I must confess, I didn't knew what to expect. Frozen Light is a company that devises theatre for children, teenagers and adults with PMLD, which stands for Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities. There were four children with their carers when I went to see The Forest at Stratford Circus Arts Centre. When the door opened, we were all welcomed in by a lovely, bubbly lady with an affectious laugh. She warmly guided us in one by one. The seats were covered with a brown blanket and some had … [Read more...]
Classified at The Space Arts Centre – Review
The Space is a quirky church converted to a theatre. So with its eerie outlook and sinister decor, it is perfect for 20:20 vision's Classified, which consists of four new short plays written by writers under 30. It asks the question of 'what if?' with the four plays all based on a true event. The first one Hinterkaifeck, written by Olivia Borton tells us the story of a farm in Bavaria, between Ingolstadt and Schrobenhausenn named Hinterkaifeck, which is now modern day Waidhofen (if you are … [Read more...]
The Birds at The Lounge Leicester Square Theatre
First published in 1952, Daphne Du Maurier's novelette is probably best known as a film directed in 1963 by Alfred Hitchcock. It has been adapted several times for radio and in 2009 Irish Playwright Conor McPherson adapted it for the stage. First performed at Dublin's Gate Theatre it saw a two hour long play. At the Lounge The Birds is considerably condensed to a mere 80 minutes. Directed by Adam Morley and starring Emma Taylor, Alice Marshall and British former Boxing Champion Glenn McCrory in … [Read more...]
Casa Valentina at Southwark Playhouse
If there is one thing a man loves to do is dress up like a woman. There are those who hide behind a shield for comic effect but there are men who do it for personal reasons. Now in the 21st Century this is luckily “mostly” widely accepted, yet there was a time this was a different matter. Casa Valentina, written by Harvey Fierstein, the man who gave us the sublime Torch Song Trilogy. And what a week it has been for him, This week saw the opening of the musical Kinky Boots on the West End to … [Read more...]
Review of The Revenger’s Tragedy at Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
In a week where once again another actress speaks out about ageism in the film and theatre industry, I sat down in the cosy theatre of the Brockley Jack Theatre for the performance of the award winning Lazarus Theatre Company. I was there to see an adapted version of Thomas Middleton’s Jacobean play The Revenger’s Tragedy. A play written around 1606 is seen quite often on the fringe scene. And a play studied among A-Levellers. I have seen it a few times, but never studied it. Adapted and … [Read more...]
A Be Bop a Lula! party at the Ambassadors Theatre London
I personally prefer shows that pay homage to stars rather than the Jukebox Musicals. You know what you get rather than some thin storyline weaved with famous songs. And Be Bop a Lula! proved it once again for me. The audience wasn’t your typical West End Audience, A gentleman next to me, told me it was his first time in years he was back in London and his first West End Theatre. “I Like It” he said approvingly. The Ambassadors Theatre is small but perfect for a show or tribute concert like this. … [Read more...]
Review of Without Reluctance and Without Relief
At the Brockley Jack Pub, Well more the Jack Studio theatre, there is loss. Three monologues put in one play by resident writer Howard Colyer. The audience get welcomed with a moody atmosphere, fog and a violin playing in minor. Three tables are spread over the stage which I thought would represent the three stories, I was wrong. There is a chair that just stands there for most part of the play. The first monologue “Again” saw Warren Taylor as a drunken man. Drunken because his girlfriend … [Read more...]