Chess Photos

Chess

Rugby Theatre

Directed by John Smith

27 Nov. - 5 Dec. 2009

The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man

1973

Directed by Robin Hardy

What a film! The Wicker Man is a British horror film that has quite a cult following. I knew practically nothing about the film before watching it. I don't even want to write too much about the film, because I think going into it totally new really added to the experience of watching it. 

The film is not technically the best film. Dubbing is very obvious at times and some of the acting is a bit questionable. The strange thing is that even though there are obvious mistakes, these mistakes add to the uncomfortableness of the film. The film itself is about a very religious police detective investigating the disappearance of a young girl on a Scottish island where the inhabitants all worship a pagan religion. The detective wants to fulfill his search, but at the same time does not want to associate with these people. He constantly has a felling of unease and discomfort.

Rustin Allison

Oklahoma! Pictures

Oklahoma!

Directed by Helen Dulcamara

Rugby Theatre

5 - 13 June 2009

Rustin Allison

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors

7 March, 2009

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken

Directed by Matthew White

Just saw this at a matinee yesterday. This is the third time that I have seen a production of Little Shop of Horrors, and though I have loved it both time previously.... this production is by far the best!

One thing that I think made this production so good was the intimate feel of the show. The first time I had seen the show it was at the Muny in St. Louis. This is a large outdoor theatre, and I was pretty far back. The second time I saw the show, it was the national tour of the recent Broadway revival at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Both of these shows were great, but they were also very large productions. The production that I just saw is the UK tour of the Menier Chocolate Factory production. 

I loved every aspect of this production. Before the show starts audio clips from low budget horror and sci-fi films are played and the brick walls of the set had old tattered posters for movies like The Blob. Every role was well cast, especially the female chorus of Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon. The plant was great, and by changing it from a venus fly trap design to a pitcher plant design allows the plant to have much more character and emotion. 

If you are able to go see this production-- go see it! You won't be disappointed!

Rustin Allison