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Vaudeville Theatre – until 12 September 2021

Reviewed by Donna Easton

4****

Ah, after not setting foot in a theatre since March last year, the anticipation for this production replaced my usual butterflies of excitement with whacking great flapping birds that consumed my body and when I flipped down the red velvet seat (oh the feeling), I was fit to burst and the energy of the audience was palpable. I had a flash of a thought, ‘Oh please don’t let this be an anti-climax’ and in the safe hands of the Donmar Warehouse production team, I needn’t have worried. In fact, it was more than I could have wanted. 

We meet Manuel (Omari Douglas) and Roland (Russell Tovey) in this delicious two-hander housed in the buzzing, pulsating and flickering world where the actors pulled the audience through a quantum multiverse world of possibilities where “every choice, every decision you’ve ever and never made exists in an unimaginably vast ensemble of parallel universes.” Pow! 

Douglas is just a dream to watch with Manuel’s dialogue seemingly coming from the depths of his soul with just the most sublime physical storytelling whilst Tovey’s Roland cuts a steady contrast that makes the pairing utterly compelling. 

Nick Payne’s writing transports us from giggly, light and fizzy dialogue to the dark shades of terminal illness and euthanasia as we see multiple journeys not ending in the not inevitable….I think….*reaches for Quantum Physics for beginners​*. 

With the dialogue moving at such pace the moment that packed a firm punch was a scene played purely in BSL. Now, I cannot sign or understand sign language, but every word of this scene was possibly the loudest and clearest of the entire production and as I felt the whole audience pull in as a collective energy, the tears started to flow.    

Needless to say, this play did not disappoint for my first trip back to the theatre and as I was revelling in my gratitude for a world where we are able to watch live action again, I started to daydream of a parallel me watching a play in a world that had never even heard of Covid-bastard-19. 

The Pleasance Theatre London. On demand from 6th – 30th August. In person at The Pleasance Theatre London from 7th – 11th September.

Reviewed by Aimee Liddington.

4****

Written and performed by Marcus Hercules, Prison Game is a monologue which tells the story of an innocent young man who finds himself in prison for a crime that he did not commit. Once there, he soon learns the tricks of the trade and despite his attempts to stay lawful upon his release, his life takes a turn for the worse and he ends up in and out of prison and eventually becoming a drug addict.

Mike’s parents came to England from Jamaica in the 1950’s and Caribbean culture is integral to the telling of the story. The first character we meet is the dynamic, Jamaican, carnival-loving narrator who returns throughout the performance to debrief the audience on each step of Mike’s journey into adulthood. Despite the darkness and gravity of the themes discussed, you cannot help but smile at the narrator’s energy which is accompanied by carnival music each time he appears on the stage.

Marcus Hercules’ ability to shift shape and form in order to clearly differentiate between each of the characters is commendable. His use of repeated phrases and mannerisms to signal character change is flawless and allows the audience to seamlessly follow the storyline without confusion. Hercules switches to and from Jamaican Patois and Manchester slang with ease as he performs roles of a stark contrast (Nana May to the drug dealer TQ). His energy, commitment and physical dynamism helps us transform the bare stage into Mike’s world which we are able to imagine in full.

At the beginning of the performance Mike is a naïve, respectful and ambitious young man and although at the end of the story we can see a glimmer of the young boy he once was, it is clear that he has been changed forever by what he has seen whilst playing the prison game

Vann Garden, Godalming – until 15 August 2021

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

3***

An enchanting garden, a summer evening and a Shakespeare comedy full of playfulness. What more could you want? (Apart from midge repellent, which would have been handy as it got dark.) This is a production by Troubadour Stageworks, who put on shows in non-theatre spaces, such as gardens, village greens and churches. They’re young, enthusiastic, and confident with the text. I took along a 23-year-old who said he struggles with Shakespeare, but these actors made it easy to understand. He loved the show.

