David Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler announced today the 2024/2025 UK tour of the multi award-winning musical CHICAGO. The tour will open at Milton Keynes Theatre on 12 October 2024. Initial tour schedule below with further dates and casting to be announced soon. www.chicagothemusical.com/uk-tour
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes the show-stopping songs “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, CHICAGO is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history.
Since it opened in New York in 1996, CHICAGO has played in 38 countries worldwide, and been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean. Worldwide it has been seen by an estimated 34 million people, grossed over $1.7 billion has played over 33,500 performances.
CHICAGO, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.
The National Theatre today announces full casting for the world premiere of London Tide,as the company begins rehearsals. Based on Charles Dickens’ final completed novel, Our Mutual Friend, London Tide is directedby Ian Rickson (Translations), adapted by Ben Power (The Lehman Trilogy), with original songs throughout by acclaimed singer-songwriter PJ Harvey and Ben Power. This romantic and propulsive thriller is a hymn to London and the river that runs through it.
Previously announced cast includes Brandon Grace as Charley Hexam, Scott Karim as Bradley Headstone, Bella Maclean as Bella Wilfer, Tom Mothersdale as John Rokesmith, Ami Tredrea as Lizzie Hexam and Peter Wight as Noddy Boffin.
They are joined by Beth Alsbury as Lavinia Wilfer, Joe Armstrong as Roger Riderhood, Crystal Condie as Miss Potterson, Laura Cubitt as Nancy, Miya James in the Ensemble, Stephen Kennedy as Reg Wilfer, Joshua Lacey as Inspector Bucket, Penny Layden as Mary Wilfer, Eric Mok as understudy Charlie Hexam, Liam Prince-Donnelly in the Ensemble, Georgia Silver as understudy Bella Wilfer, Ellie-May Sheridan as Jenny Wren, Jonathan Dryden Taylor as Mr Cleaver, John Vernon as understudy Reg Wilfer/Noddy Boffin/Mortimer Lightwood, Jamael Westman as Eugene Wrayburn, Jake Wood as Gaffer Hexam and Rufus Wright as Mortimer Lightwood.
A storm rages and, in the darkest part of the night, a body is pulled from the swirling Thames. Across the city, two young women confront an uncertain future. In Limehouse, Lizzie Hexam struggles to break free of the river and its dark secrets. On the other side of town, Bella Wilfer mourns a lost marriage. The appearance of the mysterious John Rokesmith has the potential to change their lives for ever. Will they sink or swim?
Directed by Ian Rickson, the set and costume designer is Bunny Christie, lighting designer Jack Knowles, music director Ian Ross, co-sound designers Tingying Dong and Christopher Shutt, movement director Anna Morrissey, video designer Hayley Egan, fight director Terry King, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, voice and dialect coach Simon Money, associate set designer Verity Sadler and staff director Yasmin Hafesji.
London Tide is playing in the Lyttelton theatre from 10 April until 22 June, with press night on 17 April.
Tickets are available from £20 and are on sale now via the National Theatre website. For further information, including details about assisted performances, please visit nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Tom Byrne will play Richard Hannay in the UK Tour of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning comedy, THE 39 STEPS. He will be joined by Safeena Ladha as Annabella Schmidt / Pamela / Margaret, Eugene McCoy as Clown 1 and Maddie Rice as Clown 2 (the first time this production has cast a female identifying actor as one of the Clowns), with Jacob Daniels and Hannah Parker as the understudies.
Tom Byrne played Prince Andrew in The Crown series 4 and appeared in Bridgerton, A Discovery of Witches and Black Mirror. He can currently be seen in BBC 3’s Dreaming Whilst Black and the new film The Persian Version released this month. Theatre includes A Christmas Carol and Twelfth Night for the RSC. Safeena Ladha’s recent theatre work includes She at London’s Tara Theatre and on tour, in which she played eight characters, Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby: The Immersive Show, Cassandra, Andromache and Menalaus in Troilus and Cressida (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and Coriolanus (Rose Theatre Bankside). Eugene McCoy appeared in the world premiere of American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre, the world premiere of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic Theatre and Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Films include Wonka, Matilda and Paddington 2. Maddie Rice took over from Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the stage show of Fleabag. Other recent theatre credits include All My Sons at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Michael Grandage’s Henry V at the Noel Coward Theatre. Her TV credits include Fleabag, Stath Lets Flats, Ten Percent, The Other One, I Hate You and the all-female sketch show Flaps.
