UK Theatre Network

After a period of long, cold and wet weather we are all in need of the warmth of the South Pacific and a night at the Waterside is probably the nearest most of us will come to tropical climes!  This revival of the Rogers and Hammerstein musical is teeming with memorable songs we all know and love from Some Enchanted Evening, There is Nothing Like a Dame, Bali Ha’I, Happy Talk, Younger Than Springtime and, my personal favourite, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair!

With the number of upbeat songs you might think that the show is just a fun-filled fantasy, but it deals with the very serious topic of war and racial prejudice set on a South Pacific island during World War II. The 1949 musical delves into the roots of American prejudice through the story of a Navy nurse, Nellie Forbush,  from Little Rock, Arkansa, who falls in love with a suave French plantation owner with a dark past who doesn't tell her about his two mixed-race children from a previous marriage to a Polynesian woman. With a colourful mix of characters from marines and officers to Bloody Mary, the story leads up to a massive mobilization of forces against the mighty Empire of Japan.

Bartlett Sher’s production, which opened in 2008 at The Lincoln Centre Theatre in New York and won 7 Tony Awards, was the first revival on Broadway since the show’s premiere in 1949 and the reason, surely, is its contentious subject matter.   The show features 40 cast and a live orchestra of 18 and the entire creative team from the Lincoln Centre, including director Bartlett Sher, brought the show to the UK.  This production was recently nominated for 3 Oliver Awards including Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design (Catherine Zuber). Sher directed this production, which opened for a short season at the Barbican in August 2011 and has been touring since November 2011.

Eastenders actress Samantha Womack plays naive and innocent Nellie Forbush, which is a particularly challenging role as she is on stage virtually the whole time.   Sam works hard in the role and had the southern drawl down to a tee, though perhaps could have toned it down a bit for the songs as it occasionally made them sound a little harsh.  Sam is no stranger to musical theatre and played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls opposite the lovely Patrick Swayze.

Matthew Cammelle plays the French plantation owner Emile de Becque.  With an exceptionally strong baritone voice, he sings the wonderful Some Enchanted Evening to express his feelings to Nellie, though I didn’t feel there was much genuine chemistry between them. 

Australian actor Danny Koek plays Lt Joe Cable and described his role as ‘a bit screwed up! Cable has come from the frontline in battle and seen awful stuff.'  This dark side startlingly manifests itself when he deflowers the beautiful young Liat, who is the daughter of Bloody Mary and then rejects her as Mary tries to get him to marry Liat.

For me, Jodi Kimura as Bloody Mary stole the show as she portrayed the wheeling-dealing, mercenary, grotesque who is prepared to pimp out her own daughter.  Alex Ferns adds some comic light relief as Luther Billis, along with Cameron Jack as Stewpot.

This production is co-produced by The Lincoln Centre Theatre, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Genesius and Promenade Productions, Bill Kenwright Productions and Rupert Gavin for Incidental Colman UK.  The atmospheric lighting is designed by Donald Holder and the set cleverly designed by Michael Yeargan.  Dance and incidental music arrangements by Trude Rittmann.

There’s still time to warm up with a cocktail or two for an enchanted evening in the South Pacific and the show runs until Saturday 26th May, so book your tickets now on:

http://uktheatrenet.ambassadortickets.com/whatson.aspx

After which the tour continues to:
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL CONCERT HALL
29 May, 2012 – 9 June, 2012

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
12 June, 2012 – 23 June, 2012

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE
26 June, 2012 – 7 July, 2012

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING
10 July, 2012 – 21 July, 2012

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
24 July, 2012 – 4 August, 2012

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE
7 August, 2012 – 18 August, 2012

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
15.5.12

As a reviewer, I was faced with a dilemma last night, at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre. I wanted to make a note of each incredible feat I was witnessing during Cirque du Ciel’s ShangHi and yet I could not risk missing a moment by averting my gaze! This fast-paced dazzling display of skills by over 30 young performers, acrobats and gymnasts from China, had the audience on their feet calling for more – yet there was genuinely no ‘more’ they could have given! One can only sit in the comfort of the auditorium and imagine how much dedication and hard work it must take to develop their craft.

The director, Zhang Wan, worked closely with Guy Caron of Cirque De Soleil on the forerunner to this show, Magical Music Box. He has kept the magical Cirque formula that keeps the pace high and the atmosphere exciting. With recorded soundtrack but using an on-stage Chinese drummer, the live rhythmic element compliments every move the artists make and draws you inextricably into their world. And what a world that is! 

Opening with vibrant footage of Chinese street scenes, we home in on a young girl struggling to sleep through the noise of Shanghai. We join her on a dream journey and, watching each act, it is hard to believe that they are not figments of our imagination!

Hand balancing of remarkable agility and strength - one girl on one hand for the duration of her ten minute act; a team of acrobatic gymnasts tumbling through hoops at a dizzying speed; men standing on the soles of other men’s feet whilst juggling hats in the splits position; hip-hop style male dancers foot-juggling each other; girls simultaneously foot-juggling and playing the drums; dynamic Diabolo tricks; and the Cirque du Ciel lives up to its name – Circus of the Sky – with phenomenal aerial displays using ropes and silks. It all builds to an explosive finale featuring the Chinese monkey poles during which men fly through the air from pole to pole in a manner which defies both gravity and human physiology.

This is a show that shines as brightly as its costumes and is a treat for the whole family to enjoy. There is no need to keep the children quiet during this one as each member of the audience gasps and grins and gushes every step of the way. So come along and share the spectacle and enjoy a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
           
ShangHi is currently on tour until the end of September 2012

May dates 2012 
8th - 9th May EDINBURGH, Playhouse
11th - 12th May DG1, Dumfries
14th - 16th May GLASGOW, Theatre Royal
18th - 20th May GLENROTHES, Rothes Hall
24th May WORTHING, Pavilion Theatre
25th - 26th May BUXTON, Opera House
27th May - 29th May RICHMOND, Richmond Theatre
31st May - 2nd June DARLINGTON, Civic Theatre

For Waterside Theatre’s Spring/Summer programme information contact:
Box Office:   0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline:  0844 871 7614
Access Booking: 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)
Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury   (bkg fee)

Reviewed by:
Shirley Moon and Harrison

When I saw The Lady in the Van in the West End in 2001, the inimitable Dame Maggie Smith played the role of Miss Shepherd. No actress can deliver a line with such razor sharp precision and she totally inhabited the character, so much so that you could almost smell her. Her performance is vividly etched in my memory and for Nicola McAuliffe it must have been a challenge to make the role her own, but that’s exactly what she does do. It’s a difficult role to make believable, as Miss Shepherd was clearly a very eccentric and deluded lady who regularly had visitations from the Virgin Mary and believed herself to be a celebrity. It could so easily become a caricature, but Nicola keeps her very real and gradually we begin to like and understand this strange woman.

Nicola McAuliffe is best known for playing Sheila Sabatini in seven series of ITV1’s Surgical Spirit, but she has also appeared in Coronation Street and Doctor Who. With an extensive list of theatre credits, she played Queen Victoria at the RSC and won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for playing Kate in Kiss Me, Kate.



The play is written by Alan Bennett and is based on the real life story of how Miss Shepherd moved her van into his street in Camden Town in the late 60s. As she was constantly being moved on and hounded by thugs, Alan offered her the use of his garden ‘for three months’ in 1971 and there she stayed until her death in 1989! This act of extreme generosity was never acknowledged by Miss Shepherd, but he seemed to accept this with good grace.

With not one but two Alan Bennetts in the play, we see two sides of his character. Alan Bennett 1 (played superbly by Sean McKenzie) is the social conscience part who interacts with Miss Shepherd and helps her, even to the extent of picking up her ‘turds’! Alan Bennett 2 (the excellent Paul Kemp) is narrator and playwright, who expresses his occasional resentment and disbelief at finding himself stuck with such a difficult woman.

The 7-strong cast also includes Fenella Norman (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Sheffield Crucible), Dale Rapely (The Merchant of Venice, Globe Theatre), Karen Traynor (Tracey Beaker Returns, BBC), Ged McKenna (Faith Healer, Library Theatre Manchester), Sophie Robinson (Juno and Paycock, National Theatre).

This Hull Truck production drew critical acclaim when it toured the nation in 2011, playing to sell-out audiences, from Liverpool to Oxford. Nichola McAuliffe is reunited with director Sarah Esdaile, whose recent successes include The Deep Blue Sea with Maxine Peake for West Yorkshire Playhouse and Christmas hit The Sleeping Beauty for Birmingham Rep.

Hull Truck Theatre was first established in 1972, by legendary director Mike Bradwell, after he placed an advert in Time Out which read “Half formed theatre company seeks other half”. The company lived and rehearsed in a 3-storey house, their office was the phone box on the street outside, and soon their work was regularly transferring from Hull to the Bush Theatre and the Royal Court. Writers and directors such as John Godber, Alan Plater and Anthony Minghella have all helped Hull Truck Theatre to remain a national theatre company, touring the nation, based in Hull. With a new £16 million home in the heart of Hull, the company retains a commitment to the work of living playwrights and new plays – and to discovering and developing the next generation of writers and theatre makers. For more information visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk

The play is a very heart-warming and funny account of an extraordinary character and is a delightful insight into the workings of the mind of one of our best loved playwrights. The humanity, compassion and generosity shown by ‘Mr Bennett’ is as relevant today as ever, as it raises issues of how we treat people less fortunate than ourselves. Who among us would actually want a smelly, clapped out old van parked outside our homes and an odorous, ungrateful woman occupying it? Great respect to you Mr Bennett, great respect!

Tickets are available now at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Box Office call 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee) Performances: Tue 24 – Sat 28 Mar
 Tickets: £10 – 19.50
 Box Office: 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
 Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee)

 Tour Dates: Tue 1 – Sat 5 May Cambridge Arts Theatre 01223 503 333
Tue 15 – Sat 19 May Grand Theatre, Blackpool 01253 290190
Tue 22 – Sat 26 May Curve, Leicester 0116 242 3595
Tue 29 May – Sat 2 June Festival Theatre, Malvern 01684 892277
Wed 6 – Sat 9 June Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield 0114 249 6000
Tue 12 – Sat 16 June New Theatre, Cardiff 029 2087 8889
Tue 19 – Sat 23 June Richmond Theatre 0844 871 7651
Mon 25 – Sat 30 June Theatre Royal, Bath 01225 448844

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
 24.4.12

 

 

 

 

The great thing about being a reviewer for the Waterside is the chance to watch some classical theatre shows, such as the National Theatre’s recent production of Travelling Light with Sir Anthony Sher, An Inspector Calls and The Russian State Ballet of Siberia.  So, purely in the interest of checking out the artistic merit you understand, I went along to see The Dreamboys with my friend Tricia.  I’d warned her that she may need to take some smelling salts along, lest the sight of semi-naked men proved too much!

As expected, the auditorium was filled with groups of girls out for a good night to celebrate birthdays or hen parties.  The atmosphere was filled with energy and anticipation and the buzz of excitement was audible.  The show was 20 minutes late starting as girls were still filtering in, but it did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm.

The compere (who didn’t introduce himself) opened the show singing Mysterious Girl and proceeded to do a 25 minute warm-up act, which at times felt a bit like panto dividing the audience to see who could scream the loudest.  Really this could have been cut down to about 10 minutes as it did feel as though the show was being padded out. 

Women have been stripping and tantalising men for centuries of course and in 1979, The Chippendales became the first all-male stripping troupe to make a business performing for mostly female audiences. Through the quality of its staging and choreography, The Chippendales also helped legitimize stripping as a form of popular entertainment.

This is all about having fun and The Dreamboys aim to help the girls live out some of their fantasies with a range of stereotypical characters taking their clothes off.  There’s the fireman, of course, the guys in leather, the Matrix look, a 70s outfit with afro wig (though whose fantasy that would be I’m not quite sure?) and a group of soldiers in combat gear.

A little confusingly the compere asked the audience to think of a film with an iconic uniform and we immediately shouted out ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’.  However, he then talked about Tom Cruise and some of his films, including Cocktail, which led us to think we’d be seeing pilot uniforms from Top Gun.  Out walked the guys in naval uniforms, replicating Richard Gere’s uniform from An Officer and a Gentleman.  I wondered whether he’d confused the two actors, but it didn’t detract too much from the eye candy.

The compere had promised this would be a ‘naughty show’ and the second half involved some audience participation that would have had Mary Whitehouse turning in her grave!  If I say that water, oil, cream, handcuffs, eye masks and towels were all involved then I’ll leave the rest to your imagination!

The show calls itself ‘The Dreamboys – Full Frontal’ and we were expecting to be teased throughout the show until there would be a final quick flash and blackout at the end, as per The Full Monty.  That didn’t happen, but a Dreamboy called ‘Stallion’ provided some amusing entertainment with cream and what appeared to be a rubber appendage, shall we say?

The Dreamboys are certainly all very muscular and well toned and Tricia, as a masseuse, said ‘it’s an interesting study of the human anatomy, particularly with the v-shaped muscles around the tops of the thighs’.

On a theatrical note, I would say that the show wasn’t as slick as it should have been with time lapses between entrances and exits and people mooching off rather than existing snappily.  The comedy could have been a lot more defined and I felt the show really needed a good director to tighten up in these areas and make it more professional. The choreography was good though, especially the fire dance and some of the boys were very athletic and good movers.

The show is what it is though, an opportunity for girls to get out, ogle some hunky muscular oiled up men and have a good laugh.  It certainly made a change and put a smile on our faces and with all the bad news and weather, then why not?

For more info visit www.dreamboystour.co.uk
Tour dates:
Thursday 3rd May 2012
The New Wimbledon Theatre - Wimbledon
Box Office: 0844 871 7607
Friday 4th May 2012
The Regent Theatre - Stoke-On-Trent
Box Office: 0844 871 7649
Friday 11th May 2012
The Octagon Theatre - Yeovil
Box Office: 01935 422884
Friday 3rd August 2012
The Beck Theatre - Hayes - Middlesex
Box Office: 0208 561 8371
Friday 7th September 2012
The Cresset Theatre - Peterborough
Box Office: 01733 265705
Friday 14th September 2012
St Georges Concert Hall - Bradford
Box Office: 01274 432000
Friday 21st September 2012
The Wyvern Theatre - Swindon
Box Office: 01793 524481
Friday 28th September 2012
The Embassy Theatre - Skegness
Box Office: 0845 674 0505
Friday 5th October 2012
The Royal Spa Centre - Leamington Spa
Box Office: 0845 218 3540 Or 01926 334418
Friday 12th October 2012
The Cliffs Pavilion Theatre - Southend-On-Sea
Box Office: 01702 351135
For details of the current and new programmes at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury:
Box Office:   0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline:  0844 871 7614
Access Booking: 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)
Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury   (bkg fee)

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
20.4.2012

Sir Anthony Sher is undoubtedly one of our greatest classical actors, with a string of awards from around the Globe, he received a Knighthood for services to acting and writing in 2000.  He has also been awarded Honorary Doctorates of Letters from Warwick, Exeter, Liverpool and Cape Town Universities.  I will always remember seeing him playing Tamburlaine at The Barbican, hanging upside down on a rope, bare chested, but still projecting right up into the ‘Gods’.  It was incredible to see his diaphragm working so hard and the spittle shooting across the stage, but his performance was mesmerising.  The opportunity to see him perform live again was one I was relishing and it was a joy to discover some 18 years on, that he still had as much energy and charisma as ever!

