We Will Rock You Tour – Edinburgh Playhouse – 29 November 2011

Although originally premiered in 2002 some 9 years ago this jukebox musical created as a fusion of the music of rock legends Queen and the book written by comedian and author Ben Elton does not seem to date in anyway. In fact the opening night in Edinburgh, some twenty years after the death of Freddie Mercury seems as up to date as up to date as the daily newspaper.

Set sometime in the future on the Planet Mall, once known as Earth, where the whole planet is under the control of Globalsoft and live music has been banned and replaced with auto tuned digital recordings that are all under the control of the Killer Queen, played by Ashley J Russell and he evil second in command Commander Khashoggi, Rhydian Roberts.

Old Timer Pop, former Corrie & Eastenders favourite Ian Reddington opens proceedings setting the scene prior to the extravaganza of high tech high energy production really kicks into life.

The underground Bohemians, the rebels who want ‘real music’ are led by Britney Spears, Leon Lopez, and Meat, local girl Jenny Douglas as they seek the Dreamer, the shining light to lead them and could it be that Galilleo, Noel Sullivan, and feisty ‘rock chick’ girlfriend Scaramouche, Amanda Coutts, are they saviours they are looking for?

The ensemble cast playing Gaga girls, Bohemians, Yuppies are colourfully attired and perform with verve and style giving a solid support structure to the ‘names’ and their dance routines are tight and well staged.

The set is as always quite hi-tec and works well, and of course the lighting plot and LCD graphics enhance what is already a great production.

But of course for most it is the music that is king, or should that be queen? The band of eight under, the leadership of Jim Henson is the real structure that the show hangs on, and they are obviously first class. It was also pleasing to see them coming forward to collect much merited applause, something that doesn’t happen enough in my opinion.

All the vocals are very good but for me the stand-out performance came from Jenny Douglas as Meat. This youngster proved she could sing in TV’s ‘Over The Rainbow’ and in what is her theatre debut on this tour her potential is being realised. There is not much of her in stature, but my goodness most of it must be talent and charisma.

When this musical was initially staged it got somewhat panned by the critics but it has obviously been taken to the publics heart as it is probably even more popular today as it was back then. I know ticket sales, even in these austere times are doing well for the Edinburgh run, but if you are quick you may still be lucky. Check out either the WWRY website http://www.wewillrockyou.co.uk or the Edinburgh Playhouse site http://www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk for details. The show runs there until 7 January 2012

Reviewed by Geoff

Ed Byrne – Crowd Pleaser – DVD Release

If ever there is an apt description of Ed Byrne then in my opinion the title of this DVD sums it up succinctly. Crowd Pleaser is what he is for sure,
Now I saw an early version of what this tour became way back in October 2010 when it was still a ‘work in progress’ albeit an exceptional quality one and subsequently saw the finished article in April when he visited Dunfermline, again to a sell out show, as part of his enormous tour. This DVD was recorded at his Newcastle gig shortly after that.
From the onset till he finishes some 80 minutes later he never fails to deliver what the audience want, that being top draw observational comedy in his own inimitable style and surely one of the very best stand-up’s currently around.
Some other comedians DVD performances I have seen seem to be slightly remote like they are on TV, but the feeling I got from watching this was that I was actually part of the Newcastle City Hall audience. Byrne is, as he always has been, a top quality observational comedian, and an engaging personality too. His material as always is well constructed and superbly delivered, yet with the odd foray into audience chat proves he can riff with the best of them too. His material is wide and varied, I especially liked the segments about his newly born son and the family’s adopted cat, but in truth there was not any weak points, as those of you who saw the tour will know.
Now no doubt there will be numerous comedy DVD’s available this Christmas so the selection will be difficult. Let me make it easier for you, if you are only buying one then buy this one, if you are buying more, then buy this one and something else too. And don’t watch the Queen after Christmas dinner. Hell no! Watch Ed Byrne because as it says on the tin he is a real Crowd Pleaser.

DVD released on 28 November available from all good stores and Amazon

Bill Bailey:- Dandelion Mind – Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline

It was way back in the aeons of time, circa mid 90’s, that I first saw Bill Bailey who at the time was half of the Rubber Bishops and ear marked him as one to watch for the future. It was obvious that I was not alone in my opinion as his star has been on the perennial rise ever since.
Numerous TV shows, radio performances, movie appearances and of course major comedy tours have kept this West Country born comedian always in the public eye, selling out night after night wherever he plays.
The sell-out house was all primed and ready for the evenings entertainment and this versatile entertainers entrance was keenly anticipated.
Of course it was obviously Bailey the stand-up that was on view on the night and from his initial burst onto the stage till his departure more than two house later his blend of intellectual, if sometimes slightly surreal, occasionally rambling material interspersed with his love of music and an undoubted ability to play the more conventional guitars, keyboards and high speed bouzouki together with the infinitely more obscure Iranian Oud to the Tenori-on, an electronic gizmo that translates light patterns into sound melded into a night of undoubted joy for those fortunate enough to have got a ticket.
Bailey has the ability to draw laughs from the more complex ramblings, but also the silly one liners, his material is as always well written and immaculately performed as once would expect from an artiste of his standing, and if you have never seen him perform live, then take the chance by checking out his website http://www.billbailey.co.uk for those dates that remain on his current tour.
You could also check out the Alhambra website too, http://www.alhambradunfermline.com to see the diverse range of entertainment that is provided at this top quality venue.

one4review would like to express thanks to Jim Yorkston for the kind use of his superb images
Reviewed by Geoff

Chess – Limelight Productions – Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline

It is not often that a musical as complex as Chess is performed by an amateur company, probably because of the demands made on the cast and company by the show. But then it is not so often that there is an amateur company with the gravitas of Limelight Productions around.

Originally staged in 1986  in London’sWest End, this musical written by Tim Rice, Bjorn Alvaeus and Benny Andersson, the latter two of Abba fame, is it in the world of international chess during the cold war period. It features all the point scoring and underhand dealings that go on away from the game itself as probably the manipulation of the principals is more relevant than the game itself.

This musical has had various rewrites over the years, but what has not changed so much is the quality, or the demands, of the songs written by the aforementioned trio.

Limelight Productions have always been blessed with a seemingly endless pool of quality singers to choose from, it must be so difficult to cast each show with such depth available, but the seven principals of this production are more than equal to the task.

Act One, set in Merano Italy pits defending American champion Freddie Trumper, Bobby Mitchell, against Russian challenger Anatoly Sergievsky, Ian Hammond-Brown, with all the others, Freddie’s second Florence Vassey, Kate Haley, Anatoly’s wife Svetlana, Suzy Burnett, The Arbiter, Darren Niven, Russian delegation leader Molokov, Michael McFarlane and American TV exec and maybe CIA agent Walter, Mark Grieve, manipulating the situation like grand masters themselves.

Act Two, a year later, now in Bangkok sees the main protagonists still actively involved, okay with some role differences, plotting their moves as before all culminating towards the final endgame.

Add to these seven, there are an enormous number of equally important and talented performers as the ensemble and dancers also. In excess of thirty if I counted right, and an onstage choir numbering at least twenty so you can see the magnitude of the production that was undertaken by this group.

Somehow director Bobby Mitchell, ably assisted by Graeme Sharpe, and the choreography team of Laura McFadden and Darren Niven, using all their experience managed to get them all on and off stage with the minimum of fuss and drew fine performances and routines as the show demands.

For me the quality of the music is the hook the whole show was hung on and the band provided a top-notch bed for these classic songs such as One Night in Bangkok, I know him so Well, Anthem and Pity the Child to be performed over, and under the musical direction of Paul Gudgin and Jean Davis they all performed to the standard I now expect from this company’s shows.

The lighting design and plot delivered some interesting scenarios, and apart from the occasional early mic glitch the sound delivery through out was spot on.

I feel personally that Chess has never received the acclaim it truly deserves and was delighted with this performance. They should be rightly proud of themselves.

So go on, if you live in the Dunfermline area  and enjoy top quality theatrical experiences then get yourself along to the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline either Friday 7 or Saturday 8 October prior to 19-15 each night and grab a ticket, there maybe some left, but hurry.

Reviewed by Geoff

Edinburgh Tonight with Joe Simmons and Lorraine Chase

3 stars
***
7th August show.

These ‘Best of’ shows are hard, hard work. I did it myself a few years ago and hats off to the team for bringing Edinburgh Tonight back again this year. I appreciate just how hard it is to keep bringing in quality (or not) acts to do their ‘slot’ and have the utmost respect for what goes into putting these shows on.

As every night is different it’s so hard to judge ‘this show’ without taking into account all the acts which are participating but it’s worth mentioning a few things. It started in the queue, overhearing a comment “…but I’ve no idea who Joe Simmons is”. Fair enough, neither did I! He’s Butch from ‘Topping and Butch’ who I have actually heard of – but I didn’t put the two together without reading the blurb.

The show starts with what must be the cheesiest, most self-indulgent opening ever and is completely unnecessary. Also unnecessary, I’m afraid, is Topping on the keyboard doing odd fills. It’s just not needed, takes up time and valuable space on the small stage. Sorry!

Anyway, despite many not knowing who he is, Joe’s a good host, likeable, presentable, funny and works hard. Lorraine Chase however is incredibly ditsy and kept forgetting to use her mic (which she needs as she’s so quiet). The whole thing seemed so rushed and yet ran 15 minutes over.

There was also no sign of Kate Copstick and even though the acts were giving away tickets, the audience were mainly reluctant to take them. Other shows further into the run will no doubt be slicker etc. but for me, tonight, only 3/5 I’m afraid.

Review by Alan.

SpaceCabaret @ 54 (Carlton Hotel)

9th-27th August (not 15th or 22nd).

16:50-17:45.

Inventions Going Bang!

*** 3 Stars.

A science show at the Festival? Well yes, and a fun one too! There were plenty of experiments, smoke, fire and audience participation. This was an educational journey with some interesting facts slipped in there for all to benefit from, Marty Jopson is an engaging host who clearly loves what he does and is easy with the audience creating no shortage of volunteers for his experiments.

This is in the Fringe programme as a PG rating but in my opinion, this would benefit with an age guide of 7+, as although the experiments both delighted and amused all of those present, I felt that the younger ones struggled a bit to remain fully switched on to the theory side of the show and at times was a bit classroom like. That said though, the practical side to the science brought everyone back and I would say that it was an enjoyable experience with a terrific finale (which is still being talked about!) and if there are older children in the family then this is worth a visit.

Reviewed by Kath.

Assembly George Square.

August 3rd- 21 (not 15th)

Fringe Programme page 23

Cabaret Whore – More! More! More!

5 Stars *****

Sarah-Louise Young may be very talented lady but I bet she is hell to know. Why? She is a charming, attractive lady who has performing talent oozing out of every pore; I just wonder who the real Sarah-Louise is?  Because when she performs the four characters in her show she just becomes them. And there are even more in her repertoire than were with us today. So how would you know which one was turning up?

Having been a mega star on the Laughing Horse Free Festival for the last two years she has transferred to the Underbelly for Fringe 2011 and the quality has come with her in style.

Greeting her audience as Bernie St. Clair a somewhat fading musical star of a certain age she wows the packed audience with show style numbers, prior to morphing into Kasia a lycra clad Eastern European performance artiste with her trusted ukulele as her only friend.

The extremely needy, former child star Baby Doll with her side-kick Dolly the doll was the next manifestation of the talented performer’s mind, and  a new one for me. Like the others however was totally believable as Ms Young became her.

The finale the scary personification was La Poule Plombee, a tortured French compatriot of Piaf’s, although there is no love lost there!! This knife wielding chartreuse is possible the piece de resistance and went down so well with the crowd an encore was demanded.

Even with this the audience were not satisfied and like the title wanted More More More and who could blame them. I only have 5 stars to award any show unfortunately, ‘cause I’d like to award her more, more, more, but I can’t!!!

 Reviewed by Geoff

Venue 61

Underbelly Belly Dancer

4 to 28 (not 17)

16:55-17:55

Fringe Brochure P 9