Review: Much Ado About Nothing at Newcastle People’s Theatre

Farce of the gossips

Much Ado About Nothing

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Until 14^th March 2015.

This possibly is William Shakespeare’s most popular comedy and Newcastle’s Peoples Theatre has produced a wonderful show that shows off the bards work to great effect.

Set in a Mediterranean style set, designed by Sands Dobson and Peter Harrison, this is a story of gossiping neighbours. The hiding behind pot plants in order to eavesdrop on conversations and trying to not be noticed often gave the show an almost farce-like feel.

Much Ado About Nothing is a rom-com that has quite a modern feel. It looks at how couples can have their fledgling relationships disrupted by a combination of friends who think they are doing the right thing and jealous types causing trouble. Moving the 16^th century play into the 1950s works nicely.

The two central couples in the story are performed by four fantastic young actors who gain in stature with each production that they perfom in at this theatre. Craig Fairbairn is highly amusing as Benedick and it is entertaining to see him chase the often cynical Beatrice. Shakepeare has written a strong female role for Beatrice and Sara Jo Harrison has star quality in this pivotal role. Craig and Sara Jo were often able to grab the audiences’ attention as they discussed their private thoughts.

Alex Blenkey grew in stature as groom-to-be Claudio whose journey with his future bride Hero is the talk of the town. Emma Jane Richards is charming and quickly develops the audiences’ empathy in her role as Hero. Jake Wilson Craw is great in the comedy as he created chaos through his gossiping in the first half.

The cast brought the dialogue to life, making this an accessible production for those who are new to Shakespeare. He did have a tendency to use 6 words when a modern playwright would just use a couple. The delightful flavours of his text were given there opportunity to shine.

A real strength of the direction given by Peter Harrison and Tony Childs is that the pace was able to be maintained by the flow of the action. As soon as one group finished the next was ready. The action didn’t have to pause for the arrival of some props. The costumes range from very smart to fabulous which, when coupled with the set design, help raise the show from ordinary to delightful.

There is plenty to love in this entertaining romp and it is a great introduction to the playwright’s work.

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

Original Jowheretogo Preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/preview-much-ado-about-nothing-at.html

Tickets:

Much Ado About Nothing

Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 March 2015, 7.30pm

The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

£13.50 (Concessions £11)

Box Office: 0191 265 5020           www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Review: In My Father’s House at People’s Theatre

Family Values

The People’s Play: In My Father’s House

By Patrick Robertson

In association with New Writing North

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Until 1^st November 2014.

Everyone probably thinks their family is unique as it has dysfunctional characters in it and relationships that don’t always go to plan. The most recent winner of  The People’s Play is Patrick Robinson’s exploration of family and the strain that relationships are put under.

Adam heads back to the family home for his Father’s funeral with his husband Ben. His mother, Joyce, has devoted her life to learning the Bible and assumes that her daughter Sophie is still praying on a regular basis. Joyce asks Sophie to choose something to read as a eulogy but Sophie is finding greater resonance with the works of Hemingway rather than Holy Scriptures. Adam feels that his mother is still upset about his sexuality and tries to find fault with every statement and action. In the meanwhile Ben tries to smooth over the cracks and see the good in the people he meets. Ben’s calmness is in direct contrast to the angry egocentricity shown by Adam.

Philip Bradley directs this empathetic play in which love and kinship is put to the test. Robin Tudge plays the frequently forthright Adam with as much passion as Penny Lamport plays his grieving mother. Though there are themes of Christian faith, this play runs deeper to the core of emotional ties that make up family life.

Jake Wilson-Craw comes across as a devoted husband whilst being affectionate to Adam’s greater family. He speaks as he finds and that warmth helps make this such a captivating story to watch.

Siblings don’t always get on like a house on fire and Sara Jo Harrison’s portrayal of Adam’s sister Sophie captures the apparent contradiction of feelings for, and fury with, her brother.   The illusion of fair treatment between siblings is one of the many points that Adam wants to raise with his supposedly more popular sister.  She in turn wants to share their Father’s possessions found in a cardboard box but in doing so she may open up old wounds.  

There is a lot to like in this production. The simple set doesn’t get in the way of flow of the story. The complexities of real relationships makes the characterisation believable without overloading the audience with too much exposition. Each solid performance by the talented cast exudes both the loyalty and resentment that can come in a loving relationship. This is a compelling production that should see the writer propel into further great projects.

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

Cast:

Director:   Philip Bradley

Adam       Robin Tudge

Ben          Jake Wilson Craw

Sophie     Sara-Jo Harrison

Joyce       Penny Lamport

Tickets:

In My Father’s House by Patrick Robertson

Date:               Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November 2014

Time:               7.30pm

Venue:            The Studio Upstairs, The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets:           £13.50 (Concessions £11)

Box Office:     0191 265 5020

Website:         www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Preview: In My Father’s House at Newcastle People’s Theatre

In My Father’s House

by Patrick Robertson

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November 2014

The People’s Play Award is a biennial competition run by The People’s Theatre and New Writing North to find an exciting new play by an emerging North East playwright. It celebrates its 20^th Anniversary with a searing family drama.

The competition has been running since 1994 and winning the People’s Play Award has been a great first step to establishing a career as a professional writer. Former winners who have gone on to write professionally include Alison Carr, Mike Yeaman, Carina Rodney and Peter Straughan (who won a Bafta Award and was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy)

This year’s winner of the People’s Play Award is In My Father’s House by Patrick Robertson. Patrick is a young local writer who studied for an MA in creative writing at Newcastle University where he was involved with Newcastle University Theatre Society as an actor and writer. He has taken a number of his plays to the Edinburgh Fringe, most recently a production called ‘Sweep up the Stars’. His play ‘No More Stories’ was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize in 2013.

The winning play will receive its world-premiere production in the Studio Upstairs at the People’s Theatre from 28 October to the 1 November. The author will be presented with the winner’s cheque of £2000 after the final performance on the Saturday.

In My Father’s House centres on family tensions that emerge when strongly atheist Adam and his partner Ben return home for Adam’s father’s funeral. Adam’s mother Joyce is deeply religious while Ben’s sister Sophie is struggling with her faith. Adam’s lifestyle does not sit easily with the Church’s teaching to which Joyce clings.  The play tackles issues of religion and family in a head-on fashion.

Robertson describes the genesis of the idea for the play “In My Father’s House began as a single line of dialogue. In university, taking the mantra “write what you know” a touch too literally, I worked on a comedy-drama about a group of students. One character, George, loses his father to heart disease; his grieving mother comforts herself with the idea that her late husband is looking down at her. And for some reason the usually polite, reserved George replies: “No he’s not, he’s dead.” This inexplicable moment of lurid sociopathy stuck in my mind long after I’d lost interest in the rest of the story.” 

Cast:

Director:   Philip Bradley 
Adam       Robin Tudge 
Ben          Jake Wilson Craw 
Sophie     Sara-Jo Harrison 
Joyce       Penny Lamport

Tickets:

In My Father’s House by Patrick Robertson

Date:               Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November 2014

Time:               7.30pm

Venue:             The Studio Upstairs, The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets:           £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Box Office:      0191 265 5020
Website:          www.peoplestheatre.co.uk