Art Review

The Lowry, Salford – until Saturday 31st March 2018.  Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

Art was written by talented fresh young writer Yasmina Reza back in 1996 initially in French. It enjoyed a lengthy residence at the Wyndham’s Theatre where a succession of actors with distinction took over the three roles. Now twenty years later I’m settled in my chair in a packed auditorium in Manchester to join the many who have watched this comedy over the years. The stage is in darkness when I enter to find my seat, apart from what I initially thought was a window simply lit, alas on closer inspection I realised it was the back of a canvas. Chortling I wondered was that the effect, to make us question what we are seeing from the start? Art work like a window is looked at and yet the view is different from many angles.

Art they say is all down to personal interpretation isn’t it? One mans beauty is another mans junk? So is Rezas play about one mans desire to own a piece of art, that is desired above everything? Is it about what we should deem as art? Or is it about a group of three men, heading into their twilight years?

Art is clever its witty and extremely fast paced. It stars three very well known names from Britain’s entertainment industry and their comfort at being on stage as well as their skills at their craft shine through to make Art a thoroughly enjoyable eighty minutes of people watching. Each of our three men is significantly different, how is it possible they are friends? A question they each ask of the other. Serge is a divorced dermatologist played charmingly by Nigel Havers, he has an interest in contemporary art and obviously perhaps with a little jealousy from his friends has the money to be able to pursue his passion. Marc I viewed with perhaps a touch of confusion, Denis Lawson brought this rational and practical engineer to life. He is stubborn and unwielding, life is either black or white. Art should be purchased for the enjoyment not for the name and price tag, perhaps because he doesn’t have the money to buy for the name? His protestations hint towards pretentiousness. Then there’s Stephen Tompkinson as warm, friendly, down to earth Yvan. A man struggling as a salesman in his future in-laws family business. He is mocked by his two peers, almost bullied as he shares his worries over his impending wedding, you worry for him and want to cheer him on. Stephen Tomkinson’s speech in the middle regarding his telephone conversation with his mother earned a well deserved applause it was exhilarating and had me trying to breathe for him, I fully understood his wish to avoid offending anyone.

The object of Art is Serges purchase of ‘white’ a seemingly blank canvas for £200,000, Marc is outraged has he not guided Serge enough for him to seek his opinion before his rash purchase. Both men attempt to draw in Yvan to back up their side of the argument, he at first does attempt to go with the flow and agrees with both Serge and Marc. As the argument takes a turn for the nastier, it moves from those bantering gentle vibes reminiscent of young twenty year old’s on a Saturday night discussing the weeks event and indeed who scored the best goal. To looking like sad old men bickering and bullying each other, you want to scream “grow up” but you can’t you’re simply gripped to the action unfolding. You see each character dissected in front of your eyes, you link each character to people around you, see their personalities fall apart. It sounds like Art is a serious take on these three men’s lives, yes it is but as with life there is humour and wit and like life you must laugh and laugh we did. Perhaps we laughed because we saw glimpses of ourselves on stage, perhaps we laughed because we thanked the stars we are not like those men.

Mark Thompson deserves credit for his cleverly simplistic set design, white lines against the wall, is it a Venetian blind? Is it art itself? Or is it there to highlight that white canvas so you see those white lines from all angles? There the minimalist set impresses, a large table that comfortably at times acts as a bench and then three very different white chairs perhaps reflecting the personalities of our three characters, the contemporary stylish, the classical never faltering and the comfortable armchair welcoming each like a long lost friend. Art may appear to be slightly out of time, from the era of yuppies where you talked the talk. But the pure enjoyment of seeing characters dissected and relationships explored never loses its appeal. Art closes simply with each friend lit up in a different colour, highlighting their differences but equally showing that those differences are necessary to keep the ying and yang balance

Full cast announced for Chess plus rehearsal photo with cast and creative team

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE MAJOR WEST END RETURN OF

BY BENNY ANDERSSON, TIM RICE & BJÖRN ULVAEUS

PREVIEWS FROM 26 APRIL 2018 AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

 

The first West End production of Chess since 1986 stars Michael Ball as AnatolyAlexandra Burke as Svetlana, Murray Head as The ArbiterTim Howar as FreddieCassidy Janson as Florence and Philip Browne as MolokovThis epic musical love story will open at the London Coliseum on Thursday 26 April 2018 for a strictly limited 5 week season.

