Alphabetti Theatre in partnership with homeless charity CRISIS present:
Present
Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre
Tuesday 17th – Monday 23rd December 2019 (including
Sunday & Monday)
Written and Directed by Ali Pritchard
Performed & Choreographed by Malcolm Shields
Live music from Diji Solanke, Martha Wheatley & Wilf Stone
Created in partnership with Crisis Skylight - 5% of ticket
sales will be donated to Crisis at Christmas, the UK national charity for the
homeless.
Dave is in a park and there is a party going on in his head.
The audience at Alphabetti know this as the three strong band are creating the
Faithless hit Insomnia and Malcolm Shields, who appears as Dave, is
bouncing around between swigs of his cheap cider. Alphabetti’s artistic director
Ali Pritchard writes and directs another production that examines the
predicament that the growing number of homeless people find themselves in. This
production, which opened tonight, demands a lot of the single actor but Malcolm
Shields delivers, and the audience left with no uncertain knowledge that they
had witnessed a great piece of theatre.
Yes, this production comes with a message. With the apparent
possible opportunity of hope for our resourceful character, comes some of the
harsh realities for the increasing number of people that we pass in Newcastle’s
city centre. The audience will leave
with an impression even though the show just lays out a scenario – without any
preaching.
So, back to Dave dancing in the park…
Suddenly he gets a text message. His daughter wants to let
him know that Dave’s 6 year old grandson would like to meet him at Christmas.
But the visit is on one condition. He must be sober. For Dave, suffering from
the cold nights without any company, this is going to be the biggest challenge
that he has faced up to in along time.
In the hour long show we witness entrepreneurial spirit. We
witness hope. We witness optimism. But crushing that spirit are the reactions
of the public, and in particular, certain authority figures. This is one of
those emotional rollercoasters.
Having said that, the show works because Malcolm presents a
character who you immediately care about, someone who you want to succeed in
his quest. It is so important for the empathy to factor in for the show to
work. Perhaps it is that dancing at the beginning which breaks down the
barriers so quickly?
The music works a treat. We’ve been going to Alphabetti for
a long time and it is only in the relatively recent times that live music –
musicals – have been a feature of some shows. It does work – it does add a
vibrancy to the performance.
This is a pay what you feel show – which ties in nicely
with the themes that are presented. Those who can afford / want to pay more can
do, whilst those who cannot afford regular theatre can still attend and enjoy
the show. Though on busy nights like tonight, they could do with another pay
point as you leave (or bring back the big pot for the cash envelopes as the
card reader is surrounded with a big queue of people willing to pay by card).
Sharp writing, considerate direction and animated musicians
playing live all help create a graphic performance. It is Malcolm Shields,
though, who makes this a vivid theatrical experience. Recommended.
Review : Stephen Oliver
Tickets:
Running time: approximately an hour, no interval
Age: 14+
Ticket Prices: Pay What You Feel
Alphabetti website: www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk
Tickets / More info: https://www.ticketsignite.com/event/1668/present-by-alphabetti-theatre
NB: Relaxed performance: Thursday 19th Dec, 1pm
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