Richmond Theatre, 15th- 18th May.  Reviewed By Jessica Brady 

The beautiful Richmond Theatre played host to a new production of FOOTLOOSE last night and it was a real toe tapping treat. Despite a slightly late curtain up, the show didn’t disappoint.

The story follows a young disgruntled teen, Ren [played by Joshua Dowling], moving into the small Bible belt town of Beaumont after his father left his mother [Played by Lindsay Goodhand] and him in Chicago. Ren struggles to integrate into the community that is plagued by tragedy after 4 teens died in a car accident 5 years previously. As a result of that accident, the town’s council imposed new laws, one of which was a ban on dancing to protect the teens of the town from corruption that could threaten the religious integrity of the youths. The town is ruled by its reverend [Played by Reuven Gershon] who’s son was killed in the accident and he tries to control the lives of people in the town as well as his young teenage daughter Ariel [Played by Hannah Price]. Ariel is the dutiful daughter in front of her mother [Played by Maureen Nolan] and father, but often goes out and rebels to escape the tight leash that holds her back. Her relationship with the town’s rough and ready Chuck [Played by Connor Going] often means she is controlled even more so as he is the bully that nobody wants to mess with. Ren makes it his mission along with his new and slightly dumb friend Willard [Played by Gareth Gates] to win the town round and make the teens of the town teenagers again and make them realise that living the way they do isn’t the norm and that a school dance would bring everyone together again.

The show has a super talented cast who all act as the band for the show playing a range of instruments along with dancing, acting and incredible vocals. I have seen a few actor musician shows over the years but this was one of the best of this type I have seen. Each member of the cast swaps and changes instruments with ease and you quickly accept the way the show is presented with characters playing on stage in scenes. Lots of multi roles happen in the show that show off real skill which makes for very entertaining viewing.

Special mentions must go to Gareth Gates who absolutely shines in the comedy role of Willard; he has incredible skill as a physical comedian and was a complete standout in this show which I was really happy to see. I also loved the three girls Rusty [Played by Laura Sillett] Urleen [Played by Gracie Lai] and Wendy-Jo [Played by Emma Fraser] who all had fantastic voices and comic timing not to mention heaps of sass! Joshua Dowen as Ren was a good choice, full of energy and charisma that suited the role well.

The staging was great and well used in different settings but I felt the lighting on stage was generally a little dark and the follow spots seemed to have problems knowing who to follow at times which was a little distracting. The cast to begin with seemed a little nervous and frantic [possibly a result of the late curtain up] but soon settled down and gave the show the powerful punch it needed.

Some great cheesy songs, packed with energy and fun, great choreography and an all round fun show, Footloose gives you a great feel good factor that will have you singing and dancing all the way home.

RAISE A GLASS TO DARLINGTON THEATRE TOWN WITH EARLY DOORS

Darlington Theatre Town is an exciting new initiative to present the most ambitious and high quality theatre in Darlington. The project brings together the expertise of partners Creative Darlington, Darlington Hippodrome, Luxi, Theatre Hullabaloo and ODDMANOUT to cement Darlington’s place in the Tees Valley as a Theatre Town and a place where theatre thrives.

The project, funded by the Arts Council and Darlington Borough Council, grew from the opportunity presented by the redevelopment of the Civic Theatre (opening as Darlington Hippodrome this Autumn), the exciting development of Theatre Hullabaloo’s new theatre for young audiences ‘The Hullabaloo’ (opening this Autumn) and the momentum that has built over the last couple of years around theatre in unusual places by events such as the award-winning Jabberwocky Market.

This creative project is launched with Early Doors, a celebration of community spirit and pub culture, presented by award-winning theatre company Not Too Tame who bring their production of Early Doors The Hole In The Wall in Darlington next week.

Not Too Tame Theatre is founded on the belief of ‘Theatre for All’, that everyone can take something away from. Artistic Director, Jimmy Fairhurst, “Early Doors is a love letter to the local boozer and the people who frequent it. A site specific, immersive show that incorporates live music, comedy, pathos and moments to warm your heart, it’s a great night out condensed into an hour and a half’s entertainment.”

