Preview - The Wardrobe - People's Theatre

The Wardrobe
People's Theatre
21st Feb 2014

The Wardrobe is a new play by Sam Holcroft, written for the National Theatre's Connections project - celebration of youth theatre which aims to commission new plays for and about young people.
Directed by Sean Burnside and Sarah McLane, the play rattles through 500 years of history, in just under an hour - so plenty to pack in! It was performed in intimacy of the Studio, which felt as snug as the inside of a wardrobe!

The wardrobe of the title is the setting for the entire play, and it provides and escape and a hiding place for various young people throughout its history, beginning in 1485 with Elizabeth and Cicely, two sisters who's lives are about to change forever and ending in 2014 with a girl struggling with the prejudices of modern life And in between we have all manner of religious differences, wars, murder, and disease, romance, frienships. Throughout all the wardrobe provides a refuge, but it is not always the safest place to be.
This is an interesting play exploring themes of prejudice, religion, politics and equality - themes that are very relevant to today's society. Although it sounds very sombre and serious, (and there are many tense moments) there is a great deal of humour throughout.
The young actors performed well, a few nerves present for some perhaps, but the very few stumbles over words were well recovered. Particular mention should go to Jessica Smith and Maeve Thorpe who I thought were excellent.

The Wardrobe plays for two nights only (21st and 22nd February) at The People's Theatre, but you can catch it again at the Northern Stage in April along with others from the Connections project.
A great effort by the Young People's Theatre.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Review - The Next Train to Depart - Arts Centre Washington

The Next Train to Depart

Arts Centre Washington
30^th Jan 2014
 

Written by John Challis and directed by Melanie Rashbrooke, The Next Train to Depart is the first of three Bitesize plays from Queen’s Hall Arts.

The play follows the developing relationship of two people who meet by chance at a railway station. Dante (Adam Donaldson) is a would be poet, sitting in the station day after day people watching, and writing, and waiting for his girlfriend to call. Kayleigh (Alex Tahnee) is a call centre worker, on her last warning for being late, and stuck in a rut in her personal life.

We see them develop from chance acquaintances to friends, and maybe more. Kayleigh dreams of another life, another world, finding an escape in their daily meetings, growing in confidence finally realising that she must take the chance to change her life. Dan matures and becomes less self conscious as a writer, finding inspiration in Kayleigh’s dreams. But will he have the strength to choose adventure when the time comes?

 

This is a simple, gentle play, with some beautiful, poetic moments set against the background of station sounds (which were recorded for real at Newcastle Central). It asks questions about life and relationships, personal happiness and development, and our ability to choose to change.  There is a real sense of two people on the brink of discovery, but perhaps too afraid to step out. In the end you are left feeling that one of them at least will take the opportunity and move forward.

The Next Train to Depart is playing at Seaton Delaval Arts Centre and Alnwick Playhouse in February and is well worth an hour of your time.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Review - Charley's Aunt - People's Theatre

Charley's Aunt
22nd Jan 2014
The People's Theatre

The People's Theatre started their new season off in style with a classic comedy. The three acts encompass a single day in the lives of Jack Chesney (Ian Willis) and Charles Wykeham (Ricky Shah), two Oxford students about to go down at the end of term and desperately in love. They are in need of a plan to ensure they capture the hearts of Miss Kitty Verdun (Emma Wass) and Miss Amy Spettigue (Jess Chapman).
There are plenty of obstacles to be overcome - lack of funds, lack of champagne, the lack of a suitable chaperone, and the need to avoid an overbearing, over-protective uncle and guardian. Opportunity presents itself in the form of Charley's Aunt - recently returned to England from Brazil (where the nuts come from!), widowed and rich, and eager to finally meet her last remaining relative, Charles.
A lunch is planned -the respectable (and rich!) elderly aunt can act as chaperone. Naturally things do not go as planned - the aunt is delayed and a new plan is hatched, and their unfortunate friend is dragooned into helping out by pretending to be the aunt. After all, it only needs to be for a couple of hours over lunch. Just long enough to give them time to declare their hearts and intentions. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, pretty much everything, as it happens.. Starting with the unexpected arrival the girl's guardian. What ensues is a comedy of errors, as the various characters try to meet or avoid meeting each other.

This is a great, feel good play - light hearted and fun.  The plot is a well known one, with the audience well aware that it is all bound to go horribly wrong, but also certain that everything will come right in the end, somehow! Jake Wilson Craw is brilliant as the cross-dressing Babbs, see-sawing between mischief-making and indignation. As is Crispin Welby as the long suffering Brassett. Great acting, good timing, beautifully produced and directed, Charley's Aunt is a timeless comedy and definitely proof against the January blues.

It plays until 25th January.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Peter Pan - Review -People's Theatre

Peter Pan
People's Theatre
10th Dec 2013

I know it hardly seems two shakes of a fairy dust sprinkler since the last time but, it's panto season again - oh yes! It is!
The People's Theatre production of Peter Pan gets us off to a flying start, with everything you could wish for in a Panto: mermaids, Lost Boys, Indian Braves, fairies, pirates, heroes, villains and a bloke in a in a frock...

Introduced by the marvelous Moira Valentine as Ethel Mermaid the panto starts as it means to go on - with fishy puns galore. You know the plot - Peter and the Lost Boys find a mother in Wendy, Capt Hook tries his dastardly best to be as bad as he can be, and Peter saves the day - I don't think I'm giving anything away by telling you all that!
The set is fabulous - with a pirate ship that glides on stage for the pirate scenes and brilliant lighting for changes in atmosphere.  Capt hook (Roger Liddle) is such a good baddy he had the audience booing before he had even finished his first line. Now that is a bad baddy! And as always with a panto, the audience is as iimportant as those on stage - if they aren't carried along then the panto won't work, and Craig Fairbairn and Steve Robertson, as Mr Smee and Pirate Sadie (the bloke in a frock) did a brilliant job keeping the audience involved - you know you are doing well when the 8 year olds in the audience are heckling you and suggesting your next line!

Great singing, dancing and joking all night  and a Titanic "King of the World" moment, which is to die for.Brownie points awarded for the library joke (yes, i know i am biased) and to the costume department for finally proving that there is a use for the ubiquitous onesie!

Brilliant as always, Peter Pan runs until the 15th Dec.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Landscape with Weapon - Review - People's Theatre

Landscape with Weapon

19^th Nov 2013

The People’s Theatre

What happens when the project you have been working on is called into question? Ned (Ian Willis)is an engineer who has designed a groundbreaking piece of technology that will transform the way war is waged. Ned sees only the beauty of the design, inspired by the swarming starlings and schools of fish;  and the practical application: intelligent surveillance robots which will be able to gain access to remote and dangerous sites, without  risk to military personel, and without the flaw of losing contact with the GPS.

His family however are less impressed with the beauty of his work – especially when they discover that the military have armed the robots, turning them into deadly weapons. His wife has left him, his mother has not spoken to him for weeks. He ends up in a brawl with his brother Dan (Matthew Hope).

This play is a study in the conflict between conscience and ambition, duty and family. He resists the pressure from his family, continuing to believe in and develop the technology he has created. Until the Government try to take away his intellectual ownership. Suddenly he begins to see the how little control he will have and the potential dangers his creation poses in the hands of others.

The first half of the play is darkly humorous. The characters of the two brothers Ned and Dan contrasting sharply, they have different lives, and disagree on many things but there is obviously great affection between them. And this provides the humour as they argue and quarrel and finally fight over their individual “projects”. Dan ironically taking the moral high ground on weapons manufacture while injecting an unlicensed Botox substitute into patients at his dental practice.

In the second half the mood changes. Ned is called to account for his refusal to sign the contract. The marketing manager for the company Ross, (Alison Carr) who in the first act seemed  rather eccentric and distracted, is transformed into a formidable force – alternately bullying and praising Ned on his work as she tries to save her company from the financial disaster of a lost military contract. And she is joined by the sinister Brooks(Stuart Laidler), the Government man who wheedles and cajoles and threatens Ned until he capitulates.

