Ken Stott, Arthur Miller, Dorian Gray, Chitty Citty Bang Bang, Quadrophenia and that's just for starters...

This spring looks set to be an amazing time for all Scottish theatre goers as the King’s and Theatre Royal will be playing host to some phenomenal productions!

At the King’s there’s still time to book for the devilishly brilliant musical

The Witches of Eastwick (28 Apr – 9 May) starring Glasgow’s own Marti Pellow. Other season highlights include Quadrophenia (2- 6 Jun), a brand new production based on the iconic movie with music by Pete Townsend; Roald Dahl’s The BFG (1 – 5 Sep) a whizzcracking show which will excite Dahl lovers young and old; The Silver Darlings, directed by Kenny Ireland, (8-12 Sep), an epic adventure based on one of the most cherished Scottish novels of the 20^th Century; Chicago (5 – 10 Oct) will razzle and dazzle its way on stage with Gary Wilmott and Eastender’s Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell) and of course the ultimate classic adventure story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (20 Oct – 14 Nov); this fantasmogorical award-winning musical is in Glasgow for 4 weeks only and stars Barbara Rafferty as Baroness Bomburst. Finally it’s never too early to book for the King’s panto and this year we present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (4 Dec – 17 Jan), with a brand new script and never before seen sets and costumes.

At the

Theatre Royal we are delighted to announce we are one of only three British tour dates for Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge (2-6 June). This electrifying production boasts an outstanding cast featuring Scotland’s own Ken Stott and Hollywood star Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. A View from the Bridge is currently storming the West End and we are thrilled to be the theatre bringing this production to Scotland. Our series of drama continues with an exciting co-production by two of Scotland’s acclaimed companies, the Dundee Rep Ensemble and the National Theatre of Scotland with Peer Gynt (23 – 27 June). A raucous and radical interpretation of Ibsen’s classic Peer Gynt takes its audience on a truly wild and theatrical journey.

Other not to be missed shows include the stunning

Imperial Ice Stars with Cinderella on Ice (9 – 13 Jun); the much-loved family musical Annie (4 – 8 Aug); West End sensation Tim Flavin in Singin in the Rain (1 – 5 Sep); Matthew Bourne’s Edinburgh International Festival sell-out hit Dorian Gray (29 Sep – 3 Oct) and later in the year don’t miss one of the most popular Scottish plays of all time, The Steamie (2 – 7 Nov).

To

DOWNLOAD copies of both the King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal brochures please log on to

Hit West End comedy lands in Glasgow for a flying visit as part of it’s UK Tour.

 

When flight changes on a visit to London meant that I missed this play on it’s West End run (little realising the irony), I was more than delighted to see it touring to Glasgow this year, and went along with high expectations. These expectations were dampened slightly by the rather bare and dirty front cloth, which had me hoping that more care had been taken with rest of the production out on tour. However, once the curtain went up and the performance began, we saw we were in for a treat.

 

Martin Marquez, as Bernard gave a very enigmatic and charming performance, and looked far more handsome than his “sleazy barman” image from Hotel Babylon. His brother John (here playing his cousin!) however stole the show. His slow progression from the stuttering provincial cousin, to unintentional ladies man was a delight to watch. The naturalness of his nervous tics were in stark contrast to the physical humour played out during the second act of this farce, and as with all comedy, playing it for real makes it seem all the funnier.

 

Onto the ladies, and the three mistresses gave great performances too. Not only do these three ladies look stunning, but they have the intelligence to handle good comic timing, most notably in the rather wordier first act. Sarah Jayne Dunn made the transfer from Hollyoaks to Hollywood, as the glamorous and fiesty American Gloria. Thaila Zucchi, of TV’s Balls Of Steel, showed exactly that as the forthright Italian Gabriella. The gutsy German, Gretchen, was excellently characterised by Jospehine Butler, and although neither of the european accents were entirely convincing, the performances definitely were. However, top of the tree for performance was Susie Blake. Her deadpan delivery as downtrodden domestic servant Bertha was poetry in motion. The timing of movement and putdowns showed another layer to this versatile actress.

 

The set design was simple and clean, which is ideal for a door slamming farce such as this, with the odd splash of colour to break up the white, and help focus the action. The randomness of the Curtain Call Choreography was entertaining and intriguing and for some strange reason, fitted into the whole evening of enjoyable theatre that was Boeing Boeing.

 

 

 

 

All The Fun Of The Fair

UK National Tour

Reviewed at Sunderland Empire Theatre

 

All The Fun Of The Fair, as the title suggests, is set against the backdrop of a travelling funfair that is struggling to survive in the late seventies. Starring David Essex as funfair owner Levi Lee and featuring almost all of his hits, it was always going to be something rather special.

Without giving too much of the plot away, the story opens with Rosa, the funfair’s resident gypsy clairvoyant reflecting upon a series of dramatic events that form the framework of the story.

Louise English, as Rosa, is no stranger to show-stopping musicals and has graced the stages of the West End often, receiving rave reviews for her many accomplished and polished performances. In All The Fun Of The Fair, she delivers the performance of a lifetime; phenomenal isn’t adequate enough a word to describe it. Her solo performance of ‘A Winter’s Tale’ is richly seductive, with diction that is as clear as a bell and the entire audience seem to fall under the spell of this mysterious gypsy fortune-teller. Miss English bestows Rosa with a hidden vulnerability beneath the feisty exterior that pays testament to her extraordinary talent as an actress and gives the character added depth of emotion.

David Essex inhabits the role of Levi Lee effortlessly and dominates every scene with a stage presence that is tangible. His performance as the fairground owner has an edge that exudes sexiness and danger and the women in the auditorium lapped it up.

Paul-Ryan Carberry, making his professional debut as Jack, grabs the role with both hands and gives a fine performance.

The fairground set is amazing and has an air of authenticity that is increased further by carousel horses, dodgem cars and motor bikes – you can almost smell the hot dogs and taste the candy floss!

There is always the danger that musicals based around the hits of an artist or group simply crowbar a story around the music and lack any real plot – not in this case. All The Fun Of The Fair seamlessly combines a thrillingly original storyline with some fantastic pop classics.

Steve Burbridge.

For more information and tour dates/venues visit www.allthefunofthefairmusical.com

 

 

In This Newsletter

EDITOR’S BIT
o Cancer Research
o Doug’s Radio Blog

UKTHEATRE NEWS
o Reviews around the UK
- Look Back In Anger/Newcastle
- Chinese State Circus/Tour
- Pack Of Lies/Tour
- Cinderella On Ice/Tour
- Allo Allo
- Swan Lake
- Witches Of Eastwick
- Nothing Like The Wooden Horse
o National Theatre Of Scotland
o West End Ticket Offers

UKFILM NEWS 
o BAFTA Access All Areas
o Select A Screenplay
o Remix a Film
o Watch Some Polish Shorts

CASTING NEWS
o West End - King and I/Sound Of Music
o Robin Hood Feature Film



Hi there


This morning was the first morning that I sat out on my balcony and had some coffee and toast and marmalade and took in some of the lovely sun rays. The Union Jack on top of Tower Bridge wasn’t moving and therefore there is hardly even a wind. Spring is here it seems. I’ve also noticed a significant increase in tourists on the South Bank, and activity online has started to flourish with lots of new members signing up. Though mostly to the old site, so remember that it’s the new network http://www.uktheatre.tv if you want to register. I’ll be removing the old site next month and repointing uktheatre.net to the new social networking site. If you haven’t already, why not take two minutes to re-register your details into the new site.


CANCER RESEARCH

It’s the anniversary of when my mother passed away with breast cancer, and my daughter decided this year to do various activities in support of Cancer Research charity. I’m helping her by plugging it here and I hope you will also support her endeavours by donating a few pounds at her justgiving site - http://www.justgiving.com/pamelamcfarlane 


DOUG’s RADIO BLOG

It’s the 16th show this week, 4 months since I started the radio show. It continues to be a lot of fun. Tune In Today for Lily Allen, Jarvis Cocker, Annie Lennox, Sting, Jack Johnson and Slumdog Millionaire’s Jai Ho. It’s on every Saturday 12pm-2pm and streams online and in FM.

http://www.nevisradio.co.uk


DOUG’S SKY NEWS BLOG

In case you missed last month’s Sky News feature, the link is below. You can watch the next one live on Friday 28th March at 7:00pm-7:30pm

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video?videoSourceID=1805214&flashURL=/feeds/skynews/latest/flash/160209_skycom_movers.flv



Have a great week.


