Trio of shows for our Sue Devaney
SUE Devaney is back on stage in three local productions - The Threepenny Opera and A Christmas Carol at the Bolton Octagon, then, in 2018, over to the Oldham Coliseum for a new play, Kitchen Sink.
I caught her typically hilarious, powerful performance playing Celia Peachum in Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera.
Originally written in the 1920s as a ‘ballad opera’ called Scum, based on John Gay’s 18th century musical, the Beggars Opera was described as ‘a comical literary operetta with a few flashes of social criticism’.
The central themes – an oppressed poor, a corrupt police force and ruthless capitalists – are explored in this production through the prism of a world in the near future.
Boris Johnson is prime minister, Jacob Rees Mogg is home secretary and Donald Trump about to be impeached.
As well as bringing the songs and action thrillingly to life, most of the cast double up as the live band under the skilful leadership of Carol Showman.
David Thacker’s direction means that the production is both fast-paced and totally engaging in a can’t-takeyour-eyes-off-the-stage way.
James Cotterill’s set perfectly evokes the dark underworld that frames this story of exploitation and corruption.
Eric Potts, as Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum, delivers a masterclass in comic timing, while David Birrell’s Macheath is comically menacing and Anna Peachum brings a cocky Bolton ladette-ishness to the role of Polly Peachum.
As always, Sue Devaney fills the stage on every appearance, in this case, with her ‘over-the-top’ portrayal of Celia Peachum.
As this production entered its final week, Sue and several other members of the cast were already in rehearsal for the Christmas/New Year show, A Christmas Carol.
Charles Dickens’ much-loved festive tale, given a stage adaptation by Neil Duffield and under the direction of Ben Occhipinti, promises to be ‘full of joy, song and magic’ with ‘a host of classic Christmas carols’.
The Octagon stage will be transported back to Christmas Eve in 1843, with Scrooge and other characters brought to life in what is sure to be a heart-warming and uplifting production.
The show is on until Saturday, January 13. Tickets cost £12 to £26.
With hardly a break, Sue will relocate to the Oldham Coliseum to perform in The Kitchen Sink.
This is ‘a modern family story about big dreams, small towns and looking after each other’ by writer Tom Wells, of Jumpers for Goalposts. The play is both touching and funny and Sue deploys her considerable talents.
The Kitchen sink is on from February 9 to 24. Tickets £20.50 to £22.50.