By Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿà David PountneyÔÇÖs new production of Mendelson and Prokofievs Operatic version of War and Peace is certainly interesting. Honestly, even in reflection I simply cannot decide which genre it appeared most like: an opera, a farce or a pantomime. Certainly, the attempt to condense this tombe into a successful three-hour opera was a truly admirable challenge. A challenge that, I feel, the … Continue reading War and Peace | Review
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Bringing the highest grossing film of 1988 to the stage is no easy job, but with the direction of Jonathon O’Boyle it was managed pretty fantastically. In 1988, Hoffman and CruiseÔÇÖs iconic portrayal of the Babbitt brothers, earned the film four Oscars, including the esteemed honour of best actor in a leading role. Therefore, going into the theatre I was intrigued … Continue reading Rain Man | Review
Rachel Nurse ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Summer Holiday is Ray-Quinn in ticket sales Based on the 1963 hit film, Summer Holiday is a heart-warming and quintessential musical, boosted by the talent of Ray Quinn. Swinging London was known the world over, with vogue, music and sex at the foreground of a cultural revolution. Don, played by X Factor and Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn, who is a … Continue reading Summer Holiday | Review
Georgia Mae Evans Do you have any rituals or practices you use the day leading up to a show?┬á I drive yeah, I park up, check in me hotel, I get in me outfit and I go on stage. Keeping it simple! Do you have any similarities between yourself and the main character you play, Dan?┬á I like being a team leader and heÔÇÖs a … Continue reading Ray Quinn | Interview
By Josie Howie ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Let It Be is a tribute-act meets musical which walks, or rather dances, us through The BeatlesÔÇÖ history! The cast consists of only 5 members (the 4 Beatles and an extra member to play ÔÇÿthe bits they donÔÇÖt have enough hands forÔÇÖ) so donÔÇÖt expect a huge chorus of backing singers, but expect what you might imagine a rock ÔÇÿnÔÇÖ roll … Continue reading Review: Let It Be
By Max Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà The Flop, Stand up for a show about not being able to get it up! Absurdist comedies can often go too far and be too ridiculous, as a consequence they are often left convoluted and without laughter. While often presented in broad strokes any performer will tell you it is these absurdist comedies which are the hardest to execute. Not … Continue reading Review | The Flop
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà by Maxwell Modell There is something uniquely beautiful about the love we have for musicians and their music. Over time they become some of the most important emotional figures in our lives, remaining prominent through lifeÔÇÖs highs and lows. They never leave our sides, never question us and always embolden us. Yet, this relationship is entirely unrequited and internal. As such, it is something … Continue reading Camille O’Sullivan shines at Festival of Voice with her new show “Cave”
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Gemma Gibson The classic 1993 rock musical Rent was taken on by Act One earlier this week, and every night greeted by laughter, tears, and standing ovations, the UniversityÔÇÖs acting society have created and performed yet another masterpiece. A combination of love, hardship, work, friendship, and a need for equality and acceptance, all coated with a sprinkle of 80s flair, Jonathon LarsonÔÇÖs Rent … Continue reading Review: Rent
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà by Esther Morris As an avid musical theatre fan, it is not an easy thing for me to admit that I was not all too familiar with Sunset Boulevard before seeing the touring production at the Wales Millennium Centre; however, I certainly left with the soaring melodies stuck in my head and the feeling that I could have happily watched it again the following … Continue reading Sunset Boulevard review: soaring melodies and exquisite acting
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà by Rachel Nurse IÔÇÖve never seen a play performed by such young actors with so much talent. No one left Act OneÔÇÖs the Importance of Being Earnest disappointed. At times I forgot that I was watching a university society enactment and felt like I was in London watching an all-star cast. The Comedy for Serious People was first performed on 14th February 1895 in … Continue reading The Importance of Being Earnest review: Act One brings back Wilde’s most famous work
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Hannah Marie Stait 06/02/2018, New Theatre If you have a love for 80ÔÇÖs pop and having a good time, you definitely donÔÇÖt want to miss the UK tour of Flashdance which is currently sending good feelings around the New Theatre this week! The 1983 movie was a huge hit in the 80ÔÇÖs and is considered a classic to the old-time movie lovers of … Continue reading Flashdance review: living the 80’s at the New Theatre
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Maxwell Modell Wales Millennium Centre, 9th January 2018 A Take That musical! Why has no one ever thought of that before? After all, jukebox musicals are all the rage at the moment, from Abba to Queen to Michael Jackson to The Beatles, everyoneÔÇÖs got one and Take That are practically a British institution, so it was only right they got their shot with … Continue reading The Band review: An inequivocable success!
