Tuesday 27 March 2018

Ruthless, Arts Theatre | Review



Ruthless
Arts Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 23rd March by Olivia Mitchell
★★

I've never felt as lukewarm about a show as I do this one. Ruthless wasn't bad but it also wasn't good. Overall the cast were strong, the songs were pretty catchy and there were moments of humour but I really can't describe it as anything else but "meh", which is annoying because I really did want to enjoy it.

Ruthless follows a young girl Tina Denmark who wants to be a star and will do anything in her power to achieve it. Her mother is a typical generic housewife who does everything she's meant to do and never anything self-indulgent. Then we have Sylvia  St.Croix, the talent scout, agent, ever present 'pusher' who comes out of no where and stays for the duration of the show.

The story is genuinely funny (at points) and although predictable, it is entertaining to see this camp, spoofed, mixed up story play out. But there's just something which doesn't work. Satire is used cleverly, especially with Tina's mum in the opening number and I enjoyed spotting the musical theatre references such as Mame and Sunset Boulevard but there's only so much repetition of jokes one person can take!


As for the cast, they're strong and entertaining. Our Tina Denmark who perfectly portrayed the stagey maniac was Anya Evans. Anya's performance is stellar and she really was born to be on the stage. Her determination mixed with her psychotic side is extremely entertaining to watch and I would gladly go back just to see her again.

Ever the audience favourite, Tracie Bennett is great as theatre critic, Lita Encore. Although the drunken swagger is somewhat cringey, she give a fabulous performance and commands the stage during I Hate Musicals. 

The name of the show, Jason Gardiner is good but generic. His camp, audacious Sylvia St. Croix is fun to watch but not shocking in any way. I get that the whole thing is a sort of parody but it would have been great to have a touch more originality with the way he plays the role.

As the mother, Judy Denmark, Kim Maresca is wonderful. Her embodiment of the role is cheesy but not too over the top and her voice wows, especially in act 2. Harriet Thorpe is suitably biting whilst Lara Denning is sharp and witty.

This show isn't a masterpiece but while I wasn't the biggest fan, I know others who will lap it up. There's certainly a market for this over the top, zany, crude show and I can see it doing well but for me it just needs some tweaking to take it from "meh" to something special.

Ruthless runs at the Arts Theatre until June 23rd.

photo credit: Alistair Muir
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Monday 26 March 2018

Why We Should 'Be More Matilda'



There are a lot of inspiring stories in this world, and for me, some of the best can be found in Musical Theatre. Some people think musicals are all about the fun, the glitz and the glamour, but really there are some truly inspiring stories intertwined with all of that. Stories of overcoming the impossible, reaching for your dreams and fighting adversity. At first, whilst enjoying the show, you may not realise the true depth of the story but it's there and I believe that we can learn a lot from the stories of the musicals.

On international women's day, there was a lot of talk on social media about the most inspiring women in musical theatre. Plenty to choose from but the twitter tag that really stood out to me was Be More Matilda. Despite being the smallest leading lady in the West End, Matilda is certainly inspiring, and the show as a whole has this wonderfully motivating story. So why should you choose to 'Be More Matilda’?

Matilda the musical, whilst being full of fun and humour, has an incredible story of fighting for what is right at its heart. It is a classic little versus large story, with a little girl coming up against her giant of a headmistress, with Matilda determined to turn the tables. Matilda the musical creates a world where children can teach adults the lessons they deserve and teaches the audience that you can do anything as long as you are determined.

Little Matilda Wormwood, despite her size, is stubborn and won't take no for an answer. She knows that it is not right that Miss Trunchball treats the students of her school like prisoners, or that her parents treat her like dirt, and she is intent on teaching them a lesson. As she says, 'Even if you find that life's not fair, it doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it'. Matilda is a strong character, she knows that things need to change, and she uses her incredible mind and fighting spirit to prove everyone around her wrong and change her life for the better.

In Musical Theatre, there are a few characters that champion the idea that 'Even if you're little you can do a lot' and Matilda is just one of them. You could also mention Les Miserables Gavroche, the tough talking urchin who fights to the death alongside the rebellious students, or Barnum's General Tom Thumb who uses his circus act to celebrate his small size with a proud proclamation that Bigger isn't better.

Despite her size and the fact that the clear majority of the adults around her want to silence her, Matilda comes out on top. She fights against it all, using her brains and her determination to right all the wrongs in her life. Matilda is inspired by the stories she reads in her books, and she understands how those characters could have changed their stories. With that inspiration, she is able to change her own story. She believes that the biggest event can begin with the tiniest start, and even though you're small, you can do anything you want to do.

Matilda the Musical teaches everyone who watches it a wonderful lesson. It tells everyone that if you have a problem, you shouldn't just sit around and let it get on top, because that is a way of saying that it's okay, when it really isn't. The show teaches that you are the creator of your own story and no one else can write that story for you.

So, whether you decide to be the tiniest mite who packs the mightiest sting or decide to take advice from Mrs Wormwood and Rudolpho in Loud and give yourself permission to shine, maybe it's time to decide to Be More Matilda.

 Comment down below how you're going to Be More Matilda or which other musical theatre characters inspire you...

Article written by Becky Wallis

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review


Signed, Sealed, Delivered (UK Tour) 
New Victoria Theatre 
Reviewed on Friday 20th October 2017 by Glenys Balchin 
★★★★

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, hit musical tribute show featuring Lejaune André, the star of The Magic of Motown, playing homage to Stevie Wonder.

The show included many of Stevie’s extensive memorable songs featuring the Grammy award winning Signed, Sealed, Delivered as well as Superstition, Higher Ground, Master Blaster, Sir Duke, Part-Time Lover, Isn’t She Lovely and the biggest international hit of all time – I just Called To Say I Love You, plus many, many more!

The performance tonight was really a show of two halves Lejaune André being Stevie and then Lejaune as himself singing Stevie Wonders music. Although, he remained dressed as Stevie with the braids for the second half so I found that a little disjointed visually.


He was joined on stage by a seven-piece band and four backing vocalists, who were all good musicians and singers  but  at times seemed not to be at ease on the stage or uniformed in their overall performance collectively. Two vocalists Portia and Nathan delivered a more polished performance than the other couple. 

The same can be said for the band the brass, percussionist and drummer section were more  in tune with the overall stage performance than the keyboards and guitarists. The two guitarists really did not look like they wanted to be on stage and were not engaging with the audience, so it was very distracting. 

The same cannot be said, about Karen Straw who not only pulled off a polish performance on the trumpet, danced incredibly well, was energetic and mesmerising to watch


Lejaune Andre performance also, was well received by the audience and enjoyable to watch, if a little uncomfortable when he was first led onto the stage by the female vocalists, as Stevie Wonder.

The first half of the show had been hampered with technical difficulties and at times it was difficult to always hear the other singers but the second half was more enjoyable. The rendition of Happy Birthday had everyone up on their feet dancing in the aisles. The finale of Signed, Sealed and Delivered was executed well; the whole overall stage presence and performance of all the cast came together much better in the second part of the show.

That is why I would rate this show a four out of five and not a five,  as there is room for improvement, a start would be for the guitarist and keyboard player to look like they wanted  to be be on stage!

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Brief Encounter, Empire Cinema Haymarket | Review


Brief Encounter
Empire Cinema, Haymarket
Reviewed on Friday 20th October 2017 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★

A uniquely theatrical experience and a love letter to film, Brief Encounter, first seen in London in 2008, is back with a fantastic adaptation by Emma Rice. Complete with uniformed ushers, popcorn and pink curtains, Brief Encounter is a quaintly wonderful show that works perfectly in the Empire Cinema. 

Laura and Alec meet by chance in a train station cafe when she gets some grit in her eye and he kindly helps her remove it. They bump into each other a few more times before ending up spending an afternoon at the cinema together. Of course, this story is set in 1938 and both are married with children, so whilst they continue to develop feelings for each other and fall in love, they (and the audience) know that it will not end well.

Of course times have changed but an affair between two married people is still unacceptable to most. However, I felt that by only seeing Laura's (Isabel Pollen) home life with her less-than-sensitive husband, it made it more acceptable in a way. Seeing both of the families, or seeing families who were 'happy' would've added a depth to the show that was missing at times.


However, this is a sweet show helped by the brilliant set from Neil Murray which brings stage and screen together. A number of levels, nooks and crannies provide space for movement as well as surprise when actors just appear. 

Kneehigh's composer Stu Barker has done some fantastic arrangements Noël Cowards pieces which really set the scene. Especially wonderful is Jos Slovick's performance of So Good at Love towards the end.

Jos is one half of another couple in the show, the quirky young lovers Stanley and Beryl (Beverley Rudd). The two are a wonderful pair and capture the feeling and excitement of young love perfectly. The final couple in the show are the refreshment room manager, Myrtle Bagot (Lucy Thackeray) and Albert Godby (Dean Nolan) who are memorable, hilarious and a joy to watch. Myrtle's faux accent which slips in and out is absolutely brilliant. The contract between the three couples is jarring at times but cleverly highlights how all relationships vary.


