Review | LORD OF THE FLIES (UK Tour/IDFB) May 2014

Three years on from the original project developed by New Adventures, Lord Of The Flies is reborn... or maybe that should be Re:Bourne. The emerging talent programme from Matthew Bourne's New Adventures aims to nurture and support young people with a passion for movement. The idea is to break down possible perceptions that dance is often seen as unfathomable, elitist, over technical and intimidating, all whilst creating an inspiring piece of theatre, of course.

Choreographed by Olivier Award-nominated long-term company member Scott Ambler, this rework of William Golding's Lord of the Flies features professional dancers and 24 local boys. No longer set in the desert island, this appears to be some mystical world within the theatre itself. You come to expect with any Bourne production that the obvious is disregarded. 

The lights crash out as a mass ensemble of smartly-dressed schoolboys enter. At first it's perhaps a little overwhelming, there's a lot going on and so much to look at but that's particularly important to the projects aims. Throughout the piece a 24-strong ensemble are featured just as much of the smaller cast of professional dancers. They're not support or backing just to fill out the space, they're very much involved and expertly take on Ambler's thrilling choreography. At first they're great at the synchronised movement but as the plot twists and darkens these boys that had first enjoyed freedom turn savage and it's especially interesting once given the opportunity for greater experimentation of movement.

The freedom and opportunity for creativity is perfect here, for it's there within the story. It's one that is relevant to young boys and they are much more likely to identify with this than some fluffy fairytale. The whole piece is cleverly conceived - it becomes difficult to distinguish between professional and local dancers, it's edgy, it's rough, it's nothing like you've seen before, but it works and music by Terry Davies is compelling - almost hypnotic. The original story is excitingly reimagined in a style that's most unique, a blend of ballet, contemporary and an imagination native to this company. The excellent local ensemble are lead by professionals Jack Hazelton as Maurice and Danny Reubens as Jack who, with extreme strength and skilful storytelling ability command the stage and on many occasions leave you transfixed. 

60 years since the original publication of the novel, it's perfect timing for a celebration. Not only a celebration of the classic tale but of the boys, all of whom will be the minority in their dance classes  and here they're given their time to shine and what better stage than at Birmingham Hippodrome. By the curtain call, it was most clear that this was something very special to both the cast and the audience of almost full capacity. It's madness, it's genius and a difficult experience to sum up. Go and see it and you'll understand. See Lord Of The Flies at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 17 May, book here. 

Cast List: Jack Hazelton, Sam Archer, Leon Moran, Luke Murphy, Dominic North, Sam Plant, Danny Reubens, Layton Williams, Dan Wright, Will Cornish, Khalid Daley, Ethan Daly, Jack Dologhan, Joel Fossard-Jones, Jacob Goodchild, Brad Guest, Tom Hammond, Dereece Leigh-Gayle, Declan Lewis, Fenton Lockley, Alexander Love, Enrique Ngbokota, Harry Ondrak-Wright, Callum Osbourne, Zach Parkin, Harvey Powell, Ben Powney, Nat Sweeney, Hugo Von Fragstein, Louis Williams, Chris Wilson.

Review | ROCK OF AGES (UK Tour) May 2014

The 80's... the decade of power ballads and rock Gods … there was bound to be a musical about it and what is currently the 30th longest-running show on Broadway started life in Los Angeles 2006, transferred to Broadway in 2009 and West End in 2011 - Rock Of Ages is now playing cities all over the UK as part of a major tour.

The musical follows Drew (Noel Sullivan) who we meet in The Bourbon Room club, dreaming of being a rock star. He immediately falls for Sherrie (Cordelia Farnworth) who confuses his shyness as disinterest and has a fling with the vainglorious lead singer of rock band Arsenal, Stacee Jaxx (Ben Richards), it all goes wrong, it all rights itself... it's sex, drugs and rock and roll. 

The plot falls, overpowered by the string of hits - it's probably for the best as it doesn't allow for too much investment in the characters, there's nothing too deep as to discover more about them or time to see them do little more than sing, but they own up to that. This isn't a musical to lose yourself in, it's two and half hours of rollocking rock! 

Noel Sullivan impresses as Drew, he returns to his We Will Rock You roots here and is just as comfortable strutting, head-banging and belting out rock ballads than he was in a recent role, skipping around in showgirl tits and feathers in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. He proves to be an accomplished, versatile performer. Ben Richards is suitably sexy, seductive and everything you'd expect of a lead singer in the role of Stacee Jaxx. Rachel McFarlane as Justice Charlier is a great addition, she's like the Killer Queen of rival rock musical, strutting around in a long coat and sparkly corset - she can belt, yet perhaps the more tender Every Rose Has It's Thorn is one of the show's highlights. 

Jessie May makes a great Regina, coupled with the comedic Cameron Sharp who relishes the role of camp German, Franz. They receive the best reaction with Hit Me With Your Best Shot - a surprise reveal and a long overdue rousing of the audience to whom Stephen Rahman-Hughes' emcee Lonny is a firm favourite. There's an energetic ensemble lead by dance captain Russell Smith and a whole-cast finale of Don't Stop Believin' brings the house down, the band are excellent.

It's all tongue-in-cheek, it's all cheesy but ultimately it's fun. If nothing more, Rock Of Ages is a great opportunity to just let go and rock out with an incredibly impressive West End cast. Get your air guitar, and head for New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham to rock until Saturday 17 May - book tickets here. 

Cast List: Ben Richards, Noel Sullivan, Cordelia Farnworth, Daniel Fletcher, Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Rachel McFarlane, Jack Lord, Cameron Sharp, Rakesh Boury, Imogen Brooke, Abigail Climer, Tom Andrew Hargreaves, Jessie May, Stephen Rolley, Kylie Michelle Smith, Russell Smith, Chris Southgate, Charlotte Anne Steen, Tara Verloop.

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Review | WATER BABIES (Leicester Curve) May 2014

Water Babies - the Victorian novel and 70's animated film about a boy who plunges into a river and meets aquatic children received it's world premiere at Leicester's Curve Theatre. With ambitious technology and an impressive West End cast, the highly anticipated musical has a lot to live up to.

Directed by Ed Curtis and Guy Jones, Water Babies follows the story of Tom, a young chimney-sweep, convicted of a crime he did not commit. He escapes into a river to find the Water Babies who must help him in his quest to be reunited with love Ellie. It's almost the story Peter Pan, but underwater...

The story is overseen by the magical presence of the Fairy-Godmother character Mrs D (Do-As-You-Would-Be-Done-By), played by Louise Dearman who is warm and welcoming as the mysterious female figurehead. No stranger to that sort of role, having previously played Glinda in Wicked, Dearman is perhaps a little underused here, but whenever she sings, we are reminded that she is indeed one of theatre's greatest talents.

Waterloo Road's Thomas Milner is a great young lead and as the 'Peter Pan' of the show, he has all the required traits. He's wide-eyed, cheeky and despite of only a short initial meet between him and love interest Ellie, Milner manages to create a sweet connection with Lauren Samuels who is perfectly cast and in fine voice throughout. There's a really impressive duet between Samuels and Dearman - Waiting For You.

The most exciting characters come in the form of Jock - a Lobster (Andy Gray), Claude - a Swordfish (Tom Davey) and Terrence - a Seahorse (Samuel Holmes). All three glide around the stage on customised bikes and a scooter, decorated to further suggest each type of creature, it's very clever and wonderfully imaginative. Holmes especially is fabulously flamboyant and earns most of the laughs from an audience of families. Tom Lister is perfectly cast as the Electric Eel, flipping between what must have been ten different accents and sings a great number - Friends In High Places with the impressive male dancers.

The excellent ensemble showcase their versatility throughout and particularly shine as the Water Babies themselves, each bringing their own characters forward, they're charming, endearing, clearly having fun and they're just as fun to watch.

