Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre - The Frozen Scream - 07.01.2015 - 17.01.2015

Stage and Television Star

RULA LENSKA

to star in

The Frozen Scream

co-written by novelist Sarah Waters

presented by

Wales Millennium Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome and Christopher Green

RULA LENSKA will star in The Frozen Scream a new production for the winter season which will open at Wales Millennium Centre this December before transferring to Birmingham Hippodrome in January.

Rula has toured extensively both in the UK and abroad and appeared in several West End shows – most recently The Vagina Monologues. Rula joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2009 as Claudia Colby but is probably best remembered for her role of Q in the hit television series Rock Follies. Rula has recently completed a tour of Pygmalion with Alistair McGowan.

Rula said “It is such a joy to be working with my great friend and superb cabaret artist Christopher Green who asked me to be in this unique piece of theatre and with one of my favourite authors Sarah Waters.  This is such an opportunity to be part of something totally different to anything I have ever done or seen before.”

Based on a largely forgotten murder-mystery novel, The Frozen Scream brings the chilling tale back to life for the stage, offering a unique show this festive season co-written by Olivier-award winning performer and writer Christopher Green and best-selling novelist Sarah Waters.

Directed by Christopher Green, who will also perform in the show, The Frozen Scream tells the story of a group of friends stranded in an abandoned lodge in the heart of winter. Attempting to entertain themselves with the tale of Jack Frost, fictional horror quickly slips into reality as events escalate in unexpected ways. The original novel, written by English novelist CC Gilbert, while popular when it was published in 1928, rapidly fell out of favour when a series of mysterious deaths led to the belief that the novel was cursed.

This creative collaboration between Wales Millennium Centre and Birmingham Hippodrome arose from a shared desire to offer audiences an alternative form of Christmas entertainment. Recently the two venues have collaborated on the UK Tour of the Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera presentation of Show Boat which has just been nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production.

With both Cardiff and Birmingham set to present an extensive programme of family orientated shows, musicals and pantomimes this winter, The Frozen Scream will offer an exciting alternative for local audiences.

The Frozen Scream will premiere at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (11 – 20 Dec 2014), followed by Birmingham Hippodrome (7-17 Jan 2015).

The Frozen Scream is the first play to be written by acclaimed novelist Sarah Waters, well-known for her award wining novels including Tipping the Velvet (1998), Fingersmith (2002), and The Little Stranger (2009). Her latest novel, The Paying Guests, has just been published.

An award-winning performer and writer, Christopher Green has created numerous pieces of experimental theatre including Office Party, VIP, The Razzle and This Show Has No Name. He is also well-known as a character comedian, playing under numerous personas including country music singer, Tina C, and rapping pensioner, Ida Barr.

The Frozen Scream is the first collaboration between Waters and Green.

Age guidance: 16+.

The Frozen Scream runs at Wales Millennium Centre from Thursday 11 – Tuesday 20 December 2015. Tickets are priced at £16. For more information and to book tickets visit www.wmc.org.uk or call 029 2063 6464.

The Frozen Scream runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 7 - Saturday 17 January 2015.  Tickets are priced £15.00-£18.50 and are available online www.birminghamhippodrome.com or phone 0844 338 5000.

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre - Oklehoma - 30.06.15 - 04.07.2015

STAR CAST FOR RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S

OKLAHOMA!

BELINDA LANG, GARY WILMOT, ASHLEY DAY, CHARLOTTE WAKEFIELD & NIC GREENSHIELDS

Music & Lyrics Limited and Royal & Derngate Northampton present a new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical OKLAHOMA!, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and with new choreography by Drew McOnie, which will tour the UK and Ireland next year and will be at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 30 June – Saturday 4 July 2015.

From the award-winning producers of the highly successful tours of The King & I and Fiddler on the Roof, this new production of one of the great classic American musicals will feature a large cast and chorus led by Belinda Lang (School for Scandal, Ladies in Lavender, The Killing of Sister George) as Aunt Eller, Gary Wilmot (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Pajama Game, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Ali Hakim, Ashley Day (The Book of Mormon, The Wizard of Oz, High School Musical) as Curly, Charlotte Wakefield (The Sound of Music, MAMMA MIA!, Spring Awakening) as Laurey and Nic Greenshields (Guys and Dolls, Billy Elliot, The Phantom of the Opera) as Jud Fry, accompanied by a live orchestra led by musical director Steve Ridley.  Set and costumes will be designed by Francis O’Connor, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Ben Harrison.

