> BAD BLOOD

Trinity Theatre, Cowes
22 March 2019

Bad Blood - A tense, disturbing thriller with all the right ingredients for a gripping night out.

Bad Blood is one of those thrillers that has suspense and plenty of twists. Written by Richard Stockwell, this modern thriller has all the vital components of a believable thriller; character flaws, betrayal, secrets, subterfuge, plot twists and the inevitable murder.

Incredibly uncomfortable in places, the plot for this thriller takes the audience on a roller coaster of a ride. Complex in places too, the cast did a great job of delivering the hard hitting narrative. A fab set and nice styling helped to take us all to a very dark place indeed... an entertaining eve at Trinity Theatre!

8 out of 10

> 3 ONE ACT PLAYS

Trinity Theatre, Cowes
9th June 2018

3 one act plays - a light hearted and rather enjoyable way to spend a summer eve in Cowes!

We enjoyed a pleasant eve of entertainment at our favourite local Theatre. This rather ambitious evening of live, comedy theatre DID pay off... a couple of wobbles here and there, but still a very entertaining couple of hours.

An evening of comedy one act plays, written and directed by Cheryl Barrett:
For My Final Act, Look After The Cat Darling, Look for The Silver Lining

The last play, Look for the Silver Lining was the most entertaining... A simple Story, well directed and beautifully brought to life by the talented cast.

8 out of 10

> ANNIE - THE MUSICAL

Trinity Theatre, Cowes
24th June 2016

Annie - She was the small girl with a big heart. This production by the CAODS team at Trinity Theatre is a massive hit!... Strong performances and a great set help to bring this story to life in a truly enjoyable way.

We all know the story... Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan's orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.

Such a joy to watch this production by the CAODS team. They really pulled out all the stops. Particularly strong performances from the actress who played Miss Hannigan and the STAR who owned the part of Annie. (Names will be supplied once found)

10 out of 10.

> DI & VIV & ROSE

Trinity Theatre, Cowes
6th Feb 2016

CAODS - The team at Trinity theatre have done it again... 

This great play by Amelia Bullmore follows three women as they live together at university and as they try to continue their friendship over the next 16 years.

The cast managed to swing from light-hearted banter about boys and bickering about chores to heart-rending emotional crises with ease, brilliantly capturing the ups and down of adolescence. Fiona Gwinnett put in a strong performance as Rose, skilfully capturing her character's carefree nature and the complex issues behind it. Most of the heavyweight  material was given to Di, played by Rebecca Lennon, who handled it with empathy and really moved the audience. Amber Bourne was brilliant as a deadpan and sardonic Viv, delivering her  lines with perfect comic timing.

This has been a hugely enjoyable at our local Theatre. Thanks go to all the team.

Director John Plumbly.

10 out of 10!

> BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS

Trinity Theatre, Cowes
26th September 2015

Blue remembered hills - a British television play by Dennis Potter, originally broadcast on 30 January 1979 as part of the BBC's Play for Today series.

Set in the summer of 1943, this play is about a group of seven-year-olds playing in the Forest of Dean. It ends abruptly when the character Donald is burned to death partly as a result of the other children's actions. This particular scene was brought to life with dramatic effect on the stage... Perhaps the most striking feature of the play is that, although the characters are children, they are played by adult actors. Usually this concept fills me with fear!... but the capable cast pulled it off.. A really well acted play that was funny, dark and very moving.

9 out of 10!

> STEPPING OUT

Trinity Theatre, Cowes
18th July 2015

Stepping out - A hilarious comedy romp that danced it's way into our hearts. Great fun!

This award winning comedy revolves around eight wannabe tappers who are just about picking up the basics. Set in a church hall, the play catalogues the complicated lives of seven women, one man, their teacher and pianist at a weekly tap-dancing class. As the plot unfolds, the audience is able to piece together the complicated and sometimes sad lives of the characters outside the classes.

The stakes are raised when the Mavis Turner Tappers are asked to take part in a charity gala, so somehow they have to raise their game to do themselves justice in their first public performance.

 

The wonderful cast - stepping out!

Another fun eve down at our local Theatre. Great cast, very good characters and a joy to watch. Well done team!

8 out of 10!

> TWO ONE ACT PLAYS IN COWES

Trinity Theatre, Isle of Wight
27th March 2015

Trinity Theatre - The Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society are on a run... we go along to show our support and get to enjoy two hits for the price of one! 

We really enjoyed this evening of mystery & drama. The first play, Banged Up is a hard hitting drama by local author Steve Manley. Set in a modern prison, the tension builds as art could possibly start to imitate life... The second play, Who Calls? Is a ghost story by the prolific writer David Campton. A group of servants in the kitchen of a great house in the 1930s plan to make the most of their mistresses passing. Such a plan leads to unexpected revelations. Does the story end happily OR NOT??... you will have to go see it to find out ;-)

8 out of 10!

> LADIES DAY!

Trinity Theatre, Cowes, IOW
1st Nov 2014 

Ladies Day - The exuberant comedy by Amanda Whittington gives Cowes Week a run for its money!

Dave and I had a brilliant eve at our local Theatre with chums Mark and Chris. This production was slick, hilarious, tender and beautifully brought to life. The cast was top notch.

The story goes a little like this... Work, love and life are just one long, hard slog for the fish-filleting foursome Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda. But their fortunes are set to change when Linda finds tickets to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot the year it relocated to York. Out go the hairnets, overalls and wellies as the four ditch work, do themselves up to the nines and head off to the races for a drink, a flirt and a flutter. If their luck holds, they could hit the jackpot – and more besides…

A brilliant night out on the Isle of Wight..

10 out of 10!

> CENTENARY SHOWCASE

Trinity Theatre, Cowes, IOW
20 September 2014 

Trinity Theatre - The iconic Theatre in Cowes celebrated it's 100th year by hosting two evenings of sparkling musical numbers and hilarious excerpts from headlining plays. We went along to show our support and to enjoy a brilliant evening of live theatre - in our own town.

We could not resist this opportunity to go and enjoy this Centenary Celebration! An evening to show our support to the cast and volunteers who keep this important Theatre living and breathing. A strong cast of regulars gave a wonderful performance to an enthusiastic local audience. Popular musical numbers from headlining shows kept our toes tapping, while hilarious - innuendo laden radio style renditions of sketches from 'Allo Allo' and 'Are you being served?' made us whoop with joy! Smutty and just the right side of rude!

Trinity Theatre has been the home of the Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (CAODS) since 1897. The Society has a proud history of staging many successful musicals, operettas, plays and concerts... Long may this continue.

Thank you to Mark and Helen for helping to make this a very memorable eve out. I hope to make some time to volunteer with the team who keep the Theatre going. More details about supporting and membership can be found HERE

10 out of 10!