Shakespeare in Love, Noel Coward Theatre : LOCAL LOVES

“A love letter to theatre...”

Ah lads, I’m in love! And so is Shakespeare it seems!

I went to the Shakespeare in Love press night, having seen it only a week before too, and fell head over heels. I booked the first visit with ‘the gals’ as soon as tickets came on sale when I didn't know I'd be going to the press night too. So lucky me, I’ve seen it twice and it is BRILLIANT.

When word got out that Shakespeare in Love was going to be made into a play it just seemed to make total sense, of course it should be on the stage! The play is sitting prettily at the Noel Coward on St Martin’s Lane and I can tell you, it is just lovely. Completely lovely. If you’re a fan of the film – go see the show. If you’ve not seen the film – go see the show, then borrow someone’s dvd and relive all your fave bits. 

The actors...

Shakespeare is played by the wonderfully hunky Tom Bateman – please see evidence  of hunkiness here. Very different to Joseph Fiennes who played the role in the film, Tom is a more manly and strong Shakespeare who doesn't wither under his writer’s block but instead knows he must find inspiration in love. His relationship with Kit Marlow (played by David Oakes who you may know from the BBC’s The White Queen) is a great development from the film, there's a lovely sense of true friendship and comradery. 

Lucy Briggs-Owen plays the theatre loving Viola and is perfect for the role. The passion she has for Shakespeare’s writing is so earnest and, from one theatre-obsessive to another, is so brilliantly conceivable. Shakespeare and Viola are both struck with a sudden and all-consuming, needless to say forbidden, love and I found it all completely believable. The chemistry between these two is palpable and you can feel it even in the back row of the balcony.

Best bits...

THERE IS A DOG. Yes, a dog. As we all learnt from the film – everyone loves a bit with a dog. And this new West End powerhouse is no exception. The big fluffball, an Irish wolfhound named Spot, bounds on stage and steals the show. Also, keep an eye out for him at the curtain call...!

But it’s not just the canine cameo that makes this show great. The set, designed by Nick Ormerod, is the inside of a beautiful wooden three tiered Elizabethan playhouse with a central section that glides forward and back, transforming the space and bringing the audience 'backstage'. The ensemble watch the scenes they're not involved in from the balconies, creating theatre within a theatre, within a theatre...within.. You get the gist.

There are also constant nods to the bard, famous lines are dotted here and there, and thrown into conversation. The audience titters in quiet recognition. It's moments like this that make this show a love letter to theatre. 

The after party...

Was brilliant. It took place in the stunning Southwark Cathedral as there is a window and statue that commemorates Shakespeare, and his brother Edmund was also buried there. We were greeted by flaming torches, champers and canapes. My sister pondered whether we'd get 'Shakespearean food' but luckily there was lots of smoked salmon, goats cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes and tiny bowls of cheesy risotto. I had a totally brill time and loved spotting the cast in their party frocks. I didn't get many photos as it's wasn't really the place to get snap-happy in!

The reviews...

Stonking. Simply stonking. The critics loved it.

"It’s got the lot – a stirring love story, a prodigious succession of terrific jokes - and it sends up the theatre something rotten while simultaneously delighting in it." 

"This is the best British comedy since One Man, Two Guvnors and deserves equal success." 

"A joyous celebration of theatre itself." 

"A swooning delight. Terrific."

Tickets

Get tickets here - prices range from £17.25 to £89.75 so there's a seat for every budget. I really do recommend going if you are any sort of theatre fan, it's a wonderful show and you'll come out feeling all warm n' fuzzy!

xXx 

The Crucible starring Richard Armitage at the Old Vic Theatre : LOCAL LOVES

Ah chaps I saw a BRILLIANT play last week – Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at the Old Vic. It was a seriously amazing evening and if you’re a theatre fan then this is a production that you really should see.

At three hours and forty minutes long it is quite a marathon but it’s such high quality that I personally welcomed the lengthy session in my seat! The Crucible is a real favourite of mine – I studied it at school in both my English classes and also in Drama, and also religiously (ooo interesting word choice...) watched and re-watched the film starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Rider. So it’s fair to say I know it inside out. 

Set in 1692 in Massachusetts, The Crucible depicts the famous witch trials that took place in Salem. Led by Abigail Williams, a group of young girls are caught dancing naked in the woods and performing ‘magic’. Dancing is considered punishable in this town, let alone performing magic. To cover their actions they say they were forced to by Barbadian slave Tituba and that they spoke with the devil. They accuse members of the community of being in the presence of the devil, thus naming them witches or wizards. Those accused are brought to trial and if they do not admit their so-called sins they are sentenced to hanging.

Amongst those accused is Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor who has slept with Abigail Williams in the past. Abigail hopes to have Elizabeth hanged so that she can pursue John.

So there’s a lot of lives at stake, reputations to be tarnished and accusations falsely made with disastrous consequences. 

John Proctor is played by the wonderful Richard Armitage, who recently starred in The Hobbit and Robin Hood, and also happens to be rather gorgeous. Proctor is a seriously meaty part and one that it seems Richard is revelling in playing – check out what he has to say about it in this video. 

Richard Armitage as John Proctor

Abigail is played by newcomer Samantha Colley in her professional stage debut – she has such power in her performance, she really captures the strength and danger of Abigail, and at times seems truly possessed. 

Samantha Colley as Abigail Williams

And, for me, the role of Mary Warren seemed all the more significant in the Old Vic production. Often overlooked as a protagonist for the bolder Abigail, Mary’s attempt to tell the truth is pivotal in the explosion of activity that brings the play thundering to it’s conclusion. Natalie Gavin takes on the role with great precision and emotional awareness. An honest and wonderful performance.

And all of this astounding acting and action is accompanied beautifully by Richard Hammarton’s haunting soundscape, a constant reminder of the suspense and risk in the melting pot that Salem has become.

It’s thrilling, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching and ridiculously brilliant. There was barely a dry eye in the house. Get tickets here and experience it for yourself.

xXx

Skylight, Bill Nighy & Carey Mulligan at Wyndham's Theatre : LOCAL LOVES

I saw Skylight starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan last night and it was WONDERFUL. I’ve been walking past the theatre for weeks, gazing at the posters and dreaming of getting a ticket so I was absolutely over the moon when a little email pinged up in my inbox inviting me along!
 

 
Skylight centres around Kyra and Tom – a young woman and older man – who brought an end to their six year affair after Tom’s wife discovered their illicit relationship. The play joins them three years after this, in which time Tom’s wife has died of cancer without giving him the forgiveness he so craved and Kyra has dispassionately removed herself from the situation.

In Kyra’s cold London council flat in late December, Tom and Kyra reminisce, flirt, argue, shout and throw. It’s thrilling to see them slipping back into their old and familiar relationship while past tensions quickly rise to the surface. 

Bill and Carey are utterly convincing in their roles – Carey has a maturity to her performance (I think it’s that amazing voice of hers) that makes the age gap completely plausible. And there’s a youthfulness to Bill’s portrayal of Tom's desire for forgiveness and poorly concealed feelings of ownership.

The show is directed by powerhouse director Stephen Daldry, who recently directed Helen Mirren in The Audience and also created the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony with Danny Boyle. Yeah, pretty big-time hey?!

Skylight is one of those shows that feels like a pure master class in acting. Bill and Carey act their socks off and I suggest you find a way of getting a ticket. 

Tickets...

It’s on until 23rd August 2014 at the Wyndham’s Theatre by Leicester Square/Covent Garden. There is the odd ticket left still and they can be booked here.  Or alternatively you can queue very early in the morning on the day you’d like to see the show and try and get Day Seats at 10am – these are a bargain at £15 and usually on the front row of the Stalls so well worth the early rise!

Or, if your can’t get yourself down to the box office, there is an NT Live broadcast of the show on 17th July. That’s right - an actual live performance will be played in lots of cinemas in London! All the info is here.  There’s been a fair bit of controversy surrounding NT Live broadcasts as some people believe it discourages people from physically going to the theatre as they can see a show on the cheap at their local cinema. Personally I disagree – I think it’s the perfect way for people to access what they usually couldn’t, then tempt them into the theatre to see the real deal. What do you think?

So yes, there you have it gang, another bloody good play is on in fair London town. Get yourself along and witness the wonder.

Have any of you seen it already? I’d love to know your thoughts!

xXx

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hi gang,

I’m now on Bloglovin so click the title of this post and follow me on there! It’s a great site and the app is brill too. Whether you’re new to this 'following' malarkey or a seasoned blogger I really recommend using it, it’s a fab way to bring all your favourite blogs together and discover new ones.

xXx

p.s. Look how gorgeous London is looking today....

All the world's a stage, What to see this month - Part IV : LOCAL LOVES

1984

I saw 1984 a few nights ago and I’m still reeling from it. I love a show that almost affects you physically, the fact that theatre can do that to you is why I adore it so much. My head felt so full, if that makes sense. It was such a bombardment of information, ideas and thought that I couldn’t compute it all at once.

Based on the famous George Orwell book, the play was originally staged at the Almeida Theatre in North London as a co-production with Headlong and Nottingham Playhouse. It got rave reviews and the theatre owners of the West End quickly battled for the transfer. It is now selling out the Playhouse and reactions have been amazing.

For those of you who haven’t read the book this is where the ideas of Big Brother and Room 101 come from – a dystopian world where free thought and emotion is banned, and every living person is watched in omnipresent surveillance. Those who go against these laws become 'unpersoned' - they are effectively deleted, any record of them that there ever was is destroyed. But Winston Smith dares to challenge this.

It sounds like an unthinkable hell doesn't it? Well the pure quality of this production makes you not want to miss a single second of that hell. With the slickest of scene changes, smack-you-in-the-face lighting and sound (from Natasha Chivers and Tom Gibbons respectively), and an endlessly astonishing set (by Chloe Lamford) this is a real theatre gem and I encourage all of you to beg, borrow and steal for a ticket.


WHAT: 1984
WHERE: Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5DE
TICKETS: ATG Tickets  - for each show 101 tickets are sold for £19.84 - see what they did there??
DATES: On until 19th July 2014. Update! The show has extended to 23rd August - go, go, go!
WHO: Anyone who likes a bit of theatre that makes you think and feel instantly and for a long time afterwards. For George Orwell fans – this is a must.
TUBE: Embankment tube is less than a minute away.

This Londoner is Paris bound! : FURTHER AFIELD

Well gang, it's an exciting day! Tonight I am hopping onto the Eurostar, prosecco and plastic champers flutes in hand, and going to Paris for the very first time! Any tips on where I should visit?

I'm taking my snazzy camera with me so a big ole' blog will be winging its way to you on my return. I also promise to have a new 'All the world's a stage, What to see this month' post for you next week including a West End transfer, a Downton themed impressionist and a sparkling new musical hitting the Savoy.

But for now, au revoir, I'm off to the Eiffel Tower!

P.S. This is what I'm wearing (complete with Parisian pout) - it's the most Paris thing I could muster and miles away from usual patterned trouser and cosy jumper combo!