Review by Euan Rose of The Bromsgrove Standard.

MIKE Venables is a unique one-man fringe theatre actor who has been writing, producing and performing his own work for several years now. His latest show ‘The Last Escape’ premiered to a packed house at the MAC theatre in Birmingham last night.

Venables has created a new character, one Rafe Blackthorne, a would be matinee idol who has spent his whole life treading the boards but narrowly avoiding fame.

Over 90 glorious minutes, Blackthorne takes us on a journey of his life – playing a number of roles including his father, his best friend, his agent, his rival and his long-term girlfriend. This is a storytelling format Venables has done before but the big difference here is that his writing seems to have come of age – in that s he joins up all the dots to create a complete journey rather than a more random series of characters and events.

It’s also a whodunit – or rather ‘who’s about to do it;’ opening with a resigned-to-his-fate Rafe Blackthorne with his wrists tied together in a burning theatre. One of the characters we meet over his life story has planned his murder but we’ll have to wait till the end to find out who. Thankfully It’s well worth the wait though.

It’s simply but cleverly staged with just an arm chair and a table’ it’s well lit with a nice touch of Blackthorne calling to the lighting gallery for the scene changes.

Rafe Blackthorne may well become to Mike Venables what Mr Bean has become to Rowan Atkinson – not as a buffoon of course but more an alter ego of himself – a suave, sophisticated old school actor whose company is. a joy.

And here's what Tina K , theatre fanatic had to say:
 I am someone who is always on the lookout for a new show or event to attend which promises something different or exciting.

I was therefore delighted to spot that an intriguing one - man show entitled The Last Escape was premiering on May 7th and promised to fulfil the brief.

It introduced the flawed but charismatic Rafe Blackthorne, a character brought vividly to life by Mike Venables. I already knew Mike to be a seasoned performer and storyteller but clearly, he was developing his talents as a writer too. The entire show was his creation and Mike was taking on the challenge of playing every role. No mean feat.

Staged at the MAC arts theatre simply but effectively, the show was a delight from start to finish. 

Rafe Blackthorne has been a wannabe star of the stage all his life but his longed - for meteoric rise has been hindered by a host of bit players in his story, each one playing a key role in thwarting his ambitions and getting in his way. Family members immersed in the criminal underworld, a rival best friend and a vengeful ex -wife, to name just a few.

Over one and a half hours Mike embodies each of these roles with aplomb, moving seamlessly from one character to another and showcasing a range of regional accents in the process. In such a small venue every facial expression, body movement and inflection of the voice can be scrutinised by the audience. Mike maintained character throughout and each creation was brought to life credibly and convincingly, with Rafe, the central character, shining.

An element of suspense added to the audience's entertainment when it became clear that a key player was plotting not only Rafe's downfall but his murder. Who doesn't love a whodunnit?

We were fully immersed in Rafe's story and predicament, helped by the intimate venue and Mike's sympathetic portrayal of his leading man.

The audience clearly enjoyed the show immensely, as did I. It contained a winning combination of suspense, humour and pathos.

Rafe Blackthorne is one to watch and I am sure he will be back