REVIEW: Ghosts of the Titanic at The Park Theatre

It’s always refreshing to see a show that doesn’t need the big stage, fancy costumes and huge sets to be successful. ‘Ghosts of the Titanic’ is exactly that. An intimate show telling the not so intimate story of possibly the most famous shipwreck of all time, the HMS Titanic. Or at least that's what we think is going to be told …

Probably the biggest part of this show is the storyline and what it focuses around, a theory that the HMS Titanic never actually hit an iceberg, that’s what Emma (Genevieve Gaunt) thinks as she begins to question what happens when her fiancé never returns home from the Titanic’s maiden voyage. She confides in Molloy (John Hopkins) who she believes to be a reporter, Insistent on getting her story out there, and also to Swanson (Lizzy McInnerny) at the local news desk. 

REVIEW: The Woods at the Southwark Playhouse

It seems to be that any David Mamet play tends to have the same similarities to its predecessors and successors. Enough so that if you get out your Mamet bingo card you’ll soon find yourself ticking off the usual trademarks, swearing, shouting, sexual references, and indeed, Sexism rather quickly. ‘The Woods’, Mamet's ninety-minute battle of the sexes gets that card well and truly stamped through an emotional turmoil involving a boy and girl's trip to a remote cabin.

It’s very simple, the storyline. Nick (Sam Frenchum) and Ruth (Francesca Carpanini) attempt to enjoy some alone time within the cabin; however, it quickly becomes apparent that the duo may not be as compatible as they think. As more and more niggles and throwaway comments here and there come out, it soon becomes an explosive back and forth between the pair.

REVIEW: Cirque Du Soleil - ‘Luzia’ at The Royal Albert Hall

Recognised globally for its spectacular performances, Cirque Du Soleil is a phenomenon. Continuing to amaze and leave audiences in awe around the world year after year. In the newest entry in the Cirque Du Soleil catalogue, it’s Luzia, a celebration of Mexico and the vibrant and colourful culture the country is known for. 

Much like its predecessors, Luzia has its moments of spectacle and elements to captivate, amaze (The many rain scenes in particular highly impressive) and even shock (Referring of course to the world bendiest man, I can only imagine the faces pulled under peoples masks throughout his section). It manages to expertly cater to all ages, the older generations leaving thoroughly blown away and the younger generation no doubt a part of the show imprinted in their minds, something they’ll most definitely never forget. 

REVIEW: Force Majeure at The Donmar Warehouse

Well here’s something different, Rory Kinnear in a show set in a French ski resort on a sloped ski stage at the Donmar Warehouse… I know right? Based on the film Ruben Östlund’s film of the same name, Force Majeure tells the story of Tomas (Rory Kinnear) and his one cataclysmic decision and the effects it has on his family that follow. 

What starts as a seemingly fun family holiday very quickly becomes the opposite when an avalanche destroys not only the resort but the moral compass of the family. It instantly goes from 0-100 within the aftermath of the event, though oddly it never seems to go anywhere after that and we’re kind of left wondering where this can continue to go. 

REVIEW: Sh!t-faced Showtime ‘A Pissedmas Carol’ at The Leicester Square Theatre

Get a group of actors together to put on ‘A Christmas Carol’ and get one of them completely drunk beforehand and what do you get, chaos? … absolutely! But a comedic 90-minute chaotic affair, at the expense of everyone but the drunk actor! 

Except for a compare who explains the proceedings of the show, the premise is pretty much self-explanatory. The. It’s a wait to find out who is tonight’s drunk addition before the show begins. 

What makes the show work so well is the complete unpredictability of the show. Naturally, the sober cast members do their best to navigate their way through the script, however, it’s not that simple when a drunk cast member has other ideas. The cast does exceptionally well it must be said, to continue with the story as it goes more or less off at a complete tangent (I’m certain I’ll never see ‘A Christmas Carol’ I’m quite the same way!) but remain composed throughout. 

REVIEW: Little Women at The Park Theatre

Jo March (Lydia White) has a small dream, to write stories and provide everything for her three sisters Meg (Hana Ichijo), Amy (Mary Moore) and Beth (Anastasia Martin). Though her societal demands make this a challenge in a world where a woman is to marry rich and powerful, relying on a man to support her. As she conquers rejection after rejection from publishers due to her unconventional stories, a suggestion to make her stories more personal may just be the answer she needs. 

To bring Louisa May Alcott’s book to life on stage would require transporting the imagination of the audience back to the period in which the story is set, of course, if the set and costumes are designed well then it’s a simple task to guess when and where we are. something that Nik Corrall exceeds in. Designing an intimate set and visually attractive costumes, remarkable feet to design both and excel at both. Considering the size of the theatre the set was both small and large at the same time, allowing the cast to move freely around the space, but creating a stunning backdrop for the many scenes. 

Though the story centres very much around Jo, who it has to be said is played with enthusiasm and brilliance by White, each scene she’s in she steals the spotlight, a powerhouse performance both in her acting and vocal ability. The show does very well to weaving in other characters at just the right time to add something extra to the show, be it their song or words. 

REVIEW: Showstopper! at The Lyric Theatre

A musical composed entirely from audience suggestions, sounds like a recipe for disaster, doesn’t it? You’d be right to assume this, but you couldn’t be further from the truth with ‘Showstopper!’ A brilliant evening of improvised comedy from start to finish. 

The premise is pretty simple. The compare in charge of the evening (Dylan Emery) receives a call from a west-end producer in need of a show and works to make one within 2 hours. The place, theme and musical style are entirely down to the suggestions from the audience, then it’s up to the cast to create the musical from scratch. 

Everything within the show from the compare, to the cast and musicians, work in cohesion to create the storyline. The musicians in particular do a tremendous job of creating music that fits the current point in the show and the cast then in turn do very well to create the songs on the spot. 

What’s very impressive with the cast is the ability to make the suggestions work, though it could be said that a few suggestions weren’t very funny or very easy to work with, the cast manage to make every suggestion work. It also highlights just how well they all work together and showcases the talent to quite literally, make anything work. It’s a skill to create a 2-hour long musical with a storyline that’s engaging and humerus from a few suggestions they’ve only just heard. It must be said that performances from Ruth Bratt, Pippa Evans, and Adam Meggido were the highlights, Meggido’s Hamilton inspired pirate rap was thrilling to watch!

REVIEW: Heathers at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Your school years are said to be the best years of your life, but are you living your best life if you're not befriending the popular people (The Heathers - Maddison Firth, Lizzy Parker, Merryl Ansah), getting caught up in boyfriend Drama (JD - Simon Gordon) and killing off your classmates… Sounds like a day in the life of Veronica Sawyer (Rebecca Wickes). 

With the touring cast overcoming the challenges of recent cast illnesses and having to reshape a show with understudies in previous performances, It’s a reassuring sight to see everyone back to their best. That said some members of the cast began very tamely but eventually grew into their role, whereas other members of the cast instantly hit the ground running.

Wickes’ and Gordon’s relationship was enjoyable to watch, they both complimented each other, allowing the pair to create a relationship that helped to showcase their chemistry through their acting abilities. Though they both appeared to hold back through their first few songs (Gordon’s ‘Freeze Your Brain’ still a soft and easy on the ears joy to listen to and Wickes’ ‘Dead Girl Walking’ a gritty and vocally tremendous well performed and acted number). They both grew into the roles and by the end, each showed just how talented they both are. 

REVIEW: Love And Other Acts Of Violence at the Donmar Warehouse

After a much-awaited re-opening, The first show to open the newly refurbed Donmar Warehouse was always going to carry tremendous pressure to set the bar for future shows to follow. Cordelia Lynn’s ‘Love And Other Acts Of Violence’ not only opened it tremendously but set the bar at such a height that productions to follow will struggle to raise it.

Basia Binkowska’s staging first and foremost, is incredibly clever. A simple wooden flooring surround by dirt transforms later into a much more detailed design. Suspended above and unbeknown to us the surprise is clever and elevates the story to a whole new level when the scenes change. 

As for the show itself, a young Jewish physicist (Her - Abigail Weinstock) and a left-wing poet (Him/man - Tom Mothersdale) who meet at a party may sound like the start of a bad joke… but as society collapses around them they struggle with their relationship and the demise continues to become more evident throughout the show, it’s quite clearly no laughing matter. 

REVIEW: The Last Five Years at the Garrick Theatre

Nothing says ‘relationship’ quite like a five-year emotional rollercoaster, it seems the perfect way to capture and depict the constant highs and lows is to stage it in chronological (Jamie - Oli Higginson) and reverse chronological order (Cathy - Molly Lynch). Here we get to see everything The couple go through, following their successes and failures, waiting on bated breath to see just how ‘The Last Five Years’ have been for them. 

Initially revived as a smaller staged production in its original venue, now comes the challenge of a much bigger theatre and stage Though it must be said the staging wasn’t affected at all. If anything the production itself benefited from a bigger stage, allowing the actors more space to move around and showcase their acting and instrumental abilities throughout. When the pair play the piano around each together it’s intimate and personal, it becomes their story and we’re just spectators. 

REVIEW: Heathers at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre

For many, your school years are the best years of your life. For others it’s a constant battle with teenage angst and the struggle to achieve popularity, but just how far will you go to be popular?

For Veronica Sawyer (May Tether) only one thing can ease the high school struggle, become friends with the top of the social food chain, the Heathers (Maddison Firth, Lizzy Parker, Merryl Ansah). 

The show itself, though laden with understudies for Ram (Callum Connolly), Martha (Bayley Hart) and Veronica (May Tether) was faultless. A special mention to Rachel Rawlinson and Aimee Hodnett who came up from the West End cast to cover their respective roles in the tour. Not a single actor looked out of place and a huge nod to the unsung heroes within the cast ready to jump in when called upon. 

REVIEW: The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre

Throughout the years the comedic, in particular, slapstick genre has presented us with unforgettable moments from tv sketch shows. The likes of ‘Only Fools And Horses, ‘The Two Ronnies’ and Laurel and Hardy continue to live in our minds, the mere thought of it and we’re on the floor in hysterics. Fast forward to the 2010s and our newest entry into the archives, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is another fine example of irrepressible laughter. 

As we sit patiently for the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s whodunnit ‘Murder At Haversham Manor’ the pre-show entertainment on stage is comical and immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. A falling mantelpiece and doors that won’t open already have the audience in hysterics, even before the show has even begun

As for the show itself, there’s nothing other than a rapturous feeling from start to finish. A complete joy to witness, not a second passes in which you’re not doubled over laughing until your stomach aches. Mischief Theatre has continued to tour globally with success after success but this, where it all started continues to bring in new audiences daily. A testament to mischiefs creators Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields popularity and writing abilities.

REVIEW: The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre

Everyone has heard at least one ghost story, the art of regaling tales of ghosts, spirits and spectres has become the stuff of legend and Susan Hill’s novel ‘The Woman In Black’ has been that one story for many for over 30 years. 

The premise is very simple, two actors on stage the whole time, Arthur Kipps (Terence Wilton) hires an actor (Max Hutchinson) to tell his story to finally be free of the horrors that have followed him his whole life. In terms of the show, however, there is nothing simple about the two actors. The chemistry and ability to work off each other enable the show to flow quickly and crisply without feeling it drags at all and keeps maximum suspense.