REVIEW: Dick Whittington - A New Dick in Town at Above the Stag

A pantomime in November? Oh yes, it is! 

Some may argue that it is still far too early to begin celebrating Christmas. Me? I say bring on the mince pies and merriment! Which is why I jumped at the opportunity to snap up a ticket to Dick Whittington, A New Dick in Town! Which has just started its run at the Above The Stag Theatre in Vauxhall.  

Growing up I would often go with my family to the local pantomime each year in my hometown, however, until last night, I was yet to see an adult pantomime. I can confirm that it would certainly turn a few heads back in my neck of the woods! 

Much like the traditional tale, the story follows gay country lad Dick, as he comes to the big city in search of men and money. However, when dirty diva Queen Rat comes along and frames Dick for crime he hasn’t committed, it’s certain that Dick’s life will become harder than ever before (pun intended!). 

REVIEW: The Pleasure Garden – A Vauxhall Musical at the Above The Stag Theatre

It’s an unusual privilege to be able to visit the real setting of a performance before watching but with “The Pleasure Garden” it would be hard not to. Just around the corner from The “Above The Stag Theatre” you’ll find the famous “Pleasure Gardens” the musical’s title depicts. Now a fairly run of the mill park area, a notice board depicts the elaborate and extraordinary history these Gardens hold. Visiting here before the performance raised my anticipation and interest to find out the intriguing past of this historic treasure chest. 

Entering “Above the Stag” gives me the familiar warm atmosphere I always experience when in the LGBTQIA+ theatre. The friendly staff provided the audience with free glossy programmes that gives information furthering the knowledge the park noticeboard had displayed. The programme tells that the history of the area goes back as early as 1600 when the space was known as The New Spring Gardens and had famous visitors including diary keeper Samuel Pepys. In the 18th century, the area reached high popularity, now called the Pleasure Gardens, with its unorthodox classless policy meaning that this really was a place where all areas of life, rich or poor, could mingle. Reading this pre-show heightened my curiosity for what was to come. 

When entering the theatre, the set is surprising as it is covered in building fences and construction working signs telling you to “Wear your mask” (An all too familiar notice of 2021). Knowing the history of the Gardens this is not what I expected to see but the musical begins in the present day with two builders finding a locket from the past leading to them pondering where it had originated from. With the words of a wise homeless man (The first of many characters played by the comically versatile Steve Watts), there are clues and suggestions of the past glories of what has now become a building site. The audience is then transported back in time as the fences are removed and fairy lights illuminate to the sound of, “When the lights go on at Vauxhall” to reveal a magical set suggesting the mystique and excitement of the Pleasure Gardens. 

INTERVIEW: Jack Hinton, presenting his one-man Concert THE BAGGY TROUSERS CONCERT at Above The Stag

Jack Hinton is presenting his own one-man show 'The Baggy Trousers Concert' at Above The Stag on the 3rd December 2020, he will also be streaming it later that month online. In 2019, whilst out in Germany rehearsing for Starlight Express, welsh musical theatre performer Jack Hinton was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In this concert, he will share his experience of his battle with cancer and mental health, telling all about how he got back on his feet (well, in a pair of roller skates) on the Starlight Express stage 2 weeks after his surgery. Through an array of musical theatre, pop and Christmas songs, performed alongside the fabulous Ben Papworth on piano, you can be sure for a unique and heartfelt extravaganza taking place for one night only at the Above The Stag Theatre.  

You will be performing your first one-man show at Above The Stag on the 3rd December, ‘The Baggy Trousers Concert’ tells the story of your cancer journey through an array of musical theatre and pop songs. What inspired the idea to create this show and tell your story in this way?

2020 have been a bleak and testing year for everyone! I left 2019 certain that 2020 would be a better year- LOLS! Especially given the lack of theatre we have had this year; I put one and one together and came up with the idea of sharing something I struggled with; with hope it would resonate with others. Of course the show is to raise money and awareness on testicular cancer and the charity Baggy Trousers, but the sentiment of the show is for anyone to watch and feel like they can celebrate whatever they have gone through as well. My hope is by telling my story, it will help others whether they’ve been fighting/fought the same battle as me or have fought a different battle in celebrating their strength and feeling proud of what they’ve overcome. And the best way I can do that is, of course, is through theatre! 

You were diagnosed with testicular cancer whilst out in Germany performing in Starlight Express, What was it like receiving this news whilst not only having to focus on your job but also whilst being in a different country? 

When you get told something like that, nothing else around you really exists and your only focus is facing it head-on. You kind of automatically resort to tunnel vision and everything also around you is just black. Though there was an obvious language barrier between myself and the doctor’s, I felt very lucky with the amazing healthcare out there and am so grateful to have received the amazing treatment I did- and so quickly! On top of this, I was also doing what I loved and was working with the most wonderful cast. 

