Born in the Dark - Review - Royalty Theatre

Born in the Dark
Royalty Theatre
Fri 8th Aug

Since he is a bit of a Springsteen fan, I dragged the Reluctant Teenager along to see this one. Oddly,

he was less reluctant this time, not sure why...and amazingly, he agreed to write a review. So without further ado, I give you the Reluctant Teenager's Review...



Born in The Dark 
A Reluctant Teenager's review
(Spoilers may ensue) 

For starters, I would like to comment that I am a big Springsteen fan. Not the biggest ever, but I am still really into his early stuff, so I may be biased in my enjoyment of the play, as I enjoyed its score. But Born in The Dark did not disappoint my expectations. 2 parts Springsteen, 1 part teen angst, and 1 part romantic comedy. And 4 parts good and honest writing. This play does not try and romanticize teen life; it does not try and portray it as the best times of your life. It does show it exactly as it is: awkward, clumsy and full of heartache and full of optimism. But it is not overly happy and it is not overly down, it is truthful, in adolescence you will have fun and you will have bad, and all of it will be good. At no point in the play does it portray adolescence as better than adulthood. It has its ups and downs. From air guitar-ing to Born in the USA to having your mam knock down your door because you didn't come for tea (Which happens everyday in my household). Not only does it show the struggles of teenage life, but also of adulthood; from money problems to loss of a loved one and possible loss of yourself. And they are shown in conjunction with each other, the audience isn't told of one and then of the other: they flow together. Possibly as an allegory for how teenage life truly isn't different to adulthood, and human kind just want that which they don't have. And that both parties suffer from nostalgia for different times, one wanting more freedom, the other wishing they had less. More probably, it just fitted the narrative and kept the audience interested, I don't know, I'm a teenager with no real history in analysis of writing, how would I know... The cast did a fantastic job in their roles and were stellar performances; the lighting crew were also excellent, changing lighting tone to emphasize the scene through either bright lighting or dark to really heighten the mood. Not to forget the Springsteen fan(s) who chose the best tracks for the scene. *Major spoiler from here* My only gripe is the ending, in which, Bruce (Not Springsteen) loses Wendy, his love interest, to the inability to say how he feels in not a Bruce Springsteen lyric, and to just honestly say "I love you". After failing to say it twice, his mother gives him some advice. And so in a grand romantic gesture to win back Wendy he dances to Dancing In The Dark and succeeds with the help of a heartfelt letter. My complaint is that no one told me this was a thing girls were into; otherwise a lot of teen angst could have been avoided on my part. Other than embitterment that I did not dance at past flames, I give Born in The Dark 10 marks out of 10 it will make you laugh, maybe cry slightly, and keeps you keen and interested for the entire run of its script. An all round excellent story for Springsteen lovers, teenagers, or adults who like to re-live teenage years.

Mark Sparrowhawk

P.S Did anyone else notice that the Dad who was obsessed with Springsteen to start with, married a woman named Mary, he met when they were 18? 'The River' reference, anyone?)

Born in the Dark plays again tonight - a fiver on the door, money well spent for an evening of home grown entertainment!

Denise Sparrowhawk

Plays for Today - Review - Live Theatre

Plays for Today
Live Theatre
Thurs 7th August


Plays for Today kicked off "Right here, Right Now" Live Theatre's 15th Annual Youth Theatre Festival on Thursday evening. A set of 3 short plays inspired by news headlines, devised, written and performed by young people aged 11-19

R A T S - directed by Jackie Fielding

An intriguing take on the whole Big Brother concept (thankfully with more in common with Orwell than Channel 4, though there were elements of both) RATS saw a random group of teenagers manipulated into taking action through their online activities...an online game, a chat room, a dating site. A mysterious messenger grabs their attention via text messages and takes them off grid. Meanwhile in an unknown secure location a group of computer geeks begin to panic as their RATS disappear. An excellent observation on how computers have come to rule our lives, and on the worrying concept of secret surveillance by unknown organisations, for reasons best known to themselves. Light-hearted and funny, but with serious undertones, bullying, peer pressure, isolation - there was a lot packed into twenty minutes!

