“West Side Story”
Derby Theatre

The classic Stephen Sondheim/Leonard Bernstein musical is performed this time around by Derby Youth Musical Theatre. This ,as far as I can remember, is the first time that I have seen this group, but many of the faces are well known on the local Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire local theatre scene.

The story is inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and it’s the story of the relationships between two opposing street gangs, The Jets and The Sharks, with the two main characters, Tony and Maria being on opposite sides of the fence. This doesn’t stop the course of true love though but exacerbates the feelings between the two gang members with fatal consequences.

This is also a good musical to counter many of the classic musicals which end on a high and happy vibe.

“West Side Story” includes so many classic musical pieces, many have become chart and popular hits, covered by some of the cream of the recording industry. “Something’s Coming”, “Maria”, “I Feel Pretty”, “America”, “Somewhere”, “One Hand One Heart” and “Tonight” being among them as well as the lyrically comic “Gee Officer Krupke”.As I was leaving, I heard a couple of women state that they didn't realise how many of the songs in the musical they actually knew.

This is the first full theatre production that I've seen for well over a month, due to the theatre season pause, and this company re awakened my love for this wonderful, and very energetic musical. It actually left me quite drained of emotion because of the emotion these actors put into their performances.

Tony is played by Ryan Wiggins, a young actor I’ve seen on several occasions. He fits this role so well; he’s good looking and has that “boy next door” attitude which is just what Tony should be. He also has the most wonderful voice with such range. I've seen Ryan's Raoul, and that that was good; this performance bettered that. His control, especially in his falsetto, was spine tinglingly magical.

Tony’s “Juliet” is Maria, sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, and played by the lovely Mia Mitchell. Having met Mia a few weeks ago, I knew what a gorgeously talented teenager she is. What I hadn't been aware of was what a beautiful voice she owns. Crystal clear and those notes just flow effortlessly from her mouth. These two, Ryan and Mia, are a theatrical match made in heaven.

Bernardo is played by Sam Fretwell. Another handsome young actor who, at 18 years old, delivers a very mature performance and has an ear for accents, as do most of this talented cast.

The feisty Anita, played by Holly Ann Twells. Loved her accent and the fire she has for this character. great voice and what a dancer. Enormously energetic, and so pleased that she came from back stage to show off her wonderful talents onstage.

The leader of The Jets is the incredibly talented Lucas Young. By his own admission this is one part that is unlike other roles that he has performed in the past, but boy does he pull this one out of the bag. He shows what a diverse character player he is. One of the strongest and flexible dancers he showed that he can adapt to any dance form.

Curtis Taylor-Tipton plays Action. As this character he gets to show a more comic side of his acting as he takes the vocals on "Gee Officer Krupke". I've seen Curtis in several roles over the years, and it's great to see him play a role just a little less serious.

It’s a large cast (37) who interact well and the relationships between everyone offstage help to make the relationships with the characters onstage realistic. They all work like a well oiled theatre machine.For a cast of such young actors, they put some professional shows to shame with the energy and stage craft.

The mix of first timers with Derby Youth Musical Theatre and others that have long theatrical CVs blend well, and without reading the very informative programme, you would not be able to guess the experience levels of these actors.

It's also a testament to the actors and technical crew that they made this far from simple musical look so smooth.

The relationship between Tony and Maria is passionate and you can feel this passion, which makes the ending such an emotional scene.

Likewise the relationship between Tony and Riff as long time "bros from the hood" makes you feel that emotion that raged in Tony during the fateful rumble.

Directed by Peter Waters, who must be a very happy director with results like this. It's tight and pacy and he has the perfect cast.

Great musicals need great songs, which this show has in abundance, a great story, which it also has, and great dance routines, and that is the third box well and truly ticked.

Choreographer Caroline Green, assisted by Leanne Warren, has recreated some classic routines for this show. There are many different dance styles in West Side Story and it's rather wonderful to see ballet, jazz, contemporary, salsa and more all performed so well. You can see the time and notice taken just by looking at the hand and foot extensions by both male and female dancers. The hip action with the Latin sections may not be as loose as it could be but I am being very petty here because i have to keep reminding myself how young these actors are, and that sort of flexibility and technique is very hard to develop naturally. Just watch "Strictly" and the rehearsal time they have and compare that to these kids, and you'll see what an amazing job Caroline and the cast have produced.

If i had to choose my choreographic highlight, it would have to be "America". WOW! Amazing!!

Musical Director for this wonderfully emotive and evocative score is Charlotte Daniel. The music creates the perfect atmosphere for the period and the Latin area. That totally lush feel of "Maria", "One Hand One Heart" and the amazing arrangement of the final "Somewhere" is just breath taking and emotional. The 12 piece orchestra contains some of the best musicians in local theatre.

"West Side Story" has always been one of my favourite musicals. Derby Youth Musical Theatre have made sure that my love for this musical remains.

“West Side Story” is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 9 September 2017. Do not miss your chance to see this production.

“Hairspray Jnr”
Nottingham Arts Theatre

It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable teenager, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!

This is part of the Summer School 2017 scheme that is run at the Nottingham Arts Theatre, giving aspiring actors, or just kids who fancy having a go a chance to perform in front of friends and family but with professional tuition in theatre craft. The children in the Summer Scheme, aged 7 to 16 year old, learn the musical, the script, the songs, the choreography and stage craft all under the expert eye of producers, directors, musical directors etc . Tonight is the chance these kids get to show what they’ve been learning over the last two weeks.

I’ve been lucky enough over the last few years to have been invited down to see the end results of these Summer Schools and witness the absolute joy, and the occasional tear.

It takes a lot to put on a production of this standard and Director and choreographer Amy Rogers-Gee, Musical Director and set designer Laura Ellis and co set designer Joseph Smith who also stage managed the musical.

Emily Wilkins played Tracy. Not only did she sound and looked good but she had to endure being in a fat suit, which made me think that she must have been very slender under that costume.

Manny Moore was a very confident Corny Collins and playing Edna, and in the true tradition of the film of being male playing a female was Billy Kiety, who looked to be having as much fun playing Edna as we had watching him play Edna.

Wilbur, father to Tracy and husband to Edna was portrayed by an very confident Se Phelan.

Penny, Tracy's best friend, was played by Lacey Dykes and the pairing of Velma and Amber, the mother and daughter bigots were played with great attitude by Nia Phelan and Molly Benner respectively.

The Corny Collins heart throb, Link Larkin was played by Jonathan Jaycock. His mum said before the show that Jonathan was really nervous but if that was the case, he either hid them well or lost them as soon as the curtain went up.

Seaweed was played by the ultra cool Yara Johns-Ramos and equally as cool was Hattie Campion as Little Inez. Grace Hodgett-Young showed off her amazingly soulful voice as Motormouth, especially in the gorgeous "I Know Where I've Been".

There was a large ensemble who were equally as joyful to watch and several future stars were on show tonight.

Great dancing from all and everyone looked like they were having a ball on stage. the songs are infectious and the enthusiasm was plain to see, and all of this in the space of two weeks.

There are several musicals which I’ve felt aren’t quite suitable for that additional “Jnr” tag, but this isn’t one of them. It’s great fun, it’s colourful and it gives out a wonderful message to the kids and the audience about racial harmony and class division.

I can only imagine the two weeks leading up to this performance were a great introduction and education for the kids who were having their first taste of being in the spotlight, but also a fun fortnight, because you can't put on a show like "Hairspray" without enjoying what you do, because that would show. I sat there with an inane grin on my face for all of the night because this group made me feel that way.

Another brilliant Summer School Scheme from the Nottingham Arts Theatre and another amazing cast of talented kids, who should all feel absolutely over the moon by what they've achieved.

“WW! - Present Location Uncertain”
The Vine Community Centre, Basford.

As part of the WW1 Community Project, this is something that is a little bit different; so what’s it all about?

“Present Location Uncertain” is based on the World War 1 letters of Nottingham soldier, Harold Priestley. The Project recalls the life of Priestley, who fought on The Western Front, and his family and the community during the period 1914-18. This is in association with Djanogly City Academy.

The set makes an instant impact with large scale letters hung up around the performance area. It starts with an unnamed man going through some old memorabilia and discovering the letters in an old case; from there we are taken back to where Harold Priestley meets his soon to be wife, Eva.

We follow his footsteps through his courting days, the mother who obviously feels that Eva is not good enough for her son, the wedding, their son, called "Sonny", and Harold getting his call up papers.

From there on the mood changes and you get to feel the longing and emptiness felt by both as they converse through letters, some of which don't get through. This is cleverly depicted in the simplest of ways, but is so powerful.

