THE CEMETERY CLUB (UK Tour) June 2012

Although part of a UK tour, The Cemetery Club marks the first of four plays in the Ian Dickens Play Season at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

The play follows three Jewish widows, Ida, Lucille and Doris who meet once a month at Ida's house and head to the cemetery to visit their dead husbands. This particular day they meet Sam, who is questionably there to visit his wife's grave and treats it more of a singles club.

Alan Miller Bunford's set is very compact, beautiful, realistic, but compact. It is perhaps condensed enough to fit into the smallest of venues but the small cast of five struggled at times to move around Ida's flat, let alone the cemetery which took considerable time to move onto stage while the tabs flew in and we sat at listened to Rat Pack.

Slightly lengthy breaks in the play can be overseen considering the perfect casting. Shirley-Anne Field is an absolute joy as Lucille, the man-hunting, mink wearing member of the club. She manages to provide much of the comedy and receives raucous laughter when she reveals her wedding outfit.

Anita Harris is a delight as Ida and Anne Charleston (Madge from Neighbours) is right at home in her character's no nonsense approach to the idea of finding love again.

With less time to impress but certainly manages to, is Debbie Norman who is wonderfully annoying as Mildred. It is such a shame that her character appears for only one scene. The Bill's Peter Ellis is charming as Sam.

The problems faced in young love are repeated all over again in an uncertain try at love in life's later stages. This is a wonderful, bittersweet and enjoyable play to kick off the Ian Dickens 2012 Play Season in Wolverhampton.  The Cemetery Club plays only four more venues before finishing on 4th August. You can see it at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 30th June.

More information on the Wolverhampton Grand's entire play season can be found here: http://www.grandtheatre.info/default.asp?Id=311&PageSubType=323&sC=page48

Website for The Cemetery Club: http://iandickensinternational.com/productions/cemetery.html

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) Pantomime Launch

This Christmas the magic of pantomime returns to Wolverhampton in a simple exchange for some magic beans. We planted them at the Novotel across the road from the theatre and up grew a giant beanstalk. Seen posing in front of one of the plants many dangerous vines, Sherrie Hewson (Coronation Street/Loose Women/Benidorm) and Keith Harris with his cuddly sidekick Orville are set to lead the cast in what promises to be a 'grand' show.

It was a pleasure to be in the presence of two fabulous entertainers. Both gave entertaining after dinner speeches. Sherrie Hewson admitted to have only visited Wolverhampton once before, many years ago on a date. His name is John if anyone knows him she added. She cannot wait to begin the shows as Lady Temple-Savage, a baddy. She loves playing the baddy as she can be "really horrible to the children and they all hate you, but it'll be alright because she's got a heart really". Sherrie, as anyone who has visited the theatre would agree says that "the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is beautiful. I think it's stunning." 

Keith Harris had a little less to say on the event himself due to interruptions from Orville who had previously been hiding during the meal for fear that duck would be on the menu. This year marks Keith's 49th year in pantomime, both he and Orville are looking forward to receiving the gold watch next year at their 50th. 

(Meeting Keith Harris and Orville) 

Here are some video highlights of Orville's after dinner speech.

Booking is now open for the pantomime which runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 8th December 2012 until 20th January 2013.

For bookings and more information visit the website: http://www.grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=604&sC=page10

MIDNIGHT TANGO (UK Tour) June 2012

Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, stars of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing are on the road again after a hugely successful 2011 tour and 2012 West End residency with Midnight Tango.

The show, produced by Arlene Phillips is set in downtown Buenos Aires in a beautiful and realistic set by Morgan Large featured a six-piece band and a cast of 12 dancers.

With no dialogue the show is very much about the dance. The Tango, that's it, and everyone is on top of their game. There is a simple story woven into the routines and we see Pablo (Simone) and El Gato (Giraldo Diomar) fight their way through dance to win the heart of the beautiful Sofia (Cacace). 

Tricia Deighton as Rosa and Teddy Kempner as Carlos provide much welcome comedy moments to the show. There are moments very reminiscent of clowning. They clock the audience and respond to reactions as their heartwarming story unfolds along with their petty squabbles. Moments that would not be out of place in a physical theatre show were also apparent with dancers suspending from tables and strong influences of pure acting woven into the choreography. 

The second act is definitely where the performance hots up. Pablo and Sofia's slower routine is breathtakingly stunning and the finale is received with rapturous applause. The Tango at it's best and it's not to be missed. 

Website: http://www.midnighttango.co.uk/