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.
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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? (more…)

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. (more…)

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. (more…)

Venue: Palace Theatre
Date Reviewed: 8th April, 2008

Please note, this show was reviewed at an earlier stop on the tour. Casting may have changed since then.

Adapted by the experienced David Wood, Danny the Champion of the World is highly recommended because of the sheer zip and energy that the Birmingham Stage Company brings to the piece. But, let’s be honest, Danny is not Roald Dahl’s best work.

I have problems with the central narrative of a young boy and his father fighting against hunters in their quiet village: who lacks morals, the people who shoot the pheasants for sport or Danny’s father who poaches them for food?

Wood is a very fine writer and he attempts to adapt the original novel by adding the odd modern flourish. But the story now seems so dated that it could do with a complete overhaul. (more…)