MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE SHOWCASE @ THE LEATHERHEAD THEATRE #REVIEW…
Posted by Juliet Wheater on 05 Oct 2024
I was delighted to have been extended an invitation to visit and review the show Message in a Bottle by The Theatre Academy at my local Leatherhead Theatre. As an old Drama Student, I always jump at the chance of going to the theatre and I was especially keen to attend this new show with my children as The Theatre Academy, will take it on the road to schools, festivals as well as other venues.
Collaboratively written, directed and produced by Susy Puckett and Neil Sweeney – Susy narrated the piece and Neil was the actor and performed all the fantastic tricks and illusions! The premise of the show was a message of hope. The pirate Black Beard, played by Sweeney was troubled at sea, his crew had abandoned him and he sought solace in drinking, before becoming ship wrecked on a desert island.
The children in the audience (encouraged to have attended in full pirate costume!) were encouraged to write a message of hope for Black Beard, which they duly did and placed their messages in bottles, to be read out at the close. It was a wonderful show of positivity in adversity and an important message for children as they build resilience and a lovely reminder for the adults in the audience too. A lovely moment came when an audience member who stated that he was in his 80’s, felt like a child again!
The performance of Message in a Bottle showcased wonderful music, exciting light displays all the while Neil wowed with his acrobatic tricks and juggling and he even went on to play with fire, quite literally before eating it! That’ll be his 22 years of circus training.
There was audience participation, whereby the children had to catch black (rubber) cannon balls, looking out for the white pearl. They also helped Black Beard build shelter on his deserted island by looking under their seats for sticks and foliage etc and the questions at the end were quite hilarious! Such as: is your beard real? Out of the mouth of babes.
A partnership between Mole Valley arts alive festival and TTA @TheLeatherhead Theatre!
Message in a Bottle coming to a school, festival and venue near you. Highly recommend!
For more information about the show contact Susy @ tta@the-theatre.org.
If you are looking for a show to go to upcoming shows at The Leatherhead Theatre include:
The Royal Ballet & Opera: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Live
October 15, 2024 7:15 pm
Tumble down the rabbit hole in this ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s famous family story. Journey through Wonderland with Alice and encounter a host of curious characters in Christopher Wheeldon’s unique theatrical interpretation.
Legend – The Music of Bob Marley
October 24, 2024 8:00 pm
Legend – The Music Of Bob Marley is an unforgettable evening celebrating this musical icon in one fantastic stage show extravaganza. Combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, a supremely talented cast recreate the timeless hits Could You Be Loved, Is This Love, One Love, No Woman No Cry, Three Little Birds, Jammin’, Buffalo Soldier, Stir It Up, Get Up Stand Up, Exodus, Waiting in Vain, Satisfy My Soul, Iron Lion Zion, I Shot the Sheriff and many more reggae classics.
The Royal Ballet & Opera: Wolf Witch Giant Fairy Encore
October 26, 2024 3:00 pm
Princess Live!
October 30, 2024
Princess Live is the ultimate hour long princess pop party, featuring your favourite fairytale royalty in this all singing all dancing hour long concert show.
Full listings can be found on the website – https://theleatherheadtheatre.com/whatson/
Enjoy!
Juliet xx
