REVIEW| Pride & Prejudice (sort of) UK Tour

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Photo Credit:Mihaela Bodlovic

Pride & Prejudice (sort of)
UK Tour
The Rep, Birmingham
★★★★★

Like many people in the world I have a soft spot for the stories of Jane Austen, the romance, the strong female characters it all adds up to perfection. So when it was announced that one of Austen's most famous stories was getting a little make over Pride & Prejudice (Sort Of) I knew that I would need to get a ticket to check it out.

This unique and hilarious retelling of the classic story was a surprise to say the least, just when you think you know what to expect you are thrown another. It begins with the five female cast members as maids and staff for a large house in their smock dresses, boots and rubber gloves before beginning to retell the iconic story we all know and love in a way only they can. Isobel McArthur's writing keeps the story fresh but familiar, adding in humour, swearing and some strong language in such a way that it's not too much but just the right amount. 

The design of this show is excellent, both costume and set have been designed by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita.
 The brilliance of the costumes is that maid's smock is the base for all the other many various over costumes as each actor takes on a multitude characters and the set although simple in design is clever with its hiding holes and a grand staircase to hold all the action on.

Photo Credit:Mihaela Bodlovic

The cast of this show is small but mighty, a cast of five chameleon like actors who have many strings to each of their bows, having the skill and talent to take on all the main characters from Austen's classic story. Lucy Gray (pictured in the centre above) takes on the role of narrator of sorts as well as Charlotte Lucas and both Bingley siblings, the cruel and dislikable Caroline Bingley as well as the playful almost puppy like Charles Bingley all of which Gray takes on with skill and flare. Megan Louise Wilson also takes on two completely different characters with her portrayal of the sweet and kind Jane Bennett and also the owner of Rosings Park Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who is vastly less kind and cruel very cleverly.

Emmy Stonelake plays the pivotal character of Elizabeth Bennet, which was a joy to watch especially with the language that was unlike any Bennet sister I've ever heard and I really enjoyed her version of a very well known and loved character. Dannie Harris took on the other important character Mr Darcy will all the pomp and circumstance that was needed, I also enjoyed the nod to the famous lake scene from Colin Firth's version. Harris also takes on the role of Mrs Bennet with an ease, wit and humour too...truly excellent.

Photo Credit:Mihaela Bodlovic

Leah Jamieson, the final of the glorious quintet, seems to have the most fun in her roles as two of the younger Bennett sisters, Lydia and Mary as well as Mrs Gardiner. Jamieson, like all mentioned before was excellent in her roles and I truly thing that everyone on the stage was AMAZING. The show is absolutely hilarious, perfect for any fan of Jane Austen but also the complete novice to the story, it will entertain all. Fully worth a watch during the last few venues on this tour, hopefully it won't be the last we see of this phenomenal show.

For more information, click HERE.





 

REVIEW| Winnie the Pooh the Musical|London and UK Tour

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Photo:Pamela Raith

Winnie the Pooh the Musical
Bridge Theatre, London 
★★★★

The wonderful thing about Tiggers? That he is part of this sixty five minute show, currently playing at the Bridge Theatre in London before embarking on a UK tour later this year.

For me this show is a trip down memory lane, having been raised on A.A Milne and Winnie the Pooh and his friends so to experience this show, which is complete with life size full puppets alongside Sherman Brother's classic songs such as The Wonderful Thing about Tiggers alongside further songs and orchestration by Nate Edmondson and extra orchestrations, was a flashback to my childhood complete with warm fluffy feelings. This adaption comes from the mind of Jonathan Rockefeller with all the puppets coming from their studios and the whole look of the show is just right.

There is a small plot running through the musical as we follow Pooh on his adventure to find some honey, with all the mishaps such as getting stuck in a tree as well as little moments including a bouncing lesson from Tigger because "bouncing is what tiggers do best". With the target audience of the show being a lot younger than I, it is a great way to begin a small person's introduction to the wonderful world of theatre and even with bigger kids like myself the key message of friendship and caring for others is still a great one to hear, which even brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion.

Photo:Pamela Raith

The cast of this show is clever in that it is eight adults and four children strong, with each performance requiring five puppeteers who play all of your favourite characters and a Christopher Robin. In the performance I saw was the amazing talents of Laura Bacon, Jake Bazel, Harry Boyd, Alex Cardall and Lottie Grogan with Charlie Man Evans playing the child role of Christopher Robins. Each talented member of the cast had the vocal lilt of each character and they had the characters down to a tea, almost to a point that you focus on the genius of the puppets than the puppeteers/actors who are moving them around.

With it's great cast, sweet and endearing story and amazing puppets, this little show is definitely worth a watch for anyone ranging from 2 to 102, whether it be during the rest of it's London residence at the small and intimate space or at some of the larger spaces it will be visiting on it's UK tour. For more information about the show and it's tour locations, visit the website here





REVIEW|Guys and Dolls at Bridge Theatre

Thursday, April 6, 2023

 

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Guys and Dolls
Bridge Theatre, London
★★★★★

Some musicals are up there in your favourites for different reasons, Guys and Dolls is up there for me as one of my favourite more "classic" shows but nothing had me prepared for stepping into the Bridge Theatre for this immersive version.

