Legal Fictions -Review- Little Theatre

Legal Fictions
Little Theatre

Legal Fictions, written by John Mortimer, barristerand author but best know for his TV screenplay series 'Rumpole of the Bailey' in the late 70's is tonight's offerings from Gateshead's Little Theatre. Two one-act plays, 'The Dock Brief' and 'Edwin' will be performed by the Progressive Players.

The Dock Brief is a funny tale of conversations between prisoner and barrister. Fowle, the prisoner, (played by Mark Willett), has confessed to the murder of his wife.
Morgenhall, (played by Don Walker), the almost down and out barrister, hopes that by rehearsing what will happen in court, they will get away with a thing or two. Making up a witness and fabricating the truth might just get Morgenhall back in the limelight of the Bar.
The play was good, but unfortunately the fluffing of lines and prompting (by the way, prompting by Sylvia Collins, was far too loud, I think this made the actors unnerved) made me not only loose concentration, but also confidence in the actors. I have seen some great acting at Little, but this wasn't one of the them times, disappointing to say the least!

Edwin, a tale of a retired Q.C, Sir Fennimore Truscott, (played by John Moses), never leaving the job, that he loved so much, behind.
Forever critical of his wife Lady Margaret (played by Maureen Duffy) and his 'best friend' Tom Majoriebanks (played by Alex Russell) he plays judge and jury with every turn of his tongue.
Truscott is certain that his wife and best friend are having an affair, so much so that he wishes to confront them both when the Truscott's son 'Edwin' comes to dinner. Convinced that Edwin is their love child, Fennimore seethes with his bemoaning mouth.
Stirring up the trouble is Truscott's forte, but this time, trouble definitely begins with a capital 'T'.

After the almost disastrous first half, I must admit I wasn't looking forward to the second!
With the swish of the curtain, the beautiful set of 'Edwin' came into view, a conservatory leading into a lovely garden. You could almost smell the flowers, and imagine butterflies darting around.
This got me into a better fame of mind, then a prompt came almost straight away, which had me with my head in my hands and a heavy feeling of deja vu.
I need not have worried, this was the last slip up of the night. It was a fantastic performance by all of the cast, and back to the good old days of great acting performances.
The interactions of the actors were superb, some great monologue performances showed of their talents.
Moses was fantastic, his dialogue could have been written for him specifically. A great showing by him!
He reminded me of Paul Merton crossed with Stephen Fry. I will definitely look forward to seeing him again.
Top marks for stage design, Pat Campbell.
Directed by Althea Morrison.

Little Theatre's next production is Blythe Spirit, starting on 3rd September.


Michael Hunter

Brassed Off -Review- Westovians.

Brassed Off
The Westovians
16 July 2012

Another celluloid favourite of mine, being attempted by The Westovian folk in South Shields. I am always a bit cautious coming along to these things, when I know perfection has already been undertaken on the the big screen. Could they do it justice? will it be a bit of a cringe-worthy effort, lets see eh!
Brassed Off is the wonderful tale of Man v Coal v Family v Man again.
Set in Grimley, deep in the heart of the Yorkshire mining community, this play by Paul Allen sets out to challenge the beliefs and hopes of man,woman and child.
The pit is under threat of closure due to Thatcher and her ways, the only hope of claiming some pride from the terrors of redundancy lies in strike action and the Colliery Band. Peeved off from work and the depression that it causes the miners and their families, the band is their only way of letting some steam out (and a good drink at the end, sometimes-during rehearsals!).
Times are tough though, Phil (Craig Richardson, as funny and brilliantly acted as ever) is just about to lose not only his home, but also his marriage. Sandra (Corrine Kilivington, doing the gritty wonderfully again), his wife thinks that he should take the money offered by the pit to be made redundant, pay off their debt and start afresh. Phil is adamant that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, but only if he can swing his way to getting a new trombone. We see through the eyes and the ears of Shane (Isaac Gardiner, more about him later), their son, how damaging all of this is to the family harmony.
If it wasn't that that bad, then Phil's dad Danny (David Cooke, who played a blinder. Mr Postlethwaite would be so proud), an ex miner himself, chronically ill with Pneumoconiosis, is the illustrious band leader, Danny doesn't take kindly to emotions and is all fuelled up to make a name for himself and the band in the national championships.
Gloria (Rachael Walsh, as sassy and in top form as ever) is an outsider to the band, but is soon taken on. With her musical and beauty skills, Andy (James Barton, great performance) hopes that he will soon be rekindling his childhood love for her.
What will the pit outcome have on the families? What about the blossoming love affair? How will the band do on their hopeful route to The Albert Hall in London?