As the leads, Isabel Pollen and Jim Sturgeon are captivating. Suitably reserved and excited at times they create a moving and heartbreaking relationship which blurs the lines between film and reality.

Overall this is a lovely revival which uses its story and surrounding thoroughly to its advantage. Fun, moving and at 90 minutes, not too brief, it's a gem of a production.

Brief Encounter is at the Empire Cinema Haymarket until September 2nd.

photo credit: Steve Tanner
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Saturday 24 March 2018

Vincent River, Park Theatre | Review


Vincent River
Park Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 23rd March 2018 by Nicola Louise
★★★★

Hate crimes are unfortunately, still prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community; Vincent River portrays the aftermath of these horrific events.

Set in a flat in East London, the play centers around two characters, Anita and Davey. At first it’s quite hard to establish the connection the two share but that just adds to the emotions of both people on stage.

Anita (Louise Jameson), a grieving mother who lost her child, Vincent, in an awful way. He was found beaten and dead in a hot spot known for gay activities. Anita hides her hurt well, clearly in denial. She also attempts to hide the fact her child was gay, something she didn't want to face during or after his life.

Davey (Thomas Mahy) is the character who walks into Anita’s life- he was the one who found Vincent. When this comes into light Anita wants to know more. She want’s to know what he was doing there and how he came across her child’s body.

The show will take you on an emotional journey and I struggled to keep my tears in at various points.

Both actors portrayed the emotions of love and hate very well and by the end I found myself just wanting them to be friends and to bond over the loss they both endured. 

My only issue with this show is with the character Davey. I felt the director and the actor tried so hard to stereotype young men in East London, down from the way he spoke to the way he acted when Anita asked him questions. His anger is justified but there were a couple of lines where I was left wondering why he burst out into anger like that.

Vincent River, written by Phillip Ridley is a new and refreshing play focusing on the plight of hate crime on the LGBTQ+ community and it’s an eye opening, emotional piece of theatre. At only 80 minutes long you don’t find yourself looking at your watch, you’re hooked on every word the actor is saying, wanting to know more, wanting to see how the story unravels.

Vincent River is at the Park Theatre until the 14th April.

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Don Giovanni (Welsh National Opera Tour), Mayflower Theatre | Review


Don Giovanni (Welsh National Opera Tour)
Mayflower Theatre 
Reviewed on Friday 22nd March 2018 by Lucy Jardine 
★★★★

This performance of Don Giovanni was part of a short Welsh National Opera (WNO) season at the handsome, art deco Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. WNO are touring England and Wales until mid-April performing Don Giovanni, Tosca and La Forza del Destino and based on this performance I would recommend seeing any of the three productions if you can.

Don Giovanni is one of Mozart’s best known operas, first performed in Prague in 1787. The events take place in 18th century Seville and this production is true to the original setting, with elaborate costumes to match. The production is sung in Italian, but surtitled in English on a discreet display high above the stage, so you can easily follow the words and see where the story is heading.

Our hero – or anti-hero – is the amoral libertine Don Giovanni (played by Gavan Ring), whose only purpose in life is to seduce as many women as he can, using whatever mixture of money, deception & physical violence is necessary to complete the task.  


Somewhat reluctantly aided and abetted by his servant, Leporello (David Stout), Giovanni attempts to seduce the newly-married peasant girl Zerlina (Katie Bray), while avoiding her husband Masetto (Gareth Bynmor John) and trying to elude his former lover, Donna Elvira (Elizabeth Watts), who cannot make up her mind whether the man who betrayed her deserves forgiving or murdering.

Meanwhile, Donna Anna (Emily Birsan), attended by her steadfast lover Don Ottavio (Benjamin Hullett), is bent on avenging the killing of her father, the Commendatore (Miklos Sebestyen), at the hands of a masked assailant who's eventually revealed to have been the Don himself.

As you might expect from the full title of the opera, “Il dissoluto punito, ossia il Don Giovanni” or “The Rake Punished, or, Don Giovanni”, things do not end well for our main character when he finally has to face something that he can’t bribe, beat up or outwit.