Stuart Laidler plays the part fantastically! He is perfectly cast as the odiously sinister agent, smiling and sympathising one minute and issuing veiled threats the next! Both Ned and Dan are subjected to his persuasive talents. But do they capitulate?

This is a very intense play – covering some difficult issues. First time director Rhiannon Wilson has succeeded in showing the disintegration of a man’s life as he fight for and then loses his belief in the work he is doing.

Set against a fabulous Da Vinci themed backdrop, and with excellent use of sound and lighting, this thought provoking play will make you re-assess your own views on governments and warfare, and secrets!

It runs until Sat 23^rd.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Of Mice and Men - Review - Royalty Theatre

Of Mice and Men

Royalty Theatre
31st Oct 2013

On Thursday night I dragged the Reluctant Teenager (he has had something of a relapse lately) off to the Royalty Theatre to see Of Mice and Men. This is a story he read and loved, and has just studied for his GCSE English (the English studying being the main reason for his reluctance). 

Of Mice and Men is a simple story, with complex undertones. It is about responsibility and friendship, social class and prejudice, hardship and aspiration. There is a lot to get across in a very short time in a stage play and it poses quite a challenge to any production team. The team at the Royalty have certainly done it justice. This is no play of two dimensional stereotypes, each character is distinct and convincingly played. The part of Lennie is the most difficult and crucial to the play - a grown man with the mentality of a child, incredibly strong and unable to understand the consequences of his own actions. The whole play rests on this role being played credibly and I am glad to say John Appleton did so brilliantly. I was also impressed by David Farn playing Candy.  I was less sure about the character of George - I hadn't quite worked him out, though my son tells me this is the whole point - he is full of contradictions, so it would seem Billy Towers got him just right too. 

Two scenes that stood out were the tension scenes -  the guys in the bunkhouse trying to play cards while waiting for the sound of a gunshot, and the final scene, again, waiting for a gunshot. The tension in both scenes was almost unbearable. 

This felt like a much more professional production to me. The stage set was good, and cleverly transformed between the three scenes, lighting and sound were used to good effect enhancing the atmosphere and mood of the play.  All the cast put in good performances.

My only  criticism is not directed at the cast but at the audience -  they applauded too soon at the end so that the final image of George standing on his own with the lights behind him, as he had been at the start of the play lost some of it's impact, had the auditorium remained quiet till the lights dimmed it been a very powerful, haunting closing image.

That however is just my opinion - and early applause is better than none, and perhaps the director (Andrew Barella) would not have minded too much? 

Tonight (2nd Nov) is the final show. If you can book a last minute ticket then I would encourage you to do so - the curtain goes up at 7.30pm

Denise Sparrowhawk 

Review - The History Boys - The People's Theatre

The History Boys
The People's Theatre
30th Oct 2013


Directed by Kevin Gibson, this production of The History Boys is a great piece of theatre. The stage is simply set with the typical classroom - chairs, desks and a piano, with the significant quote projected onto the backdrop.

Set in a Sheffield Grammar School it follows the preparations for the Oxbridge entrance exam of 8 of the brightest boys. They have already passed their A levels and are now being groomed for successful entry into the echelons of higher education.The bombastic, ambitious headmaster (Keith Henderson) wants glory for his school, he wants to see his school high up on the league tables and he is prepared to use these boys to achieve it.  They will pass the exam, and he sets out to ensure that they do by recruiting a bright young oxford graduate, Irwin (Sean Burnside) offering him the lure of a permanent post if he succeeds where the current staff have always failed.

The new teacher has new ideas about teaching. He has a Machiavellian approach to knowledge - it is to be used for advancement, and the truth of the knowledge is less important than the potential success it could garner. This puts him directly at odds with the resident teacher Mr Hector, who sees education as a means of broadening the boys outlook, expanding their experience. Exams and the curriculum for him, are an unnecessary evil, and attempt to streamline knowledge into acceptable packages and, pigeonhole the boys. His teaching methods are unorthodox, creative, fun.  The boys like him, but they are not sure what they are meant to be learning from him.
The new teacher brings conflict - in the staffroom, and in the classroom. And of course not everything is as it seems - there are emotional and moral conflicts as well as professional and social ones.

