Reviews

The media

'Chris Rochester played a young vibrant Othello brilliantly....(Charlotte) Tayler's beautifully executed Desdemona managed to convey sweetness and humour .... with Darren Heather's wonderfully understated performance it is easy to see why Othello is taken in. Special mentions for Gareth Brighton, an utterly believeable and likeable Cassio, and Pamela Parry, a woman torn between her husband and closest friend.'

'The 12-strong cast took on a challenge which would test the most seasoned of actors... They triumphed.'

Hannah Russell
Sussex Express 28th November 2008

'David Parton is making a name for himself with translations of plays from Norweigan. Parton has now created an outstanding production of Ibsen's The Master Builder both as director and translator.'

'It is some achievement to make Ibsen palatable without dumbing him down, but Synergy Theatre achieved this through an approach which dispensed with stereotypical notions of the playwright as a purveyor of unremitting gloom.'

'It was (Charlotte) Tayler who proved outstanding in a cast that did not contain a weak link.  Parton's translation was also impressive, proving accessible but free of any mannered attempts at idiom.'

'This production was brave, resourceful and an unqualified success.'

Jeremy Malies
Sussex Express 18th January 2008

'Charlotte Tayler is an actress to watch out for. Her sensitive portrayal of the hard suffering housewife Gina was a joy to watch. Her vocal control when she became irritated by her husband was immaculate, the character was well rounded and believable. She was a true example of how to perform Ibsen at its best.'

'But it was Beth Fitzpatrick's charming interpretation of the young girl Hedvig that got my attention. With a bit more confidence, she has potential to develop into a well rounded and exciting performer.'

Sascha Cooper
remotegoat.co.uk

The audience

'My admiration for the entire cast was quite genuine .... It was great to see an unfussy, unflashy production that really delivered the goods.  We were all (there were three in my 'party') impressed by the top notch acting. Anyway - to sum up - we loved the production and have sung its praises.  

'For atmosphere, being in a real ‘rural’ setting was a great asset.  Branagh’s version used the usual tired film set with ‘plastic’ bushes.  ... your production right from the start brought out the humour so vividly and yet so tastefully, thereby contrasting with and highlighting the times of deep and almost harrowing emotion.  The whole production sparkled with life from beginning to end.'

'I'm writing to congratulate your Company on its splendid performance of The Master Builder in St. Mary's Church yesterday. My wife and I were completely enthralled. I had seen the play years ago, but certainly not better performed. I'd be grateful to receive details of your forthcoming projects. The Master Builder is certainly one of the best theatre performances I have seen in Eastbourne in the last dozen or so years.'

'I enjoyed The Glass Menagerie immensely. I thought Tom and Laura were outstanding. Everything hinges on Tom in terms of the narration and the notions of memory. His delivery and whole approach to the role were first-rate and his treatment of the linking speeches was so good he gave them the quality of a prose poem. Laura was equally impressive. I suspect she may indeed be an American since her accent was so consistent but maybe eastern seaboard rather than Mississippi delta (I didn't buy a programme!). The director also did a fine job in suggesting the ethereal quality of a memory play with nothing much more than a black backcloth. The casting was spot-on throughout.'

Superb performance of Shakespeare at Fredriksten Fortress

'Following positive references in the local press to The Synergy Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night at Fredriksten Fortress, I took my 9-year old daughter to see one of the theatre company’s performances. And I certainly didn’t regret it! It was a really great experience! We were met by a group of enthusiastic actors of ever-increasing ability. Everything was done in a professional manner and, bearing in mind that they had brought their costumes, scenery and props all the way from England, I must say that I was very impressed. I also liked the venue they had chosen. The backyard of the Commandant’s House, with its cobbles and rustic surroundings took us right back to Shakespeare’s era. All the players were, as I said, very accomplished, but there were some who really stood out. Both Bob Murdock and Ian Clegg in the respective roles of Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, were very good – and very funny. Another one worthy of mention was Charlotte Tayler as Olivia. She really played the role to perfection! The director, David Parton, has really done a great job here. And all honour to him. I can, with my hand on my heart, say that this was easily the best theatrical production I have ever seen in Halden and, as a journalist covering cultural affairs, I have seen quite a few. As I understand it, The Synergy Theatre is coming back with a new production next year.  I really hope that the people of Halden will make themselves aware of when this is going to happen. I certainly shall.'

'I must admit that I went to this performance with a degree of scepticism. The fashion nowadays is to present Shakespeare in the most modern and surrealistic forms. My pleasure was thus all the greater when I saw Twelfth Night in the kind of atmosphere that the author himself would have wished. Naked, honest and presented by the most accomplished actors within their genre that I have ever seen in this town. The Commandant’s House in Fredriskten Fortress served as the Old Vic for me that evening. I take my hat off to them.'

'My girlfriend in Halden invited me to a theatre performance. Open-air. Light rain. The rain I hardly noticed and I didn’t feel that I was in the open-air, because this was a performance that was warming. I was so entranced that it was almost a pity there was an interval in the performance. I would have liked this to have been the premiere and not the last performance – because this was something I would have recommended to everyone I might meet on my way up here to the fortress.'

'Thank you so much for the wonderful performance of Hedda . Of course it is rather a grim play - extremely so even - but I was utterly enthralled by it.  The actors did brilliantly.  I particularly liked the performance of the judge, Alan Lade.  I thought his bearing and mix between arrogance and flirtiness was wonderful.  Please convey my congratulations to your staff. I hope to come and witness your excellent direction both at Kingston and at the Priory again.'

'Congratulations again on a fantastic production of Hedda Gabler. Charlotte (Tayler’s) performance has really stayed in my mind!'

'I have been thinking about the Play and am having to rethink my view of Ibsen, because there was so much humour, alongside the social commentary, that I was disconcerted last night.'

Not for the first time I left 'The Crucible' vowing that I would never see the Play again!  The fact that I was almost in tears at the end is testimony to the strength of both the plot and the cast, the second half last night being especially powerful.

Wowwww ,It was amazing, I am still living in the 17th Century !! ..and chanting " Lord Jesus think on me and purge away my sin .....!!
Thank you so much for a wonderful evening, it was all superb, Peter and I have been talking about it this morning, we would love to chat to you about it too ....such a fascinating script.
Please pass on sincere thanks congratulations to all in the Synergy Theatre, and hope all goes well for your last two Performances of The Crucible.   

I'm not much of a culture vulture but I've just been to see the The Crucible at Priory School and it was gripping from start to finish and rather scary that those sort of witch hunts actually went on. (Posting on lewes.co.uk)