Sauna Boy

 

Review by Paul Towers, 30/5/24

Sauna Boy written & performed by Dan Ireland-Reeves

At Stage Door Theatre until 1^st June 2024

I first saw Dan Ireland-Reeves’ work back in 2018. His one man play, Bleach, was an uncompromising look into the world of rent boys. His latest show is similarly in your face and is a semi-autobiographical delve into the hidden world of gay saunas.

Set in a fictional south coast sauna (fictional for legal reasons), this one man show lifts the lid on the place where men from all walks of life come to relax, socialise and ……

Everybody from young twinky virgins to seasoned older men come through the doors and each has a story to tell.

Dan Ireland-Reeves deftly switches from character to character, from voice to voice with barely a swish of his hand as each of his (fictional, remember) punters and co-workers play their part in his story.

With broad adult language, as is to be expected from those who flock to this sex club, and partial nudity (Ireland-Reeves’ pert bum gets a good airing) this is not for the faint hearted.

Having toured around the world this show is ending its 2024 run with another show at Stage Door Theatre this weekend, an outing in Southampton and a last few performances in Birmingham in July. All dates are on his website.

www.danirelandreeves.co.uk/

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

Bonnie and Clyde

 

Review by Paul Towers, 17/5/24

Bonnie & Clyde by Ivan Menchell, lyrics by Don Black, music by Frank Wildhorn

Directed & choreographed by Nick Winston  

Produced by Adama Entertainment

Theatre Royal Nottingham until Saturday 18 May 2024 and then touring

We all know the broad outline of the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, outlaws who shone brightly and briefly before being shot down in a blaze of infamy the same way as Thelma & Louise or Butch Cassidy and The Sunshine Kid.

This is a musical version of the story previously told in many forms over the years, most notably in the 1967 film with Warren Beatty and Fay Dunaway.

20 year old Bonnie Parker (Katie Tonkinson) scrapes a living in a diner in Depression hit 1930 America when she meets 20 year old Clyde Barrow (Alex James-Hatton) on the run after breaking out of prison with his brother Buck (Sam Ferriday). Clyde fixes her battered car and the die is cast as the youngsters fall in love.

Bonnie has aspirations to be an influencer 90 years before the term was invented while Clyde wants to be a gangster like his idol Al Capone. Together they egg each other on as Clyde commits bigger and more fatal criminal acts resulting in deaths.

In so many ways the current waves of lawlessness in both the UK and US are just history repeating itself.

Together they go on the run from the law utilising the peculiar to America idea of crossing state lines to avoid capture.

Of course no matter how far they run the law will eventually catch up with them and they are finally gunned down in a police ambush.

Tonkinson as Bonnie shows a great talent for singing, as does James-Hatton’s Clyde. The vocals are great. Ivan Menchell’s book manages to lighten the often dark story with comedy and Nick Winston’s direction and choreography enliven the stage. The set by Philip Witcomb along with lighting by Zoe Spurr and video by Nina Dunn envelope you in the privations of the period.

My sole criticism would be that by having the fatal shootout at the beginning meant that the romantically tender song Bonnie sings to Clyde at the end as they prepare for their final outing is a bit anti-climatic.

Bonnie & Clyde runs at The Theatre Royal Nottingham until Saturday 18^th May 2024 and then continues on tour.

https://bonnieandclydemusical.com/

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk