Review: The Wiz. Lakeside Nottingham University.

The latest offering from New Street Theatre currently playing at the Lakeside Theatre in the grounds of Nottingham University is The Wiz and is directed by Martin Berry. Berry is a talented and passionate professional director who likes to shake things up a little theatrically and this time he brings his magic touch to bear by bringing the American story to Nottingham with a little touch of Kansas thrown in for Dorothy's sake.

The storyline is as light as one of Mary Berry's cakes but just as colourful and full of exciting ingredients with added sparkles. The musical mood is Mowtown and the dance styles mainly Northern Soul. Costumed in some fab 1970's costumes that look right in detail, not just a parody parade, the main all singing all dancing ensemble light up the stage each time they appear.


Choreographer Rebekah Roberts does a sterling job in keeping the dance styles authentic to the time. There is so much talent and youthful energy in the company overall and even the pet Toto gets up to dance in the finale. Toto is a minor miracle on four legs, undeniably cute and has moves to die for!

Young Lennon Bradley is one of the stars of this piece as the cowardly lion. His mature performance is full of confidence, energy and the right amount of cheeky lad that endears the audience to his glowingly obvious talent. It is a joy to witness Bradley display such contained and often unconstrained humour and in the next moment be truly pathetic in the best sense of the word. This boy is one to watch out for. He has hidden inside him a mighty roar.

Charlotte Louise Brailsford excels as the lead character Dorothy. She has a compelling persona, is a terrific dancer and has a beautifully clear voice demonstrating a strong talent for clarity in the lyrics. This isn't always the case even with established singers but for this reviewers ears and enjoyment - hearing the actual words of the song sung with sentiment - works so much better than just producing the sounds and notes of the song.

Sian Elise Langley has a wonderfully dry sense of humour as the shy scarecrow desperate to get a brain and clearly revels in her considerate love and talent for dance. Her scarecrow with an afro is very lovable particularly when her character mentally transforms towards the end of the show. This is another performance in The Wiz that sparkles with energy and enthusiasm.

Professional singer and musician Ritchie Stainsby is totally charming as the scooter riding tinman in search of a heart. Stainsby has oodles of heart and soul already and his performance is a perfectly balanced blend of laid back comedy, pathos and accentuated through his mellow singing styles and guitar work. This a performance where every entrance warms the very ventricles and gets the audience's hearts pumping.

The Wiz himself is brought to life in a solid manly performance by Mark Coffrey Bainbridge an actor/singer that has proved his theatrical versatility in such previous roles as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Emmet in Legally Blonde – the musical and even the scary voice of man eating plant Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors. In this version of The Wiz that has all of the performers speaking and singing in their own Nottingham accents it is unusual that the Wiz character speaks with an American accent in his early scenes. There is a very good reason for this which becomes clear as the story unfolds.

Well, a story based on The Wizard of Oz wouldn't be much good without some powerful witches and they don't get much better than New Street Theatre's brassy and altogether badass Evillene (Alleisha Furlange – Royal) who, with a naughty glint in her eyes and a threatening thwack of her ruler, dominates the stage the second she appears and belts out the song No Bad News.

On the side of good and hope we have Becki Scollick as Addaperle. Scollick not only displays a gift for understated comedy as Addaperle but also makes two of the many songs in The Wiz her own with her interpretations of He's The Wiz and Believe In Yourself. Toto must be very proud.

The superb live band under the musical director Katherine Tye bring musical dynamism to this terrific show at Lakeside and the whole ensemble and the creative work that has gone into its creation and performance make it a definite one to go see. It has heart, it has courage in its adaptation and it is a no brainer for a good fun night at the theatre. Now just you Ease On Down That Road to Lakeside Theatre Nottingham.

For performance dates and times click your silver heels three times and then click this LINK.

Photo credits copyright Mark James.

New Street Theatre. Oh What A Lovely War. Review.

