Eden Valley Messenger

THEATRE REVIEWS

THE MAID OF BUTTERMERE – MELVYN’S LABOUR OF LOVE

CELEBRITY status, gossip columns and a never ending stream of column inches about reality stars is no modern day creation – as the world premier of The Maid of Buttermere beautifully demonstrates at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

The adaptation for stage by Lisa Evans of Melvyn Bragg’s passionate novel, based on the true story of a Buttermere landlord’s daughter, Mary Robinson in the 19^th century, captures the spirit of the people and the terrain of the Lakes.

As the reality TV producers thrust everyday people into the snake pit of celebrity status, so the romantic poets based in the Lake District placed Mary in the spotlight, because of her beauty. And, just as the late Jade Goodie sells magazines and TV shows on little known satellite channels, so The Maid of Buttermere brought rich and powerful tourists to an isolated and unspoilt area of Cumberland.

Mary has to handle her celebrity status, without the aid of a Max Clifford. Alone she has to get use to the visitors calling to get a glimpse of her – activities which make profits for her parent’s inn. Rebecca Pownall as Mary radiates the innocence of the girl, who is thrown into a minefield of spin, lies and love when a conman, posing as Colonel Hope smashes into her life.

Jonathan Keeble as Colonel Hope is the perfect romantic lead, with a flash of Colin Firth about his persona. There is an on-stage chemistry between these two leading actors that gives this production an edge.

This is a local story, and the residents of Buttermere and Keswick are played with enthusiasm by the members of the community. Like the cricket teams of old, it is impossible to pick out the gentlemen from the players in this team of actors. Those locals on stage as part of the community chorus are amateurs in the true definition of the word – those who cultivate a skill for the love of it, with passion. Together working as a team, the cast present the world of Keswick and Buttermere in the 19^th century dramatically with humour to ease the pain of the love tragedy that unfolds. This is a team of actors that deserve respect and admiration as a whole.

There are a number of familiar faces on stage for this production. Patrick Bridgman returns again as the very amusing Rev. Nicholson, the Toff and also Judge.

This is the first of the tenth anniversary season, and a decade on Tim Barker also returns to the Keswick theatre. He was in the opening season of Charley’s Aunt and The Lakers and this year plays welcoming local landlord George Wood as well as the Jester.

Mary did live in Buttermere and tourists from London did come to visit the beautiful Maid of Buttermere, and for modern day tourists as well as locals the theatre has produced a set of walks to take after the play to visit the locations for the many scenes.

And the dramatic and simplistic beauty of the county is captured in the set. The single scar rock centre stage combined with the lighting effects takes us seamlessly across the lakes and fells to Morecambe Bay and back into the fair at Buttermere and inn of Keswick.

Melvyn Bragg’s characters in the book are brought to life on stage at Theatre by the Lake. This is a romantic, passionate production that is a joy to watch and like Mary’s good looks should attract tourists and locals alike into the theatre for a beautiful experience that is more than just skin deep.

KAREN MORLEY

• The Maid of Buttermere, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick runs until Saturday, April 18.

FAME – Sands Centre, Carlisle

LONG before X-factor, Pop Idol and Britannia High there was only one show that gave kids the belief they could be stars – Fame.

The 1980s family TV series and follow up film got everyone in leg warmers, and the excitement of that show is captured in the West End production Fame the Musical which called in Cumbria on its national tour.

The innocence of the original series set in the New York Academy for the Performing Arts has been updated and a more realistic tale for the 21^st century is depicted brilliantly on stage.

Where there were worries about musical scores and ballet steps this fast moving, slick production covers anorexia, drug abuse and the modern phenomena to chase instant fame.

The sound and lighting of this West End show is first class, as is the choreography and performances. The whole cast, a tight team, are together the stars of the show. X-factor finalist, former school teacher Beverley Trotman is a tough Miss Sherman, and is given the opportunity to show her wide range of vocal and acting talents.

Fame the Musical is a must see show – powerful, dramatic but most of all entertaining.

KAREN MORLEY

BASIL BRUSH’S HIGH SKOOL MANIA – Sands Centre, Carlisle

DESIGNER clothes and computer games may make kids look sophisticated but give them plenty of jokes with the words: Poo, Wee and Bum and you have them laughing and enjoying themselves like children have for generations.

In his 40^th year of entertainment, Basil Brush proves he’s still got great appeal and in his show “Basil Brush’s High Skool Mania” at The Sands Centre the young Carlisle audience had a few shocks for the touring cast. When asked what they should do to the School Inspector with a custard pie in their hands, a group of youngsters on the back row shouted “Kill him”. Not quiet what they were expecting from the primary school age audience, but the tight knit cast of five actors and, of course Basil were able to make full use of this heckling with some brilliant ad libs.

Those who remember 1970’s Basil with Mr Derrick, who went on to be the junior secretary in Yes Minister and landlord Oscar in Heartbeat were taken back to their childhood with the anarchic Basil at his best. Centre stage on his podium, this hand puppet held a full auditorium in the palm of his fake fur paw. It sounds ridiculous but it’s basil’s body movements and expressions as well as his silly voices that just make you laugh, whatever your age.

Basil doesn’t bring along his usual new TV crew with this tour, but a Boris Johnson look-alike Mr Carl is his co-star in the show. Carl Johns has worked with other CBBC TV characters, including Otis the Aardvark, and is a comedian that knows how to work a young audience.

Former Tiswas girl Bonnie Spencer has toured with the Sooty Show for a number of years, and is the love interest for Mr Carl in Basil’s production. Also in class are duo Double Trouble, Amy Reader and Jade Snelson-Eeley. Together they perform songs from High School Musical, and even base their costumes on the American High School look – but this is definitely a British comedy affair.

It has everything a kid wants - slap sick, rude words, slightly naughty jokes, grown ups pretending to be kids, custard pies and plenty of audience participation. And as an extra bonus the balloon man that amazed Simon Cowell in Britain’s Got Talent, Bob Wooding performs his act that has reference to generations of kids’ programmes. Sounds a lot of hot air, but surprisingly the kids loved his balloon art.

I don’t know how many of the kids knew what Stingray was or thought Childline should have been given a call when their was mention of a teacher smacking a pupil on the bottom – but this is a show that brings back the popular Crackerjack approach to entertaining young people – and it’s a hit.

KAREN MORLEY.

CAPTION

THE Maid of Buttermere - Theatre by the Lake, Keswick