Overall this was an enjoyable performance with a strong cast, but Emily Birsan as Donna Anna and Katie Bray as Zerlina stood out for the combination of great singing and good acting they brought to their roles. David Stout as Leporello also outshone his master on a number of occasions.

photo credit: Richard Hubert Smith



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Friday 23 March 2018

Tosca (Welsh National Opera Tour), Mayflower Theatre | Review


Tosca (Welsh National Opera Tour)
Mayflower Theatre 
Reviewed on Thursday 22nd March 2018 by Victoria Hayward 
★★★★

 Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre is a well presented 90 year old theatre with excellent acoustics and architectural surroundings. This provided the perfect setting for Puccini’s Tosca. After its first performance in Rome 118 years ago, Puccini’s Tosca is brought to life by the phenomenal Welsh National Opera (WNO), bringing a diverse audience along with it.

Tosca is divided into three acts with two intervals. The curtain opened and conveyed the dimly lit church of Saint Andrea Della Valle. This is where we meet the first of our two lead gentlemen: Mario Cavaradossi played by the truly wonderful tenor Hector Sandoval; who is more than qualified after singing the title role of Don Carlos twice in Moscow. Hector’s Mario is a talented passionate lover, embroiled in a love so deep with his beau Floria Tosca. 

Floria is played by our very own Hampshire leading lady Claire Rutter. Claire plays the role in a bouncy, vibrant and refreshing way and able to switch from lover to murderer easily and with conviction.

 To Mario’s Tenor, Baron Scarpia’s baritone matched unequivocally. Mark S Doss’ portrayal of the venomous villain owned the production. With his masculinity taking over the stage every time he took his place, he delivered a strong yet vulnerable character. 

The magnificent orchestra during this production were expertly conducted by Timothy Burke who led them through the stunning and complex score. It was beautifully rehearsed which was clear from the impeccable timing. 


 One criticism would be that during the first act the orchestra out-volumed the singers on stage, although, this seemed to have been corrected by Act 2.

We must show gratitude to the scenery and stage design produced by Cardiff Theatrical Services. The glorious sets throughout really took the audience on a journey seen through the characters eyes.

If you, like me, have never been to the opera, you should not feel intimidated. The whole production was surtitled (not subtitled, as I have learnt) so you are able to see where the story is leading. The screens are above the stage and are placed discreetly so you are not drawn away from the performance.

Tosca is a great introduction to opera. It has an incredible score, an excellent cast and a flawless story. Filled with love, murder and tragedy it’s a whirlwind production sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. The audience were gripped from the very beginning.

I will leave you with this quote:

‘With a thousand kisses I shall seal your eyes,
and call you by a thousand names of love.

photo credit: Richard Hubert Smith

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Thursday 22 March 2018

Misty, Bush Theatre | Review


Misty
Bush Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 21st March 2018 by Shaun Dicks
★★★★★

Arinzé Kene is a star on the rise. Playwright and Actor, he has endless noteworthy credits. Tonight’s viewing is Misty, written by and starring Kene. Misty is a show of two stories; the first being a story of a young man, travelling on the night bus in London, who makes a bad decision before unravelling. We follow him as events unfold. The second story is led not by a character but Kene the person. It follows his process of creating this show and all the negativity and hardship that he faced while doing it. 

Firstly, Kene as a writer is outstanding. The script is fantastically interwoven with its dual narrative; the structuring and execution is positively breath-taking. This script is a masterpiece and a masterclass in how to create an effective, powerful and colourful script. Kene has found the right balance of intense, thought provoking and politically/racially charged material and mixing it with great wit and humour. There is an elegance in the script that is rare, the imagery is so vivid and clear- it is beautiful. 

Kene as a performer is enthralling and captivating. He is a scintillating storyteller, with a presence second to none. Underscored by brilliant music, everything he delivered was real, honest and intense. The performance was outstanding, creating a very stirring and thought-provoking show. Everything is so well rounded, so complete, and incorporates multiple storytelling devices so effectively, that it becomes a show that needs to be seen, heard and enjoyed by everyone and anyone. 

 It is a show that needs recognition from the higher ups in awards. It needs thrusting in front of decision makers in Parliament. It is a show that legitimises itself and gives visibility to unrepresented issues. 

I have been watching theatre for eleven years, appreciating for the last five. This show is in my top three, of greatest shows I have ever seen. It is excellence and I cannot be happier or feel more privileged to have experienced it. 

It is theatrical perfection. Go see it, tell everyone about it. Tweet it, Facebook it, Instagram it, Tumblr it, Snapchat it. Make sure that this masterpiece is seen and heard. Give it the visibility that it deserves. Kene is a genius, plain and simple. 

 Misty runs at the Bush Theatre until April 21st.

