Edith in the Dark - The Grange Players - 11.05.16-21.05.16

The Grange Players

Presents

Edith in the Dark

By Philip Meeks

May 11th - 21st 2016

 

We are greeted with a strikingly eerie set, dimmed lights and sinister music which sets the scene nicely for the events that are to unfold in this sometimes dark and sometimes humerous production.

 

The production was set in the house of author Edith Nesbitt who had escaped from her husbands Christmas Party and was entertaining a mysterious, handsome guest, Mr Guasto. He had gatecrashed the party to meet Edith and asked her to read to him from one of her stories. He particularly wanted to hear from The Railway Children or one of her children's tales, but Edith preferred to read from one of her early works, her horror stories.

 

These stories were filled with sadness and loss which disturbed the mysterious young man.

 

They were joined by the Housekeeper, Biddy who decided to join them in the ghostly stories armed with a jug of punch!

 

As the evening unfolded, the stories got darker and darker with each character taking on the characters within the stories until ending with the discovery of the mysterious Mr Guasto's identity.

 

The Grange Players set the piece perfectly. The set, Ediths attic writing room was dark and uninviting with cobwebs and dying flowers scattered around. The lighting created subtle shadows as if ghosts were watching over them and the sound was perfectly in time with the action and really gave the piece a sense of dispair and sorrow.

 

The actors, Samantha Allan (Edith), Rob Meehan (Mr Guasto) and Lynne Young (Biddy Thricefold) played their parts well and went in and out of their different characters within the horror stories well, which allowed the audience to distinguish between their real characters and the characters in the story.

 

Please do not be put off this production with the thought that it is completely full of darkness, as there are some extremely funny one liners which breaks the tension up nicely and is a great piece of theatre to go and watch.

 

The show is directed by Rachel Waters and runs until 21st May.

New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham - Footloose

FOOTLOOSE: THE MUSICAL

RETURNS IN A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION

TOURING THE UK FROM JANUARY 2016

WITH GARETH GATES AS WILLARD

AT BIRMINGHAM’S NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE FROM

MON 4 – SAT 9 JUL 2016

17 years to the day since it first opened on Broadway, it is announced that worldwide smash hit musical Footloose: The Musical will burst back onto the stage in 2016, opening at The Spa, Bridlington on Friday 29 January 2016 prior to a six month UK Tour. Full tour schedule attached.

Based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose: The Musical tells the story of city boy Ren, who has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren breaks loose and soon has the whole town up on its feet. Featuring classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let's Hear it for the Boy and the unforgettable title track, Footloose: The Musical is set to take the world by storm once again in this brand new production, bursting with youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music.

When the film was released in 1984, it became the highest-grossing February release in US film history.  The soundtrack album ended the year-long reign of Michael Jackson’s Thriller at number one and went on to top album charts all over the world, eventually selling in excess of 17 million copies. Footloose was nominated for a Golden Globe, and both the title song and Let’s Hear It for the Boy received Academy Award nominations. Footloose: The Musical first opened on Broadway in 1998 where it ran for 709 performances, with a London production following in 2006, opening at the Novello Theatre following a UK Tour.

Gareth Gates will play Willard from 29 January until 16 April, returning to the show from 20 June 2016. Gareth rose to fame through the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, going on to sell over 5 million records worldwide and have hits across the globe. His version of Unchained Melody sold over a million copies in the UK and is the 3rd best-selling single of the Noughties. Gareth is also the youngest ever-male solo artist to debut at number 1.  More recently Gareth has enjoyed a successful career on stage, with credits including Les Misérables, Legally Blonde and Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolour Dreamcoat. In 2014 Gareth appeared in the final series of Dancing on Ice, and joined boyband 5th Story as part of ITV’s second series ofThe Big Reunion, touring arenas with bands including Blue and Five.

Further casting is to be announced.

Footloose: The Musical has music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and is adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. It is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. It is Directed by Racky Plews (American Idiot, West End) and choreographed by Matthew Cole. It is produced by David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree for Sell A Door Theatre Company and Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment. It is presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

2016 UK TOUR

Friday 29 January - Saturday 6 February 2016

BRIDLINGTON Spa

Box Office www.thespabridlington.com | 01262 678258

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 8 - Saturday 13 February 2016

DARTFORD Orchard Theatre

Box Office www.orchardtheatre.co.uk | 01322 220000

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Tuesday 16 - Saturday 20 February 2016

EDINBURGH Festival Theatre

Box Office www.edtheatres.com | 0131 529 6000

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 22 - Saturday 27 February 2016

LOWESTOFT Marina Theatre

Box Office www.marinatheatre.co.uk | 01502 533200

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 29 February - Saturday 5 March 2016

CARDIFF New Theatre

Box Office www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk | 029 2087 8889

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 14 - Saturday 19 March 2016

MANCHESTER Palace Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester | 0161 245 6600

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 21 - Saturday 26 March 2016

CARLISLE Sands Theatre

Box Office www.thesandscentre.co.uk | 01228 633766

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 28 March - Saturday 2 April 2016

PORTSMOUTH King’s Theatre

Box Office www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk | 023 9282 8282

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 April 2016

BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion Theatre

Box Office www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk | 0844 576 3000

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Tuesday 19- Saturday 23 April 2016

OXFORD New Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford | 0844 871 3020

Monday 25 - Saturday 30 April 2016

WESTON-SUPER-MARE Playhouse

Box Office www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/theplayhouse | 01934 645544

Monday 2 - Saturday 7 May 2016

WIMBLEDON New Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre | 020 8545 7900

Monday 9 - Saturday 14 May 2016

LIVERPOOL Empire

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire | 0151 702 7320

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 23 May 2016

WATFORD COLOSSEUM

Box Office www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk | 01923 571102

Tuesday 31 May - Saturday 4 June 2016

DERRY Millennium Forum

Box Office www.millenniumforum.co.uk | 028 7126 4455

Monday 6 - Saturday 11 June 2016

TORQUAY Princess Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay | 0844 871 3023

Monday 13 - Saturday 18 June 2016

GLASGOW King’s Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre | 0844 871 7648

Monday 20 - Saturday 25 June 2016

ABERDEEN Her Majesty’s Theatre

Box Office www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre | 01224 641122

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 4 - Saturday 9 July 2016

BIRMINGHAM New Alexandra Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham | 0844 871 3011

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 July 2016

NEWCASTLE Opera House

Box Office www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk | 0191 243 1171

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 18 - Saturday 23 July 2016

WOKING New Victoria Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre | 0844 871 7645

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 25 - Saturday 30 July 2016

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton | 0844 871 7627

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 1 August - Saturday 6 August 2016

BRISTOL Hippodrome

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome | 0844 871 3012

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Booking Information:

ATG Theatre Card On Sale: Thu 22 Oct 2015, 10am

General On Sale: Fri 23 Oct 2015, 10am

Performances: Mon 4 – Sat 9 Jul 2016

Box Office: 0844 871 3011 (bkg fee)

Groups 10+: 0844 871 3031

Online: www.atgtickets.com/birmingham (bkg fee)

The Grange Playhouse, Walsall - The Importance of Being Earnest - 15.07.15 - 25.07.15

The Grange Playhouse, Walsall

Presents:

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde
.

15th - 25th July 2015

'A trivial comedy for serious people' - First performed on 14th February 1895 at the St James's Theatre, London, The Importance of Being Earnest has to be Oscar Wilde's most famous play. Over the years it has had dozens of famous performers portraying his delightful characters and it has been made into a film on 3 occasions.

The play is set in late Victorian London and touches on the social obligations of the time and how they were perceived by the young and old generations. Through comedy, Wilde can poke fun at the way society is run and how the younger generation gets round their social obligations.

Martin Groves has put on a splendid production. His direction was elegant and flowed well across the stage. He also created the set design which was constructed in such a way as it allowed the backstage crew to change from Algernon's Flat, to the Manor House Garden, to the Manor House Drawing Rooms with ease but still gave a good visual effect.

Lee Davies, who played Algernon Moncrieff and Rod Bissett who played John Worthing worked well together and their banter and bickers just rolled off the tongue as if they had been together for years. The chase around Algernon's flat over a cigarette case and the muffin argument around the Manor House Garden was nicely choreographed, full of pace, direction, but still audible, with good diction.

Sam Allan gave a lovely portrayal as Lane, Algernon's Servant who entertained the audience with her occasional despairing looks at heaven and sneaking a drink from Algernon's drinks table while no one was around.

As with many productions, Lady Bracknell was played by a male actor. David Stone delivered this part with the correct contempt, snobbery and mannerisms for the period and at times you even forgot that it was a male actor underneath the outfit!

Phebe Jackson gave a powerful performance as Lady Bracknells daughter, Gwendolen. She had great poise and elegance, mixed in with a youthful glow. 

At the Manor House we met Cecily Cardew, the beautiful young ward of John Worthing. She was played by Natalie Ashcroft who delivered a sensitive, full of life character eager to see meet the man of her dreams.

Also at the Manor house, we have Miss Prism, Cecily's Governess (Gwen Evans) who has been hiding a dreadful secret for 28 years and has a soft spot for Rev Canon Chasuble (Brian Lycett). The two have some lovely moments and allowed the audience to believe there would be a romance sooner or later.

Making up the rest of the cast is Christopher Waters as John Worthing's Butler, Merriman and Luke Groves as his Footman.

The cast all gelled well together and allowed the play to go along with gusto and pace. The performance was in 3 acts with 2 intermissions, one being the usual 20 minutes and one 5 minutes which allowed the final scene change to be done with ease behind the curtains and passed with a blink of the eye.

This play tells a simple story of misunderstandings, social standings, secrets, double lives and love, but all rolled into one it makes for a great evenings entertainment with lively acting, wonderful costumes and all in all a great deal of 'drama'!

The Importance of Being Earnest runs at The Grange Playhouse until the 25th July 2015

To book tickets, please call: 07909 036 835 / 01922 625 100

The Grange Playhouse

Broadway North

Walsall

West Midlands

WS1 2QB

Review by Jayne Rickard