All’s Well That Ends Well is tricky, because its clever and resourceful heroine Helena (Jasmine Silk) seems far too good for Bertram, the dim plonker (he really is) that she loves. The shenanigans that bring the two together for a happy ending are potentially nauseating. Then there’s a subplot involving Bertram’s loudmouth friend Parolles, whose unscrupulousness shadows Bertram’s own. But this production manages to find the happiness and fun. Bruce Allinson’s Bertram is gullible rather than horrible, and Megan Good’s Parolles is positively lovable. The second half bounced along as the cast seemed to find extra energy in the different characters they played. Sophy Taylor Lafeu and Dan Nash especially had fine comic timing and big voices.

It helps to be watching in the lovely setting of Vann Garden, beside a beautiful old house. The actors are on the lawn, with the audience all around. The scene setting consisted of a large chair being moved, which was super-simple but effective. It was sometimes difficult to hear when the actors turned away, and sometimes they just talked too fast (at least for me). If you don’t know the play, you should definitely prepare by getting a rough idea of the plot, and read the brief synopsis in the programme. And take chairs, blankets, picnic and midge repellant for the evening show.

Burnt Lemon Theatre in association with MAST Mayflower Southampton and
Birmingham Hippodrome
Incredible cast announced for UK
tour of Tokyo Rose
16th September – 30th October 2021

The highly anticipated tour of the Edinburgh Fringe hit Tokyo Rose has announced their all female cast, starring Kanako Nakano (Miss Saigon, West End; Priscilla Queen of the Desert, West End). The production, winner of the coveted Les Enfant Terribles Stepladder Award, will also feature Maya Britto (Tokyo Rose, New Diorama Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe; Arabian Nights, Hoxton Hall) in the titular role, Lucy Park (Tokyo Rose, New Diorama Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe; Game Face, Q Theatre/Tristan Bates Theatre), Yuki Sutton (Tokyo Rose, New Diorama Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe; Satanic Panic ’87, Channel 4), Amy Parker (Ride, Vault Festival; Dancing By Myself, King’s Head Theatre), and Cara Baldwin (The Marathon Project, online; The Half Moon Shania, Zoo Venues/Vault Festival).

Tokyo Rose is an electrifying new musical about one of America’s most controversial trials, examining a real-life story of scaremongering and scapegoating. New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly first commissioned this exciting project as part of the Untapped Award, and its potential was realised following a sold out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019.

A nickname given to the female broadcasters spreading Japanese propaganda to the Allied Forces during the Second World War, ‘Tokyo Rose’ became a symbol of the enemy. So when Iva Ikuko Toguri D’Aquino was accused of being the original notorious ‘Tokyo Rose’ she became the seventh person in US history to stand trial for treason. This musical foregrounds the voice of the individual, so often drowned out by rabble-rousing discourse, which Iva herself struggles to hold on to during a journey of self-acceptance.

A figure referenced across popular culture, from Joni Mitchell to The Golden Girls, Tokyo Rose provides a female-centric view of a male dominated period of history. Now in a new two-act full length format, this thought-provoking production is a timely examination of xenophobia and anti-Asian sentiment, unfortunately still relevant today. This production celebrates a community whose point of view is not only overlooked in history, but also underrepresented on stage and screen.

Co-writer Maryhee Yoon says, The most important part of Tokyo Rose is that Iva Toguri D’Aquino lived. She was here. I hope to tell Iva’s story in a way that she would have wanted, honouring her heartbreaks, her fight, her family, and her joys to honour our collective fight and radical joy. Just like Iva, our community is here and it is thriving. I hope that Tokyo Rose can serve as a love letter to this vibrant community.

Co-writer Cara Baldwin comments, The cast and creative team have gone on such an incredible journey together, shining a light on a side of history some would rather forget. While Iva Toguri survived a tidal wave of turmoil, the greatest thing we’ve learnt is that Iva’s life is not one to lament, but celebrate.

Black Comedy Snowflakes re-announced for
Islington premiere after Covid cancellation
Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John St, Islington, London EC1V 4NJ
Tuesday 28th September – Saturday 16th October 2021

Think of us like the active hand of impotent rage.

How far would you go to right a wrong? Snowflakes takes Cancel Culture quite literally to question ideas of morality, revenge and justice with gleeful, violent abandon. Combining the technological nihilism of Black Mirror with the dark comedy and horror of Inside No. 9, it lacerates modern outrage and trial by social media.

Marcus and Sarah work for a very special start-up. They don’t work in a shared office. They don’t sell locally sourced, gluten-free coconut water. They do the job that so many people call out for in the comments section. So, outsource your rage, disgust and vitriol and let’s get to the truth before the media storm blows over. They may not based in a co-working space but they do have an app: Justice isn’t blind, it’s streamed to millions. Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe!

This sci-fi black comedy resonates in various directions, implicating questions about the potency of social media, female empowerment and how characters earnestly confront trauma. Comedy, drama and satire; Snowflakes is brought by Dissident Theatre – a company with the goal of making theatre to confront the base, the repressed and ambiguous corners of the world we live in.

Making his writing debut, Robert Boulton (False Choices, King’s Head Theatre; Baked Beans) will also star in Snowflakes as Marcus alongside Niamh Finlay (Gutted, The Marlowe Theatre and UK Tour; Everything that Rises Must Dance, Complicité) as Sarah and Henry Davis (Hanna, Amazon Prime, The Essex Serpent, Apple TV) as Tony.

Robert Boulton comments, My favourite stories have always been dark, twisted and morally dubious – what that says about me as a person, God only knows. I want to make people laugh through the darkness; I don’t respond well to moral preaching or superiority and don’t expect an audience to. I’m flitting somewhere in between terror and excitement to see how the audience responds. I hope Snowflakes is a relevant, if irreverent, riff on contemporary society, not just examining the problems we’re encountering now and where we might be going; but also asking where we want to be when and if we solve these problems. Then again, maybe not.

Snowflakes is brought to life by an angular, minimalist set by Offie-nominated Alys Whitehead (Aisha, The Old Red Lion & Tristan Bates Theatre) designed to reflect the nature of internet streaming, courtrooms and the dystopian future-present in which the play is set. Lighting design from Jonathan Chan (Sticks and Stones, Tristan Bates Theatre) interplays with the set design to create compelling changes in mood through the production.

PRESS RELEASE – 13 August 2021

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MICHAEL MORPURGO TO MAKE SPECIAL APPEARANCE AT THE BARN THEATRE FOR AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN EVENT

• MICHAEL MORPURGO WILL TAKE PART IN A SPECIAL Q&A SESSION WITH DIRECTOR & ADAPTOR SIMON READE AND STAR ALISON REID, FOLLOWING THE OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN ON 31 AUGUST
• THE PRODUCTION RETURNS TO THE BARN THEATRE FOLLOWING ITS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND AWARD-NOMINATED DIGITAL RUN IN APRIL 2021

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester have today announced that internationally best-selling author Michael Morpurgo will make a special appearance for a post-show Q&A session following the opening night performance of Simon Reade’s critically acclaimed play adaptation of his children’s novel An Elephant in the Garden on 31 August.

The question-and-answer session will see Morpurgo discuss with director and adaptor Simon Reade and star Alison Reid their ongoing relationship as collaborators, the process of bringing Morpurgo’s work to the stage and the trio’s ongoing relationship with the Barn Theatre.

An Elephant in the Garden returns to the Barn Theatre from 31 August – 11 September, following its critically acclaimed andOnComm Award-nominated digital run earlier in the year. Simon Reade’s adaptation of the beloved Michael Morpurgo children’s novel follows Lizzie, her mother – and an elephant from the zoo in 1945 Dresden, Germany, as they flee the Allied fire-bombing in the endgame of the Second World War.

The question-and-answer session will take place following the 7:30pm opening night performance on 31 August with access to the Q&A event only for ticket holders to the performance. Tickets to the production range from £11.50.

Michael Morpurgo said of his return to the theatre, “Back in The Barn!  A new beginning beckons for everyone involved with theatre. The Barn has led the way, doing everything that was possible to keep live theatre going during these dire times.  Well, dire is over, we hope, over and done with. Plays can play again. Audiences need wait no longer for the show to begin. How they will love it, how we will all love it, to be together again! 

I am looking forward so, so much to being back at The Barn with you for Alison Reade’s bravura solo performance of Simon Reid’s wonderful adaptation of my story An Elephant in the Garden.” 

The Poonamallee Productions and Barn Theatre production is adapted and directed by Simon Reade and performed by Alison Reid with design by Max Johns, lighting design by Matthew Graham, costumes by Elizabeth De-Tisi, sound design by Jason Barnes, radio voices by Chris Bianchi and juggling choreography by Rod Laver.

This will continue the theatre’s ongoing relationship with Morpurgo, who has been a long-time supporter of the charity. This production will mark the third of his works to be staged at the theatre, following 2019’s The Butterfly Lion and 2020’s Private Peaceful, with Vicki Berwick’s previously announced adaptation of The Mozart Question also in active development.

Morpurgo made appearances for a special digital event “An Evening with Michael Morpurgo” during the height of the pandemic to raise funds for the theatre and his charity Farms For City Childrenas part of the Barn Theatre’s free digital service Behind The Barn Door, which was set up during the first national lockdown to provide free entertainment and information to connect both local, national and international communities.

2020 also saw the critically acclaimed runs of the Barn Theatre, Take Two Theatricals and BoxLess Theatre production of Michael Morporgo’s Private Peaceful, which was also a Simon Reade adaptation. The run started at the theatre’s summer theatre festival BarnFest (which has returned this week) before successful transfers to the theatre’s main auditorium and to Bristol Old Vic. The production was originally scheduled to debut in the West End, however due to the second National lockdown the production was cancelled and returned as a digital production alongside An Elephant in the Garden in Spring 2021.

The production will mark the first of two Simon Reade productions for the Barn’s 2021 reopening season with Reade’s actor-musician reimagining of David Copperfield set to make its world debut from 28 September – 6 November.

Tickets for the special event, An Elephant in the Garden and David Copperfield are now on sale with tickets ranging from £11.50. Tickets can be purchased at barntheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office at 01285 648 255 (M-Sa 10am-1pm & 5:30pm–7pm, Sa 5:30pm-7pm).

CRUCIBLE

A Sheffield Theatres and Clean Break Production

World Première

SHEFFIELD THEATRES AND CLEAN BREAK ANNOUNCE CASTING FOR TYPICAL GIRLS

Writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

DirectorRóisín McBrinn

Musical Director Rosie Bergonzi
Assistant Director Aaliyah Mckay

Designer Kat Heath
Lighting Designer Katy Morrison

Associate Lighting Designer Rachel Cleary

Sound Designer Beth Duke

Movement Director Chi San Howard

Music Director Mentor Yshani Perinpanayagam

Line Producer 45 North

Featuring the music of The Slits

Friday 24 September – Saturday 16 October 2021

Sheffield Theatres and Clean Break todayannounce the cast for Typical Girls by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, at the Crucible Theatre from Friday 24 September to Saturday 16 October.

Directed by Clean Break’s Joint Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn (Afterplay, Sheffield Theatres)full casting includes Helen Cripps (Women Beware Women, Shakespeare’s Globe), Lucy Edkins ([BLANK], Donmar Warehouse), Lucy Ellinson (Run Sister Run, Sheffield Theatres), Eddy Queens (Through This Mist, Clean Break), Alison Fitzjohn (Take That’s – The Band Musical, UK Tour), Lara Grace Ilori (Living Newspaper Edition 6, Royal Court) and Carrie Rock (Julius Caesar, Donmar Warehouse/St Ann’s Warehouse, New York).

“This is punk. This is rebellion. This is how we make change. This is what we need to do.”

From writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) and featuring the music of influential all-female punk band, The Slits, Typical Girls is part gig, part play and is funny, fierce and furious.

In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. But in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed?

Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres: “We couldn’t be more excited to be producing such a bold, riotous new play with a company as inspiring as Clean Break, and can’t wait to welcome this brilliant cast and creative team into the rehearsal room.” 

Róisín McBrinn, Joint Artistic Director of Clean Break: “We’re over the moon to be co-producing this raucous, explosive show! Morgan’s script is electric, and we have a stellar creative team and hugely exciting cast. Clean Break is so proud to be returning with this joyous, important play and to be exploding it onto the beautiful Crucible stage!” 

Returning to the Crucible are Lucy Ellinson, following her starring role in Run Sister Run in 2020; and Róisín McBrinn, after directing the 2014 production Afterplay by Brian Friel.

Typical Girls will be at the Crucible Theatre from 24 September to 16 October with the performance on 6 October live-streamed and available to watch online. Tickets will be available from sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

THE CELEBRATED LONDON REVIVAL OF  

MY NIGHT WITH REG 

THE AWARD-WINNING BITTERSWEET COMEDY BY KEVIN ELYOT 

EXTENDS ITS RUN AT THE TURBINE THEATRE  

UNTIL 11 SEPTEMBER 2021 

AND HOSTS A SPECIAL GALA NIGHT PERFORMANCE ON  

18 AUGUST IN AID OF THE TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST 

★★★★★ 

Shenton Stage, Boyz, A Younger Theatre, Out News Global 

‘A riveting revival and a superb ensemble cast’ – Boyz  

★★★★ 

What’s On Stage, Chortle, Broadway World, Time & Leisure,  

Sardines, London Theatre 1, The Spy In The Stalls 

The celebrated London revival of Kevin Elyot’s award-winning play, My Night With Reg, extends its run for a further three weeks at Paul Taylor-Mills’ Turbine Theatre, now running until 11 September 2021.  

The production also announces a special charity night gala on Wednesday 18 August. The evening is in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. The charity help support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, continue to fight against HIV and provide services and support to help improve the nation’s sexual health.  

This dazzling new revival of the iconic bittersweet comedy is directed by Matt Ryan and stars Stephen K Amos (Benny), James Bradwell (Eric), Edward M Corrie (John), Paul Keating (Guy), Gerard McCarthy (Daniel) and Alan Turkington (Bernie).  

Kevin Elyot’s much-loved modern classic, which captures the fragility of friendship, happiness and life itself, won both the 1995 Olivier and Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy, after its premiere at the Royal Court and subsequent transfer to the West End. 

Set in Guy’s London flat, old friends and new gather to party through the night. This is the summer of 1985 and, for Guy and his circle, the world is about to change forever, thanks to the mounting AIDS crisis. 

My Night With Reg at The Turbine Theatre has designs by Lee Newby and casting by Will Burton CDG.  

THE TURBINE THEATRE

GENERATING NEW WORK.      POWERING PREMIERES.      RE-ENERGISING CLASSICS. 

The Turbine Theatre is a brand-new theatre on the banks of the Thames next to the iconic Battersea Power Station, presented by Bill Kenwright and founded and led by Artistic Director Paul Taylor-Mills. The theatre is located under the Grosvenor Bridge railway arches at Circus West Village, the first chapter of the iconic Battersea Power Station’s regeneration, which is already a thriving riverside destination with exciting restaurants, bars and cafés already open, located at the foot of the iconic Grade II* listed landmark.  

The Turbine Theatre is an intimate theatre with big ambitions. Everything we do revolves around one simple idea: powering the imagination. 

New energy drives everything we do, from festivals of brand-new works, world premieres of new productions and classic stories reimagined for contemporary audiences. 

Every story is a journey and The Turbine Theatre aims to be just the first stage for every idea, risk and labour of love that is brought to life in this electric new environment. We want to be the spark for the most talented and diverse voices that theatre has to offer. 

We’re also passionate about playing a vital role at the heart of the emerging local Battersea community, offering a dynamic public space by day, and a ground-breaking theatre by night. 

LISTINGS

MY NIGHT WITH REG  

Running until 11 September 2021  

The Turbine Theatre  

Written by Kevin Elyot 

Directed by Matt Ryan  

Designs by Lee Newby 

Casting by Will Burton CDG 

Performances: 

Tuesday – Fridays at 7.30pm  

Saturdays at 3pm & 7.30pm  

Sundays at 6pm 

Ticket Price: £32.00 

Address: Arches Lane, Circus West Village, London, SW11 8AB 

Website: TheTurbineTheatre.com 

Twitter: @TurbineTheatre   

#PoweringTheImagination 

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST – GALA NIGHT

Wednesday 18 August  

www.tht.org.uk | @THTorguk | @THTchampions  

Adam Blanshay Productions, Park Theatre, Playbill and The Theatre Café
The Theatre Channel announce a
Stephen Schwartz spectacular for Episode 8
New episode streaming from Friday 17th September 2021

Adam Blanshay Productions’ acclaimed web series The Theatre Channel returns with a show stopping musical spectacular to honour the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked; Pippin; Godspell). Under the new direction of Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Fabian Aloise (Evita, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Wicked, Germany) Schwartz’s modern masterpieces will come alive led by a sensational cast, including leading West End women Alice Fearn (Wicked; Come From Away), Louise Dearman (the only woman to play both Elphaba and Glinda – Wicked; Evita), and Christine Allado (The Prince of Egypt; Hamilton)

Further casting includes the incredible Stewart Clarke (Be More Chill; Fiddler on the Roof), Melanie La Barrie (Wicked; & Juliet), Cedric Neal (Back to the Future; Motown: The Musical) and the cast of the critically acclaimed revival of Pippin at the Charing Cross Theatre, with their fantastic rendition of ‘Magic To Do’. This marks the first time The Theatre Channel is doing a music video in collaboration with a production currently running in the West End, as they continue to evolve their concept.

The episode will be narrated by Stephen Schwartz himself, offering exclusive insights as he looks back over his career and the continual renovation of his work. With his numerous productions playing across London (Pippin, Charing Cross Theatre; The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre; Wicked, Apollo Victoria), it is a testament to the craftsmanship of one of musical theatres muchloved talents. Schwartz will be joining The Café Five to perform an unforgettable finale.

Following their successful collaboration with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Theatre Channel will continue to partner with theatrical venues to celebrate the return of live entertainment. The new episode is an exciting co-production with Park Theatre, where Schwartz’s powerful musical Rags was a critical smash in early 2020.

Stephen Schwartz comments, I’m honoured to be collaborating with The Theatre Channel on Episode 8, featuring my theatre songs. I’ve very much enjoyed and admired the previous episodes, so I know I and my work are in very good hands. An MTV/VH1-meets-Musical Theatre hybrid, The Theatre Channel uses the skilful and imaginative videos they produce to offer new perspectives on musical theatre songs, rediscovering them through a new lens. With “my episode” –Episode 8 — we plan to give fresh and modern twists to some popular favourites and offer some “hidden gems” as well. As a certain Glinda once said: “I couldn’t be happier”.

The cast will once again be joined by resident ensemble ‘The Café Five,’ comprised of Anthony Starr (Guys & Dolls, Sheffield Crucible), Danny Becker (The Prince Of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Kayleigh Thadani (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre), M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium).

