'Joseph' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT
(Bill Kenwright Ltd)

After an absence last year, Malvern Festival Theatre is again rocking to the ever-popular tunes of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This foot-tapping show still pulls in the crowds and it’s not surprising. Great songs, fantastic vocals, an amazing band, striking sets, a wealth of incredible costumes and stunning lighting make for a wonderful evenings entertainment. This is one of Lloyd Webber’s oldest shows and arguably his best. For those who have seen it before, there have been some lovely little alterations made to keep it fresh, including a brand new song.

Keith Jack, who came second in Any Dream Will Do, returns in the title role giving a truly wonderful characterisation. Lauren Ingram is a gentle Narrator and delivered this immense role with calm and sincerity. Luke Jasztal articulates Pharaoh’s ‘Elvis’ number perfectly, a feat not previously achieved by his predecessors. Henry Metcalfe also gives his best performance to date as Jacob.

The large male cast hardly get time to breathe as they play a host of characters in this Old Testament tale and give their all in an exhausting display of talent, none more so than Richard J Hunt as Judah/Baker. Marcus Ayton excites with his impressive vocals and Simon Ouldred shines for the brief time he is on. The three female dancers, despite some unbelievably fast costume changes, bring lovely elegance to the performance from the beginning right through to the end of the Joseph Megamix and several Reprises.

If you are fortunate enough to have tickets to this sold out production, you’re in for a magical, musical time. Joseph runs until Saturday but please check Malvern Theatre for the times of performances as they vary throughout the week.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Custom/Practice & TEG Productions)

The Winter’s Tale would seem the appropriate Shakespearean play to attend this week, while in the grip of another wintery blast. Yet, do not these dark nights, icy winds and snow-filled skies leave us dreaming of summer? Perhaps A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Malvern Festival Theatre is perfect timing.

Custom/Practice Theatre Company enjoyed acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe last year with this interpretation of Shakespeare’s original and most famous ‘Rom-Com’, an enchanting fairytale of the magical mayhem that ensues when lovers flee royal decrees, passions are unrequited and the fairy kingdom is at war.

A vibrant cast of eight cleverly portray the large collection of characters against Rosa Maggiora’s simplistic set design, which was the ideal platform for the actors to display their many talents. Liam Mansfield is commanding as Oberon, Rebecca Meyer is beautiful as Titania. Clare McMahon is feisty in the role of Hermia, while her lover Daniel Francis-Swaby is charming as Lysander. Rebecca Loudon is wonderfully tragic as the love sick, Helena and Naoufal Ousellam is dashing as Demetrius. Shane Frater’s Puck was understated, whereas the opposite is true of Lorenzo Martelli’s superbly obnoxious Bottom!

Director, Rae McKen’s vision worked perfectly with the target audience, engaging them from beginning to end and filling the auditorium with raucous laughter throughout the players enactment of Pyramus and Thisbe, the staging of which earned the characters their title of the ‘Crude’ Mechanicals. The components from the rest of the creative team worked together superbly to capture the magic within the live performance, particularly Ed Lewis’ music and sound design.

The energised eloquence of this production makes Shakespeare incredibly accessible and fun. This is definitely one to go and see. A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs until Saturday.

'9 to 5 - The Musical' review

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

9 TO 5 - THE MUSICAL (The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd)

Jackie Clune, Amy Lennox & Natalie Casey

If you’re looking for an uplifting show that’s different to the usual fare available at this festive time then you couldn’t do any better than going to see “9 to 5” the amazing, new musical, direct from Broadway. Based on the seventies movie, it highlights the daily struggles three, very different, women have trying to succeed in a ‘man’s world’, while working for a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot. Fortunes change when the ladies are pushed to their limits and events take an unexpected turn with life-changing consequences.

Bonnie Langford as Roz Keith

In addition to the popular title track, we are treated to a whole bunch of new songs, written especially for the show by the legendary singer songwriter, Dolly Parton, as well as several ‘virtual’ appearances from the southern belle throughout the performance. A superb cast bring this story to life with great characters, incredible vocals and slick dance routines. Jackie Clune, Amy Lennox and Natalie Casey deliver magnificent performances as the downtrodden, but ultimately triumphant, trio of Violet, Doralee and Judy, with stunning voices, brilliant storytelling and hilarious comedic moments, while the impressive Ben Richards is perfectly detestable as their nemesis, Franklyn J. Hart. The nation’s favourite, Bonnie Langford, gives a jaw-dropping, awesome performance as Hart’s smitten assistant, Roz Keith, leaving the audience howling with laughter in her number ‘Heart To Hart’. The talented members of the ensemble are fantastically energised and keep the musical flowing from scene to scene with their choreographic interjections.