Early Doors comes to The Hole In The Wall, Horsemarket, Darlington on Monday 22, Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 May at 8pm. Recommended age 14+

Tickets £10 concessions £7

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

MEL BROOKS’ MONSTER MUSICAL TO PLAY NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL BEFORE

WEST END PREMIER

 

Legendary filmmaker and comedian Mel Brooks is bringing his new musical Young Frankenstein exclusively to Newcastle Theatre Royal ahead of its West End premier.  North East folk will be able to see the monster musical comedy and its all-star cast first before anyone else for two weeks only: Sat 26 Aug – Sat 9 Sep 2017.  Do not miss!

 

Local lad and comedy hero Ross Noble and screen stars Lesley Joseph and Hadley Fraser will lead the cast of the brand new all-singing all-dancing extravaganza, which is based on the Oscar-nominated smash hit movie of the same name.  The show will run for two weeks in Newcastle as a ‘pre-West End’ season before it opens at London’s Garrick Theatre in late September.

 

Summer Strallen also stars in the show.  Sister of Zizzi (Mary Poppins) and niece of Bonnie Langford, audiences will likewise recognize her from Live Theatre’s Flying into Daylight and Paradise Moscow at the Theatre Royal in 2009. Dianne Pilkington (Wicked), and Patrick Clancy (The Producers, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) will also feature.

 

Hadley Fraser will play the title role of Dr Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein, and immortalised by Gene Wilder in the 1974 movie. Hadley’s widely acclaimed stage credits include Marius in the West End production of Les Miserables, a show to which he returned in the role of Javert. He was in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company for The Winter’s Tale & Harlequinade at the Garrick Theatre and starred alongside Tom Hiddleston in the Donmar Warehouse production of Coriolanus, and performed there again in City of Angels, The Vote and Saint Joan.

 

Cramlington lad Ross Noble will play the hilarious role of the hunchbacked, bug-eyed servant Igor. Ross is one of the UK’s most original and exciting performers: a stand-up comedian since the age of 15, his countless accolades include Time Out award winner for best live stand-up, Barry Award winner, Perrier Award nominee and several Chortle Awards. Unveiling a new sell-out show every year for the last 20 years, Ross is one of the most successful comedians of our time exuding an on-stage presence unlike any other.

 

Ross’ worldwide travel as a stand-up was the subject of his own BBC Radio 4 programmes, Ross Noble Goes Global and Ross Noble On. He is a regular guest star on TV programmes including Live at the Apollo, QI, Just A Minute and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, and he has made 19 appearances on Have I Got News for You.

Lesley Joseph is Frau Blucher, the forbidding housekeeper to the Frankenstein family estate in Transylvania. Lesley is best known for playing Dorien Green, the neighbour from hell, in the ITV1 sitcom Birds of a Feather. Having recorded over one hundred episodes, Dorien became a national institution, with the show watched at its height by 23 million people. Lesley has a wealth of theatrical experience to her credit; most recently in the 2016 UK tour of Annie, in which she played the role of Miss Hannigan. In 2016, Lesley donned her dancing shoes and sequinned dresses as one of the contestants in Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Anton du Beke.

 

Young Frankenstein, the wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Mary Shelley classic, sees Frederick Frankenstein, an esteemed New York brain surgeon and professor, inherit a castle and laboratory in Transylvania from his deranged genius grandfather, Victor Von Frankenstein.  He now faces a dilemma – does he continue to run from his family’s tortured past or does he stay in Transylvania to carry on his grandfather’s mad experiments reanimating the dead and, in the process, fall in love with his sexy lab assistant Inga?

 

Based on the hilarious 1974 film and co-written with Thomas Meehan, Brooks will once again collaborate with Broadway director and choreographer Susan Stroman for this all-singing all-dancing new production, bringing his and Gene Wilder’s classic movie to life on stage.

 

The company will include Imogen Brooke, Matt Crandon, Nathan Elwick, Kelly Ewins-Prouse, Andrew Gordon-Watkins, Sammy Kelly, Richard Pitt, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Gemma Scholes, Emily Squibb, Aron Wild and Josh Wilmott.

 

Young Frankenstein is produced by Mel Brooks, Michael Harrison and Fiery Angel.

 

The pre-West End season of Young Frankenstein is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Sat 26 August until Sat 9 September 2017, playing evenings Tue – Sat at 7.30pm, matinees on Sat 2.30pm (not 26 Aug) & Thu 7 Sep 2pm. Tickets from £19.50.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester – until Saturday 20 May.  Reviewed by Julie Noller

You could be forgiven in assuming that because La Strada was being performed on a smaller stage within The Lowry that it wouldn’t be a polished performance, well it was more than polished it was totally watchable (I may even say awesome). I like The Quays Theatre, it may be the smaller stage but it has character and you always feel part of a small group brought together for enjoyment.

The stage set up looked drab and grey fitting perfectly with the oppressive feel of the whole play. Lighting was used to perfection cleverly designed by Aideen Malone, one stand out piece is the motorbike headlight as it scans through the night catching the audience its hard to decide if I felt like a rabbit caught in headlights or rather part of a facist ragime interrogation.

Fellinis 1954 film of the same title is well known, however I must own up and confess to not having watched it – sadly. I was impressed with Sally Cooksons direction on stage. I was lost in its story of humanity. I do believe that my interpretation of what I watched to be unique to me, you may see and feel entirely different aspects for that is the desired effect.

I loved the beginning how the ensemble gave the appearance of a collective yet as individuals. I felt like I was back at school watching a travelling theatre company perform a very personal show just for my class. But they are right, the ensemble, it is a story that transcends time itself, it is happening now, it happened ten thousand years ago, it will happen tomorrow.

You watch the story unfolding yet you don’t judge any character, La Strada highlights many things, social weaknesses, poverty, malnutrition, deprivation. Life is full of sadness and vulnerability.

Each character perfectly entwines the next cleverly highlighting a different aspect of life itself. Gelsomina portrayed with great understanding by Audrey Bisson, is vulnerable and yet a character of great strength. There are subtle clues into her own life and personality, is she autistic in a time where autism wasn’t accepted or even existed? She doesn’t like noise and hums to herself to remain calm. Sounds and lights and textures play an important part be it the rose petals released by The Fool or watching the band play. There is humour yet there is always the haunting melody of Gelsominas tune – we associate that music with Gelsomina when we hear it, only hummed by Gelsomina herself until sadly at the end when we hear a stranger hum it, whilst cleverly tieing loose ends together and bringing the tale to a close.

Stuart Goodwin as our yorkshire accented strongman must have included every stereotypye of the time, a temper, bloodyminded, drinker. He is a bully yet he’s a victim of circumstance, remember how people throughout history react to deprivation and poverty. They drink to forget, they party when they can, try to be with likeminded people, seek out company or speciafically sex to replace the lack of love and compassion in their lives. It was fantastic to see this deeply unemotional man towards the end show a vulnerable side, to see how deeply Gelsomina affected his life.

My favourite character has to be Il Matto – The Fool, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp he brings light relief to what is potentially a highly charged play of deep emotions, I wasn’t expecting to feel close to tears or to want a character to succeed in life as much as I did. Is his character another one of lifes lessons? Fools do not survive? Or was it a case of here is a fool with so much knowledge of life? I feel if I watch La Strada again I will gain another insight. His purpose is a basic one to show how life could be, hes poor yet happy. He aims to bring Gelsomina out of her oppressive lifestyle to remember her freewill, to be happy. Ultimately he succeeds but not before paying the ultimate price. Congratulations on the amazing circus skills, very impressive and as my friend commented La Strada is not just a ticket to see a play you get a circus thrown in too.

The music throughout again brings to mind poverty and how important music is in uplifting our souls. Original music is by Benji Bower and I have to say we have songs in English, French and Italian each song has great meaning to plays an important part in story telling, deprivation is not unique to one nation.

