Home

The Playground Theatre – Sunday 19th November 2023

Reviewed by Fiona Leyman

The Mitfords

2**

The Playground Theatre is hosting its Pick of Fringe season, showcasing some of 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals best productions. A small intimate theatre that allows the audience to be up close to the production.

Celebrated South African Playwright Gail Louw has a double bill showing of two of her most popular one-woman plays. These are The Mitfords and the recently published, The Good Dad.

First up with The Mitfords featuring talented actress, Emma Wilkinson Wright (The Changeling, Southwark Playhouse). This short 50-minute play revolves around the lives of The Mitford Sisters who were well known socialites during WW2. These 6 sisters, Jessica, Nancy, Unity, Diana, Pamela & Deborah gained widespread attention for their political views between fascism and communism. Each of these sisters had a story, and this play was to highlight each of their tales. Unity and Pamela, for their love of Hitler, and how Unity did everything in her power to be inducted into his inner circle of trust. Jessica, who ran away to fight for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War and Nancy, who became a celebrated author as did Deborah. Diana married the leader of the British Union of Fascists, Oswald Mosley in 1936 in Nazi Germany.

Emma controlled the stage which was full of World-War era props. Changing her voice slightly to signify which sister was telling their story. The most notable sisters portrayed were Unity and her quest to seek out the attention of Adolf Hitler and how their lives became a love story. Using the pearl handled gun Hitler gave her, she tried to take her own life when Britain declared war on Germany. Much loved favourite of Unity, Jessica, made it feel she was directing her monologues direct to the audience. Jessica’s life changed when she turned her back on a comfortable privileged lifestyle to run away with her cousin Esmond Romily to fight the Civil War going on in Spain. Nancy was portrayed as a low-voiced comedic personality who often refers to Unity’s size and looks. Everything she experienced is described as being “A Hoot!”. Finally, we have Diana, she was torn away from her children and thrown in prison along with her husband for the majority of WW2 for being a Nazi sympathiser.

Despite Emma’s extraordinary talent as an actress, this play fell flat. Apart from Nancy and Unity, it was difficult to determine which sister she was playing. This became more evident when I looked back at my notes and compared them to the research I had done. I realised that Emma was not portraying the sister I had believed her to be. I became unsure about whose story was who’s after a while, as some of the voices merged into one. The audience’s confusion might have been reduced by using a simple prop that identified each sister. The story of the Mitford Sisters is interesting and how this family was ‘Bound by Love, Divided by Hatred’, but I felt this play was rushed and the switching between voices too quick. It was confused and failed to connect with the audience, sadly earning it only 2 Stars.

Gail Louw’s Double Bill – The Mitfords & The Good Dad

The Playground Theatre- Sunday 19th November 2023

Reviewed by Fiona Leyman

The Good Dad

5*****

Seconded up in this Gail Louw double bill was the ironically named play, The Good Dad. This play was on a different scale to the one I had just previously watched. Sarah Lawrie (Forbidden Love) commanded the stage and the audience’s attention whilst she seamlessly switched between the three characters she was portraying.

The Good Dad is based on a horrific true story from the 1980s. A story of a family broken apart by David, the “Good Dad” and his sordid affair and sexual abuse of his daughter, Donna. The play opens with Donna in prison, why, we don’t know yet, but she is telling her tale on how she become to be in this place. Recounting her early life as a child with her identical twin Carol who everyone but their father could tell them apart. Donna was her father’s ‘favourite’.

This is a story of severe sexual abuse of a young innocent child who loves her father dearly, and not understanding that this sort of behaviour is not normal. Always wanting to please her father, she embarked on a true love affair and fathering four children with him.

A clear switch of a cardigan showed the audience the change in the character. Mother now controlled the stage at the funeral of her ex-husband. The disgust and hatred were clear in her voice, and she described her life with this awful man. No longer referring to her daughter as Donna, but as ‘The Other Woman’ she recants her tale on how her husband leaves the family home to move in with his new family. Living a lie to not bring suspicion on their family, David portrayed he still lives with his wife, when in fact he was living with his daughter and their new family.

Another quick change to a white hooded jacket, the character of twin sister Carol became evident. Bitter, nasty and bewildered why all these people were crying at her dead father’s funeral. She could see him for the man he really was. The family knew what was going on behind closed doors, but because of his bad heart, chose not to do anything, portraying themselves as the perfect family. This all changed when Donna’s own daughter becomes of age, resulting in her being in prison. The story switched back and forth between these three characters throughout the whole hour-long show, and each audience member was engrossed in what each character had to say.

