Carousel - Bloggers Event, Leeds

For someone who loves musicals and musical theatre as much as I do, the opportunity to attend the sitzprobe for Opera North’s forthcoming production of Carousel was one not to be missed.

Carousel was the second stage musical written by the collaborative team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein which premiered in 1945 and tells the story of Carousel barker Billy Bigelow and his romance with millworker Julie Jordan. Their romance costs them both their jobs and in attempt to provide for Julie and their unborn child, Billy gets involved in a robbery which ends disastrously. However, Billy is given the opportunity for just one day to go back and make amends for the mistakes he made in his life.

I am familiar with the musical having seen the 1956 film version starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Like many of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, this one is filled with incredible songs, including the beautiful love song “If I Loved You”, the upbeat “June is Busting out all over”  and the heart wrenching “You’ll Never Walk Alone” which will be familiar to many as the adopted anthem of a certain UK football team. This is probably the most iconic song from the musical and although it is sung at the most tragic moment in the show, it is nevertheless an uplifting and inspiring piece and is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye.

Having arrived at Leeds Grand Theatre, the home of Opera North, my fellow bloggers and I were introduced to Julia Gregg and Hannah Stockton from the press office along with other staff members from Opera North. We were shown pictures of the stage and set design as well as the costumes some of the cast would be wearing. We also had the opportunity to meet Opera North’s chorus master Timothy Burke who explained about the rehearsal process and the sitzprobe we would be seeing that day.

Whilst the orchestra and cast had been in rehearsals for a few weeks now, sitzprobe (literally translated as seated rehearsal) refers to when the orchestra and cast come together to rehearse. The sitzprobe was to be held in the Howard Assembly Room, a large and spacious hall which had excellent acoustics and from our seats in the balcony area afforded us a great view of the orchestra, the chorus and the principle singers. Tim had explained to us that whilst opera singers usually sing without microphones, they would be singing the musical wearing hidden mics usually concealed in their hair. During rehearsals though, they were without microphones and he said this would explain why they may not sound as loud. Tim’s job is to rehearse the chorus and singers but during the sitzprobe they are conducted by the orchestra director with Tim on hand to make notes of any changes to the score or where extra rehearsing might be needed.

It was quite thrilling to be sat with my fellow bloggers and get a preview of the show we would be seeing when it opens in just under 2 weeks time.  Whilst we did not see the entire rehearsal, we did get to hear the carousel waltz and the lively and catching June is Busting out all Over. The music was incredible and there were times when I could feel myself swaying along in time to the music. I think there was also more than just myself that left sitzprobe that day singing “June is Busting Out all Over”.The whole afternoon was quite insightful and I felt really privileged to have been able to attend and get a sneak peek behind the scenes. I felt that the whole experience gave me a deeper appreciation of the hard work that goes into putting on a show and will add to my enjoyment of seeing the show in its entirety.

If the taster we had of Carousel at the sitzprobe is anything to go by then the show is going to be sensational. Not only is it an incredible score but the fact that you have opera singers (and chorus) performing the numbers adds an extra special quality to the performance. The richness in their voices really compliments the lyrics and overall tone of the pieces performed and brings out the emotion in the more poignant songs.

Carousel will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from 2nd May – 19th May before moving to The Lowry at
Salford Quays 23rd-26th May and then The Barbican centre London 15th Aug – 15th Sep. It is also set for a run at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris in 2013 (which my friend Nick Garrett will be appearing in!)

For more information on Opera North’s production of Carousel and to book tickets go to http://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/carousel

Look out for my next blog when I shall be reviewing the entire show after attending the press night on 5th May.

Review - Henry V (Propeller Theatre)

If the thought of going to see a play by William Shakespeare fills you with the same amount of excitement as a visit to the dentist for root canal work, then you clearly haven’t seen it performed by Propeller Theatre Company.


Their all-male cast present Shakespeare in such a way, that each play is given an innovative and contemporary setting but without tainting the original text and its intricate and eloquent language. Never more so was this the case than in their current production of Henry V which is charged with machismo, emphasizing physical strength, aggression and courage – quite fitting when telling the tale of one of the greatest leaders and warriors in English history and at a time when there is much attention on our troops serving abroad in Afghanistan. The sight of so many men in uniform – all extremely physically fit following their military fitness training was also enough to appeal to all of the females in the audience too!

Henry V has proven to be very popular in the past with many great actors playing the title role including Sir Richard Burton, Sir Laurence Olivier and more recently Kenneth Branagh. With such acting giants as these previously playing the title role it might have been tempting to copy some of their qualities but Propeller, in their own inimitable style have produced a Henry V unlike any other. Not only do you get superb performances in the acting, but this cast also sing and play their own musical accompaniments - and move the scenery as they go!

The staging was cleverly done, making full use of every inch of the performance area and using several props repeatedly for different scenes. I particularly liked the use of large crate lids which became the ramps on the landing crafts – reminiscent of the beach landings in Normandy during World War 2. Several scenes were visually dramatic including the fight scenes when the stage was filled with smoke and flashing light but also in the more sombre scenes when just a torch or a flame lit the actors face. The music also played a huge part in this production whether performed on or off stage to compliment the many soliloquies. Written and arranged by cast members Gunnar Cauthery and Nicholas Asbury, the harmonies were exquisite and rousing which really helped to bring out the various emotions of the play. There were also occasions when the music helped to introduce some of the lighter hearted moments of the play and my only disappointment was that we didn't get a singing performance in the interval as had been done in previous years.

The whole ensemble worked brilliantly together, a true band of brothers from which you felt a great sense of camaraderie between them. Several members of the cast played more than one part which often required a quick change of costume (and character) in the wings but was achieved with a seamless ease. There were many standout performances including; John Dougall as the French King and Duke of York, Karl Davies as “the boy” and Princess Katherine - forming an amusing sort of double act with Chris Myles as lady in waiting Alice and Tony Bell as always adding some light hearted moments in his portrayal of Mistress Quickly and Fluellen (with a brilliant welsh accent)


Dugald Bruce-Lockhart added a new dimension to King Henry in that as well as being an inspiring leader and military hero, you also saw a softer more vulnerable side when seeking the approval of his men and when mourning the dead. His delivery of the famous St. Crispin’s day speech came across as heartfelt and sincere as well as  quietly inspiring. Whilst other actors in the past have tended almost to shout out this speech as if addressing the entire audience as their troop, Dugald addressed his “happy few” in a much more sombre and quieter tone which made it feel more personal as though addressing a friend or brother and yet also gave a sense of the nervous anticipation felt at the thought of the impending battle. He also showed a great variety of emotion when seeing “the boy” dead, his sadness turned to anger and then when hearing of the number dead  a softer, humbler side as he declared that God had fought with them that day. There was also an irresistible, boyish sort of charm about him as he set about wooing Katherine which made his character even more likeable and appealing.

Propeller knows how to push the boundaries without going too far and without detracting from the original text. If you’ve never had much time for the works of Shakespeare before, then seeing them perform will change your whole perception of them.

For more details of the Propeller Theatre Company and their current tour of Henry V and The Winter’s Tale go to http://propeller.org.uk/home

Review - Behind the Scenes at the Hepworth Gallery

They say that Art is subjective in that it will mean something different to each person, indeed, ask several people how they would define art and you are likely to get many different definitions.

Art is not a subject I would claim to know a lot about, I have always enjoyed visiting art galleries and can remember being introduced to the works of Rembrandt and Van Gogh around the age of eight. I studied the Pre-Raphaelite era as part of my degree through the Open University and have always had a fondness for the Impressionist painters and what I guess might be termed traditional or classical art. When looking at paintings I like the kind that draws you into it and makes you feel part of the scene and I enjoy learning not just about the piece of art itself but the story behind it.

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a bloggers event at the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield for a behind the scenes glimpse of their forthcoming exhibition which opens 11^th February. I am ashamed to say that despite living in Wakefield for many years I had not visited the gallery since it opened in 2011. This visit therefore was a chance not just to see the gallery but also to learn more about their latest exhibition.

We were warmly welcomed by several of the curators and Simon Wallis, the director of the Hepworth Gallery. He spoke to us about the vision behind the gallery in encouraging the people of Yorkshire to embrace the arts and how they were trying to make art more accessible to people of all ages. Since its opening just 8 months ago the Hepworth Gallery has received some 385,000 visitors which is no small feat when you consider its location and the fact that all of these visitors are intentional rather than just passersby. The information in my press kit also told me that the gallery has already won several awards including The British Design Awards 2012  - Best Architectural Achievement and winner of the Conde Nast Travellers Award 2011 – Culture. It has also been nominated for the Art Fund Prize which if successful would not only afford them the prestigious title of Museum of the Year but also £100,000. For more details on this award and to vote for the Hepworth Gallery www.artfundprize.org.uk  

I was suitably impressed with the building which is very light and airy. The plain walls meant that you concentrated more on the art rather than being distracted by the decor and it complimented the art and sculptures on display, both being contemporary in design.

The new exhibition features the work of four contemporary artists; Ben Rivers, David Thorpe and Heather and Ivan Morison – using film, sculpture and installation and performance to explore our relationship to nature in the first of a series of spring exhibitions.

Knowing that the works on display were going to be of a contemporary nature, I was concerned that I wouldn’t fully understand the pieces or appreciate what the artist was trying to convey. I envisaged an Emperor’s new clothes scenario with everyone else looking on in great admiration whilst I just saw the bare materials. I was relieved therefore that we had the assistance of several curators and also two of the artists to explain their work and the inspiration behind it. As this was a behind the scenes look at the Preview, the galleries were still in the process of setting up the exhibitions which gave us the opportunity to see just how much work goes in to the opening.

The first exhibition we saw was the exhibition by David Thorpe which I liked immensely as it reminded me of William Morris and John Ruskin whose works I am familiar with. What I found interesting about the work on display was that David uses mediaeval techniques to create his work rather than mechanically mass produce it. Every piece is therefore done by hand including carving, leather cutting and painting. The exhibition includes two watercolours A Necessary Life (2011) and Revived Pattern (2010) and three sculptures Private Lives, Quiet Lives and The Collaborator (all 2010). I liked the detail of the leaves and berries and the intricacies of the carving and cutting but also enjoyed hearing how the underlying theme was that of a shield or defence. Whilst the installation of all the pieces was not quite complete it looked to be a very interesting and thought provoking exhibition.

The Collborator - David Thorpe

The next gallery we visited had been blacked out in order to showcase the award winning film made by Ben Rivers  - Slow Action. When the curator described the film as a post apocalyptic science fiction film I began to wonder just exactly what we would be seeing. The film was produced on 16mm film reel and is a combination of documentary, fiction and ethnographic study -  narrated by American writer Mark von Schlegell.

Ben was on hand to explain that the piece had been commissioned for Darwin’s 200^th anniversary by Picture This who are based in Bristol. He had started his research into the project by rereading some of Darwin’s better known publications such as Voyage of the Beagle and The Descent of Man. Ben’s idea was to show how islands’ biogeographys evolve differently when isolated and surrounded by unusual habitats. Based on a concept of Earth sometime in the future when sea levels have risen creating utopias that appear as future mini societies. For his film Ben travelled to the islands of Lanzarote, a popular island known for its beach resorts and yet one of the driest places on the planet; Gunkanjima, an island off the coast of Nagasaki containing a deserted city built on the rocks and formerly the home to thousands of families mining its reserves; Tuvalu, a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; and Somerset a fictitious island.

Whilst we did get the chance to view some of the film footage, they were still in the process of setting up the wireless headphones and sound system so we were unable to hear any of the accompanying narration. Some of the scenes on the film looked incredible but it was hard to fully appreciate it without the sound and so I am determined to go back and visit the exhibition again in order to get the full effect. It was interesting though to meet the artist and to hear about his inspiration for the piece and the work involved in putting it together.

The final exhibit was by Heather and Ivan Morison whose work also includes a large sized sculpture of a black cloud which is located in the grounds of the Hepworth Gallery. In their latest work, they use objects, puppets and narration to present a piece of object theatre that tells the tale of love in foreboding times. It is based on the life and works of British Novelist Anna Kavan.