I enjoyed La Strada and would consider taking my teens to watch it. It’s a striking piece of theatre that shows such a fantastic understanding of humanity. I can’t praise it highly enough. If you enjoy cheering on the underdog be warned it doesn’t have a Hollywood happy ending. But it does allow your mind to drift afterwards to alternate endings and what ifs lifestyles.

Rob Brydon: I Am Standing Up

Newcastle City Hall Saturday 7 October 2017

Stand up Rob Brydon is coming to Newcastle as part of his latest tour.

The comic, who is currently on our screens hosting Would I Lie To You? and starring in The Trip, will be performing at Newcastle City Hall.

 

The performance of his show, titled I Am Standing Up, will take place on Sat 7 Oct 2017. The tour dates are Brydon’s first stand up shows since his sell-out national tour and West End run in 2009.

 

Rob Brydon is perhaps best known for the television shows Gavin and Stacey, Would I Lie To You? and The Trip as well as Marion and Geoff, Human Remains, Little Britain, The Rob Brydon Show, Best of Men, Gangster Granny and Q.I.  His film work includes The Huntsman : Winter’s War, Cinderella and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Earlier this year in London’s West End he starred opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh in The Painkiller.  His other theatre credits include Future Conditional at The Old Vic and A Chorus of Disapproval at The Harold Pinter Theatre.

 

Rob Brydon plays Newcastle City Hall on Sat 7 Oct 2017 Tickets are £37.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk  or from the Theatre Royal Box office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).

 

Stand by Me

       A celebration of Ben E King and The Drifters

Stand by Me is the phenomenal musical history of a group that helped to define Atlantic Records, inspired early rock and roll and was a forerunner to both the black music movement in 1950’s America and even early Motown.

Bringing a remarkable and unique tribute to the icons, challenges, controversy, and conflicts and of course the vast succession of over 50 hits over the last six decades. The music sets the scene for our tribute within the lyrics, with well-loved songs that transport you straight to Broadway, talk of growing up in 1950’s Harlem and even aspire to a black president of the United States… those heady days of Disco and the Northern Soul scene and much more.

This fast moving show features some of the group’s most well-known hits including Under The Boardwalk, Save The Last Dance For Me, Saturday Night At The Movies, Up On The Roof, Can I Take You Home Little Girl, Love Games, There Goes My Baby, Dance With Me, Sweets For My Sweet, There Goes My First Love, When My Little Girl Is Smiling, On Broadway, Money Honey, Every night’s A Saturday Night With You, Kissin In The Back Row, Come On Over To My Place, Down On The Beach, More Than A Number In My Little Red Book, Hello Happiness, Like Sister & Brother and many more…

The Drifters, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, are one of the biggest selling, longest serving bands of all time having sold an incredible 214 million singles and over 114 million albums worldwide – this is their musical history told through the music and anecdotes of the former members on screen. Featuring some of the original recording artists from the successful Stand by Me Album. Not to be missed, you will be on your feet remembering some of the greatest hits of all time!

©OTHELLO MUSIC LIMITED 2015

STAND BY ME IS NOT ASSOCIATED IN ANY WAY WITH TREADWELL ORIGINAL DRIFTERS LLC

New Diorama Theatre & Greenwich Theatre present

SECRET LIFE OF HUMANS

·        August 2-28, 18:30, Pleasance Courtyard

·         Inspired by Yuval Harari’s bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

·         From the multi-award winning company behind 2015s sell-out Down & Out in Paris and London and 2013s Kubrick³

·         In-house production from Peter Brook Empty Space Award and The Stage’s Fringe Theatre of the Year 2016 award winners

 

In 1949, Dr Jacob Bronowski installs a secret, alarmed room in his house. Fifty years later his grandson discovers his secrets, unearthing echoes of six million years of human history, compressed into a single century in which every year is a revolutionary year.

New Diorama Theatre will premiere their new in-house production Secret Life of Humans as part of the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, ahead of a full London run in 2018.

