Category Archives: Comedy

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 … Continue reading →

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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. … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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As You Like It by The Castle Players

Posted on July 16, 2012 by andybramfitt

  “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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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Raining Men at Consett Empire

Posted on May 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

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 … Continue reading →

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Yes, Prime Minister

Posted on May 10, 2012 by andybramfitt

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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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Swallows and Amazons Forever

Posted on March 6, 2012 by andybramfitt

  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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 & … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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Mr Stink proves the art of storytelling is still alive

Posted on November 8, 2011 by andybramfitt

When I was growing up I loved to read; a good story could keep me rivetted for days and I loved classics such as Watership Down, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Swallows & Amazons and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.  As I … Continue reading →

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They’ve done it again – The Producers at Darlington Civic

Posted on October 26, 2011 by andybramfitt

Pigeons, Nazis, many different herrings, cooked books and little old ladies – all the ingredients for a wonderfully funny & entertaining evening.  Of course, it’s the writing of Mel Brooks that binds all these obscure & lets face it weird … Continue reading →

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Oh so sweet FA – Fascinating Aida and the Cheap Flights Tour

Posted on September 26, 2011 by andybramfitt

Sunday nights have always been a bit of a bore to me.  First it was the bath & early night before school, then the lull after a fun weekend before the drudgery of work, and finally the end of Super … Continue reading →

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January, February ?.. any month is great for The Calendar Girls

Posted on September 13, 2011 by andybramfitt

What do you get if you blend the cream of British actresses, icons from the stage & screen, comedic genius and a heart warming story made all the more amazing because it was true ?? No, give in ? Then … Continue reading →

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Na na na na Batman !!

Posted on August 1, 2011 by andybramfitt

My friend & I took his 8 year old son to see Batman Live at the Metro Arena and whilst us adults had a good evening, it was more geared up for the children, the show even started at 7pm so … Continue reading →

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Phil Cool at the Empire Theatre, Consett

Posted on July 11, 2011 by andybramfitt

I wonder how many people can remember TV comedy in the early 80′s ? Spitting Image, The Young Ones, 3 of A Kind, Black Adder ?; very funny shows written by teams of comedic experts and delivered by some of … Continue reading →

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Barry & Stuart – It’s just an illusion

Posted on July 4, 2011 by andybramfitt

On Friday I took Mrs B up to Durham to the Gala to see the latest in a long line of Scottish double acts.  For those of you who have yet to go to the Gala theatre you’re really missing … Continue reading →

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