Tag: Broadway Baby

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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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Back at the Theatre!

Actually saw a couple of shows last week. Both were at the Lantern Theatre and so interesting. The first one – not having been out in ages, I just wanted to enjoy it. The second: “Duty”, was so good, I wanted to write about it.

Written by Bomafabia Wokoma, directed by Laura Rinati, Bomafabia Wokoma and Lenette Randall, and Produced by “A Little Twisted”. Here’s my review on Broadway Baby – enjoy!

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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.

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Intense week of Brighton Fringe

Last week was filled with mostly incredible Theatre.

I absolutely loved “Those Magnificent Men” – 4 stars

Roared with laughter at “Frankenstein the Pantomime” – 4 stars

And was absolutely stunned by “A Steady Rain” – 5 stars

I also saw another play which I thought was awful, the publicity was misleading yet I really do admire the director who I think did a decent job with the awful script and an actor who failed to connect with the material, at least at the performance I saw. This is of course perhaps controversial because there were two in the audience who it obviously resonated with as they were sobbing; however some were yawning and looking at their watches. What I wanted to write in the review but couldn’t was that it was all terribly up it’s own arse.

Then there was “Hysteria” at New Venture Theatre (NVT) which was an interesting script of absolute darkness and details of child abuse juxtaposed with farce. It wasn’t my favourite script as I don’t think you can mix those two successfully in theatre, but if anyone was going to make the show a poignant and enjoyable event it was director Bob Ryder and lead actor Dan Dryer. And yes, they are friends of mine and I feel honoured that they are, but this is my honest opinion of the calibre of their skills: if I did not believe what I’m writing I simply wouldn’t write anything.

NVT always provides a quality detailed set, lighting and sound and it’s always a pleasure to go there. The direction and all the actors were superb. Huge well done to everyone involved.

I also went to see “Damien” the week before – a one man show about the true story of the minister of Molokai the Leper Colony, which might sound like a dire thing to watch but it was the most extraordinary theatre, an emotional roller coaster including humour and heartbreak. Absolutely superbly acted by Daniel Finley and directed by Janette Eddisford. Clearly I could not review this show officially as I trained at ACT (Academy of Creative Training) with those two incredibly talented awe inspiring people! But Fringe Review and Fringe Guru agree with me: 5 stars, ‘Must See Show’. I urge you if you have time, catch this if you can.

This coming week is a little less full of theatre due to other commitments and half term… but how we love Brighton Fringe, oh yes, how we love it.