THE CALL OF CTHULHA at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

THE CALL OF CTHULHA at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

by

“. . .Devised, adapted and performed by Michael Sabbatton, we are introduced to Francis Wayland Thurston, who is in possession of a box that has haunted him for years. We are told the tale of Cthulu and how many before him have been destroyed by the curse that the box brings its owner. . . The descent into madness by forbidden knowledge is excellently captured by Sabberton; it makes for gripping and at times quite harrowing viewing. . . “

Read More
CHRISTIE IN LOVE at the Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

CHRISTIE IN LOVE at the Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

by

“. . . Christie In Love is one of Howard Brenton’s earliest plays, and Substance & Shadow deliver this dark, claustrophobic three-hander with great skill . . . passionate hatred is conveyed with terrifying intensity . . . Christie In Love does not make for comfortable viewing, not least because it perhaps suggests that Christie’s horrible perversions were but an extreme expression of a more general malaise, but Substance & Shadow’s production is uniformly well acted, gripping throughout and certainly thought-provoking.

Read More
THE LITVINENKO PROJECT at the Oxford Hub

THE LITVINENKO PROJECT at the Oxford Hub

by

“. . . This play could hardly be timelier. With the public inquiry in every news bulletin, it is hardly surprising to find that this show has sold out very quickly. Entering the upstairs room of Oxford’s Turl Street Kitchen, an audience of about 30 people takes seats in sofas and armchairs around the room. Low tables in front of us hold china cups and teapots. We sip Gunpowder Green tea and as the room falls silent, the play begins. . . A stunning, engaging, and unusual piece that well deserves more attention!”

Read More

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER at Malvern Theatres

by

” . . . Every single person in the cast is truly amazing, without exception, as they showcase their wealth of talent across all of the performing disciplines. CiCi Howells has to be mentioned for her powerhouse vocals, as the Club Singer, that were hauntingly woven through the protagonists journey of self realisation . . . This is musical theatre at its best! Make sure you see this production. It runs at Malvern Theatres until Saturday before continuing on the UK tour.

Read More
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Everyman, Cheltenham

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Everyman, Cheltenham

by

I must confess to never having seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, nor Jesus Christ Superstar, nor Hair. Never having been a hippy was maybe one reason, although I did have some trousers of many colours, if that counts. It was perhaps those three shows, more than anything, that opened the way to the new, blockbuster musicals that have dominated the West End and Broadway ever since. Without them we would have had no Evita, no Les Mis, no Miss Saigon, no Phantom of the Opera et al.

Read More

CLOSER EACH DAY at the Wardrobe, Bristol

by

” . . . Bristol is rapidly becoming something of a centre for improvised theatre and getting an early warm-up for the forthcoming Bristol Improv. Theatre Festival (BITFest) Closer Each Day last night gave the latest instalment of their improvised soap opera . . . Standup is now firmly established as a sub-genre and for one reason or another, perhaps its open-endedness and informality included, has become very popular. With a pint from downstairs to keep you going you might very well get hooked and find yourself going back to see how the unpredictable plots develop.

Read More

Pin It on Pinterest