South East

Creators: Hatch it Theatre  Part of: The Spark Factory Programmed events. Reviewer: Simon Topping Stuck before us, dressed in smiley t-shirts, trapped in spotlights and unable to speak, three odd characters look at us expectantly. Unable to break free from their invisible bonds they need the crowds help to escape or at the very least to move a little so ...

Reviewer: Simon Topping Cinebra are back at the Fringe!  Their new offering introduces us to Glenda and Rita; stars of a bygone age returned for one last hurrah, guiding us through their beloved back history of movie triumphs in the 1930's and 40's in the form of song, scene re-enactment and back and forth badinage. The first thing the gathering ...

Reviewer: Simon Topping A collection of large boxes sit on stage accompanied by a lone desk with a scattering of office supplies and poised performers.  As the music thumps out a beat the movement commences.  The troupe, Jordan Choi with brothers Alex and Tom Manghan proceed together, intertwining as one, to start the piece. It is a funny beginning which ...

Reviewer: Simon Topping The show opens with us all in support therapy.  Sarah is trying to cut down on her beauty therapies, she's only watched three hours of fashion vlogs this week.  It's a marked improvement the audience are encouraged to applaud. Welcome to the world of Sarah Blanc. Surrounded by a bombardment of mixed messages on how to look ...

Creator: Phil Croft Reviewer: Simon Topping Hope Springs is laid out before us; a cactus, some tiny saloon doors and a wide painted American vista, fabulously created by Phil Croft, tell the audience we are in the wild west now, cowboy country. As the lights go up on stage Rosco "Black Jack" Porter, a washed up, rough and tumble outlaw ...

Writer/Director: Peter Rowe Reviewer: Molly Richardson  Our Blue Heaven is a new musical written and directed by Peter Rowe focusing on Ipswich Town Football Clubs historic FA Cup victory on 6 May 1978.  At first glance, the world of theatre and sport colliding may sound a bizarre and niche match, but in fact you’ll find it’s rather brilliant. The story focuses on ...

Writer: Noel Coward Director: Sean Foley Reviewer: Bill Avenell What an appropriate choice to open this year’s Chichester Festival programme. A seemingly light concoction but one which beneath the surface is packed full of all the ‘stuff’ of theatre from the pressures of performance, the problems of admirers, the issues of backing and management to the complicated relationships that grow ...

Writer: Tennessee Williams Director: Chelsea Walker Reviewer: Molly Richardson This bold revival of Tennessee Williams’ classic play A Streetcar Named Desire is full of fire. One summer, the anxious boozer, yet fiercely clever seductress and glamour-queen, Blanche DuBois turns up unexpectedly at her sister Stella’s two-roomed house in a state of desperation as she tries to hold her life together. This gives ...