Two reviews from Tom and Robert, members of the Rep Company, Burnley Youth Theatre.
Robert
Viewing Titus Andronicus introduces the audience to a world of drama, bloodshed and revelations. The acting was of a very high standard from all the cast members allowign the performance to come to life. The transitions between the scenes were slick and well executed which shows a level of discipline and professionalism that should be in all productions. Tickets were £7.50 which for the Fringe is relatively cheap in comparison to show of a similar calibre. The gore elements to the show are brutal and also contain moments of an adult nature, which means that it isn't really suitable for a younger audience, however the price and quality make it well worth seeing whilst not being for the faint of heart.
Tom
A genius, gory, spectacular array of talent. Titus andronicus bring Rome to life in this epic Shakespearian tale of blood, lust, rape and interesting pie ingredients. The brilliant acting will make you sit on the edge of your seat, the skilled performances could bring a tear to a glass eye. The moments of laughter create an intriguing contrast to blood-soaked drama. An amazing performance - start to finish - breathtaking.
Both boys thought that the show would be suitable fro rural touring, that they would book them, and that the company were worth pursuing in the future.
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Acorn Productions, Dinner, Theatre, Chamber Street, 15th August 2011
Three reviews:
Rachael - Dinner was an unexpected delight. With a small cast of six talented, intelligent actors this very witty and imaginative script to life. What first grabbed my attention was reading that 'Alfred Enoch' (Harry Potter's dean) was to appear in the cast. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he is an exceptionally gifted actor and kept the pace and held his own alongside more mature co-stars. The comic timing was perfect and the whole experience was sublime! Five stars!
Hannah - Dinner is a black comedy that revolves around two couples, a woman, a man and waiter as their secrets spill out over their meal. Alls even actors portrayed excellent, neat performances which polished off the simple but effective set.
Rebecca - Dinner is a black comedy centred around 2 married couples, a vegetarian, a burgler and a mysterious waiter. Their secrets spill out over their extraordinary meal. The play closes with a shocking twist, leaving the audience fully engaged and fascinated.
All actors produced excellent portrayals of their characters, making it as slick and neat as the set itself.
Dinner was very easy to follow due to only one set, was very funny due to the chashes of different personalities and very entertaining because of the huge twits and anti-climaxes.
All three young people are part of the Rep Company from Burnley Youth Theatre and all three through that the piece was suitable for rural touring, that they'd book them and that it would be worth pursuing this company.
Rachael - Dinner was an unexpected delight. With a small cast of six talented, intelligent actors this very witty and imaginative script to life. What first grabbed my attention was reading that 'Alfred Enoch' (Harry Potter's dean) was to appear in the cast. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he is an exceptionally gifted actor and kept the pace and held his own alongside more mature co-stars. The comic timing was perfect and the whole experience was sublime! Five stars!
Hannah - Dinner is a black comedy that revolves around two couples, a woman, a man and waiter as their secrets spill out over their meal. Alls even actors portrayed excellent, neat performances which polished off the simple but effective set.
Rebecca - Dinner is a black comedy centred around 2 married couples, a vegetarian, a burgler and a mysterious waiter. Their secrets spill out over their extraordinary meal. The play closes with a shocking twist, leaving the audience fully engaged and fascinated.
All actors produced excellent portrayals of their characters, making it as slick and neat as the set itself.
Dinner was very easy to follow due to only one set, was very funny due to the chashes of different personalities and very entertaining because of the huge twits and anti-climaxes.
All three young people are part of the Rep Company from Burnley Youth Theatre and all three through that the piece was suitable for rural touring, that they'd book them and that it would be worth pursuing this company.
Year Out Drama, Loves Labour's Lost, Theatre/Comedy, Venue 4
Two Reviews
Review one:
The adaption of this classic was an entertaining and comedic piece. It incorporated songs between scenes which broke up the action and created a feelgood atmosphere. The symphony sounds were a delight to listen to. The actors who really stood out were the main four kinds who related themselves to modern day life. I was impressed by the clever script which had been adapted from shakespeare's classic words and the way the comedy managed to compliment the romance.
I would recommend this for all the family to watch.
Review two:
Absolutely loved this show. It was funny, easy to understand and well-rehearsed. The harmonisation they used was something special as it surrounded the room with a pleasant echo-y kind of effect that gave me goosebumps. Definitely a must-see production and would love to see it again and/or produce something similar.
Both reviewers ( Rep Company Participants, Burnley Youth Theatre) thought this was suitable for rural touring, that they would book them, although they were less certain about future work
Review one:
The adaption of this classic was an entertaining and comedic piece. It incorporated songs between scenes which broke up the action and created a feelgood atmosphere. The symphony sounds were a delight to listen to. The actors who really stood out were the main four kinds who related themselves to modern day life. I was impressed by the clever script which had been adapted from shakespeare's classic words and the way the comedy managed to compliment the romance.
I would recommend this for all the family to watch.
Review two:
Absolutely loved this show. It was funny, easy to understand and well-rehearsed. The harmonisation they used was something special as it surrounded the room with a pleasant echo-y kind of effect that gave me goosebumps. Definitely a must-see production and would love to see it again and/or produce something similar.
Both reviewers ( Rep Company Participants, Burnley Youth Theatre) thought this was suitable for rural touring, that they would book them, although they were less certain about future work
State of Flux, Forgetting Natasha, Physical Theatre, Zoo Southside, 16/08/2011
Forgetting Natasha is a sensitive portrayal of a woman losing her treasured memories due to a degnerative disease. The performance examines how she tries to hold on to her past, and the sense of alienation she feel when thinking aobut personal experiences which now has no recollection of. The play balances well its vocal and physical elements, and conveys emotion vividly through both. The production is also aided by some well edited projections of video and pictures, which really help create a sense of being inside someone's mind, without drawing attention from the actor's performances, especially in one powerful scene where Natasha's memories are shown drifting away from her.
The cast of three are very strong performers, and competently portray Natasha at different stages of her life without the change of actors feeling disjointed.
One criticism of the play is that the issue of Natasha losing her book of memories is never clearly resolved, and this did leave the play's ending a little incomplete but overall it was a polished performance that left a real emotional impact.
This is could be suitable for rural touring.
We'd DEFINITELY book them
We definitely think they would be worth considering.
Bethan Roberts, Rep Company Participant, Burnley Youth Theatre
Review Two of Forgetting Natasha
Forgetting Natasha is a moving piece of physical theatre depicting the intense struggle of a woman on the verge of losing her memory and therefore losing herself. To combat this she decides to unite all of her memories into a single book to try and preserve her mind. Forgetting Natasha combines technical physical theatre with spoken word to create a very personal, expressive and moving piece of drama.
Another feature of the piece is the vast amount of multi-media alongside the actors to provide an intense, multisensory experience that moved and entertained in equal measure.
I felt that it dealt with the subject matter with great respect and thought the physical and visual metaphors and excellent choreography was an effective way communicating with the audience.
Jack Bowtell, Rep Company Participant, Burnley Youth Theatre.
The multimedia might be problematic in a rural venue, otherwise, yes.
The cast of three are very strong performers, and competently portray Natasha at different stages of her life without the change of actors feeling disjointed.
One criticism of the play is that the issue of Natasha losing her book of memories is never clearly resolved, and this did leave the play's ending a little incomplete but overall it was a polished performance that left a real emotional impact.
This is could be suitable for rural touring.
We'd DEFINITELY book them
We definitely think they would be worth considering.
Bethan Roberts, Rep Company Participant, Burnley Youth Theatre
Review Two of Forgetting Natasha
Forgetting Natasha is a moving piece of physical theatre depicting the intense struggle of a woman on the verge of losing her memory and therefore losing herself. To combat this she decides to unite all of her memories into a single book to try and preserve her mind. Forgetting Natasha combines technical physical theatre with spoken word to create a very personal, expressive and moving piece of drama.
Another feature of the piece is the vast amount of multi-media alongside the actors to provide an intense, multisensory experience that moved and entertained in equal measure.
I felt that it dealt with the subject matter with great respect and thought the physical and visual metaphors and excellent choreography was an effective way communicating with the audience.
Jack Bowtell, Rep Company Participant, Burnley Youth Theatre.
The multimedia might be problematic in a rural venue, otherwise, yes.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Quick impression of first few shows- by Pete G
Spent 7 hrs in the airport as plane had broken down so missed most of day 1. (Karma for flying I think)
Not had time to do propper reviews but here's some first impressions.
