Tag: Reviewing

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The Snow Queen and Mixie

I’ve seen so much great theatre recently. It makes my little heart happy. And most of the time I love crafting a review about it. I mean I want to wax lyrical about things I’ve seen, so why not do it in writing?

The Snow Queen produced by This Is My Theatre was one of those. Gorgeously magical and ethereal and yet grounded. They have a style all of their own which I absolutely love. It reminds me of reading Famous Five books when I was little: taking you to a place where your imagination can still play with what you are seeing. My Brighton Source review is here.

Then I’d actually bought a ticket to see a production at New Venture Theatre: NVT, not with the intention of reviewing, but just because I wanted to see it. But I was so taken with it that I spoke to the director afterwards and offered to review, which he was delighted with. So my intended night off didn’t pan out as planned, but writing about it was so worth it: it helped me process what I’d just seen, as I sat in the theatre after it finished and said out loud “someone needs to explain to me what I’ve just watched…” BUT, thinking about it, sleeping on it, I was fired up with ideas and concepts. It’s more abstract than things I usually go for as I love a good story more than anything, but having said that, this was exceptional. My Brighton Source review is here.

Both productions are still available to see – if you’re quick, so enjoy the read!

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More Great Theatre

If you are a fan of musical theatre and want a great night out in Brighton, look no further than “C’est Magnifique” at The Tusk Club at The Walrus. Fun, sassy, sexy, surprising, super quality. Full review here

Identity Theatre produced “The Welkin” in October and that was stunning. Yes it featured many of my friends and colleagues but I do not write anything I don’t mean. Full review here.

“Savage in Limbo” was fierce at the Lantern Theatre, and making it into my top 10 favourite musicals: “Dear Evan Hansen” national tour at the Theatre Royal. So incredibly inspiring and moving, tears were shed, many many tears! The quality in the production is off the charts as well. I just loved it.

“Gwyneth Goes Skiing” made me howl with laughter – honestly like nothing else around. “Here You Come Again” – a feel good musical featuring a dream Dolly Parton, was gloriously uplifting.

And that’s just some of the amazing theatre out there. I’ve been so super busy it’s ridiculous. And off to another tonight. Life is there to be embraced!

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Reviews reviews reviews

After watching and reviewing over 20 shows in the Brighton Fringe Festival, you’d think I’d want a little rest. Absolutely not. You can never have too much theatre.

Went to Worthing to see “A Different Song” as part of the Worthing Festival, with all three performers from Brighton. Really enjoyed it. Brighton Source review here.

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A World of Change in a Week

Very sad to share that the Gin Palace Productions and Twilight Theatre co-production of “Loyalty – Lady Montague and Lady Capulet” at this year’s Fringe has had to be postponed. Really heart-breaking, but unavoidable. These things sadly happen. We’re currently planning and plotting and looking at our already busy schedules for the coming year to bring it later this year.

In the meantime, why not book your tickets for Identity Theatre’s “Oliver Twist” adapted by Neil Bartlett? I play – drum roll please – Mr Bumble! I’m super thrilled and excited and I can’t wait. Plus it will be at Brighton Open Air Theatre so you can have a picnic at the same time. Get booking now – I’m told tickets are already going… click here for link to book

More reviews this week at the Fringe – my absolute favourite was Karaoke at the SU. Absolutely BRILLIANT. Honestly blown away by this young – just graduated – group of creatives. Here’s the link to the review on Brighton Source.

I did see 5 shows in two days and that was enormous fun: One Way Mirror, FOUL, That Witch Helen and RANK. All completely different and in the first one in that list I ended up being on stage being in it. That was an interesting challenge!

It takes an enormous amount of work and courage to put on your own production: to everyone who has and everyone is about to – massive well done, good for you, you follow your dreams. And if there is something in a review that you can learn from: please listen to that – if the reviewer is anything like me they will have thought long and hard about how to put feedback in a way that helps you for the future.

Tomorrow: 2 productions, Friday 1, Saturday 1, Sunday all day theatre event. Ah life. Always interesting!

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More Fringe! More More More!

So 11 days later – I’ve not been as busy reviewing. Why you ask? Because somewhere along the line I have to prioritise time to rehearse my own show of course! Oh, have I not mentioned it? Really?

