"The Shawshank Redemption"

Encore Performing Arts.

Duchess Theatre.

Based on the novella "Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King. Adapted for the stage by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns.

Andy Dufresne is sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison, Shawshank. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red, experiences brutality of prison life, adapts to the system, helps Warden Stammas, and discovers who really did murder his wife and her lover, all in 19 years.

This production is different in parts to the two touring productions of the show that I have seen, but different does not mean any less powerful in the hands of a Director like Adam Guest. 

Jason Kramer is Andy Dufresne, the young, good looking professional who is bound to be the target of the prison deviants, called "The Sisters" who see the newbies as "fresh meat". While the brutal attack of Dufresne is part of the script, you'll be pleased to know that this isn't visual, but never the less, still created an air of sickening unease. I thought that Jason was a new name to me but could this be the same Jason Kramer who played "The Beast" for Kaleidoscope Players? The roles played by this cast are roles that can not be drawn on from experience (as far as I know) and seeing Jason and the rest of the cast portraying these characters with such feeling and realism really makes you realise of the talent they have, submerging you in a world that we also shouldn't know anything about.

Warden Stammas is as corrupt as some of the inmates who will do anything within his power, and occasionally outside it, to get what he wants, not stopping at silencing the inmate who goes against what he says by wanting to help Dufresne. Played by Kheenan Jones he successfully depicts the power and control he has over the inmates, as well as the staff. Kheenan shows the dangerous calm that Stammas has to get whatever he wants, the unflappable attitude and hold over everyone though only goes so far, as he discovers near the end of this play. Kheenan is so good at portraying darker characters on stage, like Frankenstein's Monster in "Frankenstein" or Judd in "Oklahoma", which shows what a wonderful, but dark, character actor he is.

Red, played by Phil Stanley,  is one of those lovely, warm characters who will do anything he can to help anyone he can, bending the Shawshank laws to do so. His character's reaction to the parole news was a picture and made you want to punch the air because he is such a nice guy; Red and Phil. Red also acts as the narrator. I have seen Phil in many stage roles, but I can't remember the last time that I saw him not in a musical, which is why this role shows a whole new image of Phil Stanley the actor. 

I also loved the role of Brooksie, the aged librarian, played by Steve Dunning. Brookes found it difficult to come to terms with life outside of prison and atoning for his crime. There's a part which will have you with a heavy heart near the end. I think one of the reasons why Encore has managed to attract so many excellent actors is the fact that roles in this play come around very rarely and the actors all want a chance to play characters and roles that are very different to those played before. Steve I last saw playing Grandpa Joe in "Willy Wonka", a million miles away from the lovable librarian here. There's one scene where Brooksie gets parole and is saying goodbye to everyone in the library that has become his life while behind bars, dressed in a suit. That speech about his feelings drives home the fear he has of leaving a place which has been his life for so many years and going back into a world where he can't even get a library card to borrow books from. A riveting and sad piece of theatre delivered with fear and sadness.

Another character you really root for is Tommy Williams, played by Harvey Tavener. Tommy wants to pass his exams and, with Andy's help, succeeds. Stammas lies to Andy about this before getting rid of him, and again lying to Andy by telling him that Tommy "should have been on suicide" watch due to him failing his exams again. Stammas did not have to spell anything out for Andy after that, but Andy knows exactly what was implied, and also realises what really happens. Harvey is ideal for this role as when Tommy is first seen at the end of act one, being taunted by the other inmates as the latest delivery of "fresh fish", you know the dangers and threat that Tommy  will be in line for. Tommy has information that could help Andy, but as soon as Stammas discovers this, Tommy is offered an alternative outcome, just weeks before his parole date......

Dan Bates plays Dawkins, a violent inmate with a short fuse, often involved in the gritty, tense, or dramatic moments of the play's prison life. As with many of this cast, I've seen them play various roles, but this is a role very different to his musical, straight and comedy roles. Dan's face takes on a very different appearance without his facial hair, and for the role of Dawkins, perfectly suits that hardman, slightly sinister look.

Rico, frequently seen as a comedic character who brings splashes of light relief to the dark, brutal environment of the prison, is played by Ollie Turner. Without Rico's comedic twisting in the library, or his removal of certain pages from a certain D.H. Lawrence book, along with several other scenes that include Ollie to lighten the story, this dark play would be so much darker. Nice to see Ollie back on stage and in such an important role.

Luke Grainger plays Bogs Diamond, one of "The Sisters". This role is the darkest role I have seen Luke play. Bogs is the leader of "The Sisters" and is a violent and sadistic character, with a voice as deep and menacing as the character is. This must have really stretched Luke's acting when I think of the roles I've seen him play over the years. That, I imagine, will also be the reason why Luke auditioned for the part; to play someone so distanced from his acting comfort zone. This play shows that he is just as good at playing dark characters as convincingly as the lighter character roles we have seen him play. Luke's facial recognition of Bogs' depraved and sadistic power is hauntingly menacing, and I'm not used to seeing Luke smiling so little in a role. Can't wait for when "Silence Of the Lambs" to be up for licence for amateur groups because, if I was a Director, I'd be looking for someone like Luke for Hannibal Lector.... but there may be another cast member who he'd have to fight off......

