IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Malvern Festival Theatre

(James Sebright, Climar Productions and The Bridge Street Productions)

Malvern Theatre premieres the new tour of It's A Wonderful Life this week, following its successful West End run. Frank Capra's classic Christmas screenplay, cleverly adapted for stage by Tony Palmero, doesn't seem too out of place as we experience an unusually cold summer. Guy Retallack beautifully directs this heart warming story of a kind, ambitious man who reaches the point where he believes everyone would have been better off if he'd never existed and, with a little divine intervention, gets to experience such a world. Presented as a live radio drama, the year is 1949 and the musical underscoring, wonderfully articulated accents and authentic infomercials perfectly encapsulate the era and gently lull the audience into a bygone age.

A cast of six present all of the residents of Bedford Falls, the epitome of small town America. Oliver Stoney is brilliant as the protagonist, George Bailey, whose hopes are snatched from him at every conceivable turn. His vocal tones are luxurious and dreamy and endear you to his plight. Equal vocal prowess is delivered by radio host, David Benson, and Lynsey Beauchamp as they skip through their multitude of characters. Augustine Seymour is just darling as Mary Bailey and Richard Albrecht is extremely likeable as Angle 2nd Class, Clarence, and George's unfortunate Uncle Billy. Special mention goes to Benjamin Chamberlain, whose vocal gymnastics are simply delicious, in all of his many guises, throughout the performance. The live sound effects on stage add a great dimension to proceedings as does Richard Williamson's atmospheric lighting design.

This is an utterly charming and delightful production and refreshingly shorter than many plays, running at just under two hours including interval. Indulge and spoil yourself and go and see this evening of inspired entertainment. The UK tour runs until 21st June and then resumes on 7th October until 6th December, with only one or two nights in each venue. Merry Christmas!

5 stars

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

Malvern Festival Theatre

(PW Productions)
 

Malcolm James as Arthur Kipps & Matt Connor as The Actor

Susan Hill’s supernatural thriller makes a welcome return to Malvern Theatres this week. Brilliantly adapted for the stage by the late, Stephen Mallatratt, The Woman In Black is touring again while it continues to enjoy over quarter of a century in the West End.

In an attempt to exorcise the night terrors that plague his sleep, ageing lawyer, Arthur Kipps, hires an actor to help him tell his story of the unsettling events that took place when, in his younger days, he was sent up north to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow and to put her affairs in order. A frosty reception from the locals leaves him bemused until he experiences a series of unnatural events that unravel a past tragedy with fatal repercussions.

Robin Herford directs a stagecraft masterclass, transforming a relatively bare stage with a bit of furniture into a variety of locations, including the sinister Eel Marsh House and treacherous Nine Lives Causeway, superbly enhanced by the lighting and sound skills of Kevin Sleep and Gareth Owen, respectively.

Malcolm James is perfect as Kipps who, with support and encouragement from his theatrical muse, explores a catalogue of engaging characters vital in the telling of his tale. The monumental role of The Actor is slickly portrayed by Matt Connor, whose focus is faultless, as he confronts the demon that dwells in the darkness. Ailidh Ogilvie is wonderfully unnerving as the infamous Woman in Black and successfully haunts the proceeding.

The play has quite a following, whether down to the recent movie or it being a popular school trip or simply it’s reputation as a scary experience. Whatever the reason, it is a joy to see a packed auditorium mid-week and so many younger theatregoers thoroughly enjoying live performance.

Although the more modern Festival Theatre lacks the atmosphere of London’s creepy Fortune Theatre, the home of this spine-chilling story, mostly due to the brightness of the Fire Exit signs, this is still a thoroughly entertaining night out, with plenty of frights, and is well worth seeing even if only for the impressive art of creative storytelling so beautifully demonstrated.

5 stars