Douglas McFarlane
http://www.ukfilm.tv
http://www.uktheatre.tv


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Look Back In Anger
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne

Review by Steve Burbridge

Hailed as one of the first of the ‘kitchen sink dramas’ and, arguably, introducing theatre-goers to the concept of ‘the angry young man’, it was undoubtedly a trailblazer.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/look-back-in-anger-northern-stage-newcastle-upon-tyne_63.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Chinese State Circus featuring the world famous Shaolin Wu-Shu Warriors

Touring Until May 2009

Review By Sue Marks

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/the-chinese-state-circus-featuring-the-world-famous-shaolin-wu-shu-warriors_64.html 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitemore 

Review By Sue Marks

The play does an admirable job of capturing, not only the style, but also the mindset of suburban London in 1960. This includes the contrast between the Canadian/American woman and the British woman, which is reflected in their clothes as well as their demeanour, reserve and approach to life. 

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/pack-of-lies_65.html 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Cinderella on Ice

WORLD TOUR

Review by Catherine Brian

The Imperial Ice Stars brought their version of Cinderella on Ice to Milton Keynes during the height of the snow, which unusually for Milton Keynes was very snowy indeed! A cheery evening of traditional skating was very fitting for the weather!

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/cinderella-on-ice_66.html

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Allo Allo!
Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre
Review by Steve Burbridge

This stunning new production follows the hilarious adventures of René Artois (Jeffrey Holland), a hapless café owner in war-torn occupied France, as he and his wife Edith (Corinna Marlowe) struggle to keep for themselves a priceless portrait of The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies, stolen by the Nazis and kept in a sausage in their cellar.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/allo-allo!_67.html

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“Swan Lake”, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 17 to 28 March 2009

Review By John Sinclair

Swan Lake” is arguably the most popular and most performed ballet in the world. This therefore presents a challenge to any choreographer who wishes to breathe new life into the one hundred and thirty-two year old classic, yet David Nixon’s Northern Ballet Theatre manages this with his new and exciting production of the ballet

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/�swan-lake�-festival-theatre-edinburgh-17-to-28-march-2009_68.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


The Witches Of Eastwick
The Sunderland Empire Theatre
Review by Steve Burbridge

This production is a visual extravaganza, although it may not be your maiden aunt’s cup of tea, with its phallic symbols and sexual innuendos.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/the-witches-of-eastwick_70.html


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Nothing Like The Wooden Horse

The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne & Wear

Review by Steve Burbridge

Nothing Like The Wooden Horse tells the story of Tommy Henderson and his grandson, Wayne. Both men have lived through contrasting experiences of warfare, Tommy as a Prisoner Of War in the Second World War and Wayne as part of the allied forces in Iraq.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/nothing-like-the-wooden-horse_69.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



National Theatre Of Scotland

Now in it’s fourth year, I was there filming the birth of this fantastic production company headed up by Vicky Featherstone who spoke to UKTheatre.TV about her aspirations for the company. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO9r4F0BL3c

http://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

WEST END TICKET OFFERS

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

TICKETS TO SEE GARETH GATES JUST £29.50!

http://www.uktheatre.tv/events/profile/37

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


BAFTA Access All Areas

I’m now on an assignment with BAFTA to produce a report on their website and how they can widen their reach online. I hope you can help by spreading the news of their Access All Areas to everyone, you don’t need to be a member of BAFTA, or a professional to go to their events or get inside information from their website. I am also looking for several volunteers from my reviewing team to construct some feedback. 

http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/bafta-access-all-areas_31.html


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Opportunity For Filmmakers


Select a screenplay

http://www.ukfilm.tv/forum/topic/3


Remix a film

http://www.ukfilm.tv/forum/topic/5


Watch Some Polish Shorts

http://www.ukfilm.tv/events/profile/7


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Opportunities For Youngsters 

West End Theatre

http://www.uktheatre.tv/forum/topic/18


Robin Hood Feature
http://www.ukfilm.tv/forum/topic/4

Nothing Like The Wooden Horse

The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne & Wear

There are those occasions, albeit they are sometimes few and far between, when a theatre critic is given the opportunity to review a play that is utterly compelling, deeply affecting and hugely entertaining. Last night was one of those blessed occasions.

Nothing Like The Wooden Horse tells the story of Tommy Henderson and his grandson, Wayne. Both men have lived through contrasting experiences of warfare, Tommy as a Prisoner Of War in the Second World War and Wayne as part of the allied forces in Iraq.

The play is set on the eve of Wayne’s return to Iraq for another tour of duty and, as usual, there is the ritual of banter and a few drinks with Tommy before he leaves. However, this time it’s different and, as they share their tales, tonight is the night for a few secrets to be revealed.

Donald McBride (Tommy) and Michael Imerson (Wayne) give performances that are nothing short of outstanding. They breathe life into Tom Kelly’s profound script with warmth, humour and compassion but without ever being overly sentimental in their delivery.

This powerful piece of theatre delves deep into the recesses of the minds of two men who have witnessed horrific events that return each night to haunt them as they sleep, and the result is magnificent.

For the most part, the play is set in Tommy’s cosy front room. However, occasionally flashback scenes allow the audience to share some of the men’s experiences. It’s all done very skilfully.

Unusually for a two-hander, the pace of the play never loses momentum and I was so engrossed in the piece that the interval took me by surprise. Indeed, the length of the play is perfect – it comprises two acts of approximately 45 minutes each.

It is testament to the power of this play that, throughout the performance, the audience were so quiet that one could have heard a pin if it were dropped.

Tom Kelly has delivered an important piece of theatre that has sincerity and honesty.

Steve Burbridge.

Nothing Like The Wooden Horse runs until Saturday 21st March 2009. 

The Witches Of Eastwick

The Sunderland Empire Theatre

Alexandra Spofford (Ria Jones), Sukie Rougemont (Rebecca Thornhill) and Jane Smart (Poppy Tierney) are three bored suburban women who long for some excitement. Innocently, they conjure up a mysterious man, in the form of Darryl Van Horne (Marti Pellow), to add a little spice into their lives.

One by one, the enigmatic Van Horne seduces the three women and awakens a power within them that has previously remained dormant. In the process, a moral scandal is ignited in the conservative small town and the women are ostracised from the community, at the hands of its self appointed moral crusader and general busybody, Felicia Gabriel (Rachel Izen).

This production is a visual extravaganza, although it may not be your maiden aunt’s cup of tea, with its phallic symbols and sexual innuendos.

Slick direction from Nikolai Foster brings out the best from a fantastic cast who never deliver anything but 150%. The designer, Peter Mckintosh provides costumes and sets that are ablaze with colour and the choreographer, Geoffrey Garratt, keeps up the momentum with some spectacular ensemble dance routines.

However, what really sets this darkly comedic musical apart from the rest is the performances of its principal performers.

Marti Pellow hurls himself wholeheartedly into the role of Van Horne and gives a performance that is charismatic, energetic and high-octane. Jones, Thornhill and Tierney are all accomplished West End leading ladies who know how to sell a song, too. What is refreshing is that they are happy to work as a trio without any one of them vying for the top spot.

There are also some lovely little cameos from Rachel Izen, as Felicia, James Graeme, as Clyde, and Victoria Hay, as The Girl, in particular.

The Witches Of Eastwick is a fiendishly fabulous musical that casts a spell over the audience and gives them a Hell of a great night out!

Steve Burbridge.

The Witches Of Eastwick runs at The Sunderland Empire Theatre until Saturday 21^st March 2009.

 

                   

“Swan Lake” is arguably the most popular and most performed ballet in the world. This therefore presents a challenge to any choreographer who wishes to breathe new life into the one hundred and thirty-two year old classic, yet David Nixon’s Northern Ballet Theatre manages this with his new and exciting production of the ballet.

The action is moved from Imperial Eastern Europe to New England in 1912, and tells the story of Anthony who as a child when out swimming with his brother Steven, accidently lets him drown in a nearby lake. Forever haunted by what happened to his brother on that fateful day Anthony returns to the lake time and time again, until one day he glimpses in the water a world of swans, led by the beautiful Odette.

Months pass, and Anthony finds himself growing closer to his friend Simon, who has now come to replace Steven. The time of Anthony’s coming of age birthday party arrives and it is at this party he sees the beautiful Odilia, whose beauty immediately transports him back to Odette and her swans. The lake continues to haunt him, the guilt destroying Anthony and his relationship with Simon and Odilia.

Nixon gives his own stamp to the ballet by changing the setting and story. He also uses his own unique brand of choreography which works particularly well in this production. More traditional ballet companies would simply focus on the dancing, letting the story get lost in a sea of badly painted backcloths, mime acting and too many tutus. Yet Nixon places just as much emphasis on the narrative as on the dancing, in fact some of the company’s other productions have included having dancers sing and say lines on stage as well as dance.

A particularly clever piece of choreography is the use of bicycles and a football in an early scene where the young boys have just finished college. The use of these simple props give a better sense of realism to the piece and actually make you forget you’re watching a ballet at times. This said, Nixon is also respectful to Petipa’s and Ivanov’s original choreography of the piece and keeps most of the swan scenes identical to how they are more traditionally staged.

