The Mai - Monkgate Theatre, York

I was invited to see a preview of this production at York's Monkgate Theatre.  The Mai coincided with St Patrick's Day and York International Women Festival.

York Settlement Community Players presented Marina Carr's The Mai.  This Irish play explored issues that really mattered and addressed by four generations of women in one family.

Set in Ireland between 1979 and 1980 the women shared ambitions, hopes and goals in faceof reality, adversity, struggles and disappointments.  Millie (Beth Sharrock) narrated reflectively each of the characters' life journeys which began with her mother, The Mai (Beryl Nairn).  The Mai shared her love for a man who exactly hasn't been faithful and follwed by other women who wished 'If only' from missed opportunities and second changes.  All met at The Mai's house which she specially built for Robert (Damian Fynes), her estranged husband.

The narration and dialogues are enriched with poetic elements which are full of metaphors and Irish folklore, linking to the feelings of abandonment, regret, neglect, fate, pessimism and aligning with family traditions and cultural expections.

Act 1 slowly built up the experiences women share and this lead to explosive consequences in the second act.  It was felt however that the dialogues could have been more condensed and smoother less time consuming transitions between the scenes.  With the adult nature of The Mai strong language is used throughout and targeting audiences at 16+

First class performance from the cast who enthusiastically and sensitively portrayed the characters particularly Beryl Nairn (The Mai) and Elizabeth Elsworth (Grandma Fraochan). Mike Rogers' set reflect a quintessential house in the Irish countryside which is complemented with Graham Sanderson and Edward Dick's lighting.  Appropriately chosen Irish music and Dick's sounds represent the story's mood, the Irish culture and emotions.

York Settlement Community Players successfully have pulled together The Mai after the Director's long wait, a wait worthwhile.  The themes raised are no stranger to family generations particularly among women.

Playing until 19th March 2016 at York's Monkgate Theatre.

Known as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Diao Chan The Rise of The Courtesan

(Image credit: Red Dragon Fly Productions and 

accessed via http://www.reddragonflyproductions.co.uk)

Red Dragon Fly Productions brings Diao Chan The Rise of The Courtesan to tour in 2016. The current production is part of a three year Chinese Classic Programme.

Diao Chan is a fictional character in San Guo Yan Yi by Luo Ghan Zhong.  The book is about the latter days of the Han Dynasty and the war torn era of the Three Kingdoms.  This production is set at the latter end of the Empire and how its threat of power become real.

There are many portrayals of Diao Chan however in this production she is a courtesan who sang and perform to subjects of the Empire.  Ross Ericson draws on Diao Chan as an individual in her own right than just another woman.

Michelle Yim confidently portrays Diao Chan as a woman in her own right.  Questions the woman's role in then a predominantly masculine Chinese society.  Argues with LuBu (Arthur Lee), DongZhou's bodyguard, about what is expected from women and she asserts definitive qualities that equate to men's.

Diao Chan through her soliloquy asserts that women are equal to men; they aren't an ornament to be seen or a commodity to be used; and complains how the women's spirit is caged and like tigers that are domesticated.  She is determined to break this 'yolk' even if it means seduction, manipulation and an ultimate contribution to the downfall of a dynasty. 

This colourful production has characters dressed in traditional bright costumes which are assisted with props reflecting the era.  The traditional music and lighting are atmospheric and the percussion play during the change of scenes.  Narrative summaries are given between some scenes about the state of the Empire.

The main theme is about women and their positions in the Empire.  It also explores power and tradition and exposes the Empire's attitude towards women particularly with child bearing and internal ranking. Sadly similar situations are still seen in modern times where women have very limited rights or freedom.

An enjoyable production by Red Dragon Fly Productions which gives everyone an opportunity to know more about ancient Chinese cultures and traditions.  Yet at the same time drawing out the themes that are relevant today than in the 21st Century.

Next year they will bring Monkey: Journey to the West to conclude their three year Chinese Classic Programme.

English National Opera's Norma, London Coliseum - 11th March 2016 Personal Thoughts

I attended the last night of English National Opera's new production, Norma.  I enjoyed the Opera North's production a few years ago and my desire to see it again was strong.

English National Opera's Norma

Photo Credit: Alastair Muir

(Accessed from www.eno.org)

Norma, a bel canto tragedy, is adapted from Alexandre Soumet's Norma, ou L'infanticide.  Music composed by Vincenzo Bellini and libretto by Felice Romani. Norma explores community, pagan rituals, power change, motherhood, jealously and the ultimate sacrifice.  A quintessential Romantic opera packed with drama as well as songs of expression.

Marjorie Owens was outstanding as Norma.  It is acknowledged the title role is very demanding vocally and emotionally.  Owens met the challenged beautifully from beginning to end.  The highlight was her singing Casta Diva to a goddess.  It was sung with conviction and hope which moved many in the audience following the applauses after the aria.

Rest of the cast were excellent including fellow soprano Jennifer Holloway as Adalgisa and tenor Peter Auty as Pollione.  All under the direction of Christopher Alden and musically Stephen Lord.  This Bel canto opera is beautiful for all the senses.

