Review: Barnum at Hull New Theatre

The Greatest Show on Earth

Photo: Johan Persson

Barnum

Hull New Theatre

Until 25^thOctober then on tour

Photo: Johan Persson

Phineas Taylor Barnum was America’s second millionaire, bankrupted twice yet still died America’s richest man. This show is a lavish musical which is in the spirit of Barnum himself. It is about giving the audience a good time from the very beginning.

Photo:

Johan Persson

Before the curtain goes up the ensemble is mingling in the crowd showing off their circus tricks and trying to get the audience to take part. The Razzmatazz continues as the curtain goes up as the 11 piece orchestra and the acrobats join the circus performers. P T Barnum himself would have been impressed by the colourful display that filled the stage.

Photo:

Johan Persson

The story broadly follows a number of aspects of Barnum’s life. Brian Conley is called upon to interact at times with the crowd and improvises as well as many stand-up comics. He also walks the literal tight-rope in a brilliant performance as the man credited with been a legend of self-promotion and advertising. The wonderful Linzi Hateley plays Chairy Barnum and there is lots of onstage chemistry between these two pivotal characters. 

The singing is always top notch. Linzi Hateley, Kimberly Blake, as the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, and Landi Oshinowo, in both her roles as Joice Heth and the Blues Singer, are are all note perfect with a range of delightful numbers. 

Photo:

Johan Persson

 Mikey Jay-Heath as Tom Thumb and Brian Conley hold the singing honours for the lads.

Photo:

Johan Persson

The set is visually stunning as it doubles as the arena for many of Barnum’s stunts. Even the set changes were turned into circus style routines which had a round of applause from the appreciative audience. The only quibble would be that it was a shame that the talented orchestra was hidden away for much of the show.

Photo:

Johan Persson

It has long been a bug bear of the Jowheretogo team that there is a lack of shows, outside of panto season, which are suitable for the whole family. Barnum is one such show that will keep the whole family entertained.  On a number of occasions the stage is filled with circus frivolity .

Barnum the musical is a stunning exploration of a larger than life character.

Photo: Johan Persson

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Tour dates include:

Photo:

Johan Persson

Edinburgh Playhouse 28 Oct - 1 Nov 2014 - 0844 871 301

Tue - Sat 7.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm

Newcastle Theatre Royal 17 - 28 Feb 2015 - 08448 11 21 21

Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed 2pm (18 Feb only)
Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pm

Review: Birdsong at Hull New Theatre

Birds have a different madness to us

Birdsong

Hull Theatre 24^thMay 2014

Stage Version Written by Rachel Wagstaff

It is always going to a challenge to produce a drama about the First World War without evoking memories of much more recent shows such as Blackadder Goes Forth.  Perhaps it is that the war, or its participants are no longer with us, or that those of us who had the privilege to meet them had few, if any, words about what they had seen or done. Whilst the Education Secretary dismisses such television programmes, they do live within the current generations collective memory. In the hundredth anniversary of that war it is very important to acknowledge the sacrifice made by a generation. Many did not come back. Those who did had their lives changed forever. We also acknowledge that there are current disputes around the war being fought by troops that did not start the fight but will suffer the consequences.  This adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ 1993 novel Birdsong is a sympathetic and moving account of those times which keeps away from the sentimentality of some period pieces.

The play centres around Stephen Wraysford, who is brilliantly portrayed by George Banks. As the story toggles between 1910 and 1916 France, the character is fighting his past when he met the love of his life Isabelle, characterized by the fabulous Carolin Stoltz, and his personal demons don’t fly away as he leads his men in the trenches as a lieutenant in the British Army. The horrors of war are aptly demonstrated by the young lad Tipper (Jonny Clarke) and the need to get away from the noise and make the most of leave is brought into focus by Evans, brought to life by Samuel Martin who also provided the live violin onstage.

The plight of the British Soldier was marvellously captured by Peter Duncan in his role as Jack Firebrace, a former miner who tunnels under no-mans land. His love of his son, who is discovers by letter is ill back home and he is unable to request leave to return, is nicely captured. Through these parallel stories, of Jack and Stephen, the audience is asked to reflect upon the futility of war and the desperation for its participants. The victims of their situation also included the women folk and Selma Brook, Elizabeth Croft and Lucy Grattan combine to remind us that it was not just the soldiers at the front who were the only ones to suffer the ravages of war.

This strong company is complemented by Malcolm James as the harsh factory owner Azaire; James Staddon as Berard – a man who always gets his prey; and Simon Lloyd as the trusted Shaw.  The set was a work of art in itself, capturing the claustrophobic nature of the tunnels, the misery of the trenches and then opulence of pre-war France.

This is a haunting and yet still beautiful production played by a superb cast. It is a fitting tribute to the fallen who should be remembered for the sacrifice that they made.

Website: www.birdsongthetour.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/birdsongthetour

The tour continues:

The Cast New Theatre Doncaster
27th - 31st May

Mercury Theatre Colchester
02nd June - 07th June

Dundee Rep Theatre Scotland
09th - 14th June

Curve Theatre Leicester
17th  - 21st June  

The Grand Opera House Belfast
23rd - 28th June 

The Wyvern Theatre Swindon
1st - 5th July

Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne
7th- 12th July

Photography: Jack Ladenburg

This review was written by Stephen Oliverfor Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo