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Posts tagged with 'Reviews'

The Times on POW (and all the others) posted by Tom Crawshaw on Monday, 11 January 2010

Anyone opening The Times today may have noticed a review of our very own Play On Words.

They called it "both smart and funny" as well as "an ingenious little box of tricks" - which was nice.

It's wonderful to see good reviews for the show coming out so soon in our first London season. We're expecting several more reviews over the next few days and we'll update this post as they come in with quotes and links to the full articles.

And if you want to see what they're all talking about, Play On Words plays at the Tristan Bates Theatre, Covent Garden until the 23rd January.


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"I'm still won over by the simple chutzpah of throwing so many concepts into the blender. It could easily get out of hand, but it doesn't; it's a tight and finely-engineered work, where details of dialogue which at first seem off-the-wall later prove perfectly-formed and crucial."

"One of the most stunning things about the piece is how it moves from clever jocularity to genuine emotion. You won't feel existential despair, you'll feel cheered. Play on Words is not conventional, but nor is it hard work: it's witty, thoughtful stuff that's consistently entertaining and full of delicious surprises."

"Keeps you on your toes for most of its 70 minutes... light-footed and adept at scrambling the act of theatre. Worth a look"

"To their great credit, Michael Grady-Hall and Yaz Al-Shaater build an intense, ultimately fractured relationship that maintains the interest throughout.There’s certainly no doubting their enthusiasm for the project, Al-Shaater is a versatile, confident talent and Grady-Hall is in serious danger of busting a blood vessel in a terrifying, but impressive tirade near the show’s close."

"Tom Crawshaw’s text offers a metatheatrical game of dramatic forensics.
Both smart and funny... an ingenious little box of tricks"

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Tell us about Play On Words... posted by Yaz Al-Shaater on Friday, 21 August 2009

Seen Play On Words? Got an opinion?

As you know, we really like to hear what you think of the shows we do. Your feedback keeps our shows alive: criticisms mean we're able to keep improving and praise means we're able to keep happy!

So if you want to help us out, leave us some feedback on Play On Words. You can do so in the following ways:

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...

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Critical Acclaim for Play On Words 2009 posted by Tom Crawshaw on Thursday, 13 August 2009

Well we're a week into our Edinburgh Fringe run of Play On Words at the Pleasance Dome and have our first reviews out. Great to see the show going down so well already.

Extracts below and links to the full thing. (We'll update as they come in)


"A script that crackles with vitality and exuberance showing a great command of the language that is used throughout - whether through clever punning or the artillery of quick-barbed remarks that they have at their disposal - the result highly innovative and enthralling.
Energy and originality compete with each other right through to the conclusion. Outstanding"
AllTheFestivals.com - read it here

"Sizziling with intellectual jokes and wonderfully witty puns. The shift in tempo from funny to serious was remarkably well-handled. Three's Company are absolutely aware of what they're doing and are all the better for it!"
Three Weeks - read it here

"Finely constructed and intriguingly woven... fresh and alive throughout. A graceful waltz through words and how they are used."
Remote Goat - read it here

"Sophisitcated and extremely funny... It makes great use of puns - luckily they're excellent. Crawshaw is the master of his materials." The Spectator- read it here

"Fine word play... well-judged and dark. I can tell you that all is explained, and the explanation hurts. Words aren't just to be played with, it turns out; words can lead to tragedy, too." Fringe Guru - read it here

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A nice start to the festival... posted by Yaz Al-Shaater on Sunday, 9 August 2009

Just a quick one - happy to announce* that second day out of previews and we've had our first full house!

And if that's not enough, we've also got our first review - and it's five stars.

In other news, we're having a great time: the Pleasance is excellent, venue staff are lovely, our house is very nice (though leaky), and we've already seen some top shows. So all is looking pretty rosey for the month ahead...

Hmmm... I hope we don't use up our full allocation of good luck in the first week...

We'll keep you posted. Follow @ThreesCompany on twitter for more regular updates.

PS: Ticket sales for the days ahead are looking pretty good too, so book in advance if you're planning to come along.

*read: 'show off'

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Combination One of Play On Words Opens posted by Michael Grady-Hall on Thursday, 16 July 2009

Play On Words opened last night in Buxton with Michael as Fred, Tom as Eddie, Yaz as Jonnie and of course Meriel Rosenkranz as Jen.

Usually 3C would relax a bit, but not with this production!

As you know the three lead male roles will switch each night, this means last nights performance was only the first of six first nights.

Over the next week (before the next performance on Tuesday 21st) 3C and Meriel will be re-rehearsing the other 5 combinations.

To let you know the combinations in Buxton will be:

Tuesday 21st - Fred: Tom Crawshaw, Eddie: Michael Grady-Hall and Jonnie: Yaz Al-Shaater
Wednesday 22nd - Fred: Yaz Al-Shaater, Eddie: Michael Grady-Hall and Jonnie: Tom Crawshaw
Saturday 25th - Fred: Michael Grady-Hall, Eddie: Yaz Al-Shaater and Jonnie: Tom Crawshaw

The Official Buxton Fringe Review said of the first night of Play On Words:

'Michael Grady-Hall and Tom Crawshaw were hugely entertaining in the lead roles last night and Meriel Rosenkranz supported with equal assurance as Jen.'

'The set is the best I've seen at this year's Fringe.'

'Put simply, if you've not seen Three's Company's Play On Words before, it's undoubtedly unmissable. If you have seen it before, well, you don't need me to tell you then...'

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The reviews come flooding in! posted by Tom Crawshaw on Wednesday, 6 August 2008


We've had our first few reviews for 'Auditorium' at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Below are extracts from each and below that are links to the full articles. We'll add more here as we get them. Watch this space!


"I don't think I've ever seen fourth-wall chicanery worked into a farce - not, that is, till I came across Tom Crawshaw's magnificent Auditorium, an original work for Fringe veterans Three's Company."
"There's word-play which could have been taken straight out of Stoppard, existentialist debates, and an hilarious deconstruction of the audience itself. But as the story wears on, it gets raunchier, funnier and faster, with Crawshaw's script pressing into service all the elements of classic farce."
"Farce, existentialism, and a dose of the X-Files: I'd never have thought it a winning combination. But this continually entertaining and warm-hearted play proves that anything's possible."
***** FringeGuru

"Three's Company, the creators of last year's Fringe hit, Play On Words, are offering another hilariously interactive experimental comedy this year."
"Crawshaw's script blends impressively with the improvised moments and it is often impossible to tell whether the person sitting next to you is an ignorant audience member or a slyly placed plant. In short, this clever play is not just highly amusing, but also something you're unlikely to see elsewhere."
**** Broadway Baby

"The action begins the moment you enter the performance space and the show is great all the way through."
"On one level this play is funny and silly, and on another level it is clever and raises some important questions; most importantly, it had everyone laughing out loud and it left me feeling thoroughly entertained. This play was odd, but brilliant, and well worth seeing."
****Three Weeks

"Breaking the fourth wall is a bold move for any show - stage or screen - to make, and most who use that method are cagey about it. Auditorium doesn't dip its toe in the water, it dives in holding a bag of air and a rock."
"A remarkable achievement... All in all, this is one of the fresher offerings around."
**** Hairline

"Tom Crawshaw's script is quite excellent"
"A tongue-in-cheek Cache for the stage - makes for many laughs and a wistful finale"
"A well-delivered and curious performance"
**** Fest Magazine

"Any battle cries from the miserabilist anti-Fringers, who suggest that innovation is waning at this year's festival, should be silenced by this pacey, part-improv theatre piece."
The Scotsman

"Tom Crawshaw’s play has some clever variations on the fourth wall-busting theme. It thrives on surprise, making you suspicious of whether the person next to you is an actor or just a regular audience member."
"The ingenious premise, a series of brilliant little coups de theatre and some strong comic performances make this a very watchable show from an inventive young company."
The Stage

"Think Six Characters In Search Of An Author mixed with Being John Malkevich, written as a farce by Philip K Dick, and you'll get a faint idea of the tone and style of this new work by the company behind last year's Play On Words."
"Auditorium is a gloriously diverting, sprawling, anarchic mess of a play (and I do mean that as a compliment). It moves at a cracking pace and is often very funny indeed. Its use of the audience is very clever."
On Stage Scotland


Fringe Guru
Broadway Baby
Three Weeks
Hairline
Fest
The Scotsman
The Stage
On Stage Scotland

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2 comments (click to view or add)

Anonymous Eoghain said...

Hilarious show - I really enjoyed it.

11 August 2008 23:18  
Anonymous Danie said...

Hilarious show. Every show was different and the cast handled every possible situation with quick wit and humor. I really enjoyed it everytime i saw it!

5 September 2008 11:38  

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A great Edinburgh weekend! posted by Michael Grady-Hall on Monday, 4 August 2008

I have just got back from Edinburgh (I've been there for the weekend) and am now back in rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet.

I just wanted to send a congratulations to all the cast and crew working on 'Auditorium' up there. The show on Saturday was fantastic. If anybody has not yet worked out when they are going to see 'the world's first interactive farce' do it now.

Oh and guys, congratulations on your four stars in 'Three Weeks'.

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Your thoughts on 'Auditorium' posted by Yaz Al-Shaater on Friday, 1 August 2008


We really value your feedback on our shows. Criticisms help us improve, and positive comments help attract further audiences (and stop us wanting to give up!) so if you have seen Auditorium please let us know what you think.
You can do this in the following ways:

Thanks!

