The Scoop - Captain Show Off! and Women Of Troy

FOR the past 12 summers the ampitheatre outside City Hall has been home to an open-air classical theatre season where people can come and see a play for free.

This year, theatre company Gods And Monsters is presenting two shows at The Scoop - Captain Show Off! for the younger members of the family and Women Of Troy for older audiences.

The season has been put together by the company’s artistic director Phil Willmott who promises plenty of action and adventure outside City Hall.

"It's always really exciting to do outdoor shows," he says. "This year the two we are doing explore how our ancestors regarded the morality of war.

"One is a real family friendly show and the other is for older children and adults but what's great is we have the same set of actors doing both shows so it’s quite a feat."

Captain Show-Off! has been adapted from the Roman comedies of Plautus by Phil, with original music by Theo Holloway.

It is set in a bustling Roman town where everyone anticipates the return from war of the big-headed soldier, Milos Colossus.

But if he's expecting everything to be as it was when he left for battle, or that he's going to be welcomed back with open arms, he's in for a bit of a shock.

“It’s a real fun show with lots of myhem, silly gags, confusion and mixing of identities, slapstick, singing, dancing, audience participation and puppetry,” says Phil.

“We've got a brilliantly colourful cast of clever slaves, daring lovers and cunning tricksters and they’ve all got funny names to reflect their characters. For example we’ve got Timidious who’s really shy and timid.

“It’s very fast moving and very visual and it’s been written in a way that there is enough going on for everyone - whether they are two or 200.”

By contrast Women of Troy, adapted by Lisa Kuma from the ancient Greek Trojan War trilogy by Euripides is pure drama, a dark tale of some of the courageous women on opposing sides of the Trojan War.

This new adaptation of Iphigenia at Aulis, Hecuba and The Trojan Women looks at their sacrifices, triumphs and tragedies.

“It looks at the way women are brutalised by being caught up in war and the way in our society we are worried about becoming radicalised,” says Phil.

“What I found fascinating was that we can read these speeches which were written hundreds of years ago and it’s almost exactly the same thing going on today. There are so many parallels as we still see these international conflicts going on with the associated oppression and brutality.

“It’s horrific and you realise we just never learn from our mistakes.”

And indeed Phil says the inspiration for choosing the two plays came about from what was going on in the news.

“I was thinking about what’s pre-occupying London and indeed the country at the moment and the choosing of the plays, particularly Women Of Troy, reflected that.

“I always try and find plays that reflect stuff going on at the moment and this seemed to fit the bill.

“I also love Roman stories and we've not done many before and it seemed like a fun idea and it suits the space well.”

And he says he’s looking forward to bringing them to the Scoop.

“It’s an incredible venue and I love it because the atmosphere is extraordinary,” he says.

“When you get 800 to 1,000 people on a summer night and they go completely silent – so much so that you can hear a pin drop - it's amazing.

“For me though it is about getting people coming to see what we do who would not normally come to the theatre. For many it will be their first experience of seeing live drama with a big crowd and being excited by it.

“What's also important is that it’s free. In these difficult economic times it's really important to have free access to high quality arts and we are really proud to be able to do this. We only ask for a donation at the end of the show.

“It’s the same for the kids’ show too. There is excellent children’s theatre out there but it costs money – this costs nothing except their time.

"However, even though it's free there is still a challenge to keep it lively, exciting and interesting - enough that it encourages people to come back next year or to go and see something else that's on.

"What this also does is show how diverse audiences can be. I love the idea that you can look along the row and see City workers with locals, young and old, students, tourists and homeless people and know that they all have the same experience and hear the same story.

“That’s really powerful."

Captain Show Off! and Women Of Troy are on at The Scoop, More London, between Wednesday, August 5 and Sunday, August 30. Shows start at 6pm and 8pm. No need to book, just turn up.

Pinocchio - Greenwich Theatre

AN adaptation of children’s classic Pinocchio is coming to Greenwich Theatre this week.

Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale, Pinocchio tells the story of a wooden puppet yearning to be a real boy.

Carved out of wood by the lonely toymaker Geppetto, Pinocchio tumbles from one disastrous situation to another in search of adventure — only to discover that, in the end, all he really needs is an unselfish heart and the love of his father.

Written by Broadway and Disney writing duo Neil Bartram and Brian Hill this adaptation is a new version of the story, and blends puppetry, magic, live musicians, singers and performers to bring it to life.

Among its stars is Rachael Louise Miller who plays the Fairy and the Narrator.

The Forest Hill-based actress says she is excited to be part of the company bringing it to young audiences for its three-week run at the Crooms Hill theatre.

"It's really quite magical and beautiful," she says. "It's a real family musical although in many respects it's quite dark. The original story, while beautifully written, was quite dark and even the Disney film version wasn't all sweetness and light!

"This particular version of the story is aimed at those aged five and up so it's not scary but as it's based on the original tale, we don't shy away from the darker elements.

"But there's also plenty of laughter and fun and more than a sprinkling of magic - Pinocchio's nose has to grow when he tells a lie and there's a bit where the boat gets swallowed up by the sea so it's been a lot of fun learning the tricks of the trade to make all the magic happen.

"We also had an amazing workshop on how to use the puppets. It was fascinating and we all learned so much. We use puppets throughout the show and right at the beginning there is shadow puppetry which is really beautiful to watch."

As well as being fun, the story also has a moral element to - that of being good, being kind and doing the right thing.

"One of the characters I play is the Fairy who is like Pinocchio's moral compass," Rachael says. "She is quite feisty and pops into the story to remind him of the direction he's supposed to be taking. He gets distracted easily and goes on adventures very easily so she has to steer him back again.

"I encourage him to make the right decisions rather than tell him what to do or make them for him."

And she says this is one of the reasons it's had such enduring appeal.

"It's such a great story and I think is still so popular and so well loved because people relate to these themes of what it means to be kind and good," she says.

"Children particularly really get that and it's one of the magical things about doing theatre for children - they are so engaged.

"To see their faces when the story unfolds is fantastic!"

The Adventures Of Pinocchio is on at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, from Wednesday, August 5 until Sunday, August 23. Tickets from £10. Visit www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 020 8858 7755.

REVIEW - A Number, The Young Vic

FIVE STARS

THE terrible consequences of what can happen when science goes wrong are explored in a gripping production of Caryl Churchill's play A Number now on at the Young Vic.

Bernard always thought he was an only child – but at the age of 35 he learns the shocking truth. He's not. In fact he is one of a number of children cloned in a lab by scientists.

But is his father telling him the truth about his family, his other siblings and indeed about how he came to be? Was he really wanted and how many others are there?

It is a fascinating look at how the boundaries of science and ethics can be blurred with the added twist on the dynamics of the father/son relationship.

The Young Vic's production is brilliantly staged and the design by Tom Scutt is genius. The men, played by real life father and son John and Lex Shrapnel are confined in a box surrounded by mirrors - and while we, the audience can see them, they can't see us.

The audience are split into four groups - our tickets have but a number written on them - and is ushered into one of four small rooms.

The action is played out in front of us and in between the short, sharp and intense scenes the lights go off inside the box and the mirrors reflect not the actors but us the audience.

In each scene we see the father, Salter, try and explain what has happened and why to three of his sons - each played by Shrapnel junior.

But each time, a different story is told, leaving the audience wondering what the truth is.

It is quite brilliant. Both men show a range of emotions and Lex Shrapnel easily conveys the three cloned sons and their different characteristics.

Salter at first seems to be reassuring to his son, but then seems to be trying to wriggle out of a series of awkward questions, not least, did he know what was going on?

Punchy, fast and furious, with plenty of moments of laugh out loud humour it's all over in an hour - but what an amazing hour. Of that there is no doubt.

A Number is on at the Young Vic, The Cut, until August 15. Tickets £19.50. Visit www.youngvic.org or call the box office on 020 7922 2922.

REVIEW - The Trial, The Young Vic

FOUR Stars

JOSEF K is a normal man. He has a good job in a bank, friends and life seems good. Then on the morning of his 35th birthday, he is woken by police and arrested for a crime or crimes unknown.

His arrest is the start of a living nightmare into which Josef descends unable to escape or stop. It is a a frightening and hellish situation where nothing is as it seems and there are no answers to anything.

The Trial was originally written by Franz Kafka as a short story before being turned into a play. A new adaptation by Nick Gill is now on at the Young Vic starring Rory Kinnear.

As the audience file into the theatre the first thing that hits you is a bright orange hue which is incredibly disconcerting. We are then seated in tiered rows as if in a courtroom.

The second thing you notice is a travelator which splits the theatre in half and much like Josef's nightmare situation, once it starts moving, it doesn't stop.

It is an odd story in that we never know why Josef is singled out for punishment. There is nothing out of the ordinary about him and he seems to have led a pretty blameless life although there are hints about his sexual experiences in the past.

It is perhaps for this reason that he mixes his speech with something reminiscent of baby talk, a babble that seems to be him thinking aloud as if in some altered state of mind.

The action takes place almost exclusively on the travelator and throughout the two-hour long show, Rory Kinnear as Josef is never off it - an incredible feat for any actor.

Not only does he have to avoid bumping into any of the props which trundle along it, he also has to dress, undress and deliver his lines and he does all of this brilliantly. It is an incredible performance.

The rest of the cast take on multiple roles and provide great support, particularly Kate O'Flynn who shows off a superb range of characters from the lovely, sweet kind Rosa who lives next door to Josef, to the lap dancer seen at the beginning of the play.

It's all pretty intense and at two hours with no interval it is exhausting to watch. But it is a stunning piece of theatre and a superb performance from Kinnear.

The Trial is on at the Young Vic, The Cut until August 22. Visit www.youngvic.org or call the box office on 020 7922 2922 for tickets.

INTERVIEW - Joe Pasquale

AFTER two years of delighting and entertaining audiences as King Arthur in a touring production of Spamalot you would be forgiven for thinking that Joe Pasquale might want a bit of a rest.

But you would be mistaken. For the Eltham-based actor, comedian and all round entertainer is not one to rest on his or anyone else's laurels.

Indeed although the 53-year-old has only just hung up the chainmail he is about to take to the road once more with his new stand up show.

As part of the 25-date tour he is bringing his wit and wisdom gained from his 30 years in showbiz to the Ashcroft Theatre at Fairfield Halls in Croydon on July 26 and says he's looking forward to "having a banter" with the audience.

So what will he be talking about I ask. It turns out it will be a mix of anything and everything.

"I just go on and muck about with a bit of magic, singing, doing a few jokes, painting, reading and lots of silly stuff," he tells me.

"There will also be a lot of audience participation so anything could happen. I play it by ear really and don't write anything down so it'll be completely different from one show to the next."

And it transpires that that is just the way he likes it.

"I never know how it's going to go which is great," he says. "If you plan something and it doesn't work you're stuffed. If you don't plan it, nothing can go wrong. It's what I've done all my life.

"I have a rough idea of course but once I get out there I just talk about anything."

I can testify that this is indeed correct for during our chat topics of conversation range from food to whales, travel to keeping fit and everything in between - he just doesn't stop.

"I've been doing this for 30 years and I love it," he says warmly. "I always knew I never wanted to work for a living. This isn't a job. It's something I enjoy and I'd do it forever.

"It's tiring though," he concedes. "I'm knackered after Spamalot - it was a long tour but it was great fun. I got to work with my son [Joe Tracini] and it was a fantastic show that took you by the scruff of the neck and didn't let go. It was a real joy to do and we had a ball.

"I've always done the odd gig here and there in between times as I'd get bored if I didn't, so it's really nice to be back on the road for this tour.

"The best part of my day is going out on stage," he adds. "It's all the other stuff that's hard like the travelling, living out of a suitcase for months on end and not being able to find anywhere decent to eat - that kind of thing.

"I don't want to eat another kebab at 3am or have a pukka pie. I just want my greens. That's the hard bit - not the show - that's a piece of cake and I love it."

And he says he never feels under pressure.

"Pressure is being a brain surgeon," he chuckles. "What happens if you sneeze and what happens to the scalpel? That's pressure.

"I'm just on stage mucking about like a 13-year-old talking about willies and farts - that's not pressure.

"I still get nervous though - it's scary and exciting, like being on a really good rollercoaster or watching a good horror movie - but that's part of it and that's what I love. I like flying by the seat of my pants."

Talking of flying, six years ago Joe conquered his fear of being airborne and got his pilot's licence.

"I really enjoy it," he says. "When you learn to fly you have to know what to do if something goes wrong. You spend all that time training doing emergency landings. But it's so liberating.

"The year before last I hired a plane and went to Le Touquet in France, had chips on the beach and then came home just in time for X Factor. It's ace!

"I'm not going to be here forever so I want to do something with my life rather than sitting around watching Big Brother."

To that end he is also studying for a Geology and Geoscience degree at the Open University, indulges in his love of travel and discovering new places and took up boxing two years ago.

"There is always time to do these things if you really want to do them," he says "I've been to Belize and want to go and see the Northern Lights and climb volcanoes in Iceland. I'd also quite like to see the ice hotel in Norway - maybe I'll go after this tour.

"I box too and go to Gumshield gym in Eltham. It's a real spit and sawdust place - not the sort where you get a jacuzzi or a slice of cheesecake afterwards.

"There are a lot of cops from the Met who go there so it's a good excuse to go and punch them on the nose and know they can't do anything about it," he adds chuckling.

"I did a marathon a couple of years ago for Diabetes UK. I did it in five hours 20 minutes and the toes on my foot were like chipolatas afterwards. You could have stuck a toothpick in them and not known the difference. I lost five nails too.

"I'd do it again but my knees wouldn't take it. So I do a bit of boxing and still run a bit. I like to look after myself but it's hard on the road because I like my greens and in some places they're impossible to get - it's like Greggs is part of their five a day."

So what does he do to keep himself lean, mean and his vitamin and mineral quota up?

"I take spirulina," he says. "Whales live til they are 160 years old if you let them so I thought if they can do that I'd go to Holland and Barratt and get spirulina.

"If I'm still here in 150 years time you'll know it works. Though obviously I don't want to have developed a blow hole and start living in the sea.

"You see this is what happens with the show - I end up talking about anything!" he adds laughing.

"The news is terrible and horrendous and I can't change that but I can try and cheer people up. It's lovely to have that effect."

And he says he's looking forward to his trip to Croydon.

"I love it there," he says. "It's always got a great crowd who are up for anything so I'm really looking forward to it - especially as it's near my home in Eltham.

"I moved there from Essex and love it. On the A12 there are signposts to a secret bunker," he adds laughing.

"Of course now every bugger knows where it is so if it happens the place will be gridlocked!"

No doubt if it is he will be entertaining the crowd every step of the way.

Joe Pasquale will be at Fairfield Halls, Croydon on July 26. Tickets cost £18.50. Visit www.fairfield.co.uk/ or call the box office on 0208 688 9291.