Sarah was incredible on stage, her presence and ability to switch between each character was clear, and easy to follow. Being on stage alone, portraying three different characters is no easy feat, especially with such a hard-hitting subject matter, but Sarah did this effortlessly and had the audience believing every word she spoke. Of course, we believed her, because sadly this is based on a true story. Sarah was the true “tour de force” of Gail Louw’s Pick of Fringe double bill and thoroughly deserves these 5 Stars.

Actor, singer, west end performer and fightdirector Christopher D Hunt sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 questions. Christopher is currently playing Jeff on the Take That inspired musical, Greatest Days. The show finishes its 2023 tour at Leeds and tickets can be found here

Lets start with a few favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)? 

To Kill a Mockingbird & Lord of the Rings at Theatre Royal Drury Lane (in them both)

Favourite book? 

To Kill a Mockingbird

Favourite theatre? 

Theatre Royal Drury Lane,  Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Favourite song? 

Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

Favourite music? 

Anything By the Beatles

Favourite food? 

Anything Naughty

Favourite drink? 

Anything Naughty

What is your favourite role? 

I have loved all the roles I have played.

What was your first role? 

My 1^st Role was playing Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers at The Rose Theatre.

And what role would you really like to play? 

I had the chance to play Batman for Warner Bros on a world arena Tour. I would love to do that again.

If you weren’t a performer, what would you be?

There is nothing else I would rather do.

What made you decide to be a performer? 

My Grandfather was a massive inspiration for me. His involvement in the arts planted the seed to ignite the passion for me.

Do you enjoy touring?

 I love touring, I love the West End, I love any stage.

What advice would you give a 16-year-old you? 

Keep going Kid, keep telling stories, you’re good at it. 

Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing? 

As well as being an actor I have worked as a fight director Strangely I have been told a lot over the last few years by my peers that I should direct!

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed? 

Only Fools and Horses at the Theatre Royal Haymarket – West End

Favourite line from any show? 

“A life lived in fear, is a life half lived” – Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom)

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?

Gene Kelly or John Lennon

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans? 

I couldn’t possibly divulge but Cheesecake has been my favourite.

Can you tell us what you will be up to next? 

I plan to take a little break after this wonderful show has a break. I look forward to spending some time with my daughter and recharging the batteries in preparation for the next incredible story to be told.

Lyric Theatre – 15 November 2023

With an online cult following and a cast to die for, the opportunity to see SuperYou in concert was not to be missed.

Lourds Lanes’ story of self-discovery and self-acceptance has shades of Be More Chill and Eugenius! but is a sweeter, more earnest creation.

Katie (Aaliyah Monk) and her big brother Matty (Jonty Peach) create and draw comics to help themselves through their tricky homelives. With an alcoholic mother and horrible memories of the father they fled, the family has moved around a lot and Katie has struggled to fit in at her new schools. Matty encourages Katie to draw herself as a superhero and she creates Lightning Girl. Feeling protected by this, Katie draws superheroes for 4 other kids who are taunted and bullied at school, not realising what an impact she makes on their lives. But Katie’s dreams are still haunted by the evil Mi-Roar (Will Bozier).

As she grows up, Katie (now played by Lucie Jones) and Matty continue drawing and enter competitions, but life gets in the way of their dreams and Katie must get a steady job to support her mother as tragedy strikes. A sweet romance with barista and singer Jay (Luke Brady) is jeopardised by his singing going viral and Jay getting swept up in the circus of online fame, and a chance to chase her dream again is scuppered by more family tragedy and work pressures. However, Katie’s superhero crew have her back and the Boltz are never slow to jump in with advice and inspiration for Lightning Girl in Katie’s subconscious.