Jack Readyhoof is Rooster, a dangerous, conflicted inmate serving two life sentences for a violent crime. Jack is one of those rare actors who has the ability to change his whole image and persona just by a change in how his face looks. He is so good at looking evil, quite devilish as Rooster. There's something about Jack's eyes that can all of a sudden change to pure evil, and a smile that scare the bejeezus out of you. Watching Jack on stage is like looking into the eyes of a Rottweiller who may look like they are laughing at you, but you know that you're in the company of a dangerous and psychotic animal who will do you great harm. Fortunately I know Jack well enough to say that he is one of the nicest, and quite quietest of men away from a stage, which makes his onstage personas so distanced from his own. One of my favourite sinister actors ever!

Richard Dawson plays Pinky, another one of "The Sisters". Pinky is involved in the darker, more predatory aspects of inmate life, contributing to the, tense, and dangerous atmosphere of the prison. As with Luke, this role is so far removed to the normal roles they usually play, and it is great to see both of them taking on roles so far from their comfort zones. I think what also makes this role seem so different for Richard is the fact that he has shaved off his facial hair, and without his trademark glasses, Richard looks a completely different person.

It's been a while since I've seen Martin Holtom on stage, which is testament to the quality of this piece of theatre and Encore Performing Arts, as it has seduced several local actors like Martin back to the stage. Martin plays Entwistle one of the guards in the penitentiary, who does as he is told by Hadley. There are a couple of times with Entwistle that, if you look at him, you can almost see a flinch, almost as if he was as afraid of Hadley as some of the inmates are. While having to follow the rules of Shawshank, Entwistle does have a more compassionate side, as shown in Martin's portrayal.

Giacomo Ciccognani, a new name to me, plays Chief Hadley, a cruel, wicked, corrupt, and sadistic prison guard who frequently abuses his authority, and not just with the inmates. Where has Giacomo been over the years? He shows great confidence, especially in this role, so I automatically assume that this is not his first stage role. Again, it's the lure of a brilliant play, meaty role, and a theatre group as renowned as Encore, that has attracted an actor like Giacomo to the Long Eaton stage. There are a few characters in Shawshank who you will detest, and I have always said that a good actor will make you feel some emotion towards the character they are playing, whether that be good or bad, and at the bows at the end, you could tell that the audience were undecided as to cheer or boo Hadley, Stammas and The Sisters. Hopefully we'll see another acting side of Giacomo sometime in the future.

Directed by Adam Guest, with the Director's Assistant being Emma Kelvey. Adam is one of those people who turns everything that he touches to gold, especially with these darker plays. Not only does he manage to draw out amazing performances from all of his actors, but his name is so well known and admired throughout local theatre, that actors want to work with him and Encore. Having known Adam for over a decade, I know that his work ethic is monumental, which is why he gets the results that he gets every time. I also love that he takes so much time over things like incidental music, getting just the right tone for every production he comes into contact with. Never one for looking at the "easy" option in theatre, just to get bums on seats, Encore have a knack of choosing different, often harrowing pieces of theatre to the stage. They take risks by offering alternative drama, another reason why this group is like a magnet to talented actors who like to stretch themselves on stage.

Lucy Young  is Production Manager and Production Assistant is Daisy Donoghue.

Set Designers are Jason Kramer, Emma Kelvey and Katie Bird. The main set consists of a row of metal cell doors, but these are cleverly converted into  being able to see inside the cells, solitary confinement and the new library that is set up by Stammas and Dufresne.

Standard prison costumes are all there with the smart officer style costumes for the staff and Stammas wears a smart, expensive looking suit, the three levels of status clearly depicted in the costumes, sourced by Amanda Warriner.

Stage Manger for this play is Lucy Young and Katie Bird. While the cast do quite a bit of the scenery changes, Lucy and Katie are almost invisible to the audience, which is the sign of a great stage management team. Everything runs as smooth as silk with this pair on management duties.

Many props included on stage and all sourced by Katie Bird.

Lighting plays a very important part of this play, creating atmosphere, sometimes as dark as the action is on stage, as are the sound effects involved in bring the sounds of prison life to life. The Technical Team responsible for this area consist of David Price and Jack Clark, who is fast becoming one of the busiest techies in the area, as well as a competent Stage manager, as proven last Sunday evening at Derby Theatre. The combined talents of David and Jack with sound and light enhances the uncomfortable aura in this show.

I must also mention the programme, which is full of fun bits about the cast, with various entertaining articles, and I love the music choices by each actor to keep them sane in solitary confinement. Designed by Matt Powell and the articles included by Adam Guest. A bargain as well as a great reminder of a powerful piece of theatre.

