EQUUS
Nottingham Playhouse
When you mention "Equus" people will automatically think of Daniel Radcliffe baring all, but there is so much more to this play. That is just a very small part of the story which, as this play is performed by the Nottingham Playhouse Advanced Youth Theatre Group, there is no full nudity.
For those who don't know their Latin, Equus means horse, and while horses are quite involved in this story, the actual story is about 17 year old Alan Strang, a young man with a strict atheist for a father and an excessively religious mother, both wanting Alan to be like them. No wonder the poor boy is confused and turns to horses for comfort.And also about the psychiatrist who attempts to treat Strang for his pathological religious fascination with horses.
After blinding six horses at the stables that he helps out at, he is saved from prison by Heather Solomon, a social worker, by getting psychiatrist Martin Dysart, to take on the case and get to the bottom of why Strang did what he did.
Strang has been seriously damaged by his parents which leads him to singing TV commercials instead of answering questions about what has happened, but slowly Dysart manages to crack through this hard wall that Strang has built around himself for protection, and gets to the real truth. Nature or Nurture, a question that is brought to the fore here.
This particular theatre group's acting ability belie their tender years and there are some brilliant performances from Jacob Seelochon, the psychiatrist who not only breaks down the walls around Strang, but also discovers a few home truths about his relationship with his wife, thanks to Strang's revelations.Jacob is a very natural, passionate and dramatic actor, which is what is needed for this role and not only that, he has the majority of the lines in the play as well, delivered unfalteringly. An excellent performance.
Another excellent performance is delivered by Tom Martin as Strang. Sensitively playing out the mental torture he keeps locked away in his mind, Slowly peeling away the protective skin of the character to reveal the soft underbelly of the hurt teenage Strang. An excellent comparative of the dark denial side and the desperate longing to be rid of his nightmares and past. I have seen Tom in several roles in various theatres in Nottingham but this has to be his finest hour to date.
Some wonderful supporting actors in Will Harrison as the controlling father Frank Strang, Eleanor Sharkey as the over religious mother, Dora Strang, Paige Peddie as the social worker Heather Solomon, who you feel that without her, Strang, would have been in a much worse place than the place he finally ended up at.
It was a good call that director, Sarah Stephenson, decided to keep the play set in the 70's, which gave rise to some wonderful retro outfits and facial hair (Couldn't work out whether Will's sideburns and moustache were his own or facial props). The play, by Peter Shaffer, was written in 1973.
Sound and light play a big part in any theatre production and the sound design by Thomas Preston was timed to perfection and the clever and effective lighting was designed by Stephanie Bartle.
Performed in the intimate Neville Studios above Cast bar, it was staged in the round with three sides for the audience and the fourth being set out like a jury's bench in a court room with the supporting actors taking their turns to weave in and out of the action when needed.
There is a section of the script delivered by Jacob about passion,and this so apt for this play and this theatre group because you can feel the passion that every actor has for this play and performing which makes this harrowing play so very realistic and an absolute joy to see.
"Equus" is on at The Neville Studios at the Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 16 August 2014
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Monday, 11 August 2014
FATAL ENCOUNTER
Nottingham Theatre Royal
Play number three in the Colin McIntyre Thriller Season at the Nottingham Theatre Royal presented by Tabs Productions, and this is the one that I was most looking forward to as I do like a good Francis Durbridge thriller, and I was not disappointed!
More twists and turns than Blackpool Pleasure Beach and more red herrings than a fishmongers sale on herrings, this is one of Durbridge's most stylish of thrillers.
Set in the 1960's the whole atmosphere is of the era and is reminiscent of the old TV detective thrillers such as "Jason King", "The Avengers", Department S", well you get the idea.
There is murder, blackmail, deceit, cover ups, lies, a stabbing, it's all there to keep you on the edge of your seat and to keep you wondering who was behind the whole story. After all we know who carried out the murder, but it's the whole story behind the, albeit accidental murder, that is intriguing. I changed my mind twice trying to guess who was Mr, or Mrs Big behind the permanent eviction of Perry Kingsley.
