Chicago @ Sunderland Empire

Most people have heard of, or seen, Chicago - for many it was the 2002 movie starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones that brought them to the delights of Matron Mama Morton and her death row divas but whilst the glamour & glitz of the Hollywood version remains true to the text of the story, you have to see it live on stage to really feel the energy and raw power of the whole experience.

I've seen the stage production of Chicago half a dozen times now, including in the West End (twice) but this is undoubtedly the best version.  The choreography is simply stunning - it oozes sex appeal, is as tight as a snare drum and gives you all the razzle dazzle mixed with the seedy, snarling, downright dirty underbelly of Chicago in the 1920's.  This is where it strips away the gloss & sanitised safety of the film and exposes you to fabulous dance routines, sultry vocals and a grown-up level of humour.

From the very first number, "All that Jazz" it is obvious that the audience are going to be treated to a non-stop master class in ensemble dancing, direction and production.  This is THE example any budding dancer, show director or stage producer should see - the ingenious use of the set, the positioning of the band (who were as much a part of the visual delight as they were the audio) and the simple yet evocative costumes demonstrate theatre at its very best. 

Taking the lead roles last night were Tupele Dorgu and Chloe Ames - two girls who, to date have had very different degrees of exposure.  Ms Dorgu boasts a very wide & varied list of TV productions including Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Casualty, Doctors and a hall of fame entry for crossing the big red balls in Total Wipeout.  As Velma Kelly she has all the sass and bravado coupled with a great voice and some stunning moves; she manages to inject a degree of pathetic desperation just under the skin which always threatens to breakout and ruin the otherwise completely-in-control Kelly - it is this vulnerability which creates the juxtaposition at the end of the show as Velma & Roxie realise they really are alike.

Chloe Ames, who is billed as Hunyak (the Hungarian murderess, who ironically only has two words of English in the whole show) stepped into the lead role and was simply amazing.  Roxie, in her hands, was a little girl lost, a brash almost arrogant temptress and a naive but headstrong showgirl. When sexy was required she was molten gold, when vulnerable was needed she was doe-eyed innocence and when it was time for comedy she was classic timing perfected. 

The role of Roxie is very demanding, not just for the complex layers of the character but because, being the lead in so much of the story line, she needs to dance, act, sing and belt through many of the shows headline hits.  It really places the actress front & centre to be judged and compared against all others who have played Ms Hart, a list which includes such noted stars as Denise Van Outen, Claire Sweeney, Jennifer Ellison, Ruthie Henshall and even Bonnie Langford and I can say, with great certainty, that Chloe Ames deserves to be included in that list too.  She may have yet to take top billing herself, but, Ms Ames, your time is nigh and theatre will be all the richer for it.

The Burlesque Show @ Darlington Civic

Wow - what a night, how can I have missed out on this for so long?

Last year I was very lucky to go and see DrumChasers and those who read the review will remember I thought I had seen something very unique and special.  Well last night I went to Darlington Civic and, whilst the show I saw was not a new idea, it was my first time at a Burlesque evening and it was amazing.  I apologise now to any aficionados of burlesque if I descend into the naive & virginal ramblings of a 'newbie' but I loved this show from the very first minute to the extended encores.

For those who may not be familiar with Burlesque, think of a heady (and hedonistic) mix of Vegas, end of the pier, music hall and cabaret with a sprinkling of bizarre and a copious dash of naughtiness.  The show we saw last night, hosted by the utterly devine Miss Lili la Scala, gave everything you could ever want for a evening of pure escapism. Miss Lili was the perfect compere for a first timer like me; she was gentle, funny, welcoming and endearing yet all with a wicked glint in her eye suggesting that we were in for some fun.

I won't spoil the show by recounting each act in detail, but I will say that each one was fresh, funny and so obviously having fun themselves that the audience couldn't help but join in. 

Before last night I believed that Burlesque was all about sequins, stiptease and tassels - there is certainly plenty of that, but it's done not in a "Carry On" "oo-er" snigger-behind-your-hand-way; it is very artistic, clearly talented and quite 'grown up'.  Added to this was a cornucopia of variety.  There was the visual humour of Elan Kosuk (and a brilliant routine with a suitcase), the jaw-dropping and completely bonkers (in a good way, especially for Trekkies) Fancy Chance; Mr B, the Gentleman Rhymer (complete with his Banjolele Chap-Hop), and one of the best impersonators seen in Darlington for many a year (I can't say who he covered as it would ruin one of the show's gasp out loud moments).  

