Theatre Archives - Page 10 of 12

An Absolute Beauty Of A Show

Articles, Featured, Opinion No Responses »

Dec 052014

Duncan Harley reviews Beauty and the Beast at HMT.

Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre has been staging pantomime for almost a century and the 2014 festive production of Beauty and the Beast looks likely to break all previous records as regards eye watering gags and entertainment value for children of all ages.

From the very start, the production engages all sections of the audience with a blistering series of innuendo laden laughs guaranteed to keep the grown-ups happy and the youngsters wondering.

In one of the funniest slapstick performances ever witnessed on an Aberdeen stage, Mrs Potty – played by Elaine C. Smith – wields her truncheon while fellow cast members variously demonstrate their prowess with feather dusters and frying pans.

The result is hilarious and the deadpan delivery complete with split second timing literally brings the house down.

Of course in true panto tradition, there are goodies and baddies. Mrs Potty, Dame Kitty Brewster – played by the production’s writer Alan McHugh – and of course the beautiful Belle, come into the first category. Anne Smith plays the evil witch Deadly Nightshade and Paul Leubke gives a versatile performance as the extremely unlovable alpha male Harris McTweed.

The Beast – Luke Newton – is of course a baddie destined to improve nicely as he slowly transforms into the handsome Prince Sebastian.

There are special effects galore including a quite extraordinary airborne Elaine C. Smith plus the unforgettable and incredibly scary Kraken of the Deep.

Highlights include a splendid rendering of the 1960’s Beach Boy’s hit “Surfing Cruden Bay” delivered by Dame Kitty and her wee son Boabby Brewster – played by Jordan Young. For my vote the deadpan mis-direction in the Wedding Scene and the moment when the orchestra commit the cardinal sin of opening their brolly’s indoors come a very close joint second.

Sound, set design and lighting are faultless and the costumes are to die for. With a superb musical score and entertaining choreography this is a truly magical pantomime experience.

Produced by Michael Harrison and directed by Sam Kane, Beauty and the Beast at HM Theatre Aberdeen will run and run until Sunday January 4th 2015.

Is there a happy ending ever after?

You’ll just have to go and see …

Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 and on line at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

Words and pictures by Duncan Harley

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Beauty And The Beast – HMT’s 2014 Christmas Pantomime

Aberdeen City, Articles, Events No Responses »

Oct 172014

By Duncan Harley

Pantomime season arrived early this week as one of Scotland’s most talented performers, Elaine C Smith, made an impromptu appearance at Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Centre.

In full costume and accompanied by Prince Sebastion, perhaps better known as the Beast, Elaine mingled with shoppers and posed for the cameras as a prelude to her star role as Mrs Potty in HM Theatre’s 2014 Christmas panto production of “Beauty and the Beast.”

This is Elaine’s sixth year starring in pantomime at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen.

“Some folk think that when you do panto it’s a sign that your stage career is over,” said Elaine “in reality it’s quite the opposite, this is Aberdeen’s very own panto not just a touring show … it’s a real pleasure to appear here.”

Now grandmother to new baby Stella, ‘Granny Smith’ has arrived to a warm welcome from the Granite City and she’ll not be leaving until the Beast is once again transformed into a handsome prince.

Produced by Michael Harrison, this years production has been written by Alan McHugh will don his frock for the 11th year running to delight audiences as Dame Kitty Brewster while Jordan Young will no doubt be up to some extreme mischief in his role as Boabby Brewster.

The Beast is played by Luke Newton while Anne Smith, of Madam JoJo’s West End Club fame, will play the Wicked Witch. Dundee born Maggie Lynne plays the role of the beautiful Belle and Paul Luebke, of Taggart fame, is cast as Harris McTweed.

Rehearsals begin soon and the theatre doors open on Saturday 29th November with performances up to and including Sunday January 4th.

Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 and on line at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Duthie Park Hosts La Boheme

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

Jul 182014

Over five thousand Aberdonians packed the city’s Duthie Park for a free screening of The Royal Opera’s production of Puccini’s opera La Bohème last Tuesday evening. By Duncan Harley.

Sponsored via a partnership between The Royal Opera House, BP Big Screen and eighteen other UK councils, Aberdeen was fortunate indeed to have been chosen as the sole Scottish venue for the event, which involved simultaneous screenings of a live performance at the Royal Opera House in Westminster’s Covent Garden.