This is the fourth production in collaboration with English National Opera by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade, who brought Sunset BoulevardCarousel and Sweeney Todd to the London Coliseum, the home of ENO. Michael Linnit and Michael Grade also produced 42nd Street, currently playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The cast also includes Sabrina Aloueche, Robin Bailey, Sarah Bakker, Jeremy Batt, Kimberley Blake, Sophie Camble, Cellen Chugg Jones, Jordan Lee Davies, Jonathan David Dudley, Richard Emerson, Callum Evans, Chris Gage, Matt Harrop, Jack Horner, Stevie Hutchinson, Nicholas Lee, Sinead Long, Robbie McMillan, Jo Morris, Jennifer Robinson, Jo Servi, Alexandra Waite-Roberts, Carrie Willis,  Stuart Winter, Chris Gardner, Matthew Walker and Joe Watkins.

CHESS was written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion KingEvita), and the original London production starred Elaine Paige, Murray Head and Tommy Korberg. That production, which ran for three years at the Prince Edward Theatre, followed a highly successful recording featuring the same stars, and included the international hit singles I Know Him So Well and One Night In Bangkok. Other well-known songs from the score include Anthem, Someone Else’s Story, Heaven Help my Heart and Pity The Child.

 

CHESS tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends. Two of the world’s greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. This mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves.

Featuring English National Opera’s award-winning Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Rigby with choreography by Stephen Mear, this new West End production is directed by Laurence Connor, whose recent credits include School of Rock and Miss Saigon on Broadway and in the West End, Les Misérables on Broadway, and the international Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour. This is the fourth production in collaboration with ENO by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade.

The show’s reputation has never been higher; there have been countless versions produced all over the world. The return of the sensational score to the London stage is an important and exciting musical theatre landmark.

 

CHESS is presented by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade in collaboration with English National Opera, by arrangement with Three Knights Limited, The Shubert Organisation Inc & Robert Fox Limited.

 

www.chessthemusical.com

Twitter: @chessthemusical

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

CHESS

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London WC2N 4ES

Dates

Thursday 26 April – Saturday 2 June 2018

Performances

Mon – Sat 7.30pm, matinées – Wed & Sat 2.30pm

Tickets

From £12

Box Office: 020 7845 9300

www.chessthemusical.com

Twitter: @chessthemusical

MATILDA THE MUSICAL announced at the ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD

Matilda The Musical is now on sale at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford!

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction byMatthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.
 
For the first five venues of the tour, Craige Els reprises the role of Miss Trunchbull, having played her in the West End for three years between 2014 and 2017. He is joined by Carly Thoms as Miss Honey and Sebastien Torkia as Mr Wormwood as well as former West End cast-mate Rebecca Thornhill as Mrs Wormwood. The title role of Matilda is  shared by Annalise Bradbury, Lara Cohen, Poppy Jones and Nicola Turner for this period.

Derren Brown performs only Yorkshire date in Hull

Derren Brown Performs only Yorkshire Date – in Hull

Mind Control Genius Comes to Hull New Theatre

Think you know your own mind? Think again. The multi-award winning master of mind control Derren Brown will have you questioning your every thought in Underground, his latest mind-blowing show which comes to Hull New Theatre next month.

Originally written for audiences in other countries Underground sees Derren re-visiting past piece, finessing and refining some firm favourites to create a whole new show that proved such a hit the team decided to bring it to the UK.

