Return to live theatre 2021

 It was with great excitement that I finally got to join a theatre audience again on Sunday evening.

We took a trip to the Turbine Theatre alongside the old Battersea Power Station to see their latest show My Night With Reg, now extended until 11th September so there's still a chance to grab tickets.

The theatre is still operating with limited seating, with every other row of seats removed, it does give for great leg room, but cannot be good for business.

Be sure to download the theatre program from the QR code on the wall, because there are no physical programs to buy. I nearly missed it.

It's a dark comedy about friendship, love, lust, unrequited  love, house warming parties and wakes.

Set in the 1980s, the set provides a lot of interest even before the action starts.

I'm not going to spoil anything by telling you any more of the plot, but it engaged the audience well and the humour came in classic style as the penny drops.

Congratulations to the cast: Paul Keating, Gerard McCarthy, Stephen K Amos, Alan Turkington, Edward M Corrie & James Bradwell for their excellent performances

A good night was had by all.

 

Last Minute Rent

On Sunday night the Shaw Theatre played host to a one night only production of RENT. Staged as part of their celebration of Pride, this production came from Last Minute Musicals, their aim is to get a show from the page to the stage in a week.

This is some ask. I’ve seen Rent many times, both in the West End and in various provincial productions, I play the soundtrack from the Broadway version quite a lot – especially when doing the gardening. (You should see my Tango Maureen with a flymo – actually on second thoughts, probably not).

Ok so we were missing the multi-levelled set, so Mimi couldn’t swing down with full acrobatics during Out Tonight, but that didn’t matter – because they had an awesome cast with fabulous voices who brought this show to life. Every one of them threw themselves into the performance with gusto, the complicated rounds were perfect – it beats me how they pulled this off in a week and I’m still marvelling at their La Vie Boheme.

One of the cast admitted to me prior that he was both nervous and exited in equal measures, which I think had to be true for all of them, but in the end there was nothing to fear and the whole audience rose up as one at the end. I’ve not seen such unanimous response in a long time, in a well-deserved standing ovation that I think touched them – but they had well and truly earned it.

Well done to the team who put this on.

BRAAAAIIIINNNSS!!!

George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead has been adapted and brought to the stage. 

Playing live! or should that be un-alive? This is zombie territory after all.

Currently playing at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington until the 8th June. It is most certainly a comedy horror, and is presented in glorious black and white, which amazingly works very well.

So, without giving too much away.  It is 1968. The undead are coming, and they are hungry. 

They want brains for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they’ll get them.  Somewhere in a rural farmhouse deep in Pennsylvania a bunch of strangers are forced to hide out the night and hope to survive. But can they? Will they? Only one way to find out.

There are special seats for the brave to sit in among the action on stage in what they refer to as Splatter Zone 1. Are you brave enough to book these?

It’s the only production officially authorised by the Romero estate, so what are you waiting for, if you like your zombies fresh, now’s your chance.

Theatre Review: Thrill Me

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story at Hope Theatre UPSTAIRS

Review by Marc Major

Set at a parole hearing in the 1950s, and using flashbacks to the events leading up to 1924, this is the story of Nathan Loeb; a love story without boundaries.

Told partly in dialogue and interspersed with bursts of songs, it is hard to categorize this play, is it Comedy Horror? is it Black Comedy? or is it an LGBT RomCom?.

It will have you glued to your seat wondering what the next twist will be, while you go through a roller-coaster of emotions in your head.

The Hope Theatre in Islington is a very 'compact and bijou' space above a pub, with what has to be said is an eclectic but friendly team of barstaff; that said what little space there was, was very well used, the props designed to be easily re-purposed as the story unfolded.

A sterling and believable performance by Bart Lambert (definitely one to watch out for in other productions in the future), supported by Jack Reitman as his charismatic lover and play-pal Richard.

Theatre Review: Murder She Wrote

Review by Marc Major

Once again I hand the blog over to Marc for another theatre review - we went to see Tim Benzie's presentation of "Solve-along-a Murder She Wrote" hosted at the London Irish Centre, Camden Square on Saturday.

