Before I started this I thought I’d pick a Top 3 for the year, this month has changed that idea, it’s going to have to be at least 5! And my first theatre trip for October could well be right at the top!
1st October – The Real Thing – The Old Vic – A Tom Stoppard play, I very nearly didn’t book this one! I’m so glad I did, James McArdle was brilliant as Henry, a playwright who galls in love with the wife of an actor in one of his plays
3rd October – MacBeth – Harold Pinter Theatre – This was one of those ‘must see’ productions with dynamic pricing – so hugely expensive for the most part. Thanks to the great group I’m in on Facebook – Families Who Love Theatre – I acted quickly and bought myself a so called restricted view ticket for £35! I’d really wanted to see David Tennant in the leading role. I have a few favourite theatres and rarely count this one as amongst that list, but wow they put on some amazing productions, albeit this was originally at The Donmar. My seat, was not a restricted view, yes there was a pillar but it didn’t block me from anything. The whole performance is experienced through headphones. I found that a little strange when the play started but it was so incredibly effective. The witches only appear in your ears for example and you can obviously hear the whistlers of Lord and Lady MacBeth as they go about their wicked ways. This was the 4th time I’d seen MacBeth, including Christopher Ecclestone in the lead role at the RSC in Stratford, this was the 1st time I truly understood the play. This could well be the Lord and Lady MacBeth of this generation. Cush Jumbo as DT’s co-conspirsator was outstanding. (84)
4th October – The Bridges of Madison County – Gallery Studio Theatre, Ipswich – My friend Cory and I discovered that we both love the Jason Robert Brown score for this musical and Cory set about finding a production. Ipswich is a 50 minute drive for me but quite a trek by train for him. It was worthwhile! We had a sublime dinner at The Arbor House close to the theatre and very much enjoyed this local production. So much so that we’ve booked to see Parade in November! (85)
7th October – Pride and Prejudice Sort Of – The Civic Theatre – Chelmsford – A local theatre but a West End production, an Olivier Award winning one at that! I’d seen this laugh out loud funny play at the Criterion in London and this production was every bit as good! 5 actors play every part in this comical re-telling of the classic story. ~We had an understudy on the night and she stepped into her multi roles perfectly! (86)
9th October – Coriolanus – The National Theatre – I’ve learnt to read a synopsis of Shakespeare’s work before I go and was glad I did in this case. A precis from the National site –
Unrivalled in the art of war, undefeated on the field of battle, Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest soldier. When a legendary victory brings the opportunity of high office, he is persuaded to stand for election. But while populist politicians tell the people what they want to hear, Coriolanus refuses to play the game. As Rome’s most celebrated warrior becomes its most dangerous enemy, the future of the city and its hero hang in the balance.
David Oyelowo played Coriolanus and he did not disappoint! I’m becoming more of a fan of our great bard as time goes on and will be looking forward to watching this one again when it comes onto National Theatre at Home. (87)
9th October – Juno & Paycock – Gielgud Theatre – I bought a ticket for this when they first appeared and paid far more than I normally would. A short description of the play from the theatre’s site –
Dublin, 1922, the Irish Civil War is tearing the nation apart. In the cauldron of the family’s tiny tenement flat, Juno Boyle, a beleaguered matriarch whose sharp wit is a survival tool, struggles to make ends meet and keep the family together. Her husband, ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle, fancies himself a ship’s commander but sails no further than the pub. When providence comes knocking with news of a great inheritance, could the family’s troubles finally fade away?
Poetic, poignant, and hilarious, JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK is a big-hearted, black-humoured, tragi-comic triumph that reflects on a mother’s resilience in the midst of life’s most trying moments.
