Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 16th March 2024
Reviewed by Sally Lumley
5*****
Edward Scissorhands, bought to the stage by Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, is the story of Edward (Liam Mower), a man created Frankenstein-style by a grieving father to replace a lost son. When his father dies before he has added proper hands, Edward finds himself an outcast in a confusing world. He is taken in by kind local mother Peg Boggs (Sophia Hurdley) and experiences the best, and worst, of humanity as he learns what it means to be human.
Whilst this is not a carbon copy of the 1990 Tim Burton movie, it captures all the essential elements and classic scenes. It is infused throughout with Burton’s trademark gothic style and childlike wonder. The different components that have contributed to this show, including design (Lez Brotherston), lighting (Howard Harrison) and sound (Paul Groothius), have created a magical, fantastical world which is the perfect setting for this fairytale to be played out.
The setting is Hope Springs USA, a 1950’s-style picture perfect American town. The uniformity of the setting and the residents gives a sharp contrast to Edward when he arrives and cements his status as outsider. The townspeople are wonderfully observed, with each family bringing a different dynamic to the stage: the very religious, the promiscuous housewife, the teen jocks. There is always something happening on stage to draw the audience’s eye to the small details that bring this to life.
The dancing, of course, is impeccable throughout. This really is the best of modern dance. Liam Mower is perfection as Edward, brilliantly characterising his quirky movements as he discovers the world around him. As Edward finds love, in the form of Kim Boggs (Ashley Shaw), their dances together are full of emotion and show a new confidence to Edward’s movements. All of this is accompanied by a heartbreakingly beautiful music from Terry Davies, based on themes from the original movie score by Danny Elfman.
The surprise for me was how funny this show was. With dancing topiary, a “cheeky” surprise from an exercising neighbour, and a scene-stealing moment from a flying beanbag, the whole thing is done with a big sense of humour and provides perfect light relief from Edward’s heartbreaking story.
Edward Scissorhands is a timely story that challenges us to question our own compassion and kindness when confronted with someone different. Matthew Bourne and New Adventures have produced a magical fairytale, which questions what it means to be human. It is full of beauty, darkness, laughs and love, which left me feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Highly recommend seeing this while it is at the Mayflower.
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF THE TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL PASSING STRANGE
Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rachel Adedeji (Dreaming Whilst Black) and Keenan Munn-Francis (Black Dog) lead the cast with David Albury, Nadia Violet Johnson, Renée Lamb and Caleb Roberts.
Directed by Liesl Tommy (Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, Tony nominated Eclipsed)with book and lyrics by Stew, and music by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald.
Passing Strange is at the Young Vic Theatre from 14 May to 6 July, with opening night for press on 21 May. Tickets available now at www.youngvic.org
The Young Vic Theatre today announces casting for the European premiere of the electrifying Tony, Drama Desk and Critics Circle Award-winning rock musical Passing Strange.Directed by Liesl Tommy (Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, Tony nominated Eclipsed), this new production of the hit Broadway show follows a young musician as he sets out on a musical odyssey, through 80s L.A, Amsterdam and Berlin. It features book and lyrics by Stew, music by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald. Previews begin at the Young Vic from 14 May with opening night for press on 21 May and it runs until 6 July.
Giles Terera,best known for his Olivier Award winning role as Aaron Burr in the original London cast of Hamilton plays Narrator; Rachel Adedeji, seen in the leading role ofFunmi in the BAFTA winning series Dreaming Whilst Black plays Mother and Keenan Munn-Francis,recently recognised in 2023 British Independent Film Awards Breakthrough Performance longlist for Black Dog, plays Youth. The cast is completed by Renée Lamb (Six the Musical) as Desi/Sherry/Renata, David Albury (Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical) asRev Jones/Terry/Christophe/Hugo, Caleb Roberts (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Mr Franklin/Joop/Mr Venus,and Nadia Violet Johnson (School of Rock) as Edwina/Marianna/Sudabey.
