11th Mar2020

Time & Tide (Theatre)

by timbaros

Josh-Barrow-and-Wendy-Nottingham-in-Time-Tide-Park-Theatre-©GailHarland‘Time & Tide’ is a tale of love in the most unexpected places.

Nemo (Josh Barrow) works at a diner but has bigger ambitions in life. He wants to move to the big city of London, to be in theatre, and to get out of his nothing town of Cromer. This is much to the dismay of his boss at the diner May (Wendy Nottingham), who encourages him to stay in their small town. But Nemo’s friend Daz (Elliot Liburd) is secretly in love with him, but of course Daz is not going to blatantly come out and say it, though he says he just recently broker up with his girlfriend. Meanwhile, May has an admirer in Ken (Paul Easton), the bread delivery man who also is hesitant to come out and say how he real feels. But May has some other sort of secret intentions, and it’s not for Ken. So what is her secret? And will Daz finally tell Nemo how he really feels? It’s unrequited love, love that may or may not be reciprocal, in ‘Time & Tide.’
Good performances, and the lovely diner set, in the cozy small room of the Park Theatre, make this production, it’s premiere, one to watch. Liburd is a natural on stage, but it’s Nottingham who is memorable as the woman who has run the diner for decades, and who is considering selling up and moving away. Nottingham is just fantastic. Time and Tide wait for no man, or woman.
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11th Mar2020

La Cage (Theatre)

by timbaros
(L-R) Michael Matus (Georges), Paul Hunter (Albin) and Peter Straker (Tabaro) in La Cage aux Folles [The Play] at Park Theatre. Photo by Mark DouetWhen you walk into a theatre and you see that the set is a grand staircase leading into a living room with a large statue of David and various photos of men and drag queens on the wall you know you’re in for a drag of a time. This is exactly what ‘La Cage’ delivers.

Actor Simon Callow adapted the show for the stage, who was asked to write an English version of the original 1973 play (which inspired three french films, a hit musical, and a hit American film). Directed by Jez Bond, ‘La Cage’ is written in its original time and location, and French speaker Callow astutely brings the flavour of the original farce to life. 

Drag queen extraordinaire Albin (Paul Hunter) and Georges (an amazing Michael Matus) own and live above drag queen bar La Cage, along with their extremely camp butler Jacob (Syrus Lowe) who can sure wear high heels. Georges’ son Laurent (Arthur Hughes) arrives to inform him that he’s getting married to a girl whose parents are very religious and conservative, and that they’re coming to town to meet his ‘parents.’ Laurent’s natural mother is invited as well but leave it to Albin to pretend he’s Laurent’s mother and it’s all one huge farce on the day and things get worse downstairs in the club as all hell breaks loose as Albin is not in residence. Dishes with naughty pictures and innuendos galore go into overdrive as the show goes way over the top with an ending identical to the other productions but in this production is all a bit too easily sewn up. 

A lot happens in just over two hours and the cast easily keep up the comedy and energy. From the grand dame that is Albin to the almost not in control Georges they help to maintain a bit of the drama while the show spins its characters all over the place. And while you’ll admire their dedication and tenacity, you might find yourself laughing throughout but to a point where its not even that funny. 
 
Category : Theatre
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11th Mar2020

Sonic the Hedgehog (Film)

by timbaros
Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

Jim Carrey steals the show in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ – a new film based on the global blockbuster videogame franchise and cartoon. But let’s call it what is it – it’s a 90-minute animated film about a hedgehog!

Sonic, she speediest hedgehog in the world, has arrived on earth – his new home. In this live-action adventure comedy, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) meets small-time cop Tom (a charming James Marden) and they team up to defend the planet from the evil Dr. Robotnik (Carrey) and to defeat his plans for global domination. Yet roadblocks are thrown in the way – especially when one of Sonics magic time travelling rings gets stolen and lands up in San Francisco. So Sonic and Tom (and Tom’s partner the lovely Maddie (Tika Sumpter)) go to San Francisco to retrieve it but Dr. Robotnik gets there first. it’s good against evil in a film that’s bound to please the youngsters who are more than likely familiar with Sonic then the adults in the room.  
 
Carrey is just a bundle of fun in his role as Dr. Robotnik – it’s a character Carrey relishes as it’s a character role that he has played before. While there is no super wow moments in this film, it’s satisfying enough and at the end leaves the door open for a sequel, or sequels, as there are quite a few hedgehogs in the franchise – so if this one is successful (no doubt it will be), expect more to come.  
Category : Film
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11th Mar2020

Emma (Film)

by timbaros

E M M A .The new film ‘Emma’ – based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel – is about a rich young woman who sees her friends all around her falling in love. But does Emma want love? 

Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, who plays Emma with a spark, and lives a very comfortable life with her very rich father (Bill Nighy) – who always feels a draft in his house) much to the dismay of his butlers. But it’s Emma who rules the roost – and who plays matchmaker for her girlfriends – all hanging on her every word. Her friends include the daughters of Miss Bates (a hilarious turn by Miranda Hart), and her friend Miss Harriet Smith (Mia Goth). But while others around her are falling in love right and left, love eludes Emma – and it’s been under her noise all along! Will her knight in shining amor be George (Johnny Flynn) or Mr. Elton (Josh O’Connor) or Frank (Callum Turner)? ‘Emma’  – a story told many times in the past, is a fun film – perfect for Valentines Day. Directed by Autumn de Wilde, with sumptuous costumes and sets, and Anya Taylor-Joy is a joy!

Category : Film
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11th Mar2020

Muzik (Theatre)

by timbaros

Musik-PROD-114-1It takes someone with a lot of talent, energy, charisma and pizzaz to keep you mesmerised, enthralled, entertained and laughing non-stop in a one hour show. Frances Barber does just this playing Billie Trix in the show ‘Muzik.’

Barber is, in a word, brilliant in her one woman show where she recounts the life, and acting as, Billie Trix, who was an icon, rock star, screen goddess, and drug addict.
 
In a show written by Jonathan Harvey and with songs by the Pet Shop Boys, Barber (Trix) tells of her life when she belonged to the Warhol crew (there is a funny joke about a gun and Valerie Solanas – the woman who shot Warhol), to her time in Paris, and how her and her mother never saw eye to eye. The jokes are fast and furious and hilarious. Barber keeps the momentum going singing the hilarious songs about anything and nothing. No stone is left unturned when she, truth or not, recounts the time when she was Donald Trumps lover and how she could’ve been the princess to Prince Harry. 
 
This one hour show is jam packed with her stories; Madonna is in disguise in the audience, and her agent, also in the audience, is happily eating away. If you get a chance go see this show. I knew nothing about Trix, and Barber until now – Barber made me laugh until I cried.
 
MUSIK
Written by Jonathan Harvey 
& Pet Shop Boys

Songs by Pet Shop Boys
Starring Frances Barber

Leicester Square Theatre
6 Leicester Place
London WC2H 7BX
Category : Theatre
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11th Mar2020

Parasite (Film)

by timbaros

pst_web_02-copyYes it’s true about all the hype surrounding the South Korean film ‘Parasite’ – it’s funny, dramatic, and very very different, and it sticks to you like, well, a parasite. 

Director Bong Joon-ho, who wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won, tells the tale of the Kim family, who are all unemployed (they attempt to get a job folding pizza boxes but fail miserably) and live in a ground floor basement apartment where locals relieve themselves right outside their window. They also steal Wifi connections from neighbors. The son, Kim-woo (Choi Woo-shik) gets a job tutoring the daughter of the wealthy Park family who live in an architecturally stunning home. And soon enough, the daughter, Ki-jeong (a brilliant Park So-dam) poses as Kim-woo’s friend ‘Jessica’ who is then hired to be an art therapist for the Parks’ young son. And then eventually the father (Song Kang-ho) and the mother (Chang Hyae-jin) get jobs in the Park household as well, infiltrating the Parks’ home and their lives, like an organism (parasite). But their good luck just about comes to an end when the former Park housekeeper (whose job the mother stole) comes back to check on what she left behind (it’s quite a surprise!), and it’s then that the Kim family ruse starts to be discovered and it all slowly starts to unravel, especially when the Parks come back home early from a rained out vacation.
 
It’s such an extraordinary tale that could only come from the man who gave us ’The Host’ (where a monster kidnaps a young girl), and ‘Okja’ (where a young girl raises a large pig).’ Joon-ho elicits great performances from all of his cast, especially the younger actors of the Kim family – they are all very dastardly in their lies, and the Park family wife (Cho Yeo-jeong), who is oblivious to what is happening in her very own home.
Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival as well as two BAFTA Awards (Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Not in the English Language), and nominated for 6 Academy Awards, ‘Parasite’ is truly one of the best films of the year – it’s a dark comedy that’s very very dark – and delicious.
Category : Film
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