Set in a Russian ‘Shtetl’, the story takes place in the home of Tsippa (a lovely comedy performance by Sue Kelvin), whose brother had recently died leaving his cameras and studio to his only son Motl Mendl (Damien Molony), who hadn’t been home for 7 years.  Motl sees the potential future of moving pictures and sets about making some movies of the villagers, funded by Jacob Bindel (Anthony Sher)  When the beautiful Anna Mazowiecka (Lauren O’Neil) becomes his assistant, they become close, but ultimately his ambitions to work in the US creates a dilemma for the couple.  Seeing the potential to make movies around a story and sell them for people to see, Motl creates a film, once again funded by Jacob whose interference creates conflict between the two!

It’s a great insight into the origins of movie making and is very humourous with some well defined characters, who are brought to life not only on the stage, but on the screen behind them.  The story is interspersed with narration by Paul Jesson, who plays Maurice Montgomery, the American name Motl adopted when he moved to the States.

Any production by the National Theatre is going to be outstanding and this is no exception.  The play is directed by Nicholas Hytner who is Director of The National Theatre.  The realistic set of the village and Tsippa’s home/studio is designed by Bob Crowley.  Costume Designer is Vicki Mortimer and Lighting Designer is Bruno Poet.


Watching Anthony Sher perform is like seeing a master class on acting and I was very envious of the cast working with him.  He relishes the role of Jacob bringing out every nuance, gesture, bit of humour and, of course, the accent is perfect.  Damien Molony as Motl is really the central character and is very good, as is Lauren o’Neil as Anna.  She has a lovely rich, husky voice and certainly does have the ‘luminescence’ required in the movie shots.  The other gifted cast members are: Jonathan Woolf, Karl Theobald, Colin Haigh, Darren Swift, Mark Extance, Alexis Zergerman, Nell McCann/Alexander Semple, Tom Peters, Jill Stanford, Geoffrey Towers and Kate Webster.

The Waterside Theatre is lucky to have been chosen as one of only four venues for the play to tour to and it’s not too late to get a ticket this week, as it runs until Saturday 31st March.

Box Office:   0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline:  0844 871 7614
Access Booking: 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)
Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury   (bkg fee)

The play will be at The Theatre Royal, Newcastle from 3rd-7th April. For details of The National Theatre visit:
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
27th March 2012

South Pacific Preview

With the unseasonably summer weather we’re currently experiencing, you could almost imagine yourself in a tropical paradise.  Watching the preview of South Pacific sipping our fruit cocktails, we could easily be transported as we saw the video clip of the show and heard from 2 of its stars, Samantha Womack and Daniel Koek, who treated us to some of the wonderful songs.

Producer Meryl Faiers told us how the 1949 musical was revised by the Lincoln Centre Theatre in New York in 2007 and ran for 3 years, winning 7 Tony Awards.  The show features 40 cast and a live orchestra of 18 and the entire creative team from the Lincoln Centre, including director Bartlett Sher, brought the show to the UK.  This production has just been nominated for 3 Oliver Awards including Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design.


Eastenders actress Samantha Womack plays Nellie Forbush , which is a particularly challenging role as she is on stage virtually the whole time.  Sam is no stranger to musical theatre and played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls opposite the lovely Patrick Swayze.  Sam said ‘after 4 years of working on Eastenders, it was a real joy to enter into a 6 week rehearsal period and a joy to go back on stage.  This production has an edgy guttsiness of racism and prejudice as people struggle with being at war. This show has a weight to it when Bloody Mary as the child seller sings ‘Happy Talk’ it takes on a completely different meaning.’

With a beautiful singing voice, Samantha sang A Cockeyed Optimist and explained afterwards that this was the song she’d been asked to sing at the audition, directly after filming the cemetery scenes for Eastenders in floods of tears!

Australian actor Danny Koek plays Cable and described his role as ‘a bit screwed up!  Cable has come from the frontline in battle and seen awful stuff.  For me it is an acting challenge to find the dark and edgy parts of his character.  Bart (director) is a genius and lets you do it and with a long rehearsal we had time to develop.’

With a rich and powerful singing voice, Danny sang My Girl Back Home and Samantha described Danny ‘as the best male voice in musical theatre’ and I concur.

This is one of Rogers and Hammerstein’s most popular musicals and the song list is incredible with Nothing Like a Dame, Bally High, Bloody Mary, Girl Back Home, Wash That Man, Wonderful Guy, Some Enchanted Evening  and Happy Talk.

In an audience Q&A session, someone asked Sam how she found doing the Southern accent?  She said she’s always been a good mimic, but that they had a vocal coach working with them.  ‘The interesting thing has been hearing the kids trying to master the French accents, particularly when we toured Scotland!’

Another question was about how they sustained their fitness levels for the demands of the tour.  Both Danny and Sam said that even though they kept themselves fit generally, you have to be ‘show fit’ and Sam said some of the dance routines are very energetic and she even has to perform a cartwheel at one stage!

I met them both briefly and asked how they keep their performances fresh, as I know how difficult it is to sustain in a long tour.  They both agreed that because the show is very emotionally demanding, they can use that emotion to deflect any feelings of tiredness or low energy.  They also told me that the matinee audiences are often filled with people who saw the original show and it really does have a great meaning to them, so that lifts their performances.  Sam told me of one lovely lady called End, who is now 100 years old, who’d actually been in the original stage show!

I’d heard Sam mention that she is a Doris Day fan and would like to do a stage show of the film Love Me or Leave Me.  As I’m also a big fan and perform a tribute show about her life and career, interspersed with some of most memorable songs, I was overjoyed to chat about that.  It’s a great dramatic film about the life of jazz singer Ruth Etting, co-starring Jimmy Cagney and one I’d certainly recommend and I’ll be looking out for the stage show in future too!

South Pacific will be at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury from 15th-26th May 2012.   So be sure to book your tickets now!

“Box Office:                        0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)

Groups Hotline:                0844 871 7614

Access Booking:               0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)

Online Booking:               www.ambassadortickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee

TOUR INFORMATION
• 
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
20 March, 2012 – 31 March, 2012
93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QG
Box Office: 0844 871 7646
Info & Map »
BOOK ONLINE NOW »
• 
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
3 April, 2012 – 14 April, 2012
18-22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AA
Box Office: 0844 847 1660
Info & Map »
BOOK ONLINE NOW »
• 
WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE
17 April, 2012 – 28 April, 2012
Bute Place, Cardiff CF10 5AL
Box Office: 029 2063 6464 
 
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE
1 May, 2012 – 12 May, 2012
High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX
Box Office: 0844 871 3022
• 
AYLESBURY WATERSIDE THEATRE
15 May, 2012 – 26 May, 2012
Exchange Street, Aylesbury HP20 1UG
Box Office: 0844 871 7607
• 
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL CONCERT HALL
29 May, 2012 – 9 June, 2012
Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND
Box Office: 0115 989 5555
• 
PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL
12 June, 2012 – 23 June, 2012
Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR
Box Office: 01752 230440
• 
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE
26 June, 2012 – 7 July, 2012
46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NZ
Box Office: 0844 848 2700
• 
NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING
10 July, 2012 – 22 July, 2012
Peacocks Centre, Woking GU21 6GQ
Box Office: 0844 871 7645
• 
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
24 July, 2012 – 4 August, 2012
55 Norfolk St, Sheffield S1 1DA
Box Office: 0114 249 6000
• 
BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE
7 August, 2012 – 18 August, 2012
Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin Dublin 2
Box Office: 0844 847 2455

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
23rd March 2012

I went along to ‘Hormonal Housewives’ not knowing what to expect. If it had been called, ‘ Carry On Up the Vagina Monologues’, I would have been better prepared. At first I thought I was the only male in the theatre but I then saw the odd man lurking in the shadows probably thinking he was the only man in the theatre.  The only clue was a set consisting of a video wall looks like a game show set. The proceedings starts with a thunderous clap of thunder , the song, ‘Here Come the Girls’ booms out, as Margi Clarke, Laura Checkley and writer Julie Coombe explode onto the stage instantly ramping up the energy level for the beginning of what will prove to be a rollercoaster ride of a sketch show.


‘What’s the difference between a man and a decimal fraction? You can see the point in a decimal fraction.’



 

Although at first I felt a little like an intruder, Julie Coombe’s script never alienated me. The jokes were as much aimed at women as they were at men and even the put downs directed at the poor man in the front row were never with malice.

As the show progressed through, Feminines, a  holiday camp on speed, a grotesque slapstick waxing parlour, a hippy sex therapy session and a gym dance work out, it proved just how similar men and women are as an audience. Just like men the women fell about laughing at the knob gags. Just as with men, each fart sound was a guaranteed howl of laughter from the audience. The only difference was that the material was from a woman’s perspective. There were some lovely moments when the audience responded in  recognition of shared experience, the ‘fat and thin clothes’, the manipulation of underwear for lavatorial purposes along with several other equally educational moments.


Margi Clarke, a very familiar face from TV and cinema, delivered some beautifully crafted monologues from the pen of Julie Coombe who proved to be an equally fine actress and wonderful clown. Her clowning in the slapstick gym scene was a delight of masterful timing.

Laura Checkley proved to be a fine physical actress, equally engaging as a dancer and as a mime in a fabulous slow motion exercise sequence.  She inhabited all of the characters she played with a dynamic physicality and was every bit the brilliant clown that Julie was.

The show built to a big spoof dance ending where Margi and Julie seem to be a little out of their comfort zone but nobody cared,  by then the audience was riding the rollercoaster with the performers and we had all been totally won over.

As an old bloke I can remember when female comediennes were few and far between and no doubt female writers even rarer. Well all I can say is that for a long time we had missed out on a whole wealth of brilliance.
As I left the theatre I listened out, as I always do, for audience comments. One woman leaned to her friend’s ear and said with unrestrained glee, ‘That was really good’.