This was perhaps the exhibition that I found the hardest to identify with despite the explanations from the curator. Whilst I did admire the craftsmanship used in many of the objects and the materials they used, I found it hard to fully understand what was being portrayed. Admittedly this exhibition was also still being put together and so many parts of it were as yet unfinished but hopefully when it is completed it will be easier to comprehend and appreciate.

Overall I had a very enjoyable evening and gained a fascinating insight into the work of the gallery and that of the individual artists; what inspires them and how they go about their creative process. If you haven’t already been to the Hepworth Gallery, I would recommend a visit – especially during this upcoming exhibition – or during the half term holidays when they are holding special events for children.

I would like to thank the staff at the Hepworth Gallery for the opportunity to attend this behind the scenes preview and also Emma Bearman for organising this event with them .

 For more information about the Hepworth Gallery and its forthcoming exhibitions  http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/

Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/HepworthGallery or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheHepworthWakefield

Review - The Winter's Tale (Propeller Theatre Group)

King Leontes seems to have it all; a son and heir (Mamillus) upon whom he dotes, a loving and adored Queen (Hermione) who is pregnant with their second child and a lifelong friend in King Polixenes. The beginning of the play is the” Happy Ever After” that so many stories conclude with except that in this instance, eternal happiness is short lived and the overall theme of the play is rather melancholic. King Leontes driven by some sort of mad jealousy begins to suspect his wife and friend of having an affair and his obsession with this sees him lose everything he once held dear; his son dies, his friend flees and his wife dies shortly after giving birth to their daughter. From this point, we watch how the characters rebuild their lives and how time plays a great part in the healing process.

Hermione’s daughter Perdita is abandoned in the wilds of Bohemia (by Antigonus who himself is killed by a bear) and is discovered by a kind Shepherd who raises her as his own daughter. Sixteen years pass and we see Perdita, now a young lady in love with Polixenes’ son Florizel. Polixenes on discovering his son’s romance with a shepherd’s daughter objects to their relationship and the pair flee to Sicilia - back to Perdita’s own country. Here we find that time has done much for Leontes who has repented of his earlier jealousies and is looking to make amends. Haunted by the memory of his son, who appears as a ghostly reminder in many scenes, he mourned the death of his wife and son every day and had ordered a statue to be erected in memory of Hermione. Eventually he is reunited with his daughter, her fiancée and his old friend Polixenes and upon visiting the memorial statue, discovers that his own wife Hermione did not die but had been hidden away for the last 16yrs. Their reunion is a happy one, but still we are reminded that not all ends well as we remember the death of Mamillus and Antigonus.

Ed Hall’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale was both touching and humorous and held the attention of the audience from start to finish. Even the weather outside seemed to pay a fitting tribute to the title of the piece. The staging whilst simplistic and minimal complimented the mood of each scene perfectly and the accompanying music cleverly arranged and superbly performed. The use of crystal glasses being played by the cast during the more sombre scenes added a very eerie but intensifying quality to them.

There were great performances from Robert Hands who portrayed Leontes’ downward spiral into despair and misery with such credibility and Richard Dempsey who gave Hermione gentle nobility and elegant dignity that you could not help but be drawn to their characters. Karl Davies provided some light hearted moments as the young and lovable shepherd but it was the incomparable Tony Bell who stole the show during these moments as the comical villain and con man Autolycus. His portrayal of Autolycus as a combination of Fagin and aging rock god as he stole from all the other characters had the audience in fits of laughter. Indeed it seemed that following on from last year’s performances, Tony was on a mission to have his character act even more outrageously than before – something which he accomplished with great ease and flair!

The whole ensemble is brilliantly cast and at times you forgot that the female roles where being played by men. The way the actors moved and gesticulated were so perfectly tuned you looked more at the character than the person portraying them.

Whilst the overall tone and theme of the play is rather melancholic, it is nonetheless entertaining and enjoyable. Propeller’s production of Shakespeare is both contemporary and traditional and appeals to and captivates its audience on many levels.

This is the third production by Propeller that I have seen and I have enjoyed each one for different reasons. Whilst The Winter’s Tale is not one of my favourite pieces by Shakespeare it was nevertheless compelling and entertaining and this production went a long way in improving my opinion of the play. I loved that the play contained a balance of comedy and tragedy as it emphasized the dichotomy of emotion in each scene and made it more captivating and enjoyable.

Propeller is currently on tour with The Winter’s Tale and Henry V. For more information on tour dates, http://propeller.org.uk/current-productions/henry-v-and-the-winters-tale/tour-details

This is Your Life!

Shakespeare once wrote “All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances and one man in his time plays many parts.” (As You Like It)


Many years ago, there used to be a television show in England called This Is Your Life. The host  would surprise a celebrity; take them to a TV studio and in front of an audience read through the highlights of their life. Throughout the show, people who had played a part in this person’s life would be brought out to meet them, reminisce of the old times and provide interesting anecdotes about the person. The show always concluded with the host presenting the person with a big red book and uttering the immortal words “This is Your Life”.

My friend Jillian recently asked when her life became like a movie and this started me thinking. If our lives were to be compared with a movie, or indeed a play or a book, what would our story be? Would it be a comedy, a tragedy, a thriller, a romance or a story of inspiration, courage and triumph over adversity? In our lifetime we will get to play many different roles; child, sibling, parent, aunt or uncle, employee, grandparent, friend – the list is endless, but when the day comes that we look back on an account of our lives, what will the title of our story be?


As a fan of Shakespeare’s works, I amused myself by wondering which of his works would most accurately describe my own life. Would it be Much Ado about Nothing, which whilst once of my favourite plays, is not, I hope going to be the sum total of my life. Would it be A Comedy of Errors, which does seem to reflect a lot of how my life has been – although not always so comical. At the very least, I concluded I hoped it would be a case of All’s Well That Ends Well.....my own sort of happily ever after ending.


....”Aren’t those wonderful words to begin a story? “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”
Isn’t that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?
For a moment, think back about your favourite fairy tale. In that story the main character may be a princess or a peasant; she might be a mermaid or a milkmaid, a ruler or a servant. You will find one thing all have in common: they must overcome adversity.
Cinderella has to endure her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She is compelled to suffer long hours of servitude and ridicule.
In “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle becomes a captive to a frightful-looking beast in order to save her father. She sacrifices her home and family, all she holds dear, to spend several months in the beast’s castle.
In the tale “Rumpelstiltskin,” a poor miller promises the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king immediately sends for her and locks her in a room with a mound of straw and a spinning wheel. Later in the story she faces the danger of losing her firstborn child unless she can guess the name of the magical creature who helped her in this impossible task.
In each of these stories, Cinderella, Belle, and the miller’s daughter have to experience sadness and trial before they can reach their “happily ever after.” Think about it. Has there ever been a person who did not have to go through his or her own dark valley of temptation, trial, and sorrow?
Sandwiched between their “once upon a time” and “happily ever after,” they all had to experience great adversity. Why must all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy, and love?
Without opposition in all things, we could not discern the sweet from the bitter. Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits? Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the painstaking hours of practice?
In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way.  (Dieter. F. Uchtdorf – Your Own Happily Ever After)


Dead Poets Society has to be one of my all time favourite films, it is full of wonderful quotes mainly from the teacher Mr Keating, who inspires his students in the spirit of Carpe Diem, to make the most of opportunities that come their way, to step out and discover things for themselves – to seize the day!

“To quote from Whitman; Oh me! Oh life! Of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?” (Dead Poets Society)


Although we may not always have a say in what plots lie ahead in the story of our lives, we can do something about how we respond to them. We can decide what our verse, our book or our film will be and although we may not be able to choose our ending, we can decide on whether or not it is happy.


You are writing your life story now, choose your own adventure and seize the day!

One More Dawn , One Year On.........

A year ago, following the encouragement of a dear friend, I started writing a blog. It was to be a way of writing down my thoughts and musings on various themes and topics and also a way to share some of the experiences I had throughout the year. I wasn’t sure if anyone would read it, but I hoped it would help to improve my writing and give my thoughts a means to express themselves. Now approaching 8000 hits, it seems that my little blog has caught more than just the interest of a few close friends (even if the biggest search on it seems to be for pictures of Alfie Boe and his wife Sarah!) and I am thankful for the encouragement and support I’ve had to continue writing it.

As I look back over the past year I, like many others I know, can say it has truly been a rollercoaster of a ride. There have been many occasions of sadness and worry, both in my own life and in the lives of those dear to me. There have been some sad events experienced by members of my family this year; death, divorce, long term illness and redundancy being just some of them. I know of quite a few friends who will be starting the year facing difficult challenges in their lives and I’m sure we will all experience some difficulties in this New Year. However, hard as it may be, it is important to learn from these times and face the challenges head on, hoping that they will pass and leave us a stronger and better person. It’s also important to enjoy the happier times and enjoy each opportunity that comes our way. No day in our life will ever be the same and just as I said a year ago, each new dawn brings with it a new day and new opportunities and we should make the most of them. Come What May and Love It!

I have been very fortunate this past year to indulge in my passion for the arts and as I look back, I can count seeing six Shakespeare plays including Patrick Stewart in the Merchant of Venice, Dominic West in Othello, David Tennant in Much Ado About Nothing and my friend Dominic Tighe in Richard III and A Comedy of Errors.  I also attended the 447^th birthday celebrations of William Shakespeare in his home town of Stratford on Avon with my nephew Bradley & introduced him to some of the Bard’s work.

I was thrilled to see two light operas; Ruddigore and the Mikado and two operas; Carmen and Fidelio. Three of these productions were performed by the brilliant Opera North and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at both Carmen and Ruddigore through  social media networking events organised by Leeds based Emma Bearman and also to write an article for her own blog Culture Vultures. The insight I gained from these events gave me a deeper appreciation of all the work involved in putting on a production and the arts as a whole.  Seeing Fidelio, the only opera ever written by my favourite composer Beethoven was one of the hi-lights of my year and although I had been worried that the performance wouldn’t live up to my anticipation, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I was also fortunate to see Beethoven’s 5^th Symphony and Missa Solemnis performed by the wonderful Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra at the beautiful Lichfield Cathedral. My other musical highlights of the year were The Classic Brit Awards, 25^th Anniversary Concert for Phantom of the Opera, A Night with the Phantom (Ramin Karimloo) and also seeing old friends Blake and Thomas Spencer Wortley in concert.  When I see the events listed like this, I realise just how many great opportunities I have had and how lucky I am to have seen them all.

I met some wonderful people in 2011 including some of my favourite West End Stars such as John Owen-Jones, Ramin Karimloo, Hadley Fraser and David Tennant. I have also made some great friends along the way through social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and as ever, my friends and family are my most treasured blessings. Their unwavering support throughout the year has been a great source of strength to me and I hope that in my own way I have helped them in their own times of difficulties.

I know that things won’t always be easy but I hope that we can all endure the trials we have to face and be there to support others as they face them. My new year’s resolution is to be a better friend and better person; to tell my friends how much I love them and look for ways to make new friends from strangers. One of the books I read this year was The Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F Wright. It talks about looking for opportunities in your daily life to serve and help others and by doing so change your life and the lives of those you serve in just a few seconds.

As I look ahead to this New Year, I have many hopes for my own future and for my friends. I don’t know if they will come to pass but I look with a renewed determination to do all that I can to make the most of every opportunity, to seize the day and make each day one to remember. A New Year brings with it, new beginnings, new hopes and new opportunities and it is up to us what we do with them.

Tonight’s the night, the world begins again

Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in Heaven has in store; one more dawn, one more day, one day more!

Happy New Year!!

Wherever You Are - The Military Wives Choir

In February 2011, Choirmaster Gareth Malone moved to Devon for 8 months to work with the wives and girlfriends of Royal Marine Barracks Chivenor. His aim was to form a choir from amongst these women, bring them together and give them a voice whilst their husbands and boyfriends are away in Afghanistan.

