Reviewer: Lela Tredwell Puppets, Power and a Discarded Pizza Box: A round up of one reviewer’s Brighton Fringe Throwing down the gauntlet in a question and answer session for the ambitious Multimedia Theatre: Astra, was director and designer Raven Kaliana. It seemed fitting she was staring out into extremely bright spotlights, trying to shield her eyes. She had the look of one lone human being standing on a big stage holding onto a microphone, swaddled as it was in a brightly coloured sanitised sheath, but her manner was defiant. “We need to come together and start talking about the world…
Author: The Reviews Hub - Brighton
Co-creator & Director: Dylan Emery and Adam Meggido Reviewer: Lela Tredwell Winner of an Olivier Award, the improvised musical extravaganza Showstopper! halts many a written show in its tracks. With a stunning mix of improvised comedy, extraordinary musical talent and creative collaborations, this show has to be seen to be believed. Even then, the audience can be forgiven for being suspicious as to how the extraordinary performance can be as spontaneous as it claims. This polished approach to improvisation bypasses some of the joy to be found in watching performers processing information in the moment and replaces it with a…
Hosted by: Peter Bazely Reviewer: Simon Topping The audience are left none the wiser as to what women want on this male only stand up bill of varying quality. In this characterful venue housing mid twentieth century furniture, jazzy wallpaper and a life size model of an Edwardian gentleman, Peter Bazely is our shambling, loveable and self deprecating guide. Sadly the female half of the comedy show (Kimberley Datnow) cannot be with us as she has taken some work abroad. Bazely makes the funny observation that what women want is “To take paid work in Dubai.” It breaks the…
By: Pointy Finger Sara Segovia’s one woman show as an alien on earth crash lands with a thud. The premise of Segovia’s show is ripe for humorous exploration: an alien has landed on planet Earth, and is coming to terms with where they are. Decked out in all green, with antennae on her head, and cosmic silver boots, Segovia looks the part, but fails to fully explore the premise that she has created. Beginning on a promising note, we see Segovia’s alien character arrive on Earth scared and not quite understanding what’s going on. It would have been nice to…
Writer/Performer: Giulia Menichelli Reviewer: Lela Tredwell The Burning of a Sicilian Whore is a passionate performance inspired by the true story of 17th Century professional poisoner Giulia Tofana. This evocative one woman show transports us back in time to Sicily in the 1600s. The atmosphere created in the space is warm, sensual and intense. The oranges placed on the audience’s chairs are a wonderful touch helping us to plunge into the sensory world of the first monologue which introduces us to Giulia Tofana. This is an intelligent, bold, sensual play that brings to life a fascinating character. The narrative is…
By: Pointy Finger Reviewer: Simon Topping Outstanding comedy ventriloquism in the heart warming, alternative and very funny, coming of age story, from this rising star of the entertainment circuit. Lachy is a shy man, he doesn’t like to shout about himself, he’s hiding in plain sight. His companion, a Witch called Brew, does his talking for him, she’s in control and puts him in his place. Will this change as the night goes on? The crowd at the Rotunda Theatre watches in anticipation. Lachlan Werner comes onto the stage dressed as a warped alter boy, face painted white. He doesn’t…
By: Marina and Maddy Bye and Sam Abu Wardeh Reviewer: Simon Topping Fabulous sketch comedy and marvellously outlandish clowning from this comedic power duo, plus one. Sisters Maddy and Marina Bye have a certain way of being stupidly funny which is unique to them, in a glorious way. Before the show even officially starts the audience is greeted by the pair, and the third clowning miscreant of the piece, Sami Abu Wardeh, as we start to take our seats. The trio mischievously play stressed venue staff trying to fit us all in as the performance time nears. It’s a humorous…
Curated By: Luke Rollason Luke Rollason’s entertaining showcase of new talent shows us that the future of comedy is in very safe hands. The show starts on a slightly off-tone as Rollason (our host) opens with some clunky prop comedy. Rollason’s awkward and self-deprecating energy doesn’t seem the right choice to start, and gives the next act a tough job to warm the audience up. Thankfully, Christian Brighty is more than up to the challenge. Arriving to the stage dressed in period garb, performing as a Mr Darcy style character, the crowd are immediately won over. Brighty’s character is…