AGATHA CHRISTIE'S THE MOUSETRAP (UK Tour) Review May 2013

I was in London at the weekend and not for the first time I found myself walking past the St Martin's Theatre - but that's all I've ever done... walked past it. Above the entrance there's a giant neon sign with "60th Year" flashing away. Opening in 1952 and running continuously for over 25,000 performances it is the longest running production of the modern era. 

St Martin's Theatre, May 2013

For over 60 years the mystery of who killed Maureen Lyon was a West End secret but now The Mousetrap has embarked on it's first ever UK tour in celebration of it's Diamond Anniversary. 

The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is always a suitable host for drama, but none seemed more fitting on it's stage than this. The beautiful set is the wood-panelled sitting room of Monkswell Manor which I'm told is almost identical to the London production. The manor house, left by an aunt, opens as a guest house ran by Giles and Mollie Ralston (Bruno Langley and Jemma Walker). A murder is announced on the radio and as with all Christie plays, one by one the guests are revealed as potential culprits. 

There is every type of character in The Mousetrap, partly what keeps audience interest. The play is wonderfully structured and first to enter is  the camp, energetic and slightly sinister schizophrenic architect Christopher Wren (Steven France). France is responsible for bringing most of the humour which is always necessary in a play that has a lot of explanation going on. Bruno Langley (Todd from Coronation Street) is charming in the role of Giles and Eastenders' Jemma Walker is evermore captivating as Mollie as the mystery progresses. Bob Saul as Detective Sergeant Trotter and Elizabeth Power as the battle-axe Mrs Boyle give other amusing and stand-out performances. 

What The Mousetrap isn't is the most dark and gruesome story. What it is, is rather a lighthearted and amusing attempt at discovering a killer with a twist ending that falls neatly into place. Traditionally audiences are told at the end that they become partners in crime and to keep the secret to themselves. If you want to know, you'll just have to go. Thoroughly enjoyable and completely worth a visit whilst it's at your local theatre - London prices are perhaps a little too costly and regional prices are a much better deal. 

The Mousetrap runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 1st June before continuing on a tour of the UK long into 2014. Book tickets for Wolverhampton here. 

SEARCH FOR A TWITTER COMPOSER (Soho Theatre) SEMI-FINAL ONE MAY 2013

London theatre reviewer and columnist Mark Shenton recently brought to our attention that nearly 8 million people saw a West End musical last year, with the box offices generating a combined income of over £322m. Most of this ginormous sum however is made entirely from the takings of musicals that have stood the test of time or the jukebox musicals that draw in audiences using the back catalogue of popular bands and artists. Whilst it's great to have Les Misérables and Phantom Of The Opera still going strong after over 20 years, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and The Lion King each over 10 it's disheartening to learn that the new writing and the young and upcoming composers aren't given half of the opportunity to showcase the future of musical theatre. We're headed for a London theatreland of jukebox musicals and play-safe revivals. 

This is where Michael Peavoy Productions comes into play. Producer Michael Peavoy recently finished playing Tony in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace and has since become a leader of the musical theatre revolution. Teaming up with theatre impresario of unknown identity - West End Producer (WEP) Peavoy's Search For A Twitter Composer sets out to actively search for new talent and showcase it in the limelight it deserves, and hopefully getting a production off the ground. 

The admissions process was simple - the applicants (all of whom use social networking as a launch platform) uploaded their entries to SoundCloud and YouTube. 99 entrants uploaded 219 new songs which after a week of voting resulted in 14 semi-finalists chosen by 9,957 online voters. 

Ushers: The Front Of House Musical

The first 7 semi-finalists performed yesterday at the sold-out Soho Theatre. James Oban and Yiannis G. Kotsakos' musical Ushers: The Front Of House Musical was first up. The great thing about this musical is the fact that many London theatre ushers are performers themselves so it combines both sides of theatre and is humorous in recognition of pricey programmes, picture brochures, ice creams and the rule of having to pour all drinks into plastic glasses. It's completely true and only ten minutes before the competition began I had witnessed a woman having to pour a whole bottle of wine into about 5 separate cups before she could go in! You can listen to the opening number 'Welcome!' below...