Every production that Encore put on, they collect for a charity which has a connection to the play. For this show the charity chosen to collect for is Switchback which is a charity that supports young male prison leavers one on one to make definitive changes in their lives to stop them reoffending.

If you like theatre that will put you on edge, make you feel uneasy, has shock value, leaving you occupying only half of your seat, then this is the play to see this week. Plus where else are you going to see an all-male cast locally?

"The Shawshank Redemption" is at the Duchess Theatre until Saturday 9 May.

Photography by Megan Hill

Please note the show contains the following themes which some audience members may find distressing:

- Prison life and behaviour.

- Sexual violence.

- Strong language.

- Suicide and murder.

 "Daisy Pulls It Off" by Denise Deegan.

Burton Joyce Players.

Burton Joyce Village Hall.

If you’ve ever read any of Enid Blyton’s “Mallory Towers” books or even “Harry Potter” to a certain extent, you will know that private boarding schools are a rich picking ground for some wonderful characters, and Denise Deegan has created a spiffing set of characters in her novel which transcends so well to the stage.

It is 1927 and Daisy Meredith is an outsider to the elite girls normally admitted to Grangewood School for Girls because she is the first ever scholarship pupil, and this means that to some of the girls already there, she is a target for bullying. Fortunately she befriends Trixie and between the pair they embark on an adventure to recover the Beaumont family’s lost treasure and also other discoveries along the way. It’s all absolutely spiffing, topping and jolly hockey sticks –  there’s also a hockey match on stage as well! How do they do it? Do they find the missing treasure? Who is the mystery groundsman? Only one way to find out the answers to these questions!

This is a large cast with talent to match the size of the cast who stick faithfully to Deegan's script. Each character introduce themselves, describing who they are and their special qualities, breaking the fourth wall to do so.

Charlotte Morris plays Daisy and what a fantastic character actor this young woman is. Charlotte's wonderfully clipped accent is perfect for the role and she brings loads of excitable fun to the stage as the show's forgiving heroine. Daisy has four brothers back at home and it never failed to raise a laugh when she mentioned them, Douglas, Daniel, David and Duncan.

Trixie Martin, who becomes Daisy's best chum and ally,  is played by Jessie Murdock and another big bundle of topping fun. 

Sybil Burlington and Monica Smithers are the ring leaders of the bullies and are played by Lily Musson and Sarika Hare respectively, showing what a dastardly pair of rotters they are from the get go. They do, of course, have to take back everything that they have said and done after a daring rescue and Sybil's conscience gets the better of her.

Isabelle Williams plays Head Girl Clare Beaumont, one of those good friends you need in school, especially when you're a new starter. Clare, is the one who's family used to own the school building and grounds but had to give it up after her grandfather died, hiding the family treasure and leaving a mysterious will.

Stephanie Beecham lookalike, Frances Calees plays Miss Gibson, the school's headteacher, a good egg who seems to take an early liking to the new girl in school, but as things develop her opinion changes, thanks to a couple of sneaky plots against Daisy.

Mr Scoblowski, the Russian music and Geography teacher, is played by Roger Newman, and I loved the accent. No one seems to believe anymore that there's riches hidden somewhere in the grounds of the school, and if that's so, why does Mr Scoblowski appear to be creeping around the school in the dead of night with a torch?

Mother is played by Claire Buckley, and also doubles up as Miss Waller, as we only see Mother at the start as she is waving Daisy off on the train.

Vic Howarth (Alice Fitzpatrick), Robyn Steven (Belinda Mathieson), Hariette Fletcher (Dora Johnson), Jennifer Reckless (Miss Granville), Deidre Gibbs (Mademoiselle), Greg Nicholas ( Mr Thompson) and Amelie Wyvill (Winnie Irving)  complete this top-class cast.

Directed by Patrick McDonough, along with Associate Director Deborah Craddock and Assistant Director Hannah Smith, this production is so slick and pacy with no stage gaps; as one scene ends and the cast exit one way, the next scene rolls in with another collection of the cast. The facial expressions from all of these actors are priceless making the comedy both visual and physical, and combined with such a magical script, there's absolutely no way that this production could fail.

Set Designer is Lynn Carr, and Burton Joyce Players have pulled out all the stops and pulled off a brilliant set design. Featured within this design, which stretches the whole length of the stage includes a library, school room, a sanitorium as well as the main hall of the school where the "gaarls" gather to sing as in assembly, with a slightly raised section for the teachers to position themselves, placing them higher than their pupils. Plus there's a hidden section that reveals itself, almost by magic, near the end of the play. The construction of this lovely set is thanks to Bob Mercer, Chris Mercer, David Matthews and Trevor Mosley.

Stage managed by Molly Fitches, creating a series of smooth transitions throughout.

Costumes, which are wonderfully authentic throughout the whole cast, are thanks to Kathy Matthews and Jill Toogood.

Sound Operation is by Charlie Caudwell and Lighting Operator is Steve Pickerell with the Sound and Lighting Technician being Steve Armstrong, all three creating a wonderful strong team. Both areas spot on with every cue required.

