DAWN FRENCH: THIRTY MILLION MINUTES - UK TOUR REVIEW

DAWN FRENCH: THIRTY MILLION MINUTES AT THE NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM

Theatre Run: Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 June 2014
Performance Reviewed: Wednesday 18 June 2014

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Dawn French’s first ever solo tour (yes, really), Thirty Million Minutes, is prefaced with an announcement that this is a show specifically for ‘nice’ people, and anybody critical, cynical or otherwise negative do not belong there. It dovetails off of that same well-meaning, bubbly, inoffensive and down-to-Earth vibe and persona that French has cultivated pretty much faultlessly across her career. It’s the same warmth and cuddly bonhomie that made The Vicar of Dibley such an irrepressibly lovable show, even when some of it’s plotting or narrative work was a trifle humdrum. It’s why French remains such a beloved and well-regarded National treasure - she genuinely registers as a nice person herself, and, just as crucially, a very empathetic and real one.

GOOD PEOPLE - THEATRE REVIEW

GOOD PEOPLE AT THE NOEL COWARD THEATRE, LONDON

Theatre Run: Runs until Saturday 14 June 2014
Performance Reviewed: Thursday 05 June 2014

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Good People is ostensibly a show about class. Or rather peoples relationship with class and the social, financial and even emotional barriers it places upon oneself. Do we allow ourselves to be both defined and confined by our roots and upbringing, or is the idea of any choice in the matter a fickle illusion orchestrated by a mixture of luck and lifes happenstance? It’s a concept that is far from new to theatre, but in this, David Lindsey-Abaire’s Boston-set drama, it is given fresh life and perspective by dint of being filtered through the American psyche and in the form of two flawed, interesting, contradictory yet strangely complementary lead roles beautifully performed by Imelda Staunton and Lloyd Owen.

THIS MAY HURT A BIT - THEATRE REVIEW

THIS MAY HURT A BIT AT ST JAMES THEATRE, VICTORIA

Theatre Run: Wednesday 14 May - Saturday 21 June 2014
Performance Reviewed: Thursday 05 June 2014 (Matinee)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Going into Stella Feehily’s satirical take on the NHS, This May Hurt A Bit, one would be forgiven for expecting an onslaught of left-wing sentimentality or political bulldozing. The shows marketing and poster colourfully depicts a caricatured David Cameron skulking into the labyrinthine ward of a sickly woman like some nightmarish imp and the programme itself begins with an impassioned plea by Jacky Davis of ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ to rally against the devilry and smoke-and-mirrors of the coalition's treatment of the National Health Service.

ROCK OF AGES - THEATRE REVIEW

ROCK OF AGES AT THE BIRMINGHAM NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE

Theatre Run: Monday 12 - Saturday 17 May 2014
Performance Reviewed: Monday 12 May 2014 (Press Night)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Rock of Ages is a difficult beast to pigeonhole. It doesn’t so much suffer from an identity crisis as an identity overload, jostling with so many characters and subplots that can’t seem to decide if they’re being deliberately parodic or so-satirical-it’s-ultimately-sincere, and a fiercely postmodern approach that bandies around with tone so schizophrenically it sometimes feels more akin to musical theatre whiplash than anything else. The smash hits of the 80’s are in there too, and are plentiful, though some of the arrangements are disappointingly short and the whole ‘Rock’ through-line sometimes feels more of a clumsy afterthought than a titular McGuffin. Fortunately, for all the tonal incongruences and haphazardness of it’s plot, Rock of Ages does at least crucially make good on it’s promise of a fun, infectious and ultimately rather irrepressible evening of solid music and vibrant, high energy (see: super-charged) entertainment.

URINETOWN - THEATRE REVIEW

URINETOWN AT THE ST JAMES THEATRE, LONDON

Theatre Run: Continuing (Limited Season ending Saturday 03 May 2014)

Performance Reviewed: Saturday 08 March 2014 (Press Night 1/3)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

The name.

That name.

Going into Urinetown, I was confident I would be prefacing my review with some astute, witty reference to the production’s characterful, if somewhat potentially off-putting titling. ‘Despite it’s bizarre name, Urinetown is...’ was just one of the potential openings already formulating as I took to my seat in the compact yet impressively sleek and contemporary confines of St James’ Theatre in Victoria. However, within literally minutes of this barnstorming, gleefully anarchistic and wonderfully unconventional musical theatre delight beginning, Urinetown had already pulled the rug from under my feet by seeing fit to poke fun at both itself, its title and the natural pre-conceptions and potential audience stigma surrounding it.

“Who’s gonna wanna see a show called that?”

