The Devil’s Mirror – Apollo Youth Theatre

 

By David D Ballard

A lively cast of young people aged from 8 to 16 years old from across the Isle of Wight brought their own special magic to a fantastical tale of mystery and adventure for a run of four performances, directed by Apollo Youth Theatre leader Mish Whitmore.

 

Karl Whitmore, who wrote The Devil’s Mirror and also helped design the set, realistically evokes the evil looking-glass forged from the souls of millions of demons in the fires of hell. Once shattered the scattered fragments bring chaos to the world with an endless winter.

 

“My story brings together various well-established themes about Hell, the Devil and the dark days of winter,” says Karl. “There are elements of The Snow Queen, Dante’s vision of an icy Hell, the Greek myth of Persephone and other snow-filled fantasies such as Narnia and Frozen. I am really proud of each and every one of the cast of young people. For many it is their first stage performance before a paying public. This production is a tremendous achievement for them and really demonstrates the range and complexity of all their skills and achievements.”

 

Jack Perry in the lead role of Iblis  brought vocal range and a carefully crafted performance of evil personified. He was ably supported by Khaya Mangena as a spring goddess who escapes her imprisonment in a palace of ice. The three demons - Hades Seager, Daniel Harries and Florence Cowley - made the most of their performance in the auditorium as they broke through the fourth wall and interacted confidently with the audience. 

 

When the travelling circus came to town we were all treated to a spectacular display of tightrope walking, aerial acrobatics and circus skills. Simple displays of magic revealed assured performances that invited more audience participation. Tom Howard as Kay, who disappeared in one of the many impressive circus tricks, was matched by Jess Rockhill as Gerda in the demanding role of spurned love. It was all done by members of the Apollo Youth Theatre with a real passion for developing their stagecraft and acting skills.

 

Credit should also go to the costume designer Liz Santer, and Anthony James,who made the impressive helmets and masks,  for their other-worldly creations and to Huxley Magic who helped with the close-up magic tricks.

 

For details of the Youth Theatre at The Apollo in Newport, Isle of Wight, contact Mish at apolloyouththeatre@gmail.com  or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/apolloyouththeatre

 

 

Going Straight by Richard Harris

‘Old villains may retire....’, reads the strapline for this play, currently on stage at The Apollo, ‘but are they going straight?’ In true thriller fashion, we don’t find out the full answer to this question until the last scene, and I’m not giving it away here. Suffice to say, there are more twists and turns on the way than most of the audience will have foreseen. Even my husband, usually the first in a guess the plot contest, predicted the ending wrongly.

Mickey has invited his old partner in crime Ray to stay in his swanky Spanish villa. Clearly there has been a rift in their relationship but now Mickey is keen to renew old ties. Reuben Loake’s Mickey is perfectly played, at times understated, at times openly conceited but with an undertone of controlling aggression that surfaces every now and then.  I have seen Ian Moth in many roles, often playing the charming urbane gent, but his portrayal of Ray shows his range of acting skills –  a bundle of nerves, with a hint of the East-End villain swagger.

Sue Edwards, as Mickey’s glamorous second wife Francine, manages to retain an air of superiority while spitting venom at her guests, but there is a hint of vulnerability in her portrayal which saves her from being an unsympathetic character. The main target for her disdain is Brenda, played by Fiona Gwinnett, whose performance threatens at times to steal the show, even from the other talent on stage, but she too has her vulnerable point, as we discover towards the end.

If there is a criticism of ‘Going Straight’ it is that the first half of the script has a lot of talking and less action in it – this is fully redressed in the second half, but in less skilful hands it could start rather slowly. The great characterisation of every role however keeps us interested, from the ‘old lags’ reminiscing about the past to the bitchy rivalry of their respective spouses.

The mystery really starts when Polly, played wonderfully by Susan Simpson, arrives to interview the two men for a Channel 4 documentary. From this point the questions about who is really doing what behind the scenes take off.

And talking of behind the scenes, no review of this play could be complete without a mention of the amazing technical wizardry emanating from the specially constructed sound and lighting system – set up in the balcony because it just wouldn’t all fit in the usual ‘box’. Dan Burns has excelled himself: absolutely spot on cue were not just doorbells and phones ringing, but offstage Spanish conversations and videos on Mickey’s state of the art CCTV screen – rewinding, playing back scenes we had just witnessed on the stage and apparently off-screen action, including Mickey driving off in a (correct for Spain) left hand drive car – yes, I do notice such details!!

This attention to detail pervades everything, from the carefully ostentatious set to the perfectly judged costumes for each character – we could tell so much about them before they ever opened their mouths. All of this was of course brought together by the talented direction of Amy Burns, and every person connected with this production in whatever capacity is to be congratulated.

‘Going Straight’ continues its run at The Apollo every evening until Saturday 28^th October – curtain up at 7.30pm. Don’t miss it!



Sue Edwards, Ian Moth, Reuben Loake and Fiona Gwinnett on stage in 'Going Straight'.

Revue Review - Shakespeare, of course!

To borrow a song title from the show, in Shakespeare's day not only did they not have Tippex, Velcro, freezers or synthesisers, they would probably have blanched at the idea of cramming twenty songs, half a dozen monologues, seven sketches and other assorted tomfoolery into one evening’s entertainment. 

Yet this is what The Apollo Players have done with great success in their latest production which opened yesterday evening, and they do it: the result is a fast-paced, witty variety revue which showcases the singing, acting, dancing and comedy talents of its cast of nine.

There are plenty of laughs along the way, ranging from Shakespearean Music Hall and Ragtime songs, through comic monologues from disillusioned actors and well-intentioned directors to full length sketches written by the likes of Monty Python, Fry and Laurie and Victoria Wood, all of which had the audience alternately chuckling and groaning at the more corny jokes.

