UK Theatre Network - Back from the land of Oz
February 5th, 2010 at 11:44 am
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Back from the land of Oz
Hope you had a great time over the festive season. The weather is certainly improving. I spent Christmas and New Year in sunny Melbourne during the hottest period this century, and then returned to the coldest winter in the UK for the last half century. I’m not sure which one I prefer. It was so hot in Melbourne that I decided to take a late night swim in the pool within an hour of arriving. Within minutes, I quickly realised I wasn’t the only creature in the pool. After a brief glance to my right, I noticed a snake slivering its way toward my face. I kicked back a little under the water to allow it to pass but I had created a splash which resulted in a brief standoff where it stared at me to assess whether I was a threat. I smiled back nervously and at the same time got ready to grab it by the neck. I was sure it smiled back. It seemed to be quite happy after a refreshing dip in cool water. It all seems like it lasted for minutes, like a slow motion movie scene, but it was probably only a nano-second before it headed on its merry way. A quick look up on the internet afterwards identified it as a venomous tiger snake. Gulp. So, I’m really glad to be back in snake-less UK.
Big Blue Site
This month I’ve launched a new online department store, BigBlueSite.com, where you can buy those last minute gifts for your family and friends, or simply to treat yourself. Working with a discount warehouse in Milton Keynes, I’m now able to bring you offers on a wide range of products including household goods, cool gadgets and digital cameras. Registered users will receive a monthly update of gift ideas in your inbox, to help make it simple to click and buy something unique for that someone special. Click here to register > http://bigbluesite.com/register.html
iCurrent
News service
I’m pleased to confirm that UK Theatre Network and UK Film
Network are now part of the iCurrent news aggregator service.
It’s a great service which takes sources from newspapers,
magazines and blogs and consolidates them in a BBC-like website
but one that is tailored to suit whatever your interests are.
Have a look and if you add these to your sources, you’ll be able
to read each review as soon as they are
published.
http://www.icurrent.com/channel/39661/uk-theatre-network
http://www.icurrent.com/channel/40788/uk-film-network
Reviewers
I have to
add a big thank you to all the fantastic reviewers who worked
hard throughout 2009, keeping the UK Theatre Network content
fresh and informative. I know regular readers will recognise the
high quality of the reviews across the UK in Manchester,
Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. We’ll be continuing to
grow the network this year, to take on even more theatre and even
more reviewers. If you know someone who may have the talent to
write great reviews in any of these cities, please ask them to
contact me directly.
Have a great week in the world of theatre wherever you
are.
Douglas
McFarlane
editor@uktheatre.net
www.uktheatre.net
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/ukfilm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/douglasmcfarlane
UK THEATRE REVIEWS
Click on the title to see high quality images, listing details, ticket information, or to add your feedback to any review.
Salt by Fiona Peek at Manchester Royal Exchange Studio
Fiona Peek’s new play Salt was co-winner of the Royal Exchange’s Bruntwood Playwriting Competition in November 2008, and the premiere of this sophisticated social comedy has been eagerly anticipated.
Blood Brothers (2 – 13 Feb 2010, Kings Theatre, Glasgow)
Have you heard the story of the Johnstone twins? If not, you have missed what has become a classic of British musical theatre and now is your chance to hear the tale! Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers is on tour - follow a trail of tears and snotty handkerchiefs all the way to the King’s Theatre, Glasgow until 13 February 2010.
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry at Manchester Royal Exchange
Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun is the best thing the Royal Exchange has put on in ages.
Three generations of the Younger family are cramped into the shabby rented rooms on Chicago’s Southside which god-fearing matriarch, Lena, first moved into as a new bride full of hopes and dreams.
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
This is not the classical ballet Swan Lake; it could be considered an interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s music via contemporary dance which has been influenced by ballet. Now fifteen years old it has seen several major re workings and is still constantly evolving. It contains comedy, pathos and positively drips sensuality although some interpret this as sexuality which fifteen years ago tended to be labelled homoerotic, you will have to make up your own mind about this.
Vampires Rock
The auditorium of Darlington Civic Theatre was packed to the rafters on Friday evening for the first of two sell-out performances of Steve Steinman’s cult classic, Vampires Rock.
Set in New York in the year 2030, the undead are among us and livelier than ever. A young girl named Pandora (Emily Clark) has skipped school to attend an audition to be the resident rock singer at the Live and Let Die Club. There she encounters Baron Von Rockula (Steinman), who instantly falls in love with her and becomes determined that she should become his new bride – shame he didn’t bother to consult his current Devil Queen (Toyah Willcox) who is none too impressed with the idea
Chicago at Milton Keynes Theatre
What a superb production this is! It makes murder, corruption, adultery and cheating look positively attractive!
Since its New York revival in 1996 Chicago has become the longest-running musical to play in the West End: a sure sign of its popularity. As a result there have been a number of touring productions, both good and not so good.
Stay With Me Til Dawn & Knuckleball at the Rosemary Branch Theatre in Islington
Second Skin Theatre presents a double bill exploring the nature of truth, honesty, the dark secrets within us and their impact upon who we are and who we love. Aptly directed by Andy McQuade, the two plays delve into a world of human longing, transgender sexuality, lost love, and the basic need to be held tight.
Dirty Dusting
Since it premiered in February 2003, Dirty Dusting has enjoyed sell-out runs all over the world and played to hundreds of thousands of people. Now the smash-hit comedy, penned by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, has made a triumphant return to the venue that launched it as part of the Customs House’s 15th anniversary celebration season.
Arthur Miller's 'The Price' at The Lyceum, Edinburgh
Clashes between siblings fascinate us, perhaps because we see in them the human urge to compete and succeed. 'The Price' centres round two brothers, one more successful than the other, just like 'The Man Who Had All The Luck', the Arthur Miller play John Dove directed at the Lyceum this time last year, and it makes for spell-binding theatre, every moment bristling with tension.