Harriet Hopkins's Blog (22)

Cardiff Everyman Open Air Festival: A First Timer’s Preview

In the next couple of weeks I'll be reviewing some much anticipated theatre at Sophia Gardens, as part of Cardiff Everyman's Open Air Festival.



Excited much? Let me think about that for a moment...





Uh, YES! And not simply for the shows (though Taming of the Shrew and Blackadder II are both definitely right up my street, not to mention the 'squeeeeeee' that I feel about a live version of The Little Mermaid), but, somewhat unbelievably, this will be my first taste of… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on July 6, 2014 at 22:30 — No Comments

REVIEW: Papertrail: Day To Go *****

Day To Go *****

Memo Arts Centre Barry

Directed by Bridget Keehan

Written by Bridget Keehan & Anna Maria Murphy

 

“Don’t underestimate what is brewing in fine bone china cups…”

 

From the ashes of a town that is trying to reignite a new flame comes this unique, site specific performance, the debut production of Bridget Keehan’s Papertrail theatre company.

 

Boarding a…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on April 7, 2014 at 23:26 — No Comments

La Traviata (WNO) - A Young Critic’s Review

La Traviata – WNO

Wales Millenium Centre

The glamour and tradition of opera is celebrated in WNOs only ‘staple’ offering this season. La Traviata, an opera which fits perfectly within the Fallen Women theme, introduces Violetta, a frivolous, flirtatious courtesan whose lavish life is interrupted by the young, persistent Alfredo, who persuades her to embrace a monogamous existence with him.

Despite her resistance, Violetta lets her heart guide her…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on March 2, 2014 at 9:43 — No Comments

Backstage at the TCWAs 2014 - A Young Critic's Experience

The second Theatre Critics of Wales Awards went off without a hitch on Saturday 25th January, 2014, due to the hard work, commitment and support of a great number of people and organisations, and I was honoured to once again be part of it.…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on February 2, 2014 at 9:10 — No Comments

I'm With The Band - Young Critics Review

I’m With The Band ***

Traverse Theatre & Wales Millenium Centre

Written by Tim Price

Directed by Hamish Pirie

Award winning playwright, Tim Price, teamed up once again with Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre Hamish Pirie to deliver the unique production I’m With The Band.

An explorative plot that aims to address the wider issue of Scottish Independence, I’m With The Band, sees The Union, an indie rock band made up of an Englishman, Scotsman,…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on October 19, 2013 at 1:18 — No Comments

****Shadow Boxing – Young Critics Review

Broken Souls: Shadow Boxing****

Directed by James Ashton

Written by James Gaddas

Performed by Alex Harries

Short, Sharp and Packs a Punch

Broken Souls' debut production, Shadow Boxing is a play with a heart that takes a look at male sexuality in a testosterone fuelled world. Flynn, an amateur boxer who’s desperate to go pro gives his life to his sport; not your average twenty something, he shirks drinking and sex to focus…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on July 25, 2013 at 22:30 — No Comments

Wagner Dream (WNO): An honest rather than analytical review…

Wagner Dream (WNO

Wales Millenium Centre, 6th June 2013



A complex, challenging piece for an opera novice…



Despite attending the pre-performance talk, expertly given by the Nick John trainee, Sophie Rashbrook, in which she emphasised the unusual usage of electronic sounds and the uniqueness of this 90 minute opera, I still took my seat expecting to hear fine, fluid melodies and to feel moved by the storyline or, at least, the plight of the… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on June 7, 2013 at 5:30 — No Comments

Educating Rita (Clwyd Theatr Cymru) - Young Critics Review

Educating Rita *****

Clwyd Theatr Cymru



With such winning components, it would be hard to make a hash of it...



Following acclaimed productions of 'A Doll's House' and 'God of Carnage', Director Emma Lucia has once again brought back to life a much loved play, with a pace and energy that is fully engaging and as fresh as it would have been in the 80s.



The accomplished Richard Elfyn (Pornography; The Wizard, the Goat and the Man Who Won the War) is a joy to… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on April 17, 2013 at 15:45 — No Comments

Review - Pornography by Hinge Productions

Pornography

Hinge Productions

13th - 15th March



Director/Designer: Chelsey Gillard

Producer/Assistant Director: Chloe Jenkins

Stage Manager: Gabriel Burke



Cardiff Met's new Drama Society, Hinge Productions, debuted this week with an ambitious production of the complex and controversial play, 'Pornography' by Simon Stephens.



