ATOMOS at the Oxford Playhouse

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“. . . The music was gorgeous – A Winged Victory for the Sullen soundtracked the production with soaring chords. The minimal costuming showed off the range of motion to perfect effect. The simple use of light and colour in the background was effective, although the audience had to wear 3D glasses for a large part of the show to watch video screens dangling above the stage. I think this was meant to make Atomos a multimedia experience, but it felt superfluous – a distracting gimmick . . . . “

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Daphne du Maurier’s REBECCA at the Theatre Royal Bath

Daphne du Maurier’s REBECCA at the Theatre Royal Bath

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” . . . Kneehigh brought trademark sideshow moments to the production. Throughout, moods were heightened by some lovely playing on violin, xylophone, mandolin, accordion and double bass, and there were full-throated Cornish sea shanties that gave roots to the drama – After the Soul is Gone, and Hang Boys, Hang interrupting the gloominess of the plot. There was puppetry too, notably Jasper the dog, and a hilarious ‘scratch’- style Charleston danced by the full cast. . . “

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TWELVE ANGRY MEN on tour

TWELVE ANGRY MEN on tour

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“. . . Tom Conti is ideally cast in the Henry Fonda/James Stewart type role, his easy going manner soothing the more volatile elements from a cross-section of 1950s New York society. They are all there – the bigot, the young guy from the same side of the tracks as the accused, a couple of besuited and respectable city types and another with anger management issues. It is rare you see such a large ensemble piece with all the links in the chain equally strong . . . ”

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BACK DOWN at the Door, Birmingham Rep

BACK DOWN at the Door, Birmingham Rep

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“. . . The boys all perform well and have a great rapport between them thus making the friendship believable. Waleed Akhtar gives the best performance, you can sense the ambition that is harboured inside waiting to rise, Lawrence Walker ably portrays the sensitivity of someone who is love-struck and missing his other half and Sam Cole creates a cheeky character that is easily recognisable; however his use of gestures are a little too animated at times to sit comfortably. . . “

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ELIZABETH I: Virgin on the Ridiculous at The Tobacco Factory, Bristol

ELIZABETH I: Virgin on the Ridiculous at The Tobacco Factory, Bristol

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“The two work well together and it shows. As is often the case with such loosely tailored pieces there is much that is self-referential and lots of banter with the audience including a shameless plug for a touted CD. Director, Craig Edwards, has allowed the performers to do their own thing whilst making sure the comedy is not lost in self-indulgence. It’s a cracking recycling of all those little nuggets of Elizabethan history you learned at school.”

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Martin Bonger as FAT MAN on tour

Martin Bonger as FAT MAN on tour

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“. . . Orpheus is washed-up. He eats too many doughnuts, he’s drunk, and he’s doing stand-up comedy for the gods . . . As Orpheus’s heart breaks in front of us he reveals so much about the fundamental point of stories, and of the art telling of them . . . This is a story so mesmerizingly told that it’s easy to forget that it’s happening within the constructs of the theatre. Martin Bonger is Orpheus. His story is captivating, and devastating, and real. Even the trees and rocks would stop to listen. “

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