Jackstage

🌟 Lizzie 🌟 21 October 2023 at 2:30pm at Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough ★★★★★ Lizzie, a Hope Mill Theatre production, is one of the lesser known musicals currently touring the UK, with a London stint to follow. I have followed the show for a few years, being a fan of the soundtrack, though I never expected to see it in the flesh so soon! Naturally, I had my preconceptions, though this killer revival is a rocker's paradise, holding a disturbing horror which left me tense throughout! Gainsborough's Trinity Arts Centre holds a lower capacity in the auditorium of 200 seats, however this really benefits this show, amplifying the intensity that could otherwise be lost in larger spaces. There's a dangerous killer on the loose, and you have no option to be as close as possible! For those unfamiliar with this musical, Lizzie delves into a dramatized life of Lizzie Borden, an American woman assumed of the axe murders of her father and stepmother. The story is embroiled with scan...

 🌟 Jesus Christ Superstar 🌟 07 October 2023 at 2:30pm at Hull New Theatre ★★★★ Jesus Christ Superstar's 2023/24 production sees a fiery, gritty and impassioned take on the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. Transferred from Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, the 1971 musical is industrialised and modernised into a punky, anarchic concert which roars onto stages nationwide. At Hull New Theatre, we had front row seats for this rock spectacular, and as you can see from the picture, we were CLOSE, with a speaker right in front! It cannot be mistaken that Tim Sheader's has the power to make you shrink back into your seat with such force, though some of the creative decisions can lead to controversy in such a traditional musical. Featuring an iconic score, including songs Hosanna and What's The Buzz?, Drew McOnie's choreography becomes the forefront of a contemporary dance led show. Combining this movement heavy choreo with a rock concert is an unusual combination. It did take m...

 🌟 Runesical 🌟 5 October 2023, Online YouTube Recording from The Town And Gown Pub & Theatre, Cambridge ★★★★★ When I was asked to review a filmed performance of Gigglemug's Runesical, I was certainly excited about the concept of a fresh new musical. However, although I have heard of the fantasy game Runescape, I have never played it, nor do I have any knowledge on it. Turns out that, hardcore Runescape fan or not, you have to absolutely LOVE this show! Advertised as a musical 'where you decide what happens next!', audiences are whisked through a real world video game, parodying gaming classics, so that even passive gamers can enjoy the humour! Presented on YouTube, at certain points of the story, you will be offered a choice of videos that determine the plot and soundtrack that you see. I have never seen anything like this, and certainly Gigglemug have taken a big risk in using online performance, which ordinarily I am not keen on. But the creative freedom to immersiv...

🌟 Kin 🌟 29 September 2023 at 7:30pm at Cast, Doncaster ★★★★★ What a privilege it is to see Gecko perform live after being influenced by their performance style as a theatre maker! I have seen some recorded performances from Gecko in the past, though there is something so special and endearing about Kin. Inspired by Artistic Director Amit Lahav's grandmother, we become embedded within tales of relentless, tortured relationships and heart-breaking survival. However, we are treated to much more beyond the media's portrayal of immigration. We see humanity, pride in heritage and persistence when life reaches the impossible. This piece of theatre is unbelievably encouraging and treats life as something to be treasured. Gecko are an international physical theatre company, priding themselves on their collaborative devising process. Not only does Kin feature a phenomenal display of talent, but the cast and creative team invites a diverse array of nationalities to tell their stories. W...