Reviews

All Saints Dramatic Society Corpus Christi Parish Centre, Boscombe Caroline Burr 13 September 2024 John Godber is an English playwright, mainly known for his observational comedies. Bouncers was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 1977, and has enjoyed regular revivals since then, including a tour this year. Shakers came later in 1984 and is co-written by Jane Thornton. Both comedies concern Northern nightlife in the 1980s. Part of the appeal of the plays is that they are actors’ pieces, because the cast play a variety of roles, therefore they need vocal dexterity and a good deal of physicality. The

Broadstone Players War Memorial Hall, Broadstone Jill Richmond 6 September 2024 Broadstone’s Plays ‘N’ Chips night is a chance for new actors and directors to get involved in the wonderful world of drama whilst the audience get to enjoy an interval of boxed Harlees fish and chips (or sausage or nuggets!) or Tea and Cake if you are attending an afternoon performance and a second interval with a raffle and ice creams, as was the case on opening night, served by the Poole Soroptimists. The format works perfectly, showcasing established and new talent through a series of three one Act

Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society Regent Centre, Christchurch KD Johnson 5 September 2024   Among the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, one could describe The Pirates of Penzance as “entry-level”.  It is the one that most people have either seen before, performed at school, or, at the very least, they know some of the songs from it.  Who among us has not either attempted to sing or recite “I am the very model of a modern Major-General” (using either the original words, some parody thereof or even the Periodic Table), buckled a swash as a Pirate King or uttered the words

Bournemouth Little Theatre Bournemouth Little Theatre, Bournemouth JJ 3 September 2024   It was good to be back at Bournemouth Little Theatre for the first show of the group’s 2024/25 season and with such a Noel Coward classic directed by Barry Gray. There was not a spare seat in the house, which was lovely to see. We meet Sybil (Lauren Killham) recently married to Elyot (Topher Lynn), who shortly joins her, on the balcony of a hotel room in the South of France on their honeymoon. Sybil is set on interrogating Elyot about his ex-wife, Amanda. When they retire to

Grass Roots Theatre Company Allendale Centre, Wimborne KD Johnson  15 August 2024 A request came in for one of us to review this show rather too late for it to be actioned but, as I happened to be there on opening night, I have been asked to write something for posterity. Fresh from their debut (?) production of David Tristram’s one‑act Last Tango In Little Grimley at the Allendale Centre at the end of May, the Grass Roots Theatre Company has knocked up this stunning production of Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s A Bunch Of Amateurs in just a few weeks. Most of

Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre [CPYT] The Arch, Chandlers FordDavid A Putley  8 August 2024 Following on the heels of an excellent CPYT production of Sister Act last week, a change of scenery for Mike Mullen and his team with this Junior version of the adult show, later to be seen at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. Madagascar Jr, based on the DreamWorks movie, takes us on a musical adventure with Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo. Marty celebrates his 10th birthday with his friends but is having a bit of a midlife crisis – and