If Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Does Presence Makes the Heart Grow Indifferent?

Three theatre shows in a week and I think I've reached my limit (though it wasn't quite as bad as when I saw two shows in one day!). But my week was capped off by going to the diddy Harold Pinter Theatre to see Absent Friends. 

Ayckbourn tells the story of three couples coming together for afternoon tea to cheer up their recently widowed old friend. Sounds simple enough, but within the first five minutes, you realise to put on an appearance of support requires a lot of masks to be put on. You quickly discover that one of the women  (Kara Tointon) is having an affair with the hostesses (Katherine Parkinson) husband. They are soon joined by the third woman (Elizabeth Berrington) who is married to a perpetually ill and seemingly useless husband. The two husbands joining this trio are the neglectful philanderer (Steffan Rhodri) and the useless fidgety man  who knows his wife is doing naughty things with his host & business partner (David Armand). It soon becomes clear that this is a very five-some is all very unhappy with their lot in life. In fact the only happy person in the show is the man who has recently lost the love of his wife in tragically abrupt circumstances (Reece Shearsmith).

This play can only be described as tragically funny. It is a very British thing to try to ignore the elephant in the room and keep things pleasant (especially when there's tea involved), and  Ayckbourn demonstrates this brilliantly. There are plenty of cringe-worthy funny exchanges with the grieving man, which ring very true to life. All in all it must be difficult to bring out the comedy in such awful circumstances but this achieved by a brilliantly stellar cast. The women definitely play their parts well (putting the men somewhat to shame). Tointon plays the young, common, cheating wife brilliantly and without a hint of empathy, Berrington is a wonderfully lovable ditsy housewife and provides much of the comedy, and Parkinson has a brilliantly powerful breakdown (involving a jug of cream) that makes your heart break for her. Don't get me wrong, the two husbands do a good job, but the true tragedy of life is brought through by the women. Shearsmith is brilliant as the ever cheerful mourner. I saw him last year in Betty Blue Eyes, and I much preferred him in a straighter role. Your heart bleeds for him as he is stuck in-between all these incredibly tense group of unhappy people, telling them how lucky they are to have such wonderful lives. 

The set is fine, though nothing to write home about (so why am I?), and is just of a typical house in the 1970s. Above them on the wall is a clock that continues to tick away in real time (I assume to accentuate the passage of time in their lives, and also to further highlight the awkward silences).

The story is essentially about the inevitable death of love in a relationship as opposed to the death of a lover, and the disenchantment unfulfilled life expectations. With a sprinkling of comedy mainly focused on societies feelings on death and mourners. Both aspects of these are captured brilliantly, both by good direction (Jeremy Herrin) and an excellent cast. I did enjoy it and would recommend it if you are a fan of straight plays, but I wouldn't say it's a must see.

Score :   6.5/10

Have you seen Absent Friends? What did you think?

Kat x

Images from google image search

Wonderful(ish) Wizard of Oz

Last night I went to see The Wizard of Oz at the Palladium. It was the first night of the new cast, which meant a brand new Dorothy (Sophie Evans), Wizard (Russell Grant), and Lion (Martin Callahan). The role of Glinda was played by the understudy (Florence Andrews) as well. I am a fan of ALW's talent shows (though not of his musicals), so knew of Evans before I attended. Her voice has improved remarkably since the TV show, and whilst she gave a good performance it wasn't an amazing one, though Dorothy is quite an annoying character so it may jut be that she needs a part with a bit more substance. The Scarecrow (Paul Keating), Tin-Man (Edward Baker-Duly) & Lion, made an entertaining trio, and had a great camaraderie. In fact I came away with a crush on the tin man (I'm a sucker for a bass - in both voice & guitar). Glinda was good and her dress was fabulous, I actually really like seeing the understudies perform, as it showcases fresh new talent. The star of the show for me was the Wicked Witch of the West (Marianne Benedict). I do love a baddie, and she played it very well. Her voice had a beautiful power behind it, and I enjoyed her song the most. I do feel her role was too small though, and she deserved a bit more stage time.

Sophie Evans

The weakest link in an otherwise good cast was Grant as the Wizard. Unsurprisingly he is not gifted in the singing & dancing departments, and his acting is very hammy and camp (shocking I know! I just think the Wizard needs a stronger stage presence, as the play has more than enough comic characters). He spoke his song, and his American accent was atrocious. I can't imagine he'll stay for too long, or maybe it was first night's nerves & he'll grow into the role (though I seriously doubt it). Toto on the hand gave a consistently charming performance throughout, though he was very distracting as I was constantly watching (hoping) for him to do something off script!

