I'm never disappointed by the plays staged at Sutton Arts Theatre. The audiences are guaranteed a high standard of both performance and direction and this production was no exception to the rule. The play was written by the renowned and respected stage and TV dramatist, N J Crisp, 'Dangerous Obsession' being one of Crisp's most famous and gripping psychological thrillers. The play premiered in 1987 and a film version (As Darkness Falls) was released in 1999.

The tale, set in the 80's in the conservatory of an opulent English home, involves three characters - a married couple, Mark and Sally Driscoll, and an acquaintance, John Barrett - and as the plot twists and turns it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The attractive Sally Driscoll (Tamsin Hunt) has been lounging by her pool and, in her swimsuit, is watering the indoor plants as John Barrett (Richard Price) appears unexpectedly at the conservatory door. Sally is understandably unnerved by the stranger who she firstly presumes to be a door-to-door salesman. Bespectacled John, appears harmless, 'boring', and armed with a briefcase, persists that he is an old friend, his wife and he having once shared a dinner table with the Driscoll's at a business conference dinner in Torquay. Sally, vaguely remembering him, agrees for him to stay until husband Mark returns home from work.

Mark Driscoll (Richard Haines) comes in as the loud, swaggeringly successful businessman and is greeted by a relieved wife and a g&t. He tolerates John for a short time but events take an unsettling turn as it becomes clear that John's unexpected visit has a more sinister purpose than just the renewing of old friendships.

Superb performances by these three actors. Tamsin Hunt shifts quickly from Sally the courteous and accommodating hostess, to Sally the flustered, fearful wife and mediator. Richard Haines portays Mark as a loathsome, self-opinionated, shallow creature who later crumbles in his pathetic efforts to preserve his smooth and smarmy appearance. Richard Price as John certainly looked the part in his bland suit and sensible shoes, speaking in overly formal tones which in turn make his actions all the more menacing. He too undergoes a metamorphosis, revealing an unexpected turn of personality and Richard does so with great skill, clearly impressing the audience.

Suitably costumed with an applauded, handsome set design and lighting scheme you will find yourself drawn into the action and suspense of this complex plot. Director, Dexter Whitehead, keeps everything ticking along at the perfect pace, ensuring the shock moments are suitably unsettling. Lovely little theatre and this show, which could rival any professional version, is well worth seeing.

Runs to 4 November. Contains some adult themes.

So what exactly do you get when 5 lesbians come together to eat a quiche? A night of pure comical delight flavoured with wit, madness and plenty of melodramatics, all topped off with a nice bit of cheesy humour.

It’s 1956 and we are welcomed to the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein for their annual quiche breakfast. From the minute you walk into the box office, the tone for the rest of the night is set, be sure you will not be greeted by your regular box office staff, only making you more eager to see what exactly your night with these five lesbians will entail – it is a night you will not be forgetting anytime soon, all for the best reasons.

The dialogue is sharp and brilliantly handled by the cast, hitting the full comic potential of the jokes, leaving the room full of laughter. They say the best comedies are measured by the audience’s reaction, going by last night’s sold out run it was a roaring success. The high energy set off from the start never threatens to falter, being in part to the cast looking to be having as much fun as the audience are during the whole night.

The five lesbians all look to be your typical prim and proper 1950’s American woman, a façade for their saucy, wicked personas underneath, thankfully a disguise that does not last. With their exaggerated mannerisms and accents only adds to the play’s humour without being too heightened to ruin the night altogether. The cast appreciates the cleverness of the dialogue as it begins to be get saucier, packed with nothing short of sexual innuendos, making for some of the best moments of the night, especially when they do eventually get to eat some quiche.

By the end, you will be a fully converted sister of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein, standing proud and respecting the egg!

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche is part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival and plays until Sunday at The Old Joint Stock Theatre.

Cast Includes:
Melissa Westhead as Lulu Stanwyck
Lisa MacGregor as Wren Robin
Dru Stephenson as Veronica ‘Vern’ Schultz
Emma Waterford as Dale Priest
Perdita Lawton as Ginny Cadbury

This brand new musical is written and directed by the same team that gave us One Night In November (the smash-hit about the Coventry Blitz) Alan Pollock and Hamish Glen.

