Review of Bright Places at Birmingham Rep (The Door)

Bright Places, currently running at The Rep, Birmingham, is an at times deeply powerful and at others overtly funny exploration of what it is to be a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis.

Presented by Carbon Theatre, in association with Birmingham Rep, the show is written by MS sufferer Rae Mainwaring as a totally honest autobiographical story. Performed by three female actors, Lauren Foster, Aimee Berwick and Rebecca Holmes, they each take on the roles of Actor A, B and C respectively.

These "actors" then in turn take the role of sufferer and writer Rae, and all others within her life story from work colleagues, fellow sufferers and doctors. Most of their characterisation is kept simple and is mostly depicted by the use of a costume box or prop rather than in their performance.

All the actors do work extremely well together though, clearly, both well rehearsed and confident in each other's abilities to keep the much-needed pace to the story.

At times, the sketch-like style of the format creates both a disjointed aspect and a lack of direction. However, what does work is the power of both the story Bright Places tells and the education and further recognition of the condition it presents. The audience truly does learn something here.

There is also much to be gained from the simplicity of the production and solid, crisp direction from Tessa Walker. Pace is maintained throughout, and there is also an excellent use of music if often brief in the snippets used. Scenes pass quickly, never allowing one idea to bog down the show for too long.

Overall, Bright Places has more success than failure, but with a little more time, it could have benefited from some tightening of some scenes. What remains though is a totally educational and entertaining 75 minutes of theatre which without question is well worth your support during its stay at The Rep.

A both funny and sad exploration of what Multiple Sclerosis means to sufferers.
⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Wednesday 30th October 2024 at The Birmingham Rep Theatre (The Door)

Bright Places runs at the Birmingham Rep Theatre until Saturday 2nd November, 2024.

For further details about the Birmingham Rep and to book tickets see their website at https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/

Production Photos: Graeme Braidwood

Review of Footloose (N.M.T.C.) at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

I have to confess that apart from hearing Kenny Loggins' monstrously catchy title tune many times, both the original 1984 film and this 1998 stage adaptation of Footloose have passed me by. Therefore, finally, I get to tick it off the list thanks to this production from the Northampton Musical Theatre Company on stage at Royal & Derngate. So, was it worth the wait? Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack and his mother, Ethel's move to the town of Bomot, Utah with his aunt and uncle following the walking out of Ren's father from the family home. What the confident and rebellious Ren finds within the boundary of Bomot and its illegal dance stance puts him on a path of conflict with the local Reverend Shaw Moore. In many ways the story of Ren and his attitude sits with the delightful selection of Footloose for the N.M.T.C. It is not an obvious fit for the group, leaving fewer roles for the old guard and a movement towards the "next generation" of the group.

Review of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Looking Glass Theatre, Northampton

A few months ago I got myself embroiled in a little verbal fracas (no cold meat involved) on Twitter with those that I now call my Irish friends. It concerned their production of Jesus Christ Superstar ( details here ) and in my opinion being slightly below par. They got quite uppity about my criticism and even suggested the likes of me could effect its success. The tour continues merrily despite me and its actually at Milton Keynes Theatre next week. I suggest you save your money. Oops naughty me. However this convoluted intro brings me to the glorious stage school production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor [ sic ] Dreamcoat at Looking Glass Theatre. In the absence of knowing whether this is a musical or a rock opera (sorry another in joke), I shall just call it an "absolute joy" instead. What this lacked in production values and budget over JCS it made up in on in earnest joy, enthusiasm and a sheer thrill of performance over making money. I mentioned to local the

Review of Kinky Boots (N.M.T.C.) at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

The musical Kinky Boots is perhaps the perfect show for the homegrown theatre group Northampton Musical Theatre Company to perform with the very core of the story bred within this very county. The tale of of Charlie Price and his encounter and unlikely partnership with a certain Lola is based on a true story of factory W. G. Brooks Ltd and the owner Steve Pateman. Back in 1999 his story of men and their wearing of shoes for women featured on a BBC documentary and this in turn inspired the 2005 film, Kinky Boots . Finally, in 2012, this musical adaptation of the story hit the stage, with a book by Harvey Fierstein and songs written by Cyndi Lauper. Longtime readers of my blog with good memories may remember that five years ago I reviewed the opening of the UK professional tour of Kinky Boots , also at the Royal & Derngate. While I enjoyed the show, I didn't give it the most favourable review. Five years on, and a second viewing, have I warmed to the charms of Charlie and Lola&#

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog