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Leicester Square Spiegeltent – until 3 January

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

The Briefs Factory’s spaceship lands in Leicester Square Spiegeltent for a Christmas close encounter that is guaranteed to heat up the coldest of winter’s nights.

The Australian boylesque group have enough glitz and energy to light up Leicester Square by just walking into a room. When they are dancing together, they blow the roof off. Hosted by Fez Fa’anana, who also directs, the boys have come from the future to let us know that things will be OK. With the futuristic sci-fi theme and its message of respect, acceptance and hope, Close Encounter is a dazzling show filled with superb dance numbers and mindboggling circus skills.

Let’s be honest, most of the audience would be happy if the boys couldn’t even dance – they are hot, hot, hot! But each cast member has their own special skills and moment in the hot pink spotlight. Captain Kidd’s aerial skills and hoop routine are full of his usual cheeky showmanship, while newcomer aerialist Thomas Worrell’s routines are spellbinding. Dale Woodbridge-Brown is hysterical as a hyped-up white rabbit and Louis Biggs’ sexy scientist strip (while juggling!) is brilliant. Brett Rosengreen’s contemporary dance routine is fantastic, and his dance with the certifiably insane Harry Clayton-Wright is both hysterical and moving. Fez Fa’anana oversees proceedings in a series of fabulously outrageous outfits and with a freewheeling flair that wins over the audience instantly.

Musical director Busty Beatz and lighting designer Paul Lim provide the party music and ensure the boys are perfectly lit in this slicker than slick show, and the well-stocked bar ensures a celebratory atmosphere. And there’s a raffle!

Briefs: Close Encounter is the perfect party season entertainment. Full of fun, fantastic showmanship, and fit and flirty young men – what’s not to love?

Darlington Hippodrome – until 17 November 2018

Reviewed by Hayley Thompson

4****

Full Monty, a successful film turned into a stage production and what a brilliant show it was.

When attending this show the audience was full of smiling women who were extremely excited when a male would simply smile towards the audience. The audience made the show even more entertaining with their wolf whistles, laughs and whistles. The cast clearly love that reaction! And I would not blame them… This production was full of humour, innuendos then topped with some saucy bits. Not forgetting scenes that pulled on the heart strings, including a father and son relationship, a marriage that is failing and confusions with their sexuality.

As a fellow thespian the production was much more enjoyable than the film. I can appreciate how uncomfortable these actors can feel for obvious reasons. However, they seemed very much at home!

We are first introduced to two cast members who are trying to steal with help from his son due to their lack of work. Gaz is struggling to pay his way for his son and then comes up with the brilliant idea to become strippers to make some money. He manages to gather some other friends together to then begin their surprising and special choreography.

All actors portrayed these real-life issues very well, which brought a tear in a few scenes.

The actor who played the suicidal, confused homosexual was fantastic. His mannerisms, physicality, facial expressions and tone was very believable for us, especially when he tried to commit suicide. We felt sorry for this character and the love for him continued throughout the show.

The whole show was fantastic; however, some lines were misheard, and this could be down to not using mics. I hope we did not miss something important. However, this did not spoil my overall thought for the show. Being a fellow performer myself we do tend to spot some mistakes. One that irritated me was seeing the female stripper stood stage left waiting for her que to come on stage. We were distracted and missed what was happening, thinking she was coming on. Next que was a black out and then there she was on stage.

I have so much respect for the cast. Being able to portray these real-life issues with such emotion and especially from a young cast member. A huge well done to the cast. I would highly recommend anyone to come and watch this show!

Salisbury Playhouse – Until Saturday 17th November 2018.

Reviewed by Leanne Caplis

5*****

Written by Nicola Werenowska ‘Silence’ started its UK tour on Friday 12th October in Colchester and runs until Saturday 17th November at Salisbury Playhouse.

On a simplistic stage with few, but very effective props, three generations of a family tell their story of life from the invasion of Poland in 1939 to the present day in Reading. Watch in awe to find out if the traumas of life as a refugee and generational immigrants unfold to see if the Silence can ever be broken.

Maria (Tina Gray) is the survivor of a concentration camp, her daughter Ewa (Kate Spiro) who is a pushy and a highly-strung mother to Anna (Maria Louis) are all of Polish heritage. Two life changing events happen and Anna returns to Poland to find herself. One family, three generations, three differing perspectives and the resurrection of buried memories force them all to re-evaluate life.

All cast members were first class, with the chemistry between all of them outstanding. The excellent research carried out by the writer, Nicola Werenowska, enabled a very detailed story and I experienced a myriad of emotions throughout.

The story is told in the third person which was initially hard to follow but I soon became wrapped up in the individual stories anticipating what was to follow. Moments of dialogue were conducted in Polish which brings the story alive adding a sense of realism.

On entering the house, a small venue with only three chairs and grey screens on stage, I didn’t know what to expect. I was not left disappointed and the simplicity only added to the intensity of the show that may have been lost in a bigger venue.

The second half of this production is intense, thought provoking and incredibly emotional. The whole audience were captivated with eyes on the cast. You could hear a pin drop throughout.

I did not guess the ending and I won’t give too much away. It is incredibly emotional and perhaps, like me, will see you reflecting on your own relationships. Have a tissue at the ready but whatever you do – do not miss this show!

Kings Theatre Southsea – until 17 November

Review by Nicky Wyatt

4****

40 years on from the launch of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster musical and still it packs the theatre out.

The story of the poor illegitimate Eva Duarte literally is a rags to riches tale. The story tells us how Eva made the journey from a poor nobody to Argentina’s first lady. How she was loved and adored by many and at the same time hated and revered by others. She was the people’s champion.

Unusually the show starts at the end! With us witnessing how the audience sat in a cinema in Buenos Aires find out that their first lady Eva Peron, Lucy O’Byrne, has died. We then are taken back to the beginning of the story with one of the leading men Che (Glenn Carter) narrating the story for us. He is a really strong character throughout. His mannerisms and facial expressions are really
worth watching as they show both his pleasure and displeasure at Eva’s rise. He does a great version rendition of ‘Oh What a Circus’.

Starting her life in a provincial town as a singer Eva meets singer and tango dancer Magaldi they are volatile together but she persuades him to take her Buenos Aires where her story really begins. She works as a radio presenter and actress and is soon a lady to be watched. The men watch and want and the ladies look down on the country girl who is sleeping her way through society men, determined to get herself in the right place at the right time, which she eventually does as she meets Juan Peron (Mike Sterling).

Lucy has a beautiful voice that is so crystal clear, she plays the part of Eva well. Her acting skills and style are perfect for the role. Although I loved her voice I don’t think it was quite powerful enough for her the classic ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’.

Mike looked and acted the role of a dictator really well, stern and upright where needed but a voice that offered a smoother softer side when he sang” I’d be surprisingly good for you ‘ with Eva. Just perfect.

Glenn as the narrator holds it all together. That’s a good thing because at times the audience around me were a little confused especially in the first half. The orchestra play some wonderful atmospheric music but at times it overpowers those singing. I absolutely loved the set of this whole production, the scene changes were smooth and appeared effortless.

The standing ovation received was so very well deserved. Evita she died young but with productions like this, she will be forever with us

York Theatre Royal – 13-14 November

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

2**

Single Spies has come to the York Theatre Royal as part of By The Lake’s season where the have gathered four different shows and perform them within twelve days. This play by the famous play write Alan Bennett, is split into two acts both unrelated and the common connection is the characters are famous spies. With Guy Burgess being the focus of the first act and Anthony Blunt the second act.