Testament - directed by Ben Ayrton
A much darker play. A troupe of Clowns (The Joker's influence clearly visible) give their final performance as the world ends. As the spotlight falls on individuals they give their testament to life and death. Bleak, pessimistic, heart-breaking. The epitome of teenage angst. I found this play very haunting and was fully expecting a bleak apocalyptic ending. Thankfully, I was saved from the despair of it all by the very clever volte face!
This was an excellent visual and atmospheric piece of drama.

Book 13 - directed by Neil Armstrong
This is the archetypal "sell your soul to the Devil" story. A successful writer finds himself struggling with writer's block, as he strives to write a winning novel. He wants his 13th novel to be better, different to the ones that have gone before. After imploring help from God and receiving nothing, he turns to the devil and help is forthcoming. But at a price - he finds that everything he writes begins to happen for real, with deadly consequences. Events spiral out of control and his life is ruined - or is it - in the end he does write that elusive Book 13.
I loved this - a quirky, funny play with some excellent comedic moments. A dark tale but then most good comedy has a dark core!

The three plays were excellent - thought provoking and engaging. The fact that they had been devised, written, rehearsed and performed by three groups of young people who had possibly never met before, is astounding. There were some brilliant performances by these young actors. They should be rightly proud of the achievements.

The performances were followed by an interesting and intriguing Q&A panel, to give the audience some insight into the process behind the plays and the festival. Brilliantly done.
Here's to the 16th Youth Theatre Festival next year!

Denise Sparrowhawk

And if someone can remind me what R.A.T.S. stands for I'd be eternally grateful...knew I should have written it down!

Grease - Review - Theatre Royal

Theatre Review - 'Grease' - 22nd July 2014

Venue - Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Dir - Sandra Laidler

MD - Michael Lamb

22nd July - 26th July 2014

Newcastle Upon Tyne Musical Theatre Company

Well, Well Well.... Its that time again! Another Show Another Review! This Time I was taken Back to 1959, to discover life in your typical American high school. Elvis was truly king, Music was in its glory days, and teenage rebellion and BoZo the Clown were just getting started. Yes, its Grease, the hit musical that has stolen everyone's hearts with its comic, and at times dramatic storylines. This Version, sent me to the Theatre Royal, one of my all time favorite venues, to  what would ultimately blow me away. This Version, Brought to me by the Fantasmical Newcastle Upon Tyne Musical Theatre Company, was simply astounding.  

Its very rare that I can see a show these days and not find a thing wrong, but in this case they have proven to me that it is possible! It had everything, Tight, energetic Choreography, Sweet, sweet harmonies, and the cast and crew to match! The visuals were amazing, the cast were perfect, and that band brought the whole thing in with a little spice and Theatricality. I knew from that first stage reveal, that this was going to be something special, and it truly was...

Joshua Bamling was our Danny, a complex and typical teen, and brought character and charisma, as well as and updated portrait of the role. Lauren Gordon was simply stunning, and she managed to capture the persona of Sandy exceptionally well, as well as making me rather emotional with her ability to bring truth and humanity to the role as well as hold a note.Other notable performances, were from Zoe Payne, Playing Frenchy, Who nailed both the voice and characteristics of the character. I was also surprised at JoJo Hatfield, Who seemed to carry the heavy drama that was Rizzo, A troubled teen who is lost and confused, and has a few scraped along the way. All I  all this spectacular version, Included, Laughs, Thrills, and the odd Tender moment, that really got you when you least expected it.  

