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SAT31st

THE REAL MACGUFFINS AND GUESTS

Published by: Douglas McFarlane on Saturday 31st October 2009 09:10am

THE REAL MACGUFFINS AND GUESTS

Remember remember the 2nd of November

A personal message from The Real MacGuffins to all of you lovely people at UK Theatre: 

 "Hello, how are you?...Oh,we're glad to hear that...so what are you up to this Monday?...You're free? That's great, how about two hours of top sketch comedy from the UK's finest comedians to keep you happy and warm? ...Yes that's right...the next show looms large on the horizon and we at MacGuffin Towers are proud to say that it is looking mighty fine - and we would like you, yes YOU, to be part of that mighty fine-ness. You'll also get to see some scrumptious special guests - the Pros from Dover (HUGE CHEER), Colin Hoult, currently being brilliant on the BBC's "Russell Howard's Good News", (EQUALLY HUGE CHEER) and a special guest off the telly (A HUGE BUT NOT QUITE SURE WHO YOU'RE CHEERING CHEER) oh and us,of course, doing a whole load of sketches.

So looking forward to seeing you (and any friends who may be accompanying you) on Monday 2nd November at the Albany at 7.30pm.

LOCATION: Lowdown at the Albany,240 Great Portland St, right next to Great Portland St Tube.
TIME: 7.30pm
BOX OFFICE: 020 7387 5706

MacGuffin-out

WED28th

The Winter's Tale

Published by: Steve Burbridge on Wednesday 28th October 2009 08:10pm

The Winter’s Tale

The Royal Shakespeare Company at Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Shakespeare’s play of love, paranoia, betrayal and reconciliation – The Winter’s Tale – is brought vividly and stunningly to life by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.

King Leontes of Sicilia (Greg Hicks) is the man with the perfect life. Powerful, wealthy and surrounded by a loving family he should be content, but instead he is ill at ease with the world around him. Isolated by a destructive jealousy, he lashes out at those closest to him.

After accusing his heavily pregnant wife, Hermione (Kelly Hunter), of infidelity with his best friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia (Darrel D’Silva), he imprisons her and arranges to have Polixenes poisoned. When Hermione gives birth to a daughter in prison, believing it to be illegitimate, he orders the child should be abandoned in the wilderness.

The Oracle of Apollo declares that Hermione is innocent of being unfaithful and brands Leontes a tyrant. His punishment is to die without an heir - unless the lost child is found. Shortly afterwards, the news arrives that their first-born son, Mamillius, has suddenly died, which causes Hermione to collapse. She, too, is later reported to have died.

Leontes is overcome with grief and remorse and vows to spend the rest of his life in atonement.

Sixteen years later his abandoned daughter, Perdita (Samantha Young), is alive and well, having been found as an infant by a kindly, eccentric shepherd. Unaware of her background, she is in love with Florizel (Tunji Kasim), son of Polixenes. When he discovers that his son plans to marry a common shepherd’s daughter, Polixenes forbids it. The young lovers elope to Sicilia, pursued by Polixenes.

Back at the court of Leontes, Perdita’s true identity is discovered and the unveiling of a commemorative statue of Hermione sets a chain of events in motion that could eventually reunite the scattered family.

The Winter’s Tale explores the human psyche when corrupted by jealousy and paranoia, whilst also examining its staggering ability to forgive even the most devastating betrayals and cruelties inflicted upon it, thus revealing the true meaning of love.

This production deserves all the acclaim that will, undoubtedly, be bestowed upon it. Consummate performances from the cast are technically backed up with an impressive set designed by Jon Bausor, atmospheric lighting and sound by Jon Clark and Martin Slavin, respectively and dynamic direction from David Farr. The result is a terrific piece of theatre that is as profound and poignant as it is funny and frivolous.

Steve Burbridge.

‘The Winter’s Tale’ runs until Saturday 31 October 2009.

MON26th

A Child Made Of Love – Tron Theatre, Glasgow – 20th-24th October 2009

Published by: Jon Cuthbertson on Monday 26th October 2009 11:10am

A return to the Glasgay Festival for playwright Matthew McVarish, after the success of last year’s “To Kill A Kelpie”, with another issue based theatrical piece.

Having reviewed To Kill A Kelpie last year, and being extremely impressed by this new author, I was intrigued to see a piece that was billed as not written by, but created by Matthew McVarish. On further reading it appears this production was as much of an experiment in writing styles as it was in creating a new piece of theatre. This did give me sense of trepidation; however I’m pleased to say that this was one experiment that was far removed from Frankenstein’s Monster!

What has been created, through a collaborative writing process from the actors and creator, is a touching piece of theatre which manages to sensitively portray the story of a couple who are unable to naturally have a child, and are going through the decisions and processes involved in adoption. The fact that the couple are both men is another layer to the story which adds both drama and humour in equal measure. The piece is sympathetically played to make the audience appreciate the ideals of the couple who wish to adopt, but also challenges the characters and forces them to give forth their reasons, showing that these are no different than the reasons of any childless couple with a desire to become a parent.

The continual thread of “children’s stories” that runs through the play is a nice way to allow comedy into some very serious moments. The moment of genius that is the courtroom cross examination, interjected with readings from the story of Pinocchio highlights this beautifully. As co-authors to the piece, actors Andrew Agnew and Ed Corrie have obviously had some input into the development of their characters, and this has helped create extremely believable performances on the stage. Mr Agnew as Joe, a frustrated children’s author, shows a gentle maternal human being, whose need to become a parent bubbles under the surface as a frustration that could combust in tears at any moment. Mr Corrie, as Mike, brings his frustration to the fore. His intense portrayal of the family lawyer torn apart by his circumstances in both his work and home life brought another real layer of humanity to the piece. The relationship between both these actors was so natural and believable, that at times it did feel as if the audience were intruding in a family home.

The third actor in the piece was Kai Ross, who at 8 years old has a level of maturity that will carry him well in this business. His ethereal appearances throughout the story were another excellent use of imagery, and his interactions with the adult actors, and the audience were perfectly pitched on the right side of “cute”. The play does have moments that are a little “saccharine”, however this does lend itself well to the “Children’s Story” theme and director Lauren Graham does not allow this to take the play into tacky sentimentality.

Although this is “issue based theatre”, the issue at hand is sensitively depicted without forcing any messages to the audience. This is a moving, humorous play, which draws laughter and tears from its audience but ultimately, and most importantly, entertains.

Listings

Tron Theatre, Glasgow – 20^th-24^th October 7.45pm

SAT24th

The Nolans: I'm In The Mood Again

Published by: Steve Burbridge on Saturday 24th October 2009 01:10pm

The Nolans: I’m In The Mood Again

The Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne

The most talked-about tour of the year took Newcastle by storm as Bernie, Linda, Coleen and Maureen – collectively known as The Nolans – proved that sisters are doing it for themselves with a concert that captured the girl group’s energy and spirit perfectly.

It’s incredible to think it’s now thirty years since their smash-hit single, ‘I’m In The Mood For Dancing’ stormed the pop charts and became a cult classic. It’s even more incredible that the quartet look and sound even better than ever.

The show is spectacular - their greatest hits, disco diva anthems and songs from their new album – and right from the beginning it kickstarts an evening that quickly develops into an enormous party.

Many of the girls’ original hits have been subtly updated and each number is choreographed carefully and performed with seven hunky male dancers - enough to raise the blood pressure of many a middle-aged woman in the arena.

Having slung the spandex, banished the boob-tubes and parted with the platforms, the costumes now are sophisticated, stylish and yet equally as sexy. And, for those who appreciate a bit of glitzy glamour, there are still sequins and stiletto heels to keep you happy.

As well as belting out their own back catalogue, the group bestowed the Nolan magic on Girls Aloud’s ‘The Promise’, Ernie K. Doe’s ‘Here Come The Girls’ and ‘Eternal Flame’ by The Bangles. Each of the siblings was also allowed to shine individually with a solo performance: Coleen kicked off with a playful cover of Alesha Dixon’s ‘The Boy Does Nothing’; Linda gave a true rock-chick rendition of Duffy’s ‘Mercy’; Maureen showed off her impressive vocals with ‘Valerie’ by The Zutons and Bernie completed with Pink’s ‘So What?’

It was a cracking comeback concert from the group who were giving us ‘girl-power’ long before The Spice Girls were even thought of.

Steve Burbridge. 

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