Tag: Theatre

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Culture

Too Much Pills & Liquor: Theatre in a basement in Stoke Newington

Picture Credit: Liam Walton-Bell
Apparently the ‘theatre press’ whoever that actually is, won’t come out and review a show in a venue basement in Stoke Newington.
Some theatre critics – they obviously don’t know their history and that shows like Angels in America began life virtually in a broom cupboard with a 50-cent plastic shower curtain.
And we all know how that one turned out…
Dan de la Motte as Sam. Picture credit: Liam Walton-Bell

And the US influence is refreshingly present in Queer Brooklyn director Charles Quittner’s breathtaking adrenaline blast of a show, though has nothing in common with America’s obsession with a proscenium arch being the definition of theatre. His staging is literally electric.

It’s in that basement for reason, people. The world its central character Sam (Dan de la Motte) inhabits revolves around frantic urban nightlife spaces, thumping pop candy beats and light shows.

But if The Theatre Critics (“Who are you? We’ve never heard of this ‘Divine’…” had been bothered to lower themselves down those stairs, they might just have got a tour-de-force education in what immersive theatre really means.

White CIS-gender gay man Sam wants to do something about the toxic world we’ve made, especially its dangerous injustices to young Queer and trans people.

Picture Credit: Liam Walton-Bell

Instead he gets a job writing the Substack PR feed for monstrous X-Factor washout Riley Sabanda (but the gays love her, they love her…). And then it’s all urban meedja runaround, A-Gay parties with celebrities (and the gays just love celebrities, they love them…), drugs, sex, more drugs, more sex, knives in any back that’s turned for even a millisecond.

More sex, more drugs and existential, utterly narcissistic angst that’s very, very funny to behold, and becomes so real you quickly start to forget you’re watching a stage show.

Playwright David Levesley knows his subject – he was a journalist and former editor at British GQ. But it takes more than writer’s authenticity to make something like this fly, it takes biting talent.

The script is a genius–level thoughtstream of the identity crisis anyone who’s lived, worked and played in urban jungles like contemporary London will recognize in a drug-accelerated heartbeat. You don’t need to be Queer to get this.

Picture credit: Liam Walton-Bell

You don’t even need to be young. But you have to be willing to laugh at yourself. This is exactly what might have been born if Mark Ravenhill, Irvine Welsh and Edina Monsoon had got together in a club toilet and said, “Let’s do a play. Oh, g’won, let’s…”

But then there’s the old, old dilemma, the brilliant script, can it ever find the perfect actor who can really bring it to life? They’re Love/Hate relationships, usually more Love than Hate, unless you’re the late Carrie Fisher.

Both need the other to breathe -and really need each other. But the symbiotically perfect actor for that brilliant script did come right along, and his name is Dan de la Motte.

Playing every character, making that aspect a unique joy to watch in a way that so many one-man shows never really reach, it’s an explosive, savagely funny, magnetically attractive performance from an actor who’s clearly realising the height of his powers to hold an audience right in the palm of his hand for the entire show and take them just wherever he wants to.

You can’t take your eyes off him. You won’t want to. And at the curtain, oh, did they love him! When Sam’s pain comes, in amongst the viciously funny takedowns of the worst of what we’ve all become, de la Motte has the perfect beat to deliver a pathos and powerful meaning that takes you completely by surprise.

It ought to be a career making performance – it’s that good.

Dan De La Motte, Picture Credit: Liam Walton-Bell

So it can’t stay in that basement, though probably will lose a little bit of something very precious and unusual when it transfers – this has to go on to another venue.

However, you can still get it in its purest nascent state right there in the bowels of The Divine until July 2. Go for the last Sunday or Monday shows and you might just get to see Riley Sabanda appearing…No promises, mind.