THE 39 STEPS will initially play at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 14 to 30 March 2024. The production will then tour from Tuesday 2 April, with a Gala Night on Thursday 4 April at Richmond Theatre in London. The tour will run through to Saturday 3 August. Full dates and venues are listed below.
Patrick Barlow’s hilarious adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller ran in London’s West End for nine years, finally closing in 2015. It won the Olivier Award and What’s On Stage Award for Best Comedy in 2007. It also took Broadway by storm, winning two Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award in 2008. The play, with its quintessentially plucky spirit and dashing sense of British fun, has toured to 39 countries and played to over 3 million people worldwide.
Follow the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.
This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.
The 2024 UK Tour is brought to the stage by UK tour director Nicola Samer, with the original creative team of designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Ian Scott, sound designer Mic Pool and director of movement Toby Sedgwick. Casting is by Abby Galvin. The tour is a remount of the award-winning production directed by Maria Aitken and adapted by Patrick Barlow.
THE 39 STEPS at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is A Fiery Angel in association with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch production. The 2024 UK Tour is produced by Fiery Angel.
In 1953, Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studios in Memphis Tennessee and said “I wanna make a record for my mama, kind of a present”. The rest is history…..
For one night only, the hit stage show “The Elvis Years” returns to London’s west end to the Dominion Theatre for its 20th Anniversary Tour. I was lucky enough to be invited to watch and review this show – and what a show it was!
The Elvis Years starring Mario Kombou, tells the story of Elvis Presley through his music, how a boy from Tupelo, Mississippi went on to become one of the greatest musical icons EVER!
Mario Kombou is phenomenal as Elvis. Mario has starred in the West End Musical “Jailhouse Rock” as well as many performances on TV and radio. Mario also won the “Images of The King” competition in Memphis in 2005, the only European Contestant ever to do so. He was invited to visit Donna Presley (Elvis’ 1st cousin) where she officially endorsed him and in her words states “I was moved by his amazing vocal resemblance to Elvis- he is the best Elvis, since Elvis”
The show opens and we are in the studios of Sun Studios in Memphis, with Elvis recording his first song. There is a large screen behind the stage which throughout the concert shows archive footage from the events of Elvis’ life. The songs come thick and fast and Mario does not drop a note. He is charming and playful with the audience, cheeky winks and smiles to the front row keep the fans screaming and shouting as if Elvis was actually in front of us, and for 2 hours it feels like he is. We are taken on a trip through the years, the stage and outfits change in quick succession and look authentic, accurate and flamboyant. All the hits ring out as well as less well known songs, but the audience responds to every one of them. Mario’s voice is amazing and if you close your eyes – you are in Las Vegas singing to Always on my Mind, or welcoming him home from the Army on The Frank Sinatra Show in 1959.
After a short break, Mario and the band Simon Parrish, Stephen Gray, John Joce, Tom Parrish and dancers and backing vocalists Jennie Kait, Josie Stearman and Aimee Good come back onto the stage and Mario talks more about The Elvis Years Tour, his time on Jailhouse Rock and gives some shout outs to the audience. We have a short singalong together before another quick costume change and the show goes on. The second half is even more dazzling, the sideburns are longer, the outfits are sparkly and the famous white jumpsuit makes an appearance as Mario belts out hit after hit. He moves into the audience, kissing the girls and handing out silk scarves, he has us in the palm of his hand. He tells quick jokes, smiles and engages with us. The music, directed by David Mackay, thumps through the theatre, the acoustics are amazing and you feel the bass in your body.