Ben Richards as Franklyn J Hart

Jeff Calhoun has to be commended on doing such a wonderful job as director and choreographer, as this magical production truly inspires and motivates and is pure escapism at its very best. 9 to 5 The Musical will have you grinning from ear to ear and wishing it would never end. I sincerely hope that it will get the West End transfer that it surely deserves.

Go and see it now at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham now before the tour ends on 5^th January 2013.

'Cinderella' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

CINDERELLA (UK Productions)

Jamie Rickers, Emma Nowell & Ruth Madoc

UK Productions triumphantly return to Malvern Theatres, this festive season, with the magical, rags to riches tale of Cinderella. They have breathed refreshing, new life into their show this year with the accomplished director, Scott Ritchie, whose choreographic background shines through in the telling of this fairytale.

A seasoned panto professional, Ritchie, slickly directs a lovely cast to present a great story, with traditional pantomimic elements, interspersed with song and dance spectaculars. Clearly inspired, Alastair Bull’s choreography is his best yet, with highlights including the Keystone Cops inspired woodland hunt and ‘Voguing’ in the palace ballroom. The professional dancers, many of whom are graduates of Cecilia Hall Dance Centre, excel themselves and revel in the opportunities afforded them, as do the current Cecilia Hall girls. Rob Thorne Jnr. brings his musical expertise to the mix to wow us with great vocal harmonies and instrumental accompaniment.

The legendary, iconic and truly wonderful Ruth Madoc opens the show as a mere ‘Fairy-on-top-of-the-Christmas-tree’ but soon finds herself promoted to the more matriarchal character of the Fairy Godmother that we expect. Hi-Di-Hi fans are in for a treat too! The brilliant Jamie Rickers gets the award for “The Best Entrance On Stage Ever In The History Of Pantomime”. His performance, as Buttons, is as hilarious as his physical comedy is impressive. Emma Nowell is absolutely adorable and perfect as the down trodden, yet ever hopeful and kind, Cinderella. Don Crann portrays an understated and gentle Baron Hardup, while Bobbie Kent’s vertically challenged, aging, ugly sister provides a perfect contrast to Anthony West’s more youthful and imposing sibling, whose fabulousness is reflected in his fantastic frocks. An unexpected delight is to be found in the roles of Prince Charming and his valet Dandini, superbly played by Owen Thompson and Bobby Windebank respectively, as they croon, tap dance and even energetically ‘Gangnam Style’ it through the show. This double act breathe a much needed and very welcome, new life and energy into these two characters, completing the ensemble.

Your Christmastime won’t be complete without this theatrical treat for all the family. Cinderella runs until Sunday 6^th January. Check with Malvern Theatres for times of performances. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

'The Ladykillers' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

THE LADYKILLERS (Fiery Angel Productions)

Paul Bown

As Malvern Festival Theatre’s autumn showcase of fantastic productions comes to a close, it seemed a tall order to match last week’s sell-out performance of The Mousetrap and yet they did better than match it, they smashed it, saving the best until last! The Ladykillers is magnificent, hilarious, stunning, wonderful… simply awesome!!!!

Clive Mantle

A strikingly, awe-inspiring set, the genius of Michael Taylor, full of surprises right to the final curtain, provides the perfect environment for the shenanigans of an ill-fated collection of crooks as they concoct a scheme to undertake a grand robbery. Disguised as musicians, they end up unavoidably embroiled in the life of their delightful landlady with unexpected, deadly consequences.

Shaun Williamson

The gifted Graham Linehan must be congratulated on taking this Ealing comedy classic and scripting such a superb stage show. An incredible cast of great theatrical talent perfectly bring director, Sean Foley’s creative vision to life. His staging and impressive physical comedy is beautifully executed with shocking hilarity.

Michele Dotrice

The actors ooze with talent from every pore and all equally revel in their respective roles, with Michele Dotrice as the doddery, old landlady, Mrs Wilberforce, Paul Bown’s Professor Marcus, the brains of the bunch, Clive Mantle as curious Major Courtney, William Troughton’s pill-popping Harry Robinson, Chris McCalphy as the not-so-clever, One-Round and Shaun Williamson’s moody ganster, Louise Harvey. Marcus Taylor and Beverley Walding present a couple of delightful cameos ably supported by aspiring actors from the local community who made up a giggling, gaggle of geriatrics.

The Ladykillers is gob-smackingly brilliant and one you must absolutely go and see!

'The Mousetrap' review

Malvern Theatre Review

THE MOUSETRAP (Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen & Adam Spiegel)

Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap Tour

After a record-breaking run in the West End, The Mousetrap is celebrating its monumental 60 years on stage by undertaking it’s first ever tour of the UK. Penned by the mistress of murder mystery, Agatha Christie, the show is playing to packed theatres all over the country. An opening night sell out is a phenomenon usually reserved for Andrew Lloyd Webber shows and Blood Brothers but the full house at Malvern Festival Theatre is a reflection of the popularity and intrigue of this timeless classic.

Ian Watt-Smith perfectly directs a brilliant cast of eight characters who, due to extreme winter weather, find themselves cut off in the isolated Monkswell Manor, while reports of the murder of a woman in London circulate the country. The hunt for her killer leads to the country house and the discovery that the killing spree may not be over, but whodunit?

Bruno Langley and Jemma Walker charmingly play the inheritors of the manor, who naively decide to open it as a guesthouse. Steven France is superb as their first arrival, in the guise of Christopher Wren, whose childish enthusiasm quickly irritates most in his company, particularly the pernickety Mrs Boyle, superbly characterised by Jan Waters. Graham Seed is wonderfully aloof as Major Metcalf and Clare Wilkie is excellent as the strikingly self-assured Miss Casewell. Karl Howman and Thomas Howes revel in their respective roles of Mr Paravicini and Detective Sergeant Trotter, the unexpected guests that make up the fated eight.

A beautifully functional set, delightful period costume, atmospheric lighting and sound complete the sparkle on this diamond anniversary production. What makes this different to the other Agatha Christie plays is the quality of script, story and characters. The first act moves the story along at a pace, leaving a trail of clues that tempt us to unravel the mystery of each individual as we play detective to uncover the deadly scheme and unmask the murderer before all is revealed on stage.

'Driving Miss Daisy' reveiw

Malvern Festival Theatre

DRIVING MISS DAISY (Julian Stoneman Associates Limited)

Gwen Taylor as Miss Daisy

The 2012 award winning production of Driving Miss Daisy comes direct from Broadway and the West End to Malvern Festival Theatre this week, absolutely justifying its critical acclaim and rave reviews.

This incredibly heart-warming play affectionately explores the relationship that develops between an elderly, Jewish widow and an aging, black chauffeur, who was hired by her son, despite her objections, after she wrote off her new car, taking out a couple of buildings in the course of the unfortunate event. The story, set in the Southern American state of Georgia, unfolds over two decades from 1948 to 1973, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

Despite what many believe, this moving tale was originally written by Alfred Uhry for the stage, premiering off Broadway, before being made into an Oscar winning film, starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman. Since then it has enjoyed much theatrical success with numerous stars adopting the lead roles, soon to include Angela Landsbury and James Earl Jones in a production in Australia next year.

Don Warrington as Hoke

The immensely talented Gwen Taylor is outstanding in the eponymous role of Miss Daisy, perfectly articulating her Southern drawl and physically transforming, with absolute believability, as the character ages from her early seventies to mid nineties. Don Warrington, another national treasure, is utterly authentic as the driver, Hoke, creating a perfect partnership with whom to share the journey. Ian Porter brilliantly brings the final piece of this ensemble together in the guise of Boolie, Miss Daisy’s frustrated son. The rapport on stage, between these three actors, is a joy to experience.

David Esbjornson, who directed the play’s West End and Broadway debut, uses a simple set and cleverly enhances this production by integrating lovely underscoring with emotive lighting and projections to create a positively enchanting atmosphere for the telling of a tenderly moving tale.

This is possibly the best production to have played at Malvern this year and is definitely worth seeing. Without an interval, it is one and a half hours of uninterrupted indulgence. Driving Miss Daisy runs until Saturday.