Andrew Ryan, as Howard Mansfield, the husband of Joanna Mansfield and the one who tries to take the rap for the murder, is on stage for practically the whole play and is, again another completely different character from the previous two he has played this season. There are a lot of words for Andrew in this one and he doesn't miss a beat here. An excellent performance!
Susan Earnshaw is Joanna, the wife who is, to start with a little frugal with the truth, and if you don't know this story, will be surprised at why the snowball she causes escalated to the fatal end to Mr Kingsley, played by the lovely Adrian Lloyd-James, and the reason why he was where he was at the time of his demise.
A great supporting cast, as usual, deliver this truly excellent thriller, and in my humble opinion, the best to date this season, and I loved "The Ghost Train", then again I love Durbridge's writing style. But it does take a great cast to bring the words on the paper alive. Durbridge and Tabs Productions what a joyful combination!
Karen Henson directs"Fatal Encounter" and while we have had to wait for a couple of weeks for this season's directorial debut from Karen, it was well worth the wait; very stylish.
A nice touch for the scene changes with total blackout and classic murder mystery incidental music as well keeps the suspense high. So a nod to Michael Donoghue for the lighting design and to David Gilbrook for the sound.
"Fatal Encounter" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 16th August 2014
Nottingham Theatre Royal
Play number three in the Colin McIntyre Thriller Season at the Nottingham Theatre Royal presented by Tabs Productions, and this is the one that I was most looking forward to as I do like a good Francis Durbridge thriller, and I was not disappointed!
More twists and turns than Blackpool Pleasure Beach and more red herrings than a fishmongers sale on herrings, this is one of Durbridge's most stylish of thrillers.
Set in the 1960's the whole atmosphere is of the era and is reminiscent of the old TV detective thrillers such as "Jason King", "The Avengers", Department S", well you get the idea.
There is murder, blackmail, deceit, cover ups, lies, a stabbing, it's all there to keep you on the edge of your seat and to keep you wondering who was behind the whole story. After all we know who carried out the murder, but it's the whole story behind the, albeit accidental murder, that is intriguing. I changed my mind twice trying to guess who was Mr, or Mrs Big behind the permanent eviction of Perry Kingsley.
Andrew Ryan, as Howard Mansfield, the husband of Joanna Mansfield and the one who tries to take the rap for the murder, is on stage for practically the whole play and is, again another completely different character from the previous two he has played this season. There are a lot of words for Andrew in this one and he doesn't miss a beat here. An excellent performance!
Susan Earnshaw is Joanna, the wife who is, to start with a little frugal with the truth, and if you don't know this story, will be surprised at why the snowball she causes escalated to the fatal end to Mr Kingsley, played by the lovely Adrian Lloyd-James, and the reason why he was where he was at the time of his demise.
A great supporting cast, as usual, deliver this truly excellent thriller, and in my humble opinion, the best to date this season, and I loved "The Ghost Train", then again I love Durbridge's writing style. But it does take a great cast to bring the words on the paper alive. Durbridge and Tabs Productions what a joyful combination!
Karen Henson directs"Fatal Encounter" and while we have had to wait for a couple of weeks for this season's directorial debut from Karen, it was well worth the wait; very stylish.
A nice touch for the scene changes with total blackout and classic murder mystery incidental music as well keeps the suspense high. So a nod to Michael Donoghue for the lighting design and to David Gilbrook for the sound.
"Fatal Encounter" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 16th August 2014
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
AGNES OF GOD by John Pielmeier
Lace Market Theatre
I, along with a select group of people had the pleasure of seeing Zodiac Theatre's first Nottingham production at the Lace Market Theatre of "Agnes Of God" a day ahead of it's public outing, and if you're planning on seeing it on Thursday 7 August 2014, then you are in for a real treat.
Agnes is a young nun who becomes pregnant by what seems to be an immaculate conception. Whether this is the case or not we do not get to find out for sure, which leaves the viewer to make up their own mind as to what may or may not have happened.
It's also partly the story of Doctor Livingstone, the psychiatrist who has been drafted in to try and piece together what happened that led up to the events revealed in the play. We also find out why Dr Livingstone treats the Mother Superior in the way that she does throughout her investigations, and were there darker messages in the play that now and again reared its' head? A thought provoking piece of work for sure!
Lindsay Foster plays the nun Agnes, timid, sheltered, naive and anxious not to believe what has happened to her, but events later in the play clarify why this is the case.
Katie Ward is nothing less than amazing as the Mother Superior, eager to hide some secret about the event, but what could that secret be and if there is nothing to hide, then why is she so eager to have Dr Livingstone taken off of the case?
Anna Sanderson plays Dr Livingstone with such conviction that at times she almost spits venom at the Mother Superior, all the time knowing that there is something that is being hidden from her and frustrated at not being able to get on with her job that she has been hired to do.
If you want the answers to all of the above....well you know where to go!
There are some lovely comic lines along with the very dramatic and wordy pieces. You could have heard a pin drop through most of the play and you could practically hear the assembled audience breathing, so intense was the action.
All three actors held us spellbound with their performances in this powerful play and you can tell that this must have been a labour of love for director Simon Ward to work on. Bringing out the sensitivity of the piece as well as the hard nosed and stubborn sides from the characters.
This is the third production from Zodiac Theatre who are normally based in Mansfield but have made, not only a departure from the comedy they have previously done, but also a departure to Nottingham to spread the word with their talented crew. The Lace Market theatre is the ideal surroundings for their Nottingham debut and I'm hoping that we see a lot more from this very talented, and friendly theatrical group.
"Agnes Of God" is being performed at the Lace Market Theatre on Thursday 7 August only and you can get tickets from the Lace Market Theatre box office.
Lace Market Theatre
I, along with a select group of people had the pleasure of seeing Zodiac Theatre's first Nottingham production at the Lace Market Theatre of "Agnes Of God" a day ahead of it's public outing, and if you're planning on seeing it on Thursday 7 August 2014, then you are in for a real treat.
Agnes is a young nun who becomes pregnant by what seems to be an immaculate conception. Whether this is the case or not we do not get to find out for sure, which leaves the viewer to make up their own mind as to what may or may not have happened.
It's also partly the story of Doctor Livingstone, the psychiatrist who has been drafted in to try and piece together what happened that led up to the events revealed in the play. We also find out why Dr Livingstone treats the Mother Superior in the way that she does throughout her investigations, and were there darker messages in the play that now and again reared its' head? A thought provoking piece of work for sure!
Lindsay Foster plays the nun Agnes, timid, sheltered, naive and anxious not to believe what has happened to her, but events later in the play clarify why this is the case.
Katie Ward is nothing less than amazing as the Mother Superior, eager to hide some secret about the event, but what could that secret be and if there is nothing to hide, then why is she so eager to have Dr Livingstone taken off of the case?
Anna Sanderson plays Dr Livingstone with such conviction that at times she almost spits venom at the Mother Superior, all the time knowing that there is something that is being hidden from her and frustrated at not being able to get on with her job that she has been hired to do.
If you want the answers to all of the above....well you know where to go!
There are some lovely comic lines along with the very dramatic and wordy pieces. You could have heard a pin drop through most of the play and you could practically hear the assembled audience breathing, so intense was the action.
All three actors held us spellbound with their performances in this powerful play and you can tell that this must have been a labour of love for director Simon Ward to work on. Bringing out the sensitivity of the piece as well as the hard nosed and stubborn sides from the characters.
This is the third production from Zodiac Theatre who are normally based in Mansfield but have made, not only a departure from the comedy they have previously done, but also a departure to Nottingham to spread the word with their talented crew. The Lace Market theatre is the ideal surroundings for their Nottingham debut and I'm hoping that we see a lot more from this very talented, and friendly theatrical group.
"Agnes Of God" is being performed at the Lace Market Theatre on Thursday 7 August only and you can get tickets from the Lace Market Theatre box office.
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
"SHADOW OF THE GHOST"
Nottingham Theatre Royal
The second of the Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2014 follows on from last week's "The Ghost Train". Written by Nicholas Ridley, son of Arnold Ridley who wrote "The Ghost Train", and Mansfield's Chris Ponka.
The set is the same as last week, but this is because fictitious Am Dram society, The Lemon Tree Players, are set to present a production of "The Ghost Train", little do they realise that they themselves would be wrapped up in a murder mystery to rival that of any fictitious plot.
There are a few new faces in the production, as well as a few of the regular names, Andrew Ryan, in a completely different role from last week's under cover detective, Susan Earnshaw, Jeremy Lloyd-Thomas and Sarah Wynne Kordas. The new names keep the cast fresh and provide some very nice comic touches, especially Alan Magor as the slightly "wet behind the ears" Barrie.
Tabs Productions Company show just how versatile they are with this "play within a play" play and while using the premise of the Arnold Ridley story, the characters and storyline is completely different.
To be honest, I don't think Nicholas Ridley is quite the writer that his dad was because this storyline was no where near as strong as "The Ghost Train" but instead offers a more of a comedy play, which if truth be told, is what the play is billed as, and succeeds under this heading. Saying that though, the ending is more open ended than "The Ghost Train" and possible leaves the door open for another episode for The Lemon Tree Players.
Some nice jumpy bits, good lighting effects and sound and another unexpected twist as to who will be the undercover detective this time. Despite not being as strong as the week's before excellent play, this is entertaining and provides laughs as well as the thrill element.
"Shadow Of The Ghost" is at the Theatre Royal until Saturday 9 August 2014
Nottingham Theatre Royal
The second of the Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2014 follows on from last week's "The Ghost Train". Written by Nicholas Ridley, son of Arnold Ridley who wrote "The Ghost Train", and Mansfield's Chris Ponka.
The set is the same as last week, but this is because fictitious Am Dram society, The Lemon Tree Players, are set to present a production of "The Ghost Train", little do they realise that they themselves would be wrapped up in a murder mystery to rival that of any fictitious plot.
There are a few new faces in the production, as well as a few of the regular names, Andrew Ryan, in a completely different role from last week's under cover detective, Susan Earnshaw, Jeremy Lloyd-Thomas and Sarah Wynne Kordas. The new names keep the cast fresh and provide some very nice comic touches, especially Alan Magor as the slightly "wet behind the ears" Barrie.
Tabs Productions Company show just how versatile they are with this "play within a play" play and while using the premise of the Arnold Ridley story, the characters and storyline is completely different.
To be honest, I don't think Nicholas Ridley is quite the writer that his dad was because this storyline was no where near as strong as "The Ghost Train" but instead offers a more of a comedy play, which if truth be told, is what the play is billed as, and succeeds under this heading. Saying that though, the ending is more open ended than "The Ghost Train" and possible leaves the door open for another episode for The Lemon Tree Players.
Some nice jumpy bits, good lighting effects and sound and another unexpected twist as to who will be the undercover detective this time. Despite not being as strong as the week's before excellent play, this is entertaining and provides laughs as well as the thrill element.
"Shadow Of The Ghost" is at the Theatre Royal until Saturday 9 August 2014
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
THE AGE OF CONSENT presented by Doris Day-Release Productions
Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.
Written by Peter Morris, this has nothing to do with the age of consent but of us being in an age of giving consent, but it will all become apparent if you go along and see it.
There are two characters who deliver two monologues which intertwine throughout the play.Timmy, who is due to be released back into a world that he is no longer familiar with after being in a correctional facility for the last nine years. The other is Stephanie, a pushy stage mother who will do anything to get her six year daughter into show business. Both characters are dangerous to an extent but while there are similarities between both, the play also shows a very great difference between the two.
The play which caused uproar and controversy when it was first performed back in 2001 at the Edinburgh Festival, just after the release of Jamie Bulger's killers, may have lost some of it's controversy, but has definitely not lost its' ability to split an audience and provoke discussion. I noticed a few audience members at the end of tonight's performance who may have been too shocked to applaud. Maybe they didn't enjoy what they saw or maybe they disagreed with the content, who knows, whatever the reason this play sparked conversation and reaction which is how theatre should be!
Gordon Cullen played Timmy with great emotion and really brought out the human side of the child killer, expressing regret and a realisation of the crime he committed. I found myself feeling sorry for Timmy, not for what he had done but for the fear of not being treated as a normal person in a world that had changed greatly from the world he previously knew. While there is no condoning Timmy's actions, you do grow to understand that Timmy, who is due to be released, is not the same Timmy who went in to the correctional facility.