Future tour dates.
Mon 26th Mar
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Princess Theatre
Torquay Tue 27th Mar
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Beck Theatre
Hayes Wed 28th Mar
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Festival Theatre (Malvern Theatres)
Malvern Thu 29th Mar
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
The Marina Theatre & Cinema
Lowestoft Fri 30th Mar
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
White Rock Theatre & Sussex Hall
Hastings Sun 1st Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Harlequin Theatre
Redhill Mon 2nd Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Darlington Civic Theatre
Darlington Tue 3rd Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
The Spa Bridlington
Bridlington Wed 4th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Floral Pavilion Theatre
New Brighton Thu 5th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Pavilion Theatre
Rhyl Tue 10th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Buxton Opera House
Buxton Wed 11th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
St George's Concert Hall
Bradford Thu 12th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
New Theatre
Hull Fri 13th Apr -
Sat 14th Apr Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
 Buy Now
Playhouse Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay Mon 16th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Southport Theatre & Convention Centre
Southport Tue 17th Apr -
Wed 18th Apr Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Lichfield Thu 19th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
The Royal Centre
Nottingham Fri 20th Apr -
Sat 21st Apr Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Octagon Theatre
Yeovil Sun 22nd Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
 Buy Now
Churchill Theatre
Bromley Tue 24th Apr -
Wed 25th Apr Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Wyvern Theatre
Swindon Thu 26th Apr
Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre
Stevenage Fri 27th Apr -
Sat 28th Apr Hormonal Housewives (Touring)
 Buy Now
Theatre Royal
Brighton Mon 30th Apr

Waterside Theatre
“Box Office: 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline: 0844 871 7614
Access Booking: 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)
Online Booking: www.ambassadortickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee

 

Reviewed by:
Pete Benson
25th March 2012

Walking into the foyer of the Waterside Theatre on Tuesday night, I was very surprised to find it packed with teenagers and wondered if I’d got the wrong date and there was a One Direction concert on!  It turns out that this classic play by J. B. Priestly has been on the national curriculum for some years and this was their opportunity to see the play performed live. 

Although it’s great to see a new generation being introduced to the theatre it’s a shame that they weren’t educated in how to behave, with mobile phones, chatting and food rustlings, plus laughter at some very inappropriate moments, it was very distracting for the rest of the audience.

Astonishingly it’s now 20 years since Stephen Daldry first directed An Inspector Calls at the National Theatre, making it the longest-running production in their history.  It has also been seen on Broadway and across the United States, Europe and Australia.  It has consistently been revived in the West End and this is the 7th tour of Britain.  Stephen Daldry has directed 3 films Billy Elliot, The Hours and The Reader, attracting 17 Academy Award nominations and securing 2 wins.

The play is famous for Ian MacNeil’s Olivier Award winning set design, with the raised house and tiny living area, surrounded by an external bomb site.

The pivotal role of Inspector Goole is played with great relish by Scottish actor Tom Mannion, who drives the plot and forces the people to face up to their selfish and destructive behaviour, after a girl’s alleged suicide.

Geoff Leesley plays the boorish and blunt factory owner, Arthur Birling, who is the first to be put under the spotlight to explain why he sacked the girl.  His fickle daughter Sheila Birling, played with just the right balance of  frivolity and insincerity by Kelly Hotten, was also responsible for the girl losing a job.  Her new pompous finance Gerald Croft (John Sackville), also has questions to answer about his relationship with this girl.  The matriarch of the family, Sybil Birling, is played with imperious distain by Karen Archer, dismissively blaming the girl for her own misfortunes, until she discovers her weak son’s involvement, Eric Birling, played by Henry Gilbert.  On stage throughout is Janie Booth, playing their housekeeper Edna, who watches and observes everything, but barely says a word.


The Supernumeraries are played by Lucinda Forth, Pamela Hardman, Andrew McDonald and Gareth Richardson, along with local schoolchildren and amateur dramatic groups.

It’s an interesting tale of morality about how insensitive and thoughtless actions can affect another person’s life.  It’s also interesting to see that only 2 of the characters, Sheila and Eric, are deeply affected by this realisation with others intent on carrying on as before.  I can certainly see why this play has been on the schools curriculum.  Wouldn't it be good to think that it has helped some people to be more considerate and caring to those less fortunate than ourselves and take responsibility for our actions? 

The show continues at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury to Saturday 24th March 2012.
Box Office:   0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline:  0844 871 7614
Access Booking: 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)
Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury   (bkg fee)
Thu 22nd Mar -
Sat 24th Mar An Inspector Calls (Touring)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Aylesbury

Tue 27th Mar -
Sat 31st Mar An Inspector Calls (Touring)
New Theatre
Cardiff

Tue 17th Apr -
Sat 21st Apr An Inspector Calls (Touring)
Theatre Royal
Newcastle upon Tyne

Tue 15th May -
Sat 19th May An Inspector Calls (Touring)
Royal & Derngate Theatre
Northampton

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
20.3.12

BEST OF BUCKS TALENT COMPETITION

With just days to go before the new series of Britain’s Got Talent begins, Aylesbury hosted its very own talent contest with the final of Best of Bucks Talent Show. Ten finalists from across the county including dancers, magicians, choirs, solo singers and a poet aged from 12 – 74 vied to  give the performance of a lifetime in their bid to win the chance to perform at one of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Their fate was decided by a panel of three celebrity judges made up of legendary broadcaster and DJ ‘The Hairy Cornflake’ Dave Lee Travis, MK Dons Chairman and record producer Pete Winkelman and poet and creator of Slambassadors Joelle Taylor.

