What's On At Woking? A 2023 Reflection

The arts continue to grow in Woking as each year, the biggest and best shows arrive in Woking Theatre. For this reason, we reflect on some of the stage highlights in 2023. Enjoy :)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Run: Tue 24 January - Sat 28 January 2023

Katy Rudd's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane was phenomenal when I watched it at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. It was filled with surreal lighting, set, puppetry, and, of course, incredible acting. This play tells the story of a man who returns to Sussex for a funeral and then finds himself diving "randomly" into the scenes of his childhood. He is drawn into the home of the Hempstocks - a family of three generations of Hempstock women, the youngest being Lettie, the girl whom he befriends. We watch them confront all the challenges they face together, with 'the ocean at the end of the lane' being their safe and sacred spot. Katy Rudd's main message was to allow for each audience member to accept that we can't "pass or fail at being a human being," and through each tiny detail within this production, we were able to leave the theatre feeling as though we were thrown into the characters' little world. Their little world acted as a microcosm for our own perfectly imperfect world, as we - as an audience - were able to relate to the characters in each of their emotions: we understood their happiness, fears, anxieties, and sad moments from our own lives. It allowed us to realise - in two and a half hours - that life is never linear, and for us to feel genuine happiness, we must also feel moments of distress or sadness.

Words: Leela Saili

Heathers The Musical

Run: Tue 7 March - Sat 11 March 2023

This show really magnetises itself to a contemporary audience, and I believe it’s a great gateway musical for non-regular theatregoers and extremely popular with teen audiences. Based on the 1989 cult classic, the music, lyrics, and choreography add a whole new layer to the story and the characters. The musical stays true to the film, but at times, some of the songs disrupted the cohesiveness of the story, almost feeling like they were just there for the spectacle rather than to progress the plot. The show was cast extremely well, as the energies from each cast member radiated through the theatre, and they worked so effectively together as an ensemble. The costumes and set made for a vibrant experience. However, it is my view that the show requires some trigger warnings, whether it is in the programme or an announcement. With the nature of these topics, I do think it needs a little more consideration for the audience, especially those who may not know anything about the show before viewing. Overall, this show is very entertaining, and it has been put together by an immensely talented cast and creative team. 

Words: Athena Bruce

The Shawshank Redemption

Run: Monday 17 April - Saturday 22 April.

 “The nation’s favourite movie becomes an acclaimed stage event.” This was one of the signature promotional lines for the stage production of The Shawshank Redemption. However, along with being a selling point, it was a reminder of the weight of expectations this show had on its shoulders. Shawshank started slowly, as it felt like the show was finding its feet throughout Act 1. To adjust to the time and constraints of theatre, Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns’ adaptation naturally removes scenes, such as the recap of how our protagonist ended up in prison. Unfortunately, some of these adjustments mean our emotional connection to Andy Dufresne’s journey does not come as quickly as the writers would have liked. However, The Shawshank Redemption puzzle comes together in Act 2 with Joe Absolom (Dufresne) and Ben Onwukwe’s (Red) chemistry shining through as the relationship between their characters evolves. But just as their friendship starts to grow, so does our emotional investment in these characters. Whether it is the sympathy we feel for the librarian during his attempted suicide or the uplifting feeling provided by Red and Dufresne during the climax – the moments capture you in ways Act 1 does not. All of this is enhanced by excellent sets that perfectly capture the essence of the prison and the beautiful symbolism within Shawshank’s climax. By the end, you are experiencing the same feeling of “hope” that the 1994 film beautifully communicates. Therefore, the play merits its stamp as a very good adaptation.

Words: Humza Hussain

Fleabag

Date: Thursday 15 June 2023

This play was a charming yet forlorn exploration of the ugly truth of being human, and it manages to discuss some very gritty subjects like suicide and hyper sexuality in a brilliant and hilarious way. This one-woman show felt like the audience and the actress were pre-existing friends sitting down for a coffee - having a catch-up. We, the audience, were part of the story, in on all the jokes. It brought to light subjects that actors and directors often shy away from without being censored or watered down. The writing - exploring some heavy subjects in a humours way made the melancholic ending so much more impactful. Visually, the play was incredibly simplistic: one plain costume and a chair, which allowed for all the focus to be on the stream of thoughts from the actor while allowing space for the audience to process everything being said. I truly think this piece of theatre is ground-breaking. It feels so incredibly fresh and truthful and can relate to any audience. 

