The Addams Family- review

A fantastic production, the Morgan-Wixson Theatre brings back the extraordinary Addams family in a marvelous and fun musical.

The Addams family lives a rather alternative lifestyle, they love despair, darkness and death. Wednesday loves torturing her brother and he enjoys it. The family lives in their estate in Central Park, New York. Usually, excluded from others, until one day Wednesday, now a young woman, falls in love with a guy, a very normal one for that matter. The two want to get married and therefore arrange a dinner at the Addams’ house in order for their families to meet for the first time and hopefully get a long, when the young couple breaks the news to them. Wednesday being scared, she confides to her father and swears him to secrecy. That night everything changes for the family.

Gomez played by Aric Martin was absolutely fabulous, he portrayed his character incredibly well and humorously. The company, playing the ancestors, exceptionally fulfil their purpose of enhancing the overall performance in a very subtle way.  Wednesday played by Annie Claire Hudson is the star of the production in terms of singing, her voice is beautiful and she has great control over it.  Amy Coles playing Morticia is the Queen of facial expressions in the show. She doesn’t need to say any words and yet the audience is able to see  and understand how Morticia feels and what she has on her mind.  Overall, a very talented cast, however, there is some overacting but this could be perceived as purposely making it funny.

The music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa were not only catchy and funny but also very fitting in each scene, making this show a great musical filled with the audience’s laughter and nodding heads.

Direction by Anne Gesling is fluent and very clear from the beginning with quick changes of scenes and good use of props. However, sometimes it is a bit slow and it seems like some scenes are unnecessary, making the first half very long. The second half on the other hand, picks up fast and is strong from start to finish.

The staging and use of props is excellent, setting the scenes perfectly and making it easier to get lost in the musical.

Overall, an enjoyable musical, perfect for the whole family.

 

The Addams Family plays at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until July 31^st.

 

Orange is the New Musical- Review

A hilarious musical that keeps no eye dry and promises an memorable evening.

The original music and lyrics by Veronica Vasquez and Jared Goode are creative and catchy, leaving you humming their songs and thinking of the comical lyrics, even the day after seeing the show.

The parody retells the story of Piper Chapman, going to prison for smuggling drugs while dating her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause. The musical adds its own little jokes and anecdotes, as well as their own little twist. The audience follows their quest to find the Great Jenji (the original creator of Orange is the New Black). Many of the inmates have made it their mission as it is said she will fulfil three wishes when found. However, finding her consists of completing free tasks, such as getting the tears of a crazy women and the blood of a Latina.

Going into a parody of a well-known drama series, you usually expect bad acting and corny jokes. However, many of the actors in the show are excellent, using gestures and expressions well to emphasise jokes and dialogues. Marisha Legan-Johnson in particular, playing Crazy Eyes/Suzanne, one of the most iconic characters of the show, was outstanding. Her command of the character was comparable to a performance on Broadway/West End. She knows her character well and portrays it with great precision, Uzo Aduba almost couldn’t have done it better. Even though she has crazy eyes’ characteristics to a tee, she still brings something to it that makes it her own interpretation.

Tastee, played by Tiffany Commons is another exceptional performance and musical talent. The role reversal by Philip Rodriguez, playing Alex should not be missed. He portrays her with such elegance and comical attention to detail.

Director Vsev Krawczeniuk uses a basic set design, with pictures of different locations in Litchfield indicating the whereabouts of the people. Not only does this encourage people’s imagination, it also helps the show by putting the songs and absolutely hilarious performances into the spotlight.

As a Orange is the New Black lover, this is a must see show.

 

The show is running at the Whitefire Theatre, every Friday until August 19^th.

http://www.orangeisthenewmusical.com

The Woman in Black (Fortune Theatre)

A spine prickling tale of terror and loss. Brilliantly directed, the play brings Susan Hill’s novel to life and promises a frightening evening that will haunt you home.

In the early 1950s Arthur Kipps seeks assistance in an actor, trying to overcome a traumatic experience he had 30 years ago, he thinks that sharing his story on stage will finally give him the relief of letting go of his tormented past.

It is set in an empty theatre which gives the audience an illusion of not only watching a play but being part of it.

