“Outside Edge” by Richard Harris
Round Hill School, Foster Avenue, Beeston

Roger (Dave Roberts) is having trouble getting a team together for the afternoon's fixture against the British Railways Maintenance Division Yeading East but this proves to be the least of anyone's worries.

Bob (Gary Frost) is having marriage trouble as he is still doing odd jobs for his ex-wife behind his current wife Ginnie's back, played by Sue Frost.

Dennis (Paul Langston) is also having marital trouble as his wife seems intent on moving house despite the fact they only moved recently. When he finally puts his foot down she sets fire to his new car.

Kevin (Tom Jenkins) is trying to fight off his over affectionate wife Maggie (Sarah Nicholson) while at the same time nurse his injured spinning finger and Alex's new girlfriend, Sharon ( Leah Woolley), ends up shutting herself in the toilets having hysterics. Alex played by Kai Robbins

Even Roger's seemingly perfect marriage to Miriam (Alison Williams) hits the skids when she discovers he was playing away from home in more ways than one on a trip to Dorking last year.

Just when it seems things can't get any worse for them, it starts to rain.

Very much like the farces of Ray Cooney, but with less doors, there were laughs aplenty in this comical cricketing romp. This is gentle humour which was appreciated greatly by the audience. Even the sexist humour, which you shouldn't really laugh at in this modern world of political correctness, are still amusing.

The cast is a nice mix of regular faces as well as a few newcomers; Leah Woolley, Tom Jenkins and Sarah Nicholson.Tom and Sarah, aka Maggie & Kevin make a wonderful comedy couple. In fact all the couples in the play bounce off each other rather nicely.

Directed by Mark Robbins the action keeps flowing at a gentle pace and the comedy flows naturally from all actors, even Leah who has the least lines but some nice comic touches in her script.

The script is clever and wordy and delivered with a natural flow, especially from Dave Roberts, who reminds me just a little bit of Tony Robinson with his dryness.

The set was designed by Gary Frost and Sam Williams and used the aisle up the centre of the hall as an extension of the stage and steps as a runway to the cricket pitch.

It's nice when the little touches are added and especially in the sound department, meaning that you don't have to use your imagination too much. The sound of the cricket match gave you the image of the game as if you were relaxing in the cricket pavillion. Sound and lighting for this show was by Fiona Maxwell and Nina Tunnicliffe.

The last time Beeston Players performed this play was 33 years ago back in 1984 when Alison Williams played the part of Sharon. Another name which featured in that 1984 production was Barbara Barton who produced this show but was in charge of make up back 33 years ago.

Another nice touch was the home made cream teas that were on sale in the interval, with all monies going to charity for the Hospice.

Another very entertaining and solid production to go on the expanding list of shows that I've had the pleasure of seeing from the Beeston Players. They always vary their productions and the next one in November 2017 will be Arnold Ridley's "The Ghost Train"

“Outside Edge” is at Round Hill School on Foster Avenue in Beeston until Saturday with the final performance being a matinee at 2.30pm

“Trainspotting” adapted by Harry Gibson
Nottingham New Theatre

“Choose us. Choose life. Choose mortgage payments; choose washing machines; choose cars; choose sitting on a couch watching mind-numbing and spirit-crushing game shows… “ you know the iconic monologue from Irvine Welsh’s novel and film.

“Trainspotting” is the story of Mark Renton, a University drop out and heroin addict, and his friends, living through the Edinburgh heroin scene of the 80s. Harry Gibson’s original stage adaptation, written before it became a film, was instantly successful and controversial, and won the Sunday Times Award for Best New Play. For this Nottingham New Theatre production, they have created a snappy and vibrant affirmation of the power and humour of the piece.

Having only seen the film, I was looking forward to see how this would transfer to the stage but transfer it did, extremely well.

Just about every expletive known to man was used in the play. It was violent at times and at times incredibly tender. The cast have obviously developed a close working atmosphere because the friendship between Renton and Tommy was wholly believable

Choose a good cast....

Director Will Berrington and Producer Laura Wolczyk chose well in Chris Sharp-Paul in the main role as Renton, George Waring as Tommy, Claire Wimbush in several roles and Pete Przyslo as Begbie. All actors also played other roles as well as their main one. You just have to see Pete as Mrs Renton; like a cross between the Queen video of "I Want To Break Free", "Little Britain" and Monty Python.

Choose some interesting visuals.....

The TV sets provide an interesting psychedelic image of the exterior sets which obviously with the film you can do, not so easy to get that image on stage but it worked well.

Choose one of the most disgusting scenes I've seen on stage....

I won't give too much away but when Renton discovers that he may have lost the drugs he had just bought after a visit to a broken toilet, he sets about retrieving them. Nuff said but whoever created the , gunge shall we say, got the look and consistency spot on!!

There's also a monologue delivered by Claire, as the waitress, which also made you retch as she described how she got her revenge on a pair of English customers.

The show is full of emotion on several levels. it may make you angry, you may feel a love to some of the characters, one thing that I can promise though is that you'll go away from this production with some sort of emotion and talking point.

The drug taking scenes are done well. There may be a temptation to go over the top and glorify it but I think it was done just right.

The production, tech and stage management team behind this also did a grand job. 15 very talented people who all know who they are. They set just the right atmosphere, right from the word "go" when you enter during a nightclub rave scene, the smoke, the lights, even the smell and feel of the play was captured.

The accents were mostly spot on, but I know that getting an Edinburgh and a Glaswegian accent isn't as easy as some may think and on the whole the cast did good. Chris (Renton) was on the money with his softer Edinburgh tone, even through the angry speeches.

There is,as previously said, very strong language, violence, scenes of drug taking, smoking and partial nudity and scenes that some may find offensive. Without these though, "Trainspotting" would not be the success that it is.

It's definitely not too "out there" for the NNT, Mr Berrington, but as this is your final show at NNT, I can safely say that you went out on a definite high, if you'll pardon the pun!

“Trainspotting” is at the Nottingham New Theatre until Saturday 13 May 2017 with a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

“All Shook Up” by BMTG
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

"All Shook Up" is a fairly new musical comedy built around a number of songs made famous by Elvis Presley. It takes place in 1955, somewhere in middle America, where one girl's dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing stranger help a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock & roll.

Among the 24 songs featured in the score are classics like "Heartbreak Hotel," "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Can't Help Falling in Love," and of course the title tune. There’s also a very loose Shakespeare connection based on “Twelfth Night”

Would Beeston Musical Theatre Group be able to top last year’s October production of “The Wedding

Singer”? You can bet your blue suede shoes they can!

This is one of the most enjoyable shows I've seen in the jukebox genre. As with most "jukebox" musicals the script can be a little wishy washy, but in the hands of a good cast, anything can be forgiven. This musical was not in the hands of a good cast; it was in the hands of a brilliant cast!

It's one of the tightest shows I've seen from BMTG. the comedy timing was as good as any professional stage show and the music, singing, acting, dancing, orchestra, lights and staging were flawless.

Chris Bryan was our "roustabout" hero, Chad, and he worked his butt off on that stage. His vocals ranged from tender to raucous and his comic timing perfect. Mr swivel hips was burning hot!

Abby Riddell got to show off her incredible soulful and powerful voice as Sylvia who also gets to find happiness with the man of her dreams (aaahhh).

Dennis, the nerdy character is played magnificently nerdy by David Hurt. What a wonderful character part. Far from nerdy in real life (no mobile DJ is a nerd, believe me), David is a joy to watch and you really root for him to get the girl,and at the end.... well let's just say that he doesn't get what he wanted but he gets.... no, I won't spoil it!

Keli Wain, you looked incredible as Sandra. A cross between Diana Dors, Marilyn Monroe and Veronica Lake. An eyeful of gorgeous sexiness with an overtone of Mrs Robinson all topped off with that incredible voice. Plus those costumes WOW!

Simon Owen played Natalie's Dad, Jim. He turned from down in the dumps dad to a leather jacketed

chick magnet, finally getting up the courage to tell the woman of his dreams what he thought of her, and bingo! Another wedding added to the list.

Natalie, the girl greaser mechanic was another bundle of joy. Played by Laura Such, This is Laura's debut for BMTG and what a way to make a debut. Her voice is just right for musical theatre and I hope that we'll see more of Laura in future productions for BMTG.

Another first timer is John Hand who takes the part of Dean, son of the very strict Mayor Matilda. He does what mother says, that is until he is lured away by love. The temptress is Lorraine, Natalie's best friend, played by Claire Rybicki. I see family issues ahead but could there be yet another wedding at the end?

Mayor Matilda is a bossy so and so, telling all the townsfolk that they are all destined for hell. But is there a chance of that hard exterior being thawed by someone close to her who knows her well? Cat Tuckey produces some operatic at times vocals in this role and she has several lovely comic moments. One of my favourites being the scene with Earl, played by Rob Holsman, as he drives her on their not so fast mode of transport. You've got to see it to get the comedy effect!

Rob, as always turns in a wonderful performance in whatever role, and in this one, when the worm turned, he got a massive round of applause for recognition.

A wonderfully tight ensemble, marvellous and exciting choreography from Jodie Cressdee.

The tightness of the comedy and action is down to the expert directing from Chris Collington.

More than a few people were raving about the incredible orchestra under the musical direction of Nathan Truesdale. They were crisp, they were powerful, the acoustics were perfect for them and I must mention what a brilliant job Ed Gorrod did on drums. I don't like to single out one from the orchestra because they are all class acts, but Ed really drummed up a storm in places.

Having listened to the soundtrack and the amazing arrangements of the Elvis songs for a few weeks

before seeing the production, it was so good to hear the songs beautifully arranged and performed live on stage by this wonderful cast.

The sound and lighting were the best I've seen, thanks to Harry Greatorex and Dave Martin respectively. I was told that there had been a new sound system installed and you can really tell through the crystal clarity of the sound mix. Something that was also noted by one of my guests.

The set was also wonderful giving several levels available and the whole of the performance area was utilised to the full effect. the design doe the set by Garry and Lisa Smith.

Throw in a very clever way to produce a bus and getting a motorbike on stage and you've practically got everything in there.

I really hope that I've not missed anything or anyone out because this musical had me crying with laughter and, being just a little bit biased, extremely proud of the whole of BMTG for showing the professionals how to stage a great "jukebox musical".

So worthy of the standing ovation they received and the smiles on everyone's faces as they snaked out of the theatre backed up everything I knew to be true. Beeston Musical theatre Group are a force to be reckoned with.

“All Shook Up” is performed by the Beeston Musical Theatre Group at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 13 May 2017.

“The Wedding Singer”
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Set in 1985, Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer. All is going well in his career and his love life as he himself is due to marry when his fiancée dumps him at the altar, so Robbie makes every wedding he sings at as miserable as his own. But we all know the saying, “When one door closes..... another opens and in walks Julia. Julia is set to marry her fiancé Glenn, who’s a bit of a bad ‘un. He works on Wall Street and for him, it’s all about the green and Julia takes second place to his first love, money!

Will Julia see what Glenn is really like? Will Robbie get back with his ex fiancée, Linda? Will Robbie’s hip Grandma Rose be able to play Cupid between Julia and Robbie? All these questions are answered, and more, this week at the Nottingham Theatre Royal so grab your best hat because this is one hell of a fun ride.

Jon Robyns, who has a list of theatre credits as long as a long arm, (including playing Jamie in one of my favourite musicals “The Last 5 Years”) plays Robbie Hart. I've seen a few Robbie Harts and Jon is up there with the best. Great likeability and a great set of vocals, especially in his duet "If I Told You"

Cassie Compton, who you may just remember from being a finalist on “The X Factor” back in 2004, plays the sweet natured Julia. Sweet natured with a gorgeously sweet singing voice

Ray Quinn turns bad guy as Glenn and boy has he come a long way since playing little Anthony Murray in “Brookside”. He can sing, dance and act, a real triple boon for any show. Loved the laugh he has which is more like a half sneer; he really got into the role and his big number "All About The Green" is wonderfully performed with a big dance number to boot. Brilliant showman.

“Hi De Hi” favourite Ruth Madoc plays Grandma Rosie. the ballsiest Grandma ever. Ruth can sing and can still shake a leg, and you can now add rapping to her list of talents. A brilliant comic scene which pleased

the masses in the audience, and you should see her do those flips!!! Who'd have thought it?

Due to the unforeseen departure of Roxanne Pallett as Holly, Tara Verloop stepped up and played a blinder. Great voice, great mover and great to look at as well. Roxanne who?

Linda, Robbie's fiancee who dumps him at the altar was also a replacement. Played by the gorgeous Hannah Jay-Allen, she has one hell of a pair of lungs on her, they match her legs. Boy this is a great cast!

Ashley Emerson (Sammy) and Samuel Holmes (George) complete the band and provide many of the wonderful comedy moments in this brilliant feel good show.

Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and i think every one would agree that the choreography on this show was amazingly tight and extremely exciting to watch. The ensemble were some of the best I'd seen in a musical.

Not only was the dancing tight but so was the incredible orchestra, under the direction of Sean Green. Great sound.

The brilliant set is designed by Francis O’ Connor, who also designed the brilliant costumes.

Lighting was designed by Ben Cracknell and the sound was by Ben Harrison. Both Bens responsible for creating an exciting and atmospheric piece of theatre.