Denise Deegan's script provides the perfect vehicle for a predominantly female cast, and is just tremendously great fun - I may even say "topping". It's brilliant fun thanks to a great cast who threw everything they had into this production, and not even a loud bang from backstage put one pair off, apart from a cheeky smile from one half of the duo on stage at the time. Professional etiquette to the last.

Burton Joyce Players raise their bar every time that I see them, but I think they've gone up a couple of notches with this marvellous production.

"Daisy Pulls It Off" is at Burton Joyce Village Hall until Saturday 2 May.

 "The Ladykillers" by Graham Linehan.

Ravenshead Theatre Group.

Ravenshead Village Hall.

There are certain comedies that I never tire of watching, especially when they are done as good as this one. I can remember, somewhere in the mists of time, sitting on the settee when I was a toddler, watching the film version with Mum and Dad - obviously quite a few years after the film was originally released in 1955. Since then I have seen the play version on several occasions, enjoying the silly comedy that the story brings with it.

The classic Ealing comedy is about a group of bank robbers who hire a room at Mrs Wilberforce’s home to plot a robbery under the guise of a quintet of classical musicians. They cover up their plotting with a recording of Boccherini’s “Minuet” giving Mrs Wilberforce the idea that she has a group of talented musicians in her midst.

This also gives her an idea to utilise their skills to entertain her group of ladies for an afternoon of cultural music. There’s only one thing wrong; these musicians can’t play a note.

Throw into this mix General Gordon, a talking parrot, and Mrs Wilberforce’s regular contacts with the local police force, which works in Mrs Wilberforce's favour to turn the tables on the villains, and this band of robbers may just have bitten off more than they can chew.

Mrs Wilberforce is played by Karen Hall. I really didn't recognise Karen due to an excellent wig, make up and costume disguise, completely changing Karen's appearance. That, and along with the physicality of an elderly lady, created the image of a fragile pensioner, but one who was still as sharp as a pin.

Constable MacDonald is played by Hazel O'Connell. We learn from MacDonald that Mrs Wilberforce has a bit of a history of having an active imagination, especially when contacting the police. It's what we learn at the top of the play that makes quite clear about what we see at the end of the play, which also creates a different impression of Mrs Wilberforce.

Professor Marcus is played by Daniel Andrews. Another brilliant image make over with Daniel as without his facial hair, he looks completely different, almost student-like. What also made him look different was the fact that he wore a false top set of teeth which also made him speak slightly different as well as gave his face a different look. If you can remember the vicar in the old Dick Emery TV shows, that is who he reminded me of, apart from not having Emery's grey hair. The scarf that the Professor wore would have made Tom Baker's Dr Who insanely jealous due to the great length the scarf stretched to. That is an important part of the play though, as anyone who has seen this play before will know. 

One Round is played by Rob Hurst. Here is another completely different role for Rob - that is one thing that you can say for Rob, his stage characters are so varied. One Round is one of those characters who is one picnic short of a sandwich and Rob's vocal characterisation is spot on, providing much of the comedy.

Major Courtney is played by John Birch. Lovely back story which includes his appreciation of female attire!

Louis, a Romanian hoodlum, is played by James Disney. Moody and menacing but I didn't quite get the Romanian accent; that aside you would not want to meet Louis in a dark alley, in fact anywhere dark!

Harry, the youngest member of quintet, is played by Eddie Gray. Nice accent and a nice happy go lucky characterisation giving this villain quite a pleasant persona, or is those little multi coloured pills that keep him happy... most of the time at least!

Mrs Tromleyton, Mrs Wilberforce's close friend from the ladies' circle, is played by Helen Berry. Along with Mandy Buckley, Ann-Marie Butler and Karen Swallow as other members of the Ladies Circle who are invited along to the "concert" performed by the "musicians". A quartet of quintessential, quaint old ladies who deem the concert with a difference a success, congratulating Mrs Wilberforce on her forward-thinking musical choice of entertainment.

Directed by Andy Cook. All the elements, plus a few other little additions, are included in this production, making the play an unqualified, gigglesome success. Only one area I would make an amendment to and that is the changing of the scenes might have looked better if there had been a total blackout on stage or the curtains closed for the duration of the re-setting of the scenes, as I have seen done in previous Ravenshead shows. 

Andy is also responsible for the design of the set, which looked great. the stage was split into two sections, the main living room in the Wilberforce residence, and then the smaller space for the room rented by the Professor where all the planning took place. This is also an important space as it also provides an additional, and vital, exit point. there's an almost cartoonish image with the main room decoration which added to the overall comic feel of the play.

Costumes are thanks to the cast members, which makes me wonder why Hazel O'Connell has a policewoman's uniform to hand, or is that one of the costume projects that Lin Baggerley was gifted! Brilliant costumes for all the characters.

