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The greatest show and other bromances: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE Ball and Boe @sohotheatre

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Alfie Boe and Michael Ball seem to be a bit of a joke act anyway. Their endless interpretations of popular songs (also known as covers) and their double-act bromance make them quintessential crossover artists where popular music meets opera and Broadway. And a perilous choice for the discerning listener. It’s not that they aren’t talented musicians and performers in their own right. Still, their musical choices are always safe, predictable and less than their potential. But every country deserves to have a pair of self-described national treasures that can tour the local arenas and give people a good time for the bargain price of £175 a seat.  And so the concept of Adam Riches and John Kearns - two world-famous from the Edinburgh Fringe comedians taking on this bromance seems like a curious choice for a Christmas musical fare. One can only hope that over the fourteen nights, it is playing at the Soho Theatre that the show evolves into something more substantial than a series of po...

Mad as hell and serving Cava: Derailed @Ovalhouse

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. But when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Or in the case of Derailed at Oval House, make gazpacho. And serve Cava. 

The premise is that in the post-Brexit UK, they are heading back to Spain. But rather than leave downtrodden and defeated, they’re going to stage the mother of all leaving parties. 

The music blares, the party poppers fly and the party begins.

The piece opens with a series of photos from Patricia and Mercè‘s 12 years living in the UK. With the grey skies and dismal towns you start thinking Brexit wasn’t the only reason for their decision to leave.

And with a series of improvised scenarios you’ll find yourself live tweeting a petition, having a long hug with a complete stranger. Or wearing an unconvincing wig holding a banner protesting something. Along they way they chart some of their life in London and in Spain. 

The premise of Patricia Rodríguez and Mercè Ribot‘s work is to use physical theatre and improvision to create something funny and engaging. It’s sometimes silly but it’s always fascinating to watch.

Here they have turned 12 years of struggle into a celebration about what is great about life. Wherever you may be. And although the party in London may be ending, you get a sense they’ll continue the  party wherever they go.

Derailed is at Oval House Theatre as part of there Spring Season. It concludes on 3 March. Next up is This Restless State where in 2052 Europe is ravaged by a continental war and a referendum. The season concludes with Coconut, a comedy that challenges assumptions about Islam with a modern Muslim woman looking for love. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Ben MacIntosh

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