Rachel Kavanaugh is former Artistic Director of the Birmingham Rep.  She is directing An Ideal Husband at the Chichester Festival Theatre this autumn.  Other credits include The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre,Love Story in Chichester and the West End, and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  Drew McOnie’s choreography credits include In the Heights for Southwark Playhouse, The Sound of Music and Chicagofor Leicester Curve, Soho Cinders at the Soho Theatre, and Dames at Sea and On the 20th Century at the Union Theatre.  He recently launched his own theatre dance company, The McOnie Company.

OKLAHOMA!, with music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, was based on the Lynn Riggs play Green Grow the Lilacs and was the first musical written by the duo.  It was originally produced on Broadway in 1943 and the Academy Award-winning film was released in 1955. Set in the Oklahoma territory in the early 1900s, the musical tells the story of two sets of star-crossed lovers. Cowboy Curly loves Laurey, Aunt Eller’s niece, but Curly’s rival is the mysterious and dangerous hired hand Jud Fry.  Meanwhile, Ado Annie is torn between cowboy Will and peddler Ali Hakim.  Their stories are told with the help of some of the best loved songs in musical theatre history, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No, Surrey With a Fringe on Top, Kansas City, People Will Say We’re in Love and the title song.

The UK & Irish tour of OKLAHOMA! will be presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

Website: www.oklahomatour.co.uk

OKLAHOMA!  runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 30 June – Saturday 4 July.  Tickets are priced £18-£40 and can be booked on 0844 338 5000 or online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com 5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) postage from £1. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change.   Perf times:   Tue-Sat eves 7.30pm; Wed Mat 2pm; Sat Mat 2.30pm.

Access performances: Captioned Thu 2 July at 7.30pm; Signed Fri 3 July at 7.30pm; Audio Described  Sat 4 July at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre - Blood Brothers - 13.10.14 - 25.10.14

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre

Bill Kenwright presents:

Willy Russell’s

BLOOD BROTHERS

Monday 13th - Saturday 25th October 2014 

 ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S FAVOURITE MUSICALS RETURNS FOR AN INCREDIBLE 9th SEASON FOR 2 WEEKS ONLY!

 

Birmingham Hippodrome opened the first-ever UK tour of Blood Brothers starring Helen Reddy back in 1995, now more than 19 years later the international hit returns for its ninth season at the theatre starringMaureen Nolan from Monday 13 – Saturday 25 October 2014. 

Maureen Nolan makes a welcome return to the role of Mrs Johnstone after playing the iconic part in both the West End and on tour; she was the fourth Nolan sister to play the role, earning them entry in to the Guinness Book of Records.

Maureen has been singing with her sisters since she was nine years old. Together they became one of Europe’s first girl bands – The Nolans. The Nolans’ success is legendary, including phenomenal record sales worldwide, particularly in Japan where they sold more records than The Beatles!  

Blood Brothers ran in London’s West End for 24 years, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone, and has scooped up multiple awards across the globe including no less than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

The musical tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited, by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

Willy Russell is undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

Blood Brothers is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright with designs by Andy Walmsley.  Dan Samson is the original sound designer. Rod Edwards is the musical supervisor and Kelvin Towse is the production musical director.

Blood Brothers runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 13 – Saturday 25 October 2014. Tickets are priced £18-£38 and available on 0844 338 5000 or online at 

birminghamhippodrome.com  5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) postage from £1. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change. 

Performance Times: Mon-Sat eves 7.30pm, Wed mats 2pm, Sat mats 2.30pm.

Signed performance Tue 21 Oct 7.30pm; Captioned performance Thu 23 Oct 7.30pm; Audio described performance Sat 25 Oct 2.30pm.

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Blockbuster the Musical - 22.09.14 - 27.09.14

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Monday 22nd - Saturday 27th September 2014

Music and lyrics by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman

Script adaption by David Soames and Paul Nicholas

I didn't know what to expect from this night at The New Alexandra, there was not much online or even in the programme on what this piece was about, just that it included 70s music from writing duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who, for the best part of twelve years were the UK's leading songwriting partnership with over 50 top 40 hits. 

The storyline is a little weak, however this is something often found with jukebox musicals, where a plot is created to fit loosely around the music desired.

At the beginning of the performance we meet Mickey Block, who feebly mentions that his friends call him Buster. Get it? Mickey Block-Buster? Mickey is a young, attractive lad that spends his time busking in Leicester Square tube station. When he gets into trouble with some local thugs, Mickey finds himself hiding in a magical music store owned by Crazy Max. Max decides to send Mickey back in time 42 years to 1972 in order to complete two good deeds, and ultimately put others before himself. At Ealing College Mickey meets a host of new people and falls in love with both Theresa and the era but he only has 7 days until he is sucked back into his own reality.

Throughout the night we hear such hits as Tiger Feet, Devil Gate Drive, Mickey, If You Can't Give Me Love and Ballroom Blitz and a few of the audience were up on their feet, dancing and singing away. It was great to see a live band on stage. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties much of the singing was drowned out by the band. The lighting was vibrant and with the glitter ball hanging from the ceiling the atmosphere was created, but the set left gaps, allowing the audience to see actors preparing to enter, often spoiling some of the surprises.

In spite of some technical hiccups the cast worked hard to maintain the energy. Aaron Sidwell, known for Steven Beale in Eastenders, played Mickey Block, he carried the show with the full package, a lovely voice, slick dance moves and guitar playing. The love story between Mickey and Theresa, played by Aimie Atkinson was believable and heart warming, with their voices complimenting one another's.

Paul Nicholas, who also directed and adapted the script, played two very different characters well, Crazy Max and Paul. He showed that his voice is still as strong as ever in his rendition of 'Living Next Door to Alice'.

Micha Richardson as Jodie took centre stage to sing 'You Better Be Good To Me' and turned out to be a highlight of the evening.

The choreography was on point, and took an interesting take on many styles of dance, while always being delivered with precision.

Overall the show does have its problems, but, once the technical issues are resolved and the right audience are there toe tapping, I think it has the potential to be a fabulous night out!

Review by Ellie Scandrett

23.09.2014

Birmingham Hippodrome - Ringside - November 2014

HIPPODROME PLUS presents

RINGSIDE 

Film, Cabaret, Adventure and Talks inspired by Richard Wagner

In celebration of Wagner’s epic The Ring Cycle

This coming November Birmingham Hippodrome will present Wagner’s epic The Ring Cycle in its entirety.  Conducted by Maestro Valery Gergiev with his world-famous Mariinsky Opera it is the only UK date in 2014.

In celebration of this exciting event in the opera calendar, Hippodrome Plus will be taking a deeper look at Wagner with RINGSIDE a series of films, cabaret and talks inspired by his work. The events take a look at Wagner’s unusual narrative style – his operas included magic objects, love potions and family rivalry: this programme takes a light-hearted look at the amazing stories, introducing them to those new to Wagner, and re-interpreting them for those who already love his work.

Paul Kaynes, Director of Creative Programmes at Birmingham Hippodrome said “The Ring Cycle is very rarely performed in full so to coincide with this we wanted to provide audiences with the chance to get under the skin of Wagner exploring how other art forms have been influenced by his work.  RINGSIDE offers alternative events and performances for all ages from Brunch with the Brünnhildes hosted by BBC Radio 4’s Front Row presenter Matthew d’Ancona, The Fat Lady Sings - An Opera Cabaret, starring cabaret legend Kit Hesketh Harvey,  to a real life adventure game that can be played by all the family.

“RINGSIDE will take place off the main stage using our Patrick Centre studio, foyer areas, the UK’s oldest working cinema The Electric Cinema and places and spaces around the Hippodrome with some events FREE.”

TWILIGHTOFTHEFREAKINGODS
Saturday 25 October 6.30pm and Sunday 26 October 2.30pm
Birmingham Hippodrome’s The Patrick Centre – Tickets £6
TWILIGHTOFTHEFREAKINGODS is a film by Reel Access from a play by Birmingham based Stan’s Café from an opera by Richard Wagner.  

In 2013 internationally acclaimed theatre company Stan’s Cafe created a visionary rendering of Wagner’s Götterdammerüng story. Reel Access shot 24 hours of video footage over the two performances and through a process of time shifting and layering they produced an extraordinary, hypnotic, timeless film that both documents that original production and transcends it to become a ravishing work of art in its own right. Black and white and wordless, with a rich original soundtrack by Nina West, this film harks back to Fritz Lang, carries echoes of Matthew Barney, is resolutely Wagnerian and playfully Stan’s Cafe.

ONE OF OUR SINGERS IS MISSINGSaturday 1 November 11am
Birmingham Hippodrome
FREE TO ATTEND BOOKING ESSENTIAL (duration approx 90 mins, depending on how fast attendees solve the clues!)

One of Our Singers is Missing is a real life adventure game that anyone can play, from individuals, and groups to couples and families.  One of the Hippodrome’s opera singers has gone missing so participants have to rescue the star from peril by following the trail around the Hippodrome and solving the clues.

FILM MUSIC AND THE GHOST OF WAGNERNeil Brand – An Illustrated talk
Saturday 1 November 4pm
The Patrick Centre – Tickets £10

As cinema has embraced the fantasy epic, comic-book heroes and ancient and modern fairytales, so its music has become more grandiose, action-packed, and bombastic - some would say ‘Wagnerian’. In this specially created event, lavishly illustrated with ï¬ï¿½lm excerpts both classic and modern, Neil Brand (presenter of the critically-acclaimed BBC4 series "Sound of Cinema - the Music that made the Movies") dismantles modern ï¬ï¿½lm scores to ï¬ï¿½nd where Wagner lurks within, from the use of Leitmotifs, to the music of the Gods, to the melodic construction of superheroes - a layman’s guide to ï¬ï¿½lm scoring that ensures you will never hear blockbuster movies the same way again!

SIEGFRIED IDYLLSaturday 1 November 5.30pm
Birmingham Hippodrome Foyer – FREE
A performance by students from Birmingham Conservatoire, conducted by David Purser.

On Christmas Day 1870 Cosima Wagner, Richard Wagner’s wife, awoke to the sound of a dozen or so musicians, crowding along the staircase to her bedroom, playing a piece of beautiful music that she had never heard before. Siegfried Idyll, based on one of Brünnhildes lilting melodies from The Ring, was Wagner’s extravagant and romantic birthday present to his beloved wife and, in turn, it has become the most widely loved piece of music Wagner wrote.

THE FAT LADY SINGSSaturday 1 November 7.30pm
The Patrick Centre – Tickets £18

The Fat Lady Sings is a hit opera cabaret performed by Kit and McConnel who enjoyed a sold-out tour with the late Joan Rivers.   This hilarious evening is an irreverent romp through the hilarities of the opera repertoire created by cabaret legend Kit Hesketh Harvey, best known as one half of comedy duo Kit and the Widow and Radio 4’s long-running comedy show Just a Minute.

SIEGFRIEDSunday 2 November Doors 11.30am
The Electric Cinema – Tickets £10 standard; £14 front row sofas; £16.50 back row sofas
To book call the Electric Box Office on 0121 643 7879 or online www.thelectric.co.uk

Hippodrome Plus teams up with the UK’s oldest working cinema to provide an escape from the city for an afternoon of black and white movie magic. This rare screening of Fritz Lang’s silent movie epic Siegfried is accompanied on live piano by Neil Brand(presenter of the critically-acclaimed BBC4 series "Sound of Cinema - the Music that made the Movies")  the world’s leading silent movie pianist.    Famous for his later hit Metropolis Lang’s black and white cinema masterpiece is adapted from the same myth that Wagner drew on for The Ring Cycle.

