'Barefoot In The Park' Review

MALVERN FESTIVAL THEATRE

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre)

Maureen Lipman directs and stars in Neil Simon’s brilliant, romantic comedy, Barefoot In The Park, at Malvern Festival Theatre this week. This superbly written play observes the devastating impact on relationships when romanticism crashes into reality for newlyweds, Corrie and Paul, as they move into their first, New York, apartment together.

Faye Castelow is a true star in every sense of the word. She owns the stage throughout the entire performance with her incredible vocal and physical expression as the dramatically, romantic Corrie Bratter. Her focus and energy is amazing! Lipman delivers a masterclass performance as Corrie’s mother, Mrs Banks. Her comedic physicality is hilarious while remaining subtle enough to be entirely believable. Oliver Cotton, is thoroughly enjoyable as the enigmatic Victor Velasco, who lives in the roof and Dominic Tighe is perfect as lawyer, Paul, who’s ‘stuffed shirt’ persona is tested to its limits as the story unfolds. There is a brilliant cameo performance from David Partridge as the cheery, telephone repair man and possibly the funniest, non-verbal, cameo appearance ever from Hayward Morse, as the delivery man. Pure comedy gold.

Actor/directors have a conflict of interests and it is questionable as to whether someone who stars in a show can effectively direct it as well. There is no doubt as to Lipman’s skill as a director, which was evident in the bucket loads, but there was a definite difference in the style of direction when she was in the scene, although Peter Cregeen did an excellent job as co-director. The quality of the production was clearly enhanced Olivier Award winning, Tim Goodchild provides an absolutely magnificent set that is a real feast for the eyes.

This small cast articulates the story, both physically and verbally, with slick precision and apparent ease. The entire performance is theatrical perfection and clearly rehearsed down to the finest detail. The company must be congratulated on such a stunning production!

'Murder On The Nile' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre


MURDER ON THE NILE (The Agathe Christie Theatre Company)

The Agatha Christie Theatre Company returns to Malvern Festival Theatre this week with the exotic classic, Murder On The Nile. Simon Scullion's set design is stunning and Mike Robertson's lighting, along with Matthew Bugg's sound, evoke a real sense of a late Egyption summer afloat the Nile.

A diverse collection of characters embark on a journey of love, money and class conflict that inevitably leads to murder, intrigue and the reassuring final confession. Unlike the film, staring Peter Ustinov as Poirot, the play doesn't contain the infamous Belgium detective. Canon Pennefather, faultlessly played by the superb Denis Lill, adopts the role of crime solver on this paddle steamer.

One by one the passengers board with Kate O'Mara adding light relief to proceedings as the self-centered, Miss ffoliot-ffoulkes (who will be delighted to see the correct lack of capitals in her surname!). She is accompanied by her Scottish neice, Christina Grant, played by the delightful Jennifer Bryden, who is pestered by the seemingly 'classless' William Smith, notably performed by the very talented Max Hutchinson. Susie Amy is brilliant as the glamorous and wealthy, Kay Mostyn, honeymooning with her new husband Simon, played by a company regular, Ben Nealon. The arrival of his spurned lover, Jacqueline, passionately portrayed by Chloe Newsome, causes tensions on deck that have deadly repercussions! The remaining cast of characters are perfectly played by Mark Wynter, Vanessa Morley, Sydney Smith and Hambi Pappas.

Despite his undeniable, high-profile directing credits, Joe Harmston's stage direction is poor in places, with basic stagecraft being ignored, for apparently no good reason. The cast of experienced actors compensate for this through their performance and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of mystery and mayhem. Murder On The Nile runs until Saturday.

'Some Like It Hotter' Review

Lower Broadheath & Alfrick/Lulsley Village Hall


SOME LIKE IT HOTTER (The Watermill & Oxfordshire Theatre Company)

Lower Broadheath and Alfrick/Lulsley Village Halls played host to some curiously ethereal goings-on last week. They were visited by some ghostly, Hollywood greats starring in The Watermill's professional touring production of the musical comedy 'Some Like It Hotter' performed by the Oxfordshire Theatre Company.

Written by Richard Hurford and inspired by the movie classic, Some Like It Hot, the story centers on the untimely departure of Charlie, who gets to play out his dream of 'Red Hot' Charlie in the movie classic, Some Like It Hot, with his screen idols, as is the right of every recently deceased, before entering Heaven. However, there seems to be more to this visit than is initially anticipated.

An immensely talented cast of four actor musician's delighted the audience with superb impersonations of these Hollywood hotshots, witty dialogue and fantastic musical numbers. T J Holmes as Jack Lemmon, Paul Matania as Tony Curtis and Sarah Applewood as the delectable Marilyn Monroe, gave the most stunning performances, delivering the voices and mannerisms of their respective characters perfectly. Patrick Bridgman gave an equally wonderful performance as he took us on his emotional journey of self-discovery. All were not only gifted actors but also accomplished musicians and vocalists.

