Review: Black History Month Dial Up

The Watford Pump House Theatre was proud to host a special Dial Up Open Mic in celebration of Black History Month as the final show of this year's Watford Fringe Festival. Inclusion and Diversity are central values at the Pump House, and I've been delighted to work with them in bringing the Dial Up's philosophy of celebrating community and creativity to the stage twice a year as a way of promoting that. Alongside our BHM event in October, we also host an LGBT History Month Dial Up at the Pump House each February. For dates and details click here.

It was a pleasure to welcome such a range of talent, as the photos below (kindly taken by Amy Hart) demonstrate. Whether you Black, White, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Mixed or differently identified, performers felt supported to share their stories, their talents, and their truths. Watford really has an amazing abundance of creativity and love, and it was palpably visible on the stage tonight. I look forward to hosting many more of these events in future years!

Above: Bon Siu on saxophone, Matt Wakefield on piano and host/ singer Alexander Williams

Review: Jeffrey Holland Comedy Friends and Heroes

 

A legend of twentieth century sitcoms, from Hi-De-Hi to You Rang M'Lord, Jeffrey Holland is a real coup for the Watford Fringe Festival. He knows the Pumphouse well, having graced the stage on many an occasion, not least the recent comedy day, but Holland remained alive and alert to his audience, delivering his anecdotes with a smile and a twinkle.

Robert Ross is a historian of comedy and was a keen questioner, guiding Holland chronological through the high points of his career and eliciting interesting details and information of how his shows were put together, his impressions of key figures from the time (particularly the writers Lloyd and Croft), and his own comedy heroes. The discussion Laurel and Hardy was sharp and illuminating, and their comments throughout were supported by well chosen photographs and video clips.

It would have been lovely to have a question and answer session that involved the audience directly in the final section of the event, as you had the sense that these two friends had journeyed through this material frequently. A surprise question from the audience, or a moment of engagement with one of his many fans in the stalls would have added an extra layer of charm to this happily nostalgic interview. Nonetheless, Holland was without doubt, and continues to be, a hugely important figure in the landscape of British comedy (not to mention Hungarian comedy, as it turns out!) and it was a delight to hear him share his stories.

Review: Songs With Andrea And Judi

 

Andrea Richardson and Judi Campion are much loved members of local amateur theatre group Belmont Theatre Company, and were well supported with an eager audience from that troupe. Their 'Songs With' show did exactly what it said on the tin, providing an afternoon or great melodies from the worlds of pop and musical theatre, performed with gusto. 

What elevated this show was the friendly banter between the two singers, themed around a journey through love, starting with infatuation, through maturity, to ultimate heartbreak. Andrea's It's Got To Be Perfect was filled with energy and thrilling high notes, while Judi's Tell Me On A Sunday was sublime, brimming with genuine emotion.

The show really soared when they came together and duetted, as on the touching You Don't Give Me Flowers, and the disco-tactic Single Ladies, which had them shimming as well as singing in unison!

All in all an utterly enjoyable afternoon of great tunes!