BRUNCH WITH THE BRUNNHILDESSaturday 8 November 11.30am
The Patrick Centre – Tickets £25 including brunch

Brunch with the Brünnhildes is a unique and special event with two of the world’s leading Wagnerian sopranos Susan Bullock and Catherine Foster who have sung the role of Brünnhilde  in opera houses all over the world.  In conversation with Spectator journalist and BBC Radio 4 Front Row presenter and Wagner fan Matthew d’Ancona they reveal the secrets of what it takes to perform this demanding role and some of the tricks of the trade they deploy to cope, and what it feels like to bring the whole of the Ring Cycle to an end – with one of opera’s most iconic passages, Brünnhilde’s Immolation Scene.

BOX OFFICE DETAILS

Tickets are available from Birmingham Hippodrome Box Office on 0844 338 5000 or online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com *5% fee applies, £1 postage fee, calls cost from 5p per min.

Tickets for Siegfried are available from The Electric cinema box office on 0121 643 7879

One of Our Singers is Missing is a Free event but booking is essential call Birmingham Hippodrome Box Office on 0844 338 5000 or book online at www.birminghamhippodrome.co.uk

-ENDS- 18 Sept 2014

Media Contact: Mandy Rose, Birmingham Hippodrome 0121 689 3069 mandyrose@birminghamhippodrome.com

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Avenue Q - 16th - 20th September 2014

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Tuesday 16th - Saturday 20th September 2014

It's been ten years since Avenue Q first appeared on Broadway; created by Jeff Marx and Bobby Lopez, who never intended it to be a stage play let alone a musical. Now Sell A Door (2008) bring us the first major production in a few years, touring the UK.

The production follows Princeton; a recent graduate of English looking for his purpose in life, only for life to get in his way, which is relatable for many people my age (early 20s, just left university). After starting on Avenue A Princeton finds himself moving to Avenue Q, an affordable area in New York, renting from none other than superintendent Gary Coleman. Here Princeton meets some interesting characters, Kate Monster, his love interest, sweet but surprisingly feisty, Brian, an unemployed, failed comedian with his 'oriental' wife, Christmas Eve. Trekkie monster, Sesame Street's Cookie Monster gone dirty, obsessed with porn, who in no way is related to Kate Monster, because that's racist! Bert and Ernie's famous platonic relationship is reflected in the parody Nicky and Rod. Lucy The Slut, who's name says it all really and the Bad Idea Bears, the two furry red devils sitting on everyone's shoulder telling them to drink and have loud sex. 

Avenue Q's premise is producing hilarious songs that explore controversial, although often relatable, issues such as racism and sexuality, they approach these subjects bluntly, but these muppets gone wild do soften the blow. However, seeing a graphic puppet sex scene is something that I'll never forget! The production gives us catchy songs such as "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist", "The Internet Is For Porn", "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)" and "If You Were Gay".

The idea that the actor would be in full view of the audience on stage was revolutionary, this is without any attempt of ventriloquy, however the puppets are more of an extension of the actor controlling them. By the end of the production, the actors and their puppets had almost merged into one another, and the legs seen became the characters'. Another point that assists this illusion is the actors creating the same expressions and posture as the puppets on their hands, it was especially clever when two actors controlled the same puppet, as was often the case with Trekkie Monster. The entire cast focused their energy into their puppets making them come to life!

On this night, the character of Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut was played by the second cover Jessica Parker, although I haven't seen the usual actor, I honestly do not understand why she wasn't the first choice every night, she blew the roof off The Alex! Furthermore, her ability to switch between her two characters never disrupted the flow of the piece and was truly stunning. The same goes for Stephen Arden, who I did question whether he had a body double because he appeared on different sides of the stage as another character within seconds, as Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear. Tom Steedon stole the show with his superb character work and beautiful voice. Overall, a particular highlight of mine was the pure uproar of laughter at seeing Brian's (Richard Morse) wiggling around in his loose shorts in "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today", again an image that I cannot erase from my memory. The whole ensemble deserves mention, for all their hard work in mastering their puppets, which I'm sure is no easy task, congratulations to all involved!

