Prince of Wales Theatre, London – 15 February 2015

Awards concerts are an experience, almost like a show for a show.  Entering the theatre via the red carpet with flashes going off everywhere makes you feel incredibly important and glamorous.

Sitting in the bar, mingling with the great and the good of the theatre world and celeb spotting before the show begins is as entertaining as watching the performances.

But the time came to take our seats in the stalls and watch one of the best concerts by far.

Mel Giedroyc started the evening off with her hilarious song and dance routine “My West End Dream” and then Steve Furst joined her on stage for a comical and amusing presentation of the awards.

For me, one of the best musical numbers of the night is Sophie Louise Dann singing Ideal World from Made In Dagenham.  Dann has an outstanding voice and this one shows off her amazing vocals.  But all the vocals tonight are of world class standard and Beverley Knight belts out a song from the fabulous Memphis  and from Miss Saigon, Rachelle Ann Go and Eva Noblezada give us Movie in my Mind.

By the interval the audience are all itching to see Tom Hiddleston and David Tennant in the stalls bar.  And then its back to the awards.

Starting off part two we have a sensational Rodgers and Hammerstein tribute to start us off.  Followed by a show stopping performance from Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Nathan Amzi and the talented cast of In The Heights; a breathtaking performance from Dogfight’s Laura Jane Matthewson and a thrilling ensemble piece from Sweeney Todd.  All too soon we end the show but boy what an ending by Melanie La Barrie, Amy Lennox and the phenomenal Anna Jane Casey.

Miss Saigon won the night with 9 awards.  But there were some fabulous surprises with the winners and some excellent acceptance speeches.  These are the only awards voted for entirely by the public and it makes the show all the more interesting for it.

Full Winners List

Not exactly a show but still worthy of a review is the Theatre Cafe on Shaftesbury Avenue.  Diagonally opposite the Queens Theatre home of Les Miserables, this lovely little cafe is so worth a visit.

With the walls adorned with posters, pictures and props from the shows, show music playing in the background (Legally Blonde when we visited) and added extra’s like dressing room mirrors in the stage door toilets.

The staff were lovely, the prices reasonable and the cakes superb.

And there is also the chance to book theatre tickets with your drink, as you can use one of the many booking tablets to see availability and prices and best deals.

It is a really wonderful little place, a gem in the heart of the West End not to be missed

Arts Theatre, London – 14 February 2015

Its a strange phenomenon, paying good money to be scared silly.  As you sit in the auditorium waiting for the show to start the atmosphere begins to build.  The drip of water, the scary music, all psychologically designed to build the mood before the show begins.  And the conspiracy of fear grows, as we introduce ourselves to random strangers so that when we jump and scream and cry on their shoulder, we are slightly more intimate than crying on a completely random stranger.

From a technical aspect, the show is fascinating.  Relying on minimal lighting and the imagination of the audience to carry it through.  From a visual, sat in the audience, aspect the show is spine-chillingly frightening.  You are warned from the beginning that the show is not for a nervous disposition but the strongest and bravest would find it hard not to jump at the shocking twists and turns that this show puts you through.

The show is pure brilliance, well written, well acted and technically outstanding.  Its closing soon so if you want to see it, and you really should, get there soon

Adelphi Theatre, London – 13 February 2015

It defies logic as to why Made In Dagenham is closing.  This show is amazing, it has all the classic ingredients needed for a successful show – music, lyrics, story, incredible acting and singing so why?

Gemma Arterton is outstanding as Rita O’Grady who leads the fight for equal pay.  Sophie -Louise Dann shines as the indomitable Barbara Castle and Naomi Frederick excels as Lisa Hopkins.  Three fabulous women fighting to be acknowledged in a man’s world.

With equality one of the current buzz words bandied around in education, this show demonstrates just how far women have come, but how far we still have to go.  Made In Dagenham should be part of the national curriculum educating the children of tomorrow how the women of yesterday helped to shape their futures

It has humour a plenty with Mark Hadfield hamming it up in his guise of Prime Minister Harold Wilson and the brilliant Stephen Furst as American Tooley in his 10 gallon hat.

The whole cast are magnificent and its tragic that the show didn’t get its chance to educate more before receiving its closing notice.  Lets hope the west ends loss is the touring circuits gain and Made In Dagenham isn’t lost to the future for good

Producer and performer and west end leading lady Sabrina Aloueche answered 20 questions

Lets start with some favourites

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

Les Misérables

2. Favourite book?

“What we talk about when we talk about love.” Raymond Carver.

3. Favourite theatre?

The Palace Theatre.

4. Favourite song?

Let it Go. (JOKING)

Probably either ‘Nobody’s side’ chess or “Make them hear you”- Ragtime

5. Favourite music?

Rock

6. Favourite food?

PIZZA

7. Favourite line from any show?

“they think I’m a lesbian cos I don’t wear pastels..”! From We Will Rock You

8. What was is your favourite role?

That’s a tough one, I’m going to be boring and say they’ve all been my favourites!

9. What was your first role?

Little Cosette in Les Miserables at The Palace Theatre

10. And, what role would you love to play ?

Mary in JCS, Fantine-Les Mis, Ellen-Miss Saigon, I’d love to be in Hair and ANYTHING in Cats…! More than anything else I would love to create a role, and be allowed the artistic freedom to develop it.

11. You played Young Cosette in LM, would you like to go back and play adult Cosette now?

I don’t think I could sing it!! It is very high!

12. You are the reason my daughter died her hair purple at 14, are you happy to be identified as a particular role ie Scaramouche?

More than happy! I had a lot of teenage girls write in whilst I played the role, some were victims of being bullied at school, some felt they lacked identity, I had no advice for them at the time other than the fact that I was bullied and felt I lacked identity as a child, that I didn’t fit in, but in hindsight “trying to fit in” is where you’d be going wrong! I’d rather stand alone and stand out!

13. You are the Producer of West End Fest, are you happier on stage or off?

Definitely happier on stage!

Producing a show (albeit a small scale charity production twice a year) is no easy feat! Myself and Parnell Page share the role and we pull each others hair out by the end every time.

Its nice to live out of your comfort zone sometimes however. And CRY-UK (the charity we raise money for) is a hugely worthwhile cause.

The end result for both are equal but as for the process of each, I’d pick being on stage!

14. You’ve appeared as a guest artist on other performers CD’s, will you be bringing out your own Greatest Hits?

I don’t think so. Never say never, but it’s not something I have the time to dedicate myself to at the moment. Happy to sing with my lovely friends on their beautiful albums though!

15. If you weren’t an amazing singer what would you be?

An even better singer?! I’d love to be that..!

Probably work in Entertainment PR in some capacity.

16. What advice would you give 16 year old Sabrina?

Cherish the nights you stayed up until 4 am listening to musicals, reading through programmes, spending all your savings on watching shows.., You can’t learn  passion, bottle that inspiration, or plan for those moments of pure creativity.

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

Urinetown!! Loved it, and City of Angels at the Donmar!

18. Would you like to act in a play and not sing?

I would love to try my hand at acting without song 😉 ! I don’t know if I could though… musical theatre actor here.. the jazz hands might start to shake..!

In all seriousness it is something I would like to do at some point.

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

The Queen. Fact.

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

Auditions, along with the rest of the world!

​

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 10 February 2015

Middle Ground Theatre Company present Richard Harris’s west end hit The Business of Murder in Darlington this week.

This 3 act – 3 performer play focuses on a flat in London in the early 80’s.  Why has Mr Stone (Robert Gwilym) invited playwright Dee (Joanna Higson) and Policeman Hallett (Paul Opacic) to his home?  How do they know each other? Does anyone care?

Gwilym does help to lift this show.  His dancing to Judith Durham and The New Seekers is a joy to watch and the more manic he becomes the more endearing he gets.  But even the professionalism of his acting doesn’t help this play.  Its very wordy and interminably long.  Up to the interval plods along slowly setting the scene, but without managing to engage with the actors.  And if you don’t engage how can you be entertained? The problem with this production, is that the play, a traditional cat-and-mouse psychological thriller, lacks tension. There are no emotional peaks and valleys, no breathtaking moments of anxiety and no drama. And there should be. ”The Business of Murder” is reduced to a long-winded discourse on the nature of victimization and whether the end of an event is justified by the means of achieving it.

It has all the ingredients of a classic, but to take the food analogy further imagine you were expecting a chocolate cake and were presented with a digestive biscuit.  An edible biscuit but a huge disappointment when you were expecting chocolate cake.  And this is what you have here.  Its watchable but disappointing.

Its as if the actors have all rehearsed separately but have yet to gel on stage.  There is no cohesion.  In fairness it is very early in the tour and they may still find the spark that ignites this show.  In Darlington until Saturday

The Business of Murder – Civic Theatre, Darlington

Posted by: The Reviews Hub – Yorkshire & North East 

https://www.thereviewshub.com/the-business-of-murder-civic-theatre-darlington/

11/02/2015 

Writer: Richard Harris

Director: Michael Lunney

1*

Middle Ground Theatre Company presents Richard Harris’s west end hit, The Business of Murder in Darlington this week.

This three act, three performer play focuses on a flat in London in the early Eighties. Why has Mr. Stone (Robert Gwilym) invited playwright Dee (Joanna Higson) and Policeman Hallett (Paul Opacic) to his home? How do they know each other?

