A “he says/she says” relationship

The Last Five Years, currently on stage at the Grand Theatre in London, is one of those show-business shows that will be appreciated more by those in the industry. A musical with very few spoken words, it tells the story of a five-year relationship between Jamie, a writer, and Cathy, an actress. But even if all audience members don’t identify with their careers, they will recognize the flaws in the relationship.

There is a catch you need to know in order to really understand what’s happening: Cathy starts telling the story in the present, and then she works her way back reliving the last five years. At the same time, Jamie describes their relationship, starting when he first fell in love…

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The following review was submitted by Dan Martin, a London Central co-op student who has recently been working with London Community Players. Thanks to Connie Galera for setting up the opportunity, and of course thanks Dan!

Tina and her Mourning Dove

The premiere of Mourning Dove by Emil Sher occurred at the Palace Theatre on Wednesday January 20th. Directed by Sue Perkins, it is the story of the Ramsay family’s struggle to fix their daughter Tina (Emily Mailloux) whom, at a very young age, is deaf, mute, and stuck in a wheel chair. As Tina struggles, so do her parents and close friend, Doug Ramsay (Paul Myers), Sandra Ramsay (Maria Piccoli-Zimmermann), and Keith Martel (Andrew Jiggins). This play is an emotionally powerful masterpiece.

The set did not change at all, but because of the…

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The winners of the 2009 Brickenden Awards for Theatrical Excellence in London, announced at Monday night’s ceremony:

Outstanding Comedy Production

P.S. Your Cat Is Dead (Pacheco Theatre)

Outstanding Lighting Design

Rob Coles, P.S. Your Cat Is Dead (Pacheco Theatre)

Outstanding Sound Design

Andrew Johnson, The Tempest (The Passionfool Theatre Company)

Outstanding Youth Production

The Boy Friend (Theatre Laurier)

Outstanding Touring Production

The Stories of César Chávez (Fred Blanco, London Fringe Festival)

Outstanding Supporting Actress

Katie Paxman, Doubt, A Parable (Dariusz Entertainment)

Outstanding Original Script

Scenes For A War, Dan Ebbs

Outstanding Set Design

Jordan C. Morris, Mark Piggot, Rob Cousins, Rodel Manoy and Shane Wilcox, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Iglesia Productions)

Outstanding Costume Design

Brenda Fieldhouse, The Duncombe Rebellion 1837 (Living History Productions)

Chris Doty Award

Jeff Culbert

Outstanding Musical Production

Company (Fountainhead Theatreworks)

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Josh Cottrell, The Tempest (The Passionfool Theatre Company)

Bravest Production

Karla and Grif (The Verve Theatre)

Outstanding Ballyhoo

P.S. Your Cat Is Dead (Pacheco Theatre)

Outstanding Actress

Martha Zimmerman, Doubt, A Parable (Dariusz Entertainment)

Outstanding Actor

Niall Cooke, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Iglesia Productions)

Outstanding Director

Dariusz Korbiel, Doubt, A Parable (Dariusz Entertainment)

Outstanding Production

My Name is Rachel Corrie (Dariusz…

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This edition of Inside the Arts: Theatre Edition (formerly Theatre in London On the Air) was broadcast on January 5, 2010. In this show, Simon and Jeff look back at London theatre in 2009 with The Beat reviewers Dean Hall and Kenneth Chisholm.

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The nominees for this year’s Brickenden Awards are:

Outstanding Production

• 7 Stories — The Passionfool Theatre Company (The ARTS Project)
• Doubt, A Parable — Dariusz Entertainment (The ARTS Project)
• My Name is Rachel Corrie — Dariusz Entertainment (The ARTS Project)
• P.S. Your Cat Is Dead — Pacheco Theatre (McManus Studio Theatre)
• The Last Days of Judas Iscariot — Iglesia Productions (McManus Studio Theatre)

Outstanding Director

• Dariusz Korbiel, Doubt, A Parable — Dariusz Entertainment (The ARTS Project)
• Eva Blahut, 7 Stories — The Passionfool Theatre Company (The ARTS Project)
• John Gerry, Company — Fountainhead Theatre (McManus Studio Theatre)
• John Pacheco, P.S. Your Cat Is Dead — Pacheco Theatre (McManus Studio Theatre)
• Jordan Morris, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot — Iglesia Productions (McManus Studio Theatre)

Outstanding Original Script

• list not provided

Outstanding Lead Actor

• Bill Hill, P.S. Your Cat is Dead — Pacheco Theatre (McManus Studio Theatre)
• Dave Semple, Doubt, A Parable — Dariusz Entertainment (The ARTS Project)
• Jeff Culbert, archy and mehitabel — Ausable Theatre (The Black Shire Pub)
• Justin Quesnelle, 7 Stories — The Passionfool Theatre Company (The ARTS Project)
• Niall Cooke, The…

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