The Westovians totally did do it justice, they did add a little bit of Geordieness to the plot, which worked a treat. The film by Mark Herman is a British Classic, but this would give it a run for it's coal dust any day!
With such a grimey plot you wouldn't think that there would be much laugh-ability involved, me and my +1, Dianne, laughed the place down. Some fantastic gritty bits of hard dark humour, interlaced with fantastic acting from all on stage, made this a wonderful night of theatre.
Notable mentions for (new to me) Isaac Gardiner, I am not sure how old he is, but his monologues and interaction with the rest of cast was a joy to see. Someone to be watched methinks.
The Westoe Colliery band played some wonderful music during the play, strangely enough their plight echo's the plot of the play, so was wonderful to hear the emotion coming through from them.
I don't think I have heard as much course language on stage, since 'Stags and Hens' but this fits in perfectly with the grittyness of the play, with hard life becoming harsh life.
Great lights and sound as always from Ian Johnson and Peter Codling.
Denver and Val Codling, producing and directing, must take a bow for bringing together the memories of old and putting them back out there for all to remember. Great work!
Brassed Off is emotional, raw at times, a great laugh and very worthy of a night out at the theatre in 'Shields.

Brassed Off runs until Sat 21st July.


Michael Hunter

annie- Preview- AUG - ANNIE ..NMTC

PRESS RELEASE
ANNIE
THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
WEEK COMMENCING
TUESDAY 28st AUGUST 2011

It is December of 1933 and America is deep
in the midst of the Great Depression. On
the Lower East Side of New York, the
Municipal Orphanage, Girls' Annex, has
been the drab home of eleven-year-old
Annie for all but the first two months of her
life, when she was left on the front steps of
the Orphanage with an unsigned note
saying, "Please take good care of our little
darling. Her name is Annie... We have left
half of a silver locket around her neck and
kept the other half so that when we come
back for her you will know that she's our
baby." Early one chill morning, awake at
4:00 A.M., Annie wonders what her lost
parents might be like (Maybe).
Featuring popular songs such as
'Tomorrow', 'NYC', 'It's a Hard-Knock Life',
'Fully Dressed' and 'Maybe' and having won
no fewer than 7 Tony Awards when it was
first performed on Broadway. this show will
have you laughing and crying as well as
singing along.
Tickets are available now from the
Theatre Royal Box Office (0844 811 2121)
or through the company’s web site
www.newcastletheatreco.net

Michael Hunter

Macbeth: LEΪLA & BEN - A Bloody History -Review- Northern Stage

Macbeth: LEΪLA & BEN - A Bloody History
Northern Stage
12 June 2012

Writers: Artistes, Producteurs and Associes.
Adapted: Lotfi Achour, Anissa Daoud and Jawhar Basti.
Director: Lotfi Achour.
Reviewer: Michael Hunter
Stars: 4/5

As I have stated in my last review, I am some-what still a novice at this Shakespearian thing. I know about the plays and the comedies, but I haven't seen that many in the flesh! Macbeth was one of them!
So having to be faced with that , and the fact that this play, one of his most simplistic of The Bards writings (In the little knowledge of him that I do have) would be played out in an Arab Spring style with surtitles, had me worried a little, but excited at the same time!
This Macbeth is part of the World Shakespeare Festival of 2012, and I am sure Northern Stage are delighted to have Artistes, Producteurs and Associes in town.
The tale of Macbeth is played out by Leila and Ben. The Leila and Ben (Ali) that fled Tunisia after Government protests in 2011.
The tale from Ali's birth in political terms, to the end of his grizzly reign is documented on stage with actors performing in their own tongue, with a massive AV screen behind them (that actually doubled as their exit scene after scene) pushing out the words by using surtitles
It totally mirrored what the original was saying but in a new contemporary fashion.
Now you know me, I have often spoke on the topic of contemporary tales, not really being my cup of tea.
We all mess with something old and turn it into something a bit too crass, and this had me in that state of mind too.
It felt disjointed, too much going on, too much going on in your face almost!! When you watch a foreign film on tv/dvd you soon get used to the subtitles being there.With this adapted tale, there was too much at once, sometimes I couldn't keep up with them and would have to fill in the blanks with a little guess.
The scenes acting out their brutal reign were fragmented with AV videos of eye witnesses and people betrayed, imprisoned and brutally dictated. These videos seemed rushed with spelling mistakes often appearing.
It was a visual spectacle, with singers singing for the love of their leader, to almost God like status coming from their band of followers and hangeronerers.
From his height to his lows in not only power, but human mood. With Leila pulling all of the strings in their relationship, and tearing at his lack of hunger for job, the dictator had a steady slant towards the end.

As we were leaving our seats after the performance (no interval) a few other reviewers decided that we didn't really like it, all echoing it's lack of anything bar a head hurting experience (not the phrase I was going to use).

