"Priscilla Queen Of The Desert" by Kristian Thomas Company.

Duchess Theatre.

I could write a really short review and say "one word", "three syllables"............ Fab U Lous, and leave it at that, but whenever have I used one word when a couple of thousand will do?

Welcome to camp Priscilla as the big camper bus rolls into Long Eaton, and it doesn't get camper than this brilliantly fun musical.

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.

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. 

Tick is played by Mark Coffey-Bainbridge, who is no stranger now to heels having performed in them in "Kinky Boots" last year. Our first vision of Tick is in the highest heeled boots I've seen outside an Elton John wardrobe. I've now seen Mark on stage for quite a few years and in various roles. He has always looked at ease in every role, and this is another role where he also looks completely at ease; I can only put it down to the brilliant, chameleonic character he is. His role is a fun part, but also an emotive part, and both emotions he conveys marvellously, especially in the ballads "I Say A Little Prayer" and "Always On My Mind", which he sings to his son, Benji. Plus I think that this is the first time that I've seen Mark without facial hair!

Adam/Felicia is played by Lu Anthony. Like Mark, they morph into the character, and what I love about Felicia, they are bitchy, they are diva, they have feelings, and a Shakespearian quote from "Merchant Of Venice" and Shylock comes to mind. You see Shylock for what he is on the outside but he states "If you prick us, do we not bleed", showing a sensitive under belly to the tough exterior, and Lu shows this in the character perfectly. 

Lu is a fantastic dancer, and even when there are other dancers on stage with them, you simply can not take your eyes of Lu. They have such energy on stage and they give everything as an actor, singer and dancer, as well as a magnetic performer.

Bernadette is played by Dave Covey, and a completely different character from his last role in "Sweet Charity". he is almost unrecognisable. We first see Bernadette as she is grieving for her recently deceased partner, which led to the wonderfully ironic funeral to the tune of "Don't Leave Me This Way". Bernadette has style, class and grace, and her clashes with Felicia are classic camp comedy. Bernadette's back story is revealed throughout and is sensitively done.

There is a section where we look back at Bernadette in her younger days, singing "A Fine Romance". the younger Bernadette is played by an actor to watch out for, Max Fuller. I saw Max playing Jamie New in KTco's "Everybody's Talking About Jamie", in which he shone. Max is a natural dancer and a wonderful young actor. Regrettably I didn't get chance to say hello afterwards; maybe next time.

Miss Understanding is played by David Page, and while I've loved other versions of Miss Understanding's take on Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It", David made this role different as he did not try to copy La Diva Turner, he did his own version of the song, and still made the commentary extremely funny. Plus he has great legs!

Marion is played by Louise Grantham-Lang, and while we don't get to see a lot of this character, it's a pinnacle character who brings Tick, Adam and Bernadette to perform, possibly their greatest gig.

Benji is played by two of KTco's Intermediate students, Wilbert and Henry; on Sunday the role was played by Wilbert Jay-Leysa, who has stage presence in bucket loads, and has a great sense of rhythm.

Bob, the mechanic, who saves the day by getting Priscilla back on the road, and finds love on the way is played by Giles Pettit. We get to hear Giles' powerful vocals, which are operatic to say the least.

The Divas are Samantha Hedley, Lauren Polimos, Natasha Cartwright, Helen Perry, Ella Greenwood, Adela Green and Tiffany Jackson. What a powerful set of vocals, and what a performance from all. Plus check out those incredibly glamorous costumes!

The ensemble consist of Betsymae Kirkland-Ball, Eva Shephard, Ellie Simmonds, Bethany Wear, Jack Eccles, Ben Hale, Louise Grantham-Lang, Bethany Neville, Megan Singleton, Reema Rose, Sandy C Lane, Poppy Cook, David Page, Louis Barnes-Cupit, Max Fuller and Charlotte Carridice.

Sandy Lane also plays Shirley, the owner of the bar, and shows off her comic side. I actually only recognised Sandy because of her height because the make up was exceedingly good, and with the Aussie accent, I would not have guessed it was her.

This fast-moving show is directed by Alysha Gomes, and the second show she has directed in two weeks; she was also the Director for "Six - Teen Edition" last week at The Duchess for Kristian Thomas Company. The standard in this show is as high as in last week's show. All I need to state is that this show, on it's opening night, received a full standing ovation. A mirror of the appreciation from all of last week's shows, so I predict that every show this coming week will also receive the same. An obvious reflection of not just the cast but of all of the Production team.