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL REVIEWS - PHILOMENA, DON JON

PHILOMENA
Sponsored by ST. ERMIN'S HOTEL, LONDON

Release Date: 1 November 2013 (UK)
Director: Stephen Frears
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Starring: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan
Screening Reviewed: London Film Festival American Express Gala Press Screening

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Stephen Frears is rapidly becoming the industry’s go-to guy for crafting powerful, intelligent and surprisingly moving film experiences based off of real-life, usually British, stories and events. His latest, Philomena, is one such terrific story that, much like his re-imagining of the events surrounding Princess Diana’s death in his superlative The Queen in 2006, does a sublime job of reminding us there is often nothing more disarming, surprising and cinematic than real life happenings.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG - Theatre Review

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG AT STUDIO TWO, TRAFALGAR STUDIOS LONDON

Theatre Run: Until 20th July (Trafalgar Studios, London), 31 July - 26 August (Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh)
Performance Reviewed: Friday 12 July, 7:45pm

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

The Play That Goes Wrong is quite simply brilliant.

And whilst that may be an uncharacteristically succinct and to-the-point opener, it is perfectly in keeping with the brilliantly resourceful and hilariously efficient job the team at Mischief Theatre do with this relentlessly funny slice of comedic farce. 

NOISES OFF - THEATRE REVIEW

NOISES OFF AT THE NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM

Theatre Run: Monday 24 - Saturday 29 June 2013
Performance Reviewed: Monday 24 June (Press Night)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

It’s a truth that often escapes audiences yet is almost universally acknowledged by actors/directors and other theatre talent alike that comedy, and in particular comedy of the slapstick, physical and farcical variety, is one of the most difficult and disciplined of theatre forms to pull off convincingly and satisfyingly. Too broad and the lampooning leads to audience disconnect, too specific or regimented and it feels stilted, insincere and, well, staged. To marry the natural buoyancy and vim of comedy with the precision and practice of physical slapstick and farce in particular is so tricky a balancing act that rarely does it work as successfully in theatre as it would in other mediums such as film or television, which allow themselves the luxury and safety net of cutaways, close-ups and the edit to mask the joins. When and where it does work, however, results in the kind of energised, barnstorming frenzy of farcical funny and theatrical hijinks that is Noises Off.

THEATRE PREVIEW - NOISES OFF

NOISES OFF AT THE NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM

STARRING NEIL PEARSON AND MAUREEN BEATTIE

FROM MON 24 - SAT 29 JUN 2013

NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM

Next Monday evening, (A)musings will be entering a world of acclaimed hilarity and farce as Chris Larkin joins David Bark-Jones, Maureen Beattie, Simon Bubb, Danielle Flett, Geoffrey Freshwater, Neil Pearson, Thomasin Rand and Sasha Waddell in the UK tour of Michael Frayn’s multi-award-winning backstage comedy Noises Off, directed by Lindsay Posner. Following its acclaimed run at The Old Vic and then at the Novello Theatre in the West End, Noises Off will arrive at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre for one week from 24-29 June 2013, and as always we'll be there to bring our review of the show on opening night!

THE HANGOVER PART III - FILM REVIEW

THE HANGOVER PART III

Release Date: 23 May 2013 (UK)
Director: Todd Phillips
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, John Goodman
Screening Reviewed: London FDA Press Screening

Reviewed by Henry Kelly

The Hangover was one of the big suprise hits of 2009; a shock filled R-rated comedy with an incoherent yet likeable plot that had an instantly relatable ethos to anyone who had woken up after an alcohol fueled night of regret. A more divisive sequel followed in 2011 and now with the release of The Hangover: Part III the franchise is concluding. With that conclusion comes the expected resolution and reflection of its central characters. The main problem this presents is simply that the first film never had anything particularly meaningful to say, meaning director Todd Phillips and co-writer Craig Mazin have to inject some heavier ideas that attempt to widen its dramatic approach but stunt the films comedic potential in the process.

The Hangover: Part III begins with an action set-piece that in many ways sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Chow (Ken Jeong), a minor character in the original, but now a featured protagonist, escapes from a Bangkok prison in the midst of a dangerous riot. It’s a well shot and adequately thrilling opening, but one that certainly doesn’t feel like the beginning of a comedy film. The proceeding plot then diverts from the norm of revolving around a central wedding, and rather instead focuses on Alan’s (Zach Galifianakis) descending mental state and Chow’s escape from prison that coincide to send the Wolfpack on another adventure. 

THE BOOK OF MORMON - THEATRE REVIEW

THE BOOK OF MORMON AT THE PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE, LONDON

Theatre Run: Continuing
Performance Reviewed: Thursday 21 March (Opening Night Premiere/Press Night)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Hello! My name is Elder Pedley, and I’d like to share with you the most amazing show!

