'The Pitmen Painters' reveiw

Malvern Festival Theatre

THE PITMEN PAINTERS (Bill Kenwright Productions)

Following sell-out seasons at the National Theatre, on Broadway and in the West End, the award-winning play, The Pitmen Painters, returns to Malvern Festival Theatre this week to packed houses. Penned by Lee Hall, creator of the worldwide sensation Billy Elliot, The Pitmen Painters tells the true story of a group of Northumberland miners who, in 1934, hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class, which quickly transformed into an actual painting class. The resulting works soon drew attention from collectors, critics and other prestigious artists and gave this group of miners standing in the art community while they continued to toil down the mine. Over ten years, the pitmen struggle with the attention they receive from a class system, to which they don’t belong, as they strive for nationalisation of the pits.

A previous cast photo of the WEA and Prof. Lyon

A different cast to the previous tour, everyone, without exception, delivers fantastic performances, in this wonderful ensemble piece. Joe Caffrey, Philip Correia, Riley Jones, Nicholas Lumley and Donald McBride make up the intriguingly diverse members of the WEA, while Louis Hilyer presides as the educator and Catherine Dryden and Suzy Cooper delightfully challenge the male energies with their liberal minds. The actors excel in their roles, particularly Jones with his characterisation of Lumley’s nephew and Correia, an incredible young actor, who gives a breathtaking, passionate performance as Oliver Kilbourn.

Despite the set being in need of some necessary care and attention in places, not unusual for a Kenwright production, Max Robert’s perfect direction with Gary McCann’s stage design ensures the play captivates from the very beginning.

The Pitmen Painters is pure, inspirational theatre. Hilarious, tragic, poignant, educational, thought provoking and extremely moving, the tale of these miners unquestionably captures the heart. In essence it’s the prequel to Billy Elliott but whatever it may be it is definitely superb and utterly brilliant! This stunning production runs until Saturday and has to be seen.

'Maurice's Jubilee' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

MAURICE'S JUBILEE (Pleasance Theatre Trust, PW & Wild Thyme Productions)


The immensely talented Nichola McAuliffe makes a majestic return to Malvern Festival Theatre following her magnificent performance as the eponymous ‘Lady In The Van’ last year. This time she delights audiences with more superb characterisations, not only as an actor but also as the author of this delightfully poignant comedy, Maurice’s Jubilee.

Julian Glover, Sheila Reid & Nichola McAuliffe

On tour, after premiering at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, McAuliffe’s latest play brilliantly explores an incredibly emotive subject with endearing charm and gentle humour. The distinguished Julian Glover, presents Maurice, a retired jeweller, who is determined, despite the odds, to see out a promise made sixty years ago on the eve of the Queen’s coronation. Sheila Reid, another comedic queen, plays Maurice’s devoted wife who struggles to cope in whatever way she can, with the help of the new nurse who has arrived to offer the palliative care.

McAuliffe’s traditional approach to the telling of this tale is perfect and as comfortable to experience as Maurice’s armchair. The first act is in real time and relies on inspiring, witty dialogue to warm us to the three characters as their story unfurls and concludes with the most wonderful soliloquy, eloquently delivered by Glover. The second act smoothly glides through the next day and gives another moving monologue from an unexpected guest.

Hannah Eidinow directs this fantastic piece with sincerity and simplicity and McAuliffe is to be congratulated on yet another superb performance and for the quality of material. The tour is proud to support Age UK and donations can be taken at the theatre, so please gives generously. The fantastic Maurice’s Jubilee runs until Saturday. Go and see it!

'Birdsong' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

BIRDSONG (The Original Theatre Company Production)

The Battle of the Somme

Sebastian Faulks’ bestselling novel has been cleverly adapted for stage and is gracing Malvern Festival Theatre this week. Rachel Wagstaff’s play seamlessly glides between 1910 and historic events of The Great War. With France as the backdrop, the protagonist in this tale is Stephen Wraysford who relives his romance with the captivating Isabelle Azaire, the battered wife of a ruthless factory owner, while leading his company through the monstrosities of the Battle of the Somme.

Victoria Spearing has created the most magnificently imposing set that, with the help of Alex Wardle’s stunning lighting design, creates a perfectly atmospheric space to transport the characters into the many varied locations presented throughout the story. Director, Alastair Whatley beautifully choreographs the changes from one scene into the next, magically merging the different times and many locations.

A true ensemble piece, twelve talented actors present a multitude of parts, with a Joshua Higgott and Tim van Eyken also providing musical accompaniment. Jonathan Smith, although guilty, at times, of trying too hard and thereby losing the emotional truth, handles the extreme demands of the lead role securely while Sarah Jayne Dunn is simply exquisite to watch as Isabelle Azaire. Arthur Bostrum, most famous for his appalling French accent as the policeman in ‘Allo ‘Allo, quickly and flamboyantly discards that iconic role. Polly Hughes gives a notably fearless performance as Lisette Azaire and a prostitute and Tim Treloar is reassuringly consistent and strong in the ‘narrative’ role of Jack Firebrace, whose experience and ease on stage shone through.

This is an epic show, brilliantly adapted for stage and is bound to be a hit with fans of the book. War dramas are exhausting and often harrowing and this production delivers on both counts being sympathetic in word and deed to the great heroes of our times. In keeping with the subject matter, this tour is proudly supporting the charity Help For Heroes. Birdsong runs until Saturday.