This concert version had very little movement, with stage directions read out and the cast standing behind music stands but the powerful and often poetic dream fight sequences were danced beautifully by Aaliyah Monk and Will Bozier. What we heard of the book sounded promising, although it might need a bit more snark to shake off the initial “sweetly battling adversity” Disney musical atmosphere. More workshopping on the book could create something incredible. The music was a wonderful mix of rock, pop, ballads, and even some yodelling. Lucie Jones was a phenomenal as ever, and Aaliyah Monk was astonishingly polished as the younger version of Katie. Luke Brady’s vocals and comic timing were a dream and Jonty Peach was a sweet older brother. Giving Jones a run for her money on the vocal front were The Boltz, with Joni Ayton-Kent, Sharon Ballard, Lourds Lane and Jenny O’Leary giving barnstorming performances. Ballard’s rock vocals have to be seen to be believed.

With a wonderful message of empowerment, kindness and self-belief, SuperYou is a fun and inspiring musical, and the effect of the face melting vocals on display in this concert version show the exciting potential a more finessed, fully staged production could have. An electric night out.

Birmingham Hippodrome – until 3 December 2023

Reviewed by Louise Ford

5*****

Pure Escapism

The Nutcracker must be the quintessential Christmas story and this year’s production at the Birmingham Hippodrome is top class. Birmingham Royal Ballet has been producing this delightful ballet for over 30 years. This year’s choreography is by Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov and Vincent Redmon.

Tchaikovsky’s glorious score is faithfully performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia under the expert baton of Thomas Jung.

The set designs are by John Macfarlane and are magnificent. The opening scene is in the Nuremberg’s home on Christmas Eve. The snow is falling outside and the household are putting the finishing touches to the Christmas tree. Dr Stahlbaum (Jonathan Payn) and his wife (Dalia Stanciulescu) are waiting with their children for their guests to arrive. The butlers and staff are on hand to take the guests’ coats and Christmas gifts. The gifts are added to the impressive pile under the equally impressive Christmas tree.

The set is rich and opulent with deep red and black walls and drapes. The guests and hosts are in their finery. In contrast the children (and their friends) are dressed in pale cream and sailor suits.

Mrs Stahlbaum has invited a magician Drosselmeyer (Rory Mackay) to entertain the party. As well as bringing presents for the children (including the eponymous Nutcracker doll for Clara) Drosselmeyer and his assistant (Gus Payne) perform magic tricks and introduce some dancing toys, Harlequin (Shuailun Wu) and Columbine (Rachele Pizzillo) and my favourite the Jack -in-the-Box . This role is performed by Eric Pinto Cata, with such energy and bounce. His costume is an absolute delight.

The role of Clara is played by Beatrice Parma who is light and delicate and dances effortlessly. She is after all a ballet student and wants to be a ballerina like her mother.
The party comes to an end, all the guests leave and the family goes up the magnificent staircase to bed. As midnight strikes Clara, unable to sleep, creeps downstairs, and the scene magically transforms, Clara shrinks to the size of a mouse and the Christmas tree grows and the fireplace erupts into a fiery inferno. Out of this blazing hole an army of rats emerge. The whole scene is orchestrated by Drosselmeyer. The magic continues and the Nutcracker (Gus Payne) and the toy soldiers come to life to fight the rats. There’s an epic fight scene between the Nutcracker and the King Rat (Callum Findlay-White). The rats are animated and elegantly clad, bouncing all over the stage. When it looks as though the Nutcracker maybe defeated Clara steps in and strikes King Rat. Unfortunately the Nutcracker is seriously wounded and falls to the floor, seemingly lifeless . Fortunately Drosselmeyer is on hand to perform another magic trick and the Nutcracker is revived as The Prince (Mathias Dingman). The stage is magically transformed into a winter wonderland,the Land of Snow. This wintry land is presided over by The Snow Fairy(Yu Kurihara) and her attendants. They perform the snowflake dance with lightness and joy. The curtain falls on the first act and the audience are spellbound as the snow flakes fall.

The second act opens to an impressive night time starry sky into which Clara magically flies. This is then transformed into a cosmic scene with pillars, red poppies and Chinese symbols. Poppies we all know are a symbol of remembrance however in this case I think that they are a symbol of romantic love.

This frame is the backdrop for the confectionery of dances that makes the Nutcracker so memorable. All those tunes that are instantly recognisable. The vignettes from across the world, from Spain, to Arabia,to China  and Russia are faithfully danced each with its own character and charm. Yaoqian Shang as the Arabian Princess is wonderfully aloof and performs some impressive leaps.

From the land of sweets we move on to the world of flowers with the Waltz of the Flowers performed by the Rose Fairy (Miki Mizutant) and her attendants. The finale  with a breathtaking pas de deux performed by Momoko Hirate (as the Sugar Plum fairy) and Mathias Dingman.

All of these dances are orchestrated by Drosselmeyer for Clara’s entertainment and she watches from the sidelines with awe and occasionally she gets to join in and perform. Her dreams come true and she becomes the Sugar Plum fairy.

But all good things must come to an end and the magic fades and Clara awakes. So was it an adventure or simply a dream?

The Rep, Birmingham – until 28th January 2024

Reviewed by Joanne Hodge

5*****

In a year which has so often felt to be always winter and never Christmas, the magic and wonder of Narnia has arrived in Birmingham direct from the West End, announcing that – at last – the big day is well on the way!

The Chronicles of Narnia were some of my favourite childhood books, and I continue to read them now, so have to admit I was somewhat nervous of the ability of this musical production to live up to the mystical world I have long held in my vivid imagination. I needn’t have worried.

The moments of comedic relief begin early, with the plummy tones of the station announcer giving advice to the audience as we await the fate of the young evacuees of World War II London. The scene, accompanied by a somewhat melancholic rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’, fully captures the mood of the time. And then, just like that, we are taken on a journey by steam train, to begin our full emersion into the somewhat-modernised adventures of the Pevensie children.

My awe of the work of Toby Olie [Original Puppetry Direction] and Max Humphries [Original Puppetry Design] began with the introduction of the Professor’s [David Birell] cat, Schrodinger [yes, the geeks among us will love this reference to the theories of quantum mechanics]. I was instantly in love with this feline character – who knew that so much could be implied by a ‘Miaow’?!

From the moment Lucy [Kudzai Mangombe] finds this mystical other world via Spare Oom and the War Drobe, our journey becomes a rollercoaster of light and shade. Jez Unwin’s Mr Tumnus is an absolute delight, a flawed character who – like so many of us – finds himself in trouble for trying to do the right thing. The Beavers’ [Samuel Morgan-Grahame and Ruby Ablett] give the air of a warm hug on a cold day, and you know they’re the kind of people/beavers on whom you can always rely. And of course, everyone was delighted to see our festive favourite Father Christmas.

Not all the inhabitants of Narnia are what we’d like them be however. Maugrim [Shane Antony-Whitely] is truly terrifying, and our introduction to Cath Whitefield’s White Witch Jadis is still giving me chills hours later.

As expected, the true star of the show is Aslan, who is represented cleverly and perfectly amazingly by both actor [Oliver Hoare] and puppetry [Michael Larcombe].

Of course most people are familiar with the much-loved tale of the battle between good and evil, so I won’t spoil it for those who are yet to experience this magical land, but anyone who gets the opportunity should see this spectacular adaptation, and if it also introduces more children to C.S.Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, I’ll be even happier.

Alexandra Palace, London- until 18th November 2023

Reviewed by: Ava Clarkson

3***

Treason The Musical has been long in the making. From its first spark in November 2020, with a 5 track EP, a live streamed concert during the pandemic in 2021, and now this year’s stage debut in October 2023. Treason The Musical has been streamed online over a million times, in 96 countries and has followers known as “plotters” who adore this musical tale. Created by Ricky Allen, this musical journey tells the tale of the gunpowder plot of 1605.

Set inside the beautiful theatre at Alexandra Palace, the stage is dark and smoky, with flickering candles in church windows, underneath wooden 17th century style beams. The surroundings are perfect for this production and the atmosphere before we begin is moody and almost spooky in its nature.

As the musical begins, Guy Fawkes, played by Gabriel Akamo, sets the scene. However, he is not there in character, but as the immortalised Fawkes whom we remember every year since that fateful night. He asks us to remember him but also to hear the truth.

The main plot of the play is the love story between Thomas Percy played by Sam Ferriday and Martha Percy played by Nicole Raquel Dennis. Percy and Fawkes are both friends with Robert Gatesby, played by Connor Jones and all three are members of a group of provincial English Catholics who plan to assassinate King James 1, played by Joe McFadden. The failed plot as we know from history, was to place gunpowder beneath the House of Lords and blow up parliament. However, the authorities were tipped off and during the early morning of 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes was found guarding the explosives. He was made a scapegoat for the group and after days of torture, confessed to wanting to blow up the houses of parliamentary and was subsequently hung, drawn and quartered.