Shockingly predictable and derivative a review opener as that may be, the sentiment is nonetheless completely accurate. The Book of Mormon is indeed nothing short of amazing, and the kind of whirlwind, tour-de-force injection of genius, originality and vigour into the arm of musical theatre that comes along very rarely indeed. Indiscriminatingly adult and plenty high on shock factor without ever being cynical or mean-spirited, and despite it’s breadth of potentially offensive or insulting content, Mormon deftly avoids being crass or overtly vulgar, thanks mostly to the remarkable honesty and truth in the writing throughout. For a show that tackles the likes of the Africa AIDs pandemic, some of the inherent absurdity of the Mormon backstory and murderous warlords with a penchant for female circumcision amongst others, this is no mean feat, and is a testimony to all involved that the message and tone of the show overall is an incredibly positive, celebratory and empowering one.

FOOTLOOSE - THEATRE REVIEW

FOOTLOOSE AT THE WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE

Theatre Run: Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 March
Performance Reviewed: Tuesday 12 March (Press Night)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Occasionally when reviewing theatre professionally it is easy to lose sight of the passion, energy and aspirations that go in to practically every production regardless of scale, budget or location. Shows can be enjoyed, appreciated and lauded for their achievements, but it can take an experience like this vibrant, upbeat production of Footloose to serve as a reminder of the sense of camraderie, raw enthusiasm and unified excitement that company theatre really seems to celebrate and spotlight.

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW: ARGO

ARGO
Release Date: 9 November 2012 (UK)
Director: Ben Affleck
Running Time: 120 Minutes
Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman
Screening Reviewed: UK Premiere (London Film Festival Accenture Gala Screening)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

At face value, you’d be forgiven for expecting Argo to be a fairly generic and standard Hollywood CIA/espionage thriller, freshly sprung from the conveyer belt of formulaic genre fare. Being based on true events lent it that extra dash of intrigue and clout, but was hardly a new or original prospect. Credit must go, first and foremost then, to director-star Ben Affleck who, after proving his directorial mettle with his impressive debut Gone Baby Gone and follow-up The Town, has crafted a movie that is anything but.

RED DWARF X: TROJAN REVIEW (TV)

RED DWARF X: EPISODE 1 - TROJAN

Air Date: Thursday 4 October
Channel: Dave (UK)
Starring: Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Mark Dexter, Susan Earl, Lucy Newman-Williams, Bryan Bounds

The boys from the Dwarf are back and just as good as ever!

Lister and the Cat are addicted to a shopping channel, leading them into danger. Meanwhile, Rimmer is out to impress but can he pass his astronavigation exam?

Red Dwarf returned to our screens in a blaze of glory with it's tength series last night, and from first impressions they all seem to be on fine form with the original rapport very much in place. Whilst previous effort, miniseries Back to Earth may have failed to impress the majority of harden Red Dwarf fans, series 10 opener Trojan should have done a lot to renew faith in the show, leaving a sense that it had never really been away.

HIT AND RUN: MOVIE REVIEW

HIT AND RUN
Release Date: Friday 12 October (UK)
Director: Dax Shepard, David Palmer
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Starring: Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Kristen Chenoweth, Tom Arnold, Bradley Cooper
Screening Reviewed: London Press Screening

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

There’s a running gag throughout Hit and Run that is in many ways a fitting metaphor for the experience you’ll likely have with the film. Tom Arnold’s character Randy repeatedly finds himself and his car flung into a series of mishaps and misfortunes - rear-ending a police truck, almost mowing down two children as they play on their lawn, and generally suffering the kind of vehicular damage reserved for the denizens of over-zealous Vin Diesel flicks. As an audience we too are repeatedly flung into these highly unlikely and generally unmotivated set pieces and sequences of events with such randomness and convenience that suspension of disbelief becomes a thing of vague memory and any genuine investment in plot, character or humour is replaced with something more akin to Stockholm syndrome.

THE CAMPAIGN: MOVIE REVIEW

THE CAMPAIGN
Release Date: 28 September (UK)
Director: Jay Roach
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis
Screening Reviewed: London Press Screening

Reviewed by Henry Kelly

There is something incomparably alluring and appealing about two such prolific actors within their genre coming together on-screen for the first time, as we get in The Campaign. Although there are no doubt numerous examples, I cannot think of a film since Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) that has featured two such genre heavyweights making their screen debut together. With Heat we had two of the most acclaimed and well-loved crime movie actors in Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, and now, with The Campaign, Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell, not quite the same degree of legend perhaps, but nonetheless two of comedies most popular current performers. The fact the two actors haven't shared substantial screen time before helps make The Campaign an exciting proposition before it has even begun.

With a plot that parodies contemporary U.S politics, a North Carolina Congressman Cam Brady (Farrell) finds his usually unopposed ascent to power halted by a plucky newcomer to the political scene in the form of Marty Huggins (Galifianakis). What follows is an outrageous campaign for popularity with both hopefuls going to extreme lengths to discredit one another and curry favour with the fickle minded voters. It caricatures a cynical view of politics without hitching its horse on either side of the fence.