REVIEW: JEKYLL AND HYDE (Bridewell Theatre) ★★★
Jekyll and Hyde is one of the defining stories of the gothic genre, exploring the concept of duality set against the backdrop of Victorian London. Opening on Broadway in 1997, the musical is loosely based on the novel, with characters and love triangles being introduced for the musical adaptation. Centre Stage London has created an […]
REVIEW: HAIR THE MUSICAL (New Wimbledon Theatre) ★★★★★
Years before Dear Even Hansen, American Idiot, Rent and Six spoke to a generation, Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical was unleashed upon the world. This musical, with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot, is a creature of 1960s counter culture and sexual revolution. When Hair premiered […]
REVIEW: Oliver with a Twist (Leicester Square Theatre) ★★★★
Oliver with a Twist may well be the most horrendous literary adaptation of all time but it also somehow manages to be the most fun nights I’ve had at a theatre…. ever. Brought to the Leicester Square Theatre by “Shitfaced Showtime”, Oliver with a Twist is the latest instalment to bring a classic literary tale […]
REVIEW: WISE CHILDREN (Richmond Theatre) ★★★★
Emma Rice is taking to the stage for the first time, as ‘Nora’ in her own stunning production of Wise Children. The show is coming to the end of its nationwide tour, following a successful run at the Old Vic in London. Joined-at-the-hip twins Nora and Dora are preparing to celebrate their 75th birthday, after […]
REVIEW: THE MAGIC FLUTE (Milton Keynes Theatre) ★★★
Having only ever seen The Magic Flute – or die Zauberflöte – in German, I was excited to see it English, to see how it translates. Unfortunately, the Welsh National Opera (WNO) production wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. Tamino (Ben Johnson) is confronted by a monster; he passes out but is saved by […]
REVIEW: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (Original London Cast Recording)
I’ve not gotten around to seeing Tina – The Tina Turner Musical in London’s West End yet, mainly because it seems to be selling very well and reasonably priced tickets are hard to come by but after hearing the Original Cast Recording (out digitally today and on CD this spring), I’m going to sell my […]
REVIEW: GUYS AND DOLLS (Theatre Marigny, Paris) ★★★★★
The 1950, Tony Award winning Musical, GUYS AND DOLLS, is making is French premiere in Paris right now with a stunning West End cast including Ria Jones (Evita, Chess, Cats, Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulavard, Les Miserables), Clare Halse (42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singin’ In The Rain, Gypsy, Charlie And The […]
REVIEW: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Playhouse Theatre) ★★★★★
Musical theatre masterpiece Fiddler On The Roof first premiered on Broadway in 1964 and was the first musical theatre production in history to reach 3,000 performances. The original production was highly acclaimed and won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Score, Book, Direction and Choreography and is currently the seventeenth longest-running show in Broadway history. […]
REVIEW: Calendar Girls – The Musical (New Victoria Theatre) ★★★★★
Calendar Girls – The Musical, currently playing at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, is based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women from the close knit village of Knapely, who decided to create a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia (which subsequently went on to raise millions of pounds for charity, Spinoffs […]
REVIEW: EMILIA (Vaudeville Theatre) ★★★
Emilia was premiered at Shakespeare’s Globe in August last year. And with all the grandioseness you’d expect from a Globe production – immaculate multi-layered costumes, an atmospheric string-plucking score and acting which savours every word and rhythm – this show certainly delivers. However, the Globe’s unique ability to feel like you’re addressing the whole of […]