Firstly, I would like to start by saying how much I admire and am grateful to, anyone creating theatre at this time, and, whilst I am thoroughly enjoying the volume of live and pre-recorded streams available to watch on my television, the concept of Love Down The Line means that this is the first time since September that I have experienced a live, in-person, performance. Of course, in-person does mean down the telephone rather than in an actual theatre, but there is a lot to be said for … [Read more...]
It’s Beautiful, Over There at the Tristan Bates Theatre | Review
It's Beautiful Over There is a story of death. We are warned this from the start and stories of death are what we get. As Stephanie Greenwood (Steph) takes us through the stories of the deaths of various relatives, we are made very aware that this isn't really the story she is intending to tell us. But, it is easier to tell the stories of the deaths of ancestors she never knew, and even the deaths of the older generations that she did, than it is to tell the story of her friend's suicide. Thus, … [Read more...]
Islander: A New Musical at Southwark Playhouse | Review
There are a whole host of tiny Scottish islands, many stretching miles north of the mainland. Naturally this brings a whole host of problems to residents - huge population decrease (especially amongst young people), a lack of investment, and some very rainy weather (although that certainly applies to my experiences of mainland Scotland too). Amy Draper takes these serious issues as the starting point for her new musical Islander and takes them to an extreme. Eilidh is now the only child left on … [Read more...]
NOISES OFF at the Garrick Theatre | Review
A company of relatively inept actors attempt to stage a tour of poorly written play, Nothing On. What could possibly go wrong? In Act 1 it's midnight, the show opens in less than 24 hours, they've had less than two weeks' rehearsal and they still haven't finished their dress rehearsal. We are introduced to the company of fictional actors who are caricatures of what I think many would stereotype actors to be, my favourite being the gossip mongering Belinda played by Sarah Hadland who goes around … [Read more...]
The Elixir of Love at the King’s Head Theatre | Review
Opera has long been seen, rightly or wrongly, as a high brow form of theatre and this perception alone is enough to put many people off going. Cue Opera’r Ddraig, a Welsh opera company who take classic operas and adapt them to Welsh settings. Their latest adaptation sets Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore on Barry Island, probably most famous for its links to Gavin and Stacey. The result is brilliant. Adina owns a café in Barry, Nicky sits in that café all day mulling over his unrequited love for … [Read more...]