Words: Athena Bruce

Titanic The Musical

Run: Mon 10 July - Sat 15 July 2023

A beautiful and tragic telling of the tale of the Titanic hits the stage. This show had intricate costumes and a set that demanded the respect and attention of the audience. The cast was immensely talented; the connections that they had as an ensemble were extremely effective. I had only one note in terms of criticism; there just wasn’t enough connection to one singular story. Perhaps it was a purposeful device, almost a metaphor for the class divide, as there were so many to tell, and it expresses how many stories were lost in the wreckage. However, in terms of being a functional structure for a musical, I do not feel that it worked particularly well for act one. It meant a loss of cohesiveness and trying to build up a rapport with so many characters in a very short space of time. Act two, on the other hand, was very strong. There was a sense of togetherness, and the stories began to interweave with each other. The musical had a heart-breaking tribute to conclude, which was a truly beautiful way to end. 

Words: Athena Bruce

The King & I

Run: Tue 26 Sep - Sat 30 Sep 2023

The fifth collaboration of the famed duo of Rogers & Hammerstein saw them produce the then-ground-breaking musical The King & I, which later became a film starring Yul Brynner in 1956. In 2023, the musical’s themes and rather thin storyline arguably do not possess the same impact, meaning that successfully engaging an audience for an entire show could be quite the challenge. Fortunately, this production has enough charm and quality to keep audiences entertained. One of the most impressive aspects of this version of The King & I was the manner it dealt with subject matters, such as the representation of women, so excellently. The show highlights The King of Siam’s appalling treatment of women but does so in a way that makes it indisputable how wrong he is. It even manages to tackle the subject with a dose of humour, where audiences laugh at The King and his ancient ways, not with him. The cultural clashes between Anna Leonowens and The King make for countless wonderful scenes between the two. A perfect illustration is when they talk, and Anna – begrudgingly - must stand, sit, and lay as The King does. Also, the sets, costumes, and music all wonderfully assist the elegance of this production - immersing you into the world as a top-class theatre production should. Ultimately, The King & I delivers an elegant and charming show that trusts in its vision, and except for feeling a tad long in places, it’s correct in doing so. 

Words: Humza Hussain

Shrek – The Musical Review

Run: Monday 30 October – Sat 4 November 2023

Turning films into stage productions is by no means new terrain within the world of entertainment, but that never makes the job easier when a film is as iconic as Shrek (2001). From its memorable Gingerbread Man scene (remember the “gumdrop buttons?”) to the final musical number of “I’m a Believer” – Shrek is full of moments that are ingrained in the minds of adults and children alike. Although the musical version can feel a little too Panto-like, and the portrayal of Fiona feels far too ditsy, Shrek – The Musical does manage to bring memorable moments from screen to stage, such as the “I’m a Believer” number, which also involved a receptive Woking crowd. In addition, Georgie Buckland’s excellent puppetry and voice acting brought the Gingerbread Man to life in a way one could not have imagined for stage, and her ability to hit some impressive high notes certainly helped. Brandon Lee Sears takes on the unenviable task of playing Donkey (played by Eddie Murphy in the film), but his energy and commitment successfully cater to audiences young and old. However, one scene stands head and shoulders above the rest in Shrek – The Musical, and it is undoubtedly Cherece Richards' grand entry as the Dragon. Richards commands the stage with an unmatched presence and sings “Donkey Pot Pie” with an energy and electricity that takes this musical (at least for a moment) from good to great. It's a special moment from a truly exceptional talent. All in all, Shrek – The Musical accomplishes its goal of being a fun family entertainer.

Words: Humza Hussain