And that is the theme that runs through this short play; simple but powerful and emotive. This makes the delivery of the news of Harold's death even more powerful. You can feel the love these two people have for each other and the massive space between the two is well portrayed.

The cast, Maddy Chapman, Angela Hayes, Andy Hutchinson, Emily Kelsey, Marcus Whybrow, Molly Wright, Thomas Randall, Rania Dante, Sonny Hale, Maggie Burrows and Rayyan Yousef Khan are excellent in telling this story, which is basically a love story across time and space, but what we shouldn't forget is that this is a true story.

I loved the puppetry in this play as well to portray Sonny. A clever piece of theatre which when executed well, as it is here, adds to the play.

Directed by Sarah Stevenson with design by Sarah Lewis. What also creates that special atmosphere is the instrumental music. the Sound Design is by Matt Marks and the wonderful story telling is all thanks to the wonderful direction and the dramaturg, Beth Shouler.

I've seen plays like this in the past but for some reason this was different and it strikes home, maybe it's the rich story telling element and the way these actors brought the letters and the words from the letters to life, who knows? This is a special play and should be seen by more people, especially school kids, and I hope that this will be the case.

The project itself will conserve and digitise 88 letters plus postcards and photographs in the possession of David Priestley, Harold’s grandson. The digitised collection will be deposited with the Vine and at Local Studies in Nottingham’s Central Library.

There'll also be a film made of this story and play and will be shown on 11 November 2017 at Central Library in Nottingham.

The title of the project is taken from the words stamped on letters returned to Eva, Harold’s wife, from the Western Front in 1918, when Harold could not be found after fighting on the Front line. He had fallen in battle near Arras.

This is community theatre at it's best and I have Euan David to thank for inviting me down to see this lovely, thought-provoking piece of true history.

“Marie Lloyd and the Music Hall Murder” by TABS Productions
National justice Museum aka The Galleries of justice

They do say that all good things come to an end and, unfortunately, so too does this year’s Colin McIntyre’s Classic Thriller Season after a slightly shorter and nomadic run for 2017.

I say nomadic but that’s just because their normal roost, the Nottingham Theatre Royal is under refurbishment. The first two plays were performed at the Nottingham Playhouse but here we are already at the third and final play, performed in the aptly chosen surroundings of the National Justice Museum, or to you and me The Galleries of Justice.

So what’s the story here, I hear you cry!

Well, Marie Lloyd, Queen of the comedy stage, is detained at the Stage Door of the Empire Palace of

Varieties by the Nottingham Constabulary for the willful murder of magician, The Great Merconi. She is tried at the National Justice Museum, after he is found in his dressing room, apparently strangled by her garter…

Written by Karen Henson with yet another brilliant cast of regulars, all familiar to anyone who follow this wonderfully entertaining troupe of actors.

This is slightly different to the ones we’ve seen just recently with its slight lean towards the art of panto, plus there’s singing in this one. Well Marie Lloyd was known for her songs, and especially that slightly saucy sense of fun in her choice of song.

We have a generous smattering of music hall standards as well as some songs that, although have the

original lyrics, have new melodies attached to them, all of which wouldn't be out of place with the days of the Good Old Days. The original music was composed by John Goodman

Andrew Ryan doubles as The Great Merconi and also as Miss Sachei Aweigh, woman of mystery.Who is that veiled woman? What connection has she with Merconi and what is her real reason for her to be in Nottingham just at this time?

Andrew performs mystifying magical miracles and works the audience into his act to great amusement.

David Osmond plays the serious court usher, strangely called Mr Osmond, as well as tinkling the ivories for the accompanying tunes for this play

Susan Earnshaw was our Marie Lloyd, airing her vocals with some classic music hall faves like "A Bit Of A Ruin That Cromwell Knocked About A Bit", "My Old Man", "A Little Of What You Fancy" and with the whole ensemble in "Down At the Old Bull And Bush". A wonderful cheeky performance which left me with a big smile on my face.

Sarah Wynne Kordas played Claudia Dawn, mistress of the robes. It's strange that as soon as Sarah dons a wig and make up, she becomes completely unrecognisable. I had my suspicions about Claudia in this production, but was she the murderer? You'll have to go and see the play to find out!

John Lyons was wonderfully almost "fuddy duddy" in this play as His Honour The Judge. A lovely comic role for John with some wonderful lines to deliver, and his "Macbeth" section is classic, plus he even gets a nod in to the role we know him best for. Lovely fun character for an actor who I could tell relished this part.

