Archive for category New Town Theatre
Sailing On
Posted by Martin in New Town Theatre, Rex de Vil, Sailing On on August 25, 2011
THEATRE
****
Sailing On
New Town Theatre
Transforming the ladies toilet at the New Town Theatre into the space “between the missing and drowned”, the ShadyJane Theatre Company have provided a fresh and captivating antidote to the painful theatrical experiences I have suffered under the banner of ‘interactive’ or ‘site specific’ work. Examining the often-romanticised motif of the drowned woman, this trip to ‘spend a penny’ will be one you’ll never forget.
When reading that Virgina Woolf and Shakespeare’s Ophelia are to be encountered as characters, one understands that some may feel cautious regarding the quality of this piece. Fear not – these personalities are rather reference and used in a manner that is both humorous and moving, extending an interesting consideration of the dialogues we share with historical and fictional personalities in everyday life. The opening duologue between these two figures is one of the most entertaining moments I have experienced this fringe, with the performers interacting with the intimate audience members in a way that undercut the site specific quality of the production itself. The comic timing of these two performers is sublime, building an atmosphere that provides the perfect contrast the shift in tone introduced in the second half – a tender yet haunting insight into the memories of the third character Romola, a passing visitor. Although some of the motifs in this secondary section bordered on cliché, here the innovation of the company really shone through, as hand-held projectors cast ghostly videos on the tiled walls and shadows were spookily sculpted to a stirring piano based soundtrack. Reintroducing the light hearted style of the opening scenes again at the end could have been a more interesting way to close the work, although I imagine the structure of this work is constantly changing and evolving and perhaps this was already unsuccessfully work-shopped.
The most successful and engaging site-specific offering I have seen at this year’s Fringe – Go along and get wet.
Dust
Posted by Martin in Brett Herriot, Dust, New Town Theatre on August 14, 2011
THEATRE**** Dust
New Town Theatre
The radio crackles into life it’s the morning news, Margaret Thatcher is dead and so begins the play called dust.
Dust is a political drama that takes us into the life of Arthur Scargill the firebrand leaders of the NUM who took the miners out on strike in 1974 and again in 1984 and the one man Maggie openly hated. It also takes a look at Arthur James Cook another mine union leader whose general strike in 1927 brought about his premature death at the age of 47 just a few short years later. The play has been commissioned to mark the 30th Anniversary of Scargill’s election to the post of president of the union. It is a fictional play using real life characters with the intention of showing what the average miner went through at the face of the strike along side Scargill’s fight against Thatcher that ultimately didn’t succeed.
West End and national Actor Michael Strobel takes on the role of Scargill to great aplomb as a man so many years past his prime but still scared and flawed by the battle that ensued during the 80’s. Stewart Howson plays Lawrence the bitter miner who fought hard and lost everything in the miners strike before selling out and taking the compensation offered by the government. It’s his excellent portrayal that drives the play on. Both are joined by John Sackville and Alice Bernard and an outstanding performance from Lucinda Curtis as Barbara the most human of the character who lost more than money or respect during the strike and gives a powerful and emotional performance throughout.
This really is an exceptionally well directed and crafted piece of theatre which gets the mind working and reflecting on a period in recent history which saw the destruction of an entire industry which left us with sad fact that despite having many, many years of coal supplies under our very feet, The UK imports 90% of its coal. This is one play worth the watching.
Sneasons of Liz
Posted by Martin in Jodie Fleming-Stanley, New Town Theatre, Sneasons of Liz on August 13, 2011
CABARET****
Sneasons of Liz
New Town Theatre
Liz Merendino stars in this fantastically innovative, impassioned glimpse into the formative years of a young woman blighted with allergies ‘so rich and so many that’ she made a show out of them. Merendino plays the part of Liz, who travels the world to escape the crush she’s developed on her step-father. She finds herself in oft comedic situations, with sexual liaisons which break her heart and force her farther round the globe. From the Venezualan cheat, to the London transvestite, and then the Tokyo deserter they all serve to distract Liz from her allergies – before breaking her heart and bringing them back with a vengeance. ‘Pollen comes from male trees – males are the problem!’ states Liz.
