REVIEW: Tony's Last Tape, Bridge House Theatre, Penge

FOUR stars

TONY Benn was one of this country’s most forthright politicians. Whether you agreed or disagreed with him politically – and plenty didn’t – there was no doubting his conviction on those matters that he felt were important.

As well as being staunchly left wing, throughout his long life he was also a prolific diarist and it is these published diaries that have formed the basis of a one-man play about him.

Written by Andy Barrett and starring Philip Bretherton as Benn, it is currently on at the Bridge House Theatre in Penge.

The stage has been transformed into Benn’s study and it is here late one night that he comes shuffling in with a huge mug of tea to record one last tape for his diary.

As he switches on at least four tape recorders – presumably as a back up in case one of them fails – he begins to try and write something for a funeral he is due to speak at.

We see him try, and fail, to come up with a joke he has not previously done at a previous funeral, in between which he munches on a banana or two and judges the merits of eating too much potassium, attempts to change a light bulb, reminisces about his life in politics, including his less than favourable views on Tony Blair and speaks with pride about his family.

While he doesn’t try to do an impression, Bretherton does get the essence of Benn spot on with the looks he gives, the accent, his passion and the wonderful sense of humour he clearly had.

We also see his vulnerable side with Bretherton showing Benn as a sensitive fellow, particularly when he speaks to his dead wife Caroline – the sadness at losing her is there for all to see and hear.

But we are also reminded of the fire within him as he rails against some of the decisions taken by his former political colleagues on both sides of the House.

It is a fascinating play, brilliantly staged and with a superb performance by Philip Bretherton who reminds us that politicians of Benn’s standing are a rare breed.

Tony's Last Tape is on at the Bridge House Theatre, Penge until May 17. Tickets from £12. Visit www.bhtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 020 8133 0311.

Femmes By The Thames

FOLLOWING successive sell out shows, an evening dedicated to women stand up comedians and cabaret performers is back once again next week as part of a South London arts festival.

Femmes By The Thames takes place not in a pub or club but on a boat on the Thames – the Battersea Barge to be exact, so a bit of bobbing about is to be expected and will no doubt add to the experience.

It will be hosted by its founder and writer, radio presenter and stand up comedian Rosie Wilby and she promises a top notch line up to boot.

“Femmes By The Thames used to be a regular night on the Battersea Barge a few years ago before it moved to other venues including the Royal Vauxhall Tavern,” she says by way of explanation.

“It was always a showcase for talented women comedians, cabaret acts and musicians and while it’s now only an annual event as part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival, we still maintain that ethos.

“The Battersea Barge is also a lovely venue and it’s really exciting to be back again for a fourth year.”

This year’s line up features among others, writer and comedian VG Lee, Revan & Fennell, Carly Smallman and Elf Lyons.

What’s more, at £7.50 a ticket it’s a show which isn’t going to break the bank.

“The line up is looking great,” says Rosie. “It’s so exciting to be introducing a bill of such great women and I’m especially pleased about VG Lee.

“She started her career as an author but on her 60th birthday set herself a challenge of doing 60 stand up gigs that year.

“She smashed that target and has carried on ever since. She has a really self deprecating wit so it will be great to see her.”

Introducing them all will be Rosie who as well as compere for the night will “get to know the audience”.

“I get everyone warmed up a bit and play some games or joke with them,” she says. “Last year there were lots of sporty women in so we ended up playing volleyball which was made out of a balloon – it was a lot of fun.

“What I love about the show is that it has a collaborative feel,” she adds. “There is no real sense of a headline act, rather just a bunch of hugely talented and very funny women.

“It’s basically an evening celebrating women and I think that although men love the show, it’s nice for a woman to see other women doing good stuff on stage.

“There are a lot more of us on the circuit these days and attitudes have changed but this show is a great positive affirmation for women.”

Femmes By The Thames at the Battersea Barge on Kirtling Street, takes place on May 13. Visit www.wegottickets.com/event/303643 for tickets.

INTERVIEW - Philip Bretherton, in Tony's Last Tape, Bridge House Theatre, Penge

WITH just a matter of weeks to go before the General Election a new play takes a look at one of Britain’s most respected, celebrated and controversial politicians.

Tony Benn, who was Labour MP for 47 years and served in the cabinets of Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, was a prolific diarist, recording everything that happened to and around him for more than 50 years.

He and his famous political diaries are the subject of a new play, Tony’s Last Tape, written by Andy Barrett.

After an acclaimed run at the Nottingham Playhouse it is to be staged at the Bridge House Theatre in Penge from Monday, April 27 until Sunday, May 17.

Taking on the role of Tony Benn is actor Philip Bretherton something which he tells me is both “exhilarating and nervewracking”.