Also fun viewing is the screen upstage which is multi-functional. Often used to depict underwater scenes when actual water isn't practical it's also used to make characters appear and disappear in a burst of bubbles. The hologram technology is the best I've seen on any stage. Used mainly for the appearance of Richard E. Grant as the Kracken, you'd easily be fooled into thinking he was actually there.

There's one recurring musical underscore that is very remindful of The Little Mermaid and it's apparent that the show utilises elements of other successful musicals, notably The Lion King's use of puppets and Wicked's style of costuming. It's a theatrical conglomeration, but it all works within the concept and set  against Morgan Large's beautiful scenery and stunning waterfall, the production is a visual delight.

It's great that someone believed in Water Babies, this is a story worth telling but one that I don't think many would have bothered with. It's difficult to combine an 1862 Victorian novel with the necessary 21st century technology and make it all harmonise, but it does work and the end result is definitely of joy in seeing a new musical, traditional in feel yet contemporary in production.

Water Babies is definitely something special. Yes, there can be improvements, but it's clear that an enormous effort has already gone into this, a show that is full of heart, wonderful imagination and deserves a chance. A lot of new musicals take risks and aren't rewarded with a future, it would be a terrible shame to see this sink. Support the incredible team behind Water Babies at Leicester Curve until Sat 17 May 2014. Click here for tickets.

Watch the trailer for Water Babies and listen to some of the music below:

Cast List: Louise Dearman, Tom Lister, Thomas Milner, Lauren Samuels, Andy Gray, Samuel Holmes, Tom Davey, Caroline Deverill, Jeffery Harmer, Matthew Gent, Robbie Boyle, Matthew Caputo, George VCarling, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Cristina Hoey, Rebecca Jayne-Davies, Sienna Kelly, Marianna Neofitou, Morgan Scott, Marcquelle Ward, with Michael Denvir & Richard E. Grant

Review | SÉQUENCE 8 (IDFB) May 2014

Groundbreaking Montreal circus company Les 7 Doigots de la Main (The 7 Fingers), present Séquence 8 as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham at The REP. Created in 2012 by the company who directed the first segment of the Sochi Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, the piece is billed as an exhilarating race through the furthest reaches of acrobatics, circus arts, dance and theatre... and it is!

From the moment it begins you'd be forgiven for thinking someone had turned the gravity off... if it wasn't for the fact you're still firmly in your seat, you might believe it. The ensemble leap into the space after an introduction from Colin Davis - it's all very aspirant and begins almost like a University  showcase... you know those assessments which are awfully experimental and nonsensical? But it's purposely playful and soon develops into a solid 90-minute piece that explores relationships and how we define ourselves through and against the idea of the 'other'.

Alexandra Royer impresses early on in a heart-stopping routine on the Russian Bar. The bar, resting only on the shoulders of two other performers, wobbles, bends and hurls her into the air - landing perfectly every time, of course. Maxim Laurin shows extreme strength as an aerialist hanging from his ankles on a trapeze... it's a theatrical circus, a re-imagined and contemporary home for the age-old skills. 

Eric Bates is good at the harmonica, chess, cooking, break-dance, skateboarding, but here we see  perhaps his most impressive avocation... his specialty of cigar-box juggling - for which he is considered one of the best in the world. It's mesmerising and I'd still believe those boxes were magnetic... 

Alexandra Royer is expert at the aerial hoop and whirls around the stage, almost as if running through thin air, it's most beautiful yet almost unbelievable. That's the case with pretty much all of this show, boundaries are pushed until just about the limit with fascinating results. 

Just as Physical Theatre is often acting through dance, this is acting through circus and acrobatics... It 's delightfully fresh and manages to guide us through a narrative, trick after trick. There is much enjoyment from seeing a story come together through what at first seem unconnected displays of circus performance. There are no clowns here, just serious fun. 

You can see Séquence 8 at Birmingham REP as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham until Sat 10 May. Book tickets here. 

Watch a preview here:

Cast List: Eric Bates, Ugo Dario, Colin Davis, Devin Henderson, Alexndra Royer, Maxim Laurin, Camille Legris, Tristan Nielsen.