David Giltbrook played the barrister, Mr R Blowers. The glue that brought all the characters together, and even in the bit which didn't quite follow the script, Mr Giltbrook, with Mr Lyons, managed to cover and get back to the script without it looking too obvious; a sign of true professionalism and experience.

You probably won't see this though because as with all live theatre, no show is the same two performances on the run.

Jeremy Lloyd Thomas, played the stage door attendant, Mr Charlie Welkin. His one word answers, rising from the inaudible grunts to start with, gives rise to some comic moments from the Judge who apparently can translate these grunts perfectly! He sees and hears everything at the back door, so may have the motive for killing the mustachioed magic man, but for what gain?

Anna Mitchum plays Miss Lilly Lovage, who is reported to have been on the wrong end of Merconi's ire. Could this wee gentle lady have the strength though to strangle Merconi?

Who is the music hall murderer? Surely it would be too obvious for it to be Marie LLoyd, even though the weapon of choice was Marie's garter? Claudia Dawn the wardrobe mistress? Charlie Welkin, the back door man? Lilly Lovage? Miss Sachei Aweigh? Only one way to find out who and how and why!

Well first we have to try Marie Lloyd, and there is a jury of willing audience members to take this role on.

Karen Henson has written a wonderfully fun piece of theatre, and let's face it the court room is theatre anyway, so a perfect setting. The setting gives great atmosphere to the play as well as a sense of reality, almost making you a part of the whole story. there are many Nottingham landmarks

name checked in this play which really makes it more personal.

It's great fun, it's panto, it's music hall, and with these seasoned actors you won't feel guilty about enjoying yourself in court.

Wonderful costumes, as you'd expect, and that's one thing that I've really noticed about this season from TABS, the costumes have been one of many many highlights of this year's season.

This jury is in total agreement and we find this play guilty of being a thoroughly enjoyable romp.It'd be criminal not to pop down and see this piece of theatre

“Marie Lloyd and the Music Hall Murder” is at the National Justice Museum, High Pavement in Nottingham until Saturday 29 July 2017.

“Guys n Dolls”
Nottingham Lace Market Theatre

This is a musical for romantics everywhere and set in “Noo Yoik” with some brilliant characters, gamblers, gangsters and night club singers. It derives from the Damon Runyan’s stories of Broadway’s underworld, and especially about a Bible-quoting gambler, Nathan Detroit, who ends up dating a Salvation Army girl, Miss Adelaide.

The script is teeming with wittiness and this spills over into the lyrics of the instantly recognisable songs. “A Bushel and A Peck”, “Luck Be A Lady”, “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat”, “Sue Me”. “Take Back Your Mink”, “If I Were A Bell”, “I’ve Never Been In Love Before”.

The story is of Nathan Detroit and his 14 year old engagement to Miss Adelaide and Sky Masterson and a bet he made with Nathan to win $1000 to stage a crap game. The bet was to take Sarah Brown to Havana, but Sarah isn't such a pushover!

The Lace Market Theatre's closing production for this season is an absolute cracker of a show.

The sets rely mainly on projections, but they are used so well and with subtlety that they set the scenes without being obtrusive or looking out of place. This , as well as the sound design is by Matthew Allcock.

I've seen many of this cast in previous plays in the past at various theatres, but when you see them in a musical, you see a completely different side to them, another talent, and that's exciting to the viewer. And with all of the cast, the singing matched their acting ability, and the acting was brilliantly entertaining.

The casting of this show was spot on, nothing or no one I could see not being in the roles that they were given. Therefore I feel it only right to give everyone their due with a mention.

As the sign said on the journey back from Havana, "Fasten your seatbelts", this could be a long one......

Paul Johnson (Sky Masterson), Dermot Randall (Nathan Detroit),
Chris Sims (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Matthew Thomason (Benny Southstreet),Roger Newman (Arvide Abernathy), Richard Ives (Rusty Charlie), Christopher Collins (Big Jule), Gareth Morris (Harry The Horse), Chris Teasdale (Lt. Brannigan), Tom Walters (Society Max), Kyle Stirland (Good Time Charlie), David Hope (Angie The Ox), Julian Phillips (Louie the Greek), Connah Porter (Dave The Dude), Roger Watson (Bookie Bob and Calvin), all incredibly entertaining and all coping well with the varied American accents.

Fraser Wanless needs a special mention as he played several different characters from Joey Biltmore , a waiter, a drunk, Jose and a cop.