Ushers: The Front Of House Musical was performed by Adam Colbeck-Dunn, Ciaran O Driscoll, Kirsty Marie Ayres, Lydia Grant and Nathan Lodge. 

Flora Leo's The Lightning Road was second up - a musical drama set during World War II. Played passionately by Leo 'When Lightning Strikes' is sung by Harper Vickery.

Fantatical was the next musical, by composer Matt Board. The musical started life back in 2006 and is set at a Sci-Fi convention and is about what it means to be a fan. We're all fans of something and Andra's song 'You Should See Her Fly' explains her idolisation for her favourite TV character. There wasn't one entry that I didn't like but there was something about Fanatical that won the audience over more so than others - Gillian Ford and Oliver Jones surely made us a fan of this musical! You Should See Her Fly is sung by Matt Board in the version below.

Uncommon Sense by Gavin Kayner and Adrian Colbourne is a musical based on the life of Thomas Paine. A score for extremely strong vocal the performances were delivered by Jordan Lee Davis and Catherine Mort with the chance for beautiful harmony in There Is A Flower. 

CLICK TO LISTEN ON YOUTUBE 

Laura Tisdall's The Inbetween had previously launched a concept album which featured West End performers such as Daniel Boys, Julie Atherton, Hadley Fraser and Liam Tamne. Sung yesterday by Thomas Sutcliffe and Jessie May 'Beyond The Door' and 'Someone You'd Be Proud Of' were both strong performances. Trapped between parallel worlds the musical is the story of Flick Wimple who faces tough decisions about journeying to another world. 

Doctor Who Peter Davison's American companion Peri - Nicola Bryant presented her musical You Belong To Me. Sung by Bindy Baker and Hanna Molloy 'My Heart' was a great female duet (and a really catchy tune!)

CLICK TO LISTEN ON YOUTUBE

The final entry was from Ashley Walsh and Daniel Cartwright with Schindler The Musical, currently in the writing process and production at UCLan. Impressive out-of-London students, and an impressive composition, great effort with presentation as well as arrangement. A bold yet haunting sound. 

CLICK TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE

The judges were director Raz Shaw, Theatre critic Mark Shenton, Choreographer Drew McOnie, Musical Theatre Star (Wicked) Gina Beck, Musical Theatre Network representative Caroline Routh and Perfect Pitch representative Andy Barnes. The judges vote was unanimous and their chosen finalist was Matt Board's Fanatical. Our audience vote went to James Oban and Yiannis G. Kotsakos' Ushers: The Front Of House Musical.

It's really important that we keep encouraging new writing, so follow @MPeaProductions and @WestEndProducer to keep up to date. For tickets to the second semi-final or the actual final visit West End Producer's website, dear... 

HAIRSPRAY (UK Tour) Review May 2013

Hairspray - the musical with big heart (and even bigger hair) returns to Birmingham as part of it's second national tour. Following teen culture and the race segregation of 1962 Baltimore, tubby teenager Tracy Turnblad takes it upon herself to make big change.

Despite all odds, when larger than life Tracy is picked to be the new dancer on The Corny Collins Show there's suddenly no stopping her from fighting for what's right. With the help of her friends, Tracy's determination brings everyone together in a fight against TV executives to integrate everybody of all colours and sizes. 

At only 22 and fresh from training Freya Sutton leads as Tracy. Appearing in most of the shows big dance numbers there's little time to rest once the curtain goes up yet energy is in an abundance throughout. An impressive professional debut from Sutton who manages to sing incredibly well too despite Tracy's constant excitable jumping and high energy routines. Also making his professional theatre debut is X Factor finalist Marcus Collins as Seaweed J Stubbs. Whoever said that reality show contestants do not belong in musical theatre are wrong here. This is no "stunt cast" - sure it looks great on the posters but on stage he more than lives up to (and exceeds) expectations. 

Whilst he may not posses similar vocal talents as London's original Michael Ball, Mark Benton as Tracy's mother Edna Turnblad is a delight. Hilarious in the role, the already humorous character is taken up to a different level, particularly when paired with Paul Rider as husband Wilbur. Their rendition of 'Timeless To Me' brought the house to concert-like applause. 

