Reviews are out for The Paradise Circus
Reviews are out for The Paradise Circus and they are looking very good. From theatre critics to bloggers and audience members The Paradise Circus gets wonderful reviews.
The Paradise Circus production photographs by Scott Rylander
The Paradise Circus theatre critic reviews
One of our favourite reviews is from Broadway Baby; here is an exert from it:
“A little-known theatre hosts a lesser-known play and the result is a theatrical triumph. It’s hats off to anyone who had anything to do with discovering James Purdy’s The Paradise Circus and bringing it to fruition in its world premier at The Playground Theatre. […]
The casting for this production has created a sublimely balanced ensemble of actors each of whom is able to fashion a character that perfectly fits the role. […]
All of this achievement comes under the deft direction of Anthony Biggs. He finds that Purdy’s ‘eccentric blend of ‘Wes Anderson’ style of story-telling, compelling characters, and beguiling narrative is both entertaining and unsettling’. It certainly is and he has raised it to a level that provides a gripping, mesmerising and enthralling experience.”
Read The Paradise Circus Broadway Baby review
We got another wonderful review of performances and the production from Remote Goat. Here’s another review exert:
“Tim Woodward gives a magnificent and moving performance as the father who cannot show love. His confidant is a kindly doctor played by Mark Aiken a person of sanity within this dysfunctional family.. The very beautiful Sophie Ward is the witch with her long blonde streaming hair and who talks in a sweet singsong voice as she wreaks havoc. The two young brothers are Joshua Ward and Sam Coulson.
One of the most interesting items in this production is the music. From the beginning, there is jazz played by Salim Sai and Darren Berry and every so often, when there is a time gap, music arrives on the scene again or is played offstage. Darren Berry also treats us to some tap dancing.”
Read The Paradise Circus Remote Goat review
Sardines Magazine gave The Paradise Circus another fantastic review; here’s an exert from it:
“Sophie Ward is outstanding as the still, calm, sardonic Alda Pennington, a local “witch” consulted by Rawlings in his despair. The wisest, most knowing person of all her character makes outrageous predictions and observations. But this is not witchcraft or magic, it’s wisdom and practicality and she is right every time. Ward dominates the action whenever she’s on stage. […] At the heart of this powerful production is a fine tragic performance from Woodward ably supported by Mark Aiken as the kindly sensible Dr Hallam with whom he has a lot of scenes. […] The Paradise Circus is a tragedy about personality flaws, misjudgement and bad decisions, as strong in its way as Othello or Dr Faustus – and, with sensitive direction by Anthony Biggs – it makes for pretty riveting theatre. A bit of a gem, in fact. Goodness knows why nobody has seen fit to stage it before.”
Read The Paradise Circus Sardines Magazine review
The Paradise Circus audience reviews
We’ve had some wonderful Tweets and reviews from The Playground Theatre visitors and The Paradise Circus audience.
From Gill Evans we had: “Cracking production music and performances in enjoyable, curious and moving play by James Purdy.”
Julia Rank loved our: “ladies’ loo” and the “theatre and The Paradise Circus“…
Playwright Gregory Evans thought The Paradise Circus was: “wonderful, strange, exhilarating theatre, superbly directed by Anthony Biggs Go see it!”
Carlotta Di Gregori found the play and the venue “enthralling”
Esta Charkham thought that The Paradise Circus was “beautifully directed by Anthony Biggs” and that “Peter Tate and Sophie Ward were very good.”
London Live interview with Sophie Ward about The Paradise Circus
Lastly London Live interviewed Sophie Ward about The Paradise Circus and, playwright and author James Purdy. Watch the interview between Luke Blackall London Live presenter; and Sophie Ward below:
Sophie Ward London Live interview with Luke Blackall
The Paradise Circus – performance and ticket booking information
The Playground Theatre is delighted to be producing a world premiere of The Paradise Circus by American cult playwright James Purdy.
The play is directed by Anthony Biggs and produced by Amanda Waggott.
It will transport you to Purdy’s world of ‘magic realism’, wrench your heart out, slap you back down to earth; and leave you wanting to hug a loved one, or at the very least say the words: ‘I love you.’
Performances run from 8 October to 3 November