Simon Bishop

TOP HAT at the Bristol Hippodrome

Posted by Simon Bishop | 19 Nov 2014

“A large and appreciative first-night crowd clearly transported, rising as one to cheer a sparkling band of hoofers at Bristol’s Hippodrome theatre at the end of a Top Hat delivered with gusto, and no little wit. . . Irving Berlin’s classic musical still has the power to lift us up from the despond of austerity 80 years after its massive box office success in 1930s America. All the elements are there – celebrity, wealth, (discreet) sex, love and a happy ending . . . It’s a big hit, enjoy!”

Gecko’s INSTITUTE at the Bristol Old Vic

Posted by Simon Bishop | 7 Nov 2014

“. . . Institute is no walk in the park. The enhanced sound of the dancers’ breath and breathing told us a lot of what we needed to know about their state of mind, and sometimes the physical effort of their work. There were brilliantly executed passages – at one point all four men linked arms and twisted, pivoted and tangled together as a pulsing human amoeba. . . Gecko to its great credit and courage seeks to break down the parameters of conventional dance. Institute is more evidence of this bold theatrical initiative.”

RSC’s HENRY IV Part 1 at the Theatre Royal, Bath

Posted by Simon Bishop | 5 Nov 2014

“Wearing a red cushion for a crown and looking not unlike a character out of Captain Pugwash, Antony Sher as Falstaff sits atop a wooden chair as makeshift throne. . . Gregory Doran’s sparkling direction is both inspired and thrilling. This is the RSC at its most dazzling. The speed and range of the proceedings are breathtaking . . . That [Falstaff] is an out and out rogue is never in doubt, yet it is he who delivers a withering account of the real meaning of honour. From deep within his corruption comes uncomfortable truth. Magnificent.”

BALLET RAMBERT at Bath Theatre Royal

Posted by Simon Bishop | 31 Oct 2014

” . . . The Theatre Royal audience rose as one to acclaim the ensemble after a triumphant, exhilarating and sensitive performance to some of the Rolling Stones’ finest early works. In a last moment of silence, Cuban dancer Miguel Altunaga jutted his chin out in a gesture of male bravado and brought the house down . . . This was fabulous stuff, devoured by the audience who at once became animated, to some extent released from the more demanding abstractions that had preceded it . . . Sassy, sexy and strongly recommended.

ETO’s LIFE ON THE MOON on tour

Posted by Simon Bishop | 28 Oct 2014

“From the first moment, when a smiling Ronan Busfield (Cecco) regales us from the front of the stage to explain the synopsis, to “those of you who haven’t been generous enough to buy the programme,” and confides with us that “Soprano Jane Harrington is still in her dressing room worrying about the size of her hips”, we are under no illusion that we are witness to ‘something slightly different’. . . It was always director Cal McCrystal’s intention to tease out belly laughs from this preposterous tale of misogyny, delusion, love and come-uppance.”

Author: Simon Bishop

TOP HAT at the Bristol Hippodrome

Gecko’s INSTITUTE at the Bristol Old Vic

RSC’s HENRY IV Part 1 at the Theatre Royal, Bath

BALLET RAMBERT at Bath Theatre Royal

ETO’s LIFE ON THE MOON on tour

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