Review: The Divided Laing at the Arcola Theatre

The Divided Laing

Arcola Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 23rd November 2015

★★★

Kingsley Hall in London’s East End must have been an interesting place in the late 1960s. It was there that Dr R D Laing established a commune-like psychiatric facility that rejected contemporary treatments of the mentally ill in favour of a more radical, more humane approach. Instead of electric shocks, insulin comas and lobotomisation, Laing wanted to provide a place where people were “free to explore their psychic being unhindered” or, in layman’s terms, “free to flip out and go crazy”.

Guest Blog: James Perkins - Design and Deduction

James Doherty in Eventide

I go through the same process every time I make a new design. I begin with an empty space. Then I do my best imitation of Sherlock Holmes, and from this, a design emerges.

Perhaps I should explain myself. Sherlock Holmes once explained his process of deduction by remarking that ‘once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however unlikely, must be the truth’. I’m paraphrasing slightly, but so was he – Arthur Conan Doyle, a doctor as well as an author, was probably drawing on his scientific background when he came up with the idea, because it owes a lot to null theory, the basis of all scientific research.

In null theory, rather than seeking to prove a fact (apparently this is difficult to do), you work to disprove every possible alternative fact (apparently this is easier). Rather than proving a positive, you hem in the truth by disproving one thing after another until the space left for the truth to inhabit is so small, there could only be one thing in there. This is how scientific research is conducted; it’s how Sherlock Holmes solves crimes; and it’s how I make my work.

Review: The House of Mirrors and Hearts at the Arcola Theatre

The House of Mirrors and Hearts
Arcola Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 7th July 2015
★★★★

The House of Mirrors and Hearts is a unique new chamber musical. Perfectly suited to the intimacy of the Arcola Theatre, Ryan McBryde's production intrigues and entices. With book and lyrics by Robert Gilbert, the piece centres around the dark secrets of a British family.

Big Interview: Jamie Muscato

Jamie Muscato is currently originating the role of Nathan in the world premiere of British chamber musical The House of Mirrors and Hearts at the Arcola Theatre. 

Most recently Jamie starred as Eddie Birdlace in the UK premiere of Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse. His theatre credits also include: understudy Digby in The Light Princess (National), understudy Drew and Franz in Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury), understudy Oliver Barrett in Love Story (Chichester/Duchess), understudy Melchior and Moritz in Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith) and Busker in Lift (Trafalgar Studios). 

Jamie was in the international tour of Les Miserables. He went on to appear in Tom Hooper's film adaptation and performed with the cast at the 85th Academy Awards. His other screen appearances include: Rory Storm in Cilla, The Euphoria of Drowning and Wild Oats. 

Jamie’s workshop credits include: Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (Gurinder Chadha), Harry Blitztein in Blitz (Lucy Bailey), But I'm a Cheerleader (Jerry Mitchell), Colin in Falklands (National Theatre Studio, Polly Findlay) and Rowan in X (Steven Dexter). 

I recently spoke to Jamie about why he thinks The House of Mirrors and Hearts will surprise people, what he loves about performing new work and the controversy and debate surrounding Dogfight… 

What drew you to The House of Mirrors and Hearts? 

I was in a bit of a unique position because I got on board with this a bit later, so at the start I was just learning as I went along. It’s been an amazing experience because I was able to see everything on its feet and experience it as it went along. The music is really beautiful – some of it has got a Persian, sort of Mediterranean vibe to it and then some of it is kind of nursery rhyme-esque. It’s different from what you would usually get from your average new musical. 

Eventide by Barney Norris to premiere at the Arcola Theatre

Eventide by Barney Norris will premiere at the Arcola Theatre on 25th September (previews from 23rd September) for a limited run until 17th October 2015. 

Directed by Alice Hamilton, the production will then tour to venues including Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, The North Wall and Salisbury Playhouse with further tour dates to be announced shortly.

A love song, an elegy, a celebration - Eventide tells the story of three people whose worlds are disappearing. John is a landlord forced to sell up; Liz is a church organist who can't get a gig; Mark takes what work he can just to pay the rent. Their tales unfold round the back of a pub hidden deep in the heart of the Hampshire countryside. But is that heart still beating?