But you know what I am soooo sooo glad that I slept on the review. It has given me time to reflect, to put all of the pieces together and to be honest read up on the original Macbeth!
I can't stop thinking about it! When I need to concentrate on something else it pulls me back in, Every time I do think about it it makes me re-examine all of the bits that were a bit frayed, and join them back in a jigsaw shape in my mind and words.
Speaking to my review friend and my +1, we both (it was probably at the very same time) suddenly got it, and have been talking it up all day.
You know what, that is good theatre in my books. If it can surge through your bones, and wont leave until you have totally understood, then neigh on top marks.
I am now buzzing about!
I cant wait to read the third reviewers review..I wonder if he has suddenly got it too.
The acting was first class through out, they came over here to wow us with their skills and you always felt  confident that there would be no slip-ups.
This is going to dance in my brain, albeit it with hob nail boots on.
Go on give it a try, it mightn't be your cup of tea at first, but it could grow until you want to burst!

Macbeth: LEΪLA & BEN - A Bloody History is playing until 14th 


Michael Hunter

As You Like It -Review- The Castle Players

As You Like It
The Castle Players
Bowes Museum.
11 July 2012

With recent nasty horrible weather that we in the North East have been dealt with, my invite to review The Castle Players interpretation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, seemed like a good idea at the time.
I love outdoorsy theatre, but sitting in the wind/rain/snow isn't necessarily my idea of fun. So armed with my best waterproofs and Kiss Me Quick hat I trundled off to deepest darkest Barnard Castle, home to a rather splendid Bowes Museum.
I must have been to Bowes as a kid, but can't remember the grounds (maybe we looked at the prices, and did a flit.. haha) so when I picked up my tickets and were accompanied to my seats, by a costumed up actor, I was greeted to such a wonderful stage setting. Cottage with smoke billowing, a wonderful massive tree (not a prop, a proper one) lute players and wonderful fauna - I knew I was in for something special.
I am still getting to grips with Mr Shakespeare and his wonderful words, so I didn't know this play from Adam, so saw it as a challenge.
The first challenge tho was the weather, that hurdle was swiftly jumped over as it was a beautiful night (very muddy under-foot, but only a few spits of rain (it is refreshing to see other parts of the country getting the nasty conditions for a change)).
So to As You Like It....this is a fairly complicated comedy to roll out in a few words, but Orlando is mistreated badly by his brother Oliver, who in turn arranges a bout with the Dukes wrestler. Oliver wants his brother badly injured. Watching the sport is the Dukes daughter Celia, who of course falls in love with Orlando. But of course the levelled path to love is always bumpy when Shakey gets his hands on that quill. Rosalind, Celia's friend is also smitten, gives Orlando a necklace and he promptly falls in love with her.
In the Forest of Arden (our tree) the court jester, Touchstone is fooling around with Ganymede, and his sister, Aliena, (this of course is the grand tradition of cross dressing in plays, cos these people are actually Celia and Rosalind).. Are you lost yet? I think I am starting to get that way, but that is the Shakespearean way of course. They encounter a young shepherd, Silvius, and watch him being rejected by a shepherdess, Phoebe, as he declares his love for her.
Orlando meanwhile hangs love poems on the tree, which the group find and help him overcome his heart.
In short true courses don't run smoothly with jealously and in fighting taking over. Touchstone finds love out there too. The forest is a special place.
I admit my synopsis of the play is erratic, not wanting to give too much away, getting into The Bards way of thinking and expressions is tough going for a novice like me...but it doesn't matter how I convey this, just make sure you see it. Fantastic acting, fantastic setting, friendly people to chat to from the Company. This a WOW production. All glittery with the bells on.
If you love like I do the outdoors coupled with AMAZING theatre productions you will love this..!!
Simon Pell and Mary Stastny  have done a pretty super job of directing their team of (it seemed like hundreds) actors, to perform this well, no not this well.... this magnificently.
GO.AND.SEE.IT

Runs until 14th.


Michael Hunter

P.s. I will attach actors names to characters soon.

Dad's Army - Review - The People's Theatre

Dad’s Army is one of those TV classics that bring back childhood memories of evenings spent with the family in front of the TV. The characters are like old friends and there is always a concern that an attempt to reproduce them will be a disappointment, creating pale shadows or, worse still, missing the mark so far that the memories are ruined. Such fears were unfounded at the People’s Theatre. Their production of Dad’s Army (directed by Eileen Davidson) recreates those characters with uncanny accuracy!


The play begins with the company marching through the auditorium to the stage set with the Church Hall at Walmington on Sea, complete with Capt Mainwaring’s Office. As they reach the stage the characters are instantly recognisable. Even before a line had been spoken I could spot, Capt Mainwaring (Steve Robertson), Sergeant Wilson (Roger Liddle), Corporal Jones (Andrew De’Ath), Fraser (Mike Smith), Godfrey (Tony Childs), Pike (Sean Burnside) and the spiv Walker (Pete McAndrew).