It feels like we are coming to a crescendo as the white jumpsuit gains a cape, the audience is allowed to dance and the biggest of Elvis’s hits are sung. People are in the aisles and run down to the front to get a close up view. After several encores, the show has more than run over its time, but no one cares – no one wants to leave. Then as he leaves the stage a loud voice booms out “Elvis has left the building”. Wow!
The highlight of the night for me was “Bridge over Troubled Water” – Mario can sing! But my goodness, I had tears in my eyes. The clarity and power in his vocals blew the audience away. Having lived with a huge Elvis fan for nearly 30 years and visiting events such as “The International Elvis Festival”, I can honestly say Mario is the best tribute act I have ever seen. If you get the chance to see this tour – go. The show is back in London in June and is currently touring the UK.
I agree with Donna Presley – Mario is the best Elvis since Elvis.
Darren Criss and Cat Cohen lend their voices to viral hit Gwyneth Goes Skiing as it heads to Edinburgh Fringe and makes international debut in Utah
Awkward Productions will take their viral sensation Gwyneth Goes Skiing to Edinburgh Fringethis August 2024. Gwyneth Goes Skiing, which is a co-production between Awkward Productions and the Pleasance Theatre, returns to the slopes after two sold-out and critically-acclaimed runsin London. This gloriously silly play-with-music marks Awkward Productions’ return to the Fringe after Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story had a sold-out run in 2023.
In an exciting development for the show, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning, Broadway legend Darren Criss will provide the singing voice of Terry Sanderson. Alongside Criss, Edinburgh Comedy Award Winning comedian, actress and singer Cat Cohen will lend her voice as Gwyneth Paltrow on the vocal track with hits including I Wish You Well and See You In Court
Darren Criss is best known for playing the role of Blaine Anderson in Glee (alongside the real Gwyneth Paltrow!). In 2018, he was awarded Emmy and Golden Globe acting awards for his leading role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Criss has also starred on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Cat Cohen’s live comedy performances combine stand-up comedy with cabaret-style songs. The comedian, actress, and singer’s first Netflix comedy special, The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous, was released in 2022. As an actress, she has appeared on comedy series such as, and What We Do in the Shadows
Criss and Cohen digitally join Trixie Mattel who makes a special on-screen appearance as Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother, Blythe Danner. They are seen alongside the original Gwyneth Goes Skiing cast – Linus Karp as the Goop-founding, Door-Sliding, Shakespeare-In-Loving, consciously-uncoupling Hollywood superstar Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Martin as her nemesis, Terry Sanderson, a retired Optometrist from Utah.
The world debut of Darren and Cat’s voices will be back where it all began, Park City, Utah. The now-infamous location of Terry Sanderson and Gwyneth Paltrow’s collision in 2016 will play host to the US transfer of Awkward Productions and Pleasance Theatre’s runaway hit. Gwyneth Goes Skiing’s transfer to The Egyptian Theatre marks the first international transfer for Awkward Productions’ work.
Gwyneth Goes Skiing recounts the collision in 2016 on the slopes of Deer Valley and the court case seven years later that enthralled the world. This very silly story of justice, betrayal and optometry makes the audience the jury, asking them to decide who’s guilty and who’s gooped. Gwyneth Goes Skiing features a whole lot of fiction, a sprinkling of verbatim lines from court transcripts and delightfully catchy original music by Leland (RuPaul’s Drag Race; Cher’s Christmas; Troye Sivan’s Something To Give Each Other).
BAREcomes to the London Palladium on Sunday 7 April, in an unmissable one-night-concert.
Featuring a cast led by Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie and Clyde, &Juliet) as ‘Jason’ and Laurie Kynaston (Netflix’s Fool Me Once, Spring Awakening) as ‘Peter’, BARE is a provocative and fresh coming-of-age musical about identity, sexuality and the consequences of hiding your true self.
