Written by: Mike Leigh Directed by: Nadia Fall With astonishingly accurate orange and brown decor and a soundtrack to match, Nadia Fall’s new adaptation of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party takes us on a convincing journey back to the 1970s. The approach seems to be “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” in a production that stays wholly faithful to the original, not trying to update anything for modern audiences, and on the contrary playing the anachronisms for maximum nostalgia value and impact. Tamsin Outhwaite shines as Beverley, the bawdy hostess who thinks she knows exactly what everyone needs to have…
Author: The Reviews Hub - Brighton
In Diana – the Untold and Untrue Story, prepare for the plot of the nation’s much-loved Princess to look a little different than you’d expect. The real-life-inspired cautionary tale takes a walk through Diana’s life and almost-loves. There’s all the key moments you’d expect – the wedding, the childbearing and the charitable work – with a silly-tinged spin that sets it somewhat apart from reality. The details in this Diana-inspired show are sharp and sassy. From Camilla giving deranged demi-gorgon horndog as a puppet, to Diana being birthed by an audience member. Awkward Productions have a smart approach to extras,…
In a post-heatwave malaise, we’ve gathered at The Old Market for something altogether more cool… a deliciously queer mash-up of cheesy Christmas films. ‘The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here))’ (yes, that is the full title) is a trope-ticking triumph, featuring stereotypes from all your festive favourites. When an American everyman and an heir to the throne from an obscure European country have the meet cute of the millennium, there’s sure to be jingle bells. We’ve got dead parents, a wedding on a deadline and a case…
At the end of his last show we see Frankie Monroe climb into hell through a suitcase. His deal with the devil has expired and the Devil has come to claim him. In this show we find Monroe taking the helm of Hell’s entertainment department as he tries to escape the clutches of Lucifer to return to his beloved Rotherham and the Misty Moon social club, which he has been forced to leave behind. Billed as “Yorkshire’s biggest bastard” Kent-Walters gets to business “terrorising” his audience. Very early on it’s not hard to see that behind the grotesque mask of…
I sat down with the co-creator, co-writer and lead of the hit radio four comedy, The ManyWrongs of Lord Christian Brighty, now into its second series. Here’s how it went. Simon: Firstly I want to go right back to the start. How did Lord Christian Brighty come about? Christian: It was birthed out of doing stuff during lockdown when your livelihood disappears and your ability to perform goes away. I’ll do a shout out to Isaac HP; Brighton stand up, who is very, very funny. He’s a brilliant live comic and he posted a thing, at that time, saying, “TikTok…
Writer and Director: Guy Smith Sound Design: Chloe Park Performer: Mark Stratford Reviewer: Lela Tredwell Packed full of humanity and vigour, Orwell: The Road to 1984 is beautifully written and brilliantly performed. A triumph of a show, it explores the life of George Orwell and the journey he took to writing his extraordinary works of fiction. Including captivating anecdotes and life lessons from Orwell’s own penned hand, it draws a crowd and proves to be a well-researched tour de force through the writer’s life, creating a worthy tribute. Mark Stratford expertly portrays the author with tenderness and vitality. From Orwell’s…
It’s the day of Evie’s big fifth birthday bash, and everyone’s waiting eagerly for the performer. The epitome of beauty, composure and elegance. Enter Princess Sparkles. She’s dishevelled, clumsy and more than a little chaotic. The perfect cocktail for a children’s entertainer, naturally. The early stages of our story see Princess Sparkles really sold on Big Fairytale™. She’s met her ‘Prince Charming’, but this particular fella seems to be failing our hero, big time. She tells us their tale of woe, with the odd swig from a hip-flask or overshare along the way. Meanwhile, we make child’s play of party…
A gorgeously relatable show on the art of being human from a powerful spoken word performer. Ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Found it hard to break free from your background, behaviour or societal expectations? Make a moment to see Monster. Wood’s poetry explores love (or something like it), loss and being a woman in a world that doesn’t seem built for you. Set amidst the vast expanse of the ocean, and the creatures who inhabit it, it’s a transformative and revelatory hour that will resonate with many. Wood is a strong and captivating presence on stage. She…