With ticket prices at the London venue averaging around £140 per head, the ‘bring your own seat’, free outdoor event proved to be a resounding success, both entertainment- and weather-wise.

A timeless, potent and heartbreaking tale, Puccini’s La Bohème was first performed in Turin in 1896, just thirteen years after the 44-acre Duthie Park was laid out.

Based on a collection of vignettes penned by Henri Murger and depicting Bohemian life in the Latin Quarter of mid-19th Century Paris, the storyline describes the love and lives of the main characters, Mimi and Rodolfo.

Although performed by The Royal Opera Company as far back as 1897, this week’s production dates from 1974 and has John Copley directing, with Cornelius Meister conducting. The role of the poet Rodolfo was performed by Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo with Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu as the doomed seamstress Mimi.

Sadly, Aberdeen will not be hosting the September offering from the BP Big Screen, and so those wishing to enjoy Verdi’s Rigoletto on September 17th will need to nip over the border to the likes of Plymouth or Bristol, before speeding back the next day in good time to cast their vote in the referendum.

As an alternative, Scottish Opera will be touring with Rossini’s comedy La Cenerentola at the end of the year, with live performances in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen.

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Do or Die: 700 Years Since Bannockburn

Opinion No Responses »

Jun 202014

‘Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty’s in every blow!
Let us do or die!’

These lines from Scots Wha Hae by Robert Burns sum up the Battle of Bannockburn and gives the title to Quids In Theatre Company’s new production, Do or Die, which tells the story of the lead up to the most famous battle in Scotland’s history; Bannockburn. With thanks to Annie Begg.

Last minute rehearsals for Do or Die : 700 years since Bannockburn which takes place from Sunday 22nd until Tuesday 24th June at St Nicholas Kirk.

As we celebrate 700 years since the victory that gave Scotland her independence from England, Quids In look at some of the events of the Wars of Independence through the eyes of the citizens of Aberdeen in this, the second of their local history series of events.

Last October, sell out audiences promenaded through the city centre, cowered in graveyards, shuddered in tower rooms as they enjoyed the promenade production ‘Suffer the Witch’, the story of the 1597 Aberdeen Witch trials. Now it is the turn of the Wars of Independence.

Production manager of the company, Annie Begg commented:

“Choosing the right venue for the piece was very important. We wanted somewhere where the audience could feel that they were part of history. St Nicholas Kirk in Union Street was the perfect choice as it was one of the few buildings still standing which would have been here then.

“The foundations of the church date back to the 12th century so there would have been a church on this spot in 1306 when the citizens of Aberdeen are thought to have helped storm the castle in the name of Robert the Bruce. We also particularly liked having the opportunity to perform the play on the actual anniversary of the battle.

“Our Community drama shows, give anyone who is interested the opportunity to take part in a theatre production based on the history of their local community. This is the second of six planned productions which will culminate in a festival of community theatre and local history in 2017.”

Tickets for the production are free but should be reserved through the Quids In website.

Do or Die – Quids In Theatre Company
Sunday 22nd – Tuesday 24th June, 7.30pm
Kirk of St Nicholas, Union Street, Aberdeen.

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Whisky Kisses – A Mature Scottish Musical.

Articles, Opinion No Responses »

May 302014

Reviewed by Duncan Harley.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s summer offering for 2014, Whisky Kisses, certainly cuts it big time.

A finalist in the 2007 Highland Quest competition, the now finely matured musical is delightfully full of vibrant and highly explosive energy.

Indeed the storyline and musical score tear the heart out of tartan Scotland then put it back together seamlessly.

Inspired by New York’s Tartan Week, the Moray based Rightlines partnership comprising writers Dave Smith and Euan Martin plus Edinburgh based composer James Bryce have taken Sir Walter Scott’s romanticised view of the Highlands to the cleaners.

Indeed Mairi Morrison who plays Mary, the inheritor of the cash strapped Glenigma Distillery, literally hangs Glenigma’s tartan out to dry on the village washing line in full view of the audience while an oblivious pseudo Scot looks on in the form of New York tycoon Ben Munro played by Dougal Lee.