Owing to the indisposition of Lucy Benjamin, the role of Velma Von Tussle is played by Wendy Somerville - who is suitably mean and scary. Also standing in at this performance was Piers Bate, replacing Josh Piterman as TV show host Corny Collins. Bate proved to be at ease in the role and gave a smooth performance.  

What is great about Hairspray is not only does the show have a great message about acceptance and equal opportunities - the lead cast are given exactly that, equal time to shine. Lauren Hood impresses as Tracy's ditzy friend Penny Pingleton as does Gemma Sutton as Amber Von Tussle - both giving incredible vocal performances. Luke Striffler as heartthrob Link Larkin lives up to the Zac Efron image and surely melts hearts. Gabrielle Brooks shines as little Inez.  

There is one particular song which rises above and beyond all of the others, and the lucky person who gets to sing it is the powerhouse that is Sandra Marvin. I Know Where I've Been is the moment in which all of the comedy and dancing comes to halt and Hairspray's message is well and truly delivered. Maybelle is feisty, she talks in rhyme and wins the audience over with humour, warmth and exceptional  vocals. Marvin's performance alone is worth much of the ticket price. 

Hairspray is a joyous celebration of how far society has come. You leave feeling educated, enthralled and entertained. You certainly can't stop the beat long after you've left the theatre.

Tickets for Hairspray at the Birmingham Hippodrome are selling fast and you can book yours here. Playing until Saturday 1st June.

You can listen to audience reactions from Birmingham's press night on the podcast below!

You can also listen to the Hippodrome podcast which features interviews with the cast!

Cast List: Mark Benton, Lucy Benjamin, Marcus Collins, Freya Sutton, Luke Striffler, Sandra Marvin, Josh Piterman, Paul Rider, Gemma Sutton, Lauren Hood, Wendy Somerville, Daniel Stockton, Gabrielle Brooks, Amelia Adams-Pearce, Jocasta Almgill, Lori Barker, Piers Bate, Arun Blair-Mangat, Sophie Brown, Andrew Bryant, Georgia Carling, Rhiannon Chesterman, Francesca Hoffman, Samantha Hull, Claudia Kariuki, Lewis Kirk, Sam Lathwood, Fela Lufadeju, Simone Mistry Palmer, Nikki Pocklington, Nathaniel Morrison, David Ribi, Noel Samuels and Laura Thorogood.

GUIDO! (Edinburgh Fringe) Press Announcement 2013

It's 1605 and the Catholics are not happy. The oppressive rule of King James I has left them hungry for rebellion and they need a figurehead to lead them out of the pub and onwards to freedom. Guido Fawkes is the man they have been waiting for: he just doesn't know it yet!

Guido! is written by Daniel Henry Kaes and composed by David Ferris. Directed  by Midlands-born Cambridge University student Matt Lim, the show premiered at the ADC Theatre in June 2012. A privilege to launch during the final academic week - May Week - the show received an enthusiastic response. The show has been revised for the Fringe and represents the original writing of the Cambridge students in a musical comedy adventure. The production brings together life events and characters from a notorious era in English history in a mock-epic as grand as Pirates of The Caribbean with the musical theatre attitude of Jerry Springer: The Opera. 

Guido! transfers from Cambridge to the C Too Main House at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is likely to be one of the most fun, ridiculous and brilliantly playful shows you will see at the year's Fringe.

1 - 26 August 2013 at 15:50 daily.
Tickets prices are £8.50 and £6.50 concessions.
To book tickets and for venue information, click here.

9 TO 5 (UK Tour) Review May 2013

Based on the movie of the same name, 9 To 5 is the stage musical creation of Dolly Parton. The show opened on Broadway in April 2009 and sadly closed 5 months later. It has since toured the US and a new production premiered at the Manchester Opera House in October 2012. The revised production is now touring to theatres across the UK and is bigger and better than ever. 

Girl power is most definitely back in this fantastically fun adventure of three female office workers who show their sexist, egotistical, bigoted, chauvinist male boss that they are not to be messed around - turning the office from bland and characterless to the most dynamic Dollywood palace with high energy dance numbers and plenty of pink glitter. 

We're greeted by Dolly herself as the large clock suddenly becomes a portal into Dolly's Hollywood office. She acts as a narrator to the story, similarly to Blood Brothers but without the creepiness. Jackie Clune stars as widow Violet and shines in 'One Of The Boys'. Amy Lennox is the Parton of the show - the busty and blonde Doralee Rhodes. In the role originated by Miss Dolly herself, Lennox is a perfect tribute yet sustains a strong and individual character. Her 'Backwoods Barbie' is one of the more beautiful and serene moments. Perhaps the shiniest gem is Natalie Casey as Judy Bernley. The comical yet vulnerable character has the audience at many times in hysterics and as with any good story of empowerment and overcoming, 'Get Out And Stay Out' is definitely one of the show's highlights. 

The Bill's Ben Richards couldn't be further from his recent stage appearance as Tick in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. Here he is the big bad boss, Mr Hart and is commanding of the stage - until that is the girls tie him up and dangle him above the bed with a garage door mechanism. Unfortunately the climax of act 1 where he is launched into the air failed to happen as he wasn't clipped in properly and had to finish the number on the bed with the ropes swinging around him. It's a very technical show but ran smoothly besides. Returning to the show this week after time off for filming, Richards rejoins the show effortlessly. One of the most hilarious moments 'Heart to Hart' involves a passionate dance between Mr Hart and his assistant Roz Keith played hilariously by Anita Louise Combe who recently replaced Bonnie Langford. 

Whilst 9 To 5 might not be the most original or groundbreaking musical out there, what it is, is a fun and feel-good night out with tonnes of talent and a high production value. Thoroughly entertaining and listening to Dolly Parton say "Thank-you Wolverhampton!" was something I never thought I'd hear. There is still some good availability  for tickets at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre where the show plays until Saturday 18th May! Book here. 

View the shows trailer below!

Cast List: Jackie Clune, Amy Lennox, Natalie Casey, Ben Richards, Anita Louise Combe, Mark Willshire, Marlon Moore, Tom Andrew Hargreaves, Philip Bertioli, Lori Haley Fox, Gemma Maclean, Lisa Bridge, Peter McPherson, Andrew Waldron, Lauren Stroud, Nyroy Dixon, Sasi Strallen, Ashley Andrews, Sinead Kenny, Persephone Fitzpatrick and James Lacey.

HIGH SOCIETY (UK Tour) Birmingham Hippodrome

Touring Musical Theatre consortium Music & Lyrics production of the Cole Porter musical High Society plays at the Birmingham Hippodrome this week. The show which has already played at 13 of the consortiums venues including Wolverhampton (review), Dublin, Cardiff and Newcastle runs in Birmingham until Saturday 18th May.

Music & Lyrics is an award winning, nationwide consortium comprised of the UK's major leading presenting venues. It aims to champion music theatre in all its forms and provide extended life to productions created by the UK's major producing theatres. After the success of 2012's The King & I, High Society is currently touring and a new production of Fiddler On The Roof directed by Craig Revel Horwood is to launch later this year.

This production of High Society stars Michael Praed as Dexter Haven, Sophie Bould as Tracy Lord and Any Dream Will Do contestant and star of Avenue Q Daniel Boys as Mike Connor. Birmingham Hippodrome's Ben Wooldridge interviewed Daniel ahead of the production. "I've always wanted to be a performer since my parents took me to London to see Starlight Express..." You can read the full article on the Hippodrome Blog by clicking here.

Daniel Boys

Hippodrome video interviews with Michael Praed, Sophie Bould and Daniel Boys can be viewed on the theatre's YouTube account where the cast discuss the show and their own swell parties! Watch  them here.

Prepare yourself for a night of vintage Hollywood glamour at Birmingham's spectacular Hippodrome. For more information and to book tickets visit the website here. If you're following the Hippodrome theatre conversation on Twitter, be sure to use the hashtag #BHSwellParty.

Hear audience reactions from the show's opening night in Birmingham!

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#BHBigHair The Hippodrome's other "May Musical" is Hairspray, playing from 21st May - 1st June. You can read my interviews with Mark Benton, Lucy Benjamin and Marcus Collins and listen to the theatres Hairspray podcast here. Book your tickets for Hairspray here. 

