'Rough Justice' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

ROUGH JUSTICE (Tom Kinninmont Production)

Tom Conti with Elizabeth Payne as prosecuting counsel

A gripping moral dilemma is presented in Terence Frisby’s brilliantly written, courtroom drama, Rough Justice. Tom Conti stars in the role of the accused, James Highwood, a public figure who has admitted to killing his infant son. He has decided to defend himself on a plea of manslaughter instead of murder and as the story evolves we, the jury, are encouraged to challenge the law and British legal system. The premise of this play is an excellent one but it is flawed in the fact that the audience, who are integrated into proceedings, are privy to information imparted outside of the courtroom, meaning that the ‘jury’ are not making a judgement on the facts presented to them but the actual facts of the case, which are ultimately conflicting. Therefore the post-show ‘chat’ is irrelevant and actually unnecessary. This however, doesn’t spoil the enjoyment of the production.

Conti is suitably arrogant as the TV journalist, accused of the heinous crime, and gives an epic performance, although there is no need for him to play for laughs, as he does on occasion, when the script so cleverly does that, relieving high tension with vital humour. Royce Mills is suitably pompous as the judge but his performance is unfortunately marred but his dependence on whatever is on top of his desk that prevents him from addressing anyone for any length of time, a technique that considerably diminished the climatic ending. Carol Starks gives an honest and endearing performance as the accused’s wife and David Michaels is brilliant as their, slightly awkward, legal representative, while Simon Murray, Mary Lincoln and Shaun Morton give perfect cameos as expert witnesses. The greatest accolade, however, must go to Elizabeth Payne for her stunning portrayal of the prosecuting counsel. This is an incredibly wordy play and she never errs once in her delivery, keeping the pressure on, as her role demands, throughout the entire play, giving a truly magnificent performance.

The subject matter of this production is fascinating and interestingly challenges the current legal system and the ethical and moral view on mercy killing and euthanasia. Rough Justice is an enthralling and engaging drama that is well worth seeing.

'Great Expectations' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Beckman Unicorn)

Paula Wilcox as Miss Havershim

There are so many wonderful reasons to go and see the latest reincarnation of Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, Great Expectations at Malvern Festival Theatre this week, the first being that this is a rare opportunity to see it prior to it opening in the West End later this year.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the king of gothic fantasy, Tim Burton, had had a hand in this extravagant production, but it is actually the brainchild of Graham McLaren, who also directed the proceedings. The faded grandeur of Robin Peoples’ breathtaking set superbly compliments the absolutely magnificent costumes created by Annie Gosney and Giovanni Bedin. Add to this, atmospheric lighting and sound, courtesy of Kai Fischer and Matt McKenzie, with Simon Slater’s haunting underscoring, and a magical, Dickensian circus of horrors is presented for your delectation by an excellent cast of players.

The fifteen actors that tell this tragic tale of heartbreak and loss literally slip in and out of the set, using every nook and cranny as a platform from which to expound. McLaren perfectly moves the story from desolate marshes to London town, without every leaving the crumbling walls of the poor Miss Havisham’s palatial prison. The dramatic physical and vocal portrayal of the characters is captivating and particularly well executed by Isabelle Joss and James Vaughan as the hideously appealing Mrs Joe and Wopsle, who set the bar extremely high, very early on in proceedings, with their energised performance, an energy unquestionably matched by Jack Ellis as the lawyer, Jaggers, and Nathan Guy as the eccentric Herbert Pocket. Paula Wilcox cleverly underplays Miss Havisham, giving a refreshingly naturalist characterisation, as does Taylor Jay-Davies as the protagonist, Pip. This is a real ensemble piece and the entire cast and creative team must be congratulated on this exquisite production.

"Radio Times - The Musical" Review

Malvern Festival Theatre

RADIO TIMES - THE MUSICAL (The Watermill Theatre Ltd)

Vivien Carter as 'Radio Girlfriend', Amy Chapman

At last, local audiences can enjoy the delights of a Watermill Theatre musical on their doorstep, with their first ever visit to Malvern Festival Theatre, and what a delight their first offering is. Radio Times, the musical, is a toe tapping, frolic through the live broadcast of a radio variety show during the London blitz, which will have you grinning like a Cheshire Cat from beginning to end. The show is a tribute to the works of Noel Gay, a musical genius best known for the stage hit ‘Me And My Girl’, and includes a multitude of classic songs from the roaring twenties and thirties.

The prestigious Watermill Theatre, home of the incredible, all-male Shakespeare troupe, Propeller Theatre Company, is famous for their stunning actor/musician musicals, an idea conceived by the immensely talented John Doyle, once artistic director of Worcester’s Swan Theatre, where the actors not only sing and dance but play a multitude of musical instruments to accompany the numbers, while performing. Radio Times was revived at the Watermill Theatre last August and has since been rewritten, revised and re-jigged to create, in my opinion, a much better show than the original 1992 production.

The cast simply ooze with talent. The lovely Gary Wilmot headlines as ‘cheeky chappy’ Sammy Shaw, creator of the BBC’s Variety Bandwagon, whose antics leave his long suffering girlfriend Olive, sweetly played by Sara Crowe, with an uncertain future until the return from America of an ‘old flame’, Gary Strong, portrayed by Michael Hobbs, now a successful movie star, who is keen to reignite past passions. Suddenly aware of what he might lose, Sammy enlists the help of his comedic sidekick and lifelong friend, Wilfred, perfectly played by Ben Fox, who does his best to keep everybody happy including the BBC and Home Office. Jared Ashe, Rob Copeland, Ed Currie, and Paul Herbert are brilliant as the band and Sophie Byrne, Amelia Cormack, Sally Peerless and Sarah Scowen provide wonderful vocals as the fabulous Grosvenors, while Christian Edwards is adorable as the awkwardly funny, sound effects maestro, Jeeps. Undoubtedly the stars of this show are the amazingly talented, and stunningly beautiful Vivien Carter, as the delectable ‘Radio Girlfriend’, Amy Chapman and the equally talented and hilarious John Conroy as BBC producer, Heathcliffe Bultitude.

This is the hidden gem of musicals, with mass appeal, that will have you beaming from ear to ear. For a guaranteed, great night out, go and see Radio Times. It runs at Malvern until Saturday.

'Relatively Speaking' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

RELATIVELY SPEAKING (Theatre Royal Bath Productions)

It’s over four years since Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious comedy, ‘Relatively Speaking’, had its last airing at Malvern Festival Theatre and the new tour is playing to packed houses again. This tale of mistaken identities and miscommunication continues to delight the audience, evident by the raucous laughter throughout the evening.

Set in the late 60’s, when it was originally written, the play opens in a small London basement flat as young lovers Greg and Ginny prepare for their day. Mysterious phone calls, copious amounts of flowers and hidden chocolates create a great deal of interest for Greg who decides to follow his girlfriend on her day trip, out of the city, to visit family. The action moves to a beautiful house in the country where we meet Philip and Sheila, a retired married couple who harbour suspicions about each other’s lives. Before long Greg arrives, later followed by Ginny, and stories unravel causing linguistic mayhem and utter confusion on all parties prior to, during and after Sunday lunch.

The ‘cheeky’, Max Bennett confidently plays Greg, titillating onlookers, in the first scene, as he bears all! The articulation of his accent made delivery of the wordy dialogue difficult to understand at times but not to the detriment of his overall performance. The stunning, Kara Tointon, more known for her television work, definitely showed her metal as a brilliant stage performer, in the role of Ginny, and one of whom I hope we see much more. Her strong vocal and physical performance were a delight to watch and she commanded the stage with ease, even when in the presence of seasoned professionals, Felicity Kendal and Jonathan Coy, who were simply brilliant in their respective roles of Sheila and Philip.

Lindsey Posner perfectly directs this crowd-pleasing play, with impressively substantial sets designed by Peter McKintosh, produced by the fantastic Theatre Royal Bath Productions, but be quick if you want to see it because tickets are selling like hot cakes! Relatively Speaking runs until Saturday.

'Little Shop Of Horrors' review

Malvern Forum Theatre

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Malvern Theatres Young Company)

Horrific delights await audiences at Malvern Theatres this week courtesy of their Young Company's production of Little Shop Of Horrors. A joyously talented cast present Alan Menken's awesome musical, the first of hopefully many that we will get to enjoy over the coming years.

Director, Andy Reiss, showcases a wealth of young talent who tell the story of a man eating plant that mysteriously appears in Downtown Skid Row, following a sudden and unexpected, total eclipse of the sun, that results in a murderous, bloody rampage on local residents.

Douglas V. Watts is brilliant as the underdog, Seymour, who's wonderful vocals are effortlessly matched by the delightful Abbie Steele playing the downtrodden Audrey, the unknown recipient of Seymour's affections. Both suffer the cantankerous, flowershop owner, Mr Mushnik, a challenging role that Jacob Kippng attacks with gusto. Matthew Heels is suitably obnoxious as Audrey's sadistic boyfriend, Orin the dentist, and is the first to fall foul of the ferocious plant, Audrey II, to whom Liam Brown gives a superb soulful voice. Bryony-Rose Ward, Jo Edwards and Charlotte Heels give a slick, confident performance and handle the difficult harmonies with ease in their respective roles of the perky trio - Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon. A great ensemble also features some lovely comedic cameos and show off Katie Leeming's effective choreography. Hats off too to Musical Director, David Lane, for accomplishing such a pleasing sound from the cast in such a short time and to his band for bringing to life the fantastic score.