The band is Ikechukwu Onwuagbu (Bass), Nick Pinchbeck (Keyboards/Guitar), James Taylor (Drums) and Art Terry (Keyboards/Guitar).
You know, it’s weird when you wake up in the morning and realize that your entire adult life was based on a decision made by a teenager. A stoned teenager.
A young, Black musician sets out on an electrifying musical odyssey to find himself and his place in the world, swapping his middle-class L.A. upbringing for punk rock and protest in 1980s Amsterdam and Berlin.
“A thrilling score in which rock, punk, funk and gospel conduct a revival meeting that blows the roof off.”
(Rolling Stone – Broadway, 2008)
“Its big heart throbs to the sound of electric guitars… Richer in wit, feeling and sheer personality than most of what is classified as musical theater.”
(New York Times – Broadway, 2008)
The creative team brings together Set and Costume Designer Ben Stones, Lighting Designer Richard Howell, Sound Designer Tom Gibbons, Video Designer Will Duke, Musical Supervisor Brandon Michael Nase, Musical Director Art Terry, Choreographer Dickson Mbi, Voice and Dialect Coach Hazel Holder and Casting Director Heather Basten CDG.
This marks the European premiere of Passing Strange which took Broadway by storm in 2008, receiving seven Tony Award nominations, winning for Best Book of a Musical; seven Drama Desk Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music; and it was named winner of the Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
Giles Terera (Narrator) won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical as Aaron Burr in the original London cast of Hamilton and is now nominated for the 2024 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Clyde’s (Donmar Warehouse). Other recent performances include Blues for an Alabama Sky for which he received Olivier and Evening Standard Best Actor Award nominations, in the title role of Othello (National Theatre), and The Meaning of Zong, also his playwriting debut (Barbican & Bristol Old Vic). Previous West End credits include: Rosmersholm, The Book Of Mormon, Avenue Q, The Rat Pack, Jailhouse Rock, 125th Street and Rent. Film and TV includes: Scrooge, Death of England: Delroy, Maxx, Flack, The Current War.
Rachel Adedeji (Mother) played Funmi in the BAFTA winning series Dreaming Whilst Black. She can currently be seen in PBS/Channel 4’s Alice & Jack and BBC/Netflix’s Champion. She recently completed filming for the Paramount+ feature film Hard Home and will soon be seen in The Almond and the Seahorse. Other screen credits include RIPD 2: Rise of the Damned and Whitstable Pearl. Rachel was an X Factor finalist in 2009 before starring in Thriller Live! (West End & UK tour) and Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour). She went on to play series regular Lisa Loveday in Hollyoaks until 2020.
Keenan Munn-Francis (Youth) was longlisted for Breakthrough Performance in the 2023 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) for his leading role as Sam in Black Dog. He recently completed filming for the BBC One adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s novel Mr Loverman in the role of Young Barry. Previous television credits include BBC’s Call the Midwife and Disney’s Penny on MARS. Theatre includes: The Lion King, Thriller Live (West End), Our Lady of Kibeho (Royal & Derngate), Five Guys Named Moe (Underbelly), Filthy Business (Hampstead), Soul (Royal and Derngate / Hackney Empire), Lord of the Flies (Regent’s Park), The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre).
Renée Lamb (Desi / Sherry / Renata) originated the roles of Catherine of Aragon in Six the Musical and, most recently, the leading role of Jeanne in Cake (West End). Previous stage credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park), Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World (UK tour), Be More Chill (The Other Palace / West End), Malory Towers (Wise Children), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Mercury Colchester & Southwark Playhouse). Film includes: This is the Night Mail. Renée will also be seen in This Town, the upcoming six-part series for BBC One penned by Steven Knight.
David Albury (Rev Jones / Terry / Christophe / Hugo) played the title role in Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical and Smokey Robinson in Motown the Musical, both in the West End. Other stage roles include: Committee… (A New Musical) (Donmar Warehouse), The Life (Southwark Playhouse), Exposure – Life Through A Lens (St. James Theatre), Only the Brave (Wales Millennium Centre), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep), Love Story (Union Theatre), Porgy and Bess (Open Air Theatre), Bare (Greenwich Theatre), The Lion King (National Tour). Television includes: Doctors.
Caleb Roberts (Mr Franklin / Joop / Mr Venus) played Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (West End) and won a Black British Theatre Award as Charming in Cinderella (West End). He returns to the Young Vic having previously performed in the Taking Part community show She Ventures He Wins. Other theatre credits include: I Think We Are Alone (Frantic Assembly), Richard III (Headlong), King Lear (West End / Chichester Festival Theatre). Television credits include A Very English Scandal.
Nadia Violet Johnson (Edwina / Marianna / Sudabey) graduated from ArtsEd. She has appeared as Patti in School of Rock (UK tour), as Young Myrna in The Outlaws Season 3 and performed in concert at the BBC Proms in Bernstein: On The Town.
Liesl Tommy (Director) is an award-winning international theatre and film director. She received the Tony Award nomination for Best Direction for the Broadway hit Eclipsed starring Lupita Nyong’o,and made her feature film directorial debut with the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect starring Jennifer Hudson. Her television credits include Walking Dead, Insecure and Jessica Jones.
Stew (Book & Lyrics / Music)is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and Tony/Obie Award winning playwright and performer. He leads two bands: The Negro Problem and Baba Bibi. He is also Professor of the Practice of Musical Theater Writing at Harvard University.
Heidi Rodewald (Music) is a Tony Award-nominated, Obie Award-winning co-composer, collaborating and performing with Stew for over two decades, releasing 10 critically acclaimed albums and creating new theatre work. Credits include composer with librettist Donna Di Novelli, The Good Swimmer (BAM Next Wave Festival), A Lifesaving Manual (UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance).
Passing Strangewas originally produced in Berkeley California, by the Berkely Repertory Theater, and in New York by the Public Theater in creative collaboration with Annie Dorsen.
Simon Friend Entertainment and Leeds Playhouse are delighted to announce that following the UK premiere of Here You Come Again in Leeds – where it runs from Saturday11 May to Saturday 8 June – additional dates are today confirmed for the previously announced tour, which now includes weeks in Cambridge, Malvern, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Bath, Blackpool and Liverpool. West End star Steven Webb (Oliver!, Book of Mormon), will join the company as ‘Kevin’, a 40-year-old, has-been-who-never-was comedian in the new musical, alongside previously announced star and co-writer Tricia Paoluccio, who will reprise her celebrated role as ‘Dolly’ following US acclaim.
Steven Webb began his career 30 years ago as the titular character in Sam Mendes’ production of Oliver! (London Palladium). Since then, he has appeared in a wide range of film, television and theatre. He has just finished a long stint starring as Elder McKinley in the West End run of The Book of Mormon. Prior to that he was perhaps best known as Posner in the second casting of The History Boys. Other theatre credits include I Want My Hat Back, On the Shore of the Wide World (National Theatre), As Is (Trafalgar Studios) as well as many productions at The Lyric Hammersmith including seven shows in Sean Holmes’ creative ensemble Secret Theatre.
He also has many television credits, having previously played roles in the much beloved BBC series Miranda and E4’s The Inbetweeners.
Steven Webb says:“I’m beyond excited to be bringing Kevin to life here in the UK. I grew up listening to Dolly and other country music as my dad was a big fan. Twenty years ago, I was in a similar state to Kevin. I was down, a relationship had come clattering to a halt and I felt aimless. Then Dolly Parton played one night at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. So, I grabbed a ticket and took myself down there. Just like Kevin, I was inspired, galvanised and uplifted by Dolly and her message of love and perseverance. It was practically life-changing. And that’s why she means so much to so many people. It’s no coincidence that the hashtag WhatWouldDollyDo became a life motto for so many. Getting to sing and hear her biggest hits (and watch Tricia embody Dolly) every night is going to be the greatest gift a show could ever give.”
For the first time ever, all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits are brought together in a rollicking and joyful new musical, fully authorised by Dolly herself. Packed with iconic songs like Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again and more, this lively and touching new musical tells the story of a diehard fan whose imagined version of international icon Dolly Parton gets him through trying times.
Kevin has just separated from his long-time boyfriend, Jeremy, an investment banker, and is in quarantine in the attic bedroom of his childhood home in Yorkshire. Surrounded by precious belongings from his youth, he is reunited with a much-loved old record player and his cherished Dolly albums. He remembers the hard times those songs helped him through in the past and counts on them to help him once again. With her wit, humour and charm, Dolly teaches him a whole lot about life, love and how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps… even if your bootstraps don’t have rhinestones!
After its UK premiere in Leeds, the tour then continues to: Curve Theatre,Leicester; Theatre Royal, Newcastle; Arts Theatre,Cambridge; Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; Theatre Royal, Nottingham; Malvern Theatres, Malvern; Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh; His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen; Cliffs Pavilion, Southend; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; Theatre Royal, Brighton; Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Richmond Theatre, Richmond; King’s Theatre, Glasgow; Theatre Royal, Norwich; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; New Victoria Theatre, Woking; The Lowry, Salford; Theatre Royal, Bath; Milton Keynes Theatre,Milton Keynes; Grand Theatre, Blackpool Grand before concluding at the Empire Theatre,Liverpool.
Having enjoyed several successful runs across the United States, Here You Come Again was originally written by multi-Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and writer and actor Tricia Paoluccio (who co-writes and stars as Dolly). Acclaimed British TV and theatre writer Jonathan Harvey (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street) provides additional material. Further casting to be announced.
FINAL CASTING AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF
PARTY GAMES! BY MICHAEL MCMANUS
STARRING MATTHEW COTTLE, DEBRA STEPHENSON & RYAN EARLY
UK TOUR TO OPEN AT YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD ON 2 MAY 2024
Ryan Early will play the role of spin doctor Seth Dickens in the world premiere of PARTY GAMES! by Michael McManus (Maggie & Ted), presented by the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford. Previews will begin on 2 May 2024, with a press night on Tuesday 7 May at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. The UK Tour schedule has been completed with Cambridge Arts Theatre, where the production will play from 4 to 8 June (full tour list below).
Ryan Early (Darren Vance in Coronation Street, Dan in Almost Never for CBBC and Lee Bryce in The Archers for BBC Radio 4) joins the previously announced Matthew Cottle (Stan Laurel in the film Chaplin, Martin in BBC’s Game On, ITV’s Unforgotten, Dave in BBC’s Citizen Khan and Edward in Channel 4’s The Windsors) as Prime Minister John Waggner, Debra Stephenson (Diane Powell in Playing the Field, Shell Dockley in Bad Girls, Frankie Baldwin in Coronation Street, The Impressions Show and Dead Ringers) as Deputy Leader Lisa Williams, Natalie Dunne (Anna Schmidt in The Third Man at Menier Chocolate Factory, Your Christmas Or Mine? for Amazon, Trying for Apple TV and Locked Up Abroad for Disney+) as Anne Waggner, the Prime Minister’s wife, Krissi Bohn (three years as Jenna Kamara in Coronation Street and a storyteller on the CBeebies series Treasure Champs and a series regular in the CBBC series Biff & Chip) as Private Secretary Candice Edwards, Jason Callender (Upstart Crow and The Play That Goes Wrong in the West End, Malory Towers for the BBC and 4 O’Clock Club for CBBC) as would-be Chief of Staff Luke Roberts and William Oxborrow (The Madness of GeorgeIII at the National Theatre, the title role in The Picture of Dorian Gray at Gate Theatre, Dublin, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and A Clockwork Orange for the RSC and The Clandestine Marriage and Guys and Dolls in the West End) playing multiple roles.
