Devil Wears Prada meets Primark and hits menopause and dating sites. Stand-up Comedian, Rachael Milne is one to watch!
Have you seen both films, The Devil Wears Prada/The Devil Wears Primark 2? Well, it’s more than those films, however, walk into the auditorium and the songs played will remind you of them. It’s an entertaining start even before, not Meryl Streep, but stand-up comedian, Rachael Milne takes to the stage. She is glitz and glam… not Prada, but the other P’s – Primark and Polyester, as she introduces herself. As soon as she began with sharp in wit and observation, the laughs came and kept coming.
She moved from the witty film references to the many dating sites, relationships and being menopausal. She has clever usage of gentle psychology in the way she gently coaxes the audience to be part of the conversation, if they want to be, never putting pressure on.
The audience proved this isn’t just a comedy for women, plenty of guys were in the audience too. Everyone found the humour in ageing. She also made light of ex-pats of which she is one and more…
I went in hoping for a good time and that’s what was delivered and any reservations disappeared from the start. There were a few jokes that weren’t quite as strong as others but the better ones outweighed them and became more memorable and talked about.
The stage may have been small but her stage presence was big and so are the laughs.
Step back in time in the world of tv, before journeying through the decades of tv and also be part of a gameshow audience, a tv audience and more… It takes audiences from nostalgia to present times.
Rory Cargill takes on the role of a tv presenter through the decades who he has named Beau Creme. There are cheesy catchphrases and prompts are fun and reminiscent of times gone-by, but after a while, does attract a few groans. It is, however a well constructed performance, that, although dips, does get better as it goes on. There’s even a catchphrase. Mixing nostalgia and present day relevancy nothing is left out in this high energy performance.
In the background are sweet bits like Andy Pandy, sitcom actors, later kids tv like Zzzap! gameshows and reality shows such as Big Brother and more… Clips of Rory Cargill’s incarnation of Beau Creme are shown on screen from time to time as well as in-front of the audience on stage, which is creatively seamless.
There is a vulnerability in later years in Beau Creme when he isn’t as popular as he once was. You can see and feel the desperation and how it affects him.
It’s a mixed performance of highs and lows, a bit like the fictional Beau Creme’s career. Certain jokes being a bit groan like after a while, with a flat feel in a high energy atmosphere with Cargill having great stage presence.
The concept of Rory Cargill – On TV as a whole is intelligently constructed but with highs and lows in the comedy of it.
Rainee Blake is passionate about Joni Mitchell and reels you in to compellingly share her passion!
Be transported to a night in 1976 in Take Me As I Am. An excellent chance to explore and listen to the stories and songs of Joni Mitchell through the smooth, compelling and sometimes nuanced performance by Rainee Blake.
Take Me As I Am invites the audience to view Joni Mitchell, or this version of her, just as she is, sometimes in thought, other times happy and free and at times, vulnerable. Rainee Blake, throughout the show compels you to lean in and listen. There’s an intimate feel about what she has created, making you care about Joni and also brings warmth.
The construction of the show feels a bit like a gig, which is fun. Rainee appears with great stage presence, playing her acoustic guitar that leads to her singing songs from Joni Mitchell. The passion for this music artist truly comes across in this one-woman show that takes place after Joni returns from a solo road trip across America, just before releasing the album, Hejira.
It is pleasing that Both Sides Now offers a fun opportunity to join in. The only thing that I suggest that as August goes on is perhaps a screen behind Rainee with the words of at least the chorus on it. It became apparent not everyone around me knew the words, which was very unfortunate as it’s a lovely collective moment in the show that just feels right. She also asks the audience for a song too. She doesn’t hesitate to play, showing how talented she is as the request is live, the choice of song doesn’t feel pre-planned.
Other songs are California, Woodstock and seamlessly changes guitars from acoustic to electric and also picks up the dulcimer. Each instrument is deftly played and with passion and a nuance that goes with the songs she sang at this time.
There are tender, vulnerable stories that are interjected throughout. They add depth and provide knowledge and a certain amount of understanding of Joni. The audience hear of her meeting Leonard Cohen, relationships and more… Each told with care and authenticity.
At the very end, Rainee Blake treated everyone to one of her own songs. It felt inspired by Joni Mitchell and yet was completely original and very listenable.
Whether you are an enthusiast of Joni Mitchell or just exploring who she is, this is a show that gives a great overview and is worth taking a chance and journey back in time and taking her as she is.
Krapp’s Last Tape By Samuel Beckett Directed by Stockard Channing Starring David Westhead
review written by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Krapp’s Last Tape is intensely powerfully acted and directed. It’s one to watch!
Silence! You can hear a pin drop… The silence, the set, it creates a unique atmosphere that pulls you into Krapp’s immediate world of solitude even before a word is uttered and before his past is delved into. It’s a powerful moment and gives time to truly soak up the set which sits at almost juxtapositions, quite a mess around the table, yet certain things are in more exacting places. Then there’s a tape machine which becomes like a second character, even though, essentially it is a one man show, played by David Westhead who is expertly directed by Stockard Channing.
There’s a specific tape that Krapp is searching for, but not until he’s had his banana. He likes his bananas. Every movement, look and word is meaningful and perfectly timed between the reflective tapes as he looks into his past and as he sits at his table in present times.
You see the tape reels turn, almost hypnotically as his life story pieces together, with the acting on tape and in-person is strong, holding the audience entranced. There’s a tension, that’s only given relief to with timely banana eating and the comic way the word spool is said. In saying that, it all fits neatly together and works well. It becomes a bit of a collective process in a way that we, the audience are listening to the tape in real time just like Krapp. It brings an interesting atmosphere. The actor would’ve heard it countless of times, but it’s skillfully acted as though he is hearing, like us, for the first time.