New musical The House of Mirrors and Hearts to premiere at the Arcola Theatre

The House of Mirrors and Hearts will premiere in Studio 1 at the Arcola Theatre this summer.

The new British chamber musical opens on 7th July (previews from 2nd July) and runs until 1st August 2015. 

Described as a "timeless, atmospheric and intoxicating musical," The House of Mirrors and Hearts is a contemporary British story about a dysfunctional family haunted by their past.

The House of Mirrors and Hearts will be directed by Ryan McBryde. Musical direction is by David Randall with design by David Woodhead. Casting is to be announced. The show is written by Eamonn O'Dwyer (music and lyrics) and Robert Gilbert (book and lyrics)

The Rivals to be staged at the Arcola Theatre

It has been announced that Selina Cadell will direct a new production of The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan at the Arcola Theatre. 

240 years after it was first performed, the show will run in Studio 1 from Wednesday 15th October. 

The cast will be lead by Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones's Diary) as Mrs Malaprop. The company is completed by: Nick Le Prevost (Sir Anthony Absolute), Ian Batchelor (Captain Jack Absolut), Adam Jackson-Smith (Faulkland), Justin Edwards (Bob Acres), Adrian McLoughlin (Sir Lucius O'Trigger/ Thomas), Carl Prekopp (Fag/David), Jenny Rainsford (Lydia Languish), Justine Mitchell (Julia Melvill) and Hannah Stokely (Lucy).

Michael Feast & Sheila Reid star in 20th anniversary production of Ghost From A Perfect Place

It has been announced that Michael Feast and Sheila Reid will star in the 20th anniversary production of Philip Ridley’s contemporary classic Ghost From A Perfect Place.

The show, which is described as a "scorchingly dark comedy", runs at the Arcola Theatre between Thursday 11th September and Saturday 11th October 2014. The cast also includes: Florence Hall as Rio Sparks, Rachel Redford as Miss Kerosene and Scarlett Brookes as Miss Sulpher.

Michael Feast’s long and distinguished stage career includes The Tempest (with John Gielgud as Prospero), No Man’s Land at the National Theatre and in the West End with John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, American Buffalo, Murder in the Cathedral, The Possessed, Carousel and Sexual Perversity in Chicago. He was Macduff in Rupert Goold’s acclaimed production of Macbeth in the West End and on Broadway. 

Review: The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes at the Arcola Theatre

The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes
Arcola Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 29th July 2014
★★★

A piece of theatre about identity and immigration, The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes is a relevant new play centring around Iraqi refugee Salim (Nabil Elouahabi) who flees persecution in Baghdad to begin a new life. He marries a British woman and attempts to settle into day to day life as a British man, but is severely haunted by his past.

Arcola Theatre to stage The Dog, The Night And The Knife

It has been announced that The Dog, The Night And The Knife, a new play by acclaimed German playwright Marius von Mayenburg, will receive its UK premiere at the Arcola Theatre.

The production will open on Tuesday 23rd September (previews from 18th September) and run until Saturday 18th October. The cast includes Michael Edwards, Beth Park and Stephen Ventura. Oliver Dawe directs. The Dog, The Night And The Knife is described as a "darkly funny and absurd play." 

Interview: Gemma Sutton

Gemma during rehearsals

Gemma Sutton is currently starring as Julie Jordan in Morphic Graffiti’s bold new interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at the Arcola Theatre.

Gemma has had a whirlwind year; after starring as Amber in Hairspray (UK Tour) she recreated the iconic role of Roxie Hart in Paul Kerryson's new production of Chicago at the Leicester Curve Theatre to tremendous critical acclaim. 

Next Gemma created the role of Ice in Drew McOnie’s Drunk (Leicester Curve/Bridewell) and starred alongside Sharon D Clarke and Clive Rowe in Blues In The Night at the Hackney Empire.

Her theatre credits also include: Enid and first cover Elle in Legally Blonde (Savoy), Laurey in Oklahoma! (UK Tour), Careen O'Hara and understudy Melanie in Trevor Nunn's Gone with the Wind (New London), understudied and played Rebecca in the London premier of Imagine This (New London), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Lady Be Good! and Fay in Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend (Regent’s Park Open Air), Children Will Listen (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Ruby in Dames at Sea and Babe Botrelle in Crimes of the Heart (Union) and Constance in The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street).