Nessie – the Loch Ness Monster – makes a quite forgivable but thankfully brief appearance as do some empty whisky barrels and there is an oblique reference to ‘President Salmond’.

2014 is after all Scottish Referendum Year so all is forgiven.

The plot follows a brave but narrow path between tartan for tartans sake and tartan because it makes hysterical sense.

The story concerns two cash rich entrepreneurs competing to buy the very last bottle of the 100 year old Glenigma malt in the entire universe. The Scottish Government intervene unhelpfully and the heir to the family fortune must decide how to proceed with the saving of the glen.

Without giving too much away, it is fair to say that it all works out in the end. There are subtle twists of course and a few tear jerking moments including the near demise of Mr Yomo, played by Siu Hun Li, on the slopes of Ben Igma.

As with all Rightlines Productions however, there is a deeper message which in the case of Whisky Kisses is the question of how to live with heritage, how to share it, and how to enjoy it; while also knowing when to let it go, and to stop living in the past.

The opening song ‘I gotta have it’ gives way to the concluding ‘Spirit of Living’ with ‘Alcoholics Synonymous’ and ‘The Road To Love’ in between.

Set design and lighting are slick and vibrant and the Pitlochry Theatre sound is as always superb with not a word missed. Sound designer Paul Hoolihan and Musical Supervisor Jon Beales are to be congratulated.

Whisky Kisses is a polished piece and after a near decade in the making it suffers from very few issues. Perhaps the Brokeback Mountain scene is a little subtle. However all in all, the 100 year old Glenigma malt has matured nicely since its initial 2010 tour of Aberdeen, Moray and Deeside.

Directed by John Durnin and with set design by Ken Harrison Whisky Kisses performs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until October 18th.

Macbeth: Son of Light – Arts Centre Theatre, 14 -16 May

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 092014

Quids In Theatre Company (Aberdeen) present Macbeth: Son of Light. With thanks to Annie Begg.

Scotland 1040, a Nation in Turmoil, striving for unity and independence.

Torn by battles and political corruption the land needs the hand of a great Leader to steady the journey to destruction. One man will emerge through bloody conflict and murder to lead the nation bringing seventeen years of peace and unity to a divided country.

Husband to the beautiful Gruoch, adopted father to her son Lulach, Educated statesman, Royal mormaer , Christian pilgrim and fearsome warrior, he strives to fulfil his ambition to lead his people with bravery and fairness.

Yet, haunted and persecuted by the nightmarish prophecy borne from the pen of an “upstart crow”, Macbeth, Son of Light, True King of Scotland, faces his greatest battle, as he struggles to come face to face with the Macbeth of legend, the o’er reaching, murderously ambitious creation of the “scribbler”, William Shakespeare.

This new play from professional Scottish Company, Quids In, presents a fresh theatrical vision of Macbeth as he becomes the murderous marionette of William Shakespeare.

Fusing new modern writing with Shakespeare, this small cast work with drama creates a powerful production; beautifully simple, the plot and evocative primitive setting nonetheless, weave a web of magic around the audience, binding them as the Witches devastating prophecy unfolds.

Quids In Theatre Company are a professional theatre company based in Aberdeen committed to providing quality theatre at affordable prices.

Macbeth: Son of Light
Aberdeen Arts Centre Theatre
May 14 – 16 2014
7:30 pm
Tickets from Aberdeen Box Office

Info/Contact:

Weblink
Email
Twitter
facebook

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Whisky Kisses – A Musical Glenigma Which Has Matured Nicely

Articles, Events, Opinion No Responses »

Apr 112014

Whisky Kisses – A musical Glenigma which has matured nicely. Reviewed by Duncan Harley.

When the Scottish musical comedy Whisky Kisses came to Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree in 2010 it shone out as a production full of humour, energy and in the end some romance.
Described as a musical Glenigma and a battle for the bottle it came across to the Aberdonian audiences as a thoroughly enjoyable and truly Scottish musical starring amongst others Masashi Fujimoto of Mr Banzai fame.

The creators – Euan Martin, Dave Smith and Edinburgh based composer James Bryce all have a strong artistic connection with the Granite City and many Aberdonians were hard pressed to find a ticket for the first run.

Now chosen by those who know best in Scottish Arts such as Sir Cameron McIntosh’s Highland Quest, Whisky Kisses has been selected as the flagship show in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Summer Season for 2014.