The evening was hosted by family favourite and all round entertainer, Bobby Davro.  His energy, enthusiasm and humour lifted the audience immediately with a string of jokes and constant one-liners that kept us all laughing throughout.  He really is a consummate professional and was always very supportive of all the acts, though some of his jokes may not have been strictly considered PC!

Kicking off the evening was the randomly titled 4-piece rock band, John Rode My Bear!  The band are 4 lads aged 16-17 who write and perform their own songs.  All accomplished musicians, the song they performed was their own Whistletop Store, which was very catchy and allowed Danny, on keyboard, to pause to play sax in the middle.  Judges comments were: ‘charismatic, very catchy’, ‘connected with the audience’ and DLT ‘ ‘tremendous, very original, versatile...don’t give up’.

Next up was solo singer Cristy Macleod performing The Voice Within by Christina Aguilera. Cristy is only 16 and had chosen the song as her mother had requested it for her funeral.  With such an emotive memory it probably wasn’t the best choice for her, as it’s a vocally demanding song and she was clearly very nervous and struggled with some of the notes.  The judges were very encouraging though and felt she had a great future and with a good vocal coach she could really develop into a very good singer.

In variety shows you should expect the unexpected and poet Mark Niel was certainly that.  Looking more like an accountant than a performer, the 40+ Milton Keynes man gave an amazingly energetic and entertaining performance recounting 3 of his poems Short Spell, By Royal Disappointment and My Half of the Fridge.  DLT said ‘that was pure magic.  He looks more like a solicitor, but has great delivery.’  Poet Joelle ‘I loved him, he communicates strongly and effortlessly with the audience.’

The previous winners of  Best of Bucks, who performed in the panto Dick Whittington, Tina-Louise and They Bellyrinas performed Diamondesque.  The group of 10 dancers from High Wycombe are aged between 20 and 47 and make their own costumes, which were a very effective white and silver with flashing fairy lights.  The judges loved the costumes and the range of ages and felt they could grace any stage anywhere.

Finishing off the first act was Nicole Baptiste, a 24 year old solo singer from High Wycombe, who sang Footsteps in the Sand by Leona Lewis.  She looked beautiful in a soft blue sparkly dress and Pete said ‘really great performance.  Well done!’ Joelle commented ‘incredible connection with the audience and you stepped up the level of performance this evening.’  DLT said ‘concentrate on one area, you’ve got everything you need to be a star and have a very bright future indeed.’

Giving it large to kick off the second act were street dance company Lockdown Dance Crew, a group of 6 dancers from Aylesbury aged 10-20.  With some inventive moves (we especially liked the Windows tune opening and freezing) and a great track mixed by Jack Eggleton, they were energetic and exciting.  DLT commented ‘astounded by the range of moves and loved the little one. Very, very entertaining and a great routine.’ Joelle’ love street dance and especially seeing some girls in there.  Choreography was exceptional and you’re a really good team – wicked.’  Pete ‘music was fantastically well put together, really well worked out and the audience love you.’

Next up was 17 year old singer Becca Hoodless from Princes Risborough singiing Gravity by Sarah Bareiles.  She was very confident just standing at the microphone singing beautifully.  With a good range and excellent mature quality and vibrato, she really connected with the audience and drew us all in, making it all seem effortless.  Pete called her ‘Princess Risborough’ and said her performance was ‘haunting and captivating’.  Joelle commented ‘you made the hairs stand up.  Perfect pitch’ and DLT ‘absolutely astounded – pitch perfect, you have a very big future ahead of you.’

Soul Urban Poet featuring Sam Jenkins came next with their mix of poetry/rap and song written by RJ Fainder and Amy-Lou Passingham.  Joelle said ‘I really like it, a good flow and I’d like to hear some more tracks of yours.’  Pete ‘what an amazing night!  if Britain’s Got Talent is as good it’s going to be a great series!’  DLT said ‘great stuff.  Liked the juxtaposition of the poet and singer, very unusual, but you worked well together.’

A variety show wouldn’t be complete without a magic act and this came from Dee  Riley, a 19 year old solo magician from Chalfont St Giles.  Dressed in black with wild shoulder length hair, he has a strikingly gothic appearance which fits perfectly with his act, performing tricks with a silver cane and some audience participation with a card trick. Pete said ‘absolutely confident delivery – magic could be the new rock and roll!’  Joelle felt his ‘personality jumps out, as relying on audience interaction is a very difficult thing.’ And said  ‘you’re beautiful!’.  DLT said ‘good stuff.  You’ve got lots of new tricks up your sleeve and lots of potential.’

Prior to the final act, Bobby gave us a sample of his own singing talents with a rendition of If I Ruled the World.  Not only singing as himself though, but perfectly mimicking Tony Bennett, Johny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Sting, Tom Jones and finally Shirley Bassey.  You can certainly see why he’s still so successful!