Sound is by Zac Thrall. All sound effect cues were spot on, and I loved the choice of music in the interval, and prior to the show start, and keeping in with the Boccherini "Minuet" within the play, the music was all classical. That is one thing that I like about Ravenshead Theatre Group, they give a lot of thought into the music choices for the interval, choosing music that is in keeping with the play's themes.

Lighting is by Iain Walton, blocking off either one side of the stage or the other to highlight the area that requires the audience's focus of attention. The stage blackout for the scene re-sets is something I would have liked to see though.

Stage managed by Ann-Marie Butler with Stage Crew Helen Berry and Hazel O'Connell.

This show is a classic on the comedy play circuit. It's fast moving and it's funny. The characters all have different personalities which is another thing that makes this play such a fun watch.

"The Ladykillers" will be at Ravenshead Village Hall until Saturday 2 May.

 "Small Island"  by Andrea Levy, adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson.

Nottingham Playhouse.

 "Small Island" tells the deeply connected stories of three people against the backdrop of the complex history of the UK and Jamaica. 

Four very human characters bring this Windrush story to life: Hortense and Gilbert, determined Jamaican migrants in search of belonging and respect; Queenie, an Englishwoman who defies convention; and Bernard, her husband, struggling with change.

Hortense yearns for a new life away from rural Jamaica, Gilbert dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Queenie longs to escape her Lincolnshire roots. In these three connected stories, hope and humanity meet stubborn reality, tracing the tangled history of Jamaica and Britain.

"Small Island" takes you from the sun-drenched shores of Jamaica to the cold, grey streets of 1940s London.

Mara Allen is Miss Ma, who is married to Philip Roberts, a wealthy Jamaican landowner; Robert is their son. Mara also plays Clara

Mark Arends is Bernard, Queenie’s husband. They live in a big house in Earl’s Court with Bernard’s father, Arthur.

Bronte Barbe is Queenie, the daughter of a Lincolnshire pig farmer but she is desperate to escape the family farm.

Rosemary Boyle is Mrs Ryder. Mrs Ryder is the teacher at the local school in Jamaica. She has come to Jamaica from America with her husband, but he is killed during a hurricane. 

Anna Critchlow is Hortense. Hortense Roberts is born out of wedlock to a wealthy Jamaican landowner and a poor servant. She is brought up by her father’s cousin, Philip Roberts, who doesn't treat her very well. However, she gets on well with his son, Michael, and develops a crush on him. 

Paul Hawkyard is Arthur, Bernard’s father and Queenie’s father-in-law. He suffers from shell shock as a result of his experiences in World War One and now does not speak. Queenie looks after him while Bernard is away fighting in World War Two. There's a scene involving Arthur which completely takes a second to digest, breaking your heart and sent shockwaves, audibly, thorough the auditorium.

Zoe Lambert is Miss Todd and Aunt Dorothy. Miss Todd is Queenie’s neighbor. She is a genteel-looking lady in her sixties. Miss Todd is unhappy with Queenie’s decision to take in Jamaican lodgers and lets her know in no uncertain terms. Dorothy brings Queenie to London to work as an assistant in her shop. However, she is keen for Queenie to marry well and encourages her to date Bernard, despite Queenie’s reservations. 

Jordan Laviniere is Little Michael and the son of Philip Roberts and Miss Ma. He is cheeky and mischievous, and encourages his cousin, Little Hortense, to get into trouble. He is often cruel to her, taunting her with mean words, but he always apologizes.

Rhys Stevenson is Michael who is sent away to boarding school as a child and returns as a confident, educated young man. However, he retains his mischievous, cheeky nature.

Marcia Mantack is Miss Jewel, Hortense's Grandmother. She comes from a poor community in Jamaica. She cares for her granddaughter and takes her to be brought up by the cousin of Hortense’s father, Mr. Roberts, as she knows Hortense will have a better start in life. 

Andre Squire is Elwood, Gilbert’s cousin. He believes strongly in independence for Jamaica and does not understand why Gilbert fought for the British during World War Two and now wants to emigrate to England. He attends independence rallies in Kingston and expresses his opinions freely!

Everal A Walsh is Kenneth and Philip Roberts, a wealthy Jamaican landowner and the cousin of Lovell Roberts. Philip lives with his wife and their son, Michael. They reluctantly agree to bring up Hortense, the illegitimate daughter of Lovell. However, the couple do not treat Hortense kindly. 

Daniel Ward is Gilbert who comes to England when he joins the Royal Air Force during World War Two. He is ambitious and yearns for a better life that he can hope to achieve by staying in Jamaica. During his time in England during the war, Gilbert meets Queenie. 

Toby Webster is Kip and the Young Man In the Sweetshop.

Phil Yarrow is Mr Buxton, Captain Soames and Sergeant Thwaites.

This cast collective fit together like a jigsaw and if anyone were missing, it would be incomplete. An excellent ensemble of talent who between them make you feel the whole gamut of emotion. They make you feel the hope these characters have, and had, as well as the physical and verbal insults made them feel.