REVIEW: Buyer and Cellar at Above the Stag

Originally performed by Michael Urie, Buyer and Cellar premiered in the US in 2013. Written by Jonathan Tolins, the show is told by Alex More, a struggling actor, in a one-man play. More tells us about the story of when he got a job working in Barbra Streisand’s basement that she has transformed into an idyllic shopping mall to house the spare possessions she has collected over the years. His story splits between his interactions with Babs herself, her husband James Brolin, Streisand’s housekeeper and his own boyfriend. 

 

Buyer and Cellar was meant to play its run in March at Above the Stag, but due to the global pandemic it just missed its press night. So it is the natural choice for the theatre to make its come back with! In terms of the measures the theatre have adapted to ensure its patrons safety, its been pretty well looked after. Social distancing was very thorough and with drinks being delivered to your seats they really have gone the extra mile to not only ensure everyone's safety is top of the list but also your comfort. In this fairly new building, its a very comfortable and spacious venue which is perfect for adapting to the measures for everyone's well keeping. 

Starring Aaron Sidwell who people may know best from Eastenders but is no stranger to the stage with numerous musical, play and Shakespeare credits, he brings to life Alex and all his counterparts with such an effortless flare. His character switches were by no means impressions or caricatures but his physical changes and slight vocal shifts define each and every person well enough for us to become familiar with them all. As a one-man play, the whole thing rides on him and he really does pull it off, making the hour and a half performance fly by. 

REVIEW: Four Play at the Above the Stag Theatre

Above the Stag is always a warm and friendly LGBTQIA+ theatre based in Vauxhall, that has newly renovated their studio theatre over Christmas. The revival of Jake Brunger’s ‘Four Play’ marks the first show in this newly improved space, and what a fantastic show to start off with. 

The story revolves around Rafe and Pete, a monogamous couple who’ve been together for 7 (and a half) years, who want to explore sleeping with someone else. Asking their acquaintance Michael (who’s in an open relationship with Andrew) to help them out by sleeping with them both, what could possibly go wrong?

In this day and age, it’s refreshing to watch an LGBTQIA+ show that is not reliant upon nudity to sell it, and the portrayal of all body shapes on stage. It is rare to see such diversity of all kinds on the stage and I am so glad that Above the Stag are putting shows like this on stage. With shows like the Inheritance, Tumulus and now Four Play, they are putting on the map that LGBTQIA+ writing is quality and relevant for everyone! For this I can only commend Above the Stag.

INTERVIEW: Summer Strallen, currently appearing in Intra Muros at the Park Theatre

Summer Strallen is a celebrated and treasured Musical Theatre star, she is currently in Intra Muros at the Park Theatre. Her Television and Film includes: Five-A-Side (Emerald Films), Casualty (BBC), The Land Girls (BBC), Hotel Babylon (Carnival Fims), Beyond The Sea directed by Kevin Spacey and Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures). Theatre includes Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre), Hysteria (London Classics Theatre Tour), A Damsel In Distress (Chichester Festival Theatre), Life Of The Party (Menier Chocolate Factory), Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre and National Tour), Olivier Nominatrion - 2013 Best Actress in a Musical. Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre), 2011 Olivier Nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, The Sound of Music (London Palladium), The Drowsy Chaperone (Novello Theatre), 2008 Olivier Nomination Best Actress in a Musical, The Boyfriend (Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park), 2007 Olivier Nomination for Best Supporting Role in a Musical, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park), Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium), Cats (New London Theatre and National Tour). We spoke to her in rehearsals... 

You’re about to be featured in Intra Muros at Park Theatre, tell us a little bit about the play. 

The piece is a reflection on what life is like in prison for both the people incarcerated and the people on the outside. At the heart we try to help people understand how acting is a part of every human beings life in some shape or form.

You’re playing the role of Alice, tell us about her. 

Alice is a relatively new to the job social worker who organises a theatre workshop for prisoners. Alice is young and enthusiastic but has had a strange upbringing whereupon she feels there are secrets about her that she has not been privy to. 

The Park Theatre is a much more intimate space than you’re used to in some of the theatres you’ve played, what are you most excited and frightened about?

The only worry I have is that I have to strike chairs off stage and a couple of times I’ve thought I might trip over their feet or poke someone in the eye! Other than that it’s rather nice being so intimate with the audience!

REVIEW: Romance Romance at Above the Stag

Romance Romance is a musical in two acts; The first takes place ‘in and around turn-of-the-century Vienna’ focusing on the relationship between Valentin and Alfred, both coming from wealthy backgrounds go in disguise to have an affair with someone from a poorer background but both fool each other and make up stories that in the end they both have to come clean. It turns out, because they both actually come from the same social background, they can be together but because the whole relationship is built on lies, will it work? 

The second act fast forwards to modern day and set in an apartment where two couples are shacking up for the summer in the Hamptons. We see two best friends, Jeremy and Sam, sharing details about their partners, Leonard and Benjamin, and their marriages. Hidden feelings come up and they come clean to each other but will their marriages survive? 

Act one was a true musical farce and the writing reflected this style through and through. The direction and choreography all embraced this style and it was a really enjoyable story to watch unfold, the devises used also really complimented the story and is executed incredibility well.