Review - Ghost Signals - The Common Room

Ghost Signals

The Common Room 

14th Jan 2023

I am in awe at how stunning tonight’s venue is. Backdropping the stage is a huge stained glass window. Perfect for much loved local band Ghost Signals.

Kicking off this sold-out rescheduled gig, the band give us ‘English Fiction’: a foot-stomping anthem inspired by Brexit and the inevitable fallout.

Lead singer Rick looks so happy to finally do this gig. His emotionally charged vocals are faultless. Bringing the gorgeous indie hooks and riffs are guitarists Eve and George. Locking in the rhythm are bassist Jackson and dep-drummer Conor.

Flying through tracks from their debut album I can hear shades of The Cure, Bloc Party and The Futureheads. ‘Trauma Trauma Trauma’ is a rousing song with some pretty mean rock guitar solos. ‘Kill the North’ has a real 80s vibe: menacing vocals and pounding drums make this stand out musically.

I witness a lovely moment during fan-favourite ‘Start Families: Avoid Shit Parties’ as Rick takes the mic into the crowd for a singalong.

Closing this incredible evening Rick leaves the stage, sitting on the spiral staircase just marvelling at the band as they lock in at the end of the album title-track ‘Lives Defined by Winter Skies’. 

Tonight was well worth the wait.

Kim Blu

The Snow Queen - Review - Northern Stage

The Snow Queen

Northern Stage

Thursday 5th December 

Sometimes you go to see a show and afterwards think to yourself, 'well that was something a bit special'. Northern Stage's production of The Snow Queen definitely falls into that category for me. Adapted by Laura Lindow and directed by Mark Calvert, this version of Hans Christian Andersen's fable certainly captures both the strange and beautiful elements of it perfectly.

There have been lots of different versions and interpretations of this classic story throughout the years, more recently being the inspiration for Walt Disney's Frozen.This adaptation tells of the townsfolk of Stifle, and as the name suggests they have barricaded themselves in behind a wall from the threat of the outside. They lead a restrictive way of life with very strict rules that must be followed in order to keep themselves protected from what peril lies beyond. 

The tale is of, and told by, Gerda (played by Lauren Waine) and the friendship she forms with a boy called Kai (Gregor Mackay); a newcomer to the school she attends. As their friendship grows and flourishes Kai starts to question all the rules and restrictions - why are they not allowed to speak openly of their hopes and wishes and what exactly is beyond the barricade?

One fateful night he speaks aloud of these things, climbs to where he shouldn't and he, along with other children of the town, goes missing. It is then that we enter the icy world of The Snow Queen. It is now up to Gerda, through her friendship and with strength and courage (and a snowglobe) to enter The Snow Queen's world and discover the fate of Kai and the others who are missing. Can she rescue them or will The Snow Queen get her wish of a perpetual winter?

What I loved about this show was that it felt magical throughout. It is a very lavish production, a

stunning set with the props the lighting the sounds all adding to the excitement. The stage is like a boardwalk with audience on opposite sides and it is used throughout to great effect. There is great energy from all the cast. Lots of lively singing and dancing making the tale being told a delight visually and musically.

Many members of the cast took turns in playing different instruments too. This I particularly enjoyed, the musical score played live upstairs on the stage. Described as rustic and folky, the music really fitted the vibe of the production. The puppetry was used really effectively and made the stage become even more alive, especially when the reindeer appears.

The costumes were great, very colourful and quirky. Special mention must go to The Snow Queen. As she became more powerful her costumes became more and more stunning and spectacular.

There is a mild danger element to the story, but lots of interesting characters and lots of fun, merriment and humour included in the show too (its suitable for the whole family, great for ages 5+) Particular mention must go to the schoolteacher and strict disciplinarian Elsie Orr (Paula Penman) who for me provided the biggest laughs and played her part brilliantly.

To find out if Gerda fulfills her dream of playing a musical solo, and if she succeeds in her quest to stop The Snow Queen's plan and save Kai and the missing children, to discover if the people of Stifle will have a happy Christmas….The Snow Queen is on until 4th January 2020. I thoroughly recommend a visit to see it. *Picture Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

Belinda Bekki-Winter

I have met the enemy (and the enemy is us) - Review - Byker Community Centre

I have met the enemy (and the enemy is us)

Byker Community Centre
17th Oct 2019

A Common Wealth/Northern Stage production

Staged in the upper room of Byker Community Centre, this is a theatre experience with a difference. There is no stage, and no seats, we are invited to move around the space, interact with the actors and each other, but not to touch anything -unless specifically asked to do so... I enter the room, soft music is playing and there are structures with lights dotted around. "Hello, I'm Alex, how are you? Have you been to an arms fair before?" Within minutes I have been greeted by four people, and given advice on personal security by two of them, invited to look around, sample the refreshments and enjoy... Audience participation is not my thing - unless you count booing at the baddie in Panto, but I go with the flow as best I can. I hope I won't be called on to do more than make small talk.

This is not going to be your average theatre show.

In the prologue of the Arms Fair, we are introduced to the latest technological killing machines by a series of salesmen with slick sales patter where names such BAE and Rolls Royce are dropped into the conversation. And then the narrative moves to the more personal stories - of Alex, a British soldier, veteran of the Afghan conflict, Mo'min, a Palestinian from the West Bank, an actor, now living in London, and Shatha, an artist in Yemen, who appears via a pre-recorded video. They tell of their own experiences of war, of air strikes, of guns and bombs. Each one told from a different perspective, each one very personal. Each one painful. And each one the direct result of British arms deals.

Their stories are enhanced ad illustrated with the strange ticking light box props. These it transpires are metronomes. There are seventy two of them, representing the seventy two Eurofighter jets sold to Saudi Arabia and used in Yemen. The ticking of the metronomes echoes the Domesday Clock, ticking down to the destruction of mankind.

I Have Met The Enemy is hard -hitting, political theatre. It does not pull punches. But it is also compassionate and human, even as it highlights the inhumanity of the arms trade. These are real people, and their experiences are real. Their losses are real. Their fears are real. Their stories draw you in, you are delighted by the thought of Alex's mother walking her dog in Wales, of Mo'min out with the sheep and the horse, and of Shatha dancing at a wedding. But, they pull no punches - just as you settle into the stories, a gun is levelled, or a grenade is thrown, or an airstrike hits. Blood mixes with jasmine flowers.

It raises so many issues, asks so many questions, and leaves us uncomfortable, thinking about the consequences of war, and our part in it.

You can meet the enemy at Byker Community Centre until Saturday 26th Oct.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Rent Party - Review - Northern Stage

Rent Party 

Northern Stage 
6th July 2019

So this was a party that I wasn't sure what to make of going in,  but wow did I enjoy it!

A Rent Party was a party back in 1950s America to help young black Americans pay their rent.

Thankfully I didn't need to go to America to go to this party! (It would have killed me in these heels.)

It's a play like no other and I don't think I'll see a play like it ever in my life again - you can only see this once.

We were given sweets and vouchers to give to the performers when each of them had performed. This is a great idea and it brought the interaction level up, not just between the performers and the audience but the audience with each other.

It's a play based around true life and the three main people tell their stories about being young, gifted and black.

Usually they have a 4th member of the team called Camille but she was absent as she is just about to have her second baby.

Her dream is to play Dolores Van Cartier in Sister Act - and I do love my musicals!

There were games to play like pass the parcel (called Pass the Duchy).

There was limbo which was funny as owt - but not what you think it would be, and it had audience participation.

There were party bags for the kids and stickers for everyone else, not forgetting the shots for the over 18s in the audience who toasted many things even Brexit (which went down like a lead balloon).

Jason - who looked gorgeous and whose makeup was on fleek - tells their story about how their bf kept locking them in the house so they couldn't get to work.

They all worked in the musical Starlight Express - which would be why they are so good on roller skates (they can do jumps and everything!).

Lena is a dancer and used to come up with dances with her two little sisters while she studied at uni.  Her family is important to her. And wow can she dance!

Tolu is one of the best musicians and he sings one of my favourite songs from the musical Charlie and the chocolate factory (Pure Imagination). He not only sings it well but puts his own twist on it which had me drawn to him. He talks about how his parents came from Nigeria and how he would love to be able to take his partner back to his homeland but doesn't think he will be able to.

The host of the Rent Party is Stuart Bowden who tells us about one event in his life where he went to his step sister's christening and was collared by all four mums of his 12 step siblings. 

He got called a little coconut which for him wasn't that a big of a deal but his mother was offended and I can guess he didn't see his dad for a long time after that incident! (Black on the outside, White on the inside!!!!).

The Director of the piece Darren Pritchard was a part of the cast helping to fill in the void that Camille had left.

This play/party was great and it was funny from minute one to the end. It has lots of audience involvement, and we were even allowed to have a dance.

It is part of the Curious Arts Festival allowing LGBTQI artists to put on their work. (I'm hopeful you might see some of my work in their Autumn programme).

This show is definitely one to see, it will live long in my memory.

Rubes Hiles 

Actors - 

Lena I Russell

Darren Pritchard 

Jason guest 

Tolu 

Stuart Bowden

Spamalot - Review - Theatre Royal

Spamalot

NMTC at Theatre Royal Newcastle Tuesday 28th of May

I flaming love this theatre company and I think for the past 5 years I have seen all their productions and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

This is one of the funniest shows that they have done in a long time, but sadly tonight the audience wasn't there.
There was a severe lack of audience members so this is my call to you (person reading this) GO and SEE THIS SHOW!!!!

Even if you don't like or get Monty Python (I don't), you will love this play which tells the story of King Arthur and his knights of round table as they try to find the holy grail.

King Arthur, played by the charismatic Charles Docherty, is joined by his noble steed - Patsy - played Stuart Liddle. Just try to find a better double act than these two...... I'll wait.

JoJo Hatfield -who should really be on broadway playing parts in big shows - is amazing as the Lady of the Lake.
Her vocals are amazing and wow! she hits that high note with ease.

There are plenty of comedic parts  including Sir Robin the Brave who was played (apparently) by James Mitchinson... but knowing James as I do, I know he doesn't have long hair. (perhaps he was wearing a wig? - Ed)

Dennis / Sir Galahad tonight is played by Jay Robinson (but he will also be played by Jamie Douglass later in the week). Jay is fantastic and is transformed into a dashing knight by the Lady of the Lake.

Sir Lancelot who is played by Stephen Mason who I have to say looks good in fishnets and it's not the first time he has played this character (Are you trying to tell us something, Stephen?).

Sir Bedevere is played by Dan Collins who looks like he is enjoying himself in his first NMTC show.

I have to say that James Forster (who plays Prince Herbert) looks fabulous in a dress and a wig!! (You must do it often?)

There are so many characters that I could talk about but I'll be here all day so I'll just go through them quickly.

Prince Herbert's Father was played by Gawen Robinson, Dan Greener was fantastic and showed a more comedic side to his acting this year.
Carl Luke played Not Dead Fred, Lindsay Gill who is also the publicity officer plays the historian.
Dan Fisher plays Brother Maynard and Concorde and Lee Benson plays Black Knight and Bors with Kim Robinson playing Galahad's Mother and Micheal Skoles who multitasks well playing 4 parts.

But the star of the show was the coconuts!!!!!! (Only Joking).

We go through the journey with Arthur and his knights to find the holy grail but seeing as the knights are not the brightest crayons in the box they don't last long until they come unstuck.

With Great songs like Lady in the Lake, Knights of the Round table and of course the song we all know Brave Sir Robin.... (What you don't know it???, you ain't lived) LOL only joking . It's Always look on the Bright Side of Life.
This show has a fantastic ensemble of lovely young ladies,
I'll list them below.
Jacqui Simpson, Susan Sanderson, Lisa Powell, Alia Nabi, Judy Mahoney, Claire Blake, Tricia Tait, Cindy Redhead, Sheila Coleman, Sara Blair, Kate Sword, Jess Wells Auchteronie, Laura Wood, Bryony Souza Hawkins, Ruth Scott, Jessica Carle and even a cheeky little cameo from Choreographer Sandra Laidler who I swear lies about her age saying she's 40 (she's only 38!!!).

Bea Atkinson has done a great job directing the cast alongside Carl Luke (He's not paying me for these mentions I promise), the man with the musical baton is Malcolm Moffat and Lisa Roach is Dance Captain. And God is played by the Idle called Eric. This show is funny and sophisticated and you will belaughing and tapping your feet and whistling - or trying to in my case as I was losing my voice!

With many people backstage working their asses off to help with the show.

All they need is the audience. Tickets start as little as £17 in the stalls so do go and book one! You won't be disappointed!

Book here

On until Saturday 1st of June.