The first act a play called An Englishman Abroad is a look into Guy Burgess’ interaction with actress Coral Browne. Living in Moscow, Burgess played by Theo Fraser-Steel starts to miss certain aspects of British life and has a task for Browne, played by Karen Ascoe; to take his measurements and get him a suit in England. I would carry on however this was the premise of the first act, for me it was hard to watch not because of the acting but because nothing happened. The acting by the way was the only thing that made the show durable.

I was hoping things got better in the second act, A Question Of Attribution focuses on Anthony Blunt who was Surveyor of the Royal painting Collection. Blunt played by James Duke did a good job of creating a put together character and suited the role very well, alongside Ascoe playing the Queen herself, which you can imagine being funny as Ascoe involved in his work demanding her to pass him a magnifying glass. Although there was this entrance for the Queen just like the first act it soon started to fade into a plot where nothing happened. Both plays have Bennett’s signature wit and style but these two did not entertain me in the slightest, but I need to emphasise that the acting in both acts were nothing like my view on the plays themselves, with all the actors doing a good job of creating character.

However though it isn’t my cup of tea, I’m sure a few people will enjoy the show and think it’s amazing; which is why I can write reviews, theatre is subjective. One thing to note, alongside most of Bennetts plays it is aimed at people who either lived through or know that period of time. If you are clueless to how Burgess and Blunt are, you are going to miss out on a fair few of the references.

Glasgow Theatre Royal – until 17 November 2018

Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

‘An emotionally charged performance showing the reality of Alzheimer’s’.

The stage is set with almost all the props on stage at once and as the show progresses these disappear….. almost like the person Alice once was.

Based on a novel and a movie the stage show performance did not fail to show the full effects that this terrible debilitating disease has on the sufferer and all the family members close to them.

Having seen the movie with Sharon Small who also plays the role of Alice in this production I knew I was in for a roller coaster ride of emotional. Many of the audience I am sure will be able to relate tot he story of Alice begins to see her life change from being a successful lecturer, writer and speaker to a shadow of the person she once was.

Using true to life experiences with the consultation of Wendy Mitchell the performance takes you through each changing stage with Alice as her diagnosis progresses. Alongside Eva Pope played by herself we get to the see the other side of what it must be like for the person suffering, their worries and fears and all the confusion that goes on inside their head.

Alice’s husband John (played by Martin Marquez) and their 2 children Thomas (Played by Mark Armstrong) and Lydia (played by Ruth Ollman) begin to realise the changes in Alice. Although in denial at stages John tries to keep their routine as normal as possible, however what it does begin to show them is how different their existence has been as a married couple. John is keen to keep challenging himself, one because he is scared that one day he will be left with nothing, no wife and no career. Thomas misses the chats and days he spent with his mum and Lydia although no longer living in the same area and trying to get her career as an Actress of the ground appears to be the one person who sees what her mum is really going through.

I would suggest that if given the opportunity to see this production then do so as it will really open your eyes to what Alzheimer’s is about and what little we know.

ARCOLA THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH

MAYA ELLIS PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF STOP AND SEARCH

Arcola Theatre in association with Maya Ellis presents

The World Première of

STOP AND SEARCH

By Gabriel Gbadamosi

Directed by Mehmet Ergen

 

Arcola Theatre

9 January – 9 February 2019

Press night: Monday 14 January 2019, 7pm

 

Arcola Theatre in association with Maya Ellis today announce the world première of Stop and Search, by Gabriel Gbadamosi. Artistic Director of Arcola Theatre, Mehmet Ergen directs the production which opens on 14 January, with previews from 9 January and runs until 9 February.

A driver picks up a young man crossing Europe. Two police officers work a surveillance case. A passenger directs her taxi to the edge of a bridge. Three conversations grow increasingly uneasy.

From award-winning writer Gabriel Gbadamosi comes a visceral and poetic new play, exploring a time of distrust where the lines blur between conversation and interrogation. Stop and Search explores our deep ambivalence about the ways we police each other.

