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The Lowry, Salford – until Sunday 16th December 2018.

Reviewed by Sarah Cockerill

5*****

From the moment the audience took to their seats, it felt as though we were about to watch an arena tour rather than a theatre production, reaffirmed by the cheering from the crowd when the lights went up. This was no ordinary musical.

Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and an initial stint at the West End earlier this year, the award winning musical, Six, comes to The Lowry, Salford for two weeks before continuing it’s West End run in the new year.

Making musical history, this spectacular hit show from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is jam packed full to the brim with power numbers, laugh out loud humour and countless Tudor titbits to enlighten even the brightest history buff.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. These 6 famous words repeatedly used to describe 6 famous women of history who are defined by their fate, are given the opportunity to showcase their side of the story and provide insight into their multifaceted lives. Six provides a glimpse into the trials and tribulations faced by Henry VIII’s wives through epic musical numbers where each wife takes centre stage to tell her tale – we see Catherine of Aragon (Jarneia Richard-Noel), Anne Boleyn (Millie O’Connell), Anne of Cleves (Alexia McIntosh), Katherine Howard (Aimie Atkinson) and Catherine Parr (Maiya Quansah-Breed) perform songs that make you want to get up and join them on stage for a dance, plus a stark contrast performance from Jane Seymour (Natalie Paris) who stuns the audience into silence (and tears) with her emotional number “Heart of Stone”.

The performances from each wife was empowering, elegant and thoroughly entertaining. They did not disappoint. If Little Mix taught a history lesson, this is how it would look.

Catch the Six ladies at The Lowry, Salford until Sunday 16th December 2018.

Union Theatre – until 23rd December

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Striking 12 is a fantastic bittersweet show that is perfect for those not wanting obvious saccharine festive offerings. It’s like a less anarchic millennial Scrooged, but ditching Dickens for Hans Christian Anderson. (Which would provoke some juicy language from the versions of the two authors playing down the road at the Bridge.)

Office worker Declan is just going through the motions at work, and just wants to be left alone on New Year’s Eve. When a stranger knocks on his door trying to sell lightbulbs that she claims combat SAD, he listens to her sales pitch but sends her away, joking that she’s like the little matchgirl. Her reaction makes him seek out Anderson’s story and instead of going to his friends’ parties, he sits and reads the sad, sad story.

That’s about it, really. This short but sweet production of Milburn, Vigoda and Sheinkin’s musical isn’t earth-shattering, but director Oliver Kaderbhai and the accomplished cast create a show that burns as bright as the matches in the little girl’s hands. With a cast of only 6, the hustle and bustle and claustrophobia of city life is depicted beautifully through Marah Stafford’s choreography. Leon Scott and Kate Robson-Stuart excel on the drums and violin as they play Declan’s colleagues and friends badgering him to celebrate. Danielle Kassaraté is full of energy as the narrator, cajoling Declan into taking part in the story and there is lots of humour from the three’s mock frustration as they have to shift roles or misunderstand instructions. Declan Bennett as Brendan keeps a fine balance between self-indulgence and true despair and provides fantastic vocals as he works through his bah humbug feelings. Bronte Barbé is sweet and kooky as the lightbulb seller and will break your heart as the little match girl. The songs jump genres but all feel perfect for the show and are all played with style by the cast and Andrew Linnie on the piano.

Striking 12 highlights the hypocrisy that surrounds the festive season, with those in need or alone only able to sit watching at the fringes, without becoming too worthy and never losing its sense of fun. You can’t help but be uplifted by the joyful, hopeful ending, and will walk out humming the songs, looking skyward and hoping for snow.

UK TOUR OF IAN RANKIN AND RONA MUNRO’S REBUS: LONG SHADOWS EXTENDS IN 2019 DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

 

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre

in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre present

 

Rebus: Long Shadows

By Ian Rankin and Rona Munro

Director: Robin Lefevre; Designer: Ti Green; Lighting Design: Chahine Yavroyan and Simon Bond
Composition and Sound Design: Garth McConaghie; Casting: Ginny Schiller CDG

On tour: 29 January – 9 March 2019

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre today announce an extension to the successful UK tour of Rebus: Long Shadows due to public demand. The production written exclusively for the stage by author of the original novels, Ian Rankin and playwright Rona Munro toured from September to November 2018, and in 2019 will tour to a further five cities – Glasgow from 29 January, then visiting Cardiff, Cambridge and Newcastle, before completing its run in Bath on 9 March.

 

Ron Donachie joins the cast as John Rebus. He is no stranger to the role having created the title role in all the BBC Radio dramatisations of the Rebus novels. He also played Deputy Chief Inspector Gunner in the Rebus TV series and Ser Roderick Cassell in Game of Thrones. Continuing in their roles are Dani Heron (Angela), Eleanor House (Heather/Maggie), Neil McKinven (Mordaunt), John Stahl (Big Ger Cafferty) and Cathy Tyson (Siobhan Clarke). 

Detective Inspector John Rebus is retired but the shadows of his former life still follow him through the streets of Edinburgh. Whisky helped but now he’s denying himself that pleasure. But when the daughter of a murder victim appears outside his flat, he’s back on the case and off the wagon.

Ian Rankin is the internationally bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus and Detective Malcolm Fox novels, as well as a string of standalone thrillers. His books have been translated into 36 languages and are bestsellers on several continents. Rankin has won multiple awards including four The Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards, and in 2004 received America’s celebrated Edgar Award. He is also the recipient of the OBE for services to literature.

 

Rona Munro has written extensively for stage, radio, film and television. Her theatre credits include The James Plays, Scuttlers, Iron – which won the John Whiting Award, The Last Witch and Little Eagles. Her television credits include Rehab, Bumping the Odds (BAFTA nomination), and Doctor Who; and for film, Ladybird Ladybirdand Oranges and Sunshine.

 

Ron Donachie will play the role of John Rebus. His theatre credits include Oscar Slate: The Trial That Shamed a City, The Beached of St Valery, Broth and The Oddest Couple (Òran Mór), The Iliad, The Crucible, Dark Road, The Man Who Had All The Luck, Six Characters in Search of An Author, Living Quarters and A Streetcar Named Desire (Royal Lyceum Edinburgh), Scenes From The Big Picture (National Theatre), Everything Must Go! (Soho Theatre). His television work includes Game of Thrones, series regular Billie Byrne in Waterloo Road, Vera, Downton Abbey, The Loch, River City and Shameless; and for film Outlaw King, Steel Rain, Filth, Blitz, Made of Honour, Titanic, Jungle Book and Beautiful Creatures.

 

Dani Heron plays Angela. Her theatre credits include Immaculate Correction (King’s Head Theatre), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow/HOME , Manchester), 306: Day, The James Plays (National Theatre of Scotland), Jumpy, The Venetian Twins (Royal Lyceum Theatre), A Perfect Stroke (Òran Mór/Traverse Theatre), Chariots of Fire (Gielgud Theatre), One Turbulent Ambassador(Lyric Hammersmith) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Greenwich Theatre). Her television credits include Armchair Detectives; and for film, I Am Me.

 

Eleanor House plays Heather/Maggie. Her theatre credits include Passing Places and A Christmas Carol (Dundee Rep).

Neil McKinven plays Mordaunt. His theatre credits include Women in Mind (Birmingham Rep/Dundee Rep), Celestina (Birmingham Rep/Edinburgh International Festival), Of Mice And Men(Birmingham Rep), Gilt, Caledonia (National Theatre of Scotland), A Doll’s House (Dundee Rep Theatre), Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Solstice (RSC), The Breathing House, Glengarry Glen Ross, Dead Funny, The Merchant of Venice, Curse of the Starving Class (Royal Lyceum Theatre), Hamlet (West Yorkshire Playhouse), King Lear (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow), Cosmonauts Last Message…(Lyric Hammersmith), Riddance, The Tree of Knowledge, Wiping My Mother’s Arse,Widows, Abandonment (Traverse Theatre), The Drowned World (Bush Theatre), Between Dog and Wolf (Òran Mór), Geoff’s Dead Disco for Sale (Live Theatre) and A Family Affair (Theatre Royal Bath). His television credits include Strathblair, The Ship, The Poison Tree, Silent Witness, Shetland, Shameless, Doctors, Case Histories, Single Father, Rebus, A is for Acid, Glasgow Kiss, Degrees of Error, Taggart, The Vet, Scottish Killers: Dennis Neilson and Humans.

