CHRIS HOWELL's Blog (43)

SPINE

In July 2015 I suffered a stroke which left me paralysed completely down the left side. l am not able to get about very much yet and keep on delaying my return to theatre going which I love so much. I have however found an unlikely ally through my close friend Chris Brady who went to see Spine at the Sheffiel Crucible last Thursday.What follows is his review only touched on the edges by my editorial pen. I hope first of all you like it but most of all you are inspired see it for…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on November 8, 2016 at 0:38 — No Comments

ROSIE WYATT - WELCOME BACK TO WALES

On the 18th and 19th of November Rosie Wyatt makes a welcome return to Cardiff in a Soho Theatre and Francesca Moody presentation of the award winning production of SPINE. An unmissable event.

Added by CHRIS HOWELL on November 8, 2016 at 0:28 — No Comments

POINTEING THE WAY BY INNOVATION AND DIVERSITY

TIR / CELTIC CONCERTO Review    Ballet Cymru         Sherman Theatre  14 May 2015

 

Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century. Noblemen and women were treated to lavish events, where dancing and music created an elaborate spectacle. In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman, wife of King Henry II of France and a great patron of the arts, began to fund ballet in the French court. Her…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on May 26, 2015 at 2:00 — No Comments

HIJINX AT THE SENEDD 23 March 2015

THE MATTHEW PURNELL SHOW

 

Having been invited to the launch of the Hijinx Unity Festival 2015 programme I arrived at the Senedd, the venue for the launch, with plenty of time to spare. I didn’t however fully prepare for the degree of security that was necessary to endure to enter to the building. Pockets emptied, jacket and belt off I escaped triggering the magic eye as I entered the other side.

 

My face was a shade of perplexing purple as I grappled to keep…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on March 27, 2015 at 5:07 — No Comments

Y TWR (THE TOWER) Canolfan Gelfyddydau Chapter, Caerdydd Ionawr 30, 2015

 ARDDERCHOG YN UNRHYW IAITH

 



Roedd y Tŵr yn wreiddiol drama a ysgrifennwyd yn 1978 gan Gwenlyn Parry, dramodydd uchel ei barch yng Nghymru. Mewn dramâu megis y Tŵr cyflwynodd cynulleidfaoedd Cymreig i'r theatr yr abswrd lle pwysleisiodd dramâu yr agweddau afresymol neu afresymegol o fyw, fel arfer i ddangos bod bywyd modern…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on February 2, 2015 at 23:38 — No Comments

Y TWR (THE TOWER) Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff 30 January 2015

 

 EXCELLENT IN ANY LANGUAGE

 

The Tower was originally a play written in 1978 by Gwenlyn Parry, a well-respected Welsh playwright. In plays such as the Tower he introduced Welsh audiences to the theatre of the absurd where plays stressed the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless. The Invertigo…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on February 2, 2015 at 23:08 — No Comments

Y Tŵr Canolfan Gelfyddydau Chapter Ionawr 30, 2015

ARDDERCHOG YN UNRHYW IAITH

 

Mae'r gofyniad o ddrama un act yw y dylai fod o leiaf yn cael celf ddramatig da. Adfywiad Aled Pedrick o Gwenlyn Parry glasur Y Tŵr yn gampwaith o fynegiant dramatig a llenyddol. Gyfrwys gyr ei fod yn amlwg ennyn diddordeb a fwriadwyd ac ymateb emosiynol gan gynulleidfa a gafodd ei swyno o'r dechrau i'r diwedd.

 

Catherine Ayers a Steffan Donnelly yn hudol wrth i'r cwpl mynd drwy daith bywyd, ond yr hyn a wnaeth o'n blaenau wrth iddynt…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on January 30, 2015 at 9:40 — 1 Comment

The Tower Chapter Arts Centre 30 January 2015

EXCELLENT IN ANY LANGUAGE



The requirement of a one act play is that it should at least be good

dramatic art. Aled Pedrick’s revival of Gwenlyn Parry’s classic The

Tower is a masterpiece of dramatic and literary expression. Cunningly

wrought it visibly provoked the intended interest and emotional response

 from an audience that was captivated from beginning to end.



Catherine Ayers and Steffan Donnelly are mesmerising as the couple going

 through…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on January 30, 2015 at 9:14 — No Comments

NO PLACE FOR TOM

The Wales Theatre Awards’ shortlist has been announced and there is no place for Tom – A Story of Tom Jones. Have those responsible for deciding the shortlist got it wrong?