“It's one man show which is something I’ve never done before,” he says. “It has been a bit daunting but it’s been a lovely challenge and to do this as the politicians battle it out in this year’s election is really exciting.”

The play is set in Tony’s office late one night when he comes downstairs to make one last recording. While doing so he muses about his long life in politics.

“The play has been set when he’s 87 so he’s an elderly man and he’s decided to prepare a script for a funeral and is looking for material for that,” says Philip.

“But in doing so it leads him to avenues where he remembers moments from his life such as his time during the war, how he gave up his peerage and almost up to the present day.

“It’s really an amalgam of bits taken from his diaries although we don’t quote from them direct. However we do use them as a focal point and as a starting point.”

Philip says that although he knew “bits and pieces” about him there were plenty of other things he didn’t.

“I did have to do some research and I admit I went in with some pre-conceived ideas but I’ve learned so much about him,” he says.

“Many people will know he gave up his peerage but he had a battle to do so and that was quite extraordinary and it needed a change in the law – which he achieved.

“Although he served in the RAF, he was also very anti war believing war was wrong as a means towards political ends.

“People say that politicians mellow, he didn't and he actually went to office and became more left wing.

“Most get the edges knocked off them but he never compromised. It’s refreshing that he stuck to his guns.

“He was also very funny and quite sentimental too about his family which surprised me. He was a politician of his time, a conviction politician, a real character with experience and he was certainly a splash of colour against the grey suits we see before us at the moment.

“I hope those who come to see him will see what an interesting guy he was, regardless of what you think of his politics.”

But Philip warns that anyone hoping for an impression of the great man will be disappointed.

“I can’t pretend to do an impression of him as I am not Alastair McGowan but there are certain things about the vocal eccentricities he had all his life that I’ve tried to incorporate,” he says.

“I don’t know what he would have thought of the show but he had a good sense of humour.

“People who knew him said they enjoyed his company – I’d love to have met him – it would be a shame if we didn’t see his kind again.”

Tony's Last Tape is on at the Bridge House Theatre, Penge between April 27 and May 17. Tickets from £12. Visit www.bhtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 020 8133 0311.

Interview - Simon Hickson, Strangeness In Space

ANYONE growing up in the 80s and 90s and who watched Saturday morning TV will no doubt remember Trevor Neal and Simon Hickson.

For more than a decade, Trev and Simon as they were known, were integral parts of BBC1's Going Live! and Live & Kicking shows with their mad, zany and unpredictable world of comedy, music, sketches and silly games.

Indeed their sketches, including The Singing Corner in which they involved unsuspecting special guests, were as legendary as they were hilarious.

Who can forget their encounters with the likes of French & Saunders, Kylie Minogue and Lisa Stansfield in which the celebrities were gently mocked?

Even Paul McCartney was not immune to their improvised skits and was a guest on the show - something that Simon says was "surreal".

"He brought his family with him and they asked us for our autographs - I still can't get over it!" he muses.

And as well as their inimitable brand of humour their popular catchphrase of "swing your pants" became firmly etched in the minds of a generation.

Since those heady days they have continued to work together as writers and performers and are now putting the finishing touches to their latest venture - a free audio podcast.

Strangeness In Space is a comedy sci fi adventure written for both adults and children and features a collection of brilliantly conceived characters including Trev, Simon, Sophie and their robot friend LEMON (Linguistically Enhanced Mobile Operations Network).

Chatting over a coffee in The Archie Parker, the Forest Hill cafe co-owned by his wife Zoe, Simon tells me it is “an indulgence of our comic ideas”.

In the story Trev and Simon play a 1980s styled synth pop duo called Pink Custard. Together with Sophie - "the sensible one" - and LEMON, they find themselves in a damaged rocket which has been knocked off course and is in a distant universe orbiting Planet Mirth.

Every so often they have to go to the planet to get "supplies" and it is while they are there that they have their “crazy” adventures and get into plenty of scrapes.

Along the way they will encounter various characters including the flocking Featherheads, the hairy scary Rhinocerbikers, the sinister Dr Scarfium or even a Space Ghost.

A year in the planning they are now attracting a host of stellar names to the cast list.

"We’ve just got Rufus Hound on board and I’m so excited,” says Simon grinning widely. “He was someone we really wanted to be involved so we are delighted that he said yes.

"He plays Atrocious Knocious who is very keen on motorbikes and likes to give off an image that he’s quite scary. But actually his real name is Steve and he’s quite scared."

As well as Rufus, Doon Mackichan has signed up and will be taking on the role of the narrator. More cast members will be announced in the coming weeks and Simon hopes the intrigue and excitement will encourage others to take part - including his dream guest William Shatner to whom Twitter requests have so far illicted no response.

Each episode will be a stand alone story but how many episodes they record is down to us.

