Skip to main content

Review of Promises (audio play) from Nothing But Roaring part of Genfest 2024 at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Nothing But Roaring was founded back in 2022 to create unique audio dramas and born from the need for creatives to be active during the Covid pandemic. Since then they have created audio versions of Shakespeare's Richard III and Much Ado About Nothing. However, now, created and due for release as part of Royal & Derngate's 2024 Genfest Festival, the company brings to the airwaves their very first original drama.

Promises, written and directed by Nothing But Roaring founder Rebecca Cockcroft, tells the story of Amber, waking on the morning of her wedding day in a hotel room, worst for wear from a night out the evening before, and a very unexpected guest hiding in her room.

Promises is a tightly packed 23 minutes of whimsical but highly entertaining comedy-drama performed by a talented cast who despite the short running time create fully realised characters. As Amber, Gemma Knight brings a suitably confused edge to the situation she wakes to and as the story evolves and the true meaning of events transpires, there is a lovely warmth from her performance.

Her sparring partner for the bulk of the show is that stranger found within her room, Bob, played joyfully and childishly by Scott Bradley. Without the need for spoilers for this short drama, this perfectly suits the character, from his kid-like reaction to Amber's questioning "Did we have sex?" and to the eventual sadness of having been left behind. It's a lovely performance, perfectly mirroring Knight's.

Elsewhere, the cast is completed by two smaller roles, the first of which is writer Cockcroft taking on the role of housekeeper and clearly enjoying the chance to bring to life her own character. The housekeeper is predominately an interlude fleshing out the story, but her wackiness brings further comedy to the story with her fussing, over helpfulness. Finally, the cast is completed by hairdresser Brenda played by Danielle Corr. This is a role predominantly there to allow the culmination of the story to take place, but Corr is lively and enthusiastic in the role.

Luke Wood provides technical production and recording and while the audio is simply done with limited sound effects or soundscapes, the finish is excellent with a clear clarity of audio quality with dialogue at all times perfectly balanced.

Promises is a delightful story, a sort of a telling of a Twilight Zone-style story reimagined by BBC Radio Four and perfectly suited to a relaxing half-hour in your company with just a pair of headphones to block out the world.

A funny and whimsical tale excellently produced.

Audio available via Genfest 2024: Monday 7th to Sunday 13th October 2024 from the Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton. Direct link: https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/genfest-2024-promises/

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

For further details about Nothing But Roaring, visit their website at https://nothingbutroaring.co.uk/

Popular posts from this blog

Review of Lord Of The Dance at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

The stage show Lord of the Dance possibly needs little introduction to most people, as it has become a legend and now, in this touring version, subtitled rather immodestly, 25 Years of Standing Ovations, it reaches a landmark anniversary. Those that do not know of the show would probably well know its spiritual fathers Michael Flatley, and even more likely Riverdance , from which Lord of the Dance sprung with a proper spring in its step. During the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, Riverdance hit the world by storm as Michael Flatley and his troop of dancers possibly presented the most famous part of Eurovision ever, certainly of the non-singing variety at least. Here, this touring show brings that same style Flatley created from traditional Irish dancing across the country once again and it is truly something special to see. The concept of the show is simply a battle between good and evil told through dance, and some captivating and stunning songs performed by Celyn Cartw...

Review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Milton Keynes Theatre

There have been numerous productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking musical since it first appeared in 1968 and opened in the West End in 1973. One might wonder if there is still room for another tour. However, judging by the packed audience in Milton Keynes Theatre for the opening night of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , much interest remains for this show. Also, with this production first seen at The London Palladium in June 2019, and with a few production elements altered, Joseph still has, after all those years, the room to change and evolve. However, the question is, does this change help or hinder the show's history? For those unfamiliar with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, it tells the story of Joseph, Jacob's favourite son, in a lighthearted and musical style that jumps between various genres. Joseph's brothers are somewhat envious of him, leading to them selling him into slavery to an Egyptian nobleman. As for ...

Review of Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders - The Redemption of Thomas Shelby at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

The Rambert Dance Company is the oldest such company in Britain having first performed in 1926. However, despite this, this was my first encounter with the group in my ten years of theatre-going. Coupled with this, it was also my first encounter with Peaky Blinders , having never seen the show, and only knowing a few vague things about it. My companion for the evening however was very familiar with the show, allowing some background behind the show. It turns out though,  Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders - The Redemption of Thomas Shelby needs a little more than a good bit of knowledge of the show, as despite this production having incredible style, there struggles to be a cohesive structure to the show and the storytelling. Much more than other dance shows as well. The first act does a whistle-stop tour of the first five seasons and while it is a feast on the eye, and on the ear, it gets extremely confusing at times. The second act is freestyle and drifts away from the stories tol...