Review: Dr. Tarot’s Twisted Tales by MHP Theatre

WE will be honest, we haven’t felt the love for the two MHP productions directed and produced by Jack and Eve Downey.

However, they are such a talented, enthusiastic and creative couple that we believe that form is temporary and class permanent.

The show revolves around the thirteen playing cards. Each card has a tale to tell.

Jack Downey is Dr Tarot, the master of ceremonies.

To cut to the chase: This worked and was very entertaining.

It worked because it was thirteen tight, well directed and well acted vignettes.

There was a huge amount of variety and talent on display. But each performer got to play to their own strengths.

Linda Helm-Manley wrote and performed two monologues. Linda is such a good orator and kept everyone enthralled.

Gem Colton is a fine singer and so both The Two of Swords and Three of Swords played to her strengths.

There were two ballet pieces. We rarely get to see ballet the close up and there were two breathtaking performances by Roisin Murphy and Will Ashdown.

The whole show just flowed so well. There were great comedic moments such as Dear Heather by Flo Donovan as well as The Lovers with Flo and Steve Donovan.

Jack was a great narrator with a mad cackle. His Love Potion No 9 and his Time Warp were a riot. You have the feeling that one day there will be a Rocky Horror in Harlow with Jack in it.

Ginny Elliston channeled her inner Margaret Thatcher to perform a Killing Eve-like Boudica. One of the theatre groups should really find a main starring role for Ginny.

There was also a very entertaining true or false with Mike Rees. We think number two was Amityville.

The costumes were great, the multimedia greatly enhanced the whole production but most of all, the audience loved it.

MHP and the work of Jack and Eve are so integral to the importance of this theatre group and the success of local theatre across the town and villages.