The show, inspired by Yuval Harari’s international bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,has been written by New Diorama’s Artistic & Executive Director David Byrne, co-directed with Idle Motion’s Kate Stanley and devised by the company behind NDT’s award-winning productions ofKubrick³ and Down and Out in Paris & London.

 

Writer and Co-Director David Byrne says “Secret Life of Humans is by far our most ambitious and exciting production to date. However daunting it can be to open a brand new devised show at the Festival, we’re delighted to be premiering at The Pleasance as part of the 70^th anniversary of the Fringe.”

Secret Life of Humans is a New Diorama Theatre production, co-produced with Greenwich Theatreand The Pleasance. The show is also supported by Arts Council England and PRS For Music Foundation.

New Diorama are also backing many of their supported theatre companies at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival, including The Pretend Men with Police Cops In Space, In Bed With My Brother’s We Are Ianand, following on from NDT’s 2017 City of Culture Showcase, four Hull-based companies, including Silent Uproar with A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) written by Olivier award-winner Jon Brittain. As well as cash and in-kind support, New Diorama is providing funds to allow every NDT supported company to host a captioned access performance at the Fringe.

What the press have said:

★★★★ “An energetic production and superb script…A significant and timely play.”

The Observer on Down & Out in Paris and London

 

★★★★ “Deft and compelling”

Time Out on Down & Out in Paris and London

★★★★★ “Should be mandatory viewing for everyone”

The Big Issue on Down & Out in Paris and London

LISTINGS

The Secret Life of Humans

By David Byrne

New Diorama Theatre and Greenwich Theatre

August 2-28 (not 14), 18:30

Pleasance Courtyard

tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/secret-life-of-humans

Half Moon Theatre – 15 May 2017.  Reviewed By Jessica Brady for Fairy Powered Productions

I am so happy to say Action Transport Theatre has produced one of the most refreshing and important pieces theatre for children with Happily Ever After and are educating young people about diversity. This is a simple and honest story about following your heart and having the courage to be who you are, even when people may expect different.

The story is based on the Book King and King by Dutch authors Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland and is interpreted brilliantly. A tale of a Queen [Played by Bruno Mendes] trying to find her son, Prince Berty [played by Paul Curley] a Princess to marry in order to carry on the long line of King and Queens before him that are displayed in frames on the walls of the castle. After searching far and wide across land and sea, the Queen brings a selection of Princesses [all played by Eve Shotton] to Prince Berty, but he is not interested in the beautiful Princesses the way the Queen would have hoped. The final Princess arrives accompanied by her brother Prince Lee [Played by Ady Thompson] and Prince Berty realises he is impressed by him. They begin a romance and we see a lovely montage of the two Princes getting to know each other, going on little adventures together and falling in love. The Queen gives her blessing and the two Princes marry and seal it with a kiss ending in a photo frame of their own.

The set and costumes are like a children’s story book with bright and elaborate colours and cartoon like detail and it’s very easy to transport into the world of fairy tale. The play has no spoken word but is led by a lovely score written by Patrick Dineen which is magical in its own right. The Four actors tell the story with physical theatre techniques and facial expressions that the children seemed to really engage with and enjoy. The subject matter of being gay is well handled and is very heart warming to watch as you know that this is the world we live in and it is normal so why shouldn’t two Princes marry?

Entering the theatre and seeing a primary school group sat down and focused, I wasn’t sure what their reaction would be after watching Happily Ever After as it does highlight a taboo concept to many people still. I was, however, completely moved as I sat in on the post show workshop where the children were asked about the play and gave responses like ‘Being gay is normal’, ‘Being gay is not a choice’, ‘Love is good and the Princes were proud to love each other’. I would love to go on and write all the beautiful, positive things that the children said as they are so wonderful and made me so proud of them.

This kind of theatre is absolutely crucial for our children to see, it makes the world a more accepting place and encourages our children to understand and ingratiate diversity in to their lives from a young age. I encourage you to take your little ones to see it and have your warmed too.