I recently spoke to Gemma about what it’s like to recreate such iconic roles such as Julie Jordan and Roxie Hart, why she’s having a wonderful time in Carousel, her whirlwind year and Legally Blonde memories…

You have had a crazy year playing some incredible roles, have you had to digest it all?

It has been a very mad, brilliant year! I managed to get a holiday in before we started Carousel because I needed to take a little break and have some time away; I knew that Carousel was going to be intense!

Review: Carousel at the Arcola Theatre

Carousel

Arcola Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 21st June 2014

It's vital that old classics such as Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel are continuously revived in fresh and exciting ways to keep them relevant and to allow audiences to discover new things. However, there is nothing worse than changing something just for the sake of 'being different'.

Full casting announced for Arcola Theatre's The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes

Full casting has been announced for The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes.

The cast includes: Caroline Langrishe (Lydia King), Sara Bahadori (Case Worker/Sahar Husain) and Selva Rasalingam (Kevin/Khaled Al Hamrani). They join the previously announced: Nabil Elouahabi (Carlos Fuentes).

The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes opens at the Arcola Theatre on Tuesday 29th July (previews from 23rd July) and runs until Saturday 16th August 2014.

Rashid Razaq’s new play is based on an award-winning short story by Hassan Blasim. It is directed by Nicolas Kent, who was Artistic Director of the Tricycle Theatre from 1984-2012. Designs are by Ellan Parry, lighting by Matt Eagland and sound by Andy Graham. 

Full casting announced for Carousel at the Arcola Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Morphic Graffiti's bold new interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The production opens at the Arcola Theatre on Monday 23rd June 2014 (previews from 18th June) and runs until Saturday 19th July 2014.

Gemma Sutton (pictured right) will star as Julie Jordan opposite Tim Rogers as Billy Bigelow.

The cast also features: Amanda Minihan as Nettie Fowler, Vicki Lee Taylor as Carrie Pipperidge, Joel Montague as Enoch Snow, Valerie Cutko as Mrs Mullin, Richard Kent as Jigger Craigin, Paul Hutton as The Starkeeper, Susanna Porter as Louise and Michael Carolan as Enoch Snow Jr.

Charlotte Cornwell to star in Between Us at the Arcola Theatre

It has been announced that Charlotte Cornwell will star in the world premiere of Between Us at the Arcola Theatre.

Sarah Daniels' new play has been commissioned by Arcola and will open for a limited 4 week run in Studio 2 on Friday 30th May 2014 (previews from 28th May).

What do stand-up, being a proud father, therapy and adoption have in common? They’re all different ways of feeling good about yourself. But what happens if this is not enough? Between Us is a darkly comic glimpse into the way we live now that asks how we have allowed it to come to this…

Sarah Daniels is a critically acclaimed British dramatist who for over 20 years has been at the forefront of feminist playwriting for both the stage and radio. Her first play Ripen Our Darkness was staged at the Royal Court in 1981, where many of her subsequent plays have premiered including Masterpieces, The Devil’s Gateway, Byrthrite, Beside Herself and The Madness of Esme and Shaz. 

Bold new interpretation of Carousel to be staged at the Arcola Theatre

A bold new interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel will open at the Arcola Theatre later this year. The production opens on Monday 23rd June 2014 (previews from Wednesday 18th June) and runs until Saturday 19th July 2014. 

Carousel will feature a brand new acoustic orchestration by Mark Cumberland with musical supervision from renowned orchestrator Larry Blank (who has recently been represented on Broadway by his Tony Award-nominated orchestrations of Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone and White Christmas) and musical direction by Andrew Corcoran. 

Carousel is directed by Luke Fredericks (Jekyll and Hyde) with choreography by Lee Proud (Hairspray, Leicester Curve), set and costume design by Stewart Charlesworth and lighting design by Catherine Webb. Carousel is produced by Morphic Graffiti with creative consultancy by Kim Poster. Casting is by Ben Newsome. Presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.