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Writer: Noel Coward Director: Matthew Llloyd Reviewer : Kevin O’Brien Revived many times since its 1941 premiere, Sir Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit has sometimes been used as a vehicle for prominent actors and actresses. This production forsakes the temptation of casting a big name or two, and triumphs with an excellent cast, regardless of the relative lack of TV soap appearances between them. The reward of seeing seven actors combining to deliver one of Coward’s most popular pieces at a brisk yet unrushed pace is tribute to the casting and direction as well as the skills of the actors themselves. Not one laugh fell flat, and while everyone on stage was at least equal to their part, male lead Simon Dutton deserved special praise for his portrayal of the author, widow and initially sceptical socialite Charles Condomine. Dutton played the script like a stringed instrument, and looked born to the part. Coward wrote Blithe Spirit in a mere five days, pruning his original script of just two lines of dialogue prior to its first London performance. As such, and with the action all taking place in an affluent 1940′s drawing room, it’s tempting to perceive the play as a cosy, even boastful monument to Coward’s virtuosity. Yet that would be entirely churlish; this remarkable feat of writing is simply the work of a great writer at the peak of his powers. The wit is as dry as a martini mixed by Condomine’s second wife Ruth, while the razor-sharp dialogue underpins a gamut of devices including the centerpiece of Condomine’s first wife Elvira returning to haunt Charles via a seance, various other things that go bump in the night, and even a false ending! While in 2007 it might still be argued Blithe Spirit has been reduced to a period piece, [...]

Electric Mouse Comedy Club Reviewer by: Sarah Brown Sunday night at the Kings Head saw the kind of crowd every comedian must dream of. A host of 20 and 30 something Islingtonians, pleasantly tipsy and determined to have a good time. It was, hence, some achievement on the part of MC James Mullinger that the only laughs he drew from this affable group were nervous ones. However, being a positive kind of person I’ll dwell on the other three acts who were GREAT. First was the honey-voiced Padraig Hyland, who presented his charming, conversational act as if he was talking to a mate in the pub. Bemoaning the terrible weather, his opening gambit was ‘Make some noise if you’re a sun worshipper’, when this drew the inevitable roar, he stated, after a suitably dramatic pause, ‘I’m a Catholic meself’. Hyland didn’t talk about anything spectacular, but his tale of his flat with no furniture (‘The contract said unfurnished and I’m not one to break the rules’) ensured that by the end of the set he really was talking to his mates in the pub. Kiwi Jarred Christmas was next up, resplendent in massive sideburns and a bright red shirt. Jarred’s (I can’t bring myself to call him Chrismas) self deprecatory style and the playing of the foreigner card was an instant hit. ‘Superdrug,’ he said, ‘What a disappointment that turned out to be’. His enthusiasm was such that the audience were soon cheering him on. He also played to the female contingent with his line ‘No man wants a woman who’s so thin she can shop in Gap for Kids. I want a woman who eats cheeseburgers and can stick up for me in a fight.’ Go Jarred! And last but not least, the hilarious Lucy Porter. The kind of [...]

Writer: Bob Carlton Director: Kevin Shaw Reviewer: Lisa Whiteside Return to the Forbidden Planet at the Oldham Coliseum proved to be a very entertaining night. A story based upon a sci-fi, rock ‘n’ roll version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest had many of the audience chuckling at various cheesy lines, such as ‘two beeps or not two beeps’, and giggling nervously when asked to actively participate in their ‘reverse polarity’ routine! To begin with the cast and crew mix amongst the audience as everyone made the way to their seats and are then introduced to Captain Tempest, aboard his Intergalactic Starship Albatross, and so the adventure begins… The bridge of the Albatross is where the action takes place and the design by Richard Foxton was impressive with a mix of flashing lights, video screen (complete with a guest appearance from Ricky Tomlinson) and quite a flashy airlock for the Robot Ariel (Kieran Buckeridge) to come skating through! I was somewhat pleasantly surprised with the set overall, particularly when I considered the limitations and constraints that such a traditional style of theatre may have presented. This was supported by some very tongue in cheek direction by Kevin Shaw such as the miniature rocket that glided or should I say was dragged above our heads but did raise quite a few laughs from the audience. The crew comprised of eight main characters and proved to be a very strong and talented bunch that was led by Justin Brett as Captain Tempest and his sidekick Bosun (Adam Keast). It cannot be denied that this was a very talented cast that had to act, sing, dance and even fight off monsters!!! I was somewhat dubious however over the quite camped up portrayal of Prospero played by Paul Kissaun, who although very entertaining, did seem to [...]

Writer: Roger Crane Director: David Jones Reviewer: Jenny Williams Most of us of a certain age, whether Catholic or not, remember 1978 as a year of white smoke issuing twice from the Vatican, but we are less likely to remember why. After the death of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I was elected, but was found dead in his bed 33 days later. The circumstances of his death have never been confirmed, except that the Vatican press release was found to be largely false. The Last Confession is a murder mystery, and with David Suchet in the lead, thoughts of Hercule Poirot are not far away. However, Suchet’s character, Cardinal Benelli, is far from the objective Belgian detective. He is a man approaching death confessing his sins to a mysterious monk, and the play is mostly flashback. Benelli is racked with guilt having allowed personal ambition prevent him from supporting the new Pope. What really happened is not known, but who was there is known. The politics of the Vatican are complicated, and the Cardinals, convincingly portrayed by a distinguished cast, are sophisticated men using intellect and wit to resist change and maintain their status. The new Pope, played by the smiling Richard O’Callaghan, is shown to be a humble, gentle soul, determined to carry out his office as a People’s Pope, being available to his flock, and purging the Church of corruption and intrigue. There are plenty of possible suspects… The Last Confession is a fascinating portrayal of one man’s struggle against greed and intrigue, and of another’s ambition and betrayal, familiar but fascinating themes. The acting is excellent, William Dudley’s set is interesting and effective, the material stimulating, and the mysterious monk thought provoking. The first act is slow, with the scene being carefully painted, but it is [...]