Stephanie, portrayed by Sophie Tilley, on the other hand was the character I felt was the more dangerous of the two. As Stephanie's monologues flow you get to see where the danger started to emerge, but oblivious to the character who really did believe that she was doing the best for her six year old daughter. While there is no mention of what we think may have occurred, the monologue plants those horrific seeds in your mind when you start to spot the signs of Raquel, the daughter's behaviour.
Both actors delivered a harrowing, at times uncomfortable but thought provoking 90 minutes of excellent theatre, sensitively directed by Neil Duckmanton.
"The Age Of Consent" is at the Lace Market Theatre until Friday 1 August 2014
Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.
Written by Peter Morris, this has nothing to do with the age of consent but of us being in an age of giving consent, but it will all become apparent if you go along and see it.
There are two characters who deliver two monologues which intertwine throughout the play.Timmy, who is due to be released back into a world that he is no longer familiar with after being in a correctional facility for the last nine years. The other is Stephanie, a pushy stage mother who will do anything to get her six year daughter into show business. Both characters are dangerous to an extent but while there are similarities between both, the play also shows a very great difference between the two.
The play which caused uproar and controversy when it was first performed back in 2001 at the Edinburgh Festival, just after the release of Jamie Bulger's killers, may have lost some of it's controversy, but has definitely not lost its' ability to split an audience and provoke discussion. I noticed a few audience members at the end of tonight's performance who may have been too shocked to applaud. Maybe they didn't enjoy what they saw or maybe they disagreed with the content, who knows, whatever the reason this play sparked conversation and reaction which is how theatre should be!
Gordon Cullen played Timmy with great emotion and really brought out the human side of the child killer, expressing regret and a realisation of the crime he committed. I found myself feeling sorry for Timmy, not for what he had done but for the fear of not being treated as a normal person in a world that had changed greatly from the world he previously knew. While there is no condoning Timmy's actions, you do grow to understand that Timmy, who is due to be released, is not the same Timmy who went in to the correctional facility.
Stephanie, portrayed by Sophie Tilley, on the other hand was the character I felt was the more dangerous of the two. As Stephanie's monologues flow you get to see where the danger started to emerge, but oblivious to the character who really did believe that she was doing the best for her six year old daughter. While there is no mention of what we think may have occurred, the monologue plants those horrific seeds in your mind when you start to spot the signs of Raquel, the daughter's behaviour.
Both actors delivered a harrowing, at times uncomfortable but thought provoking 90 minutes of excellent theatre, sensitively directed by Neil Duckmanton.
"The Age Of Consent" is at the Lace Market Theatre until Friday 1 August 2014
Monday, 28 July 2014
THE GHOST TRAIN at Nottingham Theatre Royal
As part of the Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season, this is the first of four plays in this year's season and it's great to see them back at the Nottingham Theatre Royal again.
"The Ghost Train" written by Arnold Ridley, and first performed back in 1925, is the story of the mysterious ghostly train which, when it appears, brings sure death to all who lay eyes on it. The story, as told by Saul Hodgkin (Adrian Lloyd-James), the station master at Fal Vale Station,tells of how years ago there was a train crash and the driver still comes back to haunt anybody who happens to be present at the station at midnight, and tonight is the night the train is due to roll by.
It also just happens to be the night that a group of travellers happen to be stranded at the station after Teddie Deacon pulls the emergency cord after he loses his hat on the train. Is it just coincidence or was there some other reason why it happens to be this very night that the mixed group of travellers become stranded at the haunted station? And where does the mysterious Julia Price, in her strange costume, and her two companions fit in to the whole proceedings?
Being a regular "Thriller season" attendee, I know that the quality of these thrillers are of the highest and the cast always put on a great show. There's a lot of comedy courtesy of Andrew Ryan who plays Teddie Deacon, the reason they have all ended up at the station in the middle of the night. The remainder of the cast, in line with Andrew. all ham it up in this 1920's thriller and this is what we have come to expect from them, and what makes their plays such an absolute joy to see.
The set, sound and lighting design all add to create a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, so a pat on the back to Geoff Gilder, Dave Gilbrook and Michael Donoghue respectively for their input, because it's not just down to the actors you know!
When you think that all of the actors involved in performing the four plays in this year's season, excel in the art of repertory theatre, i.e. performing one play while rehearsing the following week's play at the same time. this only adds to the awe you have for them and shows how hard working they all are. Let's face it, it's difficult enough to rehearse and perform one play without having four plays in succession to rehearse and perform in the same amount of weeks.
If you like a really super thriller with a good dollop of spiffing comedy, with a few bits that will make you jump in your seats, then "The Ghost Train" is one play you do not want to miss.
"The Ghost Train" is steaming in at the Theatre Royal until it's departure on Saturday 2 August 2014
As part of the Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season, this is the first of four plays in this year's season and it's great to see them back at the Nottingham Theatre Royal again.
"The Ghost Train" written by Arnold Ridley, and first performed back in 1925, is the story of the mysterious ghostly train which, when it appears, brings sure death to all who lay eyes on it. The story, as told by Saul Hodgkin (Adrian Lloyd-James), the station master at Fal Vale Station,tells of how years ago there was a train crash and the driver still comes back to haunt anybody who happens to be present at the station at midnight, and tonight is the night the train is due to roll by.
It also just happens to be the night that a group of travellers happen to be stranded at the station after Teddie Deacon pulls the emergency cord after he loses his hat on the train. Is it just coincidence or was there some other reason why it happens to be this very night that the mixed group of travellers become stranded at the haunted station? And where does the mysterious Julia Price, in her strange costume, and her two companions fit in to the whole proceedings?
Being a regular "Thriller season" attendee, I know that the quality of these thrillers are of the highest and the cast always put on a great show. There's a lot of comedy courtesy of Andrew Ryan who plays Teddie Deacon, the reason they have all ended up at the station in the middle of the night. The remainder of the cast, in line with Andrew. all ham it up in this 1920's thriller and this is what we have come to expect from them, and what makes their plays such an absolute joy to see.
The set, sound and lighting design all add to create a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, so a pat on the back to Geoff Gilder, Dave Gilbrook and Michael Donoghue respectively for their input, because it's not just down to the actors you know!
When you think that all of the actors involved in performing the four plays in this year's season, excel in the art of repertory theatre, i.e. performing one play while rehearsing the following week's play at the same time. this only adds to the awe you have for them and shows how hard working they all are. Let's face it, it's difficult enough to rehearse and perform one play without having four plays in succession to rehearse and perform in the same amount of weeks.
If you like a really super thriller with a good dollop of spiffing comedy, with a few bits that will make you jump in your seats, then "The Ghost Train" is one play you do not want to miss.
"The Ghost Train" is steaming in at the Theatre Royal until it's departure on Saturday 2 August 2014
Thursday, 24 July 2014
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Chilwell School, Nottinghamshire.
Marvellous Productions was only founded in 2013 and you may think that calling your production company "Marvellous" may be a bit like blowing your own trumpet but the production company really lives up to it's name.
Their mission statement is " fresh new talent, fresh new productions" and again this is delivered, although the talent may not be so new because I've known some of them for a couple of years now and they always deliver, and tonight was no different.
"Spelling Bee" is a competition in which contestants are asked to spell a broad selection of words, usually with a varying degree of difficulty. The contestants in this musical play are all characters with their own little idiosyncrasies, and all start off wanting to be the 25th Annual Putnam county Spelling Bee winner, but for some this aim changes throughout the play.
In this play with music, as opposed to a full blown musical, there are six actual contenders with three others made up of voluntary members from the audience, who one by one are dismissed from their roles when they get the spellings wrong.
The six characters are Chip Tolentino (Kayrakise Evans), a boy scout who has trouble with his spelling when he takes his mind off the job in hand, so to speak,
Leaf Coneybear (Rob Charles), Leaf is like an over excited puppy who discovers that he is smarter than he thought,with a manic way of spelling out his requested spellings. A role that I'm sure Rob took to like a fish to water.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenntere (Keli Wain), a modern politically aware girl who has two overbearing fathers and a lisp.
Marcy Park (Abby Riddell) who speaks six languages and in the play gets a visit from someone she wasn't expecting,
Olive Ostrovsky ( Sophie Kish) who develops a bit of a soft spot for one of her fellow spelling bee contestants and finally William Barfee (Chris Vaughan), the clever one with a strange way of spelling.
