News, Reviews & Interviews July 2018

Here’s an overview of the theatre scene in London’s West End, Off West End, and regional theatre in July 2018:

West End Theatre:

In July 2018, the West End continued to host a range of popular shows, from long-running classics to new productions:

1. Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s acclaimed musical about Alexander Hamilton remained a top draw, continuing its successful run.
2. The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless musical continued to enchant audiences with its dramatic story and beautiful music.
3. Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre: The enduring tale of justice, love, and revolution in France kept audiences captivated.
4. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre: The two-part play set in the magical world of Harry Potter continued to attract fans with its impressive stagecraft and storytelling.
5. The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre: Disney’s visually stunning and musically rich adaptation of the animated film continued to delight audiences of all ages.

Other notable productions included:

1. Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre: This musical biography of the legendary singer Tina Turner remained a crowd-pleaser with powerful performances and iconic songs.
2. Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre: Disney’s vibrant and magical musical adaptation of the beloved animated film was a family favorite.
3. The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre: The satirical and hilarious musical from the creators of South Park continued to entertain with its irreverent humor.
4. Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre: The prequel to The Wizard of Oz, telling the story of the witches of Oz, continued its successful run with spectacular production and memorable music.
5. Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre: The classic musical about crime and celebrity in the 1920s, featuring iconic songs and dazzling choreography, continued to draw audiences.

Off West End Theatre:

Off West End theatres offered a diverse array of innovative and intimate productions in July 2018:

1. The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre: This immersive play about the Calais refugee camp continued to receive widespread acclaim for its powerful storytelling and unique staging.
2. Nine Night at the National Theatre: Natasha Gordon’s debut play, exploring the Jamaican tradition of nine-night mourning, resonated with audiences for its humor and emotional depth.
3. Quiz at the Noël Coward Theatre: James Graham’s play about the “coughing major” scandal on the UK’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? continued its successful run.
4. An Octoroon at the National Theatre (Dorfman): Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ bold adaptation of Dion Boucicault’s 19th-century melodrama was praised for its provocative exploration of race and identity.
5. The Writer at the Almeida Theatre: Ella Hickson’s play, which delves into the challenges faced by a young female playwright in a male-dominated industry, continued to generate conversation and critical acclaim.

Regional Theatre:

Regional theatres across the UK offered a variety of productions in July 2018, ranging from classic plays to contemporary works:

1. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon: The RSC’s summer season featured productions of Macbeth, Twelfth Night, and Coriolanus.
2. The Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre: This theatre presented Happy Days, Samuel Beckett’s challenging play about resilience and endurance, starring Maxine Peake.
3. Birmingham Repertory Theatre: The REP staged Brief Encounter, a theatrical adaptation of the classic British film, blending Noel Coward’s dialogue with live music and multimedia elements.
4. The Bristol Old Vic: The theatre featured Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Eugene O’Neill’s powerful and autobiographical family drama.
5. The Sheffield Crucible: The Crucible hosted One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s classic novel about life in a mental institution, directed by Javaad Alipoor.

These productions highlight the vibrant and diverse theatre scene in the UK in July 2018, showcasing a mix of blockbuster musicals, classic plays, innovative new works, and regional highlights.

July 2018