YES, PRIME MINISTER (UK Tour) Review May 2013

Almost 30 years after the TV series was first broadcast and following three successful seasons in the West End, the stage play of Yes, Prime Minister is now into the latter venues of a UK tour. 

The play by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn is up to date and mirrors the current  political situation with PM Jim Hacker  as head of the coalition. The scenario however remains much the same, with Hacker as ever reliant upon Sir Humphrey Appleby - Cabinet Secretary and ridiculously long-winded speaker. 

Michael Fenton Stevens is fascinating in the title role. His frustration and uncertainty is worrying but most humorous. Superbly acted, the man who is supposedly in charge - tirelessly seeking the help of his advisors who's plans progress further than any of his own. Interestingly, the cast keep a believable approach to a scenario that is perhaps slightly ludicrous - go and find three illegal immigrant call girls  (who we can easily deport afterwards) for the Kumranistan foreign Minister Mr Artikeev, so he will agree to a 10 trillion dollar loan... Farcical at times, but cleverly reigned back in avoid cheapening the humour. Farcical maybe in reality, who knows what goes on behind the closed doors of number 10, or indeed Chequers, the country residence where we find ourselves for this play. 

The setting of Chequers makes for a lavish set, designed by Simon Higlett. With beautiful autumn tress outside of the window in which rain trickles down, bookshelves aplenty with hidden doors and a clever use of television screens at various heights on the proscenium. The interview news broadcast is filmed live on stage and shown on the screens as it would appear in your home. 

Crispin Redman and Michael Matus as Sir Humphrey and Bernard Woolley work the space well, with frantic movement and comical presence to keep this from becoming the static and dialogue-heavy play that it is initially. There is plenty of guffawing from an audience of a reminiscent age.

In office at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 11th May - book here. 

SUTRA (UK Tour) Review May 2013

Sutra, taken literally is a rope or thread that holds things together. Also a term given to the collection of original thoughts, you find that Sutra stirs your thoughts as you discover and piece together threads within the movement's narrative.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the cast you were watching were fully trained, professional contemporary dancers but in fact, Sutra is performed by warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple. Their movement is based on a belief in the supernatural power of Chan Buddhism and is a major form of expression. 

At first we see Ali Thabet in the role that director and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui originally performed who is with a young monk (aged only 9) sitting with a pile of wooden blocks. What seems like a game of chess, or horizontal Jenga soon replicates in human-sized scale behind them. Within each wooden box is a monk that almost tortoise-like drags around their shelter on their backs. But are these boxes shelter? Are they more like coffins? Did the monks create what looked like IKEA wooden bookshelves or were they indeed bunk-beds that they later occupied? At times the boxes were safety, like barriers and at other times they were dangerous falling dominoes - metaphorical perhaps of God or another force controlling life as if it is just a game.

Even with the simplicity of the white stage space and plain wooden boxes the monks ensure that this visual treat is as powerful a performance and insight into the mind of a monk. Pushing bodies to the limit, falling from heights and literally defying gravity, Sutra is a stunningly expressive and poetic piece that has the ability to make an audience of thousands come away with a unique and individual perspective of the same performance - the narrative, you discover for yourself. 

The Dance Consortium is passionate about sharing the work of international dance companies across the UK. Sutra is the latest tour that has only one performance left at the Birmingham Hippodrome on WEDNESDAY 8TH MAY 2013 - book here. 

GHOST THE MUSICAL (UK Tour) Interview with Wendy Mae Brown

Wendy Mae Brown is currently starring as the coincidently named Oda Mae Brown on the UK touring production of Ghost The Musical, the role originated by Whoopi Goldberg in the film and by Sharon D. Clarke on stage. Wendy has recently starred as Hattie in Kiss Me Kate at the Old Vic and Chichester whilst other credits include Little Shop Of Horrors, Mamma Mia! and Porgy And Bess. 

"We've only just started the tour but the Welsh audiences have been great actually, apparently they can be quite critical but they're loving it! The Wales Millennium Centre has been a great place to open the show, it's such a technical production and they've had the workshop space to make any changes where needed. The rest of the tour is quite exciting, we get to perform at some great venues like Wimbledon and Wolverhampton which I haven't performed in for years!"