'Pornography' is a play that explores a number of characters' lives in the run up to the announcement of London's… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on March 16, 2013 at 13:00 — No Comments

Last Christmas**** - Young Critics Review

Last Christmas ****

Dirty Protest

Written by Matthew Bulgo

Starring Sion Pritchard

Directed by Kate Wasserberg



For a lot of people, Christmas is more bitter than sweet, with loved ones who are no longer around missed more amid the happy chaos of the usual celebrations. It's a time we build ourselves up so much to enjoy that, often, it's a disappointment when it finally comes around (especially the staff Christmas do). And a time when, custom tells us, we should be… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on December 12, 2012 at 22:18 — No Comments

Cracked - Young Critics Review

Cracked ****

Dance House NDC Wales (in association with Cardiff Contemporary)

Created by Roy Campbell-Moore and Sue Williams

All good contemporary art is open to interpretation. Roy Campbell-Moore and Sue Williams’s collaboration, Cracked is no exception,…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on November 11, 2012 at 13:30 — No Comments

Award Ceremony for Theatre in Wales!

 

 

 

I am delighted to announce the first ever Theatre Critics of Wales Awards…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on October 18, 2012 at 3:46 — 1 Comment

Before it Rains - Young Critics Review

Before it Rains ***

Sherman Cymru 25th Sept - 6th Oct

Written by: Katherine Chandler

Directed by: Roisin McBrinn



A play with the potential to become a hard hitting classic...



Set between the bereft garden of a typical 'Shameless' style council estate and a deserted woodland, Before it Rains tells the story of a desperate-to-be-young mum Gloria and her struggling-to-fit-in son Michael, and how their lives are affected by the appearance of the emotionally…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on October 2, 2012 at 3:30 — No Comments

Size Matters Not - Extras Needed!

We are still looking for key extras for the short film 'Size Matters Not', being shot from 12pm-9pm on Thursday 9th August in UWIC's Cyncoed Campus and the surrounding area.



We need:



-males and females aged 16-25 to play the friends of the main characters

-male 'basketball players', under 35

-a tall, broad 35+ male



Whether to add to your credits and showreel, or to get on-set experience, this will be a worthwhile opportunity. We can also pay expenses… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on July 31, 2012 at 11:42 — No Comments

Call out for Actors

We are making a short film in Cardiff called 'Size Matters Not' and need actors to play the two main roles:

Will - Young, self-conscious, with a 'little' problem...

Fanny - Young attractive girl; love interest to Will



We're also looking for a number of extras for bit parts including:

4 tall/large older men

4 young (16-23) males to play Will's friends

4 young (16-23) females to play Fanny's friends

1 female (25+)



This is an 'expenses only'… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on July 19, 2012 at 22:50 — 1 Comment

Dance GB - Young Critics Review

Dance GB

Wales Millennium Centre, 28th – 30th June.



Funny. Fluid. Agitating. Frustrating. Relaxing. Mesmerising. Stunning.



The diversity of each performance from Dance GB made for an exciting and dynamic experience that no list of adjectives could adequately describe.



Scottish Ballet’s Run For It was full of peaks and troughs, working through John Adams’ Son of Chamber Symphony which both juxtaposed and complemented the beauty of the dance. Dressed in… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on June 29, 2012 at 11:41 — No Comments

Cappuccino Girls - Young Critics Review

CAPPUCCINO GIRLS

Written by - Mal Pope

Directed by - Kathryn Rice

The Evening Post Theatre, Swansea

The record breaking 22 week run ended 17th June, 2012.



Sitting in the black and pink bedecked 'bar' of Swansea's Evening Post Theatre, listening to some of my favourite rom-com soundtracks, a gaggle of women around me - this musical, in the final week of its record breaking 22 week run, already promises to be a night out any girl will love...



The three… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on June 19, 2012 at 20:21 — No Comments

Pornography

Directed by: Mathilde Lopez

Written by: Simon Stephens

Seen at: Chapter Arts Centre, 27th April

An intermingling of stories hinting at deep passions and perverse thoughts, Pornography allows us to glimpse the inner transgressive nature of a diverse selection of Londoners, during the summer of 2005.

The effective use of the senses really helped bring this piece to life and engulf the audience in the moment, with sounds not just coming from…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on May 14, 2012 at 6:35 — No Comments

Little Dogs - Young Critics Review

Little Dogs ****

Patti Pavilion, Swansea

Directed by: Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett

Devised by: Scott Graham, Steven Hoggett and The Company

 

A sketch of the animalistic nature of Swansea…

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Added by Harriet Hopkins on May 13, 2012 at 10:47 — 1 Comment

Young Critics Review - The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning: Stunning Storytelling

Talk about different!



The experience starts as soon as you walk through the front doors of Cardiff High School; huddling in the stairwell before a girl with a walkie talkie directs you upstairs in small groups, to experience the journey to the auditorium – a well designed walk, where you are subjected to primarily unnerving sounds of war and army barracks, which contrasts dramatically with the adorned High School walls, proclaiming netball fixtures and displaying the colourful works… Continue

Added by Harriet Hopkins on April 18, 2012 at 20:19 — 1 Comment

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