Did not quite know what to expect from this one from the description, but was pleasantly surprised.  After some initial technical issues which delayed the start by about an hour we were all ushered into a 1970s style ballroom, with a small bar at the back and handed a goodie bag.

In an explosion of enthusiasm the host bursts forth appropriately dressed as 'Jessica Fletcher' and the fun begins, with the solving of the mystery, using original video from the 90s, as well as some very high tech props.



The whole event is in three acts with plenty of time to refresh your drinks and your lungs, as well as a merchandise stall run by an unfortunately named company (Fascist Pants), but they have some great products for sale.

Despite there being a number of issues with the technology throughout the evening (which I am sure will be sorted for the next time), this was a really fun evening with raffles, bingo and even a sing-along thrown in for good measure.

GUEST POST - Theatre Madness

This week I've handed the blog over to my editor, Marc Major, to resurrect the theatre reviews for the blog site. This week we had the pleasure to see The Cabinet of Madame Fanny Du Thé by Riddlestick Theatre at The Pleasance Theatre.

Utter Madness!

Review by Marc Major

But you will leave this quaint theatre above and below a pub thoroughly entertained, part farce, part musical, part tragedy you decide. 

Plenty of audience participation, and watch out for the cow with the oversized violin. Some clever writing and some comedy stars of the future in the making. 

It is a shame it has such a short run in London, but definitely one to watch out for, 86 minutes of fun from start to finish!

You can still catch them in Southampton NST City 3rd-4th April, Exeter Phoenix 28th April
and at Brighton Fringe at The Warren: Theatre Box 4th-6th May.

Bitten by Dracula at The Pleasance.

I’m more of a werewolf boy than vampire myself, but when the Edinburgh Fringe Preview email arrived from The Pleasance Theatre the other day one show stood out as intriguing. 

This was Action To The Word’s Steampunk adaptation of Dracula. Not quite sure what to expect we were presented with a rock opera/steampunk electrifying production, that delivered so much more than I could have dreamed of.  

This seventy minute production delivers a fast paced telling of the story, true to the original, but with an injection of originality. Jono Davies as Dracula is the first new vampire I’ve seen for a very long while that I can believe is dangerous because of his power of seduction. If he turned up on your doorstep you would let him in rather than say ‘not today thank you,’ like the reception I feel most cold calling vampires would now receive. I had no problem believing how Jonathan Harker would have originally been captivated by the Count before he literally rocks up in Whitby and claims his dominance there.  

Performed by a magnificent musician based cast who play all the music live this is a must see for anyone who like vampires, rock opera, steampunk or any combination thereof.

Written and directed by Alexandra  Spencer-Jones, supported by a fabulous creative team this show is amazing, with wonderful atmospheric lighting, set design and costumes - this show really must go a lot further than this year’s Fringe.

Dracula staring Jono Davis and Rachel Bright is on at the Pleasance Theatre Islington until 27^th July before moving to Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh, 30^th July – 1^st Aug (previews), 2^nd Aug – 25^th Aug (not 11^th) 

For more details go to: http://www.actiontotheword.com/shows.php?s=dracula

Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens

I’ve not presented a theatre review for a while, but what a production to return with. Last night we found ourselves down in the seedy night club called Saucy Jack’s on Frottage III. (Aka Leicester Square Theatre) Where the Slingback Killer has been knocking off the cabaret acts. Quick somebody call for the interstellar super-fashion crime fighters The Space Vixens. With the rest of the acts stuck in this world of doom your life may only be save by Glitter Boots and DISCO.

It’s fair to say this is very much in the style of The Rocky Horror Show, and if you enjoyed that then you’ll enjoy this. It’s one of the few musicals I’ve seen recently where we’ve come out humming the songs and wanting to be a Space Vixen.  I don’t want to spoil it for you by giving too much away.

But, will The Space Vixens be able to bring The Slingback Killer to justice? Will Booby Shevalle get her dream come true, and Sammy Sax, Mitch Maypole and Dr Von Whackoff what will be their fate? There is only one way to find out, and that is to join them at Leicester Square Theatre for a fabulous night.

Multi-award winning West End star Leanne Jones heads a brilliantly strong cast who deliver with great zest this wonderful musical which has certainly won my heart. The show is presented in an intimate setting with the stage down the centre of the studio area ending in the obligatory accessory for the pole dancers, and the audience is sat around as if they were really in the cabaret bar - this works really well.

I’m still humming ‘Glitter Boots Saved My Life’ YES - 

I stopped off to buy the soundtrack on the way out.

Well done to all

“Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens” is on at The Leicester Square Theatre from 1^st August to 15^th September 2013.  For more details http://www.saucyjackandthespacevixens.com/

Theatre Roundup April

Three visits to the theatre during April, and three quite varying stories and productions.

THE THRILL OF LOVE

by Amanda Whittington

St James Theatre

(8^th April 2013)

Runs 27th March 2013 – 4th May 2013

Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain, convicted of the coldblooded killing of her unfaithful lover. This is her story, the fact that she pleaded not guilty after having handed herself over to an off duty police officer at the time of the murder, and offered no defence at her trial.

The story follows the investigating officer’s gut feeling that there was more to her case than was first apparent. His investigation takes him to the nightclub where she worked and the story unfolds through the eyes of the other women that worked there.

Although well staged, it did feel as if something was lacking, and that might have been the non presence of the other men in the story, the violent ex-husband and the equally unpleasant boyfriend and murder victim.

This production contains gun shots, smoking, strong language, scenes of a sexual nature and recreational drug use, and is recommended for ages 16+. Smoke, Haze and Strobe lighting are used throughout.

MARKET BOY

by David Eldridge

The Lost Theatre

Ran 24th to 27th April

The art of selling shoes in Romford Market during the 1980s, with Margaret Thatcher as the market inspector. This play set during the years of Margaret Thatcher’s occupancy of number 10 Downing Street felt a little rushed to stage to coincide with her passing. Whether you loved or loathed her, Margaret Thatcher changed the United Kingdom during this period.

I remember the period well. I remember Romford Market during that period and I have to admit the play did bring back memories of the lost era. The characters and stalls depicted were almost as I remember them, although I’m not so certain there was a stall full of CDs in 1985, more vinyl than shiny disk. The story was a bit weak, following a young lad starting as tea boy on the shoe stall and performances were mixed, although the fights were staged culminating in the biggest fight Romford Market had ever seem. (However, I’m guessing that might have changed since the period it was set.)

I will pick out George Vafakis, as Mouse, his comic expressions and timing were brilliant, and I hope to see more of him in future productions.

The performance was not suitable for under 12s

GUTTED

By Rikki Beadle-Blair

Theatre Royal Stratford East

(30^th April 2013)

Runs 26^th April to 25th May.

Described as “A daring, shocking and intensely emotional new play by Rikki Beadle-Blair”, this play is certainly an emotional rollercoaster. There are quite a large number of very funny moments during the play which contrast against other times when the story becomes quite uncomfortable and other moments where it is funny but you are telling yourself they shouldn’t be.

The story follows Bridie Prospect (Louise Jameson) and her four sons, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John and their partners in a turbulent examination of a mother’s love for her boys and where this dysfunctional and self destructive family went wrong. The Prospects are the royalty and the nightmare family on this council estate in South East London.  When one of the boys is released from rehab it triggers a 24 hour period that will change the family forever.

Louise Jameson gives a tremendous performance as the hard but vulnerable mother, and I challenge anyone not to feel for her by the end. The whole cast give strong performances and the only problem I had towards the beginning was to follow the timeline of the play as there were many fast and often short flashbacks during the narrative, signalled by the projection of images of the boys as children above the stage. 