John Stahl plays Big Ger Cafferty. His theatre credits include 549:Scots of the Spanish Civil War(Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow), Waiting for Godot (Tobacco Factory Theatre), A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), The Winter’s Tale (Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh), Father Comes Home From the War, The Alice Trilogy, The Weir (Royal Court Theatre), The James Plays, Mary Stuart(National Theatre of Scotland), The Crucible, Ghosts (Bristol Old Vic), Much Ado About Nothing, The Globe Mysteries (Shakespeare’s Globe), Frankenstein (National Theatre), Memory Cells (Pleasance, London), The Whisky Taster (Bush Theatre), Macbeth (Royal Exchange Theatre) and Blue Eyes and Heels (Soho Theatre). His television credits include playing Rickard Karstark in Game of Thrones.Other credits include Shetland, High Road and Resort to Murder; and for film, Mary Queen of Scots, Victoria and Abdul and Loch Ness.

 

Cathy Tyson plays Siobhan Clarke. Her theatre credits include The String Quartet’s Guide To Sex And Anxiety (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), The Listening Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Importance Of Being Earnest (Curve/Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Red Snapper (Belgrade Theatre Coventry), Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie (Tabard Theatre), Golden Girls (RSC), The Vagina Monologues (UK tour), Antony and Cleopatra (Hackney Empire), The Merchant Of Venice (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Pygmalion, Educating Rita (Theatr Clwyd), Stand (Battersea Arts Centre) and Mum’s The Word (Albery Theatre). She is a Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress, her television credits include series regular Carol Johnson in Band Of Gold. Other credits include Gold, Scully, Always and Everyone, Night & Day, Grange Hill, Bonkers, The Liverpool Nativity, Perfect and Rules Of Engagement; and for film, Together, The Fight, The Marker, ChickLit, Mona Lisa – for which she won the Los Angeles Film Critics’ Award for Best Supporting Actress, Priest, The Lost Language of Cranes, The Old Man Who Read Love Stories, Ollie Kepler’s Expanding Purple World and Business As Usual.

Robin Lefevre is an award-winning theatre director who has worked extensively in the UK, Ireland and the United States. He directed John Hurt in Afterplay, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, and John Byrne’s first play Writer’s Cramp. On Broadway his credits include Brian Friel’s The Aristocrats which won him the New York Drama Desk Award for Best Director and George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House. More recently he has worked on Duet For One at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and on tour, Ladies in Lavender at the Royal and Derngate and The Glass Menagerie at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

Tour Dates

Glasgow Theatre Royal

29 January – 2 February

Box Office: 0844 871 7647

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow

Cardiff New Theatre

4– 9 February

Box Office: 029 2087 8889

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Cambridge Arts Theatre

11 – 16 February

Box Office: 01223 503333

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

25 February – 2 March

Box Office: 08448 112122

www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Bath Theatre Royal

4– 9 March

Box Office: 01225 448844

www.theatreroyal.org.uk

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
THE UK PREMIERE OF

TO STAR ALONGSIDE KATHARINE McPHEE

Music and lyrics by six-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles
Book by Jessie Nelson
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

• Laura Baldwin, Peter Hannah, David Hunter and Marisha Wallace will join the original London company
• Playing at London’s Adelphi Theatre from 8 February 2019
• Tickets are now on sale via waitressthemusical.co.uk

Further casting has been announced for the original London company of Sara Bareilles’ Tony Award®-nominated musical Waitress. Marisha Wallace will play Becky alongside Laura Baldwin as Dawn, with Peter Hannah as Earl and David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter. The four new principals will join the previously announced Katharine McPhee who will make her West End debut starring as Jenna, having played the role on Broadway earlier this year.