This is the second leg of the Underground tour, direct from the West End production at the Playhouse Theatre, and is the only Yorkshire date on the tour.

Tickets for Derren Brown: Underground at Hull New Theatre from 17-21 April are available now. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Four Week Countdown Until An All-Star Cast Put Spotlight On Lennon’s Missing Banjo

FOUR WEEK COUNTDOWN UNTIL AN ALL-STAR CAST PUT SPOTLIGHT ON LENNON’S MISSING BANJO 

Epstein Theatre hosts world premiere of new comedy

Special guest appearances by The Beatles

original drummer Pete Best

The four-week countdown is now on until audiences in Liverpool can experience a brand new stage comedy telling the fascinating story of John Lennon’s missing childhood banjo.

An intriguing mix of fact and fiction, Lennon’s Banjo is set in present day Liverpool and features an all-star cast.

It makes its world stage premiere at the city’s Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 24 April, continuing through until Saturday 5 May. Tickets are already selling fast!

The Beatles original drummer Pete Best, will play himself in three special performances of the show’s two-week run.

Pete joins an exciting all-start cast featuring a whole host of familiar faces – Eric Potts, Mark Moraghan, Jake Abraham, Lynn Francis, Danny O’BrienStephanie Dooley, Alan Stocks, and Roy Carruthers. Pete Best will appear as himself, with Alan Stocks portraying Pete Best in all other performances.

The quest is on to find the holy grail of pop memorabilia – the missing banjo on which John Lennon was first taught to play music by his mother Julia Lennon, who first introduced the youngster to rock and roll.

Mysteriously, the banjo went missing shortly after Julia’s death. One thing is certain though, if it did resurface it is estimated to be worth in the region of five million pounds.

When Beatles tour guide Barry Seddon (Eric Potts) finds a letter written by John Lennon, he unearths a clue to solving the greatest mystery in pop history – the whereabouts of Lennon’s first musical instrument which has been missing for 60 years. But Barry’s loose tongue alerts Texan dealer Travis Lawson (Danny O’Brien) to the priceless relic.

In an attempt to get his hands on the letter and the clues, he persuades his wife Cheryl (Stephanie Dooley) to befriend the hapless tour guide and win his affections. The race to find Lennon’s Banjo is on!

Co-producer Bill Elms said: “Rob Fennah has created a wonderful comedy play which has a big heart, some great characters and all based around this factual and fascinating storyline. It’s so true to life that the audience will leave the theatre secretly wanting to solve the mystery for themselves. It’s The Beatles meet the Da Vinci Code, an hilarious treasure hunt romp through Beatledom.”

Julia Baird is John Lennon’s half sister – and vividly remembers watching their mother teach John how to play. Julia fully supports the new play.

Julia takes up the story: “The banjo was my grandfather’s and he brought it back from sea, possibly from America, and he could play it really well. He taught my mother how to play it, and then my mother taught John how to play it – she was extremely artistically talented. John inherited it, definitely. The banjo was the first stringed instrument John played.”

 Lennon’s Banjo is based on the 2012 novel Julia’s Banjo written by Rob Fennah and Helen A Jones.The play is produced by Rob Fennah and Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms and directed by Mark Heller.

The race to find the holy grail of pop memorabilia is on!

The Salvation Army’s Strawberry Field project is the official charity partner of Lennon’s Banjo.

Lennon’s Banjo’s are delighted to be working with its Fab Four Production Partners who are The Cavern Club Liverpool, The Beatles Story, Hard Days Night Hotel, and The Beatles Shop.

