The play opens with a projected image of Ida Rubinstein’s grave, which morphs into mysterious and exotic visions of Naomi Sorkin, who slowly unwinds and removes one veil after another. She is at once Cléopâtre, Salomé and Rubinstein, gradually revealing her body, as she prepares to disclose layer upon layer of her past. Sorkin’s compelling performance exudes magnetic power, as she plays an ageing femme fatale telling her life story to journalist Edward Clement (played by Max Wilson).
(more…)October 13, 2021
Ida Rubinstein: The Final Act. Playground Theatre, London, matinée performance 9th October 2021 – Maggie Watson reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: ballet history, Ballets Russes, Christian Holder, Darren Berry, Edward Clement, Gabriele d’Annunzio, Ida Rubinstein, Ida Rubinstein The Final Act, Kathryn Worth, Maggie Watson, Marco Gambino, Max Wilson, Naomi Sorkin, play, Playground Theatre, Romaine Brooks, Serge Diaghilev |Leave a Comment
April 17, 2016
Swing – Fishamble at Oxford Playhouse 16th April 2016 – Emily May reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: Arthur Riordan, Emily May, Fishamble, Gene Rooney, Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Swing Dance, play, Swing |1 Comment
“Swing is a comedy about dancing”. Fishamble’s international hit refreshingly explores the nature of dance comically through the eyes of a different art form, reminding the dancers and dance enthusiasts among us of the true values of movement. Not a perfectly aligned arabesque, but communication, escapism and fun.
The play begins suddenly and humorously, as the double act (Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney) enter through the audience, asking spectators “is this Swing?” subsequently unloading their bike helmets and bags onto the stage from their supposed commutes. This opening sets the tone for whole production, as throughout the performance the actors involve and directly address the audience. In their roles as the larger than life hosts of a Swing Dance society, they welcome the audience with black humour – “we’re all swingers here!” – and perform demonstrations of humorous dance steps, including monkey walks and “fish bums.” This use of direct address is engaging and transforms audience members from their status as theatre-goers in the Oxford Playhouse, to attendees of a swing dance class in an unspecified area of the Republic of Ireland. (more…)
April 9, 2016
Fishamble present Swing at Oxford Playhouse 16th April 2016
Posted by susiecrow under What's happening | Tags: Arthur Riordan, Fishamble, Gavin Kostick, Gene Rooney, Janet Moran, Oxford Playhouse, Peter Daly, play, Steve Blount, Swing |Leave a Comment
Directed by: Peter Daly
Cast: Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney
Produced by: Eva Scanlan
Lighting by: Mark Galione
Sound by: Ivan Birthistle
Stage Manager: Marella Boschi