Director Sandra Laidler has really put her own spin on things, and given this production a spicy tantalizing blend of Music, Comedy, Drama and most importantly Nostalgia. Add to that Some 'Full Moon' moments and a sassy Flying Angel and you have a show that is not to be missed! (Leon Gill, Hilarious Job by the Way!). This Musical surprised me in many ways. In sheer quality, as I have been well and truly blown away, on a professional level, yes I'm still struggling to believe that these guys are Amateurs! and through sheer talent of both cast and crew. Huge Congrats has to be said to Nathen Raynard for a brilliantly Planned Lighting Design, and to everyone backstage who made this show move like clock work, being smoothly run, and professionally managed and perfectly executed! This team of people are ones that you need to look out for and experience  for yourselves, Because tonight, They have proven to me that Grease is most definitely still the word!

You guys should be immensely proud of what you have all achieved, and I hope to see you all Next time! Until then, I shall remain Hopelessly Devoted to you all!

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Review - Red Hot and Cole - Tynemouth Amateur Operatic Society

Red Hot and Cole 
Tynemouth Amateur Operatic Society
Thursday 17th July 2014

On Thursday evening I was invited along to King's Priory School in Tynemouth to the dress rehearsal of Red Hot and Cole, performed by the Tynemouth Amateur Operatic Society, directed by Bryan Watson (making his directorial debut).

As you might expect, this is a feast of wonderful show tunes. Following the life of the millionaire composer through anecdotal reminiscences from friends, the show reveals the hedonistic lifestyle of the rich and famous and Cole Porter's rise to fame, his careful manipulation of friends to make the right contacts, but also his insecurity and need for affirmation and adoration. Even before he is famous he has a band of loyal supporters - but were they true friends or merely sycophants drawn to a wealthy man? Time would tell. As his fame grew, so did his lavish lifestyle. Like moths to a flame people were drawn to him, and he to them. A workaholic, despite being rich in his own right ("What did your grandfather do to make you so wealthy?" "He died...") Cole (Phil Dixon) gradually alienates his wife Linda (Rebecca Mellor) and they end up living apart until tragedy strikes reunites them for a while. And in the hard times that follow, the true friends stick by him.

The show flows through Porters hits - each one illustrating a development in his life. The musical numbers are beautifully performed, with musical direction from Andrew Soulsby and choreography by Lyndsey Harrison. The costumes are sumptuous - as they should be, and the wit is cutting!
It's hard to single out individuals as all the performances were excellent. Phil Dixon in the lead is brilliantly cheeky, and Lucy Cockeline as Elsa sets the scene and mood of the show right from the start. I particularly liked Julia Neale in the role of Bricktop - her voice was amazing. And Chris Carr played Noel Coward to a T!

This was the dress rehearsal, so there were a few minor glitches - which will no doubt be ironed out by time the show opened to the public. It is a glorious celebration of Porter's work - well performed, beautifully sung. Bryan Watson and the cast can be suitably proud of their show.

Red Hot and Cole plays on Fri 18th and Sat 19th July. It is well worth a visit - you will leave the theatre humming your favourite tunes and tapping your feet!

Denise Sparrowhawk

Review - Up Pompeii - Royalty Theatre

Hawksword: Titter Ye Not...?:
Review -  Up Pompeii - Royalty Theatre      

The Royalty Theatre have chosen a corker for their season finale. And I have to admit I had mixed feelings about going along to it - here is another well-loved classic from TV and film adapted for the stage with all the potential to ruin some youthful memories. If you've seen my reviews of other classics such as "Dad's Army" and "Allo Allo", you'll know I viewed them with similar trepidation... Could any production of Up Pompeii do justice to it without succumbing to a half-cocked (ahem!) Frankie Howerd impersonation? I had more or less decided that I'd give it a miss, until a friend recommended it as a "must see". So I dragged my sister along and I'm glad I did!

I'm sure you all know the plot - Vesuvius is about to errupt, while a Roman senator, Ludicrus Sextus (Peter Kelly), and his family get up to all sorts of things they shouldn't, under the watchful eye of the head slave Lurcio. It is brim full of innuendo, double entendres and straight up smut!

There is a distinct pantomine atmosphere to it with a lot of audience engagement - characters cajole the audience to laugh at jokes, (or not!) depending on how good or bad they are. And some of them are awful!

