This is my critical blog. It is mostly Theatre reviews but there are occasional splashes of other media (when I can get my hands on it!)

Paradeisos Gwynfor or Paradise Paradise.
Greek: the ancient language of the classics and Welsh: a language just as old that sings to the soul.

Sunday 31 July 2011

Review's of THE NRTF Conference Showcase's Continued

My sincerest apologies for the wait! Life does seem to annoyingly get in the way sometimes. For those of you who have read the previous post on the National Rural Touring Forum Conference, please continue reading as the rest of the showcase review's here at last. As for the rest of you, where have you been? ;)  

Showcase C:

Children’s Tales: the NRTF Conference Showcase C was dedicated to theatre designed for children & families.

Likely Story: Pea.
I unfortunately missed part of the day’s first act with Likely Story’s Pea, due to a little bit of confusion. Yet what I saw peeking through the theatre entrance was colourful, skilfully acted and imaginative. They appeared to have taken the original Princess and the Pea fairytale and given it that modern, imaginative twist.

http://www.likelystory.org.uk/

Theatre Iolo: Little Red Ruby Tales.
An adaptation of, well you guessed it, Red Riding Hood. Here, Ruby likes telling stories and on her travels she meets Ella the Snow Queen from Sleeping Beauty, and a Tiger.... but does she really? Ruby and the apparently unassuming Ella find an Egg in the forest and decide to wait for it to hatch, telling tales whilst waiting. A twist on the original tale, the play will certainly challenge and inspire the little minds it is aimed at. With fluid, dance like movement, it encourages play and fun.
http://www.theatreiolo.com/


Cwmni Theatre Arad Goch: 1 Step 2 Step.
A performance with a difference, the two character’s meet the audience outside of the performance space asking for help in searching for items: and on this occasion several people are given buckets of stones. An interactive simple piece designed specifically for children, they blend storytelling and simple language with traditional harp music. They are sure to entertain!
http://www.aradgoch.org/


Showcase D:


An afternoon of easy, light entertainment? Quite the opposite in fact as the talent and energy of theatre companies continued to flow.

Hijinx: Old Hands.
A quiet 1930’s seaside town is the setting for a failing little theatre and its demanding owner/director. Its newest entertainment is Miss Florrie Labelle and she has a secret to hide, her brother is socially unacceptable in 1930’s Britain and she has smuggled him into Skidbury-on-Sea as no one will look after him. The language is very aware of its time bringing out the opinions and difficulties within society then. A socially inclusive theatre company, Hijinx creates an innovative and challenging piece bringing awareness of people with learning difficulties. A piece I would have loved to see when it was on tour and eagerly await a continuation or new rendition if there is to be one.
http://www.hijinkx.org.uk/

Theatr N’Óg: Aesops Fables.
Colourful and energetic Theatr N’ Óg re-tell the tale of the hare and the tortoise with a difference, blending in another of Aesops fables - the old Lion and mouse tale - to create a new platform to entertain and teach. Their comic inclusion of references to Chekov’s Cherry Orchard and Colgate Minty Fresh make sure the adults in the audience had a giggle to. Fabulous costume’s that turned the Lion into the hare and catchy tunes with music from a saxophone certainly cemented the talent behind this theatre company.
http://www.theatre-nanog.co.uk/


Clwyd Theatre Cymru Theatre for Young People: Tall Tales.
Clwyd is another group using their marvellous 21st Century take on the oral story telling tradition mixed with theatre. Combining puppetry, costume, music, narration and traditional acting they told The Matchstick Girl and The Geese and the Frog folk tales with magic, drawing you in with perfectly haunting and upbeat melodies. From serenity and atmosphere in The Matchstick Girl to excitement and tension in The Geese and the Frog the company are a joy to watch and listen to.
http://www.ctctyp.co.uk/
 
Showcase E:

As the last showcase of the conference the two and a half hours was jam packed with a myriad of entertainment, making it a fit ending to a wonderful two days.

Siân James.

A small piece of true Welsh heaven graced the stage space for the first performance. Sian James is a harpist with a penchant for traditional folk songs, reviving and experimenting with songs that have gathered dust for decades, maybe even centuries. She creates modern twists and arrangements yet puts love and tradition behind songs, singing in both Welsh and English. She graced us with a brilliant rendition of Cyfri’r Geifr (Counting Goats) though some of us in Wales might just recognise the first line of “Oes gafr eto”. And then get it stuck in our heads, I was struggling not to start singing it and really embarrass myself.www.sianjames.co.uk

George Orange.

Rather unsuspectingly, George comes on dressed in a loose but ordinary looking grey suit, a clown you ask? Yes, just a one with a modern touch. He combine’s the comedy and self-depreciating wit of clowning with the tricky manoeuvres of a slack rope dancer. Be prepared for edge of your seat tension as you pray for him not to fall off his moon shaped moving ‘trapeze’ as he balances and reaches for objects. Audience involvement is high on the list, just watch he doesn’t make you carry him!


Tanya Davies

Alone on the stage, Tanya instantly exudes openness and sincerity. As a poet and musician she performs all her own, very original material without accompaniment off a band or partner. Her poem How to be alone was haunting tugged at your heart strings. Tanya is a performer that proves poetry doesn’t have to be confined to the classroom, poetry societies or drunken open-mic nights: that poetry can be enjoyed as a performance with a watching audience. Her film of How to be Alone can be found on her website or Youtube.
www.tanyadavies.ca

Philip Clouts Quartet

The Jazz quartet played all original music, inspired by a multitude of locations from Clouts coastal home in the South West to South African beats and Latin American vibes, yet lurking in the undertones is the traditional jazz, bluesy styles. A thoroughly enjoyable set to listen to.
www.philipcloutsquartet.co.uk


Cat Weatherill

A story teller for adults and for children, Cat uses every inch of her fantastic energy and style to entrance & entertain and tonight she sampled a story from her successful Ghost tour for adults. he storytelling blends music, theatricality and of course, the tradition of oral tales. A remarkable storyteller Cat will have you captivated from the first word. www.catweatherill.co.uk
Jamie Smith’s Mabon
Last but not least, the band graced the stage with vigour and imagination. An irresistible urge to let loose and join in comes over you as the music starts, music that is a self-styled mix of funk folk and their Celtic roots, drawing in beats from across the world. It isn’t often you see an accordion played in modern music, especially with such brilliant enthusiasm shining through. An unsurpassable end to the evening.

http://www.jamiesmithsmabon.com/


Thank you very much to Night Out for inviting us to attend, and to present The Young Critics to everyone. The diverse cross section of performers in the showcase's has been immeasurable and I am certainly going away with a new appreciation of folk music, something that had always been there but never explored. Thank you to the performers and delegates for sharing your talent, idea's and passion for the arts. 

For more information on rural touring: www.nightout.org.uk &  www.nrtf.org.uk

Chelsey's experience of the conference "22 review's in 100 words each" can be found at http://hypercriticreviews.blogspot.com/


And lastly for the Young Critics visit http://theyoungcritics.com/

Thursday 21 July 2011

The Night Out Scheme presents NRTF Conference. Reviews of their Showcase events!

Night Out, in conjunction with NRTF, hosted their annual conference for Rural Touring and as part of their Extending the Reach remit, kindly asked the Young Critics to attend and present our scheme to the delegates. The conference was an excellent experience and an eye opener, including presenting! This is just a small thank you.

Rural Touring, an unusual concept in the populous, industrial South Wales but it isn’t just about expanses of green fields it is about reaching out to smaller communities: giving village halls and community centre’s access to the arts, access that would normally be a huge expense often resulting in a loss. The fantastic Night Out scheme provides that all important financial cushion; so that the Promoter’s who work to bring acts to their neighbours, do not have to worry about that potential financial loss. Night Out is just the Welsh version supported but Arts Council Wales, there are other fantastic scheme’s that run across the UK funded by Arts Council England grants.

As part of the conference a series of 5 showcases occurred where artists and theatre companies presented their wares, their 15 minutes of Rural Touring fame almost as they worked hard to impress the audience before them. An amazing and versatile array of performances they each had their own way of hooking the audience in and entertaining.

Showcase A:
3D Theatre Company: When the Wind Blows.
The cold war is afoot and ordinary older people are swept up in the scare mongering propaganda, in extraordinary circumstances this husband and wife team also combat the generation gap where the son see’s the fatalism of the situation and scoffs at the ‘Governmental directive’. Comically entrancing, When the Wind Blows is perfect for rural venues with its fabulous set with miniature proportions that folds out from a particularly unassuming box.

Chris Tally Evans: Tales of First and Second Sight.
A one man show that mixes theatre with stand-up comedy and he tells the tales as the main character.

Rhodri Miles: Burton.
A one man show with a difference: Miles’ strong voice personifies Burton, delving into the man behind the films, using quotes from Shakespeare to add a certain depth yet it simply adds to the intensity already portrayed in this misunderstood actor. Pouring drinks often from his little silver drinks trolley he uses the full expanse of stage, sitting and standing as if in a world of his own. Expressive and intriguing, Burton is definitely one to see.



Showcase B:
Mai Oh Mai Productions: The Harri-Parris – The Leaving Do.
A truly comic insight into West Walian ‘normality’: one family member is leaving for London to find adventure and they spend the time fondly reminiscing over nights out that were truly awful. Done almost in the musical form they entertain using modern rap and traditional show music their use of stereotypes does nothing to detract from the piece. The occasional phrase in Welsh is quite happily translated by the ‘European’: a Slovakian farmhand with his funny behaviour.

