-war movement, LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter, women’s equality and so much more; themes which sadly still resonate with us 50 years later.

Although I’d never seen a production of Hair, many of the songs were familiar to me and I felt as if I’d almost been born knowing them! Whilst I wasn’t part of the ‘Hair Generation’ (I wasn’t born for another 30 years) I feel that this production has reinvented it and definitely made it perfect for my generation as well as those younger than me. The setting is historical but it’s been cleverly entwined with the modern world and the parallels to the youth of today to make it extremely pertinent.

The Vaults at Waterloo have been transformed into a colourful, relaxed, hippy den which provides the perfect vibe and atmosphere for the performance and certainly puts everyone in the right mind set for what they're about to experience. It feels immersive but not over the top.

Hair is musically brilliant, it's songs have been performed by some huge artists and it's become a source of inspiration for many composers. The rhythmic music pairs with the story wonderfully and manages to be funny, powerful and clever all at once. These feelings are of course exemplified by the outstanding performances from the cast, especially during the finale: 'Let The Sun Shine In' which becomes a sort of battle cry and is really very moving.

Leading the plot we have Robert Metson as Claude who's been enlisted into the army. His vocals are strong, he gives a heartfelt performance and shows his transition from the free life to the life he lives for his country extremely well. Fresh from his stint in Yank!, Andy Coxon takes on the role of the carefree, larger than life Berger with grace and ease and is especially funny during his moments of audience interaction. Laura Johnson brings an innocence to Sheila which is touching to see and really draws you into her character and her rendition of 'Easy To Be  Hard' was particularly memorable.

A special mention must go to Natalie Green (Cassie/Mom) who's solo and ensemble vocal moments are completely out of this world. Her clear, powerful voice both when belting and  singing in a more classical style is faultless, her natural performance draws the eye at various points and she's a joy to watch on stage. The entire cast are great and work seamlessly together to create the idyllic and harmonious feeling.

Hair is more than a show, its an experience. This production is fresh and striking and certain to be loved by audiences during its run. So let the sun shine into your life and go see this show for a night of youthful, uninhibited freedom, expression and love. After all, the world could do with a little more love these days!

Hair runs at The Vaults until 3rd December 2017

photo credit: Claire Bilyard

Tuesday 10 October 2017

Five Reasons to See Legally Blonde on Tour



Last night I visited the New Victoria theatre to see the UK tour of Legally Blonde. Seeing as I've already seen the show and reviewed it here, I thought I'd do a bit of a different post and tell you some of my top reasons to see it. 

The production is great and all my thoughts were pretty much the same during my second viewing; the only difference was that Rebecca Stenhouse was playing Elle. Whilst I'm not re-reviewing I have to talk about Rebecca for a little bit. Her debut performance as Elle was completely outstanding, her voice sounded beautiful and she perfectly embodied the role. If I hadn't known she was the understudy I would have noticed zero difference or nervousness; Rebecca owned the stage and won over the audience with her heartfelt performance. 

So now my moment of gushing is over, lets get on with the reasons to see the show...

It's Feel-Good Fantasticness: Legally Blonde is brilliant because it's exactly what it claims to be: a feel good, pink and positive show. So many shows I've seen recently have been depressing or try and be dramatic, moving or life-changing so it's really a breath of fresh air to see something fun and lighthearted. You'll leave the theatre smiling and feeling great- what more can you ask for?

Dogs: Need I say more? Who doesn't love a cute little pup scuttling across the stage? Whilst they're not in the show a lot, their moments in the spotlight gain "aw's" all around and are as cute as can be!

The Music is Crazily Catchy: I think Legally Blonde is a pretty underrated musical, I don't really hear people talking about it much, but they should! The music is catchy, upbeat and has so many witty lines. There are various styles and so many wonderful vocal moments. You'll definitely have the tunes stuck in your head.

The Performances are Brilliant: A great show with rubbish performances is pretty pointless to see, luckily they're fantastic in this production. I've gone into detail in my review but the cast are super strong and very attractive as the larger than life characters. Especially great is Helen Petrovna's 'Whipped into Shape' which makes me out of breath just watching!

It Has Lots of Heart: The story of Elle following her man to Harvard and realising she's more than a typical Malibu blonde is sweet and heartwarming. The romance, drama and humour makes you root for the characters and provides a fantastic night out. 

So there (right there!) we have five reasons to see Legally Blonde. To sum up, it's a fun, lighthearted, brilliant show which you will definitely enjoy. As the days get shorter and colder, Legally Blonde is precisely the pop of warmth and light that you need.

Legally Blonde runs at the New Victoria Theatre until October 14th before continuing on its tour.

Thursday 5 October 2017

In Conversation With... Jane Booker | Rules For Living | Interview


Jane Booker has had a varied an extensive career, starring in a number of television series and films including Finding Neverland, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and most recently in Sam Holcroft's play,  Rules For Living...


For anyone that doesn't know, can you explain a little about your career and highlights so far?

I was in a sitcom called 'Don't Wait Up' when I was younger. I've done seasons with the RSC and I did work with Johnny Depp!


Have you always aspired to be a performer or did you have a different career in mind when you were younger?

I wanted to be a dancer and for a long time- a vet!


What drew you to the role of Edith in Rules for Living?

She is a woman trapped in a cycle of behaviour and so desperate for everything to be perfect and controlled.


What can people expect when they come and see Rules For Living?

They will get a lot of laughs, some painful truths that may resonate and a lot of mess.


Can you sum up the show in 5 words?

mayhem, rules, christmas, custard, gravy.


What's your usual Christmas like? Have there been any epic fails?

I do the cooking. The turkey 'flew' onto the floor on one occassion. Sometimes I long to be on a beach with a sandwich!


What's a fun fact people may not know about you?

I am a rollercoaster nut


What's the last thing you do before you step out on stage?

I do some chewing so my mouth isn't dry


What's your best piece of advice for an aspiring performer?

Do it! Tell yourself "they'd be lucky to have me" when going up for a job!

Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor