Thursday, 30 August 2012

Reviews by Margaret and Gerry Card - CRTA Promoters
Name of company
Shed Theatre
Name of show
A Funny Thing Happened on the way to The Forum
Genre
Musical comedy
Venue
Chambers Street
Date
14:08:2012
Review



Very enthusiastic and colourful college type production
Not suitable for touring in small venues.  At least 24 cast members
There was no definitive characterisations,  they all were of the same age group so the older characters
were only apparent by the dialogue



Suitable / ready for rural touring?
?
Would you book them ?
No
Would it be worth pursuing this company to
Not for this show
consider work in the future

Name of companySparkle & Dark.  Chatham Kent
Name of showThe Girl with No Heart
GenrePG
VenueBedlam Theatre
Date14:08:2012
Review 
  
Good puppetry and shadows. 
Without reading the programme about the children of Hiroshima, the storylinewould be 
difficult to follow. The musicians were too far forward  on stage which was distracting to the 
audience because it drew attention away fromthe action.  It was a pity that the puppeteers were
dressed in similar colours to the puppet, had they been in a contrasting colour the puppet would
have stood out better. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ??
Would it be worth pursuing this company toPossibly
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
The subject matter is difficult to put over

Name of companyTortoise in a Nutshell   Edinburgh
Name of showGrit
GenrePG
VenueBedlam Theatre
Date14:08:2012
Review 
  
The storyline about children affected by wars did'nt completely come across. 
The use of such tiny toy soldiers by two of the actors did not work for anyone seated more than
two rows back from the stage.  The table top puppets did not work well and the projected
images onto hand held screens was unnecessary, Would have worked better on a big screen
Cast of two musicians and 4 actors 
Suitable / ready for rural touring?No
Would you book them ?No
Would it be worth pursuing this company toMaybe other work by this company
consider work in the future 
 
Name of companySide by Side   Stourbridge
Name of showDream On
GenreU
VenueParadise in Augustines
Date15:08:2012
Review 
  
This show was by a cast of all "down syndrome"  members who were incredibly well focused
on thier work.  They obviously  enjoyed  themselves, did'nt forget thier lines and witha little  
ad libbing they pulled it all together giving a thoroughly enjoyable performance.
Dream On was thier adaptation of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" in rehearsal, and it was easy 
to follow and funny all through.    The set and Coreography was superb and the show obviously 
thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.   
A cast of about 20.  
Worth 5 stars 
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Could be with some limitations
Would you book them ?Yes ( if some problms re. Accommodion addressed)
Would it be worth pursuing this company toYes
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
More suitable for large venues  and best done on a stage


Name of companyWordsmiths Theatre Factory.  Capetown
Name of showThe sewing machine
GenreU
VenueAssembly  George Square
Date15:08:2012
Review 
  
This is a one woman show about her life in South Africa but now resides in an old peoples home
and is waiting for somone to come regarding the sale of her sewing machine which has been her
companion for many years.  The actress was brilliant and held the audience attention throughout the
piece. During some of the long pauses, when she made tea and moved slowly around the stage,
There was dead silence, (you could have heard a pin drop), The audience were so involved.
The actress was given a standing ovation at the end.
Excellent theatre 
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ?Tes
Would it be worth pursuing this company toYes
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
We would be interested to see other work by this company

Name of companyWhitebone Productions
Name of showBane 1-2-3
GenreU
VenuePleasance Dome
Date15:08:2012
Review 
  
Very cleverly contrived one man show. The actors ability to change character rapidly
portraying several different characters just by body language and facial expressions was very
amusing and surprising.  The actor provided the sound effects orally and the music supporting the 
piece gave a good atmospheric background. 
There were some bad language in the dialogue, but this was in the spirit of the content, although  
some people may find it offensive.   
On the whole it was very energetic and very entertaining. 
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ?Yes  (with some modifications)
Would it be worth pursuing this company toYes
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
Very watchable, but For some audiences may need some discussion regarding content.

Name of companyAct 1 Theatre Company
Name of showWuthering Heights
GenrePG
VenueThe Space on the Mile  High Street
Date15:08:2012
Review 
  
This was an abridged version of a well known story.  It was condensed into a small space and
performed by a cast of about 10 actors with minimum props.
There was a lack of light and dark contrast in the dialogue and delivery of the lines which
spoilt the production. The use of the Window as both window and door spoilt the illusion 
they were trying to create and there was lack of passion in the portrayal of some of the characters.
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ?No
Would it be worth pursuing this company toDepends whats on offer, but doubtful
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
The whole play was let down by inadequate acting 

Name of companyJimmy Greaves Magic Puppet Company
Name of showThe Boy with the Cuckoo Clock Heart
GenreU
VenuePleasance Courtyard
Date16:08:2012
Review 
  
Enjoyed this show very much. The operation of the Boy puppet was excellently handled, and the 
pathos  shown was very good.  The change of the character from puppet to man wrked well  
and was done expertly with minimum props  the use of which was very cleverly contrived.
This was a story of a boy born with a disfunctional heart who needed a "pacemaker" which was not 
available and was given a cuckoo clock in its place.  He was told he must never fall in love because
This would make the clock race and may break up. 
Based on a very imaginative bittersweet tale by Mathias Malzieu.
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ?Yes
Would it be worth pursuing this company toYes
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
No Programme was given explaining  the story and where it came from, which is a pity. 

Name of companyKCHB
Name of showAnything But
Genre14+
VenuePleasance Courtyard
Date16:08:2012
Review 
  
This is a one woman show about people and attitudes in life and was centred around a funeral wake
Stand up comedy, slick and amusing at times  (for some of the audience, very funny), but 
not very enjoyable for us 
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ?No
Would it be worth pursuing this company toDepends what else they have on offer
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
Stand up comedy has to make me laugh 

Name of companyHorse and Bamboo
Name of showAngus Weaver of Grass
GenrePG
VenueThe Netherbow
c16:08:2012
Review 
  
Although this show had some interesting effects, we found it very confusing and difficult to follow
Some of the puppetry was poorly done and the projection of images confusing at times.
A programme giving some basic information about the main character needs to be given at the start
The show follow the life of Angus MacPhee and we have since obtained a programme by post.
This clarifies some of the sequences used in the show, but since the songs were in Gaelic the 
story (if contained in the songs) could not be followed.
An interpretation of the songs should have been given somehow.
Suitable / ready for rural touring?Yes
Would you book them ?No
Would it be worth pursuing this company toYes
consider work in the future 
Any other comments 
Good effects but rather confusing 

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