Merendino sings her way through the performance, with a velveteen jazz voice somewhat similar to Amy Winehouse. ‘Medieval Dress’ and ‘Stormy Monday’ were my favourite numbers, and the audience was mesmerised by this tiny beautiful woman with a voice which reverberated resoundingly throughout the theatre. Recognition is deserved also by Merendino’s male counterpart in the show, who is the most amazing piano player I have ever heard! And i’ve been to a lot of piano bars across the globe! He tinkled those ivories with such speed and precision that I was transported far into their world. He also spoke several languages and provided a male voice over where necessary. Merendino also projected the voice of her mother, utilising a higher pitched squal and a pair of Deidre glasses to complete the effect.
A sexy, soulful performance with a titilising yet charming appeal that will take Merendino far. This is only the start! See her while you can still afford her!
Cock and Bull Story
Posted by Martin in Cock And Bull Story, New Town Theatre, Tony Challis on August 12, 2011
THEATRE
****
Cock and Bull Story
New Town Theatre
This is great fun and also heartbreaking. Travis (who hates to be called Rupert) is training for his big fight. His best mate, Jacko, is helping him prepare. It is very clear that Jacko can hardly keep his hands off any part of Travis, but also mocks him for his lack of success with girls. Despite this, they both indulge in a lot of homophobic language, and the ned Jacko boasts of his queerbashing successes.
The dynamism of the two actors and the lively persistence with which they interrogate each other keeps this moving at a brisk pace. Jacko (Matt Robertson) has to maintain a frantic front, probably he can hardly admit even to himself his deepest feelings –and cannot react when Travis (Matt Robertson) strips nude before putting on his fight gear. But there are moments of near despair on the part of each.
There is much banter about the use of condoms, and talk about sharing a flat in London when Travis is successful – and enjoying loads of birds down there. Hmm. As I said, hilarious but deeply sad.
The two actors maintain a manic pace and perform with tremendous energy. Enjoy watching these two splendid actors – while not forgetting the culture of the “boy tribe” which can still make guys like this miss out on what they most want.
Writer Richard Crowe is London Olympics 2012 Creative Programmer. Which is very interesting indeed.
Pinocchio: A Fantasy of Pleasures
Posted by Martin in Martin Walker, New Town Theatre, Pinocchio: Fantasy of Pleasures on August 6, 2011
DANCE
****
Pinocchio: A Fantasy of Pleasures
New Town Theatre
Austin McCormick’s bilingual operatic dance remix of Carlo Collodi’s classic delivers a mash-up of genres frequently seen fused on the Fringe stage, but rarely this well.
Pinocchio, the wooden boy, sets off for his first day at school, but an amorous encounter with an enchanting Blue Fairy, leads him astray. Burlesque, S&M and gay and straight sex form the backdrop to ‘Pleasure Island’, a decadent Venetian Carnival and depraved paradise, where Pinocchio is made to perform for spectators like a slave.
Baroque choreography, eclectic music, Pop Culture, Opera, burlesque, ballet, gender-bending, high fashion, and sumptuous design ensure that this feast for the eyes succeeds in entertainment that’s both highbrow and accessible. Cutting-edge, yet extravagantly classical. This will be enjoyed by most, though a basic grasp of the Pinocchio story will deliver the best results.
Seen during a preview on the second day of the Fringe run, there were sadly one or two sound problems. Also, as other audience members later commented, there were “some interesting lighting decisions”. One doesn’t usually come to the theatre needing a torch. Finally, the full stage, and therefore much of the action, couldn’t be seen by many in the audience in seats not near the central aisle.
However this was a Preview and these quibbles will be addressed. And when they are, Pinocchio: A Fantasy of Pleasures will doubtless be a five star show.
