The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - The Importance of Being Earnest - 20th-25th October 2014

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

20th - 25th October 2014

Firstly, it was lovely to see The Alexandra so full! This is probably due to Oscar Wilde's work being so poignant in the development of theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest, 'A Trivial Comedy for Serious People' is said to be the most perfect comedy ever written. Many of us will know the story of The Importance, but I think the audience were quite surprised with the fresh take director, Lucy Bailey, took upon the piece. As an audience our usual signal to quiet down and prepare for the action is the lights going down, however this evening we were met with the entrance of Patrick Godfrey and soon after Nigel Havers in bright red trainers, complaining that the piano recording is supposed to stop before his arrival. Bailey, with the help of Simon Brett, had created a framework around The Importance, essentially a play within a play. Soon the stage was filled with actors, a director, a technician, stage managers, wardrobe, prompters, it was familiar chaos, this was a rehearsal. What the audience was witnessing was The Bunbury Company of Players (BP), an amateur dramatics group, in their final dress rehearsal of their much loved Wilde production, within the house of one of the company's founding members.

This framework was not only portrayed on stage, interestingly it was taken further, in the programme I received on this night it contained a mini programme, that I assume would have been presented on the night of this imaginary performance. Within, it included a full cast list and biography on each character, a piece from director and even a trip to Oscar Wilde bar in London's Cadogan Hotel, by doing this it was almost an extension of the production. I understand that this is a little difficult to get your head around, perhaps the team could have done more to bring this section into the 21st century on stage than just a pair of Nike trainers and the ring of a mobile phone but we must applaud the dedication of the production team to going to such lengths on paper. In addition to this, it allowed for a more mature cast to perform the roles of twenty-something characters, to some disapproval, although Wilde's work being quite fast paced and wordy, it was nice to see the language approached effortlessly that only comes with the more experienced actor. 

Nigel Havers playing both Richard Oldfield of the Bunbury players and Algeron Moncrieff, wooed the ladies as he has done for many years with his charm and flamboyance, along side his co-star Martin Jarvis, the director of BP and the main role of John Worthing. A fun and gripping scene between the jealous, feisty girls Cecily (Christine Kavanagh) and Gwendolen (Cherie Lunghi) had the laughs rolling. Siân Phillips, the rehearsal space owner, Lavinia Spelman practiced the iconic "A handbag!?" line as Lady Bracknell with her usual elegance.As the rehearsal went on gradually the Bunbury players merged with their The Importance characters superbly and we found ourselves submerged within Wilde's world.

The production runs until Saturday 25th October at The Alex.

Review by Ellie Scandrett

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Dreamboats and Miniskirts - 13.10.14 - 18.10.14

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

Monday 13th - Saturday 18th October 2014

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is the sequal to the hit Dreamboats and Petticoats and delights us with more classic 60’s tunes.

It is now 2 years on, 1963 and we see lovebirds Bobby and Laura not doing as well as expected with their musical career. It is decided that they should part ways and so Bobby returns to his youth club band ‘The Conquests’ while Laura tries it alone. Their relationship is also rocky, especially when Bobby tries to record a song with ‘The Conquests’ that Laura wrote without telling her. As her solo career starts to take off, can they work through their differences or will they part ways forever?

Running alongside this, we have bad boy Norman who has given up music and settled down to family bliss with heavily pregnant Sue. As musical tastes have changed it becomes apparent that ‘The Conquests’ need Norman and his individual voice back in the band and along with a soft push from Sue he returns to his passion of singing and entertaining.

Ray, Laura’s older brother and Bobby’s best friend has started working in a plush hairdressing salon in London which means that he has less and less time for his long term girlfriend Donna who is beginning to lose her patients with the small amount of time they are seeing each other – who cares if Elizabeth Taylor wants him to go to her hotel room to cut her hair!!!!

Ray is also the manager of ‘The Conquests’ and once he gets them signed with music boss Tony, can they rise to stardom or is it just another youth club dream that will eventually have its day?

The set was covered in 60’s posters with bands and adverts from the time. It was the same as ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ which, for people who had been to see the first instalment, gave them a friendly, almost homely welcome as it instantly drew you back into the action. This set is simple and effective and doesn’t take anything away from the action. It allows scene changes to be carried out quickly and efficiently and all of the actors chip in with bringing things on and off stage.

There were no fancy lighting or sound queues, which meant that the songs took centre stage, and so they should as what can beat a good old 60’s belter!

The performers were the true stars of this show. Their voices were pitch perfect and they really looked as if they were having a ball on stage which uplifted and drew the audience in. We had hand clapping and even a bit of dancing in the audience which was all thanks to the stunning performances.

You could not pick anyone out in particular, as the performers worked wonderfully as a team and there was a real spark between them all that made you believe in all of their characters and relationships.

We also had performers playing a variety of instrument’s that blended in well with the running of the show and created that extra level to the performance.

It is not like me to gush about a show, but I loved ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ and ‘Dreamboats and Miniskirts’ is in no way a sloppy 2^nd, it is punchy, vibrant and a must see for 60’ lovers. Granted the storyline is predictable, but who cares when you are watching such talent!

Cast:

Alex Beaumont – Bobby

Elizabeth Carter – Laura

Ross William Wild – Norman

Louise Olley – Sue

David Luke – Ray

Anna Campkin – Donna

Alan Howell – Tony

Josh Tye - Derek

Chris Coxon – Richard (Bass Guitar)

Chloe Edwards-Wood – July (Tenor Saxophone / Clarinet)

Michael Kantola – Colin (Musical Director / Guitar)

Sheridan Lloyd – Andy (Assistant Musical Director / Piano)

Josef Pitura-Riley – Jeremy (Trumpet / Keyboard)

Charlotte Peak – Murial (Bass Saxophone / Flute)

Will Tierney – Joe (Rhythm Guitar)

Damiem Walsh – Barry (Drums)

The show runs at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 18th October so get your tickets today.

Website:

www.atgtickets.com/.../dreamboats-and-miniskirts/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

‎

Box Office:

0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Dreamboats and Miniskirts - 13.10.14 - 18.10.14

Dreamboats and Miniskirts hits the stage at the New Alexandra Theatre

Monday 13th - Saturday 18th October 2014

Sensational new sixties musical Dreamboats and Miniskirts is currently taking centre stage at the New Alexandra Theatre until this Saturday 18 October. And this week the cast of the hit show have enjoyed the delights of shopping in Birmingham, with a trip back in time at Flamingo Vintage, based in the Custard Factory in Digbeth.

Left to right. The cast of Dreamboats and Miniskirts shop at Flamingo Vintage, the Custard Factory. David Luke, Anna Campkin, Alex Beaumont and Elizabeth Carter.

Since its premiere in Bromley in 2009 Dreamboats and Petticoats has become a musical phenomenon, having played to more than two million people across the UK. Inspired by Universal’s multimillion selling album series which now boasts seven double compilation albums and a myriad of one off special releases.

Now the creative team reunite for the sequel.

It’s 1963, and the world is changing. Bobby and Laura’s single “Dreamboats and Petticoats” is only half a hit. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! And Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy…

The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom – Norman to “get off the drains” and find that hit parade voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act!?

All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats.

 

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesman, Shine on Harvey Moon, Save the Last Dance For Me and of course, Dreamboats and Petticoats, and is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music.

Featuring hit after hit from Twist & Shout to Handy Man to Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many more, Dreamboats and Miniskirts is happiness guaranteed.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

At the New Alexandra Theatre

Monday 13 to Saturday 18 October 2014

www.atgtickets.com/birmingham<http://www.atgtickets.com/birmingham>

0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - The Mousetrap - 06.10.14 - 11.10.14

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Monday 6th - Saturday 11th October 2014

As the audience sat in darkness the atmosphere was tense, we heard a women's fear filled scream, the shock and confusion of many voices and then finally a news report over the wireless informing us that a women, Mrs Lyon, had been murdered. As the curtain rose we were met by a jaw dropping set, a grand living room of a country house, high ceilings lined with oak panels, armchairs covered in chintz fabric, beautiful stain glass windows that show the heavy snow falling outside, slowly piling up in the window pane. The lighting is warm and inviting, contrasting the chilly outdoor atmosphere, that got darker as the day went on. This is Monkswell Manor, now a guest house inherited by newlyweds Giles and Mollie Ralston, who await their first guests anxiously and one by one they arrive covered in snow that appeared to melt away. Christopher Wren (Stephen Yeo) an eccentric young man that quickly befriends Mrs Ralston, Mrs Boyle (Anne Kavanagh) an older lady that expects the finer things in life and nitpicks everything wrong with the establishment owned by amateurs, Major Metcalf (Christopher Gilling) an army retiree that we know little about, Miss Casewell (Charlotte Latham) an independent and often masculine women, who doesn't seem to take to any other guests, Mr Paravicini (Michael Fenner) a foreigner that enjoys to wind everyone up, making him a gentleman disliked by all and finally, Sgt. Trotter (Luke Jenkins) arrives searching for links to the murder of Mrs Lyon. 

In true Christie style the story twists and turns, the audience find themselves becoming detectives, picking up on subtle gestures and analysing every conversation hoping to find a clue. Although by doing this, you will only be led down one path, to suddenly leap down another, this is helped by an excellent cast that draw you into their lives but holds you at arms length, forcing you to question your instincts.

After the much deserved applause the actors asked to keep the twist ending a secret to anyone outside of the theatre, to ensure the mystery stays alive, by doing this you become part of a community and part of the plays history, which is a heartwarming and unique experience. 

The Diamond Anniversary tour of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, the worlds longest running show of the modern era, is running at The Alexandra Birmingham until Saturday 11th October. 

Review by Ellie Scandrett