Everyone involved with this show must be congratulated on producing a thoroughly enjoyable night out. Support this inspiring company of young performers by seeing Little Shop of Horrors before it finishes on Sunday.

'Volcano' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

VOLCANO (Bill Kenwright Productions)

Believed to be based on the Bond writer, Ian Flemming’s martial transgressions, Volcano is one of Noel Coward’s lesser know plays, mostly due to the scandalous content, which censors of the time would have struggled with approving for public consumption. Nowadays, however, the issue of infidelity and broken relationships is all too frequently plastered over glossy magazine covers in a desperate attempt to increase readership and satisfy the need of some to revel in other’s trials and tribulations.

Set on the fictional Pacific island of Samolo, Simon Scullion’s set design beautifully replicates the Colonial home of Adela Shelley, subtly portrayed by the iconic Jenny Seagrove. This idyll is often frequented by playboy, ‘Guido’ Littleton, suavely played by Jason Durr, whose desperate attempts to sleep with Adela are thwarted by her at every turn. Emotions run high with the imminent arrival of Guido’s long-suffering wife, Melissa, played by Dawn Steele, who perfectly explores the vulnerability of this poor lady that exists with the tour-de-force façade. Focused on the affair of which she suspects her husband to be embroiled, she fails to notice the blossoming romance developing with Perdita Avery’s beautiful Ellen Danbury, who’s vocal performance is a wonderful homage to Coward and superbly matched by her awkward husband, Keith, played by Tim Daish. The arising conflicts are mimicked in nature with volcanic disturbance and despite the optimistic attempts of kindly neighbours, Grizelda and Robin, adoringly characterised by Finty Williams and Robin Sebastian, things come to a head as the volcano erupts.

This is a gentle play that doesn’t really get going until the second act. Roy Marsden’s direction is a joy to watch as he cleverly changes the audience’s visual perspective through simple, yet effective staging (and up-staging) and creates lovely tableaux throughout the story. Mike Robertson’s lighting and, the appropriately named, Matthew Bugg’s sound evoked the ideal ambience and backdrop. This play has some classic, cutting Coward quips and gives insight into another side of this iconic writer. Volcano runs until Saturday.

'School For Scandal' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (Royal Theatre Bath Productions)

Choosing to sit in a darkened room for a couple of hours on one of the few, truly beautiful, summer’s evenings this year is quite an ask for even the most loyal theatre goer. However, the considerable audience gathered on the Malvern Theatres terrace, in the glorious Winter Gardens, for pre-show drinks before enjoying the delectations on offer, was a clear accolade of the guaranteed quality of a Theatre Royal Bath production. Those sacrificing the sunshine were, yet again, rewarded with a wonderful evening of exquisite entertainment.

An all-star cast, including Maggie Steed and Ian McNeice, presents Sheriden’s classic, School For Scandal, an 18^th century farcical exploration of the scandalous debauchery among the elitists of the time. Although the start of the play is incredibly wordy and overloaded with information on a multitude of individuals, some of whom we meet and many whom we don’t, it is eloquently delivered by Stuart Ellis and Serena Evans in the respective roles of Snake and Lady Sneerwell. The verbal confusion continues with additional tales from fellow gossipmongers, including the flamboyantly outrageous Crabtree and Sir Benjamin Backbite, perfectly portrayed by David Killick and Grant Gillespie. Edward Bennett is outstanding as Joseph Surface, delivering a magnificent vocal and physical performance throughout, beautifully matched by Susannah Fielding’s tour-de-force, Lady Teazle. It was a pleasure to see Nigel Harman again, after his award winning performance as Lord Farquaad in the West End’s Shrek – The Musical and John Conroy must be commended on his attention to detail with period movement in his role as Rowley. This is a real ensemble piece and the double casting utilises this talented cast to it’s fullest.

Despite some dubious ‘up’ staging decisions made by director Jamie Lloyd, which seems to be a tragically current directing fashion, he must be congratulated on some superb creative genius with the comical ‘screen’ scene and most magnificent ‘portrait auction’. Literally breathtaking! Soutra Gilmour’s set was suitably adaptable and proved a stark backdrop for the colourful characters adorning it. Everyone involved with this production must be congratulated.

This play is undoubtedly the forerunner to “Real Housewives” and “The Only Way Is Essex” proving that little has changed in the last three hundred years. School For Scandal runs until Saturday.