We were treated to the sultry, honey coated jazz of Miss Coco Malone, a cross between Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald who fixed the audience in their seats as they hung on every note, and then, completing this already bulging talent line up was Flixx Demontrant and a trip into his surreal circus of the mind; slightly scary, slightly weird and completely compulsive viewing.

And back to the dancers - Elle Amour and Mia Merode.  For anyone who has been forced to go to the ballet and sat thinking, this is okay but it would be great if they could just 'sex it up' a bit, Ms Amour is all that and some ! Her choreography would not be out of place amongst Swan Lake, the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty but where they stop she starts, treating the audience to a full appreciation of the female form as she pirouettes, plies and piques. Of course, I wouldn't suggest that the audience are aficionados of ballet, but we certainly appreciate the loveliness of a half naked dancer.

Now I have a confession, last night I lost my heart to Mia Merode - if ever there was a

contender for the modern day Marilyn Monroe then it must be Mia - face of an angel hiding a devilish smile and a body that men would kill for - I have to be careful because Mrs B was with me last night but in the words of Mel Brooks "Wa wa woowoo wa wa !".  If Mia was a cartoon she would rival Jessica Rabbit & Betty Boop combined. Ms Merode is no slouch in the dancing either, she spent almost a whole routine on her points for her foray into ballet and then gave the best reason possible for re-introducing peacock farming for their feathers......  Sorry, must pause & compose myself.

I have to admit, as my first time at a Burlesque show I went with little expectation and a very open mind and was completely bowled over - but like the first time for many other things(!), will anything now be able to really compete with this or have I already had the best - only repeated viewings will tell !

For the perfect adult night out with friends I can recommend nothing better.   Check out the ministry of burlesque website for more details of their shows.

Wizard of Oz, Easter Panto @ Darlington Civic

Who says Pantomime is just a Christmas thing ?  The tried and tested formula of songs, jokes, slapstick humour and well known stories is so often mothballed from Jan to Nov because tradition dictates that Pantomimes are not for all year, they're just for December, and that's a crying shame.

There must be a belief that kids (and adults for that matter) wouldn't enjoy the same type of show at other times of the year ?  But "Oh yes we do", and "Oh yes we did last night" -speaking to the Civic's Theatre Manager he confirmed that the 4 shows will have drawn in over 3500 people in just 2 days.

The Wizard of Oz was given an adrenaline shot a few years ago by the BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber but forget the "sticking strictly to the film" production, this version was pure, laugh out loud until you almost wet yourself fun.

Staged by Enchanted Entertainment, The Wizard of Oz nicks all the best bits from the original and then squeezes in more jokes, more songs and more kitsch than thought possible.  There are CBBC favourites for the kids to recognise with Tracey Beaker and Sarah Jane and, in Bobby Davro the adults have enough 'nudge nudge, wink wink' to ensure they are laughing just as loud.

Dani Harmer, best known as Tracey Beaker plays Dorothy perfectly.  She gives a great Kansas accent, carries the same naivety as Garland's Dot but still has the street smarts and today references to keep the kids engaged.  It's wonderful that at her tender age she is almost a veteran of stage & screen, is one of the biggest stars in BBC Childrens TV history and known globally, but she can still be reduced to fits of giggles by fart jokes, spluttering sidekicks and Bobby Davro's impromptu double entendres.

Both my girls have grownup with CBeebies and then CBBC so I am well aware of the characters and stars. I haven't been allowed to forget them either as being married to a childminder these two TV channels seem to still be favourite so it was quite bizarre to see Sarah Jane Honeywell live on stage - Sarah has been an unintentionally large part of my peripheral TV viewing over the past 10 years -I say unintentional, but I, like most dads, would never have watched Higgledy House just for Justin! .  She plays Glinda, the good fairy, more like a souped up Tweenie than the regal, grandiose fairy of the film and it's brilliant - the kids loved the cheeky naughtiness, the funky dancing and of course, wearing Heelies on stage - I heard loads on the way out asking their respective parents to dig out their Heelies so they can go be a good fairy.

Bobby Davro proves that there is no substitution for getting up on stage, telling some jokes and having a blooming great time; As the Scarecrow his one liners were so quick that there was a slight time delay as the audience got the previous one, only to then have to catch up again on the next 3 that he had fired, machine-gun like.  Of course, Bobby made his initial break as an impressionist and we are treated to a smorgaas bord of his finest, including a Harry Hill which had many of us believing it WAS Mr Hill who had snuck in as a mystery guest star.  Mr Davro is obviously the most experienced and some would argue therefore headline star but he is so genuine that there is never a moment of "look at me" or "I'm the star" - a true entertainer. 