What I hadn't expected from this play was the amount of humour, because there is a lot of laughs, balancing out the really sad way that these people were treated. Now, I am normally quite unshockable, but the language in this play did shock me. I heard words and names that I'd not heard for about fifty years, words that I thought that I would never hear again, including the "C" word, and I don't mean the four letter one ending in "T"; No! one that is sickening and used back in the 1970's as an insult to black people. Hearing that word, and another longer "C" word just made me feel sick. there were audible gasps from the audience every time one of these racist terms were used.

Directed by Matthew Xia, he brings to the stage a section of history covering the second world war years and shows a physical timeline of hope and hurt as well as fear, from different quarters of the community which all in the end come together, linked with all four of the main characters in a clever way. 

Set and Costume Design is by Simon Kenny. The set itself is on a turntable on stage which allows a quick, if you'll pardon the pun, turnaround of set and scenes. The second half being very different to the first, but both equally impressive. I love the costume designs and there were at least two suits that I wouldn't mind seeing in my wardrobe!

Sound design is by Adrienne Quartly and lighting is by Ciaran Cunningham. Between them they create a rich and colourful accompaniment to this beautiful, funny and sad piece of theatre.

The Video Designer is Gino Green.

Music Mentor for this play is Ben Kwasi Burrell and the Composer for the music heard is Luke Bacchus.

Anyone with a conscience will feel guilty for the sins of those who came before them in the way that these people who only came to Great Britain in search of a better life, and if everybody's skin were removed, it would show that we are all the same underneath. I personally can not stand any kind of "ism" or phobia, whether that be sexism, homophobia, agism etc. but this has been going on forever. We all just need to be kinder to everyone; a speech from Shakespeare's "Merchant Of Venice" by Shylock also comes to mind, plus a saying that I was taught back in my junior school about " do as you would be done by".

Theatre should be a medium that provides its' customers with something to think about after they have left the theatre; this play certainly does this.

"Small Island " is at the Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 16 May.

Photography by Pamela Raith.

 "Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - The Musical".

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.

Welcome to camp Priscilla as the big pink bus rolls back into Nottingham, and you don't get any camper than this! 

I was asked the other day about seeing the same show several times, and this show is testament to why I enjoy seeing the same piece of theatre on several occasions. It gets better every time it rolls around, with a script that is always evolving to keep the show fresh and up to date. The soundtrack as well is the best collection of party anthems ever to appear in a jukebox style musical.

This musical, for anyone who has not seen it before, is a double edged sword because while there’s dollops of fun and fabulousness in the characters and songs, not to mention the costumes, there’s also a touch of sadness threaded through the story with bigotry and homophobia and there’s some poignant renditions of the ballads.

Mitzi Mitosis, whose real name is Anthony "Tick" Belrose, is performing in a club when his estranged wife, Marion, calls for a favour, which involves performing for her business in Alice Springs. At first Tick is reluctant to do. After Marion explains that part of the reason she's asking is because their now eight-year-old son, Benji, wants to meet his father, he changes his mind and gets an act together to do what Marion asks.

Along with fellow performers, Bernadette and Adam, he sets off in Priscilla, the ”boogie bus”, to perform for Marion, but all does not go to plan and they encounter some interesting characters on their journey. Adam and Bernadette don’t get on, so there are plenty of fireworks in store.

If you can think of the best hen night party soundtrack, then you’re getting close to the soundtrack for this road trip musical. I can guarantee that if your toes are not tapping and you don’t feel like chucking your hand bag down and dancing round it, then you re truly not of the living. You’ll know every single song, “It’s Raining Men”, “Finally”, “I Will Survive”, ”Don’t Leave Me This Way”, “Venus”, “Colour My World”, “Hot Stuff” , “Boogie Wonderland”, “Go West”, “Shake Your Groove Thing” as well as a lovely version of “Always On My Mind/I Say A Little Prayer” and Cyndi Lauper's "True Colours".

Watch out for the eye popping version of “Pop Muzik” as well!

Kevin Clifton (Tick/Mitzi) shows a wonderfully camp side of his acting, but while there could have been a possibility of taking the camp over the top, this didn't happen which made Tick believable. I've seen Kevin in a few musicals now and, as always, his vocals are spot on with a nice shift from camp comedy to serious and emotive acting. Clifton also got one of the best parts of the musical with lead up to the song "MacArthur Park", a classic piece of musical theatre comedy. Needless to say, his dancing is Strictly superb!

Nick Hayes (Adam/Felicia) provides the naughty, fun element of the trio. Often like a naughty little boy who won't listen to reason and stirring it up with Bernadette. The classical piece with Felicia on top of the bus is epic and his tribute to Kylie's "Confide In Me" shows his vocals off with perfect power and control, as well as a drama. There's a scene where it all gets too much for Adam and then we get to see the more tender side of the character when the performing side of Felizia's mask slips.

