Theatre Review: Yer Granny - Kings Theatre, Glasgow

The Russos are not your typical family. Sure there's a mum, a dad and a daughter but when you factor in a layabout uncle, an overly dramatic aunt and a granny who’s eating them out of house and home, you've got yourself the perfect setup for a comedy play.

From the moment you enter the theatre you are catapulted into the 70's. Songs from The Bay City Rollers blast from the speakers as you get your first glimpse of Colin Richmond’s brilliantly realistic set (which could have been plucked straight out of a 70's living room). The level of detail is genuinely impressive with smoke-stained wallpaper and a flickering neon shop sign visible through the grimy windows. The special effects in the dramatic finale were an unexpected surprise and had the audience gasping and jumping in their seats.

As the story unfolds we realise times are tough in this household. The family fish bar has gone under and mum Marie (Maureen Beattie) is struggling to make ends meet. In a bid to combat the issue it is suggested that part time musician - and full time procrastinator - Charlie (Paul Riley)  gets a job to pay his way. Horrified by this prospect Charlie comes up with a plan which he believes will solve everyone's problems, but what he actually does is send the whole family into chaos.

Douglas Maxwell’s adaptation of the original Argentinian play by Roberto Cossa really captures the complexity of family dynamics. Laughs are encouraged throughout both acts and the cast is made up of a host of well loved Scottish actors who give everything they've got. Barbara Rafferty’s character, Aunt Angela, really comes full circle during the show and Rafferty’s ability to play out the contrasting emotions Angela experiences was seamless.

Jonathan Watson gives a relatable performance playing Dad and breadwinner Cammy who is torn between being a provider and being too proud to ask anyone for help. A certain imaginary conversation Cammy has with the Queen in advance of her Jubilee visit had the audience in stitches.

If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy granny then look elsewhere as Gregor Fisher’s character is anything but. She’s food obsessed and would have been last in line when manners were being given out. Fisher makes her almost impossible to endear to, giving the audience a taste of what the other characters are experiencing.

The atmosphere in the theatre last night was simply electric thanks to the colloquial humour and energetic performances, and although I will never look at a jar of mayonnaise in the same way again it’s a great night out and not to be missed.

*Written by me for Backstage Pass

Review: Broadway in the Bar, Arta, Glasgow

Broadway in the Bar has firmly positioned itself as one of Glasgow's unique entertainment shows. Sure there are a lot of shows produced in a similar vein, but none executed as well as this. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of BITB, you take a first class cast filled with local talent, add a mix of show tunes and throw in a glass of fizz for good measure.

The cast is ever-changing which keeps things fresh and Sunday's cast did not disappoint. Alison Cleland would be just as entertaining stepping onto a comedy stage as she is when singing. Her off-the-cuff banter between songs created a relaxed and informal atmosphere for the night. Joanne McGuinness and Edward Reid added to the humorous element with their song choices while still delivering strong vocal performances. Recent musical theatre graduate Jennifer Neil shared with the audience that this was her first professional job, and judging  by her impressive performance, it certainly won't be her last.

The songs ranged from well known show tunes such as 'As Long As He Needs Me' from Oliver and Wicked's 'The Wizard and I', ending with some anthemic power ballads which are guaranteed to have the crowd up on their feet (or in some cases their chair!).

The show is not tied to one venue and for Sunday's performance we had the beautiful backdrop of Arta in Glasgow's Merchant City. Whilst aesthetically pleasing, Arta comes with some structural pillars that can cause some viewing issues but if you arrive early enough this shouldn't pose a problem.

For more information on this show check out Inside Out Productions' Facebook page here.

Theatre Review: The Last Five Years - Govanhill Baths, Glasgow

There's no better way to write a musical about love and heartbreak than drawing from your own experiences, which is exactly what Jason Robert Brown did with The Last Five Years.  Set in New York the story follows the half decade relationship of aspiring writer Jamie Wellerstein (Sam Willison) and struggling actress Cathy Hiatt (Imogen Parry) from start to end.  The show's unique selling point is in its story telling, as Jamie's songs track the relationship from when the couple first meet right up until he leaves whereas Cathy's songs tell the story in reverse.  

Parry and Willison deal with the demands of this two character musical with ease, and although they only share a few scenes on stage together they are completely believable as a couple. From the first scene Parry in particular pulls on every heart string as she throws the audience into the emotional deep end with her expressive vocals. Marc Mackinnon's slick direction ensures one scene flows swiftly to the next, leaving little to no time for reflection which heightens impact when the show ends. Musical director Paul Slevin was solely responsible for orchestrating the full show, a feat that he pulled off with gusto.

Mad Props are known for their high standard productions and fresh show choices, and The Last Five Years is another success to add to their list. 

For more information about Mad Props, check out their website : http://www.madpropstheatre.com/

Panto Review: Aladdin, Websters Theatre, Glasgow

 

It's that time of the year again and the production company that brought you ‘The Pure Amazing Wizard of Oz’ are back with this year’s offering, Aladdin.  Down in Poor Panto Partick Aladdin has fallen for the emperor’s daughter, Princess Jasmine. The only problem is, he’s skint! When a long lost Auntie appears on his doorstep promising him fame and fortune, he journeys to the place of leaky roofs and sticky carpets (The Garage on Sauchiehall Street) in a bid to win the love of his life.  

Playing the man of the hour was Steven Alexander who is best known for appearing on TV show ‘The Voice’ and was able to show his off by belting out tunes from One Direction, Beyoncé and more. Natalie Toyne played this year’s baddie Abanazaress and she absolutely nailed it. Funny, scary and a little camp at times she had the audience in stitches with her facial expressions and witty one liners. For me the star of the night came in the form of the show’s dame, Widow Twankee (Neil Thomas). He had great stage presence and really built up a rapport with the audience which gave the show a personal touch.

In typical Insideout fashion a couple of tweaks were made to set the story apart from others. Both the Genie and the Slave of the Ring were Sesame Street style puppets and instead of a flying carpet there was a flying broomstick (which came with a few Wicked references much to my delight). The writing had a great balance of obvious humour for the kids and innuendos for the adults and made a lot of references to pop culture, including a sly nod to the indy ref.

Pantos are known for being full of family fun, which this production definitely achieves. It’s not the flashiest show in town but it doesn’t pretend to be either – tickets are available and can be snapped up here: http://www.cottiers.com/locations/cottiers-kelvinbridge/

Written by me for Backstage Pass

Theatre Review: Saturday Night Fever- Theatre Royal, Glasgow

This festive season, Saturday Night Fever is taking over Glasgow’s newly refurbished Theatre Royal. Based on the popular film of the same name, the show tracks the story of Tony Manero, a 19 year old Brooklyn boy who has a passion for dance and dreams of more to life than his dead end job in a dead end town. In a bid to escape his religious mother and redundant father, he teams up with fellow go getter Stephanie and enters a dance contest that is set to change his life for good.

Danny Bayne makes a great Tony Manero and commands the stage from his first strut. Bayne can act and sing, but his main selling point in the show is his dancing and he has no trouble mastering every move from Andrew Wright’s fast and fun choreography. His female counterpart, Naomi Slights, is equally impressive and her vocals in particular stood out amongst the rest. They were both joined on stage by a multi-purpose cast who played their own instruments which brought a unique new dimension to the production.

There were however more than a few sound issues, and the dark and gritty plot seemed to get lost from scene to scene which made it difficult to become invested in the characters or their struggles.

The Bee Gees hits the audience know and love are present and enjoyed but instead of carbon copies the tracks are given a makeover and performed to suit the current mood of the plot.  Although the story has the potential to be gripping and emotive there really wasn’t enough to sink your teeth into and it leaves the audience underwhelmed. 

Saturday Night Fever is at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow until 3^rd January 2015. For details and tickets visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/saturday-night-fever/theatre-royal-glasgow/

** Written by me for Backstage Pass 

Review: One Man, Two Guvnors

 

One Man, Two Guvnors brings 1960's Brighton to Glasgow this week, and from the moment I walked into the Kings Theatre and was met with a skiffle band I knew I was in for a good night.

The crazy story centres around down-on-his-luck Francis Henshall who finds himself with nothing in his wallet and even less in his stomach. To combat this issue he seeks employment with two different men - Roscoe Crabbe and Stanley Stubbers - and does everything in his power to keep them apart. Unbeknown to Francis, Roscoe is actually Rachel Crabbe disguised as her twin brother who has been murdered by none other than Stanley.

The cast handle the physical demands of this play with ease. Gavin Spokes is absolute genius as the man with two guvnors and throws himself into his performance with gusto. Spokes is genuinely funny with side splitting improv skills - this casting could not be more on point. Fast paced dialogue and witty banter come from all the cast but Alicia Davies and Patrick Warner particularly shine playing the demanding guvnors. Special mention to Michael Dylan who had the audience crying with laughter at his portrayal of slow- moving geriatric waiter Alfie.

The show is refreshingly different and really packs a punch, and with the skiffle band returning during scene changes there really isn’t a dull moment - not to be missed! 

*Written by me for http://www.backstagepass.biz/

Review: Tonight's the Night

You would be hard pushed to find someone who isn't familiar with the music of Rod Stewart - he has produced scores of hits over the years and is still rocking out today. It would only seem fitting that these songs be showcased in a new way - cue 'Tonight's the Night', a jukebox musical written by Ben Elton that plots the story of mechanic Stuart (Ben Heathcote), who lacks in confidence and is unsure of his abilities to win over romantic interest Mary (Jenna Lee-James). In his quest for love he makes a deal with the devil (Tiffany Graves) to trade his own soul for that of rock god Rod Stewart. Was that decision the right one? You'll have to go to find out.

The production is very heavy in songs but light in plot as it manages to squeeze 25 hits (plus a mega mix) into an under 3 hour show. As you would expect, the whole story centres around these songs so lacked depth and seemed almost forced in parts.

An extremely talented cast more than make up for the weak plot. Ben Heathcote throws himself into the role of shy and sensitive Stuart. With impressive vocals and movement he belts out one song after the next, giving the crowd what they've come to see. Ricky Rojasand Tiffany Graves both had great stage presence, bringing in the laughs as Stuart’s band mate and promoter. Special mention to the show’s Dee Dee, Rosie Heath, who stood head and shoulders above her fellow cast members with a truly showstopping voice. Backing singers also came in the form of audience members, who tapped, clapped and sang their way through each number. The addition of a sailor hat on each seat for a bit of audience participation during ‘Sailing’ was an original touch.

If you’re looking for a show with a story line to sink your teeth into then I would give this a miss. However, there’s no denying the widespread appeal Rod Stewart’s songs have, and Tonight’s the Night is an great opportunity to relive them.

* Written by me for Backstage Pass 

REVIEW: Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour

I'm deferring slightly from the normal topic on the blog today to have a natter about last night's visit to see the phenomenal Katy Perry at Glasgow's biggest music venue - The Hydro.

Excitement building, I made my way through the crowds of blue wigs, cat ears and glow sticks to find my level 3 seat (knowing full well when I bought the tickets it wasn't going to be the best view).  I was actually pleasantly surprised, it was by no means close to the stage but the Hydro is set out in a way that there isn't really a bad view and  is just the type of venue Glasgow needs - although they might want to look into ways on cutting down the bar queues, as waiting 10 minutes for a glass of wine ain't great!

I didn't see support act Icona Pop as I'm one of those people who have absolutely no patience so a lot of waiting around can turn me from a Jekyll to a Hyde, but the crowd seemed sufficiently hyped up so I assume they did not disappoint. After a brief DJ set the lights came down and the mother of all music concerts began. From the outset the Prismatic Tour is a treat for the senses- colourful, creative and crazy at times as Perry invites the audience into her prismatic world.

Kicking proceedings off with 'Roar', Katy covered all the songs you would expect to hear - from 'I Kissed a Girl' which she professed was an 'oldie but a goody' right up to newly released 'Birthday'. The show was split into 6 sections with Perry taking on a different persona in each, from an Egyptian princess arriving on stage via  mechanical horse to a cat elevated on a giant ball of yarn. Be prepared for the unexpected.

It's quite clear that beneath all the costumes and make up Katy is a normal, funny and genuine human being which really shone through during her acoustic set. There was a lot of opportunity to interact with the audience and her off the cuff chat was a hit.

Tridents, floating emojis and neon lycra are small parts of the unbelievably detailed staging that has gone into this tour. This is not just about the music, this is story telling and is something that I could experience again and again.

REVIEW: Wicked - UK Tour 2014

Last week Wicked flew into Glasgow for the first time to begin its sold out run with record breaking statistics. Over 53,000 tickets were sold and after seeing the show on opening night, it's clear why. 

For those of you who have been living under a rock and are unaware of the plot I'll give you a brief run-down. Wicked is the prequel to the much loved classic 'The Wizard of Oz'. The story centres around the two witches, G(a)linda and Elphaba, who at first glance could not be more different. They wind up sharing a room at Shiz University and strike up an unlikely bond - from there we are taken on a journey of love, heartbreak and everything in between. 

The casting for this tour could not be more on point. Nikki Davis Jones takes on the role of green girl Elphaba with ease. She brings a lot of spunk to the character and  belts out each song more impressively than the last. No Good Deed and the show's 11 o'clock number Defying Gravity were particularity notable. Emily Tierney excels playing the show's other female protagonist - G(a)linda. Humorous from the outset, Tierney really puts her own stamp on the coveted role and, with equally good vocals as her counterpart, these two woman make a killer team. Local boy George Ure gave a spirited performance as lovable munchkin Boq. Ure's portrayal really made you feel for his character and you could tell the audience was lapping up that Scottish accent. 

Touring productions are known for being scaled down but this was not the case with Wicked. Everything you would have expected to see from the West End set was present and correct which contributed to bringing the world of Oz alive. The costumes were almost like pieces of art, each one different with quirks that made you feel like you were in another time and place. 

I myself am no stranger to Oz, clocking up 8 London viewings, but being in my home town surrounded with excited newbies and repeat attenders alike was thirillifying, and I don't think I was alone in that thought. Although Wicked is sold out in Glasgow you can catch it on two other Scottish dates, all information can be found here. 

Review - Star Stricken

My first experience of the Glasgow Comedy Festival took me to the CCA for Star Stricken - a double bill of one-act comedy plays exposing celebrity.

CAST

Margo - Johanna Harper

Elfrida - Frankie MacEachen 

Beverley - Paul Kozinski  

Kicking off proceedings was 'Emily Entwistle' written and directed by Karen Barclay.  The piece follows consultant Elfrida as she attempts to lead a business workshop with brand manager Margo whose company is facing a public relations disaster.  The pair strike up an unlikely bond by channelling their late idols Emily Bronte and Peg Entwistle.  The snappy writing and fast-paced dialogue made for an entertaining act although at times I found the business jargon a bit on the heavy side.

CAST

Laura - Johanna Harper

Pearl - Frankie MacEachen 

Mark - Paul Kozinski  

Next up was Tom Brogan's hilarious 'Good Times Never Seemed So Good' where we joined unemployed Mark who is full of good ideas, but struggles to find a lucrative one to help long suffering girlfriend Laura pay the bills. Mark has a light bulb moment that he will make it big on the local tribute scene impersonating Neil Diamond, and what follows is a comical journey to find out what's really important to him. Mark shares some genuinely touching scenes with vulnerable Janis Joplin tribute Pearl, and his relationship with Laura is familiar and credible without ever becoming clichéd.

Both plays were original, witty and well acted. The chemistry between the small cast coupled with spot-on writing and comic timing made for a welcome addition to the festival.

Review - The Perfect Murder

Peter James is known for his bestselling crime novels, and the current UK tour of The Perfect Murder is the first one of his works to be adapted for the stage. It's clear that the witty dialogue and fast-paced plot of the original novel lend themselves well to live performance.

Enter the world of Joan and Victor Smiley, a not-so-happily married couple who now have nothing in common apart from a substantial dislike of one another. Victor decides to take extreme, macabre measures to rectify his marriage crisis and ensure himself a life free of nagging and bickering.  Unbeknown to him, Joan is hatching a similar plan herself - but who will succeed in carrying out the perfect murder?