Choreographer for "Priscilla" is Kristian Cunningham. This is a choreographer's show, and Kristian once more has risen to the occasion in this field.

Musical Director is Sam Hedley. The arrangements of some of these songs have been dissected and pieced together again, and you get to hear a beautiful new side of certain songs.

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". I just wanted to party on at the end of this show because the soundtrack is incredibly infective. 

The amazing costumes, some of which have been hired in, some being the work of Jan Brockhurst and Marion Fisher. There are no words to describe these costumes if you've not seen the show before. they are outrageous, as are the wigs and make up. They are so colourful, almost as if there had been an explosion in a paint factory. I loved them all.

The sound design and operation is by Dave Dallard with Jack Clark, a pair who are fast becoming sound superheroes. Crisp and clear and while there were a few instances that I personally would have liked the volume increasing on the mics a tad, I couldn't find anything to gripe about in this area....again!

Lighting design by Stephen Greatorex. The Duchess Theatre's lighting has really been expanded and you now get a real flashy lighting design. As with last week's "Six", the lighting brought the stage to life, making you feel as if you were in a classy cabaret club, flooding the place with colour.

"Priscilla" is a heart-warming tale of courage, self-acceptance, and new beginnings, all delivered with a ton of attitude. But let me come back to the music for a second. You can hear a song delivered and enjoy it. You can then hear it sung with a different arrangement, in a different situation and sung by the opposite sex of what you're used to, and the message comes across very different. That is what I love about this musical. It makes you think about the lyrics, how it is delivered and by whom and can turn those feelings and meanings on their head.

Listen to Cyndi Lauper's "True Colours" in the different context in this musical and it will have you welling up. The same with "Always On My Mind" and "I Say A Little Prayer".

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 and the talent of every person on this stage.

"Priscilla Queen Of The Desert" is at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 6 April and there is limited availability of tickets so buy them now and be part of this party on stage while you have the chance you galllahs!

Pictures by Betty Gamble Photography.

 "Six - Teen Edition" by Kristian Thomas Company.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

This is my very first viewing of the musical that has had millions of theatre viewers raving about; I couldn't get to see the touring production that visited Nottingham of late, and if I can't get to see the professional touring version, I can't think of any local theatre group I know who would have the balls to stage such an incredible production of "Six" but Kristian Thomas Company.

Most people, if they’ve heard of King Henry VIII, know two things: He was the father of Queen Elizabeth I, and he had six wives. But who were these women, and how did they feel about being one in the long line of spouses for an unrelentingly picky man?

The six wives of Henry VIII are Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. "Six" tells each of their stories in a very atypical fashion: the wives have all come together as part of a pop girl group, and they each sing a song about who has suffered the most as Henry’s wife. The winner will be the new leader of the group.

The only difference I could tell between "Six" and the "Six Teen Edition" was the slight changing of some of the lyrics to make the lyrics more "friendly" to a teen cast.

As with every show that I've seen from Kristian Thomas Company, the standard of performance, choreography, acting, costumes and overall sheen is of top priority, and this show has all of the above and an added fistful of sass and attitude.

The Six Queens explode on stage, and I really couldn't pick a favourite. Each one complimented the others with their energy and vocal abilities and as a group cast could not be faulted. Each Queen had their own song, and here are the Queens for Thursday night's show.

Nadia Potter plays Anne Boleyn whose ironic solo song is called "Don't Lose Your Head".

Isabelle Bambrick plays Jane Seymour. Seymour's song "Heart Of Stone" is an amazing ballad and Isabelle's voice matched the power of the song.

Charlotte Diggle plays Catherine Of Aragon, whose song is called "No Way". 

Amy Shelmerdine plays Anne Of Cleves. Her solo song is "Get Down".

Francesca Foster plays Katherine Howard. "All You Wanna Do" is Francesca's spotlight song. 

Sylvie Cole plays Catherine Parr. Parr's song is "I Don't Need Your Love".

All six join together for two big songs in "Ex Wives" and the title song, "Six".

Our Six Queens are joined by an ensemble consisting of Felicity Holman, Holly Greaves, Katie Freer, Laila Cook, Macie Barrington and Sophie Ross.

Directed by Alysha Gomes, along with the fierce cast, she has brought to life the characters of the individual Queens, creating more of a pop concert feel on stage with plenty of friendly rivalry and banter between the Queens. It is energetic and bang up to date, and I can only assume that this had to be a labour of love for the Queen of Directing.

Choreographed by Kristian Cunningham. As with the directing, the choreography is so fresh and full of energy, and the Queens, as well as the ensemble have, yet again, done Mr C proud in the choreography department.

