Groan Ups review – Devonshire Park Theatre

Groan Up is the latest show to come to Eastbourne from the wonderful Mischief Theatre. I am a huge fan of their previous productions so couldn’t wait to see their take on the classroom.

Following five incredibly different children the play takes us through key moments in school life, before asking questions about ‘what happens when you grow up’ and ‘do you keep the connections you made in your youth’.

Despite the play starting a bit slowly, (still plenty of laughs from the audience), the characters were very recognizable. If you were at secondary school in the early noughties (as I was) you will really appreciate some of the references and enjoy the music playing in between scenes.

The production really shines in part two, building on the groundwork set in in part one. The more farcical the comedy becomes, the funnier the show gets.

The cast are all fantastic and really convince in the various ages they play, especially the mannerisms of the six-year-olds! Special mention to ‘Chemise’ who gets the biggest laughs of the evening.

Mischief Theatre deliver once again, a delightfully fun play. If you are a fan of the farce, there is a lot to enjoy about Groan Ups.

Groan Ups is playing at the Devonshire Park Eastbourne until Saturday 26th February. Get your tickets now!

Wakey wakey – Panto’s back!

Sitting in the auditorium ahead of the performance, you could feel the buzz amongst the theatregoers. It’s been two years since the last Eastbourne Pantomime and the excitement was clear.

I don’t need to explain the plot of Sleeping Beauty, and although the story is as traditional as it gets, there are a few spins on the usual tale of the dozing maiden. From the moment the rhyming starts there is something so familiar and comforting about pantomime. Big musical numbers, cheesy jokes, slapstick comedy, energetic choreography and of course a villain to collectively boo.

It is the perfect remedy for the current climate.

The whole cast are amazing, though the stars of the show (as has been the case for many years now) are Martyn Knight and Tucker. Tucker is the king of scene stealing and the chemistry between the pair has never been clearer.

Though the pandemic has meant some changes to the structure, it really doesn’t prevent the show from being a success. The cast more than make up for their smaller number with a huge amount of enthusiasm complemented by the bright and colourful set design.

Current affairs aren’t spared the comedy treatment, and there is a fair dose of local banter. The writing is quick witted while keeping all the classic pantomime cliches which children and adults alike will love, as well as plenty of audience interaction.

The musical numbers were fantastic, with the wicked witch having some of the best songs in the show. Who doesn’t love a Hocus Pocus reference!

I appreciate that a lot of people may be hestitant to visit the theatre right now but if you are comfortable and want to do something fun and Christmassy then I cannot recommend this panto enough!

Sleeping Beauty is wonderful. Not only is panto back, but it’s back on top form!

Sleeping Beauty is playing until the 9th January at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne Book tickets here

Magic Goes Wrong review – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

Magic Goes Wrong in the West End was the last show I had the pleasure of seeing just before the pandemic hit, and by chance it has become my first theatre visit post-lockdown with the touring version at the wonderful Congress Theatre in Eastbourne. As the curtain lifted it quickly became apparent that despite 18 months passing Mischief Theatre is back with a bang (and several crashes!) and a cast who seemed to thoroughly enjoy being in front of a live audience again.

The show is a complete farce, and I mean that in a good way. It’s silly, sparkly, loud and very funny. If you need a lighthearted night out watching a performance that does not take itself seriously then I suggest you join these clumsy magicians immediately for their charity fundraiser.

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Grab your seats early so you don’t miss out on some preshow laughs, switch off from reality for a couple of hours and enjoy this absurd comedy.

As a supporter of the live arts, it was a real joy to return to the Congress and the lively audience seemed to agree.

Magic Goes Wrong is running at Eastbourne from the 3^rd to 9^th August. Grab your tickets now!

Eastbourne Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk review

Pantomime has always been a highlight of the festive season, and this year’s Jordan Production of Jack and the Beanstalk is a fantastic, colourful, hilarious take on the traditional tale of Jack, his cow, five magic beans and a grumpy giant in need of slaying.

A mix of classic tunes and modern hit songs are cleverly altered to move the cast along their journey, and the dance routines are wonderfully choreographed and performed.

Regional jokes, the odd political comment and masses of physical mayhem get the biggest laughs of the show (the adults chuckled as much as the kids).

Simple Simon (Tucker) and Dame Trott (Martyn Knight) are the comedic duo all panto productions surely wish they had. Their chemistry is fantastic. The villain Fleshcreep, a disturbing mix of Dr Evil and Marvel’s Loki, is truly ghastly and a pleasure to boo.

The rest of the cast do an equally brilliant job and the panto embraces all the things we have come to love, from the rhyming fun, innuendo, slapstick comedy, sparkly outfits and stunning vocals.

If you already love panto then Jack and the Beanstalk will not disappoint, and if somehow you have managed to escape this entertaining, farcical tradition, I urge you to book now. This is the most fun you will have in the theatre this Christmas time.

Year on year Eastbourne Panto gets better and better. Don’t miss it!

Running until January 12th at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne – buy your tickets here.

The Girl on the Train. Review – Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

Based on the bestselling 2015 psychological thriller written by Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train finds unemployed, alcoholic Rachel Watson on route to self-destruct following the breakdown of her marriage. Rachel spends her days fantasising about the perfect couple she sees from the train, until one morning she spots something which shatters this image and leads her down a path from which she can’t return.

The audience are guided through the plot by an unreliable witness in Rachel, who is both frustrating and likeable in equal measure. Samantha Womack portrays Rachel in a sympathetic way, allowing the viewer to empathise with the character but maintaining the distance required to allow an element of distrust.

This is a fantastic thriller which has you guessing the outcome from the start. With strong performances from all the cast, each character unravels another layer to this complex story. However, the play is never confusing, and though each scene unearths more questions, you are undoubtedly left satisfied with its conclusion.

Surprisingly there are a lot of comedic moments in this production. On the most part these laughs seem unnecessary and out of place in what is a tense, chilling and dark play.

The pace is fast from the outset and there isn’t time for the audience to relax as the plot twists and turns mounting to a tense, powerful conclusion.

Fans of the book will love this interpretation, and those unfamiliar with the story are in for a gripping, thrilling and enjoyable evening.

The Girl on the Train is playing at Eastbourne Theatres until Saturday 9th November. Tickets are available here.

 

Annie review – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

Set in New York City during The Great Depression, we find Annie having a tough time living at Miss Hannigan’s terribly run, horrendously grim orphanage. Desperately hoping her long lost parents will return and give her the family she longs for, luck brings billionaire Oliver Warbucks into Annie’s life. However it isn’t plain sailing for mismatched pair as the spiteful and self-serving Miss Hannigan sets out to ruin Annie’s newly found home and steal some of that fortune for herself.

It’s easy to forgot just how jam packed Annie is with hit songs. Easy Street, Tomorrow and You Are Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile are among the most famous. The young cast excel when performing together, and a particular highlight is their rendition of the iconic It’s The Hard Knock Life, complete with mops, buckets and a lot of gusto!

Lesley Joseph is fantastic as the terrifying yet hilariously pathetic Miss Hannigan. I could have watched an entire hour of Joseph alone playing the gin-guzzling monster.

This musical is great fun, with jokes for both adults and children. There are many cleverly comical 1930s references (Babe Ruth, Al Capone) which went over the kids heads but evoked chuckles from the parents. This show has something for everyone to laugh at.

Most of us know the story of the infectiously positive Annie or are at least familiar with the cheeky red-headed girl, yet even if you aren’t, this uplifting, vibrant musical will have your toes tapping all evening.

The live orchestra, superb staging and talented, all singing, all dancing cast come together to make this new production a sure fire hit and a great family night out.

Annie is showing at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne until Saturday 17th August.

Get your tickets here.

The 39 Steps – Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne

The 39 Steps is a spy thriller played out as a quick paced, comedic adventure. Based on the 1915 John Buchan book and subsequent 1935 Hitchcock film, the writers have created a witty script, brought to life by the Eastbourne Theatres team.

Oliver Mellor (Coronation Street) plays the handsome pencil-moustached Richard Hannay who, finding both London and life tiring, has a chance meeting with a beautiful stranger at the theatre. His boredom doesn’t last long when he finds himself embroiled in a murder and becomes a fugitive on the run.

With only four players, the creative staging and simple yet effective costume changes really piece together a performance which feels a lot bigger than the sum of its parts. Mellor is expertly supported by Anna Clarke, Philip Stewart and Jon Monie who play multiple characters and each deliver scene stealing moments. Special mention goes to Monie and those crazy eyes!

What makes so much of this show enjoyable is the comic timing. The jokes come thick and fast and the cast deliver energetic set pieces and one liners. A perilous train journey makes the most of the simple yet clever set design and audio.

This is a snappy, old fashioned parody which pays tribute to 1930s spy genre pieces. Where on occasion the plot is lacking, the versatile acting makes up for this in abundance.

Go and see this great show and let the cast guide you through the mystery of The 39 Steps. As the drama unravels you will be guaranteed to laugh out loud.

Also look out for the Hitchcock references! Spotting these was all part of the fun…

Playing at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne until 17th August, buy your tickets here.

Brad, Janet, Rocky, Dr Scott! A Rocky Horror Show review – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

Let me start this review by letting you know I was one of those people, surely the minority, who hadn’t experienced the cult classic Rocky Horror Show. It’s almost impossible not to be familiar with the Richard O’Brien sci-fi horror musical, but the closest I had previously been to Rocky Horror was dancing the Time Warp at a family wedding.

I knew I was in for a treat the second I saw a number of the audience in audacious fancy dress. The cheering and howls of laughter started the moment the small but perfectly formed cast appeared, and didn’t let up until way after the final act had closed.

The audience really got involved with this one!

The plot, guided by The Narrator Steve Punt (Punt & Dennis), sees naive, newly-engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss break down on a stormy night. When in search of a phone, they stumble across a creepy looking castle run but the one and only sweet transvestite Frank’n’Furter, played terrifyingly perfectly by Stephen Webb. From that moment on Brad and Janet have a night you and they will never forget.

Rocky Horror is a raucous, elaborate homage to the sci-fi B-movies of the 1950s, which revels in a ludicrous plot, raunchy choreography and outrageously sparkly costumes (or lack of!)

Famous for the fan participation, the audience are practically encouraged to join in, and a lot of the laughs come from the interaction itself.

The non-stop musical numbers performed with phenomenal vocals will have you grinning, tapping your feet and even singing along to the better known hits (The Time Warp and Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me). If you are even a tad curious to see what all the fuss is about, I urge you to try it out.

Rocky Horror is the off the wall, risqué, liberating and fabulous romp you hope it is going to be, and this cast deliver a performance worthy of the standing ovation they received.

In the words of Frank’n’Furter himself – “give yourself over to absolute pleasure” and go and see this show immediately!

Running at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from May 27 – June 1st. Buy your tickets here.

 

Rock of Ages review – Congress Theatre Eastbourne

Earlier this year I applied to be an Eastbourne Theatre Ambassador, a voluntary position which involves me going to the theatre more and writing reviews. Sounds fantastic? Let’s hope so! With that, I am very excited to share my first ever theatre review with you all.

Set sometime in the mid to late 1980s, Rock of Ages takes you back to the glamourous, lively and often risqué rock scene found on LA’s Sunset Strip.

The plot is paper thin and outright chaotic in places, but this really doesn’t matter as you sing and head bang your way through hit after hit.

Classics like ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ are real crowd pleasers, though every tune has its chance to shine – the show is packed with ‘I forgot about that one’ moments.

Antony Costa (boyband Blue) is great as rock god Stacee Jaxx, while Zoe Birkett (Pop Idol fame) blew everyone away with her vocals.

The central characters Drew and Sherrie were brilliantly performed by Luke Walsh and Jodie Steele respectively. However the biggest plaudits of the night go to the narrator and ‘sound guy’ Lonny, played by Lucas Rush, who stole every scene he was in and really held the show together.

Highlights include an unexpectedly beautiful duet of REO Speedwagon’s ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and a hilarious picnic scene, all played out with clever staging and set design.

It’s clear that the cast are having a great time, and that translated to the audience too. By the end of the night the whole theatre was up dancing and singing.

The show is clearly self-aware, and doesn’t pretend to be a musical masterpiece, however without question it delivers an unashamedly fun night out. Just like the 80s themselves, Rock of Ages is over the top, jam packed with excess and one big party.

The show is on until Saturday 13 April so get tickets here:

Rock of Ages ticket – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

 

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical review – Congress Theatre

Carole King’s story is a relatively unknown one, despite her being behind so many huge hits of the 1960s. Beautiful is a wonderful tribute to the ordinary girl who became the female musical powerhouse we now know.

We begin seeing Carole building her writing career with husband Gerry Goffin, alongside their fellow writer rivals, and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and are treated to pop hit after pop hit. The songs are cleverly transformed from their initial raw concepts into the final published versions performed onstage by some of the great pop acts of the 60s & 70s.

The story soon turns to both the professional and personal struggles both King and Goffin experience in their time are lovers and writers, leading to a final act of King finding herself and producing the seminal Grammy-winning album Tapestry with an onstage performance at Carnegie Hall with us, the very grateful audience.

The mood of the production is instantly established with musician’s loitering around the stage as the audience takes to their seats. A real highlight of the show is how the cast make up the live band and are involved in all elements of the staging including playing multiple parts as well as their instruments.

