Andy Bramfitt | Providing reviews of music, theatre and days out in the North East

The Governess @ Darlington Civic

Posted on June 3, 2013 by andybramfitt

Set in 1860, the tale of The Governess centres around the disappearance of a young infant from his bed and the ensuing turmoil which befell almost everyone concerned. As is par for the course for Victorian drama and mystery, not is all it initially appears to be, and very soon we are given an insight into some of the usual rather shadier goings on in houses of wealth and prestige. I’m not sure why, but most tales of this period take great pleasure in portraying the now sterotypical blend; driven master of the house who has at least one lover ‘on the staff’; the put upon/ ill /misunderstood wife; a couple of older children who cry out for their parents attentions (usually in the form of rebellious behaviour) and of course the all seeing, all knowing but never saying housekeeper.

Written by Patrick Hamilton (who is perhaps better known for Gaslight) this tale follows the aforementioned formula very, very closely, which is a shame as it means it also follows the now cliched telegraphed plot, lack of twists and monotonously paced slow-burn lead to the final, fully expected reveal. There is never quite enough depth to each character to allow the audience to form an emotional attachment and because of this they also have no opinion on the outcome.

The first act plays out the relationships between the Ethel Fry, the titular Governess (Jenny Seagrove) , her young charge Ellen (Lydia Orange) and Mr George Drew (Colin Buchanan). There are glimpses of some repressed sadism in the way Ms Seagrove portrays Fry, but not enough to really feel that she is dangerous. Likewise, Mr Drew is a driven, succesful, no nonsense ‘master of the house’ yet he seems lost and unsure of what he is when alone with Fry. It is somewhat unfortunate for the attempted building of tension that Ellen turns out to be an all-seeing somnambulist who, despite the best endeavours of Fry, manages to pretty much give the end game away before the close of act one, leaving the audience just waiting to collectively murmour “thought so”.

The 2nd act is somewhat better, all for the introduction of Peter Bowles as DI Rough – the Victorian version of Columbo without the brown mac. Mr Bowles brings his much more insightful character to life with humour, matter of fact deductions and timing which held the audience even though they still knew whodunnit. The end scene, with Fry confronted by her crime, sees her descend into a bizarre, poetry quoting regression – a sort of lite version of a mental breakdown.

If you’re looking for something to rival Oscar Wilde’s wordplays, or The Woman in Blacks scares, or Dickens depth of characters then this play really isn’t for you; if however you want another good Victorian tale set in an Upstairs/Downstairs style house which won’t tax the brain then this will certainly fill your evening (or at least part of it).

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Jenny Seagrove, Peter Bowles, The Governess | Leave a comment

The Civic is Alive, with The Sound of Music

Posted on April 26, 2013 by andybramfitt

Darlington Operatics Society’s latest production, the time honoured classic of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Sound of Music, is a perennial favourite with old & young alike. True to form and living up to their past productions, DOS pull out all the stops to make this another fabulous night of virtuoso performances and stunning stage work.

The story is so well known it is almost biblical and, despite there being a distinct lack of Alpine altitude in Darlington, the stage is perfectly used to portray the mountains, abbey, chateau and music festival.

As a show based around 7 children, there was always going to be opportunities for the younger members of the Operatic Society to be involved but the age range required (5 to 16, going on 17) could have posed problems in ensuring that the youngest of the family Von Trapp weren’t overawed by the sheer magnitude of the show. Fear and concern was not on the agenda as each & every member hit their marks perfectly; perhaps more impressively the group as a whole ‘felt’ like a real family, they laughed together, helped one another and had a very noticeable affection for each other – obvious testament to the director and rehearsal teams who created two separate families to ensure they avoided overburdening developing minds.

Of course, the challenge with any production of Sound of Music is “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” – The BBC tried by running their semi-professional reality talent show, but I believe that Darlington Operatic Society have shown the rest how it’s really done. Beth Stobbard gives a performance which, with closed eyes sounds so much like Julie Andrews that you just have to look hard to make sure it’s really Beth’s voice – it is, I assure you. Beth follows the original film version of Maria very closely; she is flighty, headstrong, assured while vulnerable but never slips into the tempting realms of flirty or forward when finally falling in love with Captain Von Trapp (played by my favourite leading actor in the North, Julian Cound). Her singing is impeccable and, as she has shown in previous DOS productions, she can dance, act and is a very attractive leading lady which any male lead would love to star opposite.

As a family show, it is the songs which everybody knows and loves; the order and settings for some of the standards are different to the film version, leaving some of the audience debating which version they prefer, but they all fit perfectly well in either set of scenarios. The juxtaposition towards the end of the film, when Nazi Germany invades and begins the Anschluss, coupled with the innocent, traditional song festival, is handled very carefully given that many of the audience were youngsters drawn by Do Re Mi and oblivious to that passage in Austria’s history. They producers don’t shy away from creating the feeling of threat and make great use of the whole theatre, raising the tension to palpable levels and thus heightening the sense of relief at the end.

In short, another polished, professional and positively perfect performance by DOS which again makes me very proud to live in Darlington. There are still some tickets available but they are selling fast – contact the box office for details.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Darlington Operatic Society, Music, Theatre | Tagged Beth Stobbard, Darlington Civic Theatre, Darlington Operatic, Do Re Mi, Julian Cound, Problem like Maria, The Sound of Music, Wonderful | Comments Off

Ricky Ross at the Sage, Gateshead

Posted on April 26, 2013 by andybramfitt

Following announcement of the largest Deacon Blue tour in over a decade, frontman Ricky Ross has also added his own, intimate & personal tour to the 2013 agenda. Taking both Deacon Blue standards and Ricky’s solo work, the playlist is an eclectic mix of pop, blues and a more political commentary on the modern age but it does nothing to alienate the casual listener, remaining open, honest and accessible.

Ricky has purposefully taken this tour back to it’s barebones of simple accompanying guitarist – the focus thus remaining on the music, but he is not so pretentious as to believe that his ‘messages’ are worthy of total focus, more that they just don’t need any of the bells & whistles & over production that could have been too tempting to ignore. The stage at first seemed very large, but you get drawn by the music and the conversation, as though meeting a long lost friend with whom you realise you still have so much in common; so that by the end of the evening the intimacy is quite startling. There were many times where I found myself perched right on the edge of my seat, blissfully unaware that I was leaning so far forwards as to be hanging over the seat in front.

The title track of his new album, Trouble Came Looking, is quite conversational; an urban styled tale about the dangers inherent in the appeal of acquisition (“I was just giving my kids the best of all things when trouble came looking for me”) and how steep and slippery the slope into over stretching and debt ridden angst (“don’t just say yes when somebody tells you it’s free”). There are great comparisons between Ricky’s melancholic acceptance of the social ills of our current austere landscape and those of the blues borne from previous depressions (Mid West, Wall Street, Black Thursday) but fear not, this is not a depressing set, it is much more powerful and thought provoking than pitiful wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The album is certainly worth a full listen – the pared down approach to the studio performances sit equally with the live show, so much so that it is refreshing to attend a concert where one and the same feel & sound so alike. Faves must include “Any Drug Will Do” which has a pseudo chart feel suggesting that in the hands of a dance/pop promoting producer (Norman Cook, Martin Solveig, Calvin Harris) this could easily become an underground radio hit. At the other end of the culture scale “A Strange & Foreign Land” tugs on the heart strings as an eye witness account of the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers drownings.

Fans of Deacon Blue need not fret; Ricky has not sold his soul to the dark devil of Billy Bragg and Bob Dylan, but he has found another persona with which to weave his stories and take us on journeys.

Most certainly worth finding the album, and, if you’re lucky enough to be in a town where the tour is showing, take the night off from whatever you had planned and treat yourself, you’ll thank me later.

Posted in Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Deacon Blue, Ricky Ross, Trouble Came Looking | Comments Off

Ricky Ross Untold Stories Tour at the Sage – Tuesday 23rd

Posted on April 21, 2013 by andybramfitt

Best known as the frontman for 80′s band Deacon Blue, Ricky is back on a solo tour this year and bringing with him not just the Deacon Blue hits, but also his own material in what I am sure will prove to be a fabulous night.

Ricky says “this is a great opportunity for me, its going to be an adventure for one thing, Gregor Philp will accompany me on guitar and the two of us will set off driving ourselves around the country. The idea was to stop pretty much anywhere that had a piano, so that we could set up with minimal fuss. I’m looking forward to playing places we couldn’t get to
with Deacon Blue, and sharing the untold stories behind my songs in village halls and churches” We are also promised a selection of songs from Ricky’s forthcoming solo album “Trouble Came Looking” as well as some Deacon Blue songs we don’t usually get to hear.

It is not as well known that Ricky has written for & with some of pop’s biggest names; James Blunt, Ronan Keating, KT Tunstall, David Sneddon, Cathy Burton, Gareth Gates, Emma Bunton, Will Young and Jamie Cullum among others and it is testament to his song writing prowess that he is constantly being sought out for collaborations.

Deacon Blue have announced a huge tour this year, their biggest in over a decade so why not come along and enjoy a more intimate set of great songs, captivating stories and wonderful tunes.

Come back later in the week for a full review after the show

Ricky and Gregor are on at The Sage, Gatheshead on Tuesday 23rd April

Posted in Music, Sage, Tour | Tagged Deacon Blue, Gregor Philp, Ricky Ross, Tour, Trouble Came Looking, Untold Stories | Comments Off

Bishop Auckland Food Festival – it’s Not a Local Shop, you know !!

Posted on April 20, 2013 by andybramfitt

Rapidly becoming one the most eagerly anticipated events in South Durham, Bishop Auckland, and in particular Auckland Castle, opened its doors to the gastronomic adventurers this weekend. Having been to most of these events I was very keen to see how it had evolved from last year – not that last year needed any revolutionary restyling, more of the same would have sufficed for most of the patrons I spoke to as we walked down Newgate Street.

First big change that was noticeable was there were many more stalls and concessions in the market place itself – this, I expected, was to cater for the increased demand in local producers who wanted to be a part of this now 2-day extravaganza. As we neared the Palace gatehouse there was another definite improvement no doubt based on feedback from last year – the way in was now segmented so that there were clear routes for those coming in and those leaving – no more the feeling of swimming against the tide through the inevitable bottleneck of the medieval gateway. So far so good, and that’s when it started to disappoint.

The first show area was given over completely to “This is Cumbria” – a selection of stalls which were very clearly from the North West and, looking at their wares (and prices) they were well used to catering for the coach trippers who spend their summers visiting the Lake District; probably well-to-do people of leisure who journey up from Cheshire. Well, my geography isn’t the best but I am darn well sure that Cumbria isn’t near Bishop Auckland, nor is it near Durham or the North East Dales – what it looked like was that our local producers, many of whom had been told there was no room for them at this year’s show, had been ousted by the hoi polloi of Lakeside tea rooms and Cumbrian venison. Such a shame when the appeal of previous years was the localness of the stalls and the chance to have a chat with the owners about all things local.

Moving on to the Palace green itself it was again clear that the previous years’ stalls, including a local pub who brewed ales especially for the shows, were all missing, replaced with very much more of the same and whilst it was labelled as Durham Producers, there was little sign of real Durham- think Waitrose food hall with an almost pretensious belief that as we were in the ‘Palace grounds’ it was therefore just and proper to pretend to be by Royal Appointment. It’s all well and good to have some element of rural delicacies, but I fear for the northern population of deer, boar & rare breed pig as almost every carnivourian stall tried to outdo each other with their take on the landed gentry’s hunting hamper.

The lower field is now out of bounds and as such removed the two show marquees which had been very well attended. Likewise, any chance of getting a simple coffee, a hand pulled pint, an normal ice cream (which wasn’t styled as the latest super deluxe taste sensation of wild grape infused with essence of alfalfa) was out of the question BUT the worst part and one which I must have heard over 80% of those around me comment on was quite simply “there’s nowhere to sit down !”

Walking round the stalls is not a quick gallop, and, with parking quite some distance away ( the ‘Park and Ride should really be renamed ‘Park, Ride and then Walk a bit’) by the time we got to the last area we were ready for a rest. Add to this the hope of most stall holders that people will purchase their freshly cooked treats to consume as they walk and there was even more need for some seats. We went with our friends who had only recently had a baby – this was their first trip out since the birth but it became quite uncomfortable for mum to continue to walk without having a quick rest but her option was simply to sit on the floor. Many of the more mature visitors were also not happy or able to just flop down on the slightly damp grass – a missed trick which would have certainly helped to create a more inclusive, family atmosphere (if that was ever what was intended).

It wasn’t until we were about to leave that I noticed one more missing element from previous years – no music. There was no music at all and the two demonstrations, one in each area, were played very low with little noise carrying across the show. It was the jazz/brass bands last year which gave the festival a party feel and got everyone dancing with a lighter step (despite the rain). This year it felt more like we were all on a guided coach trip to a stately home – look but don’t touch, walk don’t run, follow the designated path only, don’t talk too loud, stop having fun, buy something expensive and leave.

One very valid point made to me later was that there was no Local Charity concessions at all, previous shows had beenwell attended by many local charities and voluntary movements including the Scouts. These have gradually been moved out of the main grounds, then into the Newgate Centre and finally ommitted altogether – no doubt to makeway for fee paying stalls or corporate lah-de-da’s. Likewise, the local radio and local colleges were all missing too.

Sadly Bishop Auckland’s Food Festival has stopped being for Bishop Auckland people and Bishop Auckland traders; in fact it didn’t feel like it was for County Durham people at all - it seemed to me it was an over-manufactured attempt to cajole would-be visitors into believing it would be worth coming back to Bishop Auckland and that “Tindale Crescent retail park doesn’t have one of these!” . I doubt that it will be as well supported next year, I for one won’t be holding the date free in my diary.

Posted in Theatre | 2 Comments

The Importance of Being Earnest

Posted on April 17, 2013 by andybramfitt

A wonderfully witty and erudite play from the master of clever words

Set over 3 acts, The Importance of Being Earnest avoids delving into serious social and political issues and instead focusses on the light hearted shannigans of two London based gents who enjoy living double lives, free to create alter-personas through which they can enact their fantasies safe in the knowledge that they can, at any time, ‘kill off’ their dopplegangers and revert back to their true characters. The story however has twists aplenty, coupled with the juxtaposition of both leads wanting to assume an ‘Earnest’ character to capture the affections of their betrothed but realising that neither is very earnest at all.

We are introduced to John Worthing, who takes the name Earnest for his alter-ego, and learn that he is an abandoned orphan, left in a hand bag in Victoria station. It is perhaps because of this that he enoys the annonymity derived from having a London city character and a Hertfordshire country role and ‘ne’er the twain shall meet’ – that is until he becomes bessotted by Gwenoldine and has to wrestle with her affections for ‘Earnest’ and his desire to tell her the truth.

Enter Algernon, John’s best friend, who too enjoys a certain degree of freedom with his personalities. He learns that John has a pretty ward, Cecily, esconsed in his country house and decides that he must go visit her. Cecily believes that John is her Uncle Jack and that ‘Earnest’ is indeed Jacks brother – this is the rouse which John uses to effect his weekend trips to London however for Algernon to pull off his deception he too must become Earnest – confused ? don’t be, all is quite simple as it unfolds.

The play itself leans close to farce at times but always manages, through very clever words and cutting observations, to wrest away from total slapstick and retain the parlance of typical Wildean satire.

As always, The Middle Ground Theatre Company provide stunning set design and a brilliant cast. While Corrine Wicks and Tom Butcher take lead billing, the whole ensemble deliver masterful portrayals of their characters, firmly held in their social pigeon holes but quite recognisable in todays society. Lest we not forget it was who brought us The Holly & The Ivy and On Golden Pond and if you were fortunate to see either or both of those productions then you will certainly enjoy their latest.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Tour | Tagged Corrinne Wicks, Earnest, Oscar Wilde, the middle ground, Tom Butcher | 3 Comments

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – Truly Amazing

Posted on February 21, 2013 by andybramfitt

Anyone who loves music from the past 40 years will have no doubt enjoyed at least a handful of Fleetwood Mac’s songs; from their first hit Albatross right through to the 80′s smashes Big Love and Little Lies. Likewise their albums have always managed to deliver on every occasion but the history books will show that it was their eponymous ‘Rumours’ album that does, and will continue to, stand the test of time as a true classic. The songs are masterpieces in their own right but when the story surrounding the band (the in-fighting, love triangles and months of silence) are added there is more than a frisson of extra edge and pathos to the words. Rumours, and the original live tour to accompany the album, was used by some band members to sarcastically remind others of their infidelities, betrayal and disdain. I can’t see the current crop of ‘pop stars’ ever having the mastery of English to be able to write such cutting sentiment into such catchy songs.

The show is, in effect, split into 3 parts (although there is only 1 interval); part one is a complete rendition of the Rumours album culminating in a spine tingling rendition of ‘The Chain’. Part two, straight after the break, allows the boys to take the stage and treat us to the more psychedelic repertoire of late 60′s prog rock including a jaw dropping version of ‘Rattlesnake Shake’. Then part three welcomes the girls back for a final foray into the more recent catalogue, ending with an almost tribal immersion in ‘Tusk’.

The musical prowess of all on stage is simply mesmerising whilst the vocals and harmonies are pitch perfect to the originals. Louise Rogan as Stevie Nicks delivers sheer power and presence which defies the laws of physics from such a small frame while Amanda Kostadinov is as sultry and seductive as Christine McVie has ever been. Alan Hughes takes the Lyndsey Buckingham role with the perfect blend of amazing guitar and punchy vocals backed by James Harrison on iconic basslines (he stole the first half with The Chain’s middle refrain). Ben Hughes, a mere baby compared to the rest of the cast brings a real blues feel to his guitar playing and is the perfect foil to the wonderful trance-inducing keyboards of the legendary Mr Dave Goldberg (whose performance is a great reason to have him age-tested – no way did someone so active & sprightly play keyboards on Radio 1 in the late 1960′s).

If you look in any music press listings you will find many tribute bands covering almost all the big name acts from the 60′s and 70′s – The Counterfeit Stones, The Bootleg Beatles, Abbaesque, the Pink Floyd Experience but I challenge any of them to be as good as Rumours; in fact I will go so far as to say they would rival the original Fleetwood Mac if someone could ever get them on the same stage.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac are on tour and back in the North East at The Sage, Gateshead on Friday 1st March – get yourself there and I guarantee you will have the best live music evening of your year.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Music, Theatre | Tagged Darlington Civic Theatre, Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours, The Chain | 37 Comments

Gilbert & Sullivan, Abridged but too much

Posted on February 20, 2013 by andybramfitt

Masters of light opera and the pastiche and parody of the 19th Century British class systems, Gilbert & Sullivan wrote many productions which played on ridiculing the foundations of the Empirical society and, as such, were loved throughout the world.

Their clever word play, lampooning of classical works and of course, catchy tunes made them a must-see for theatre goers from the late eighteen hundreds right up to the modern day. It is widely accepted that they are a staple favourite for AmDram companies across the world, giving great scope for visual humour to compliment the lyrical joviality which runs through all of their operettas.

Whilst I am aware of many of their ‘hit’ numbers, I have to admit that I was a G&S virgin and so last nights production of “Gilbert & Sullivan Abridged” was to be my first true experience. What I saw however left me baffled and quite unsure as to whether G & S are really for me.

The premise of the show is an AmDram production, (well 3 actors) taking their G & S review on tour to raise funds for their austerity-hit theatre. The intention, I believe, is to take the audience on a journey through the greatest works of the much-loved duo with renditions of their greatest tunes and explanations behind their operatic story-telling. What transpired was 2 acts of parlour renditions accompanied by a pre-recorded piano and punctuated by a nonsensical recounting of an ‘orphaned’ boy looking for his mother. Speaking to many G & S aficionados at the interval they kindly explained that many of the operas’ in-jokes were lost as key songs were delivered in isolation with none of the pretence or narrative needed to give the witticisms their substance.

Ask anyone about Gilbert & Sullivan and they will most likely remark on their extremely witty word play delivered in tongue-twisting speed and operatic variety – indeed it was this Anglicising of traditional Italian opera that set them apart and created a much loved following – simply listening to the phrasing in “ The Modern Major General” is great example of the vocal dexterity demanded by their works. The tolerance for error is therefore minuscule, miss one word or beat and the whole verse is lost – it is a must that whomsoever tackles these songs is blessed with flexibility of tongue and elasticity of mouth. Sadly this was not the case and many of the headline numbers were lost in stumbled mumblings and frantic catch ups. When coupled with off key harmonies and a stuttering use of props the show resembled more the out-takes from an early Monty Python rehearsal session (apologies to Messrs Cleese, Palin et al); as for the ill-advised and mis-placed inclusion of a street rapper, well some cultures are just meant to stay far apart.

I expected an evening of discovery which would stimulate my desire to seek out more G & S works, what I got was very ‘Am’ much less ‘Dram’ and sadly worse than most X-Factor auditions – for me it was a No! If you already love G & S, or have a passing interest than I suggest you seek out a full production of one of their operas and experience their wonderfully clever, erudtite and astute writings as it is meant to be.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Music | Comments Off

Coming to Darlington Civic This Week

Posted on February 16, 2013 by andybramfitt

What a real variety of fantastic theatre experience we have this week at Darlington Civic -

Tuesday I will be enjoying the wonderfully witty and cleverly concise works of Gilbert & Sullivan (abridged).

Whether you are a Gilbert and Sullivan aficionado, a passing fan, or you’re still not even sure you know who they are, this show will have you laughing in the aisles. Gilbert and Sullivan Abridged brings you as much fun, zaniness and humour as can be found while performing all fourteen operettas in ninety, hilarious, topsy-turvy minutes!

Wednesday it’s the world famous Rumours of Fleetwood Mac.

After the phenomenal success of their 2012 UK tour, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is back to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Fleetwood Mac’s 11th studio album, Rumours.

One of the decade-defining albums of the 70s Rumours, described by Mick Fleetwood as the most important album we ever made, has since transcended its era to become one of the greatest and most compelling pop albums of all time!

Featuring the Rumours album in its entirety, including ‘Dreams’, ‘Go Your Own Way’ and ‘The Chain’, plus other timeless classics such as ‘Gypsy, ‘Rhiannon’, ‘Little Lies’ and many, many more, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac take you on a nostalgic evening of breathtakingly outstanding musicianship.

and then Thursday it’s the modern day rock god himself- Steve Steinman in The Meat Loaf Story.

Known for his performances in the hit shows VAMPIRES ROCK, Steve has a fan base most rock stars would be proud of. He has performed at the London Palladium and arenas and concert halls all over the world.

This show delivers the best of the best from Meat Loaf incredible back catalogue of albums and with its video projected scenes, incredible stage set, superb band and Steve Steinman’s unique sense of humour and stage presence, the show will have you up on your feet and dancing in the aisles to all the greatest Meat Loaf hits – Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Took the Words Right out of my Mouth, Anything For Love, The Monster is Loose and Bat Out Of Hell, to name just a few.

Of always I will provide a show review afterwards, but don’t wait to see what I think, get in touch with the Box Office today and get yourself some tickets – there’s guaranteed to be something to take your fancy.

Darlington Box Office is available on 01325 486555.

Gilbert & Sullivan abridged is on Tuesday 19th Feb
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is Wednesday 20th Feb
The Meat Loaf Story is Thursday 21st Feb

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Music, Opera, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Fleetwood Mac, Gilbert and Sullivan, Meat Loaf, Rumours, Steve Steinman | Comments Off

The Woman In Black – truly frightening

Posted on February 5, 2013 by andybramfitt

With the current trend for immediate visual gratification, be it in the movies, online or via ultra-realistic video games, good old fashioned ghost stories are often thought of as relics of days gone-by; the telling of tales around a log fire, the wind howling at the windows and the shadows playing havoc with the imagination are a long way from the glossy, ‘served-on-a-plate’ style of titillation we have become accustomed to. And yet when done properly, a good ghost story uses the most powerful form of visual imagery available, the human mind. Ghost stories let the listener make their own decisions as to what they can & can’t see, what they expect to happen and ultimately how it makes them feel and this play is, without doubt, the very best ghost story there is.

The Woman in Black has been playing to full theatres for over 25 years now and despite, or perhaps because of, it’s sparse set and 2 person cast, it still has the power to worry, scare, haunt and shock everyone who comes to see it.
The premise of the play is that of a story within a story; Arthur Kipps (played by Julian Forsyth) wants, nay needs, to tell his tale of what happened to him when he went to settle the affairs of a lonely widow who had been living as a recluse for the past 50 years. In doing so he hopes to exorcise the demons that have plagued him ever since. He approaches a young actor (Antony Eden) to help him prepare and deliver his monologue to his family and friends and so we are led through the story as the two men recount and re-enact the fateful days Arthur spent at Eel Marsh House.
I could go on and tell more of the ‘play within a play’ but to do so would possibly stray towards giving too much away. What I will say is if you have seen the recent Hammer movie production starring Daniel Radcliffe then be warned; the movie was a little jumpy, a little scary and a little shocking – this is truly terrifying, the atmosphere builds and builds and the shocks when they come are so real that you crave for the house lights to come up so you can retreat to the safety of the real world.

The Woman in Black is at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday 9th February – go and see it, it’s like a 90 minute workout for your heart.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Haunted, Murder, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Antony Eden, Julian Forsyth, Woman in Black | Comments Off

Sleeping Beauty at Darlington Civic

Posted on December 13, 2012 by andybramfitt

Is it really legal to have this much fun ?

Pantos are all about fun, good ol’ fashioned, silly and daft fun, and this one is one of the very best I’ve seen, ever. The production is top notch with a fab choice of music, great dance routines, wonderful costumes and a superb fantasy set. The cast clearly enjoy what they are doing and revel in the freedom that Panto gives them – so what if they get a fit of the giggles, we were all in howls of laughter anyway and even more so when it’s obvious that they are enjoying it just as much.

The knowing winks to the adult members of the audience let us know that we’re all here for the fun and that’s what makes it so engaging, so inclusive. The kids, of course, love the staple fayre of “He’s behind you”, “Oh yes you are” and booing the villain, while us ‘grown ups’ are given double entendres, music hall jokes and, for the dads, plenty of the gorgeous Ms Lusardi playing a deliciously evil fairy that prompts a flashbacks to my early teenage years. (Don’t worry girls, I have it on good authority that Will Tudor as Prince William is great eye candy for you). Added into this maelstrom of merriment is Philip Hitchcock as King Stephan - a very, very accomplished magician who wow’ed us all with some stunning illusions.

Zoe Birkett as the titular Princess lives up perfectly to her character’s name, Philip Meeks as Nurse Dolly is outrageously camp and butch at the same time while Sam Kane as Oddjob, and Andy Jones as Muddles provide the madcap double act which at times made it hard to keep breathing through all the laughter.

Leave your inhibitions at the door, tightly wrap up your ribs so they don’t burst and make sure you’ve been to the toilet before the show begins, you don’t want any involuntary accidents happening (especially during the “12 days of Christmas”)

There’s no better way to start your Christmas season and if everything else is as fun & happy as this show then we’re all in for the best Christmas ever.

Sleeping Beauty is on at Darlington Civic until Sun 20th Jan with most days having 2 shows – tickets from the box office.

Finally – a big thank you to the staff at Darlington Civic – this wonderful theatre is a crowning jewel in the North East arts & culture landscape and it is down to the staff who create such a unique theatre-going expereince that it is loved and treasured.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Panto, Theatre | Tagged Andy Jones, Linda Lusardi, Philip Hitchcock, Philip Meeks, Sam Kane, Sleeping Beauty, Will Tudor, Zoe Birkett | 1 Comment

Sleeping Beauty at Durham Gala

Posted on December 2, 2012 by andybramfitt

They say that fortune favours the brave, well, after watching this festive feast, Fortune, Steve Fortune that is, favoured us all.

The story of Sleeping Beauty is well known as one of the more traditional panto favourites – plenty of scope for beautiful princesses, wicked wizards, helpful fairies and of course a panto dame. In an age where kids’ imaginations are grabbed by Harry Potter, Transformers and a whole host of TV wizardry, I feared that the annual stage-set story telling would fall between the CGI cracks but my fears were completely misplaced. What the production team at Durham Gala have done is to bring the story and it’s portrayal right up to date. The set designs are vibrant and deep, the choreography is very ‘street’ and the cast are very much in tune with their audience. I won’t spoil the very special effects save to say they drew gasps from the audience,young and old, but this is very much a panto for the modern day audience.

Of course, panto wouldn’t be panto without the usual audience participation – “Oh yes it would” – and the Gala at Durham is possibly the best venue in the north east for bringing audience and performers together. The proximity of the seats to the stage, the fact that the orchestra is sat up high to the side and the perfect sight lines mean every person was close enough to see, hear and on many occasions feel the action (they could even mark the first 8 rows as a designated ‘splash zone’). The cast, in particular Dame Miriam and Silly Billy use this perfectly, and keep the feeling of inclusion and participation going right to the end.

Talking of Dame Miriam, Steve Fortune is simply fantastic – he knows how to deliver not just double entendres but triple and quadruple ones – the kids love his wacky outfits, the mum’s envy his ‘womanly’ strength and the men just marvel at how he manages to dance in ‘those’ heels. Played with much more burlesque than camp, Steve and his/her son Silly Billy (played to big kid perfection by Paul Hartley) are the perfect counterfoil to the evil wickedness of Wizard Scorchard (Neil Armstrong) and his minions.

Pantos are all about family fun and this show delivers it in buckets, literally buckets. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, get them now and treat yourself to a fab night out – you know you want to……Oh yes you do !!

Posted in Comedy, Durham, Panto, Theatre | Tagged Durham Gala, neil armstrong, Pantomime, paul hartley, steve fortune | Comments Off

Haunting Julia at Darlington Civic

Posted on November 28, 2012 by andybramfitt

Winter is a traditional time for ghost stories; the dark nights, howling winds, driving rain all create an atmosphere of doom and despair which the best Gothic writers manage to draw into their tales of apparitions and unsettled souls. Billed by many as an alternative to The Woman in Black, the marketing for Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia promises to send chills and shivers down the collective spines of the audience but if you come along expecting a shock and jump fest then you are going to be very surprised indeed.

Set in a memorial music studio-come-mausoleum and starring just 3 characters (Joe – Julia’s father, Andy – Julia’s ex boyfriend and Ken – a psychic), Haunting Julia tells the story of how a child prodigy grows up under the constant pressure of parental pride, the inability to allow herself to act ‘normally’and her subsequent suicide, driven in part by the abject realisation that maybe she could be a musical genius or a normal young lady but not both.

From the opening lines it is clear who wrote this play – the intricate word play, the everyday characters and the soul searching monologues all demonstrate Ayckbourn’s trademark framework which, for fans of his work, is grounded in the suburban mundane of ‘Any Street, Every Town’, but it is here that some of the magic, the mystery and the menace of a ghost story is lost. The characters are almost too well written, their stories leave nothing to be explored by the audience and as such there is no real threat felt which one would normally associate with a thriller. At the same time, there is a lack of plausibility in the circumstances surrounding how these three men come to be ‘re-united’ after 12 years of no contact. Ayckbourn himself stated that Haunting Julia was a psychological ghost story but really the ghost and the haunting play second fiddle to the story of how misplaced parental pride (both in the child’s ability and in the parent’s inability to let nature happen) can create deeper and more profound harm than non-acceptance ever could. It is more a study of grief and guilt than of ghosts and ghouls.

At times you have to suspend belief around the interaction of the characters and the holes in the story otherwise you could find yourself pontificating over the timelines of events and over-analysing the characters motives (why would Andy agree to return 12 years later and spend time with Joe despite them never meeting while Julia was alive?). The sound effects and visual set work well to draw the audience in and the finale is certainly not an anti-climax but again, this is not a thriller ghost story and so should be viewed as a play into the insight of human emotions, not spooks and scares. Think of it as a theme park ride with a long and detailed pre-ride build up as you meander round the queue, up the steps and into the car. Then you’re off on the ride before suddenly, you’re back outside, heart-rate a little raised but safe and sound.

For fans of Alan Ayckbourn this is another great play, full of the witty one liners, northern humour and dry observations; for those of a nervous disposition fear not, your sleep will not be disturbed.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Haunted, Tour | Comments Off

Handel’s Messiah with Darlington Choral Society

Posted on November 25, 2012 by andybramfitt

Following on from our recent forays into more cultural performances which included Northern Opera’s Faust, Jess and I forwent the Saturday TV offerings of X-Factor and Jungle shenanigans and plumped instead for Darlington Choral Society’s rendition of Handel’s most impressive works – The Messiah.

Staged in the Great Hall at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre, the scene was set with an impressive chorus gallery, a substantial orchestra (Handel designed his Messiah to be very flexible in terms of musical accompaniment) and four leads who are well known and renowned throughout the North East.

For those who are unfamiliar with the full works, Handel wrote this in only 24 days, yet his almost constant rewriting and rearranging means it is doubtful whether he actually lived to hear his ‘perfect’ version performed. In the Christian tradition, the figure of the “Messiah” or redeemer is identified with the person of Jesus, known by his followers as the Christ. Handel’s Messiah has been described as a commentary on [Jesus Christ's] Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, beginning with God’s promises as spoken by the prophets and ending with Christ’s glorification in heaven. The singers in the Messiah do not assume dramatic roles as they would in a traditional opera, in fact Handel wrote this with no intention to dramatise the life and teachings of Jesus Christ but more to proclaim the mystery of Godliness. To this end, the lead performers have perhaps the hardest tasks; they must portray the awe-inspiring essence of the text being sung without a character in which to ground their delivery.

The acoustics in the great hall were surprisingly good, especially when you consider this is not a purpose built theatrical arena. There is no natural stage and the audience sit flat to the performers (who were afforded a few feet of elevation with a small platform) yet the sound was clear, carried perfectly to the rear of the hall and, when needed, filled the huge ceiling perfectly.

Throughout many of his compositions, Handel loved to exaggerate the differences between the sopranos and the tenors/bass; he regularly used this to give his worksdepth and illustrate conflicts between opposing views and this is very clearly seen in his Messiah – pre and post birth, old and new beliefs, evangelists and non-believers are all given their own parts to play.

Rachel Orr and Marie Elliott as Soprano and Mezzo Soprano delivered the most beautiful of arias which cut through the night air like the most elegant of crystal glass being drawn by a whetted finger – closing ones eyes transported you back to the late 1700′s, sat in a guild hall with the nations finest of dignitaries, breath held and hearts stilled as if waiting for the bestowing of manna from heaven. Their peformances dutifully delivered the evangelistic proclamations of His followers with angel’s voices rejoicing greatly.

Tyler Clark and Arthur Berwick, as Tenor and Bass, were thus left to counter the ladys’ unbridled optimism with the more threatening side of Him reserved for the non-believers and scorners. The richness of their voices seemed to seep into the panelled walls as though their vocal chords were made of honeyed oak and yet they were both able to maintain the undercurrent of threat needed to portray the fear of complete power He holds. It’s safe to say that Handel really knew how to put his male parts through the performing mill – in particular his aria’s written for bass regularly take one single phrase and demand 5 minutes of total vocal gymnastics which, without a character profile and no on stage acting means the performer is left naked save for his voice.

Of course, no performance of Handel’s Messiah is complete without the chorus, used in the main to highlight the collective voice of the people as they begin to evangelise His coming and most memorably for the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of act 2. There were approximately 50 people in the choir for this performance but at times the power and majesty of their delivery suggested hundreds. The tapestry of sound which was woven by their fabulous voices is testament to the musical direction of Richard Bloodworth who cleverly positioned and directed the choir into performing multiple layers of delivery which all combined to create an enveloping blanket of sound.

Handel composed his Messiah in 1741 at a time very different from now but listening to Darlington Choral Society’s performance last night was like stepping into a time capsule and being transported to the back of an 18th century Royal Palace . Wonderful !

Posted in Theatre | 1 Comment

Soul Sister – Simply the Best

Posted on November 20, 2012 by andybramfitt

Like many people born in the 70′s I didn’t really know a lot about Tina Turner until she hit the charts in 1983 with “Lets stay together”, quickly followed by “What’s love got to do with it” and, later, my personal favourite “Simply the Best” (used for a few seasons as Newcastle United’s entrance tune). I was aware that she had been around for a while before that but it wasn’t until more recently that I came across her back catalogue of hits including “River Deep, Mountain High” and “Proud Mary” so this was a great opportunity to learn much more about the “Private Dancer”.

This show plays as Anna’s life story, Tina was the stage name given to her by Ike Turner when they first started touring; the opening scene is set in 1983 backstage at her comeback performance before taking the audience back to her very first years as a singer in her fathers baptist church. We follow her first encounters with Ike, the subsequent successes of their review shows (not to mention cross over success from R&B to mainstream pop charts) and then the descent into domestic abuse, separation and near financial ruin – when Tina left Ike mid tour he instructed all the venues to sue her personally leaving her peniless and destitute.

Rochelle Neil plays the title role (unfortunately, the billed star, Emi Wokoma, about whom many rave reviews have been written, has suffered for the past week with a sore throat and was unable to perform) and, without a comparison to be made, I can safely say that if Emi is hearlded as the 2nd best Tina Turner in the world then we were treated to the 3rd best. Rochelle brought an innocence and small town naivety to the role coupled with a love for Ike that was heartbreaking to watch, especially as she endured his manic drug-fuelled episodes of doubt, guilt and violence. Of course, playing Tina Turner needs a voice to match and Rochelle has that in abundance - at times she was soft, warm with a little throaty growl like a bedtime cup of cocoa spiked with a shot of bourbon, at others she would belt out so strong I swear the skylight windows rattled.

Chris Tummings, playing Ike, was wonderful too; egocentric, single minded, pig headed and with a chip on his shoulder that would sink a battleship, he portrayed Ike as a tormented musical maestro who just couldn’t make peace with himself, or anyone else. His descent into drugs, women and abuse was handled perfectly, never shirking the impact but never glorifying the shock value either. Always the sign of great acting, even though you knew you should hate him you just couldn’t help feeling sympathy for him too.

Bringing the story back to the 80′s revival performance, Rochelle leads the cast on a finale of hits including a sultry cover of “I can’t stand the Rain” which had the whole auditorium on its feet

The production of this show, and in particular the use of huge sliding panels to effect the scene changes and video monologues, help to keep the story moving along at a brisk pace; of course the music is key but this never felt like a jukebox musical or simply a vehicle to play out the back catalogue – the songs all added to the journey.

Whether you know Tina Turner’s songs or not, deep down this is a tragic love story played out to a great soundtrack and performed by a wonderful cast – it is “Smply the Best”

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Chris Tummings, Ike Turner, Rochelle Neil, Tina Turner | Comments Off

Bouncers – A Top Night Out

Posted on November 15, 2012 by andybramfitt

Take 4 actors, already brilliant in their own careers and add to them the witty, insightful and hilarious writing of one of this country’s best playwrights and what do you get – one of the funniest shows seen at Darlington Civic in years.

Bouncers takes us on a voyeuristic journey through the seedy nightlife of Britains club culture as told by 4 doormen. If you’ve ever wondered what these bastions of the entry queue get up to on a quiet night, or how they unwind after a heavy Saturday shift then this show lifts the lid on the toilet humour and lets you gaze down into the dirty water.

The afore-mentioned doormen make up one third of the clubbing collective, the others being a group of 4 guys out on the pull and 4 girls who are done up, clubbed up and p… well, out having a few end of week drinks. The genius comes from the fact that all parts are played by just the 4 men, dressed in eponymous bouncer uniform of black suit, black vest and shades with only a white handbag each as prop as they don their feminine alter-egos.

Meet giggly girls and lads on the make as they prepare for their big night out. Later in the tatty, glitzy glamour and flashing lights of the nightclub follow their progress to the disco floor where an entire cross-section of disco-goers including lip sticked, lacquered girls, and over indulged slobs gyrate to the pulsating beat. And as Friday night gives way to Saturday morning the ever watchful, ever ready, ever observant ……….. BOUNCERS take it all in. Slow dances, snogging, late night kebabs it’s all there. A journey through one of those nights that everyone has had and most would like to forget.

Told almost like 4 intertwined monologues, the humour is only punctuated for one of Lucky Eric’s speeches which serve to unveil the seedier underbelly of the club scene.

This play appeals to anyone who has ever been to a club, pub or anywhere else on a Friday/Saturday night in town. We have all seen the characters; we may even have been them on some nights (although we may not like to admit it!).

Delivering the tri-factor of nightly insight are Ace Bhatti, Don Gilet, William Ilkley and Ian Reddington – familiar names and even more familiar faces. Each has their own unique take on being a bouncer, a boozed up clubber and, funiest of all, a tipsy party girl looking for a free pizza and a quick kiss.

Voted one of the greatest plays of the 20th century by the National Theatre, Bouncers has been winning awards for the past 20 years and will continue to do so for the next 20 years, after all, as each generation finds its way to the night club the Bouncers will be there waiting.

Grab your tickets now and enjoy the funniest show on the circuit, just be warned, you may recognise yourself up on stage.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Ace Bhatti, Bouncers, DonGilet, Ian Reddington, John Godber, William Ilkley | Comments Off

Faust – Sold the Soul ?

Posted on November 15, 2012 by andybramfitt

The story of Faust is well known the world over, even giving rise to the term “making a Faustian Pact” but until now I had not had the opportunity to watch in full the theatrical works which gives this social commentary its gravitas.

Whilst the original work is very gothic and medieval in both setting and context this production has been brought right up to date, featuring the presidential elections in modern day France and the life consuming challenges of the stock market.

We first meet Dr Faust (Peter Auty) as a failing stockbroker who, through both mid-life crisis and depressed markets finds himself stood, quite litterally, on the edge of life. In calling out for some sign of faith or hope he finds himself not finding God but making a pact with Mephisto (James Creswell). In return for his soul he shall have youth, vitality and the love of a beautiful young woman (Juanita Lascarro) but as with all deals, if it looks to good to be true, then it generally is.

This three hour show is a masterpiece of powerful music (arguably Gounods finest work), stunning performances and a masterful set (using huge sliding panels onto which surreal images of the stock market trading displays, Faust’s tortured soul and the depths of dispair were projected). Sung totally in French, there were, for the less educated (of which I am happy to include myself) two screens in the stage side boxes displaying subtitles. Whilst this was very helpful, the nature of the opera being delivered (which much repetition of phrases) meant there were many occassions where the screens remained blank despite the continued singing of the leads.

I applaud the attempt to bring the story into the modern age, but at times it felt that this was done to the detriment of the flow of events; one never really felt as though we were being immersed in the story but instead were having separate acts performed to us. There was no real feeling of menace from Mephisto to Faust, his ‘pact’ seemed more of a business agreement than the selling of his soul. Likewise Fuast seemed to have little hesitation in making this deal, there was little deliberation over the terms and no moralising over the decision.

The focus of Faust’s affections, Margerite, was portrayed as the virginal sister of Valentin, a right wing presidential candidate standing on pro-life and the anti abortion campaign. The first half of the performance (2 hours) made a great deal about Valentin’s political crusade without any discernable reason apparent, not until the third act when Margerite was found to be pregnant and thus shunned by her brother, but by this time the seeds of confusion not only been sold, but had taken root and started to flower. Again, the desire to modernise the story felt like it was trying to be too clever; it almost like there was one big ‘in-joke’ and those not included were left to try and work it out on their own.

Despite the obtuse storytelling the lead performances were excellent and the music stirring; for my first foray into Faust it has left me wanting more, but I like my devil to be magnificently maelvolent, my victims to be tortured souls and my innocents to be distraught and destroyed.

Posted in Drama, Opera, Theatre, Theatre Royal | Tagged Faust, James Creswell, Juanita Lascarro, Mephisto, Peter Auty, Theatre Royal | Comments Off

Blood Brothers at Darlington Civic

Posted on November 8, 2012 by andybramfitt

First things first – apart from watching Becca’s school drama abridged version of this modern masterpiece reviewed previously I have never seen Blood Brothers. Sure, I know the story and, having ran lines with my eldest for 3 months, I had a pretty good idea of most of the dialogue, but this was scant preparation for the completely immersive way in which the cast & production team take you on the life journey of the Johnstone twins.

Right from the beginning, the characters were real, as large as life and utterly believable. There was no time, nor was there any need for time, to grow into the story as from 1st curtain we were in Liverpool in the 60′s. The accents, the scenery, the brilliant cast and I swear I could smell and taste coal fire smoke and street dust. It was a “feet-up and let the story take you” type of show, one which is sadly all too rare now as theatre (and especially long running theatre) often tries too hard to be clever.

The part of the narrator was missing in my only previous experience of Willy Russell’s masterpiece so I was intrigued to watch Marti Pellow and his portrayal of the ‘devil on the shoulder’ role. He was wonderful, a sinister mix of malevolent story teller and future-wise soothsayer. His omnipresence lent an eery subtext to the whole story, as if watching everything in a ‘told you so’ hindsight which stoked the feelings of pending doom and prepared the watcher for the tragic ending.

The cast, especially those playing Mickey (James Templeton), Eddie (Jorden Bird) and Linda (Olivia Sloyan ) were truly believable as snotty-nose, fun loving kids complete with the simple innocence of make believe horses, gun fights and target practice. In fact, it never occurred whilst watching the story unfold that it was the same actors who then moved through adolescence and into adulthood, it was simply Mickey, Eddie and Linda as they grew up.

The story’s heart rendering ending is as well known as the twist at the end of the Sixth Sense; everyone I know who has seen this play seems to like to confess to shedding a tear, so I was quite dubious as to how something so obvious and expected can provoke such a response, boy was I wrong. I have not witnessed such sheer raw and visible emotion from a leading lady before; Niki Evans as Mrs Johnstone was just mesmerising, hypnotic and I could feel myself rapidly joining the aforementioned group of ”I cried at the end of Blood Brothers”. It was clear that Niki puts a helluva lot of emotion into her performance, it was only on the 4th and 5th curtain call that she seemed able to lift the tearful veil and start to smile again.

The audience love this show, there was a full house at the start and a full house standing ovation at the end and I have to admit, it gave me goosebumps. If you have yet to see Blood Brothers then tickets are still available, get your seat, get your hankies and get ready to join the “I cried at the end….” club.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Murder, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Blood Brothers, James Templeton, Jorden Bird, Marti Pellow, Niki Evans, Olivia Sloyan | Comments Off

Footloose – Darlington Operatic Society

Posted on October 25, 2012 by andybramfitt

“Let’s hear it for the boys….and girls“

As a child of the 70′s my early teenage years were filled with the Brat Pack style 80′s movies - St Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, Stand By Me (I can’t add Top Gun into that list, never seen it!) and of course Footloose. The soundtrack was huge, the rebellious lead was instantly identifiable and the feel-good ending meant no matter what was going in life, you could escape for 2 hours and emerge feeling better (for a while at least). Life seemed simpler, more black & white, more good & bad than it does now so it’s great timing that we get to go back to mid America and relive some good ol’ happy memories.

The story goes like this:

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the adjustment to his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the local laws – including a ban on dancing – which are the brainchild of a local preacher bent on exercising control over the town’s youths. When the Reverend’s rebellious daughter Ariel sets her heart on Ren, her muscle head boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation and with many of the locals so eager to believe the worst about the new kid, Ren has to prove to the preacher, the school and the whole town that dancing is something to enjoy and share.

Amazingly, the premise for the story is based on fact – a small town in Oklahoma had banned dancing for 80 years until a campaign by a local school class had the rule repealed.

Ren, wonderfully played by Nick Holmes, is the epitome of adolescent frustrations, still believing he can change the world and yet to experience any good reasons why he shouldn’t. The previous freedom he enjoyed whilst in Chicago gives way to the stifling small town rules, brilliantly portrayed in the song “Somebody’s eyes”. Nick does a great job of treading the fine line between Ren’s well intentioned but frustrated ‘outsider’ view and coming on too strong which would have undermined the still existent ‘respect for your elders’ culture of mid America.

Ariel, the feisty preacher’s daughter, was originally played in the movie by Lori Singer but I always found this a little too contrived (what with her smouldering eyes and legs that just kept going on & on she was more the prom queen type of gal than the preacher’s daughter). Likewise, in the movie, Ariel looks old enough to be soon moving away from home thus removing the conflict between her & her father - Ariel needs to be younger, more innocent but with still a bit of dare and a lot of sass, and in being so the relationship between the preacher and his little girl is all the more important to be saved. With this in mind Beth Stobbart simply nails it- Beth brings all the believability to Ariel that is needed to help the audience connect, not just with her character but also the preacher, plus she’s got a great voice too. Looking mighty purty in her foxy red boots she dominates each scene she’s in and plays the perfect counterfoil to the ever impressive Julian Cound as her reverend father.

There are also great performances from Claire Wilmer as Rusty and Ben Connor as Willard, the love shy couple who, once Ren teaches Willard to dance, are never out of each others arms (or off the dance floor). Also of note is Rob McDougal, Ariel’s meat-head mechanic boyfriend who brings the stereotypical menace akin to Biff from the Back to the Future films.

As expected from a musical there are great songs throughout the show; the big ones from the film went on to have chart success including “Let’s hear it for the boy”, “Holding out for a hero”, “Almost paradise” and of course “Footloose” immediately spring to mind, but for me, the best number by far was Samantha Morrison (as preacher’s wife Vi) singing “Can you find it in your heart?”. Samantha gives a heart rendering delivery as a devoted wife seeing her husband drift away without him realising anything has changed – there were a few sniffles and much searching for tissues in the audience around me after that one.

The stage show has brought a few areas of the story up to date but still retains it’s mid American small town charms & prejudices. What was wonderful to see was the number of young people in the audience, I was sat behind a group of children and dancers who had come together from Melsonby – all were still of junior school age so there’s no way they would have seen the movie first time round but they all loved the show, the dancing, the songs. Given that there are one or two rather ‘risque’ snapshots (“…so just what do you do around here for excitement ?”) I bet that a few of their mum’s would be fielding some strange questions last night too.

The group dancing scenes, including the square dance at the C & W hall and the finale are a fitting testament to the hours and hours of dedication put into rehearsals- it is all too easy to forget that these performers are not full time dancers, they have lives outside of Footloose although I bet many have forgotten that over these past 5 months.

As with all Darlington Operatic Society productions, this is a masterful presentation of high energy, tight choreography and brilliant singing. Again the whole production team need to take their rightful and well deserved applause – Lets’ hear it for the boys and girls of DOS.

Footloose is on at Darlington Civic theatre until November 3rd – tickets and more details are available from http://www.darlingtonoperaticsociety.org.uk/

Posted in American Pop, Comedy, Darlington Civic, Darlington Operatic Society, Music, Theatre | Tagged Beth Stobbard, Darlington Civic Theatre, Darlington Operatic, Footloose, Julian Cound, Nick Holmes, Samantha Morrison | Comments Off

Jo Clifford’s Great Expectations at Darlington Civic

Posted on October 17, 2012 by andybramfitt

Deeply and darkly delicious

It was a dark night; rain was brooding, the last vestiges of summer had been swept away by the cold north breeze while curtains were pulled tight to keep the night out and the warmth in. It might sound like the start of a gothic horror but it was actually the weather in Darlington as we ventured to the Civic to watch Jo Clifford’s adaptation of the classic Dickens tale, Great Expectations. It seemed very fitting that it was such a bleak, cold and uninviting night for this tale by London‘s finest storywriter is not one of fun, love and joy but bitterness, resentment and betrayal and boy, does this version deliver.

I’ve always loved Great Expectations but I’ve been regularly disappointed by dramatised adaptations which seemed unwilling or incapable to delve truly into the depths of the darkness which lies beneath the story. They always wanted to provide a happy ending, lighten the scenes with redemption and benevolence and paint both the main characters (Pip and Estella) as intrinsically happy souls who ride the rough passages before finding everlasting joy and love. That’s not what this story is about and Jo Clifford does a magnificent job in keeping the macabre, soul destroying darkness intact throughout the performance.

Set,in part by a recounting older Mr Pip, the story follows the life of Pip as he progresses from poor urchin to gentleman, from love hopeful to cold and stony hearted realist, from wealthy city toff to poor and cast aside wannabe. In Taylor Jay-Davies (who played all but the oldest Pip) we had a lead who was able to very convincingly portray Pip from his earliest years, right through adolescence and into early manhood. Taylor was totally believable in each of his characters’ guises, taking the audience through Pip’s maturing without any question of doubt that we were watching a young man grow, blossom and then harden to the cruel world around him.

Estella, played by Grace Rowe, was the epitome of stone-hearted – her tutelage by Miss Havisham (played by the delightful Paula Wilcox) into the follies of love and the pursuit and ruination of all men was a delicious foray into the gothic, macabre horror of the soul so often lamented by Byron and Shelly. Ms Rowe was utterly brilliant; her portrayal of Estella’s journey from total acceptance of Miss Havisham’s philosophies on love to her own realisation that she has been damaged beyond all repair was played with a sad, sad pathos which at first was the juxtaposition to Pip’s blind affections, but soon became the undercurrent for both the lead characters.

Jo Clifford’s adaptation doesn’t just rely on Pip, Estella and Miss Havisham hold the story, she takes the audience into a world of dark, circus-like horror which catapults the viewers onto an almost surreal and certainly unnerving trip amongst the Dickensian underbelly of life. Humour is used sparingly, and even then only to accentuate the darkness that follows whilst only Joe Gargery (played by the wonderful Steve North) and Magwitch (played by the uber-talented Chris Ellison) were allowed to hold onto any semblance of goodness. There was no place for a London friendship for Pip, no place for sentiment from Pip to his sister and certainly no place for any lightening of the mood at the end.

It was great to see so many students in the audience, obviously drawn by the fact that Great Expectations is always heralded as one of Dickens’ greatest writings. What was even more pleasing was that they will have witnessed a version of the story which is the closest to how Dickens wanted his story to be known – it has not the moral ending like Christmas Carol, it is not a rags-to-riches happy ending like Oliver Twist – this has the dark, original ending which left readers feeling so cheated and despondent that he was urged to write an alternative happier ending.

Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, brilliantly adapted by Jo Clifford is on at Darlington Civic until Saturday 20th October.

Posted in Classical, Darlington Civic, Dickens, Drama, Theatre | Tagged Charles Dickens, Grace Rowe, Great Expectations, Jo Clifford, Paula Wilcox, Taylor Jay-Davies | Comments Off

Joseph and his Dream Coat at Darlington Civic

Posted on September 19, 2012 by andybramfitt

One of the worlds best known and most loved muscial shows is back at Darlington Civic this week and, despite it being an incredible 44 years since first performed it shows no signs of getting old or going stale.

Everyone knows the story of Joseph and his ‘bonny jacket’ making this one of Andrew Lloyd Webbers most popular shows ever, in fact, the provenance and power of the show means it no longer needs an established ’star’ player in the title role and instead can help expose new and emerging talent. Previous incarnations of Joseph have included Pip Schofield, Jason Donavan and Donny Osmand, while more recently, and in a joint re-launch / BBC ratings grab, the pseudo reality show “Any Dream Will Do” launched the concept of televised auditions to find the very next ‘superstar’.

For this current tour Keith Jack takes the titular performance and, as you would expect from someone who narrowly missed out on winning the afore mentioned show, he plays a perfect Joe. Possessing both a great voice and the boyish charms needed to ensure Joseph stays believable as the “fresh faced messenger of God”, Keith is not fazed by the huge footsteps he is following in.

Likewise, Lauren Ingram never looked concerned by pivotal role the narrator plays in keeping the show flowing. She was word perfect with the daunting memory-testing lists of brothers or colours, lists which have caused others to stumble. (Whilst I was in 6th Form I acted as musical director for the school production of ‘Joseph’ and remember having to write all the colours down one of the narrators arms, with the brothers’ names written down the other – sorry Karen, let your secret out). She has a wonderful voice, clear, friendly and perfect for story telling. I would expect to see a lot more from Lauren over the next few years.

The cast on the whole are a very refreshing mix of young, and dare I say, new actors. It is great to see such exciting talent together on stage, quite obviously having fun and revelling in the audience’s enjoyment.

The pedigree of Joseph, its history and the way it has become part of popular culture means regular ‘house-full’ signs, where ever it plays, but I believe that this performance in its own right deserves to be sold out every night.

Go, Go, Go (and see) Joseph at Darlington with afternoon matinees and an extra show on Saturday – tickets from the box office now until Saturday 22nd September.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Andrew Lloyd Webber, Darlington Civic Theatre, Joseph Dream Coat, Keith Jack, Lauren Ingram | Comments Off

This Wednesday – Rick Wakeman at Darlington Civic

Posted on September 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

For any fan of music, be it pop, rock or progressive ‘what the *** is this’ greatness, there is no one who even gets close to Rick Wakeman’s style, influence and importance. Rick has been behind some of the last 40 years’ greatest musical journeys, which, when coupled with his ground breaking use of pioneering musical electronics means his is the fabric from which the soundtrack to so many lives have been woven.

Although Rick is a noted player of the grand piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, Minimoog and many later models of synthesiser, he is well known as a proponent of the Mellotron – an analogue electronic musical instrumentthat uses a bank of pre-recorded magnetic tape strips, each of which is activated by a separate key on its keyboard and lasts approximately 8 seconds. Rick featured playing this instrument, to varying degrees, on the David Bowie track “Space Oddity”, the Yes albums Fragile, Close to the Edge and Tales From Topographic Oceans, as well as the solo albums The Six Wives of Henry VIII and White Rock. It proved too unwieldy and unreliable for regular touring, and he eventually doused the last Mellotron that he owned in petrol and set fire to it in a field

He has recorded over 100 solo albums, selling in excess of 50 million copies. He has written and performed soundtracks to stella movies including G’olé!, Crimes of Passion, The Burning, Creepshow 2 and Lisztomania and has worked with legendary acts including Black Sabbath, David Bowie, Elton John, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon.

A regular guest on many TV shows, Rick has a keen blend of intellect and humour which means he has starred on shows including Countdown, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You and of course, Grumpy Old Men.

This Wednesday Rick will be hosting an evening just with him, his instruments and his memories at Darlington Civic. It promises to provide an insight into his life, anecdotes about the groups and stars he has moulded and, of course, no shortage of grumpy observations.

Tickets are available from the box office

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Electro, Minimoog, musical, Rick Wakeman, YES | Comments Off

Preston Hall, A Step Back in Time

Posted on September 7, 2012 by andybramfitt

As a childminder, my wife is always looking for somewhere different to take her little ‘charges’. Living in Darlington, she has exhausted the local parks, is very familiar with the riverbank walks and has probably fed almost every duck in the borough. So, with a picnic packed and a few extra helpers in tow, we headed off to Preston Park & Hall in Eaglescliffe.

Preston Park has undergone a huge remodelling project with a fantastic new adventure play area which is guaranteed to keep even the most daredevil of kids occupied for hours. Mums and Dads can relax with a coffee while watching over the kids or you can all set off on a nature trail walk down to the Tees and along the wetlands. Duckboard walkways ensure your feet stay dry as you meander through the marshes, ponds and reeds, spotting ducks, mallards, swans and a whole host of other winged and legged creatures. It is from down here that the Tees river cruises set sail.

The Hall itself is an early 19th century mansion house set in the 100 acres of parklands which is now an excellent museum. The original manor dates back to 1515 and through the ages it changed hands many times until 1825 when David Fowler built the present hall. Through remodelling and additions (including a conservatory, winter garden and stable blocks) the hall took on a grand, imposing presence at the end of its sweeping drive. Now a museum, Preston Hall plays host to many valuable paintings and other works of art, as well as an extensive collection of 19th and 20th century household memorabilia and small arms.

Its main attraction (especially for the children), lies outside the main building – here there is a 1895 Victorian street complete with printers, drapers, grocers and a tea room. All the shops are fully working (akin to Beamish) and staffed by very knowledgeable and perfectly attired assistants who take great pleasure in explaining the ways of the world back when Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

Further down the ‘street’ is Peat Oberon, the Hall’s resident blacksmith. Peat has been a ‘smithy’ for over 30 years and welcomes everyone into his forge to watch as he smelts, hammers and shapes ironwork for railings, gates, hinges and much more.

Preston Hall Park received a lottery grant and additional funding from Stockton Borough Council, enabling the multi-million pound redevelopment of the hall and grounds and making it one of the best attractions in the Tees Valley area, if not the whole North East.

The park and grounds are free to enter, the hall costs £2 per adult, £1 per child or just£4 for a family ticket (2 adults and upto 4 children) – the best bit is these tickets are valid for 12months from the date of issue and can be used over & over again.

We went with the intention of taking a couple of hours for play & a picnic, in the end we were there well over 5 hours and still want to go back again to see more of the hall.

Preston Park Hall is just outside Stockton on Tees – more information is available at http://www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk/

Posted in Food & Drink, History, Museum, Park, Tour | Tagged Adventure Playground, Blacksmith, Preston Park Hall, Stockton on Tees, Victorian Street | Comments Off

Alf Ramsey knew my Grandfather @ Darlington Civic

Posted on July 25, 2012 by andybramfitt

It’s like a trip to Beamish - in boots

I am a football nut – I love everything about it with a passion; the 4, 0 and 1 buttons on my Sky remote have all but worn away, my wardrobe is now full of replica shirts from over 30 years of having to have the latest style on launch day and if you called at the house you would be left in no doubt as to where my heart lies (sorry girls, but you will grow up & leave home – the Toon Army will always have time for me on a Saturday).

So whilst I am a lifelong, dyed in the wool Newcastle United fan (even our cats are black and white) I spent most of my childhood and adolescence living in Bishop Auckland and so I am well versed in the history of the amateur greats of South Durham. Bishop Auckland and Crook Town dominated the amateur game for decades but I remember being in awe of the fact that West Auckland won the World Cup well before I understood that it wasn’t the same sort of tournament as I had watched Argentina win in 1978 but that just added to the mystique of the ‘old days’ .

This play, brilliantly crafted and wonderfully cast doesn’t just take the audience to the very first world cup back in 1909, it brings alive the cultures, the lives and most of all the humour of the early 20th century in a pit village in south Durham. This is far more than a football story – it is Beamish in boots.

The story is built around a modern day non league assistant manager lamenting the fact that his ancestors were very much a part of the football tapestry which forms our modern game while he just couldn’t get a break. As he reminisces, the story is told in flashback to the West Auckland world beaters as they prepare for their trip to Italy, how they managed to raise enough money, the characters that went to build the team and the life stories along the way. It is a stark reminder that back then travel outside of the village, let alone out of the country, was something most men rarely achieved – the scene where the lads try to work out where Italy is had the audience in stitches. It is also a lesson in humility when you compare the way football used to be played – for the love of the game and the team spirit only, not for the hundreds of thousands of pounds and material trappings that so beset the current game.

Mixing the modern day with the past is this play’s cleverest and most endearing quality – for the footie fool like me you can’t help but spot the references to players, formations, tactics and ‘gamesmanship’ which it is suggested were formed over a hundred years ago by the lads from West. There’s even a cameo by Jeff Stelling courtesy of Sky Sports Centre updates.

Filled to the brim with North East humour mixed with real life pathos, this is a wonderful insight into hard working and hard playing men who used football as a brief escape from their lives down the pit. The language, slang and accents are all perfect (they would be when you realise that the cast are all drawn from the North East) leading to the melodic harmonies and verbal jousting for which this great part of the UK is known & loved.

I urge everyone who has ever had a passing interest in the North East, football, local history or just great comedy to come and see this 2 hours of genuine laughter making, even more so if you’re from Bishops or West as this is OUR history, OUR pedigree, OUR unique contribution to the world of football - bring yor maytes, bring yor lass, bring yor ma ‘n’ da and gan on the jornee with the mighty West Auckland.

Proceeds from this production are being very generously donated to Darlington 1883, the fan led group who are working very hard to protect and rebuild Darlington Football Club as we strive to get back into the football league.

http://andrewbramfitt.wix.com/performance-manager

Posted in Theatre | 1 Comment

42nd Street @ Sunderland Empire

Posted on July 18, 2012 by andybramfitt

The ultimate toe-tapping show in town

Based on a film of the same name which has become synonymous with lavish musical numbers choreographed by Busby Berkeley, it was always going to be interesting to see how a cast of hundreds of dancers set in huge movie sets would transfer to the rather more modest stage at Sunderland Empire. The story would of course work on any scale; young wannabe comes to the big city with innocent dreams, turns out to be uber talented and is asked to understudy for the diva of the day, promptly breaks said diva’s ankle and then steps in to save the show & the day. What made 42nd Street the movie, and subsequently makes 42ndStreet the stage show is the musical numbers – pounding symphonies of split second timing, tap routines that spell out the works of Shakespeare in morse code all testimony to the choreographers drive to eek out every possible inch of routine.

This show did not, for one moment, undersell the proud history and heritage of the previous incarnations of 42nd Street. The chorus line dancers were mesmerising in their collective delivery which at times defied the boundaries of the human body for speed and dexterity. The leads created a supernova within this whirling maelstrom of sparkle, light and sound and then, just as quickly as it came, it went and we were left with the powerful delivery which gave the understory pathos and humility.

Dave Willets and Marti Webb, brilliantly cast as Julian Marsh and Dorothy Brock, provided a richness, depth and wordly wise to their characters which would have not been possible with lesser, dare I say younger, actors. Jessica Punch who took the lead of Peggy Sawyer was truly outstanding – a wonderful mix of wide eyed innocence coupled with energy levels that would not be out of place in the forthcoming Olympics (I defy any of the Olympians to be able to match Jessica’s nightly routine, show after show).

This show however,, can’t have the impact, the spectacular, the WOW factor without the whole group. The ensemble is one of the most talented assembled for any tour, they have to be to be cope with such demanding routines throughout the whole production. Even here there are theatre stars in their own right; Felicity Chilvers who has recently toured with Buddy as Maria Elena (and is mentioned elsewhere in my blog); Abigail Climer who has West End productions of Whistle Down the Wind and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on her resume, and Jamie Harris who has recently returned from ‘at sea’ productions on board the Queen Elizabeth. Special mention also to Hollie Sorelle, a local North Easterner who has rapidly become a well known name throughout theatre land for her wonderful performances, most notably as Cinderella in Darlington Civic’s pantomime.

The show itself is very much ”line ‘em up 1st half, knock ‘em down 2nd half” – in the main due to the fact that the big numbers and well known tunes reside after the interval. It is also worth noting that the original movie had only 4 or 5 musical numbers, not enough for a full stage show, and so extra songs were drafted in - at times these are noticeably weaker than the foundation tunes “Lullaby of Broadway”, “We’re in the Money” and of course “42nd Street” but this doesn’t detract from the overall performance, in fact it heightens the appreciation when the stage is full, the orchestra is loud and the dancing frenetic – well, you just have to tap along too.

42nd Street is on at Sunderland Empire until Saturday 21st July.

Posted in Comedy, Music, Sunderland Empire, Theatre, Tour | Tagged 42nd Street, Abigail Climer, Dave Willets, Felicity Chilver, Hollie Sorelle, Jamie Harris, Jessica Punch, Marti Webb, Sunderland Empire | Comments Off

As You Like It by The Castle Players

Posted on July 16, 2012 by andybramfitt

courtesy of Calico Images

“All the world’s a stage”, as Shakespeare wrote, and following last weeks production of one of the Bard’s most famous, and funniest plays, The Castle Players proved yet again that not only is the world a stage, so is a garden, a tree and a muddy patch of lawn. This year it’s “As You Like It”, a very funny story of cross & double cross, hidden identities, requited and unrequited love all written with ‘Old Will’s’ humorous quill in hand.

Despite the horrendous weather we have suffered over the past 6 weeks, this few, this happy few, (this band of brothers?) have toiled to ensure that they would not be outdone by rain, wind and mud and thus the annual summer production could go ahead. Rehearsing in temporary accommodation was one thing, but when the dress rehearsals and stage setting had to be done under the threat of torrential downpours even the most stoic of supporters must have cast a disbelieving eye towards the opening night. But what is a bit of mud & rain when the thrill of performing awaits (and a hot shower and warming toddy afterwards).

The stage was set within the grounds of the iconic Bowes Museum on the rear lawn with the canopy of a huge tree providing the lighting rig and centre piece, the castle gardens and walls playing as the backdrop and two grandstand terraces forming the auditorium.

The production of this show was truly amazing; the costumes, the sets, the inclusion of live sheep (who at times had perfect timing for interrupting the best intended dramatic pauses), the minstrels – everything was perfect and made even more so by being staged outside. We were very, very lucky to have picked the one fair & fine evening in a month to attend this oasis of culture in a bleak & dreary week so one can only imagine how testing it was for the cast & crew to have battled through on Tuesday & Wednesday when the heavens fell, the ground rose and even the sheep would have looked a little perplexed.

courtesy of Calico Images

I don’t like using the phrase ‘Amateur’ – it suggests of pitiful attempts at ‘doing their best’, appreciated only by cast family members and the director who has ideas of grandeur. This was as far away from an ‘amateur’ production as you could ever see. The actors were all immensely dedicated in delivering a performance worthy of the bard’s name with very clever casting and obvious enjoyment being had by everyone concerned. The direction was tight, intuitive and completely at one with ensuring the pace of delivery still allowed time for the audience to unravel the multitude of layers so often present in Shakespeare’s comedies.

The use of live minstrel music added an authenticity which created an additional layer, especially as the evening waned and the natural light dimmed. In fact the setting outside gave an etheral quality which would have been impossible in a traditional theatre.

The lead characters were immediately recognisable, which came from exquisite opening introductions; all too often Shakespearean directors rush headlong into the guts of the play (feeling that they need to seek out the well known phrases to keep the audience on board) and they leave the audience playing catch up. Simon Pell and Mary Stastny, the directors, ensured that each main character was allowed sufficient time onstage so the audience could easily identify with them. This made for a much smoother movement through the first act and heightened the second act’s humorous subplots, especially as the love interests strengthened and partners wooed and ‘shooed’ in equal measure.

courtesy of Calico Images

Whilst the whole cast were wonderful in their performances, special mention goes out to a few who really caught the eye; Andy Moorhouse as Jaques was a brilliant tortured soul who reminded me of James Garnon playing James 1st in Anne Boleyn; Laura Pennell who played Celia had such a mischievous glint in her eye throughout the whole play and of course, Peter Cockerill as Silvius the shepherd, who spent the first 2 hours of the evening searching the extensive grounds of Bowes Museum for his ‘love’ Phoebe.

When you look at the cast list, production team and additional support you can appreciate just how professional (in all but name) this production is -lest we not forget that all these people give of their time, effort, skills, hard work and dedication in the true love of performance - more than a little humbling.

courtesy of Calico Images

It is clear to see why the Castle Players have been invited to attend and perform for the RSC in Stratford this weekend; there can be few other productions in the country who capture the real essence of The Bard’s work with infectious enthusiasm and downright enjoyment. Congratulations to everyone concerned, you do our region proud.

Next year’s summer show has already been announced – A Midsummer Nights Tale - a perfect story to be set outside in this magical setting. I for one will be making sure I have tickets well in advance – www.castleplayers.co.uk

Posted in Barnard Castle, Comedy, Drama, History, Shakespear, Theatre | Tagged Andy Moorhouse, As You Like It, Castle Players, Laura Pennell, Mary Stastny, Peter Cockerill, RSC, Shakespeare, Simon Pell | 1 Comment

Tonight – The Castle Players – As You Like It @ Bowes Museum

Posted on July 12, 2012 by andybramfitt

All the World’s a Stage, especially at the historic Bowes Museum.

Sir Rowland de Bois has recently died, and, according to custom, the vast majority of his estate has passed into the possession of his eldest son, Oliver. Although Sir Rowland has instructed Oliver to take good care of his brother, Orlando, Oliver refuses to do so. Out of pure spite, he denies Orlando the education, training, and property befitting a gentleman. Orlando falls in love with Rosalind and in an attempt to demonstrate his worth, believes himself to be Robin Hood and sets out to right wrongs, protect the innocent and woo Rosalind……

…..and so begins Shakespears As You Like It, a tale of intrigue, double crossing, disguise, mistaken identity, love, death and tights.

Tonight we are very fortunate to be watching the latest production of this play by The Castle Players who bravely are producing 4 nights outdoors at the beautiful Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. The Castle Players are known throughout the UK as one of the premier amateur theatre companies prestenting the works of Shakespeare and, following this 4 night show, they take their production down to Stratford upon Avon by request of the RSC themselves.

There are still some tickets remaining so check out the official website for details http://www.castleplayers.co.uk/ and my review will follow tomorrow.

Posted in Theatre | 1 Comment

Durham Brass Festival – Jazz in my Pants

Posted on July 8, 2012 by andybramfitt

Jazz in my Pants – JIMP

Anyone visiting Durham city this month will not be able to avoid the huge range of live music echoing around this historic city, for this is the Month of Brass. We ventured into the city on Saturday and had an amazing wander around the bustling streets. For what felt like the first time in ages we had a warm, sunny & dry day; the crowds were all smiling and the live entertainment just added to the feeling that we had just come through a 3 week storm; I guess in fact, we had.

After walking down Silver Street and over & back over the bridge we headed to the Gala square, initially for something to eat but as we approached we found we were just in time to catch one of the funkiest groups I’ve seen in ages – Jazz in my Pants (even the name is enough to raise a chuckle).

This gang of brilliant young musicians have taken the core essence of a jazz brass ensemble and pumped it full of funk, soul, sass and cool – all at the same time – their repetoire is like taking a trip through the history of modern music with the Beatles (as a funk/soul waltz), Queen, Madness and then a fabulous rendition of a real classic Blues with Laurie providing an amazing impression of Louis Armstrong – this has to be seen/heard to be believed that such a ‘nice’ looking young man (ok, there were many in the audience who called him downright cute) can then come out with the raw, growling, gravelly voice of Ol Satchmo himself.

Whilst Laurie provided this vocal solo, JIMP is very much an ensemble performance, everyone has a key part to play and it’s all delivered with a genuine sense that JIMP are having just as much fun as the audience. They are all very, very talented musicians who clearly spend a lot of time planning and rehearsing their set and it shows in the fluidity and tightness of their playing.

Definitely worth seeking them out during the Durham Brass 2012, I defy anyone not to be tapping & clapping along while you marvel at the just how good Drum & Brass can sound.

Go get some Jazz in your pants !

Posted in Durham, Music | Tagged Durham Brass 2012, Jazz in my pants, JIMP | Comments Off

Dry Rot – I kid you, not !

Posted on June 27, 2012 by andybramfitt

Straight from the horses mouth

In this current climate of dodgy politicians, corrupt cricketers and footballers fraudulently pretending to actually give a d… it was quite fitting that this week’s foray to the theatre was to watch a Whitehall Farce centred around a crooked bookie and his two accomplices devising a cunning plan to ‘get rich quick’. John Chapman’s play, first performed in 1954, is set in the 1930’s with the quintessential English approach to loveable rogues, the stiff upper lip of the officer classes and the almost dismissive way ‘Johnny foreigner’ is treated.

The plot is simplicity in itself – Honest Alf, Flash Harry and Fred (I kid you not, these are the names used) plan to kidnap the odds-on favourite horse and replace it with their own decrepit nag and thus, by laying on the horse to lose, pocket a tidy £10,000. Think Arthur Daley running Channel 4 racing. In true style, the plan immediately starts to unravel, first when they realise that the replacement horse would never pass muster as the favourite, and then when they take up their digs for race week only to find that the jockey, a diminutive Frenchman who speaks not a word of the Queens English, is also ‘stabled’ at the same inn. Secret passages, eccentric characters and malapropisms abound to create a degree of controlled mayhem.

The pacing isn’t perhaps as slick and tight as some of the better known farces; there was a little too much time taken with setting up the back story of the Colonel and his family having only recently taken over the inn, but it is a nostalgic look back at a style of stage production which ruled the West End for many decades. The fact that Dry Rot features in the National Theatres top 100 plays of all time is more to recognise the well crafted script than any timelessness of the production.

The slapstick style of mad-cap humour normally associated with farce is sadly missing , but this didn’t really detract from a very funny story played out by a very capable cast of some of the country’s best loved faces, including Liza Goddard, Susan Penhaligon (with a creamy West Country accent that made me weak everytime she spoke), Gareth Hale & Norman Pace, Neil Stacy and Derren Nesbitt.

Particular mention to Zoe Mills as Susan Wagstaff who brought a real period feel to her look and performance – part wide eyed debutante, part love struck damsel whose flawless appearance is very reminiscent of the silent movie screen idols Lillian Gish and Blanche Sweet.

Farces are a dying production, driven to their graves by the desire for more immediate, and perhaps more risque humour, but there is still a place for a good farce, if for no other reason than to see where our current comedic shows have their roots. Dry Rot is on at Darlington Civic until Saturday June 30th

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Theatre | Tagged Derren Nesbitt, Dry Rot, Gareth Hale, Liza Goddard, Neil Stacy, Norman Pace, Susan Penhaligon, Zoe Mills | Comments Off

Beyond the Barricade – The Ultimate Musical Show

Posted on June 14, 2012 by andybramfitt

Give yourself over to absolute pleasure

Nostalgia always seems to make the past look better than the present; the summers were warmer, the roads quieter, petrol cheaper, wagon wheels (much) bigger so in this cold, wet June I had a real need for something to transport me back into those ‘halcyon’ days.

The formation of Beyond the Barricade was driven by the huge and dramatic growth in popularity of the modern musical theatre of the 70′s and 80′s. Sired in part by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and married to Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and Blood Brothers, the British musical was in it’s dominance; the millions of theatre-goers revelled in the huge stages and thrilling stories, but most of all it was the songs and anthems that provided these shows with the longevity to span wars, governments, economic crises and all cultural changes.

Andy Reiss (look him up on Google, if there’s been a musical hit over the past 30 years you’ll find his name linked to it somewhere) has created a wonderful evening of musical indulgence, and with David Fawcett, Rebecca Vere and Katie Leeming has the perfect cast to bring the very best of the West End to any theatre. The show has been touring longer than Westlife have been out of short trousers (David’s joke, not mine – honest!) and they have formed a real sense of how to keep things fresh and fun.

Unofficially compered by David (and a wicked sense of humour), the show sweeps through a list of shows which I defy anyone to have not heard of or been to see, but it never feels like the cast are just ‘going through the numbers’. Each show is afforded it’s own build up, scene setting and with a very intuitive choice of songs you get the full feeling of the show in a brief but powerful slice.

To give you an idea of what to expect, the shows sampled included: Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Blood Brothers, Lion King, Chess, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, We will Rock You, Jersey Boys and Evita (it’s quite humbling to see how many of these are from Lord ALW). What is equally impressive is that the cast have starred in all of these shows as full productions in their own right, they are not just great singers – their list of credits is so big you could believe they must have cloned themselves many times over, but I assure you there are only 4 of them.

This show tours almost constantly but with a huge choice of musicals to draw from, and a brilliant band and crew, they are constantly looking to freshen up the ‘play list’, introduce new numbers and mothball others, so even if you’ve seen this before you are guaranteed to see something different the next time.

I had a wonderful evening, as did Becca who spent the evening whispering “Ooo – I know this one…”

Check out their website for details of the current tour, grab some tickets before it sells out and look forward to an evening of musical paradise.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Andy Reiss, Beyond the Barricade, David Fawcett, Katie Leeming, Rebecca Vere | 1 Comment

Cirque du Ciel ShangHi – simply amazing

Posted on June 1, 2012 by andybramfitt

Last night we all went to Darlington’s Civic theatre to watch what was the most amazing, awe-inspiring display of skill, strength and ability we’ve seen this year. In the year of the London Olympics, it seemed very fitting that we witnessed just what the human body is capable of – if China were to send along the cast of Cirque du Ciel to represent them in the gymnastic events then they would walk away with every gold.

Opening to a video travelogue of China and all it’s different cultures, cities and landmarks, the viewer is then transported into the bedroom of girl, Yan Yang, asleep in her bed. As she ‘awakes’ she finds that her toys have taken on a life of their own. Two mysterious spirit-like figures, representing the sun and moon, introduce her to a frenzy of acrobatic activity, which comes to life with the opening of her music box. The magic of the spirits brings Yan Yang’s dream to life as she twirls and contorts her body as if she was made of air.

What follows is part Alice in Wonderland and part The Matrix as the cast take over and perform routines of such strength, balance and dexterity that sometimes it looked almost impossible – but it wasn’t; there was no trick photography here, no “Bullet-Time” videoing, just skill, beautiful choreography and the human body.

Performing acts which blended modern dance, martial arts, gymnastics and traditional Chinese culture, the cast transformed the stage into an arena which felt twice the size. Darlington doesn’t have the largest stage so it was doubly amazing to see the speed and distances that these performers covered and yet stop with perfect accuracy so as not to run out of room. My favourite, if forced to choose, would have to be the Chinese Monkey Poles; the speed and dexterity with pin point accuracy was simply outstanding.

There are some very strong characters in the team, and although they clearly have to work together, there were always little frissons of showmanship where one would try to out-do the others in speed, height, number of tumbles etc. They really looked like they were enjoying what they were doing and honestly wanted us to enjoy it too, and we did.

All played to a wonderfully evocative soundtrack and driven by an onstage drummer, the cast deliver such a mesmerising performance that at times it was hard not to clap at everything they did.

Before the Olympics begin, before you get lost in the regimented & controlled displays of gymnasts having to make sure they include the exact number of leaps & tumbles, go and see this show – this has all the technical ability and super-human skill but done with freedom, expression and, well, fun, that it leaves you breathless, exhilarated and wishing you had brought more friends to enjoy it with you.

Cirque du Ciel – Shanghai Nights is on at Darlington Civic on Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd June – tickets still available.

Posted in Cirque, Darlington Civic, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Circus, Cirque du Ciel, Gymnastic, ShangHi, Yan Yang | Comments Off

Cirque Du Ciel at Darlington Civic – On 31st May to 2nd June

Posted on May 31, 2012 by andybramfitt

Image Detail

The highly-awaited and internationally acclaimed production of ShangHi by Cirque du Ciel returns to the UK, by overwhelming popular demand.

With more than 30 amazingly multi-talented and highly-skilled performers, this marvellous two-hour extravaganza combines acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original music and many other traditional and contemporary Chinese elements in an enthralling fantasy adventure.

With over 500 superbly decadent costumes, intricate scenery, fantastically evocative lighting and a score that enhances and highlights the magical aura of the show, this stunning production showcases the skills of both the performers and the world-class team behind the scenes, taking you beyond gravity.

The astonishing routines include Mexican hat juggling, the terrifying yet beautiful aerial displays, and the famous, death-defying Chinese Monkey Poles – all of which combine to create a dizzying mix of balancing, tumbling, spinning, and brilliant live drumming that will fascinate audience members of all ages.

Cirque du Ciel’s ShangHi also features a fabulous and enchanting storyline which will take you on a journey through the mysterious dreams of a little girl, as she delves into her fantasies.

Having already captivated and enthralled audiences across the world, Cirque du Ciel’s ShangHi is truly an unforgettable spectacle that you will find hard to believe. Don’t miss the most daring, breathtaking and stunning family entertainment show of the year!

On at Darlington Civic from31st May until 2nd June – a perfect way to start your holiday celebrations

Posted in Darlington Civic, Music, Theatre, Tour | Comments Off

Dancing Queen at Darlington Civic

Posted on May 24, 2012 by andybramfitt

Karaoke, Talent TV, Jive Bunny and Cruise Ships have a lot to answer for

Billed as a spectacular song & dance extravaganza, Dancing Queen struggles to define itself or even agree on what type of show it is. Centred, as the title suggests, around the songs of Abba, there are also forays into 70’s disco, Soul and Mowtown, which are delivered in a “Stars on 45” style megamix with backing dance tracks and vocoder assisted vocals. I could easily expect to see this show (in maybe a 20 minute act) on board a cruise ship with a captive audience who have possibly spent the day on the all inclusive cocktails and were quite happy to watch this over-engineered karaoke show.

The choreography was constantly trying to be too clever, too precise and too pretentious. There was little flow and, with over 20 people on stage, many of the dancers seemed to be struggling to keep up with the over-worked routines without standing on their cast mates. Too many songs were backed by the full ensemble trying to deliver the entire repertoire of the choreographer’s creativity as though it was a dance exam with the brief “Demonstrate every clichéd dance move you have seen in the past 10 years”.

The main 4 members of the cast, who were taking the lead as the Abba-esque singers, were so very different that it was hard to accept they were portraying one of the tightest pop groups in music history. Jennifer Harding spent most of the time over-smiling and forcing enthusiasm onto the audience that suggested “You will enjoy this, you will have a good time” while trying to find her pitch (or wait until the backing vocals were loud enough to help cover her up). Jessica Parker, who has a great voice, missed sultry and went straight for sullen. Aston Dobson and Simon Bulley kept looking like they knew this wasn’t good but hey, it’s a show, we’re on stage and we’re getting paid. To be honest, the lads did have character and tried hard to move away from the “Walk slowly to the front of the stage, sing song and then dramatically walk back again” but there was just no chemistry between the 4 of them. Bizarrely, most of the Abba songs were performed with only 3 of the main four on stage, the girls taking it in turns to use the opportunity for a costume change – strange as I certainly remember all of Abba’s hits having the 4 of them present.

The casting manager must have thought it was time to redress the time honoured tradition of having strong, tall male dancers and slight & petite female dancers. Instead, there was only 1 guy who was taller than any of the girls and regularly the pairings gave the rest of the guys a real challenge to catch and lift girls who were at least 5 inches taller (and a few pounds heavier) than themselves.

The show itself would have benefited from having some dialogue in between the songs, something that would have given the main cast an avenue to relate to the audience and to break up the non-stop party anthem mega-mix approach. The only time that the show really gave something of note was when it stopped trying to be so darn serious and just had a bit of fun – the start of Act 2 was much better than the whole of Act 1 – there was 70’s Rock ‘n’ Roll with a quite stunning backing singer (who turned out to be one of the lad dancers in a frock) and the reworking of Village People’s YMCA & In the Navy. The cast really looked like they were finally having fun, a bit of freedom from the rigid routines of Act 1 and the singers sounded like they had found their true level. But it didn’t last, and all too soon we were returned to the over-produced style and delivery we were forced to sit through in Act 1.

This may sound like I am beating up on the cast & crew, and maybe there were a few who were as guilty as the choreographer & director for being too “look at me”, but for the most part, the ensemble suggested they were capable of much more fluidity, more expression and more enjoyment – if only they had been allowed to.

In reality Dancing Queen is the stage show production of “Jive Bunny does Abba and the 70’s” – perfect for kids discos, holiday camps and cruise ships .

Posted in Darlington Civic, Music, Tour | Tagged Abba, Dancing Queen, Darlington Civic Theatre, Jive Bunny | Comments Off

Raining Men at Consett Empire

Posted on May 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

Raining Men Brochure image

It’s Raining Men – Hallelujah

Since The Full Monty there have been many attempts to recreate the earthy realism, coupled with real humour and an insight into the lengths people will go to earn a few extra pounds. The boom time of the early 2000’s reduced the need for people to be inventive around making a quick buck, but with the current austerity measures starting to bite hard, stories abound on how people have been forced to be more creative in their money making ventures.

Raining Men is set in a club which, as Halloween nears, realise that they have no act for the special night. Cue Doug the DJ, Phil The Bouncer (sorry, Door Security) and Colin the Barman to step in and put on a show of their own. Bringing together the fabulous talents of Michael Cross, Andrew Ryan and Patric Kearns, Raining Men takes everything that was good about the Full Monty, shoe horns it into a size 7 6” stiletto and wraps it in a sequined off the shoulder Shirley Bassey styled frock.

The first act gives very little suggestion as to the glittering array of sheer camp-ness that is to follow, we are given the story around why the club needs the act, how the owner is a less than trustworthy custodian and how Phil feels that drag acts would seriously attack his Rambo-esque masculinity. After the break we are transported to the show night itself which is a never-ending laugh-fest. There are costume changes that would rival any West End musical, parodies of the Spice Girls, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Abba and audience participation which left everyone gasping for breath.

This show was one of the best Friday nights I have spent in years – great characters, great music, simplicity done to perfection. A hilarious, sparkling, naughty evening, featuring music from the likes of Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland, with a chance to join in the fun and win up to £100 000!

It is true that the show is perfect for hen parties and girly nights out but I defy any hetrosexual man who enjoys music and can laugh at genuine comedy not to have a great time too. Be warned: this play is strictly for adults only with strong language and adult content from the start but hey, that’s what makes club nights.

Posted in Comedy, Consett Empire, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Andrew Ryan, Chris Ponka, Consett Empire, Michael Cross, Patric Kearns, Raining Men | Comments Off

Yes, Prime Minister

Posted on May 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

Yes, Prime Minister (Tour - Oxford)

The new Whitehall Farce, at Checkers

This updated version of Yes, Prime Minster, written by the original creators Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn brings a non-party specific view of life behind the scenes for the Prime Minister, Jim Hacker and his team, including the irrepressible Sir Humphrey Appleby.

Jim is now heading up the coalition government (sounds familiar) and is teetering on the precipice of complete meltdown, both economic and diplomatic. Offered an escape route by a highly dubious deal with the unlikely allies of Kumranistan, Jim has to decide whether to sell out or sell up.

This version manages at times to capture some of the essence of the original TV shows but without the wonderful Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington any semblance is quickly dismissed as 2^nd class copying. There are quite lengthy periods of almost monotonous dialogue which pays too much attention to the bureaucracy of government and not enough to the inter-personal shenanigans that would keep the laughs coming.

The TV shows looked to create a non-stop 25 minutes packed with constant plotting; Sir Humphrey knew (or thought he knew) everything that was going on and spent most of his time protecting his own nest while steering Jim Hacker away from making a complete hash of things. With time at a premium there was always very careful consideration and lines/plots/ideas which didn’t deliver were simply not included. This play, with its running time of almost 2 hours, has too much space and it is this ‘luxury of time’ that leads to weak, unproductive and quite frankly un-funny speeches.

The premise is still sound, the context is still very relevant, in fact even more so now – there are many who would suggest that our current government is already one big comedy, (or at least laughable if it wasn’t so seriously out of touch) but unfortunately, like the current government, its best work was done long ago, it is now living on being a mere shadow of its former great self.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Tour, TV | Tagged Yes Prime Minister | Comments Off

South Pacific at Sunderland Empire

Posted on May 4, 2012 by andybramfitt

The South Pacific – A vast expanse of emptiness dotted with little island gems

The world was a very different place when Rodgers and Hammerstein created South Pacific. It was larger, less travelled and as such, more mysterious. Peoples’ opinions and beliefs were more rooted in the culture of their home towns and prejudice sat silently behind every decision. On one hand, the story is a fun loving musical about an American base on the farthest reaches of Uncle Sam’s West Coast frontier – on the other hand it is a veiled attempt at painting a twee fairy tale of good overcoming evil and love conquering even the staunchest of bigotries.

The set up is typical R and H – introduce strong, powerful, confident bachelor with a long established routine and a honourable, if somewhat distant, reputation. Add to that a young woman, pretty, simple yet determined who creates a maelstrom that rips through his ordered life. Slip into the background some lovable ‘rouges’ and a presumably innocent side story and, hey presto !, you’ve got a musical.

The production values were excellent as you would expect from such a well supported tour. Sunderland Empire again shows why it is the region’s greatest at large stage productions. The sets make clever use of the depth of the stage and the ever changing back view of the ocean and Bali Hi have an almost subliminal presence. The orchestration too all add to the enveloping sense of the heat, the remoteness and the claustrophobia of this tiny area far from the mainland.

The show is a shade under 3 hours plus interval (thankfully the seats are very comfortable and the leg room close to being the most generous) and this is the nub of any disquiet - it’s an old style show, with old style themes, old style values and old style pacing and 3 hours is just too long for it to keep modern audiences on the edge of their comfortable seats. Competing with the faster tempo of shows like Chicago and Thriller or the intensity of Titanic the Musical, South Pacific just doesn’t have the ‘wow’ factor anymore. Likewise, there are a few dubious threads which today just don’t sit well. Racism and what is almost bordering on child prostitution sit within the two main love themes. There isn’t enough of the story devoted to portraying how these actions were then accepted by society so instead of them being ‘of the time’ they are trivialised, making them even more abhorrent.

The much vaunted highlight songs – “Happy Talk”, “Wash that Man Right Outta my Hair”, “Some Enchanted Evening” “Nothing like a Dame” and “Bali Hi”, whilst being hugely well known are from a bygone age – they are not sing-along classics, in fact they are not even foot-tappers so you a left feeling that you are watching a rendition, at the end of which there is polite applause and then silence. Regardless of the cast – who were all excellent – you just can’t inject enough of today to stop South Pacific feeling like watching a black & white movie.

South Pacific is on at Sunderland Empire until Saturday 12th May – if you are a fan, a real fan, then you will love it - if you enjoy more modern musicals then this may not be for you at all.

Posted in Music, Sunderland Empire, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Hammerstein, Rogers, South Pacific | 1 Comment

Opera Nova at Darlington Arts Centre

Posted on May 3, 2012 by andybramfitt

I have always fancied going to see an opera but whilst I know lots of the really popular tunes, I have always thought I would struggle to follow the story, recognise the characters or understand the plot. I tried to watch Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” on Sky Arts but, despite the hugely theatrical production I just felt lost at not really knowing what was happening – coupled with it not being sung in English which made it all the more difficult to follow.

When the opportunity came up for me to go and see Opera Nova’s newest production – For Better, For Worse – I jumped at the chance. Following the successes of Love, Sex and Death and Opera, It’s One Big Party, For Better For Worse (subtitled the Matrimonial Noose) is an exploration of love and marriage as seen through the eyes of the great operatic composers. Here was a show that promised to extract key wedding and marriage scenes and present them in a ‘novice-friendly’ way. Make no mistake, it may have been made accessible for the uninitiated few like myself, but the quality, the power, the humour and the sheer majesty of the evening was every bit as professional and moving as a full production.

Under the excellent guidance of musical director Richard Bloodworth, and accompanied by Alison Gill on the piano, we were treated to scene after scene of matrimonial merriment and mayhem in equal proportions. Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Bartered Bride and Fidelio were brought to life in beautiful harmony.

I won’t for one moment begin to suggest that I knew all the operas from which the extracts came, nor did I come armed with a knowledge of the stories they were telling, but what Richard did was to introduce each scene with a potted synopsis of the plot so far, the key characters and more than a little humour about what to expect next. He has a wonderfully mellow voice that carried across the audience and gave equal amounts of comfort and excitement about the scene to come. Alison, who played the entire accompaniment, belied her tender years (she is only 27) to deliver a note perfect aural tapestry on which the stories were woven. It was quite amazing to think that the whole auditorium was filled with wondrous sounds all emanating from 1 piano and the human voices on stage.

We left the show with a heightened thirst for learning more about those opera’s from which some of our favourite classical tunes are drawn. We also vowed to dig out our classical CDs and make sure that at least a few were ever present in the car but most importantly we added Opera Nova to our “Must See Again” list and would urge anyone else with even a remote interest in opera to keep watching the listings for their next show.

Posted in Darlington Arts Centre, Music, Opera, Theatre | Tagged Alison Gill, Darlington Arts Centre, Opera Nova, Richard Bloodworth | 5 Comments

Titanic at Darlington Civic

Posted on April 25, 2012 by andybramfitt

A performance as powerful and awe inspiring as the great ship herself.

It was quite fitting that on this, the opening night of DarlingtonOS production of Titanic, that the heavens had opened and the audience arrived already soaked through and shivering.

We all know the story of the ill fated maiden voyage and it is well celebrated this year through both factual and dramatised TV productions but I defy any of them to be as moving, as emotional and as immersive as this show.

The opening scenes, with the passengers and crew viewing the mighty ship for the first time is a testament to the direction and choreography of Scott St Martyn – the use of simple projections along with perfect stage management gave everyone no doubt that we were about to set sail on a monumentous journey. The cast, in joining together for a rafter lifting first chorus, set the scene, the pace and the expectation that everything about this show was going to be huge. The opening number is all the more heart-aching because we know the fate that lies in wait for many of the characters; the first class passengers who openly flaunt their wealth & riches, the 2nd class who looking enviously at 1st whilst living beyond their means just to try and fit in and the 3rd class who bring only themselves and their dreams. Death doesn’t discriminate.

Back in 1912 the Titanic started her journey at a quite sedate 18 knots but this show went straight to full power and didn’t let up once. The pacing of each scene was breathtaking whilst the interaction between characters was a perfect example of how to sell a back story, develop interaction and create personae all within one number. The main characters, acting as the golden thread running through the whole show, were never in danger of bullying their way to ‘front & centre’ – each was sympathetic to the story’s needs yet brilliantly powerful in taking us on this turbo charged ride. Julian Cound, as the ships designer & builder Thomas Andrews, ran the whole gamut of emotion from pride through protective parentship and finally personal grief as his ‘baby’ flounded and he realised how simple a solution to this could have been. Lee Morris played the first class steward Henry Etches with a perfect blend of humble servitude and knowing discretion – in part he reminds of the character Radar from M*A*S*H – always there, never demanding but the grease that keeps everything running smoothly. I could go on and list each and every cast member – they were all wonderful and can feel rightly proud that they delivered an historic show. Likewise, Michael Trotter as musical director, and his orchestra deserve all their plaudits for providing a sensational aural backdrop.

Darlington Civic doesn’t have the largest of stages but with the ingenious sets and masterful stage direction it was all too easy to think we were watching a production at the Palladium or the Royal Albert Hall – at times there were in excess of 30 people moving, dancing, interacting yet not once did it seemed cramped – not, that is, until we reached the climatic end when the feeling of claustrophobia and panic was palpable and not just on the stage.

For anyone wondering how the dreadful story of the Titanic can be portrayed effectively on stage, and as a musical, they need not fret - it is, after all, a story about love, greed, dreams and tragedy. The show has a number of anthemic songs which, in the hands and voices of this fabulous cast rivalled even Les Mis for pulse racing, tear jerking emotion. The song “We’ll meet tomorrow”, performed as the realisation that those left on board would surely drown, prompted many frantic searchings for tissues and stifled sobs.

In the centenary year of Titanic, and with the huge interest across the world in revisting the events of April 1912, I would urge everyone, young & old, to go and see this show – it will not only educate you as to how things happened, it will transport you on deck and give you the sense and feeling of what it was like. Just be prepared to be moved.

Posted in Darlington Civic, History, Music, Theatre, Titanic, Uncategorized | Tagged Darlington Operatic, Titanic The Musical | 3 Comments

Anne Boleyn at Darlington Civic

Posted on April 18, 2012 by andybramfitt

If only history had been this much fun when I was at school !

I didn’t really get history when I was at school, either because of the way it was taught or because I remember most of my history lessons were just after lunch when watching the other classes play football was far more appealing. It’s a shame really, as had I realised that it could be as big, bold, fun and thrilling as John Dove’s production then I’d have most certainly taken more notice.

The play brings to life and light the story behind Anne Boleyn’s reputation as “the Protestant Whore” – how she was very much in love with King Henry VIII and most certainly didn’t (at first) see him as a route to making England a protestant country. It explores how Henry, fed up with Catherine’s inability to provide him with an heir, was looking for a “church approved way” to rid himself of her and find another who could give him a rightful successor.

The writing, the use of traditional musical instruments and the fabulous costumes all help to drive the story along at a brisk pace; there is plenty of humour throughout with the whole ensemble either playing to or falling foul of Howard Brentons wonderful script.

The story starts with the newly crowned James I hunting through an old chest and discovering the hidden secret of Anne Boleyn; the banned bible written and interpreted by the exiled William Tyndale. Time skips back 70 years, to when the flirtatious and headstrong Anne first met the young King and how their lives & loves start to intertwine. Never truly accepted by the courts, Anne has to battle the prejudices of those who saw her simply as the King’s mistress, a conniver, a harlot and, to some, a witch. It’s true that she cast a spell over Henry, but this was no witchcraft, it was womanly charm.

Henry, who believes that as King he can demand favour from anyone he pleases is suddenly confronted with a woman, who, despite his obvious regal power (and his complete desire) is prepared to stand firm and refuse any physical union until they are married. It is over this cliff-edge that the ‘Catholic’ king must leap if he is to take Anne as his bride and lover.

It is through this time that Anne realises that she has an ally in her perseverance of bringing the Protestant faith to the fore – an unlikely and secret ally, but one who enables her to meet with Mister Tyndale. She takes great strength through this and announces to the King that she is, in fact, a proud protestant and that by following the protestant teachings he could become the head of the Church of England and thus able to dispense his own form of religious protocols, including divorce.

There then follows plot & sub plot, alliance and betrayal with regular trips back to the ‘present day’ to see how James I was grappling with his own ideas of how to progress a unified English religion and an official translation of the Bible. Of course, we know how Anne met her fate, but even the surroundings leading up to her imprisonment were clouded in treachery not often fully appreciated.

The cast all played their parts magnificently - Jo Herbert, as Anne, was steely strong, defiant and focused yet still naive and vulnerable in the presence of Henry’s courtiers. When not centre stage she floated in and out of scenes, keeping a constant thread through the whole story. Julius D’Silva as Thomas Cromwell was subtly threatening, knowingly menacing and as trustworthy as a basket of vipers. Had this been a pantomime he would have been the villain but I doubt anyone would have had the nerve to even whisper a boo.

The standout performance for me was James Garnon as King James I – King James is a complex character, thought to have been gay,to suffer from gout and kidney stones and to be taken to bouts of giddy madness. We see him dressed in Anne’s coronation gown, dancing energetically with male courtiers, goading the new Church of England and the Puritans and seeking guidance and acceptance from Anne’s ghost. James Garnon plays the part with a mixture of wretched soul searching and gay abandon, complete with physical tics, anguished howls and unnerving maniacal laughter.

I think that this production should form a part of the modern curriculum; it could equally cover drama, history and RE and is readily acecssible for all to understand - I took Jess to see it and, as she had just finished the Tudors in her history lessons, she found the show fascinating, engaging and completely enthralling.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, History, Murder, Tour | Tagged Anne Boleyn, Henry 8th, James Garnon, Jo Herbert, Julius D'Silva | Comments Off

The Most Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Posted on April 13, 2012 by andybramfitt

Who says Pantomime is just a Christmas thing ? The tried and tested formula of songs, jokes, slapstick humour and well known stories is so often mothballed from Jan to Nov because tradition dictates that Pantomimes are not for all year, they’re just for December, and that’s a crying shame.

