What did you think of the show?
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theatreguys 
KENREX
What a remarkable play this is, one of the most memorable we have seen.
From the opening, with the very heavy rock guitar, we were enthralled by the performance. Jack Holden is a great talent both in writing and performance, his portrayal of so many characters in the 2 hours was quite exhausting for us, changing in an instant from the menacing KenRex to the equally loathsome oily McFadin.
The stage is quite small but the set was cleverly designed, along with the lighting, to suit each little scene that Jack created.
John Patrick Elliott provided a sound track way beyond his physical stature! A powerful backing to the drama, with his selection of guitars, banjo, drums, keyboard and electronics. His wild ‘headbanger’ look was quite a contrast.
This was our first trip with Cooks since Fredo partly retired and we were so impressed. Derek looked after us, kept us informed and stopped very close to the theatre.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for this play. Without your offering we probably would never have even heard of the production.
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Riveting! The set supported by the dramatic foundations of Country and Pop music with the drummer a facsimile of the muppets, wild and untamed. The lighting and sound techniques so skilful at taking us to the different locations where each characters expressive dialogue would expose them again and again until you knew what they looked like, their expressions and how the bar tables were arranged. Jack Holden was amazing totally spellbinding. Ken Rex Mc Elroy the bully of Skidmore and his neighbours will be remembered. So thrilled you arranged this for us Fredo and Mike.
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KENREX
Just to say thank you for getting me a ticket for KENREX. It was a truly fantastic theatrical experience. Jack Holden is a revelation…. so much talent in one person.
Sandra
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KENREX demonstrated how excellent theatre captivates our imagination and engrosses us in the story, no matter how unattractive the main character. As John R said above, Jack Holden’s performance was a tour de force. Many thanks to Fredo and Mike for the recommendation and for organising the tickets.
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Kenrex
We didn’t just enjoy the performance, we were blown away, never seen anything like it. What talent and energy and the music blending with the spoken word so effectively. It will be interesting to see what Jack Holden does next, how can he follow that performance. Thank you Fredo and Mike for the strong recommendation.
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Kenrex
A jaw-dropping experience indeed. To call this a one-man play would be to misrepresent it badly. Jack Holden shows us an entire community stuck in the boondocks (Skidmore, Missouri, in 1981 )where nothing happens – until the events of 1981 when a despicable local, Ken Rex McElroy, shoots the popular local butcher. Jack Holden gives a tour de force performance, using a vast range of sound, lighting and hugely dramatic country/rock music to tell the story , He conveys through voice, body language, and sound, an entire community. It is very exciting and the packed house was held spellbound. The precision of technical aids manipulated with great speed indicated that a skilled team of backstage technicians were onhand. It was a terrific evening and I am so grateful that F&M led us there. I am not surprised that the remaining performances are sold out. It will surely get an extra life, if Holden can keep it up!
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KENREX
What a fantastic experience. KENREX lived up to all expectations and we are so pleased that Fredo had recommended it to the theatre group.
We were truly captivated from the beginning to the end. Jack Holden easily deserves his Olivier award, along with John Patrick Elliott’s musical talent that truly made the performance come alive.
Many thanks Fredo and Mike.
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KENREX We met briefly yesterday watching Kenrex. I’m not surprised you came back for more. That rates as one of my best theatre outings.
Lloyd
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KENREX
Thank you so much for emailing me specially about Kenrex. We both really enjoyed it. What a talented individual Jack Holden is. How does he maintain that level of energy night after night? And I am intrigued as to how he thought of interpreting a true-life American crime story from the 80s into a one man show, demonstrating his multiple talents! And the use of the music enhanced the whole thing. So a big thank you for the push to see it!! Much appreciated.
Elizabeth & Keith
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KENREX
We were at KenRex today.
Just wanted to say we thought it was fantastic. The best I have seen in quite a while. Thank you for bringing it to our attention and for the tickets.
Catherine
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KENREX
Like many, I’ve seen one-person shows, including, most recently, Mark Lockyer playing all the parts in an abridged Hamlet, Andrew Scott’s extraordinary Vanya and Jodie Cromer in a single role in Prima Facie. Jack Holden, very ably supported by John Patrick Elliott, giving some musical interludes or background, takes the concept to the extreme. I didn’t count up how many characters he presented to us, each with an identifiable and consistent voice, plus mannerisms. To find that both of these performers are English is a further testament to their talent to draw us into this quintessentially mid-West setting. The story has hugely dramatic aspects which are reinforced by effects and the music and which evoke a sharp intake of breath as to what will happen next. A privilege to see and very grateful to Mike & Fredo for encouraging us to see it. A solid 5*.
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Into The Woods
A very enjoyable afternoon at The Bridge theatre watching a very talented cast perform this Steven Sondheim’s musical playing pantomime and nursery rhyme characters demonstrating the “ups and downs” 0f life. I have only seen this once before,years ago, so was like seeing it for the first time. The set was wonderful as was the lighting. I am told there is a film of Into the Woods starring James Cordon and Meryl Streep so that would be interesting to see. What clever lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim. Having just watched a recording we made some time back of Steven Sondheim at the BBC it was amazing to see how many well known people have starred in his musicals over the years or sung from his scores, such a loss to the world of musicals !!
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Into the Woods
We really enjoyed the show, not having seen it before. We were closely engaged throughout with the clever and humorous script performed by a strong and energetic cast and orchestra. The staging was great. Highlights for us were Kate Fleetwood’s witch and the princes {“I was brought up to be charming, not sincere”}. The darker second act explored the consequences of wishes fulfilled and was quite thought provoking.
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Into the Woods
Am stuck in a puzzlement. I love this show but it didn’t have quite the usual impact, and I can’t decide why! All the actors performed splendidly, and the sets were stunning. The density of the woods, with the great lighting design, made it feel that the characters were emerging and disappearing into the depths, not entering stage right. The score and lyrics are genius, but the show does depend on hearing the words, which are complex, especially sung at speed. My hearing aid device was set at a high volume, which couldn’t be reduced by the control wheel. I wonder if the size of the theatre is anything to do with it. Kathie calls it a “small stage”; I think it’s large. Kate Fleetwood was the exciting surprise, with an electrifying performance. I think her rendition of The Last Midnight was the best I have heard. And the crashing and banging of the Giant was terrifically achieved. Despite my reservations, I still find myself with several of the tunes invading my brain. I was very moved by the production at the Menier Chocolate Factory several years ago, but less so at the Bridge.
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Into the Woods
As others have said, this was a fantastic staging at the Bridge Theatre with a beautifully evocative set, sound and lighting, a terrific orchestra and a top notch cast. Kate Fleetwood and Jamie Parker stood out for me with their singing and ability to convey the emotional journey of their respective characters while still dancing in time.
And then, of course, we have Sondheim’s words and music. The many intertwined stories, from the book by James Lapine and based on tales by the Brothers Grimm, are, indeed, grim. Death, betrayal, disappointment and greed feature heavily, particularly in the darker second half when even the handsome, romantic princes are revealed to have loose morals. One review suggested that the dark themes were drawn from Sondheim’s own unhappy childhood which explains a lot. The songs are well known to aficionados but haven’t moved into the mainstream in the same way as, for example, Send in the Clowns, Even so, you can still find yourself humming the recurring refrain while making your coffee the next morning….
On balance, this was a stimulating afternoon with much to savour in the production and performances but, for me at least, a show to admire rather than love. I completely acknowledge the genius of Mr Sondheim but, on a cold wet Wednesday in January, I wouldn’t have minded a happier ending.
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Into the woods…!
Excellent stuff,brilliant timing and coordination.Humour and darkness combined.Thought the set and lighting was great as was the music.Thought the casting was spot on…
Thanks for the synopsis,very helpful and thanks Fredo n Mike for organising it.
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Into the Woods
Thank you Fredo and Mike for such a great afternoon at the Bridge Theatre. I was hooked into the production from the beginning and was impressed with the cast, costumes, music, staging, sets, etc. The diction was clear and the singing of the tricky Sondheim harmonies was impeccable. I’d see this production again in a flash!
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Into the Woods
I thought this was a stupendous production of the Sondheim I love most; the music is excellent, the lyrics give one a lot to think about and the fairytale background appeals to me. I agree totally with Kathie that Kate Fleetwood as the witch stood out amongst a good cast.
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Into the Woods
My only previous exposure to this fairytale smorgasbord was the 2014 film and it was fun to see how all of the characters and plots could be accommodated on the small stage. The staging and sets were beautifully used and presented with an impressive cast bringing Sondheim’s magic to life. However, there was a lot to cram in and I’m not sure it always worked with uneven pacing in each half. Kate Fleetwood was the surprising standout and I don’t recall her singing prowess making that much of an impression in High Society in 2015. Overall, glad to have had the opportunity to go Into the Woods, in a 3.5/4* way.
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Indian Ink
In many ways, this is an old fashioned play with its three act structure which moves at a stately pace to an affecting denouement with all the loose ends tied up. As this is a work by Stoppard, it’s worth paying close attention to those loose ends which are scattered throughout the story. They cover a range of issues: the effect of colonialism on the colonisers and the colonised; the treatment of female artists in the early 20th century; the development of the biography “industry” in the late 20th century; the power of memory and whether it’s ever truly reliable; and, of course, the universal search for romantic love with a like minded soul. The casting adds a layer of poignancy to the production: Felicity Kendal, Stoppard’s muse for whom he wrote the play, plays Eleanor having played Flora in the original production. Kendal’s star quality is matched by Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, who now plays Flora, and Gavi Singh Chera as Nirad Das, the “Indian artist”.
This isn’t one of Stoppard’s finest works (there are too many subsidiary and cliched characters) but it’s enjoyable and thought provoking and provides an interesting perspective on a challenging period of British history. Not many other playwrights could pull that off!
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