Directed by the Director and Chief Executive of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Joanna Read, PARTY GAMES! is written by a man who was on the inside of party politics, Michael McManus, who worked in Central Office while Margaret Thatcher and John Major were Prime Ministers and as a special adviser to a number of UK ministers between 1992 and 1995. He was then head of Ted Heath’s private office from 1995 to 2000 and the Conservative Party candidate for Watford in 2001.
PARTY GAMES! is set in the UK in 2026. John Waggner, newly elected leader of the hastily formed centrist One Nation Party, presides over a hung parliament, a discontented electorate and striking cheesemakers. He and his power-hungry MPs must cling onto authority through whatever shaky means possible. Can one man, a Svengali spin doctor, and some dodgy data unite the country? And what role can his wife, the King and a large spider play in keeping the lights on, not to mention his trusty AI?
PARTY GAMES! is an Yvonne Arnaud original production, directed by Joanna Read and designed by Francis O’Connor, with lighting design by Chris Davey and sound design and original music by Beth Duke.
#PartyGames!
Age Guidance: 12+ (contains swearing)
TOUR SCHEDULE
2-11 May The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford 01483 44 00 00
Due to overwhelming public demand, West End Superstar Bradley Jaden has added a second London date to his first ever international solo concert tour.
BRADLEY JADEN LIVE IN CONCERT on Friday 14 June sold out within an hour of going on sale, so he will play a second date at Cadogan Hall on Saturday 15 June. Tickets for 15 June will be available to buy from 10am this Friday 15 March.
Further dates include Politeama Rossetti, Trieste in Italy on 18 May, Sony Hall in New York on 3 June and the Margaret Island Open Air Theatre in Budapest on 18 June.
Fresh from his acclaimed performance in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Old Friends,’ at the Gielgud Theatre, Bradley will bring his own show LIVE IN CONCERT to the historic stage of Cadogan Hall, in the heart of Chelsea.
Bradley will be joined on stage by special guests, who will be announced at a later date.
Bradley has starred in some of the West End’s most enduring productions including his unforgettable performance as ‘Javert’ in ‘Les Misérables’, a spellbinding Fiyero in ‘Wicked’ and ‘Raoul’ in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in Trieste, Italy. Other West End theatre credits include ‘Shrek The Musical’, ‘Side Show in Concert’ and ‘Treason The Musical’.
Bradley will also be recreating the role of ‘Javert’ in the Les Misérables Arena Spectacular which embarks on a World Tour this September with a cast and orchestra of over 65. He will share the role with Michael Ball, playing opposite Killian Donnelly’s ‘Jean Valjean’.
Bradley is not only one of musical theatre’s most successful leading men, but he’s also a star of the small screen, having seamlessly transitioned to the world of soap, taking roles in both EastEnders as Sonia Fowler’s flatmate ‘Jed’ and in Emmerdale where he played ‘Ben’.
BRADLEY JADEN LIVE IN CONCERT is co-created and produced by Simon Schofield and Scott Garnham for Sisco Entertainment with Musical Direction by James Doughty.
Bridge Theatre, London – booking until 31 August 2024
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
One year on, and Nicholas Hytner’s production of Guys and Dolls is as exciting and energetic as ever.
With seating in the round available, or immersive standing tickets, the streets of New York are brought to vivid life on Bunny Christie’s ever changing set. Neon signs and traffic lights hang overhead to denote locations as platforms rise and fall to create sidewalks, sewers, cafes and The Hot Box night club. The energy in the standing audience is always electric, as the stage crew, dressed as New York’s finest, shepherd you around to make space for rising platforms and cast entrances. Christie and Deborah Andrews’ costumes capture the seediness and glamour of 1950s New York brilliantly, while Arlene Phillips and James Cousins’ choreography is fast, slick and sexy.
Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows’ book, inspired by Damon Runyan’s stories of wise guys, hustlers and hoodlums, is corny and kitsch, but the full-throated comedy performances of the cast suck you into the seedy world. Frank Loesser’s timeless music and lyrics are the lifeblood of the show, and the entire cast sing and dance as if their lives depended on it.