Watch the promo video here  https://youtu.be/ddpVnRStAmo   

For more info visit www.lennonsbanjo.com

LISTING INFORMATION


LENNON’S BANJO

Epstein Theatre Liverpool
Tuesday 24 April – Saturday 5 May 2018

Evenings 7.30pm | Wed & Sat Mats 2.30pm | Sun 29th April 5pm

Preview Performance 24th April and 25th April matinee – ALL SEATS £16

Group Rates Available

HOW TO BOOK

EPSTEIN THEATRE

ONLINE:          www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

CALL:               0844 888 4411

IN PERSON:     Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ | Mon-Thu 2pm-6pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-6pm

TICKETQUARTER
ONLINE:
          www.ticketquarter.co.uk

CALL:               0844 8000 410

IN PERSON:     Echo Arena Box Office, Kings Dock, Liverpool, L3 4FP |

12noon on Echo Arena event days, and from 9am – 6pm on Fridays

Tom Vallen’s A Gym Thing transfers to London’s Pleasance Theatre | 30 April – 13 May 2018

Small Things Theatre and Working Cast Productions present
A Gym Thing
StageSpace, Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, London N7 9EF
Monday 30th April – Sunday 13th May 2018

Following a highly successful run at Edinburgh Fringe 2017, A Gym Thing now transfers to London’s Pleasance Theatre. Written and performed by Tom Vallen, this powerful production presents a brutally honest portrayal of the rising health concerns of gym addiction

Set within a 60-minute workout, A Gym Thing shines a much-needed spotlight on the world of Bigorexia or Muscle Dysmorphia (reverse anorexia) – a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that affects both men and women – for those suffering with this, quality of life is extremely poor and, shockingly, suicide rates are amongst the highest out of all mental disorders

…Required watching for anyone who finds themselves getting obsessive about selfimprovement. A Gym Thing never hammers its message home, instead making its points with a brutal elegance (**** The Scotsman)

Driven by a daily quest for perfection, Will takes us on a fast-paced, sweaty, physical exploration of how the gym has strengthened and weakened his relationships, his physique and ultimately his life. This complex love story offers a truthful insight into a gym addict’s point of view about body image while offering those who don’t visit the gym a greater understanding about why gym goers strive for perfection

Vallen comments, I am thrilled to bring A Gym Thing to a London audience following our exhilarating and heart-warming run at the Edinburgh Festival. The show is physically a challenge to perform and while I hope this entertains, it also highlights the lengths millennials will go to achieve the ultimate physique which has ever moving goalposts. Muscle Dysmorphia or Bigorexia affects 1 in 10 bodybuilding gym users and overall Body Dysmorphic Disorder has one of the highest rates of suicide of all the mental health disorders with 1 in 50 attempting suicide. I am very proud to be further spreading awareness around this debilitating disorder

The rest of the cast for this bold production will be announced in April

Another exciting round of shows go on sale at Pleasance Edinburgh!

Another exciting round of shows go on sale at
Pleasance including the incredible Ruby Wax and
returning comedy favourite Rob Kemp

With 51 shows now on sale, 2018 promises to be one of Pleasance’s most exciting years to date. Comedy, theatre, circus, puppetry and much more fill this year’s programme with a dazzling selection of entertainment

Drop dead gorgeous, sassy and smart, Ruby Wax brings her one-woman show Frazzled back to Edinburgh after its sell-out success in 2017. The poster girl for mental illness, she gives a tour of the mind and how to use it, not lose it. Based on her best seller The Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled Ruby sure as hell knows her stuff

All your favourites can be found at the Pleasance and multi-award-winning Edinburgh cult hit Rob Kemp is back (Winner – Best Performer, Comedians Choice Awards Edinburgh 2017; Nominee – Best Newcomer, Edinburgh Comedy Award 2017); take a trip to a cabin in Tennessee to witness the horror movie Evil Dead 2 reinterpreted through the songs of Elvis Presley!

