REVIEW: Derren Brown SHOWMAN at Theatre Royal Newcastle

Derren Brown SHOWMAN

Theatre Royal Newcastle

Until Saturday 17 September 2022

 

Photo: Mark Douet

Derren Brown occupies a unique space in British entertainment. Illusionist, hypnotist and master of psychological manipulation, he has been producing award-winning TV events and hugely successful stage shows for over 20 years. SHOWMAN is a thematically-linked entertainment of audience interaction, hypnosis and clever illusions. With this ingeniously constructed show, the charismatic performer confirms why he is at the very top of his field.

I must start by saying that we have been asked to avoid revealing any of the actual content of the show. This presents a challenge to any reviewer, of course, but there is a reason why spoilers are so named, and it makes sense to keep the secrets of this show for the same reason Harry Potter and The Cursed Child audiences are asked to do so.

Derren Brown is a very clever man. He knows that delivering a high level of entertainment is the key to making the most of his exceptional talents. To that end, he has worked with Olivier Award-winning actor and writer, Andy Nyman, and ex-magician and actor, now writer and producer, Andrew O’Connor to develop this highly polished and consistently engaging vehicle.

The set, by Simon Higlett, lends an air of mystery and gravitas to the performance. Charlie Morgan-Jones’ lighting designs are an integral part of the piece, edgy and never mundane. The combination of the two elements gives the stage the feeling of a place where magic could happen. And, in a sense, it does.

In terms of content, it is no spoiler to say that it includes hypnosis, and mental manipulation of on-stage volunteers and the audience. The experience of a fellow reviewer made it clear the effect of the hypnosis was very real. This reviewer was also subject to thought  manipulation at one point, with no idea how that was achieved. Brown also pays tribute to some of the pioneers in his field in a segment combining hypnosis and traditional magic. And there is a theme, but it would be unhelpful to reveal it.

Brown, tieless in a dark suit, has unquestionable presence, quietly theatrical rather than brash. With no apparent effort, he holds the stage with his personality, engaging 1100 people for two and a half hours, which is no mean feat. Though he is often funny, his humour is wry and gentle rather than knockabout. His interaction with audience members is kindly rather than demeaning or disparaging. He also has serious points to make in the manner of a life coach, which make the evening a contemplative one rather than merely diverting.

Brown makes no pretence to have magical powers, rather spending his life unmasking such fraudulent practices. The show, nonetheless, has a mystical quality and a weightiness unusual in such performances.

All of this makes for a consistently absorbing and intriguing evening. The audience is left with more to think about than just, “How on earth did he do that?”

The essence of the evening though is entertainment, and this is a beautifully produced, constantly surprising and hugely enjoyable show. Brown triumphantly demonstrates that he is indeed a showman, par excellence.

Review: Jonathan Cash

Tickets:

Derren Brown: Showman plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 September 2022. Tickets are priced from £20.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

 

REVIEW: Osmonds: A New Musical at Sunderland Empire

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The Osmonds: A New Musical 

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 17 September 2022

Tickets available now from our affiliates  ATG Tickets: https://prf.hn/l/6qONLVq 

They said:  “The Osmonds: A New Musical with story by Jay Osmond tells the true story of the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on to create smash hits, decade after decade.  From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1969, to pop stars and ‘Osmondmania’ from 1971 to 1975, to the arrival of The Donny & Marie Show, a popular variety TV show, from 1976 to 1979, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart-topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record-breaking TV shows - until one bad decision cost them everything.

The musical features a list of 1970s anthems, including One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Crazy Horses, Let Me In, Love Me for a Reason, (We’re) Having a Party, Puppy Love, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Paper Roses, and many more.”

New musicals can struggle to develop a fan base, this show clearly does not have such an issue. The Empire was packed with a mainly female audience. The Osmonds may have only had hit singles from 1970 - 1974 in the United Kingdom but clearly they had made an impression with an enthusiastic audience that could result in this show sticking around in this country for a while yet.

The show describes how the family went from appearing as a quartet on the Andy Williams Show in America to selling over 100 million records world wide. The posters state that the story is by the band’s drummer Jay Osmond and he was involved in the development of this production. As such it is very clear that this is HIS story.