Dan De La Motte. Picture credit: Liam Walton-Bell

For tickets, follow this link https://thedivine.co.uk/event/toomuchpl24/

Categories
Culture

THE CHOIR OF MAN

Review by Steven Smith

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5

As I was complaining to a regular theatre going friend about the West End prices of some shows and my need to see one show, he replied “It’s twice as good as it is hyped, The Choir of Man, easily the best show in the West End and does not cost a King’s ransom to see.” 

Truth be told it was a show that was not on my radar and hadn’t appealed to me. One rainy Saturday we took a chance and managed to grab the last two seats with my room- mate. The atmosphere seemed exciting enough on arrival with an eclectic audience. Many were repeat viewers; sitting next to me was an excited lady who had seen the show 12 times and was there with her friend, who was quoted as a “virgin” to the whole thing. 

This is the second time around in the West End for “The Choir of Man” and playing at one of my favourite theatres, The Arts. There is something about this show that makes you smile from the minute you sit down. Audience members are even asked pre-show to join the 9 cast members on the stage set, a pub called “The Jungle”.  

There is no complicated plot to the “The Choir of man “. It is this simple: 9 of the regular customers come together to tell stores and sing songs. 

I know, it does not sound like my cup of tea (or pint of bitter) either. 

However, there is a lot more to this gem of a show that will have you shouting “no” to closing time. It challenges stereo-types and pulls you into a really feel-good show that will have you not only smiling but wanting to go back for more. In fact, my roommate went back a few weeks later. 

The 9 man cast of Choir of Man

Each of the 9 cast members has a story to tell and as the show goes on, they unravel more of their tales with names like the Romantic and the Beast; you quickly identify with them.  This gives a sense of intimacy which allows you to enjoy the show but also get to know the real people behind the roles and champion them.

The Choir of Man title might be a little misleading as it not religious or that type of music.  It is the very best of vocal talent brought together. 

It is hard to sit in your seat as you want to jump up and join in with numbers such as Queen’s “Somebody to love” and Paul Simon’s “5O Ways to Leave your Lover”.

 The song and dance number will simply blow you away.  The absolute highlight was the ‘a cappella’ rendition of Adele’s “Hello”. If there was ever a reason to go back this was it. It even has a feel of immersed theatre with audience members pulled up to join in.

What makes this show so special is that it challenges what we may think a man is which I really appreciated, having written a lot recently about breaking the “Boys do not cry” mould. This is a show that presents all aspects of men and serves it up in a pint glass for all to see. For sure I will be getting another round in at “The Jungle “soon,

Choir of Man.  Get your tickets https://www.choirofmanwestend.com/book-tickets#/?month=2024-06

Categories
Culture

Steven Smith reviews Tiano

Steven Smith (middle) with Chris Hamilton (left) and Shimi Goodman (right)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5

It is an almost unthinkable scenario that Liberace and Pavarotti had secret love children, let alone that those children went on to inherit their fathers’ talents!

Then they met one another, fell deeply in love and married. Well, you would be forgiven for thinking just that, as married couple Chris Hamilton (Piano) and Shimi Goodman (Tenor) take to the stage to perform to a sell-out audience of dedicated fans. 

It is not that either look  like Liberace or Pavarotti, of course. Far from it, their model-like good looks add to the pairs’ incredible stage presence.  They do channel those great icons and more when you witness their sheer talent during the performance. 

Hamilton is a classically trained piano player and songwriter, whose wit and style is from another era. It reminded me of why I love New York, often falling into off Broadway venues and The Village bars, and hearing some of the most incredible talent performing Jazz and classic Broadway tunes. Boy, do I miss that. Chris Hamilton brought it all back tonight. 

Chris Hamilton (left) and Shimi Goodman (Tenor) (left)

Goodman has appeared in many West End shows and has a degree in musical theatre. He is at his very best when he seduces the audience with songs from Tosca and reduces them to tears with others. His range is exceptional and brought me to my feet more than once during the evening. 

They brought the house down with a melody of James Bond Oscar winners. The pair do Adele, “Sky Fall”, Sam Smith, “Writing on the Wall”, and Billie Eilish, “No Time to die”.