They're the "Guys" and her comes the "Dolls"......

Lucy Theobald (Sarah Brown), Eileen Frier-Kelsey (General Matilda Cartwright), Liza Pybus (Agatha), Anne Anne Mccarroll (Martha), Rebekah Blasdale-Smith (Ruth), Lucy Colgan (Mimi), Alison Biller (Miss Georgie), Jenny Scott (Miss Lili), Lucy Bailey (Miss Dandi), Everyone was great fun to watch and you could feel the excitement these ladies emitted from that stage.

Jackie Dunn as Miss Adelaide just has to be the star of the show. This role is so far removed from Jackie's own personality that when Miss Adelaide first appeared on stage, I had to look twice. She didn't look like Jackie and she definitely didn't sound like

Jackie. This role shows what a wonderful character actor Jackie is, and what a wonderful singing voice she has, even singing in Miss Adelaide's "squeaky" voice and with a New York accent.

But Jackie is just one star among a sky fill of stars in this show.

Directed by Linda Croston, you can tell this was a labour of love for Linda. She got everything just perfect. The pace was good, the comic lines were delivered with timing. You'd expect that from Linda though because she has been behind so many successful musicals for several theatre companies over the years. She knows her stuff where musicals are concerned.

Set Design was courtesy of Max Bromley, and as I said earlier, it was, like everything else to do with this production, spot on.Whether set in the night club, The Hot Box, or in the Havana scenes, from the Mission to the underground "crap" shoot, everything was just right.

Musical Director was Stephen Williams, and while I knew that there would be no lush arrangements for this soundtrack, the simpler, jazzy arrangements by this three piece group worked really well and gave all of the vocalists a backing that didn't overpower the singer, but instead complemented their individual voices.All helped by a sensitive live sound mix from Simon Carter

Choreographer Lisa Lee did a cracking job with some really athletic and exciting dance moves.

With so many bodies on stage, Stage manager, Bex Mason may just have had her hands full, but that didn't show as everything ran as smooth as clockwork.

As you'd expect, being set in New York in the 1920's/1930's Gangster era, the costumes for this musical are incredibly classy and stylish, which also makes this musical the classy affair that it is. Jane Jim Brooks, Trish Hope, Jayne Richardson and Triple C Costumes deserve praise for the costumes.

Herring, 

Don’t leave it to lady luck to get your ticket on the door as that would be too much of a gamble. "Guys n Dolls" is a classic stage musical and Linda and her cast present a thoroughly entertaining show with laughs and great musical numbers and dance routines.

“Guys n Dolls” is being performed at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 29 July 2017 with just a one day break on Sunday 23 July 2017.

“Bouncers” by Regis Theatre Company
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton

Lucky Eric, Judd, Les and Ralph are the original men in black as they tell the tale of one night in a Yorkshire disco in the 80’s. All the gang are out on the town, the boys, the girls, the cheesy DJ, the late night kebab man and the taxi home, all under the watchful eyes of the Bouncers.

Set in the 1980s at a Northern Night Spot, the play features the four doormen (or Bouncers) who play multiple parts to reflect the goings on at the club. Try imagining four beefy bouncers dancing round their pink handbags when discussing a hen party and you’ll have some idea of the kind of thing that will have you in stitches.

John Godber's plays are always incredibly popular and he has an eye for the ridiculous in the common man, which is what makes his plays so down to earth and enjoyable. You can see traits in all of Godber’s characters in someone you know, or may have known in the past. Godber is an observer of people which is why his characters are so realistic.

It has been known for me to well up at emotional plays but tonight I was in tears. Tears of laughter, they were literally rolling down my cheeks.

Having seen "Bouncers" before I knew that it had funny bones, but this cast brought out more comedy in this play than I had ever remembered it to have. In parts it may not have been quite as Godber had written but when you have a cast that have the professional capacity to cover forgotten lines and corpsing and still have the audience rolling around, you know you've got a winner on your hands.

Unfortunately "Bouncers" was only on for two nights, Wednesday being the second of two, so I can only report what you've sadly missed. Hopefully Regis and this cast may revisit "Bouncers" later down the line, but will they be able to reproduce this level of hilarity. That's the wonderful thing about live theatre, you never get to see the same production, exactly the same, every night.

Director Ollie Turner and Assistant Director and Production manager, Maureen Tierney, launched Regis Theatre Company with a smash. The play needs little scenery apart from four beer kegs and a door, minimal props and four brilliant actors. The play was the perfect choice, as was the casting.