Musical Director for "Six" is Sam Hedley. The energy, passion and attitude that these six women put into their vocals highlight the work that Sam has put in with all six.

Sound design is by Dave Dallard, and I know that I always seem to give the sound operators some grief, but tonight, there was not a single missed cue, the sound mix was excellent, and it felt like I was at a pop concert, so I have nothing but praise for Dave and Jack Clark on tonight's sound.

Lighting design is by Stephen Greatorex. This is one of the best lighting designs for a musical at The Duchess that I have seen for a very long time. The lighting really did compliment the sound for being big, bright and colourful and, as I keep saying, gave the feeling of a pop concert.

The fantastic costumes are designed by Kristian and Alysha and worked on by the talented seamstresses Kim Tuplin-Mace and Jan Brockhurst.

The staging for this show is by Stage For Hire, and on the upper level of the staging were six right royal thrones for the Queens, and the ensemble, to repose on at times.

"Six" was well worth waiting for, and even though the timings for the show was eighty minutes, it seemed to come and go in the wink of a regal eye. And yet again, another standing ovation, and not by Royal command but by an appreciative audience.

"Six Teen Edition" is at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Friday 29 March, and it's no surprise that it's been sold out throughout the run.

Photography by Betty Gamble Photography.

 "The Children" by Lucy Kirkwood.

Nottingham Playhouse.

Hazel and Robin, two retired nuclear scientists living in a coastal cottage in the wake of a disaster at a local power station, seek to preserve a semblance of normality. Even though electricity is rationed and a Geiger counter is on hand to check for signs of radiation, Robin now farms, the super-organised Hazel practises yoga and eats plenty of salad and yoghurt, and the pair keep in touch with their eldest daughter, one of four children.

Then Rose, a fellow nuclear physicist whom they haven’t seen for 38 years, suddenly turns up, and that is when their orderly existence is disrupted. Has Rose come to reignite her old affair with Robin or does she have some darker purpose?

The play runs straight through, with no interval, which allows you to appreciate the slow burn without any flow disruption to the concentration or the storyline. The play is performed in real time, and when you get to the actual reason for Rose's visit, and what happens after that, you get a real feeling of unease. 

All three characters in the play are around about my age, and I found I was putting myself in Hazel and Robin's shoes regarding the reason for Rose's visit, and that was a scary set of size 10s to inhabit.

In the short length of time the play covers, around about ninety minutes, you get the full back story of all three characters, and there are several stops on the journey that  make you stop and think about your own existence, and how you would react to those situations. This is truly a thought provoking play.

Lucy Kirkwood has written a pretty disturbing play which, as a parent of four children, really makes you think about the future of your kids, and how we have influenced their future by our past and present actions, or lack of them.

What I wasn't expecting, given the subject of "The Children" was the massive amount of humour in the script, provided by all three characters. Some of it is nervous humour as reactions to certain situations and comments, but humour is a thread that starts from the opening scene and throughout. The ending though is quite chilling and explained the presence of an object above our heads.

Hazel is played by Caroline Harker. Straight away you get the feeling that Hazel is not at ease with Rose's visit, as you'll gather from how the play opens. Caroline plays Hazel on the back foot, knowing that, after 38 years without contact, that Rose was not here for a chat and a coffee. How right Hazel's instincts were. 

All three actors are well known for their television roles but seeing them on stage, and especially in a story like this one, really shows what talented stage actors we have. Sometimes when actors from serial dramas on TV appear in stage plays, there is a possibility of derision from theatre buffs, but you see them in a different light, and after all acting for TV is very different to acting on stage.

Robin is played by Clive Mantle. Robin likes to make his own wine; he also likes to drink his own wine. One reason for this can be surmised by a secret that he has been keeping from Hazel since the disaster that caused them to move to the little cottage where they now live. Robin is a bit of a lush, and also a bit of a lad, despite his years, still seemingly burning a candle for Rose. Robin, towards the end of the play makes a decision, but not until there's quite an unsettling scene, brought on by a chain reaction caused by Rose.

Sally Dexter, who you will know from playing Faith in Emmerdale, plays Rose. Rose is the first character we see, and from the off, causes quite a shocking image. That is easily explained though. We find out that rose has no children herself and never married, but has had some interesting relationships, and has suffered personal loss. I might have expected Rose to be the comedy provider in the play, but all three are equal in the comedy stakes, which is why when the shocks start to happen, they come like a slap in the face.