The entire company produce a wonderful performance, but particular note should go Kenneth Tindall and Keiko Amemori as Anthony and Odette who keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. It is also worth mentioning Dave Gillan’s set which evokes early twentieth century America perfectly, whilst still giving the flexibility and space for the dancers. And not forgetting Tchaikovshy’s beautiful music, which is sensitively arranged by John Longstaff.

All in all, a brilliant production that will make you see this classic ballet with new eyes!

 

Listings:

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

17 to 19 Mar

Tues – Thur eves 7:30pm

Thu mat 2:30pm (19 Mar)

Tickets: £10 - £30

Box Office: 0131 529 6000

www.eft.co.uk

 

Then touring until 26 March

Allo Allo!

Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre

One of the greatest British television situation-comedies ever written,  Allo Allo! has made a triumphant return to the stage with a fantastic cast starring Vicki Michelle (Yvette Carte-Blanche from the original series) and Jeffrey Holland (Hi-De-Hi, You Rang M’Lord and Oh, Doctor Beeching).

This stunning new production follows the hilarious adventures of René Artois (Jeffrey Holland), a hapless café owner in war-torn occupied France, as he and his wife Edith (Corinna Marlowe) struggle to keep for themselves a priceless portrait of The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies, stolen by the Nazis and kept in a sausage in their cellar.

Adding to René’s litany of woes the French Resistance, led by Michelle “Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once” Dubois (Judy Buxton), force him to aid their persistent attempts to return two bumbling British airmen to England. René, caught in the middle of this madcap mayhem must also try to keep his long-running passionate love affairs with two of his waitresses, Yvette Carte-Blanche (Vicki Michelle) and Mimi Labonq (Claire Andreadis), a secret from his wife.

The unwanted sexual advances of Lieutenant Gruber, towards René, only make matters even worse for him!

David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd’s writing is top-notch and provides a multitude of hilarious situations as the story crackles along at a break-neck pace. The generous sprinkling of sexual innuendo and cultural clichés further add to the overall enjoyment. The fact that there are characters from four different countries (France, Germany, Italy and England) involved in the action is cleverly overcome by representing each language with English spoken in a theatrical foreign accent.

Jeffrey Holland’s portrayal of René is superb. Rather than attempting to emulate the performance of his predecessor, Gorden Kaye, Holland stamps his own mark on the role and the result is an interpretation that is carefully crafted and hugely successful.

Vicki Michelle looks as glamorous as she ever did as Yvette and the audience greeted her arrival on stage with rapturous applause. Her involvement lends the production an added air of authenticity and her performance was as wonderful as I remembered from the television series.

Corinna Marlowe as Edith, René’s “stupid woman”, captured every nuance of the battleaxe that the late Carmen Silvera created twenty-seven years ago. Nell Jerram shone as Helga and perfectly complimented James Rossman’s Herr Flick.

This production certainly ticks all the right boxes and it is perfectly clear that it has been constructed as an affectionate tribute to one of the most revered British comedies of all time. The combination of the authentic café set, designed by Nancy Surman, the atmospheric lighting by Bob Bustance, and sound by Glen Hadley are perfectly blended by James Robert Carson’s skilful direction. The result is a gentle, nostalgic comedy that is filled with irresistible charm and warmth. Trés bien!

Steve Burbridge.

Allo Allo! runs at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday 21^st March 2009.

 

 

The Imperial Ice Stars present

Cinderella on Ice

Conceived and Choreographed by Tony Mercer

Reviewed on Tuesday 3^rd February 2009 by Catherine Brian

 

The Imperial Ice Stars brought their version of Cinderella on Ice to Milton Keynes during the height of the snow, which unusually for Milton Keynes was very snowy indeed!  A cheery evening of traditional skating was very fitting for the weather!

The ice skating is really what we came to see and we weren’t disappointed.  The first act is a little slow to get going, and really could have been shortened, but once the action starts, then the Russian ice skaters really start to do their thing.  It amazed me last time they visited Milton Keynes, and still amazed me this time that they can do so many spectacular moves on a stage though large for a regional theatre, is much smaller than they would be used to in an ice rink.  They do lifts, jumps, balances, turns, intricate moves and choreography, gymnastic flips and were even flown like Peter Pan.  If an audience attention grabbing move could be put in, then it was!  And the audience loved it.

The skaters, as last time, were beautifully costumed in traditional dress – how the girls skate their choreography in the costumes is amazing.  Every costume was superb.  The set was a little sparse, I expect to leave maximum space for the ice skating, but Cinderella’s coach was magical – Jordan would have been green with envy!

There was a focus throughout on clocks and time – presumably to bring our attention to midnight striking – at one stage there were several clocks on the stage all moving their hands and telling different times.  A feat of Stage Management I’m sure, but it just made me dizzy.  The clock focus also resulted in a Metropolis-type opening to Act Two, which made a change in mood and tempo to the dreamy waltz-like music that accompanied most of the evening.

The show built up theatrically to a thrilling final scene, which even included a Riverdance-type routine on skates!

I have to say, I was really looking forward to this evening’s ice show.  The story portrayed is so far removed from the Cinderella that we know and love – especially seeing it right after the panto season - that  most of the time I was totally confused as to what was going on, which did spoil my enjoyment somewhat.  This Cinderella is set back stage in a production of Swan Lake, including the famous Tchaikovsky music, which was very confusing.  No ugly sisters, no dame, not even Buttons (!) just some jealous co-stars in Swan Lake.  The trying on and fitting of the correct ice-skating boot was cleverly done and could have been very ungainly, but managed to be almost graceful, considering there were boots to put on and pull off, Velcro to be fastened and unfastened and skaters dancing with only one boot on. 

If you have the opportunity to go and see this amazing ice show, then don’t miss out.  Remember it’s an ice show, so you will need to wear warm clothes!

Cinderella on Ice played Milton Keynes Theatre from 3^rd to 7^th February 2009. www.miltonkeynestheatre.com 0871 297 5454 (bkg fee applies).  The world tour continues with dates booked in the UK until June 2009. www.imperialicestars.com.

This performance was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre by Catherine Brian on Tuesday 3^rd February 2009.

Bill Kenwright presents

Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitemore

Directed by Christopher Morahan and designed by Julie Godfrey.

Reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 9^th March 2009.

I enjoyed this play, but it might not appeal to everyone. If you prefer your plays to build subtly rather than be fast paced and in your face then this is for you. The overall theme of the play concerns lies and whether it can ever be moral to tell lies. Certainly outright lies are immoral, but does this also apply to not telling the whole truth to a child to protect them? Or can lies be justified when told in the interests of national security? These questions are made all the more poignant because the play is based upon actual events from the early 1960s.

The play does an admirable job of capturing, not only the style, but also the mindset of suburban London in 1960. This includes the contrast between the Canadian/American woman and the British woman, which is reflected in their clothes as well as their demeanour, reserve and approach to life.

The major character is Barbara played by Jenny Seagrove, a fairly typical British housewife of the time. Ms Seagrove does an admirable job of giving us an insight into the psyche of this character that is at once simple and complex. Simon Shepherd plays her rather comfortable husband, Bob, in a fashion which is totally believable. The third member of this family is their daughter Julie played by Corinne Sawers who I found particularly impressive at portraying a child in their early teens. On the opposite side of the road live Helen a brash, to the point of irritation, “Canadian” played by Lorna Luft and her husband the soft spoken Peter played by Robert Slade. These characters are supposed to be chalk and cheese, a task the actors pull off superbly. The remainder of the cast are the Home Office employees, Mr Stewart played by Daniel Hill and the watchers Thelma and Sally played by Emma Kearney and Rebecca McQuillan respectively.

The scenery was superb, portraying a 1960s home in a 1930s semi. All the doorways are in place but most of the internal walls are missing, allowing you to see into each room. The fact that the actors take circuitous routes around the set, through the doorways leaves you with the impression that the walls are there and you just can’t see them. The attention to detail is excellent and all the props are appropriate to the period. Good use is made of sound, mostly in the form of short snatches of music or radio dialogue, again this is of the period and being of a certain age I recognised the introduction to “Workers’ Playtime”. Lighting was underplayed but effective and I particularly liked the way lack of lighting was used.

Pack of Lies played Milton Keynes Theatre from 9^th March - 14^th March 2009.  Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0870 060 6652 (bkg fee). www.miltonkeynestheatre.com.

The tour continues playing the Theatre Royal, Nottingham from Monday 16^th to Saturday 21^st March 2009, and the Festival Theatre, Malvern and the New Theatre, Cardiff during April. http://www.kenwright.com/default.asp?contentID=938.

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 9^th March 2009.