Another Edinburgh Comedy Award 2017 nominee Ed Night brings An Aesthetic to The Bunker plus Best Show Nominee Jordan Brookes returns to the Pleasance this summer. Fellow 2017 nominee Elf Lyons joins the illustrious venue with her kooky one-woman musical about the economy

2018 sees the long-awaited Fringe debut from The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue with props, music and, oh yes, sandals! Other Pleasance newcomers for 2018 are Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee George Rigden with his hotly-anticipated debut show, Heidi Regan’s debut show (Winner of BBC New Comedy Award 2017) exploring our relationship with an increasingly confusing world via the medium of bad shark films and laugh out loud Short & Curly

Plus, Stevie Martin, one third of critically-acclaimed sketch group Massive Dad, presents her debut solo show. Expect comedy. Expect laughing. Expect a stage. Do not expect a live horse because there won’t be one. You’ve seen Stevie on Channel 4’s Damned, Russell Howard’s Good News, Comedy Central’s Brotherhood and BBC Radio 4’s Sketchorama and now it’s time to catch her in Pleasance Below

Three alumni of the Pleasance’s ‘Comedy Reserve’ bring even more laughter to this year’s programme; Brennan Reece, voice of ITV’s Survival Of The Fittest, returns to the Fringe after his previous sell-out successes, John Hastings makes us laugh with his tale of displacement, death and denial and Chris Turner brings his unique style of tricksy wordplay, nice references and jaw-dropping freestyle rap

Pleasance wouldn’t be the same without its amazing returning acts so this year sees double Chortle Award nominee Kiri Pritchard-McLean talk about victims, love and lies, Mock The Week regular and star of Live At The Apollo Gary Delaney and the fantastically talented Mawaan Rizwan. Don’t miss incredible impressionist Luke Kempner host an ultimate reality show where no celebrity is off limits. And, of course, the ten-time sell-out sensation The Noise Next Door return along with Fast Fringe where twelve top comedy and variety acts perform ridiculously short sets in one furiously fast-paced showcase

Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Adam Riches is back with two shows; Adam Riches is Coach Coach 2: Coach Harder, a mashup of interactive theatre and beer-splittingly funny improvised comedy and Adam Riches is The Lone Dueller – a brand new show unlike anything else with swords, sex and maybe even swords having sex!

The Grand will host Infinita, an extraordinary piece of physical theatre from mask theatre masters Familie Floz who previously presented popular hits including Hotel Paradiso and Teatro Delusio

Favourites Tall Stories bring two new works to Edinburgh – The Canterville Ghost where four valiant vaudevillians present their terrifying take on Oscar Wilde’s most gruesome ghost story and Wilde Creatures where a motley crew of storytelling musicians bring Oscar Wilde’s classic fairy tales to life in this magical new show direct from London’s West End

Also going on sale today is Enter the Dragons, a riotous, surreal odyssey exploring the pressures facing women as they age, Weird by Some Riot Theatre focussing on the moving effects of one person’s mental health on a whole family; Kika’s Birthday, a delightful, interactive story, with puppetry, for all the family and Michael Morpurgo’s dazzling story of Kensuke’s Kingdom

There are many more incredible Pleasance shows still to come alongside support for some of the most innovative newcomers through artist development strand Pleasance Futures. The Pleasance should certainly be the pick of your Fringe this August

The Wind in the Willows: The New Musical Comes to UK & Irish Cinemas For Easter

Jamie Hendry and National Amusements presents

The Wind in the Willows: The New Musical comes to UK & Irish Cinemas for Easter

Following a strictly limited summer season at the London Palladium, The Wind in the Willows: The New Musical is set to delight audiences of all ages, as it is screened in cinemas across the UK & Ireland over the Easter period. The multi-camera production of the much-loved musical adventure will be screened in stunning surround sound and in breathtaking high definition, bringing one of the highlights of London’s West End to local multiplexes and giving everyone the best seat in the house. Participating cinemas and booking links can be found at www.willowsmusical.com

Captured live from the London Palladium, The Wind in the Willows stars Rufus Hound as the amazing Mr Toad, Simon Lipkin as Ratty, Craig Mather as Mole, Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel, Denise Welch as Mrs Otter, Gary Wilmot as Badger and the entire West End company.