Owain Arthur takes over the role of Nathan Detroit, with a fantastically flustered comic touch as he tries to stay two steps ahead of the law and his long-suffering fiancé Miss Adelaide (Timmika Ramsay – giving a powerhouse performance and the perfect comic foil for Arthur). George Ioannides and Celinde Schoenmaker continue in their roles as slick gambler Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown, the mission doll he bets he can take to Havana. Ioannides and Schoenmaker’s chemistry is electric, and their voices sublime. Jonathan Andrew Hume is the new Nicely-Nicely Johnson, magnificent in the showstopping Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat – staged and choreographed to create a fever pitch level of excitement in the audience.
Whether you choose to sit and marvel at the show from above or get down and dirty on the mean streets of New York, Guys and Dolls is an incredible and unforgettable theatrical experience.
The Union Theatre, Southwark – until 30th March 2024
Reviewed by Phil Brown
5*****
Now that’s what I call entertainment!
Drop what you’re doing and hightail it to the capital’s current capital of camp to catch this gloriously retro performance before it disappears for another decade or so. It really is that good.
The fact that the Union Theatre is located in railway arches just off Blackfriars Road singularly fails to do justice to the compact but atmospheric performance space and lively bar attached, where, even before the official performance began, we were treated to a boisterous and hilarious promenade cameo by the glamorous Sheila Blige (played by Paul Toulson channelling Lily Savage). This set the tone for the evening to come. Sheila and some of the cast (the fabulous Gaiety Girls) returned during the interval to add further fun to an already fun packed performance.
Frank’s Closet, conceived and brilliantly written by Stuart Wood, is a wonderful invention, rich in comedy, that premiered in 2009 with a couple of sell out runs at Hoxton Hall. On the evidence of this performance, the mystery is that it’s taken so long to get back into production. It is aptly described as a cult hit musical, and we must thank the producers (Karim-Pasha Ladbon and Stephen Barnes) for making it happen.
The story, told in the Victorian music hall style, features Frank (superbly played by Andy Moss), on the eve of his wedding to Alan (played by the phenomenally versatile Luke Farrugia) who we only ever see briefly in the final scene.
But Alan wants Frank to clear his closet before the happy event, prompting Frank to reflect deeply on his past, which is that of a young man coming to terms with his sexuality and coming out as gay, as well as his nervousness about the marriage itself. It turns out that the eponymous closet is full of rare frocks acquired from some of the greatest Divas of our time, and each one triggers a memory or thought that is crystallised in a song performed by the Diva who wore it.
There are seven frocks in the closet and thus seven versions of the Diva sharing views with Frank – Marie Lloyd, Julie Andrews, Ethel Merman, Karen Carpenter, Judy Garland, Agnetha Faltskog, and Dusty Springfield. Each Diva enters the stage via the “Diva Portal” (Dragon Smoke Construction), extravagantly and gorgeously costumed (Steven Metcalfe & Indie Rivers) to sing and influence Frank. These cleverly written pastiches are properly humorous and tuneful, and in a sensational display of performing talents, the prodigiously gifted Luke Farrugia plays each starlet to dazzling effect. A great piece of casting (Adam Braham) and a truly fabulous performance.
Frank and the Divas are wonderfully supported throughout by the fabulous Gaiety Girls – Alice Plate (Oliver Bradley-Taylor) Daisy Dares (Sarah Freer), Carrie Poppers (Olivia McBride) and Gertie Snipe (Jack Rose) who not only introduce and help close the show, but continue to sing and dance their hearts out throughout.
And behind the main cast is some very accomplished music (a mix of live and recorded instruments) excellently orchestrated and performed by musical director Anto Buckley who I presume took piano duties, along with Peter Crocker (trombone) and Sam Balchin (trumpet).