All over Wales critics have had their say and our neighbours in England too have had an input. Let’s also not forget the audiences’ feedback which is arguably the most important. Are they all wrong and the caucus of critics that make the decisions right?

 

I KNOW WHAT I AND OTHERS THINK, WHAT DO YOU…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on January 19, 2015 at 22:32 — No Comments

In Time O’Strife National Theatre of Scotland Sherman Cymru, Cardiff 23 October 2014

There’s nae power on earth can crush the men

who can sing on a day like this.

Joe Corrie (1894–1968) was a poet, miner and playwright. 'The greatest Scots poet since Burns', according to T.S Eliot, and once described as a Welsh Scot, his poems were inspired by the mining communities of West Fife.…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on October 24, 2014 at 0:00 — No Comments

IN TIME O'STRIFE STRIKES A CHORD IN HUMAN EMOTIONS - review to follow that should be of interest to all those associated with theatrical art

In Time O'Strife is a well-constructed drama with evocative music and dance that strikes a chord in human emotions.…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on October 23, 2014 at 23:13 — No Comments

BLACK RAT'S LATEST PRODUCTION IS RIDICULOUSLY FUNNY AND EMOTIVE

 Bedroom Farce, a significant play for both Alan Ayckbourn and the National Theatre, London, has been given new life by Black Rat Productions. Their revival of this well regarded comedy is currently on tour.

Not to be missed it is ridiculously funny and emotive.

Open those twitching curtains and read my review to have a peep into what goes on in the bedrooms maybe somewhere near you.

Added by CHRIS HOWELL on October 5, 2014 at 23:09 — No Comments

BEDROOM FARCE Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl 3 October 2014

 

"People had said to me that I'd set plays everywhere but in the bedroom and I got to think about them and became fascinated by what people do in bedrooms - I don't mean all that ho, ho risqué stuff, but the curious pastimes people take up. Just asking round my friends produced people who played Scrabble, elaborate quiz games, read all night or even in…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on October 5, 2014 at 23:00 — 1 Comment

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY Suthwark Playhouse 18 July 2014 Review

A disused warehouse now occupied by the Southwark Playhouse Theatre recently voted by the Stage as the Fringe Theatre of the Year was the venue for my latest London theatrical experience. Just a visit to the theatre is an unforgettable experience, it's a curiosity that surprises and delights.

This was the review's author's second visit, this time to see Tony Kushner's play A Bright Room Called Day (plays at the Southwark Playhouse until 16 August. For more information and to buy…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on August 4, 2014 at 3:22 — 1 Comment

AS YOU LIKE IT Review Taking Flight Theatre Company Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr 20 June 2014

 

 

What was the fascination of this production that brought the author of this review near to tears at its final curtain call? I use the term ‘curtain call’ metaphorically as the stage was promenaded through one of the most picturesque arenas in the Merthyr Valley, Cyfarthfa Park. Was it this environment that worked its magic to send me into…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on June 23, 2014 at 19:00 — No Comments

BELLE…Not only but also Review Odeon, Cardiff 2 June 2014

 

Belle is based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Captain Sir John Lindsay, a Royal Navy Admiral. The story starts with Captain Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode)…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on June 3, 2014 at 23:16 — No Comments

BELLE in cinemas from 13 June REVIEW OF PRE-VIEW TO FOLLOW

Belle is a seamless production of a costume drama with an original and moving theme. The acting was superb and the musical score was wonderful. It was a joy to watch and listen throughout. 

Features some of the very best actors including a talented Welsh Gem with an engaging smile by…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on June 2, 2014 at 21:31 — No Comments

CLASSIC GHOSTS Review New Theatre, Cardiff 27 March 2014

NOT FOR THOSE OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION?

The author of this review is relying on Criss Jami’s quote on plagiarism “When you have wit of your own, it's a pleasure to credit other people for theirs” to…

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on March 28, 2014 at 7:20 — No Comments

UNDER MILK WOOD Review New Theatre, Cardiff 13 March 2014

A FAULTLESS REPRODUCTION OF A DYLAN CLASSIC

 …

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Added by CHRIS HOWELL on March 16, 2014 at 21:00 — No Comments

TOM review reprise

Many, many thanks to the 100s of people who read my review. It is a show well-worthy of the attention and praise it is receiving. For those who haven't seen it yet, put it on your list of must to does.

Added by CHRIS HOWELL on March 10, 2014 at 18:49 — 1 Comment

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