Set in 80’s Coventry, we follow the story of developer Leo Freeman and his family. Not everyone is as keen on his developments of The Orchid Ballroom and soon his daughter gets involved with the protesters, one of whom, Patrick, is in search of the truth. The Orchid Ballroom has a history with events in the 60’s causing repercussions on the characters in the musical.

The show is studded with 22 songs, ranging in style, that were written in Coventry. Included with a dual purpose, these songs not only move the story along, they serve to depict the 60’s in the Orchid Ballroom.

Presenting two eras at various points could be a problem, but this was solved by basing the majority of the 60’s in the Ballroom behind a gauze. The design also reflected the eras with ease, especially the costumes and the lack of use of modern lighting technology.

Every performance was heartfelt and delivered with conviction. The stylised dances were particularly impressive. There were powerful vocal performances from Alexia McIntosh as Rosa and Georgie Ashford playing Nell.
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With local references that bring this story into the hearts of the Coventry audience, if you want to relive a piece of Coventry’s musical history this is the show for you.

Frederick Knott’s classic story of murder and deception has been revived on both sides of the Atlantic countless times since its Broadway premier in 1966.  Given further prominence in the 1967 film version starring Audrey Hepburn, Wait Until Dark has been a long-standing favourite for professional, amateur and repertory companies for over 50 years.  So, what is it that makes the story so continually appealing? Is it perhaps the notion that we are all, subconsciously, a little afraid of the dark and the things that we cannot see?
 
The story revolves around Suzy, a housewife in 1960s suburban London, who has quickly adapted to living without her sight after losing it in a car accident a few months earlier. She is visited by three conmen, each claiming to know details about her husband and his involvement in a crime that has taken place in the neighbourhood recently. As an audience we are rendered powerless as we watch the three men work their way into Suzy’s home and mind, deceiving her at every possible turn.
 
The Original Theatre Company’s current touring production really plays on this sense of helplessness for the audience, taking them on a gripping rollercoaster with plenty of nail-biting moments along the way. You do have to remind yourself to take a breath every now and again! From the very opening of the production the tension is palpable; and it is evident that this production has relied on great involvement across the whole theatre production company to create such an atmosphere.
 
From David Woodhead’s clever set design – inviting yet somehow unnerving with its slightly ajar doors and hidden corners – to the subtle but powerful sound effects of a gate closing, and a refrigerator humming (Giles Thomas – Sound Composition); everything combines to create a truly sinister undertone to the story. And when, during the climactic scenes the whole auditorium is plunged into total darkness (emergency exit lights included) and we are forced to experience the panic through our use of hearing only, the effect is quite simply spine-tingling.
 
Taking on the role of Suzy, Karina Jones is stunning. As the first registered blind actress to play the role in the play’s 50 year history there are huge discussions to be had as to why we do not represent disabled actors in disabled parts as a matter of course and Jones’ performance is a shining example for all those who might dispute the idea. Highly engaging, warm and vulnerable to start, Jones’ performance takes on a huge change as the play progresses and it is captivating to watch.
 
Jack Ellis (Mike), Graeme Brookes (Croker) and Tim Treloar (Roat) are a magnificent trio of conmen, each more sinister than the next, with Treloar in particular handling the demands of Roat’s quirky mannerisms and insanity well, without falling into the trap of being too absurd. For those who remember the TV series Bad Girls and Jack Ellis’ chilling portrayal of Warden Jim Fenner; his performance here as Mike is equally as unnerving – charming and benevolent, yet with a constant undercurrent of deception. Some (much-welcomed) light relief is given by Shannon Rewcroft as the 12 year old Gloria, who captures the tone of a moody pre-teenager brilliantly.
 
To say anymore would be to give away the twists and turns of the plot and ruin a fantastic production. It is rare to see a well-known, sometimes over-performed play reimagined with such creativity. If you can get along to the Lichfield Garrick Theatre or another of the tour venues to see this you will not be disappointed – just a little afraid of the dark!
 
Playing at Lichfield Garrick until Saturday.

​How do you condense the rise to fame of one of Britain’s best-loved stars into a two-hour show? Just ask Bill Kenwright.
 
When Cilla Black died suddenly in 2015 a musical adaptation of the successful television miniseries about her life was already in the making and she had given it her full blessing.
You have to think Cilla would be nothing but glowing about this thoughtful and hugely entertaining production.
 
