'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.

'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!