Royal Theatre, Windsor – until 29th September

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

3***

My Mother Said is a rebellious play, giving women of that era and today an opportunity to have a voice as creatives, playwrights, directors and actors. Considered one of the most significant plays of the 20th century the production team had big shoes to fill. The Director Michael Cabot makes a valiant attempt, but is sadly lacking in the maintenance of the story line. Keatley is quoted as saying “Our memories aren’t chronological. The order is dictated by what you need to tell.” This is reflected in the constant to-ing and fro-ing between the decades throughout the piece. It is imperative for the audience that these transitions are well sewn together, but I found myself getting lost, having to retrace quickly to connect the storyline.

Having said that, the calibre of acting was very good. I particularly liked Carole Dance’s Doris, presenting a believable, innocent child one moment and a loving grandmother the next, finally an excited young woman in the bloom of first love. Connie Walker presented Margaret as a strong, stoic child, daughter and mother, portraying the martyrdom that so many women have felt no choice over. Kathryn Ritchie’s Jackie was real and tangible, daring to go against the norms set by her parent’s generation, wanting more than to be the dutiful daughter and mother, striving for success in her chosen field. Finally Rosie. Felicity Houlbrooke gave Rosie a depth of understanding that so many young people have and are not credited for. She allowed Rosie to unfold into the story as the glue that kept her family connected.

In the end the play is a vehicle to show that the many layers of truths and untruths wound around the children, out of perceived love and protection, were perpetuated by social conventions to keep women in their place. This came across, although the fast pace left the storytelling wanting at times.

Hull New Theatre until 29th September 2018

Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

4****

The Beatles provided the soundtrack for my childhood and then later as solo artists for my teens. So every song that was played last night brought back happy memories for me and I suspect for a lot of those in the audience.

Let It be is the concert that I never got the chance to see but is also a concert that in actuality never happened. When entering the theatre there were four large “old fashioned” television screens showing black and white news clips. They then played clips and radio clips from the early 1960s about the Beatles before Let It Be, the musicians, appeared on the stage to recreate the Beatles performance at the Royal Variety Performance. More news reel clips were followed by the performance at the Shea stadium, very cleverly staged with feedback from mikes, screaming fans and musicians clearly unable to hear themselves. The Sergeant Pepper era was then recreated with psychedelic backdrops and for Strawberry Fields Forever the gates of the Strawberry Field children’s home being projected as a backdrop. Finally before the interval we were taken to the roof of the Apple building for what was to be the Beatles final live performance. In the second half we were asked to imagine that the Beatles had got back together to play again on the occasion of John Lennon’s birthday in 1980. This “concert” had performances of the music from solo careers, some rock and roll and some Beatles favourites.

Emanuele Angeletti (Paul McCartney), John Brosnan (George Harrison), Ben Cullingworth (Ringo Starr) and Michael Gagliano (John Lennon) were all superb. Each is clearly a very talented musician and as a band they were very tight and together. Liverpudlian accents were a little wobbly at times but this didn’t matter as the music was the star. Michael Bramwell, the Musical Director provided very skillful musical support helping to create a wonderful sound. They very quickly had the theatre audience on their side and up on their feet and received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end. When the lights came up the majority of the audience remained on their feet applauding and clearly wanting more – a first for me!

This show has a real feel good factor and superb musicianship – you will come out with a huge smile on your face and singing a variety of Beatles songs!

Darlington Hippodrome – until Saturday 29 September

4****

Summer Holiday has arrived in Darlington, complete with a big, red, double-decker London bus.

Based on the 1963 film starring Cliff Richard; Summer Holiday tells the tale of four London based bus mechanics, who plan to go on holiday to St Tropez in their bus to show how a bus can work as a holiday and place to stay in one.  The boys – Don (Ray Quinn), Cyril (Rory Maguire), Steve (Billy Roberts) and Edwin (Joe Goldie) – bump into the girls after their car breaks down.  Angie (Laura Marie Benson), Alma (Alice Barker) and Mimsie (Gabby Antrobus) are the girl group “Do- Re-Me”, on their way to Athens.  In the middle of this, singing sensation Barbara (Sophie Matthews) runs away from her domineering mother Stella (Taryn Sudding) and manager Jerry (Wayne Smith).  Stowing away on the bus she claims to be a 14 year old boy called Bobby.

The live band led by Rob Wicks sometimes drowned out the sound of the singers – but with most of the audience singing along anyway no one seemed to mind.  The costumes were fabulous and, as always, Racky Plews choreography was superb. Kudos too to the stage crew manoeuvring the bus which clearly had a mind of its own.

If I had to be picky I would ask why Ray Quinn, who seems to have a natural “cheeky chappy” persona was playing Don in a very stiff “Trevor Howard” type style?  But the accent never slipped so well done for that.

Gloriously cheesy, packed full of hit songs and full of nostalgia this is a fun night out and its worth a visit (revisit) if only for the sight of Ray Quinn dressed only in a pair of small white pants singing Bachelor Boy.

In Darlington until Saturday and on tour around the UK  summerholidaythemusical.co.uk 

 

 

September is leaving us and we are slipping into October and the shows keep coming at

The Majestic Theatre Darlington

This weekend, Saturday 29 September,  we have comedian Nish Kumar – we are down to the final few tickets for this so if you don’t buy now you’ll miss this hilarious night out

Ticket prices start from £18

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

On Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd October the talented students from Darlington College are performing their Induction show Think Outside the Box

This is a Pay What You Decide performance

Doors open at 6.00 – show starts at 7.00pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Friday 5 October brings us the play Communicate.  This intimate and gripping account of life and death has been developed in association with Cruse Bereavement Care.

Use the codes CRUSE and SPEAKUP for 50% off ticket prices

Ticket prices start from £5

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

On Saturday 6 October International Drag Artist Shayanne O’Shea presents Fabulush Cabaret.  The team of talented entertainers will leave you wanting more of a fabulush time

Ticket prices start from £10

Doors open at 7.30 – show starts at 8.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Star of our opening show Chris Cross presents Magic at the Majestic on Friday 19 October.  A world class variety show featuring magic, comedy, sideshow, song, dance and much much more!  Expect the Unexpected!

Ticket prices start from £8

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.00pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

On Saturday 20 October in the intimate setting of the bar Driven Serious return to the Majestic.  Come and enjoy music and drinks and the brilliant atmosphere

Ticket prices start from £7.00

Show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Apollo Theatre Company and Spike Milligan Productions present The Goon Show on Thursday 25 October.  This acclaimed 5* production is live on stage at the Majestic

Ticket prices start from £15

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Ahoy there ship mates Double Trouble return to the Majestic with Pirates of the Spooky Lagoon.  A brand new show full of swashbuckling fun for all the family and we have twice the fun with two shows at 2.00pm and 6.00pm on Thursday 1 November.

Tickets prices start from £9

Doors open one hour before each show

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Award winning cabaret star, and the UK’s most successful juggler, Mat Ricardo had run out of tricks – so he bet everyone in the world he could learn any trick they could think of!  Mat Ricardo Vs The World premieres at the Majestic on Friday 2nd November

Ticket prices start from £10

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

* AGE 10+

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Chris Mallon presents his debut show Damfino on Saturday 3 November.  An evening of mind reading, psychological entertainment and psychic illusions. Tickets are selling quickly for this show

Ticket prices start from £6

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

On Friday 9 November we are Made in Motown who aim to recreate the classic sound of Detroit in the 60’s and 70’s

*UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

Ticket prices start from £13

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Covering every aspect of Bon Jovl’s career – Bon Giovi perform all the greatest hits at the Majestic on Saturday 10 November

Ticket Prices start from £14

Doors open at 6.45 – show starts at 7.45pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Saturday 24 November brings us Hazel O’Connor Breaking Glass.  The film, a Q&A and a live performance.  A very special evening with award-winning singer songwriter Hazel O’Connor, featuring a rare screening of the digitally re-mastered uncut version of the film followed by an intimate Q&A and live performance of some of the films best loved songs.  Tickets are selling out fast!

