The Distance by Deborah Bruce, Orange Tree Theatre, 11 October 2014

This was a good play and a very good production – further confirming our view that the Orange Tree had moved on positively to a bold new generation.

Here is a link to the Orange Tree resource for this production.

It wasn’t just us who liked it – it was very well received on the night and by the critics – click here for a link term to reviews.

Unusually, I mislaid the programme for this one. Perhaps abandoned at Don Fernandos – who knows? – I didn’t realise it was missing until it was far too late to do anything about it – such was the way back then…

Stop Press – March 2021 – rummaging in a file for something completely different (don’t ask) I found the programme.  Hurrah.

Deborah Bruce wrote it, Charlotte Gwinner directed it, Helen Baxendale, Clare Lawrence-Moody and Emma Beattie were especially good in it, as was the supporting cast.

Meanwhile this production did so well that Paul Miller revived it the following year as part of his “hunkering down because we have no Arts Council funding” programme. It is a real shame that the Arts Council was so far behind the curve with regard to the Orange Tree. Some would even say more than shame…disgrace.

Godchild by Deborah Bruce, Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, 15 November 2013

This was a fun play with enough drama in it to keep us thoughtfully entertained.

Tracy-Ann Oberman (formerly of our NewsRevue parish – or at least the SportsRevue version is always superb value, as is Michael Attenborough, having a go in an even smaller house than the Almeida for once.

Click here for a link to the Hampstead resource on this play/production.

No formal reviews downstairs in those days, but this search term should find whatever there is out there on this production.

Ingredient X by Nick Grosso, Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, 12 June 2010

I’d had the bath surgeon re-enamelling my bath at the flat the previous day – without drama and very successfully – perhaps he uses ingredient X?

Anyway, this Royal Court play/production had a superb cast. including Lesley Sharpe and Indira Varma.

Very pacey play – almost to the point of being all over the place. Some very funny lines. Despite its flaws, I think we rather enjoyed it, although I seem to recall enjoying the first half more than the second half of the play. The bants started to grate after a while.

Here is the Royal Court Information on the play.

It is about addictions of all kinds, from drink & drugs to television.

Here’s a link to the reviews and stuff – it wasn’t very well received, this one.