"The show is quite technical and that side of the production has been improved for the tour. We have a few members of the cast who were in the London production who say things work a lot slicker now. Unfortunately I never got to see the show when it was at the Piccadilly Theatre, but the film I must have lost count how many times I've seen that. Oda Mae Brown was always one of those characters that I'd watch and think "oooh, I'd love to do that role". As a black actress there are only certain roles you can do, this being a great one, but of course there was never the opportunity - I never thought they'd make a musical out of it! I missed out on auditioning for the original production but when the tour came around I just had to go for it - and here I am, Wendy Mae Brown playing Oda Mae Brown - there must be someone up there making it happen for me!"

Wendy as Oda Mae with Karlene Wray (Clara) and Keisha Atwell (Louise)

"Not all the critics were so kind to Ghost in London and I think the show has a better place on tour. People in London experience theatre quite differently and with a different  attitude and I think the regional audience will just enjoy it."

"I'm having the best time on stage. Oda Mae steals all of the laughs, she's comedy character which believe me is needed because at times it's quite depressing, with all the death... My favourite part of the show has to be my song I'm Outta Here. I look utterly ridiculous but everyone just has so much fun in that number. It's quite difficult though, not only have I got a giant bird on my head, but I've got sunglasses on, a fur coat and I'm climbing over boxes - I'm constantly trying to avoid falling over!"

"That's not the only difficulty I've found... what else is quite a challenge is the fact that Oda Mae can't see Sam (Stewart Clarke), she can only hear him and so I have to try not to look at him. I remember in one the first shows I was just gawping right at him for quite some time thinking "gosh he's gorgeous!" and then I realised I can't see him!" 

Get tickets to see Wendy as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost The Musical, now touring across the UK. Ghost haunts Wolverhampton at the Grand Theatre from 4th - 15th June. Get tickets here. 

BLOOD BROTHERS (UK Tour) Review March 2013

Blood Brothers, the show that started it's life in school halls opened in the West End in 1983 and won that year's Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The production played more than 10,000 performances before closing in London at the Phoenix Theatre in November 2012. The UK tour however seems to be on the road incessantly.

Some of the cast from the 2012 UK Tour remain with the production whilst members of previous and  final West End cast now reprise their roles.

Maureen Nolan (Mrs. Johnstone) and Sean Jones (Mickey)

If you've seen Blood Brothers before the chances are you've seen a Nolan sister in the role of Mrs. Johnstone. Maureen, who had previously spent two years in the role at the Phoenix Theatre joins the 2013 tour as the superstitious mother of nine... that is of course, until she gives one away. Nolan gives a heart-wrenching performance who's evident sorrow is equalled in the harsh, coldheartedness of Tracy Spencer's Mrs. Lyons. The lonely housewife who cannot have children of her own convinces Mrs. Johnstone to give one of the twins to her. But you know what they say about twins secretly parted... if ever they find out the truth, they shall both immediately die. 

Sean Jones is Mickey and Mark Hutchinson is Eddie and has played the role in the West End, on tour, in Toronto and on Broadway for which he won the Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. What we have here are seasoned performers who understand every phase of the brothers' lives with initial humour and later desperation. Jones in particular wins audience affection with his "I wish I was our Sammy" speech. In the  meatier role of Mickey, Jones is also able to show his diversity through Mickey's adulthood decline into depression. 

Owing to the indisposition of Warwick Evans, the role of the Narrator is currently played by Tim Churchill who is the show's one man Greek chorus. He presents the themes of fate and superstition as he powerfully sings through Willy Russell's music and lyrics. Olivia Sloyan stands out as Mickey's girlfriend and eventual wife Linda as does Daniel Taylor who's presence is scarily commanding of the stage in the role of the aggressive and threatening Sammy.

As far as stage productions go, Blood Brothers is perhaps a dated production, but the themes and in particular, the song Just Another Sign Of The Times are unfortunately all too familiar and relevant today. Even though the eventual outcome has been set out from the start it doesn't stop your heart from beating tenfold as Mickey's gun shoots in the direction of his brother and childhood best friend. Better than a evening at Nymphomaniac Nights and Swedish Au-Pairs, a full standing ovation and applause long after the cast's third curtain-call, it's still like a first night.

On until Saturday 4th May at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, you can book tickets here.