Fagin's Last Hour

PRESS QUOTES

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"James Hyland has a powerful ability to portray numerous characters... When one actor can emulate an entire cast, that is a powerful thing!... His acting was raw, honest, and profound. This was a brilliantly executed re-imagining of Charles Dickens's tale"

Rating: ★★★★★

~Kashmini Shah, VOICE MAGAZINE

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"with his sheer physical presence Hyland’s Fagin is more than just the devious and pathetic wretch we are so familiar with, he’s also dangerously threatening... Intense, provocative and often downright scary"

Rating: ★★★★★

~Simon Ball, SIMON'S HORRIBLE HOTHOUSE OF HORROR

 

"compelling throughout. Hyland’s presentation exploits his vocal range and his extreme athleticism... He has an uncanny ability to convince every member of an audience seated on two adjacent sides of a square auditorium that he is addressing them personally... do try to see his performance. You won’t forget it"

Rating: ★★★★★

~Tom Aitken, PLAYS TO SEE

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"James Hyland skillfully portrays a multitude of characters... It was funny, thought provoking and upsetting... a spectacular performance... He is one of the most impressive physical performers I have seen... don’t miss it!!"

Rating: ★★★★★

~Becky Jeetoo, BECKY'S OPINION

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"From the time you sit down ready to watch this splendid play, you are entertained from beginning to end. James Hyland’s excellent change of character to another demonstrates how truly explosive this play is. A real gem, a masterpiece. A classic story bought to life for all to enjoy. You are without doubt in the presence of greatness."

Rating: ★★★★★

~Johnnie Millington, BRITISH THEATRE JOURNAL

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"It is a fabulous one man show. James Hyland as Fagin brings to life the Dickensian villain spectacularly... Using dramatic gestures, depth and tone of voice he transforms before our very eyes into multiple characters... Hyland masterfully switches between each character with such ease that the audience hardly notices it... This is a riveting performance that will linger for much longer than an hour!"

~Rika Chandra, EVERYTHING THEATRE

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"an incredibly powerful actor... this is a visceral, absorbing and at times disturbingly violent retelling of this well-known tale performed by an actor at the top of his game... gripping, absorbing and shocking in equal measure. This production is not for the faint hearted... a masterclass in character acting... a must-see."

~Suzanne Hawkes, BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

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"James Hyland’s breathtaking adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel took the story to new and darker places. Hyland himself puts in another powerful, thought provoking and faultless performance as he brings every character to life with effortless ease and emotion... Fagin's Last Hour captures the true spirit and message of Dickens"

~Ian Dipple, REDDITCH STANDARD

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"A powerful one-man show... Not only does James Hyland take on the character of Fagin, he also adapted and produced the play... You could see the passion coming across in his acting and he has a very powerful presence on the stage... I felt like if I was to read the book I would be able to align his performance with it."

~Tanya Howard, THE LIVE REVIEW

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"It has to be said that James Hyland is a brilliant storyteller... Each characterisation was simply perfect and it's not hard to see why his Fagin is critically acclaimed... Fagin's Last Hour is another interesting and thought provoking production from Brother Wolf which will leave you questioning the world around you."

~Chloe Fry, CENTRE STAGE

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"powerful and highly accomplished... the immensely talented James Hyland unfolds Fagin’s unappealing story and memories... The death of Nancy, and the reaction of Sikes and Fagin to it, is as chilling as anything I’ve seen onstage... The ending, after Hyland has left the stage, will stay with me for a long time."

~Susan Elkin, THE STAGE

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"Astonishing performance... James Hyland, an astonishing actor, takes the peripheral character of Fagin and re-imagines his last hour as he awaits the gallows... Hyland's use of voice and stance to indicate which of the many characters he is representing is amazing and the energy and concentration he brings is truly astonishing... this was unforgettable theatre at its best."

~Jane Howard, THE LEAMINGTON SPA COURIER