Adam Guest plays “Lucky Eddie” who has some wonderful, at times poetic monologues, which also shows the more human and softer side of the burly bouncer. A lovely contrast to the comic characters Adam also plays here. like the kebab/hot dog man.

Kheenan Jones is Judd, sexually frustrated hard case. All four actors play all the characters and seeing burly Kheenan prance around the stage playing one of the "girls" with a pink handbag over his shoulder, dancing to "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and trying to french kiss one of the drunkard "lads" in the play was a scream.

Mik Horvath's main "Bouncer" character is Les, always looking for a fight. His drunk acting and slurred speech was pure comedy classic,as was his "girly" character.

Last but by no means least is Tom Preston as Ralph. He may have been the smallest in stature but his presence was big. Apparently not only his presence is big as we are told by one of the "lads" in the gents toilet scene!

All brilliant banter we've all all experienced in out younger days when out on the town and on the pull with the lads, after all it is Friday night at Mr Cinders, the hottest night spot in Yorkshire with the cheesiest DJ, also played by Tom.

There's a classic scene when the Bouncers have finished their shift and they are watching a "Svedish blue movie" acted out by Adam and Tom.Absolutely hilarious, as was the scene in the taxi.

From entering the theatre, right through to the ushering out, the four bouncers stayed perfectly in character, creating the perfect atmosphere for the play.

They got the audience on their side straight off with "The Bouncers Rap", all the way through to "Thriller" at the close.

It's one of the best comedies I've seen for a long time and if this is where Regis's road starts, I can see a long and fruitful journey for them

“Bouncers” concluded tonight, Wednesday 19 July 2017 but I was so pleased to have my name on the list to see this smash of a production.

“Dangerous Corner” by J.B.Priestley
Nottingham Playhouse

This is the second of the three plays in the Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2017 performed by TABS Productions.

Robert and Freda Caplan are entertaining guests at their country retreat. A chance remark by one of the guests ignites a series of devastating revelations, revealing an undiscovered tangle of clandestine relationships and dark secrets, the disclosures of which have tragic consequences.

Chris Sheridan (Robert Caplan), Charlotte Chin (Freda Caplan),
Anna Mitchum (Betty Whitehouse), David Osmond (Gordon Whitehouse), Jo Castleton (Olwyn Peel), Mark Huckett (Charles Stanton), and Susan Earnshaw (Maud Mockridge) were all, as usual excellent in their respective roles.

Geoff Gilder once more excelled in the costume department. Very simple but very stylish.

The set design (Sarah Wynne Kordas) was different to what I'd expected from the typical drawing room set. Before hand Director Karen Hensonhinted that she had set it in a circus, and that is just what the "walls" of the set looked like. Again simple design which meant that the set didn't detract

from the script or the wonderful acting. The furniture was classy and apt for the 1930's setting of the play.

Karen's direction, or is it the natural ability of the actors, not quite worked that out yet, means that when you listen to these actors, it's like you're sitting in the corner eavesdropping on a group of friends.. There's some lovely "angry" speeches and the odd funny line all delivered clipped. The flow of the speeches and script makes this play nice and pacy.

The lighting in this play, designed by Michael Donoghue, at first, apart from the obvious bit where the lights were turned out to see the "ghost owl", was very subtle in Act two, especially shown to best advantage on the white sections of the black and white striped background. You have to see it to get the whole feel .

David Gilbrook is the Sound Designer. One thing you notice, or not as the case may be, with these plays by TABS is the unobtrusive but natural sound effects. But this is an art to make everything sound naturalistic. You expect to hear a sound, so it comes as no surprise that it;s there and on time.It's simple to say but in the theatre, one missed sound cue and it throws everything out and that natural feel is lost. Believe me I've seen it and it kills the magic.

The script is quite wordy and it's one of those plays that you have to concentrate on to get the full enjoyment of the play, but the ending is like tying the bow on the big present, you get my gist, don't you?

Priestley's first play brings into play the time lapse element which can sometimes be not the easiest to replicate on stage, but it really worked well with this play

Anyway, I can waffle on rill the cows come home but to get the full effect and joy of this stylish play, which isn't really a murder mystery as we don't see any murders, and it's not really a thriller. It's just a good play with a murder and some intricate revelations from every character.

“Dangerous Corner” is at the Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 22 July 2017.