Grumpy Old Women at the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Review
Grumpy Old Women
New Alexander Theatre, Birmingham
10 June 2016
Reviewed by Debbie Lowndes
The performance started at 8pm, we arrived at 7.30 and collected our tickets from the box office staff. There were minimal queues at the box office and staff were welcoming and helpful. The entrance area at the theatre was spacious and pleasant. This spacious area allows people to gather whilst awaiting friends etc.
We proceeded upstairs to the bar area, it was open plan and when you arrived upstairs you were pleasantly greeted by beautiful sound of a pianist playing lovely music on the piano. The bar area was busy, there was a slight queue for drinks but this was well managed by staff and the area provided sufficient queuing space etc. My husband and I had an alcoholic drink etc., these were a little pricey. They offer alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, coffee along with snacks such as peanuts, crisps, sweets. There was a wide variety of choice. The theatre signage provided clear directions to the seating area. As you made your way towards the theatre itself you were directed by the theatre staff. All theatre staff that we came into contact with were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Our seats were within the dress circle and fairly central. There was average leg room and the seats were comfortable. The theatre was attractively decorated and cleanliness was to a high standard.
The performance commenced at 8pm, and onto the stage came Jenny Éclair, Kate Robbins and Susie Blake. All of these actors were 50 plus. The set was based around a garden shed, which include table and chairs plus a barbecue etc. The performance was based on the view point from a woman’s prospectus and covered many areas, such as nagging, women’s problems, weight maintenance, elderly parents and children and the stages of life. They did dancing sketches, a mock of the Jeremy Kyle show, a spy sketch, the joys of big knickers, rules to middle age drinking and various other sketches. I must say I found all of it amusing they was some fully on belly laughing going off from within the audience. Unfortunately, during the first half someone within the audience was taken poorly so theatre staff had to interrupt the performance and put it on hold whilst they provided medical attention. The theatre staff gave the cast the choice of going back stage to wait until they could resume. However, the cast decided to stage on stage and make general chit chat with the audience and told jokes. I thought this was a remarkable act of respect and they did not have to do this! They could have gone back stage and had some free time. I must say the theatre staff responded very well to this unplanned incident. The performance recommenced and the cast quickly picked up where they have left off.
Before we knew if it was interval time, we had not pre-ordered a drink. So was concerned as whether we had made a mistake and we thought we would not be able to get one. My husband immediately when to the toilet, and I proceeded straight to the bar, I only had to wait a few minutes to be served. Staff very efficient and quickly diminished the queues. During the interval ice creams were served directly within the theatre itself.
The second half commenced on time and both my husband and I found this half just as amusing as the first half. The cast were right characters and all relayed some of their life experiences in a joke like fashion. One joke in particular which I recall was the one about providing your mobile number over the telephone and how you do this in a rhythm, but when they repeat it back you do not have a clue if it is your ruddy number as they do not repeat it back with your rhythm! I would like to say the performance included a little male bashing, all in the name of humour of course. My husband enjoyed the performance just as much as I, we had a thoroughly great night.
I would rate the theatre as 5 stars and it has a classy appeal about it. The performance I would rate as a 5 stars also and men should not be put off attending.
Rating: 5/5 
Grumpy Old Women is currently on tour around the UK, for more information and tour dates visit www.grumpyoldwomenlive.com.
For other shows at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham.
New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
