Category Archives: Features

Reviewers’ Round-up

When not out reviewing for us, our team attend many more shows which they’d love to tell you about. Take a look at what they’ve been seeing recently

November 2019

THE LARAMIE PROJECT | ★★★★ | RADA GBS Theatre until 30th November 2019 | Seen by Ethan Doyle
The Laramie Project
An interrogative and harrowing verbatim piece on a despicable homophobic murder that explores the attitudes of the town in which it occurred with frankness, intimacy, and hope. The performances are sublime in their service of the text and there are some truly striking visual moments too. Just make sure to bring tissues – you will cry.
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DEAR EVAN HANSEN | ★★★★ |  Noël Coward Theatre until 30th May 2020 | Seen by Flora Doble | Photo by Matthew Murphy
Dear Evan Hansen
The hotly-anticipated Broadway transfer of Dear Evan Hansen has finally arrived at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. Exploring mental health, suicide and the social media abyss, Dear Evan Hansen is a groundbreaking and powerful piece of theatre that will hopefully help facilitate important conversations about depression, anxiety and youth suicide.
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THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE  | ★★★★★ | Bridge Theatre until 2nd February 2020 | Seen by Katre | Photo by Brinkhoff Moegenburg

THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE

A beautiful, magical production with superb puppets and an amazing multi-talented cast. A really special show..
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SOLARIS  | ★★★★ | Lyric Hammersmith until 2nd November 2019 | Seen by Dominica Plummer | Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic

Solaris

A lyrical, thought provoking, but somewhat disappointing adaptation by David Greig, of Stanisław Lem’s classic science fiction novel. In the eerie presence of the sentient planet Solaris, an orbiting space station sent from Earth experiences the inexplicable. Greig updates this unforgettable story by adding a female protagonist to a crew trying to avoid madness a long way from home and from those they have left behind. Or have they? Enjoyed for superlative performances and a memorable set design that alternates between the bright clean lines of the space station and the moody seascapes of the planet below.
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LUNGS  | ★★★★★ | The Old Vic until 9th November 2019 | Seen by Dominica Plummer | Photo by Helen Maybanks

Lungs

The Old Vic’s revival of Duncan Macmillan’s eco love story reunites Claire Foy and Matt Smith in a seamless two hander about a couple considering parenthood in a world on the brink of climate change. Macmillan’s script holds up well and Foy and Smith recreate the onstage chemistry that ups the stakes in this timely drama. It was a treat to see the traditional Old Vic create an intimate theatre in round so that everyone in the audience could feel that much closer to this conflicted couple and their story.
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SHOOK | ★★★★ | Southwark Playhouse until 23rd November 2019 | Seen by Dominica Plummer | Photo by The Other Richard

Shook

Samuel Bailey’s Papatango prizewinning play is performed to great effect in a gritty, naturalistic setting about three young offenders who are also parents. Bailey’s play is an absolute gift to powerhouse performers like Josh Finan, Ivan Oyik and Josef Davies, with good support from Andrea Hall playing their empathetic teacher. Bailey’s tale may lack a satisfying denouement in this memorable portrait of prison life, but his talent for dialogue and characterisation will ensure him a devoted following for whatever he chooses to write next.
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DEATH OF A SALESMAN | ★★★★ | Piccadilly Theatre until 4th January 2020 | Seen by Rebecca Crankshaw | Photo by Brinkhoff Moegenburg

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Sharon D Clarke and Wendell Pierce give powerhouse performances in Arthur Miller’s classic drama.
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GHOST QUARTET | ★★★★ | Boulevard Theatre until 4th January 2020 | Seen by Jonathan Evans | Photo by Marc Brenner

Ghost Quartet

An intoxicating, bizarre and sometimes baffling musical. The narrative threads weave themselves into knots, but the gorgeous score of this song cycle lines the show with magic. Magic that is matched by this impressive new venue in the heart of Soho.
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ON BEAR RIDGE | ★★★★ | Royal Court until 23rd November 2019 | Seen by Jonathan Evans | Photo by Mark Douet

On Bear Ridge

Riveting, off-beat theatre that takes you to another place. Surreally dark, shone through with stunning performances. 
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MARY POPPINS | Preview Performance | Prince Edward Theatre until 7th June 2020 | Seen by Chief Spy | Photo by Mark Douet

Mary Poppins

The all time classic returns with its incredible score, magnificent staging and an outstanding cast including the legendary Petula Clark. You’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.
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DEAR EVAN HANSEN | Preview Performance | Noël Coward Theatre until 30th May 2020 | Seen by Chief Spy | Photo by Matthew Murphy

Dear Evan Hansen

The winner of six Tony Awards finally arrives in the West End and the wait has definitely been worth it. Steven Levenson’s book combined with Pasek & Paul’s outstanding score make this the show to see. This performance had Marcus Harman in the lead role proving he’s an exceptional alternate Evan.
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A WOMAN ON NO IMPORTANCE | ★★★★  | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre until 2nd November 2019 | Seen by David Woodward

A WOMAN ON NO IMPORTANCE

“The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable” just one of many typically Walden witticisms that sparkled like fireworks at this performance. Perhaps no surprise that it’s deeply sympathetic to the eponymous character, well-played by Liza Goddard. There’s a hint of grimly controlled madness about her performance, with her off-kilter stance and dress, with some real poetry in her speeches. To the audience’s satisfaction, she turns the tables on her nemesis. Directed by Dominic Dromgoole. Roy Hudd and Isla Blair also appear in this witty and thought provoking show.

