Category Archives: Theatre

Love and Information, Royal Court

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Love and Information is another surprise from Caryl Churchill’s box of tricks. At the age of 74 this incredible playwright is still producing unexpectedly imaginative and inquisitive theatre.

16 actors play 100 characters in more than 50 separate scenes. It all happens in less than two hours with no interval. The audience are bombarded – it feels like a last minute cramming session for a very stressful exam. It is alarming, and even as you grow used to the short sharp scenes, the slight feeling of seasickness does not ease. The play is intended to reflect our constantly busy lives, the overload of information we encounter, little of which makes a lasting impression.

I enjoyed it, but couldn’t help feeling a little short-changed that, as I left the theatre, I still had lots of unanswered questions. Most of the scenes show just two people in conversation, sometimes only a few lines, and others a few pages of text. As the production progressed I began to find the longer scenes boring, and strangely they often don’t give as much insight as the briefer interactions. It is a showcase of every emotion and personality type and the sixteen performers do a great job making each scene believable, constantly switching between roles.

Love and Information is an interesting work, securely and slickly executed. If you have a short attention span this is the show for you.

http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/love-and-information

Let it Be, Prince of Wales Theatre

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Let is Be is not a musical – if you are after a narrative explanation of the Beatles’ life as a band it is best to seek out BackBeat. This production is an all-music journey, two hours of the most popular and famous hits. Interestingly only since Michael Jackson died (he owned the rights to a majority of Beatles tracks) have producers been able to use this famous band’s songs in productions. They seem to now be taking full advantage.

There are two bands who share performing duties across the week. I watched Michael Gagliano as John Lennon (guitar and vocals), Ian B. Garcia as Paul McCartney (bass guitar and vocals), John Brosnan as George Harrison (guitar and vocals) and Phil Martin as Ringo Starr (drums). All four men try hard to be convincing as their Liverpudian alter-egos (cue accents and gesturing) and they all have notable talent, but this show doesn’t show that off to the full.

I find that there is little to comment on… the lack of story and acting means it is like watching a good cover band. Indeed in some ways this group of musicians appear more versatile than the original fab four. The cast have character, and the frequent costume and wig changes help… but branding Let it Be as a show doesn’t make sense. I expected more, but once I accepted the lack of drama I began to relax and enjoy the music more.

Occasionally there is a fifth, extra, plain dressed musician lurking in the background providing the orchestral vibe on a keyboard. He a) doesn’t get much credit and b) looks a bit draft when obviously everyone knows there were only four Beatles. It is not well planned and distracts the viewer from believing the band’s reincarnation.

I enjoyed the song choices, most of my favourites and the cast worked hard to encourage the audience to rise to their feet and join in the choruses. Towards the end I even began to have fun.

For Beatles fanatics this is a must see, and it is perfectly adequate as a fun musical night out, but perhaps more of a show for tourists, there is just not enough in ‘Let it Be’ to keep Londoners entertained.

Continues until 19 January, book here.

Crazy Horse Paris Presents Forever Crazy, Southbank

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Wow! Be warned, this is not a show for the weak-hearted.

Infamous cabaret club Le Crazy Horse Paris bring their new show Forever Crazy to London, a titillating display of beautiful bodies and captivating moves. The production is housed in a luxurious purpose-built Southbank venue. This raunchy cabaret show was opened in 1951 by Alain Bernardin on the prestigious Avenue George V and is known for its glamorous nude cabaret attracting a cool bohemian crowd. Le Crazy Horse has collaborated with celebrity guests such as Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Arielle Dombasle and Dita Von Teese. Throughout its history the Crazy Horse girls have been muses to artists, writers and fashion designers. They have walked in couture presentations and performed for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses.

My friend and I visited Forever Crazy on opening night, with no idea of the excitement and heart-wrenching envy we were about to endure. The dimly lit tent is decorated with flirtatious neon signs. In the auditorium audience members sit at cabaret tables around the room, ensuring a good view for everyone, but an absolute nightmare for the poor waitresses.

The ten Crazy girls are perhaps the most beautiful women on the planet. Despite recently watching the Moulin Rouge show in Paris, I felt naïve and unsophisticated witnessing this glorified striptease. Plumped and pouting to perfection, poised ready to deliver, these girls are too hot to handle. Don’t take your boyfriend, I even found myself getting hot under the collar. Seriously sexy, men and women will be transfixed by the dancing and exhilarating acts.

For me, it was the visuals that were most impressive. Staggering lighting design and direction from the creative team accentuate the talented performers and create wildly imaginative optical illusions. It is a feast for the eyes. My favourite acts were ‘Upside Down’ a kaleidoscope of sensuality, and ‘God Save our Bareskin’ where a well rehearsed army of girls stomp about in Royal Guards uniforms.

Overflowing with Parisian glamour and allure, these seductive French Fancies will leave you stunned and stuttering all the way home.

Forever Crazy runs until 24th December 2012 at Southbank. Tickets start from £35 and special Champagne and show packages are available.

For more info, visit: http://www.forevercrazy.co.uk/