There are a lot of laughs, and even with a fairly small audience, the actiors build the momentum and keep the mood high.

David Farn plays Lurcio with quite a bit of ham, but, thankfully no half-cocked (or not that we saw!) Frankie impersonation. He made it his own character which was all to the good. Irene Lathan is suitably manic as Senna the Soothsayer, and I especially like Henry Cockburn (surely this was no coincidental casting choice??) as the unfortunate and iffeminate Nauseus, and Michael Luke as the very gruff  Capt Treacherus, adding just the right amount of machismo to the proceedings!

My only criticisms would be that The Royalty has a very small stage and there was a lot of scenery on there and, at times, a lot of actors which made it all a bit crowded. The final scene with its excellent special effects and sounds could be an absolute killer (pun fully intended!) as the volcano erupts but it just lacked a little bit of crispness in the execution which left the audience slightly unsure if it was time to applaud or not...which is a shame as it was definitely worthy of a longer show of the audience's appreciation.

Full of laughs, it is well worth the £8 entry. It runs until Sat 28th June. Definitely not one to miss! Thanks to Kathy for persuading me to go along!

Stepping Out - Review - People's Theatre

Stepping Out
People's Theatre

17th June 2014

Stepping Out written by Richard Harris follows a group of random people brought together in a dance class. They all have their own personal reasons for coming to the class, but for each of them, including their teacher, the class is an escape, time for themselves when they can put aside the difficulties of everyday life. Naturally,  in such a diverse group of people there are frictions. And these come to the surface as the pressure of taking part in a charity show for the public begins to place a strain on the group.

They group members have various degrees of dancing skill and the play follows their progress from self-conscious beginners and enthusiastic amateurs to a group capable of perfoming in public. Friendships, rivalries and more are formed in the course of the class. Situations arise bringing humour and conflict. Secrets and weaknesses are revealed, anxieties voiced and tempers naturally flare as nerves take hold. In the end differences are put aside and the group acheive their goal and take part in the Charity Show.

Directed by Sally-Anne Cooper and choreographed by Julie Bowman this is an engaging production. There is a great deal of humour and the dancing is excellent - from the first tentative steps to the grand finale you will belive that some of these characters have never tap danced before and you will be amazed at their progress.

The warmth of friendship that formed between various characters was portrayed well, but I was less convinced by the conflicts that flared up.  That said, there were some excellent performances. Alison Carr as the poisonous Vera, and Roger Liddle as the awkward, shy Geoffrey to name two. And of course the finale is brilliant - full of spangle and pizazz and not a foot out of step!

Overall, worth stepping out for - and definitely some better footwork than you'll see in the football!

Stepping Out is on till Sat 21st June.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Review - Get Up and Tie Your Fingers - Town Hall Theatre

Get up and Tie your Fingers

 

Thurs 5th June

 

Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool

 

 

Get Up and Tie Your Fingers is based on the lives of the herring lasses - independent women who followed the herring fleets. Tough, strong, hardworking women they travelled with the fishing fleet as it followed the shoals along the coast, gutting and selling the fish. It was a hard but rewarding life that gave these women the opportunity to travel and to earn money of their own at a time when independent women in any society were a rarity.

It is a tale of hardship and tragedy. Lives lost through sickness and drowning, families broken by cholera and the sea, a tale of despair and regret, guilt and blame.

But it is also of resilience, of loyalty and of hope. It is a story of identity, told through song (using local choirs at each venue on the tour, in this case from Hartlepool Sixth Form College) and reminiscences and action.
 

Jean (played by Barbara Marten) has spent a lifetime lost in regret. She clings to her daughter Molly (Samantha Foley) refusing to let her join a crew to follow the herring, arguing with her friend Janet (Sian Mannifield) over it. The three characters each represent a different outlook on life - Jean dour and intransigent, full of self recrimination and regret, Janet practical but full of life, refusing to let the tragedies of life weigh her down, and Molly, a dreamer, full of hope and excitement, impatient to experience life for herself. The love between these three women shines out despite their arguments and differences.