I always make time for English National Opera productions and I now look forward to seeing Madam Butterfly during their summer season.

Carriageworks Young Theatre Makers War Letters

This enjoyable short play gave an insight in the lives of Leeds residents who lived through the First World War.  Carriageworks Young Theatre Makers read letters of residents' experiences of the war.

  (Accessed from http://www.leeds.gov.uk)

The company, lead by Ruth Cooper, developed this production with real and re-imagined correspondence with assistance from Leeds Museums and Galleries, The Preservative Party and West Yorkshire Archive Service.

The cast read letters by turn chronologically.  Patriotism reigned but some readers questioned The Great War.  Some expressed worries and concerns about their loved ones who were fighting at the front.  A glimpse into World War I was given from the residents' eyes.

Northern Ballet's Swan Lake, Leeds Grand Theatre - 5th March 2016

I recently took my niece and her Nan to Northern Ballet's new production, Swan Lake, at the Leeds Grand Theatre.

Photo credit: Emma Kauldhar

(Accessed from  http://northernballet.com)

Here are my niece's thoughts on Swan Lake:

"It was beautiful.  The costumes were extremely elegant and the dancing was amazing.  The music set the mood for the perfect show x"

Similar sentiments are echoed with Northern Ballet's new production.  It is refreshing and liberating to base Tchaikovsky's extraordinary musical masterpiece on a modern story where one can relate to the emotions that fates bring.

The story is about Anthony, a young man, who is troubled by a tragedy in the past.  He is confused about how he feels for his best friends, Simon and Odila.  He seeks solace and comfort from Odette, who emerges from the lake as a mystical swan-like creature,

The production proves that Tchaikovsky's music is adaptable for many interpretations whether contemporary or tradition.  Dave Gillan's beautiful staging and Peter Mumford's lighting compliments the story told with excellent interpretation of characters from Jeremy Curnier (Anthony), Ashley Dixon (Simon), Rachael Gillespie (Odila) and Antoinette Brooks-Daw (Odette).  Under the ingenious and creative direction of the legendary David Nixon.

Northern Ballet as always delivers!

Loaded in Harrogate - 3rd March 2015, Harrogate Theatre

Image Credit: Antony Robling 

(accessed from http://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk)

Sun is Shining

Harrogate was voted as the sunniest place in the UK...

Going to the Promised Land

Harrogate was reported in the press the 'happiest place to live in Britain'.

Harrogate is perceived to be this typical English spa town to many visitors, particular to the wealthy who were originally drawn to the town's waters, and they are drawn to its cliches.

Loaded in Harrogate, however, tells a different a different story about the town's community. The production is a reworking of David Bown's 1999 award-winning comedy, Loaded.  The story is about three local mechanics who had enough of their wealthy Porsche clients' demands.  Following the sharp increase of armed robberies in the town centre, where cross border perpetrators who views Harrogate as 'a sort of "honey pot of riches"', the mechanics wanted to be part of the action.  Only for the trio to face hilarious and devastating consequences.  Carol (Sue Mitchell), a vulnerable partner of Pete (Andy Murton), and she is fighting her own battles in a place she considers being lonely and not belonging

Accompanied with localised references, local Indie and popular music (featuring Nina Simone's Here Comes the Sun, Black Ocean's Sick Inside and KLF's It's Grim Up North), Loaded in Harrogate is a dark comedy specially adapted for the town and explores what really matters and challenges existing perceptions.

Don't Take Your Guns into Town

Many in the audience no doubt relate to the relevant themes such as relationships, welfare, expectations and disappointments alongside insecurities and loneliness.  Loaded is figurative as well as physical.

Alexander Swarbrick's staging is sterile, serves its purpose and is used to the maximum effect.  It fits well with the play and its themes and this also compliments with the lighting. The backdrop video visuals are used for illustrating the town centre and its environs.  All is cleverly choreographed with the mentioned musical and local radio, Stray FM and courtesy of Alex Cann.  Appropriate creativity throughout are certainly well thought out and prepared.

Personal stories are shared among the characters whose struggles and disillusionment drives them to crime, violence and self destruction.  This powerful production certainly challenges existing perceptions of Harrogate and thought provokes.  The local talented cast of Lee Bainbridge, Keith Hukin, Andy Murton and Sue Mitchell portrays enthusiastically and excellently the fast paced play's stories.

A highly recommend production is playing at Harrogate Theatre until 12th March 2016.

Personal Thoughts: Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford - 27th February 2016

My lovely niece and I went to see Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty at Bradford's Alhambra theatre. I first saw the production there back in 2013! Loved it! You can read my personal thoughts here.

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty

My niece loved it too and thought it was dramatic.  Seeing it for the second time made me appreciate the key themes such as good versus evil, growing up and womanhood and rebirth.  The tale certainly fed multiple imaginations with an eclectic mix of fairies and vampires in decadent settings.  The 'Once Upon A Time' Sleeping Beauty once again showed Matthew Bourne's supreme innovation and reinvention of characters which some 'Lived Happily Ever After'.  It was a pleasure to see Cordelia Braithwaite starring as Aurora; Chris Trenfield as Leo; and Liam Mower as Carabosse/Caradoc.