The previous episode, a Rodgers and Hammerstein special, featured the incredible talents of Michael D. Xavier (Sunset Boulevard (West End & Broadway); Into The Woods), Josefina
Gabrielle (Oklahoma! (West End & Broadway); Merrily We Roll Along) and Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins; 9 to 5). It also included an exclusive sneak peek into Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Carousel, as part of an exciting collaboration with the venue

Producer Adam Blanshay comments, The Theatre Channel are delighted to continue our in-focus exploration of the anthology of a composer’s work with the incredible Stephen Schwartz. Spanning over six decades, Stephen’s work includes some of the most cherished musicals of all time. We are also incredibly grateful to Park Theatre for their collaboration with us on this episode. Their production of Rags was an immense success, and it’s an honor to bring the work of Stephen Schwartz back home to Finsbury Park.

Combining the thrill of stage and screen for an episodic musical revue of beloved classics, The Theatre Channel is an up close and intimate experience from the comfort of your home.

Previous episodes (1 – 7) of The Theatre Channel are available to purchase at Stream.Theatre to watch at your leisure.

Copmanthorpe Primary School, York – 11 August 2021

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

Around the World in 80 Days is a York Theatre Royal production, that is being performed in an outdoor setting at several schools around York, culminating with a stint in the theatre itself towards the end of August.

Armed with our camping chairs we set off to this unique setting, for a theatre show anyway. We found the school relatively easy with the help of Google Maps, with flags and balloons showing the way once we had parked the car. What greeted us was the setting of a circus ring, with flags adorning the perimeter. We were instructed to go between the two striped tents and set up where we wanted. Luckily there was plenty of room, as we set up relatively close to the main stage area, waiting for the adventure to start.

Based on the Jules Verne book, which I haven’t read, but have seen several film adaptions, which we found out, that were not quite true to the written word. Phileas Fogg (Emillio Iannucci), a very particular man, agrees on a wager and decides to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, a feat truly unheard of in Victorian times. Along with his newly appointed servant Passepartout (Ali Azhar), they set on their travels. What follows is a wild race through countries, encountering different characters, including Mr Fix (Eddie Man) and Aouda (Ulrika Krishnamurti). As the story unfolds, we are frequently interrupted by the real-life tales from Nellie Bly (Dora Rubinstein), an American journalist who was widely known for her record-breaking solo trip in just 72 days, completing her trip in 1890. This was someone who I had never heard of and a true inspiration to others, anything is possible.

The costumes were quite stunning, from Fogg’s ringmaster attire to Aouda’s tradition Indian wear, and Bly’s magnificent, chequered coat, which tied in nicely with Fogg’s waistcoat. There was even an elephant costume, though simple in nature, it was truly imaginative and elegant.

The staging was set as a traditional circus, adorned with a canon. With simple alterations it was then transformed into a ship, a steamboat, a carriage, and a train, changing as we travelled from country to country. It was a sight to behold, so very innovative and quite spectacular. Occasionally there was a bit of a problem with microphones cutting out, but you could still hear what the actors were saying, and it wasn’t an issue.

All five actors did a tremendous job of taking us on a journey through the unique countries of the world from India to America. Their high energy performance really drew the audience in, with their comedic timing and ability to jump from circus performers, full of tricks, juggling knives, fire throwing and body contortion, we were just waiting for the unicycle, but that never materialised, to their 80 Day characters.

We were quite lucky with the weather, the rain just about held off, but it did get quite blustery and was very apt as the story unfolded, with Fogg’s journey across the ocean. I would recommend taking chairs, as opposed to a blanket to sit on, and an extra layer of clothing, it is also a great opportunity to indulge in a picnic.

This was a fabulous performance, a must-see show, I loved every minute of it, my kind of theatre. It is now touring Archbishop Holgate’s School, Joseph Rowntree School and then York Theatre Royal, until 28th August. Get your tickets booked, you will not be disappointed.