Kara Lily Hayworth is quite simply magnificent as Cilla, mastering the characterisation of her singing and spoken voice and her quirky mannerisms.
 
Much of Cilla’s mainstream success lay in her charm and innocence; she was an ordinary girl from Liverpool with an extraordinary talent. The story is so very loyal to this - portraying her early life in a flat above a salon with real warmth; much of which relies on great performances from Neil Macdonald and Pauline Fleming as her wonderfully unsophisticated parents.
 
Cilla’s audiences warmed to her immediately and here too it feels like you’re on her journey with her, from the lows of her first failed single to her euphoric rise to the top of the charts, from nervy Priscilla White to superstar Cilla Black.
 
Andrew Lancel gives a thoughtful portrayal of Cilla’s manager Brian Epstein, who she famously had to share with The Beatles, and the production weaves in his tragic story with great effect.
 
The production strikes the balance between being loyal to reality and condensing Cilla's story quite beautifully. Cilla really did sing her first audition to Epstein out of key, she really didn't like America and her relationship with Bobby (Carl Au) wasn’t exactly plain sailing.
Au is excellent as the unflinchingly loyal love of Cilla’s life, charmingly portraying Bobby’s determined and ultimately successful battle for the young star’s attention.
 
The production weaves Cilla’s music into the story alongside a number of 60s hits, most notably from her contemporaries The Beatles, who ultimately discovered her. At times it feels a little formulaic in the first act with one short performance scene after another, predictably followed by a section of dialogue. But Hayworth’s rendition of Cilla’s biggest hit, Anyone Who Had a Heart, is simply marvellous and the second act is much better at letting the songs tell the story.
 
Seamless set changes and musical interludes mean the pace never drops, but plenty of time is given amid the frenzy of 29 numbers (18 of which feature Cilla!) to tell a story with real heart.
 
Kenwright's production is no mindless trawl through Cilla's hits with some action to keep you occupied, it's a story with integrity and depth.
 
The only sad thing about this triumphant show is that Cilla, having given it her blessing, will never get to see it.
 
Plays at the New Alexandra Theatre until Saturday.

After gaining critical acclaim and scooping up a number of Tony awards back in 2003 when it first opened, Paul Kerryson and the team behind the new Hairspray UK tour have clearly worked tirelessly to assemble a multi-talented cast of actors, dancers and singers that bring this colourful musical to toe-tapping life. 
 
Ever-relevant, many of the themes sadly still ring true. As addressed in the programme note from Mark Goucher, we are still seeing these prejudices first hand today. Following the story of one gutsy teenager, Tracy Turnblad - who will stop at nothing to earn her place on The Corny Collins Show - she comes face to face with the abhorrent prejudices of the time. 
 
Rebecca Mendoza delivered a sparkling performance as Tracy, whilst her geeky best friend Penny (played by Annalise Liard-Bailey) was every bit the part. When joined by Aimee Moore as Amber Von Tussle, the trio shone in Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now. 
 
Played by many iconic actors, Edna Turnblad is a role you can't easily forget. Matt Rixon pitched his performance perfectly. He brought the character remarkably to life and paired with Norman Pace (of Hale and Pace), their endearing performance of You're Timeless To Me, melted hearts in the audience. 
 
There were standout performances throughout and it was evident that there was not one weak link. From Layton Williams’s suave, snake-hipped Seaweed to Jon Tsouras’s Corny Collins and Edward Chitticks’s Elvis-inspired Link Larkin – they brought the delightful cast of characters to life.
 
The trio of Lauren Concannon, Melissa Nettleford and Emily-Mae as the Dynamites was an absolute triumph. Incredible talent amongst the three of them, they lit up the stage in Welcome to the 60s. The ladies reigned supreme in this production with a stunning performance from Gina Murphy as the bigoted Velma Von Tussle. However, it was Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle, who blew the audience away with her breath-taking vocals and unwavering sassiness.
 
With a psychedelic set that instantly transported you to the swinging 60s and an on-stage orchestra who played the score to perfection, Hairspray is a hair-raising hit with a beautiful message at its heart. 'Strive for greater tolerance'. Go see it while you can.
 
Plays until Saturday at Birmingham Hippodrome.