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s treasured novel, The Wind in the Willows was brought to the stage by producer Jamie Hendry in a new musical adaptation with book by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Audiences will join Ratty, Badger, Mole and the impulsive Toad as they embark on a series of riotous adventures spiralling from Toad’s insatiable need for speed! The production features eye-poppingly beautiful design, exuberant choreography, a gloriously British score, comedy, heart and thrills, sure to delight families across the country.

Rufus Hound is one of the UK’s leading actors, presenters and comedians, his theatre credits include Don Quixote (RSC) and the original West End production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre). Television credits include Doctor Who (BBC) and Drunk History (Comedy Central). He is also a regular guest on comedy panel shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC) and 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4).

Denise Welch is best known for her television roles which include Coronation Street (ITV), Waterloo Road (BBC), Boy Meets Girl (BBC) and Soldier Soldier (ITV). Theatre credits include Steel Magnolias (UK Tour) and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Royal Exchange).

Gary Wilmot first rose to fame as a contestant on New Faces, with presenting credits since then including Showstoppers and So You Want To Be Top. His extensive musical theatre credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre and UK Tour), Oklahoma! (UK Tour), The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium). He recently starred in Dick Whittington (London Palladium).

Simon Lipkin most recently starred in the world premiere of Nativity The Musical (UK tour) and the UK Premiere of Honeymoon in Vegas at the London Palladium. His numerous other theatre credits include Avenue Q (Noël Coward), Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury/Garrick), I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium) and The Lorax (Old Vic).

Neil McDermott is perhaps best known for portraying Ryan Malloy in EastEnders (BBC). His stage credits include Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), La Cage Aux Folles (Menier Chocolate Factory) and The Sound of Music (London Palladium).

Craig Mather’s theatre credits include Marius in Les Misérables (West End), Melchior in the German premiere of Spring Awakening, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Harrington’s Pie Shop (West End) and the UK tour of Tonight’s The Night.

 

The stage production is produced by Jamie Hendry, MJE Productions and Josh Gilinski, in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Wind in the Willows is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Aletta Collins, set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig and makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The Wind in The Willows is in cinemas nationwide from Easter

Tickets can be booked now at www.willowsmusical.com

Broadway HD financed the production and it will be available on the platform from August 2018

Cinderella Review

Theatre Royal, St. Helens – until Sunday April 15th 2018.  Reviewed by Julie Noller

4**** 

Cinderella – who doesn’t love a fairytale? Who doesn’t love Panto? Wait… Panto? In March? You may be confused with the timing but if you’re looking for escapism over the Easter holidays then this is the perfect family show for you. We arrived in St. Helens on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The theatre is ideally situated in the centre of town for both uber cheap car parks and the main bus station directly opposite. There’s a shopping centre should you want to take your little ones for a pre-show meal (as the later performance is 5pm – highly recommended).

We were surrounded by Princesses and Pirates and this was my first visit to St. Helens Theatre Royal, I felt welcomed. All staff are friendly and engaging, the children were encouraged to join in and it was great to see so many local performers on stage and know they were genuinely cheered on. It may be a small town theatre but it’s heart is huge. The speeches by the performers at the end had the audience reaching into their pockets to donate to help with the theatres roof replacement.

