Category Archives: Theatre

Franca, Theatre Review. Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Roberta Laguardia.

The life and work of Italian artist, feminist and political activist Franca Rame might not be that well known but in a collaborative effort between Italian actress Roberta Laguardia and the Lantern Theatre, two pieces of work her work were performed and all with the blessing of Franca Rame’s long-time collaborator and heir to her estate, Dario Fo to a Liverpool audience.

The evening started with an informed and informative introduction to the life and work of Franca Rame by Liverpool-based performer and academic Brian Desmond before settling down to the first of the two pieces of work on offer, The Rape.

Franca, Theatre Review. Lantern Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(846 words, estimated 3:23 mins reading time)

Barnum, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Brian Conley, Linzi Hateley, Kimberley Blake, Landi Oshinowo, Mikey Jay-Heath, John Stacey, Georgie Ashford, Greg Bernstein, David Birch, Courtney-Mae Briggs, Nick Butcher, Alison Connell, Stefan Dopazo, Lewis Easter, Chris Gage, Joanna Goodwin, Pascal Haering, Rebecca Hawkins, Erin Jameson, Jennifer Robinson, Louis Stockil, Lucy Thatcher, Edward Wade.

Barnum, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(592 words, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

How May I Direct Your Call?, Theatre Review. Liverpool Light Night.

Paperwork Theatre in action on Liverpool Light Night 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: John Collins, Jackie Jones, Sal Kelly, Barry Mason, Gareth Mitchell, Lydia Parsons, Helen Webster.

What was your most important phone call, the one that changed your life to the point where all that went before it seemed to be almost frivolous, almost lacking in any meaning or semblance of balance, the phone call that changed it all?

How May I Direct Your Call?, Theatre Review. Liverpool Light Night. full post

(405 words, 1 image, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Two, Theatre Review. Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Jennifer Bea, Greg Russell.

A sharp and touching slice of English life set in a Northern Pub owned by a savagely bickering husband and wife. Two is a series of short vignettes that skilfully combines pathos and humour, with all fourteen characters played by two actors. During the course of the evening assorted customers pass through including a little boy left behind by his father – an event which triggers a movement towards a fragile reconciliation between the pub couple, as their own dark tragedy is revealed.

Two, Theatre Review. Lantern Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(475 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Monty Python’ Spamalot, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Jamie Tyler, Sarah Earnshaw, Joe Tracini, Will Hawsworth, Richard Kent, Richard Meek, Josh Wilmott, Michael Palin, Daniel Crane, Abigail Climer, Matthew Dale, Holly Eaterbrook, Richard Astbury, Ste Clough, Inez Mackenzie.

It’s no wonder that the chroniclers of Middle and Old English History have very little to go on, save the odd Anglo Saxon lord and a few scattered bones of cows that have been forcibly flown through the air and the legends of dire and almost indestructible rabbits who would tear a man’s head off given half a chance. Nothing of note seems to have happened until King Arthur and his loyal, if utterly bewildered, Knights of the Round Table went in search of the Holy Grail and under strict instructions by Michael Palin, as played by God.

Monty Python’ Spamalot, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(376 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

The Bacchae, Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Daniel Fitzgerald, Nina Levy, Elliot Reeves, Aaron Kehoe, Kathryn McGurk, Nadia Amin Mohammed Noor, Natalie Bedkowska, Rachel Barry, Hannah McGowan, Imogen Allen, Katherine Collins, Tommy Williams, Nick Crosby, James O’ Neil, Tom Harrington.

The past is there not to be mocked or derided but to teach, guide and inform the future of its possible folly. By denying the very basic right to exist, to doubt their heritage, is to conjure up their wrath and those that sit in their corner.

The Bacchae, Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(498 words, estimated 2:0 mins reading time)

U Decide: Our Main Story Tonight, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Nick Walker, Hannah Barker.

Who decides what is newsworthy? Who sets the agenda for what the British people see on their television sets and delivered by journalists sometimes more concerned with their own image than what gets reported upon? In the week of the 2015 British General Election, news can often get misrepresented, especially in a media that is driven more and more by the projected image.

U Decide: Our Main Story Tonight, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(460 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

U Decide: Keeping It P.C. (Politically Confused), Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7.5/10

Cast: Aimee Marnell, Chloe Nezianya, Jahney Dalrymple.

Politics is a confusing game at the best of times; it is almost as if the bigger the set of policies being delivered out, the more sound bites there are in which to wheel across the political spectrum, the more, in truth, they all start to sound the same. It is a policy that could be seen as if the so called political elite or the somehow opinionated savvy are all delivering the same message to the politically confused.

U Decide: Keeping It P.C. (Politically Confused), Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(398 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Dara O’ Briain, Comedy Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. (2015)

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Some people are just larger than life, some even make life large by pointing out the very small details, the details that are so acutely insane that they deserve to be picked out, shaken and handed to the audience as if they were small chewable nuggets of how to get through a crazy but memorable life.

Dara O’ Briain, Comedy Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. (2015) full post

(427 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Tales From The Blue Room, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * *

Cast: Susan Cormack, Jane Dickens, Cath Rice, Danielle McLauren, Barbera Willis, Lucy Fiori, Elisa Cowley.

The Unity Theatre has a massive heart. It loves theatre, it loves its audiences and it loves Liverpool. This is evident in the eclectic and challenging work that fills its programme year upon year.

One such work is currently playing at the theatre, Tales from the Blue Room; a play from veteran playwright Pat Anderson and directed by former Liverpool Lunchtime Theatre director Paul Goetzee and which was originally presented as The Swan at the Liverpool Actor’s Studio

Tales From The Blue Room, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(848 words, estimated 3:24 mins reading time)