GUTTED embraces adult themes and contains extremely strong language and scenes of a sexual nature. Suitable for audiences aged 16+

Theatre Roundup March

Only three visits this month, and what diversity...

Early on in the month saw two quite crazy productions come my way.

Dorothy in OZ

by James Michael Shoberg

Immersion  Theatre  at Waterloo East

26th February to 17th March 2013

Coming with a warning that it was not suitable for children should give you some idea what might be on the cards. Set in the facility for mental illness, ‘The Ozlin Centre’  this play made no excuses for itself. A brilliant parody of the Wizard of Oz, with Dorothy having to escape from the centre via the Great Administrator Oz, having been put in the care of the wicked witch of a doctor by her Auntie Em. On route she meets up with Tin Man who has anger management issues, Skarekrow (with two Ks) the junkie and Lion Man with sex addiction and performance problems. Very funny, the only issue was the Tin Man was styled too heavily on Adrian Edmondson's Vyvyan from “The Young Ones”.

Mile High – The Musical.

A new musical by Mike Hume and Terry Newman. 

The Lost Theatre

5th March to 24th March 2013

Two rival airlines in a battle to win the coveted title of Mediterranean Small Airline of the Year. One a cheap budget airline (Icarus Royal Airline ) and the other a snobby business class over priced airline who usually win. A pair of Kylie’s hot pants bought on Ebay is bet against a date with the steward of the high class operation (Fantasy Airlines). The main story revolves around the Richenda, the hostess who has never known her father and would rather be a pilot.

The audience had great fun and everyone seemed to really enjoy the show with enthusiasm and the only fault I’d pick out is that the cast should have been miked up rather than rely on a couple of free microphones.

The review for Mile High in The Stage was very harsh and I have to disagree with them entirely, it was a good evening’s entertainment. However I’m in total agreement with their review of the big West End Production of Viva Forever.

Viva Forever

London’s Piccadilly Theatre

Current.

A New Musical based on the back catalogue of songs from The Spice Girls.

Now I’m not the biggest Spice Girls fan, but the songs I do know are great party numbers and so I was prepared to give this a try although this has now firmed up my misgivings for shows that take a catalogue of songs and try to shoehorn a plot around them. It generally does not seem to work, there are just a few exceptions.

The plot was weak, a parody of X-Factor called Star Maker would have been funny ten years ago, but these shows have become a parody of themselves – you only have to watch the Twitter feed on a Saturday night to see that. 

And speaking of which, to encourage the audience to Tweet throughout the show is in my opinion a great big NO NO!!!

It was a pity, the script was written by Jenifer Saunders and I hoped for much better, but the characters were a poor man’s left over from “Absolutely  Fabulous”. Mum was too much Edina, mum’s best friend was a poor Patsy and even one of the judges had an assistant that was Bubbles. No originality there then.

The best parts of the show were when the full cast and ensemble took to the stage and performed the well known numbers, they sang and danced like troupers and full marks have to be given to them, but for the rest it just did not work.

Theatre Roundup February

It proved to be a better month for theatre selections, although there were quite a few more this time.  A couple of the performances I’ll have to come clean up front and say they are not really being reviewed because I have friends who are or have been involved in their productions, and I wouldn't want to be accused of favoritism. Also apologies for the late posting of this blog, hence I've called it a round up rather than a review.

4^th February 2013 

Anjin: The Shogun and the English Samurai

Sadler’s wells.

Directed by the Royal Shakespeare Company's Artistic Director Designate, Gregory Doran.

The story of William Adams, known in Japanese as Anjin, was an English sailor who was believed to be the first Englishman to ever reach Japan. The play was advertised as “An epic tale of friendship, honour, love and sacrifice.” It was certainly epic. Presented in a mix of English and Japanese with alternating subtitles for which ever language was being spoken meant that you actually spent a lot more time looking either up above the stage or off to the wings to read the subtitles rather than watching the performances. This did become quite tiring on the eyes after a time. However, the overall presentation was good and the international cast blended well to tell the story.