Everything about this production is spectacularly good (Director – Sasha Regan, Production Designer – Catherine Phelps, Lighting Designer – Ben Bull. Musical Director – Anto Buckley, Casting Director – Adam Braham). The experienced cast bring a pleasing, natural flow to the show and the timing is spot on throughout. The stage set is delightful Victoriana. The costumery is sumptuous and splendid. The songs are high class. The choreography (Joe McShane) is fun and neat. The humour is laugh out loud funny. I also love the quirky programme. My only comment would be the slightly slow start to Act 2, especially after the Gaiety Girls have warmed up the audience during the interval.
To describe Frank’s Closet as a thoroughly professional performance somehow detracts from its impact. It is a very professional performance, but it has an energy and a fun factor that makes it top quality entertainment and leaves a lasting impression as well as a broad smile on your face. A triumph!
After the success of the Cluedo stage play, Cluedo 2 comes to York this week. Once again based on the hit board game which is celebrating it’s 75th Birthday this murder mystery stars all the well known characters, from the game and is set in a huge 17 bedroom house, Graveney Manor. Directed by Mark Bell, who also directed the original Cluedo production this show offers more of the same, with a thrilling new story which will keep you guessing right until the very end. A completely separate story from the previous show you don’t need prior knowledge of the previous play, but if you did manage to catch it you’re sure to also enjoy this one.
Set in the 1960s rock star Rick Black (Liam Horrigan) gathers a group of people to hear his latest record, including Miss Scarlet, played by 2023 Strictly Come Dancing Winner Ellie Leach, who has been hired by Black to renovate the crumbling manor, his wife Mrs Peacock (Hannah Boyce), his manager Colonel Mustard (Jason Durr), housekeeper/cook Mrs White (Audrey Anderson) and employee Professor Plum (Edward Howells). With a commercial being filmed in the manor there’s also a few unexpected arrivals including Wadsworth (Jack Bennett), due to play the butler in the commercial, he is most certainly not a real butler.
When the mismatch of characters meet to hear Ricks music they soon discover Rick has been murdered, the question is ‘Who dunnit?’ with the additional reappearance of Rev Hal Green (not to be confused with Al Green) after a mysterious absence there are many secrets to be uncovered including affairs, long lost relatives and hidden identities. Is there anyone without a secret to hide? With twists and turns at every corner Cluedo 2 will you keep you guessing right until the very end.
With spoof like comedy from the beginning this is a feel good show that will keep you entertained throughout, the set is excellent with scenes running through the manor house and set changes incorporated well in to the story.
The answer is Zinnie Harris, with her adaptation of the Shakespearean play, Macbeth, playing at the Rose Theatre in Kingston before it departs for runs in New York and Edinburgh. Harris’s script for Macbeth (an undoing) moves frequently between traditional Shakespearean text and modern-day language; I’m pretty sure Shakespeare didn’t use swear words, nor did he write ‘You’re the sexiest queen’ – but I may be wrong! Whilst this infusion of humour did raise some laughs from the audience, there were a few times I felt it overstepped and was unnecessary. Throughout the performance several actors break the fourth wall, directly addressing the audience and adding an element of humour to this otherwise dark play.
Harris’s adaptation relies on a basic understanding of the original play; there were times where it was easy to get lost in the narrative that seemed to divert at various tangents, not quite coming together in a cohesive story. Lady Macbeth (Nicole Cooper) is portrayed as a woman who loves her husband, so much that she takes the reigns (pun intended) while her husband is incapacitated by madness. At one point, she is referred to as ‘Sir’ and her aides fail to see her as ‘Lady’; is this because men are so accustomed to seeing a man in a position of power, or is she also fragmenting, and this is in her imagination? It’s not clear. In the final scenes, as she searches for a clean dress only to find they are all soaked in blood, before cleaning the one she is wearing, there is an eerie replication of an earlier scene where Macbeth (Adam Best) is washing his hands in the same bucket – the same madness you may ask? Again, this isn’t clear cut. Perhaps this is the intention, to leave the audience asking questions, but for me there are too many. Harris’s Lady Macbeth is a woman who has a tenacious ferocity and focus, killing many to protect her family, yet who is consumed by an underlying sadness at losing five children of her own.
