News Archive
Reviews.........
THE RIVALS
Phyllis Court Paddock
Pure class! The Rivals carries everything before it with top notch comic timing and acting of the highest order.
Sheridan’s satire on love and social position loses absolutely nothing through the centuries and this highly competent cast wrings out every nuance. The laughs come in a continual stream – and as with the best satire we chide ourselves for chuckling.
Mr Hart’s Theatrical Company makes full use of the Phyllis Court Paddock and brushes away with easy professionalism the noises off from aircraft, river traffic and rugby training.
Henley hasn’t seen a performance like this for a long time and may not again. This is a show not to be missed with the whole cast turning in an even and accomplished evening’s work.
The Rivals is at Phyllis Court Paddock until Saturday.
The following are by Heather Simpkin but ghosted by me. Can we put her initials to them? Mike Rowbottom
BASH
The Kings Road Barn
Audiences are coming away from BASH in a state of grace. And little wonder because this is writing and performing of high and engaging intensity.
BASH is produced by Jo Southwell who also takes a part. The direction is stunning with thought, compassion and empathy.
The work is based around two monologues and one duologue by US writer Neil LaBute and it turns out to be the ultimate showcase for an actor. These are dark pieces and a warning that everyone has a secret but some are much much worse than others.
One audience member said as she emerged:”I was so locked into the stories, I couldn’t take my eyes off the actors.”
There aren’t many laughs in BASH but it is a very rewarding experience.
BASH is at the Barn all week.
CHARADE
Auvergne, Bell Street
Henley is one big theme park for Essex girl Charade; she couldn’t believe her luck when she won a karaoke contest in her native Billericay.
The prize was to bring her songs to Auvergne Fashion store in Bell Street where she allows Essex to meet the Thames Valley – with startling results.
Actress and singer Janine Hales plays the wide-eyed mini-skirted hopeful to great success. The intimate atmosphere of the shop lends itself to the lively act which is sung with gusto and humour throughout – although a highlight was the poignant Fields of Gold by Sting.
Perhaps the pace slackened in the middle and it may have been a few minutes longer than it needed to be. But Janine is funny and engaging – and just loving being in the shop window where passers-by have been gawping incredulously at a creature from the Thames Estuary – so that’s what one looks like!
Charade: the Girl In the Shop Window is at Auvergne until Saturday.
THE AMAZING SINGING DENTISTS
Zizzi’s and Venus Gallery
Lyrics as cutting as sharpened incisors, tunes to grind your molars to: the Amazing Singing Dentists are music to get your teeth into.
The trio of singers plus one virtuoso guitar player is lead by Jonathan Kydd who writes the material. He’s helped by two gorgeous Dental assistants who drill home the harmonies.
They’re slick and utterly professional and manage to involve the audience in an unthreatening, even welcome, way.
We’re treated to a range of very funny songs with expert chat in between. This is entertainment in bite-sized chunks. If Nicole Kidman is theatrical Viagra then this is pure musical mouthwash – and that’s enough dental puns.
The Amazing Singing Dentists are at Zizzi’s and The Venus Gallery.
FRINGE OPENS 20th July
Everyone is invited down to Market Place, Henley on Thames from 12 – 3pm to find out more about what you can see at The Henley Fringe Festival – put it in your diary.
Why not have a look at this link for some other previews….
Comedy on Water SOLD OUT !!!
Comedy on Water – July 22nd has sold out.
But if comedy is your thing, please look to the Edinburgh Preview Comedy at The Barn or the late night comedy at The Henley Rugby Club.
Tickets Selling Out
If you fancy the river cruise and comedy night on Tuesday 22nd July – book you tickets today – only 30 left !
Dont forget to have a look at all the other comedy productions.
The Best of Henley on Thames
The Best of Henley on Thames are sponsoring The Barn, Kings Road. They will be supporting the Edinburgh Preview Shows, Bash and Backward, Foreward or Whatever.
