Yesteryear Lives Now
Barons Court Alive
Star Child, at Baron’s Court Theatre, The Curtains Up until 11th September
Review by Vince Francis
A balmy September evening, a quirky pub in a side street in Barons Court, a darkened, vaulted cellar, with a small stage illuminated by an artfully placed light string. Add in a poetic girl with flowing red hair, dressed in paisley top and pyjama-striped trousers, delivering heartfelt folk-based compositions whilst accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, supported by a stylish young chap on a jazz-voiced electric guitar. Top it all off with a decent pint and one could seriously be back in 1966. But this was no mere flibbertigibbet fantasy, no boozy bagatelle; no, indeed. This was Baron’s Court Live at The Curtains Up Theatre (and pub) and the aforementioned songstress is the lyrical Aurora Manola, who, with Deniz Stern on electric guitar, make up Star Child.
The theatre at The Curtains Up is in what was the cellar for the pub and, OK, the ceiling technically isn’t vaulted, it’s supported by brick arches. But, whatever, it is an intimate space and I’m sure you’ll forgive the poetic licence. Old cinema chairs form the short rows around three sides of the playing area, adding to the feel of a different era.
Read more…Honest Raw Reflections
Roger McGough Poetry Celebration
Arts Richmond at the Exchange Theatre, Twickenham, 4th September
Review by Simone De Almeida
(See also a review by Denis Valentine.)
Earlier this month I was lucky enough to attend the awards ceremony of the highly anticipated Roger McGough poetry competition. Though a little further spaced out than we once might have liked to be – our smiles now covered with masks – the afternoon was no less special, and there was a certain sense of community as we took our seats. Perhaps inspired by this year’s theme of ‘identity’ no doubt, my mind was instantly drawn to one thought: so many people, from so many different places – such different walks of life – all here to celebrate the one thing that unites us all, and has united us through these unparalleled, and at many points quite frightening, times: our love of poetry.
The concept of identity being so fundamental to our very sense of self, one would think that we would consider it far more frequently than we do, but having grown up in an age in which we consume far more from our screens than we do the world around us, I am almost ashamed to admit that I spend far more time contemplating the character of others than I do myself … ah, the burden of the introvert! I can only imagine the level of self-reflection and introspection it must have taken in order to capture such honest, raw reflections on who they are, and where they’ve come from.
One of the poems that earned third place, Riding Tandem by Tony Trafford, was a personal favourite of mine; telling the beautiful, tragic story of a first romance – a harsh reminder of both the beauty and pain which coexist in our world, leaving both fond memories and heartbreak in their wake.
Read more…Barking up the Wrong Tree
A Dog’s Solution
by Richard Franklin
Charterhouse Square Productions at Baron’s Court Theatre, The Curtains Up until 2nd October
Review by Eleanor Lewis
Beyoncé is a street-dweller, she has a home but it’s chaotic and she prefers the street and the companionship of her ‘dog’ Jimmy. Alongside this she worries about the state of the planet and where climate change and other related world issues will lead. Over the course of an hour and a bit (including a ten-minute interval), and with the help of Jimmy and several other characters, Beyoncé examines the future of the developed world via a mix of metatheatre, a little pantomime and a dash of school play. Such is A Dog’s Solution, which is running at Baron’s Court Theatre until October.
Opening with what might be a conventional story line the play then widens out. Two young men appear from time to time and offer small vignettes and explanatory asides as chorus characters. There is also a mysterious Old Bag Person with philosophical insights (and a rich father), a Lobbyist and a suited corporate-type to complete the spectrum of present day world influences. After the interval the audience is involved in the proceedings, voting, winning virtual prizes etc, in a section that’s valid but needs a clearer point than it currently has.
Read more…Complementary Insights
Roger McGough Poetry Celebration
Arts Richmond at the Exchange Theatre, Twickenham, 4th September
Review by Denis Valentine
(See also a review by Simone de Almeida, one of our younger reviewers.)
As theatres, performance spaces and the arts in general begin to reopen and become accessible again, it was a wonderful to spend a day in a theatre auditorium being entertained and engaged by a host of wonderful poets, poems and readers at the Exchange Theatre in Twickenham. The Roger McGough’s Poetry Celebration afternoon and wonderfully hosted by the man himself (who interludes throughout and offers at times his own masterful works), is aptly named as the feeling is just that, a day to celebrate poetry and what can be conveyed in the works it allows.
Each poem read in their category complements each other, as they all offer an insight into a different aspect of the topic they cover. Whether it is issues of blatant racism in the “Differences” category being immediately followed by that of accents and misplaced remarks, or the journey of finding one’s own self in the “Identity” group to also exploring issues of breeding and purpose, each poem offers another part or perspective on the spectrum it’s covering.
Read more…Bijou Delight of Bubbly Baroque
Acis and Galatea
by George Frideric Handel, libretto by John Gay
The Vache Baroque Festival, Chalfont St. Giles until 5th September
Review by Mark Aspen
One of the transformations in Ovid’s Metamorphoses is the tragic result of a heavily skewed love-triangle intruding on the idyllically passionate romance between the water nymph, Galatea and the shepherd Acis. Ovid’s myth kindled the brilliance of Handel to make his own transformation into his pastoral opera, Acis and Galatea. Since the opera demands a pastoral setting, it would be hard to find one more suited than The Vache country estate, with its rolling parkland, nicely adorned for the occasion with cut-outs of winged sheep and putti. Thence the transformation of Handel’s “little opera”, as he called it, by VBF (as The Vache Baroque Festival is affectionately known) into a bijou delight of bubbly baroque.
The bucolic simplicity of the plot and the ornate ebullience of Handel’s music is enhanced by the energy and enthusiasm of VBF’s youthful cast and nimble baroque octet, conducted from the harpsicord by Music Director, Jonathan Darbourne.
Read more…Old Wives’ Tales
Escaped Alone
by Caryl Churchill
Teddington Theatre Club, streamed from Hampton Hill Theatre until 6th September
Review by Nick Swyft
Don’t old women seem to witter on about nothing! This is a common prejudice however ‘unwoke’ it is to say so. And yet if you listen carefully, who knows what you might learn?
Escaped Alone starts with Mrs Jarrett (Sally Halsey), peering through a window at Vi (Jane Marcus), Sally (Michelle Hood) and Lena (Jenny Hobson). They are enjoying tea together and invite her in when they see her. Mrs Jarett is thus placed as an outsider, but as the play progresses it becomes apparent that, in their way, each of them is an outsider. Indeed, so are we all.
After she joins them, the conversation seems to become banal. The women are talking but not really listening to each other. But listen carefully. Some of those hanging comments mean much more later on. In fact there is probably more to glean from this play than one performance can deliver. See it twice if you can!
Read more…You May Meet a Stranger
A Simple Tale of Love
by Sasha Ravencroft
Rude Raven Productions at the Hen and Chickens, Camden Fringe, then touring until 29th October
Review by Heather Moulson
I was intrigued about this production as the flyer carries a very haunting and macabre image, and yet the title is romantic, a mysterious combination. So as I sat down in the auditorium to a living room set, my curiosity was already inflamed.
Molly, played by Helen Walling-Richards, made an impressive entrance accompanied by an acoustic guitar soundtrack, and gave us a significant monologue. Her words were funny, sad and edgy. Molly has suffered a blow from her job and she describes her colleagues in vivid detail, making them real and alive.
JD, played by Daniel Singh Pabla, entered and gave a good first impression of being striking, moody and mysterious. They sat together but, although they interacted, I felt his projection faltered, while Molly’s was powerful. Unfortunately, this made Molly have to work harder in this vital two-handed scene.
Read more…Get Wind of the Latest
The Bean Spillers
Gigglemug Theatre at the Hen and Chickens, Camden Fringe until 29th August
Review by Heather Moulson
I did not expect immediate interaction with the cast while I found a seat in this enigmatic and semi-full auditorium. However, two very genial actors dressed in black greeted me instantly. My first instincts are to keep my head down but, in this case, I found the experience warm and welcoming.
Comprising an exciting duo, Sam Cochrane and Alex Prescot, accompanied by a talented pianist who interacted with ease and timing, The Bean Spillers exuded a witty and vibrant rapport. The theme, we are told, is Gossip. They are literally about spilling the beans, and they certainly delivered.
Scouting for rumours and stories amongst the enthusiastic audience, they gleaned a dubious story from someone in front of me. I was quite relieved they chose him, as I had gone quite blank. Introducing their guest of the evening, Katy Schutte, there was a strong interaction with everybody. Reminiscent of Morecambe and Wise, they have a different guest every night and this particularly versatile guest proceeded to blend in well.
Read more…Travel Slight
Hølìdåÿ
by David Hoskin
Elf Lyons at the Hen and Chickens, Camden Fringe until 24th August
Review by Heather Moulson
The soundtrack of Blue Heaven, the voice-over recalling a bland TV presenter and the zippy sound effects compensated for the starkly furnished stage as this unusual one-man show opened up. We were given immediate insight into this one person, played by David Hoskin, sitting there asking for nothing, simply living a bland man’s life. His mime skills and strong interaction with the audience were impressive and made this a promising start.
With carefully calculated blackouts, we were offered chapters into the unfulfilled existence of this man, who appeared in desperate need of a holiday. The opportunity quite literally came to his door with artistic licence and flair. There followed the atmosphere of a busy airport, the bland muzak, the flight and overwhelming arrival at a busy holiday destination: not to mention the beach, and the grimness of holiday makers there. Every detail was conceived and presented. This was written as a well thought-out piece.
Bare Bones Dating
Meat Cute
by Bibi Lucille
Patch Plays at the Hen and Chickens, Camden Fringe until 17th August, then at Bread and Roses Theatre, Clapham until 23rd October
Review by Heather Moulson
A fringe festival anywhere exudes trepidation in the promise of sheer talent, and the Camden Fringe is no exception. This production in a truly old-school pub in St Paul’s Road, Islington, with its steep stairs and dimly-lit auditorium certainly came up with the goods. Writer and star of this one-woman show, Bibi Lucille has been known to us previously in Space Doctor at the OSO, Barnes and This Was a Man at the Leicester Square Theatre. Already making us aware of her versatility as an actress, going on to display further skills in her latest vibrant role.
A good start saw Bibi in orange ensemble matching the stark set and camp fur chair, entering the small stage accompanied by loud rap music. Her stage presence enables a strong credible portrayal of the self-doubt of her character, in what seemingly is her desperation in looking for the right man. The misery of youth, and the anguish of a young woman, came over and touched the audience. It rings with a clear note of truth.
We shuffled with uncomfortable memories as Bibi recalls a man telling her “if you lost a stone, you’d be stunning”. Many of us have heard crass remarks like this. Her power games with men are sad and sordid, yet endearing and enticing; not to mention extraordinarily watchable and consistent as her true motive unravels.
Read more…
Mark Aspen 