UK Theatre Network - Weekly What's On

Big Boys Dont Cry
an unpredictable kitsch-in-sink drama
Big show numbers punctuate the text to weave a darkly comic and highly physical view of what goes on behind closed doors.

Email Address: negativequity@btinternet.com

Website URL: www.pleasance.co.uk

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DOGVILLE - BUT IT'S A FILM!

This reviewer is always on the look-out for a brilliant evening out, and draws your attention to an amazing piece of "theatre" which has somehow taken over cinema screens. The fact that it is a film does not stop it from having truly theatrical effect. The set, directing, acting, story and music are all that one longs for in theatre but despairs usually of finding. - DOGVILLE has it all. Look up your local cinema, read the reviews, and grab this while you can. It is more of a theatrical experience than most "live" venues will begin to offer, and when a packed audience insists on sitting through a hugely lengthy list of credits simply because they do not want to leave the cinema - well you know you are experiencing theatre. Catch it.

Review by John Cunningham.

EMAIL: johncunningham@uktheatre.com

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CAROUSEL - Milton Keynes

I've never seen Carousel on stage before and I wasn't disappointed! Its a hell of a musical - 3 hours long, and I can honestly say its one of the best productions I've ever been to at a Regional Theatre.

This show starts with the setting up of the Carousel, with (as yet unknown to us) Billy Bigelow's teenage daughter, Louise, (Maxine Bowers) flitting through and watching the goings-on. She is unseen by the other characters on-stage and cannot inter-act with them, so we are aware that there is something "Special" or "Magical" about her. This sets the scene wonderfully and a full number ensues, bringing on the entire cast and portraying the excitement of the Carousel to the audience.

What follows is a superb production. The show has lovely costumes, a wonderful set and the lighting is used to full effect. The cast is capable, with the superb Richard Brightiff as Enoch Snow, giving a wonderful comic performance throughout. The dancing ensemble perform to perfection Wayne Sleep's choreography, which is interesting, technical and exciting.

Act Two is great - I cried three times! Jane Mark, as Julie Jordan, gave an excellent performance. I wasn't quite sure if dead Billy Bigelow was a dummy or a member of the ensemble! Dead Billy was a bit too floppy! I loved Jill Pert's "You'll Never Walk Alone" which was cry number two I think. Sam Kane (Billy) has a wonderful stage presence and leads the cast with authority, Geoffrey Abbott (Jigger) and Jessica Punch, who was on for Carrie Pipperidge, both gave sterling performances.

I wonder, as I did with Blood Brothers, whether its possible to do a dreadful production of Carousel. Its another one of those musicals where the composer and lyricist have done a lot of the hard work. Any audience will always be lulled by Rodgers and Hammerstein's wonderful score...however, this is a quality production. Catch it if you can - at Milton Keynes Theatre until this Saturday, 28th February, Box Office 01908 60 60 90. Or, the tour continues -http://www.ukproductions.co.uk/current_carousel_tour.html.

Reviewer: Sarah Bowron

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Message Added: February 26th, 2004 at 6:45 am