In September 1914 it was reported that the often naïve and cheery British Tommies stood in their trenches and cheered the firework displays of bombs exploding above them. It was all an adventure on foreign soil – a short sharp shock to beat the Hun – a battle or two that would see the gallant boys back home in time for Christmas and Oh What A Lovely War they would have.

In 1963 theatre rebel Joan Littlewood and her ground breaking Theatre Workshop troupe devised the musical play that became Oh What A Lovely War. It has played many a time on stage, on film and radio as a poignant reminder of the truths, the hidden truths and the horrors of war. Fast paced, musically jaunty and comically played to the point of a dark farce it exposes the ridiculous nature of war and the terrible loss of lives across Europe and the world during 1914-18. It also serves as a device to expose the profiteers from all countries during this period.

2014 is the centenary of the war known back in 1914 as The Great War – the war to end all wars – and New Street Theatre are as proud as a bold young recruit in uniform to present their war torn production at Lakeside Theatre – Nottingham University until 26^th July. Skilfully directed by Martin Berry this superb production is set in an adventure playground of wooden structures with the talented young cast dressed in severely battered Pierrot costumes. Playfulness and energy are the keynotes in this production alongside impressive harmonies and powerful singing from the ensemble. There may be holes in their trousers but there ain't no holes in this fabulously inventive production!

This explosive production is a bomb blast of musical theatre!! Right from the first whistle blow the brilliant cast launch into the jolly song “Young Johnny Jones“ and enter into The War Games with gusto. The story of World War One is played as a parody and every one of nearly thirty songs is sung by the gifted cast as if their lives depend on it. The more sombre songs are sensitively done and sung with palpable honesty. Many of the songs are recognisable from the period and the recruiting song “I'll Make A Man Out Of You!” is superbly sung by Judie Matthews and her girls.


Martin Berry directs his eleven strong cast to play all the roles regardless of their actual sex and this leads to some very comic interpretations especially those performed by Emma Nash and Joe Heap. The cast look as though they are enjoying every lively minute and fully deserved the standing ovation offered to them at the play's close. This heart felt production is one of those rare plays that you don't actually want to finish. The fun starts before play has even begun as the audience are invited on stage to play with the actors. Once the show begins the attention to detail is spot on and the lighting by lighting designer Richard Statham really adds mood and focus to the piece. There is effective use of projection to add images and facts to the work and Rhian Morris's concept for the set design is visually impacting and adds multiple opportunities for inventive staging and playing levels. This show also includes reference to the people of Nottingham during this time of war and the casualties at home and abroad.

The audience were entertained and moved in equal measure by this thrilling and professional show. There has clearly been a tremendous amount of love and work put into this show and it shows in the creative quality and the actors enthusiasms and dedication to getting the humour and pathos just right. I cannot recommend this stellar production highly enough.

It may be A Long Way Tipperary but Nottingham University Lakeside is only a stone's throw away and people will soon be fighting for tickets to see Oh What A Lovely War by New Street Theatre so book now to avoid disappointment.

http://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/Drama.html

Running until 26th July 2014

New Street Theatre Company's production of Oh What A Lovely War

There are some theatre productions you know are going to be fantastic and full of energy before you even enter the theatre space. This is due to the pedigree of the director based on the reputation they have built through previous innovative shows and near professional productions with amateur casts. Meaning that the director cast and crew work with them to produce something exceptional. 'Run of the mill' is not in their theatrical vocabulary. I have a very strong feeling that this will be the case with Martin Berry and his New Street Company in association with Lakeside at Nottingham University. They are about to launch their production of Joan Littlewood's  Oh What A Lovely War playing from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 26th of July.

Their solid reputation shows in the fact that they have secured a double page spread in the local newspaper The Nottingham Post today promoting the play and the Nottingham connections during the First World War. Plus the cast have been performing live in the city centre Victoria shopping centre to great applause and a good increase of ticket sales.

