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Showing posts with the label Nicholas Woodeson

Review of The Pope at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

The Pope weaves the story of the resignation of Pope Benedict into a finely tuned tapestry of entertainment. Enthralling, funny and with two devastatingly brilliant performances from masters of the stage. That's all you need to know really before you go and see this show. However, for those still here, let's flesh it out a bit more. As Our Lady of Kibeho did a few months back, The Pope brings religion to the Made In Northampton range, and once again, it sweeps to every success in making it accessible for all. You don't need to have any religious leanings to be thrilled by this tale, expertly written by Anthony McCarten ( Bohemian Rhapsody ), this is simply told, and intensely funny, there are actually some amazingly good one-liners in this play which cause show-stopping moments due to the audience's laughter. It is unexpected, but superb to see, and also importantly doesn's shy away from the numerous issues of the Catholic church. It helps that we have the in...

Review of Death Of A Salesman at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

This production cannot help but arrive at Northampton on its tour with a tinge of sadness following the loss of original lead actor Tim Pigott-Smith, however, this production continues strongly on in his honour with Nicholas Woodeson taking on the iconic role of Willy Loman. Nicholas Woodeson (Willy Loman) He arrives, dishevelled from the auditorium stalls, suitcases in hand, at the opening of Arthur Miller's classic play. a world-weary salesman perhaps at the end of his life? His youngest son Biff (George Taylor) has returned home, possibly feeling both a complete failure and maybe approaching at 34 an early mid-life crisis. At the centre of this is the stability of Willy's wife, Linda (Tricia Kelly) and the roguish womanising older brother of Biff, Happy (Ben Deery), very much happy to declare for appearances that he is "getting married" at many an opportunity. Woodeson presents Willy in a nervy twitchy style, often just gently simmering with annoyance and d...