This production starts from the moment you enter the auditorium, especially if you pick to stand for the show in the stalls. You are greeted by Bunny Christie's set design paired with lighting design by Paule Constable which transports you to a new world, complete with neon signs above your head and Front of House Actors who are selling their wares which include hats, hot dogs and pretzels. You are welcome to interact with these sellers and they do a fantastic job of getting you in the mood for the show, as well as giving hints of the best places to stand for the show as they are also the people who move around the stage areas so you don't end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Christie has also designed the costumes with Deborah Andrews  which are also excellent a perfect mix of of the time the show is set alongside something that would be acceptable out in the "real world" in this time

Nicholas Hytner directs this production and has done an excellent job of putting the show in such a way that it, like the people in the stalls standing, moves around the stage with effortless energy and the choreography has been created by the iconic Arlene Philips and James Cousins and was absolutely glorious, there is something happening everywhere you look however I may never look at a carrot the same way again. 

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Moving on to the cast, they were phenomenal no other word for them. The talent on that movable stage was through the roof and the joy of this show is that you are literally right in with it all, which is truly an honour. From ensemble to "principles" this cast are so hard working and if I wasn't already stood up, I would have given them the world's largest standing ovation.

To name a few of my favourites would be difficult. Katy Secombe  was an excellent Good Time Charlie, never switching off the charm and charisma even in the interval where she has a key part in the interval performance. She engaged with everyone and anyone which was a joy to see. Cameron Johnson was a fantastic Big Jule, both in stature and talent, and it was a joy to see him perform again after previously seeing him in different shows last year. Cedric Neal as Nicely Nicely Johnson was the perfect person for the role. I have previously said that Cedric could sing the phone book and I would buy a ticket and that is still one thousand per cent true, his performance of Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat had everyone in the palm of his hand...truly electric.

Photo: Manuel Harlan


Celinde Schoenmaker and Andrew Richardson play our first pair of loves Sarah and Sky. They are the classic hate to love story, with Sky being bet he can't take Sarah to Havana only for them to fall in love with each other and I truly enjoyed Celinde and Andrew's chemistry through their story arc especially through song with my favourite moment being their duet I've Never Been in Love Before which was literally stunning to watch and hear. Our "more experienced couple" Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide, played by the brilliant Daniel Mays and Marisha Wallace, brilliantly played the couple who have been engaged for over ten years but still deeply in love, even if it's caused Miss Adelaide to develop a cold. 

It was a joy and honour and a pleasure to watch the entire cast perform up close and personal and I'm definitely considering a return visit before the run is over. I would one hundred per cent recommend buying a ticket to this amazing production before it closes on the 2nd September 2023.





REVIEW| The Great British Bake Off the Musical, Noel Coward Theatre, London

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

 

Photo Credit:Manuel Harlan.

The Great British Bake Off Musical
Noel Coward Theatre, London
★★★★

So I have a question for you...Do you love the Bake Off and are you a fan or double ententres and slightly cheeky jokes?

If the answer is yes, then this is the show for you. I know that some have written off this musical and have said that not every television show and book needs to be turned into something else however this witty show with book & lyrics by Jake Brunger and Music & Lyrics by Pippa Cleary (of My Son's A Queer fame) is just what the doctor ordered. I laughed, I cried, I got completely emotionally invested in the characters, even feeling sad when certain characters got "sent home".

Creatively it was the perfect homage to a beloved show with Set, Costume and Cake Designer Alice Power hitting the nail on the head giving the whole musical the feel of the tv programme whilst also being its own being and the direction by Rachel Kavanaugh and Choreography by Georgina Lamb just worked perfectly alongside each other too.

The ensemble cast were excellent too. Firstly our two judges for the show Pam and Phil (inspired by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood) were iconic in their own ways, giving the nod to their alter egos in a funny but loving way. If Prue and Paul ever want the series off Hayden Gywnne and John Owen-Jones would be the perfect replacements.

Photo Credit:Manuel Harlan.


Presenters Kim and Jim played by Zoe Birkett and Scott Paige were another iconic duo with brilliant energy throughout the show, bouncing perfectly against each other as well as working along the bakers too. Speaking of the bakers, I loved that each baker had their time to shine, either getting their own song/solo or part of dialogue or moment and it truly felt like the bakers Grace Mouat, Claire Moore, Catriana Sandison, Charlotte Wakefield, Damian Humbley, Jay Saighal, Michael Cahill and Aharon Rayne were an excellent little family.

I absolutely loved this show, from its music to its story and especially the cast, it is definitely worth a watch and most definitely on the list for one of my most favourite shows of 2023 so far.

Information and tickets can be found on their website here.





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