Waitress will begin preview performances on 8 February ahead of its official opening night on 7 March at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Currently playing its third year on Broadway, Waitress will bring with it an all-female lead creative team – a West End musical first.

Laura Baldwin (Dawn) trained at Bird College. Her recent stage work has included the roles of Janey in Eugenius!, Story Sandra in Big Fish and Sam in The Little Beasts (all at The Other Palace). Laura has also played Wendy in Peter Pan (The Gordon Craig Theatre), Teen Fiona/Red Riding Hood in Shrek (UK Tour), Veronica/Ensemble in Betty Blue Eyes (UK Tour) and Alice in Alice in Wonderland (The Lichfield Garrick).

 

Peter Hannah (Earl) graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2013 and has gone on to play roles such as The Devil in The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart (National Theatre of Scotland, Spoletto Festival, and McKittrick, New York – Drama Desk Award winner 2017 for unique Theatrical Experience), Captain Ridley in Cockpit (Royal Lyceum Theatre), Mac in the Greater Game (Southwark Playhouse) and Thomas Highgate in The 306 (National Theatre of Scotland). Peter’s other theatre roles include Shakespeare in Love (Noel Coward Theatre), Four Play (Theatre503), A Clockwork Orange (Nottingham Playhouse), One Arm (Southwark Playouse) and Mock Tudor (Pleasance Courtyard). Film and television Credits include Alex in Above The Clouds (Third Light Films), Lucas in Mr Turner (Thin Man Films), Newton in Mary Gloster (Short Film) and Police Constable Stanmore in Doctor Who (BBC).

David Hunter (Dr. Pomatter) trained at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). He is currently playing the lead role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre) and previous West End credits include Once (Phoenix Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors (Adelphi Theatre, National Theatre and UK Tour), Seussical (Arts Theatre) and The Who’s Tommy (Prince Edward Theatre). Other theatre credits include The Hired Man (Leicester Curve and Colchester Mercury), Pub (The Royal Exchange) Spinach (The Royal Exchange) and The Mayor Of Zalamea (Liverpool Everyman).In 2012 David reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Superstar, competing to play the role of ‘Jesus’ in Jesus Christ Superstar. Screen credits include the film Nativity 3 and he has recently filmed an episode of Holby City for BBC1. As the frontman of pop/rock band ‘Reemer’, David has recorded with the producers responsible for The Rolling Stones and The Who, before earning support slots for artists such as The Feeling, Scouting for Girls and finally McFly on their UK Arena Tour. In April 2018 David released his first Solo EP, Silver Linings, featuring five original songs.

Marisha Wallace (Becky) recently made her West End debut playing Effie White in Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre) after playing the role at the Tony-winning regional theatre Dallas Theater Center. Since landing in London she has performed in numerous concerts at The Royal Albert Hall, the London Palladium, and she’s a part of Broadway and West End Divas. She recently performed the role of Celie in The Color Purple in Concert at Cadogan Hall and had two sold out nights at Zedel. Marisha’s Broadway credits include the original Broadway productions of Something Rotten and Disney’s Aladdin, and she also appeared in the first US national tour of The Book of Mormon. Other stage credits include Sistas!, Aladdin (Toronto), Oklahoma!, for which she won the Drammy for Best Actress, One Night With Janis Joplin, Rent and Hair. Screen credits include Aladdin (the forthcoming live action film), Disney’s Frozen Fever, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The View and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Since finding international fame as a captivating singer on American Idol – Season 5,Katharine McPhee (Jenna) has become a successful recording artist, landing numerous songs and albums on Billboard’s pop, jazz, holiday and adult-contemporary charts in her native US. Her latest album of timeless American standards “I Fall In Love Too Easily” was released by BMG in 2017. As an acclaimed actress, she was the breakout star of the 2013 NBC-TV musical series Smash, Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray). She recently starred in the hit CBS dramatic series Scorpion.