Lewis Devine as Buttons with his catch phrase ‘I say But, you say…. Tons’ worked hard from the outset to engage with every audience member. His magic worked and it was fantastic to hear each and every child shouting out with pure enjoyment, not to mention hearing parents giggle at his naughtiness. Special mention must go to Trevor the pony who gave a fantastic interview and even cheekily left a little present on stage much to the children’s delighted squeals. So Buttons is in love with Cinderella played by the delicately petite Georgina Parkinson whose quirky voice and huge smile reminded me of a young Barbara Windsor, especially when Cinders dons her ballgown and pink wig. Alas she loves Buttons only as a Brother and more than anything seeks real love. Poor Buttons. We turn next to the Dames, everyone’s favourites the dastardly evil Kardashian sisters aka Ugly Sisters brilliantly portrayed by Si Foster and Mark Newell, the costumes are superbly cheap and tacky, colours bright and bold in contrast to Cinderellas rags. I couldn’t take my eyes off that strategically placed pink fluffy heart. Of course as with Panto we wait for the slip ups and the loss of that very extravagant wig had us in stitches as did Buttons shouting ‘keep your hair on slap head’. Samantha Palin as our Fairy Godmother with, as usual, the perfect glittery dress (I admit suggesting it for Prom) all those years aboard flagship cruise liners shows as she is more than comfortable up on stage singing and delighting us. My surprise was when Dandini took up the microphone with a voice I just wasn’t expecting, wow. Dandini the Princes right hand man, snobby and highly above his station. He makes you cheer on the Prince who of course is played by Lee Latchford-Evans, famed for being a member of the ever popular Steps. He took all the references to those classic Steps tracks in his thigh slapping stride, his smile never faltering. He was thoroughly enjoying himself on stage, there was joking and sniggering. Solo songs, duets and group dances. And then he gave an impassioned plea to support local theatre, Cinderella at Theatre Royal is perfect for introducing your little ones to live entertaining theatre. Those pennies will be well spent for some great Easter fun, perhaps as an “eggstra” special gift? You never know you may be a lucky recipient of a golden ticket, be called on stage to meet Buttons and even leave with a little gift.

Finally we were encouraged to get our phones out and share the finale over social media, it was the perfect ending and had us all singing and even remembering those dance moves. Of course it was a Steps medley proudly led by Lee. I left with a huge beaming smiling still humming and showing off to my daughter that I remembered and even she got why I giggled over our seat numbers… 5,6,7,8 and kept singing them.

Miss Nightingale Review

Hippodrome Casino London – until 6th May 2018.  Reviewed By Jo Gordon 

3***

Written and directed by Matthew Bugg, Miss Nightingale began back in 2011 with runs at the Lowry Studio, The Kings Head Theatre and doing the rounds nationally, but is now taking its place at the Hippodrome Casino’s glitzy cabaret theatre for a seven week run.

Set in 1942 war weary London we follow four people connected to one show. Maggie Brown/Miss Nightingale (Lauren Chinery) is a brassy northern lass who by day is nursing the returned injured troops and by night trying to find fame as a singer. Her manager and lover Tom Conner (Adam Longstaff) a typical lovable cockney spiv lands her a job in a cabaret club owned by well to do Sir Frank Worthington-Blythe (Oliver Maudsley). Maggie introduces her brothers friend George Nowodny (Matthew Floyd Jones) into the equation. A polish Jewish songwriter who has fled Nazi oppression sadly without his family.

As the stories around each character evolve there is a more serious thread that runs alongside the cheeky double-entendre fuelled (think Carry on films) elements. George and Frank begin a relationship, in a time when homosexuality was still deemed an illegal act and twenty men were prosecuted in Wales for gross indecency and labelled ” the enemy within”, trying to convince Joe Public that if these men risked getting blackmailed they would likely betray Britain. Frank does his utmost to keep it a secret but gets found out and his nightmare comes true as he is blackmailed by someone within his close circle. Mean while Maggie’s personal life takes a turn for the worst but the show must go on

With all for actors not only belting out amusing songs such as The Pussy Song and Sausage Song alongside ones to tug the heart strings like This Man of Mine they can also turn their hand at playing their own musical instruments. The setting is perfect within the Hippodrome Casino’s theatre renamed The Cockpit and arranged with cabaret seating, which I only have one issue with being that once past the far ends of the stage the seats that put the stage behind you do make it incredibly difficult and uncomfortable to watch! However, for a cracking night out in the centre of London that includes a show and war time themed food you can’t go wrong. If nothing else you will come away with a piece of advice we should all take heed of and that is “You’ve got to get your sausage when you can!”…..wise wise words in my opinion.