Rubes Hiles

Woke - Review -Northern Stage

Woke

Northern Stage

23rd May 2019

Of late it seems to be my fate to find myself at Northern Stage surrounded by people half my age. I'm not complaining. I think it's commendable of Northern Stage to seek to reach out to a new younger audience. It's just – you know – I don't really know what I'm talking about here.

Woke is a one-man show by south London rapper, Testament, who describes himself a human beatbox and conscious MC. Are they actual things or is he making it up?

Human beatboxing, according to my friend Wiki, is a type of vocal percussion, imitating drum machines, using mouth, lips, tongue and voice; it may also, as in this case be vocal imitation of turntabling and other musical instruments. 

I know nothing about hip-hop but I can recognise skills. Testament is an amazing performer, not just vocally, sampling and turntabling a range of styles. 

His theatre skills are enviable. He interacts with his little daughter Elise so convincingly we believe she is there, and I as an audience member felt none of the usual awkwardness in greeting her likewise as if she were really there.

Woke is about the impact of having his daughter on Testament; how her birth made him question the culture of rap but also of wider society. It's a mixture of spoken word, live theatre and hip hop rap, which manages to get its message across with wit and passionate style. Testament goes through the history of rap and its precursors and manages to subvert rap's own techniques -- rewinds, remix and repetition – to underscore the insistent sexism and an echo-y meaninglessness at its heart.

The track 'Ojectify' (which you can download at: www.testamenthomecut.com, all profits go to Refuge.org.uk) is a masterpiece of satire and rap beats. It's the skills that lift this show out of worthiness into something that rap's own audience can relate to and question their own assumptions.

But it's not just a critique of rap culture, an easy target, which comfortably lets white liberals off the hook. He examines the stereotypes of the 'black father': "My wife – oh you're surprised? You thought I had a baby-mother?"; or of being congratulated for playing with his own child at the playground.

He also situates it within the sexism of the wider culture, through a mash-up of film and tv tropes that emphasise female passivity and objectification.

What sort of a society is he bringing his little girl up in?

He ended the show by acknowledging the irony of a one-man show about girls and sexism, asking the

women in the audience to give their advice to Elise, or "What would you like to tell your younger self?" The response was all a bit affirmative, like the insta poems of Rupi Kaur. But maybe that's just me being a bitter old woman, and young women are much nicer. (My contribution was: don't take any bullshit.)

Testament than improvised a rap from the advice solicited.

Seriously, it was a great night, great skills. I wished the audience was a hundred times bigger. Testament is a voice that should be heard.

*pics courtesy of Northern Stage  

Gerry Byrne

Wonderland - Review - Northern Stage

Wonderland 

Northern Stage 
27th Feb 2019


Wonderland. That's a word to conjure with, isn't it? It's full of allusions and connotations and promise! Alice in Wonderland immediately springs to mind - in her strange and wonderful world down the rabbit hole, where everything is not always good and creatures talk in confusing half truths and riddles, ad who don't always have Alice's best interests at heart. Wonderland: it's aspirational, the stuff of dreams - who wouldn't want to go to there?

Set in the eighties, during the miner's strike,

Beth Steel's Wonderland is the land of miners, of  pits shafts and cages, heat and hard graft. This land is equally wonderful, and dangerous and riddled with double speaking creatures who all have something they want from Wonderland and it is not always the same thing.

Wonderland follows the fortunes of a group of Nottinghamshire miners. From the first

day dfor a couple of 17 year old rookies to the last days of the strike and the return to work. Beth Steel is a miner's daughter. I was expecting a piece that was sympathetic to the mining community, and was fully prepared for the usual polarised opinions that the miner's strike inevitably draws out. I grew up I a pit town in the Durham coalfield. Family members and friends worked in the industry - not all down the pit and not all with the same view of the strike. Miners had a strong work ethic. They were tough men doing a tough job and they were proud of it. They were also loyal - to the men they worked with and to the pit. The pit was their livelihood and they respected it. The strike took that away from them, completely and utterly. It's hardly surprising that they remain bitter in the face of what they see as a betrayal. 

