Much Ado About Nothing

Oxford undergraduate and producer Jessica Campbell invited me to the Oxford University Dramatic Society's fantastic production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at Southwark Playhouse.  This was one stop on an international tour from the creme de la creme of OUDS, produced by the legendary Thelma Holt CBE, in association with the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation.  They have already been to The Bodleian in Oxford and the Dell in Stratford Upon Avon and will be going to Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud and then to Japan's Saitama Arts Theatre; Bugei and the Kanagawa Arts Theatre, Kaat.

The OUDS have produced some of our best actors including Rowan Atkinson, Imogen Stubbs, Sir John Gielgud and the multi-talented Richard Curtis. I think there will be some members of this troupe who we'll definitely see again too!

The creative team were also all from Oxford, including brilliant direction from Max Gill.  Max had cleverly transfered the play to the mafia torn Sicily of the 1950's. Jay Anslow's atmospheric soundtrack was a tapestry of old Italian songs which could have been straight out of the Godfather, interlaced with more contemporary pieces, which reflected the emotions of the characters and heightened our awareness.  I spoke to the set and costume designer Anna Lewis, who told me that the set had to be carefully designed for transport to Japan.  She had dealt with the restraint expertly, creating exactly the right environment for Gill's gangster world, and the costumes were also fabulous!

The actor who stood out for me in this energetic and exciting production was Ruby Thomas, who played her viciously merry Beatrice with the expertise of a seasoned star.  Her sensual husky voice reminded me of a young Samantha Bond - no surprise that the audience hung on her every word.   Jordan Waller, her Benedick, gave a wild passionate performance - but why is it that they both believe the gossip woven around them and begin to fall in love ?  Oh how frail we mortals are!  Other performers of note were Rhys Bevan (Dogberry) who had impeccable comic timing, the innocence of Jessica Norman as Hero and the completely unmannered freshness of Jeremy Neumark-Jones as Claudio.  I was also very impressed by Matt Gavan's interpretation of Don Pedro.

Beatrice, Benedick and Claudio

Thelma Holt's Shakespeare tour is an annual event for the OUDS.  What a wonderful experience for these young actors and creatives - not only to be able to make a piece of exciting Shakespearean theatre but also to tour it, with that added opportunity of taking it to Japan.

The next stop on the tour is The Mill Studio at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford from 5th to 8th September, so do try and catch it before it goes off to Japan.  A link to Guildford, to buy tickets can be found here.

I leave you with Thelma Holt's words:

"I believe that in these tours we see British theatre's true insurance policy, the proof of a generation of great directors, producers and acting talent waiting in the wings."

The Audition

For every actor who ever went to an audition!

My friend Claire Chambers is the beautiful singer in this hilarious short film by Fay Stevenson for Rumbled Sunshine TV.

"Les Mis" a Hit in Hemel

George Watkins (Jean Valjean) and Casey Bird (Fantine)

I was invited to go to Boublil and Schonberg's "Les Miserables" performed by Hemel Hempstead Theatre Company, at the Boxmoor Playhouse.   I hadn't watched the musical since I went to see my friend Peter Polycarpou performing in the original West End production at the Palace Theatre in the 80's. I was only really sorry that Peter didn't come to Hemel with me, because I think he would have been astonished at the amazing accomplishment of this Schools Production of his beloved "Les Mis".

Director and Musical Director, Dan Cowtan, pulled off a very slick, exciting show with a huge cast of teenagers.  The twelve piece band he led were wonderfully classy too.   Dan was trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and his professionalism as a director shone through.  The sets were brilliantly simple and the costumes absolutely spot on.

Every kid on the stage gave their all, utterly, and this is what made this such an excellent  production.  George Watkins  (Jean Valjean) and Joshua Pellegrini  (Javert) carried the show with their passion and astonishingly rich powerful voices.  It seemed almost impossible to believe they were both about 18 - the professional gravitas of their performances was breathtaking!

James Penniston as Thenardier

I was also blown away by James Penniston's  wildly comic performance as Thenardier and his brilliant partner in crime Zoe Harbour, particularly their rousing "Master of the House" number.   You can't teach comic timing, it's born in the blood and they had oodles of it.  Casey Bird gave a vocally accomplished and moving performance as  Fantine and I was also very fond of Kelan Davis' electrically charged Enjolras and  Rachel Thomas's exquisite Cossette.

Lauren Seres (Young Eponine) and Zoe Harbour (Madame Thenardier) 

I had forgotten how incredibly operatic Les Mis is - how huge, with hardly a word of  dialogue - but how it has endured and lives inside us all now.   By the end of the show there wasn't a dry eye in the house.  Standing for the ovation, in the absolutely packed theatre, with tears streaming down my face, I was reminded what theatre was all about - this was sheer entertainment - we had gone to the barricades with them, one and all, and we would all go again if they asked us!

Kelan Davis (Enjolras) and seated Richard Edwards (Marius)

My GAP Yar Dramar

"Small but Fierce" has just started up a brilliant blog about her gap year- with all the trials and tribulations of trying to get into drama school.  It's very funny and full of useful info...

The link to it is HERE

Peter Polycarpou at the Garrick!!

Peter Polycarpou's podcast about all the West End musicals he's performed in.  Songs from these shows and many more of his favourites will be featured in his exciting night at the Garrick Theatre on 11th December called "Songs of My Life".

I've booked my tickets and can't wait!

For more information and to book your ticket you can follow this link here

The Turn of The Screw

Don't miss The Turn of the Screw at Barons Court Theatre, which runs until 27th November.  This is Ken Whitmore's adaptation of the well loved story by Henry James, presented by CP Productions.  The Barons Court Theatre is in the cellars of Curtains Up Pub, which is the perfect setting for this spine chilling horror story.  The production is directed and designed by Barry Addenbrooke,  music by Jonathan Webster,  costumes by Jackie Robinson and hair and make-up by Jessica Carlton Silva.

The truly original part of Barry Addenbrooke's production has been the casting of the two children - not children at all, but  Kristy Bruce as Miles and Frances Rose Knox as Flora.  With an echo of Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills, we completely believe they are children and their powerful bond in this tragic nightmare is fraught with knowing looks and secrecy.  Kristy Bruce is haunting as Miles, with her glittering defiant eyes.  Frances Rose Knox is both enchanting and terrifying as Flora, with a dramatic power that recalls the possessed girl in the Exorcist.

Beautiful Helen Millwood plays Miss Grey, a young governess sent off to Bligh to care for two young children.  She plays the role with volatile sensitivity, drawing us into the story as she comes under the charm of Geof Sloan's despicable Mr Crimond and pulling us on through the turmoil of her mind as the play progresses.  Alison Liney's performance  as Mrs Grose, the housekeeper, had a real echo of Megs Jenkins performance  in the 1960's film of the novel The Innocents, clutching onto the rational in the maelstrom of emotions and fears that envelop the characters.

Tickets are selling out fast so do reserve a ticket through this link HERE

An Evening with Peter Polycarpou on 11th December at the Garrick

Peter Polycarpou will be entertaining us with songs that have inspired him and from shows he has performed in, on Sunday 11th December at 7.30pm at the Garrick Theatre.  

Peter has had an incredible career: a member of the original company in Les Miserables, creating the role of John in Miss Saigon, Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! with Hugh Jackman, Daniel in Imagine This, Phil in Love Story, Phantom in Phantom of the Opera and, of course, Chris Theodopolopodous in TV's Birds of a Feather. Most recently he has been appearing as the Beadle in the Chichester Festival Theatre Production of Sweeny Todd alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, due to transfer to the West End in 2012.

Guests appearing in the show are:  Hannah Waddingham, Pauline Quirke, Emma Williams, Claire Moore, Simon Bowman, Michelle Collins and Jos Slovick.  Peter will also be accompanied by a choir and principal ensemble.

The MD is Robert Emery and Choreographer Cressida Carre

To book tickets for this very special evening go to Nimax Theatres HERE