The cast is entirely female yet men are central to the women's lives - husbands, fathers and sons - they appear in the story only through the words of the women and yet are as real as the characters on the stage.
 

This is an incredibly moving play, beautifully produced and presented and performed, portraying a way of life and an industry that was once the mainstay of coastal communities, and which is now gone forever. You will laugh and, possibly, cry at at it.

There is one more show in Hartlepool tonight then, like the herring shoals it moves on down the coast.

 

For more information  Follow the Herring!

 

Denise Sparrowhawk

Duet For One -Review- The Peoples Theatre - 27 May 2014

Duet For One - The Peoples Theatre (Studio Theatre)

Director - Kay Worswick

How would you cope if your passion and drive for life was taken from you in a cruel twist of fate?

This is the main theme of "Duet for One" by Tom Kempinski. It followes the dark and often raw tale of two people. Stephanie Abrahams, Played in this case by the stunning Anna Dobson, who envisaged a tormented and distressed woman in the prime of her career. until that is when she is struck with Multiple Sclerosis. thus ending her career as a passionate Violinist.

As you can imaging this would be a hard blow to anyone, but with Stephanie, there’s a lot more that meets the eye.

The play starts with a visit to the local Psychiatrist (Played by the compelling Steve Robertson) by Stephanie, at this point bound to a wheelchair. We then follow her mental decline as she spirals out of control into an almost unmanageable stage.

At first this play seems like any other play. Then as time goes by, and at an astonishingly well planned pace, we see more and more of this two Hand play unfold.

It’s rather hard to describe. Its gritty, Bleak and immensely thought provoking and compelling. Both on stage held their part to a perfect standard, offering a wide array on this at times emotionally charged, intriguing insight into Stephanie’s world.

The studio theatre seems to have been the perfect setting for this play, offering an even more fined tuned piece of artistry, weaving in and out of a true, emotional and beautifully crafted piece of theatre. The Peoples Theatre never ceases to amaze me with the sheer quality of their productions. This play has it all and more. It will leave you thinking and analysing everything you already know about Mental Health, and bring you even closer to Classical Music. That in my book is a perfect and intellectually intriguing place to be.

The Cast and Crew should be extremely proud. They have created a piece of compelling, stimulating, fresh and true piece of theatre, that I for one would highly recommend! 

Review – Addams Family Musical (9th – 12th April 2014)

Review – Addams Family Musical (9^th – 12^th April 2014)

By David Oliver

Company - Nice Swan Theatre Company

Venue – The Peoples Theatre

Dir – Kate Ross & Lee Rosher

Right then… Where do I begin? The Addams Family Musical has quickly become one of my all time favourites in terms of musical. The musical explains what happens when a young girl, Namely Wednesday Addams when loves takes over the heart and shakes up everything this family knows about her… And now there’s talk of Marriage? But if you think that the Addams are a “Normal” family… think again!

So there are The Addams, The weird, wonderful and eccentric, and a tad creepy, and then there’s Beineke family, a nice normal, average family. But things are set to change very quickly. And so this black, gothic fairy-tale begins.

This popular Musical is based on the well-known TV series and films, and brings this popular set of characters of this North East Premiere to the stage! Wednesday Addams, A Princess of darkness has seemingly fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man. And after she confides in her Father in this surprising tale of love, it forces him to do something he’d never normally do… keep a secret from his beloved wife.  It seems like every fathers nightmare, right?

We begin the show with the opening number, after an amazing overture. This in itself was a hint of what was to come.  The powerful and sweet sounding vocals of the cast were astounding, and this soon set the bar VERY HIGH. With choreography timed, and performed to near perfection, and a band that brought this undead spectacular to life.

The Addams family are the creepy, kookey and darn right weird family that would make any family look positively normal.  So what happens when the family of the bride, have to go through that awkward first family meeting?  In this case, Hilarity ensues!  Lurch (The Family’s Un-dead Butler) offers a few hilarious offerings, both in terms of performance and situation. This socially awkward butler speaks but no English, but more in a series of grunts, he walks impeccably slow, and this is played on wonderfully. Add to this his later full blown musical number, and this almost has you on the floor! Jacob Anderton has nailed and captured this creepy butler, and adds great dynamic to the show.

