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Two Ladies: La Bella Bimba at Barons Court Theatre / Canal Cafe Theatre

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T hey sing. They dance. They clown around. They even wash clothes! Such is the story of La Bella Bimba, part of the Voila Theatre Festival, which highlights new and emerging artists. A tale of two Italian ladies who land in 1920s New York, trying to break into Broadway without speaking a word of English. It’s harmless, primarily even if a little nonsensical, and is currently playing as part of the Voila! Theatre Festival .  I caught the performance at the Barons Court Theatre , where the intimate setting created an evocative atmosphere reminiscent of dark New York alleyways. The space was almost claustrophobic with a distinct smell of rising damp, making you feel immersed in the story of two Ladies hanging around the theatre doors of Broadway. On the plus side, the theatre has some of the most comfortable seats you will find in any pub theatre in London. As the naive and hopeful singers, Co-creator Lucrezia Galeone as Carlotta and Sarah Silvestri as Cecilia are fine singers with co...

It's a kind of magic: The Sorcerer's Apprentice @tsamusical

 

The story of the Sorcerer's Apprentice is updated to modern tastes in this funny and engaging new family musical. Here a father and his rebellious daughter discover their magic and save their town from a bunch of brooms while making a few observations about parenting, science and the environment. 

Filmed at the Southwark Playhouse in February, it's also a reminder about what we're still missing from live theatre. While it's great to see a new show streamed online, you also have to let your imagination remind you where there would be applause and laughter from this energetic and thoughtful production. Hopefully, we will get the chance to see this show live someday. 

Written by Richard Hough and Ben Morales Frost, the story takes place in a small northern town called Midgard. It's on the brink of environmental destruction due to the endless search for prosperity. Eva, played by Mary Moore (making her professional stage/streaming debut), is a school dropout. But she discovers her talent for magic and activism. Meanwhile, her father (David Thaxton), a widow, struggles to warn the town and deal with such a woke yet unskilled daughter. 


While there are enough plots and subplots that could fill several musicals, it's cleverly put together and the songs are catchy and the production is full of imagination. However, as a family musical, watching it with youngsters be prepared for many questions about environmental impacts,  different types of families and northerners. 

And you can't be too down on the refinery's slightly villainous owner (Marc Pickering). When told off by his mother while wearing a pair of outrageous pyjamas and hugging a teddy bear, he is a sight. 

Directed by Charlotte Westenra, The Sorcerer's Apprentice is streaming now on Stream Theatre until Sunday, 14 March for a total of 22 streaming shows. Hopefully there will be a soundtrack recording of the show available soon as well. It runs for about 2 hours, including a short break. 

Photos by Geraint Lewis

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