The telling of this historical story however falls short and the musical focuses on the marriage of Thomas and Martha. How Thomas grows increasingly more disenchanted with King James and his persecution of the Catholics within the newly formed United Kingdom of Scotland and England. When he goes back on his promises of toleration of the Catholic religion, Thomas sets out to put things right, alongside Robert Gatesby. Martha tries and fails to persuade Thomas that he should not move into the extremist path, but his mind cannot be changed and he continues to pursue the justice he feels he and his fellow catholics deserve and Martha is left heartbroken and alone.

During the performance, Guy Fawkes stands ominously in the background of each act, but only has a very short walk on part when he is arrested under parliament and dragged away. This felt rushed and almost an afterthought considering the plot as we know it surrounds Fawkes.

During the performance, the singing is outstanding. The main female leads, Nicole Raquel Dennis and Emelie Louise Israel who plays Anne Vaux, have exquisite vocals and deliver some amazing performances. One of the stand out songs was “caught in the crossfire”, which Nicole and Emelie sang together and which held the audience and lifted the roof. A haunting duo. However, although the singing was amazing throughout, some of the songs seemed Disney-like as they returned to each chorus again and again, meaning each singing performance felt drawn out.

King James 1, although a big part of the gunpowder plot, did not really fit into this musical. His character was more portrayed as going mad than being mad at the catholic religion. He failed to be portrayed as the tyrannical King he was.

The stage moved seamlessly over the 90 minutes as the ensemble dancers acted as prop movers, whilst carrying out effortless and beautiful choreography. The set production, lighting and ambience was just right.

As the musical closes, we finally see Guy Fawkes again. The stage set and props look fantastic as he stands there seemingly being burned at the stake. Gabriel Akamo comes into his own as he gives a dramatic and powerful speech reminding us not to be afraid to stand up for what we believe in. Illuminating injustices in today’s world and being the spokesman for the rebels of the gunpowder plot. This monologue feels relevant to today’s society and it’s at this point you realise how he and his character could have been utilised more throughout what is essentially his story.

Ricky Allen’s music and lyrics continue to carry us through this journey and it is easy to see how Treason started out as a collection of songs which has such a following. However, being moved to the stage I do not feel it achieved its promise to tell us one of the most intriguing tales in Britain’s history as it has never been seen before. The whole show felt drawn out but in some key points very rushed and glossed over. Major characters were not explored and the climax did not ignite me as it should have

Forum Theatre, Malvern – 15th November 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

4****

Ockhams Razor company uses circus techniques and (to my eyes) modern dance and acrobatics to tell tales in a unique way, helping promote these skills to a wider audience. They produce their own set elements to interact with, enabling them to produce thrilling results with just a few planks of wood, some fabric and a few scant props. These elements are often assembled in front of our eyes on stage. An impressive array of different surfaces (tables, beds, pulpits) and locations was evoked by these props. Using three planks to represent the journey up hill and down dale on the long journey from (and to) Tess’s home was an absolute masterstroke.

It took me a while to get into the right headspace and rhythm for such a radical show. Once I had gotten into the group’s world and storytelling technique I really enjoyed the show. The first moment that blew me away was Joshua Frazer (as Alec D’Urberville) using the large metal circle (think Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man). He danced with it, around it and spun inside it in a breathtaking display of skill that made the senses whirl. To me it portrayed the rich Lord’s social whirl. Seeing Alec introduce Tess (Lila Naruse) to it was like watching her being drawn into his world, with a natural awkwardness that enhanced the storytelling. The timing when the circle concluded its final spinning and hit the ground was sheer perfection!

There was much humour in the work including the drunken cavorting during the revelry scenes which looked rather painful as there was much chucking each other around. Angel (Nat Whittingham) helping the girls across the “river” was another mirthworthy scene. But the most hilarious moment was the girls trying to catch his attention by gamboling in a flirty way on the back stage “bars”. This was my favourite moment of the entire night – deliciously played for laughs with aplomb.

How the performers managed to spin, fly around and (especially) the backwards walking with the back bent at 90 degrees to the body without injuring themselves I’ll never know. An incredible feat of bodily control.

The original music by composer Holly Khan added to the ambiance and set the scene with the same impact that film scores do. Special mention also to Macadie Amoroso narrating (also as Tess) for her sensitive performance – totally invaluable in a dance piece for those who didn’t know the work.

