27/08/2023 by Peter Viney
Follow the link to the review of DR SEMMELWEISS (LINK) now in London’s West End, starring Mark Rylance who co-wrote it. A giddying blend of drama, dance and music, with a fascinating story of 19th century medicine and the simple discovery that hand washing by doctors greatly reduced childbed fever deaths.
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18/08/2023 by Peter Viney
Follow the link for my review of ROCK FOLLIES at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre. The original 1976 / 1977 TV series was highly influential. The new stage musical covers both series, and like the original series, relies on three outstanding actors for the lead parts, Carly Bawden, Zizi Strallen and Angela Marie Hurst. The music is the same, by Roxy Music’s Andy Mackay. It was full today. It might be hard to get in, but I’m sure it will go on to London. We loved every minute.
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11/08/2023 by Peter Viney
HMV His Master’s Voice is a new and large section under Record Labels, EMI Group at my AROUND AND AROUND website. One of the oldest and most prestigious record labels gets a deservedly long and heavily illustrated article. The word ‘eclectic’ doesn’t begin to cover the label.
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A long and major review of a major event. JOHN WETTON: AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE (link to review here) Twenty great rock musicians, ably accompanied by an ever-changing group of kids from the Paul Green Academy of Rock participated in this streamed event. It’s streaming for another two weeks too.
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01/08/2023 by Peter Viney
Off to Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour last night to see the Brownsea Open Air Theatre in ROMEO & JULIET (Follow link to the review). It’s sold out for the run, but you may find the review interesting on Open Air Theatre and AmDram in general.
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30/07/2023 by Peter Viney
The second play at Stratford-Upon-Avon was THE EMPRESS by Tanika Gupta (follow link to the full review), returning for its 10th anniversary at the Swan Theatre. This story has three threads, one fictional, the other two based on fact. It was easily the best play of our weekend visit. The Royal Shakespeare Company did a superb production. There’s plenty to think about.
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30/07/2023 by Peter Viney
Review added of AS YOU LIKE IT at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford– follow the link to the review. This production imagines past actors from a 1978 production meeting in a rehearsal room to re-enact the roles they played in their youth. Starring Geraldine James as Rosalind. Conceptually interesting, but does it work? See the review.
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21/07/2023 by Peter Viney
Review of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC (follow this link). It’s this year’s Chichester Festival Theatre’s featured musical, and every year they come up with a five star one. They’ve done it again. Gina Beck is a fabulous Maria (better than Julie Andrews even for me). The production is stunning. The 14 piece orchestra soar. Try and get to see it.
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16/07/2023 by Peter Viney
The second Shakespeare’s Globe play was A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (follow link to review). My favourite Shakespeare play and the one I’ve reviewed most often. It’s on for a long run this year and definitely one to see. While I’ve seen better over fifty years of watching the play, I doubt you’ll see better in 2023.
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16/07/2023 by Peter Viney
The first review of a weekend of Shakespeare’s Globe comedy, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (follow link to review) A very lively, very funny version of the play which the audience loved, though I have a couple of criticisms too. Still a great entertainment and running to the end of the month, and of course if you don’t mind standing you can always get in to the Globe.
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