For they are hoping to get the project off the ground and blast off into the hall of podcast fame with a crowdfunding campaign.

When I spoke to Simon, the team behind the project – Simon, Trev, producer Claire Eden and fellow actor Sophie Aldred – had £5,000 left of their £15,000 target to raise before April 26 to get Strangeness in Space off the ground.

But on Monday this week they had smashed that target and have now set their sights on raising another £7,000 to ensure a second episode.

And by the time this is published they may be well on their way to a third.

"The initial target is £15,000 which will pay for the first episode, all the production costs and some of the actors' fees," says Simon.

"Each £7,000 after that will pay for future episodes. We are so close now and we are desperately keen for this to happen so I've been on Twitter a lot to promote it. It's getting very exciting.

"What I really like about these crowdfunding initiatives is that it’s ordinary people who make it happen – so if they like us and it they will support it. If not, well, that’s it.”

As part of the campaign, those who back the project financially can win "perks" such as T shirts, badges and art work plus having a name check on the script or credits.

"We racked our brains to come up with perks to suit all budgets and so they range from pocket money items such as badges to bigger ones such as become a producer on the show," he says.

The idea for the project came about after a university reunion Simon went to last year.

"Trev and I met at Manchester University in the early 80s and last year there was a 30th anniversary reunion," he says. "Trev couldn't make it but Claire and I went along. While we were nursing hangovers at breakfast the following day we started talking about working together again.

“Trouble was we didn't know what! However, later Trev and I talked about it and as we'd done stuff with Sophie before we thought it would be a good idea to mix what she’s known for - Dr Who and sci fi - with what we were known for - silly sketches and characters - and the idea developed from that."

Simon credits Claire with turning their idea into reality.

"She had done an amazing job on another similarly funded series, Minister Of Chance, and without her this wouldn’t have got done,” he says.

“The actual nitty gritty and sorting out of all the Kickstarter stuff was all down to her.”

But why an audio show and not a visual one I ask.

"I would have been keen for a visual but if you do that you need a fortune to make it work – anything between £50,000 and £60,000 which isn’t easy to come by these days," he says.

"And if we took it anywhere else we'd be reliant on someone commissioning it which would take ages. This is actually a great way to get things done and it’s a lot quicker.

"Secondly I’m 52 now and it would look odd as a chap my age doing a comedy show for kids – we had to be realistic!

“Besides we've commissioned artist Lee Sullivan to do the promotional artwork for the project. As part of that he's created these zany animated Trev and Simon characters that look half our age and I have got my hair back!” he laughs.

“Also, I liked the idea of people using their imaginations while listening to it.

"It's nice being our own boss too - we can do what we want with it and be as mad or as silly as we want. Our only limitations are our imaginations."

Now they have the funding for at least the first episode they will get into the studio in the next few weeks and have the podcast available to download in September.

“It’s really exciting and I think as a comedy vehicle it is as endless as our imaginations,” says Simon.

“Down the line if it proved successful I would like to see an animation series. It would also be great to make it into a comic book – it’s got endless possibilities!”

Visit http://strangenessinspace.com/ to back the project.

REVIEW - Man of Steal, Menier Chocolate Factory

FIVE STARS

ARE you a thief? That's the question posed by James Freedman, the self confessed Honest Pickpocket.

He suggests that most of us are - from nicking a few sweets as a kid to taking momentos from a hotel room to even claiming more in expenses than you should.

He also likes to distinguish a thief from a thug - someone who uses violence to steal.

He does all this in a brilliant 80 minute show, Man Of Steal, now on at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

And if you've got any sense, I would urge you to see it - it's quite astonishing.

For not only is it hugely entertaining and at times very funny, it is also incredibly insightful and most importantly education. In fact I would go as far as to suggest it's essential viewing.

It is for everyone - and not just those who've had the misfortune to have their pockets picked.

Through stories, demos, audience participation and chat, Mr Freedman, widely acknowledged as one of the world's greatest pickpocket entertainers, takes us through various scenarios.

He also shows how the minds of the thieves work - and how to be more vigilant to scams and be more aware of our personal safety to stop becoming a victim. He shows us how frighteningly easy it is to become a victim of theft.

Funny and fast fingered he exposes how the bad guys work, done through a life time spent studying thieves of all sorts, from street criminals to hustlers and to conmen.

It is no surprise that over the years he has been an invaluable support to the police and other security professionals.

I'm not going to give anything away - it really has to be seen to be believed - but safe to say the last 10 minutes of the show were more than just eye-opening.

I am sure there was not one person in the audience who did not sit up, take note and gasp at what he showed us.

Man Of Steal takes place at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Street until April 27. Tickets from £22.50. Visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com or call the box office on 020 7378 1713.