Finishing off the evening were the Lanborough Singers, a group of 53 male and female singers from Winslow aged 25-74.  They gave a moving performance of You Raise Me Up and I must say that it was nice to see a mixed choir for a change.  Pete ‘really entertaining all of you working so hard;  a really great team effort.’  Joelle ‘beautiful end to the show, gorgerous.’  DLT ‘I like anything where there’s no age limit up or down from 3 to 90.  You could see the joy on their faces with some superb harmonies’.

So whilst the judges retired with Bobby to decide on the ultimate winner, Holly Brewer, winner of Milton Keynes Top Talent, performed two songs for us.  From Dreamgirls she sang And I am Telling You and from Ghost the Musical, With You.  I personally felt the first song required a bigger and more emotive performance, but  she sang the second song beautifully and accompanied herself on piano.

The High Sheriff of Bucks, James Naylor, dressed in full regalia announced the winner, who was Becca Hoodless, the superb 17 year old singer.

Becca Hoodless said “I am truly overwhelmed and thrilled to have won, and still can't quite believe it! I'm looking forward to new and exciting opportunities that may now come my way. I am so pleased to have entertained an audience doing something that I love.”

Dave Lee Travis said “All 10 acts were so diverse, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I think it’s wonderful for Bucks to be standing up for fresh, undiscovered talent. The decision was an incredibly difficult one, but when Becca opened her mouth she didn’t get a single note wrong and had a beautiful voice. Simple’.

The evening was in aid of Buckinghamshire Community Foundation works with individuals, businesses, schools, trusts and public bodies in all parts of the county to help them provide financial support for local community groups throughout Buckinghamshire. The MK Community Foundation is an independent charity working for and at the heart of Milton Keynes.  We connect people and resources to projects and ideas to create positive change and long term solutions for our communities. We rely on the generosity of individuals, families and companies to support our vital work.

The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
Box Office:                0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Online Booking:        www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury   (bkg fee)

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
18.3.12

If you’ve never seen a ballet in the theatre before then I’d say Swan Lake has to be the best one to see first.  This fantasy fairy story is timeless and tells of Prince Siegfried falling in love with Princess Odette, who has been bewitched by the Evil Genius turning her into a swan during the day.  Only the love of a man who has never loved another will break the spell. It’s a simple story, with a tragic ending, but one that I believe is best told in the true traditional way without any tricks or trying to make it edgy and contemporary.  The only real message in this story is that we can all fall in love with a fantasy wearing rose tinted glasses, but when reality sets in the results can be disastrous!

Thankfully, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia stays true to this classic fairy story and the show is all about wonderful dancing and the incredible music of Tchaikovsky.


My niece, Melissa, joined me for the show and this was indeed her first theatre visit to see a ballet.  She thought it was brilliant and loved all the colourful costumes, made with pastels and muted colours in the first Act, with Act 2 having more vibrant shades of red and orange, deep velvets of black for the swans and a sumptuous royal blue for the queen’s train.  She was amazed to see how high Benno, Prince’s friend (Ivan Karnaukhov) jumped and loved the way the swans feet trembled slightly, which was very effective.  We both agreed that Odette/Odile (Maria Kuimova) shone on the stage, with every movement, gesture and nuance finely pointed.  With long legs and arms, she gave a perfect performance of grace and poise and whenever she was on stage you only watched her.



Kirill Litvinenko gives an accomplished performance as the love-lorn Prince Siegfried and Egor Osokin has just the right amount of menace as Von Rothbart the Evil Genius.

The truly memorable parts of Swan Lake for me though are the swan dances and particularly the Pas de Quatre, which are all performed beautifully.  I loved the way they used their arms to emulate a swan’s neck and the elegance and graceful movements were a joy to watch.


Special mention must also be made to the Russian State Ballet of Siberia Orchestra, conducted by Anatoliy Chepurmoy, who performed  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskky’s music beautifully.

The glorious costumes were designed by Maria Smirnova-Nesvitskaya, who also designed the sets, with the lake at night working particularly well.

Melissa says she'd definitely like to see another ballet, so if you've never seen a live ballet before, there's still time to catch this exceptional ballet company.  Nearing the end of their tour, it’s still possible to  see one their shows.

Sun 18th Mar Sleeping Beauty:
Russian State Ballet of Siberia
Grand Theatre
Blackpool
Mon 19th Mar Giselle:
Russian State Ballet of Siberia
Grand Theatre
Blackpool
Tue 20th Mar Sleeping Beauty:
Russian State Ballet of Siberia
Cliffs Pavilion
Southend-on-Sea
Wed 21st Mar Swan Lake:
Russian State Ballet of Siberia
Cliffs Pavilion
Southend-on-Sea
Thu 22nd Mar -
Fri 23rd Mar  Swan Lake:
Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Russian State Orchestra Of Siberia
New Victoria Theatre
Woking
Sat 24th Mar Sleeping Beauty:
Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Russian State Orchestra Of Siberia
New Victoria Theatre
Woking

For Waterside Theatre’s Spring programme information contact:
Box Office: 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline: 0844 871 7614
Access Booking: 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee)
Online Booking:

Reviewed by:
Yvonne Delahaye
16.3.12