UNFORGETTABLE by Tim Elgood

Bonington Theatre, Arnold

"Unforgettable" is the story of a brother and sister, Jed and Rosie, who we meet at the wake of their father's funeral. We learn that their mother suffers from Alzheimers and it's how the pair have grown up and learned to cope with their mother's disease. It's what they've been through by putting their lives almost on hold to care for her and the far reaching results even after their mother dies, which is what closes the first act.In act two we discover that Rosie also has Alzheimers and the caring process continues with Jed looking after Rosie.

Although being a serious subject, there is so much comedy, and natural comedy in this play, wonderfully and lovingly written by Tim Elgood, whose mother in law also died from this disease. There's also some very poignant moments in act two, and especially at the end. There's a running "joke", if you like, from the very start of the play about Jed offering to give Rosie a hug and her rebuffing this show of affection. This carries through the play right up to the end with Rosie suffering from Alzheimers, where she allows him to give her, not so much a hug, but a bit of a cuddle, and this simple moment reveals the fact that Rosie has either forgotten what she normally says to turn down the offer, or she has given in and accepts the affection that her younger brother wants to give. I personally found this moment incredibly sad and touching.

The play is shown from the view point of the elder siblings and from when they were younger, as well as in the latter stages of their lives. The four actors were mesmerising to watch, especially in the late stages of their lives. The younger and latter periods were both played by Adam Donaldson and Hayley Doherty and the middle period by Lennox Greaves and Anna Lindup.

Tim really created a pair of wonderful characters in Jed and Rosie. The decline of Rosie from a fiesty divorcee to a the almost broken woman who seemed to have given up, where as in the past she would've fought for anything, was a beautiful piece of writing. It was almost the opposite with Jed though as he started, and we learned throughout the play, as being a person not at all confident with himself or his lot. Never married and as we learn, never had a relationship right up to his early sixties, and thanks to Rosie, he discovers the joy of sharing his life with someone outside the family. As one thorny rose withers, another flourishes.

A simple but effective set,designed by Gem Greaves, moved into place by the other pair of actors when not playing their parts. Mark Pritchard designed the lighting for this show and created a lovely, subtle highlighting effect to ensure that we were focused on what the writer wanted us to focus on. The soundtrack was of classic songs ranging from Sinatra and The Beatles to Leonard Cohen.

This wasn't like watching a play most of the time, more like eavesdropping on a conversation with two people, and this has to be the naturalistic approach of the director, Theresa Keogh.

It was a shame that more people did not turn out for this wonderful, powerful and sobering play which was the winner of the New Perspectives Long Play competition 2014. The play was on for just the one night but is touring. To find out more about the play and where you can see it, please visit newperspectives.co.uk.

DIRTY DANCING
Nottingham Theatre Royal​.

I saw this last a couple of years ago and, to tell the truth, didn't warm to it back then, maybe because I was comparing it to the iconic film. So I didn't raise my hopes that high for this production. Oh how my opinions were changed!!

This production is smoking HOT! It so hot for so many reasons as well. The dancing was scorching hot, and with three choreographers on board to hone the different dance styles every move, every step was scorching into the stage. Some amazing split drags and the finale table lift was executed with such ease it was if "Baby" was on wires. The female dancers left the males in the audience with their tongues out and the male dancers raised the temperatures for the ladies watching as well. The dances ranged from mambo, to ballroom to down right dirty bump n grind and I loved every single move.

The costumes too were fantastic. Suits for the elder males, the tightest of vests and T shirts for the younger men. Well being set in 1963, this would be the fashion of the day. The ladies had their wonderfully complicated layered dresses as well as some thigh high split long dresses for ultimate glamour, and let's face it, without the split dresses, they would have had a bit of trouble making those incredible moves.

We all know the story of Dr Houseman and his family on Summer vacation to Kellerman's holiday park and apart from the games laid on for the holiday makers, so were dancing lessons which is where the ridiculously handsome Johnny Castle comes in. Frances "Baby" Houseman falls for the dance teacher when she steps in to take the place of Penny when she discovers that Penny has fallen pregnant with a work colleague's baby. This has to be resolved by arranging an abortion so that Penny does not lose her job as principle dancer with Johnny, Johnny teaches Frances everything she needs to know about dancing and a few things away from the dance floor as well. Dr Houseman isn't happy that Baby has lied to him about what had been going on but when he discovers the real truth, he gives both Johnny and Baby his blessing to go steady.Culminating of course with that famous line "nobody puts baby in the corner" before they go into that infamous dance routine.

