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He had it coming: Burnt Up Love @finborough

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Out of the darkness and shadows, three characters emerge. Lit only with candlelight or flashlights, a gripping tale by writer and performer Ché Walker about crime, punishment, love, and loss emerges. The fast pace conveys a sense of urgency to make up for lost time, lost opportunities, and what might have been. It’s currently playing at the Finborough Theatre .  We first meet Mac (Ché Walker) in prison, serving time for a crime he committed. With only a photo of his young daughter, Scratch, to keep him company, he looks for her upon release. But Scratch (Joanne Marie Mason) isn’t the teacher, lawyer or dancer Mac imagined while incarcerated over the years she might be. Instead, Scratch is in and out of trouble, on the edge, angry and violent. A chance encounter one night with JayJayJay (Alice Walker) forms a loving bond and gives her a moment of stability. But Scratch’s demons and restlessness mean trouble does not seem far away. Scratch's random act of thoughtless violence against

Small yet perfectly formed: King Tut A Pyramid Panto @KingsHeadThtr

Christmas is coming and so that means that pantomime season is in full swing. Charles Court Opera is back at the Kings Head Theatre with their off-kilter take on the panto genre with King Tut, A Pyramid Panto. Pared back so it’s called a “boutique panto” this one is small but perfectly formed with cheap laughs, a weird plot and some fine singing.

Set in the Valley of the Kings, a small troupe of explorers are about to open up King Tut’s tomb only to find themselves whisked back in time to when King Tut ruled with his pal... Who just happens to be a talking Camel.

Heading up the troupe is the dastardly Lord Conniving (John Savournin), his ward Evelyn (Francesca Fenech) and Carter the explorer (Matt RJ Ward). Alys Roberts as King Tut and Philip Lee as the Camel round out the cast.

For a small cast the plot is mind boggling at times. Carter is in love with Evelyn but can only express his feelings through flatulence. Evelyn wants to be an explorer so goes dresses up as a man. King Tut wants to have fun. Lord Conniving just wants to be well... Conniving... Cue plenty of boos and hisses from the audience determined to enjoy themselves regardless of the story.

But the cast sound terrific under the musical direction of David Eaton. And Savournin as Lord Conniving, bearing a slight resemblance to real life pantomime villain Jacob Rees-Mogg, adds to the amusement. Especially as he dons various increasingly implausible disguises to achieve his conniving aims. The disguise as a very comfy arm chair with a glass of sherry was a particular highlight of the evening.

Adults might have to explain themselves to the younger children why singing a song about a camel toe is so hilarious. And there are enough groan out loud gags to amuse the more innocent members of the audience.

Directed by John Savournin, King Tut - A Pyramid Panto runs until Saturday 6 January. Matthew Keller plays Lord Conniving on select nights during the run. Charles Court Opera is back at the King’s Head Theatre in March 2018 with The Mikado.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Production photos by William Knight

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