Adele Anderson (Bernadette) you will recognise straight away from being one third of Fascinating Aida. Great comedy and also has the calming mother hen style with the other two, The facial expressions are a joy and Bernadette's one liners are cutting but funny. Bernadette is the classy corner of this trio, and even when she steps in to protect Adam, she brings the other person to his knees, quite literally, and with the perfect putdown.

Peter Duncan (Bob), plays the mechanic who saves the day by getting Priscilla back on the road, and finds love on the way. A lovely gentle comedy role from one Peter who will never be blue. Happy Birthday for this Sunday as well Mr Duncan.

Billie Hardy (Marion), Benji's mother and ex husband of Tick, who decides that it's time that Tick met Benji, so pulls in a favour, asking him to perform at the Casino, the club that she runs.

Sario Solomon (Miss Understanding) is sauce on legs, and what legs! She, that is Miss Understanding, jokes with the front row of the audience at the start and releases her Tina Turner moves with her number "What's Love Got To Do With It". It is eight years this year that I first reviewed Sario in "The Band" and his stage craft has skyrocketed with this role, which is only a cover, so you may not see Sario show off his brilliant comedy Tina dancing and vocals, as well as his ability as a performer to work his way around a crackling mic pac. He was handed a hand held mic to continue his performance, and I noticed when he came on at the end as Miss Understanding his little acknowledgement of the now working head mic. As a member of the ensemble, his dancing is, and has always been sharp and energetic.

Isabella Glanznig Santos (Cynthia) plays Bob's wife with an eye-popping performance that turns out to be a hard act to follow. Great fun but so politically incorrect.

The Three Divas, Leah Vassell, Bernadette Bangura and Jessie May - who also doubles as Shirley -  have incredible soul voices and look amazing as well. They really get the party started with an explosive "It's Raining Men", and add power to the majority of the rest of the soundtrack. 

Benji, Tick's son, throughout the tour is played by five different young actors. Tonight we saw local lad Harper Etienne from Derbyshire. This young man, who makes his professional debut in this show, is a rising star. Watching him in the finale medley, he was absolutely loving his time on stage. I had a feeling that I had seen Harper somewhere before and looking at the programme on the bus on the way home I saw that he had been in last year's Playhouse panto. Having checked my review from last year's "Sleeping Beauty" I also noted that I had mentioned that this young man stood out and "was at times at the back of the group and looked as if he had heard that phrase "dance like there's nobody watching". He was so in the zone while being part of a group and you were just drawn to him because of that supreme confidence. Watch this space, this young man is going to be a star very soon!

The cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson (Farah/Young Bernadette) and Alexander Emery (Frank).

The ensemble, Mary Suarez, Tia Antoine-Charles, Olivia Bella, Nathan Ryles, Michael Afemare, Finan O'Carroll, Alexander Gage and Samuel Stokes, work their butts off with some high-kicking and energetic choreographed pieces by Matt Cole and Associate Choreographer Thomas Charles. 

Directed by Ian Talbot with Associate Director Sam Holmes. They have added a few new sprinkles I noticed and have kept the high excitement of the other theatre productions, all of which I have loved. Ian and Sam carry the fun baton even further.

I have but one quite small negative though. In the sequence at the Casino show where the songs get ever faster and there are a few costume changes, the changes are done by way of a sliding prop covering the view to the trio on stage. The sliding screen either needs to be done a bit slower or the trio need to move with the screen a bit faster as you could see both sets of trios, one on the way out and the other trio performing. Every stage is different in every theatre so with this being opening night I imagine that this section will tighten up, but I just thought I'd mention it.

Set design is by Andrew Exeter, who also designed the lighting. Both designs are wonderful, especially with the Video Design by Leo Flint. From what I remember from the last time that I saw the show, there have also been a few changes in the design department. The bus, after it was spray painted with obscenities, is this time painted pink by hand, the inside of the bus is a more complete arrangement and the opening sequence is also different to what I remember. The lighting is as colourful and exciting as the show itself.

The costumes, designed by Vicky Gill, are flamboyantly fabulous, as you'd expect. Just take a look at the photos to get an idea of just how good the costume designs are.

Wigs, Hair and Make Up Designer is Craig Forrest-Thomas. There are some quite quick make-up, hair and wig changes for the three main leads and the results of these quick changes look absolutely marvellous.

Musical Arranger is Stephen "Spud" Murphy and the Orchestration is by Stephen Murphy and Charlie Hull. The music, as I have said above, create the perfect party atmosphere, and in numbers like "Say A Little Prayer", "True Colours" and the first half of "MacArthur Park", where the arrangement is slowed down, you appreciate just how good the song choice is for what is taking place in that part of the play.

Sound design is by Ben Harrison.

Despite all the laughs though, there is the very real message surrounding homophobia and bigotry, which is eventually overcome by tolerance and compassion. But it still reminds us that the LGBTQ community still have a battle on their hands with small minded people. Being different is something that should be celebrated and not hidden or beaten down.

You will leave this show on a high, thanks to the story and the soundtrack, but also thanks to the high energy feel from the whole cast, so if you can, get yourself a ticket, jump on board and be prepared to party.

"Priscilla Queen Of The Desert" is at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall until Saturday 2 May.

Photography by Johan Persson.

 "Hansard" by Simon Woods.

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.

I will freely admit that I am not, and never have been, politically motivated; it just doesn't float my boat, but this play is not solely about politics, although one of the main issues within the play is an actual by product of another one of the main bones of contention within the Hesketh family.

The play is staged in the upstairs studio of the Lace Market Theatre, which immediately gives you that "fly on the wall" feeling of eavesdropping on a marital disgruntlement.

Hansard; noun: The official report of all parliamentary debates.

"Hansard" is an intimate domestic drama about a long and troubled marriage between a Tory junior minister, Robin Hesketh, and his wife, Diana. It is also a comedy about politics and identity and the failings of the ruling class. Set around the passing of the Section 28 legislation in 1988, which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality. 

Robin drives home to enjoy his birthday, a meal with friends and to enjoy the weekend and his garden, when the foxes have finished digging holes in his lawn. Diana is ready for a good old argument and still in her nightwear, and she is not going to back down!

Robin attacks his wife’s laziness, alcoholism and leftish sympathies. She sneers at his privileged background, deep-rooted philistinism and enslavement to Mrs Thatcher. 

To get the full political comedic enjoyment from the script, you may need to be of a certain age or to know about the political spectrum from the Thatcher era. But towards the end of the play, there's a swift realisation in a speech from Diana that maybe something more personal in their lives, connected with an area of their political arguments, is at play. And when that becomes a realisation, the whole feel and audience reaction changed, almost as if the air was being sucked out of the Lace Market Studio area, and everything became just a little darker.

Charles Moss (Robin) and Melanie Hamilton (Diana) both mesmerise the audience with their depiction of these characters. There's a rise and fall of emotions throughout the ninety minute performance and when Robin's temper explodes and he bangs his fist on the table, it brings everything to a head and we start to find out what secrets that this pair have been keeping from each other, allowing the breath that you'd been holding to slowly able to exhale, and your heart to become just a little heavier.

Charles and Melanie have so much script to deliver, almost in the form of a tennis match when they volley insults and opinions back and forth throughout the whole play.

Being at such close proximity to the cast you also get to see, up close and almost personal, the emotions that are sketched on their faces allow you to get a feeling of the frustration, anger, as well as the love that clearly still exists between the pair. 

Directed by Trev Clarke, this production is a real gem, and he, as well as Charles and Melanie completely had me engrossed; partly because I am not a political beast, so I felt that I had to concentrate more with the script to get a full understanding of the play. But it's the storyline that I had no idea was coming that really made me virtually sit up and allow my jaw to drop, and the way it connected with not seeing eye to eye about the latest political legislation. Bombshells in theatre can often be telegraphed, either intentionally or otherwise, but this bombshell I did not see coming, and that is a sign of a clever Director and a talented cast.

The pace of this show is also something that I need to comment on. Because the intensity of some of the speeches, there are times when you think that a prompt was needed, but the way that the gaps between the speeches, especially the angry tirades, sometimes seemed to be just a few seconds too long. That is not the case, it's such a clever way to maintain the tension, giving the audience those few extra seconds to digest what had just been said. Sometimes what is not said, or left in silence can really highlight a feeling or a speech, and this production is a masterclass in this area.

The set design is assembled in such a way to make the upstairs performance space look a lot bigger as it uses two levels. A design that hits you as soon as you walk through the door upstairs. The furniture sourcing and construction is by Angus Macrae and the props and set decoration is by Lesley Brown.

The costumes for Robin and Diana are thanks to Mel Hamilton. They are middle class smart with the glamour coming with Diana's final outfit.

Lighting Design is by Orla Godfrey-Carter. This is, and I hate to use the phrase "basic", but there's no need for anything fancy, so it works well as basic.

Orla, as well as Amy Bermudez are responsible for the projection section which comes at the end showing a very short scene with three young lads, played by Tom Harbord, Mikey Cleaver and Logan Cordall. Julian Hanby is the Video and Image Editor.

The final scene also includes a gorgeous snatch of music by Gurrumul called "Djarimirri (Child Of the Rainbow)".

Another role, that I very rarely mention is that of the Prompt. Despite the complexity and volume of the script, no prompts were required, but an audience can underestimate the importance of The Prompt. They are the safety net for an actor, but whoever prompts has to have such concentration because they have to follow every word of the play and gauge if, and when, a prompt may be needed by knowing the play, as well as the actors, back to front. Charlotte Carter is the Prompt for "Hansard".

If you like political plays, you'll love this play, but of you're not politically driven, see this play for the gorgeous human element of the underlying storyline and the character acting talents of both Charles and Melanie. Buy a ticket and be as mesmerised, entertained and educated as I was.

"Hansard" is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 2 May.