Gareth Bonello: The Gentle Good & Harriet Earis.
The Showcase’s are not just about theatre and these two musicians kick off the tunes. Together they combined the traditions of the harp with the more modern guitar in a modern take on folk music with original compositions: creating haunting melodies that blended past and present. As the first time I had heard a harp outside of a traditional setting, and her energetic playing brought a new dimension to the instrument. Alone or as a pair I am sure the audience will be spellbound by their playing.

Paul Granjon: Hand Made Machines.
Possibly the more unusual and off the wall of the showcase presentations Paul Granjon came on with a varied set of contraptions, from an electronic wagging tale and movable ears to a humanoid robot that disco dances. Definitely one for the modern teenager, or even your inner teenager: utterly fascinated by the weird and wonderful. Combining satirical singing (he clearly knows he can’t really sing) with music from his electric Zitar and done in French and English to add more flavour again. If I am honest I didn’t appreciate the act at the start, it felt clunky and slow to get going: although the ‘technical glitches’ were very comedy of errors and as it got going in the middle I did start to enjoy it far more.

Devil’s Violin: A love Like Salt.
Possibly the best act of the night: the passion and power behind the performance was exceptional. Combining music and the spoken word they bring the traditional oral tale into the 21st Century and still use traditional tales. A tale I’ve not heard since being sat on my Gram’s lap, A Love Like Salt entranced and caused a welling of nostalgia and I would have sat there for far more. Phenomenal!

The Stu Brow Sextet presents Twisted Toons: The Music of Raymond Scott.
I had never heard of Raymond Scott until that moment but the tunes were completely familiar. Used in Looney Tunes, Ren & Stimpy and The Simpsons the music has entertained generations of children and adults. Here those tunes are performed with vigour and skill, the sextet playing to perfection as a band and as individuals in their solos.

Ginge & Celloboi:
Upbeat music performed through a multitude of genres: Bluegrass, Country and Gospel. They blend Jonny Cash tunes with original Welsh language compositions that would suit anyone and everyone. An entertaining duo!


Due to the fantastically impossible amount of theatre, music and entertainment on show, 15 minute segments or not. The further three Showcases that were organised for our entertainment will be in the post to follow



Wednesday 6 July 2011

Empty Pocket's Hello Mrs Silverstone & A Sunday Roast

Last Saturday saw the up and coming new theatre company Empty Pocket, stage their freshest creative imaginings: two one act plays that use and explore the absence of a significant or main character.


Hello Mrs Silverstone by Natalie Stone & Sunday Roast by Anna Pool


First up was Hello Mrs Silverstone opening on an ordinary family’s life that quickly descends into the comic and the tragic through the simplest of mistakes, a wrong phone number. Mrs Silverstone is a confused, lonely old lady who thinks the phone number to the Parker household is her own son’s phone number. Mrs Parker and daughter Olivia react with annoyance at the constant interruption to their lives, yet when Olivia picks up the phone pretending to be pizza takeaways she lands herself in embarrassing hot water as ‘Ben’ the boy from school has managed to get between the constant calls. Late in the play Olivia’s King Lear speech is perfectly chosen and timed with John Parker’s conversation with Mrs Silverstone for her to direct comic and acidic inflections at her father trying to talk.


It is John’s developing relationship with Mrs Silverstone and the appearance of his brother Will that engages the tragic element. They have recently lost their own mother and John’s pre-occupation with not having been there to stop his mother falling causes arguments with Will. As the relationship with Mrs Silverstone and the plot between Will and John develops, the absent Mrs Silverstone seems to take on another persona: as if she becomes the already absent mother. The play comes to a close with John Parker pretending to be John Silverstone and both characters, seen and unseen, getting what they want, to hear from family one last time and to say goodbye.


A Sunday Roast was up next, and a very different play to the first in its staging: here the abstract took precedence with elements of dance. The entire cast remained on stage for almost all the show, creating moments of physical dystopia with the table settings and repeating phrases to hammer home and almost to mirror the dystopia experienced in Adelaide’s head and that of the forced, false undercurrents in her relationships. Adelaide interacts with two missing characters – her absent best friend Catrin and the missing therapist. Every Sunday Adelaide must sit through Sunday dinner with her in-laws whilst going through the motions of her every day, dreary and disappointing life. Outside of the forced, formal exchanges around the dinner table there is a second Adelaide, the more honest person who lives in her dreams, wants and wishes. We recognise quickly that a miscarriage is the reason for the therapist’s presence but it is not just the miscarriage that Adelaide has to come to terms with: the loss of her dreams in staying put after Uni and the loss of her friend Cat. The audience seemed to play the part of the therapist, drawing them in to experience Adelaide’s emotions with her. Her death at the end and the revelation that Cat had been dead all along, added to the depth of understanding and empathy with the character. Two very different plays that used similar themes of regret, memory, dreams and the ordinary life, looking at what ordinary events can significantly alter ordinary lives for better and for worse.


Not one to give out stars (never have been much for rating), both plays were effective and emotionally charged: using the powerful acting, comedy, language and passion to their fullest capacities. Well done to the Empty Pocket gang you did brilliantly and good luck!