I may have seen 32 shows at his year's Edinburgh festival but there are still plenty of good shows I missed. Since last August I have caught Linda Marlowe's " The World's Wife" and Simon Callow in "The Man From Stratford" and when I found out ( thank you Buzz Magazine") Kevin Eldon was touring " Titting About" I leapt into action.
In all five of us booked to see his first performance at the Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. However, the arrival of a lot of snow ensured I was the only one of my group to turn up. I rather hoped the show would be cancelled, but boy was I wrong.
I duly took my customary position in the front row ( why do peple avoid this great seat when watching a non-threatening comedian) to watch this sell-out, although the weather resulted in a few gaps in the audience.
The moment he arrived on stage we could relax as we were in the hands of a supreme performer. Kevin Eldon is mainly known as an actor and tonight predominantly appeared in character. From the poet Paul Hamilton to George Martin's voice being used by Hitler, interspersed with dramatic selections from his latest play ( allowing him to use to use his most famous attributes, his eyes, to hysterical effect), it was a master class in comic timing and subtlety. Not a moment was wasted, every gesture was there was a purpose and we all loved him for it. Considering this was his first stand-up and he is not known for his writing the quality of the material was breath-taking. Fortunately, for those who missed this event the two shows in Cardiff were recorded for future DVD release. If you see a grey, bearded gentleman, wearing wellies and laughing hysterically, it was me.
Thank you Mr Eldon. Any inconvenience suffered this evening was worth it!
Friday 31 December 2010
Sunday 5 December 2010
Silent Night - 2nd December 2010
Hijinx Theatre was created in 1981 to create theatre which is accessible, and entertaining for small communities. Odyssey Theatre was set up in 1999 for all adults including those with learning disabilities.
While people were preparing to head towards the main auditorium of the Millenium Centre to see " Mamma Mia" and know exactly what they would get, they missed a treat. Next door in the more intimate and nicely full Weston Studio Odyssey Theatre performed their latest offering "Silent Night."
Loosely based on how Austrian priest Father Joseph Mohr came to write this famous carol. The story centred on how a flood trapped the local villagers, the Finkels in a church. There arch enemies were the Amsels who later were forced to seek shelter in the church. Initially the old grudges ensured they remained at opposite ends of the hall but the discovery of a heavily pregnant woman and a love story between a woman and man from the rival factions ultimately ( as we always knew it would) helped to heal the rift.
Despite the above the story doesn't really matter. This was an hour spent in the company of performers and members of Meadowbank School and the Odyssey Theatre. In the real world some of the acting was basic but fortunately, once you entered the theatre you were in an old-fashioned nativity play. You were immediately greeted by impressive music from students of the Welsh College of Music and Drama playing and singing carols and Christmas songs.
The thrill of the evening was watching everyone involved thoroughly enjoying themselves and proving that theatre can and is available for all. Some of the set-pieces, villagers precariously staggering through treacherous conditions ( which ironically is what many of the audience would have endured on their journey tonight) the singing ( dramatic and both funny) taunts of the rival villagers, the near drowning scenes and the music were extremely well done.
The pantomime element wasn't ignored either with the audience involvement encouraged and I will never forget singing and signing " Ding Dong Merrily On High". A perfect pre-Christmas outing hitting the perfect balance between seasonal fun and making the always relevant message about communities getting on together.
While people were preparing to head towards the main auditorium of the Millenium Centre to see " Mamma Mia" and know exactly what they would get, they missed a treat. Next door in the more intimate and nicely full Weston Studio Odyssey Theatre performed their latest offering "Silent Night."
Loosely based on how Austrian priest Father Joseph Mohr came to write this famous carol. The story centred on how a flood trapped the local villagers, the Finkels in a church. There arch enemies were the Amsels who later were forced to seek shelter in the church. Initially the old grudges ensured they remained at opposite ends of the hall but the discovery of a heavily pregnant woman and a love story between a woman and man from the rival factions ultimately ( as we always knew it would) helped to heal the rift.
Despite the above the story doesn't really matter. This was an hour spent in the company of performers and members of Meadowbank School and the Odyssey Theatre. In the real world some of the acting was basic but fortunately, once you entered the theatre you were in an old-fashioned nativity play. You were immediately greeted by impressive music from students of the Welsh College of Music and Drama playing and singing carols and Christmas songs.
The thrill of the evening was watching everyone involved thoroughly enjoying themselves and proving that theatre can and is available for all. Some of the set-pieces, villagers precariously staggering through treacherous conditions ( which ironically is what many of the audience would have endured on their journey tonight) the singing ( dramatic and both funny) taunts of the rival villagers, the near drowning scenes and the music were extremely well done.
The pantomime element wasn't ignored either with the audience involvement encouraged and I will never forget singing and signing " Ding Dong Merrily On High". A perfect pre-Christmas outing hitting the perfect balance between seasonal fun and making the always relevant message about communities getting on together.
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