Danny Robins’ play 2:22 A Ghost Story opened at the Noël Coward Theatre in August 2021 to great acclaim garnering three Olivier nominations. It then transferred with a new cast to The Gielgud and is now at The Criterion Theatre with its second cast change at its latest home 2:22 A Ghost Story is set in one of those old Victorian houses you often see on television programmes such as 'George Clarke’s Old House, New Home' where an upwardly mobile young couple have bought an old house and … [Read more...]
Kindertransport at South London Theatre
In 1938 as the Nazis started to escalate their persecution of German Jews, a delegation of British, Jewish and Quaker leaders appealed to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to admit a number of unaccompanied Jewish children from Germany to come to this country and be looked after by English families all over the UK. Within a short time, 10,000 children had arrived as part of what became known as the Kindertransport and were billeted with their new families. Most of them suffered trauma as they … [Read more...]
The Osmonds – A New Musical at New Wimbledon Theatre
If you weren’t around at the time, you may not be aware of how big The Osmonds were. They sold over a hundred million records worldwide and spawned hits for not only the brothers but also Donny as a solo artist, “Little” Jimmy (who wasn’t part of the group) and sister Marie. They were ubiquitous during the seventies with not only hit singles and albums but also TV series, world tours and residencies in Las Vegas. One of their biggest markets for them was the UK and they took over from The … [Read more...]
Yeast Nation: The Triumph of Life
In 2014 I took a chance and went to see the oddly titled Urinetown – The Musical a satirical show about toilets that satirised capitalism, corporate responsibility and politics whilst parodying musicals themselves. My visit to the St James Theatre was rewarding with superb songs, tremendous performances, wonderful staging and direction – a total joy from start to finish. Written by Mark Hollmann (music and lyrics) and Greg Kotis (book and lyrics), the show that originated off-Broadway went on to … [Read more...]
Closer Written by Patrick Marber at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Patrick Marber’s play Closer had its world premiere at The National in 1997 (winning an Olivier for Best Play) and it's now being revived twenty-five years later at the Lyric Hammersmith. Set in the late nineties, it tells the story of four people in their twenties and thirties and how their relationships intertwine in shattering ways. The four characters are Alice (Ella Hunt) a young girl who has been knocked over by a car and is then helped and taken to a hospital by Dan (Jack … [Read more...]
Jack Absolute Flies Again at the Olivier Theatre
As you enter the Olivier auditorium, what catches your eye is the enormous World War II fighter plane suspended from the ceiling with the title of the play Jack Absolute Flies Again emblazoned upon it. Below it on the vast stage is a large stately home, a Nissan hut some chairs and tables and a propellor. Music from the period is playing from the likes of George Formby and Bud Flanagan – we are firmly in 1940 at the time of the Battle of Britain. As the music stops and the lights go down, … [Read more...]
Tomorrow May Be My Last by Collette Cooper
As you enter the tiny space that is the Old Red Lion Theatre above the pub of the same name in Islington, you’re transported back to a rock star’s room in San Francisco in the late 1960s. The stage is set with a large, overstuffed couch covered with throws, large plants, a dressing room screen covered in clothes, posters and Indian art on the walls, sheepskin rugs and a drinks table full of bottles of Southern Comfort. There’s even a chandelier covered with a cheesecloth scarf to dim the light – … [Read more...]