Les Dennis and Claire Goose give credible performances as the Smileys, weaving between spells of tension and humour as the details of their many years of marriage are revealed.Their respective lovers, Kamilla (Simona Armstrong) a Brighton sex worker and Don (Gray O’Brien) a faux-Cockney jack-of-all-trades, offer both comic relief and some genuinely heartfelt encounters.  Steven Miller’s portrayal of the novel’s protagonist, Detective Roy Grace, manages to remain understated while still successfully piecing the story together.

The clever split-level set design allowed each scene to run seamlessly into the next while keeping the audience focused as the story unravelled. This play is full of exciting twists and turns, with some unexpectedly frightening parts and an ending that is worth the ticket price alone.

Review - The Lion King

                          ***WRITTEN BY ME FOR BACKSTAGE PASS*** 

Regardless of age nobody could fail to be mesmerised by the magic of 'The Lion King', and with 90 crew members and 232 puppets it's safe to say this show does not do things by half. This coming of age story follows Simba, a young lion cub eagerly waiting to follow in his father's footsteps and become the King of the Pridelands. 

Often with a touring production comes slimmed down sets and costumes, but not here. Everything you'd expect to see in the West End show is present and correct and having seen both I actually preferred the atmosphere of a smaller theatre. The tickets specify to be seated at least 5 minutes before curtain up and without giving too much away you will not want to miss why. The familiar opening note from Circle of Life starts and the stage is suddenly alive with colour as we see Julie Taymor's vision come alive when the animals gather to celebrate the birth of their future king. 

With music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice the score is filled not only with songs you would expect to hear such as Can You Feel The Love Tonight and Hakuna Matata, but also numbers with traditional African styles which really pull the production together.

The cast as a whole delivered a perfect performance. John Hasler had Timone's sarcastic streak nailed and had great rapport with Lee Ormsby who played Pumba. One highlight for me was Gugwana Dlamini's take on Rafiki - she brought such warmth and energy to the role. I also enjoyed the addition of a Scottish Zazu (Meilyr Sion), although I'm not sure how well the colloquialisms would translate outwith a Scottish audience. 

It's really great to see regional theatres housing productions of this size and judging by the electric atmosphere in the audience last night I have no doubt the show will have a successful run here.

Review: I Will Survive

If you've ever had a broken heart, a one night stand, or one vino too many then you'll be able to relate to the shenanigans of Insideout Productions’ new show 'I Will Survive'.  Join Alison, Leah and Lauren as they attempt to cheer up newly single Donna, after her dirtbag husband (nicknamed Dick) has left her.  Featuring songs from the last four decades, the show is a feelgood musical comedy which has everybody up on their feet.

The intimate atmosphere of the Tron Theatre’s Victorian Bar lends itself well to Act I, which takes the shape of a girly night in.  Revelations and wine aplenty we are introduced to each cast member who all portray relatable women with relatable issues.  Touching on man problems, drink problems and many more, no topic is barred and the show manages to be both hilarious and genuinely touching.  Tanked up on booze the girls head out to Big Boaby’s Bar in Act II and invite the audience to join them once more. 

With a mix of numbers from well known musicals and chart topping hits, each chosen track guides the audience through the story, although the vocals and songs chosen were so diverse and well performed it would have worked even without the plot. 

I Will Survive is a perfect excuse for a get together with the girls and to let you hair down. After a successful run at the Tron the show is now going on tour which you can catch on its first stop at Eastwood Park theatre, check out the details here.

Review: Avenue Q at Cottiers Theatre

With themes such as racism, homosexuality and porn I think it's safe to say that Avenue Q is not your average musical, so it's fitting that it makes its amateur debut in Glasgow with Mad Props, who are certainly not your average theatre company. They are bringing fresh shows to Glasgow whilst raising funds for Leukaemia and  Lymphoma Research.

Imagine a world where humans and puppets collide (or as many have dubbed it - The Sesame Street for adults) and you're on your way to understanding the plot.  Avenue Q follows Princeton, fresh out of college with a useless BA and an empty wallet. While looking for his purpose in life and an apartment in his price range, he stumbles across a neighbourhood filled with the wackiest yet most endearing people you could ever meet.