An Irish classic – I felt that Jack Boyle would have bemefited from being played by an Irish actor – Mark Rylance had the strangest make up that almost made him look like a pantomime dame! I did not love his performance, while the description above mentions this being hilarious , I thought he hammed his part up way too much. J Smith-Cameron captured Juno far better for me, I enjoyed her portrayal of a mother with a tragedy coming. (88)
10th October – The Tallis Scholars – Cadogan Hall – This was a very different experience for me and I had no idea what to expect. What we heard was a perfect choral performance by a choir established over 5 decades. It was amusing to watch one member hit a tuning fork on her head before each song. Beautifully done, this is probably not one I’ll look to repeat. (89)
14th October – Julian Ovenden – Cadogan Hall – My friend Sheila and I had been to Chichester to watch this man in South Pacific and been b lower away, we then repeated the experience at Sadler’s Wells. Possibly better known as a straight actor with appearances in the likes of Foyle;s War and Downton Abbey, he has a long list of musical theatre credits to his name as well. With that in mind we might have expected an evening of musical theatre but he sang a selection of songs from his lifetime as he told his story, starting as a Choirboy at St Paul’s Cathedral. He had 3 guests, Louise Dearman who I’d been listening to on loop singing Meadowlark, a song I first heard at Cadogan Hall! She was followed by Lily Kerhoas who Julian accompanied on the piano. His final guest was his 15 year old son, who sang one of his own songs. Scott Frankel was on piano for Julian, a renowned Broadway composer the 2 obviously have a close friendship. This concert was a complete delight! This theatre goes onto my favourites list! (90)
17th October – The Real Thing – The Old Vic Theatre – A second viewing and I enjoyed it more if anything. (91)
23rd October – Roots – The Almeida Theatre – This was a 2 play day, but in the same theatre, 2 different plays with the same actors involved. A theatre friend had seen these 2 plays the other way round and she preferred Roots, I enjoyed this play, but I preferred Look Back in Anger. Roots is the story of Beattiue returning to her Norfolk home, bringing with her radical ideas taken on board from her new boyfriend. Morfyyd Clark played Beattie and was very engaging. The play had to be listened to very clearly as the dialect was a local one. (92)
23rd October – Look Back in Anger – The Almeida Theatre – an explanation from the Almeida site –
Jimmy Porter is frustrated by his post-war life running a local stall. Embittered by the disapproval of his wife Alison’s wealthier family and a world that has shut him out, he frequently spirals into fits of rage.One night, when Alison’s friend unexpectedly turns up at their home, this uneasy marriage descends further into freefall, with their friends left trying to keep the peace.
Former Almeida Resident Director Atri Banerjee (The Glass Menagerie) directs Billy Howle (The Perfect Couple) and Ellora Torchia (Midsommar) in a new production of John Osborne’s ground-breaking, furious play which, alongsideArnold Wesker’s Roots, changed British theatre forever. Now the mirror they held up to 1950s society is angled towards 2024, with the two plays running alongside each other in repertory for 11 weeks, as part of the Almeida’s Angry and Young season.
Jimmy is cvery clearly an angry ,an and some of this did make for uncomfortable viewing, Billy Howle was excellent and Morffyd Clark appeared as Alsion’s friend, this time playing a well to do lady. Her versatility was amazing. Indira Varma was in the audience, I wonder if the cast knew? Maimuna Memon was also there, I was pleased to be able to tell her how amazing I think she is! (93)
24th October – A Tupperware of Ashes – The National Theatre – Another play that means my favourite list is definitely going to need to grow. A precision from the NT website –
An ambitious Michelin-Star chef, Queenie is used to having the last word. But when her children notice gaps in her memory and her grip on reality loosening, they are faced with an impossible choice. As Raj, Gopal and Kamala battle to reconcile their life-long duty to their mother, the ramifications of their decision take on a heartbreaking permanence.
Tanika Gupta (A Doll’s House, Lyric Hammersmith) and Pooja Ghai (Artistic Director of Tamasha Theatre Company) reunite for their latest collaboration, following the critically acclaimed The Empress.
Meera Syal is Queenie in this vivid and heart-breaking family drama about life, immigration and the Indian spiritual cycle of death and rebirth.
This is an amazing play, it made me laugh and cry, Meera Syalm was brilliant in portraying the awful condition that is Alzheimers. Yet the play managed to make the audience laugh too. (95)
27th October – Lee Mead and Friends – The Palace Theatre – Southend. I really didn’t know what we were going to be seeing, I thought it would be Lee Mead with Kerry Ellis for one, making an appearance. What it was, was a fund raising event for the Mushroom Theatre Company and Equal People Performing Arts. My friend Sheila and I had driven down to Southend after watching Saracens Women play, and win, happily. We were both delighted with this production! We were treated to some excellent Dance numbers with ages from, I’d say 3 up. There were some very imaginative performances and it was clear to see how caring everyone on the stage was. We did have Lee Mead singing at various times, and I love his voice! This is a place he went to as a teenager and he’s now a Patron of the Charity. We also had the quite fabulous Henry singing 3 songs, he was just amazing! And had a standing ovation as he sang in Lee’s Technicolour Dreamcoat – there were plenty of tears, but in a good way! Their website address is here – https://mushroomtheatre.co.uk (96)
Favourite Musical Performance – I didn’t see a musical as such in October, but wow I saw some great singing performances! Julian Ovenden was wonderful and Henry has to have a special mention!
Favourite Dramatic Performance – It has to be both Lord and Lady MacBeth – David Tennant and Ciush Jumbo, but I’m going to have to include Meera Syal too!
365 Happy Days 