Also loved the trailers from the films from 1985 that were shown before the show started and a very clever "Back To the Future" segment which got us into the musical with the actual date of the show and heading back in time. Very clever and novel way to get into the show.

“The Wedding Singer” is on at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 13 May 2017. Make sure you get your invite as this is one party you don’t want to be left out of!

“Uz & Them” by Jonathan Taylor-Davies
Nottingham New Theatre

The New Theatre are currently presenting their Fringe season of plays and “Uz & Them” is the fifth of the latest line of talented writers, directors, cast and technical folk to showcase their wares for Fringe.

Writer and Director Jonathan Taylor-Davis had borrowed, ever so slightly from the Book Of Job from the First Testament.to create something not too far removed from a Monty Python sketch for it's ridiculousness. That's not an insult by the way because, even though I'm not the biggest Python fan, I can recognise the intelligent comic writings behind their sketches. I can raise the same parallel with Jonathan T-D.

The play is a court hearing complete with Prosecutor (Henry Hempstead), Counsel for the Defense - Gumble (Chris Trueman), The Judge (Ian Sheard), the Court Clerk/Stenographer (Angharad Davies) and several witnesses, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, all played by Beth Wilson. The three witnesses are the same named ones from the Book of Job.

Now while I level the ridiculous at this wonderfully witty play, there are moments that are pure poetry with a lovely literate quality, again highlighting the intelligence of the writing and the author.

The cast are brilliant and none more so that Henry Hempstead who makes this his first performance for NNT.

Chris Trueman starts off as a very off the wall character with his ramblings.

Ian Sheard has the most amazing wig to wear as The Judge and his speeches are often random.

Talking of random Angharad Davies's "read backs" are wonderfully and randomly completely off the wall. It becomes apparent why that is though as you go through the play. I love the irony as well of a Court Stenographer getting writer's block.

Beth Wilson, who I last saw in "The Black Dog On My Sofa", also managed to create three different characters, the last one made me chuckle with her attitude to Angharad's character.

Produced by Hugo Minta, Directed by Jonathan Taylor-Davies, assisted by Rose Edgeworth. This really is something just a bit different. That's what I like about the plays written, produced and directed by these students at NNT. You don't know what to expect and it's like being there at the birth of a baby, and I am so pleased that I am able to witness births of this quality.

Loved the lighting and sound as well as the costumes. All three areas gave an additional atmosphere to the play.

“Uz & Them” is on at the Nottingham New Theatre on the University campus until Tuesday 9 May 2017 with a 2.30 matinee performance and a 7.30 and additional 9.00 pm evening performance

“High School Musical 2” by NTU
Nottingham Arts Theatre.

This is the follow up to the very successful High School Musical franchise for Disney and follows up the adventures of Troy Bolton, the good looking, High School jock and sports idol, and his girl, Gabriella. But all is not so smooth sailing as Sharpay is set on stealing Troy away from Gabriella over the Summer semester, and she’s going to use any means necessary!

Everything comes to a head at the talent show, where Ryan is hoping to win the Star Dazzle Award, and will the group remember their motto “All for one and one for all”?

The musical isn't professing to be Shakespeare, although he does get a mention. It's fluffy, light entertainment with a slab of cheese thrown in for good measure, but I will admit that Act Two was the better of the two acts.

I'll put Act One down to nerves but by the second act you could see a more relaxed performance from everyone. There were parts which looked a little under rehearsed and needed tightening up. There was also one piece where the stage was bare and what just have been a matter of ten seconds or so, seemed longer.

Now I'm not going to pick at this because these guys are students and they have to fit their rehearsals around studying and their life and getting a full cast together in the same place is never going to be easy. What they have produced is worthy of acknowledgement and praise, and it is very entertaining.

I'd have loved to have had a programme so that I could name check my favourites, and just to know who I was watching. Not only that but, because of the number of people on opening night, they could have made a killing monetary wise by selling programmes. I also know that they are often not cheap to produce and money is always going to be tight with any theatre group.

Louis Simpson takes the part of hunky Troy (played in the movies by Zac Effron) and one thing that struck me was his really distinctive and powerful voice. One of my favourite voices in the cast.

Loved Gabriella, and the actor who played her had a lovely clear voice and a very confidence performer.

Also loved Sharpay. The actor who played her was a very fluent actor who really brought out the nasty, selfish side of the character, out to get what she wanted, at any cost.

Ryan was another wonderful character to play and the actor who played him was also wonderful. That touch of camp made the character.

Talking of which, I also loved the campness of the character Thomas Fulton, the manager of Lava Springs, the select sports club owned by Sharpay's mega rich and influential father. This was the place where Troy got his friends their Summer jobs at.

I must also mention Tom Myatt for his role, which made me smile. A lovely exuberant performance.

Rory Douglas, in his first show in Nottingham, played Chad who finally by the end passed his driving test to take Taylor to the drive in; another happy ending! Rory also has a good voice on him as well.

Sorry, I wish I could have name checked you all, as well as some of the other actors.

The cast have worked hard with this show and the audience fully appreciated that and the performance, and this show deserves to be supported, as it was on opening night by the full age range of people.

Nottingham Trent University drama club have chosen well with this show because it is a fun show, The songs are catchy, it's modern and it's got a lovely happy ending with a moral story that we can all learn from regarding getting what you want, and the consequences from it, and friendship, as well as how we treat others.

“High School Musical 2” is at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 6 May 2017 with a matinee at 2.30 and evening performance at 7.30.

Tickets are £10.00 with a reduction for Senior Citizens and students at £8.00 and under 16’s tickets at just £6.00.

“At the Sign of the Crippled Harlequin” by Norman Robbins
Burton Joyce Players

This is not a play that I’d seen or heard of before but is a real mystery why I’ve not had contact with this thriller.

There’s mistaken identity, dead bodies, a possibly haunted guest house in the Peak District in the deep winter snow, secrets aplenty and mysterious guests and the story is rich with shocks as well as laughs.It's also one of those thrillers where, unless you've seen the play before, you'll say "I was not expecting that" at the end.

Robbins is very good at writing interesting characters and there are eight very different characters here.

Marjorie Pike (Lorraine Andrew) is the first to meet her end but all is not as it first seems in her demise. Lorraine reminds me so much of Una Stubbs in her characterisation of Marjorie; a certain nervous aura about Marjorie, but is she all that she appears to be.

Katy Woolley and Adam Miller play the guest house owners,Sally and Bryan Lockwood. We find out that there's a possible cashflow problem and this may be the last year for them at "The Harlequin" unless something comes along. Could their answer be held by one of their guests?

Pam Seton (Kathy Matthews) is a regular at the guest house and by the end of Act 1, we discover that she has a secret, as well as a connection with one of the other guests, but what, and to whom?

Joan Reece (Deborah Craddock) is my favourite character in this play. She is opinionated, selfish, gobby and an absolute joy to watch. Deborah brings out all the acidness in the character but also gets to deliver many of the comedy one liners.

Joan's husband,Lionel Reece (Patrick McDonough) is well matched with Joan for his outspoken ways. they have money and they don't care who knows it. A couple who you love to hate.

Derek Tyndall (Steve Armstrong) is an interesting character. He speaks to his deceased mother in his head, so we know that we have a slightly unhinged character in the guest house. But surely he's harmless in his own little world... isn't he?

The final character is a young woman who's car has come off of the road in the deep snow and happens upon the guest house. Or was this all an accident, or is there something more planned about her visit?

This is the first play that Linda Burgin has solely directed and what I loved about the way that she has gone about this, is that she has not only ensured that the play is pacy, which built the tension and mystery, but she also looked after the little things.

This is what I love about a production. One of the characters slipped into a brook meaning that they had injuries. This characters coat was wet giving the impression of being in water. As the play is set in winter, some of the characters had to go outside and when they returned they had "snow" on them which they shook off. It's the little things like this that some directors miss. Not Linda. A wonderful directorial debut.

What I also liked was that the title of the play was also explained. The Harlequin was an old 1920's artist who had an accident and broke his back leaving him crippled. Could The Harlequin be the source of the mysterious noises deep in the night?

The music at the start set the air for the play and the lighting created just the right air as well, both the responsibility of Jenny Cowan.

A lovely set including Christmas Tree and decorations as well as a lovely warm looking fire. many props as well made the play and characters completely believable. These were sourced by Patrick McDonough.

A tight stage management (Tom Shepherd) made sure that everything passed off very smoothly.

I loved this play and having seen several of Norman Robbins' plays in the past, knew that I was in for a treat and the Burton Joyce Players succeeded in bringing the wonderful script to life.... and death!

There are many pieces to this jigsaw and just when you think you have all the pieces in the right places, you find another piece that needs to be fitted, leaving you back at square one. Oh yes there are many twists and turns with a couple of red herrings thrown in for good measure.

“At the Sign Of The Crippled Harlequin” is being performed at Burton Joyce and Bulcote Village Hall until Saturday 6 May 2017. Tickets are £8.00 from Burton Joyce Post Office, Delights Deli and Gift Shop or online at www.bjp.ticketsource.co.uk