The play covers three of the TV episodes beginning with the classic U-Boat prisoners of war, the poignant Mum’s Army in which Capt Mainwaring finds romance, and finally the hysterical Godiva Affair, complete with Morris Dancing). Each sketch captured the essence of the show, all the catch phrases, the blustering officiousness of Mainwaring, the suaveness of Sergeant Wilson, the stupid boyishness of Pike.

This was a big cast of characters and it would difficult, and unfair to single out particular performers: each one did a brilliant job of bringing their character to life on the stage. Favourite moments however have to be Fraser uttering those immortal words “he’s doomed!” and Sergeant Wilson galloping across the stage in his Morris dancing horse costume!

Live music was provided between the scenes by Rae Beckson and the Spitfires – singing golden oldies such as Run Rabbit, Whistle while you work, White cliffs of Dover, while the cast moved the props ready for the next scene. The music and lighting were expertly used to create atmosphere, to highlight the action, and separate the scenes.

This was a warm hearted and affectionate production of an old classic, and if the guffaws from the guy behind us were anything to go by, the audience fully appreciated it! A fine piece of nostalgic fun - well done to cast and crew.

Dad’s Army runs until the 14th July – if you enjoyed the TV show you will love this.

(Pictures by Paula Smart)

Denise Sparrowhawk

Guitars Not Guns -The Cultural Thing-

Over two years ago I came about blogging as a result of being the Tyne and Wear round up spokesperson on  The Cultural Thing.

Gari Sullivan the head honcho on that site always told me I would go far, well I have been as far as Alnwick.. haha so thank you Gari.

Gari is passionate about the Middle East, the fighting, the people and the culture, he has written blogs and lots of emails with enough passion to put that Shakespeare bloke out of business.

I have cut copied and pasted below (sue me) a post on the the recent page of TCT of Gari's latest project.

If you feel as passionate about the Middle East as Gari does, then chuck him a few coins, notes would be good, maybe drop him an email, with your support.

Or if you fancy the challenge of a lifetime and you are a  musician and you fancy adding to the project then I am sure Gari would love to have you on board.

 

Please give Gari my regards

 

Guitars Not Guns

By

Gari

The Cultural Thing, in co-operation with its parent organisation – NoozDesk -  is organising a tour of Syria with an unsigned music band from Australia and one from the UK, to take place in the summer 2013.
The aim of the tour is to promote a better understanding of events in Syria and to unite young people from the West and Syria. We are calling the tour ‘Guitars Not Guns’.  There have been too many young people from the West going to Middle East countries with guns – we want to change that!

Gari Sullivan, who founded The Cultural Thing, lived in Syria in 2007 and has returned there on a regular basis. If you are interested, you can read a detailed account of his trips to the country from his Insight Into Syria page. There is also a Facebook page where you can connect and chat directly with Syrians
Young Syrians love ‘Western’ music. They are aware of all the bands familiar to people in the West. This tour is a wonderful opportunity to bring music lovers from two opposing sides of the world to make friends and gain better understanding of each others culture and political situations. People coming together without the interferences of governments.
More Than Just The Gigs
As well as performing at least three gigs in major Syrian cities during the 10-day tour, the bands will:

• Have the opportunity to be interviewed on Syrian TV and Radio.
• Be part of a video documentary of the tour.
• Make a promo video
• Network with Syrian musicians and event organisers
• Have their website translated into Arabic – subject to type of website.

The tour will have a Syrian technical and translation crew supporting the bands every step on the way. They will also have the support of youth and other organsations in Syria.
Who benefits?
Young Syrians – They get to widen their knowledge of world music, make contacts with young people in the West, promote peace and understanding.
Young British and Australians – They get to widen their understanding of events in Syria and the rest of the Middle East, make contacts with young people in Syria, promote peace and understanding.
The Bands – They get to promote their musical talents to a much wider audience, make important international contacts and develop their world music understanding
We need to raise only £9,000 that just $13,650AUD  for the ten-day tour. You can help by donating even a small amount to the ‘Guitar Not Guns’ tour fund. Simply click on the ‘Guitar Not Guns’ paypal donate button on the right hand side of this page.

Please note: Due to Western government sanctions, Syrians are not allowed to use PayPal

In a band and interested?
Any UK or Australian band seriously interested in doing the tour should discuss it as a group and then contact The Cultural Thing to be included in future discussions and project updates. You will be expected to fund-raise for the tour.
Please note: There is not as much violence in Syria as the Western media would have people believe. There are just no-go parts of the cities.  All involved in the tour will have the protection and support of Syrians who have local knowledge and speak fluent English and Arabic.


Gari


Michael Hunter