Episode 138 - Burn Baby Burn: LA Inferno (Slackline Productions)

So, Ray, I hear nobody cry.

What have you been up to in the world of theatre? Well, after returning from my holiday, it's been all about the reviews.

I reviewed three productions in the space of a week.

three very different shows i should say an original comedy an opera and a shakespeare but innovation was the order of the day with all three as each production in its own way took a certain path to ensuring an affordable show for audiences without compromising on quality the first of the reviews was for a small scale production of a brand new comedy drama stage at sherringham little theatre it was the final production in their summer rep season and was a piece called on the edge Now, this show came about as part of the theatre's playwriting competition the previous year, where On the Edge was one of the winning entries.

I was actually part of the cast that gave it its first airing on stage, as we performed a staged reading at the theatre last year.

Since then, the show has been developed a little further to make it full length, and the theatre's summer rep cast took on the roles.

It was great to see the theatre take a punt with some new writing, and with the show written with local audiences in mind, they responded in a really positive way.

The show is about a man who is being forced to leave his home due to catastrophic coastal erosion, and while he holds firm, refusing to let go of the memories attached to his home, we meet some other characters who turn up to try and convince him to leave.

It was quite sad and poignant at times, in amongst the more comedic elements, largely drawn from local girl Natty, who's a coastal community volunteer and is a, well, overblown stereotype of a Norfolk bumpkin.

I enjoyed the production again, but this time as an audience member.

I did feel, with it being lengthened beyond its original 45 minutes, you could tell there was a little bit of filler material that added nothing narratively, and actually I felt some of the comedy was pitched in the wrong place, with it verging on... farce and panto at times, which was completely at odds with the reflective moments in the play.

But the audience loved it, and you can't deny it was an entertaining show.

On the Edge closed out Sheringham's summer rep season, but hopefully the writer will be encouraged to carry on.

The next production I reviewed was The Marriage of Figaro by Wild Arts Theatre, which performed on the This iconic Mozart opera was stripped back to its core elements with both a reduced cast and orchestra as the show was all geared up to play on some much smaller and sometimes outdoor settings on its UK tour.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and the reduced setting actually allowed for the vocalists' acting skills to take centre stage a little more than usual and they really made the most of it with the director squeezing every ounce of humour from an already comedic narrative.

And of course, the vocals were superb, as were the reduced but still powerful sounding 11-piece orchestra.

The performance I watched was the penultimate date of their tour, but I dare say this talented company will bring another show on tour at some point.

So keep an eye out on wildarts.org.uk. And finally, most recently, I watched the Pantaloons in action with their four-person and very funny production of Twelfth Night.

It was another innovative take on a classic text, and which I really enjoyed thanks to the brilliant performances of the actors involved.

That production has just begun its tour of venues in the UK, so do give them a look as it's well worth your time.

As always, all my reviews are posted on my website, eatpod.co.uk, so do check them out if you're interested.