That's Entertainment
19/02/2010 - 20/02/2010
The new double bill of plays penned by Lichfield author Phil Preece reveals the many faces of showbusiness - the has-been looking for something better and the superstars discontented with their success. 'My new double bill was written to explore the possibility of two voices working together, perhaps each mistaking what the other is saying or manipulating their partner's response. It allows a lot more possibilities while still keeping the intimate focus on the actor's voice and actions.'
The number of tribute acts around today prompted Phil to write Mr Blue Sky. Ageing rocker Vince Meager has done the rounds for decades, having a ball, but has maybe missed out on 'real' life. A fan comes backstage one night and he experiences emotions he never thought he could feel.
In That's Entertainment, a couple of national TV stars at the top of their game attend an Awards Night and the entertainment industry has come out in force to honour the duo's prime-time success.
But in Phil Preece's usual style, the play reveals that behind the scenes not everything is rosy in TV land, because backstage Joe and Lee are locked in a battle their audience would never suspect
Phil explained: 'They've been together since they were children, so they know each other inside out. In one way their partnership is like a marriage, but it's also a luxurious trap.
Kennedy's Children
25/02/2010 - 27/02/2010
WATB present Robert Patrick's modern classic
Five people in a New York bar on Valentine's Day, 1974, explore their activities in the 1960s which brought them to their present point of paralysis, stagnation and - for one - death
Wanda, a secretary turned schoolteacher, has tried to follow John Kennedy's Eternal Flame of idealism despite current attempts to smear his name
Sparger, a flamboyant, dazzling actor, has grown cold and cynical watching New York's underground theatre movement go crazy and commercial
Rona, an activist in the youth political movements of that decade, sees the movement collapsing and fears she has wasted her husband's life
Mark, a veteran of Viet Nam, has become a psychotic drug addict trying to understand the rights and wrongs of that war
Carla, a beautiful young aspiring actress who wanted to be the next Marilyn Monroe, traces with wit and courage the process by which she became, instead, a sexual toy for producers and agents
Unable any longer to relate to other human beings, these characters trace in alternating monologues their rich, heroic and courageous lives
Blue Remembered Hills
12/03/2010
Dennis Potter's brilliant and often hilarious evocation of war-time childhood games, rivalries, jealousies - and tragedies - is brought to life in an exciting and original production by New Century Theatre Company, one of the West Midlands' most dynamic and innovative theatre companies. This apparently simple tale relates the activities of seven-year-olds on a summer afternoon. Willie tags along as burly Peter bullies Raymond and is challenged by fairminded John. Audrey is over-shadowed by Angela's prettiness and wreaks her angry frustrations on the boys. All of them gang up on the terrified `Donald Duck' who, abused by his mother and ridiculed by his peers, plays his own dangerous game of pyromania.
In a unique twist, the children's roles are acted out by a cast of adults. The original ground-breaking television production featured Helen Mirren and Colin Welland.
Acting Suspiciously
20/03/2010
Ian Bradley plays failing actor Anthony Edge in his own bitter sweet one-man comedy play.
Shakespearean actor Anthony Edge, can't find work, hasn't had work in months, and is becoming increasingly cynical and bitter towards his profession and fellow professionals. He is not so much waving as drowning! That is until his agent (whom he - Anthony- thought had forgotten he existed) puts him up for a dramatised reconstruction for TV where things take a surprise turn and his acting career and reputation is on the line.
This could be the acting role to end all acting roles....
Eric's Tale of The Sea
22/04/2010
Jon Briley at Best Medicine Management Presents Eric's Tales Of The Sea Winner of the Three Weeks Editor's Award 2009
Former submariner Eric has taken the Edinburgh Fringe by storm for the last two years. Now, he brings his acclaimed one-man show to Birmingham's Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre as part of a national tour.
With the aid of astonishing visuals, Eric gives you an insider's view of the mysterious world beneath the waves in a nuclear submarine, and transports you to an underwater existence where edgy camaraderie, black humour, death and destruction are the closest of bedfellows!
'sublime comic timing ... thrilling, witty and inspirational - a one in a million show that I can't recommend highly enough' ***** Three Weeks
'truly excellent' ***** Fringe Review
'breathtaking, poignant, suspenseful, hilarious, enthralling, self-deprecating, never boastful, moving, humbling and comic. Highly recommended' **** The List
'a store of charm as deep as the ocean itself, and some of the best stories you'll hear this year' The Guardian
The Cheeky Chappie
08/05/2010
Dave Sealey presents a special Matinee performance of his show about the comedian Max Miller.
MAX MILLER'S first film appearance was a three minute cameo in the screen adaptation of J B Priestley's THE GOOD COMPANIONS, Priestley said of Max's act '..... you had to be reasonably close to him to appreciate the full impact of his delivery of what was called suggestive. We live in a permissive age now and there is no such thing as suggestiveness. Anything goes now; it didn't then'.
In a personal letter to MAX, John Betjeman wrote '...I'm glad to have the opportunity of telling you that you are to me a great genius, as you must know you are, and have given me so much pleasure'. Winston Churchill observed, 'the two finest comedians of the twentieth century were Winston Churchill and Max Miller.
In this frank appraisal of Miller's sometimes turbulent career, between generous helpings from his outrageous 'front-cloth' repertoire, Dave Sealey gradually reveals the strangely quiet, unassuming man behind the make-up and gaudy apparel. Actress Jean Kent, remarked that, '...off stage he was a quiet man with an almost innocent sense of humour'. 'No doubt about it,' said Stan Laurel, ' he was the most private and solitary performer I've ever met'.
Dave joyously contrasts Max's dazzling bravado on stage with the work of some of his most celebrated contemporaries: ;Our' Gracie Fields, 'gormless' George Formby, 'big hearted Arthur Askey, the eccentric Jimmy James, loveable Rob Wilton, together with other giants from the great days of variety. All big names, but none of them bigger than the one who boasted, 'Miller's the name, lady', the CHEEKY CHAPPIE, highest paid of them all.
Some found him too 'cheeky'; long running disputes with Val Parnell and Moss Empires, spats and wrangles with Auntie Beeb, not to mention a five year ban from radio, bad press and the cold shoulder from some in the profession often barred his progress, but Max defiantly went his own way and stayed at the top. As Lord Oliver said, 'Max Miller was a master comedian, striding boldly in a field of innuendo'.
Max would scold his audience, saying'....you're the sort of people who get me a bad name! LISTEN...listen, listen....
Jack and Jill went up the hill
Just like two cock linnets
Jill came down with half a crown
She wasn't up there two min........
ERE!
Seaside postcard stuff, really, wasn't it?
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