Their story was televised for a BBC television series shown earlier this year and touched the hearts of all those who saw it. Viewers got to follow the story of these remarkable women through from the time when their husbands were deployed, the formation of the choir, their first performance and their husband’s homecoming – culminating in a special performance at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in front of Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Their performance at the Royal Albert Hall really captured the attention of the country. Performing a song written especially for them by composer, Paul Mealor “Wherever You Are” gave the women their voice as it encapsulated the thoughts and feelings of the women and expressed them in a beautiful and heartfelt way. The lyrics to the song were inspired by words taken from letters between the wives and their husbands and even the title of the song came from words inscribed in a bracelet one of the women wore.

Following their performance, many members of the public started a campaign to have the song released as a single. Once the single was confirmed, they were joined by many celebrities including presenter Chris Evans, who rallied the nation for support and played their song every day on his radio show. The single, released December 19th 2011 donates at least 40p of each sale to two charities; The Royal British Legion and SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) and it is hoped will be the number one record in the UK for Christmas.

What I love about the song is how it manages to convey so many feelings through the music and lyrics. Listening to it, it is impossible not to be caught up in the emotion of it and whether or not you have family serving in the military, I think everyone can relate to the sentiments expressed in the piece. The further appeal of this song is that it is sung by ordinary women, none of whom were professional singers before they started in the choir but who came together united by their circumstances. What makes them extraordinary women is the courage they show every day as they try to carry on with their home life whilst their husbands are away fighting for their country and protecting those who can’t fight for themselves. Whilst their husband’s sacrifice and bravery is an obvious one, the support and bravery of these women often goes unnoticed – or at least it did, until now. Their courage and determination is an example to everyone, in any walk of life and in any situation where you are separated from your loved ones. Their words express so much what many people feel when they are separated from those they hold dear to them and I defy any who hears it, not to be moved by the poignant and beautiful lyrics expressed so movingly.

Wherever You Are is available now in music stores across the UK and online through Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wherever-Military-Wives-Gareth-Malone/dp/B006DWW4SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324376566&sr=8-1 and their story can be pre-ordered on DVD with an anticipated release date of 6th February 2012. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Choir-Four-Military-Wives-DVD/dp/B005ZD5Q88/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1324376636&sr=1-3

UPDATE: I'm pleased to announce that Gareth Malone's Choir of Military Wives reached the number 1 spot this Christmas!! Congratulations to them and to Paul Mealor on this wonderful achievement.

Wherever You Are will be released in the USA December 27th 2011

Remember, Remember and Give Thanks

The month of November seems to have flown by so quickly and I can hardly believe that we will soon be celebrating Christmas. As I contemplated the build up to Christmas, I thought about the other festivities we take part in during November and concluded that the most prominent dates in the November calendar were based around remembering and giving thanks.

On November 5th 1605, a group of men decided that action needed to be taken against the Protestant King James I and his intolerance towards those of the Catholic faith. Their plan was to blow up the Houses of Parliament, killing the King and possibly the Prince of Wales along with other members of Parliament. They had placed 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars below the Houses of Parliament but were discovered and arrested before they could detonate the barrels. They were tortured and killed – many of them in a most horrific way – and now, every year on November 5th, people in England, celebrate the fact that the plot failed and that the King’s life was spared. Traditionally, bonfires are lit and an effigy of Guy Fawkes, one of the conspirators is burnt on the bonfire. There are firework displays and bonfire toffee and parkin (a sort of ginger-spiced cake) are eaten as part of the festivities. Children would, in years gone by, make the guy themselves and parade him up and down the street asking passersby for “A Penny for the Guy”, if you were impressed with their guy, you would donate a penny.  As a child, I also remembering chanting the Rhyme “Remember remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder season should ever be forgot!”  These days, some people do wonder cynically if we celebrate the fact that this group of men failed in their quest to blow up parliament or if we are paying tribute to men who gave it a jolly good try!




Next on the calendar is November 11th, Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. This is a much more sombre day and one which is more for a time of reflection and reverence as we pay tribute to those who fought and lost their lives in conflicts around the world. There are various events which commemorate this day and from early November, people wear a poppy as a sign of remembrance. One of the most moving events which occur around this time is the Festival of Remembrance held annually at The Royal Albert Hall, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family, Government Leaders and of course many members of the armed forces and representatives of the organisations that support them. Musical tributes are performed by military bands and other artists, poems and scriptures are read and tributes paid to the many men and women who have fought and died in battle. Previous year’s performances included Alfie Boe singing the very moving song from Les Miserables, Bring Him Home and Katherine Jenkins singing Band of Brothers - Requiem for a Soldier.

This year a choir consisting of military wives sang a song written especially for the event entitled Wherever You Are. The lyrics for the song were taken from letters written between the wives and their husbands who were out serving in Afghanistan. Their performance was incredibly touching and provided a fitting tribute not just to those serving in the forces but also their families waiting for them to return home.

The festival ends with a very moving and touching tribute as hundreds of poppies fall from the ceiling onto members of the armed forces stood below. Each poppy represents a man or woman who has died in conflict and as the poppies fall there is total silence in the hall. No one brushes the poppies away, they lay where they land – it is truly a remarkable sight and incredibly moving and poignant.

They shall not grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them


The third date in the calendar is Thanksgiving Day and is usually held on the fourth Thursday in November. Traditionally, this is not a holiday which is celebrated in the UK, but with many friends and family in the USA, my own family have taken part in this celebration in previous years. This holiday commemorates the safe arrival of the Pilgrims to the new world (America) but nowadays is also a time for reflection and to show gratitude for all of the things you have been blessed with in life. The first Thanksgiving feast lasted for 3 days providing enough food for the pilgrims and the Native American Indians that joined the feast with them. Today, sumptuous meals of Roast Turkey and all manner of vegetables are eaten – including my own personal favourite dish of mashed sweet potato with toasted marshmallow topping! However, the food is only part of the celebration and time is spent during the meal with each person present saying what they are thankful for – another chance to reflect, remember and give thanks.