Tom Piper’s set design is simple but clever – a wooden frame and bare stage, with props used to convey a change of scenery, followed by large, mirrored panels manoeuvred into position which added to the dark and ominous atmosphere. Whilst the fog machine was working overtime, perhaps as expected in such a play, it did add to the ambience given the simple staging. The functioning tap on stage was also cleverly used, turning from water to blood, depending on the scene, adding an element of authenticity to the production. The scenes which involved fighting were also very believable, thanks to Kaitlin Howard. This being said, there were some mishaps with the props throughout, and with actors delivering lines facing into the stage, it did mean projection was sometimes an issue.
Nicole Cooper delivered a captivating performance as Lady Macbeth and was rightly the stand-out performance of the night. She delivered her lines eloquently and with emotional conviction; the audience could feel her determination then desperation as she spiralled into madness. Whilst I struggled with Adam Best’s delivery, his supporting-role performance as Macbeth, was convincingly brilliant … and a little scary at times! Mention should also be given to the entire cast who deliver a polished performance with emotional depth where needed, and humour to offer light relief.
Overall, this production offers the gore and blood that Harris’s script is convinced we all want, yet fails to deliver on a cohesive story. It is saved perhaps by the talent of it’s cast, especially Nicole Cooper, and the clever staging.
THE BELGRADE THEATRE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIATA FAHODZI, PRESENTS
SWIM, AUNTY, SWIM!
WORLD PREMIERE AT THE BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY
MONDAY 20 MAY – SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2024
DAT REN WE BIT BITA-LIF SOTE I BITA, NA-IN BIT SHUGA KEN SOTE I SWIT – Krio Proverb The same rain that beats bitter-leaf until it’s bitter, beats sugar cane until it’s sweet
Swim, Aunty, Swim!, a new play by Siana Bangura, directed by Madeleine Kludje will have its world premiere at The Belgrade Theatre Coventry on Monday 20 May until Saturday 1 June, with a national press night on Thursday 23 May. A poetic story of friendship, loss, sisterhood, motherhood, and the sublime power of water, Swim, Aunty, Swim! will star Anni Domingo as ‘Fatu’ and Sam Baker-Jones as ‘Danny’. Further casting will be announced.
Fatu is in search of a new life and a fresh start. Leaving London behind, she makes her way to Coventry, where she forms a friendship with fellow members of her new church, Aunty Blessing and Aunty Ama. This fiery, entertaining, and sharp-witted duo of West African women in their prime, are also navigating changes and transitions in their own lives.
What begins as light-hearted fun and a distraction from the mundane routine of life and church, becomes a ritual of healing and rebirth, after a season of grieving.
On Ama’s whim, the three of them embark on a watery challenge that might just send them out of their depth.
This heartwarming and powerful new play is where West Africa meets the West Midlands, in a truly universal story that will connect with everyone.
Director Madeleine Kludje said, “I have been waiting to direct a play that centres older, West African women at the heart of the story and as main characters onstage. This story follows three incredible women on a journey to finding themselves at crucial moments in their lives with swimming and friendship guiding and sometimes pushing them towards healing and rebirth. This is a witty, warming and heartfelt story that we can all relate to about rediscovering who we are after difficult moments within our lives.”
A Belgrade Theatre Production in association with tiata fahodzi, Swim, Aunty, Swim! is written by Siana Bangura, directed by Madeleine Kludje, with set design by Claire Winfield, costume design by Naomi Thompson, lighting design by Ryan Joseph Stafford, sound design by Duramaney Kamara, movement direction by Gaby Nimo, dramaturgy by Chinonyerem Odimba, and production management by Adrian Sweeney
Swim, Aunty, Swim! is one of The Belgrade Theatre’s flagship in-house produced productions, developed in close collaboration with tiata fahodzi. The show is part of the new strand of work under the leadership team’s creative vision for the people of Coventry and the wider region; the next step in the Belgrade’s long standing commitment to the process of co-creation and artistic excellence.
