Maurice’s Jubilee: Fringe Review

September 9, 2013 Leave a comment

maurice-s-jubilee_26397Royal Ambition

3/5

Olivier award-winning actor Julian Glover delivers a poignant performance in this new tragicomedy by Nichola McAuliffe. The play revolves around 89-year-old retired jeweller Maurice (played by Glover) who has recently been diagnosed with severe brain cancer. His wife Helena (played by Sheila Reid) refuses to accept the terminal nature of his condition, despite the fact that he has had to enlist the help of a personal carer (Nichola McAuliffe).

When he is told that he only has a few weeks to live at most, Maurice is determined to last out until his 90th birthday, as he is expecting the Queen to come for tea before the Diamond Jubilee. It transpires that 60 years earlier, on the eve of her majesty’s coronation, Maurice was charged with the responsibility of looking after the crown jewels. A brief encounter with the queen led to a lifelong obsession with an existence he could never have. Though their time together was short lived, an instant attraction formed between the two; an offhand promise made by the queen to come for tea on his 90th birthday gave him the enduring motivation to live until that day.

An inherently sad tale, it is alleviated by moments of light relief found predominantly in the comments made between Maurice and his carer. Acted with great conviction and remarkable attention to detail, it comes across both as captivating and moving. The jealous rift between Helena and Maurice – caused by Helena’s realisation that she is second to the Queen and Maurice’s inability to comprehend her problem – is well realised, and the sensitive subject matter is dealt with in just the right manner.

However, it is let down by its struggle to hold the audience’s attention in the digressions that involve Maurice’s back story. Whilst these are imperative to the plot, their long, drawn out nature makes them difficult to remain engaging. This, combined with the odd stumbled line, detracts from the otherwise stellar overall performance.

A heavy piece of theatre, Nichola McAuliffe’s new play is stark and depressing, yet lifted by well-placed moments of light comedy.

Taken from Broadway Baby, published Aug 2012.

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Krapp’s Last Tape: Fringe Review

September 9, 2013 Leave a comment

krapp-s-last-tape_24435

A Lasting Production

4/5

Tom Owen does well to capture the raw physicality of Beckett’s anti-hero in this new production of Krapp’s Last Tape. A dark play that focuses on one man during his 69th birthday, it sees the world-wearied individual take part in his yearly ritual of recording his reflections on a tape-recorder. Fragments of his life are pieced together through past recordings that are played out to the audience, painting a picture of a bitter writer who drinks too much and has a rather unusual penchant for bananas.
A play that is largely silent during the first half, Owen captivated the audience through his subtle facial expressions and ability to convey a wealth of information without saying a word. The wrinkled lines of his face, accentuated by makeup and disheveled clothing, gave the impression of a person reluctant to hold on to life, yet unable to do anything about it.

As he listens to a recording made when he was 39, he laughs at the fool he used to be. However, the irony comes when his 39-year-old self comments on the fool he was at 20, thus implying that, although he has changed, he remains unable to overcome an inherent foolishness. Flickers of recognition are seen in the eyes of Owen when he hears his younger self recounting a trip punting with a young woman. The pain he willingly endures at recalling the sensitive moment is beautifully realised in Owen’s performance.

Commendation has to be made for the use of space, as a tiny stage containing only a desk, chair, and overhead light proved sufficient for the production. An area hidden from view towards the corner of the room signified a storage cupboard where Krapp collected his boxes of spools and drams of alcohol. For such a destitute and sinister production, Owen did well to retain the audience’s interest despite disruptive noise from a performance next door.

Though some of the more comedic elements of the script appeared overly accentuated, Fiona Baddeley’s production of Krapp’s Last Tape is one that does justice to Beckett’s bleak script.

Taken from Broadway Baby, published Aug 2012.

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Of Mice and Men, Edinburgh Lyceum, Theatre Review

March 8, 2012 Leave a comment

3/5

For anyone unfamiliar with John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, it is a simple yet undoubtedly compelling tale of hardship and alienation. Set in California during the Great Depression, the story centres around two migrant ranch workers, George (William Ash) and Lennie (Steve Jackson), as they go in search of employment and security. George is the brains of the outfit, making all the decisions and ensuring both men have a roof over their heads, whilst Lennie is a big and loveable soul; he is not the brightest of sparks, but is undeniably an excellent worker.

Set and costume designer Colin Richmond does well to capture the semblance of Steinbeck’s fable, creating a stark yet oppressive stage which outlines the worn walls of a barn littered with straw and coloured with a mix of warm yellows and light browns. The result is that the viewer gets caught up in the world of the rural West and immerses themselves in the story that ensues.

While on the whole accents are solid, at moments they appear forced and unconvincing, leading to moments of wavering believability. The actors are generally well cast, with George and Lennie being particularly notable. Their ability to portray the ethos of Steinbeck’s characters, through the successful capturing of both men’s plight and victimisation, is commendable and allows a certain degree of empathy.

Despite only being one of the minor characters, John Macauley’s portrayal of the crippled skinner Crooks is powerfully moving and therefore also worth noting. A character who exists in an openly-racist culture, Macauley manages to beautifully evoke the awkward isolation created as a result of a hostile social division. This combined with an impressive encapsulation of the character’s debilitating back injury makes for an endearing and ultimately compelling performance.

Though the play takes a while to get going, this is arguably due to the slow moving dialogue that builds gradually to a closing crescendo. By the end of the first half, the audience find itself encompassed in the struggles of the lead characters and the sympathies that go with them. However, this sympathy is inconsistent. Certain scenes, such as the execution of Candy’s dog, are excellent in their ability to create tension, but unfortunately, this level of engagement is not maintained throughout. Considerable moments of the play feel drawn out and lack conviction; so while the performance is certainly amiable, it is ultimately capricious.

Taken from The Student, published Tue Feb 21st 2012.

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Dr Marigold and Mr Chops, King’s Theatre, Edinburgh Review

November 23, 2011 1 Comment

4/5

Monologues are notoriously difficult to do well. Their reliance on a single individual to keep an audience engaged for the duration of a show is a huge test of a performer’s skill and acting ability. However, Simon Callow is no stranger to the one-man play. A return to familiar territory following his somewhat controversial Fringe performance, Dr Marigold and Mr Chops illustrates once again that Callow is a master storyteller.

A play of two stories: the first is a tale of a dwarf by the name of Mr Chops, whose luck with the lottery provides him with the place in society he has so desperately craved; the second is of a travelling salesman named Dr Marigold, who adopts a little deaf and dumb girl.

First to strike the eye is a stunning set that is decadent yet derelict, with long, red, velvet curtains draped behind tables of cobwebbed trinkets. Amongst the bric-a-brac, Callow takes to the stage and at once has the audience enraptured. Dickens is often criticised for the long-windedness of his writing, yet Callow manages to deliver the text with a universal accessibility that is immediately apparent.

The tales themselves are interesting in the way they point to injustices in society that are equally applicable today. Mr Chops is powerful in the way it illustrates the exploitation of celebrity, where a person can still be used and discarded when they are no longer beneficial to others. It focuses on how one’s place in society doesn’t naturally entail one’s overall happiness; a factor which Mr Chops only realises when it is too late.

Dr Marigold, on the other hand, is remarkable in the way it is delivered through sales talk, with a narrative explained by deals and exchanges. Once again, this is a story which has an emphasis on society, this time looking at a disabled person’s place within it.

What Dr Marigold and Mr Chops iterates is heartwarming stories with an underlying poignancy that can teach us a lot about our own lives. Whilst not perfect, this is a brilliant way to ease oneself into the world of Dickens.

Taken from The Student, published Tue Nov 8th 2011.

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The False Corpse: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WC’s strangely disturbing production is a bold attempt at considering the darker side of the life of a comedian contemplating self-destruction following a growing displeasure with his life and work. Dissecting the fundamentals of comedy, it aims to explore the root of what makes us laugh – which, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to work. It is important to point out that this is not the fault of the cast, whose impressive aptitude for acting is admirable given their relatively young age, but instead the fault of the script itself. Written by Emmerdale’s Shaun Prendergast, it strives for a pathos that it is never able to achieve; nonetheless, it’s an idea which – if better orchestrated – would make for a very astute production.

Sweet Grassmarket, 6 – 10 Aug, 12.50pm (1.50pm), £5.00 – £7.00, fpp261.

tw rating 2/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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The Attic: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capturing the essence of one of Britain’s greatest poetic minds, Andrew Floyd creates a performance that is as moving as it is witty, as poetic as it is informative, and as powerful as it is amusing. Based on the real life events of Alan Jackson who isolated himself from the world after questioning the meaning of the poetry he had written, The Attic outlines a rigorous period of self-enquiry. Brutal examination results in the confrontation of all manner of existential tribulations and self-discovery portrayed superbly by actor Andrew Floyd. Conveying the heart-wrenching struggle of inner turmoil through beautifully written language that covers a variety of narrative forms, the honesty of this production is the root of its brilliance.

Columcille Centre, 13 – 14 Aug, 2.30pm (3.45pm) and 6.00pm (7.15pm), £8.00 – £10.00, fpp239.

tw rating 4/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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The House of Yes: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arkle Theatre’s The House of Yes is dark comedy at its most sinister. When a harmless thanksgiving dinner amongst family takes an unexpected turn for the worse, it is not long before the quaint becomes the chaotic. Riddled with outlandish family secrets, revealed slowly throughout the course of the evening, it is an entertaining exploration into a family affected by the troubles of a daughter’s mental illness. With a striking performance from Lorraine McCann, whose transformation from caring daughter to jealous lover is superbly portrayed as a chilling descent into delirium, the play remains gripping until its end. Hindered only by American accents which clearly need more work, this is a comedic tale that is morbid yet clever.

The Royal Scots Club, 15 – 20 Aug, 8.30pm (10.00pm), £8.00 – £10.00, fpp269.

tw rating 4/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011

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Macbeth: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite being advertised as a dance and physical theatre performance, Last Notion’s production comes across more as a piece of classical theatre with added extras. Featuring minimal props and costumes, the show is dependent on the cast creating engaging interpretations of Shakespearian prose; a task it is unable to achieve. With performers split between those that are overly melodramatic and those that massively lack confidence, it’s clear that a longer time spent working on the nuances of the script is needed. The elements of physical theatre seen principally in the portrayal of the three witches and the ghost of Banquo have reasonable potential, and it’s obvious that things would improve with a bit more work.

Greenside, 5 – 12 Aug, 2.50pm (4.05pm), £5.00 – £6.50, fpp173.

tw rating 2/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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Another Macbeth: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite its relatively unappealing title, Flatpacktheatre produce a no frills production of Macbeth that aims to get at the heart of the tragedy of regicide and ambition. It’s led by the strange Weyward Sisters who take on the parts of the witches, spirits and lesser characters, bringing the piece together, and filling in the gaps of the protagonists. A relatively efficacious production, it is let down by a certain lack of engagement with the script from a few of the actors, whose grasp of the prose seems uncertain, making their performance seem jilted. This, combined with sluggish technical features, makes this a production that needs to refer back to the original more effectively if it is going to be successful.

Quaker Meeting House, 15 – 20 Aug, 2.15pm (3.45pm), £7.00 – £8.00, fpp238.

tw rating 3/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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Exsomnia: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using theatre as an outlet to explore the world of dreams is always a bold move, and one that is very difficult to do convincingly. Therefore, a play that tries to capture the terror experienced when one is unable to distinguish between reality and imagination would have to be done very well for it not to come across as ridiculous. Clearly influenced by the likes of Alfred Hitchock and David Lynch, Phonographic’s production attempts to create a nightmarish vision that is chilling to watch. Instead, they produce a painful hour of incoherent nonsense. With a grating soundtrack and unbelievably repetitive storyline, this is a production that fails on almost every turn. An admirable idea, but one which ultimately flounders.

C soco, 14 – 27 Aug, 12.00pm (12.55pm), £5.50 – £8.50, fpp260.

tw rating 1/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Tue Aug 30th 2011.

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