As I thought about these celebrations, I pondered the meaning behind them and their significance in the build up towards Christmas. It was almost as though a voice in my head was telling me “remember, remember and give thanks!” If you take each event in turn, you remember those that acted for religious equality and freedom, those who fought and are still fighting for political freedom and for our country’s safety and then we celebrate what we have to be thankful for – including those who have fought for us. At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of a baby boy, who grew up teaching people to love one another, to serve others and treat people as we would have them treat us. The things he taught were so profound that 2000 years on, people are still worshipping him and celebrating his birth. This man also gave his life for us and in December we remember him and celebrate his life. So, perhaps November is more than just the month before December, it is a preparation for us to remember and give thanks for all that December brings – the remembrance of a new life and the climax of the year, ready for a new one to begin.
 

I am thankful for all the many blessings I have received throughout my lifetime, a loving and supportive family, good and loyal friends who support me through good times and bad, my health, my knowledge, my faith, my sense of humour, and many other more everyday things such as my love and appreciation of the arts and music, the opportunities I’ve had to travel around the world seeing many amazing and wonderful sights . Although I may not appreciate it at the time, I am also grateful for the trials and times of trouble that have occurred during my life for they have made me the person that I am today and taught me some invaluable lessons along the way. Some of these things were very hard and pushed me to the limits of my capacity, but they have made me a stronger person in the end.  No pain, no gain – and I have gained a lot over the years, for which I am truly thankful.

So, at this time of year, I would encourage you to stop and remember and give thanks for all that you have been given. When you start counting your blessings, you will see, there really is a lot to be thankful for.

Review: Autumn Greats – Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra & Jack Liebeck

How I came to be writing this review is quite a story in itself, in that one day I happened to start talking on Twitter to a guy who shared my interests in TV talent shows such as Strictly Come Dancing. I liked his honest and often hilarious comments about performances and we became Twitter pals. The man was none other than Alex Laing, Artistic Director of Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra (DECO).When I saw that the Orchestra were performing a concert of Autumn Greats at Lichfield Cathedral, which included works by some of my favourite composers and featuring as their special guest the Classical Brit award winning violinist Jack Liebeck, I just had to go!

Lichfield Cathedral

Despite living in nearby Burton on Trent for many years, I don’t think I have ever visited Lichfield Cathedral until now. It is a magnificent imposing building, very gothic in style and so intricately decorated with carvings of saints and apostles as well as other adornments – the detail in the stonework is quite remarkable. It is a stunning and beautiful piece of architecture that also has the most amazing acoustics inside and was a highly suitable venue for the evening’s performance as it really enhanced the sound of the orchestra.

Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra with Artistic Director Alex Laing

The Orchestra started the evening by playing Mozart’s Overture to Cosi fan tutte; a piece I am familiar with having seen the opera performed previously by Opera North. Despite being a fan of Mozart’s music, this opera isn’t one of my favourites as the storyline seems overly melodramatic. The music nevertheless is quite spectacular and in this performance, DECO brought out all the characteristics of the piece; the oboe solo, the frenzy of the strings as they build to a crescendo and are joined by the entire orchestra in quite a triumphant flourish. The sound quality was superb no doubt enhanced by the acoustics of the building which made it all very enjoyable.

Classical Brit Award Winner Jack Liebeck

The Orchestra were then joined by Classical Brit Award winner Jack Liebeck. I had seen Jack win his Classical Brit for Young British Classical Performer in 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall and had met him and his wife briefly afterwards. This was the first time that I had heard him perform live though and was eager to see just how good he was. He was accompanied by the orchestra in playing the sublime Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. This is a well-known piece that always features high in the Classic Fm Hall of Fame and is considered to be an essential piece to master by all concert violinists. That’s not to say that piece is easy but it is a great opportunity to showcase the violinist’s technique and talent. The first movement opens with an almost immediate entry of the solo violin which is then repeated by the orchestra building up to some quite elaborate and intricate passages. At times Jack’s bow just seemed to fly across the strings in quite a frenzied manner and yet the sound produced seemed so effortless.

Jack Liebeck in rehearsal with DECO

I often think that the sign of a great piece of music is when you get so totally absorbed by it that everything else around you is lost and you get transported into the piece itself. Sitting in the Cathedral listening to this was just like that for me, the music was so exquisite and so wonderfully performed that you were totally transfixed by it.

The second movement is linked by one note from the bassoon and is so serene it has a great calming effect and is sublimely beautiful and almost sorrowful in places but this only adds to the beauty of the piece. In 1906, the year before his death, celebrated violinist Joseph Joachim told the guests at his 75th birthday party:
“The Germans have four violin concertos. The greatest, most uncompromising is Beethoven's. The one by Brahms vies with it in seriousness. The richest, the most seductive, was written by Max Bruch. But the most inward, the heart's jewel, is Mendelssohn's.” Listening to this piece being performed on Saturday, it was easy to see why this was considered the heart’s jewel.

The third movement starts in a similar vein to that of the second but soon builds up to a lively and quite vibrant finale which seemed so fast in places that it looked like Jack was playing twice as many notes than everyone else. It was a spectacular piece which Jack and the orchestra brought to life and had the audience in rapturous applause at the end. Truly spectacular!

After such an energetic performance, it was time for a break but the second half of the concert proved to be just as enjoyable in that it was Beethoven’s Symphony No 7.Whether consciously done or not I don’t know, but it linked well to the previous piece by Mendelssohn given the association between the two composers. In 1821, Beethoven had heard Mendelssohn play and had made quite a prophetic entry in one of his conversation books “Mendelssohn - 12 years old- promises much."

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love Beethoven and having grown up listening to his music have always enjoyed his symphonies particularly the 5th and 7th.I can still picture the 33” LP we had of his 7th symphony and when being asked as a child what I liked about Beethoven said that it was because you could play it loud! Listening to this performance tonight, transported me back to my childhood and the stories I would imagine in my mind whilst setting it to this music. For me, the piece is so expressive and full of emotions and I think the orchestra did a brilliant job in portraying this in their performance. I could go on in much more detail about this, detailing each movement but I would probably go on for longer than the concert itself!! Suffice it to say, each of the four movements was performed superbly and was incredibly emotive and poignant. Again the acoustics played an important part in the overall sound of the piece, but the orchestra did an outstanding job in bringing the music to life.

The concert lasted almost two hours but seemed to fly by so quickly, which was obviously a sign that it had gone well. Having now discovered this incredibly talented set of musicians for myself, I can assure you it won’t be the last time of seeing them perform.

For more information on their upcoming concerts: www.darwinensemble.co.uk/deco


Follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/darwinensemble


Or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Darwin-Ensemble-Chamber-Orchestra/135743199796317

Review - A Night with the Phantom

“With one look, I can break your heart, with one look I play every part...when I speak it’s with my soul, I can play any role”.
These words were sung by the character Norma Desmond in the musical Sunset Boulevard and whilst it was not one of the songs performed in the concert, it certainly epitomised the characteristics of the performer.


Ramin Karimloo, famous for his roles in Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies and as revolutionary Enjolras in the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables was for one night being himself and singing from a whole host of musicals in an evening entitled A Night with the Phantom.

I have been fortunate enough to see Ramin perform in Love Never Dies and at the 25th anniversary concerts of both Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera and always enjoy his performances. There is no doubt that he takes on the character of each of these roles brilliantly but I was eager to see how he would be minus the stage lights, make up and costumes – I was not disappointed.

Ramin performed at the Bridgewater Hall with the Manchester Concert Orchestra conducted by David Shrubsole and with special guests Olivia Jade Archbold and Celia Graham who played Christine in both Phantom musicals. For over two and a half hours they delighted the audience with songs from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and many more well known and much loved musicals. It was also an opportunity to hear tracks from Ramin’s own album which is due for release in January 2012. If the tracks are representative of the album as a whole, we can be assured of a real treat.

What I enjoyed about the concert was not only the variety of musicals sung, but also the different musical styles performed. Ramin showed the versatility in his voice by performing Jazz numbers as well as up tempo numbers and powerful yet heart wrenching ballads. The expression in his voice and his mannerisms emphasised the beauty of the lyrics of each song and even if you weren’t familiar with the musical itself, you could feel the emotion of the piece. He has an incredibly powerful voice that can also be soft and calming and quite mellifluous. An example of this for me was the exquisite “If Ever I Would Leave You” from Camelot which was so poignant and beautiful it gave me goose bumps. I also enjoyed his performance of “Bring Him Home” which again was full of feeling and emotion and in many ways reminded me of Colm Wilkinson’s rendition - a great compliment. It was also lovely to hear him sing “Do Your Hear the People Sing” in its native language of French – not only that, but he got the audience to join in with the chorus which was very enjoyable.

One of the hi-lights was hearing Ramin perform songs from his new album and I particularly enjoyed the song “Constant Angel”, the lyrics to which will resonate in the hearts of all those that hear it and will be one of those songs that everyone will be able to relate to and bring their own meaning to.  The show ended (far too quickly in my mind) with some of the most gorgeous songs from Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies and I was glad to see this included Til I Hear You Sing Once More. This to me is one of the most beautifully stirring and yet heart wrenching song, so full of passion and longing and Ramin manages so effortlessly to convey each of these emotions, he was a joy to watch from start to finish.

After the performance I went to stage door to try and say a quick hello and can honestly say I have never seen such a reception as the one that awaited him as he left, there must literally have been hundreds there! Ramin came outside to rapturous applause and cheers and then stood patiently talking to the fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs. Ramin is a genuinely lovely guy, extremely polite and was truly touched by all the positive comments people made. Having heard some of the tracks appearing on his album, I can hardly wait for the release and eagerly wait til I hear him sing once more.

Ramin is making one more concert appearance for A Night with the Phantom at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton on Friday 4th November - to book tickets go to
http://www.mayflower.org.uk/event.asp?show=RAMIN11

Ramin will be taking over the role of Jean Valjean in the west end production of Les Miserables at the end of November. For more information and to book tickets contact Queens Theatre, London.
Ramin’s debut album due for release in January 2012 is available for pre-order through amazon.co.uk.

For more information on Ramin see his official website www.raminkarimloo.net or his twitter page www.twitter.com/raminkarimloo

Opera Review - Ruddigore

Following on from my behind the scenes look at Opera North’s production of Ruddigore, I attended the opening night of the show to see for myself how well all their hard work had paid off – I was not disappointed! Ruddigore was brilliantly funny from start to finish and several times I found myself laughing out loud along with most of the audience.

Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse tells the story of Baron Murgatroyd whose family having been cursed by a witch must perform one evil deed per day or suffer a most terrible and painful death. Sir Despard Murgatroyd who has been living with this awful curse for ten years is therefore delighted to discover that his elder brother Ruthven, long believed dead is actually alive and therefore the rightful inheritor to the curse. However, this discovery is not well received by Ruthven who has for the past ten years been living under the assumed identity of Robin Oakapple and who is in love with the very lovely but very prim Miss Rose Maybud. Ruthven’s (Robin) troubles worsen when his ancestors come back from the dead to warn him that he will suffer a most painful death if he does not carry out the terms of the curse.

Photo by Robert Workman for Opera North

Whilst this is one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s lesser known operas, it is none the less equally as brilliant as The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance or HMS Pinafore. It is full of the quick and witty lyrics, the paradoxes, melodrama and humour that you would expect from their work and will have you laughing throughout the entire evening. Anyone who has never seen an opera before should start by seeing something like this as it is light and easy to follow, sung in English and invariably ends on a happy note. This particular production by Opera North not only ticks all the boxes mentioned above but goes beyond that with its clever staging.

As the curtain goes up, the audience watches the story unfold in the style of a silent movie; black and white photographs and captions are accompanied by the orchestra and set the scene for the show. This in turn then reveals the opening scenes and a stage decorated in brown and beige colours very reminiscent of a sepia photograph. This theme continues throughout the entire show and is contrasted only by the bridesmaids’ white dresses and sailors’ uniforms (all styled circa 1920s) which really highlighted the sepia effect and added to the overall visual enjoyment.

Photo by Robert Workman for Opera North

Another stunning visual effect is in the second act when the ghosts of the Murgatroyd family come to life through their portraits. I believe an illusionist was responsible for this particular special effect and it was certainly very cleverly done.

Photo by Robert Workman for Opera North

As previously mentioned, the music and lyrics were sharp and quick witted, full of humour and at one point even re-arranged to make more topical for today’s time – something which wasn’t missed by the audience and they showed their appreciation and amusement with huge applause and laughter. At times the lines were sung so fast that it was a veritable tongue twister of words and yet the performers managed not only to sing the lines of the songs but also add the humour through their expressions. I think it was perhaps the mannerisms and expressions of the performers that really brought the piece to life. Whilst the entire cast were already familiar with the opera, having performed in the same exact same roles last year, it seemed as though they were going all out to emphasise the melodrama and humour of the piece and sometimes just a look or an action would be enough to dissolve the audience into fits of laughter. The energy they put into their performance only added to the overall enjoyment of the piece and it was clear to see that the performers were enjoying themselves as much as the audience.


Having had a behind the scenes look at the show and having enjoyed the performance so much, I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone. It is everything you would want a show to be, light, witty, full of great songs and music with some stunning visual effects and fantastic performances from all involved. There really didn’t seem to be one weak cast member amongst them and the fact that they had all worked together before really showed in their performance. It was a delight from start to finish and left you smiling as you went home.

Opera North will be performing Ruddigore in Leeds on selected dates until 27th Oct before taking the show on tour to Nottingham, Newcastle & Salford Quays and ending with a run at The Barbican in London. For more information on the show and to book tickets (priced £8 - £75) see http://www.operanorth.co.uk/events/ruddigore/

To read my post as guest blogger for The Culture Vulture – Behind the Scenes with Opera North http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/behindscenes/behind-the-scenes-with-opera-north/

Behind The Scenes with Opera North

This week I was delighted to be asked to be a guest blogger for The Culture Vulture, a Leeds based site run by Emma Bearman which highlights many events in and around Leeds and Yorkshire.


My assignment was to attend a working rehearsal for Opera North’s forthcoming production of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera Ruddigore and get a behind the scenes look at what goes into putting on a production.

With the help of Opera North’s PR Assistant, Julia Lumley and Company Manager, Jane Bonner, I not only got to see some of the rehearsal but also quiz them about the work they do and the process of getting a show from the planning stages through to the curtain call.

It was a fascinating evening and one which not only taught me a lot but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes into getting a production onto the stage.

To read more about my evening with Opera North, please go to http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/behindscenes/behind-the-scenes-with-opera-north/

Please feel free to leave a comment afterwards and check out the Culture Vulture website whilst there.

My review of Ruddigore will follow shortly.

Theatre Review: Othello

Clarke Peters as Othello and Dominic West as Iago

Of all of Shakespeare’s plays, Othello has to be one of the darkest and most sinister but also one which shows the playwright’s incredible talent to mix his character’s motives and acts into one superb plot.

Othello, perhaps should be re-titled Iago since this character is perhaps the most prominent throughout the play and the plot is created around his jealousies, his motives and actions and how they bring about the demise and misery of so many of the other characters. The chief of these being Othello, a Moor and commander of the armed forces of Venice. Iago despises him not only for marrying Desdemona, a lady whom he had once sought favour with but also because Othello passed over him for promotion as his new lieutenant and instead chose a Florentine by the name of Michael Cassio. An embittered Iago having had his pride wounded twice, now seeks revenge and plans Othello’s downfall by any means using anyone at his disposal to help him in his quest. This is a story of prejudice, jealousy and lies and how one man’s overwhelming desire for revenge leads him to commit the ruthless and heinous acts that he does. The tragedy of the piece lies in the deaths of those who were deceived by the man they blindly trusted.

Dominc West as Iago and Clarke Peters as Othello. Photo by Geraint Lewis

It also raises the question of Othello’s character and whether he was an honourable yet tragic hero for putting his trust in his adviser or a vulnerable and tragic fool who unwittingly takes part in the murder of his wife. It is also however a story of love; the love between Othello and Desdemona, the love between Desdemona and Emilia and how their loves progress throughout the play. Love may be blinded in some instances but in the end I do believe that love conquers all – even if it was in death.

This latest production of Othello at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, features the brilliant talents of Dominic West as Iago and Clarke Peters as Othello and is supported by the superb Lily James, Gwilym Lee and Alexandra Gilbreath as Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia respectively. These central characters interact wonderfully with each other and I found myself totally engrossed in the plot and the development of each character. I enjoyed watching Othello start as the well respected commander in love with his new bride turn slowly into a mad and jealous husband who goes out of his mind in jealousy through the web of lies and insinuation spun by Iago. Desdemona was a sweet and beautiful breath of fresh air whose innocence, trust and love of other characters led to her ultimate death and indeed I found her death scene quite upsetting and disturbing. Emilia provided some light relief to an otherwise dark and sinister plot with her quick and witty lines and it was touching to see the love that she had for her mistress. Iago from the start declares himself to be the villain of the piece and Dominic West played him to perfection. There was something about his performance that drew you to his character and although you knew you should despise him for what he had done, you could not help but admire his shrewdness and cunning and wonder at the blindness of the other characters to his deceit.

Lily James as Desdemona, Dominic West as Iago and Clarke Peters as Othello. Photo by Johan Persson

I think this was perhaps the first time I have ever seen a Shakespeare play performed in traditional Elizabethan costume and I thought that this combined with the relatively unobtrusive set made for a great setting. This play is relatively long (almost 3 hours) and owing to the subject is quite draining but the excellent performances from the actors meant that you were totally engrossed in the plot and were on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happened next. Even if you were familiar with the story I think you would be upset by some scenes but it all made for great theatre and a performance I would recommend not just for entertainment and the great use of language but the questions it will raise afterwards which will be great topics for conversation and debate.


Othello is showing at the Crucible until Oct 15th 2011. For more information see:  http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=whatson.production&ProductionID=1152 or contact the box office for the few remaining tickets available 0114 249 6000