Sunday 24 June 2012

YorWorld: 24th June 2012

On the show this week we have an interview with renowned British author Anthony Horowitz as John Wakefield takes him back to the Dramabarn where his writing career began to talk Alex Rider, Foyles War, Tintin and more!

We take an exclusive behind the scenes look at Dramasoc's final show of the term, Alan Bennet's 'The History Boys' with interviews and performances from both the cast and crew. We are also joined by Hana Teraie-Wood to review the production. 

If that wasn't enough Rebecca Elson is looking at the Edible Uni project that has sprung up across many of the colleges on campus!

You can hear the programme now, on demand, on the ((URY PLAYER)) 

Going Solar: Episode 5


In the final episode of the series, will Philip finally give up on the future of Fort Dunleavy? Is there a happy ending for him and Elspeth? What now for McMurray? And will Daniel finally learn how to double knot his shoelaces?

Starring Freddy Elletson, Louis Lunts, Greg Ebdon, Emma Gallagher.

with James Bugg, Harriet Cox, Anjali Vyas-Brannick, Will Haydon, Mike Owen and Jenny Stirling.

Hear the programme, and the rest of the series, on the ((URY PLAYER)) now!

Friday 22 June 2012

Review: 'The History Boys'

By Hana Teraie-Wood.

Before reading Hana's review listen to our exclusive preview of the production here.


The History Boys is a play that sticks in every budding student’s psyche; for the embittered it recounts the riddled race for Oxbridge and for the rest it awakens the best memories of schooling days. The popularity of this play showed with a sell-out opening night and a drama barn heaving with an audience packed like sardines.  And, having my backpack crushed between my knees and my toes jutting into a man’s back was a token experience in the barn, one which allowed for as many people as possible to see this brilliant production which, if I’d had the space, would have had me off my seat.

The transformation of 21 year olds into the ageing school teachers was awe inducing; the Headmaster looked, acted and almost was John Cleese reincarnated.  Like a walking talking cartoon, the headmaster gave himself the pathetic air of a disorganised but malicious buffoon. Claire Curtis-Ward’s performance as Mrs Lintott cut through as the sane speaker of truths, and Hector was everything that Hector could and should be. His vivaciousness was juggled with a pompous gravity to such a degree that the loss of his presence near the end of the play became a true mourning of a successfully complex character.

Pete Watts’s narration of the clan of class oddballs was a real standout performance; he kept the play together and he delivered all the emotion of Bennett’s heart-warming lines with a sincerity that felt truly real. Steven Jeram brought all the poignancy of Posner’s role to the table, depicting him as a confused boy with his heart on his sleeve. His lead in one of the closing songs ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ was the most touching moment of the whole play, and it was delivered by the whole cast of boys with a tenderness that is unparalleled by any play previously seen in the barn. The quality of Jeram’s singing was astounding, and having seen him previously in TFTV’s production of Cloud 9, he is in my eyes, one of the most talented actors at York.

What this production did best was its delivery of Bennett’s view on history, its transcendence of the school room and its governance by the luck of chance. Each member of the cast shone, and together they delivered one of the strongest productions that I’ve seen in the barn. As one of the audience members told me afterwards, this production reassures you that you should go home and read, and this is what The History Boys should do every time. This is something that you shouldn’t miss.

You can hear our full audio review on the ((URY PLAYER)) now in YorWorld!

Going Solar: Episode 4

The latest episode is available online now!

This week Hollywood legend Buck Fahrenheit, star of the INVERTEBRATE series, arrives in Fort Dunleavy. Could this bring in the much needed customers for Phillip and are his chances with Elspeth looking up? 

Starring James Bugg as Buck Fahrenheit, Freddy Elletson as Phillip, Louis Lunts as Daniel, Greg Ebdon as Archibald McMurry, and Emma Gallagher as Elspeth, with Harriet Cox, Anjali Vyas-Brannick, Will Haydon, Mike Owen and Sam Thorpe-Spinks. The programme was written by James Bugg and produced by John Wakefield.

Catch the programme on the ((URY PLAYER) now!

Thursday 21 June 2012

Review: 'Godspell'


By Kat Ronson.

Before reading Kat's review listen to our exclusive preview of the production on the ((URY PLAYER)) here. 

