{"id":1014,"date":"2017-02-18T15:53:35","date_gmt":"2017-02-18T15:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.madf.im\/?p=1014"},"modified":"2017-02-18T15:53:35","modified_gmt":"2017-02-18T15:53:35","slug":"reviews-of-the-one-act-play-festival-second-youth-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madf.im\/?p=1014","title":{"rendered":"Reviews of the One Act Play Festival Second Youth Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

We opened tonight with a charming production of <\/span>The Frog Prince<\/i><\/b> by Malcolm Sircom, performed by the Manx National Youth Theatre Juniors. The age range of the cast was 6-10 years, and some of these very young performers were out on stage acting, waltzing and even singing solo’s. It was a joy to see a group so young join our festival, and hopefully they will continue to enjoy live theatre in years to come. They had a few stand in’s but it didn’t stop them and the teamwork from the cast was great. The script was sharp and witty, and put me right off their school staff room. We met Evil Queen Malicia (boo!) and the magic Mirror (<\/span>Emma Williams<\/b>) fairy tale meets the 21st century. Chumley the Butler (<\/span>Angel-Sue Delaney<\/b>) played with great energy, is sent on a mission to dispose of the pretty, talented Princess Aurora (<\/span>Connie Graham<\/b>). The capable Princess easily outwits the evil attempt on her life with the help of Denis the Dragon (<\/span>Beth Aldridge<\/b>), which was lucky because he’d forgotten where he’d hidden himself… we all know that feeling. I heard one of the best ever public service warnings from the narrator (<\/span>Frances Loach<\/b>). Quite right, a gentleman should never risk losing his teeth. This led us to Witch Toejam (<\/span>Aryssa Fairburn<\/b>) who sparred with her challenging cat Figaro (<\/span>Libby Delaney<\/b>), I wouldn’t trust their cooking. The Frog Prince (<\/span>Daniel Lawrie<\/b>) charmed the princess with his french accent (what is it about the French?) and everyone was supported by the very cute birds and butterflies, I loved the idea of the worm bombs! (<\/span>Dylan Wilson, Max Covery, Rebecca Stevens, Ellie Clague, Lily Batty, Annie Teare, Mia Corrills, Faye Coll, Summer Friel, Kirsten Loach, Elitza Wordanovs<\/b>. Great team effort from everyone, cast and crew, and I’ll do my best not to have any more flashbacks relating to the treacle torture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our second piece tonight was <\/span>RIP Mr Shakespeare<\/i><\/b> by Keith Hill & Bev Clark, performed by Broadway Youth Theatre. This opened with a rainbow of circus colour, the cast on stage effortlessly tripping out unrelated Shakespearean one liners with absolute confidence. They were clowns and clowning, convincingly sad and happy altogether. William Shakespeare is in a care home, and the anonymous servant is not happy to have remained nameless. She may have had some quality lines in many productions, but a name is everything. We are taken on a journey through twenty of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and it would be impossible to name all the highlights, because this piece was a highlight in its entirety. The Tartan in the Scottish play, the auditioner searching for his inspiration. Will’s mum chatting with Ben Johnson’s mum, she had a moustache? (tho that could be accurate). Brummie Juliet with her clowning Romeo, Grange Hill (?), Pyramus & Thisbe \u2013 strictly no tongues \u2013 and the Witches pacing their cauldron. The night sky of stars and the moon, Ophelia’s funeral, Henry V and Mrs Macbeth all made an appearance, and eventually the Anonymous servant becomes Denis (her choice, what better name). Will Shakespeare breathes his last, I hope it wasn’t caused by the midsummer nightmare. The stage moved continuously with such pace and colour, and not just from the costumes. Tiny details of dressing and perfectly placed props made it flow from start to finish. Lines were delivered unfalteringly, and the confidence and teamwork made everything a joy to watch. All credit to director <\/span>Carrie Hunt<\/b>. I hope they enjoyed themselves, we all did! Congratulations to the company, <\/span>Christian Cooper, Kirsty More, Jack Smollen, Laeth Quellin, Joseph Long, Matilda Whittle, Faye Pendlebury, Saoirse Coyle-Carroll, Sophie Elliott, Aalin Wilson<\/b> and<\/span> Feena Wilson<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n