by Andrea Gaini 16th December 2017, Wales Millennium Centre ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå We’ve all been kids once in our lives, but still, every time we look behind we wish to go back to those times when our imagination could turn our living room into the biggest and most amazing submarine the world had ever seen. The Bear is a stage-representation of the homonym book by Raymond Briggs … Continue reading The Bear review: exploring all the places our imagination can take us
by Andrea Gaini 6th December 2017, Pulse ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs drama society, Act One, has been building over the years a tradition of putting on a pantomime around Christmas time. This yearÔÇÖs panto is a snappy and quirky reinterpretation of Snow WhiteÔÇÖs fairy tale: Mirror, Mirror, for the second time in a row taking place in the magical venue which is Pulse. Directed and written … Continue reading Mirror, Mirror review: The Act One panto takes over Pulse, again!
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå by Maxwell Modell Director Abdul ShayekÔÇÖs production of Death and the Maiden is a good if unexceptional adaptation of electrifying source material. Throughout the show it is always clear that the director and actors are accomplished in their craft, however, it always felt as if something was missing. It is an adaption of Ariel DorfmanÔÇÖs Oliver award-winning play, set in the house of the … Continue reading REVIEW: “Death and the Maiden” at The Other Room
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Bethan Linnane On Wednesday 18th October an odd yet refreshing new take on the classic tale Of Mice and Men was performed. First impressions of the performance area were odd, with a black curtain and three walls comprising the small room it definitely felt snug ÔÇô even the seating layout was strange, with many audience members sat facing one another or with only … Continue reading REVIEW: Of Mice and Men
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå by Molly Wyatt ÔÇ£Perhaps man has a hundred senses, and when he dies only the five senses that we know perish with him, and the other ninety-five remain alive.ÔÇØ ItÔÇÖs the early 80s, just before ThatcherÔÇÖs upsurge in power and a family are confronted with the prospect of cutting down their cherished cherry orchard as a solution to financial uncertainty. Set in Pembrokeshire, the … Continue reading REVIEW: The Cherry Orchard
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå by Seema Boksh Performed by Shannon Keogh at The Other Room this October, she gave a moving yet liberal performance on stage. Reflecting upon the late Rachel Corrie as a peaceful protester in Gaza on January 2003. The show started off inside a dark room, Keogh as Rachel Corrie sleeping on her couch with clothes, books, shoes, everywhere and sand on the floor. Yes, … Continue reading REVIEW: “My Name is Rachel Corrie” at The Other Room
How My Light is Spent, Sherman, Wednesday 17th May, reviewer: Tom Morris Last monthÔÇÖs stellar play Killology was always going to be a hard act to follow, but this short and sweet effort has mostly pulled it off. Featuring Rhodri Meilir (him out of Pride) and Alexandria Riley as two main characters (and a bunch of side characters besides), How My Light Is Spent takes … Continue reading Review: How My Light is Spent, Sherman
Romeo and Juliet, Thursday 27th April, Wales Millennium Centre, reviewer: Kirby Evans This is┬áShakespeare┬áreimagined. Omidaze┬átheatre company combine aerial┬ácirrus┬áwith iambic pentameter to create a stunning performance of a story that has been told a thousand times.┬á The two-hour┬áunseated┬áperformance begins its dynamic┬ájourney┬áin the foyer of the theatre, where audience members whisper and┬áscour┬áthe room┬áwith┬áuncertainty┬ábefore the cast members appear┬áamongst┬áthem. Once everyone is finally aware of what is happening, the … Continue reading Review: Romeo and Juliet, Wales Millennium Centre