This was part of Shindig's programme to get live arts to rural areas and into local communities. As a regular visitor to The Watermill Theatre in Berkshire, it was a real treat to get to see a show of this incredible standard on the doorstep. To find out more about Shindig and forthcoming events visit http://www.shindig.org.uk.

'Blood Brothers' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre

BLOOD BROTHERS (Bill Kenwright Productions)

A standing ovation and four curtain calls was testament to the quality of the latest touring production of Blood Brothers. Now in its phenomenal 22^nd year of playing to packed houses, it returns to Malvern Festival Theatre to delight audiences for the next two weeks. A new cast and some fresh, new staging makes this arguably the best production of Blood Brothers to visit Malvern Theatres in many years.

Maureen Nolan tells Mrs Johnstone’s tragic story with beautiful vocals along side the equally gifted Craig Price as the ever-watchful Narrator. The moments these two share through song are spellbinding. Sean Jones is outstanding as the loveable Mickey as he journeys from being ‘nearly 8’ to the broken man he inevitably becomes. Matthew Collyer is charming and adorable as the slightly awkward Eddie and Kelly-Anne Gower is perfect as the devoted, fun loving Linda. Daniel Taylor is frighteningly believable as, the less than appealing, Sammy and Tracy Spencer presents possibly the best interpretation of Mrs Lyons to date as she takes what can often be an insipid character and gives her real depth, showing her mental anguish as she transforms from the dutiful housewife to a crazed woman. The remainder of the cast are brilliant in the many roles afforded them, in particular Graham Martin and Jonathan Vickers.

Special mention must be made of the incredible band, led by Musical Director, Kelvin Towse. The sound they produced was stunning and gave immense gravitas to Willy Russell’s inspired score. Whether this will be a returning visit or your first experience of the show, this show is definitely worth seeing. A brilliant, emotive, inspiring, live theatrical event!

'Swallows and Amazons' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre


SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (Children's Touring Partnership)

Let your imagination run wild this week at Malvern Festival Theatres with the incredible new production of the children’s classic Swallows and Amazons. From the same production company as Goodnight Mister Tom and directed by Tom Morris, who co-directed the smash hit War Horse, this show has brilliance stamped all over it and it certainly delivers in the bucket load!

Arthur Ransome’s original story has been magically adapted for stage by Helen Edmundson for an immensely talented cast of thirteen actor musicians to creatively tell the tale of a group of children and their fantastical adventure on Wildcat Island one summer, as they join forces with marauding pirates to defeat the treacherous Captain Flint and recover his lost treasure.

The joy in this production is endless. It is visually spectacular and a delicious feast for the senses. The wonderfully inventive use of props and cast perfectly capture a lost sense of childhood that is injected into the audience who switch from spectator to participant as the play progresses. Every single cast member is brilliant, without exception, and demonstrates the most superb talent, not only as actors, but accomplished musicians and vocalists who enhance the storytelling with Neil Hammon’s delightful music and lyrics.

This is definitely a production that you have to experience and it will spark the imagination of young and old. Swallows and Amazons runs until Saturday.

'On Golden Pond' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre

ON GOLDEN POND (Middle Ground Theatre Company)

Middle Ground Theatre Company present another mighty fine production, this time with a revival of Ernest Thompson’s emotive On Golden Pond. This 1978 off-Broadway play was turned into the immensely popular, Oscar winning film in 1981, starring Henry and Jane Fonda and the delectable, Katharine Hepburn.

The lone, mournful wail of the Loon calling to its mate, on Golden Pond, evokes a true sense of the enduring love shared between the play’s main characters, Ethel and Norman Thayer, a couple in their twilight years spending another summer at their lakeside retreat. This particular summer of 1978, while preparing for Norman’s 80^th birthday, brings the unexpected arrival of their prodigal daughter who leaves them with a gift that will change the course of their lives forever.

Michael Lunney, not only directs an endearing production, but also provides a stunning set, which, when twinned with the atmospheric sound and lighting, creates a wonderfully enchanting idyll. Stefanie Powers, fresh out of the celebrity jungle, does a superb impression of Katherine Hepburn’s Ethel, who is plagued by creatures of the forest as well as her infuriatingly pessimistic husband, brilliantly played by Richard Johnson. The love, affection and tenderness these two characters share is remarkably believable and what makes this production so watchable. Elizabeth Carling, as their daughter, Chelsea, has incredible stage presence and is part of a great supporting cast made up of Victoria May, Kasper Michaels, Graeme Dalling and Tom Roberts.

This is a delightful tale that will whisk you away to a gentler pace of life and tug on your heartstrings. Go and see it!