There must be a belief that kids (and adults for that matter) wouldn’t enjoy the same type of show at other times of the year ? But “Oh yes we do”, and “Oh yes we did last night” -speaking to the Civic’s Theatre Manager he confirmed that the 4 shows will have drawn in over 3500 people in just 2 days.

The Wizard of Oz was given an adrenaline shot a few years ago by the BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber but forget the “sticking strictly to the film” production, this version was pure, laugh out loud until you almost wet yourself fun.

Staged by Enchanted Entertainment, The Wizard of Oz nicks all the best bits from the original and then squeezes in more jokes, more songs and more kitsch than thought possible. There are CBBC favourites for the kids to recognise with Tracey Beaker and Sarah Jane and, in Bobby Davro the adults have enough ‘nudge nudge, wink wink’ to ensure they are laughing just as loud.

Dani Harmer, best known as Tracey Beaker plays Dorothy perfectly. She gives a great Kansas accent, carries the same naivety as Garland’s Dot but still has the street smarts and today references to keep the kids engaged. It’s wonderful that at her tender age she is almost a veteran of stage & screen, is one of the biggest stars in BBC Childrens TV history and known globally, but she can still be reduced to fits of giggles by fart jokes, spluttering sidekicks and Bobby Davro’s impromptu double entendres.

Both my girls have grownup with CBeebies and then CBBC so I am well aware of the characters and stars. I haven’t been allowed to forget them either as being married to a childminder these two TV channels seem to still be favourite so it was quite bizarre to see Sarah Jane Honeywell live on stage – Sarah has been an unintentionally large part of my peripheral TV viewing over the past 10 years -I say unintentional, but I, like most dads, would never have watched Higgledy House just for Justin! . She plays Glinda, the good fairy, more like a souped up Tweenie than the regal, grandiose fairy of the film and it’s brilliant – the kids loved the cheeky naughtiness, the funky dancing and of course, wearing Heelies on stage – I heard loads on the way out asking their respective parents to dig out their Heelies so they can go be a good fairy.

Bobby Davro proves that there is no substitution for getting up on stage, telling some jokes and having a blooming great time; As the Scarecrow his one liners were so quick that there was a slight time delay as the audience got the previous one, only to then have to catch up again on the next 3 that he had fired, machine-gun like. Of course, Bobby made his initial break as an impressionist and we are treated to a smorgaas bord of his finest, including a Harry Hill which had many of us believing it WAS Mr Hill who had snuck in as a mystery guest star. Mr Davro is obviously the most experienced and some would argue therefore headline star but he is so genuine that there is never a moment of “look at me” or “I’m the star” – a true entertainer.

The whole show is a fun packed afternoon/evening which makes you feel that you have been allowed into the casts’ own end of season production – it’s so loose and fluid that you can’t help just laughing along with the stars on stage as they seem to have as much fun as you do.

It’s a little known fact, but Bobby Davro’s father was a world record holder and Olympian in both the mile and 1500m – well, in Bobby we have the current Olympic champion in making people laugh – jokes, slapstick, fantastic impressions and cheeky devilment and it’s my belief that the UK should be reminded of this more often.

The Wizard of Oz by Enchanted Entertainment is on at Darlington Civic today (Friday 13th) but if you’re thinking of going, please phone the box office first as tickets are pretty scarce. The show is then off to Carlisle for the 14th & 15th April.

UPDATE: Just had my hand slapped by the Tin Man (which I assure you hurts A LOT) for forgetting the most evilest, wickedest, nastiest witch in the whole of Oz – Kate Richards who at times was so wicked the audience were dumb struck and needed prompting to boo – or maybe they just knew what a darling Kate is really and couldn’t bring themselves to hiss at her – either way she was the epitome of a Panto villain, – “Oh yes she was”- and a great singer too.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Bobby Davro, Dani Harmer, Darlington Civic Theatre, Kate Richards, Pantomime, Sarah Jane Honeywell, surprise, Wizard of Oz, Wonderful | 1 Comment

Chicago at Sunderland Empire

Posted on March 27, 2012 by andybramfitt

Most people have heard of, or seen, Chicago – for many it was the 2002 movie starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones that brought them to the delights of Matron Mama Morton and her death row divas but whilst the glamour & glitz of the Hollywood version remains true to the text of the story, you have to see it live on stage to really feel the energy and raw power of the whole experience.

I’ve seen the stage production of Chicago half a dozen times now, including in the West End (twice) but this is undoubtedly the best version. The choreography is simply stunning – it oozes sex appeal, is as tight as a snare drum and gives you all the razzle dazzle mixed with the seedy, snarling, downright dirty underbelly of Chicago in the 1920′s. This is where it strips away the gloss & sanitised safety of the film and exposes you to fabulous dance routines, sultry vocals and a grown-up level of humour.

From the very first number, “All that Jazz” it is obvious that the audience are going to be treated to a non-stop master class in ensemble dancing, direction and production. This is THE example any budding dancer, show director or stage producer should see – the ingenious use of the set, the positioning of the band (who were as much a part of the visual delight as they were the audio) and the simple yet evocative costumes demonstrate theatre at its very best.

Taking the lead roles last night were Tupele Dorgu and Chloe Ames - two girls who, to date have had very different degrees of exposure. Ms Dorgu boasts a very wide & varied list of TV productions including Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Casualty, Doctors and a hall of fame entry for crossing the big red balls in Total Wipeout. As Velma Kelly she has all the sass and bravado coupled with a great voice and some stunning moves; she manages to inject a degree of pathetic desperation just under the skin which always threatens to breakout and ruin the otherwise completely-in-control Kelly – it is this vulnerability which creates the juxtaposition at the end of the show as Velma & Roxie realise they really are alike.

Chloe Ames, who is billed as Hunyak (the Hungarian murderess, who ironically only has two words of English in the whole show) stepped into the lead role and was simply amazing. Roxie, in her hands, was a little girl lost, a brash almost arrogant temptress and a naive but headstrong showgirl. When sexy was required she was molten gold, when vulnerable was needed she was doe-eyed innocence and when it was time for comedy she was classic timing perfected.

The role of Roxie is very demanding, not just for the complex layers of the character but because, being the lead in so much of the story line, she needs to dance, act, sing and belt through many of the shows headline hits. It really places the actress front & centre to be judged and compared against all others who have played Ms Hart, a list which includes such noted stars as Denise Van Outen, Claire Sweeney, Jennifer Ellison, Ruthie Henshall and even Bonnie Langford and I can say, with great certainty, that Chloe Ames deserves to be included in that list too. She may have yet to take top billing herself, but, Ms Ames, your time is nigh and theatre will be all the richer for it.

Chicago is on at Sunderland Empire until 31st March – even if you’ve seen it many times before, go again, this Razzle Dazzle is simply the best

Posted in Comedy, Music, Sunderland Empire, Theatre, Tour, Uncategorized | Tagged Bernie Nolan, Chicago, Chloe Ames, Roxie Hart, Tupele Dorgu, Velma Kelly | Comments Off

My first time at Burlesque and I loved it

Posted on March 17, 2012 by andybramfitt

Wow – what a night, how can I have missed out on this for so long?

Last year I was very lucky to go and see DrumChasers and those who read the review will remember I thought I had seen something very unique and special. Well last night I went to Darlington Civic and, whilst the show I saw was not a new idea, it was my first time at a Burlesque evening and it was amazing. I apologise now to any aficionados of burlesque if I descend into the naive & virginal ramblings of a ‘newbie’ but I loved this show from the very first minute to the extended encores.

For those who may not be familiar with Burlesque, think of a heady (and hedonistic) mix of Vegas, end of the pier, music hall and cabaret with a sprinkling of bizarre and a copious dash of naughtiness. The show we saw last night, hosted by the utterly devine Miss Lili la Scala, gave everything you could ever want for a evening of pure escapism. Miss Lili was the perfect compere for a first timer like me; she was gentle, funny, welcoming and endearing yet all with a wicked glint in her eye suggesting that we were in for some fun.

I won’t spoil the show by recounting each act in detail, but I will say that each one was fresh, funny and so obviously having fun themselves that the audience couldn’t help but join in.

Before last night I believed that Burlesque was all about sequins, stiptease and tassels – there is certainly plenty of that, but it’s done not in a “Carry On” “oo-er” snigger-behind-your-hand-way; it is very artistic, clearly talented and quite ‘grown up’. Added to this was a cornucopia of variety. There was the visual humour of Elan Kosuk (and a brilliant routine with a suitcase), the jaw-dropping and completely bonkers (in a good way, especially for Trekkies) Fancy Chance; Mr B, the Gentleman Rhymer (complete with his Banjolele Chap-Hop), and one of the best impersonators seen in Darlington for many a year (I can’t say who he covered as it would ruin one of the show’s gasp out loud moments). We were treated to the sultry, honey coated jazz of Miss Coco Malone, a cross between Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald who fixed the audience in their seats as they hung on every note, and then, completing this already bulging talent line up was Flixx Demontrant and a trip into his surreal circus of the mind; slightly scary, slightly weird and completely compulsive viewing.

And back to the dancers – Elle Amour and Mia Merode. For anyone who has been forced to go to the ballet and sat thinking, this is okay but it would be great if they could just ‘sex it up’ a bit, Ms Amour is all that and some ! Her choreography would not be out of place amongst Swan Lake, the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty but where they stop she starts, treating the audience to a full appreciation of the female form as she pirouettes, plies and piques. Of course, I wouldn’t suggest that the audience are aficionados of ballet, but we certainly appreciate the loveliness of a half naked dancer.

Now I have a confession, last night I lost my heart to Mia Merode - if ever there was a contender for the modern day Marilyn Monroe then it must be Mia – face of an angel hiding a devilish smile and a body that men would kill for – I have to be careful because Mrs B was with me last night but in the words of Mel Brooks “Wa wa woowoo wa wa !”. If Mia was a cartoon she would rival Jessica Rabbit & Betty Boop combined. Ms Merode is no slouch in the dancing either, she spent almost a whole routine on her points for her foray into ballet and then gave the best reason possible for re-introducing peacock farming for their feathers…… Sorry, must pause & compose myself.

I have to admit, as my first time at a Burlesque show I went with little expectation and a very open mind and was completely bowled over – but like the first time for many other things(!), will anything now be able to really compete with this or have I already had the best - only repeated viewings will tell !

For the perfect adult night out with friends I can recommend nothing better. Check out the ministry of burlesque website for more details of their shows.

Posted in Burlesque, Comedy, Darlington Civic, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Burlesque, Coco Malone, Elan Kosuk, Elle Amour, Fancy Chance, Flixx Demotrant, Lili La Scala, Mia Merode, Mr B | 1 Comment

Swallows and Amazons Forever

Posted on March 6, 2012 by andybramfitt

Image Detail

A wonderful exercise in imagineering which every child should be encouraged to try.

There have been some amazing developments in cinematography recently – high definition, IMAX, 3D – not to mention the fantastical CGI demonstrated in films such as Transformers, Avatar and Inception, but sometimes I wonder whether all this ”alternative reality on a plate” is stripping away our ability to fantasise and make believe.

Well, having just watched Swallows and Amazons at the Civic in Darlington I have to acknowledge that, without a single electric prop, with no high definition back scenes and based only on the ingenuity of a cast of actors and musicians, I lost myself in Windermere 1928.

The story is well known; 2 groups of children take to the lake to sail, explore, rival and ultimately join together in their own fantasies of pirates, savages, ghosts and treasure. What really set this production aside is the completely refreshing way that the set and props gave the feeling that they too were derived from the childrens’ imaginations. Boats were not much more than skateboards with blue ribbons for the water, birds were cleverly fashioned from shears and bin bags while the view through a telescope was brilliantly mimicked with hoops and mini models but it only took a moment to trigger the now underused ‘minds eye’ and the stage disappeared and the Lake District took it’s place.

Just as clever was the introduction of sound effects, again being done acoustically – the sound of the wind was generated by a traditional ‘wheel and canvas’, thunder was created by the biggest storm board I’ve seen and a crackling camp fire was amazingly done simply by clicking and clapping hands.

The cast, all quite grown up despite playing characters aging from 12 down to ‘almost 8′ worked really hard to make their parts believable children without being childish – the original story had all the kids display a great degree of strength of character which came from having the confidence to explore the countryside without fear or prejudice – quite different from the children of today. Granted, there are few who would be happy to let 4 children sail out across a lake to a deserted island to camp, but lets not forget that this story is set very much in a time where the challenges of life were to be faced, and overcome, from the earliest of years.

Led by Richard Holt as Cptn John Walker (who perfectly carried the angst and responsibility of the ‘man of the house’ while his father was at sea and took his assumed place as the head of the camp with great importance) and with Katie Moore as Susan Walker (playing the ‘surrogate mother’ with a wonderful blend of practicality and tenderness), the ‘children’ keep the story rattling along whilst the stage support and crew constantly demonstrate the unique improvisation for sound and visuals. Adding to this, Akiya Henry and Stuart Wright (as Titty and Roger) who brought humour and comedy, again childlike, not childish.

Two scenes stand out above all others – the midnight dream sequence which is reminiscent of a Faustian fantasy coupled with Pirates of the Caribbean, and the fun-packed audience participation of the final battle. I guess that, in the grand scheme of things, this story has yet to be made into a Hollywood gloss movie, nor has it been subject to a BBC drama department make over so this production can keep true, and capture so much of the appeal and essence of the original – the fantasy of childrens’ imaginations.

If you have children of your own, or if you’re an uncle or an aunt, then do yourselves a favour and take them to see this – they will probably be pleased for the invite, you will certainly be glad you did.

Swallows and Amazons is at the Darlington Civic until Saturday 10th March

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Childrens, comedy show, Darlington, Darlington Civic Theatre, Katie Moore, musical, Richard Holt, Swallows and Amazons, Wonderful | Comments Off

On Golden Pond at Darlington Civic

Posted on March 2, 2012 by andybramfitt

A heart-warming, genuine and sincere look at the autumn of life

It’s not very often that a play comes along for which I have no pre-conceived ideas. Even less so when the story, and the film, has received such plaudits as Tony’s, Oscars and international acclaim but I can honestly say I had no clue what to expect when I settled down at the Civic to watch Ernest Thompsons 1979 play.

The story, for any of the few who are as out of touch as I, centres around a married couple’s annual summer retreat to their lodge on Golden Pond. There’s no dynamic plot, there’s no contrived drama or conflict but there is realness to the writing which just draws you in. The audience was very varied but this play appeals to all ages; I took my daughter Jess and she related to the story just as easily as I did and those around us. Those of a similar age to the characters will recognise themselves, those of my age can see their parents and for the youngsters in the seats (like Jess) they can see their grand-parents up there on stage. Set with just one scene, the ambient sounds and great scenery very quickly draw you in and it’s easy to forget you’re sat in the theatre.

The stars of the show, Stefanie Powers and Richard Johnson, deliver with consummate ease, the delightful story of a man, Norman, and wife, Ethel, who have grown so complete together that they have almost become as one. It’s not just the finishing off of each others sentences, but more the unconditional acceptance they have for each other’s foibles, idiosyncrasies and traits. Their lives have become intertwined and defined by their time on Golden Pond, and it is this which makes for a more acute awareness of the encroaching and indefatigable changes of old age. All too often I found myself thinking, “Will we be like this in years to come” and my answer was a resounding “I hope so!”

Simple things, like forgetting the way to the woods where they have walked for 40 years serve only too well to remind us all that our time here is but fleeting. Norman, brilliantly played with ascorbic tongue and dismissive hand waves, is so consumed with his end of days that at first he seems very morbid, however as the play continues you can see inside the character and realise that his incessant fascination about dying is actually a front to deflect from his real fear of growing old with regrets.

The introduction of their middle aged and slightly estranged daughter, Chelsea, only serves to remind Norman that time is short and maybe he should ‘stop and smell the roses’ every now and then. Of course, after 40 odd years, he is not going to simply drop his guard and proclaim love for the prodigal daughter, but an enforced encounter with her 14 yr old step son suddenly gives Norman more reason to live than he thought possible.

This is a wonderful play on quite a short tour – if you get the chance go and lose yourself on Golden Pond, you’ll love it there

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Darlington Civic Theatre, Richard Johnson, Stefanie Powers, surprise, Wonderful | Comments Off

Save the Last Dance for Me at Darlington Civic

Posted on February 21, 2012 by andybramfitt

The music loving populous of Darlington have been very well treated recently, with David Essex last week and now a trip back into the sugar coated, popcorn smelling jukebox musical of the early 1960’s. This latest offering from the Director & Producers who brought the massively successful nostalgia-fest of Dreamboats & Petticoats is another ‘lite’ tale wrapped around a never-ending soundtrack of bubblegum pop and teen angst blues. The backstory of this show is that every song was penned by the same double act, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman – not two of the best known names in songwriting but a pairing who undoubtedly sat behind some of the eras biggest and best known sing-a-long hits from across the pond. Whilst this makes for a playlist of hit after hit, it does at the same time mean that a lot of the songs are quite samey with an American high school focus. With 25 tunes spanning the 2 acts, it can make for a whole lotta moms apple pie.

The story is quite a simple one, a brief glimpse into the stereotypical idea of life for teenagers in the early 60’s – desperate for some excitement and being seduced by the lyrics and ideals of American pop. The two main characters set off on a weeks holiday, sans parents, to the ‘glamorous’ Lowestoft where they fall into the holiday romance trap of the local US Air Force base and it’s resident band. Cue lots of soul searching solos as the youngest sister falls in love with the lead singer of the band, a black airman who was hoping for more racial tolerance in the UK compared to his deep south roots. The story aims at underage love, but shys away, it stares at racial discrimination, but blinks and of course, ends, as all good stories do – with a happy ending. Maybe I am being too hard, the story most certainly plays second fiddle to the songs but at times it just seemed a little too ‘lite’ – the diet, low fat, decaf version.

The two lead girls played their roles well; Megan Jones as Marie, the younger sister, played “love-struck” with the same wide eyed innocence seen from a young Haley Mills whilst Hannah Fredrick, as the older Jennifer’ had a sassy edge, but both are still a little ‘too’ nice & innocent to honestly believe they wouldn’t have ran a mile rather than take a lift from an unknown American airman. What was very evident was that Hannah was clearly enjoying her time on stage and despite her character playing second to the younger sister, her scenes probably stood out more. The resident airforce band can really play well, capturing the sound & style of the songs and ensuring that there was enough originality to know you’re not just listening to a recording. At times the sound mixing meant that the vocals were in danger of being drowned out by the backing, but on the whole the audience, who were very obviously fans of the era, loved it. I must just add that Graham Weaver who played Carlo, an Italian Brummie from Wolverhampton (with a very funny accent to boot) probably stole any ensemble performance – a great dancer, an amazing falsetto voice and according to quite a few sat around me, an excellent reason to stare !

What disappointed me was the portrayal that only American pop was being listened to by the teens of the time; there was a missed opportunity to show the two girls listening to the British hits of the day whilst still at home and then almost discovering the American tunes at the same time as finding the American base & band. I know it was only a story, and basing it completely on the writings of Pomus & Shuman was a large part of the appeal, but by the end I had a real hankering for something more gritty, more real, more British – maybe I had just had a little too much apple pie.

Save the Last Dance for me is on at Darlington Civic until Saturday 25^th February

Posted in American Pop, Comedy, Darlington Civic, Music, Tour | Tagged 1963, American, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Elvis Presley, Graham Weaver, Hannah Fredrick, Lowestoft, Megan Jones, Pomus, Save the Last Dance, Shuman | Comments Off

The Only Way is Essex, David Essex

Posted on February 15, 2012 by andybramfitt

The original TOWIE factor in Darlington

I was too young to really be a part of the original David Essex fan club (honest) – I know of his hits from radio play rather than fandom, I am aware of his forays into 80′s TV & film by research rather than viewings, so, apart from him playing the Artillery Man in the timeless classic Jeff Waynes War of the Worlds, I would have to confess to being aware of Mr Essex’s talents rather than being a devotee. But, given the evidence of the Civic audience last night, not only is the Essex Factor still alive and kicking, his fans, albethem, like the man himself, a little greyer & a little older, are still held in his glow.

Penned, in part, by David himself, the show is a story centred around a traditional travelling fairground. With more than a passing nod to the first half of Carousel, it is a tale of families, forbidden attraction and unrequited love wrapped up with plenty of drama and all played out to the soundtrack of classic David Essex songs. There are a number of layers to this onion of a show; some very bouncy & upbeat, some quite touching & heartwarming and a few which are certainly dark, sombre & sad. I dare say that the story would stand on its own without the songs, and, even (at the risk of incurring the wrath of my mum & the rest of the audience) could work very well without the man himself – that’s not meant to detract from the main attraction but to acknowlegde that the strength of production, writing & choreography makes for a very entertaining show in it’s own right.

Of course the audience really turn up to see Mr Essex and hear his songs so it’s a great testament that All the Fun of The Fair resists the failings of many Jukebox Musicals to simply shoe horn in musical numbers just to swell the play list. The songs all add to the flow of the story with very little adjustment of lyric or tone; it was quite impressive how some took on a completely unique feel when sang within the context of the characters’ lives.

David Essex is very much aware that he is the main attraction. When he takes to the stage he carries a presence, an aura which is very much ‘all eyes on me’ – not that he demands it but that he commands it – and why not, his voice still has the smokey, sultry tones mildly veiling an impish mischief. It is obvious that some of the writing has been adapted to play to the expected audience responses (pausing for the wolf whistles & cat calls when he first appears, reminiscing to his pop star appearances) but he admirably resists making this simply a David Essex concert. He is very generous in giving some of his biggest hits to other parts in the show – I thought that this worked very well and ensured that the supporting cast weren’t marginalised to being backing singers. Of course, there were some in the audience who were disappointed that he didn’t perform every song of his back catalogue but that’s why his CDs still sell in their thousands every year.

Key standout performances included Louise English (Rosa), the gypsy fortune teller who has a mesmerising voice. She opens the show with a haunting version of A Winters Tale which hints at the depths and darkness which lies beneath the surface of the central ’love story’. David Burrows (Harvey) plays the cockney father – an ‘Arfur Daley type of wide boy – with a very powerful performance. His portrayal of the dilemma of protecting his teenage daughter from herself but still trying to give her enough freedom to prevent outright rebellion was played perfectly – strong enough to hold belief but light enough to recognise this was a musical and not a Kafkaesque melodrama.

The choreography is clean, fun & makes great use of the Darlington stage. There are a few routines where we seemed to be watching some bizarre gender reversal, as the seemingly butch & manly gypsy lads performed pirouttes, umbrella & balloon dances and lifted each other while the girls stood as the backing rythym – not sure why as it did look a little too contrived – but the clever use of props and the additional background sounds of funfairs soon restored the magic.

So if you are a David Essex fan then you should already have bought your tickets – if you’re a musical fan, or just a fan of good music, then roll up, roll up and enjoy all the fun of the fair – all that’s missing is the smell of hot dogs & onions.

All the Fun of the Fair is at Darlington Civic until February 18th

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Music, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Darlington Civic Theatre, David Essex, Fun of the Fair, TOWIE | Comments Off

Cinderella at Darlington Civic

Posted on December 7, 2011 by andybramfitt

It’s panto time and as befits the age old tradition, Darlington Civic have once again produced a classic, fun-packed evening for the whole family. This years festive frolic is Cinderella, and whilst the story stays true to the tried & trusted tale, the writing, the jokes and in particular the music really brings things up to date.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you the plot, nor do I need explain the premise of a panto; all the favourites are present – the Ugly Sisters to boo at, Buttons and his unrequited love for Cinders, a Fairy Godmother to make sure the night goes well and of course The Prince & Cinderella for a happy ever after. This production however also makes sure that there is a little extra for everyone – Jimmy Cricket does what he does best, his little solo interludes keep the audience (and in particular the kids) on a high as the stage and costumes change, The Prince & Dandini share a few subtle under jokes which only the adults in the audience will get and, for the Dads & Grandads, there is almost a burlesque appeal to the adult dancers with saucy maids and risque villagers.

The show starts quite slow with each main character having a brief intial cameo to introduce themselves before the story really starts. Jimmy Cricket and Dawson Chance are both needed to keep the kids focussed and then we are treated to a couple of songs (blending modern pop classics with some Disney faves) before heading into the main plot.

Stage Left – Emmerdale’s Deena Payne as the Fairy Godmother revels in the role as guardian, guide and mischief maker (while occasionally giving us a glimpse of a ‘great pair of pins’) while giving the FGM a certain class & style. She leads off on two of the shows great songs (fans of Glee will be in heaven) and whilst she’s no X-Factor finalist, she more than holds her own.

Stage Right – Adam C Booth as Buttons and really the chief cheerleader – all the standard panto refrains come from Buttons and Adam plays to the kids perfectly. His besotted dotage on Cinders does occasionally border on the slightly creepy (he’s her life long friend but I still believe he wouldn’t think twice about sneaking a peek !) but as always Buttons comes through as the dependable buddy. Adam is a seasoned Panto actor and it shows, his timing is perfect – he knows just how to allow the audience to react and then get settled before going on with the tale.

Centre stage - Prince Charming (Ray Quinn from Brookside and X Factor finalist) proves that he’s got the lot – he can dance, he can certainly sing and he can act, though a cheeky rascal scouse Prince Charming was a first for me. In fact I’d go so far as to say that Ray is perfect for Panto, talent in abundance and the boyish good looks that will keep young fans enthralled and their older sisters in raptures. Emma Stephens as Cinderella is stunning; she is beautiful, a very talented dancer and again another great singer. Her Cinders has the right blend of innocence coupled with genuine beauty which is quintessential to the role. Emma’s biopic in the programme suggests that to date her career has been solely on the stage, hopefully she will tour again next year as I believe this young star has a very promising career.

Lurking in the wings – The Ugly Sisters – the favourite bad (taste) guys/girls. Brian Godfrey and Darren Southworth play these two almost too well – they both look mighty fine in frocks and seem very comfortable in the huge range of outlandish costumes, wigs and accompaniments that make them look like Lady Gaga’s rejected stage ideas. Brian sounds like Grandad from Only Fools & Horses, which, for true authenticity, is probably the best voice for an ugly sister – unlike other panto ‘Dames’ (Jack’s Mum or Widow Twankee) these two are never meant to be anything other than guys in bad drag and they work so well together.

The script is tight but the cast are comfortable enough to react to the audience – in fact when Ray Quinn realised that most of us were taking the mick out of his Scouse accent he played to it and encouraged even more ribbing. It really looks like the whole production team are having fun and why wouldn’t they – they’ve got a great show, a great run (I’m sure it will prove to be one of Darlington’s best supported pantos despite the current economic climate) and the wonderful staff of Darlington Civic to look after them.

Christmas is only round the corner but take a tip from me; have a treat early, take your family and go and get lost in the Britishness of panto, Carry-On jokes, saucy dancers and a beautiful Cinderella – you deserve it !

Cinderella is on at Darlington Civic until Sunday 15th January

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Brian Godfrey, cinderella, Darren Southworth, Deena Payne, Emma Stephens, Jimmy Cricket, Ray Quinn, Stephane Anelli | 1 Comment

The Holly and The Ivy

Posted on November 22, 2011 by andybramfitt

It’s Christmas Eve 1947, towards teatime with a log fire burning in the grate, snow in the sky and Holly & Ivy decorating the walls. The scene is set for the latest play from the Middle Ground Theatre Company and this one is a wonderful festive tale of family, religion, passion, obligation and revelation.

The story centres around a village parson (played by Stuart McGugan) and his family as they meet for their customary Christmas get together. The Reverend’s youngest daughter, Jenny, is busy preparing the house while at the same time trying to curtail her excitement of being betrothed to a young Scottish engineer David; a marriage which will take her away from the family home and off to South America where David will work for the next 5 years. Jenny, despite being excited and in love, is still torn as, following her mother’s death, it is she who looks after her father.

The story unfolds around the secrets of Jenny’s older sister Margaret (played by the completely glamorous Corrinne Wicks) and her reasons (both philosophical and spiritual) for feeling unable to come home and take over caring for her father. Throughout the play the Reverend battles with his own personal ‘demons’, doubting his effectiveness, questioning whether religion still has a place in village life yet refusing to concede that it may be time to retire. It is not until two very frank & heartfelt discussions, the first with his soldier son Mick and then Margaret, that he finds the reasons he has been searching for. Alongside this there are two aunts (themselves being as different as Holly & Ivy) who spice up proceedings with their own take on life & love.

Star of the show is undoubtedly Jenny played by Julia Mallam, who is totally captivating as the doting daughter who knows her destiny but is happy to sacrifice it all to protect her father. Julia is a charming, beautiful and talented actress who owned every scene she starred in and provided the thread which runs through the whole production. I would happily buy tickets for every night just to watch her performance.

The Holly and The Ivy is a great Christmas play with a real feeling of the post war years coupled with the sense of social & moral change that prevailed through the general questioning of “what is life all about?”. I can see this becoming a perennial favourite for the festive season.

The Holly & The Ivy is on at Darlington Civic until Saturday 26^th November.

Posted in Darlington Civic, Drama, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Corrinne Wicks, Holly and the Ivy, Julia Mallam, Middle Ground Theatre, Tom Butcher | 1 Comment

Sister Act – Superior or just habit forming ?

Posted on November 17, 2011 by andybramfitt

We all know the Whoopi Goldberg film about a Reno lounge singer trying to make it big by singing at the local gangsters club only to witness him ‘offing’ a snitch and having to go into protective custody as a nun while the case comes to court. A great story made fabulous by the chart breaking songs used, which capture the feeling of San Francisco coupled with Motown classics and spirit-stirring gospel. Indeed some would offer that it is this film that brought Whoopi to the attention of the whole world and with over $208 Million taken in box office receipts it’s hard to argue.

This current touring production of Sister Act is glam, glossy and one of the most professional productions seen this year; the huge & detailed sets make expert use of Sunderlands expansive stage in bringing to life the church of St Katherines (albeit moved to Philidelphia now) while the cast are brilliantly devoted (as one would expect given that most are ‘nuns’). But, and I’m afraid it’s a big but, there just wasn’t a sense of wow in the whole story. It seemed more like a series of sketches played out to accomplish the recounting of each chapter of the story rather than a flowing journey. Scenes were a little predictable; set up, song - with a belting finale, applause, change scene, go again, without enough of a theatrical thread to join them up.

Maybe it was an over eagerness to include so many songs, or maybe by allowing the arrangements to almost overplay the undeniable choristic abilities of the actors that songs simply took too long, but for whatever reason things just seemed to rush from one song to another.

The audience were very much in two camps last night. There were obviously those who clearly love the show and they knew it so well that they were starting to laugh at jokes or visual comedy before the actors had even began to deliver. I am sure that they thoroughly enjoyed the show again and that’s great, that’s the magic of the theatre.

The other camp seemed to be disconnected from what was happening on stage, treating the show as a series of song renditions and almost switching off if the song wasn’t one which they knew or liked. The songs in the first half were very much written to tell the story, but the absence of some of the well known movie tunes meant there were less hooks to keep the non-members of the fan club engaged. It’s very sad to say but there were even patrons in our row who took out their mobile phones and started texting.

Please don’t get me wrong, this is an amazing production delivered by a truly wonderful cast and backed by gorgeous sets, but it just lacked the wrap around feeling of being immersed in a truly great story & script to place it up with musical royalty.

My advice is if you love great music & wonderful singing then get yourself there, if you are looking for a stage show true to the movie then best change your expectations or dig out the DVD and stay at home

Sister Act is currently on at Sunderland Empire

Posted in Music, Sunderland Empire, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Sister Act | Comments Off

The Glee Club at Darlington Civic

Posted on November 15, 2011 by andybramfitt

“It started out as a few drinking buddies singing songs round a pub piano, it became one of the most respected and professional outfits doing the club circuit across the north of England” – and so The Glee Singers, and the timeless qualities of glee clubs across the world was born.

Founded in the hard working (and hard drinking) South Yorkshire Coal Mining district, glee clubs were far removed from the glam & glitz of the American TV series, but the harmonising songs took over the clubs, dancehalls and theatres with far more impact than the modern stateside shows. This play, written by Richard Cameron, gives an insight into the trials & tribulations facing the stereotypical coal miners of the early sixties and does so with a wonderful blend of comedy and heartache backed with their own soundtrack.

The story tracks the colliery glee club as they practise towards their annual gala show but it is the life stories of each member which take centre stage; a young starry eyed wannabee, a failed marriage, lost family and a whole host of skeletons in the cupboard provide no end of twists. If this was a novel it would certainly be classed a ‘page turner’, the great cast had the audience riveted from start to finish and the quality of the writing gave the 6 actors so much to work with that each could be given top billing.

The laughs come more from the accuracy of human conflict and working class camaraderie rather than set up humorous situations, almost bitter sweet in some essences and most certainly something which the audience can recognise and relate to.

When you look at the collective resumes of those on stage it is like reading a smorgasbord of great British TV, film & theatre. John Burton, Michael Chance and Paul Clarkson have probably between them starred in almost every major TV show in the past 15 years, whilst Anthony Clegg and Sean McKenzie have theatre credits to rival even ’Sir Johnny’ & ‘Sir Larry’.

Stand out performance for me, however, was Marc Pickering playing Colin, the youngest of the group – belying his tender age (and his even younger looks) Marc has already starred in Hollywood films, worked alongside Helen Mirren and played ‘R Wayne’ in Peter Kaye’s TV talent show spoof “Britain’s got the X Factor ………..”. In this show he gives young Colin the naive qualities of youth tempered with the premature worldliness of a boy doing a mans job deep underground. He really is a young actor (and accomplished singer & dancer) who TV & film producers should be using much, much more - hopefully they will do so in the very near future.

I would definitely recommend this play. It is a worthy addition to the pedigree of Hull Truck Company productions and, as with previous shows from this amazing stable of stage wonder, it lets the writing and the actors create the story and envelop the audience completely.

Make no mistake, this really isn’t anything like the American show; there is male nudity, adult themes and plenty of ‘industrial language’ but it is very honest, completely engaging and perfectly played.

The Glee Club is playing at Darlington Civic from 15th to 19th November and is the last leg of their autumn tour.

Posted in Comedy, Darlington Civic, Drama, Theatre, Tour | Tagged Glee Club, Hull Truck Company, Marc Pickering, Richard Cameron, Yorkshire Coal Mining | Comments Off

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