Tess and Angel’s lovers dance was like watching two birds of paradise performing their courtship dance. It was sensuous and romantic and genuinely intimate. One of the undoubted highlights of the piece.

A tender ending; Lila elegantly entwining herself in the rope whilst the voice-over focused on the astral aspects of the culmination of the story, turned what could have been a downer into an elevating final chapter.

It was obvious from the standing ovation that Ockhams Razor are a big crowd favourite. I can see why. An intriguing performance that wowed the crowd, thrillingly bringing Hardy’s famous novel to the stage through a very unique vocabulary and spectacular stagecraft from all performers. If you have any interest in circus skills, dance or just great storytelling you will undoubtedly love this show.

Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story at
Clapham Grand for one night only with
opener Sooz Kempner
Clapham Grand, Clapham Junction, 21-25 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TT
Wednesday 6th December 2023, 7.30pm

After playing to sold-out audiences across the UK this autumn, the People’s Princess returns to the royal realm of London to delight her subjects at the iconic Clapham Grand for one night only this December in Awkward Productions’ rioutously hilarious Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story. With comedic princess Sooz Kempner (Musical Comedy Awards Best Newcomer, Funny Women Variety Award) as the fantastic opening performer, this is a raucous royal night not to be missed.

Kempner (Doctor Who’s Doom’s Day, BBC Studios) is a comedian, singer, writer and actor who has written and performed nine solo stand-up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, the most recent, Y2K Woman, selling out almost every day. Known best for her viral online content, which includes Donald Trump’s words delivered verbatim by ‘Liza Minnelli’ and parodies of Nadine Dorries and Liz Truss, Kempner’s irreverent comedy is the perfect accompaniment to Awkward Productions’ queer chaos.

Linus Karp comments, Sooz Kempner makes me howl with laughter with everything she does. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have such a dicon and a comedy hero of mine open our show at Clapham Grand. She is the Queen of my Heart.

Sooz Kempner comments, As a child of the 80s I grew up with Diana influencing everything from my eyeliner to my mum’s 1994 haircut and to be part of the greatest possible tribute to the Queen of Hearts is the greatest honour of my life. Fetch the kohl and the heather shimmer lipstick – it’s time to Di.

Labelled “the most unhinged piece of theatre in existence” (Broadway Baby) and told by Diana from Heaven, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story foregrounds this iconic royal as the powerful, independent woman she wasn’t meant to be, uniquely combining drag, multimedia, audience interaction, puppetry and queer joy to highlight Diana’s ground-breaking stances on social and queer issues and allowing her to speak her (un)truth in breaking free from the monarchy.

Writer and performer Linus Karp (how to live a jellicle life: life lessons from the 2019 hit movie musical ‘cats’, Edinburgh Fringe/UK Tour; Gwyneth Goes Skiing, The Pleasance) brings Diana to life supported by puppetry and voice overs from Joseph Martin (The Gunpowder Plot, Layered Reality; Gwyneth Goes Skiing, The Pleasance). Geri Allen (Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre) portrays The Queen and Zina Badran (Doctor Who, BBC) joins as God, both via interactive video clips. The remaining supporting cast is different every single show – due to it being played by audience members!

This tour follows hugely successful spring 2023 and autumn 2023 tours alongside a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run, and will see Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story delight and surprise her London devotees all over again this December with tickets available here.

★★★★★ Diana is a riot from beginning to end. The audience participation is perfectly crafted, the jokes and stings consistently spot-on, and the lead performance an absolute joy – The WeeReview

★★★★★ Rowdy, unhinged, and wilfully savaging – this show is a one hit K.O of satire and
silliness – Binge Fringe

Hilarious, joyful and ridiculous to the point of sublime – Deborah Frances-White, The Guilty Feminist

LIZA PULMAN & JOE STILGOE 

“A COUPLE OF SWELLS”

HOST A GALA EVENING IN AID OF LONDON’S MARYLEBONE THEATRE

Special guests include ALISTAIR MCGOWAN –

–  further guests to be announced.

FRIDAY 19 JANUARY 2024 AT 7.30PM

Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe will host a very special fundraiser in aid of the Marylebone Theatre in London on Friday 19 January 2024. Performing their favourite extracts from their acclaimed show “A COUPLE OF SWELLS”. 

“Oooo…it’s SO good” – Dawn French 

Liza and Joe will also be introducing some very special guests to the stage, including the impressionist, comic, actor, singer and writer Alistair McGowan with further celebrity guests to be announced soon.

Liza and Joe launched “A COUPLE OF SWELLS” in 2023, enjoying a major UK tour and a special one-night show at The Duchess Theatre in London.  The pair are back together in 2024 at Chichester Festival Theatre (6 January) and the Acapela Cardiff (10 January) for more artfully chaotic musical shenanigans, showcasing Liza’s exquisite vocals and Joe’s virtuoso piano playing.

Featuring some of the most loved songs from the Great American Songbook and all-time favourites from Bernstein, Berlin, Rodgers & Hart and more, “A COUPLE OF SWELLS” has a deliciously contemporary spin, sprinkled with heaps of humour and a whole lot of chemistry.

The Marylebone Theatre is a small, off-West End venue, which is earning a deserved reputation for outstanding work. After only a year, it has acquired numerous awards and five-star reviews and been praised by The Guardian for consistently turning out shows “with National Theatre production values”.  Without public subsidy, the theatre relies on income from ticket sales and donations from supporters of the arts. In 2024 it wants to make a quantum leap with a slate of productions set to involve some of Britain’s top actors and directors. At a time when serious, high-quality theatre is under threat, the Marylebone Theatre is a boldly pioneering venture, already bringing fresh vision and creativity to London.

https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/

Booking Link: https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/a-couple-of-swells

The Spiegeltent, Leicester Square – until 6th January 2024

Reviewed by: Ava Clarkson

5*****

Having recently reviewed an Underbelly show, the same producers as La Clique, I thought I knew what to expect – but I certainly was not expecting this!

The international cabaret sensation that is La Clique, has returned to London’s Leicester Square for the christmas 2023 season. La Clique has toured the globe with sold out runs for nearly 20 years.

The show which boasts “Cabaret, Circus, Comedy, Music” is housed inside the “Spiegeltent” in the centre of the Leicester Squares Christmas market. The atmosphere as you walk inside the big top is amazing, a holly decked bar greets you in a pre-show room, as you wait to enter the show. The staff are friendly and welcoming, inviting you to enjoy the show.

As we move into the big top, it feels like Victorian times with music akin to the Greatest Showman and a beautiful tented ceiling. The audience are seated circled around a small centre stage, and at the edge of the tent are saloon style booths. Everyone has “a good seat”. The ring master arrives and explains he has gathered all the beautiful, talented weirdos from around the world and to leave our troubles at the door.

The lights go down and a silk rope lowers from the ceiling. A muscular bare chested man enters the room and effortlessly moves up and down the silks, falling to gasps and climbing back up to form aerial splits and other body defying moves, whilst dangling from the ceiling. Haunting music plays as he draws you into his act.

Next comes a complete change – puppets! A giant spiral puppet takes to the stage and belts out “you’ve got the music in me” with attitude – I never thought a giant puppet could have attitude – but she does! The puppeteers, Cabaret Decadanse, are behind the puppet and are just as much a part of the show as the puppet herself.

As the acts come and go, you remain mesmerised with feats of daring, including an aerobatic striptease and an acrobatic hip hop performer using hanging elastic bands! Chastity Belt, a singer with the most beautiful Adele style voice, wows us with her wit and voice. She involves the audience and works the room – she has us in the palm of her hand.

Just before the interval comes an act no one was expecting. Tara Boom, “booms” onto the stage with her wide eyed makeup and popcorn dispenser on her head. I do not want to spoil this for you, but suffice to say, partial nudity, popcorn making and butter were all involved in her hilarious show. She took us to the interval with a bang and was by far the star of the night for me.

After the interval, we walk back into the big top, which now has a more modern feel to it. The lighting has changed and the music is upbeat. More acts follow, singing, acrobatics, hoopla skills, a contortionist – this really is a feast for the eyes and senses. During the second half there is full frontal nudity in one act, but the humour he brings to the big top and the response from the audience was just right. Be reminded if you dare to sit in the front row – you are not safe!

Overall, the performers Aaron Marshall, Cabaret Decadanse, Chastity Belt, David Pereira, LJ Marles, Yuliia Pykhtina and Tara Boom provided a night to remember and to be talked about for days. The energy, elegance, comedy and talent in that big top is a sight to behold. A must see over this festive period.