[Laughingmonsta]

Just got back from this - what a good show - lots of laughs, although the RE 2nd Act Slug is still ever present!

Surrane Jones is very good! - I will post more tomorrow!

[Laughingmonsta]

The Royal Exchange again provides the adult theatre goer in the North West with an alternative production to enjoy over the festive season, over the last few years we have seen hilarious farces grace the magnificent round stage, but this year we are given the upper class joys of the wordy and splendidly humorous craftsmanship of Noel Cowards highly accessible comedy – Blithe Spirit. Originally staged in Manchester in 1941 before quickly transferring to London, it makes a welcome return in this spellbinding production directed by Sarah Frankcom.

Charles Condomine is struggling to finish his book and so to help him with his much needed research; he invites the Bradman’s over for supper and books local spiritualist and medium Madame Arcati over to perform a Séance. What appears as a bit of fun to begin with soon breaks into something much more than he bargained for. The Ghost of Charles’ first wife Elvira materialises and soon starts to cause mischief and mayhem, for Charles and his current wife Ruth.

Frankcom has directed a wonderfully colourful and vibrant production, which is full of heart and provides many laughs. There is much to admire about her production from the stunning Art Deco set with highly glossy floor or beautifully constructed costumes designed by Liz Ashcroft, to the carefully considered balance of middle class eccentricities which could have easily alienated her audience but with a subtle hand she masterly manages to escape such problems.

The cast are sublime throughout and provide a real chemistry that is sometimes hard to find in a company that have only been together for three weeks. Milo Twomey is no stranger to this style of production at the Royal Exchange and provides a strong resonating performance as Socialite and novelist Charles Twomey. Surrane Jones best known for her years on ‘Coronation Street’ yet again proves that there is more to her than cobles, her performance as Ruth is strong yet graceful and provides the evening with a touch of elegance and 1930’s female chic, proving to the critics once again that she is an actress that can surprise and perform much higher than they originally expected.

A nice cameo part for the talented Katie West who I adored in recent hit Punk Rock, as the energetic and sprightly servant Edith, her quick as a flash entrances and exits providing many of the evenings laughter, and a bright performance is admirably given by Nelly Harker as Elvira, but it is the performance of Annette Badland – who moves away from her more customary performances on TV & Film to delight and wow audiences in Manchester in a role that almost seemed to be tailor made for her that steals the show. Sheprovides much to laugh at during her scenes with excellent physicality and facial expressions that are almost as surreal as the whole plot, a real tour-de-force of a performance and one in which understandably is clear she is enjoying every second performing.

This production provides many reasons why you should dump the traditional and head to the exchange for your Christmas production, with a final Image that has many a surprise waiting for you, a cast that shines brighter than the North Star and a script that has more fun than putting up your decorations, you would be a fool if you missed this sensational seasonal offering!

[An Enemy of the Circle]

Comfortably the worst of the trio of Blithe Spts on show this yr up North.

There was bucket loads wrong despite lots of adoring local press, but only 1 national review which was on the money

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle6957796.ece

And the grand pecking order of merit if anyone's bothered:

Oldham Colsm (May) 3.5/5
Nottm Plyhs (Sep) 3/5
Ryl Exch (Dec) 2/5

Avoid

[Laughingmonsta]

It seems that of most shows you see in the area - you dislike, has there been anything you have enjoyed?

[Musicality]

Going to see it next Monday - hope I enjoy it as much as you did Laughingmonsta.
I do find that I more often agree with you than the other crits!

[Laughingmonsta]

Thanks Musicality - I tend to think I am a reasonable critic!

[An Enemy of the Circle]

Enjoyable stuff?

Yeah, a fair bit, tho itz 25 miles to the nearest producing theatre and I see on average 4 shows a week so going local for me covers a 100 mile radius.

Assuming 3.5/5 is above average, my local choice cuts were

Mary Poppins (Mcr Palace) - touring 4
Song of Songs (Contact) 3 & 5 (saw twice)
A Voyage Round My Father (Nu Vic, Staffs) 4
True Love Lies (Ryl Ex) 4.5
Love For All/David Hoyle (Contact) 4
Palace At The End (Ryl Ex) 4.5
Great Expectations (Mold) 4
Another Paradise (Contact) - Kali Thtre 3.5
The Cherry Orchard (Buxton OpHs) - Blackeyed Thtre 4
His Dark Materials Part 2 (Bham Rep) 4.5
Clockheart Boy (Ryl Ex) 5
Widowers House (Ryl Ex) 4.25
A History of Falling Things (Mold) 5
When We Are Married (Lpool Playhs) 4
Mary Stuart (Mold) 4
Starving Artists : Eat Me (Ryl Ex) 3.5
Cruel Tales of Youth (Contact) - Motus Thtre 4
Blithe Spirit (Oldham Colsm) 3.5
Martha, Josie & The Chinese Elvis (Oldham Colsm) 4
Eng Mystery Plays (Monk Bretton Priory, Barnsley) 3.5
The Winslow Boy (Malvern) 4
The Wicked Lady (Nu Vic, Staffs) 4
Man of The Moment (Royal & Derngate) 4
Prick Up Your Ears (Lowry) - touring 4
Mixed Up North (Octagon) 3.5
Swan Song (Mold) - Thtre Ryl Bath 4 (sub for Peter Bowles)
The Browning Version (Mold) - Thtre Ryl Bath 5 (sub for Peter Bowles)
The Drunks (RSC-Stratford) 4
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (Stephen Joseph Theatre) 4.25
All My Sons (Octagon) 4
Dial M For Murder (Royal Thtre Nottm) - WYP 4
The Caretaker (Everyman) 4.25
Mischief (WYP) - touring 4
Trumbo (Octagon) 4
The Fastest Clock in the Universe (Curve) 4
Beyond The Horizon (Royal & Derngate) 3.5
Spring Storm (Royal & Derngate) 4
A Christmas Carol (Bham Rep) 3.5
Enemies Within (Octagon) 4
The Snow Dragon (Warwick Arts) 4.5
Cinderella (Warwick Arts) 3.5

Just to prove I'm not fibbing -

http://www.reviewsgate.com/index.php?name=...le&sid=4556

http://www.reviewsgate.com/index.php?name=...le&sid=4531

http://www.reviewsga...rticle&sid=4604

http://www.reviewsgate.com/index.php?name=...le&sid=4406

http://www.reviewsgate.com/index.php?name=...le&sid=4433



Less locally there was some quite decent stuff at Chichester (E-word), Dublin & Pitlochry Festivals as well as London.

Plenty to see in 2010.

[Musicality]

Going to see it next Monday - hope I enjoy it as much as you did Laughingmonsta.
I do find that I more often agree with you than the other crits!

Whilst I did enjoy Blithe Spirit last night I don't totally agree with you. We were sitting on the back row of Stage level, behind Suranne Jones for much of the first half and really struggled to hear her. I met a friend today who rarely goes to the theatre but had seen this play last week, she was sitting in the Balcony and said that they couldn't hear her either! Whilst The Times review didn't like Milo Twomey's performance, I thought him excellent.
I found the first half very long and in fact there were a couple of people near us who fell asleep! I thought the second half much better, but not one of Noel Coward's better plays as far as I'm concerned.