'Haunting Julia' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

HAUNTING JULIA (Hall & Childs Ltd)

McFadden, Preston & O'Callaghan

It’s a joy to go to the theatre and see a lesser performed Alan Ayckbourn play, rather than the more popular, slightly outdated, revivals usually on offer and this week, Haunting Julia, is a real gem. Although it isn’t as frightening as The Woman In Black, it certainly has enough scares to qualify it as a thrilling ghost story.

Andrew Hall eloquently directs a superb cast of three who effortlessly deliver Ayckbourn’s dialogue heavy script with immense focus, while maintaining an impressive level of tension throughout proceedings. Duncan Preston, most famous for his work with Victoria Wood, is simply excellent in the role of Joe Lukin, the grieving father of his daughter, Julia, a musical genius who tragically died twelve years ago, at the age of nineteen. Soon after turning the site of her demise into a museum dedicated to her life, Joe begins to become aware of some unusual happenings, that he shares with his daughter’s ex-lover, Andy, perfectly played by the devilishly handsome, Joe McFadden, who’s delectable Scottish accent becomes the perpetual voice of reason. The arrival of a well-wishing psychic, quirkily characterised by Richard O’Callaghan, soon brings about a series of confessions and unnerving events that uncover the reason behind Julia’s death.

This is a wonderfully written and brilliantly performed piece of theatre that utilises the ghostly theme extremely well, while providing the perfect mix of comedy and drama. Trick or treat? Haunting Julie is a spookily perfect Halloween treat and runs until Saturday at Malvern Festival Theatre! Go and see it!

'The Handyman' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

THE HANDYMAN (Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre)

Timothy West as Romka

Acclaimed writer, Ronald Harwood, explores the unlikely but emotive subject of war crimes and genocide in his play The Handyman, which is enjoying a revival at Malvern Festival Theatre this week. No stranger to this delicate subject, Harwood, who won an Oscar for his screenplay, The Pianist, presents an excellent platform for morale debate with this story of an elderly, Ukranian-born, handyman living very simply among the affluence of the Home Counties, who is unexpectedly accused of horrendous war crimes. The handyman, Romka, pleads his innocence, with the support of his surrogate family who employ him and a female lawyer with a tenuous Jewish connection. As the evidence against him mounts, the protests of his actual innocence come in to question.

Timothy West stars as the accused handyman, Roman Kozachenko, giving the quality of performance you would expect from such a theatrical great. Caroline Langrishe and Adrian Lukis are perfectly detestable as the affluent, Mr and Mrs Field, who laughingly compare their middle class troubles to the atrocities of the holocaust, while often begrudging the inconvenience being caused them. Carolyn Backhouse wonderfully intimidates the Fields as the striking lawyer, Marian Stone, but is gently supportive of the accused during the interrogation by the stereotypical detectives, convincingly played by James Simmons and Anthony Houghton. The infamous Steven Berkoff evens makes an appearance, albeit on screen, as does the brilliant Vanessa Redgrave, who gives a stunning performance.

Joe Harmston’s direction was simply effective and contained some beautifully choreographed scene changes on Sean Cavanagh’s quite beautiful set. Despite the subject matter this play contained a fair amount of humour that helped lighten what could have been a very depressing tale. Although this may not be everyone’s idea of a fun night out, it is definitely thought provoking and worth seeing.

'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.