Gbadamosi said today, “The play opens the question of why a tactic aimed at policing drugs, violence and terrorism (and that stops seven black people for every one white person) has grown into a flashpoint for wider, and deeper, flaws in a volatile and frightened social psyche. The Arcola is an incubator of London’s future culture: multicultural, far-seeing, cutting edge. I can only imagine developing such a departure from the old state of the nation play as we have with Stop and Search through the active engagement of the artistic team under director, Mehmet Ergen.”

Gabriel Gbadamosi is an Irish-Nigerian poet and playwright. Stop and Search marks his London stage debut. His theatre credits include Eshu’s Faust (Jesus College, Cambridge), Hotel Orpheu (Schaubühne, Berlin), Shango(DNA, Amsterdam); and for radio, The Long, Hot Summer of ’76 – winner of the first Richard Imison Award. Gbadamosi’s novel Vauxhall won the Tibor Jones Pageturner Prize and Best International Novel at the Sharjah Book Fair.

Artistic Director of Arcola Theatre Mehmet Ergen is an award-winning director. His theatre credits for the company include Richard III, Bliss, The Cherry Orchard, Drones, Baby, Drones, An Enemy of the People, The Cradle Will Rock, Clarion, Shrapnel: 34 Fragments of a Massacre, Don Gil of the Green Breeches, Mare Rider, Sweet Smell of Success, The Painter, Macbeth, Fool for Love, Betrayal, Ashes to Ashes, Water’s Edge, Dumb Show, Lost in the Stars, In The Jungle of the Cities and Piano. Other theatre credits include; King Lear(Southwark Playhouse). Ergen is also Artistic Director and founder of Arcola Istanbul and was previously Artistic Director of Southwark Playhouse, which he co-founded in 1993.

Stop and Search                                                                                                                                 Listings

Arcola Theatre

24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL

Box Office: 020 7503 1646

www.arcolatheatre.com

9 January – 9 February 2019

Press night: Monday 14 January, 7pm

 

Tickets: £15 – £22 (concessions available)

MEI Theatrical presents

Twirlywoos Live!

The beloved TV show live on stage for the first time

Touring the UK from February 2019

 

 

MEI Theatrical are delighted to announce that the wonderful world of Twirlywoos – as seen on CBeebies – will be brought to life on stage for the first time next year. Toodloo, Great BigHoo, Chickedy, Chick and Peekaboo will set sail around the UK in a brand-new theatrical adventure, opening at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Tuesday 12 February prior to a UK Tour. Full tour schedule attached.

 

Featuring all the favourite characters from the hit TV show, expect mischief, music and plenty of surprises as the Twirlywoos embark on a new adventure onboard their Big Red Boat. With beautifully inventive puppetry,Twirlywoos Live! promises to be a laugh-out-loud treat for little ones.

 

Twirlywoos Live! is brought to the stage by MEI Theatrical, whose recent productions include Sarah and Duck Live on Stage (Polka Theatre and UK Tour) and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (West End). It is written by Zoe Bourn, who has brought to life some of the world’s best-loved children’s titles including Thomas and Friends and Fireman Sam Live!.

 

Twirlywoos was first broadcast on CBeebies in 2015, and in 2017 celebrated its 100^th episode. It is co-created byAnne Wood, who has devised shows including Teletubbies, and Steve Roberts, who with Anne co-created the Bafta-winning CBeebies series Dipdap.

 

Twirlywoos Live! is recommended for ages 1+, with babes in arms welcome. The running time is 55 minutes with no interval.

