Author: Mike Whitton

KRISTMAS WITH THE KRINGLES at the Wardrobe, Bristol

Kristmas With The Kringles is a very clever show. Though it is improvised, and therefore relies heavily upon spontaneity and chance accident, it is artfully structured around the format of a corny American TV show . . . They quickly establish a rapport with the audience, and their ability to think on their feet is hugely impressive. Kristmas With The Kringles is good late-night Yuletide fun

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ODYSSEY at the Wardrobe, Bristol

George Mann has brought a hugely impressive range of theatrical skills to this performance. He has a particularly fine voice, not unlike Patrick Stewart’s in moments of grandeur, and there are perhaps more occasions when he could afford to let it speak for itself, unadorned by additional effects. It was good to see so many young people in last night’s audience, transfixed by this most ancient of tales. This is a triumphant piece of story-telling; a breath-taking kaleidoscope of words, movement and sounds

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THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Bath Theatre Royal

A merry mash-up of spoof gothic horror, cheesy sci-fi and singalong rock, it’s as well-known as a Dad’s Army repeat. There was a time when its celebratory take on gender-bending was ground-breaking, but transvestism is now so mainstream that very little in the show will come as either a shock or a surprise. But that does not mean that is has become stale.

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THE ROOM UPSTAIRS – Theatre West at the Wardrobe, Bristol

Lois Mackie’s portrayal of a likeable young woman driven to desperation is very moving, charting with great precision Clem’s gradual loss of control over her own life. At fourteen this was a girl who vowed she would never have children. Now, at thirty, she hates herself for having fallen victim to the primitive, instinctive drive to reproduce. She has just broken through the glass ceiling at work, yet she is beginning to see herself as a failure.

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English Touring Opera’s LA CALISTO at Bath Theatre Royal

English Touring Opera’s LA CALISTO is blessed with excellent singing in all the major roles, but director Timothy Nelson’s interpretation is too heavily weighted with symbolism. The central theme of this opera is surely an examination of the qualitative differences between carnal desire and spiritual love, but in this production that theme plays second fiddle to the debate between rational thought and spiritual faith.

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