The directing of the play makes it all feel natural, attentive and helps draw you in with curiosity, even when the actor is off-set but you can still hear him. It all adds to the mysterious compelling nature of the play.
Krapp’s Last Tape has been played by many a well-known actor over the years and still, it remains relevant. The themes involve reflection, romance, growing older, grief to name but a few. We all have times of some reflection and this goes quite deeply for Krapp as he looks way back. It’s a fascinating tale to tell that holds poignancy and emotion. You feel his slight elation and the deep despair oozing out into the auditorium as he hears his younger self in audio-diary form. It’s captivating to watch the reactions from David Westheadfrom the beginning to the end.
At the end of some performances is a Q&A session with both David Westhead and Stockard Channing, who are both approachable and answer questions in a way that’s both expertly attentive and fascinating. I thank them for answering my question, David Westhead in-particular on this occasion about how he feels when playing Krapp. He gave real insight into the character and the play itself. I thank them for the photo below, others were taken by a professional photographer.
They talk about how it’s all about the text and notice the shoes on David Westhead’s feet, they have a purpose. They talk about how their friendship and how they became to be doing Krapp’s Last Tape and so much more… I don’t want to give too much away on this special moment. Attend and you will discover some wonderful stories.
Stockard Channing is an Academy Award Nominee who is known for acting in Greece, The First Wive’s Club, Practical Magicand more…
David Westhead is multi-award-winning actor known for acting in the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and more…
Admirably, post the basic expenses, they will make a chunk of change for the charity, The Wembley to Soweto Foundation. You can check that out here: www.wembleytosoweto.com
Up Memory Lane By Gyles Brandreth and Harriet Jaine
review written by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages photos by Andy Robinson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Feel the warmth and end up laughing loads as you go Up Memory Lane, the place where both poignant and fun memories flow. The place where stage and podcast collide with the most enjoyable results for a fun-packed late afternoon.
Memories and treasures are what Gyles Brandreth and his Rosebud podcast producer warmly encourages the audience to think of what or who is dear to them as they impart this information. It’s revealing, sweet, sad and very funny as they look over the years, including their earliest memories.
Harriet Jaine, who is the producer of his critically acclaimed Rosebud podcast joins Gyles on stage. Things get particularly humorous as she tries to keep him under control and says a bit about her job, which seems to also entail giving instruction to Gyles, who may or may not obey… She has her work cut out as is demonstrated in rather a jovial manner.
On a table, there are objects that are precious to them both, one of which is Judi Dench’s teddy bear. There are also shared tales of other bears, including Winnie the Pooh and some sweet, fun singing from them both and a solo from Harriet. Memories aren’t just linked to objects as Gyles reminisces about actors he has met in the past, some alive, some dead. He makes a very important, poignant and touching reason for also naming dead actors. She is warmly encouraged to talk about family, the happy and the saddest of times.
The mix of seriousness and fun is a great combination for this show and keeps it feeling authentic and highly enjoyable as well as interesting.
Between the stories and the jokes, there is song and a bit of sort of dance, some that create laughter and one which is dear to their hearts and anyone who is a fan of a particular bear will hold everyone silent for a moment.
There are games to be had with a small, friendly bit of audience participation, but only if you catch Harriet’s ball.
What is clever throughout is the encouragement for the audience, when they go home, is to reflect on their treasures and memories. In turn, by the end, this show becomes a treasured memory for all the enjoyment had.
You can see this delightful show for a fun-filled hour at:
Review of JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS: WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I RUN ABOUT TALKING
review written by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Thought-provoking and poignant comedy!
The Monkey Barrel is an intimate venue known for comedy to review his new show: What I Talk About When Run About Talking. It is a thought-provoking show in many ways as he opens up to audiences about both his mental health and physical health. He has been in therapy and talked about mortality, a topic that seems to be a favourite of his therapist. He intertwines some humour as he explores the human condition. There is a bit of insight into the relationship between him and his therapist. He also looks at the roots of psychotherapy before focusing on a falling out between Freud and Jung with their theories. There is also a bit of surrealism at this point, some of which works and some not so much, but worth staying with it.
Intertwining the jokes are some poems, it works to varying degrees of success with the best and cleverest and perhaps most rhythmic one being the last. The idea of having poetry amongst comedy is a pretty good and neat one. They aren’t randomly placed, they don’t jar, even though they come unexpectedly.
Spoken of and explained a little of is Equity, the union for actors and also about stage names. Is John-Luke Roberts his real name? You will find out in the show.
There’s quite a bit of wordplay. It may not be quite laugh a minute, but what holds it together and keeps the fascination going amongst the jokes is the information imparted. The flow is strong, with some of the word construction being the dominating factor, but there is humour to be had.
John-Luke Roberts pulls you in with his stage presence and you can’t help but feel sorry for him for what he’s endured and yet find comedy within a situation he has found himself in that is bravely reflected upon. It feels honest and it’s well-constructed in its storytelling as often it’s interesting, sometimes surreal, often searing with a poignancy that runs deep.
Dates5th – 30th August (except 19th) Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm Venue: Monkey Barrel 4 Age Guidance: 16+ (Guideline) Ticket Prices: £8 – £14
John-Luke Roberts is enjoying quite a career spanning theatre, radio, and TV, including co-writing The Goodies 2020 Audio revival and the UK Gold sitcom Bull starring Robert Lindsay and Maureen Lipman. In 2022, he won the BBC Audio Comedy Award for Best Sketch Comedy for his popular podcast Sound Heap. His acting resume includes Paul Feig’s Last Christmas, Brassic, and Spymonkey’s clown show Hairy. A sought-after director, he has helmed tours for Myra Dubois (Be Well, Cosmic Empath) and Josh Glanc’s Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated Family Man.
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 