 

 

 

 

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Interview – Niall Ransome

FCUK'D

 

It is estimated that around 100,000 children run away from home every year. Niall Ransome, member of Olivier Award winning Mischief Theatre Company, explores this important issue in FCUK’D: an alternative show for the festive period, dealing with abandonment, loyalty, family, and the real experiences of young working-class lads in Britain today.

FCUK’D tells the brutal and heartfelt story of a teenage boy who kidnaps his younger brother in an attempt to flee his decrepit council flat and escape his daily encounters with the authorities. This one-man show, written entirely in verse, switches between the innocence of childhood and the very real struggle of being fcuk’d by an unfair system.

With only each other to rely on and with nowhere to turn, the boys must keep on the move to avoid being found and the consequences that this entails.

 

FCUK'D

We spoke to director and writer Niall Ransome about the show …

FCUK’D has already been to a few places in the past year including the Vault and Brick Lane Festivals – have you made any changes to the show since these?

Absolutely! What’s been great about performing the show a few times before is being able to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s grown from a 15 min monologue to an hour long piece. I’ve always looked for the best way to tell this story and think the show we have now for the Bunker is very exciting!

You’re more known for comedy roles and being part of the Mischief Theatre Company than as a writer of a dramatic work such as FCUK’D – do you see yourself following a particular path in the future or do you prefer the variety?

I’ve always liked variety to be honest. Since leaving drama school I have primarily done comedy and working with Mischief for years has been fantastic. But there are other avenues I want to explore. I grew up watching plays in Northern theatres like the Hull Truck and Stephen Joseph and it’s been nice to return to that with FCUK’D. There’s a lot that interests me.

Will Mytum is ‘one to watch’ – currently making a name for himself, what made you choose him for the show?

I’ve been friends with Will for years and always thought of passing the role onto him when I couldn’t do it anymore! He’s a fantastic actor and brilliant to work with. Being a Northern lad himself I knew he’d connect to the piece a lot more and having moved to London at the same time we both know what it’s like to have left it behind. I’m excited to have him on-board.

The show deals with some quite heavy issues – is it hard to express such topics clearly in verse rather than as a traditional play?

Not really, the verse sort of came naturally. I’ve always loved poetry and Hull has such a rich history with poets such as Philip Larkin and Stevie Smith that it sort of fits. I find it a nice way to write, it sort of rolls out onto the page then you can stretch it out and play with the words. I focus on the characters and the story most of all. The issues come through that, it’s important that the stories and characters are at the forefront which I think helps the audience understand the issues on a deeper level than if they were just reading a pamphlet.

The show is the story of two brothers – is there a reason why it’s presented then as a one man performance?

I think one of the beautiful things about theatre is its ability to suspend an audience’s belief. If the audience have the opportunity to imagine their own Mattie (the little brother) it’s makes the end all the more personal and sad. It’s exciting that by the end of the play the audience can see him although there’s nothing there! You invite an audience to play an active part!

FCUK'D

Three words to describe the show ?

Fast, proud and bold.

What are your hopes for the show after The Bunker?

We’ll have to wait and see! We’re quite keen to take it to the Edinburgh Fringe and we have a few people coming to see the show at the Bunker. I think it’s a piece that could really benefit from moving around. I think it’s an important story.

Do you feel that the government and society in general could be doing more to assist in issues such as those raised in FCUK’D?

Absolutely, as long as issues are still being talked about they are issues. 100,000 children run away from home each year, of course these are for a number of reasons but if those children are running away from abuse or lack of care more must be done to ensure they are given the love and support they deserve.

What do you hope the audience takes away with them?

I hope it makes them think a bit more about how we view others from different backgrounds. There is still a huge stigma in class and I believe we don’t always take time to understand the full story. I hope they can enjoy the play and relate to the characters.

On a lighter note, how will you be spending Christmas this year and what are your hopes for 2018?

I’m still in Comedy About a Bank Robbery until February so will be doing that as well as FCUK’D then will be back into auditions. We have plans to take FCUK’D on and I’m currently writing my second play.

 

Niall was talking to thespyinthestalls.com

 

 

FCUK'D

 

 

FCUK’D

is at The Bunker 11th – 30th December

click on the image below for further details

 

FCUK'D