To paraphrase the rather misguided director, this may be Shakespeare, but it’s fun, fun, fun all the way. In fact, the Bard simply acts as a common theme, and it is certainly not a requirement that the audience likes – or even knows – his work. 

The teamwork between the cast is tight: each has his or her own chance to take the spotlight but many of the best moments feature the whole company singing, dancing and acting in roles suited to their individual talents. 

The energy is sustained through the evening, movements between pieces are slick and the audience is entertained throughout.

Highlights of the first night were ‘Carrying a Torch’, an amusing but sweet song sung by two women whose appreciation of Shakespeare’s work is heavily influenced by the handsome young man playing the spear carrier; a sketch in which the actress performing the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene thinks she’s Lady Macbeth; four –ahem – ladies mourning the death of Sir John Falstaff in song and the hilarious story of a beautiful American wishing to see Stratford and the lengths a young man goes to in order to satisfy her desires....

However, the greatest strength of the show is its sheer variety – if one song or sketch fails to tickle your fancy, there will be another along in a minute or two, sure to be to your taste.

The show runs until July 11th, with performances tonight and every night from Tuesday to Saturday next week. 

To paraphrase yet another song: Let’s go to the Apollo and do it – and do it standing up! Or sitting down, if you prefer – but do go along and be entertained!

It's Poetry, innit?

All Shakespeare's tales provide wonderous shows
Although some people think they're more for high brows
If you're one of them what prefers a bit more fun
Then this Shakespeare Revue for you is the ONE!
 
The fabulous writers may be a little bit rude
As they integrate humour and music and mood
The Apollo troupe do a whole range of things
Singing and dancing - and panting in the wings!
 
You'll see Romeo and Juliet having a row
And an insight to Hamlet with many a vow.
Two ladies from Henry V sing  a rather naughty song 
As you eat your ice cream you can all sing along!
 
So make up a group or come on your own
To experience Will as you never have known
Do phone up a friend and have a night out
The drinks are cheap and you'll not want for nowt!
 
Box Office (01993) 527267

Book online via website at http://www.apollo-theatre.org.uk/shakespeare-revue/  

Tickets from only £8. 

3 & 4 July and  7-11 July

By Glenys Lloyd Williams, esteemed cast member. 
 

Shakespeare Revue - Coming Soon

The Apollo in Newport follows up the success of its production of The Tempest, with a Shakespeare revue show that was a big hit in London's West End for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

One critic described it as 'a joyous words-and-music anthology in loving mockery of the Bard'.

The Shakespeare Revue is a night of clever and witty entertainment inspired by Shakespeare's finest comedy writing, and features songs and sketches written by well-known names including Noel Coward, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, and the 'Beyond the Fringe' team, as well as specially written material by modern writers.

Director, Alain Smith, and his experienced cast plan to serve up what he describes as a 'fast moving and sparkling night' which will make audiences laugh, and at the same time pay respect to perhaps the greatest writer in the English language.

Alain said: "It's a true revue, in that the evening will be made up of a series of short sketches and songs. It is perfect for people who love Shakespeare, but great fun even if you don't!'

The Shakespeare Revue is on at the Apollo on July 3 and 4, and from July 7 to 11.

Tickets can be booked online at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk, or by calling the box office on 01983 527267

An Evening in the Life of a Theatre

Yesterday evening The Apollo was crammed with talent and purpose. 

A rehearsal, you ask?

No!

Two rehearsals, for two separate and very different productions.

In the auditorium, on a stage which is gradually growing rostra (rostrums? rostrii? The debate raged) the cast, musical director and director of The Shakespeare Revue were singing and playing up a storm. Songs, dances, sketches – all need practice to ensure all ten cast members are perfectly in harmony and in step on the nights, as well as honing those acting skills. It's going to be lots of fun and laughter for the audience if the enjoyment of the cast is anything to go by.

Over in the bar another group of Apollo members are just starting to rehearse the production set to follow The Shakespeare Revue.

This first of our new season, it is a smaller, mainly female cast, performing a mystery drama set in Victorian times. Ladies in Retirement follows events in the life of a retired gentle woman and her companion whose two sisters come to stay. One lady mysteriously disappears: where has she gone and who is responsible?

Whether your taste is for drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat, or for music, comedy and dance that you can clap and laugh along to, come along to The Apollo and we guarantee you'll be entertained.

Top Secret! Silent Magic!

Sshhhhh - don't tell anyone, but I passed The Apollo on Tuesday evening and there were distinct signs of life. No actors busily rehearsing; no director shouting –er – directions; no audience crowding in to see the latest offering; not even coffee drinkers in the bar (nor drinkers of slightly stronger substances!).

No – this is a top secret group of people who sneak in when our backs are turned, every Monday and Tuesday from about 7pm and magically make the costumes and sets of the previous play disappear, and then create the backgrounds for the next. 

As actors come in to rehearse, week by week they find flats (I think that's what they're called but the top secret group knows about such things) appear, then change colour; windows and doors magically come into place; curtains, rostra, furniture….

At the same time, magic fairies are busy with their needles in our well-stocked costume stores, and suddenly a few weeks before a performance, rails of costumes are found in the dressing room – even (with the odd fitting) in the right sizes for each actor.

Do you have any of the magic needed to wield such powers? 

If so, I understand the workshop groups always welcome new recruits, be they elves, pixies or even humans.

For more information, contact Dan Burns via our Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/groups/apollotheatre/ or on 07401 306577, or just turn up at The Apollo any Monday or Tuesday evening.