Whisky Kisses is a hilarious musical show about a rare and ancient single malt whisky called The Glenigma and only one bottle of the golden nectar remains in the entire world.

The bidding race is on to decide who in the world will own it. A battle for the 100 year old bottle set in a beautiful remote highland distillery is on course. What could possibly go right?

Featuring Ben’s gay secretary Jeff plus Duncan and Lachie the two loyal distillery workers and a Mr Yomo of Japan the production is an absolute hoot from start to finish.

As with all Rightlines Productions however, there is a deeper message which in the case of Whisky Kisses is the question of how to live with heritage, how to share it, and how to enjoy it; while also knowing when to let it go, and to stop living in the past.

With hits such as “The Accidental Death of an Accordionist” and “Watching Bluebottles” the Rightlines team are on a winning ticket with this new production of “Whisky Kisses” and four years on from the original run, Whisky Kisses – like all good malts – has matured nicely.

Tickets are available from the box office at boxoffice@PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com and the 40 night run starts on May 23rd 2014.

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

The Secret Life Of Suitcases

Aberdeen City, Gigs and Concerts, Information No Responses »

Feb 212014

Join Larry in The Secret Life of Suitcases as his world is turned upside down and he discovers the thrill of an adventure and the joy of coming home again. Catch it at the Lemon Tree Monday 14 April at 2pm. With Thanks to Liz Smith.

The Secret Life of Suitcases is a funny and enchanting show, a new collaboration with the Unicorn Theatre, London, by writer/director Lewis Hetherington and puppeteer/designer Ailie Cohen.
The production opens on Saturday 15 March at Platform, Glasgow, followed by a two month Scottish tour prior to a London run at the Unicorn.

This is the first ever co-production between one of Scotland’s leading puppetry companies and the UK’s leading theatre for young audiences.

During the tour the show will also be playing at The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen.

Larry works in an office and he likes it very much. He likes sorting and tidying and generally putting things in order. Everything in its place, a place for everything.

But one day, a suitcase suddenly appears at his door. The suitcase has a tiny label. A tiny label with Larry’s name on it. And this suitcase has a mission…

It will be a playful, huge hearted piece for small people with giant imaginations that celebrates an analogue, handcrafted aesthetic in a digital world.

Lewis Hetherington, writer of Leaving Planet Earth, Grid Iron’s Edinburgh International Festival 2013 show and internationally renowned puppeteer Ailie Cohen, are two of Scotland’s most admired children’s theatre makers. Their previous collaboration Cloudman, was described as ‘…a joy to behold…‘ (The Herald) and has toured throughout Scotland, across the UK, including Imaginate Festival (Edinburgh) and Southbank Centre (London) and worldwide including the USA and Japan, garnering critical praise and playing to sell-out audiences.

The music for The Secret Life of Suitcases is composed by Niroshini Thambar and lighting design is by Andrew Gannon. Lewis Hetherington and Ailie Cohen have also received funding from Creative Scotland to create The Secret Life of Suitcases mobile app that will be launched later this year.

This Creative Scotland funded production is part of the Puppet Animation Festival and co-produced by the Unicorn Theatre, London. The production has been selected by The Touring Network (Highlands and Islands) and Arts nan Eilean for touring in these regions.

Variety Show Returns With Scotland’s Only Blind Comedian

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Feb 212014

With thanks to DV Press.

Popular variety show The Drummond Varieties returns to Aberdeen next week, hosted by local magician Eoin Smith.

Featuring the best in music, magic and comedy from around the North East of Scotland, along with a delicious one-course meal, the show will take place in Belmont Street’s Café Drummond at 8pm on Wednesday 26 February.

Headlining the show is Scotland’s only blind comedian, Neil Skene.

Blind since he was a teenager, Neil has trekked to Everest base camp, bagged over 65 Munros in Scotland, and run the London Marathon. These days he faces an even tougher challenge though… making a room full of strangers laugh!

With quick wit and brilliant humour, Neil is a fantastic comedian who is sure to raise the Drummond Varieties roof.

Also appearing are premier improv group Wildly Unprepared. A hit with The Drummond Varieties audience following their appearance last year, Wildly Unprepared will be taking more of the audience’s suggestions and turning them into hilarious sketches.

