Nativity The Musical

 

Review by Paul Towers, 21/11/23

Nativity  The Musical, book & lyrics by Debbie Isitt, music by Debbie Issit & Nick Ager

Directed by Joshua J Knott

Produced by Knighton Park Operatic Society

At The Little Theatre until Saturday 25^th November 2023

“laughs galore for all the family”

Well, what a joyous way to kick start the festive season!

Knighton Park Operatic Society have garnered a huge cast of precociously talented youngsters and adults in this most joyous of hits.

Based closely on the hit film Nativity, this musical version by the same author is almost  pantomime and includes plenty of local references.

The story is that disillusioned primary school teacher Mr Maddens (Daniel Rowberry) has been pressured by his headmistress, Mrs Bevan (Keziah Caldwell), into mounting the annual Christmas play and has promised his class of primary school kids that a big Hollywood producer is coming to their Coventry school to see their Nativity Musical in order to make a film of it. Of course this is just a ploy to encourage their participation. Unfortunately new Teaching Assistant Mr Poppy (Ed Turner) overhears and takes it as true. Thus is started a real comedy of errors. No matter how Mr Maddens denies it nobody believes him.

Ed Turner’s Mr Poppy is an extraordinary performance of someone who has had 5 espressos and a couple of bags of Haribo and, deep inside, still thinks he is 5 years old as he bounces around Tigger-like. This behaviour, of course, bonds him to the kids and they give him, and Maddens, amazing performances.

Right from the start there are laughs galore and they don’t stop til the welling up of tears at the final curtain.

As well as a great adult cast of exemplary singers, there are two alternating groups of talented youngsters. Tucked away at the front of the stage is also a 12 piece live orchestra.

Unfortunately the entire run is sold out, not a seat to be had. You might want to try calling the box office to see if they have had any returns but I doubt anyone will be giving up their tickets willingly. It was so gratifying to see an audience that ranged from a babe in arms to proud grandparents thoroughly enjoying themselves.

www.thelittletheatre.co.uk/

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 Pics(c) Poyner & Mee

A Voyage Round My Father

 

Review by Paul Towers, 15/11/23

A Voyage Round My Father by John Mortimer

Directed by Richard Eyre

Produced by Theatre Royal Bath

At Theatre Royal Nottingham until Saturday 18^th November 2023

“funny and poignant”

"Voyage Round My Father" is a poignant play written by John Mortimer, exploring the complexities of his relationship with his father. The narrative, filled with wit and emotion, delves into themes of family, identity, and the challenges of understanding a parent. The characters are richly developed, and Mortimer's clever dialogue adds depth to the exploration of the father-son dynamic. The play strikes a balance between humour and heartfelt moments, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Growing up in the shadow of a brilliant and eccentric barrister, a man (Rupert Everett) whose tea-time conversation could take in music hall, adultery, evolution, the ridiculous inconvenience of sex, Shakespeare, and the importance of avoiding anything heroic in wartime, the son (Jack Bardoe) continually yearns for his father’s love and respect. The entire family studiously avoid any mention of Father’s blindness, cause by an accident in his early 20’s.

A versatile ensemble fills out the other characters in the son’s life as he moves through school and ultimately follows his father into law.

Bardoes’ son is the main narrator while Everett pops in and out causing chaos for his son and wife (Eleanor David).

What makes this all the more funny and poignant is that all the characters are real people from Mortimer’s life.

Simply staged the script is the thing

 

https://trch.co.uk/

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

Fallen Angels

 

Review by Paul Towers, 13/11/23

Fallen Angels by Noel Coward

Directed by Jordan Handford

Produced by Leicester Drama Society

At The Little Theatre til Saturday 18^th November 2023

“An intelligent comedy well performed.”

In these turbulent times what better way to spend an autumn evening than in the company of Noel Coward’s dissecting of polite society.

Julie Steroll (Cathy Sullivan) and Jane Banbury (Ranata Maynard) are two bored wives discussing their past adventures. Both have had a relationship with a French gigolo called Maurice Duclos (Steven Feeney) in the past, long before their current marriages.

However, both have received postcards from Maurice saying he will be in town and would love to meet up. This induces a frisson of emotional fire in the pair of jaded housewives as they debate whether to meet the lothario or even more.

Unfortunately this fire also ignites a jealousy which is further inflamed by the consumption of vast quantities of alcohol.

Hovering over this drama is the know-it-all, done-it-all new housemaid Saunders (Charlotte Emily Beaver).

Verging on a farce the two husbands, Fred Steroll (John Moulding) and Willy Banbury (Freddie Dobrijevic) get the wrong end of the stick when they return from golf.

Directed by Jordan Handford this is a slick slice of 1920’s comedy of manners that Coward was so good at. In a sumptuous drawing room set designed by Gem Greaves the final appearance of Maurice Duclos take us off on a surprising tangent as the curtain falls.

Fallen Angels is at The Little Theatre until Saturday 18^th November. An intelligent comedy well performed.

 

www.thelittletheatre.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 Pics(c) Poyner & Mee

2:22 A Ghost Story

 

Review by Paul Towers, 9/11/2023

2:22 A ghost story by Danny Robins

Directed by Matthew Dunster & Isabel Marr

Produced by Runaway Entertainment

At Curve til Saturday 11^th November 2023

“the laughs and the shocks come thick and fast”

Frazzled new Mum Jenny (Louisa Lytton) has been coping alone in the new house she has bought with husband Sam (Nathaniel Curtis) who has just returned from working away. Now he is back home they are throwing their first dinner party with long time friend Lauren (Charlene Boyd) and her new man Ben (Joe Absolom).

Jenny has been hearing strange noises at 02:22 for the last few nights. Is it just foxes, as sceptic Sam insists, or is it more supernatural, as Ben suspects? As both men are know-it-alls the conversations gets fraught.

Gradually Jenny becomes more convinced that Ben may be on to something. While Lauren just gets drunker and secrets come tumbling out.

Both the laughs and the shocks come thick and fast as we watch the digital clocks on set creep closer to 2:22. What does actually happen when the time arrives?

A great set of a kitchen/diner being renovated is complimented by the extraordinary lighting and sound effects.

2:22 has been a long standing fixture in London’s West End and I am not surprised. It runs at Curve until Saturday 11^th November and then continues to tour. Do yourself a favour and grab one of the last tickets for this supernatural shocker.

 

www.222aghoststory.com

www.curveonline.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk