For many years I believed in the principle that the only sort of ‘stupid question’ is the one that isn’t asked. But that was put to the test when someone once asked me, in all seriousness, what time the local A&E department closes. I suspect it’s the kind of story Amy (Tania Amsel) would like, given her ability to see the humour in frustrating situations. The busy … [Read more...]
Review of Cinderella at New Wimbledon Theatre
The great thing about the audience participation elements of a pantomime is its unpredictability - as WC Fields (1880-1946) may or may not have said, “Never work with children or animals”. On press night for this production of Cinderella, a particularly articulate and acutely active boy was accompanied on stage for the singalong by a girl who couldn’t keep a straight … [Read more...]
Cyrano de Bergerac at The Playhouse Theatre | Review
In a different version of the Edmond Rostand (1868-1918) play Cyrano de Bergerac, Carol Clark suggests in a long introductory note to her published text that it may be useful for the title character at a certain point in the play to adopt a Scottish accent. “For British readers or hearers, it [that is, the Scots accent] is associated with bravery and stubbornness (the … [Read more...]
Singin’ in the Rain: The Mill at Sonning’s Christmas Musical | Review
A cast of fourteen plus five musicians provide a rather impressive musical experience for The Mill at Sonning’s Singin’ In The Rain. The evening (or, indeed, matinee) includes a programme and a two-course meal, ensuring audiences really do get value for money when purchasing tickets. Having not visited the venue before, I can’t vouch for their regular menu, but their … [Read more...]
ABBA: Super Troupers – The Exhibition | Review
There’s a certain quality to the music of ABBA that has sustained a loyal fan base long after they disbanded in January 1983. There’s a lot of information in ABBA: Super Troupers - The Exhibition, which people like me found rather fascinating. An example - the United Kingdom, although its radio stations give airtime to ABBA’s songs to this day, and the jukebox musical … [Read more...]
The Boy Friend at the Menier Chocolate Factory | Review
Written in the 1950s and set in the interwar period, The Boy Friend is one of those shows that one hears about every so often but opportunities to see a production outside the amateur dramatics circuit are relatively rare. Just as well, then, that this one retains the original setting without a radical reinterpretation. And while it’s true that they don’t write … [Read more...]
New Lights Production’s OVA at The Tristan Bates Theatre
Unless I’ve miscounted, which is entirely possible mostly because I didn’t think to keep a tally at the time, there were ten ‘ask the audience’ moments in which the audience was asked to choose between two options in order for the storyline to advance. I doubt, mind you, that the overall outcome would have been any different, particularly as the unique circumstances … [Read more...]
Review of Jodie Irvine’s Gobby at The Pleasance Theatre
There’s the inevitable awkwardness of Bri (Jodie Irvine) saying something to someone she has only just met that might be open to misinterpretation. Then there are other things that are spoken and done that need no analysis or clarification. Despite the party atmosphere created by a large array of party hats, balloons and those ‘party poppers’ that leave streamers all … [Read more...]
Robin Hood at The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch | Review
One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and one shouldn’t judge a panto by the first name on the cast list. But it’s indicative of the kind of journey the audience is in for when the most prominent character is John Barr’s Dame Nanny Fanny. Mr Barr, whose appearance in the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch production of Robin Hood makes this his twenty-fifth panto, is ‘back … [Read more...]