Setting the women aflame with his swivel hip moves, good looks and ripped torso is Lewis Kirk. An excellent dancer who oozed sex appeal but also managed to come across as a caring human being, looking out for Penny and taking the blame for the accusations levelled at him for what happened to her.

"Baby" is played by Jessie Hart. A lovely transformation with her character from the little rag doll being tossed around by Johnny to start with, to a wonderfully sexy dancer by the end.

Talking of sexy dancers, Penny is played by Claire Rogers. What an amazing set of pins she has and you can really tell that her background in ballet honed that flexible gorgeous body of hers to a dancing machine. Great light and shade with the acting from fiery mambo dancer to her scenes about the unwanted pregnancy and her interaction with Johnny as well as Dr Houseman and his wife.

Other stand out performances from James Coombes as Dr Houseman and Kane Verrall as Neil Kellerman, who at times reminded me of the "Happy Days" character, Richie Cunningham with his geekiness, a wonderful character driven role for Kane. The whole cast worked so hard and were all brilliant  in this whirlwind of teenage lust driven dance drama.

Great songs throughout which included "Time Of My Life" which brought a rapturous round of applause because we knew what was coming from Baby and Johnny.

A live band situated on stage, or I should say above the stage level, created a rich sound which complemented the vocalists perfectly. Clever cinematic video and projection design by Jon Driscoll transported us swiftly from the various locations including the lake scenes where Johnny and Baby practised the table lift.

Basically this is a show that you will not want to miss on many levels, whether it be for the amazing dance routines, the story or for the basic sex appeal of the very appealing actors on stage, you will leave that theatre wanting to dance like them. You'll want to be Johnny Castle if you're a man and if you're a woman you'll want to look for your own Johnny Castle after your visit.

"Dirty Dancing" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 13 June 2015. Go and have the time of your life.

NEW YORK NEW YORK by Beeston Musical Theatre Group​
The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton​

An evening of music and songs from musicals celebrating The Big Apple, or relating to the city that never sleeps, is on offer this week at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton​. Music from "West Side Story", "Avenue Q", "Little Shop Of Horrors", "Sweet Charity", "Guys n Dolls", plus many others. There's also "My Way", performed in such a way that you wouldn't have guessed that it wasn't a song from a musical, and "Empire State Of Mind" which was just out of this world, I wanted to get up and sway to it but I don't think the rest of my seated row would have appreciated it.

There were slightly different arrangements of "Tomorrow" from "Annie" and "Theme from New York New York" which were just jaw droppingly good, really highlighting the ensemble work that Beeston Musical Theatre Group do so well.

It would be unfair for me to highlight any one song or singer as every single piece tonight was just so good, whether by solo, duo or group sections. All different but all as much as a jigsaw as you can get. With this not being a musical performance per say, but a musical tribute to NY, the music was almost non stop which gave musical director, Nathan Truesdale​ a full on job for two hours, including the interval.

The four piece band created a full rounded sound and apart from a little racing on the keyboards right at the start, everything sounded just perfect. It was opening night after all so any nerves that were maybe the cause of any wobbles, will now be out of systems, as they were in the second half.

If I were to be picky, and I am, if only because this theatre group are one of the best in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire, my only slight bug bear was that the follow spot at times didn't. Follow that is. Again a minor issue which by the second half seemed to have been sorted out.

Some nice choreography courtesy of Keli Wain and the cast as a joint effort and I appreciated the tap section and the ensemble choreography in "The Rhythm Of Life" and "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat" from the musicals "Sweet Charity" and "Guys n Dolls" respectively.

Aurally and visually pleasing and great entertainment value with something for everyone tonight, and even a special pre show announcement from a well known Sesame Street character.

So, if you want an evening of great songs, sung, nay performed with wonderful enthusiasm, all slotted into two fleeting hours, then this is the place to be, the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 30 May 2015. Start spreading the news......

A SKULL IN CONNEMARA by Martin McDonagh
Nottingham Playhouse​

Billed as the Quentin Tarrantino of the theatre, I didn't know quite what to expect from Martin McDonagh, especially having seen "The Pillowman", another of McDonagh's works. After seeing the play, I think that title may have been stretching it a little too far.

Now that's not to say that I didn't enjoy this very dark comedy, because I did, and I liked it because it left some of the answers that could have been resolved unanswered, as well the story being very dark and being a comedy, and being of Irish descent, I appreciated and recognised the wonderful sharp Irish wit and the sense of humour, there is a difference, believe me, and both were brought to the fore here.

The characters were "real" characters who you'd recognise in your own circle of friends or family, and this makes it so easy to associate with, and understand why they do what they do and what they say.

Ged McKenna plays Mick, and it's very clever of McDonagh to create a character who you can't decide is just lonely and remorseful after his wife dies in a car crash, a character who has regrets about his drunk driving that ended his wife, Oona's life. Or is he a cold blooded killer? His actions slightly blur the lines and it's left up to the viewer to decide.

When Mick Dowd and his young side kick Mairtin (Rhys Dunlop), have to dig up some of the older graves to make way for new burial grounds and he is forced to excavate Oona's grave, but when the grisly task is due, they along with the police officer, Thomas, discover something they did not expect!

Rhys is a cracking comedy actor, the comedy is natural, and the script is clever and relevant to what a character of his age would say.

Ged made you believe that Mick could be possible of doing what was rumoured in the play that he may have done, but still poses questions in your mind. Clever acting and Ged plays Mick as both sympathetic and sinister.

Paul Carroll plays Thomas,the police officer, who, as in all small villages knew everything that went off. The only problem with a little knowledge is that it can be a dangerous thing. Could that be levelled at Thomas though?

And completing the cast is Paddy Glynn who plays Mairtin's grandmother, Maryjohnny, and friend of Mick's. Maryjohnny and Mick known each other for years, there's no secrets between them....or is there? Paddy is excellent in this role as the God fearing, bingo playing woman who knows more than she lets on!

Cleverly directed by Fiona Buffini who managed to create quite a creepy atmosphere with the grave scenes, and kept the mystery rolling along nicely with the scenes before and after the excavation scenes, which was the crux to the whole second act.

With the running time being under two hours including the interval, this meant that the impact of the play was kept to maximum, and no way would you be bored with this sharply directed play.

Loved the set design by Madeleine Girling, both the cosy looking cottage and the eerie grave yard set, complete with sunken grave digging below the stage eyeline. Very realistic which left you feeling a little on edge at the unemotional way that the bodies (bones) were dug up and relocated.

Dark? It definitely is, Comedy? Oh yes, no question about it. Grisly? I think you could add that description to the list as well. "Not for the faint hearted"? That may be a quote too far, but if you like black humour then this is the play to see, and I guarantee that your answer to what may, or may not have happened seven years ago, will differ from the next person.

"A Skull In Connamara" is on at the Nottingham Playhouse​ until Saturday 6 June 2015

"THE MUSIC MAN" Derby Theatre
by Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company​

The Music Man is about a travelling salesman, "Professor" Harold Hill who arrives in the fictional location of River City, Iowa, intent on swindling the natives of Iowa into paying him to create a boys' marching band, including instruments, uniforms, and music instruction. Once he has collected the money and the instruments and uniforms have arrived, he will hop the next train out of town, leaving them without their money or a band. As usual there's a girl involved which makes him change his ways and produce the goods, but not before he is rumbled.

The "Professor" is played here by Chris Grantham who has some real tongue twisting, lyrically impressive songs to perform; just listen to "Trouble" for example, which he delivers without a hitch.

Hill's associate Marcellus Washburn, who is now living in River City and is the only one who knows Hill's real name, "Gregory," is a great role for Richard Hill​, who also has several vocal highlights, not least the wonderful "Shipopi" which turns into a full scale ensemble number, straight out of one of Hollywood's finest.

Marian Paroo, who is the gal to keep Harold in River City, after a great deal of wooing from Harold. Sharon Stringer, who plays Marian has a beautiful clear and powerful voice which reached the very back of the Derby Theatre.

There is something rather special about hearing a barbershop quartet,and this show has one. Some lovely harmonies from the foursome of Stephen Godward​. Andrew Dennis, Richard Miller and Ian Thompson.

Such a large supporting company, and I'd love to mention them all but two others who I feel deserve spotlighting are Hugo Carter who played Winthrop Paroo. What a great show of confidence and he has the making of a really strong singer in a few years' time. Joan Self, who played the mayor's wife, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, was an absolute joy to watch with her wonderful comic role.

There are some classy tunes in this musical, two of which you'll know in "Till There Was You" and "76 Trombones" which will have you clapping along at the end. Very colourful costumes make this show a bright affair, and while there was just a slight spotlight issue in one part, on the whole David Marsden did a cracking job with the lighting design.

There's some great choreography, especially in the large ensemble numbers and a job well done by choreographer, Jackie O Brien. Some one else who had a task and a half was director Andrew Nicklin but again, you can see the hard work that has obviously been put in by Andrew, and it paid off.

A crisp and tight orchestra, which complemented the singing on stage and created a full and rounded sound. I only had one little picky thing with the show and that was  when the scenes were being changed behind the curtain there was a bit of noise and you could hear voices behind the actors. Didn't spoil anything but I thought that maybe the background noise could have been monitored more.

On the whole though I was really impressed with the first show that I'd attended from The Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company, and I can see why their name is known, and respected worldwide for their grand shows.

It was a shame to see another half full theatre, and what a gorgeous theatre it is, so to make sure that those seats are filled, go and see this show which has such a wide age range on the stage, there's something for any age.

"The Music Man" is on at Derby Theatre until Saturday 23 May 2015

WIZARD OF OZ by Bingham Musical Theatre Company
Grange Hall, Radcliffe On Trent.

With the tools, props and scenery that the Bingham Musical Theatre Company had at their disposal, they turned out a wonderfully entertaining show for all the family with this classic fantasy tale of witches and wizards.

Everyone knows the old Judy Garland film and this was a loyal representation of the film directed by Abby Riddell and produced by Philipa Buchanan, They managed to get round the special effects of the "twister" by some clever cinematic work and some inspired and energetic choreography by a very talented dancer and choreographer, James Buchanan. His acrobatic work drew a few gasps from the audience where I sat.

Katie Taylor​ took on the part of Dorothy and did Ms Garland proud. There was great emotion in the scenes where she thought she was to lose Toto and when she thought she was not to make it back home to Kansas and some lovely vocals from Katie. You can see Katie in Nottingham in October 2015 when she takes part in "Hairspray".

The scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion were played by Graham Buchanan​, Shane MacLóchláinn and James Parnham​, respectively. All three gave really energetic and enjoyable performances which again drew all the right reactions from the audience.

Our witches were traditionally lovely in shimmering white for the good witch Glinda, played by Helen Whittle​ and evilly dark and in black by Zoe Stebbings​. I love the opposites of good and bad characters and these two revelled in both roles, but I get the feeling Zoe was in her element having the juiciest character.

Arun Hayes delivered a solid performance in his dual role of Professor Marvel and The Wizard and Paul Green, as with all the characters apart from Dorothy, again had dual roles as the guard at Oz as well as  Uncle Henry.

And finally I must mention Whiz, one heck of a cute dog, who plays Toto, what a great faultless performance from Whiz.

An ensemble of varied ages created the munchkins kingdom and fleshed out the musical in various other parts. This all went to show what a great deal of hard work has been put into this show by everyone from the smallest to the lead roles. there was great energy from everyone and the enthusiasm shone through, which flowed over to the audience.

There was nice use of the aisle up to the stage which gave more scope for the choreography as well as the entrances and exits to and from the stage.

Some additions to the script resulted in some very corny one line jokes and puns which were designed to raise a groan, and the odd laugh of course and this refreshed the original film script.

The cinematic sections worked well and the lighting created just the right atmosphere. there was only a slight issue with the sound at the start, being too loud on Dorothy's microphone but this was swiftly sorted out by the sound crew. A job well done and identified by Mark Shardlow and Sherborne Sound and Lighting.

I've never really been a fan of recorded backing tracks, favouring a live band or orchestra but if funds don't run to these luxuries, you make do with what you have at your disposal and musical director Joel Hall​, created a really good sound consisting of pre recorded backing and synthesised pieces which worked very well indeed and certainly did not detract from the overall sound.

You don't have to follow any yellow bricked roads to see"The Wizard Of Oz", just head to The Grange Hall in Radcliffe On Trent where you can catch it up to Saturday 23 May 2015

"CRAZY FOR YOU" by Greasepaint Productions​
Loughborough Town Hall​

Also known as the New Gershwin Musical Comedy because of the songs being from the collective pens of Ira and George Gershwin. It's the story of Bobby Child, the rich son from a banking family, who is told by his mother to go and close down a theatre in Deadrock, Nevada because the mortgage was not up to date. Bobby is a singer/dancer who is chasing his big break in the theatre, and closing down the theatre is the last thing on his mind, especially after he meets Polly, the daughter of the Gaiety Theatre owner, Everett.

Polly rejects Bobby's advances, so to show her that he is not the bad guy she thinks he is, he decides to put on a show to save the theatre, the town and his infatuation for Polly. Bobby has been trying to impress theatre impresario Bela Zangler and so decides that to impress Polly he would trick her into thinking they were friends and sets about a cunning plan to do this by pretending to be Zangler. The only problem is, Polly then falls for Zangler who is really Bobby, and when the real Zangler turns up, all mayhem ensues. there are also several other intertwined love interests in the background as well which are fun to watch develop.

James Nelson​ is our leading man and hero of the piece and shows his nifty footwork skills off with some handy hoofing. If you remember James from "Ghost" a few weeks back at the same venue, you'll already know what a wonderful voice he has, and with this show, he puts both his singing and dancing abilities to great use. James is engaging and is totally believable as the lovelorn Bobby.

James swaps Molly from "Ghost" for Polly in "Crazy" and paired with James, Charlotte Dolling makes a wonderful leading male and female duo. Polly is spunky and feisty as well as being incredibly loyal to her father and the theatre, and is not going to allow Bobby to take away the theatre that her mother performed in. Charlotte has a gorgeous voice that sends a shiver up your spine when she sings the classics "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "But Not For Me". Beautiful vocal control over those long notes as well.

There's a classic comedy scene when Bobby, dressed as Zangler, and Zangler, played by Gareth Wynne, meet up in the bar, which is classic Hollywood style comedy. Timing is of the utmost with this scene and it brings a great response from the audience.

Shane Perry is also well cast as the hotel owner, Lank Hawkins, who is totally against the theatre being kept open because he wants it for his own devices, to extend his hotel business. He also is against Bobby from day one as Polly is also the apple of Lank's eye.

A talented large ensemble and supporting cast with some excellent, sometimes complex, dance sections, choreographed by Tania Hutchinson and directed with real passion by Shane Perry.

A score that is bursting with well known, and loved songs. Songs like "Embraceable You", "I Got Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and an amazing orchestra under direction from James Stevens. And not forgetting those wonderful costumes!

There were a couple of lighting issues where the spotlight seemed to be missing off of Bobby and some of the cast and the one occasion when there seemed to be just a tad too long left with nothing happening on stage, I spoke to James Nelson after the show and he said that they only had a limited time available in the theatre before tonight, which I expect if more time had been made available these couple of very minor things would have been worked out. But Tuesday was opening night and I know that this technical kind of issue is easily tweaked and tightened up, so if you go and see the show I doubt that you'll even see this.

The theatre was by no means busy which is a real shame because this is a top notch show, and I can only feel that maybe it might have been affected by recent reviews in a local Loughborough paper of a previous show, or the time of year, or that it may be pay day coming up. Whatever the reason, and we can speculate all day long, it's so important to support local theatre and local theatre groups whenever possible, especially when the standard of production is as high as the productions I've had the pleasure of seeing this year at Loughborough Town Hall. These actors give everything for the love of performing, so please support them.

"Crazy For You" is on at Loughborough Town Hall until Saturday 23 May 2015.