Rounding out the line-up are blues-rockers Strange Skies, who will be playing a special stripped-back acoustic performance, and promising Irish comedian Lee Brophy.

The Drummond Varieties is hosted by Aberdonian magician Eoin Smith. He said:

“We’ve been working hard to bring some amazing acts to The Drummond Varieties stage. This first show of the year looks set to be really strong, with some of my favourite performers from around the North East of Scotland taking part.”

The Drummond Varieties is a monthly showcase of amazing variety and cabaret acts held in Aberdeen city centre. Entrance to the show also includes a delicious one-course meal. Previous acts include Team America lead puppeteer Scott Land, comedian and radio DJ John McRuvie, magician Garry Seagraves and ventriloquist Tiffer Robertson.

The Drummond Varieties takes place in Cafe Drummond, Belmont Street on Wednesday 26 February 2014 and is suitable for over 18s. Doors open at 8pm. Entrance to The Drummond Varieties costs £7 and includes a delicious one-course meal. Entrance without food is £5. Tickets available on the door.

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/thedrummondvarieties

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

The Circus Of Horrors Returns To Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion 1 Response »

Feb 212014

By Julie Thompson.

From the moment the plague-riddled cast crawled through the audience, prompting the odd scream, and onto the stage the action was non-stop and what a spectacle – with sword swallowing, trapeze artists, contortionists, balancing acts, blood & gore, flames and pyrotechnics, a camp vampire and a band providing a rocking soundtrack that never seemed to put a foot wrong.

The Circus of Horrors began back in 1995, and this tours incarnation of Circus is dubbed London After Midnight – getting the name from a long lost film originally shot in the 20’s – and is loosely based around the plague years of 1665.

Led by Doctor Haze, the show hurtled along at fast clip – at times there was so much going on it was hard to decide where to look.

Hannibal Helmurto, who once ruptured his oesophagus during his act, swallowed some serious sharp swords (ask the cucumbers) and swung a heavy lump of wood by his nose.

Captain Dan, the demon dwarf, hung a weighty cannon ball from an appendage that would make most men’s eyes water and ate a light bulb. Anyone who has a Henry vacuum cleaner may never look at it the same way again after seeing what Dan does with his.

Captain Dan’s segments are definitely not for the prudish – when I tell you he is touted as having the strongest cock in the world, you’ll maybe get the gist.

A contortionist writhed around on a bed, exorcist like, then crawled like a crab across the floor until stunned by a crucifix and replaced on the bed – which swallowed him whole.

There was a lady in a glass jar, another was sliced in half and yet another had her throat cut (the knife slice in the neck was most realistic, I might add – I gave it a close look).

There was comedic relief in the form of a double act between a camp Dracula and Dan and between the grotesque there were some stunning acrobatic displays – with trapeze, tumbling and balancing acts.

The trapeze twins were simply stunning – totally deadpan, almost inhuman and reminding me of grown up versions of the twins from The Shining – they took to the air in a stunning combination of strength and grace.

If you sit in the front few rows expect to get wet in some way – either from water or maybe fake blood. Further back you’ll maybe just get glittered by the Air Dancer, Anastasia, as she flies overhead, suspended solely by her hair.

There were a couple of things I had to turn away from; one was Dan opening a beer bottle with his eye socket and the other was Hannibal inserting a 9 inch dagger into his nasal cavity – that reminded me too much of a visit I once made to the Ear Nose and Throat clinic at ARI where an object of similar length was inserted into my head via a nostril.

Nope! Not something I want to see again.

All in all, it was a very entertaining evening – just don’t go along expecting anything highbrow. It’s raw, lowering the tone type stuff – just my kind of thing.

When the show returns to Aberdeen, I hope I am lucky enough to get to shoot it again, this was the most fun I’ve had in some time.

Links:

Website: http://www.circusofhorrors.co.uk/home.html
Video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNrTJ3e5Ls

More Photos:

The Circus of Horrors: http://flickrock.com/ladypakal/sets/

YouTube Videos:

Sword Swallower in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyaJPfb6n7U
Dan & Capt Haze superglued hoover story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRqaDh_RKCU&feature=channel_page

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Older Entries Newer Entries