 Read Shaun's other reviews here.

 photo credit: Helen Murray
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Wednesday 21 March 2018

The Lady with a Dog, Tabard Theatre | Review


The Lady with a Dog
Tabard Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 20th March 2018 by Shaun Dicks
★★★

Tonight, we find ourselves at a Chekhov piece. Not one of his plays but an adaptation of one of his short stories. The interesting thing when it comes to adaptations is that it can be either a hit or a miss, in this rare case, it was neither. We find ourselves following the story of two married couples, each with a spouse on holiday alone. They form a bond, and this story follows that bond through a certain length of time. This show tackles the themes of love, open relationships and age differences, all within an age where two out three were taboo. I’ll let you guess which two. 

For me the show felt like a show of two halves, the first act seemed a little laboured. There was a lack of intent and pace that didn’t make me want to follow the story or the characters within it. The story itself is decent, it follows the formulaic way of presenting a story of infidelity but contained some interesting characters. The shows use of the spouses that weren’t on the holiday as a Greek chorus was an interesting and ultimately inspired device of storytelling. 


However, despite the unnecessary interval, the second half was infinitely better. There was a drive in the second half that the first lacked. The intent shown by all members of cast in the second half really drove the story home and made me care about them as characters and the story of their lives unfolding. Each member of the cast was strong in their own ways but sadly there were a few weaknesses on show that do need improving. 

One thing that does need improving overall is the script. The overuse of monologues within the text was arduous at times. The script needed to show more and tell less, it felt like the characters were giving us large amounts of information, when really, they should’ve shown us. Monologues are all well and good but give your audience some credit and let them receive information in a more interesting and creative way. 

The Lady with A Dog is a decent show. It is neither good or bad. If you are near to the Tabard Theatre or a fan of Anton Chekhov, then I say go see the show. But if you are looking for something new and exciting, this show isn’t for you. The show needs work both on the performance side regarding pacing and intent but also from the writing side as the script is very formulaic and needs to make some changes before this show becomes something special. This show has the potential to be great and as a fan of Chekhov myself, I want it to achieve that. It just needs to develop to get there. 

The Lady with a Dog runs at the Tabard Theatre until April 7th

photo credit: Andreas Lambis



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Cilla (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review


Cilla (UK Tour) 
New Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 21st March 2018 by Melanie Mitchell 
★★★★

Cilla The Musical, intertwines the story of the rise from teenage typist to number one singing star, with the evolving love story between her and her future husband Bobby Willis.

In the 1950’s Liverpool was becoming increasingly well known, worldwide, for its unique style of music known as the Mersey beat. It was in the clubs around Merseyside that the young Cilla White worked as a coat check girl, often performing on stage along side the likes of Gerry and the Pacemakers and most notably the Beatles. When Brian Epstein discovers the 20-year-old Cilla at the Blue Angel Jazz Club, her meteoric rise to fame begins. 

The set design is superb, cleverly changing from the tiny flat in which Cilla lives with her family to the Clubs and streets of Liverpool. You really get the feeling for the area at the time and that you are part of the audience in the now legendary Cavern club.


The lighting changes throughout, reflecting the mood of each scene, especially in the second half when Cilla is an international star with her own UK TV show. My only criticism was that from where I was sitting at times it was quite blindingly bright. 

Kara Lily Hayworth is simply superb as the young Cilla. She absolutely brings the character to life, showing not only Cilla’s humour and confidence but also her naivety of the industry at the time. Her Liverpudlian accent is excellent and if you closed your eyes you would of thought Cilla was in the room. Kara’s singing voice is absolutely faultless, perhaps a bit sweeter and dare I say more professional than our Cilla’s was. However, this is probably down to her classical training background.

Carl Au, plays Bobby Willis, Cilla’s long-time boyfriend who goes on to become her manager and Husband. Carl is totally believable in the part and has an extremely good singing voice.


The part of Brian Epstein is played by Andrew Lancel, an extremely talented performer who you may know from Coronation Street and The Bill. You may not know that he also has an excellent singing voice as well. He plays the tortured Epstein brilliantly, giving a sadness and poignancy to the role that I hadn’t expected.

The whole company give a sparkling, lively and energetic performance, especially when playing the various groups such as The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers. However, the standout group performance for me was the casts portrayal of the Momma’s and the Poppa’s rendition of California Dreaming.

Cilla The Musical is showing at the New Victoria Theatre until 24th March 2018. Get a ticket if you still can, not only will you see some fabulous performances and hear some wonderful singing, you are guaranteed to have a most enjoyable evening and a Lorra Lorra fun!

photo credit: Matt Martin
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