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Jo Neary is an incredibly talented actress and known on the comedy circuit for her fantastic range of comedy characters from the Celia-Johnson-esque romantic to the (rather whimsical) Worst Eminem Tribute Act in the World. None of these appear in her Edinburgh Preview. She has bravely decided to do an entire hour around the story of one schoolgirl’s search for love in her local youthclub. Bringing to life a whole new host of schoolchildren characters, with a keen sense of 80’s nostalgia and some fantastic set-pieces, it is a touching story, hugely entertaining and original.

Caroline of Brunswick, 23 June
Rating:
Jim Holland

Although labelled as a comedy, ‘Five Ladies…’ is a little bit more than that. As the ladies chat whilst sitting on their favourite park bench, we learn about their lives, loves, secrets and feelings for each other. The plots run from divorce and infidelity to religion and cupping Sammy Davis Jnr’s genitalia.  As you would imagine the central roles are very strong characters and performed to a high standard. The extended cast, which ‘appear’ in the second half, keep the levels up and round off the personal back stories well. It was a very pleasant, entertaining piece of theatre.

Connaught Theatre, Worthing, 27 June
Rating:
Lee Stevens

Doing a tribute to Michael Jackson can be a very dangerous thing. To live up to the King of Pop, or to even attempt to dance and sing like the King of Pop is no easy task. However Amir Sharma had the attitude and the swagger of MJ, which really means you’re already half way there. His voice was faultless; he hit every note and every key and his impression, vocally, of Michael Jackson was absolutely spot on. I was extremely impressed.

Amir also moved like Michael Jackson, something that isn’t easy to pull off. His moonwalking, and in fact all his dance moves, were entirely flawless. The dancers and backing singers too were also great, however at times I felt they could have been a little slicker and a little more polished to match Amir Sharma’s moves. But still, it was all very enjoyable to watch and for a brief minute, to imagine on the anniversary of his death, that Michael Jackson was still with us, doing what he did best; giving us his all on stage.

Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, 25 June
Rating:
Laura Hayward

Vladimir Jurowski conducts this joyful pageant of bourgeois art and virtue, moved to the romantic era of Pride & Prejudice and Wagner’s birth (1813). With Gerald Finley on his very best form as Hans Sachs, it was always going to be a musical treat. Johannes Martin Kränzle as the tragic-comical Beckmesser, Marco Jentzsch (Walther) and Topi Lehtipuu (David) made the drama credible and affecting.

The streaming to the cinema went well, once the sound was adjusted. The predominantly senior audience greatly appreciate Jon Barrenechea’s ever helpful crew at the DoY’s, who always go the extra mile. Don’t miss future productions.

from Glyndebourne streamed to the Duke of York’s Cinema, 26 June
Rating:
Andrew Connal