The whole show is a fun packed afternoon/evening which makes you feel that you have been allowed into the casts' own end of season production - it's so loose and fluid that you can't help just laughing along with the stars on stage as they seem to have as much fun as you do.

It's a little known fact, but Bobby Davro's father was a world record holder and Olympian in both the mile and 1500m - well, in Bobby we have the current Olympic champion in making people laugh - jokes, slapstick, fantastic impressions and cheeky devilment and it's my belief that the UK should be reminded of this more often.

The Wizard of Oz by Enchanted Entertainment is on at Darlington Civic today (Friday 13th) but if you're thinking of going, please phone the box office first as tickets are pretty scarce.  The show is then off to Carlisle for the 14th & 15th April.

UPDATE:  Just had my hand slapped by the Tin Man (which I assure you hurts A LOT) for forgetting the most evilest, wickedest, nastiest witch in the whole of Oz - Kate Richards who at times was so wicked the audience were dumb struck and needed prompting to boo - or maybe they just knew what a darling Kate is really and couldn't bring themselves to hiss at her - either way she was the epitome of a Panto villain, - "Oh yes she was"- and a great singer too.  

Swallows and Amazons @ Darlington Civic

A wonderful exercise in imagineering which every child should be encouraged to try.

There have been some amazing developments in cinematography recently - high definition, IMAX, 3D - not to mention the fantastical CGI demonstrated in films such as Transformers, Avatar and Inception, but sometimes I wonder whether all this "alternative reality on a plate" is stripping away our ability to fantasise and make believe.

Well, having just watched Tom Morris's Swallows and Amazons at the Civic in Darlington I have to acknowledge that, without a single electric prop, with no high definition back scenes and based only on the ingenuity of a cast of actors and musicians, I lost myself in Windermere 1928.

The story is well known; 2 groups of children take to the lake to sail, explore, rival and ultimately join together in their own fantasies of pirates, savages, ghosts and treasure.  What really set this production aside is the completely refreshing way that the set  and props gave the feeling that they too were derived from the childrens' imaginations.  Boats were not much more than skateboards with blue ribbons for the water, birds were cleverly fashioned from shears and bin bags while the view through a telescope was brilliantly mimicked with hoops and mini models but it only took a moment to trigger the now underused 'minds eye' and the stage disappeared and the Lake District took it's place.

Just as clever was the introduction of sound effects, again being done acoustically - the sound of the wind was generated by a traditional 'wheel and canvas', thunder was created by the biggest storm board I've seen and a crackling camp fire was amazingly done simply by clicking and clapping hands.

The cast, all quite grown up despite playing characters aging from 12 down to 'almost 8' worked really hard to make their parts believable children without being childish - the original story had all the kids display a great degree of strength of character which came from having the confidence to explore the countryside without fear or prejudice - quite different from the children of today.   Granted, there are few who would be happy to let 4 children sail out across a lake to a deserted island to camp, but lets not forget that this story is set very much in a time where the challenges of life were to be faced, and overcome, from the earliest of years.

Led by Richard Holt as Cptn John Walker (who perfectly carried the angst and responsibility of the 'man of the house' while his father was at sea and took his assumed place as the head of the camp with great importance) and with Katie Moore as Susan Walker (playing the 'surrogate mother' with a wonderful blend of practicality and tenderness), the 'children' keep the story rattling along whilst the stage support and crew constantly demonstrate the unique improvisation for sound and visuals.   Adding to this, Akiya Henry and Stuart Wright (as Titty and Roger) who brought humour and comedy, again childlike, not childish. 

Two scenes stand out above all others - the midnight dream sequence which is reminiscent of a Faustian fantasy coupled with Pirates of the Caribbean, and the fun-packed audience participation of the final battle.  I guess that, in the grand scheme of things, this story has yet to be made into a Hollywood gloss movie, nor has it been subject to a BBC drama department make over so this production can keep true, and capture so much of the appeal and essence of the original - the fantasy of childrens' imaginations. 

If you have children of your own, or if you're an uncle or an aunt, then do yourselves a favour and take them to see this - they will probably be pleased for the invite, you will certainly be glad you did.

Swallows and Amazons is at the Darlington Civic until Saturday 10th March