6 minute read
Reviews
Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, live events and theatre shows they’ve seen over the past couple of months at local venues If you have a show in the Shire area, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear on these pages too! Email editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk. Get in touch!
ALADDIN, VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO
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Having been forced into missing panto last year, it was a treat to head back to Venue Cymru with the family for our usual festive outing of seasonal silliness. And what silliness there was. Perhaps we had forgotten how bad the jokes always are, or perhaps we were just giddy at being back in the theatre surrounded by other people. Either way, we laughed from beginning to end of this fabulously over-thetop production of Aladdin.
Stellar performances from several of the cast made it a thoroughly enjoyable
experience, but highlights were definitely Eric Potts as the dame in the role of Widow Twankey, and John Evans, who had the audience in stitches with Wishee Washee’s oneliners and daft antics. Connor McAllister delivered another superb character as the camp and colourful genie, complete with twinkly kilt and glittery garments, and the whole cast “We laughed from seemed to be as delighted to be back on stage as we were to be in beginning the audience. to end” There were some spectacular ensemble pieces, some excellent solo songs and of course plenty of slapstick moments and theatrical ‘blunders’ to keep us giggling all the way home. Overall it was a great night out. Oh yes it was. KS HHHHH
Eric Potts wowed as Widow Twankey
CHRISTMAS AT BOLESWORTH
Christmas light trails are now the thing to do over the festive period. Lots of people feel safer being outdoors and the idea of mulled wine and twinkling lights drew more out than ever this year.
Bolesworth House is the latest venue to host its own light event, and there was much to enjoy. A range of festive stalls sold food and drink – hot chocolate, hog roast, cocktails and sweet treats. A mini festive market also had gifts for last-minute shoppers.
A synthetic ice rink offered support penguins for nonskaters, while little ones could meet the man himself in the grotto next door. Teenagers weren’t left out: a fairground with high-speed rides kept them entertained. The 1.2-mile trail took us along the lakeside against the backdrop of Bolesworth Castle. Father Christmas’s reindeer were waiting to greet us, and the trail also took in the sculpture garden. For adults enjoying the
“Spend an hour sipping experience without children, there was an exclusive Champagne Island – you could bubbly and travel across the enjoying lake to spend up to the view” an hour away from the hubbub, sipping glasses of bubbly and enjoying the view of the lights. You could easily spend a couple of hours at Bolesworth, but your ticket only includes the light trail. There are extra charges for the ice skating, meeting Father Christmas, the fairground – and all that Champagne! AB HHH
SLEEPING BEAUTY, CREWE LYCEUM
The pandemic has hit the live entertainment industry hard, so it’s wonderful to have pantomime back on the theatre calendar.
A return to live shows at the Crewe Lyceum did not disappoint. Sleeping Beauty was bursting with
energy, fun and laughter. The heartwarming show saw comedian Bobby Davro as Muddles the court jester, alongside X-Factor star Amelia Lily as Princess Beauty. Malcolm Lord returned to the stage as Queen Alexandra, and Bethany Alice Black played Carabosse, the wicked fairy. Chris Durtnal as Prince Harry of Haslington and Isabella Mason as the Good Fairy were fine support.
Davro thrilled the audience with his cheeky antics and oldschool humour. He had something for everyone – children and adults were both entertained.
Amelia Lily was the perfect princess. She was charismatic and showed us why she made it so far on the X-Factor with her amazing voice.
There was plenty of action, and hilarious costume choices for Queen Alexandra and Muddles. The ensemble of professional dancers was fabulous too.
The highlight was a rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas, props thrown into the audience adding to the fun.
Everyone left with a smile. A great production, with a perfect balance of storytelling and song. AB ★★★★
Wes Webster Photography
MARK WATSON: THIS CAN’T BE IT AT FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE
“I was booked nearly two years ago,” Mark Watson quipped as he greeted the audience. “I’ve been advertised so many times I suppose you couldn’t avoid coming!”
The theme for Watson’s This Can’t Be It tour arose when he couldn’t sleep and Googled ‘When will I die?’ There’s an app for that, it seems. Watson admitted he didn’t answer all the lifestyle questions truthfully, but even so discovered that at 41 he was over halfway through.
Watson’s banter was witty and good-hearted, and he channelled his neuroses brilliantly. When his 11-yearold son Googled Watson’s name, apparently, up came the option: ‘What is the point of Mark Watson?’ To make people laugh is the no-brainer of an answer. JH ★★★★
ANTONINA SUHANOVA PIANO TRIO AT FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE
Piano trios by Beethoven and Brahms captivated Market Drayton’s Festival Centre audience from the first note to the last, holding it as if spellbound throughout an enthralling performance.
The magic was created by pianist Antonina Suhanova and violinist Sabine Sergejeva, both from Latvia, and cellist Toby White. Their fresh, exuberant playing suited the exhilarating music, written early in the lives of both composers.
The exchanges between the young performers were expressive and soulful, affecting many in their older audience. JH ★★★★★
MISTER SHAKESPEARE BRINGS THE BARD’S TALES TO THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY
The stage is simple, the story is not. Mister Shakespeare is a supermarket dash through the mind of the Great Bard. Set in London in 1606, the story plays out as a plague spreads death while bewildered citizens try any quack remedy to halt its progress. Sound familiar?
Mister William Shakespeare is isolated in his rooms to avoid contagion, hassled by voices from the outside world. Actors shout for new roles, playwrights and contemporaries beg to collaborate, his brother whines for help, his wife wants her marriage back, his lover want… love, and the great man feels guilt and frustration over all these things as his waking and sleeping hours are disturbed.
In this new play by Michael Barry, from the team who created The Eva Cassidy Story, Shakespeare is explored as the man, the father, the actor, and the entrepreneur. The solitary actor on stage – all the other characters are merely voices through a window or door from the streets below – here we see
“He’s a very human Shakespeare. basically Ambitious, a man troubled, funny, in lockdown” loving, trying to make sense of the chaos around him. He’s basically in lockdown, trying his best to get through with all that his mind throws upon him. I was drawn into this tale and felt as though I was there with him, hoping he wouldn’t be driven mad by the demons clamouring at him. Willing him to “work, work’”and get it all out on paper into the tales we cherish today. CB ★★★