Sally, Caroline and Clive are a class trio and you find yourself gravitating to all three actors and characters at different periods of the play, and for different reasons.

Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, the pace of this play is like riding a bike uphill; it's slow, steady and you know that at some stage you'll hit that peak and go thundering down the other side. This simile though does not reveal until you get to the top that the brakes are not as good as you thought and you can feel and see the panic behind the eyes. The reveal for Rose's visit and the ultimate choices made are well timed to cause the maximum impact to the story and the auditorium.

The set and costume design are the work of Amy Jane Cook. As soon as you walk into the auditorium you are met by a truly magnificent stage set. Everything takes place in the kitchen of the cottage, but it's what you can see above and below the cottage kitchen that provide the wow factor. I do not want to give anything away, but there is a hint of the magnitude of the set in the pictures below.

Lighting Designer is Jamie Platt and the sound design is by Dominic Brennan. Combined, this pair create everything you need to paint pictures of what happens outside the set space. The very ending collaboration between sound and light causes a real feel of menace.

I knew nothing, or very little of the storyline for this piece of theatre before tonight, which is why when the story unfurled, it created that shock element that you anticipated, but knew not from where that shock and horror would arrive, and from whom. And, unfortunately, there is that element of the possibility that this story may play out for real in the very near future.

Thought provoking and thrilling, and a real treat to see three excellent actors, just feet away from you, doing what they do best, earning a living and providing us with a night of exciting entertainment.

There is also a set tour of "The Children" set on Wednesday 3 April, and for more details, please go to the Nottingham Playhouse website.

"The Children" is at the Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 6 April.

"Rock Of Ages" by Gatepost Theatre Company.

May Hall, Long Eaton.

I’ve seen this brilliantly entertaining jukebox musical many times over the years, so here we go again because I could not fight the feeling to release my inner rocker.

Set in the mid to late 1980s and centring on music club The Bourbon, on LA's Sunset Strip, where Drew is working while waiting for that elusive big break as a rock star, we meet wannabe singer/actor Sherrie - 'just a small town girl' from Kansas, and Drew's love interest.

But the young rock wannabe is not the only one lured by Sherrie and when Stacee Jaxx, lead singer of stellar rock band Arsenal, sets his sights on her, it seems Drew's romance, and the search for paradise is over.

In the tradition of all good musicals though, true love finds a way.

The tongue is firmly in the old cheek with this show. Big hair, glam rock costumes and larger than life personalities are everywhere in this heart-warming story about saving the community’s rock joint from the developers who may have built this city , but the citizens just wanna rock!

It is a parody of all things glam, rock and eighties and I loved it.

First of all let me state that if you have seen "Rock Of Ages" in the past, you have not seen the Ultimate production of "Rock Of Ages"....not until you've seen this production!

Secondly, let me state that "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" bill themselves as the sexiest show on stage. Hellooo!! Meet this production of "Rock Of Ages". This show is so raunchy, they had to turn on the air conditioning on to cool the steam!

Stacee Jaxx, the rocker with a big ego, is played by Christopher Collington; well who else could match the Stacee Jaxx ego? When Tom Cruise played Jaxx in the film version, he based his version on Jim Morrison and Axl Rose. Chris has gone full on Axl Rose, in looks and style. He also brings an aura of rock God as silence fell over the auditorium, as if shrouded in an invisible sound-proof cape, he started the interview with in the musical with the reporter from Kerrang, who also fell under Jaxx's spell, almost like a rock God version of the Pied Piper of Hamlyn. I must mention though that Chris looks to be having too much of a good time on stage!

Chris is a very generous Director because he gives some of the best and funniest characters to other actors. He also has included so many insertions throughout the musical that keeps this already brilliant show, even funnier, and so much saucier - just keep an eye on some of the placards, as well as the video screen. I also found that I needed another set of eyes because while you are watching the main action centre stage, there's an equally funny section happening in the background, or to the lest, or to the right, or upstage.

Dennis Dupree, the potty-mouthed owner of The Bourbon Lounge, is played by Simon Owen. There is a brilliant camp section (one of many) where Dennis and Lonny sing to each other Reo Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, which has to be seen to be believed, accompanied by a brilliantly comical video screen section. Plus a very funny angelic appearance near the end. Heavenly!

Lonny Barnett has that musical theatre glue that holds everything together as Dennis's sidekick and narrator, played by Luke Grainger. I've known Luke for several years, and I know what a lovely warm and naturally humorous bloke he is. This role usurps anything I have seen him play previously. The mincing, the sideways looks, the campness and the ability to play this role with buckets full of comedy, as well as the jazz hands, makes this part, THE BEST part he has played, in my humble opinion. Luke also has a worthy rock and blues voice to boot.