I think the play has been brilliantly cast - Tony Childs perfectly fits the role of the eccentric Hector. Craig Fairburn, as the self assured Dakin, boasting of his sexual conquests, towers over Sean Burnside as he confronts the teacher who has caused him to question his own sexuality. I loved this scene where the roles were reversed and the pupil became more knowing than the teacher. Joe McLauglin plays Posner, hopelessly in love with Dakin, and desperately trying to please everyone, with the most convincing lovelorn expression!
And throughout it all, bringing the, albeit somewhat jaded and cynical, voice of reason is Mrs Lintott, the only female, played by Moira Valentine.

The play is darkly humorous and poignant as you'd expect from Alan Bennett. It will make you uncomfortable, and it will make you laugh. I'd say that was a success.

It plays until Sat 2nd November - and I'd judging by last night's full house, I'd suggest you book your seat now!

Denise Sparrowhawk

Review - Our Day Out - People's Theatre

Our Day Out

People's Theatre

17th Sept 2013

The People's Theatre kicked off the new season this week with an adaptation of Willy Russell's "Our Day Out". Performed by the youth theatre under the direction of Mark Buckley, this adaptation has been transferred from 70s Liverpool to 80s Newcastle. A shrewd move, saving the young cast and the audience from any dodgy scouse accents, and giving the wardrobe team plenty of scope for big hair and shoulder pads!

As expected from Willy Russell this is a play full of social comment delivered  compassion, and biting wit! Can a day out from school make a difference to a bunch of kids with few or no prospects? Can the attitudes of staff towards them be changed?

A fine balance is needed between the hopelessness and the humour. Over do either and the play wouldn't work. The humour pierces the pathos of the kid's situation, and some well delivered speeches tackle the social issues of class  prejudice, and academic snobbery.

There are some demanding speeches for some of the characters in this play, and they were delivered with conviction by the young actors. Notably where Miss Kay (Anna Robinson) tries to convince Mr Briggs (Lara Cowler) of the value of a day out for the kids who have so little else to look forward to, and when Mr Briggs persuades Carol (Alex Carmichael) away from the cliff.

Other performances of note are the Bored Girls (Lauren Gillen and Jess Rootham)  - who manage to maintain their sullen bored expressions throughout, even on the rollercoaster! And the Madonna clones, besotted with the trendy young teacher! We all knew girls like that at school!

The slide show in the background is a great touch, scrolling through iconic images from the sixties ( how many can you name?)  and then showing the cast, in character at the fair, screaming on the roller coaster and eating candy floss and ice cream. So the audience get to see the pictures that maybe never make the light of day? 

Overall this is great, fun start to the season. I look forward to seeing some of these talented young actors in future productions. Well done to all involved. 

Our Day Out plays until Saturday 21st September

Denise Sparrowhawk

Review - Calendar Girls - People's Theatre

Calendar Girls  

The People's Theatre

16th July 2013

One of the things I love about the theatre is the way the same play performed by different companies can be the same, but entirely different. So seeing Calendar Girls twice in a month is not like watching the film again. With the film you get the same experience over and over. But to going to see the play brings you a new experience every time. For sure, the plot is still the same, the character's names and their personalities are the same, but no two productions are ever alike. The producers and directors always have their own interpretation, and the actors portray the characters in their own way. Because of a plan to set a World Record for the longest amateur run for a play, I have had the joy of one of my favourite plays being staged three times in the space of a year...and twice within the last month. And I have enjoyed every one of them.

Calendar Girls at The People's Theatre is a gloriously fun, almost tearfully(I am a hardy soul, others do succumb to the odd tear!) moving play about relationships, friendship, jealousy, ambition, one-upmanship, grief, determination and love. More than anything it is about love.