Ticket prices start from £20

Doors open at 6.30 – show starts at 7.30pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

The Majestic Theatre Company and Darlington College Performing Arts Department present Peter Pan: A Christmas Show from Tuesday 11 to Monday 24 December.  A classic on stage – “I do believe in fairies, I do I do”

Ticket prices start from £3

Doors open at 6.00 – show starts at 7.00pm

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

 

Coming in 2019

Comedian Fran Garriety returns on Friday 18 January

 

Spector Detectors on Saturday 19 January

 

Medium Toby Stockwell on Tuesday 5 March

 

Tribute band Coldplace on Friday 22 March

 

Smash hit play Death and the Maiden on Thursday 13 June

 

Tribute act Tina Turner Experience on Saturday 15 June

 

www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WATFORD PALACE THEATRE’S

ALL-FEMALE PRODUCTION OF MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

 

Watford Palace Theatre Company Presents

Much Ado About Nothing

By William Shakespeare

Director: Brigid Larmour; Composer and Sound Designer: Arun Ghosh;

Designer: Rebecca Brower; Lighting Designer: Aideen Malone; Movement Director: Sita Thomas

4 – 27 October

Artistic Director of Watford Palace Theatre, Brigid Larmour, today announces full casting for Watford Palace Theatre’s all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing. Larmour directs Joanna Brookes (Dogberry/ Antonio), Elly Condron (Don Pedro), Rebekah Hinds (Borachio/ Margaret), Emma Lane (Conrade/ Ursula/ Friar), Juliet Leighton-Jones (Musician), Nyla Levy (Hero/ Sexton), Pepter Lunkuse (Claudio), Anna O’Grady (Benedick), Emily Tucker (Beatrice), Tripti Tripuraneni (Don John/ Verges) and Julia Watson (Leonato).

 

Shakespeare’s sparkling comedy of misunderstandings, given a 1940s twist! Beatrice and Benedick love to hate each other, but their friends suspect them of deeper feelings… War hero Claudio is madly in love with Beatrice’s pretty young cousin, but how well does he really know her?

Set at the height of the Battle of Britain, our affectionate homage to the servicewomen of World War Two is a playful salute to the all-male productions of Shakespeare’s own time. Join us and step back in time to a Palace transported to the 1940s, complete with sandbags, Gin and It, and a Home Guard recruitment stall…

Joanna Brookes plays Dogberry/ Antonio. She returns to Watford Palace Theatre having performed in TheDaughter in Law. Other theatre credits include Monster Raving Loony (Theatre Royal Plymouth/ Soho Theatre), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Birmingham Rep), The Importance of Being Earnest(Nottingham Playhouse), The Physicists (Donmar Warehouse), The Rivals, Spring and Port Wine and TheAdmirable Crichton (New Vic Stoke), The Biggleswades (Southwark Playhouse), The Waltz of The Toreadors(Chichester Festival Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Exeter Northcott). Television credits include The Windsors: Royal Wedding Special, Man Down, We The Jury, Uncle, The Tunnel, Mr Selfridge, Law and Order UK, Boomers, Siblings, Taking The Flak, Phoneshop, Dancing on the Edge, Mrs Biggs, Bad Girls, Fifteen Storeys High, Jonathan Creek, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Sir Gadabout, Titmuss Regained and Survival of The Fittest; and for film, Their Finest, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Criminal, Pauline, Kid Gloves, In the Loop, Dreams of a Life, The Infidel, Little Dorrit, Under Suspicion and The Fool.

Elly Condron plays Don Pedro. Her theatre credits include Tempest (RSC, Barbican), Jane Eyre (National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic), Some Girls (Park Theatre), Spokesong (Finborough Theatre), Titus Andronicus (Greenwich Theatre), Macbeth (R-ft Theatre, site-specific). Television credits include The Six Wives with Lucy Worsley, and for film, Wasp, Helping Hand and IT.

Rebekah Hinds plays Borachio/ Margaret. Her theatre credits include Grotty (The Bunker), Humble Boy (Orange Tree), Anita and Me (UK tour), The Government Inspector (Birmingham Rep/Ramps on the Moon UK tour – Olivier Award Nominated), Billy Liar (Royal Exchange), Around the World (Sadler’s Wells & Mint Theater, New York), The Little Prince – Concert (Savoy Theatre) and Sondheim Prom (Royal Albert Hall). For television her credits include Trollied, Inside no. 9, The Syndicate and Shameless; and for film, The Public Benefits and Woman of the Night.

Emma Lane plays Conrade/ Ursula/ Friar. His theatre credits include Priceless, I am the Centre, Faustus(Matchstick Theatre), Dark Sides (Rusi), Just Do Right, The Woyzeck Theory (Atramental Theatre). Television credits Uncle Dad; and for film Waiting and Gathering Storm.

