Author: Simon Bishop

Gecko’s INSTITUTE at the Bristol Old Vic

“. . . 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.”

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

“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.”

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BALLET RAMBERT at Bath Theatre Royal

” . . . 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.

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ETO’s LIFE ON THE MOON on tour

“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.”

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STRICTLY BALTI at the Brewery, Bristol

“. . . Against the current hysterical political debate about immigration, Saikat’s piece serves as a heart-felt reminder that we need to ask ourselves what it means to be ‘made in Britain’. By revealing his life’s journey so intimately, he leaves us asking ourselves questions of our own. . . Directed by Sally Cookson, Strictly Balti is further proof that the Travelling Light Theatre Company can deliver potent new voices. Recommended.

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