When entering the barn I was unsure of what to expect.  Not being religious in the slightest, the prospect of watching a musical about Christianity very much scared me. So let me begin by saying, I enjoyed it so much I watched it twice. Godspell brought stories from the Bible with simple lessons behind them that everyone can identify with, combined with beautiful songs. It is in the name, it is in the script, in the songs…but for me, this play wasn’t about god. For me, it was about feeling part of something that far surpassed my doubts on religion.

One of the ways they made me feel included, despite my lacking of a religious orientation, is by having the play set in a prison. “He who is faultless shall cast the first stone”, are wise words said by Alistair Kerr (Jesus) and is a moral that was resonant through the entire play, having the ensemble playing less-than-perfect prisoners, all dressed in orange boiler suits. Each character of the ensemble first  appeared on the stage talking to their self, representing opinions similar to my own, but still later joined in the gleeful singing, dancing and story-telling. This automatically made me feel assured that I wouldn’t be spending two hours being preached to. This is to the credit of director, Anna Czornyj.

There were moments of sheer brilliance where the feeling of inclusion was over-whelming and, I feel a little silly saying this but…emotional. A key example of this was when Richard Spears sang “All Good Gifts”. The beauty of this was not in the energetic dancing and clapping like much of the show, as the cast sat cross-legged in a circle for the number. Nor was it in Spears’ singing, which was simply stunning. But it was the emotion and joy conveyed in Spears’ entire being that made this song sparkle; pure magic.

The entire cast were hugely talented. Ryan Hall entered singing the opening number “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”. His singing was at times shaky, but his characterisation of John the Baptist, and later Judas, was totally captivating. Hall & Kerr were the perfect double act. Their chemistry was so clear and infectious, providing the audience with so many comic moments. Their duet “All for the Best” was a joy to watch, with the duo dancing in unison. Though, it has to be said, the ensemble out-sung the duo on many occasions.
It is difficult to pick out particular performances from the ensemble, as they all worked together and complimented each other beautifully. They should all be commended for their impeccable characterisations and devising the characters themselves. One person that did stand out to me was Edith Kirkwood. Her individual characterisation, I felt had been thought through the most. She also had many of the toughest harmonies, and consequently, I am able to confirm she has a ferocious set of lungs.

To sum up Godspell in a word. Utterly fabulous? Ok, two…completely, utterly fabulous and uplifting. Five? There are too many words and I cannot explain the joy I felt when watching the production (and taking to the stage at the end of the first act). I have been singing “We Beseech Thee” and “Day by Day” in the shower every day since seeing the show. Try and see a production of it, buy the soundtrack or listen to the songs…just do something! This musical is to be shared. My soundtrack is making its way to me in the post, and I am scrolling west end dates. It is official. I am totally in love with Godspell.

Tune in for all our audio reviews Sundays from 2 in YorWorld and on demand on the ((URY PLAYER))

Sunday 10 June 2012

Going Solar: Episode 3


The Solar Panel business is finally looking up but when Phillip picks a fight with local window cleaner Mr Mackie he would not believe what he's letting himself in for!

Starring Freddy Elletson as Phillip, Louis Lunts as Daniel, Greg Ebdon as Mayor McMurry, Emma Gallagher as Elspeth and Dan Wood as Mr Mackie.

The programme was written by James Bugg and produced by John Wakefield with James Bugg, Roseanna Brear, Harriet Cox, Anjali Vyas-Brannick, Will Haydon, and Mike Owen.

If you missed the programme its now avalible on the ((URY PLAYER))

YorWorld: 10th June 2012


On this weeks show we have an interview with Amy Moss about the upcoming York carnival and we are joined by some of the pant soc’s Hercules cast. We have our preview of Hinge Production company’s Ordinary Things and review of Drama soc’s Week 7 production Dr Faustus and a look at Week 8 production Godspell.

You can hear the programme on the ((URY PLAYER)) now!

Sunday 3 June 2012

Going Solar: Episode 2


The latest Episode of our brand new sitcom is now available online!. Mayor Archibald McMurry proposes Fort Dunleavy’s first ever ‘Future and Technology Fair’! Will it be a chance for Phillip and Daniel to get the Solar Panel business back on its feet and for Phillip to win the heart of local barmaid Elspeth…
Fort Dunleavy’s residents wouldn’t make life that easy would they?