If this is not enough, they also belt out musical theatre hits such as “Seasons of Love” from the production “Rent”. My favourite is “Losing my mind “from Follies.

Though Hamilton does not exude the campness of Liberace, he does have the show man 

quality of the Vegas legend. I could not help but think that if there were a stage musical version of “Behind the Candelabra” (I hope there is!), the producers just found their man to play Liberace.

Being a gay man, what made the evening so special for me was watching a happily married gay couple look so in love and work together in harmony, without having to resort to clichés or innuendoes. They merely relied on their genuine incredible talent and professionalism.

It won’t cost you the sometimes dizzy-making prices of the West End to see the pair perform, but you will walk away thinking that you have seen one top show and want to go back again.

For booking and information: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/tiano-the-piano-and-tenor-duo/

Categories
Culture

Lizzie Musical: Unmissable Cast and Unique Story at Southwark Playhouse

“You will feel homicidal if you miss this little gem!” by Steven Smith

Rating: xxxxx (Axe-wielding 5 stars!)

Having just sat through one of the worst musicals in my living memory a few nights before (The time travellers’ wife), the prospect of a rock musical based on a true crime did not exactly fill me with excitement, especially one about the notorious Lizzie Borden who allegedly killed her father and stepmother with an axe. 

Only the fact that a friend had seen the opening at, what is fast becoming the out of town must go to venue, “Hope Mill theatre” in Manchester, raised my interest. https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk (Has this team ever put anything bad on?).

“Lizzie” is now playing at the delightful Southwark Playhouse Elephant https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk . Just to fill you in and I won’t ruin the whole story, but the musical looks at the reasons why she allegedly murdered her father and step mother. 

And at Lizzie’s defence with the help of an expensive legal team and the support of her sister Emma, maid Bridget, and friend and lover Alice.

Set in 1892 Fall River Massachusetts, the dark atmospheric set complete with an axe puts you in the mood for a something creepy quite early on. 

However, nothing can prepare you for the thrill ride that the show is about take you on: the cast of “Lizzie” are about to blow your socks off. 

This might be an old story, but the cast bring something unique and exciting to the stage. Five minutes into the performance my mouth dropped open and I had to hold myself down as I wanted to dance along with the cast. 

Directed by William Whelton and written by Steven Cheslik-de Meyer, Tim Maner, and Alan Stevens Hewitt my hat goes off to them 

Lizzie looks at some pretty dark topics such as abuse, interwoven with truly touching moments. The love story between Lizzie and Alice is beautifully handled. 

What really makes this a ‘must see’ is the cast, and there are only 4 actors plus a tremendous orchestra. Trust me “four” sure out-does “six”

With the cast raising the roof, you are forgiven for imagining you’re at the Globe theatre, watching some incredible classic acting that has been hijacked by an awesome rock concert! This is what makes the show so unique. They even manage to bring a comic element in the shape of Mairi Barclays, who plays Bridget the maid, without ever going over the top.

Lizzie is played by Lauren Drew (The Voice!), who is so tremendous in the role she deserves every award going, as do the whole cast to be honest.

Shekinah McFarlane plays Emma, her older sister who tries to be a guiding light to Lizzie. Shekinah is a powerhouse of talent you just can’t believe you’re lucky enough to watch. Her solo, “What the F**k Now, Lizzie?”, is one the highlights of the show.

Maiya Quansah-Breed is Alice, Lizzie’s lover. Again, she leaves you spellbound; the handling of the love between them felt so real it was touching. All the fab four should be at a theatre ten times the size. 

But lucky for me and you, they are not for now. 

There is not one thing I can think of that is not positive, except when it got to the interval I felt like a petulant child, “NO KEEP GOING!”. Even the clever costume designs deserve a shout out. 

For sure I will be going back to see “Lizzie” again and you should go too!

For more shows at the Southwark Playhouse in London, visit https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk