Month: October 2021

London Horror Festival at The Pleasance – 21 October

3***

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

With Rachael Bellis as a horror film virgin, Eloise Jones as a mad scientist, Fiona Tong as a vampish vampire and Kat Da Bra as a demon queen, a fun filled hour of horror themed musical theatre numbers comes unstuck and ends in bloody revenge as Bellis can’t bring herself to share the spotlight with the other cast members.

The interplay between the performers is great fun as their frustration with Bellis’ diva behaviour grows, with Kat Da Bra being killed off twice in the hour-long show. THAT moment in Carrie isn’t quite enough to stop Bellis, so another scheme is plotted.

Directed by Fergus Rattigan, numbers from Mean Girls, Heathers, Little Shop of Horrors and many more are belted with glee. The Worst Pies in London, ending with death by jam tart, is a highlight, as is In His Eyes, where Bellis insists on singing to a skull while Eloise Jones flirts and sings with as many audience members as possible. Of course, there MUST be a singalong, and Kat Da Bra’s visual aids to help with Science Fiction – Double Feature were inspired. Eloise Jones’ version of In Short is comedy gold, while Fiona Tong brings a little gravitas to the show with her solo. The finale, a horror style She Had It Coming was an excellent way to finish the show – giving all the talented cast a chance to shine.

Accompanied by Ella Jean, the cast’s voices worked well together, and it is hard to not join in with the songs as the atmosphere was so relaxed.

A hectic hour of comedy and great music, Revenge is lots of fun.

London Horror Festival at The Pleasance – 20 – 21 October 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Willa hasn’t left her home for 30 years, as her parents have kept her safe from the bad outside. Surrounded by papers, books and boxes, Willa searches for “evidence” while an unknown man questions her at intervals over a tannoy system. She talks of the old house, the new house and “this place”, which is eventually confirmed to be a question room for children and vulnerable adults.

Written and performed by Gabrielle MacPherson, Willa’s a grown woman but has the energy and emotional outlook of a child after constant abuse and gaslighting in her family home, still keeping her kit ready for when she needs to be safe in the dark. She talks of the marks on her skin, always in places covered by clothes during the short time she attended school, almost poetically, and clings pitiably and desperately to the memory of art classes and making her teacher laugh. The “people with clipboards” who came to inspect their home when the school raised its concerns only trigger a swift move and an even more isolated life for Willa, and her narrative flits, birdlike across the years.

Having seen Outside online, I was intrigued to see whether the unsettling atmosphere would translate live on stage. As part of London Horror Festival, with a quick turn around between shows, the set cannot be as detailed and technical, but MacPherson’s performance becomes more intimate and personal as she looks audience members in the eye and reacts to their responses. Are we part of her fantasy world and the dreams she has now that she is an adult and can go out alone?

The details of Willa’s abuse are horrific, but never described in gratuitous detail, and this feels completely appropriate for Willa’s state of mind, brushing over them as she tries to prove “it wasn’t her fault”. The darkness in her seeps through when we see her satisfaction as her abuser harms the parent that always looked the other way. Recordings of her family and how they fight and demean each other add more clues to what is coming, but although the ultimate reveal about why Willa is in the room feels inevitable, the gory details will give you a jolt.

Gabrielle MacPherson is magnetic as Willa – portraying her damaged soul and mental instability brilliantly without ever becoming a caricature. Her writing is equally sympathetic and dynamic, with Rudzani Moleya’s movement direction adding to a deeply unsettling performance. Laurel Mark’s astute direction in this small space allows the dark tale to unfold at its own pace, never letting the tension dip in this deeply disturbing and mesmeric production.

Park Theatre – until 6 November 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Part of Park Theatre’s Say it, Women double bill, Sold tells the story of Mary Prince. Mary’s account of her life was the first by a black woman to be published in the UK.

In Bermuda, Cup Weekend is a huge celebration that takes place at the end of July. The Thursday is Emancipation Day, and the Friday was Somers Day, named after the admiral who founded Bermuda. In 2020 Somers Day was renamed Mary Prince Day – after seeing this play, you’ll want to give her a whole month.

Kuumba Nia Arts’ production of Amantha Edmead’s play is brutally beautiful – portraying the inhumanity shown to slaves and Mary’s strength to endure.

Directed by Euton Daley, Edmead plays all the characters in Mary’s story, accompanied by Angie Amra Anderson on drums. Mixing dance and spoken word with the drama, Mary’s life, from her birth in Bermuda and her innocent happiness at being a little girl’s slave/pet to violent masters and mistresses in Turks & Caicos and Antigua. Edmead slips between characters seamlessly, with there never being a doubt of who she is portraying each time. The beatings and lashings are performed magnificently by Edmead, with her physicality breath-taking at times. The drumming becomes almost unbearable during these scenes, but happier beats and moments are found by Mary amongst the violence and exhaustion.

