|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Musicals & Opera |
Rating Guide Steven's Last Night In Town. (Page 112) Drams 
Venue Komedia Roman Eagle Lodge. (Venue 21) Address 2 Johnston Terrace. Reviewer Fiona O'Hanlon. Steven's Last Night In Town is a darkly comedic musical which uses the songs of the Ben Folds Five as the lyrical basis of a moving portrayal of what it is to be human. An emotional tale of lost youth, lost possibilities, lost loves and lost lives, the innovative production depicts the emotional catharsis of Murphy, Vincent, Tom and Frankie as they confront the failings of their individual pasts. The return to Steven’s shabby seaside shop evokes the characters' memories of their childhood town Morecambe Bay. The songs mark the characters' emotional progression as although the opening tracks Steven's Last Night in Town and Steven Walker, this is your life are almost wholly reflective, Song for the Dumped and Uncle Walter comically cleanse the characters of harboured grudges and emotions. The unconventionality of a carpenter, journalist, dentist and dentist's assistant singing the eclectic music of the Ben Folds Five is comically highlighted when Murphy and Vinnie mosh whilst singing Underground. The performance does reflect the essence of the American nineties group, however, as the live band consists of a bassist, drummer and keyboard player, whilst the clear diction of the strong vocalists does justice to Ben Fold’s heartfelt lyrics. For those of us who are Still Fighting It , Steven's Last Night In Town is a lesson in the mantra 'the choices you make are the paths you take.' © Fiona O'Hanlon. 5th August 2003 - Published on www.EdinburghGuide.com Runs to 24th August daily at 16.40. Company – Jacob's Well Productions.
Street of flame and flowers (page 112) European premiere Drams 0 - None needed! Company SP Taki On Cast Wataru Yokojima (Takeji Kinjyo); Taka Uenohira (Eiko Kinjyo nee Kiuna); Hiroto Sahara (Katsuichi Kinjyo/Shintaro Ajya); Keisuke Iijima (Rear Admiral Ohta/Retsu Kiuna); Shoichi Kobayashi (US Sgt. Robert); Kaori Ishii (Kazumi Kinjyo); Kaoru Koishi (Hitomi Kinjyo); Mariko Watanabe (2nd Lieut. Tony Brooks); Keiko Sakamoto (Nursery Teacher Yam in Vietnam) Venue C Central (Venue 54) Address Carlton Hotel, North Bridge Reviewer Pat Napier Rush out and see this music drama now! The 'European Premiere' is only appearing in Edinburgh and then going straight back to Japan.
Lest you think that it's all gloom and doom - and unitelligible to boot - let me hasten to assure you that we, as English speakers, are well catered for. There are two Acts, with several scenes. At each point, there is a superb English narrative summary introducing the forthcoming action. The story begins at the very end of World War II with our hero Takeji Kinjyo, a sailor in the Japanese navy being sucked in to the Imperial Navy's surrender to the Americans at Okinawa. Though he desperately wants to commit suicide alongside the other 4,000 sailors rather than live in shame, he's destined not to. His Commanding Officer Rear Admiral Ohta forbids it and, in the end his brother Katsuichi botches his execution, leaving Takeji wounded in the leg - but alive... The story of his meeting and subsequent marriage to Eiko is achingly beautiful, especially when the action moves on to the 1970s. Okinawa is the warp of the story, over which the weft of its people's hopes, feelings and love/hate relationship with the U S Navy are played out. Takeji and Eiko's two teenage daughters meet and fall in love with American soldiers, setting up unbearable tensions, both domestic and cross-cultural.  The
1970 Tokyo riots against the American Navy are shocking and frightening to the
family, provoking a lust for death in the girls' Japanese male friends. A killing
is averted after a horrific accident to Eiko and the boys go off instead to
burn some 60 cars. The Koza City riot is the street of flames looking just like
flowers blooming all over the city. Takeji says flowers will grow if we decide
to use our hands to change them.The acting is supremely graphic, with facial and body movements saying more than words. We don't need to understand the words. The music running all the way through the drama and - like the best scoring - much more extensive than thought, is extremely evocative, with the sounds of the Okinawan beach making a lyrical counterpoint to pain and suffering. The set is the most minimal I've ever encountered: a simple brushwood arch and platform within it -nothing else. There are powerful themes here. We need to hear them and think seriously about what it was like for the other side then try to mend bridges. A music drama such as this is what we all need for has great power to heal deep and painful wounds. Try to see it if you can! © Pat Napier. 19 August 2003. Published on www.EdinburghGuide.com Run: August 18-24 at 13:15hrs
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street Drams
one soft drink with a straw, excellentVenue (65) St.Anns community centre Address South Gray's close Cowgate Reviewer Hynde Ritchie aged 12 Sweeney Todd The demon barber Of Fleet Street The performance of Sweeney Todd by the Leicestershire youth arts was very expressive and have a strong cast. Sam Butler was excellent in his vicious role of Sweeney Todd the demon barber of Fleet Street. Elizabeth Harris was very good as Mrs Lovatt, and injected just the right amount of humour into her role. The rest of the cast were brilliant in their supporting roles. The simple set and the creative lighting gave a really eerie feel to the production, the music and lyrics add to the creepy story of Sweeney Todd; the effect of using red silk to portray a slit throat was especially gory! . The multiple murders/multiple parts played by the all cast were fun, and so Sweeney Todd goes away with 4 out of 5. A really inspiring production ...... Hynde Forth Ritchie 18th of Aug 2003 - Published on www.EdinburghGuide.com Runs to 23rd August at 20.00. Company – Leicestershire Youth Arts ...website contact www.yal.org.uk
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
