Dr Jefny Ashcroft – Midlands Fringe Reviews

Cleverly spun a tale from two strands of the great composer's life

Mike Venables' one-man show was intelligent, passionate and full-throated.  His vocal range was a major asset in a performance embracing thundered commands from Beethoven's tyrannical Father - so abrupt they made me jump in my seat - to imitations of flirtatious, simpering countesses.

Another stand-out feature must be that the live music, performed by the highly talented Rebecca Weston, was truly integrated. You didn't have to be a classical music buff to find the piano excerpts delightful, relevant and enhancing. A change of mood or scene was skilfully indicated by a new melody. Particularly telling was the transposition from the poignant beauty of the 7th Symphony's, 2nd Movement to the unmistakable notes of Ode to Joy that finished the show. Mike used Beethoven's comments on the 7th (where the ecstatic Viennese crowd demanded an immediate encore) to show that the play was as much about Beethoven's self-belief and courage as his genius. 

So what happened? Mike Venables cleverly spun a tale from two strands of the great composer's life: his clandestine romantic passion (revealed in the letter 'My Immortal Beloved') and his frightening new awareness of deafness.

Finding the deafness motif more interesting than the women in his life, I particularly admired the subtle way that Mike introduced Beethoven's reaction to discovering his condition. Immediately after we see him catching only half of a conversation we move to a comic scene introducing a 'charming' countess. The audience is momentarily distracted from his developing sorrow. But sure enough, the unwelcome memory of the rising physical threat returns to us quickly, as it does to the unfortunate composer. 

There was however considerable humour in the piece that leavened the intense emotion: his natural childlike indignation on seeing himself referred to as a '6 year old prodigy' (when he was really 7!!) and his chagrin at his friendly reception, swiftly followed by breezy dismissal, by the self-centred Mozart, were true-to-life comic moments.

It's thanks to the Midlands Fringe that Wolverhampton now benefits from shows of this quality. Although 20 people is (an old hand tells me!) handsome compared to Edinburgh audiences rumoured to average 6, I felt that Mike deserved a much bigger crowd: when word gets out how strong this highly original piece is perhaps we might see it again in the city?

William Stafford, Bum on a Seat Reviews

A compelling presence and a captivating storyteller...Venables has us in the palm of his hand.
William Stafford
Bum on a Seat Reviews

Euan Rose

"A unique talent indeed. Venables exudes tremendous energy and his ability to switch roles with a gesture or a laugh is a joy to watch.
Euan Rose
Euan Rose Review

Sample of Premiere Night Audience Messages Received

Sofia: Massive well done. Thanks for entertaining me and engaging me with interesting content that really made me think.

 

Steve M. Hi Mike. Your show was great. I think that's the best one you've done. Really excellent.

 

Emma: I really loved every minute of it and thought you were absolutely brilliant in it as I knew you would be! You made it look super easy to do a very challenging thing tonight and that in itself is a great skill and compliment… more people should be lucky enough to be able to see it 

 

Alan - a real tour de force last night and very well received

 

Ed - Excellent show, Mike. Very impressive, moving and inspirational. Great to see you in your element.

 

Lin: Just wanted you to know I LOVED your performance this evening. Gripped throughout. I was there in Beethoven’s world, thoroughly pulled into the story so convincingly told. 

 

Ian- Brilliant night. Many congratulations

 

Gillian - well done mike it was an enchanting piece, it drew you in and the story about Beethoven was really engaging

 

Mell: Your performance was outstanding, it was engaging, interesting delightful and informative. You brought all the characters to life

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