BAD JEWS

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Kenny Wax Limited, Simon Friend)

A bijoux Manhattan apartment, with a view of the Hudson River (from the bathroom), becomes the figurative Coliseum for a gladiatorial dispute between two Jewish cousins over the ownership of a treasured family heirloom. Described as a comedy, this contemporary story by Joshua Harmon frantically explores issues about modern culture, society, religion and family in an incredibly emotive fashion. Passions run so high that the action becomes farcical in an almost Faulty Towers style.

Daphna is fanatically religious and as the only practicing Jew believes, without question, she should have her grandfather’s Chai medallion, which he managed to hold onto during his years in the concentration camps during the Holocaust. Liam, her wealthy cousin and atheist, however, already has possession of the heirloom and intended to give it to his girlfriend, Melody, when he proposed, just as his grandfather did to their grandmother. Liam’s brother, Jonah, does his utmost to not be drawn into the dispute but, unfortunately, with little success.

Ailsa Joy’s character, Daphna is obnoxious, overbearing and immensely dislikeable and we can only hope that she is proving her metal as an awesome performer and nothing like this girl in real life. Equally infuriating and annoying is her cousin Liam, perfectly played by Daniel Boyd, whose rant half way through the show is applause worthy. Jos Slovick is incredibly focused and brings a wonderful stillness and admirable restraint to the part of Jonah and Antonia Kinlay is superb as Melody, the surprising voice of wisdom during in the heat of battle. All of the performances are faultless and the subject matter thought provoking.

For me, this wasn’t a comedy but more a drama, a reflection of life, which has moments of comedy. The subject matter and humour is very American. The playwright presented a style of play typical of many American dramatists, where the focus is on people and emotions more than plot. It is extremely refreshing to have the opportunity to see contemporary writing and I am a huge fan of the modern trend of one act plays. This Theatre Royal Bath production delivers on quality, as always, and gives plenty to think about on the way home. It runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday.

AVENUE Q

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Sell a Door Theatre Company & Richard Darbourne Ltd)

After success on Broadway and in the West End, the Tony Award winning musical, Avenue Q finally makes it to Malvern! Co-creator of The Book of Mormon, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx create the most authentically original and relevant musical theatre songs ever. “It Sucks To Be Me”, “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist”, “If You Were Gay” and “The Internet Is For Porn” gives you a pretty good idea of the show content and even though the majority of characters are puppets, this is certainly not aimed at children.

Avenue Q is so wonderfully refreshing and draws a completely new audience to live theatre. It tells of, college graduate, Princeton who moves into the only affordable area in New York, as he embarks on the onerous task of finding his purpose in life. With the help of his new neighbours, he experiences the trials and tribulations of starting out on his own. Richard Lowe does an excellent job with the aforementioned character and also as the closet homosexual, Rod, who lives with his flatmate, Nicky, in true Bert and Ernie style. Nicky is superbly animated by Stephen Arden who is also responsible for the porn fixated, Trekkie Monster and a Bad Idea Bear and in typical Avenue Q fashion, instead of a right hand man, he assisted by a left armed woman in the form of the ever so talented Jessica Parker. Sarah Harlington creates the perfectly vulnerable yet feisty, Kate Monster, with incredible vocals that gently tug at the heartstrings. The ‘human’ characters are played by Arina II, as the struggling therapist, Christmas Eve, with Richard Morse as her unemployed fiancé, Brian and, for this performance, the part of child star, Gary Coleman, was played by Cleopatra Joseph.

Special mention has to be made of the incredible band, headed by Dean McDermott. The set is very similar to the West End version and works really well. Most enjoyable though are the casts’ fantastic puppetry skills, developed under the watchful eye of puppet coach, Nigel Plaskitt. So much humour is portrayed, and empathy for the characters achieved, through the wonderful execution of these skills.

I recommend that everyone go to see Avenue Q. It is so relevant to our time and a true reflection of human nature and the difficulties we all encounter, often on a daily basis. It is very funny, charming, heartfelt and hopeful. It runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday.

4 stars 

HAIRSPRAY

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Produced by Mark Goucher and Laurence Myers, Tom O’Connell for QNQ, Just for Laughs Theatricals, Gale King Productions and Curve theatre, Leicester)

The effervescent musical, Hairspray, explodes on stage at Malvern Theatres for the first time this week. Bringing a whole new audience demographic to the venue, this latest incarnation of the show delivers awesome vocals, vibrant choreography and a feel good factor that would soften the hardest of hearts. Set in Baltimore in 1962 at a time of monumental political and social change, it is a giddy tale of one teenagers belief for a brighter future and the lengths she'll go to achieve her dreams.

The first accolade has to go to the ridiculously talented band, headed by Musical Director, Ben Atkinson. The accompaniment is so tight that it’s hard to believe it’s live. Equally slick is, local lad, Drew McOnie’s fresh choreography. The wonderful ensemble immaculately and enthusiastically executes his deliciously smooth moves, somehow defying exhaustion. Paul Kerryson, with the help of Grindrod Associates, cast a superb array of skilled performers who, on the whole, are perfect in their parts.

The creator of Pixar says that for a story to work you have to make the audience care about the characters and this is where this production truly succeeds. Freya Sutton, in the lead role of Tracy Turnblad, is so endearing and authentic in her fight for rights and justice. Add to this her peppy vocals, a smile that beams and her cheeky dance moves and you cannot help but adore her. Ashley Gilmour is charming as her unlikely love interest Link Larkin who goes through an emotional transformation almost as dramatic as Monique Young’s physical one in her role as Tracy’s best friend, Penny Pingleton. It is a big ask for her to match Dex Lee's outstanding performance as Seeweed but they are a perfect pairing. The chiselled Jon Tsouras is ideal as TV star, Corny Collins, as is Lauren Stroud as Tracey's nemesis, Amber Von Tussel. Although possibly miscast in the role of Amber's mother, Claire Sweeney still proves her metal as an accomplished singer. Tony Maudsley and Peter Duncan are absolutely delightful as Tracy's devoted parents, Edna and Wilba, and utterly convincing in the portrayal of their everlasting love for each other. Finally, Brenda Edwards is stunning as Motormouth Maybelle and gives the most incredible, awe inspiring rendition of I Know Where I've Been, culminating in a breathing finish when joined by the rest of the cast. Phenomenal!

Hairspray runs at Malvern until Saturday and then continues on a UK tour. An unquestionable must see production!

5 stars