What Beth Steel's Wonderland shows is the power of the mining communities pitted against the political powers and their machinations. Her portrayal is a balanced view - yes the sympathy for the miners is there but she does not shirk away from

showing all sides of the story. Not all the politicians agreed with the plan, but they were in the end self-serving - they followed the party line to preserve themselves. Those that insisted on voicing a contrary opinion were silenced, or cut out. I actually began to feel a certain sympathy for Ian MacGregor - seen as the hatchet man, he was brought in believing he was going to transform the industry and make it profitable, and he became the scapegoat. I think he was shafted almost as much as the miners. 
Equally, not all the miners support the strike - but once the wheels are in motion it's impossible stop the machine from rolling. Entitled to a vote, but given none, the strike was effectively illegal but loyalty to the union and to fellow mineworkers is the watchword and you did not dissent. You are either with, or against. No middle ground. 


All this sounds very heavy, and political and serious but this is a superbly entertain

ing, funny and emotional play. I love the incongruity of  singing and dancing miners and the humour - from the subtlest jokes to the ribald banter between the men. Act one is full of energy, laughter, music.. Act two is darker - the music has died away and the humour is blacker than the coalface. 

Wonderland is a bold, beautiful piece of theatre. It starts with a lone  miner scraping the title in coal on the grubby shutter. WONDERLAND. It's not exactly sparkling neon. The shutter curtain rolls up with industrial clatter and grinding , a sudden flash bang lights the stage for a second and we see scaffolding, rusty, and rail tracks...and the coalface, black, glistening, immense. Just for that instant there is a hint of wonder - what world is this? It ends on the forlorn, heartrending reprieve - "I am the son, of the son, of the son of collier's son". 

It is an outstanding production. Everyone who thinks they know what the miners strike was about needs to see this play. It's about the people and the politics, and the breaking of a country and it is about life and loyalty and dignity. 

Wonderland runs until 9th March.

*Photo credit Darren Bell  

Denise Sparrowhawk

Trump The Musical - Review - Alphabetti Theatre

Trump The Musical 
Alphabetti Theatre 
26th February 2019

The first thing I saw when I arrived in the venue was a Make America great again AGAIN hat. I had to look twice at the hat to realise this was also satire, just when I thought I might have made a mistake and come to a trump rally by accident. The guys wasted no time in getting the show on the road with a sickeningly America pride song, about as over the top as America fuck yeah from the team America soundtrack.

The 4 performers and musician (and occasional performer) were all well polished, with a straight out of drama school like feel to their performance. Trump, Kim Jong Ill and Putin are all played by women to quite a high and recognisable level. It’s hard to do a satire of Trump without approaching stereotypes and boy were there stereotypes, Trump comes off lightly compared to ‘King’ Nigel Farage who is just about the antipathy of Brexit racism. Putin’s Russian accent and the general American accents are pretty much superb, Kim Jong Ill needs a bit of work however and was less North Korean more Scandinavian, but was a great caricature all the same. Pretty much all the characters are caricatures. If you are looking for subtlety and well rounded, fair and balanced characters you have come to the wrong place. However if you want cutting satire, this is it!

At one point Trump simulates taking a dump and there is rather uncomfortable bondage scene and attire. This production is simply a laughfest from start to finish. The songs are well thought out, the narrative is obviously always changing, as are some of the jokes, of which there are many are based on recent news stories. It must be hard writing a show you will tour knowing by the time you have finished it, it will already be largely out of date. They get around this brilliantly by setting it a year in the future (2020), in which king Nigel Farage rules over England (he’s lost the other three countries in the UK. The plot is farce, but what wee you expecting?

Sometimes even the truth is harder to believe, so in a way it’s the gift that keeps on giving. I recommend you check it out yourself if you are lucky enough to snap up a ticket for this run. I believe they are also playing Edinburgh this year along with their Boris Johnson musical, who makes a brief appearance in this play.

Be reassured even if you don’t like musicals you will thoroughly enjoy this must-see production.

Frank Cromartie Murphy

Blackadder Goes Forth - Review - People's Theatre

Blackadder Goes Forth

The People’s Theatre
30th October 31, 2018


Richard Curtis and Ben Elton’s classic sitcom comes to The People’s Theatre in all its glory. All the wit and dry humour is here and delivered with great comic timing. It’s been put together very much like the series, in four chunks of unrelated stories. The script seems almost untouched from the original series, though there are a one or two changes and additions, such as borrowing Bob from another Blackadder series.
The sound is great with the Blackadder score used throughout. In the intro we are given a warning by the Baron about switching off our phones which is hilariously delivered. It’s great they are commemorating the end of the First World War with this performance.

The premise, in case you didn’t know, is that Blackadder and his faithful band of soldiers are in the trenches waiting to battle the bosh, the mighty Germans and company. Except not very much battling is actually going on, and neither side is making much progress. The sounds are powerful in places really bringing you into the war. I actually jumped at one point.

The cast are well chosen: Captain Blackadder played by Sam Hinton (who was in last year's Season's  Greetings) is very commanding and his wit really hits the mark. George is played by Ben Ostell (seen recently in Heaton!) and he plays the goofy part well. Baldrick, played by Tony Sehgal, is spot on with his mannerisms and looks the spitting image of the original Baldrick. As General Melchett, Steven Robertson - also recently in Heaton! - pulls off a bold impression of Stephen Fry's original characterisation. Captain Darling - the joke that keeps on giving - is played by Oli Pages. Other notable performances are Bob, the Baron and Captain Bosh Bosh Flashheart.

The director Matthew Hope has done a great job with the scripts, placement and general pacing. The sets are beautifully made. The ladders to no man's land were quite haunting. All the costumes were excellent and it all really adds to the feeling of the piece. Three main locations on stage are outside the barracks, inside the barracks and Melchett's office.

This is a great production and really brings Blackadder back to life on stage. Some of the jokes are not exactly pc now, but are very much of their time. I enjoyed this a lot. Watch out for the nice surprise at the end, very touching.

Blackadder goes forth is playing at the people's theatre every night from 7.30pm until and including Saturday the 3rd of November.

Frank Cromartie Murphy

Clear White Light -Review- Live Theatre

Clear White Light Live Theatre - World Premier 23^rd October

Joe Caffrey and Bryony Corrigan (Live Theatre)

Clear white light is named after a Lindisfarne song and is a cross between a gig and a play. Music  is played by a live band, most of whom are also characters in the play. It’s set in an all male hospital ward, with patients having a variety of mental health difficulties. The main characters are Rod - a male staff nurse in his 50s played by Joe Caffrey, - and a student nurse Alison, played by Bryony Corrigan, who recently stared in Live’s My Romantic History.

Bryony’s ability to convey angst and horror are incredibly impressive and Joe brings a well rounded characterisation to Rod. They both feel very believable. I have personal experience of being a patient in a mental health ward and I can say so much of this play rings true. The Gothic and spooky elements don’t convince me as much as the emotional intelligence of the characters. I can relate to both the experience of the patients and the realism of the nurses. We always wondered if some of the nurses belonged as patients more than we did at times, and this comes across in parts here as there are various meltdowns.

This play was written by Paul Sirett and he has done an excellent job with it. Charlie Hardwick of Emmerdale fame played Maddie (not sure if this was a play on words or not). She also did the majority of the singing in the play, which was great. The remaining cast were also in the band and consisted of Phil Adele (Aaron patient), Alice Blundell (Jo nurse), Dale Jewitt (Charlie), Billy Mitchell (Barry patient / Lindisfarne) and Ray Laidlaw (percussion / Lindisfarne).

I found both the musical element and the play enjoyable, however I am not convinced both elements belong together. A lot of the time the songs seem to have little relevance to that particular part of the play. I found the play element to be the stronger of the two. My friend remarked it was Lindisfarne’s version of Mama Mia.

This play is based on a cross between Edgar Alan Poe’s short story the Fall of the House of Usher and Alan Hull’s music based on his own experience working for the NHS.

Alan Hull had worked in St Nick’s hospital in Gosforth, which at the time inspired many of his songs, many which are used in this play. It’s kind of like a love letter to the NHS and stands very proudly behind the now seventy year old institution, at the end it conveys a very unsubtle message about the NHS, but one that many agree with. I would definitely recommend this, especially if you are fans of Lindisfarne, and don’t worry Fog on the Tyne and Gazza are nowhere in sight.

A solid 7/10.   

Clear White Light it is running at Live until November 10.