All the characters in the play are very strong and there are three others who complete the cast. Douglas Panch (Daniel Potts) is a brilliantly funny character with some very funny lines but is meant to be one of the more serious roles as the spelling bee judge (work that one out). If Daniel wants an alternative career he could double as a Daniel Radcliffe lookalike!
Mitch Mahoney is "The Official Comfort Counsellor". An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students and played by another familiar theatrical regular Rob Holsman.
And finally, Rona Perretti, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and returning moderator. This role is played by the lovely Cat Tuckey and what you really notice about Cat is her gorgeous singing voice.
But I think the most nervous person involved was director George Lamb, as this was his baby. George has several years experience performing on local stages and his direction of "Spelling Bee" was spot on. A generous director who is not afraid to let his actors self develop their characters to make them even funnier. And this is a very VERY funny play. Funnier than I had expected and I knew this would be funny just by knowing the calibre of actors involved and their portfolio of past work.
Some nice lighting effects used to highlight particular moments throughout the play and a simple piano accompaniment by Joel Hall ensured you heard all of the comedic musical lyrics.
All in all, if you fancy a really good chuckle of an evening, you could do so much worse than go out and spend a tenner and support Marvellous Productions marvellous production.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is at Chilwell School until Saturday 26 July 2014
Chilwell School, Nottinghamshire.
Marvellous Productions was only founded in 2013 and you may think that calling your production company "Marvellous" may be a bit like blowing your own trumpet but the production company really lives up to it's name.
Their mission statement is " fresh new talent, fresh new productions" and again this is delivered, although the talent may not be so new because I've known some of them for a couple of years now and they always deliver, and tonight was no different.
"Spelling Bee" is a competition in which contestants are asked to spell a broad selection of words, usually with a varying degree of difficulty. The contestants in this musical play are all characters with their own little idiosyncrasies, and all start off wanting to be the 25th Annual Putnam county Spelling Bee winner, but for some this aim changes throughout the play.
In this play with music, as opposed to a full blown musical, there are six actual contenders with three others made up of voluntary members from the audience, who one by one are dismissed from their roles when they get the spellings wrong.
The six characters are Chip Tolentino (Kayrakise Evans), a boy scout who has trouble with his spelling when he takes his mind off the job in hand, so to speak,
Leaf Coneybear (Rob Charles), Leaf is like an over excited puppy who discovers that he is smarter than he thought,with a manic way of spelling out his requested spellings. A role that I'm sure Rob took to like a fish to water.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenntere (Keli Wain), a modern politically aware girl who has two overbearing fathers and a lisp.
Marcy Park (Abby Riddell) who speaks six languages and in the play gets a visit from someone she wasn't expecting,
Olive Ostrovsky ( Sophie Kish) who develops a bit of a soft spot for one of her fellow spelling bee contestants and finally William Barfee (Chris Vaughan), the clever one with a strange way of spelling.
All the characters in the play are very strong and there are three others who complete the cast. Douglas Panch (Daniel Potts) is a brilliantly funny character with some very funny lines but is meant to be one of the more serious roles as the spelling bee judge (work that one out). If Daniel wants an alternative career he could double as a Daniel Radcliffe lookalike!
Mitch Mahoney is "The Official Comfort Counsellor". An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students and played by another familiar theatrical regular Rob Holsman.
And finally, Rona Perretti, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and returning moderator. This role is played by the lovely Cat Tuckey and what you really notice about Cat is her gorgeous singing voice.
But I think the most nervous person involved was director George Lamb, as this was his baby. George has several years experience performing on local stages and his direction of "Spelling Bee" was spot on. A generous director who is not afraid to let his actors self develop their characters to make them even funnier. And this is a very VERY funny play. Funnier than I had expected and I knew this would be funny just by knowing the calibre of actors involved and their portfolio of past work.
Some nice lighting effects used to highlight particular moments throughout the play and a simple piano accompaniment by Joel Hall ensured you heard all of the comedic musical lyrics.
All in all, if you fancy a really good chuckle of an evening, you could do so much worse than go out and spend a tenner and support Marvellous Productions marvellous production.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is at Chilwell School until Saturday 26 July 2014
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