Gwilym is the saving grace in this show. His dancing to Judith Durham and The New Seekers is a joy to watch and the more manic he becomes, the more endearing he gets. But even the professionalism of his acting doesn’t help this play. It’s very wordy and interminably long. Up to the interval, the pace plods along slowly setting the scene, but sadly without managing to engage with the actors. And if you don’t engage, how can you be entertained? The problem with this production is that the play, a traditional cat-and-mouse psychological thriller, lacks tension. There are no emotional peaks and valleys, no breath-taking moments of anxiety and no drama. And there should be. The actual Business of Murder is reduced to a long-winded discourse on the nature of victimization and whether the end of an event is justified by the means of achieving it.

It has all the ingredients of a classic, but to use a food analogy, imagine you were expecting a chocolate cake and were presented with a digestive biscuit. An edible biscuit but a huge disappointment when you were expecting chocolate cake. And this is what you have here. It’s watchable, but underwhelming.

Chemistry between the performers is lacking, and it feels as though the actors have rehearsed separately, but are yet to gel together on stage. In fairness, it is very early in the tour and they may still find the spark that ignites this show. It would be interesting to see whether this production improves as the run goes on.

Theatre Royal, Newcastle – 8 February 2015

The self styled governor of common sense, Al Murray, returns with his alter ego The Pub Landlord, in this politicised tour de force.

Striding on to the stage, pint in hand, we are treated to over 2 hours of the Landlords views and opinions and what will happen when he is Prime Minister. The audience is to be his cabinet and the first few rows are his front benches.  The first half is really the Guv meeting his people.  Using playful banter to talk to various members of the audience.  Some students, a man in his 50’s referred to as “pop”, a few late comers, a man with his mum and a couple more.  After checking that Emily, the object of his affection, was over 18 he continued to flirt with with her, showing his skills by yelling “I love you” in her face.  “I love you” and “I told you so” being two of the important phrases used in life.

The second half was his manifesto, the idea that Nigel Farage needed to change the pronunciation of his name to rhyme with garage.  His idea’s on economics (reckon-omics) credit (the bank believes in you) and debt (the bank stops believing in you).  His act of the stock markets, his Tokyo in particular, are side splitting.

A question and answer session reveals his further idea’s and although some things may be near the knuckle and have you wondering if those things can be said in public, its still funny.  After all nothing can hurt when said in jest….

He allows one opportunity for photo’s and take selfies of himself with the audience, because you want to see the show not be distracted by flashes.

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 3 February 2015

Cornley Polytechnic returns with their classic Christmas vignette of Peter Pan, however this being Cornley – Peter Pan Goes Wrong

The joy of Mischief Theatre is their writing, its pure genius.  The jokes you can see coming a mile away and that just makes them even funnier. The technical aspects are outstanding with the incidents and accidents precise, concise and so well executed.  From tiny mishaps like a falling light missing an actress by millimetres to the huge disasters that befall the rest of the show really show the high callibre of the writing, the acting and the production and technical crew who ensure everything goes badly really well.  And with a misbehaving rotund it can be no coincidence that by the end it looks like the death scene on the barricade from Les Mis

Its also wonderful that the talented trio of Lewis, Sayer and Shields write such believable characters.  So we get to love Sandra, Annie, Robert, Dennis, Chris, Jonathan, Max and Trevor the Stage Manager

This very visual show within a show needs to be seen to be believed so its unfair to give away too much of the plot.  However there are simple added extra’s that make the show shine from the start.  The hilarious programmes, being stuck in the theatre foyer due to “technical issues” until almost before the show starts, the stage crew still being in the auditorium as we get seated doing last minute bits, arguing between themselves and asking for help from the audience.  And an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday” for ‘Mary’.

Due to the indisposition of the member of the youth theatre, toddler Michael Darling is now played by “the most mature of the mature students” Robert Grove (Cornelius Both), made funnier that he is over 6 foot tall and had mighty fine beard.  John Darling (James Marlow), also over 6 foot has memory problems so is fitted with an ear pierce that predictably picks up different radio stations, police reports and taxi’s.

Wendy Darling (Leonie Hill) is overly flirty and over-acted in every respect.  The girlfriend of Peter Pan (Alex Bartram) she is very much the lead and not keen on performing with Max Bennett (Matt Cavendish) who was only given the role because his uncle donated £40,000 to the AmDram’s.  However, it is Max who is the true hero of the show

Huge respect to Naomi Sheldon who plays Annie playing Mrs Darling, Liza the Maid, Tigerlilly and who gets electrocuted in her role of Tinkerbell; and to Rosie Abraham who plays Lucy playing Tootles, who over-comes her stutter to get the whole audience yelling “I do believe in Fairies” and manages to keep her head (despite almost losing her leg) and admirably finish the show

The whole cast and crew are outstanding.  It’s not just a show but a total immersive experience. You will laugh, so much so you may feel you are going to suffocate from lack of air from laughing so much.  In Darlington til Sunday – make the trip, its worth every penny