Review by Ellie Scandrett

Creative Team

Music and Lyrics  Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx                 

Book                          Jeff Whitty

Original Concept Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx    

Director                   Cressida Carré

Choreographer     Cressida Carré

Set Design               Richard Evans                                      

Lighting Design    Charlie Morgan Jones

Sound Design        Chris Bogg and DBS Solutions  

Puppet Designed Paul Jomain (www.Qpuppets.co.uk)

Orchestrations     Stephen Oremus

Arrangements       Stephen Oremus

Producers              Sell a Door Theatre Co and Richard Darbourne Ltd.

Running Time:    2hrs 30 mins | Suitable for 14+

Show Details

Avenue Q

New Alexandra Theatre

Tue 16 – Sat 20 September 2014

Tickets Prices: £17.90 - £39.40*

Book now on 0844 871 3011 or visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

*Booking fee included, an additional transaction fee will apply

The Grange Theatre, Walsall - The Ladykillers - 10th - 20th September 2014

The Grange Theatre, Walsall

The Ladykillers

10th - 20th September 2014

The rights for The Ladykillers have recently become available to Amateur theatre groups, and the Grange Playhouse is one of the first places in the West Midlands you will get to catch it. A stage adaptation of Ealing’s 1955 film, written by Grahame Linehan who is famous for bringing us such television comedies as Father Ted and The IT Crowd. This true British black comedy is full of tricks and every gag is pushed to its full potential, resulting in one hell of a production!

When sweet and naïve Mrs Wilberforce put an advert for a room to rent in her local news agents she didn’t expect for it to be snapped up so quickly. Unknown to her by a gang of five pick-a-mix criminals posing as amateur musicians; led by charismatic and charming Professor Marcus, plan to unwittingly include Mrs Wilberforce in their security van robbery. When she finally cottons on to what they have done, they pass around the responsibility of ‘getting rid’ of her, while the thuggish Romanian refuses to do the deed. Her only friend is a diseased parrot, General Gordon, hidden under a blanket, that terrifies the brutes and personally left me dying to see what it looked like! Will the gang play Mrs Wilberforce as badly as their broken instruments or will she stop them in their tracks?

After searching through the crowds of people for my seat I took in the striking and intricate set, the detail that Martin Groves has put into his design only furthers the fantastic production and the crew’s hard work is something to be applauded! The unexpected entrances and exits had the audience’s eyes darting across the stage and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had gone that extra mile to create the brick wall effect outside the front door of Mrs Wilberforce’s, that took us all back to 1950s built up King’s Cross, London. The dusky pink lampshades assisted the lighting, producing a warm, homely atmosphere and the sound of the pipes clanking and the speedily approaching train shook every teacup in the house, gave the lopsided set character.

The piece was superbly cast, Dexter Whitehead captivated the audience with every flick of his ridiculously long scarf as the seemly educated and flamboyant Professor Marcus. One-Round, played by Joseph Hicklin, who is always saying the wrong thing and confusing his under cover story, grows fond of the aptly named Mrs Lopside and is a loveable, and hilarious character. Mary Whitehouse is a wonderful Mrs Louisa Wilberforce, leaving the audience wondering whether she is as batty as some of her stories are or if she really has an ulterior motive, her pace made the piece flow and her comic timing fuelled much of the laughter. In addition to this, Alex Barzdo as the bumbling Major Courtney adds further comedy with a humorous fascination with women‘s clothing. Christopher Waters plays Louis Harvey, the aggressive and cynical Romanian, with a strange fear and suspicion of old women. Rod Bissett is, too much amusement, the criminal with a cleaning obsession, armed with a pot of colourful pills. Finally, Les Wilkes plays Constable Macdonald, stumped by the robbery but heart-warmingly puts up with Louisa’s stories with a smile, he also looks fabulous as a women! 

The entire audience was laughing from the start until curtains down and tickets are very much in demand, I am not surprised, the cast and crew have worked hard under the direction of Rosemary Manjunath, whose vision had been brought to life. Congratulations to all involved, I can’t wait for the next production and I hope that it’s as popular as The Ladykillers has been.

Review by Ellie Scandrett