As to Brighton Fringe, there has been less these past 11 days to rave about but there have been some true gems. Great Britons (reviewed for Broadway Baby) from The Foundry Group are always superb – they have a unique style that is hilarious, but not just meaningless fluff, it’s really rich writing. I will continue to go and see every show they put on because they are always brilliant. Always!

Another amazing show – so packed and so informative – is The Empress and Me (reviewed for Brighton Source). From the same people who bring us The Ballad of Mulan and the same actress: Michelle Yim – who is rapidly becoming one of my favourites to watch.

We also went to see Born and Bread as a family – developed by Brighton People’s Theatre with real stories of food and nurturing and nourishing and belonging. And bread and soup. We all loved it, Mia loved the movement and singing and all the coloured lights. Found myself nodding, lighting up, and then crying at the end (in a good way). I always love being moved.

AND GREAT NEWS!!! Magpie – that I went on and on about – and am still going on about – is returning for two more shows at the Lantern Theatre. Here is my review again, and here is the booking link. Just go, honestly, just go see it. You’re welcome. In fact, on 30th May you could come see Loyalty (click for booking link) at 6.45 for an hour, then pop up to the Lantern to see Magpie at 9.00. You know it makes sense!

Happy Fringe!

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9 Shows in 10 Days – Happy Happy

How’s your Brighton Fringe going? Seen any good stuff?

I’ve been lucky enough to see some phenomenal shows so far. The most surprising has been “Paul and Laura Don’t Give A Sh*t (Sorry)” which I reviewed for Brighton Source, and I absolutely LOVED. I laughed until I cried and nodded so vehemently in agreement with things that I’m surprised I didn’t wreck my neck. It was so incredibly inspiring too. “What would you do tomorrow if you didn’t give a sh*t?” they ask, genuinely wanting to know everyone’s answer.

“Twisted Tales” (also Brighton Source) is so slick and clever – physical theatre done well is like a warm hug. Another little joyful gem (again Brighton Source) is “The Ballad of Mulan”: such power in this petite framed woman, such a fascinating story of war and fear and hiding your true self, and a really interesting exploration of gender labels. That potentially makes it sound academic – it’s not – read my review instead – it’ll tell you more.

But the biggest standout so far has to be “Magpie” (Broadway Baby). I was blown away. I was literally speechless at the end, took a minute to recover, and when I found my voice again I have been going on about it to anyone who would be polite enough to listen.

I can’t stress this enough – if you get the chance, go and see these shows. Don’t even hesitate, just go.

You’re welcome.

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

My first review for Brighton Source at Brighton Theatre Royal. This was the second time I’ve seen this show but this production was far superior to the first incarnation: the difference in the energy of the lead made all the difference. This is only the second time I’ve been in a theatre where everyone – every single member of the audience – spontaneously got to their feet to applaud at the end of the show. And it was worthy of that standing ovation.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
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Last of the Fringe 2019

To end this year’s Fringe I saw four shows in three days. Yes, three of them were children’s shows and one of those I didn’t even bring Mia to as she was double booked – but I had committed to reviewing it.

We started with a retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” on Friday which was delightful and charming. I wanted to give this 3.5 stars but the star rating won’t give halves. It was really lovely though and Mia loved the beast and having her photo taken with them! Review here.

Friday evening I was at Brighton Little for “The Pride”. I wouldn’t and couldn’t review this being a member of the Little. OH MY GIDDY GOODNESS I can’t even begin to tell you how absolutely brilliant it was. Superb script, beautifully and sensitively directed with perfect understanding of the material, and the acting was incredible. Sometimes BLT produce absolute class, and this was one of these moments. This is NOT a forgettable play, or a forgettable evening. This will stay with me. Wow. If I could have reviewed it I would have given 5 stars.

Saturday, this time without Mia, I saw “Ogg and Ugg and Dogg” about how early humans first connected with wolves and tamed them, thus creating one of our most beloved pets. Sounded great, and it started really well but after about 20 minutes just kind of fizzled out slowly through to the end. I really wished more for it as it had potential. I reviewed this and if you want to find it do search but I won’t put the link.

Sunday, the best at the last: my favourite has to be “This Noisy Isle” which was just brilliant. A fun non patronising children’s show which as a deeper message. More of these please! Mia absolutely loved it and so did Andy and I. Read my review here.