Beautiful – tour – 2022 Production photos taken on the 28th February 2022, at Curve Theatre Leicester, Directed by Nikolai Foster

Mollie Grace-Cutler is sensational as hit-maker Carole King and by far the star of the show – as she should be. Belting out tune after number one tune – you won’t believe how many songs King was involved in writing including You’ve Got a Friend, One Fine Day and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman).

Unfortunately I found the rest of the cast lacking, whether this was the unpolished choreography or weak vocals (though the band music may have contributed to this with many lyrics being drowned out). There is no doubt there is talent in the cast but something didn’t quite sparkle with this particular production. I am a fan of this musical, loving it the previous time I saw it on tour and have delved into King’s back catalogue extensively since, however I felt it made some missteps in cementing King’s legacy. She really does have an incredible story that was perhaps too lightly touched on in this version.

That being said fans of the King/Goffin catalogue will enjoy seeing King’s hit performed on stage, and those who think they aren’t familiar with King’s music will think again once experiencing the songs in this creative setting.

The show is not perfect but it is a great night out which leaves you dancing in your seat, humming as you leave and chatting about how you didn’t know ‘she wrote that one’. I encourage you to see this musical to experience the joy that is the Carole King song-book.

On stage now at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne until Saturday 27th August. Buy tickets here.

Around the World in 80 Days review – Devonshire Park Theatre

Eastbourne Theatres productions have put together a fantastic adaptation of the Jules Verne classic. 

We see the emphatic Phileas Fogg take on an outrageous bet to travel the world in the unlikeliness of timelines meeting a host of eccentric characters along the way. 

Around the World in 80 Days is a hilarious adventure which had me hooked from the first scene. 

The energetic cast is small but very versatile, packing in a huge number of characters, and accents! All the actors were fantastic but special mention to Ben Roddy as Inspector Fix who had me in stiches channeling Boyce.  

The set is cleverly designed and a lot of thought has been put into how to stage the various countries Fogg visits with great success. A train scene in the Wild West was particularly creative. 

The play is very well written and silly in equal measure. The 80 days flew in, I could have watched double the distance! 

I urge everyone to take a night off, go to the theatre and see this wonderful local production. I loved it!

Playing at Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne until 27th August. Get your tickets now!

Gangsta Granny review – Eastbourne Theatres

Ben doesn’t enjoy spending Friday night with his granny. In fact, it’s his least favourite time of the week. But there is more to the story than first meets the eye, what Ben is doesn’t know is his granny has a very criminal secret!

Tonight, I had the pleasure of watching David Walliams book Gangsta Granny be transformed for the stage.

I am certainly not the target audience for this show however Granny’s fantastical stories were very amusing and well performed by the comical cast. The set changes between scenes are creatively completed with all the cast involved throughout.

There was an excited buzz around the auditorium throughout the show, and the children attending giggled their way through the whole second half, particularly at a nosey neighbour!

David Walliams has a wonderful imagination and the company who has brought his book to life have done a wonderful job. The show is hilarious but also has heart and a lovely message for the children (and adults) in the audience about how important the older generation is in our lives.

A fun-filled show for the whole family – even granny can enjoy this one!

On from Tues 3rd till Saturday 6th August at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne. Get your tickets here!

Bat Out of Hell review – Congress Theatre

Last night I was treated to the assault on the senses that is Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s bizarre, dystopian musical Bat Out of Hell.

Now this is a show with a dedicated audience. Leather-clad bikers lined the entrance to the theatre getting us in the mood for some rock before we even found our seats. We were surrounded by fans of the show donning their merchandise, whooping and hollering throughout which really added to the energy of the performance.

The plot itself centres around the forbidden romance of Raven, the daughter of a tyrannical ruler of Obsidian, and Strat, a member of a punk, rebel gang, The Lost, both of whom perform with boundless energy and passion.

The set is incredibly impressive with clever staging creating what I can only describe as an epic backdrop. This was almost as much a part of the show as the cast themselves who were dressed in wonderfully fantastical costumes.

The songs and lyrics of Steinman and Meatloaf really suit musical theatre, in particular the power ballads, though the hit of the show for me was the titular anthem Bat Out if Hell itself. The effect of this on stage was truly amazing, showcasing the power of rock ‘n’ roll and theatre in one.

That being said the musical numbers suffered from being too long, and the choreography often did not add to the narrative being told. At times I was a bit lost at the purpose of each song but I’m not sure this actually mattered to most of the audience who were definitely one of the most animated crowds I have experienced.

Bat Out of Hell is currently playing at the Congress Theatre Eastbourne until Saturday 28th May. Get your tickets here now!