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “​The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Waitress opened on 24 April 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theater. Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress was the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, featuring original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy®​ ​nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (​I Am Sam​), direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (​Pippin​, ​Finding Neverland​) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also recently announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

 

LISTINGS

WAITRESS
The Adelphi Theatre
The Strand,
London WC2R 0NS

Performances from Friday 8 February
Opening night: Thursday 7 March

Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

24 Hour Telephone Booking line: 020 7087 7753
waitressthemusical.co.uk

Images from: www.thecornershoppr.com/downloads/waitress/

Twitter: @WaitressLondon
Facebook: Waitress the Musical – London
Instagram: @WaitressLondon

Hertford Theatre – until 1st January

Reviewed by Keiley Archer

4****

There is nothing as enjoyable as a traditional Pantomime to get yourself into the Christmas spirit, and The Astonishing Adventures of Pinocchio does not disappoint. It follows the story of Pinocchio’s quest to transform from a puppet into a real boy, with other well-known characters from our favourite nursery rhymes cleverly woven into the tale, as well as jokes which provide humour for both children and adults.

The main foyer is decorated to create the façade of entering a travelling circus, the colourful stalls and upbeat circus music welcoming the audience and immediately submerging them in the magical world of Cricket’s Carnival. All the costumes and sets are bespoke and created especially for this production by the crew and a team of volunteers, which only makes them more impressive. The venue itself has tiered seating, so there is not a bad view in the house!

The production is led by the magnificent Josh Dorn as Pinocchio, Robert Oliver as Gepetto/Stromboli/Bobby Loggs and Mina Dahle as Jill. A particular stand out performer for us was Sam Kipling, who played Charlie Cricket, whose stage presence added an extra liveliness to the scenes. Multiple members of the cast proved their versatility as actors by taking on more than one role, which worked seamlessly within the show.

The colourful sets create the perfect backdrop for a fun filled, entertaining extravaganza. Audience participation is actively encouraged by children and adults alike, with plenty of opportunity to boo, cheer and sing along, which added to the overall enjoyment of the show. It contained everything a Christmas show should and is a performance that can be enjoyed by audience members of all ages.

This production sets the bar high for the pantomime, and I am eager to return next year for the next show by Hertford Theatre Productions!

Waterloo East Theatre, London – until 22 December 2018

Reviewed by Sabrina Fancy

4****

As a huge fan of the 1983 film ‘A Christmas story, I was excited to learn that the film was adapted for the stage. From the songwriting team behind award-winning films, La La Land and The Greatest Showman, – I had high expectations for the musical.

The story, which takes place in 1940’s Indiana, USA follows 9-year-old bespectacled Ralphie Parker and his wintery exploits in the run up to Christmas. These include avoiding bullies and fantasising about his ultimate Christmas gift – The Red Ryder BB Gun. Unfortunately, his pleas for the popular present are always met with the classic line ‘You’ll shoot your eye out.’. With Ralphie frequently at odds with his brother, cranky father and loving mother, he struggles to make it to Christmas with his glasses – and hope – intact.

To my delight, the show was very closely aligned with the film. Many of the acts in the musical were word for word from the movie and it never strayed from the original story. All of the classic lines and gags show up, including Ralphie’s big swear word, the leg lamp, and, of course, “you’ll shoot your eye out.”

It was interesting to see how one of my favourite scenes from the movie was re-created, when Flick’s gets his tongue stuck on a frozen flagpole. The scene was perfectly replicated with the addition of the Flick trying to sing while his tongue was frozen!

The cast in this production are excellent and very talented. Playing the parts of Mr. & Mrs. Parker are Simon Willmont and Lucyelle Cliffe and the narrator Jean Shepherd is Garry Freer. I thought the standout performances were from Jenny Gayner and 16-year-old Bradley Riches who played the part of the bully Farkus, who I believe has a bright future in the theatre. The other child actors were very sweet and talented.

The musical numbers in this production are stellar! The creators of this production chose to simply take the funniest moments from the movie and elevate them, by the use of song, fit for the stage. The tunes are very catchy and include: ‘It all comes down to Christmas’, ‘Red Ryder Carbine’, ‘Action BB gun’ and ‘When you’re a wimp.’

This was a fun and uplifting show. Perfect for an evening out with the family! I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a fun holiday show and it is a must if you are a fan of the film.

Leeds Playhouse – until 19 January 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

5*****

The Christmas season has arrived in style at the Leeds Playhouse and what couldn’t be more fitting is their festive show, A Christmas Carol. It is an associated production with the Hull Truck Theatre and is based on Deborah McAndrew’s adaptation. The senses arouse many on arriving at the pop up theatre with its cosy and festive ambience greeting them.

Charles Dickens’ classic tells a story of Scrooge (Robert Pickavance) who learns about the spirit of Christmas from an abrupt visit by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Joe Alessi), a former business partner, and subsequent visits from the spirits of Christmas of the past (Tessa Parr) and present (Elexi Walker). Dickens is reputed to have studied deeply each of the characters he narrates about in his classics and the character of Scrooge is no exception. This adaptation gives ample opportunity that Scrooge isn’t painted the villain or just plain “Bah Humbug” instead the ghosts relate to his upbringing and to the choices he eventually makes.

A Christmas Carol was written during the Victorian times when Christmas and its customs were being fashioned and revived as known today. Dickens, known for his social consciousness, had raised awareness through his works about the ignorance concerning poverty among families and children. As well as celebrating Christmas many had been encouraged to consider the less fortunate through the spirit of giving.

This season’s ensemble of actors, under the direction of Amy Leach, delivers a heartfelt and entertaining performance. The production is supported by Hayley Grindle’s traditional and nostalgic staging and costumes that works so well with the story telling and Josh Carr’s lighting and Ed Clarke’s soundscapes. There are some engaging songs, under the arrangement of John Biddle, and the localised references is positively refreshing.

The stand out performance must be from Walker (Ghost of Christmas Present) who successfully engages with the audience in a pantomime style and certainly convinces Scrooge to embrace the Christmas spirit through compassion and kindness. Pickavance perfectly portrays Scrooge with his positive transformation of his somewhat complex but misunderstood character.

A Christmas Carol is a welcoming Christmas present and marks the festive season. The story commemorates the revival of modern Christmas however it magically embraces its spirit and qualities which resonates the season. It is certainly a production not to be missed during the Christmas Season.

 

Theatre Royal, York – Thursday 29th Nov 2018 and Friday 30th Nov 2018

Reviewed by Sally Richmond

5*****

The Comedy of Errors is a highly amusing and engaging production, that is the perfect introduction to the world of Shakespeare for young people aged from 7 to 13 years. Having said that, much laughter also came from the adult members of the audience and if you are a fan of The Bard, it is definitely worth taking a trip out in this current dismal weather to catch a performance at one of the many forth coming venues – as it is almost guaranteed to cheer you up!

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s First Encounters programme is bringing a series of productions aimed at a target audience of key stage 2 and 3 and they are also working with schools, giving children an opportunity to perform in their plays. For most, their first experience of Shakespeare, brought to them by the RSC, will be something that turns them onto this area of study in the English Literature curriculum.

Full of slapstick, live music, flossing and good humour, this Shakespeare comedy appeals to a multi-age audience and my own 10 year old daughter found it very entertaining. Some explanation and background was needed before seeing the show but she laughed in the right places, so it was age appropriate.

As with all Shakespeare’s comedies, the themes of mistaken identity, mix-ups and confusion are all present in this production. A man and his wife have twins who they both call Antipholus and to heighten the confusion further, they buy twin servants who are both called Dromio! The twins are separated in a shipwreck and one Antipholus and Dromio grow up in Syracuse, one Antipholus and Dromio end up in Ephesus. The play actually begins 33 years after the births of the Antipholus twins and the hilarity begins when the Syracusian Antipholus and Dromio arrive in Ephesus and everyone seems to know who they are, including a woman who is certain she is the wife of Antipholus.

