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Archive for August, 2010

Blood Brothers – Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Book/Music/Lyrics: Willy Russell Director: Bill Kenwright Reviewer: Iris Beaumont The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ Willy Russell’s 80’s musical has now firmly found its place in musical theatre history. its story manages to touch the hearts of all who have seen it, and is still bringing the masses in troths to sell out performances across the country, and those who [...]

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ED FRINGE 2010: Two Brothers and One World Cup – Underbelly, Cowgate

Director/Writer: Zach Lee Reviewer: Greig Ratcliff The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★½☆ People often refer to the wonder of the live show as a living, breathing organism where no two performances are the same. This of course can apply to many different aspects of the performing arts: dance, comedy, music, even art itself. The wonder of theatre however, is that [...]

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Ed Fringe 2010: Safe House – Space @ Surgeons Hall

Writer: James Hamer-Morton Director: Emma Kendrick Reviewer: John Roberts The Public Reviews Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ It is no surprise that eventually we would see a theatrical MI5 style thriller brought to life on stage; over the past 10 years the cinema has become saturated with such films ‘The Bourne Trilogy’ being just three and our television sets are regularly turning [...]

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Les Miserables: 25th Anniversary Tour – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Book/Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg Lyricist: Herbert Kretzmer Dramatist: Alain Boublil Adaptor: Trevor Nunn & John Caird Director: Laurence Connor & James Powell Reviewer: Hannah Badrock The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ 25 years not only marks a significant anniversary for one of the most successful long running musicals, ‘Les Miserables’, but reflects the continued magnificence of the show, and this touring [...]

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Gwen In Purgatory – Belvoir Upstairs theatre: Sydney, Australia

Writer: Tommy Murphy Director: Neil Armfield Reviewer: David Kary The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★★ Prolific young Australian playwright Tommy Murphy’s latest play ‘Gwen In Purgatory’, receiving its premiere production upstairs at Belvoir Street, is a compelling slice of life drama. His play takes us into the world of the Houlihan family of Queenbeyan, at a particular time in its [...]

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The Dummy Tree – The Tristan Bates Theatre, London

Writer and Composer: Conor Mitchell Director: Stuart Harvey Musical Director: Chris Huntley Reviewer: Vicky Bell The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★☆ Arriving at the theatre I had a slight sense of trepidation. I had seen this show before by another young company as part of the National Theatre New Connections programme in 2009 and was left a little bemused by [...]

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ED FRINGE 2010: Blackout – Underbelly, Cowgate

Writer: Davey Anderson Director & Choreographer: Neil Bettles Reviewer: Greig Ratcliff The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ High-octane, full on shows like ‘Blackout’ never fail to bore, but they can often fail to meet expectations, leaving an audience wanting more. Thankfully this ferociously energetic production, telling the true story of a Glaswegian young offender, really pushes the boat out and [...]

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ED FRINGE 2010: Lockerbie: Unfinished Business – Gilded Balloon Teviot

Writer: David Benson Director: Hannah Eidinow Reviewer: Greig Ratcliff The Public Reviews Rating: ★★★★½ I must admit that I have always been rather a sucker for all things topical. More often than not I find myself buying into new styles and reading up on current trends and happenings, and the recent media coverage on the Lockerbie Bombings, seeing the [...]

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