Juliet Leighton-Jones (Musician). She returns to Watford Palace Theatre having performed in I Capture the Castle. Other theatre credits include Wind in the Willows (West Yorkshire Playhouse), eight seasons with The New Shakespeare Company (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Sweeney Todd (National Theatre), Kean (Old Vic), The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre), Flowers for Mrs Harris (Sheffield Crucible), Arabian Nights (Derby Playhouse) and six seasons with The International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

Nyla Levy plays Hero/ Sexton. Her theatre credits include Different is Dangerous (Two’s Company/Theatre 503), Street/Life (Cardboard Citizens), Like Mother, Like Daughter (Battersea Arts Centre), 100 Stories (Hackney Empire), Punjabi Girl (Rich Mix), The Rebel & The Runaway (G.L.Y.P.T), That Isis Play Innit! (The Space), Keywords(Lyric Hammersmith), Does My Bomb Look Big In This? (Battersea Arts Centre), Prevent Tours (Pint Sized Theatre), The Diary of a Hounslow Girl (UK tour), Magna Carter (National Theatre Studio) and Child of the Divide (UK tour); and for television, Guiding Lights.

 

Pepter Lunkuse plays Claudio. Her theatre credits include Holes (Nottingham Playhouse), Nell Gwynn (Globe/ETT), King Lear (Royal Exchange Theatre/Birmingham Rep/Talawa and broadcast), The Crucible (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Vertical Hour (Park Theatre), Liberian Girl (Royal Court at London 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict), Antony and Cleopatra (Chichester Festival Theatre). For television credits include Father Brown and King Lear; and for film, Sink.

Anna O’Grady plays Benedick. She returns to Watford Palace Theatre after performing in Time of My Life, Family Business and Our Father. Other theatre credits include Sherlock Holmes: The Final Curtain (Theatre Royal Bath & UK tour), The Events (Mercury Theatre Colchester), Sket (PMJ/Park Theatre), My World Has Exploded a Little Bit (Underbelly), Children of the Sun (National Theatre). For television her credits include Flowers; and for film, My Mum Is My Hero, Black Pond, Mars 1001 and Complicit.

 

Tripti Tripuraneni (Don John/ Verges). Her theatre credits include My Homemade Kite (Tristan Bates theatre), The Jungle Book (UK tour), Romeo and Juliet (National Theatre), Macbeth (National Theatre) and Paradise of the Assassins (Tara Arts).

Emily Tucker (Beatrice). For theatre her credits include Fortune’s Fool (Old Vic Theatre), A Warsaw Melody (Arcola Theatre), Suddenly Last Summer, Lady of the Lake, Fallen Angels (Theatre by the Lake), Shiver- The Tempest (National Theatre Studio), Twelfth Night, Henry V, King Lear, King Arthur (Guildford Shakespeare Company), The Man Who Pays the Piper, The Stepmother (Orange Tree Theatre), After the Ball (The Gatehouse), The Importance of Being Earnest (Courtyard Theatre). For television his credits include Not Safe For Work; and for film, Heretiks, The Seasoning House, Lady Macbeth, Missed Conceptions and Hush.

Julia Watson plays Leonato. She returns to Watford Palace Theatre having previously performed in The Deep Blue Sea. Other theatre credits include The Seagull and My Family and Other Animals (York Theatre Royal) Amy’s View (Nottingham Playhouse), Handbagged (Theatre by the Lake, Keswick), She Stoops to Conquer, Major Barbara and Wild Honey (National Theatre), Tosca’s Kiss, Love’s Comedy, The Stepmother and The Man Who Pays the Piper (Orange Tree Theatre). Her Television credits include series regular in Casualty, Never the Twain, Welcome to Orty-fou, The Yellow Wallpaper and Across the Lake, Not Going Out and Touch of Frost; and for film, Baar Baar Dekho.

Brigid Lamour is Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Watford Palace Theatre. Productions directed for Watford Palace include I Capture the Castle, Arms and the Man, Coming Up, Jefferson’s Garden (Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Best New Play 2015), Love Me Do (co-directed with Shona Morris) and Von Ribbentrop’s Watch, Fourteen, Perfect Match (part of WPT’s 2013 ‘Ideal World’ season), We That Are Left, Mrs Reynolds and theRuffian, Equally Divided, Our Father and My Mother Said I Never Should; and five pantomimes Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Sleeping Beauty (co-directed with Shona Morris), Robin Hood, and Mother Goose. From 1998 to 2006 she was Artistic Director of West End company Act Productions, and adviser to BBC4 Plays. From 1993 to 1998 she directed a series of interactive promenade Shakespeares, Shakespeare Unplugged, for RNT Education. Lamour directed the premiere production of My Mother Said I Never Should at Contact Theatre, Manchester in 1987. She was Artistic Director at Contact from 1989 to 1994, commissioning plays including Excess/XS and Strange Attractors.

Watford Palace Theatre

Listings

20 Clarendon Rd, Watford WD17 1JZ

https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Box Office: 01923 225671

IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN’S SATIRICAL PLAY

A TRADEMARK TOURING & WATERMILL THEATRE PRODUCTION

 ANNOUNCE SPECIAL GALA PERFORMANCE ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

AT THE ARTS THEATRE, LONDON

IN SUPPORT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

 

To coincide with the commemoration of the end of WW1 there will be a special gala performance of Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s play The Wipers Times on Remembrance Sunday 11 November at 6pm at the Arts Theatre, Londonin support of The Royal British Legion’s Thank You campaign. The evening will include an introduction, post-show talk and Q and A with Ian and Nick and a reception. The play is currently on a UK tour and begins a 7-week season at the Arts Theatre on 18 October.

The Royal British Legion has launched a mass movement to say ‘Thank You’ to all who served, sacrificed, and changed our world during the First World War. The charity is calling on mass involvement from the public to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Many events have been organised in the run-up to 11 November to say ‘Thank You’ to those who put Britain on the path to becoming what it is today.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times – a stage adaptation of their award-winning BBC film – tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme, interspersed with comic sketches and spoofs from the vivid imagination of those on the front line.

In a bombed out building during the First World War in the Belgian town of Ypres (mispronounced Wipers by British soldiers), two officers discover a printing press and create a newspaper for the troops. Far from being a somber journal about life in the trenches they produced a resolutely cheerful, subversive and very funny newspaper designed to lift the spirits of the men on the frontline.

 Defying enemy bombardment, gas attacks and the disapproval of many of the top Brass, The Wipers Times rolled off the press for two years and was an extraordinary tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. The production originally launched one hundred years after the Battle of the Somme and publication of The Wipers Times.

 The cast includes Emilia Williams, Dan Mersh, Clio Davies, George Kemp, Amar Aggoun, James Dutton, Kevin Brewer, Chris Levens, Joseph Reed and Sam Ducane. The Wipers Times is directed by Caroline Leslie, designed by Dora Schweitzer, with lighting design by James Smith, sound design by Steve Mayo. The composer is Nick Green, and Musical Director Paul Herbert. It is produced by Bob Benton & David Parfitt.

 

For tickets to this special performance go to: https://artstheatrewestend.co.uk/whats-on/the-wipers-times-royal-british-legion-charity-performance/

KINKY BOOTS, THE WEST END AND BROADWAY PHENOMENON, COMES TO HULL NEW THEATRE IN 2019

Kinky Boots, the winner of every major Best Musical award, is coming to Hull New Theatre from 11-23 November 2019 as part of its first ever UK tour.

From a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan, Kinky Boots is the heart-warming tale of Charlie Price who is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family shoe business, Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

Inspired by true events, the show has proved an international success scooping three Olivier Awards, three WhatsOnStage Awards as well as six Broadway Tony® Awards.

With a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), and songs by Grammy® and Tony® Award-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about friendship, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

Composer and Lyricist, Cyndi Lauper said: “It has been a wonderful adventure and a privilege for me, to play a part in creating Kinky Boots. Everyone can relate to this universal story, and I am overwhelmed that people in the UK have embraced it with open arms. I am thrilled that this fabulous show will be touring the country!”

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), who said: “I am delighted to see this big-spirited musical going on tour. Kinky Boots is very close to my heart, and I am really looking forward to taking this British musical all over the UK .”

Kinky Boots is produced by Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig, James L. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Playful Productions, CJ E&M, Jayne Baron Sherman, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Judith Ann Abrams, Yasuhiro Kawana, Jane Bergère, Allan S. Gordon & Adam S. Gordon, Ken Davenport, Hunter Arnold, Lucy and Phil Suarez, Bryan Bantry, Ron Fierstein & Dorsey Regal, Independent Presenters Network, Jim Kierstead/Gregory Rae, BB Group/Christina Papagjika, Brian Smith/Tom & Connie Walsh, Warren Trepp, and Jujamcyn Theaters, in association with Cameron Mackintosh.

