Live Theatre
Newcastle
Elevator is an annual festival of amazing new theatre drawn from some of the most exciting new theatre talent from the North East and beyond, that takes place each spring at Live Theatre.
WEST END GIRLS
Witten by Adam Hughes
Directed by Jake Smith
As this play opened I had no idea what to expect. I thought, is it political, yes it is. But there is a lot more to it.
West End Girls, follows the lives of three woman through the timescale of the ups and downs of moving from what they have known, to the what they hope will be new and improved.
Ann played by Amy Allen, the down trodden wife of Graham, was born in Benwell in 1931. She lives her life as most did back then, accepting what they were given and putting up with it.
When the opportunity arises for Ann to move home she thinks all her Christmases have arrived at once.
Jane played by Patricia Jones gave an excellent performance of a young woman with a small baby, fighting for survival. Trying her best, against adversity to get her head above water and keep it there.
Finally there is Leah Mains portrayal of Charlie, the one who had the education and bettered herself, but somehow was still stuck in a time warp of families and how things are passed down to mould us, even if we are not aware of it happening.
The three woman are all linked by fate and circumstance. How they go about living their lives is dictated to a certain extent on their social background.
The set was instantly recognisable and represented the content.
However the music and voice overs were difficult at times to see and hear.
I also found the facts and figures given a bit too much to process.
Overall a strong and polished performance.
WANK BUDDIES
Created and Performed by Jake Jarratt and Cameron Sharp
Before even going to see this play I had a preconceived idea of what it would be like, which I understand is wrong, but being human we all do it and I’m no different.
Wank Buddies is set in a party environment which both the young writer’s/performers are well versed in. And what is the old saying? “Write about that which you know" which is exactly what has been done here.
Wank Buddies is the frank exchange of two young adult males discussing and understanding their sexual preference and how each, in his own way, had stereotyped the other...and gotten it completely wrong!! It certainly made me think how we view each other in everyday life and what we think we know about a person, whether it’s race, religion or sexuality. And to an extent, how we can get it wrong due to outside influences.
To have this shown by two men and on the subject of sexual preference, which for some in itself is still not discussed openly and frankly, was both refreshing and extremely funny.
The interaction with the audience was brilliant to see. The usage of the props and stage space was well executed.
The music, which was chosen to accompany this play, was apt and the interpretation by the two was very well done.
My hat goes off to both Jake Jarrett and Cameron Sharp, but for me the outstanding performance of the night and the star of this play has to be Cameron. Although a few fluffed a few words he recovered well, shone the brighter and thus had nothing to do with his red hair. Jake’s accent was a little harder for me to understand and this may have be down to nerves.
Overall a totally enjoyable performance highly recommend viewing
Elevator plays until Sat 30th March
Moira Wilson
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