Tag Archives: Auriol Reddaway

BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Soho Theatre

BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY

Soho Theatre

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

“clever, funny, and meticulously crafted”

Adam Riches said of this show that the aim is for the audience to β€œwalk into a room where you genuinely don’t know what it’s going to be” and as that, the show is a resounding success. Though you also walk out not knowing quite what you’ve watched.

Adam Riches and John Kearns are Edinburgh Fringe legends, and beloved faces on the comedy circuit. Kearns is regularly cited by other stand-ups as being their favourite comedian. These are two comics who are clearly fascinated with dissecting entertainment, exploring what makes jokes and performances funny. So perhaps in this way it makes total sense for them to impersonate renowned light entertainment double act Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.

I confess that I was unfamiliar with Ball and Boe’s work, but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the show. Riches and Kearns pored through the history and careers of Ball and Boe, ready to bring their impersonations to the stage. The show is packed with references, and nods to specific Ball and Boe moments. It’s an incredible success that the show works, even if you’re not a fan of Ball and Boe, though I imagine being more aware of their careers would make it even better.

The piece is structured as a pre-show work-in-progress of a national tour, which Ball and Boe are still ironing out. There are musical numbers, snippets of games and formats, and lots of backstage bickering.

Riches plays Ball as a schmoozy, slightly sleazy, slick entertainer with a passionate hatred of Michael BublΓ©. Kearns brings a tragic desperation and earnestness to his portrayal of Boe which is strangely moving. The performances are respectful, but witty and warm. It’s less caricature and more character acting. Riches and Kearns are both strong actors and bring the men to life with vigour.

The show is clever, funny, and meticulously crafted. It riffs on ideas about the art of the cover song, the fan letters Ball and Boe receive, what kinds of brand sponsorship they might get, and the idea for a new show. It’s silly and fun but the relationship between the men is emotionally real. It’s the first time Riches and Kearns have worked together as a duo, but their chemistry is electric, trusting one another with the limelight and playing off the other’s energy. Perhaps, we’re looking at a future Ball and Boe level partnership.

It’s a fresh and original piece which interrogates the very essence of entertainment. But it’s also packed with solidly good gags, and at its heart is a charming story of two best friends navigating the entertainment industry together.

 



BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY

Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 12th December 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Matt Stronge

 

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! | β˜…β˜…β˜… | September 2024
COLIN HOULT: COLIN | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | September 2024
VITAMIN D | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | September 2024
THE DAO OF UNREPRESENTATIVE BRITISH CHINESE EXPERIENCE | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | June 2024
BABY DINOSAUR | β˜…β˜…β˜… | June 2024
JAZZ EMU | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | June 2024
BLIZZARD | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | May 2024
BOYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | April 2024
SPENCER JONES: MAKING FRIENDS | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | April 2024
DON’T. MAKE. TEA. | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | March 2024
PUDDLES PITY PARTY | β˜…β˜… | March 2024
LUCY AND FRIENDS | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | February 2024

BALL & BOE

BALL & BOE

BALL & BOE

 

We’re now on BLUESKY – click to visit and follow

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Hackney Empire

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

Hackney Empire

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

“This is a campy and silly way to spend an evening, but feels festive and fun”

This is a rollicking rollercoaster of a panto. Written by Will Brenton and directed by Clive Rowe (who also stars) it remains true to the classic traditions while feeling decidedly fresh and joyously fun. There are many old favourites, with the audience prepped to shout out β€˜he’s behind you’ and β€˜wakey-wakey’ at every opportunity, but it never feels tired or obvious (well, no more than a panto should).

The story of Dick Whittington is a pantomime staple, though it is a little convoluted. For those who don’t know, Dick heads for London, is gifted a magic talking cat by the Fairy Bowbells and arrives to a city not paved with gold, but beset by rats. He gets a job, falls in love and his cat chases away the rats. Then he and the gang head off to sea, in search of goods to sell and riches to be made. When they arrive back in London, Dick becomes Mayor and they all live happily ever after.

The plot is not really important. The show is about the musical numbers, dancing and groan-worthy puns. Kandaka Moore, as Dick, and Aryana Ramkhalawon as Alice, valiantly perform their more serious plot line. They showcase their beautiful vocals and carry the show’s message, which is the importance of striving for your dreams. It’s nice to have a woman playing Dick, and makes their storyline feel more modern, as it matters less that Alice is a slightly undeveloped love interest. Their romance is sweet and provides an emotional note to offset the silliness.

Graham MacDuff is fabulous as the deliciously evil rat king, dressed as a steampunk with a tail. He rocks out to remixes of Backstreet Boys and Chappell Roan, just some of the exquisitely playful music from Steven Edis. It’s delightfully silly.

Kat B is excellent as Tommy the Cat, especially during his solo, where black light and neon puppets are used to produce the most incredible effect of floating under the sea. It is a sudden and startlingly beautiful piece of direction.

However, the unquestionable star is Clive Rowe as Sarah the Cook. He commands the stage with cheekiness and flair, toeing the line perfectly between naughty and family friendly. Everyone in the audience, regardless of age, is eating out of his hand. He’s particularly joyous with Hackney panto staple Tony Timberlake, where they have a chance to play off each other and improv a little. Rowe’s musical numbers are rich and boppy, his puns awful but wonderful and his stage presence is unparalleled.

He wouldn’t be the star he is, however, without costume designer Cleo Pettitt. Each costume change is more outlandish and higher concept than the last – some favourites include a cash register, a pepper grinder and an entire cruise ship.

The supporting cast all ooze with panto giddiness, especially in dance numbers by choreographer Shay Barclay. Jemima Dawes and Alfie Simmons are particularly fun as cartoonish rat villains. Particular ensemble standouts are Olivia Kate Holding’s crystal-clear vocals, showcased in a short solo, and Fraser Stewart who gives every dance number 120% energy. Also, the Hackney Empire Young Ensemble who play the rat chorus and villagers are charming and adorable.

This is a campy and silly way to spend an evening, but feels festive and fun. It’s not stuck in the past and is a great night out for the whole family.


DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT at Hackney Empire

Reviewed on 5th December 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Mark Senior

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ALADDIN | β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… | November 2023

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page