Review: The Painkiller at the Garrick Theatre

The Painkiller
Garrick Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 17th March 2016
★★★★

Marking the fifth show in Kenneth Branagh's season at the Garrick Theatre, The Painkiller is a slick new comedy. Set in a hotel, Branagh takes to the stage as a hitman on a mission who is staying next door to a Swindon newspaper photographer, played by Rob Brydon, struggling to cope with separating from his wife (and of course there's an adjoining door between their rooms).

Rehearsal Pics: Old Vic's Future Conditional starring Rob Brydon

Rehearsal images have been released for Future Conditional at the Old Vic. Directed by Matthew Warchus, Tamsin Oglesby's play opens on 10th September (previews from 1st September) and runs until 3rd October 2015. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Rob Brydon leads the company, starring alongside: Matthew Aubrey, Louisa Beadel, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Alex Clatworthy, Peta Cornish, Natasha Cottriall, Amy Dawson, Jennifer English, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, Natalie Klamar, Carla Langley, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Louis Martin, Joshua McGuire, Sukh Ojla, Bill Parfitt, Nikki Patel, Howard Perret, Sandra Reid, Sofia Stuart, Eleanor Sutton, Brian Vernel and Carmen Vandenberg.

Details confirmed for Kenneth Branagh's 'Plays at the Garrick' season

Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural season of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. The Company presents Plays at the Garrick, a series of plays that bring together an exciting group of actors, led by Rob Brydon, Judi Dench, Lily James and Richard Madden. Performances begin on 17th October 2015.

THE WINTERʼS TALE

By William Shakespeare

17th October 2015 – 16th January 2016

Shakespeareʼs timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is reimagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan. Judi Dench will play Paulina, Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes.

Rob Brydon, Catherine Tate, Douglas Booth, Tina Hobley, Tom Ellis & Clive Rowe for Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays

The initial cast list has been announced for the tenth anniversary of the Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays which takes place on Sunday 24th November 2013. Rob Brydon, who performed in The 24 Hour Plays in 2007 and hosted them in 2011, will return this year to host the tenth anniversary celebrity gala. 

The cast will feature Catherine Tate, Douglas Booth, Tina Hobley, Tom Ellis and Clive Rowe. More cast members will be announced over the next few weeks. 

The event is an evening of never to be seen again performances with six short plays being conceived, written, cast, rehearsed and then performed in 24 hours. Tickets start at £75. 

Funniest Performance in a West End Show: 9 - 12th Place

9th Place

Michael Simkins 

Sir Humphrey Appleby

Yes, Prime Minister

1%

Michael grew up in Brighton and trained at RADA. A familiar face on stage and TV, his recent leading West End roles include Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia!, Billy Flynn in Chicago and David Buckle in Michael Frayn’s comedy Donkeys’ Years. Michael is hilarious in Yes, Prime Minister, a show everyone should see before it closes at the Trafalgar Studios in January. Click here to read our 4 star review of Yes, Prime Minister.

Daniel Buckley wins West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show

All of this month West End Frame readers have been voting in the West End Frame award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show. We can now exclusively reveal that you have crowned Loserville's Daniel Buckley as your winner!

Runners up for Funniest Performance in a West End Show are Linzi Hateley, Gina Beck, Simon Lipkin and Jodie Prenger. Other nominees included Andrew Alexander, Brenda Edwards, Kim Ismay, Michael Simkins, Rob Brydon and Tom Chambers.

Daniel Buckley is currently playing Marvin Camden in Loserville at the Garrick Theatre. Loserville is a new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne. The show recently received its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre following the show's successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Review: A Chorus Of Disapproval at the Harold Pinter Theatre

A Chorus Of Disapproval

Harold Pinter Theatre

Performance: Saturday 6th October 2012 (Evening)

'The Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society’s production of The Beggar’s Opera is going off the rails, that is until a handsome but shy young widower Guy joins the group. An instant hit with the company’s ferociously zealous director Dafydd and the show’s leading ladies, including Dafydd’s wife Hannah, Guy soon gets more than he bargained for as he discovers that all the best action happens off-stage. Classic songs fill the air as the drama on stage is mirrored by the romantic rivalry and small town squabbles causing a stir in the wings of this ambitious local show.'

Rob Brydon to make his West End Debut in Alan Ayckbourn’s “A Chorus of Disapproval” alongside Nigel Harman and Ashley Jensen

Rob Brydon is set to make his long overdue West End Debut alongside Nigel Harmon and Ashley Jenson  in Alan Ayckbourn’s riotous comedy “A Chorus of Disapproval”, directed by Olivier and Tony award-winner Trevor Nunn. Joining the trio on stage will be Teresa Banham, Daisy Beaumont, Georgia Brown, Rob Compton, Matthew Cottle and Steven Edis, with further casting to be announced shortly.

The Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society’s production of The Beggar’s Opera is going off the rails, that is until a handsome but shy young widower Guy (Harman) joins the group. An instant hit with the company’s ferociously zealous director Dafydd (Brydon) and the show’s leading ladies, including Dafydd’s wife Hannah (Jensen), Guy soon gets more than he bargained for as he discovers that all the best action happens off-stage. Classic songs fill the air as the drama on stage is mirrored by the romantic rivalry and small town squabbles causing a stir in the wings of this ambitious local show.

Not seen in London since the National Theatre’s hit production over 25 years ago “A Chorus of Disapproval” aims to steal the limelight once more in the West End this Autumn. Despite regularly appearing on TV chat and panel shows, it is his performance in Gavin and Stacey that excites me most about  Rob Brydon making his West End Debut. He is one of these people who is naturally funny so this show will be perfect for his West End Debut! Nigel Harman was most recently seen in Shrek The Musical for which he won an Olivier Award. I saw him twice in the role and he is also another naturally funny performer. He built up a fantastic relationship with the audience which always led to him receiving the biggest cheer during the bows. Ashley Jensen has previously appeared in Ugly Betty and Extras.

The play will run from 17th September 2012 until 5 January 2013 at the Harold Pinter Theatre where South Down/The Browning Version is currently on.

Visit http://achorusofdisapproval.com/ for more information.