We open tonight! Just take a look at these beautiful photos from Miles Davies. He’s captured it beautifully. It’s going to be a gorgeous show! Book here
Oh! It’s A Lovely War
Oh! It’s a Lovely Show!
Well we are just about to open “Oh! What A Lovely War” next week, which is very terribly exciting!
‘Duty’ at Brighton Fringe
I’m beyond excited to be putting my play ‘Duty’ on at the Brighton Fringe. The actors are inhabiting their characters, they bring the script to life and make these people live. I have to say, it’s really perfect casting. Perfect. Matt Vickery brings such intensity to the character of John, it’s riveting to watch, utterly compelling. Jordan Southwell’s creation of Harry is absolutely brilliant: the perfect foil for John to butt heads with: cheeky, innocent, and so loveable. Jake Marchant is so still, calm and poised as Joe, pouring oil on the waters of their friendship with beautiful diplomacy, tact and intelligence. And between them they create this very real friendship that just feels like they have been friends forever, with their humour, their way of behaving with each other and the grounded dynamic. Sam Nixon as Mags, John’s mum, adds so much to the melting pot and gives us a huge insight into not only her relationship with her son, but in their interactions together we get to see so much more of John, and how others see him, his internal thinking, struggles and motivations. It’s quite simply a joy to watch them all work.
It’s at the Lantern Theatre, Brighton, from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 May.
Don’t miss it. Honestly, this is well worth an hour of your time.
In the meantime, here are some photos:
Five Star Shows
We won tickets to see Operation Mincemeat in London, through their weekly draw – it’s the most 5 star reviewed show in West End history, and I wanted to know why. Now I know why. Absolutely jaw-droppingly out loud guffaw yet poignant in moments fantastically brilliant. That’s the only review you need – just go. You’re welcome.
I reviewed a charming show at the Corn Exchange in Brighton: Kim’s Convenience, (I’ve linked my review in) and then on to Brighton & Hove Operatic Society’s quality production of Company the next night – and then last night, the mind blowingly fabulous five star worthy The Shark Is Broken at the Theatre Royal in Brighton. I’ve wanted to see this since I first heard of it and I was super excited to see it last night. It’s on all week – if you love Jaws, go. I’ve linked my review – I can’t add any more except just go. You’re welcome.
First World War Outfitting
Had a brilliant time at Gladrags looking for World War One soldier uniforms for my upcoming play “Duty” at the Fringe, plus clothing suitable for working on a farm. Gladrags is like Aladdin’s cave, a treasure trove, filled to the brim with all manner of clothing, sometimes overwhelming and some spaces you can hardly move in! Jordan Southwell, one of the actors, was amazing at finding suitable clothing and trying on different sizes and combinations.
It was something else to see him in a First World War uniform.
Even in socks.
Brilliant.
Tickets are going fast – don’t forget to book! Tickets are available on both Brighton Fringe and The Lantern Theatre so if it’s sold out on one, there might be tickets on the other.
Oh! What A Lovely War
I’m delighted to have been cast in Identity Theatre’s latest production: Oh! What A Lovely War. It’s a strong cast and I feel honoured to be part of it. Multi rolling, singing in a full on musical – fantastic. And the choreography, however simple it might be to otherwise non clumsy people, I’m finding that the most challenging as usual! It looks gorgeous when we get it all right. I’m looking forward to “Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers” which is enormous fun!
So watch this space and don’t forget to book your tickets for June!
Duty – my new play
I am stoked to be bringing my new play to Brighton Fringe this May. Rehearsals are under way. It’s going to be brilliant. I’m positively fizzing with excitement.
Book tickets here or through the Brighton Fringe website here
The Snow Queen and Mixie
I’ve seen so much great theatre recently. It makes my little heart happy. And most of the time I love crafting a review about it. I mean I want to wax lyrical about things I’ve seen, so why not do it in writing?
The Snow Queen produced by This Is My Theatre was one of those. Gorgeously magical and ethereal and yet grounded. They have a style all of their own which I absolutely love. It reminds me of reading Famous Five books when I was little: taking you to a place where your imagination can still play with what you are seeing. My Brighton Source review is here.
Then I’d actually bought a ticket to see a production at New Venture Theatre: NVT, not with the intention of reviewing, but just because I wanted to see it. But I was so taken with it that I spoke to the director afterwards and offered to review, which he was delighted with. So my intended night off didn’t pan out as planned, but writing about it was so worth it: it helped me process what I’d just seen, as I sat in the theatre after it finished and said out loud “someone needs to explain to me what I’ve just watched…” BUT, thinking about it, sleeping on it, I was fired up with ideas and concepts. It’s more abstract than things I usually go for as I love a good story more than anything, but having said that, this was exceptional. My Brighton Source review is here.
Both productions are still available to see – if you’re quick, so enjoy the read!
Deathtrap
One production at a time? Don’t be silly. I am cast as Helga ten Dorp in Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, directed by my brilliant friend Julian Batstone. I’m also production manager and publicity and promotion.
Well, I like to be busy.
So I’ll be flouncing around trying to perfect an understandable Dutch accent as an eccentric (but hopefully not over the top) psychic. Those two last parts will be so far from the truth of course, as I keep being reminded by friends…
This has a stunning cast: Guy Steddon and Jake Marchant in the two lead roles, plus Anna Quick and John Garland – book your tickets early, this will be popular! Link here
A World of Change in a Week
Very sad to share that the Gin Palace Productions and Twilight Theatre co-production of “Loyalty – Lady Montague and Lady Capulet” at this year’s Fringe has had to be postponed. Really heart-breaking, but unavoidable. These things sadly happen. We’re currently planning and plotting and looking at our already busy schedules for the coming year to bring it later this year.
In the meantime, why not book your tickets for Identity Theatre’s “Oliver Twist” adapted by Neil Bartlett? I play – drum roll please – Mr Bumble! I’m super thrilled and excited and I can’t wait. Plus it will be at Brighton Open Air Theatre so you can have a picnic at the same time. Get booking now – I’m told tickets are already going… click here for link to book
More reviews this week at the Fringe – my absolute favourite was Karaoke at the SU. Absolutely BRILLIANT. Honestly blown away by this young – just graduated – group of creatives. Here’s the link to the review on Brighton Source.
I did see 5 shows in two days and that was enormous fun: One Way Mirror, FOUL, That Witch Helen and RANK. All completely different and in the first one in that list I ended up being on stage being in it. That was an interesting challenge!
It takes an enormous amount of work and courage to put on your own production: to everyone who has and everyone is about to – massive well done, good for you, you follow your dreams. And if there is something in a review that you can learn from: please listen to that – if the reviewer is anything like me they will have thought long and hard about how to put feedback in a way that helps you for the future.
Tomorrow: 2 productions, Friday 1, Saturday 1, Sunday all day theatre event. Ah life. Always interesting!