SOUL SISTER

Malvern Festival Theatre

BILL KENWRIGHT PRODUCTIONS & WIZARD PRESENTS

The incredible highs and devastating lows in the life of music legends, Ike and Tina Turner, are magnificently played out in the new tour, of the West End triumph, Soul Sister at Malvern Theatres this week. A cast of unbelievably gifted performers present a story that spans over forty years from the discovery of Anna Mae Bullock, a quirky, young black girl from Tennessee who became one half of the most influential music duos in history, Ike and Tina Turner. The couple's tumultuous relationship is explored with a back catalogue of some of the most groundbreaking and popular music ever heard.

The iconic role of Tina usually played by Jenny Fitzpatrick, is taken on this time by the striking Maria Omakinwa, who’s physical and vocal interpretation of this music giant is utterly awe inspiring. Hardly ever leaving the stage, the demands of the role must be exhausting and yet her focus and energy never faltered, not for one second. Omakinwa’s jaw dropping performance is equally matched by Chris Tummings, who is absolutely superb in his portrayal of the troubled genius, Ike Turner. Actor musicians are commonplace within musical theatre now and Tummings being an accomplished guitarist adds extra authenticity to his characterisation. Another actor musician, Msimisi Dlamini, who plays Ike’s best friend, Ray, seriously gets his groove on when armed with his guitar, busting some smooth moves. The Ikette’s are made up of Helena Dowling, Katy Lye, Tamara McKoy-Patterson and Portia Harry, who appear to have an endless supply of energised, dynamic moves and stunning vocals as the band’s backing singers. They all give a literally breathtaking performance throughout, in character every second they are on stage. The band is also amazing and all six members add so much to this incredible production. Simply brilliant!

Jason Pennycooke’s choreography is wonderfully relentless and Laura Hopkins’ set design is ingenious and keeps the show moving at a pace, with excellent video projection designed by Simon Wainwright. Devised and directed by Pete Brooks and John Miller, Soul Sister is definitely deserving of its Olivier nomination for Best Musical this year.

Wow! Just WOW! This show is AWESOME and has to be seen. Get your tickets now, if it’s not too late!

'The 39 Steps' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

THE 39 STEPS (Fiery Angel Limited)

Charlotte Peters and Richard Ede

Patrick Barlow’s brilliant adaptation of John Buchan’s classic novel The 39 Steps opened to a packed house at Malvern Festival Theatre last night, as it tours the UK. This exhilarating, melodramatic romp may not be what fans of the Hitchcock thriller are expecting but they certainly won’t be disappointed.

An energised cast of just four gifted performers present a plethora of characters in the telling of this story of intrigue and love. Richard Ede perfectly encapsulates the charming protaganist, Richard Hannay, who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a murderous plot of international espionage. His impressive, physical prowess is equally matched by the remaining male component of the show, Tony Bell and Gary Mackay, who work wonderfully in sync as they enact a mind-blowing number of roles, often in speedy succession, as Hannay journeys the length and breadth of Britain. The belle of ball is Charlotte Peters who is absolutely outstanding in her performance as femme fatale, underdog and feisty heroine battling with her love for the unlikely hero. The action is exhausting and hilarious and will have you grinning inanely throughout.

Gary Mackay and Richard Ede

This multi-award winning production is the achievement of an incredible creative team who have collaborated to bring an utterly refreshing piece of theatre to the stage. Barlow’s superb writing, with Maria Aitken’s innovative vision and direction combined with the undeniable talents of Peter McKintosh (set and costume design), Ian Scott (lighting design), Mic Pool (sound design) and Toby Sedgwick (movement director) prove that, in a time when only musicals tend to sell out, quality plays can still fill theatres.

This tour is as good as the current West End production, which is in its 6^th year and absolutely deserved it’s many curtain calls, tumultuous applause, whoops and cheers. Take this amazing opportunity to see theatrical brilliance at its best while you can. Get your tickets now!

'The Woman In Black' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (PW Productions)
 

After the huge success of the recent movie starring Daniel Radcliffe, the stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s Victorian ghost story, The Woman In Black, makes a welcome return to Malvern Theatres this week. Stephen Mallatratt’s play is in its 25^th year in London, testament to the brilliance of this late playwright’s work.

Young, London solicitor, Arthur Kipps, travels 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.

Julian Forsyth is perfect as Kipps who, with a little support and encouragement from his theatrical muse, explores a catalogue of characters vital in the telling of his tale. The epic role of The Actor is deftly handled by Anthony Eden whose energy, enthusiasm and focus never falter, as he confronts the demon that dwells in the darkness. Audrone Koc is unnervingly wonderful as the infamous Woman In Black and makes much more of an appearance in this production than before. At times this works to great effect but her more visible presence arguably steals some of the mystery and supernatural element from the show.

Although the more modern Festival Theatre lacks the atmosphere of the West End home of this spine-chilling story, this is still a thoroughly entertaining night out and well worth seeing even if only for the impressive art of creative storytelling so beautifully demonstrated.

'Save The Last Dance For Me' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME (Bill Kenwright & Laurie Mansfield)

Fans of the hit show ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ will be thrilled with the creative team’s latest offering, currently at Malvern Festival Theatre. ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’ is a musical showcasing the works of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Timeless classics such as Viva Las Vegas, Sweets For My Sweet, Teenager In Love, And Then He Kissed Me, Please Mr Postman and Tell Her are interwoven into a charming love story set on an American Air Force base in Lowestoft in the early sixties. Free from their parents, two sisters from Luton head off to the seaside, finding love and romance in unexpected places.

Musical talent oozes from every pore of this immensely gifted cast of actor musicians. Kieran McGinn, Curtis, really comes into his own every time he serenades his young love, Marie, played by Elizabeth Carter who possesses the face and voice of an angel. Verity Jones is captivating to watch as the older sister, Jennifer, proving her exceptional skills as a comedic actress, singer and dancer. The star of the show is unquestionably the incredibly talented Lee Honey-Jones who charms with his effortless vocals, energised moves and super characterisation as Milton. Jay Perry is an impressive vocalist as Rufus, while Sally Peerless and Alex Hammond deliver great performances as the girl’s, long suffering parents. The rest of the supporting cast delivered slick performances throughout, maintaining the energy and enthusiasm required for such a show.

Bill Kenwright’s direction is boosted by the choreographic genius of Bill Deamer, who only this weekend won the Olivier Award for best theatre choreographer. Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran write simple, but effective dialogue that keeps the story moving along at a pace although a dialect coach should have been utilised to help with some of the accents explored in this show. Mark Bailey’s set and costume design perfectly compliment the era and vibrancy of the time and Tom De Keyser creates instrumental magic through his musical supervision.

Save The Last Dance For Me is a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable night out with a sweet storyline and outstanding, live music.

'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.