UK Theatre Network

By Mirrorcradle

Second Skin Theatre presents an updated version of six of Edgar Allan Poe’s best known tales and makes them politically relevant as well as thrilling. Rob Johnston, Richard Allden, Mike Carter, Jacob Hodgkinson and Nadine Hearity have taken Poe’s stories and transformed them whilst keeping the essence of the tales. The production is set in St. Mary’s Old Church, the oldest Protestant church in England, an amazing venue perfectly suited for Poe’s stories, yet sadly threatened by lack of funds. The setting could not be more unnerving and Andy McQuade has wisely chosen to make it a promenade play to take full advantage of this great venue. The audience is extremely close to the actors at times, which makes the action even more intense. The lighting team (Sarah Grogan and Anna Shokou) uses every nook and crevice to make the setting even more eerie. 

As we are seated in the pews, the Preacher (a mesmerizing performance by Stephen Connery Brown) sets the mood by cheerfully warning us that we might be scared to death - but no worries, there is a graveyard right outside. This announcement is followed by an unsettling  performance of The Preacher and the Raven, with a truly ghoulish Raven (David Hugh). After that we are invited to join Montresor and Fortunato for a tasting of Amontillado. The character Montresor is changed into a woman (Sarah Scott) and Fortunato (Owen Nolan) is coming on to her quite strongly which makes Montresor’s revenge appear even sweeter. She lures Fortunato into a room complete with cobwebs and stairs that seem to lead down into an abyss. The audience is so close to the action that we can feel Fortunato’s fear when he notices that the handcuffs might not be meant as sex toys. The Pit and the Pendulum is set in a Guantanamo like torture chamber. Beaten up by two thugs, Maheen (Priyank Morjaria) is then thrown into a window less dungeon. Pained by the death and suffering of his family, he finds a little bird.

Fully recharged after the interval we are led outside to the cemetery to witness a Premature Burial. Set in Afghanistan, Michael Amariah truthfully conveys the fear and terror of his character who feels buried by the horrific conflict before he is even dead. Safely back inside, we experience the woes of a widow (the charismatic Mia Zara) who is unable to cope with her husband’s suicide in The Black Cat. Overwhelmed by grief she turns to drink and falls prey to a pathological jealousy regarding her 3-year old son’s cat. As the widow describes the “simple enjoyment of cruelty”, we are pulled into a torrent of evil. Mask of the Red Death recalls George Orwell or any Fascist dictatorship. The dictator Prospero (an equally menacing and charming Conrad Williams) hides away in a church with his lover as the search for an antivirus to combat the red death has been unsuccessful so far. This is, without a doubt, the most thrilling performance of this story that I have ever seen. The ending made my blood run cold.

The show continues until 4 December 2011

St Mary's Rectory, Church Street, London

Carolin Kopplin 

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia
Romeo And Juliet

There is something incredibly beautiful about ballet. Although pretty much a novice when it comes to this particular form of dance even I can appreciate that, but for me the Russian State’s production of Romeo and Juliet fell a little short.

Now, it was fantastic to a ballet performed at the Waterside that had a live orchestra and not a recording of the music which helped to create the atmosphere, the costumes were mostly great, and individually there were some stunning performances – the Bedroom scene between R&J was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed very much the clowning of Romeo’s friends, lead by the superb Mercutio. However for me it was in the larger ensemble dances that I felt this production faltered. In the opening scene the prince seemed more panto than powerful ruler and didn’t for me command the respect you expect knowing the original Story.

The ballroom was stronger and the inferences to something more than familial love between Mrs Capulet and her nephew Tybalt was well delivered but I couldn’t help feeling ultimately underwhelmed by the larger routines. My verdict, in all a good show with some excellent individual performances, one absolutely stunning duet but maybe more could have been done with the street scenes. But don’t let that put you off.

Reviewed by:
Kevyn Connett

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Roaming in Rome
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Roaming In Rome

I was in Rome last weekend. What a place. Until you’re there you have no idea of the scale of their incredible architecture. Stunning. I took my video camera and ended up filming the opening scene for my latest documentary, when by chance the Pope popped out of his balcony at St Peter’s and blessed tens of thousands of people in the square. It was a great start to filming. I can’t tell you what it’s about nor what the name of it is, but I’ve given a code name of The Time Project and you can join the group on Facebook if you want to follow the journey of the film.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47590808842&ref=ts

I’m off to Glasgow this weekend, so it’s another early newsletter. It’s the Rangers v Celtic Cup Final at Hampden and I’ve organised some hospitality for the day with some friends and family. Really looking forward to it. Hope you have a good weekend planned.


Douglas McFarlane
Editor, UK Theatre Network

http://www.uktheatre.tv – Social networking for actors, directors, producers and all lovers of theatre

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Sweeney Todd Demon Barber of Fleet Street

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Review by Kelly Potter

After the success of Tim Burton’s film, I was expecting an all singing all dancing spectacular, and was more than pleasantly surprised as the experience proved to be quite different. Not a song in earshot. 

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/sweeney-todd-demon-barber-of-fleet-street_60.html

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The Caretaker at Bolton Octagon

Review by Caroline May

This slightly surreal three-hander is a stage version of scissors-paper-stone, as a trio of oddly-assorted characters vie for supremacy in a seedy bedsit.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/the-caretaker-at-bolton-octagon_59.html

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Bobby Pattinson and Friends
The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Review by Steve Burbridge
Bobby, a tireless charity fund-raiser, is a spritely seventy-five year old with the gift of the gab and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. His gigs are always popular with audiences who revel in the type of entertainment that was once the staple of Clubland for decades, but is now, sadly, all too rare.
http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/bobby-pattinson-and-friends_57.html

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The Duchess of Malfi

The White Bear Theatre Club

Review by Samuel Miller

This Duchess is a naïve, spoilt royal, unaccustomed to taking responsibility and ignorant of consequences. Ferdinand and the Cardinal – monsters though they may be – are genuinely wronged by their sister’s betrayal, and this is the first time I have seen a production that examines this.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/the-duchess-of-malfi_56.html