London Devised Theatre Intensive

October 15th – 27th 2017

Applications open May 15th 2017

The London Devised Theatre Intensive is a new two-week workshop for theatre makers to share and expand their practice of devising theatre. With masterclasses from guest artists including Bryony Kimmings, Kristine Landon-Smith (L’Ecole Philippe Gaulier; Tamasha Theatre), Tom Mansfield (Upstart Theatre), Nir Paldi (Theatre Ad Infinitum), and Lee Simpson (artistic director of Improbable), peer-to-peer practice exchange sessions, and creating performance, the Intensive aims to inspire theatre makers, raise the profile of devised theatre, and foster international connections.

The Intensive is created by Amy Clare Tasker Performance Lab (artistic director Amy Clare Tasker, executive director Susie Italiano), in partnership with Blue Panther Productions (executive producer Laura Lundy). With a diverse and cross-platform background, the creators want to use their experience of similar events in the US to bring the excitement, energy and enthusiasm of a 2 week intensive course in devising theatre to London.

They welcome applications from theatre makers in any discipline: directors, writers, performers, choreographers, composers, and designers. Each attending theatre maker will have the opportunity to share their favourite devising techniques, and add new ones to their creative toolbox. Over the course of two weeks, small groups will devise short pieces to be shared in an informal setting at the end of the programme.

The London Devised Theatre Intensive will run using Open Space Technology. A radical alternative to the traditional theatre model, Open Space creates an anti-hierarchical environment for rapid generation of ideas and shared ownership of the work. Amy Clare Tasker Performance Lab uses Open Space as a practical way to match their method to their values: equality, inclusivity, presence, surprise, and possibility.

The Intensive has only 18 places available and discount offers available to promote accessibility – please download an application form from http://www.devisedtheatre.com/.

 

WEST END BARES

RETURNS FOR 2017 ON

SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

AT THE NOVELLO THEATRE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

After last year’s two sold-out shows, WEST END BARES, theatre’s hottest annual fundraiser, is returning on Sunday 29 October 2017 to The Novello Theatre at 7pm and 9.30pm in aid of the Make A Difference Trust.

Tickets are now on sale with an Early Bird offer of 20% off the top three ticket prices available for one week only, until Sunday 21 May.

This year’s theme and celebrity guests will be announced in the summer. Previous celebrity supporters have included Eddie Izzard, Dame Judi Dench, Michelle Visage, Samantha Bond, Graham Norton, John Barrowman, Ramin Karimloo, Bianca Del Rio, Joe Lycett and Beverley Knight.

The event is based on the original concept ‘Broadway Bares’ by legendary Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

For highlights of last year’s sell out performances visit:

https://youtu.be/Nf2pNe3RdCw

The Make A Difference Trust is a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS. Building on the legacy of 25 years of fundraising by the Theatre industry, they continue to make the vision a reality having distributed over £1.6million in grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as over £1million to support projects with their UK and international partners. For further information about the Make A Difference Trust please visit www.madtrust.org.uk

Tickets for WEST END BARES are on sale from Monday 15 May at 2.00pm and are priced at £15 – £100. Early Bird tickets are available from Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May with 20% off the top three ticket prices.

Tickets are available from www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk or the DMT WEST END BARES booking line 0844 482 5172 and in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office. Booking fees apply and calls to Delfont Mackintosh Theatres 0844 numbers cost 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

West End Bares are proud to be partnering with 100 Wardour St for this year’s exclusive After Party where you can continue to celebrate with the cast of the show. Tickets cost £10 and are only available when you buy a ticket for the 7pm or 9.30pm show.  Once again, there is limited availability for the After Party and when the tickets are gone, they’re gone – so don’t miss out!100 Wardour St is split between a laid-back Bar & Lounge and chic Restaurant & Club, offering great food from midday right through until 2am with classic and contemporary cocktails. As befits the venues history as the site of London’s iconic Marquee Club where artists like David Bowie and The Rolling Stones performed, there are DJ’s and live music five nights a week.