The narration throughout the show is given by the character Jay (Alex Lodge) and the story begins with Jay stating that he wants out, to leave the band - he wants to go to college. With that bombshell dropped the action moves to the beginning and a younger group of lads appears. We had kids team Ogden on our show and Alan (Oliver Forde), Merrill (Jack Sherran), Wayne (Louie Stow), Jay (Lonan Johnson) appear as the group are booked on the Andy Williams Show for their first television show. The slot was such a success that the group was asked back, with younger brothers Donny (Nicholas Teixiera) and Jimmy (Lyle Wren), and before they knew it, they had a regular spot and a record deal.

It is clear that, in Jay’s story, that he wants to raise the issue of their childhood. The group’s leader was their father George (Charlie Allen), someone who had fought in the Army and was going to give the children military style discipline. He is called Sir and they stand to attention when he speaks. Their mother Olive (Nicola Bryan) is shown as someone who is supportive of the children but goes with the flow. The rehearsals were clearly intensive in order to appear on t.v. every week but their professionalism got them the reputation of the “one take Osmonds”.

With a string a US hit albums the band develop into young men and the cast changes. Jay is joined by Alan (Alex Cardall), Wayne (Danny Nattrass), Merril (Ryan Anderson) and Donny (Joseph Peacock). The vocal group learn how to play instruments - though this is not a feature of the show and the musicians, under musical director Will Joy are tucked off stage somewhere. 

There is more to this family as, in their words, it doesn’t matter who is doing lead as long as it is an Osmond. Jimmy (Tristan Whincup) and the families only daughter Marie (Georgia) soon feature.

So the show shows many of the highs, and some of the lows of success. It is packed full of songs and the hits are there. The vocals of the actors combine well to create the sound and, coupled with the great costume design, you can understand why the audience are transported back nearly 50 years.

Top vocal performance for me though went to Hartlepool’s own Georgia Lennon as Marie Osmond when she sang Paper Roses in the first act. 

As a jukebox musical telling the behind-the-scenes story of a band that the public didn’t get to see - this show works. The balance between off-stage drama and big hits performed well is about right to keep both the narrative flowing and the audience happy. It is clear that this is one person’s interpretation of events - but there is nothing wrong with that.

The action carries on through the “Donny and Marie” television series and up to a recent reunion and so we find out what happened after the UK hits stopped.

Proof that I liked it is that I got Alexa to stick on Crazy Horses as I was making breakfast the following morning. I wonder if there will be a cast recording?

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Pamela Raith

Tickets available now from our affiliates ATG TICKETS: https://prf.hn/l/6qONLVq 

REVIEW: Rock Of Ages at Sunderland Empire Theatre

Rock Of Ages

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 10 September 2022

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/RockOfSunderland #ad

 

Rock Of Ages is a musical built round rock songs from the 1980s, featuring numbers by performers like Styx, Whitesnake, Journey, Bon Jovi and Pat Benatar. It is set in an iconic, if run-down, rock bar on LA’s Sunset Strip, threatened by developers, and features a love story between two hopeful performers from small town USA.  The talented cast do full justice to the numbers, though the overall impression is more of a rock and roll adult pantomime than a true musical and its attitudes to women are unashamedly of the same era as the songs. Nevertheless, you cannot deny its crowd-pleasing vibe.

The show was written by Chris D’Arienzo and it first played in Los Angeles in 2005. It went on to Broadway, where it ran for 2328 performances. The secret of its success? Judging from this production, that would be the talent and good-natured energy of the cast, together with the nostalgic appeal of the songs.

The show opens in The Bourbon Room, run by Dennis Dupree who is played by Coronation Street’s Kevin Kennedy, better known as Curly Watts. He makes a believably gruff but kindly aging rocker and has a decent set of pipes.  Aspiring rocker, Drew Boley is a busboy at the bar. Sam Turrell brings an excellent sweet rock voice and an amiable presence to the role. He falls for just-arrived would-be actress Sherrie Christian, played by Gabriella Williams with a strong flexible voice and good moves, and gets her a job at the bar.

Meanwhile a pair of cartoonish German developers are bribing the mayor to clean up Sunset Strip, which means the demolition of the bar.

Dennis uses past favours owed to bring Rock Star Stacee Jaxx to play the last gig with his band before they split up because of his monstrous ego and general unpleasantness. Cameron Sharp plays the role with gusto. Drew manages to convince Dennis to let him open for the band, based on a song he has written about his unexpressed love for Sherrie.

It is pointless to dwell too long on the plot since the writer clearly didn’t. The stage is set for these familiar characters to play out the plot to its unsurprising conclusion.

The elephant in the room, however, or perhaps that should be a wasp, is the character of Lonny, played with boundless energy and absolutely no restraint by Joe Gash. A strutting, sashaying, androgenous rock pixie who serves as narrator and chief comic, he breaks the 4^th wall throughout and plays out lots of schtick with the audience, much in the manner of a panto but somewhat more adult. It is hard to say which of his apparent ad-libs are actually scripted but he has the essence of the show in his bones and contributes much to the merriment.

The show is well-produced, with a convincing set by Morgan Large, who also contributed the authentic-looking costumes. Nick Winston’s direction keeps the show slickly moving along, though he can’t solve the problem that the  characters are chiefly drawn in two dimensions and the first act is fifteen minutes too long. His choreography is excellent and is well-performed by the principals and the hard-working and hugely talented ensemble. In the midst of all the rock, Natalie Winsor brings a refreshing bluesy interlude with her smoky, sensuous vibe and a strong belt.

Behind all this stands a terrific five-piece band, led by MD Liam Holmes, who deliver the rock sound of the 80s, playing out of their skins throughout the show.

This is a show of short skirts, long hair and misogynistic attitudes, so very representative of the period it is depicting but, first and last, it is a glam-metal nostalgia fest, delivered by an exceptional cast of singers.  

 

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: The Other Richard

 

Tickets:

Tickets are available direct from the theatre box office and online from ATG Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/RockOfSunderland #ad

 

Preview: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Ballet’s Very Grande Dames Are Back!

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 18 – Wednesday 19 October 2022

 

Get ready to experience ballet like you have never seen it before as the much loved all-male comedy ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo – affectionately known as The Trocks – make a sparkling return to Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Based in New York, The Trocks are loved world-wide for their hilarious homages and sassy spoofs of classical ballet. Their impeccable comic timing is matched by their immaculate technique and daring physicality. Every performance froths with tutus and testosterone, blush-pink ballet shoes, false eyelashes and prima ballerina attitude as the 16 dancers transform into different personas, male and female. 

Based in New York, the company was founded in 1974 in the wake of the Stonewall Riots. Early performances were held on the makeshift stage of the West Side Discussion Group, an offshoot of the groundbreaking Mattachine Society, one of the first LGBTQ+ rights groups in the US.

The dazzling programme opens with The Trocks’ signature work Le Lac des Cygnes (Swan Lake Act II) which is followed by a mystery pas de deux or short modern work, announced from the stage on the night. Next up is the company’s celebration of Balanchine, Vivaldi Suite.

Finally comes Raymonda’s Wedding, the traditionally confusing divertissements from the final act of ‘Raymonda’. A ballet in three acts and fifteen scenes, ‘Raymonda’ has baffled audiences since its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1898.  With choreography after Marius Petipa, The Trocks ignore all the plot intrigues and go straight for the happy ending!

Tickets:

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 18 – Wednesday 19 October 2022. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Peter Pan at Darlington Hippodrome

 

Full Casting Announced For This Year’s High-Flying Panto At Darlington Hippodrome Starring Christopher Biggins

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

Darlington Hippodrome

Friday 9 to Saturday 31 December 2022

Darlington Hippodrome has announced further casting for this year’s high-flying family pantomime, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan.

Previously announced panto legend Christopher Biggins, who is returning to Darlington where his panto dame career began over 45 years ago, will be joined by comedian Rikki Jay, North-East panto favourite Steve Arnott, Darlington returner Peter Peverley, West End performers James Hameed and Tegan Bannister and newcomer Sheri Lineham.

Comedian Rikki Jay joins the line up as Smee. With a television career launched from ITV’s The Big Big Talent Show, Rikki went on to appear on comedy programmes across UK television including The Big Stage, Jay Walking and Gagging For It and is a regular on Sky TV. Rikki has been a mainstay of pantomime for several years starring alongside the biggest names in UK theatre and television. Rikki also regularly entertains global audiences on board the QE2 and world cruises, in cabaret venues across the United States, and has entertained British troops across the Middle East and the Falkland Islands.

 

Whitley Bay born, Steve Arnott started his professional career as a voice-over artiste for radio and television and appeared on national television as the original Dairy Crest milkman. He toured extensively with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra as the production manager. Steve has done many a panto in the North-East and returns to Darlington for a fourth time for The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan. 

 

Peter Peverley trained at Newcastle College and spent three years with the RSC long ensemble performing in Stratford London and New York. He spent 15 years with the Northern Stage ensemble based at the Old Newcastle Playhouse Theatre appearing in many productions including Animal Farm, A Clockwork Orange, and 1984, touring nationally and internationally. His TV credits include Byker Grove (BBC/Zenith), Emmerdale (YTV), Harry, Spender and The Parables (BBC), The Bobby Thompson Story, Show People and Planet North. Peter returns to Darlington Hippodrome after a successful season in Cinderella last year.

 

The cast is completed with Sheri Lineham as Wendy and West End performers James Hameed, Tegan Bannister as Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

 

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan will be a fun-filled Christmas extravaganza with a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery and of course, plenty of audience participation.

 

Join Biggins and the rest of the cast on a swashbuckling trip this Christmas at Darlington Hippodrome where laughter is guaranteed by the barrel-load. Be part of the panto magic and hook your tickets today!

 

Tickets:

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan runs from Friday 9 to Saturday 31 December. Tickets are on sale now with early booking advised. For full details and to book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the box office on 01325 405405

Preview: Carmen at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

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Amande Concerts bring opera classic, Carmen, to Newcastle

 

Ukrainian National Opera presents Carmen

Newcastle Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Tuesday 21st February 2023.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/CARMENtyne

 

Ukrainian National Opera presents Carmen – the most powerful, enjoyable, and tuneful opera – at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre and Opera House on Tuesday 21^st February 2023.

Performed by the Dnipro Opera, from Ukraine with music by Georges Bizet and sung in French with English Surtitles. Carmen features an impressive cast, accompanied by a live Orchestra numbering over 30 musicians.

Dnipro Opera has a long-standing heritage of top-quality opera productions, that are sure to delight opera lovers as they premier across the UK.

Carmen tells the story of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who falls head over heels in love with Carmen, a seductive, free-spirited femme fatale. The infatuated Don José abandons his childhood sweetheart and neglects his military duties, only to lose the fickle Carmen to the glamorous toreador Escamillo.

The music of Carmen has been widely acclaimed for the brilliance of its melodies, enthralling atmosphere, and orchestration, as well as for the skill with which Bizet musically represented the emotions and suffering of his characters.

The Toreador Song is among the best known of all operatic arias.

The rich and colourful vigour of the gypsies’ scenes will have you on the edge of your seat, the vibrancy, enthusiasm, and intensity of the performances will reverberate long after the final curtain has fallen.

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “We’re pleased to be able to bring another high-quality opera to our stage. With its rich history and fantastic acoustics, the Tyne Theatre and Opera House is the perfect place to host this special performance. We can’t wait for the lucky audience to experience this powerful production.”

Tickets are already on sale, so book now to feel the thrill of fiery passion, jealousy, and violence of 19th century Seville Bizet’s most popular opera.

On The Web:

https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/amande-concerts-present-carmen/

Tickets:

Tickets are available from the Tyne Theatre box office and online from our affiliates Eventim UK: https://tinyurl.com/CARMENtyne

REVIEW: Jersey Boys at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Jersey Boys

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 10 September 2022

Jersey Boys the musical is popular for two reasons, a great true story and a fabulous set of songs, written for Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons by its keyboard player Bob Gaudio, who rightly takes the credit for writing the music in this production. Chuck in a talented cast and high production values and it is easy to see why the show fills houses around the world.

The first time I saw the show was back in  2015. Back then I found myself going “I didn’t realise that this song is one of theirs” quite a bit. Indeed the show begins by pointing out that their hits still top the charts in this century.  In the seven years since I saw the show my memory had played tricks on me and I found myself feeling that this was a different show. Checking the original review suggests otherwise. Funny how memory plays tricks!

The show is split into four parts - four seasons - each with a different member of the band taking on the role of narrator. FIrst up, naturally, is spring, narrated by the band’s founder Tommy DeVito (Dalton Wood). The group were originally performing as a trio with his brother Nick DeVito and Nick Massi (Norton James) practicing their harmonies under street lights. Tommy discovers Frankie Castelluccio (initially performed by Michael Pickering) and Tommy sets about developing the raw talent. Frankie also changes his name to Valli.

Fellow Jersey lad Joey Pesci (George Salmon) - yes the actor - introduces Tommy to the song writer and keyboard player Bob Gaudio (Blair Gibson) who takes over narration as the show enters Summer. Just like the Doors movie, the show hits the fast forward button and gives the impression that the songs were created in an instant. The quality of the songs leads a record deal being picked up, thanks to producer Bob Crewe (Dougie Carter), and the band has success with a string of massive hits.

At this point on press night the show suddenly and unexpectedly stopped, it had “gone tech”. My companion had clocked a wobble in one of the voices in the previous scene and wondered if we had a problem - sure enough as the show restarted an announcement was made that the role of Frankie was performed by George Salmon (who had looked after the role during that days matinee). Reproducing Valli’s powerful lead falsetto voice is a challenge in itself and it is a positive thing that the show doesn’t take risks with its cast. Anyhow…George carried on in the role and between them Michael and George did a cracking job on this pivotal role.

Act two is Autumn and the band’s bassist Nick Massi takes over the narration as the wheels start to come off with the band. As can be the case with musical groups - the hits still keep coming but the internal friction starts to come ahead. Nick has the audience laughing by pointing out the trauma of room sharing with Tommy - someone who uses every towel in the room and treats the space as if it is just for him. Tommy has also created a large debt with the taxman and others. 

Frankie narrates the final winter section and the band goes through line up changes and rectifying the issues presented in the Autumn section. They also get recognition for their contribution to the American music industry.

As the show proceeds the audience is able to enjoy hit after hit, after all they had 29 top-40 hits to choose from. Oh What A Night, Walk Like A Man, Rag Doll and others go down really well with the Theatre Royal crowd.

Some of the musicians, under the musical direction of Griff Johnson, are tucked away out of sight some of the time whilst drummer Tom Hutchinson is shunted around the stage on his riser. The musicians, like the singers, are tight and do the source material a great service.

As the show is tightly directed by Des McAnuff, and the choreography from Sergio Tulillo is slick, it is easy to miss how well crafted the show is. Likewise the design of the show (lighting, set,costume and sound) are features that are easy to take for granted and a lots of thought has gone into making this show work as well as it does.

Regular readers will now be ready for the “but” and here it comes… and it is not the fault of the show. Indeed the front of house, including the toilets were full of notices about it, but… a show like this attracts the amatuer choirs. Groups and individuals who think that, rather than pay good money to hear trained professionals at the top of their game, the audience need to be subjected to their off-key performances. We had a group to our right and one immediately behind us. To add salt to the wounds, they even discussed plot points loudly in between the songs so it was difficult to hear the exposition at times. Has this behaviour got worse since the pandemic (a long period in which everyone was only watching stuff at home) or is it us?

In response to those complaining behind us, the show “may be inappropriate for ages 12 and under due to strong language. Jersey Boys contains authentic New Jersey language.” In other words, working class New Jersey lads swear a bit.

Jersey Boys is a well crafted show with a talented ensemble cast of singers, musicians and dancers who make the most out of a rich back catalogue. It is understandable to see why tickets have sold so well on a two week run which comes so close to recent visits to our region.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Tickets:

Jersey Boys plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 30 August – Saturday 10 September 2022. Tickets are priced from £24.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.