Glinda & my dream dress

The best thing about the production was the set. It was incredibly designed, and makes the show very enjoyable (even more so for kids). I especially like how some characters flew down from the theatre roof (the actual roof, not the stage roof). I've always said ALW knows how to put on a show, and is a great producer (even though I'm pretty harsh about his music), and this was no expectation. I also really liked how the first few scenes actually appeared to be in black & white! The whole production is visually spectacular & worth seeing just for the twister scene. 

Scarecrow, Lion & Tin-Man

I do have a few bug bears with this show however. I don't usually say this about ALW's shows, but I felt as if it needed more songs. All the songs from the original were there, and they were performed beautifully by the orchestra. ALW & Tim Rice teamed up again to write a few extras (one for the witch, Glinda, the Wizard, and Dorothy) but none of these were very memorable or strong enough to match up to the original classics. I also felt that both the good & bad witches and the wizard needed more stage time as well as more songs, as it felt slightly like wasted talent. Also towards the end of the show, it started feeling very panto & the humour was quite slap-stick & lame (though me and my friend couldn't stop laughing at the line, "I'm proud to be a friend of Dorothy" - so much so that she bought me the t-shirt!). All in all the show didn't feel quite finished, it still felt that it was preview performance.

Wicked Witch - and yes the new cast meant a ginger doll!

All in all I enjoyed my night in Oz, and I did come away smiling. Would I see it again? No. Would I say it is a must-see? No. Would I recommend it? Yes. It is a good night out, in a lovely theatre, and I do think people should see it, although it would not be at the top of my list. 

Rating :   6/10

Have you see the Wizard of Oz? What did you think?

Kat x


All pictures from here

Masterpiece of a Masterclass

On Friday night I was lucky enough to be given tickets to see Master Class at the Vaudeville (which is my favourite London theatre). Even though the plot of the show is pretty self evident when looking at the title, I was still not sure what to expect. McNally tells the story of the opera singer Maria Callas by showing her conducting one of her opera master classes in the 1970s. Sounds pretty boring right? Wrong. This is mainly because the play is made so dynamic by the stellar casting, the imaginative writing, the beautiful direction and just the right amount of audience interaction.

Tyne Daly

Tyne Daly (of Cagny & Lacy fame) gives an outstanding performance and completely transforms into Callas, so much so that she is completely unrecognisable. She really captures the role by continually engaging the audience with questions, eye contact, and in-jokes. Most of the show involves Callas critiquing three young opera singers. She portrays Callas as being a cross between a diva & Simon Cowell, with hilarious consequences. She paces the stage barking directions, corrections and orders at the poor singers. She delivers crushing lines, but with such verve that you can't help but love her (seriously put this woman in X factor & the ratings would surge). She commands the stage brilliantly and is the run away star of the show. A few times, the performances of the students triggers such an emotional response from Callas that she is transported back to an event in the past, and the scenery melts away with her. These few soliloquies are where Daly really shines, and you can completely understand why she acts the way she does.

Naomi O'Connell

The supporting cast were also excellent (though not in the same league as Daly), the three singers were played by Dianne Pilkington (who I have seen as Glinda in Wicked), Garrett Sorenson (who sang the aria from Tosca's first act gorgeously), and Naomi O'Connell (who gave the most amazing frustratingly aggressive performance of Verdi's Lady Macbeth, whilst being heckled by Callas). Even the accompanying pianist (Jeremy Cohen) is a very endearing character in the play, and plays beautifully throughout.

Dianne Pilkington

I don't know much about the life of Maria Callas (apart from what I gleamed from seeing Onassis last year), so I don't know how true this was to life, but in the end I don't think that really matters (unless you are an expert on the subject I suppose), as the play is magnificent. Similarly, I am an opera neophyte, and have only been to one performance of Faust, but I still enjoyed the whole performance immensely for both the wonderful music and the incredible acting. It was very obvious that it was written, directed (Stephen Wadsworth) and performed by opera lovers, and I think that someone more knowledgeable would get more out of the play.

Garrett Sorenson

All in all I think this is easily the best thing I have seen in the theatre in a long time, and whilst the premise doesn't sound great, please don't judge the show on it. If you are going to see one thing in the West End see this and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 

My verdict:   10/10

Have you seen Master Class? What did you think?


