Review: The Glass Menagerie
April 15, 2008
Venue: The Royal Exchange
Date Reviewed: 15th April 2008
Tennessee Williams‘ The Glass Menagerie was revived last year in the West End to critical acclaim. I was lucky enough to see Robert Gould’s stunning staging of this classic. Jessica Lange’s Amanda Whigfield was a pretty but lonely Southern belle who resorted to coquettish charms to find her daughter a husband.
Here, Brenda Blethyn plays the role differently, bringing out the comedy and the pathos, with ease. It is a thrill to see this brilliant actress grace a stage in the North, but this is a far from simply being a star vehicle.
Braham Murray captures the biographical nature of this claustrophobic drama, perfectly. Mark Arends‘ Tom Whigfield is essentially Williams; a would-be writer, frustrated by his mundane factory job and his over-bearing mother, Amanda. The only positive influence in his life is his sweet, but sick sister, Laura (played by Emma Hamilton). Read more
Win tix to see Michael Frayn’s ‘Spies’ at the Lowry!
April 14, 2008
This competition is now closed and the answer is Noises Off.
Congratulations to Ruth Slater. Enjoy the show!
Did you enjoy Noises Off and Copenhagen? The writer that connects them is celebrated playwright/author, Michael Frayn. His novel Spies has been adapted into a play by Theatre Alibi and it opens in Manchester in May.To celebrate the return of Frayn, we have two tickets up for grabs.
THE SHOW:
Spies is a bittersweet evocation of childhood with a gripping mystery at its heart. Set during the Second World War in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac where gardens - and dark secrets - lie behind neatly trimmed privet hedges, Stephen and his friend Keith play at detectives.
But the game changes gear when Keith announces that his own mother is a German spy. The hunt is on in deadly earnest and nothing will ever be the same again.
“Theatre Alibi is one of Britain’s most inventive companies.” The Guardian.
Read more
Keith Jack talks to WOS Manchester
April 11, 2008
Keith Jack (pictured) is currently starring as the narrator in the Bill Kenwright tour of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which opens at the Palace Theatre, Manchester on the 28th April.
Following his appearance on reality show, Any Dream Will Do, Keith has not stopped working. He has been attached to many projects, according the gossip magazines.
But, how many of the rumours are true? Read more
Review: Frozen
April 10, 2008
Frozen
Venue: The Library Theatre
Date Reviewed: 10th April, 2008
Byrony Lavery’s Frozen remains as edgy and controversial as it did in 1998 at the Birmingham Rep. The Library deserve all the praise they will undoubtably receive for staging such a fine version, as opposed to playing it safe with another Noel Coward, Arthur Miller or Shakespeare production.
Lavery’s narrative links three characters via one hideous crime. A 10-year-old girl goes missing and Agnetha, an American academic is researching her thesis: Serial Killing- A forgivable act. Nancy is the girl’s mother, who is almost paralysed mentally by grief. Ralph is the loner; not unlikeable, until you find out he took the missing girl, Rhona and has killed her.
This compelling piece of work is given real light and shade thanks to some under-the-skin performances and the skilled direction of Roger Haines. Joanna Bacon gives a performance that is both, heart wrenching and hilarious, echoing the roller-coaster ride of emotions that her grief-stricken character goes through, over the years. You cannot take your eyes of this gifted actress, as she imbues the role with such vulnerability, that you really feel Nancy’s pain. Read more
Review: The Man Who Had All The Luck
April 9, 2008
Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 9th April, 2008
Arthur Miller is my favourite playwright, but I have seen so many versions of The Crucible, that I welcomed the chance to see a little known play of his. The Man Who Had All The Luck lasted only a few days on Broadway in 1944. But for anyone expecting a below par Miller play, like Broken Glass, you are in for a great evening out, as this Donmar production is one of the classiest productions to reach the Lowry stage in some time.
The central character David Beeves (Andrew Buchan) seems to have it all; he is an untrained mechanic, who longs to be successful and have a family. One by one all of his aspirations emerge, but he is far from happy as he believes the gift of such a fulfilled life must come at a cost.
Essentially Miller’s play is one of shattered dreams, as David’s life is contrasted with that of his brother Amos, a would-be baseball player. This simplistic young boy has one goal in life and when his future is in doubt, he has nothing else. Whereas David is untrained, yet successful, in every aspect of his multi-faceted life. Read more
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