The show ran between 31 Jan - 9 Feb 2013

6^th February 2013 

Circles

The Lost Theatre.

A new short performance from physical theatre group Limb2Limb.

Alex and his sister Kate have that typical relationship, friends one minute and fighting the next. However, as the story progresses all is not what it seems in this slick and quirky short play.

This is theatre group I hope to see more from in the future.

8^th February 2013 

Romeo & Juliet

Upstairs at The Gatehouse

A modernised to some degree version of the play by Mr Shakespeare. Set in the 1960s and in Brighton, following the great bank holiday fight between the Mods and the Rockers.  For me, if you want to try resetting a play like this then either do it right or don’t bother. The dialogue followed mostly the original but with some changes, but not the obvious ones, money was left as written and so were location names even though the set was clearly under the pier at Brighton. The set was obviously designed before the theatre was seen as I’m sure the pier was supposed to be for the balcony scene, but as it was hitting the roof and with no way for the actors to reach it – it felt clumsy.  I can’t say I’m a great fan of theatre seating where the audience sits on 3 full sides of the stage, you lose so much and in this small space I felt the audience were very much in danger of having the cast land in their laps or having their feet following the same fate as some of the characters.

14^th February 2013 

Glasgow Girls

Theatre Royal, Stratford East

From 8th February 2013 to 2nd March 2013

A moving and dramatic musical telling the true story of a group of teenagers in 2005 from Drumchapel High School in Glasgow who fought against the deportation of a Kosovan school friend. With good support from their teacher Mr Girvan (Callum Cuthbertson)and histerical neighbour Noreen (Myra McFadyen), this show delivered laughter and tears.

19^th February 2013  (Preview night)

Coalition

Pleasance Theatre

From 21st February to 10th March

The first I’m ducking out of reviewing as along with Phill Jupitus as Sir Francis Whitford the cast also boasts an old friend Mr John Dorney, he of the Big Finish acting and writing fame.  (See shameless promo spot below)

The play did well last year at the Edinburgh Fringe so transferred for a London run. Although styled on the Yes Prime Minister  productions the play was carried by the manic performances of the cast giving the laughs rather than the plot.

20^th February 2013 

Chess

Union Theatre

The second I’m going to duck out of, for amongst the creative credits is Mr Andrew Ashenden, Fight Director. (I’ll include a shameless plug for his books below)

Not one of my favourite musicals to be honest and staged in the three sides I mentioned above. However the fight really got the audience’s attention at the start and as I sat there with Andrew watching it we had to take pleasure in the intake of breath from the people sitting around us.  My main problem, even though it was a small venue and full sold out for the whole run, if the performer turned away no matter how well they belted the songs out the words became muffled.

22^nd February 2013 

Dear Edwina

The Lost Theatre

From 20th February 2013 to 23rd February 2013

Edwina Spoonapple, advice giver extraordinaire solves people’s problems to music. But Edwina has her sights set on appearing in the 'The Kalamazoo Advice-A-Palooza Festival', but will she and her team make it? Two different casts performed over different matinees and nights for this youth theatre production from Act Now Entertainment. I’m not sure which cast we saw, but there was some very promising up and coming talent on show.

28^th February 2013 

Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy by Jonathan Harvey

The Lost Theatre                                                                 

From 28^th February 2013 to 2^nd March 2013

Another youth theatre production from Lost Theatre.

When a stranger comes to town asking about Darren, the boy that was recently stabbed to death, we find out all is not quite what it seems. The play starts at the end and works backwards which is ok but does require a level of commitment that did not quite come over from all the cast. With the audience being presented with the effect before the cause everything has to be crystal clear and some cast were too busy delivering ‘attitude’ and as a result were at times unfortunately quite incomprehensible.

 Next post will be an update to the coffee stick house models. Promise !