Mary joining the Moravian Church is a wonderfully uplifting scene, with her joking that she didn’t know how much of a sinner she was until she joined, and then Anderson leading the audience in singing hymns. Mary’s marriage to Daniel James, a freed slave, isn’t accepted by her owners, who do not want a black man on their property, or thinking he has rights to their property – Mary. Their refusal to let Mary buy her freedom continues cruelly as they move to London, taking Mary with them despite her illness and separating her from her husband. Mary’s scribe is full of well meaning but condescending outrage at the plight of the slaves – tellingly insisting it is a horror perpetrated by English men living in the West Indies, not in good old Blighty.

Horrifying but uplifting, and performed with infectious passion, Sold is a story that needs to be shared.

Park Theatre – until 6 November 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Part of Park Theatre’s Say it, Women double bill, Theatre Unlocked’s production of Flushed is a celebration of sisterhood. In a variety of toilets – clubs, bars, restaurants and their own flat – sisters Marnie (Elizabeth Hammerton) and Jen (Iona Champain) chat, bicker and fight.

The set – two toilets and a pink neon sign – is simple, but the issues the sisters must deal with are not. At first everything is light and fluffy – the perils of double dating, and typical kid sister wheedling to get her way. Jen’s drinking, smoking and partying doesn’t appeal to Marnie, and she is always telling her younger sister to grow up and get a proper job – she’s a teacher and Jen is an actor. Jen always has a quick one-liner and hides behind humour while Marnie is more direct on the surface, but a self-diagnosis of Herpes from Jen leads to Marnie revealing that she thinks she is pregnant. When tests are negative, Marnie reveals that she hasn’t had a period for over a year and finally seeks medical advice. The diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency is devastating for Marnie as she has always dreamed of being a mother.

This news makes Jen step up and show her responsible, empathetic side – even if she drops a few clangers in the process, with the depth and honesty of their relationship shining through. Writer and director Catherine Cranfield gives the sisters some cutting lines, but the love between them is always there. The talented actors ensure the sisters are funny and likeable, with their more tender, vulnerable moments as believable as the petty spats.

The pace is a little uneven, switching from comedy to tragedy with the scenes following Marnie’s diagnosis stiller and more thoughtful before a lighter, hopeful ending. This may jar for some, but it is consistent with the emotional journey of the pair.

A funny, honest story of the bond between sisters, Flushed is an hour well spent.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED TO JOIN ANTON DU BEKE IN

AT RICHMOND THEATRE FROM
3 DECEMBER 2021 – 2 JANAURY 2022

Today, Richmond Theatre announced the full cast for their 2021 pantomime, Cinderella which runs from Friday 3 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022.

Taking the titular role of Cinderella is Oonagh Cox with Richmond-local Rosemary Ashe as Fairy Godmother. They will be joining the previously announced Anton Du Beke, who is making his panto debut as Buttons. Appearing for the first time in character, the cast assembled at Richmond Theatre with shire horses and carriage to the excitement of Richmond Locals who gathered to watch.  Images available for download here.

Completing the cast is: David Dale and Bobby Delaney as The Ugly Sisters, Edward Chitticks as Prince Charming and Jonny Weston as Dandini.

Best known for his role on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, King of Ballroom Anton Du Beke was most recently announced to be a judge for this year’s Strictly. One of the most instantly recognisable figures in the world of Ballroom dance today, Antonis now ready to put his dancing skills to the test, at Prince Charming’s Royal Ball.

West End star Rosemary Ashe is no stranger to the spotlight having played some of the most prolific roles throughout her career, including Carlotta in the original cast of Phantom of the Opera and Felicia Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick which earnt her an Olivier Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. A recent ArtsEd graduate, Oonagh Cox has already appeared in Jonathan O’Boyle’s The Wedding Singer and Matilda the Musical and now can’t wait to appear as Cinderella on Richmond Theatre’s historic stage.

Across his career, panto-royalty David Dale has appeared in 23 pantomimes and directed six. He’s also made countless stage and TV appearances including a national tour of The Rocky Horror Show and Women Behind Bars in the West End. Bobby Delaney has appeared in The History Boys at Chichester Festival Hall and multiple

pantomimes including Cinderella alongside Edward Chitticks, who has extensive experience touring the country with the likes of 9-5 and Hairspray. Italia Conti graduate Jonny Weston is a production vocalist and starred in the UK tour of Sleeping Beauty,

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Cinderella is a laugh-out-loud comedy, with stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Join Cinderella as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming.

The clock is ticking! With further casting to be announced don’t miss your chance to see Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. Book your tickets to the Ball today!