The actor, played by Matt Connor, represents the young Mr Kipps, while the old Mr Kipps, played by Malcom James, narrates and plays the people that he encountered during his time and travel to Eel Marsh House. The pair reanimate what he the lawyer went through when he went to the late Mrs Drablow estate to sort through her papers. During his time at the house he encounters the woman in Black and finds out about the terrible circumstances of her death. After spending a night full of ghastly incidents, he leaves to return to London, thinking that he can forget what he had seen. However, many years later he is still haunted by what he had experienced and finds the actor to help him.

The dynamic between the two characters changes throughout. The audience is able to see the development of the relationship between the two man. They get to know each other better and by the end they evolve into virtually the same person (The Actor becomes Arthur Kipps through portraying the younger version of him.)

Malcom James portrayal of seven different characters is magnificent. He can switch between each of them instantly, showing his versatility and excellent command of his roles.

James’s predominant character Arthur Kipps goes through a grand development from being shy and intimidated to be on stage and not being able to act, to have an incredible stage presence and impersonation. He has the ability to convey Kipps’ journey perfectly, which facilitates the relationship between the audience and characters of the show.

Gareth Owen’s sound design perfectly promotes the eerie atmosphere in the theatre and raises goose bumps throughout the performance. The show uses silence, spreading an aura of apprehension that sweeps through each row, as the audience is anticipating something horrible to happen.

The direction (Robin Herford) uses the possibilities of imagination and depends on the audience’s fantasy during the play. This makes the show more chilling, as the crowd can imagine the woman in black, even in scenes where she is not present on stage. This creates intimacy as it seems like she is in your head. Robin Herford’s direction heavily relies on timing which the actors execute flawlessly.

The stage is basic and slightly outdated, yet brilliantly used to convey each changing scene. A basket becomes the main prop, serving as a bed, table and horse and trap.

Originally having a low budget, Stephen Mallatratt, the playwright turned Susan Hill’s novel ‘The woman in black’ into a masterpiece of terror, only using a superb two-man cast. The play, almost 30 years after its opening night, still makes its audience scream and tremble with fear.

 

The Maids (Trafalgar Studios)

This revival of Genet’s drama is innovative, intriguing and a tour the force.

The play is said to be based on true events from 1933, the Papin sisters, two maids brutally killed their employers, in France. The playwright Jean Genet took inspiration in their story and wrote the play in 1947. He explores the relationship between masters and servants, love and hate and how far the human psyche can be strained before the maids’ murderous tendencies come to light.

The sisters Solange and Claire act out their fantasies in impersonating their Mistress, taking it in turn to play their horrible employer and the housemaid that eventually murders her. Before they could finish their fantasy, their employer shows up. Condescending and ordering her maids around. They finally decide to kill her, by brewing her a poisonous tea.

Andrew Upton and Benedict Andrews translated the play, which concentrates on the racial and economical difference between the Mistress and her maids.

The direction by Jamie Lloyd is fresh and young. He uses the power of speech and a basic but effective set, giving the show the opportunity to shine through simplicity.

The techno music is odd at the beginning, as this is something unexpected to a play that seems traditional at first glance. However, it is used well to underline the tone of innovation and complements the contemporary version of the play. Staging is absolutely brilliant, the audience surrounds the relatively small four poster stage, with seats behind and in a half circle around it. Rose pedals cover the floor that has hidden trap doors that include props. This sets an intimidate illusion which makes you feel that you’re secretly looking inside a window.

Zawe Ashton prances around the stage, delivering an energetic first half of her performance.  Her character, Claire’s love and hate relationship with the mistress shows Ashton (Fresh Meat) taking the stage with strong force. Her hopelessness is heart-breaking and her final monologue.

Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black), is the star of the play. As Solange she captures the emotions and anger of a mistreated housemaid perfectly. She unleashes all the anger that Solange had bottled up for so long, with a forceful and triumphant crowning speech.

Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey) plays the Mistress with such elegance and false sweetness that it is tragic that she barely has any stage presence.

The Maids brings a fresh approach to theatre, the star studded show with three powerful and flamboyant women is an excellent addition to the West End.