Saturday 16 August 2014

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISSY: Porgy and Bess, Regent’s Park

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISSY: Porgy and Bess, Regent’s Park

While London is experiencing one of its biggest heat waves in recent history, it would seem that there is no better time to sample some of the city’s amazing outdoor entertainments. The success of Timothy Sheader’s seventh season as Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is crowned by the current production of Porgy and Bess. The sense of occasion starts from the moment you enter the circular vicinity of the actual theatre; there’s a palpable feeling of suspenseful anticipation in the air as the audience bustle around the different bars and buffets before the bell rings and we are ushered in to the beautiful space that is the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The amphitheatre provides a dramatic setting that is picked up by the minimalistic stage design. The main feature of the set, designed by Katrina Lindsay, is a crumpled copper backdrop slightly reminiscent of a craggy Richard Serra work. This backdrop with sprigs of foliage that merge with the surrounding trees of the park and two rickety metal folding chairs make up the bare set which evokes the humble situation of the inhabitants of Catfish Row.
The production begins with Bess, played by Nicola Hughes who received an Olivier Award nomination in the same role for Trevor Nunn’s 2006 production, strutting around in a ‘happy dust’ daze. Her jutting and inelegant gestures introduce this sophisticated and fresh interpretation of the Broadway classic. It would be difficult to find a member of the 1,000 strong audience who hadn’t heard the opening number of Porgy and Bess prior to the performance but Jade Ewen (Clara) reminds us and impresses with a beautiful and emotive rendition of ‘Summertime’ as she cradles her newborn baby. The rest of the equally strong cast joins Ewen and together build up a wall of sound that one imagines is resounding throughout the rest of Regent’s Park as it fades into twilight.
As the natural light surrounding the theatre becomes more dramatic, so does the production with the introduction of the other main character, Porgy, played by Broadway veteran, Rufus Bonds Jr, as well as the show’s villains, Crown, brought to life by Phillip Boykin and Sporting Life who shone thanks to Cedric Neal’s impressive and wickedly enjoyable rendition of the slippery dandy. Neal’s beguiling charisma and superb voice make his performance of ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’, one to remember.
Porgy and Bess, often considered to be an opera-musical hybrid due to its demanding music and virtuosic solos, demonstrates Gershwin’s characteristic and wonderful discordance. However, the company’s clever use of props to convey rhythm in this production also highlighted Gershwin’s wonderful use of syncopation and rhythmic incongruity. Chairs and other props were used percussively and this created an interesting and attractive cohesion between the choreography and the music. This production is a striking, refreshing and entertaining rendering of the Gershwin classic and is brought to life by a stellar cast and live orchestra under the direction of Simon Lee. Try very hard to get tickets for this memorable production before the end of the show’s run on 23rd August and also before the end of this beautiful weather when the magical world of outdoor activities closes its door once more on us Londoners for another year.
Continues until 23 August, more information and book here.
Written by a Thoroughly Modern Missy, Angelica Bomford.
- See more at: http://www.thoroughlymodernmilly.com/2014/08/thoroughly-modern-missy-porgy-and-bess-regents-park/#sthash.5hdDuX67.7pqEoJJK.dpuf

Tumble's Lucy Mecklenburgh struggles with the pressure as she rehearses the aerial hoop

'I'm a patchwork quilt of bruises': Tumble's Lucy Mecklenburgh struggles with the pressure as she rehearses the aerial hoop


It’s getting tougher on the Tumble celebrities this week with tears, falls and injuries ahead of the first elimination on Saturday night.
The pressure appeared to have become too much for Lucy Mecklenburgh after finding herself at the bottom of the leaderboard last week.
The former TOWIE regular displayed her numerous bruises with fans, before breaking down in tears as she practised the aerial hoop alongside professional partner Billy George.
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Tears: The pressure appeared to have become too much for Lucy Mecklenburgh after finding herself at the bottom of the Tumble leaderboard last week
Tears: The pressure appeared to have become too much for Lucy Mecklenburgh after finding herself at the bottom of the Tumble leaderboard last week
Action shot: The former TOWIE regular broke down in tears as she practised the aerial hoop alongside professional partner Billy George
Action shot: The former TOWIE regular broke down in tears as she practised the aerial hoop alongside professional partner Billy George
Each of the acts are desperate to stay in the show and have had to rehearse the vault as well, just in case they find themselves in the bottom two.
Loose Woman Andrea McLean is also in need of a knockout performance to improve her position, however things have not gone to plan.
It has been one injury after another for the TV presenter after she twisted both her ankles in training. 
Ouch! She shared this photo, writing: 'As I'm like a patchwork quilt of bruises  I can't wear dresses .. Where does really nice jumpsuits at the moment?? Help!?x'
Ouch! She shared this photo, writing: 'As I'm like a patchwork quilt of bruises I can't wear dresses .. Where does really nice jumpsuits at the moment?? Help!?x'
Difficult times: The reality star was comforted by her trainers after returning to the ground
Difficult times: The reality star was comforted by her trainers after returning to the ground
Gruelling: It has been one injury after another for Andrea McLean after she twisted both her ankles in training
Pain: The star was seen wiping away her tears while dressed in a grey hoodie
Gruelling: It has been one injury after another for Andrea McLean after she twisted both her ankles in training
Not again: The 44-year-old later took to Twitter to say: 'Ah, I know what I was lacking... An allergic reaction to the tape for my sprained ankle'
Not again: The 44-year-old later took to Twitter to say: 'Ah, I know what I was lacking... An allergic reaction to the tape for my sprained ankle'
The 44-year-old later took to Twitter with her latest woe on Thursday, writing: 'Ah, I know what I was lacking... An allergic reaction to the tape for my sprained ankle'.
Meanwhile H had been working on a difficult Tombe move, which involves swinging on the hoop, letting go of the top bar and catching the bottom bar.
On the first attempt, the former Steps star was left rolling around on the floor in pain after ripping the skin on his hands.
Slipping up: H had been working on a difficult Tombe move, which involves swinging on the hoop, letting go of the top bar and catching the bottom bar
Slipping up: H had been working on a difficult Tombe move, which involves swinging on the hoop, letting go of the top bar and catching the bottom bar
Assessing the damage: The former Steps star was left rolling around on the floor in pain after ripping the skin on his hands
Assessing the damage: The former Steps star was left rolling around on the floor in pain after ripping the skin on his hands
Careful! Sarah Harding had been spending a lot of time practising her floor routine, which is packed full of lifts, tricks and difficult gymnastics
Careful! Sarah Harding had been spending a lot of time practising her floor routine, which is packed full of lifts, tricks and difficult gymnastics
Sarah Harding had been spending a lot of time practising her floor routine, which is packed full of lifts, tricks and difficult gymnastics.
In training there was a number of tumbles and falls as Sarah and Leon got to grips with their non-stop choreography.
Bobby Lockwood also has a fun but difficult lift in his routine, in which he needs to hold his concentration and not get frustrated.
Tumble: The former Girls Aloud star was seen falling to the floor while dressed in a blue crop top and leggings
Tumble: The former Girls Aloud star was seen falling to the floor while dressed in a blue crop top and leggings
Giving it their all! The 32-year-old suffered a number of tumbles and falls as she got to grips with their non-stop choreography
Giving it their all! The 32-year-old suffered a number of tumbles and falls as she got to grips with their non-stop choreography
Steady... Bobby Lockwood also has a fun but difficult lift in his routine, in which he needs to hold his concentration and not get frustrated
Steady... Bobby Lockwood also has a fun but difficult lift in his routine, in which he needs to hold his concentration and not get frustrated


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2725807/Tumble-s-Lucy-Mecklenburgh-struggles-pressure-rehearses-aerial-hoop.html#ixzz3AVdv0f3a
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