Marelle Sturrock was outstanding playing (and operating) Kate Monster, an idealist who has dreams of building a school for monsters and wants nothing more than to be lucky in love. Fantastic vocals and really polished movements allowed for the focus to stay on the puppet. Niall Murray was also vocally brilliant with great comic timing as Princeton and a special mention to Brandon Campbell who had me in stitches with his portrayal of  porn-obsessed Trekkie Monster.

The set looked like it had been plucked straight from the West End production with a large two-storey apartment building dominating the stage. Some of the prop movements weren't slick but who can grumble when the audience were lapping it up. The music is so politically incorrect yet absolutely hilarious, and it’s really refreshing to see a show embrace topics that are most often avoided and explore them in a satirical way.

Avenue Q is a story so true to life and so full of heart and warmth that it will leave you with a smile across your face. Judging by the audience chat after curtain call Mad Props definitely achieved this.

Album Review: Rachel Tucker - The Reason

Rachel Tucker is probably best known for playing the role of Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked. Belting out amazing songs, with that power house voice to sold out crowds every night was a usual occurrence for this leading lady.

Fast forward a year or two to the release of Ms Tucker debut album - The Reason. Packed to the brim with fabulous covers,  even more fabulous vocals and a personal touch that cannot be missed and you have yourself a recipe for success.

From the first listen through I really get the impression that this album is a journey through Rachel's life and career to date.  The first track, Small Bump, is obviously to represent Rachel becoming a mum for the first time. This is a gorgeously soulful track and you really believe every word she's singing. Some of the songs on the album, such as The Reason and My Immortal are not often heard covered as they are big songs with strong originals. However Rachel really does the tracks justice and puts her own spin on them.

Of course musical theatre is strongly represented throughout the album. There's a really great stripped back version of 'I'll Cover You' from RENT which sounds awesome with female vocals. A nod is also given to her time playing Meat in We Will Rock You with 'No One But You' and of course there had to be a track from Wicked which Rachel referred to as 'the biggest and best part' of her career to date. There have been many versions of the iconic song 'Defying Gravity' released over the years, but I think this one is my favourite outwith the show itself.

You don't have to be a musical theatre fan to enjoy this album as there is something for everyone, but it's also a real treat for fans who have been following Rachel's career over the years. Pick up your copy of 'The Reason' here.

Review: Once The Musical

There were 2 theatre shows I was desperate to see during my summer trip to London town. The Book of Mormon, which I wasn't fortunate enough to get tickets for (I'm still cursing that lottery!!) and Once. I had read quite a lot of reviews about the show, but I had to go and see what everyone was raving about first hand.

Set in Dublin and based on the film of the same name, Once tells the story of love and friendship  when an Irish busker meets a Czech mother and fellow musician by chance in a bar. The pair bond over their love of music which sparks a connection that neither of them could have predicted.

From the get go I knew Once wasn't going to be your typical show. As I entered the theatre I was met with an on stage bar with the cast in the centre playing Irish folk songs. As I joined them on stage equipped with my Once cup (god I love gimmicks) I couldn't quite believe what was happening. This was a great example of breaking down barriers and really involving the viewer.

The highlight of Once for me was the cast. Zirnka Cvitešić was the perfect choice to play 'Girl', she had the dry humour and sarcasm of the character nailed while Declan Bennett excelled with his portrayal of 'Guy'. The ensemble was packed to the brim with talent playing some of the most colourful and likable characters on the West End. You've heard of a triple threat, but these guys go one step further and play all their own instruments. It was a real treat to see. Though the set was simple, the use of mirrors which encircled the pub gave me the feeling that I was experiencing every moment and emotion wherever it was happening on stage. Coupled with the captivating music this created one of the most intimate stage productions I’ve seen.

There is no fairytale ending here, and I did leave the theatre wondering how it all turned out. However that's the beauty of Once – it leaves the story open for the audience to answer their own questions. What more can you ask from a piece of theatre?

Grab your tickets here