The double Dromios (Lewis Griffin and Thomas Pickles) are responsible for most of the laugh out loud moments, while Paula James as Emilia has a sound connection with the audience and makes beautiful harmonies with her sweet voice which accompanies the backing music. The whole cast, directed by Alex Thorpe, are a crew of great talent and judging by their performances at The Theatre Royal, York – are rising stars of the future.

This year, along with many other pupils within their hometowns, York High students performed in the opening sequence of the 7pm public performance at the Theatre

Royal, York and the RSC also gave a performance at their school. This pupil participation programme is part of the RSC’s continuing series of First Encounters With Shakespeare and is touring nationwide from October to December. The dramas are made up of edited versions of the plays performed using Shakespeare’s original language, which the RSC has successfully been doing for more than a decade now.

Thorpe’s cast are: Hasan Dixon, as Antipholus of Ephesus; Jessica Dyas, as Angleo/Egeon; Aruhan Galieva, as Luciana/Duke Solinus; Lewis Griffin, as Dromio of Ephesus; Rhiannon Handy, as Adriana; Paula James, as Merchant/Emilia/Officer; Nicholas Karimi, as Antipholus of Syracuse, and Thomas Pickles, as Dromio of Syracuse.

Thorpe is joined in the creative team by Amelia Hankin, designer; Eamonn O’Dwyer, music; Simon Pittman, movement; Lisa Connell, fight choreography, and Edie Edmundson, puppetry director.

The Comedy of Errors is a perfect, fantastic first experience of Shakespeare but also one that can be thoroughly enjoyed by those who are well acquainted with The Bard too.

The Hippodrome Casino – booking until October 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Fit young lads dancing around with their shirts off? What’s not to like?

After the success of Channing Tatum’s show in Las Vegas, Magic Mike comes to London ready for the party season. Before you get your knickers in a twist, Tatum only appears as the disembodied voice of the host’s imaginary spirit animal – the unicorn. The show doesn’t attempt to recreate the plots of the films, instead there’s a wafer-thin thread of a story as the host gives young waiter Michelangelo (Sebastian Melo Taveira) lessons in how to please women. Frankly, this doesn’t matter, as the dance moves of the men on stage, and prowling around the audience are all we’re here for. And the less clothes, the better. There is a lovely piece about consent and permission, with the host reminding the audience of the safe word “Unicorn” (of course!) if they ever feel uncomfortable, which highlights how far shows like this have come, alongside the cliché ridden introduction involving themed strippers and silly string that makes you squirm until Sophie and her magic mike take control.

The production is as slick and smooth as the dancers’ chests, with the guys showcasing their fabulous moves in a wide mix of styles before finally whipping off their trousers and giving a few lucky ladies what they want with lap dances involving dryhumping ranging from gymnastic to comedy gold.

The host, Sophie Linder-Lee at the show I saw, is determinedly British in her humour and innuendo, which jars a little with the swish US origins of the show, but she knows exactly how to get the crowd whooping while the guys prepare for the next set. The highlight of the show is an erotically charged dance duet from Melo Taveira and Hannah Cleeve performed under a cascade of water. Although this didn’t go down well with the entire audience. As the woman next to me said “I didn’t pay £125 quid to watch HER have all the fun!”

The prices are eye-watering for a 90-minute show, but Magic Mike is sold out for months, and new dates have been added, so this is obviously perfect girls’ night out material. The bucket sized cocktails help the atmosphere in the brilliantly designed space, and the men move around the upper gallery too so those in the (not that) cheap seats get an eyeful too. If you fork out for a VIP table or the front row, you are guaranteed lots of attention and most probably a lap dance.

If you’re looking for the full Monty, you won’t find it here – Magic Mike is raunchy fun but has an underlying sweetness about it, especially with the angelic Melo Taveira taking centre stage. A great, safe, night out with the girls