Starring Freddy Elletson as Phillip, Louis Lunts as Daniel, Greg Ebdon as Archibald McMurry, and Emma Gallagher as Elspeth,

with James Bugg, Harriet Cox, Anjali Vyas-Brannick, Will Haydon, Mike Owen, Jenny Stirling, Mungo Tatton-Brown and Dan Wood
.
The programme was written by James Bugg and produced by John Wakefield.

You can hear the programme on the ((URY PLAYER)) now!

Saturday 2 June 2012

Yorworld: 3rd June 2012



Arts Awareness Week Poster

On YorWorld this week we broadcast our review of Willy Russell’s Liverpudlian set play ‘Stags and Hens’ which is this weeks Dramasoc production in the Dramabarn.

We took a look at 'Arts Awareness Week' which is taking place in Week 8 and find out about all the exiting events taking place across campus and across the whole city.


And we previewed next weeks Dramasoc production, Faustus.

If that wasn't enough we also had recordings of some of the great events that took place in the City of York this Saturday to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

You can hear the programme on the ((URY PLAYER)) now!

Review: 'Stags and Hens'

By David Brennen



Before reading our written review of the production listen to our preview on the ((URY PLAYER)) now!

This Week’s Dramsoc production saw the drama barn transformed into the grimy dingy toilets of a Liverpudlian dance hall for Willy Russell’s 'Stags and Hens' produced by Laura Stratford and Directed by Georgia Harris & Assistant Director Rory McGregor. It follows the respective Stag and Hen party of Dave (Dan Wood) and Linda (Kat Ronson) the night before they a due to be married, which inadvertently are being held in the same Liverpool club. With it bad luck to see the bride to be before the big day the girls desperately try to keep the groups apart whilst an old flame of Linda’s (Peter played by Jon Edwards) is back offering a chance to leave this dead end town, leaving Linda with a difficult choice to make.
Willy Russell is acclaimed for capturing the working class life of the 1980’s with productions such as Blood Brothers and Educating Rita, Stags and Hens being no different holding a comedic mirror up to the Liverpudlian working class that allows you to empathise and engage with the characters. The script is witty and intelligent making it exceedingly humours which the audience responded to without hesitation with so many sarcastic one liners it was hard not to have a permanent grin on your face. This humour was also its biggest weakness as it seemed to mask the sincerity and difficulties that the characters were facing.

The staging was impressive with gladly only the smell of stale urine missing to convince you were in a rundown club toilets, however 80’s it was is questionable but undoubtedly not needed. The split staging of the play for each rest room, men’s and women’s, meant that for large proportions of the production the characters were left in prolonged still images. This was handled expertly by the whole cast with such a humours play it was brilliant to seen no corpsing during these moments and a quick snap back into character necessary to pull off such a technique.

The whole cast worked wonderfully with this comedic script handling the liverpudlian accents with varying degrees of competency, although as the characters themselves were generally exaggerated it made little difference to the overall performance. The gaggle of girls seem to gel exceedingly well as a friendship group with great timing and interaction producing a very believable performance. Special mention of Maria Terry playing Carol and Alex Baldry playing Bernadette must be made who together seemed hilariously ridiculous but at the same time 100% believable who wouldn’t have been out of place in the Pink Ladies from “Grease Lightening”.

The guys showed a more contrasting hierarchal dynamic lead by Eddy played by Lewis Chandler who provided a much needed serious tone to the production at times being so genuinely terrifying producing audible gasp from the audience. This was counteracted by Ryan Hall’s performance of Robbie whose cheeky chap and blind leading the blind nature provided much needed comedy to the boy’s group dynamic, this was portrayed perfectly through a highly energetic and continually reactive performance.

All in all this play is a terrific laugh and student friendly, with familiar scenes from nights out clearly identifiable as well as the difficult prospect of the future every student has to face. With a few line stubbles and some lines being lost to laughter effecting the pace of the production it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of a welcomed comedy in these exam filled times.

And make sure you catch our full audio review in YorWorld, now on the ((URY PLAYER))