Frank Cromartie Murphy

Fans - Review - Live Theatre

Fans

Photo from Live Theatre

Live Theatre
4th October 2018

So I was a bit apprehensive about going to this as this is what I do as a day job.
But......OMG!!!!!
Fans, presented by The Six Twenty is a gig/play that isn't a sit down shut up theatre show and should be enjoyed at maximum volume.
Phones are allowed and you can take photos and videos, they even have #hashtags.
The show takes you on a journey along with the characters.
Chris Foley who was Musical Director in the show played Chris (I think he played himself)
He likes Green Day and has seen them a few times.
Someone hopefully woke up the band a few days ago.
Charlie Raine, plays Charlie is the lead singer of the band and had many phases emo, goth, but she's always had one person who she absolutely loves - the legend that is Madonna.
Charlie is a style queen, or so she thinks!
Andrew Bleakley, plays Andrew the drummer of the band. He's a fan of the Indy/unknown bands but can also do a good rendition of an Elton John song on piano.
And Alex Tahnee (who stared in Byker Grove - it took me a while to remember where I had seen her face) plays -  can you guess??
Meghan! That's right! Now Meghan is like myself, she likes every kind of music and can't choose who she likes. Much like a lot of people. She plays bass in the band but Alex Tahnee can sing! She has one of the purest vocals I have heard.

The play is written incredible well by the talented Nina Berry and is directed by the equally talented Melanie Rashbrooke.
It's hard to explain the plot of the play as it's not really a play but the audience is taken on a journey with songs from all ages and from many different artists such as Oasis, Green Day, Elton John, Beyoncé and many more.
The 4 actors are great and have real chemistry on stage playing their instruments really well. The production team need to be praised for getting the casting spot on. It's not just all loud music, there are some fantastic quiet moments that make this a remarkable show for everyone.
The Set, created by Luke W Robson, is fantastic - it reminds me of the old unit I used to get the sound gear from (I'm a sound engineer) and it was spot on.
Production Management and Sound and Lighting by Craig Spence is excellent he made it feel like a gig and a play at the same time even adding haze into the mix (us lighting guys love haze).
Co-ordinating it all is Steven Blackshaw.

This show had me laughing most of the way through, and the guy next to me was nearly crying with laughter. If you go to this then you are not going to be sitting watching you will be getting involved in many ways. You even get a glow stick to take home.

Before you come to experience this show, take yourself back in time to your first ever gig, remember how you felt, then come to this performance and relive that feeling.

A great show that will have you singing, laughing, crying and just having a good time.
On until Saturday 6th of October and you CAN go and see this show more than once.

Reuben Hiles

Romeo and Juliet - Review - People's Theatre

Romeo and Juliet

People's Theatre
2nd Oct 2018

Romeo and Juliet is my least favourite Shakespeare play. I confess to disappointment that this was the People's Theatre choice this year.  I am in a minority. It's a crowd pleaser, everyone loves Romeo and Juliet except me. I think my dislike must stem from a bad production seen some time ago. And possibly Leonardo Di Caprio can shoulder some of the blame. I am always impatient with the fickleness of the characters, and the unreasonable feud. Do any of them even know why the two families don't like each other?

So it takes something special to get me on side for this one. Would People's Theatre be able to sway me from my prejudiced outlook?


Director Anna Dobson took her inspiration from the BBC's Peaky Blinders, bringing the play into post war 20th Century. This gives plenty of reasons for unrest and dissatisfaction in life to account for the many grudges and battles between opposing factions, and gives the wardrobe and set builders the opportunity to be a little more creative. No doublets and pantaloons here, and no rose covered balcony. The set is industrial, with barrels, packing cases and chains in place of the streets of Verona and rosy arbours. The cast are dressed in Tweeds and flat caps, swords replaced with flick knives and cudgels. The women dressed beautifully in furs and lace.
And in the background haunting Nick Cave tunes.

You know the plot - The Montagues and Capulets create fear and mayhem in the streets of Verona, violence erupting whenever the two factions meet. But two meet and fall in love - Romeo, a Montagu, and Juliet a Capulet. They enlist the help of Friar Laurence who marries them in secret. Meanwhile Juliet's father has brokered a marriage agreement with Paris.
I won't be spoiling the plot if I tell you it doesn't end well.

Craig Fairbairn and Emma Jayne Richards sizzle on stage with barely controlled passion in their scenes, capturing and conveying to all around, the immediacy of their attraction to each other and the all-consuming nature of their love.

Richard Jack gives an exceptional performance as the hot tempered and lewd Mercutio- the friend whose temper and loyalty contribute to the tragedy.

It is a fast paced, visually stunning and beautifully executed production. Did the team succeed in impressing me with their Romeo And Juliet? They did. They played a peaky blinder.

It runs until Saturday 6th October.

Denise Sparrowhawk