Drew is played by Jack David. I think I last saw Jack as Emmo in "Our House" a couple of years ago at May Hall. As Drew, Jack shows off one of the best rock voices I've heard in local theatre. It's a rare occasion when I can't pick out one or two favourite songs from one character's songs from the musical's soundtrack, but this is one. Jack smashed every song he delivered. I know that he is a lovely comedy actor, and he brings that to this role, and when spliced with that voice of his, this role is complete. I don't know if Jack plays guitar himself but it looked completely kosha from where I was sitting. Oh, and I loved the scene when Drew turns up in his car for the date with Sherrie. It's the first time that I have seen a full, drivable car on the May Hall stage, or in any of the productions of this musical before.

Sherrie Christian is played by Hollie Smith. Have I seen Hollie before? I can't remember. Why haven't I seen Hollie before because she is brilliant. She has a gorgeous voice which sounds really good with Jack's vocals, and certainly looks the part of a rock chick!

Helga Klinemann is one of those panto style villains that you love to hate and then turns it all around and you start to love her, and is played by Rachelle Bragg. It's nice to see a twist on the usual German property developer by having a Helga instead of a Hertz, and I love the accent, and she even looks German!

Franz is the wonderfully camp son of tough talking German developer, Helga. Played brilliantly camp by Harrison Ince, but just wait for his big reveal in Act Two. Again a brilliant comic character actor who just lights up the stage every time he appears on it.

Regina Koontz is the rebel with a cause who's not gonna take the take over from the Germans, but discovers that that one of the German pair has been waiting for a girl like her to come into his life. Aaahhh, another happy ending. Jude Cliffman is Regina, who has several very comical moments throughout.

Justice Charlier, the owner of The Venus Club, is played by Lottie Lodge. Justice is a really strong character who took Sherrie in when she needed a job. Justice has a heart of gold and a lovely role for the lovely Lottie.

Gary Heap gets to play several characters with several costumes and wigs; at times it seemed that just as Gary goes off the stage as one character, he reappears as another. See if you can spot how many different roles Gary actually has!

There's a big ensemble, who also play several characters.

Jade Buckingham, Sarah Butler, Steph Donnett, Sally Elliott, Steve Fowkes, Ben Gray, Alana Grummitt, Gemma Hall, Ellie Heap, Laura Howard, Sarah Knight, Jack Lawrence, Alex Martorell, Jordan Neary, Christine O Connor, Gabi Owens, Kiah Smith, Laura Stone, Kirsty Vastenavondt, Isobelle Walker and Claire Webb.

Choreographed by Lottie Lodge, and there are some big ensemble choreography in this musical, and whether it's the big numbers or the smaller choreographed pieces, the energy you get from them is electric,

Lighting Design is by Stephen Greatorex. This design makes you feel like you're in a rock concert and gets you in the mood and your blood pumping.

Sound design is by Harry Greatorex. The sound has come on so much since I first visited May Hall, and of late the sound has been absolutely perfect, as was tonight's sound.

Musical Director is Martin Lewis. What I like about jukebox musicals like these are the arrangements of the songs that we all know and love so much. It may be a broken down to it's simplest melody as in the "Heaven" section, or a big rocked out number like "Cum On Feel the Noize", the rock is at opposite ends of the scale but sound so very good. The power from the big rockers like "We're Not Gonna Take It" or "The Final Countdown" - which is given a futuristic feel hit you like a left hook, and the end of both acts with "Here I Go Again" and the finale "Don't Stop Believin'" make sure that you are left feeling completely sated... unlike Stacee Jaxx.

The band are on stage all the time, and in costume, and create a hot rocking combo that could melt the skin from your face they are so hot.

As you'd expect, the songs were all classics, from the gorgeous "More than Words", "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" and "I Want To Know What Love Is" to the out and out rockers like "Anyway You Want It", "The Final Countdown", "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Here I Go Again" and the explosive final number "Don't Stop Believin'"

There are some brilliant costumes for everyone, some are very elaborate and some have very little material to them, sourced by Lottie Lodge, Claire Webb and Ellie Heap.

Even the Stage Manager John Cliff gets to play a part on stage and has the urine extracted.

Expect nothing but a good time, Long Eaton, we are gonna take it so come on, and feel this noize!

"Rock Of Ages" is at May Hall, Trent College in Long Eaton until Saturday 30 March.

Photography by Martin Holtom.