Other notable performances include Carly Burns, as Wednesday Addams who simply blew me away completely with her astounding voice! Dale Lewitt, who gave us all a laugh as Gomez Addams, and offered a few surprising tender moments with really pulled at me heartstrings beautifully. Jack Johnson, who has proven that he, can hold a note, and at times the show with his fantastic skills as Pugsley Addams.

Glen Townsend also had me pleasantly surprised as Lucas Bieneke. With yet another astounding voice! And here to guide us through the whole dark fairy-tale is dear old Uncle Fester. This guy is brought to life is the sensational David Hopper.  He is quint essentially the Narrator of this tale of love and Marriage. He seems to have been born for this role. With his amazing vocals, and a quirky nature added to this fun loving, Moon Obsessed guy. Yeah, he has a massive crush on the moon! Offering a wide array of emotions and tender scenes that once again proved the standard of this show.

Add to this, the spooky spirits of from the Addams Family crypt, you get this astonishingly professional, simply astounding, show stopping spectacular.

There were minor sound issues in the first act, but these were quickly acted upon and fixed, by a fantastic team! The Visuals Were great, with a whole bunch of moving lighting, needed for any production of this size!  The live orchestra, sounded brilliant, and I lived every second of listening to their great and diverse range.  All in all there was very little wrong with this production. It has offered up the best Theatre Experience I have had in a long time! And not to mention a soundtrack that will stay with you forever!

This large set of Creative, and Talented people and brilliant and Clever Direction have pulled off a show that is a must see!  Every part if this show has been extremely well designed, constructed an executed, leaving you with a Musical That is sublime to my ears and a visual treat to watch and absorb.

Will Wednesday and Lucas find their path in true love and wedded bliss?  Will Uncle Fester ever find true loves happiness with the Moon? One things for sure…. When there’s an Addams around…. Anything could happen!

The Steamie - The People's Theatre - Review

The Steamie

Weds 2nd April 2014

The People's Theatre

Written by Tony Roper, and directed for The People's Theatre by Tony Childs The Steamie is a true situation comedy - centered around five main characters in single room of a Glasgow wash house - the steamie of the title. In the days before indoor bathrooms, refrigerators and TVs, or washing machines, four women meet up in the steamie to do the laundry. They lighten the task with gossip and chatter, joking about life and passing on scandal and news. Their work and jokes interrupted by Andy, (Keith Henderson) tasked with keeping the Steamie, and the women, in order! No drinking, and no greasy overalls!

There is a great sense of cameradie and friendship, as the jokes and jibes fly back and forth between the characters. But there is also sadness and a sense of loss as 'new fangled' machines and a laundrette threaten change.  Mrs Culfeathers, (Maggie Watson) the oldest of the four recalls her life and the joy of being part of a community and the loneliness of losing touch with family and friends as things change. In among the joking and salacious gossip this sudden change of tone provides a surprising emotional moment. 

The four women are played with real empathy from the youngest Doreen (Jessica Hannah) with her dreams of a house with all the mod cons, the practical,down to earth Magrit (Sarah Maclane) and Dolly (Anna Dobson) to the oldest, tired but soldiering on, Mrs Culfeathers.
It's impossible to choose favourites - I loved all these characters and I fully believed I was in a Scottish wash house.
It's a play that highlights the hardships of life, but also the indomitable spirit of women. And I think it is sad to say that Mrs Culfeathers is right - things are not like they were, and community spirit has been eroded away by 'progress'. It may be set in the 1950s but it has a message that is relevant today.
Lots to think about, but plenty to laugh about, and a bit of a song and dance too in The Steamie.
It plays until Sat 5th April. Well acted and directed, beautifully timed this is a five star show. Go see it!

Denise Sparrowhawk