kneehigh theatre

Sometimes I am reminded of what I love about theatre. Yesterday, as a birthday treat, I went with friends to see 'Brief Encounter' at the Cinema Haymarket. Not the film - the production by Kneehigh Theatre, adapted for the stage from Noel Coward's 'Still Life' and 'Brief Encounter'.
The magic began from the moment we entered the rose-themed cinema. A group of minstrels, dressed as 40's style ushers wandered around singing and playing for us as we took our seats in the plush auditorium. These were all cast members, creating the intimate sense of community Kneehigh create wherever they perform. Once the main characters had taken their seats in the front row the heightened atmosphere of the auditorium transformed itself into the performance as images, action and live music shifted to the stage. If you haven't seen it, go now. It's on until October I think, and there are rumours of it going to Broadway.
It combines stage and screen with gasp-inducing creativity and balances the central story with a glorious 'below stairs' comic element via two other couples who work at the station. And the cast don't even stop working during the interval. Guaranteed satisfaction, and you'll be humming the songs all the way home. Well, I was.
Read more about Kneehigh's ambitious nomadic playful Asylum project - it's looking for support.