Fishamble. Silence- a one man play about madness, very strong, funny, well acted- very good quality. Probably more a studio type piece but you never know and possibly not the easiest to sell but definately worth a look
Doctor Brown- comedy weird and not my cup of tea- but quite a few others were laughing and getting good reviews. I just did not find him funny and though he was a bit predictable. Definetaly a festival type show and don't see it working many places
The Incredible Book Eating Boy- Bootworks- alovely 5minute show for one- do go an d see this. Its a kids story and the attention to detail is great, fun experience - not your typical show but check it out- then figure out how the hell you'd programme it .
Bubblewrap and Boxes by Asking For Trouble- Australian comapny - 2 hander kids show with acrobatics/ clowning. I warmed to this, some nice ideas and the female performer is very watchable. Thoroughly enjoyed by the audience though at times I was getting abit bored it is a nice idea for a fmily show.
The Games- Spike Theatre If you want to see something really silly and have a good laugh go then see this. Very tongue in cheek show about the ancient Greek Olympic games, - lots of terrible gags that were mostly funny, very silly, fun nudity, a puppet penis- what more can I say- I can see this working for a few village halls that want something irreverent and fun. Good reception form audience.
Not had time to do propper reviews but here's some first impressions.
Fishamble. Silence- a one man play about madness, very strong, funny, well acted- very good quality. Probably more a studio type piece but you never know and possibly not the easiest to sell but definately worth a look
Doctor Brown- comedy weird and not my cup of tea- but quite a few others were laughing and getting good reviews. I just did not find him funny and though he was a bit predictable. Definetaly a festival type show and don't see it working many places
The Incredible Book Eating Boy- Bootworks- alovely 5minute show for one- do go an d see this. Its a kids story and the attention to detail is great, fun experience - not your typical show but check it out- then figure out how the hell you'd programme it .
Bubblewrap and Boxes by Asking For Trouble- Australian comapny - 2 hander kids show with acrobatics/ clowning. I warmed to this, some nice ideas and the female performer is very watchable. Thoroughly enjoyed by the audience though at times I was getting abit bored it is a nice idea for a fmily show.
The Games- Spike Theatre If you want to see something really silly and have a good laugh go then see this. Very tongue in cheek show about the ancient Greek Olympic games, - lots of terrible gags that were mostly funny, very silly, fun nudity, a puppet penis- what more can I say- I can see this working for a few village halls that want something irreverent and fun. Good reception form audience.
Excited to hear the news
Looking forward to coming up to the Fringe on Friday. I've sent in my list and hope it all comes back. I have, again, failed to allow time to eat. I've got nothing in my diary for Tuesday night- so please send me recommendations through. Also, any late night stuff would be fun- if I can keep going. No early mornings please. Enjoying the #edfringe and#ruraltouring tweets
Sue Robinson @spotonsue
Sue Robinson @spotonsue
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Testing - Review about Kneehigh Theatre
Hi just testing our blog spot for Ed. Village Hall project.
We visited Cornwall last week and ventured to The Aselym - Kneehigh Theatre Company's home for the summer. An extraordinary dome tent structure with food and drink and an atmosphere of sophisticated circus.
We went to see 'Midnight Pumpkin' - Kneehigh's extraordinary take on the Cinderella story.
An amazing display of ensemble casting and beautifully composed and played music.
Big characters with a really contemporary feel performed with such competence, humour and big heartedness that the audience were just gagging to get involved.
All the ball sequences were redesigned into mirror balled 80's disco evenings with audience joining in.
We all loved it - Wilf 11 Alex 14 and me and my old man
We visited Cornwall last week and ventured to The Aselym - Kneehigh Theatre Company's home for the summer. An extraordinary dome tent structure with food and drink and an atmosphere of sophisticated circus.
We went to see 'Midnight Pumpkin' - Kneehigh's extraordinary take on the Cinderella story.
An amazing display of ensemble casting and beautifully composed and played music.
Big characters with a really contemporary feel performed with such competence, humour and big heartedness that the audience were just gagging to get involved.
All the ball sequences were redesigned into mirror balled 80's disco evenings with audience joining in.
We all loved it - Wilf 11 Alex 14 and me and my old man
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