Joining the company are Cassidy Janson (&Juliet, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as ‘Claire’ and Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie and Clyde, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) as ‘Ivy’, with Chrissie Bhima as ‘Kiera’, Adrian Hansel as ‘Priest’, Haroun Al Jeddal as ‘Lucas’, Claudia Kariuki as ‘Sister Chantelle’, Aoife Kenny as ‘Tanya’, Ed Larkin as ‘Matt’, Jack Ofrecio as ‘Zack’, Emily Ooi as ‘Diane’ and Katie Ramshaw as ‘Nadia’.
BARE follows a group of students at a Catholic boarding school as they struggle to come to terms with who they are, and who the world thinks they should be. As they explore their sense of identity, they seek answers from their Church, their friends, but ultimately, from within themselves.
With a punchy, electric rock/pop score by Damon Intrabartolo with lyrics by Jon Hartmere, the story of BARE is as real and relevant as ever. At the London Palladium, BARE is directed by Dean Johnson, who recently directed the concert version of Once, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher and Jamie Muscato. Adam Hoskins (The Secret Garden in Concert, Once in Concert, Songs for a New World, all the London Palladium, Diana in Concert, Eventim Apollo) is musical director and set and lighting design is by Andrew Exeter (Oti Mabuse: I Am Here, Johannes Radebe: Freedom and Freedom Unleashed, Lizzie).
BARE is produced by Lambert Jackson and Positive Sum.
97+ puts survivors’ stories centre stage in a compelling new full-length production being premiered at the city’s Olympia
A powerful play which explores the ongoing impact of Hillsborough on those who survived the disaster is returning to Liverpool this spring in a new full-length production.
97+ iswritten and directed by Tom Cain and co-produced by Tom Cain Theatre and Bill Elms Productions, in collaboration with the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance.
The theatrical drama, which in a shorter version previously won acclaim at Liverpool Theatre Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, is being premiered at the Liverpool Olympia for one night only on Friday 12 April, just ahead of the 35th anniversary of the football disaster which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans.
Set in 2012, Hillsborough survivors John and Steve – now middle-aged men – are each still dealing with the trauma they suffered as boys 23 years before.
John bottles up his emotions, only letting wife Liz see them as he suffers night terrors but avoids seeking treatment, while Steve lives alone but seeks help from the hospital, or a vodka bottle, as his support mechanisms.
Yet despite countless setbacks, the Hillsborough survivors continue their fight for justice.
Tom researched and wrote the drama while a student at Edge Hill University and with the assistance of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance which provides a Hillsborough Transformational Recovery Model – a therapy set up by survivors intended to help other survivors.
It was presented as a 90-minute play at Liverpool Theatre Festival’s Little LTF platform for new writing in 2022, with the sensitive but hard-hitting story winning plaudits from both critics and audiences.
It was so successful it went on to be staged at the main Liverpool Theatre Festival in 2022 before being taken to Edinburgh and the Buxton Fringe Festival last summer. Each performance has helped raise money for the survivors’ charity.
Now Tom, whose own grandfather was a Hillsborough survivor, has revisited the drama to present it as a full-length version.
Several actors are returning to reprise their roles or to play new characters in this latest production, including Colin Kilbride who returns to the role of John and Leslie Longley as Steve.
Liz is played by Claudia Molyneux, who also appeared in the play in Edinburgh and Buxton, while Alice McKillop returns to the role of nurse Nancy as well as playing a new character, Charlotte, and Julie McCabe – who previously appeared at Liverpool Theatre Festival as Liz – will take on the new part of Sally.
The cast is completed by new member Graham Padden as Stuart.
Tom Cain says: “To think this was something I originally wrote during lockdown for my Edge Hill University drama dissertation, to performing shorter editions of the piece at Liverpool Theatre Festival, Edge Hill and even outside Merseyside at the Buxton and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals – where we were able to gain an international audience, to now playing at such an incredible venue as the Liverpool Olympia. It’s truly a dream come true.
“Educating audiences on the TRUTH of Hillsborough and raising awareness for survivors still suffering trauma.
“To have had the continuous support of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance and to have raised money for this charity means everything to me. I’m proud of the work we’ve produced. And I hope I’ve made my grandad, who was a Hillsborough survivor himself, proud too.”