Kat x

Photos from google image search

Are you asking? Then I'm (watching) Dancing!

As I mentioned yesterday on Tuesday night I went out to the theatre with a lovely friend from my halls. We didn't go to see anything normal like a play or musical but went to a dance show starring Strictly's Vincent & Flavia.

Midnight Tango at the Aldwych Theatre was a wonderful show, with beautiful live music. I happen to love dancing (though am remarkably un-gifted in that area), and I know quite a bit about it so I knew I would like it. But Deb (my friend) never ever watches SCD or any other dace shows, so I wasn't sure how much she would like it. I was actually worried she would be bored. But she loved it too, I think it's hard to see such visual beauty without getting wrapped up in it. 

Vincent & Flavia have a wonderful partnership, and her body put was so incredible I instantly regretted getting the rustic platter at Jewel before the show (though it tasted sooo good). The rest of the cast were also great, however it's really hard to ignore Flavia, who can't but help stealing the show, even when she's simply just sitting on a chair. There was an underlying plot which linked all the dances together. It all took place in a bar in Argentina, which is run by an older couple. The bar is frequented by dance loving couples and the cream of the crop are, of course, Vincent & Flavia. But, oh no, a dark and sinister man in a hat comes in and sweeps Flavs off her feat. What will poor Vincent do? It was a slight case of art imitating life, which did make me giggle, and I do hope that at some point Vincent & Matt Di Angelo did a good old fashioned homoerotic fight dance! There were plenty of group dances, a wonderful tango waltz from V&F and the highlight was a wonderfully poignant dance where the old man mirrors a young couple dancing in order to portray his memory of dancing with his wife in his youth.

All in all it was a wonderful show, with great choreography from Arlene Philips. I would highly recommend it, especially to anyone with a love of dance. And it's an extremely sexy show, so I even think it would make a wonderful date (and what bloke wouldn't want to watch Flavia do her stuff for 2 hours).

My Rating:   8/10 

Do you guys love SCD as much as me? Have you seen Midnight Tango? What did you think of it?

Kat x

So Much Better (well not quite)

I first saw Legally Blonde The Musical two years ago when it starred Sheridan Smith & Duncan James. I went along with very low expectations, as I'm not a fan of films being turned into musicals, but I was completely wrong. It was really fantastic. I was also expecting very little from Sheridan Smith as all I only knew her  for being in Two Pints, and I don't think even her biggest fan could applaud her acting skills for that. But I was wrong, she was fantastic, and the whole show blew me away. It was obviously very tacky and girly but also brilliantly written.  I did however think the songs were the weakest link as I didn't really remember them once they were over. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the show, but it wasn't anything I would go to see again. However, I was recently given tickets again and I couldn't think of any reason to turn them down, so once again I donned my girliest dress and highest heels (it felt necessary) and tottered down to The Savoy.

Carley Stenson is now playing Elle, and one again I was not expecting great things. Though I this is explained with many teen years of being bombarded with this. But she was really good, and her voice  was beautiful. I also thought the songs were quite good this time around.  Maybe they need a second hearing to be fully appreciated, or maybe I was being a bit moody last time. Even so, if I were to directly compare both Elle's, I think that Sheridan was just a little bit better. She played the part with such joy, you couldn't help but completely root for her, even in the beginning when she was a shallow air-head. 

Phwoar!

The rest of the cast was also very strong, though a few seemed to think the best way to achieve an American accent was just to talk very loudly & nasally (Warner & Paulette). The actress who played Vivienne had a stunning and powerful voice & I can't help but be in awe at the fitness needed to play Brooke. Emmet was very good, only he wasn't dreamy enough for my liking (probably cause I was hoping Lee Mead was still playing him!) and it was always going to be quite exciting to see Professor Callahan being played by The Doctor.

So what do I think of it over all? Yes it is very girly, but it has good songs, talented singers & dancers, a cleverly written script and wonderful staging & effects.I think it would be great for a girly night out, especially a matinee so you can still go out after. Infact it is becoming really popular with hen parties who turn up in fancy dress! Now to all you theatre snobs out there (which once included me) who refuse to see anything but straight plays & opera, just give it a go, I guarantee you'll leave with a huge smile on your face.


Have you gone to see it? What did you think?


Kat x