Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Review by Morgan Evan Hooper age 9
The Hobbit was great, especially Mr Bilbo Baggins, played by Peter Howe, who was amazing. I like the way he talks and acts, I don’t know how he does it. I know one thing, I could never do anything like that. He is my favourite character. He is really funny.
Gandalf, played by Christopher Robbie, was outstanding. I was shot down when he did his magic – it was brilliant!!
Gollum, played by Antony Gabriel, was really scary. Gollum is a slimy, creepy creature who was once a hobbit. I can’t believe that ring changed Gollum into that slimy, smelly monster.
I know many different versions of this story, for example The Hobbit book, the CD story and they are also making a film. This play was another great way of telling the story, written by JRR Tolkein.
At the end of the story, Thorin, played by Andrew Coppin, started to get obsessed with the treasure. It’s good to remember Thorin’s story: do not get obsessed with treasure otherwise something bad will always happen to you!!
All in all a very, very brilliant play – it was an AMAZING, GENIUS, OUTSTANDING play. The only way to improve it would be to make it a tiny bit shorter.
Find out if it is coming to a theatre near you!
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Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
“There are children here somewhere… I can smell their blood… I can feel it in my bones…”
So you thought Ian ‘H’ Watkins was scary when he was in Steps? Just wait until you see him as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Whirling onto the stage on a caged wagon dragged by a nightmarish carousel steed, he flawlessly embodies those dark childhood terrors usually kept hidden in the void under the bed or in shadowed wardrobes. Children in the audience cringe and peek between their fingers while even the adults grip tight to their (very comfortable) seats and ensure they don’t look the Catcher in the eye…
The Child Catcher is only on stage for a relatively short period, but even so, he steals the show. But that’s not to deride the other excellent performances – it’s just that (as writer Ian Fleming and original screenwriter Roald Dahl both knew) such a truly scary character, when played well, would always loom large in the imaginations of the audience. (more…)
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Friday, April 11th, 2008
It’s obvious really. Doctor Who is huge, and so is reminiscing about the past. So why not combine the two, and what a hit you are going to have.
And in a way that is what Toby Hadoke has done with this show – but he’s done it with heart and passion, an acceptance of his Who geekdom and a belief that there is nothing wrong with that, and it’s much better than a lot of other things he could be doing.
After his father leaves the home at an early age Hadoke latches onto a new father figure, the Doctor. And he becomes obsessed with him, having one of those brains that traps bits of information is perfect for a long-running TV series such as this. He can list what actors played what roles, and in one instance how they went on to appear in the famous Ferrero Rocher advert.
As he grows up Toby finds his fondness for the Doctor being mocked and ridiculed. Until the series is brought back by BBC Wales when everyone professes their apparent love for the series all along. And with a new generation of Doctor Who shows Hadoke is able to form a bond with his eldest son as they watch it together and share the experience he went through alone in his youth.
Hadoke, a professional actor as well as a stand-up comedian, presents a great show, pitching the emotional, intellectual and physical journey perfectly.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
There’s a hint of “It’s a Wonderful Life” running through the first half of Snowbound, currently running at the Trafalgar Studios 2 in London.
Tom has always yearned to travel the world, but since his mother died he has had to hold the fort at home, looking after his younger brother Alex, a hypersensitive individual, prone to fits and unable to connect to people. Their sister Sally is due to return from University and give Tom his chance to explore. His hopes are dashed as Sally gets into the BBC and moves straight into a job in London. (more…)
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