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NEWSREVUE
Verdict: Entertaining parodies
London - Canal Café - Sep/Nov 03
NewsRevue parodies current affairs. It's written by a team of about 30 writers. There are four actors, and a musical director (pianist).
The performers (two men, two women), director and pianist change every 6 weeks. The material's updated progressively. The current team are: Sara Cogan (the blond-haired actress); Sarah Mae (with dark hair); Paul Millard; James Shakeshaft (the taller chap). Musical Director / Pianist - Tom Deering. Director - Paul Mushumani.
The run starts with entirely new material, with a couple of star pieces. One highlight is Paul Millard's fine performance of (writers) Subvertigo's excellent piece Spinball Lizard. It's to the music of (The Who's) Pinball Wizard and parodies Alistair Campbell. Paul Millard reprises Mr Campbell - this time on the dole - in Campbell Goes For A Job by Christopher Bryant.
The other highlight is a gifted performance by James Shakeshaft of a fire officer's gleeful account of casualties in the dummy-run for evacution of the tube following a nerve-gas attack, to a superbly-written script. Sarah Mae's elegantly-underplayed horrified interviewer is a delight.
There's an entertaining sketch about the perceived imbecility of people in the US, Walking With Americans (by Paul Jones, and an excellent ensemble finale (to the tune of WMCA) Dubya-M-D, written by Subvertigo.
Sara Cogan creates a remarkably nutty phone operator in a clever parody of Directory Enquiries, by Terry Newman. Sara Cogan and Sarah Mae sing an amusing Liposuction song to Carole King / Little Eva's Do The Locomotion. The cast ensembles a funny version of (Oh I do like to be) Beside The Seaside, about breast-baring in Faliraki.
Other topics tonight include Charles Bronson's death, the Euro, Jennifer Lopez, Private Finance Initiative in schools, David Blaine, President Saddam Hussein, Prince Harry's paternity, David Beckham, Ozzy Osbourne, Jeremy Paxman and Sir Alex Ferguson, PM Blair and President Bush, Johnnie Cash (dead), and Scotland.
Tom Deering provides piano integrated to the performances. Chris Martin creates lighting and sound to match the action. Paul Mushumani directs with a clear touch.
This NewsRevue features a spectacularly tasteless reconstruction of the Princess of Hearts' final seconds - Jason Smart's Di and Dodi - Undead. It's enacted by the Queen and Prince Philip; a master-stroke of bad taste. It's exactly what NewsRevue does best. Plenty of sharp intakes of breath. Though not for Diana.
Credits: Performers (alpha order): Sara Cogan. Sarah Mae. Paul Millard. James Shakeshaft.
Musical Director / Pianist - Tom Deering. Technical Director - Chris Martin. Director - Paul Mushumani.
Producer - Emma Taylor.
Credits - Writers: Writers credited this week include (alpha order):
Marc Blakewill, Christopher Bryant, Noel Christopher, John Cowen, Tracy Ingham,
Paul Jones, Jon Kirk, Philip Lunn, Terry Newman, Andi Osho, Simon Ounsworth, John Random,
Jason Smart, Subvertigo, Ron Winkworth.
Credits - Company: Box Office - Louis Brownhill.
The Bridge House Manager - Francesca. Artistic Director - Emma Taylor
END
John Park
reviewed Sunday 21 September 03 / Canal Café Theatre
Producer Emma Taylor tells us that NewsRevue always welcomes new writers - contact her on 020 7289 6056 or email
mail@newsrevue.com.
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
