PRESS & REVIEWS

WEST END WILMA on DRACULA

“This rendition of one of classic literature’s most revered tales is innovative and well executed. The location and the promenade style really make us feel as though we are part of the story... Katharine Armitage’s adapted script beautifully balances original dialogue with some of Stoker’s more memorable quotes. The delicate twist in this version of Dracula’s plot works very well”

“a female Dr Seward puts a refreshing spin on the otherwise familiar characters. As an ensemble, the cast works well together. Emily Essery… brings fantastic energy and authority to the piece. Her distracted and subtly threatening behaviour is expertly carried out and increases the unease among the audience members. In contrast, Bonny Davis’ Dr Seward is fantastically grounded and level headed and her understated nuances help maintain our suspended belief.”

“DRACULA works on many levels. It is spooky, fun and never allows the audience’s attention to slip… enjoyable and the immersive experience helps keep the invisible threat of the Count ever present. A good evening out for Halloween – just don’t forget your garlic!”

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CHILDREN'S THEATRE REVIEWS on DRACULA 

Review by Luke Billingham, with Georgia & Charla (Hackney Quest young people)

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“Like much of the performance, the final act ably mixed horror and humour, and the play finished on a droll twist which left the audience chuckling with amusement”

“Dracula made good use of its historic set, and the performance was masterfully crafted: when moving from room to room and century to century, you couldn’t help but be carried along by the story, and impressed by its intricacy.”

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AN ENGLISHWOMAN IN SALEM on DRACULA

“the Company’s unique interpretation of Stoker’s classic. If you think you know immersive horror, think again.”

“And there’s great chemistry among them – moving and bittersweet with Jonathan (Chris Dobson) and Mina (Molly Small), and playfully comedic from the fly-nomming, scene-stealing Renfield (Emily Essery).

The troupe makes creepily effective use of their limited space and props by some inventive bursts of sound misdirection.”

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NYSA PROJECTS on FIVE CHILDREN & IT

"It’s not every Friday night you get set upon by pirates, fight in a pom pom war, spend chocolate money and leave a wish with a Psammead.  This is the stuff that dreams are made of….  The only word whispered by my 11 year old throughout the show was, ‘Brilliant’ he might be too cool to wear the wrong coloured hoody but never too old to enjoy a magical encounter with a Sand Fairy."

 

BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE on THE MORTALS IN THE HOUSE

"…every bump and bang takes on a creepier aspect. What is it that lurks behind the shuttered window, tapping insistently to be allowed entry? We pray that Hester will fight the temptation to open the shutters, yet we know in our hearts, she won’t be able to resist..." 

 

MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL BLOG on TO BE READ AT DUSK

"And what a performance! Interactive and inventive, the Tea Break Productions’ performers made full use of the space as well as the audience... The energy of the performance made it enthralling to watch, and its creativity seemed to summarise the feeling of the whole event, that of something with forward momentum that is still growing, celebrating something that is both traditional yet still relevant today."

 

THE STAGE on PUNCH & JUDY

"In this puppet’s case, the product is ribald, violent social satire. And that’s certainly what whacks you entertainingly over the head in Tea Break Theatre’s show with a difference… a provocative and often surreal romp through the hard knocks of everyday life."

 

SCOTSGAY on PUNCH & JUDY

"fantastic little gem" 

 

BROADWAY BABY on PUNCH & JUDY

"Punch and Judy is the kind of new and experimental work that should always have a home at the Fringe."