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Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saw this show on the 17th Aug at the Fringe. With out a doubt the best play I've ever seen! Brilliant crowd interaction and I was laughing throughout the entire performance.

I loved the idea of getting an audience member's mobile number for an actor to call and all the other quips that drew the crowd in - even the concessions guy was a great addition.

I didn't know what to expect after receiving a leaflet in the streets but am glad I came along! Hoping to bring a friend along next time I see it again which will be soon!

Thanks for the great performance - made my Fringe Festival!

18 August 2008 00:05  
Anonymous Mike Collings said...

Saw this a group of friends at the Fringe on 18th August. It was the existentialism that drew me in, but I didn't expect it to be Pirandello meets panto!

A fantastically original take on the whole "fourth wall" thing; shamelessly intellectual without sacrificing the belly laughs. And, quite possibly, the cheapest way to get on stage at Edinburgh!

24 August 2008 19:43  

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"Imaginative, innovative, unique, intelligent...." posted by Yaz Al-Shaater on Friday, 18 July 2008

Forgive the quiet on the blog recently - but here's a quick post with our latest review:

Oh my goodness! This performance is amazing: it is imaginative, innovative, unique, intelligent and very funny. The whole cast was outstanding, extremely confident and above all made it an evening of fun and much laughter. I honestly can't recommend it highly enough. I shan't describe it - words can't describe it - you shall have to go and see it for yourselves. I must warn you to be prepared, however. Be prepared for tears of laughter and plenty of surprises!

Book your tickets now - quick, before they all go!

-Jenny Heyward, Official Fringe Review



We'll get some more news up on here soon!

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Blogger Clara F said...

Very original,very entertaining. The best £8 I've spent in a long time. Can't wait for your next production

24 July 2008 16:04  

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Great new reviews posted by Tom Crawshaw on Sunday, 26 August 2007

Fest and OnstageScotland have both now published their reviews - and they both loved the show!

Fest: "entertaining and surprisingly powerful theatre... has the audience erupting with laughter from the start"

OnstageScotland: "I've rarely been so wrong-footed... a very good play indeed"

Check out the full reviews (as well as all the others) by clicking here.

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Another Review... and all the others posted by Yaz Al-Shaater on Sunday, 19 August 2007

"Fringe Blogger" has published a review for us, check out this post to read the review. Be wary if you've not seen the play yet... it does give a fair bit away! Her blog is a great place to check out more indepth and interesting reviews of other things going on in the Fringe... take a look.
Also, check out these links for more press on Play On Words:

We'll keep this post updated with the latest reviews.

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Four Stars in Three Weeks posted by Michael Grady-Hall on Wednesday, 15 August 2007

Three's Company recieved four stars for Play on Words in Edinburgh this week. Three Weeks (the daily review sheet for the Fringe) called the show 'excellent'. Praising it's 'talented young cast', and Crawshaw's 'philosophical musings and witty wordplay'. Congratulations to Ian, Yaz, Victoria, Rose, Ben, Bekki and Tom.

Make sure you get to see Play on Words before it's to late. Don't miss 'Stoppard for the [Michael] Gondry Generation.'

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Tell us what you think... posted by Yaz Al-Shaater on Wednesday, 8 August 2007

We really value your feedback on our shows. Criticisms help us improve, and positive comments help attract further audiences (and stop us wanting to give up!) so if you have seen Play On Words please let us know what you think.
You can do this in the following ways:

Thanks!

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Anonymous Anonymous said...

While I can't be at The Fringe this year to see Play on Words, I saw the play Later Showers in August 2005 and it was amaazing - probably one of the best shows I saw all summer. This group is worth seeing!!

14 August 2007 21:59  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear company of clever actors/directors/writers...etc.,

i had the opportunity last night to see said play and was blown away by what your show had to offer. kudos to the clever turn of phrase, interesting approach to the tech, and boldness that accompanied your choices onstage. i was wary in the first half hour, i didn't know how you would be able to suistain that banter for an hour and a half....but as you continued on i saw so much more. i think you found a nice balance between confusion, chaos and straight plot line. no metaphor was too blatant and no action was too overstated. it was an enjoyable night at the theatre (i had to search through a lot of ''shows'' to find something worth seeing). i wish i had something to say critically so this blog isn't just to stroke egos and praise the show, and perhaps if i see the show again i would have something critical to say, however...i (obviously) have nothing but glowing reviews and recomendations for my fellow fringe watchers. best of luck to you. if you ever want to cross the atlantic to start goin global...be in touch, your company has a fan/supporter/contact in new york now.

16 August 2007 10:07  

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