 

 

To semi - quote from the article Martin Berry says that he was happy as a director to branch out from the more obvious musicals he has done in the past such as Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods. This time this piece is a play with songs rather than a musical and offers challenges in a good way and has been strongly embraced with gusto by the director and hand picked cast. Some of his previous talent have been chosen to join the OWALW team with some new talents from the cream of Nottingham's amateur players. They are all young, energetic and have a real dedication to the piece and what it might mean to a modern audience. The cast feel that they have been dividing their time between presenting an entertainment and honouring the people who died in the war. The piece is mainly presented as a comedy but has a serious intent and the laughs reveal some ugly truths about exploitation and mismanagement of the troops leading to thousands being slaughtered on all sides.

 

cast rehearsing a technical rehearsal for sound



Even the audience have an opportunity to take sides. The audience seating is divided between "The War Artists" situated in the traditional auditoria and "The War Poets" situated on the opposite side of the stage facing the War Artists. Each placing has equally good viewing I'm led to believe. Regardless I look forward to reviewing the show on the 15th July. Whoops there goes a Whizzbang!

 

Bookings can be made through www.lakesidearts.org.uk or telephone the box office at 0115 8467777.

Open Auditions for Oh What a Lovely War. Nottingham.

New Street Theatre Company.

We are scouring the county once again to find the most exciting upcoming musical theatre talent.  We are wondering if you or those you know may be among them...

Open auditions are taking place at Lakeside Arts Centre Nottingham to find the cast for our brand new production of Oh What a Lovely War.  The auditions are on Saturday 8th and Saturday 15th March from 12noon - 5pm and are open to everyone over the age of 14.

Please use contact details at the bottom of this page for auditions.

The production is an ideal opportunity for people who are thinking about a career in the performing arts to gain experience of rehearsing with a professional theatre director, designer and musical director and performing at Lakeside with the full support of Lakeside's experienced technical team.

 This is Lakeside and New Street Theatre's fourth musical theatre collaboration. Previous productions include the brilliant, Into The Woods and Little Shop of Horrors a 'fantastic ensemble piece of tremendous discipline and breath-taking quality' and last year's record breaking critical success, Sweeney Todd. Our aim is to create an exciting piece of original theatre and, in doing so, help those involved to develop their confidence, skills, experience and contacts. Young people involved in these two productions have gone on to win places on some of the most prestigious courses including RADA, GSA, Mountview, East15, Rose Bruford, Bristol Old Vic and London School of Musical Theatre. Also this training has lead them to work at theatres including Hull Truck, Nottingham Playhouse and more.

Oh What a Lovely War will be directed by Martin Berry. Martin is currently working on Richard the Third at the Landor in London and on his brand new professional production of The Last Five Years. More locally Martin directed Mod Crop the Musical at Nottingham Theatre Royal and A Christmas Carol and Lysistrata at Lakeside and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. His West End credits include Bill Kenwright's JosephAnd The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Blood Brothers and Phyllida Lloyd's The Handmaid's Tale with the English National Opera.

More information about the auditions and what to prepare is available on Facebook here

 https://www.facebook.com/events/577875645624226/ 

or do feel free to contact us at  auditions@newstreettheatre.com. Anyone interested in an audition should contact us at  auditions@newstreettheatre.com to book an audition time.

 

NB: We are also looking to take on two interns who are interested in learning about stage management.

We really look forward to hearing from you and if there is anyone you think we should be looking out for please let us know. SPREAD THE WORD. Even if you are unable to audition do let others know about this unique opportunity.

Best regards,

NEW STREET THEATRE COMPANY.

 

Audition for Little Shop of Horrors

The other day I went for an audition for the role of Mr Mushnik in the musical A Little Shop of Horrors. I had never sung at an audition before and was nervous about even trying. However the role appealed (as if I haven't got enough to do!) and I went along.

It was a bit short notice to learn the 'Mushnik and Son' song properly so I took along two songs from Jesus Christ Superstar that I am familiar with and ended up singing a verse and chorus from the bouncy Herod's Song. Apparently I did OK and was a baritone.

I didn't get the role but the experience was good. I think it helped that I knew the director and have worked with him before. I will certainly go and see the show in July as Martin's shows are always brilliant.


Onwards and Upwards with A Chip In The Sugar then...