Tickets for Kinky Boots at Hull New Theatre from 11-23 November 2019 go on sale to Extra Members from 10am on Thursday 27 September 2018 and from 10am on Friday 28 September 2018 to the general public. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk.

 

Star support for London Award Ceremony that seeks to abolish gang violence and street crime

Croydon Conference Centre, Saturday 29 September,

Time: 7-11pm

AAA Foundation Awards – Challenging Behaviours and Changing Lives

www.aaa4success.co.uk

An award and dinner ceremony, with an ambition to tackle gang violence and street crime, will be taking place in London for the 5th year anniversary on 29th September 2018.

AAA (Antoin Akpom Achievements) Foundation is a registered charity set up in memory of Antoin Akpom, a football coach from Leicester, who was tragically murdered in September 2013.  The charity will be hosting the event and nominating young people in deprived communities across various industry categories. Popular rapper and MOBO award winningKrept and Konan have been nominated for an Enterprise Award for their newly opened restaurant, Crepes and Cones.  All categories in the award ceremony are as follows:

• Sports
• Community Contribution Awards
• Enterprise Awards
• Future Star
• Performing Arts

For the first time, AAA Foundation will also be giving special recognition to two individuals who have demonstrated exemplary success and achievements within their sector.   TheHonorary Award, is an accolade that distinguishes the achievements of those that have inspired generations over decades with pioneering qualities and attributes.  The Educational Awards recognises significant services and contribution within in the sector.

The award ceremony has attracted major support since its inception.  This year the Mayor of Croydon, Her Worship Bernadette Khan, who will be opening the ceremony.  Other VIP support at the event include:

• William George Ellis (Actor) Dark Night & Pirates of the Caribbean
• Director of BAFFTA Awards – Dr Pauling London
• Chief Mrs Ezenwanyi Egbunike-Agbakoba
• Lady Lauryn Bouvier

Ms Cheryl Armatrading, set up the AAA Foundation in memory of her son, Antoin.  The Foundation’s aim is to continue his legacy which began as a community enterprise, (AAA Strike 4 Success), using arts and sports as a platform to deter young people from street crime.

Ms Armatrading says, “I am doing this not only for my son’s legacy but also for the youth’s he inspired.  Recognition such as the AAA Foundation Awards can really create change within a community as it is so important that people start to identify with positive achievements and community contribution. Bringing such values and positive dialogue forward can help to inspire, motivate people within deprived areas and naturally move young people away from street crime and gang culture”.

AAA Foundation runs a range of skills development workshops including scriptwriting, drama and acting and prop making events as well as gala award ceremonies fun days to engage young people between the ages of 16yrs – 25yrs to develop key transferable skills and core values.

 

Event Details

Date: Saturday 29 September

Venue: Croydon Conference Centre, 5 – 9 Surrey Street, CR0 1RG. 

Time: 7pm – 11pm. 

Park Theatre – until 20 October 2018

Reviewed by Adam Craddock

3***

The Other Place’s tale of a strong willed career minded woman slipping into the ugly grasp of dementia is a story that sits very close to my heart, having seen this personally with one of my very close family members and upon seeing that this show was to be playing at The Park Theatre, I got very excited indeed to see what it may hold. “The Other Place” follows Juliana, a scientist and speaker who is struggling with some inner demons that she is incorrectly diagnosing, and her husband Ian, a doctor seeking to find the answers to her problem. The book of the show handles the subject matter truthfully and respectfully given the circumstances but does sometimes suffer from some pacing issues slightly.

Neil McCaul plays strongly as Ian, really showing the troubling tortured life of a person whose spouse has dementia. He had a beautiful mix of anger, pain and blissful ignorance that really resonated with me and stayed extremely true to the truth of what happens in this situation. Eliza Collings did well as “the woman”, with some great character work as the daughter and good control as the doctor. Rupinder Nagra was good as “the man”, working well with what limited stage time he had, although sometimes I feel like he did get swallowed up a bit on stage. However the star of the show was of course Karen Archer as Juliana. Her brilliant slow burn portrayal of a strong woman slipping into dementia was perfect and, greatest of all in my opinion, was that it was delivered with the unexpected dry wit and sass that these people tend to have. Her performance was spot on in my opinion and her breakdown at the end really touched me. Well done Karen! The direction for Claire van Kempen was good, working well with the limited set and lighting that she chose to have and, to be honest, I think that this really made the piece; stripping it back to the basics and just delivering a real story was spot on.

The Other Place runs at the Park Theatre until 20th October.

Storyhouse, Chester – until Saturday 29th September 2018

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5***** 

When I was asked to review The Full Monty, I hoped it would be as iconic as the 1997 smash hit that took UK cinemas by storm. This could be one of the quickest reviews I could possibly write, it surpassed even my expectations, it was simply magnificant. Slick and well polished, the audience whooped with delight, we clapped and cheered. This really is a must see production.

1997 was the year I got married and I noticed more than one “hen” in the audience sporting their veils with pride. I have to admit to being surprised at the number of men happily taking their seats, for you just assume the women would far outnumber them. The Full Monty has been adapted for the stage quite brilliantly by Simon Beaufoy, he manages the transition from screen to stage in a somewhat seamless fashion. I could quite easily believe I was sat in my front room watching the boys learn their craft, such is the joy of Storyhouse.

The Full Monty for those unaware is set in a time of political upheaval in the UK; our first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was at the same time the most revered yet most hated politician ever, this is an era I remember well as a young girl. Strikes and unpopular policies, the declining industries in areas that just expected those industry jobs to always be there as they always had, left men lost and the balance of working practice was starting to shift. This is the power of behind the scenes for this production, forget the big names and music that makes you reminisce; think of all those taboo subjects of the 1980’s given a fresh twist and you see homosexuality, depression, mental illness. Add to those the fact that men just weren’t facing up to reality that the life they had always known was simply gone, never to return. The Full Monty tackles those issues head on, shows us all that there is a way out but you must have a need, want to change and fight for it tooth and nail. Only then do you stand a chance of succeeding.

Each and every actor on that stage deserved their standing ovation. As a team of merry brothers (and sisters) they have bonded wonderfully as if they really had worked together for years, I could quite easily believe that. So many one liners that had me laughing and honestly crying at times, no one left the theatre without a great big smile, what a hoot.

Gary Lucy as Gaz, now I hold my hands up I questioned his accent at first tonight, it was something I couldn’t quite place my finger on. But I soon forgave him, as I was drawn to his bad boy character, a cheeky lad about town, mischief maker, a loving Dad who may not be perfect but you could never doubt the utter devotion for his son Nathan (Fraser Kelly) who happens to be the actual brains of the family, perhaps in another era a chip off the old block. There’s lovable Dave (Kai Owen) the archetypal best mate, getting dragged along in Gaz’s antics. All whilst hiding his own insecurities and emotions from his own wife. Poor old Lomper (Joe Gill) the somewhat simple guy, initially looking to commit suicide, that shocking episode and the humour that follows may make light of a serious topic but it’s a few minutes that do so much to highlight male helplessness. What can I say about Guy (James Redmond) bringing homosexuality to the forefront, brazen and open if you remember the film where he drops his trousers; well he quite literally brought the house and curtains down. Horse (Louis Emerick) would you expect any more than his character to be played with anything other than a scouse accent? Although set in Sheffield, Yorkshire. It just doesn’t appear strange at all. And we accept it happily, almost joyously. He’s rather an old snake hips, well if it wasn’t for the arthritis; amusing really for a wannabe male stripper. Gerald (Andrew Dunn) completes our band of misfits, a former foreman, constantly lying to his wife for six months, that every morning he leaves for work. This is pre internet, pre satellite but you have to question how he managed the pretence. How his pride must have suffered to lose a prestigious job. Yet it ends with him losing everything, home, possessions and his wife. He and the other men come down to the conclusion; that one nights humiliation is nothing for they have nothing.

Could the ending be the highlight of my night, possibly, it’s fun, fast paced and accompanied by Tom Jones. Although I have to say the Job Centre scene accompanied by Donna Summers Hot Stuff, quite easily gives the film a run for its money. You know it’s coming but they delay it, drive up the anticipation. The humour throughout is so very typically British, there will be something for everyone to laugh at. I loved the use of music and dancers for the subtle change of sets. The set itself is simple yet effective and fully believable from working men’s club to long abandoned steel works, with the Sheffield skyline poking through the doors in the dead of night. This play needs congratulating for bringing back memories of a film that won multiple awards and was the highest grossing film of the year. Anyone who was anyone went to watch it and the same should be said for this stage version. If only for the cheeky flash of Gary Lucy’s bum from under his dressing gown, we were already standing up cheering.