What’s in a text? The novel, the written word – what’s it made of? The paper, the binding, the ink? Or something more elusive and ethereal? The four plays comprising the Sherman Theatre’s ‘Radical Reinventions’ series explored this question in earnest. Referencing everything from Goethe to Grindr, these plays used a handful of props and lashings of creativity to examine (in thirty minutes or less) why we continue to tell these stories hundreds, or even thousands, of years later.

Two of the plays, The Love Thief and Tilting at Windmills, I have already enthused about. I happened to see the final night of performances of Hamlet is a F&£$boi and The Messenger, which allowed me to reflect on how and why these four plays affected me so deeply.

Hamlet is a F&£$boi is written and performed by Winners’ Lowri Jenkins and directed by Mared Swain, based on the works of William Shakespeare among others. Essentially Fleabag meets My Fair Lady (only with the roles reversed), the play follows the lovelorn Evie (Jenkins), who would very much like to take a match to tinder and burn the whole thing to the ground. Fed up with the foibles of flesh and blood boyfriends, she turns to fiction to find her own personal Mr Darcy. Jenkins is daring and dynamic, and the play itself a whirlwind of venom and melancholy that savagely skewers the modern dating scene.

I wonder how Jenkins would have dealt with three of Shakespeare’s heavyweights – like Romeo and Macbeth, for example – instead of teaming Hamlet with Paris (from Homer’s The Iliad) and John Proctor (from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible) – though it would be hard to improve on such a funny and powerful play. It’s genuinely hilarious to watch Jenkins convey the waning swooniness of her literary crushes (and to watch her mimic the puffed-up bravado of the titular heartthrob), not to mention how genuinely affecting it is to watch her explore the reasons why we return to books and when we should put them down.

The Messenger is written and performed by Sherman Associate Artist Seiriol Davies (How to Win Against History) and directed by the Sherman’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, The Messenger is a musical epic in miniature, charting the changeable fortunes of its titular emissary, trainee priest Giovanni (real name: Shane), as he is tasked with a holy mission that might just determine the fate of the fisticuffs between the Montys and the Cap-Caps.

The Catholic Church urges Shane/Giovanni not to climb every mountain, definitely not to ford every stream, and to avoid rainbows like the plague (though after the last two years, I think we’re going to have to seriously rethink that idiom) – and he does just that, with a lot of singing, rhyming and sexy dance fighting along the way. I have genuinely never been more entertained; Davies is a one-man West Side Story, blazing through each number with brio and spiriting the audience away on a breathlessly anarchic adventure.

So, other than the obvious, why have the Sherman Theatre’s ‘Radical Reinventions’ continued to occupy my mind? It’s because they’re not only rollicking good stories, but that they speak to why we continue to tell stories at all: because they give us permission to hope, to dream, to love, and to live vividly and boldly and bravely. They’re not only smashing the text, they’re remaking it for a new, better world. Fiction, like life, has its limits – but as long as there are barriers and binaries alike, the Sherman Theatre and its exceptional talent will continue to break through them.

All four of the Radical Reinventions have been a joy; together, they are a triumph.

Hamlet is a F&£$boi is now available to stream on demand anytime until 24^th December and you can see The Messenger’s Seiriol Davies as The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol at the Sherman until 31^st December. (Tilting at Windmills is also available to stream on demand anytime until 24^th December – here’s why you should).

Black Box Events, set up by Denbigh born Mark Hughes, specialise in unique events and entertainment across North Wales. Since its creation in 2019, the company have provided a variety of successful events across a number of different venues in the region. Mark initially started hosting murder mystery events back in 2017 as fundraisers for varying causes and enjoyed it so much he decided to turn it into a part time job! All Black Box’s actors either have professional training or a wealth of experience in performing and this was certainly made clear throughout their latest production Murder Under the Mistletoe at Theatr Clwyd.

On entering the Clwyd Room at the venue, we are greeted with what looks like an office party set up; lots of tables boasting beautiful festive centrepieces, a makeshift bar (with a free glass of wine included on entry…I like this office party already!) and Christmas tunes playing through the speakers. There is even an office Santa making his rounds. The only giveaway that this is not your average office party is a notebook and pen atop the table for scribbling down clues and musings, and a QR code (how modern!) which, when scanned, takes us to a set of character profiles, giving us an insight into the characters we will be meeting this evening. And before we know it, those characters are in the room, chatting, not only amongst themselves but to us, transporting us to their office party and making us included in their company. That company being TechQ. The company director, Jackie, has seemingly thrown us all this party to celebrate such a successful year. Although we already start to get a glimpse that something is not quite right as the characters begin to bicker, throw looks at each other and, as is somewhat expected from a murder mystery evening, one goes and pops their clogs. And it just happens that Inspector Beckett is attending the party and so begins the fun! The inspector duly lines up the culprits ‘on stage’ and we start to learn a bit more about them. After this, it is our turn to interrogate and so ensues a hilarious back and forth between the inspector, the audience, and the characters, all of whom are portrayed brilliantly throughout and, even more impressively, the company improvise most of the piece. As the audience interaction heightens it is wonderful to look around the room and see audience members get so involved: writing in their notebooks, chatting to their friends and family about who they think’s ‘dunnit’ and even turning to guests on other tables and comparing clues! Towards the end, the audience must put on their ‘Sherlock’ heads and decide who they think did it! There is even a prize for the correct guess!

Despite it being ‘murder most horrid,’ this truly was a festive evening; we were even treated to a few Christmas numbers by the boss’ PA as well as her son! All music, sound, props etc. were organised by the cast super slickly and each character had their own clear aesthetic and personality; often stereotyped but not too over the top. There was plenty of dark drama from Jackie and her family, perfectly balanced by some wonderful comedy moments from Jackie’s PA, Josie…and Edward’s wig! The action was not without excitement but there were also a few interludes where the characters left the ‘stage’ and the audience were able to take toilet breaks, purchase another drink and/or discuss the goings on at TechQ! The company even stayed behind at the end of the performance to talk to the audience and take photos with them-a lovely gesture.

Black Box can cater for a wide variety of events including weddings, parties, corporate or even nights in with friends! They can hire out singing waiters, flash mob choirs and even a cinema screen/projector; bringing the magic of the movies into your home (something which went down a storm over lockdown!) And in 2022, Black Box will be hosting their murder mysteries all over North Wales so make sure to keep an eye on their social media channels for ticket info!

You can find them on Facebook and Instagram (just search for Black Box Events North Wales), or you can give Mark a call on 07748 747209 to start organising your personalised event!

Theatr Clwyd, Mold

December 11^th, 2021

Writer: Mark Hughes

Director: Mark Hughes

Cast:

Inspector Beckett: Mike Teeson

Jackie Guzzel: Karen Campbell

Sophie Guzzel: Sei Watkins

Ben Guzzel: Mark Hughes

Edward Bamford: Shea Farron

Donna Jarvis: Norma Davies

Josie Davies: Sarah Leanne Davies

In the heart of Peckham, Theatre Peckham showcased ‘The Wonderful – there’s no place like Peckham’. Prior to the show, Theatre Peckham kicked off in festive spirit style. The atmosphere in the theatre once you’d entered lingered with seasonal warmth from Christmassy smells oozing from moist raisons in delicious mince pies, citrusy bursts from mulled wine, fizz bubbling Prosecco, orange juice and original home-made Kromati rum.

The set designer; Emma Wee made good impressions from the get go! As soon as you walked in to Theatre Peckham you were greeted by the fantasy realm, the designs won the hearts of both children and adults due to the familiar elements from memory lane from our beloved musicals; such as the yellow brick road from the Wizard of OZ, which lead the audience up the staircase to see the show.

‘The Wonderful’ is a vibrant unique pantomime production, wonderfully infused with great concepts inspired by ‘Black Panther’ & the ‘Wizard of OZ’. ‘THE WONDERFUL’ is a modern twist of fanatical & mystical fairy tales guaranteed to offer vibrancy that’ll stimulate enough laughter to keep you wanting more! 

Well delivered and received cultural innovation from Africa, with an abundance of hip hop groove, vogue, topped with well-choreographed dance moves and catchy singing verses from the entire cast which belted into sweet harmonies from the souls and hearts of the audience subconsciously. This production would not have been possible without the creative team – Director; Geoff Aymer, musical director; Ben Christopher, writer; Suzanne Mcclean, lighting designer; Designer; designer; Katrina Russell Adams, Tim Speechly, choreograpgher; Christopher Tendai, Composer; Jordan Xavier, and Set & costume; Emma Wee. 

‘The Wonderful’ features a modernised twist of Afrofuturism where an unstoppable crew expanded on the pros & cons of how Artificial intelligence feels from a non-existent soul, (Cyri) played by ‘Amy Bianchi’, social media (Tik Tok) played in the form of a dog by ‘Sebastian Chambers’, technology, Pinky without the brain ‘Manny’ played by ‘Billy Lynch’ and the evil forces in the midsts of realty & fantasy from villain ‘AyGum’ played by ‘Tarisha Rommick’ and the sensation & importance of community from the fellow cast.

The moral of this production was that irrespective of personal missions, challenges are inevitable, however in spite of disasters there is always hope to allow us to overcome. Greatly presented by the main character ‘Efe’ played by Ashleigh Mae, who achieved and accomplished her pursuit of happiness from clarity to realisation within the fantasy world, which prepared her for the physical conscious realm back home in Peckham. Transpiring from the realistic elements experienced in households where we tend to feel misunderstood & unheard at times.

‘The Wonderful’ featured not only local talent but fun, upbeat and enchanting talent from the young company dance team. Having the presence of children in this play exuded a youthful experience which made this play even more worthwhile to watch and enjoy.

‘The Wonderful’ is a true magical reflection sprung to life, this production takes each audience member on an unforgettable adventure. Each character sparkled mystical stardust of optimism, laughter and the feelings of hope. The modern spin of the ‘Wizard of OZ’ & ‘Black Panther’ provided exceptional strengths that alienated distorted weaknesses from each character- highlighted by the hilarious & wacky character ‘The Wonderful’- played by ‘Ray Emmet’.

From magic machinery, dazzling flashing lights displayed on the multi- colourful set, dance, spice & everything nice, sass and so much more… the passion, music and entertainment expressed from all of the above is enough to keep you wide awake throughout!