Bill Elms adds: “I’m delighted this play is going from strength to strength; it’s a powerful piece and a story that needs to be told to a new generation.
“It’s had nothing but praise from critics and audiences alike and I’m proud to continue to support Tom’s work, having been selected to be performed at Little LTF, then winning a place at the main Liverpool Theatre Festival in 2022.
“We’re now working together to present this new, full two-act play at the Olympia.”
DIRECTED & CHOREOGRAPHED BY THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING JERRY MITCHELL
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY LAUREN WEISBERGER AND THE HIT TWENTIETH CENTURY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURE
Strutting into London Fashion Week, Vanessa Williams, best known for her celebrated roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives and as a multi-award winning singer, will play the iconic role of Miranda Priestly, the undisputed Queen of Fashion and Editor-in-Chief of Runway Magazine,in The Devil Wears Prada.
The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel, will strut into London’s Dominion Theatre in October 2024, featuring an original score by music icon, and Olivier and Tony Award winner Elton John, lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub, book by Kate Wetherhead with direction & choreography by three-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.
Vanessa Williams said, “Bringing Miranda Priestly to life in the West End is an absolute dream come true. Gird your loins, folks.”
The production will play an exclusive preview engagement in Summer 2024 at Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to opening in the West End in October.
Hilariously fun and fabulously stylish, The Devil Wears Prada tells an inspiring story about discovering what kind of person you truly want to be. Choose your outfit carefully and get ready for a new musical that’s hautter than hell!
Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted?
The Devil Wears Prada, features an all-star, award-winning creative team led by Elton John (Tammy Faye, Billy Elliot: The Musical, The Lion King), new direction & choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Hairspray), lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub (Suffs), book by Kate Wetherhead (Ever After, Submissions Only), set design by Tim Hatley (Life of Pi, Back to the Future), costume design by Gregg Barnes (Some Like It Hot, Legally Blonde), lighting design by Bruno Poet (The Tina Turner Musical, Frankenstein), sound design by Gareth Owen (Come From Away, & Juliet) and casting by Jill Green CDG.
Further casting for the production will be announced in due course.
The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger‘s best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film from Twentieth Century Studios which went on to gross $326 million worldwide and received two Academy Award nominations.
The Devil Wears Prada is produced by Tony Award winner Kevin McCollum (In the Heights, Avenue Q, Rent, SIX and Mrs. Doubtfire), Rocket Entertainment/David Furnish (Tammy Faye, Billy Elliot: The Musical) and Jamie Wilson (Mrs Doubtfire, Ain’t Too Proud, Sister Act The Musical) and presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.
Jerry Mitchell now steers this brand-new reimagined production of The Devil Wears Prada to new heights following a developmental run in Chicago in 2022.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 30th March 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a multilayered tale which revolves around the marriage of Theseus, Duke of Athens and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Due to be married in 4 days they are embroiled in a conflict involving four Athenian lovers, and the antics of a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play which they hope to perform at the wedding. All find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans for their own intrigue and gain, headed up by the King and Queen of the Fairies, Oberon and Titania and the mischievous sprite Puck, who ensures the path of true love is a muddled one.
This was a beautiful and original production, which is difficult to achieve when a piece has been performed countless times. There was so much physicality to it, which perfectly balanced the wordiness. Bright, bold colours were juxtaposed by backdrops of pitch black. Eleanor Rhode’s new version for the RSC was timeless, even though its running time was 3 hours it was engaging throughout and thoroughly hilarious. Lucy Osborne’s colourful and imaginative designs spanned the decades giving the piece a timeless feel and creative license to be playful and modern without losing the heart of Shakespeare’s sublime story. Planet like paper orbs surrounded the ceiling, combined with Matt Daw’s exquisite lighting, and coupled with John Bulleid’s beguiling illusions, these created a feast for the eyes and mind, drawing us into a magical, mystical world.
Parts of the stage would rise and fall gracefully, floating flowers which would glow on command, animated donkey ears to much comic effect, Fairies represented by specks of light which would dance and dart across the stage and astonishingly quick costume changes, all added to the dream like quality of this production.
There were 2 stand out scenes for me. Puck leading the human lovers on a chase around the forest is a masterpiece. Choreography by Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster shines. The lovers leap in and out of darkness, roll and tumble, accompanied by thumping music, your senses are aflame. You are assaulted by a shower of colourful balls and then the lovers are gone, dropped off the stage into darkness. Pure theatrical magic and mayhem. The second is the play within a play. The laughter from the audience was constant. The physical comedy was immense, and every player seemed to relish their part. Simply stunning.
Although Mathew Baynton as Bottom was certainly the main attraction and he rightly deserves this accolade, for he was amazing, the cast as a whole were incredible. Baynton’s Bottom, (we did almost get a glimpse as he appeared trouserless for a lot of the play) was that beautiful balance between eager am-dram enthusiast and confused lover/donkey, if there is such a thing. There was plenty of pathos and a whole plethora of buffoonery, which was a joy to behold.
Bally Gill was brilliant as Theseus and Oberon, there was a clear distinction between the Duke and the powerful King, both in his movement and vocal performance, he commanded the stage well and was incredibly engaging to watch. Sirine Saba also managed the dual role of Hippolyta and Titania well and had a beautiful chemistry with Bottom. Ryan Hutton as Lysander, Nicholas Armfield as Demetrius, Dawn Sievewright as Hermia and Boadicea Ricketts played the lovers with sincerity and poise, but it was Ricketts who really stood out for me. She brought a fierce modernity and realism to the role which brought many a wry smile to my face. Helen Monks’ Quince, Emily Cundick’s Snout, Tom Xander’s Starveling and Mitesh Soni’s Flute formed an enigmatic ensemble. From their frantic scrambling when Bottom transforms into a Donkey to throwing themselves into the side-splitting play they never failed to entertain and nail every single gag. Now to Premi Tamang as Puck, surprisingly not the first choice but a stand in. I can’t imagine another Puck for this production, she was perfect. At times undulating, at others stomping, her play with light and smoke was mesmerising. We were completely transfixed by her. Word perfect, we fully believed by the end of the play she could actually be a fairy.
The combination of talent contained within this production made for an outstanding watch. Every moment was meticulously crafted and masterfully designed. ‘Oh, what visions I have seen’. Creative, hilarious, innovative, and astonishing, this rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one you don’t want to be woken from.
I was really looking forward to seeing this thriller and there are many unexpected plot twists that kept me engaged throughout the performance right until the end. It is not how I’d thought it would end and this left me a little disappointed but all the same it’s a good story and an enjoyable evening.
The once successful playwright Sidney Bruhl is experiencing writer’s block and living off his wife’s money. He is contacted by aspiring writer Clifford Anderson who sends him what looks like an exceedingly good play. Sidney invites Clifford to his home to discuss it.
Both are not who they seem and inevitably they try to outwit each other psychologically and with some really clever stage choreography. Nick Warning captures the essence of Sidney, with psychopathic tendencies and drawing upon dark humour which made the audience chuckle. George Watkins (Clifford) not only plays the naive talented writer but with an air of creepiness which kept the suspense right to the penultimate scene.
Emily Raymond ably plays Sidney’s wife Myra and has some tricky scenes to navigate. Myra is wary of her husbands erratic behaviour but does not necessarily discourage it. Her worst fears come true and she finds herself in a situation that she cannot get out of so goes along with it not anticipating her fate.
Philip Childs gives a solid performance as Porter Milgrim, Sidney’s lawyer, acting in a pompous professional capacity but with an agenda of his own together with Issy Van Randwyck whose excellent portrayal of Helga ten Dorp, the psychic neighbour appears to not only predict the future but make it happen.
The set design was really impressive and made good use of space available as well as depicting the outside. Clever lighting and sound that created the perfect atmosphere for an entertaining thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Concentration is key!