Cinderella

at Richmond Theatre
Little Green
TW9 1QJ

Friday 3 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022
Signed Performance: 14 December at 7pm
Relaxed Performance: 16 December at 1pm
Audio Described Performance: 16 December at 1pm

Click here for full listings

 Tickets from: 13*
Click here to buy tickets for the relaxed performance

Starring Joanne Clifton as Morticia Addams, Cameron Blakely as Gomez Addams, Scott Paige as Uncle Fester, Kingsley Morton as Wednesday Addams, Grant McIntyre as Pugsley Addams, Valda Aviks as Grandma, Sean Kingsley as Mal Beineke, Kara Lane as Alice Beineke, Ahmed Hamad as Lucas Beineke and Dickon Gough and Ryan Bennett sharing the role of Lurch. Also in the cast are Abigail Brodie, Sophie Hutchinson, Jessica Keable, Castell Parker, Matthew Ives, Sean Lopeman, Sario Solomon and Ying Ue Li.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A Musical Comedy, is directed by Matthew White, with choreography by Alistair David, production design by Diego Pitarch, orchestrations by Richard Beadle, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker and casting by Jane Deitch. Book is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.

 THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2021 UK Tour is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited, and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Martin Dodd for UK Productions proudly presents

The Further Adventures of

PETER PAN

The Return of Captain Hook

This year’s long awaited pantomime at Malvern Theatres is the magical tale of Peter Pan. This spectacular production stars West End star and Emmerdale villain Tom Lister as Captain Hook, Lloyd Warbey from Disney Junior’s Art Attack as Peter Pan, and back by popular demand is Malvern’s favourite funny man Mark James as the loveable rascal Smee.

Awash with swash and buckle, this brand new story for 2021 promises to be packed full of laughter, music and fun for all the family.

The pantomime is once again produced by UK Productions Ltd and features exquisite costumes, enchanting sets, plus a full supporting cast including Natalie Hollingworth as Mrs Darling, Jenny Huxley-Golden as Emily, Rebecca Stenhouse as Tinker Bell and Hook’s pirate crew will include the hilarious comedy acrobats The Nitwits.

Peter Pan is an unforgettable experience for all the family. So sprinkle some fairy dust, think those happy thoughts and join us on a magical journey to Neverland this Christmas!

Peter Pan opens at Malvern Festival Theatre on Thursday 9th December and runs until Sunday 2nd January. Tickets are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or online at malvern-theatres.co.uk. Don’t delay… HOOK your tickets today!

Casting Announced Joining Shane Richie (Title Role) In This Year’s Action-Packed Pantomime At New Wimbledon Theatre, London

With

Peter Piper as ‘Captain Cockles’

Hiba Elchikhe as ‘Alice Fitzwarren’

Iain Stuart Robertson as ‘Sarah the Cook’

Shona White as ‘Spirit of the Bells’

Briana Craig as ‘Kitty Cat’

From 4 December 2021 – 2 January 2022

New Wimbledon Theatre are delighted to announce Shane Richie will play the title role of DICK WHITTINGTON in this year’s pantomime from 4 December 2021 to 2 January 2022. 

Joining Shane this Christmas is Peter Piper as ‘Captain Cockles’, Hiba Elchikhe as ‘Alice Fitzwarren’, lain Stuart Robertson as the ‘Sarah The Cook’ and Briana Craig as ‘Kitty Cat’. 

Shane will play the hero Dick Whittington who seeks fame, fortune and happiness journeying to become the Lord Mayor of London in this ultimate magical pantomime adventure. 

Shane said today, ‘I am really looking forward to this pantomime season at the New Wimbledon Theatre, as we have the huge production and spectacular “Dick Whittington”. Not only is it beautiful… Not only is magical… Not only is spectacular… It’s fun for all the family!! See you there!’ 

Shane Richie has been a regular fixture on prime-time television and known for creating the role of the lovable Alfie Moon in BBC One’s ‘EastEnders’ which he starred in for a number of years. Shane has had an illustrious television career and has appeared many other series including ‘New Tricks’ (BBC), ‘Skins’ (Channel 4), ‘Moving On’ (BBC), ‘Minder’ (Channel 5) and ‘Benidorm’ (ITV). Shane also has a host of theatre credits to his name including the London West End and Manchester production of Grease’ and the roles of ‘Hugo’ and ‘Loco Chanelle’ in ‘Everybody’s Talking about Jamie’ in the West End and on UK tour. Shane is currently starring in the production on tour across the UK which will extend in to 2022. 

In the 1980s Peter Piper co-starred in ITV’s ‘5 Alive’ series and then went on to star in US television shows. He then became a voiceover artist for Disney, Warner Bros. and Paramount films. His UK television credits include BBC’s ‘Holby City’ and ‘Hotel Babylon’. His performance of ‘Spencer Gabrielle’ in the original musical ‘Boogie Nights’ was critically acclaimed in the West End. In 2017 Peter appeared in the new Jimmy McGovern series ‘Broken’ for BBC1 & appeared as Tom Ridley in ‘Coronation Street’ for ITV. This year he’s paired up with Shane in a new TV series ‘Caravanning with Shane Richie’ for Channel 5. 

Hiba Elchikhe will play the role of ‘Alice Fitzwarren’. Hiba most recently played the role of ‘Pritti Pasha’ in ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ in London’s West End. Her other theatre credits include ‘Fiver’ at the Southwark Playhouse, ‘Aladdin’, Australian Tour, ‘Ghost the Musical’, Asian Tour. When theatres were shut down, Hiba produced ‘Into the Spotlight’, a three-part concert web series at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. Other screen credits include ‘The Sound of Music Live’ (ITV) and ‘Pivot’ (Web Series). 

lain Stuart Robertson has performed in theatres the length and breadth of Great Britain, clocking up over a hundred productions in the process. He has appeared in thirty Christmas shows and has had the privilege of working with such luminaries as Julian Clary, Joe Pasquale, The Krankies, Christopher Biggins, Matthew Kelly, Russ Abbott, Gregor Fisher, Stefanie Powers, Marti Pellow and Brain Blessed. He has many TV credits to his name and has appeared in many series for the BBC and ITV, 

Briana Craig trained at Laine Theatre Arts, graduating in 2020. Briana is currently making her professional debut as in ‘Singin’ in the ‘ (Sadler’s Wells/Japan/National Tour) directed by Jonathan Church. 

Join our hero Dick Whittington (and his trusty cat) as he seeks fame, fortune and happiness journeying to become the Lord Mayor of London. Guided by the magical Fairy Bow Bells on an adventure that sends him from London town to the High Seas headed for Morocco don’t miss the action-packed pantomime full of laughter, music and dance. Can he outwit the evil rodent King Rat, free London from his team of revolting rodents and win the beautiful Alice’s hand in marriage? Find out in the ultimate magical pantomime adventure and book your tickets today! (Tickets start from just £13). 
 

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dick-whittington/new-wimbledon-theatre/

The Hope theatre – until 6 November 2021

Reviewed by Emily Cliff

4****

Film, television and art rarely capture an honest, authentic sense of life. But an honest question to ask is what do we see when we are nearing the end of that road; of that path? When we are fully content, sitting in our rocking chairs or comfy armchairs with little lace frills on them. Spontaneously deciding to go for a day out, or to bake a pie or a cake because the working life is far behind you. Many of us wish, and long to see what life would be like if we just skip ahead to the good parts, we often forget the journey along the way. And when we get old the journey is the thing we will look back on with an immense sense of longing, just wishing the clock could rewind just a little so you can relive those things again.

Unlike anything I ever expected, Skin Tight delivered an authentic sense of life and belonging. After the past 18 months, everyone knows, if they didn’t before, that life isn’t just one breezy dream ride: it’s tough and that’s what makes it beautiful. Skin Tight captures and highlights the ups and downs of life in a way I haven’t seen before. The physical approach of the theatre was confusing at the beginning, however, at the end, it bought shone a poetic light on the story that was told.

This play is based on the poem The Magpies by Dennis Glover and writer Gary Henderson bought its raw beauty and brutal honesty to light in the most magnificent way. Elizabeth (played by Louise Hoare) radiated effortless beauty in the way she spoke and reminisced on ‘the good old days.’ Giving us a brief insight into what married life is like, and showing how you can dedicate your whole life to someone feeling nothing but love and appreciation. Tom (played by Adam Slynn) is obliviously unaware of the complexities behind the memories, but he ow so desperately wants to hold onto them forever, mimicking the outcome of the original poem by Dennis Glenn.

The performance and the storytelling were both flawless enough that I could bypass the occasional slip up in the New Zealand accent. However the physical drama and acting at the beginning of the play was not needed, or it could have been done differently. While I like the unexpected I feel this aspect of the production set up the beautiful stories and tales of line in the wrong way.

Overall this play was deeply emotional, raw and authentic in its way of unapologetically telling the stories of life. As I said at the beginning I have never seen a story like this gets told in such a way, and I doubt I will again

Singer Huey Lewis Celebrates Back to the Future Day at BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical

Last night Huey Lewis, the writer and performer of the iconic songs The Power of Love and Back in Time, which feature in the Back to the Future film and musical, was in attendance at BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical with Bob Gale, the creator of the Back to the Future film trilogy and book writer and producer of the musical, to celebrate Back to the Future Day.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town) and stars Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives, Stepford Wives, The Producers) as ‘Doctor Emmett Brown’, Olly Dobson as ‘Marty McFly’, Hugh Coles as ‘George McFly’, Rosanna Hyland as ‘Lorraine Baines’ and Cedric Neal as ‘Goldie Wilson’.

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.