Tag Archives: Live Theatre

PRESENT

★★★★

Live Theatre

PRESENT

Live Theatre

★★★★

“Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling”

‘Present’ at the Live Theatre is a moving festive production exploring estrangement, alcoholism and homelessness. The story follows Dave, a man struggling with addiction and homelessness amongst the backdrop of the days leading up to Christmas. He is a grandad to Albert; a boy Dave is desperate to be a good ‘Grandfather Christmas’ for this year.

Presenting this touching story, Alphabetti in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight, capture both a solemn desperation and tenderness as the piece untangles the knots of Dave’s life. As the audience are brought into the idiosyncrasies, internal battles, and difficulties in this character’s life, the piece does well to tug on heartstrings with nuance and care, as well as stir comfort and warmth in the humour of Malcolm Shields’ talent of physical comedy. One highlight of the piece is Sheilds’ energetic car-washing, as well as his great ability to carry momentum through as an individual actor. As Dave encounters other characters as he struggles to fulfil his mission of buying a Christmas present for his grandson, Shields’ interactions feel genuine and fluid. Ali Pritchard and Tamsin Rees’ direction and dramaturgy bring to life a difficult story and shed light on Dave’s inner monologue in a measured and thoughtful way.

Ceitidh Mac’s live music is another strength of ‘Present’. Throughout the piece, we are treated to careful and stirring cello and vocal renditions of pop songs, alongside atmospheric Christmas carol turned ballads. Mac’s use of loop pedal with strings and voice burst with precision and tenderness and match the tone of Ali Pritchard’s poignant yet charmingly tongue-in-cheek direction and writing. Mac and Shields’ warmth also earn a well-timed sing-along that even the grinchiest in the room can’t turn down.

Admittedly, there are places where dialogue feels slightly circular and pacing could be sped slightly. Where Sheilds writes physically on props or wrap, it could be more engaging for some prop and set pieces to be more “here’s-one-I-made-earlier” than created in real time. Mac’s musical underscoring does work to build the atmosphere in these moments; however, it is a shame that some dramatic tension is lost in lingering scene transitions.

Molly Barrett’s design and Drummond Orr’s lighting design are simply magical, creating a sense of precise time of year and winter weather so wonderfully; the audience can almost imagine their breath steam in front of them. As projections of passers-by spectrally shimmer over Shields, his isolation is captured stunningly. Similarly, the separation of Mac on a higher platform above the street, contrasting with Shields performing in an empty space accompanied by a bin, a bench, and a bottle (with a dusting of fake snow) creates a further isolation for Dave as he dredges through past and present trauma.

A funny, festive and introspective production, ‘Present’ is a palate cleanser of a piece this December. Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling, ‘Present’ is an evocative, accessible and urgent piece to catch this December.

 


PRESENT at Live Theatre

Reviewed on 10th December 2024

by Molly Knox

Photography by Matt Jamie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

GWYNETH GOES SKIING | ★★★★ | November 2024
ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024

PRESENT

PRESENT

 

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

 

GWYNETH GOES SKIING

★★★★

UK Tour

GWYNETH GOES SKIING at Live Theatre

★★★★

“a masterfully silly and creative show”

‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing’ by Linus Karp and Joseph Martin is an inviting, fun, and creative dive into the oddities of a 2023 court case between actress Gwyneth Paltrow and optician…I mean, optometrist Terry Sanderson over a ski collision in Utah. Chock-full of g-winning puns and musical numbers, and a strong cast and crew, it is easy to see why Awkward Productions bring in a crowd.

An audience interactive heavy show, this whirlwind of celebrity nonsense and oddity will hurtle you onto uncertain slopes and chaotic courtrooms and have you bracing for impact. From hurling snowballs at actors to participating in a very crucial jury vote, you are brought into this very unpredictable world from the get-go. Part of the key charm of the show is the willingness to include the audience every step of the way, on and off-stage! The production team excel in casting such a keen team of audience members pre-show to aid Martin and Karp in achieving such hilariously uncomfortable moments throughout. Any technical hitches or audience hesitancy are dealt with deftly by Martin and Karp as they portray both of their uniquely peculiar characters. Both nail the stylised physicality and voice of their characters and match each other’s awkwardness nicely.

Karp and Martin light up the stage with their enthusiasm and comedic timing- eloquently telling such a ludicrous story in an engaging and accessible way. Rocking up to this show with little to no Paltrow proficiency is beyond fine, as exposition and characterisation tell you pretty much all you need to know. It is a shame that some of the more “online” humour don’t always pack a punch. Lots of references feel either a patch outdated or a tad too specific for some of the audience to catch on, mean some jokes feel somewhat too on the nose. A few moments stagnate with dramatic tension and drawn-out punchlines, particularly towards the end of the show, however, this is not to detract from the raucous laughter the team garner from the audience at every stage of Paltrow’s turbulent tale of skiing and scam beauty care products.

Ciara Pidgeon’s dead-pan stage management is another excellent facet to ‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing’. As props and set inventively build the silliness and spontaneity of the performance, Pidgeon’s timing, facial expressions, and execution are marvellous. Recurring gags are paid off even more so by the creative set and prop use; a particular highlight is the portrayal of Paltrow’s daughter, Apple. The audio-visual elements of the show equally keep the show chugging along nicely, with guest appearances from the likes of Trixie Matel, and inspiring graphic design by Alice Gorman. Often laughs are picked up from simply hilarious audio-visuals or sound design (by Roly Botha). Leland’s musical numbers are also a brilliant aspect of the night. Whilst the songs at times get a little bit repetitive, they are catchy and brimming of tight comedy.

Awkward Productions ‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing’ is a masterfully silly and creative show that will put you in the right mood before, during and after the show. If you’re looking for a warm, welcome and camp night of theatre, and don’t mind a light-hearted bit of millennial humour, this might be the show for you.


GWYNETH GOES SKIING at Live Theatre then UK tour continues

Reviewed on 13th November 2024

by Molly Knox

Photography by Jonny Ruff

 

 


 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024

GWYNETH GOES SKIING

GWYNETH GOES SKIING

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