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.

The Stage is Set.....

Just one more chance to see The Tempest at the Apollo this evening, so make the most of it!

The first puzzle facing the audience entering the auditorium for this show is the stage setting: anyone familiar with The Tempest knows it starts on board a ship and the main action takes place on a desert island – so why is the stage set to resemble the back courtyard of The Ship Inn?

That - and other questions - is resolved by the actors, but many people have commented on the amazing sets The Apollo comes up with for its shows: recent directors have required the interior of a whole flat, another flat upstairs and exterior; a study whose furnishings change and which becomes gradually smaller; a London exterior street scene to be swapped for a Victorian sitting room and a lounge with a view of a haunted castle, doors my hat move by themselves and a flying bat!!

It's down to our fantastic team of set designers and builders to do the impossible, and each time, whatever the apparently bizarre requests, they manage to come up with exactly the right set.

Alongside these wonderful people we have teams of costume designers, props people and sound and lighting engineers whose work often goes unnoticed by audiences, but who are also vital in creating the the atmosphere of the piece.

So next time you’re in the theatre, spare a thought for these backstage talents, and if you fancy getting involved, please do – we always welcome new members both on and backstage, so if you have artistic talents, practical abilities or are just happy to wield a paintbrush or hammer, please contact Dan Burns via our Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/groups/apollotheatre/ or on 07401 306577, or just turn up to any workshop evening - they're held Monday and Tuesday evenings at The Apollo.

The Tempest, by….er……someone called Will, I believe….

I have seen this play staged several times, but never has the Boatswain received almost a standing ovation, and never has Prospero’s memory ‘failed him’ so dramatically!

The Apollo Players have decided to give their audience a true taste of the theatre of the time, so on entering the auditorium ones expectations of seeing a representation of a sinking ship or an enchanted island are immediately challenged by the courtyard of the Ship Inn. The players similarly are milling about dicing and chatting, as they would have done in Will’s day. There is even a traditionally Elizabethan ending, which I shan't give away….

The Boatswain acts as stagehand, scene marker and comic turn: once used to this device his every appearance was greeted by laughter and applause, and he was in grave danger of stealing the show – and would have done had it not been for excellent performances from his colleagues.

The shipwreck was cleverly presented, although at times it was difficult to hear the words over the noise of  the eponymous tempest, but as we moved on to dry land every character was clearly drawn and thoughtfully acted.

Prospero was, as he should be, the dominating figure: now ordering his spirit Ariel to her task; now silently observing the results of his magical intrigue; now confronting his past enemies, enjoying having the upper hand. Yet he still managed to be a sympathetic figure - his deep sense of the injustice he had suffered and his tender love for his daughter Miranda were skilfully drawn.

Miranda herself was as sweet and naïve as her love interest Ferdinand was heroic and dashing – the effect helped by his rich blue doublet of course!

The shipwrecked nobles can sometimes be presented as a homogenous group, but in this production the gentle old Gonzalo and the despairing yet regal King Alonso were set against the calculating, sneering usurper Antonio and his sidekick Sebastian, who was played as slightly stupid but ready to engage in Antonio’s plot.

Set against the foiled plot to kill Alonso (showing of course that Antonio was still as evil as when he took Prospero’s dukedom) was the comic plot to kill Prospero and rule the island hatched by Caliban, Prospero’s deformed slave, along with the drunkards Stephano and Trinculo. Caliban was suitably deranged and monstrous, and the double act staggered about the stage hilariously.

For me, one of the stars of the play is Ariel: her graceful movement, beautiful singing voice and ethereal presence contributed to the magical atmosphere of this enchanted isle. It was during one of the exchanges with Ariel that Prospero appeared to forget his lines, to be prompted by the ubiquitous Boatswain – a rehearsal lapse that was so amusing it made it into the final play, much to the audience’s appreciation.

The denouement settled all matters to everyone's (well, almost!) satisfaction – certainly the audiences – and while, as Prospero says, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on”, the plots hatched on this island to gain power could perhaps have something to say to contemporary politicians?

Be that as it may, this is a most entertaining Shakespearean feast, whether you are a devotee of the Bard or not.

I'm a Magician - Get Me Out Of Here!!

Milan's deposed duke Prospero and his gorgeous daughter Miranda have been discovered alive and well - on a desert island. And now wedding bells are ringing for young Miranda and Ferdinand, the dashing heir to the throne of Naples. 

Prospero, believed murdered when his brother Antonio took over Milan in suspicious circumstances, had actually been living in luxury on the island for the past twelve years. Always a bit of a wizard, the deposed Duke had used his magical skills on the island's inhabitants - airy spirit Ariel and moody monster Caliban - who waited on him hand and foot. 

Despite his cosy life, he was set on paying back his double-dealing brother and Antonio’s crony Alonso, King of Naples, who'd conspired to dupe him of his dukedom. So when their ship came sailing by, it was revenge time! 

With a wave of his wand, Prospero BEACHED the ship and: 

CONVINCED Alonso that his son Ferdinand was drowned;

Left the shipwrecked lords AGHAST with magical visions;

TERRIFIED the traitors Antonio and Alonso;

Finally, he FOILED a plot between Caliban and drunkards Trinculo and Stephano to take over the island.

But the magician soon showed his softer side. When Miranda and Ferdinand fell for one another, Prospero finally approved the match.

And after Ariel gave him an earful for his treatment of Alonso and Antonio, he freed and even forgave them.

As the happy group left the island, Prospero had one last command for hard-working Ariel that must have come as a great relief to everyone - "calm seas"!

A Happy Landing!

No sooner had former drama teacher Keith Larkin landed on the Isle of Wight, than he landed a part in the Apollo Theatre's next production of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'.

Keith will play the Boatswain after the previous cast member had to drop out. 

The play's director, Mike Whitehead, said: "It was obviously meant to be. This is Keith's favourite Shakespeare play, and he arrived on the Island by ship - just as his character does!"

The play is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan (played by Michael Arnell) plots to restore his daughter Miranda (Susan Simpson) to her rightful place in the court. He uses his magic powers to summon up a storm, which wrecks a ship carrying his usurping brother Antonio (Alain Smith), among others.

First performed in 1611, it is one of Shakespeare's shortest plays, and is renowned for the beauty of its language, its dreamlike quality and some rich and colourful characters, including the spirit Ariel (Ginnie Orrey), and Prospero's slave Caliban, played by Danny Carmichael.

The Apollo's production will feature authentic period costume, matched with the use of modern technology to create sound effects and lighting.

You can catch it on May 15 and 16, and from May 19 to 23.

For more information and online booking, go to www.apollo-theatre.org.uk

Happy Birthday Shakespeare, from The Apollo Players

Friday, 24th April, 2015. 

Last night the cast of the upcoming production of Shakespeare's “The Tempest” began  our rehearsal by sing a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” to the Bard! Then we got on with the really fun business of “polishing”....... adding detail and minor adjustments to movement and expression. 

I really enjoy this part of the rehearsal period; when we're all more-or-less off the book and can experiment. It's great having a wise director like Michael Whitehead who, having established his vision for the play, allows his cast to contribute to the production.

 It's also always a pleasure to feel part of a much larger team of set-builders, lighting, sound and costume designers who all contribute their skills to, not only creating dramatic art, but also maintaining the best little theatre on the Island.

Michael Arnell, Prospero in the Apollo's next production, The Tempest, which runs from May 15-16 and 19-23.

Six Dance Lesson in Six Weeks

Directing the Apollo's next play has been a labour of love for director Isabel Favell.

She first discovered 'Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks' on a twinning visit from Sandown to St Pete Beach in America, when the writer Richard Alfieri held a workshop to discuss his new play.

It went on to become one of the most regularly performed plays in the world, and can be seen at the Apollo on March 27, 28 and 31, and April 1 to 4.

The play tells the story of a formidable widow who takes private dancing lessons with an acerbic young dance teacher. Their different backgrounds give rise to a range of comic, and also emotional moments, as she eventually reveals her closely guarded secret, and he shares his greatest gifts.

The story revolves around each dance lesson as the characters - played by Helen Clinton-Pacey and John Abraham - dance the Swing, Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz, Cha-Cha, and Contemporary Dance.

Isabel said: "I have loved this play since the moment I was introduced to it, all those years ago. Richard Alfieri said it came about when he took his elderly mother to a tea dance at the Don Cesar Hotel, an imposing pink palace on the beach, and was surprised to see the number of elderly ladies dancing with young attractive men."

The assistant director Alain Smith has also been responsible for choreographing the dance scenes.

Online booking is now available at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk. Opening night tickets cost £8, and for other nights the cost is £8.50. 

Advance booking forms are available from a dispenser at the theatre's main entrance, and can also be downloaded from the website.