Oh and I nearly forgot ..
SHAMELESS PLUG SPOT

John Dorney's latest Big Finish audio adventure

Andrew Ashenden's Stage Combat books

January Theatre Review

It's been an odd month as far as theatre trips have been concerned, although none actually blew me away some were good, whilst others stood out as being some of the worst I’ve seen in ages, and that is saying something. I don’t usually post negative reviews but to balance the good ones this month I’ve provided a personal view of all five productions I’ve seen in January.

Inferno

Barons Court Theatre

(10th January 2013)

Three short plays loosely based on three of the themes from Dante's Inferno: lust, gluttony and wrath. The second play' was a five minute scene of a guy in a fat suit eating crisps. The first lust, written by one of the performers did nothing to convince. Two lesbian lover prostitutes pick up Jack the Ripper as a client, sorry for the spoiler but it was so badly telegraphed I felt like groaning at the revelation. Unfortunately, the fact that neither of the girls could bring themselves to look at each other during the performance left it inconceivable that they were lovers in lust with each other. I've seen more love between two straight manly men on rival sides at a football match.

Ran 8th January 2013 to 13th January 2013

 

The Dumb Waiter

Courtyard Theatre

(11th January 2013)

A two hander set in a non-described basement, a play from the pen of Pinter. This one act play managed to keep your attention and built the tension well with both humour and menace. Full marks to Clare-Louise English and Maggie Valois as the two hit men.

Ran 8th January 2013 to 13th January 2013

Lady Windermere's Fan

Bridewell Theatre

(15th January 2013)

Presented by Turn of the Wheel Productions.

A play from Oscar Wilde revived at the Bridewell Theatre. Not essentially one of the best know plays by Wilde it still retains the ability to entertain today and provides a subtle twist that demonstrates why Wilde is held is such high regard. An entertaining evening, and one of the highlights of the month. The set was basic but worked very well with changes of lighting and an enthusiastic butler showing what can be achieved with limited resources. The off stage lighting for a fireplace worked well, creating the required ambiance and function for the story, and succeeded in expanding the illusion of the size of the stately homes.

Ran 8th January 2013 to 19th January 2013

Every Man for Herself

Courtyard Theatre

(16th January 2013)

A simple plot, performers in war torn Italy, performing in a cafe decide to escape dressed as women. It was basically painful. The theatre audience were used as the audience of the cafe, with an opening appeal for applause before the performance had even started - this felt like an act of desperation. It might have worked if we had been sitting at cafe tables. The first act was basically the plot, the second act a string of numbers from the escapees in drag starting in English and each one dropping into (I'm guessing) Italian, which was lost on the majority of the audience.

On paper this offered a lot of promise, unfortunately it did not deliver.

Ran 15th January 2013 to 20th January 2013

House of Atreus

Waterloo East Theatre

(22nd January 2013)

Théâtre Libre present  House of Atreus 

Adapted by Ozlem Ozhabes 

Directed by Kaitlin Argeaux 

Movement by Justyna Ziarek

Orestes, returns to his homeland to avenge his father's murder. For me an average production with some questionable decisions regarding staging. The women were costumed, however basically but they did at least provide a feeling of a bygone period. The two guys looked like they had just wandered in off the street, the hero of the play dressed in leather jacket and hoody. I've seen very conflicting reviews of this play, one described the tango performed by the wicked mother and her new lover as being brilliant, personally I felt it was out of place and would certainly have been panned by the critics on Strictly Come Dancing as laboured, clumsy and awkward. Although I'm not one to deliver spoilers, when the revenge attack does take place it is poorly lit performed behind a muslin cloth, it neither works dramatically nor artistically.

Ran 15th January 2013 to 27th January 2013

My Big Gay Italian Wedding

Greenwich Theatre

(30th January 2013)

Described as a "music and dance filled extravaganza", to be honest wasn't really. The majority of the music and dance took place either before the show started or shoehorned into the second act, and can I go on record to say I HATE "gangnam style" and the inclusion of this number made me shudder. Other than that it was ridiculously funny, at times hilarious and so over the top it managed to comeback down again the other side.

