REVIEW - John at the National Theatre

FOUR STARS

LOVER. Criminal. Father. Arsonist. Graduate. Charmer. Survivor. John is all of these things and more. And he is the subject of a powerful new verbatim performance piece by DV8 Physical Theatre now on at the National Theatre.

John's harrowing and heartbreaking story is told through the performers who dance and speak his words which are based on a series of interviews which were conducted by the company's artistic director Lloyd Newson.

It is an extraordinary story - we see him born into a completely dysfunctional family with an abusive and violent father who rapes the babysitter and physically abuses John's brother and alcoholic mother.

John and his brothers end up in prison, on drugs and in the case of his brothers, dead.

In his search for love and stability John drifts through life, shoplifting, having two children by two different women as well as plenty of girlfriends and liaisons in between, takes drugs, is done for ABH and his weight rockets to 25 stone.

However, after years of crime, drug use and struggling to survive, John’s desire for a new life leads him to a place unknown by most - a gay sauna.

It is here we see more stories unfold - from those who use the facilities and as such John takes a bit more of a back seat in the story.

Unfortunately there seemed to be a link missing between John's story and the sauna which made it a bit unclear initially why and how he had arrived there.

However, that is a minor niggle because in all other respects it was an incredible piece of physical theatre.

It is staged on a fantastic but minimalist revolving stage to a soundtrack which plays throughout. The choreography is more movement than dance - sometimes the dancers move about on their hands, sometimes they look as though they are made of rubber folding and unfolding themselves in all directions, sometimes they are rigid, sometimes balletic in their movements.

John is ultimately about one man’s search for love from the devastating home from which he has come. He is also a real person - we know this because right at the end we hear his voice rather than that of performer Hannes Langolf.

It is a compelling production, brutally honest in its haunting and harrowing portrayal of a man where tragedy, abuse and pain is part and parcel of life, but that is beautifully staged and where the story is expressed as much through the words of the performers as through their dance.

John is on at the Lyttelton stage of the National Theatre until January 13, 2015. Tickets from £15. Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 020 7452 3000.  

Unicorn Theatre win

ONE of South London's theatres has scooped top prize in a national competition.

The Unicorn Theatre in Tooley Street beat of stiff competition from Battersea's Theatre503 and Southwark Street's Union Theatre to win the Peter Brooke Empty Space Award 2014.

It was presented with the prize at a ceremony at the National Theatre Studio on Wednesday.

The award, now in its 25th year, is presented annually in recognition of the pioneering concepts or innovations in the spirit of director Peter Brook.

The Unicorn's artistic director, Purni Morell, said: "I am delighted we have won the Peter Brook Empty Space Award.

"It is great to see that ambitious, innovative and risk-taking work for young audiences is at last being recognised as having equal status with adult theatre. We’re very proud."

The Peter Brook Empty Space award was founded by Blanche Marvin and is judged by a panel consisting of leading theatre journalists including Lyn Gardner, Dominic Cavendish, Fiona Mountford, Andrzej Lukowski and Mark Shenton.  

PANTO!!! Greenwich Theatre's Jack and the Beanstalk

TEN years ago Andrew Pollard wrote his first panto for Greenwich Theatre. The result was a hit and the 47-year-old has been back every year since to pen the Crooms Hill theatre's annual Christmas show.

He has also starred as the Dame for the past eight seasons and last year directed the show as well.

It has been a winning combination that has now firmly established the Greenwich panto as one of the highlights of the theatre's repertoire and one of the best in London.

It is also one Andrew says he always looks forward to, so happily for all Greenwich panto fans, he's making a welcome return to South London and is back at the helm writing, directing and starring in the production which this year is Jack And The Beanstalk.

We chat as he makes last minute "tweaks" to the script which he promises will feature all the essential ingredients that befits any panto worth its salt - a heady mix of magic, mayhem, topical and geographical jokes and references, not to mention plenty of singing, dancing and general all round merriment.

Evidence of its popularity can be seen in ticket sales which are already up on last year. The show has also been extended by a week due to popular demand and Andrew and the team at Greenwich Theatre, headed up by artistic director James Haddrell, are understandably delighted.

"It's fantastic because it's such an endorsement of what we do," he says.

"But it does mean there is a bit of added extra pressure to make sure it all goes well and we deliver the goods so I'm busy making last minute adjustments."

The show, which kicks off on November 20, features Giant Bonecrunch, who is raising taxes, and his wicked Henchman who is making sure everyone pays up.

It means times are hard for Jack and his Fairy. Can an old cow, a bag of beans and a visit from a mysterious fairy really save the day?

The panto happens to be one of Andrew's favourites thanks to its "strong narrative".

"I think it's one of the strongest of the big five," he says. "It has a real adventure at its heart with someone climbing into the sky and a giant.

"It's just a classic story - it's David and Goliath, the little man fighting against the big scary giant, overcoming adversity - a real coming of age tale.

"It's a great adventure which ignites children's imaginations and I think that's why it's endured."

It does present its challenges though, not least how to portray the giant and a beanstalk that's strong enough to climb up.

"I've seen it a few times where you don't actually see the giant and I think that's wrong - it's a cheat not to have one," says Andrew.

"We did it here before about seven years ago and the props department built an 11ft giant for us. It was quite an incredible structure!

"At the time it was hugely expensive for them to do that so they kept in storage which is great because it means we can use him again - although he won't be exactly the same as last time."

So will there be a thrill and a fright factor for the younger members of the audience I wonder.

"There is a build up to the giant making his appearance and the kids do get scared a bit but it's how you do it that's important," says Andrew.

"We are always careful though so when the audience does meet him they realise that he isn't shouty or roary.

"Having said being scared like that, watching monsters on TV behind your fingers, it's all part of growing up. Kids want that and if you take it away it waters it all down.

"It's also empowering for the audience to boo the giant and they need to see Jack defeat him."

As well as a familiar giant, Andrew says some of the cast are returnees from past productions as are the musicians and backstage crew.

However there is sadly one notable absence this year. Paul Critoph, who has played opposite Andrew's Dame for the past eight years in various guises was unavailable this time because of commitments elsewhere.

"We have a small but great cast, but Paul is in the West End doing 39 Steps for a year which is great for him but we were both gutted," says Andrew.

"However, I don't want to give too much away but he will make his presence felt...!"

He also promises gags a plenty and says he has "upped the ante" with the Dame's costumes.

"I have got some cracking costumes this year," he laughs. "Each year she gets more ridiculous and outrageous in both her appearance and her character and this will be no exception.

"As soon as I get in the costume and put on the make up the excitement starts!

"We've also got some great jokes and fantastic musical numbers - including a revival of Bohemian Rhapsody that we did last year and which worked so well."

Despite the excitement he admits to a few nerves.

"I get more nervous every year," he says. "It's part of peoples' Christmases with many coming back every year. There is pressure to be fresh and original while at the same time being respectful of the traditions and making sure people have a great time.

"When you revisit a show there is also an expectation to be as good as before if not better.

"However, I don't know many places that work as hard as we do," he adds.

"What's great is that everyone pulls out all the stops to make these shows the best they can be.

"It's a great feeling. Some of the cast and crew have been with us since the beginning so it feels like one big family and I think people relate to that.

"It's all done with great heart and that's what I love about it."

And he says he's already thinking about next year and has a couple of ideas up his sleeve.

"Greenwich is where I've spent Christmas for the past nine years and I love it. It's the best place to be so I'll definitely be back!"

Jack And The Beanstalk is on at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill from Thursday, November 20 until Sunday, January 11. Tickets cost £27 for adults and £13.50 for children. Visit www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 020 8858 7755.

Who Do You Think You Are - Southwark Playhouse

ONE hundred years of personal stories has formed the basis of a new show which has just opened at the Southwark Playhouse.

Who Do We Think We Are? has been devised, conceived and written by Sonja Linden.

It is based on the family histories, photographs and memories of the 10-strong international cast, and is a very personal take on the last 100 years from 1914 to the present day.

It draws on the real life experiences from the actors involved including life in a Siberian prison camp during the Russian revolution, childhood experiences in India under the Raj, an escape from the Warsaw Ghetto, surviving the atomic bomb in Nagasaki and London in the swinging sixties.

The idea came about nearly two years ago when Sonja created her theatre company Visible which is made up of older actors and theatre professionals.

"We are all living longer and I realised there was a greater need for older people to be represented on stage," says Sonja.

"Visible is founded on the belief that tapping into the energy and talent of older theatre performers can reap rich artistic rewards and serve as an inspiration for audiences.

"It's also been my dream as a writer to be part of an international ensemble and to work collaboratively from day one in creating a piece of theatre.

"When I set up Visible with director Sue Lefton we invited people to come talk to us about their experiences and share their stories and ideas so we could create a show.

"Two of those we talked to happened to say that the First World War still affected them. One because his father, who had him very late in life, was in Russian Revolution.

“The other actor said his grandfather in Canada came back a broken man from the trenches.

“It was all powerful stuff and the idea for the piece came from there.”

Over a period of 18 months Sonja got in touch with a variety of actors from across the world and gathered their stories and memories. They then created the show which as well as the narrative features live music and movement with the actors telling their stories in a series of short scenes.

"The span of the piece is quite ambitious and it was quite a challenge to get it all together and to make sure that what comes across is truthful, sensitively done and respectful," says Sonja.

“It was the synchronicity of finding so many stories that have a big historical background that's been fascinating and we have all really enjoyed the process.

“For some of the cast it’s been a real journey of discovery. One woman plays her mother which was quite an amazing experience for her and another tells of her escape from the Warsaw Ghetto.

“But it’s an opportunity for them to share these memories and experiences. As a result the audience gets to hear and see some incredibly moving, funny and powerful stories.

"By the end of it you get a sense of where they have come from. But it's also a chance for us all to think about who we are and where we come from."

Who Do You Think You Are? is on at the Southwark Playhouse, Newington Causeway until Saturday, November 15. Tickets cost £18. Visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk or call the box office on 020 7407 0234.

Interview with John Waters

MENTION the name John Waters and most people will think of his trademark pencil thin moustache and the film Hairspray.

But there is more to the 68-year-old American than that - much more.

Since he rose to fame in the early 1970s he has been entertaining us, shocking us and making us cringe in equal measure thanks to his work as director, photographer, screenwriter, actor, stand-up comedian, visual artist and journalist.

Once dubbed the Pope of Trash, a label he says he's not unhappy about, his early career was dominated by his transgressive cult films which featured a regular troupe of actors known as the Dreamlanders - among them Divine.

Since then he's consistently been pushing the boundaries bringing us such films as Female Trouble, Serial Mom, Pink Famingos and Hairspray, built up an impressive art and book collection and has garnered a cult following.

Unsurprisingly he's also opinionated - in a good way - and has got plenty to say on just about anything. And fans of his will be able to hear his latest take on life when he brings his latest show to the Royal Festival Hall on November 11.

Carsick: This Filthy World Volume Two Live Comedy Monologue will be a chance to hear more from this icon who is still one of the coolest men on the planet and has plenty to say about life.

Speaking to me from his home in New York, John says the show will feature stories about his amazing and eclectic 40-year career.

We chat on the day his new book, Carsick, was published in the UK, something he is very proud about.

"It's been out in the US a while but it's great it's now out in the UK," he says cheerfully. "I'm very excited about it."

The book charts his adventure two years ago in which he hitched from his front door in Baltimore to his flat in San Francisco. The trip took him nine weeks and although he says he was glad when it was over he recommends everyone try it.

"Have you been hitch-hiking?" he asks me. "I think you should. I think you should take a trip outside the city. You need a good sign though.

"It's a bit scary for sure but it's a bit sexy too. But you should definitely do it - it's fun," he adds warmly.

He did it partly because he "got an advance on the book so I knew I had to do it", but also he wanted to do something different and to prove to himself that it's "more scary to stay at home". For John, life clearly is very much for living.

"Before I did it I had these ideas about how brilliant it could be or how horrible it would be," he says.

"In my fantasy I thought the best that could happen was that it would be a bit of a freak show and the worst that I would be murdered by an axe wielding maniac serial killer.

"Then I did it for real and the reality was that it was neither of those things!" he chuckles.

"It was actually quite exhilarating and mostly the people I met where lovely. I got picked up by everyone from frackers to truckers, cops to families and preachers and all sorts.

"Some people thought I was homeless and some gave me money but most went out of their way and were incredibly helpful."

But wasn't it a bit scary I ask.

"It wasn't always fun," he admits. "It was fun when it was over but it was an adventure because I'd wake every morning in a godforsaken motel room and it was too late to back out." he laughs.

"Where you get dropped off could be scary - so it has to be a good place - and there were weird people but they were the ones who didn't pick me up and just drove straight on by.

"It reinforced my opinion that I'm more scared of staying home than going out and living though - you gotta live."

What concerned him most was the reaction of his friends who he says were "horrified" at the idea.

"It was their concern not mine," he says. "I live in New York and I could walk out of my door, get in a cab and be involved in an accident.

"Everything is dangerous but staying home is the biggest risk. Life is for living and not staying indoors. How boring is that? I hate it and don't understand it when people say they are bored - how can they be bored? Why don't they just step outside and see the world.

"What could be better than walking around looking at people - it's fascinating."

So although he will tell stories about his hitch-hiking adventure, don't expect the show to be just about that. In fact it will form only a tiny part of the show in which he promises his thoughts on such subjects as religion, fashion, crime, art, drugs and Divine.

"I will talk about the trip but I'm not going to give the same material as in the book," he says. "People pay to see me perform but they don't want to hear about just that - especially if they've read it by the time the show is on so I will talk about a whole lot of things," he says.

"It's a whole written monologue which I'm still tinkering with," he chuckles. "It's constantly being re-written. Afterwards the audience can ask questions and then I'll do a book signing.

"It's the only one I'm doing in London so I'll stay until they've all been signed," he laughs.

"I love London," he adds. "It's the only place I take a vacation outside the US. I spend a week here each year, visiting the art galleries, spending time looking at real people in the streets, going to book stores and shopping. I love it."

And of course he will talk about his extensive career.

"I do pinch myself when I think about it," he admits. "I have had a great career and people have been interested in me which is lovely.

"People come to my movies and my audience has been great although to begin with of course I wasn't a favourite with the critics.

"All the stuff happening now is just gravy though. My dreams happened years ago. I just had a retrospective at the Lincoln Center - it was like being at my own funeral," he laughs. "It is always great to hear the nice things people say about you when you are alive.

"I never thought Hairspray would be so big," he adds. "I didn't set out to write a commercial movie but I loved teenage dance shows of the 1960s and it grew from there. I wanted it to be devious.

"It's been done at every college since, is still touring around the world which I'm hugely pleased about of course and no one questions the politics of two men singing a love song at each other - it was the best magic trick I ever did!

"It bought me an apartment in San Francisco so I can't complain!"

John Waters performs Carsick: This Filthy World Volume Two Live Comedy Monologue at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre on November 11. Tickets cost from £22.50. Visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk or call the box office on 020 7960 4200.