It starts slowly but, through the strength of Llewelyn-Williams’ performance and writing, you are soon gripped by his tale as it builds in excitement, mixing heart-breaking tragedy with uplifting hope about human endurance. Directed by Joshua Richards, it is a beautifully crafted show that casts a spell that stays with you long after it is over.
The Trial is an intense and thought-provoking evening, giving a fresh perspective on one of Kafka’s most famous works. An intriguing play in an excellent theatre.
The Dark Tower Youth Music Theatre, CLF Cafe, Bussey Building, Peckham Rye Lane, Wednesday 24th August 2016 5 Stars This is probably the biggest musical theatre event of the year. And I choose my words carefully. YMT is an acronym that appears with increasing frequency in the performer and crew biographies in theatre programmes, listed under ‘Training’. It has a place alongside the best drama schools in the country as a crucible of new talent. And, as a producer, it is a force increasingly to be reckoned with in the commissioning, development and promotion of original new dramatic work. And this summer it staged a magnificent new work that is unlike anything most of us have ever seen. Last winter, I glimpsed a fragment of YMT’s 2015 dance drama, ‘Sweat Factory’, in the Christmas concert selection of extracts presented at the Salvation Army Hall on Oxford Street. I was so … Read more
In this beautiful, innovative production of the play, the script is abridged and the audience promenade and it’s played by a terrific ensemble who convince with every line, every song, and every movement.
But the message this work has to speak to us is not going to be dismissed: in an era when the management of the world by politicians is so signally lacking in hope, this story reminds us that there are other ways of doing things, there are other attitudes that can be assumed and there are other ways of responding to others than relentless, unwinnable wars.
Late night, in a dank cellar, this show might find the right atmosphere. As it is, it’s far too safe, and seems a strange choice for the fringe.
The show runs for just under 90 minutes with a brief interval and had the attention of children throughout. Lots of audience response was called for and the children responded in droves. It is wonderful to look at the jam-packed London Palladium and think that the next generation of actors, composers and theatre folk might just have seen their first show. Brilliant!
This is a story well worth telling; one of the most hushed up disasters in Anglo-American history. It has been turned into a touching and entertaining play, one that is not without its flaws but that offers a great night out for all the family.