Runs 30th January - Sun 3rd February 2013

Boy Meets Boy at Jermyn Street Theatre

I’ve just seen the same stage musical for the second time last night, not just a new production of one I’ve seen before, but same cast, same venue and same run. Each visit was with different company and when each of us emerged everyone was of the same opinion. We had all recently seen various other big budget West End musicals, (no names mentioned) this was Fringe Theatre (*), at the Jermyn Street Theatre, much smaller venue, smaller budget but it delivered a production that everyone of us enjoyed so much more over those other productions.

The extremely tongue in cheek musical centred around Clarence, the Boston Millionaire marrying his boyfriend in the 1930s, getting stood up at the altar by Guy and then the reporter Casey O'Brien chasing down the story only to fall for the mysterious Guy who he believes he has never met.  It revels in its own cliché that drives the story, and with a brilliant ensemble of performers the whole evening was pure brilliant entertainment.

Boy Meets Boy plays until 20th December 2012 so you don’t have long to catch it, but I thoroughly recommend this production.

Jermyn Street Theatre presents

A UK Premiere of

BOY MEETS BOY

A Musical Comedy

Book by Bill Solly and Donald Ward

Music and lyrics by Bill Solly

CAST:

Stephen Ashfield, Johnjo Flynn, Craig Fletcher, Ben Kavanagh, Anna Nicholas

with Benjamin Bailey, Carly Mackelvie, Nicola Martin, Gregory Sims,

Biancha Szynal, Helen Turner, Jay Webb, Aron Wild.

Directed by Gene David Kirk

Musical Director Stefan Bednarczyk

Choreographer Lee Proud

Designer Alice Walkling

Lighting & Sound Design Phil Hewitt

For more details visit http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/

(*) Jermyn Street Theatre were awarded Fringe Theatre of the Year 2012

Theatre review. The Custard Boys & What The Butler Saw

I do get to see quite a number of theatre shows, but I’m not going to be reviewing every one. Every now and then one or two come up which I think should be recommended and just recently I’ve had the pleasure to see two such shows.

THE CUSTARD BOYS, 

Tabard Theatre, 2 Bath Road, London W4 1LW

Boys of the Empire Productions

Based on the novel by John Rae

Adapted and directed by Glenn Chandler

10 April - 12 May 2012

The Custard Boys is promoted as “A play about love, war and grown-up stuff”, the story of a group of boys evacuated to Norfolk during WW2, it follows their adventures and misadventures when boys will be boys and have a lot of growing up to do. My mum, uncles and aunts was evacuated to Norfolk at the start of the war so this had an additional poignant significance, but I’m sure they never got up to these things. When a new boy is introduced to the mix, neither local nor one of the London evacuees a whole new set of emotions are awoken.

Performed on a small intimate stage this is a powerful and emotional production, with a strong performance by the entire cast of seven young actors, all of which I would expect to see going on to bigger and greater things. If you’re in the area this is certainly one to catch.

Follow the links for more details,

http://www.tabardtheatre.co.uk/

Boys of the Empire Website is here:

http://www.boteproductions.co.uk/

WHAT THE BUTLER SAW by Joe Orton

Vaudeville Theatre, The Strand, London

http://www.whatthebutlersawtheplay.com/

Does this play need any introduction? The third of Joe Orton’s three farces written not long before his untimely death at the hands of his lover in 1967 and first produced in 1969, this has to be one of the funniest plays I’ve seen in a long time. Just starting a new run at the The Vaudeville Theatre on The Strand staring Omid Djalili, Tim McInnerny, Samantha Bond, Georgia Moffett, Jason Thorpe and Nick Hendrix. Completely un-PC this play welcomes you to the world of psychoanalyst Dr Prentice where just about everyone should be committed to the madhouse as from a simple mistake (Dr Prentice tries to seduce his new secretary) all hell breaks loose.

Let me just say this was only their second night and I left at the end with tears of laughter still rolling down my face, so sit back and enjoy. Very much a must see.