Directed by Eileen Davidson, it ticks all the boxes. From the petty squabbles and affectionate teasing between the women of the WI, the heartfelt loss of a husband and friend, the threat of a friendship broken by ambition and the joy of reconciliation, and celebration of enduring love, it has it all.
A few first night nerves may have been evident on Tuesday but as always the cast covered and carried on so that any small stutters or recalcitrant props were barely noticed in the audience.

The show stopping scene is, of course, the photo shoot for the nude (not naked) calendar. And it poses a challenge for production team and actresses. This was achieved with some split second timing, carefully arranged props (beware those props that refuse to follow the script!) and a deal of good humour and, if I mat say so, no small amount of enthusiasm by the ladies concerned! Anna Dobson, playing Ruth, made a very convincing drunken entrance! I love this scene for it's almost pantomime qualities - the audience is included in the action with pleading looks from Lawrence the photographer and clapping and cheering is encouraged.

For me, however, this time it was the later scenes where friction between the friends begins to build that were the best - they are acted with a more convincing honesty than the lighter hearted scenes. Karen Elliot as Annie comes into her own as she berates Chris and reminds us all that she would trade all of the hilarity and excitement of the calendar for one hour back with her John. This was my almost tearful moment.

Everyone gave a good performance but I think of all the characters my favourite this time was Cora, played with a such lovable sense of fun, by Jo Kelly.

The scenery is simple - your basic village hall, and John's hill cleverly revealed in all it's beauty! 

If you have never seen Calendar Girls on stage grab the opportunity, and if you have seen it, go back again and support the cancer charities, while having a great night out. It is performed with enthusiasm, affection and a great deal of skill. Well done to all on the team. It plays until the 20th July. 

Denise Sparrowhawk

Dance To Your Daddy -Review- Westovians

Dance To Your Daddy
Westovians
15 July 2013

Ahh there is something to be said about the canny folk of South Shields. Warm, friendly, full of life and with a little bit of complexity and intrigue thrown in for good measure.

Dance To Your Daddy explores this and more, well between the period of 1940-1960 anyways.

George (Mark Lamb) doesn’t fit in, the cobbled streets of Tyne Dock aren’t for him anymore.

Leaving behind Mary (Angela Szalay) and Louise (Audreyann Myers) two of his best friends that he has grown up with, he is off to search pastures new.

He is sure that he won’t be missed, but his legacy will be heard and told under the breath of the gossips, he is leaving behind a possible tangled web.

The neighbouring families aren’t exactly prim and proper, cat calling in the street, especially when somebody has had the misfortune to come up a cropper, or step out of line, Lizzy (Amy Jeffels) for example, even though she is still only young she is in possession of a nursery full of kids, and onto husband number two.

Mary, not known for her intelligence, and showing some mental health characteristics is wielding a new baby boy, unsure of who the father is. Helped and somewhat hindered all the way by a wayward Louise, the years pass. Her son Jimmy (James Barton) is quite content with life, but as tragedy strikes the local shoe factory, his world is turned upside down.

 

With a superb story constructed and directed by David Cooke, this musical/drama had entertainment written all over it. Brilliantly narrated by David’s wife Carol, she told the very interesting interlocking stories of the close-knit community.

A large cast complemented each other, as humour turned deftly to song, fantastic vocals from Angela as she ranged from emotion to emotion with superb results.

Great acting from all on stage, with Audreyann pulling in a fantastic performance with the character of the tormented Louise.

Mark as always putting his best foot forward as the want-away George.

It was though Angela who stole the show with her performance, she really shone with her gritty character.

A great stage setting by David Cooke and Michael Ferry, told the visual story perfectly. I myself used to live in a house styled upon their design, it gave me a few goosebumps I can tell you..

Lighting setup was perfect under the control of Ian Johnson, as was the sound by Craig Richardson.

If you are looking for a bit of nostalgia, humour and great acting then Dance To Your Daddy is for you.

Dance To Your Daddy is playing until Saturday 20th July

Michael Hunter