 

Website: www.TwirlywoosLiveOnStage.com

 

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

 

Tue 12 February 2019

CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

 

Fri 15 – Mon 18 February 2019

THE LOWRY, SALFORD

 

Wed 20 – Thu 21 February 2019

EPSTEIN THEATRE, LIVERPOOL

 

Fri 22 – Sun 24 February 2019

BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL

 

Tue 26 February 2019

REGENT THEATRE, STOKE

Wed 27 – Thu 28 February 2019

LOWTHER PAVILION

 

Sat 2 March 2019

THAMESIDE THEATRE, THURROCK

 

Sun 3 – Mon 4 March 2019

THEATRE ROYAL WINCHESTER

 

Tue 5 – Wed 6 March 2019

TACCHI MORRIS ARTS CENTRE

 

Fri 8 March 2019

THE SPOTLIGHT, BROXBOURNE

 

Sat 9 March 2019

CENTRAL THEATRE, CHATHAM

 

Sun 10 March 2019

LINCOLN NEW THEATRE ROYAL

 

Mon 11 March 2019

THE ALBANY, COVENTRY

 

Tue 12 March 2019

MANSFIELD PALACE THEATRE

 

Sat 16 March 2019

PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH

 

Sun 17 March 2019

BROADWAY THEATRE, LETCHWORTH

 

Mon 18 – Tue 19 March 2019

WHITE ROCK THEATRE, HASTINGS

 

Sat 23 – Sun 24 March 2019

THE FORUM, BILLINGHAM

 

Thu 4 April 2019

JOHNSTONE TOWN HALL, JOHNSTONE

 

Sat 6 – Sun 7 April 2019

ST GEORGE’S HALL, BRADFORD

Mon 8 April 2019

CIVIC HALL, ELLESMERE PORT

 

Wed 10 April 2019

HERTFORD THEATRE

 

Thu 11 April 2019

PALACE THEATRE, SOUTHEND

 

Fri 12 April 2019

SOUTH HOLLAND CENTRE, SPALDING

 

Sat 13 April 2019

THE CASTLE THEATRE, WELLINGBOROUGH

 

Mon 15 – Tue 16 April 2019

NEW WOLSEY THEATRE, IPSWICH

 

Wed 17 April 2019

TRINITY THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

 

Fri 19 – Sat 20 April 2019

ROYAL HIPPODROME THEATRE, EASTBOURNE

 

Tue 23 – Wed 24 April 2019

ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA

 

Fri 26 April 2019

SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER

 

Sat 27 – Sun 28 April 2019

THEATRE ROYAL, ST HELENS

 

Mon 29 April 2019

GRAND THEATRE, LANCASTER

 

Tue 30 April – Wed 1 May 2019

FALKIRK TOWN HALL

 

Sat 4 May 2019

SOUTH HILL PARK, BRACKNELL

DAVID MAMET’S OLIVIER & PULITZER PRIZE WINNING CLASSIC

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS

DIRECTED BY SAM YATES

 

ON UK TOUR FROM 14 FEBRUARY 2019

FOLLOWING A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED WEST END RUN

‘An extraordinary experience… Go see it!’ BBC Radio 4

 

‘Bitterly funny and acutely savage’ Daily Telegraph

 

****

The Guardian, The Times, Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Mail On Sunday, Time Out, Financial Times, The Independent, The Observer

 

Joining the hard-hitting sales team in Sam Yates’ unmissable production of David Mamet’s darkly funny classic, Glengarry Glen Ross are: Denis Conway (The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as Dave Moss; Wil Johnson (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead) as George Aaronow; Scott Sparrow (King Lear) as John Williamson; James Staddon (Goodnight Mister Tom) as James Lingk; and Zephryn Taitte (The Jungle Book) as Baylen. They join the previously announced Mark Benton (Shelly ‘The Machine’ Levene) and Nigel Harman (Ricky Roma).

 

The production will open on Thursday 14 February 2019 at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, and will then visit Birmingham, Plymouth, Cheltenham, Cambridge, Bath, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Richmond, Brighton and Cardiff. The national press night will be held on Wednesday 20 February at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. 

 

Lies. Greed. Corruption. It’s business as usual. 

 

Set in an office of cut-throat Chicago salesmen. Pitched in a high-stakes competition against each other, four increasingly desperate employees will do anything, legal or otherwise, to sell the most real estate. As time and luck start to run out, the mantra is simple: close the deal and you’ve won a Cadillac; blow the lead and you’re f****d.

 

The production of this trailblazing modern classic has designs by Chiara Stephenson, lighting by Richard Howell, and is produced by ATG Productions, Act Productions and Glass Half Full Productions. 

LISTINGS

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS

BY DAVID MAMET 

DIRECTED BY SAM YATES 

14 FEBRUARY – 4 MAY 2019

UK TOUR

 

National Press Night: 

Wednesday 20 February 2019 – Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre

 

Website: atgtickets.com

Twitter/Facebook: @GlengarryUK

 

DATES AND VENUES

WOKING New Victoria Theatre                                              atgtickets.com/woking

Thurs 14 – Sat 16 February 2019                                                           0844 871 7645

 

BIRMINGHAM New Alexandra                                      atgtickets.com/birmingham

Mon 18 – Sat 23 February 2019                                                             0844 871 3011

 

PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL                                                            theatreroyal.co.uk

Mon 25 Feb – Sat 02 March 2019                                                          01752 267 222

 

CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN THEATRE                                  everymantheatre.org.uk

Mon 4 – Sat 9 March 2019                                                                     01242 572 573

 

CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE                                            cambridgeartstheatre.com

Mon 11 – Sat 16 March 2019                                                                 01223 503 333

 

BATH THEATRE ROYAL                                                                    theatreroyal.org.uk

Mon 18 – Sat 23 March 2019                                                                 01225 448 844

 

MANCHESTER Opera House                                           atgtickets.com/manchester

Mon 25 – Sat 30 March 2019                                                                 0844 871 3018

 

MILTON KEYNES Theatre                                             atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Mon 1 – Sat 6 April 2019                                                                        0844 871 7652

 

GLASGOW Theatre Royal                                                       atgtickets.com/glasgow

Mon 8 – Sat 13 April 2019                                                                      0844 871 7647

 

RICHMOND Theatre                                                             atgtickets.com/richmond

Mon 15 – Sat 20 April 2019                                                                    0844 871 7651

 

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal                                                     atgtickets.com/brighton

Mon 22 – Sat 27 April 2019                                                                    0844 871 7650

 

CARDIFF New Theatre                                                           newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Mon 29 April – Sat 4 May 2019                                                             029 2087 8889

Dominion Theatre – until 5 January 2018

4****

With the closing date imminent and with baby fairypowered Alex and senior fairypowered writer Claire telling me how fabulous the show is – it was time that fairypowered herself saw the show

Romeo and Juliet set to a background of Meatloaf what’s not to enjoy?  Strat (Jordan Luke Gage) is part of the lost, eternally 18. He falls in love with Raven (Christina Bennington) who is 18 now, but will age whilst Strat stays young.  Her parents Falco (Craig Ryder stepping in for the injured Rob Fowler) and Sloane (Sharon Sexton) are trying to stop her being with Strat whilst living in a loveless marriage.  Falco and Sloane do have some of the best scenes and Paradise By The Dashboard Light is hilarious – I loved the pink pants.  

Zahara (Danielle Steers), also a member of the lost is Raven’s nurse.  Giving her dream suppressants at the request of her parents but helping her to find true love.  Tink (Alex Thomas-Smith) is jealous of the relationship between Strat and Raven and in trying to split them up pays the ultimate price.

Danielle Steers is the most outstanding member of the cast.  When she started to sing Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad my reaction was just “WOW!” and her vocals in Dead Ringer are just epic – more Cher than Cher!  But Jordan Luke Gage is a very close second especially in the titular Bat Out of Hell.  He seems to be genuinely enjoying his role and who can blame him?

So did I enjoy it?  Well I think I’ll just have to go and see it again so I can judge it!!!