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One hundred people’s ninth favourite thing: [title of show] @swkplay

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[title of show] takes you back to a time before the fast paced social media where word of mouth for a positive show came from chat boards, video diaries or (god forbid) blogs. A simple staging makes it an ideal (and economical piece to stage), but it’s sweet and earnest take on just putting on a show, and putting it out there and taking a chance gives this show its heart. With a strong and energetic cast and endless musical theatre references, it’s hard to resist and it’s currently playing at the Southwark Playhouse .  It opens with Hunter (Jacob Fowler) and Jeff (Thomas Oxley) as struggling young writers in New York City. An upcoming New York Musical Theatre festival, inspires them to write an original musical within three weeks to make the deadline. As they discuss ideas, writers block, distractions and endless other good and bad musicals, an idea for a show emerges. Which is about writing a show for a musical theatre festival.  Their friends Heidi (Abbie Budden) and Susan (Mary Moor

Hopes for 2017: The Doppel Gang @tristanbatestheatre



Things I am hopeful about for theatre this year after catching The Doppel Gang at the Tristan Bates Theatre:

More shows featuring the music, drama and comedy of music hall. 

The Mother Goose panto at Wilton's last year gave a few quick flashes of music hall style with a few numbers. Here this show is set in the pre-television era where an evening's entertainment is a night out at the theatre. It's a lost art that could do with being resurrected.

More borrowing of classic comedy sketches that don't involve Monty Python. 

There is a Faulty Towers Live show that is winding its way around Australia as part of John Cleese's pension plan. But there are is plenty of other comedy that could be recreated, borrowed, or repurposed. The Marx Brothers are a case in point.

Unfortunately while the Doppel Gang includes these two elements, there is an awful lot of moody drama between jokes. There is also the tired premise of a struggling (this time it's a theatre troupe) during the blitz. Perhaps it is time the war is left to Remembrance Day as we are not doing it any favours evoking it in the the theatre.

The moody drama and occasional loud explosions make the piece too confusing to follow. It also dilutes the comic potential (and any originality) of the material.

With it's elbaroate set it is a slick looking production from the Just Some Theatre Company. The company was founded by Jake Urry and Peter Stone who feature in the piece. But mis-timed performances and a muddled plot make for a bewildering night at the theatre.

Directed by Terence Man, The Doppel Gang runs at the Tristan Bates Theatre until 11 February.



In the meantime you can always see the real Marx Brothers online...

⭐︎⭐︎

Photo credit: Mitchell Reeve

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