|
|
Reviews
Reviews from 2009
“Truly deserves its place in the Fringe hall of fame” FEST
“The packed audience were in hoots for the duration of this masterclass” one4review.com
“With performers this good and material this fresh, NewsRevue 30th Anniversary truly deserves its place in the Fringe hall of fame” FEST
“Superb” British Theatre Guide
“The packed audience were in hoots for the whole duration of this masterclass” one4review.com
“Masters of their art” The Stage
Some older reviews
|
What's On Stage - 25 July 2001
Mark Rylance recently commented in an Evening Standard interview that actors
were inherently stupid, citing their conversations about politics as proof.
The men next to me in a steamy midsummer night’s canal café said he’d heard
that theatre folk were generally a nice lot. Yes warned his girlfriend but they
can be bitchy. Somewhere in all that lies the essence of the brilliant Newsrevue.
For the past twenty-one years an ever-changing group of writers,
directors and performers have met to pull together a topical cabaret for the
following weekend. Some of the most talented artists I’ve ever worked with have
cut their teeth on this tiny stage in Little Venice. It requires Herculean levels
of talent and stamina to make it work and this twenty-first anniversary production,
previewing before Edinburgh REALLY works.
It’s a tatty looking affair, four plastic garden chairs in
front of a stained old curtain and yet the performances and writing are so spot
on it’s far funnier and sharper then anything you can currently see on TV.
Anne Robinson is ruthlessly sent up in a pastiche of Here’s to you Mrs Robinson,
world leaders take a turn in the Mastermind chair, John Major and William Hague
reinterpret you were always on my mind as I was always undermined, Barry George,
Jill Dando’s murderer, finally gets his chance to be Freddie Mercury when his
trial is restaged as a version of Bohemian Rhapsody, there’s heartfelt musical
lament for BSE Take a look at me cow and a glorious micky take of Essex girl
Denise Van Outen in Chicago. Individual writers aren’t credited but there are
sharper lyrics here then anything you’ll find in modern West End musicals.
The versatile female performers Emma Thornett & Laura
Donaghey take on everyone from the queen to John Prescott, handsome Sean McCann
is a wonderful mimic and Stuart Piper is quite simply a major star in waiting.
Overheard on the way out - 1st American girl: Some
of that when right over my head. 2nd: You have to remember we’re
not from here and we’re also not very bright. Excellent!"
PHILIP CHAPMAN, July 2001
|
|
Scots FM - August 2001
Okay, so the format has worked for 20 years already, so why break up a proven
winning formula? Why indeed, when there is a stunningly talented cast as there
is this year. I've been a fan of Newsrevue for ages and these are as good, if
not better, than the previous line-ups I've seen.
This quartet of satirists take the unmerciful mickey out of one and all. Royals,
footballers TV personalities and of course MP's were all treated with equal
'Political Incorrectness' be they New Labour, Old Tories or indeterminate Liberal
Democrats, they all felt the full force of this foursomes fun making.
The telling thing for me that raised this show to an even higher level than
it's predecessors, were their parodies of popular songs, substituting their
own lyrics which provided an excellent vehicle for their undoubted vocal talents
and more than passable dancing.
The highlights? It is almost unfair to single out any part of this excellent
production, but if pushed I Don't think I'll ever listen to Bohemian Rhapsody,
It's Raining Men or Mrs. Robinson in the same way ever again.
So grab your ticket whilst you still can. And me? I'm looking forward to see
if they can top this next year. It'll be difficult !!!!!
This show is a bitingly funny look at the world of personalities and current
affairs through the mediums of impressions, song and dance. Don't miss it!!
|
"Cleverly Choreographed... Delightfully performed"
Three Weeks, 2001
"Excellent... Newsrevue was the best it has been for years"
Musical Stages Magazine - Edinburgh Review
"Outstanding"
The Scotsman
"One of the hottest tickets"
Hairline
"*****"
The Scotsman
"Shocking Bad Taste"
The Evening Standard
"Very Sharp Writers"
The Guardian
Comedy Choice - The Times 2000
|