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the passion8words
The passion8words is presented by Jeff Thomson.
on air - fun 8 word theatre reviews.
online - full reviews written by Jeff.
Click on the letters below for the show you're interested in.
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LADY BE GOOD
ARCHIVE REVIEW
“Lady Be Good” was originally presented in 1924 and goes for escapism after the brutalising memories of the First World War. The fact that its focus is whimsy and nods only occasionally in the direction of economic privation and hobo reality, does not really matter. But the realities of playing such a piece 80+ years after its premier present different challenges. Director Ian Talbot takes on these challenges and succeeds with the help of choreographer Bill Deamer.
The plot is convoluted and occasionally tedious. Rich socialite Josephine Vanderwater is arranging to evict Dick Trevor and his sister Susie from their home in the hope that Dick will be forced to marry her. Into this unpromising scenario comes shady lawyer J. Watterson Watkins who attempts to persuade Susie to impersonate a Mexican client/ heiress. However, Susie quite suddenly falls in love with penniless hobo Jack Robinson – who happens to be a secret millionaire … … ! The storyline tightens and unravels with bewildering nonsense but is rescued by songs such as Fascinating Rhythm, Lady Be Good, Do do do What You Do do do! Bill Deamer’s choreography and the dance delivery by the cast is a triumph but the evening ‘belongs’ to Paul Grunert as Wally Watkins. His warmth - and the advantage of having the title song - inevitably offers him a central vehicle.
The core of this production is pure whimsy but the sincerity of performance saves it from ridicule and the audience laughter at such lines as “I’m just waiting for Dick!” merely adds to the fun. That the cast take it all so very, very seriously is a joy!
LEGAL FICTIONS
TOURING (reviewed at the RICHMOND THEATRE)
Legal Fictions pairs two John Mortimer comedies. Both started as radio plays,
The Dock Brief from the late 50s, Edwin from the early 80s. Both see Edward Fox having fun as aging legal
eccentrics.
In The Dock Brief, Fox is Morgenhall, a barrister longing for a big case. Well actually any case. Murderer Mr Fowle
[Nicholas Woodeson] provides Morgenhall's chance, if he can convince Fowle to stop confessing his guilt.
While in Edwin, Fox's retired HIgh Court Judge Fennimore Truscott is out to extract a confession from his neighbour
Tom [Woodeson again].
The Dock Brief is quirky and gently funny, with Woodeson getting the best role. In Edwin, Fox owns the
theatre. As Truscott he has the best lines, gets the biggest laughs, and gives a standout performance.
LES MISERABLES
QUEEN’S THEATRE in SHAFTESBURY AVENUE
Had I been asked what I thought of putting Victor Hugo’s classic book to music – I suspect I would have been discouraging. I wasn’t asked and it has been an outstanding success for longer than the Reign of Terror!! An intelligent script and some sweeping musical numbers encapsulates Hugo rather than copy him. Impressive production numbers dominate the evening and these contrast well with intimate moments of love and sadness. Said by Boubil and Schonberg to have been inspired by Lionel Bart’s OLIVER! an army of waifs and strays face the barricades with fortitude … and song. Now in its 21st year it seems a permanent feature in London’s West End although it has been seen by a worldwide audience of over 40 million.
LORD OF THE RINGS
THEATRE ROYAL,DRURY LANE
WOW!! This is a hi-tech, hydraulics production, if there ever was one!
Visual effect follows visual effect rapidly enough to satisfy the most severely affected by Attention Deficiency Syndrome.
The production relies a lot on action battles but achieves this magnificently.
The staging - at all times - is awesome.
This production offers a constant gasp factor as acrobatic warriors, stilt-walking trees,
dry-ice (probably by the ton) melts into a storyline that blends fairytale hobbits with daring-do adventure
and a musical score that pounds right into the middle earth!
Adapted from Tolkein’s classic trilogy the show lasts three hours. The core elements and characters of his books are there but quickly absorbed into a fast moving story that touches upon his work every so often, but at times this production can also be assessed as LIVE Cinema – it has the sweep of a movie – with a gloss that eliminates intimacy.
For me the overall effect is a pop-up book coming to life; it’s there, it’s close, it’s in colour … but not too frightening. Well, not until ‘earthling mutant creatures’ spill into the audience. To find various hybrid forms curiously looking over your shoulders was perplexing … … but clearly thrilled many younger folk.
Would I go again? You bet!!
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Jeff Thomson:
broadcaster and
champion of the arts
Jeff admits to an obsession with books and theatre. A LAMDA Gold Medalist Jeff supported
Sam Wanamaker for five years in the campaign to re-create Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside.
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