The Tower Archive

Reaction to our shows
 
The Tower Archive

Reaction to our shows

Here's a selection of comments we received on our productions in 2015 ...


The Government Inspector The Government Inspector

Last night I heard a production Nicolai Gogol's "The Government Inspector" on Radio 4 Extra. It reminded me of the first time I ever went to a theatre - at the Tower Theatre - and saw that play. I was delighted to find your website with full details of that production - which was in November 1969. I was a 15 year old pupil at Dagenham County High School (where my English teacher had taught Dudley Moore) and it was big event to 'go out' from school. Suffice to say that it gave me a life-long love of theatre. So I thought I would write to say 'thank you' Tower Theatre!
(Audience member G.M.)


Chancers Chancers

The four strong cast work well together and have good onstage chemistry. Penny Turek, gives a solid performance as lucky, village gossip, Gertie. James Killeen (Aiden) and Ruth Anthony (Dee) play well off each other giving believable performances as the down on their luck couple. Sean McMullan as JP, the couple's best friend just adds to the mayhem of the situation ... the final scene is fantastic and manages to make you gasp and leave the theatre wanting more.
(Karen Pond for London Theatre 1). Awarded 4 stars


Edith and Margueritte Edith and Margueritte

This new play, written by Martin Mulgrew, is a jewel ... no word is wasted as character, images and issues connect. The dialogue is paced, poetic in its ability to capture the joys of life and devastating at times ... the action before us never descends to violence, preferring a tone of menace and the cruelty of truth.
(Marian Kennedy for London Theatre 1). Awarded 4 stars


Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler
The role of Hedda was played by Roann McCloskey who really got into her character's head ... Mentions must also go to Karen Walker who gave a convincing performance as the eccentric Aunt JuJu, and Anna Whitelock whose performance as the nervous, down-trodden maid evoked the sympathy of an entire audience.
(Emily Diver for London Theatre 1). Awarded 4 stars


One Man, Two Guvnors One Man, Two Guvnors
Mark Macey playing Frances Henshall works his acting chops off .. the role requires a physical and comedic dexterity that would challenge any actor, and he pulls it off. Camilla Fox and Adam Moulder, as Pauline and Alan, make a highly watchable idiotic couple of young lovers and both showcase their comedic talent. Jennifer Quinn is so convincing as Roscoe that when she later presents as Rachel it's a little unsettling, Edwin de La Renta is a breath of fresh air as Lloyd, and there has to be a special mention for Andy Barrett who as Alfie relishes the extreme physical comedy that he literally dives into and for James Phillips and Lisa Castle who play their roles with delight and had the audience rooting for them.
(Roz Wyllie for London Theatre 1). Awarded 4 stars
You should all be so so proud of what you've achieved. Brilliant performances all round and stunning energy. Well done!! Cracking show - funny and thoughtful. Outstanding performances from all of the cast.
(Audience member I.H.)
Guys, guys, guys ... wonderful. Simply wonderful. Fantastic performances all round, very slick, and absolutely hilarious. My jaw will be sore in the morning. A well deserved full house, and here's to a couple more!!
(Audience member C.O'D.)
Fantastic opening night last night. Genuinely laugh out loud funny throughout, brilliantly gaudy end of the pier staging and great direction and performances ... congratulations to the director, cast and crew for a fantastic production this evening ... theatre as it should be!
(Audience member J.McK.)


The Turn of the Screw The Turn of the Screw

The Turn of the Screw cannot simply be dismissed as a Gothic Novel - it is also a psychological drama and a commentary on the Human Condition. To convey all of this in a pub theatre, and at the same time deliver a wonderful evening's entertainment, is a superb achievement. Congratulations to the Tower Theatre Company.
(Genni Trickett for London Theatre 1). Awarded 4 stars
All of the cast are strong but particularly Carmichael and Liney carry the story. A remarkable charm is also created through the very skilled child actors Eliza and Isaac Insley. Especially Isaac in the role of charming but manipulative Miles, somewhere between childhood and becoming a young man, was outstanding ... the Tower Theatre Company delivers a great production here that makes for a fantastically entertaining evening and is definitely worth checking out.
(Tessa Hart for Remote Goat). Awarded 4 stars
... it is Colin Guthrie's excellent sound, Robin Snowden's lighting and David Taylor's clever stage design that make you jump. They bring the all-important - and genuinely frightening - scenes and the play as a whole to life
(Ben Lucas for the Camden New Journal)


Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Someone Who'll Watch Over Me

The three actors contribute fantastically to this play taking us into this world with ease making it completely believable. They all deliver performances that should be commended so much so that I am unable to pick out a preferred actor, they were all fantastic ... the whole cast and crew have created a wonderful piece of theatre
(Lee Cogger for London Theatre 1). Awarded 5 stars


King Lear King Lear
... there is praise aplenty to be given to the seventeen strong cast who moved like a well-oiled machine in their various parts and disguises, keeping the story flowing wonderfully. I do have to single out Robert Pennant Jones for his masterful portrayal of Lear ... all told, this production of King Lear is impressive in every way. For someone new to this particular piece of Shakespeare, I found myself completely immersed in the world he had created and while there are very few laughs and lots of death, I left feeling that I had been treated to a wonderful evening's entertainment by a very talented theatre company.
(Terry Eastham for London Theatre 1). Awarded 4 stars


Travesties Travesties

... this unlikely tale of expats in 1917 Switzerland kept us entertained for a couple of intellectually stimulating and frequently hilarious hours ... (the role of) Carr of the Consulate was shared by Bob Hough as the elderly autobiographer - just the right tone, just gaga enough - and Dom Ward, excellent as the sartorially impeccable young fop. His delivery of the Wildean wit was pin-sharp, his debate about art and flying [with Alan Madrell's equally assured Tzara] was a high point of the production. Sean McMullan brought energy and a polished accent to the role of James Joyce, while Adrian Calvo-Valderrama was an imposing Lenin, a compelling orator. A strong supporting cast included Lisa Castle's superb Cecily [the simultaneous translation a particular delight], Sacha Walker's sympathetic Mrs Lenin, Camilla Fox's demure Gwendolen, and Robert Irvine's unbending Bennett, walking forward to lecture us on Russian politics as Henry scoffed cucumber sandwiches on the chaise longue.
(Michael Gray for Remote Goat). Awarded 4 stars
... the energetic Dom Ward as the young diplomat combines a bumbling good-natured charm with a confusing lack of awareness to great theatrical effect. Camilla Fox and Lisa Castle shine as the Oscar Wilde-inspired characters Gwendoline and Cecily, their confident yet light approach being perfectly pitched. Set designer Michael Bettall has created a beautifully stylish single set, a split between public library and domestic drawing room with that standard device of farces - the double doors - providing the production with non stop pace and enthusiasm.
(Phoebe Smith for the Camden New Journal)
To Adam Taylor and the Travesties Company - just to say thanks and congratulations. My wife and a group of friends saw it on Wednesday and very much enjoyed your production. I'm sorry I wasn't free to come.
(Tom Stoppard)