THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE (UK Tour) Review September 2012

Walking into the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre was very different last night. There was a particular buzz in the air, excitement. Jim Cartwright's 1992 play The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice was about to make it's Wolverhampton debut. Mr Boo (Duggie Brown) was on hand in the foyer to greet the audience and usher them to their seats. The theatre had been transformed into a working mens club and as a pre-show we were treated to a tap routine from Ceris Hine and a female George Formby act by Lisa Howard as Dolly on the ukulele.

The pre-show seamlessly fuses into the play where we meet Mari Hoff (Beverley Callard), a loud northern housewife who is all "lacquer and liquor". After years of playing Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, Beverley Callard is back on stage and it is where she truly shines. She is an absolute joy to watch. Mari's daughter Little Voice, or 'LV' (Jess Robinson) couldn't be more opposite in character to her mother. She is a quiet, reserved young girl who spends most of her time alone in her bedroom listening to her records. The play belongs to these two characters, both are given so much to work with. When we first hear Little Voice begin to sing it's magical, the audience love her - as does Billy (Ray Quinn) who tirelessly and very charmingly tries to win the heart of LV, not always discreetly.

The supporting cast is made up of Joe McGann as Ray Say and Sally Plumb as Sadie. Ray's intentions soon become apparent in a dark twist that Joe McGann manages to switch upon Mari. The argument scene between Ray and LV is possibly the highlight of the show in which all of LV's comebacks are snippets from songs. Sadie provides much of the physical humour in the play and her presence on stage is heartwarming. Sally Plumb lends a sweet, innocence to the character, almost child-like at times and she is very endearing to watch. 

The set by Morgan Large is incredible. A two story house on stage with clever walls that become transparent to suggest a change in location, or to create some of the special effects in the climax to the show. Every element of this show gels together perfectly to create the most wonderful piece of theatre. This really is the highlight of the theatrical year so far. I cannot think of anything to say against this production. It is quite rare to see an audience on their feet giving a full standing ovation after a play - but this feels so much more than just that. It had the warm feeling of a musical, which at times it could well be and the dark twists of only the best-written plays. The show, which is far from "crappety", offers value for every penny of the ticket price - a must-see that anyone would be mad to miss. 

The show runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 29th September and then continues on a UK tour until December. You can book tickets for the Wolverhampton dates here: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=609&sC=page10 and young persons standby tickets are available for 16 - 25 year olds (with valid proof of age) for £5 from the box office 15 minutes before each show. 

Website: http://www.littlevoicetour.com

(With Beverley Callard after the show)

SWAN LAKE [English Youth Ballet] (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) September 2012

The English Youth Ballet brought their new £50,000 production of Swan Lake to Wolverhampton this weekend. This production combines tradition with reality but with particular emphasis on the rivalry between the seductive evil Black Swan Odile and the beautiful but vulnerable White Swan Odette. There were eight international principal dancers and over one hundred young dancers from the region making up the cast. The young corps de ballet came together for a very small rehearsal period of under two weeks before the opening night of Swan Lake on Friday 21st September in Wolverhampton.

Having grown up in a dance school, surrounded by ballet for many years I ought to know and understand this form of dance better than I do. I might not have been able to comment on some of the more technical elements, but as a spectacle the show was truly amazing. Amazing to see such young dancers that were so passionate for the art form that ballet is. Enthusiasm and precision of skill was shown from them all. The choreography of Dominic Marshall was both exciting and clever. The size of the cast meant that at times the stage was full, leaving little room to actually dance. Instead, interesting and complex patters and position changes kept the audience engaged. The costumes were clearly a huge chunk of the £50,000 budget. They were nothing less than beautiful.

Principal dancers Julianne Rice-Oxley, Oliver Speers and Emma Lister were all effortless in their elegance. The Pas de deux of Act III between Princess Odile and Prince Sergei was in particular the most mesmerising. The show led to a dramatic final sequence that prompted the rapturous applause the children deserved after what was a heartwarming and truly enjoyable performance.

More ballet to visit the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this season is Angelina Ballerina The Mousical (BOOK: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=634&sC=page46) and the Russian State Ballet of Siberia with The Nutcracker, Coppélia and Swan Lake (BOOK: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=636&sC=page46)

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) Panto Party Night

Since it's launch earlier this year in June the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's 2012/13 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk has announced three new stars bringing the total to seven (including Orville and Cuddles). Midlands X Factor singing sensation Niki Evans joins as the Fairy Godmother Spirit Of The Beans. Coronation Street star Ken Morley reunites with Sherrie Hewson and Nigel Ellacott is dame.

Held at Wolverhampton Race Course it seemed only fitting for the evening to begin with a Pantomime Horse race with jockeys representing various sponsors and amateur societies. Daisy The Cow was on hand to oversee the race whilst Dame Trott provided humorous commentary. Pascale Rollings representing MusCom (Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Society) came in second with Alastair Norton of South Staffs Operatic Society in first place.

