Reviews

It is the night of Michael and Roma’s house-warming, complete with its reverse fancy dress theme. The evening should be lively and entertaining; however, a string of hilarious disasters ensues, complete with non-appearing guests, a rampant BBQ, a rather mobile Zimmer frame and the probability of a furious, estranged husband making an unwelcome appearance – all set against the ongoing feuds between neighbours and families! This is a wonderful example of comic farce at its very best, with highly skilled direction from Nick Longland (assisted by Lyn Butcher) bringing out every nuance of verbal and visual comedy from an equally

Theatre, of course, can do all sorts of things; provoke, explore, enlighten, expose, attack, celebrate, challenge … and so much more. Sometimes, as in this, the third play in London Repertory Players’ Summer 2018 season, it is content to entertain, as valuable a function as any. All are important functions; all need to be done well. This production succeeds. Francis Durbridge is probably best-known for his radio drama series based around fictional crime novelist and amateur sleuth, Paul Temple, which originated in the 1930s, ran until the 1950s and have been revived in recent years. Durbridge also wrote novels, for

Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy, How The Other Half Loves, follows three married couples whose lives are inextricably intertwined: Bob Philips and William Featherstone work for Frank Foster and Frank is considering bringing William onto his team; Bob constantly argues with his wife, Teresa, who suspects him of having an affair with an unknown woman; Bob tells her that William’s wife, Mary, thinks that he is also having an affair; on the other hand, Frank and Fiona appear to have a courteous but emotionally aloof marriage. Both the Fosters and the Philips invite the Featherstones to dinner, where both wives intend to

For years now, teachers of GCSE English Literature have been introducing teenagers to 20th century theatre with the aid of J. B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’. It’s a joy to teach and even students resistant on principle to ‘set texts’ seem to enjoy and appreciate it: characters, relationships, structure and unveiling of interconnected human frailties all appeal. What is sad is that, I’m pretty sure, barely any will subsequently explore further a very fine writer of prose (fiction and non-fiction) and dramatic texts. London Repertory Players’ second offering of their third season at Shelley Theatre, another of Priestley’s ‘Time plays’,

Rock of Ages (High School Edition), performed by Centrestage Youth Productions was a lively and entertaining production, which the whole audience seemed to enjoy. This well-established company works tirelessly to fundraise for themselves in order to give young people in the area a chance to be a part of an amateur dramatic group. Their hard work certainly paid off tonight. Sherie Christian, who wants to make it big in acting was played effortlessly by Morgan Dunn. Her note perfect singing went hand in hand with her slick acting. She is a star in the making. She was well supported by

If you’ve never been to the Shelley Theatre in Bournemouth you really should go. It is a delightful little place with lovely courtyard and bar. The theatre itself has a low small stage and raked and comfortable seating; rescued, apparently, from the Imax. The next few weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays up to 28th August would be particularly fine days to go if tonight’s performance was anything to go by. A story of psychological warfare, Brian is financially dependent on his wife Sheila, and he is in love with another woman. An acquaintance convinces him he would be better off