After dinner, Executive Producer Jonathan Kiley of Qdos unveiled more about this years giant pantomime spectacular. "We're very excited to be reuniting screen partners Sherrie Hewson and Ken Morley who will be doing a song together. They did say yes and I hope it will still be a yes when we start rehearsals! Orville's song is bound to provoke a few tears!" Orville took a visit to Dudley Zoo, the local partner of the pantomime. He was one of the first to try out the newly refurbished chairlift that has been out of use for many years.

Orville wasn't the only animal to visit the zoo that day. Cuddles the monkey visited the Orangutans who got very angry and nearly broke the glass trying to get at him. After working with Keith Harris and Orville two years ago in pantomime at the Birmingham Hippodrome Jonathan Kiley knows that they will be well received in Wolverhampton. And then of course there is "local legend" Niki Evans who after just finishing a run as Paulette in Legally Blonde is currently touring the country as Mrs Johnston again in Blood Brothers. "She has an amazing voice and will be a great Fairy Godmother. She is going to be doing some amazing numbers, some songs from Sister Act this year. We haven't used her as much as we should have in previous years and so this year we're making sure that she really will shine." Niki Evans is at home in Wolverhampton and returns for her third pantomime at the theatre. 

Hosting the event was this year's "Dame of Dames" Nigel Ellacott as Dame Trott who had spent most of the day at the zoo with Talulah the Tapir. Nigel was one part of the famous pantomime double act with Peter Robbins who is sadly no longer with us. "They were the most famous Ugly Sister double act we had in the UK and we are honoured to have Nigel with us as our solo dame after 28 years of playing as an ugly sister." said Jonathan Kiley. Nigel promises his legendary strip tease which involves multiple layers of clothing, which is worth the ticket price alone. 

The evening ended with most difficult pantomime quiz created by theatre marketing manager Iain Watkins. Comprising of questions from Nigel Ellacott's pantomime website http://www.its-behind-you.com. 

With only 11 weeks to go until opening night this year's pantomime promises to be a real treat for all the family. It runs from Saturday 8th December with two shows a day up until Sunday 20th January. 

You can buy tickets for the pantomime here: http://www.grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=604&sC=page46

BOUNCERS (UK Tour): Banter With The Boys

The boys in black began a UK Tour of John Godber's Bouncers last week in York. We met up with them in Bradford ahead of their scheduled door job in Wolverhampton in October.
Is the nightlife of Wolverhampton ready for them? "Come see us and find out" was the answer.

Eastender's villain Ace Bhatti (whose worst nightclub outfit was an Elvis suit) says that quite simply "Bouncers is the show you need to see if theatre isn't your thing. It's not what you expect." Why is that then? "All the characters are played by us, four blokes. Even the women, that's us. There's something about putting on that handbag, the place just erupts every night."

Don Gilet was brought up in Walsall and after training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts his first theatre job was at our very own Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Looking forward to playing the theatre  again he said "I can't wait to tame this beast of a play in different cities". Even though the humour may be received differently in other cities the story William Ilkley claims is a timeless piece. "It doesn't change. Nothing changes in the nightclub, only the music and that's just like our play." Godber's play that was first performed in 1977 has been brought right up to date in a 'remix' of the original version. This version features the music of Cheryl Cole, Rhianna, The Wanted, David Guetta, Stooshe and Nicki Minaj. "The play still has the same heart as it did back then, but sometimes the comedy upstaged what the Bouncers were all about" says Ian Reddington who plays Lucky Eric in the show. "This version of the show takes that comedy even further but also allows the characters that time to just act and connect with the audience." This is one of the reasons why the Coronation Street actor had to play the part of Eric. "I had to be Eric. He has the four speeches, those monologues are great. I didn't want to do any other part, I told John [Godber] that. Eric is one of the few characters that really expresses what he feels about what is going on. It's nerve-wracking though, one of the hardest plays I've done and the most energetic." Reddington, who had finished in a UK tour of the Queen musical We Will Rock You earlier in the year said "Bouncers is very different to We Will Rock You, there's no Queen music in this one for a start. I've been lucky enough to be in two Olivier Award winning musicals. Musicals are a completely different discipline and for the variety and experience every actor has got to do a musical, they've got to do a play and they've definitely got to do Bouncers."

If you're still not convinced, why else is this play worth that entry fee? "There's a laugh every thirty seconds and John Godber's timed that on his watch" Ian Reddington recalled. "It's the most fast paced and shortest play you'll sit through" added Don Gilet "it's a complete adrenaline rush for us on stage and for the audience watching. You'll relate to the characters in this thing that is unlike most other plays - a party on stage."

The Bouncers take on the nightlife of Wolverhampton at the Grand Theatre from 2nd - 6th October.
TICKETS: http://www.grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=626&sC=page46
Official Website: http://www.bouncersonstage.com