It is fair to say that I have lost count of the exact number of times I've seen Jersey Boys, so it is fair to say that I've seen many cast changes, and variations of casts. It's the first time of visiting this year since the cast change in March, and I was looking forward to seeing the new cast, plus some of my old favourites. I went as I always do with my mum. … [Read more...]
The Follow Spot at Proud Cabaret with Zoe Curlett and Sophia Ragavelas
I arrived at Proud Cabaret City and was immediately transported back to the 1920s as I went down the stairs to this underground burlesque speakeasy based club. I fully expected to see flapper girls dancing the Charleston in the dance floor space. A warm welcome awaited me and upon being shown to our reserved table at the front of the stage the attentive staff … [Read more...]
Review of Harvey at Richmond Theatre
This was my first visit to the pretty Richmond Theatre in its idyllic picture postcard setting for a show I'd been looking forward to seeing. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Coyle Chase this comedy set in America has a huge heart. On arrival one can see the stage is beautifully dressed. The set is also very effective and clever with its rotational mechanism … [Read more...]
City Stories review by Caroline Hanks-Farmer
My love affair with this show started last year when I first reviewed it for LondonTheatre1.com. Unlike last time I knew exactly what the evening had in store for me, which made the excitement and anticipation even stronger this time. St James Theatre Studio is a perfectly formed bijou character-filled auditorium, with its bar, tables and upstairs lounge swivel … [Read more...]
5 star review of The Railway Children King’s Cross Theatre
Safe to say this is one of the most well-known and much loved children's books set in Edwardian England. The 1970 film is iconic, often shown over the Christmas period and enjoyed by all age groups gaining new fans every time it is aired. I'm one of those people who have watched it over the years and could not imagine how it would be transferred to stage … [Read more...]
What motivates you to see a show?
I recently asked my followers on Twitter what was important to them with regard to going to the theatre. There is no doubt that for anyone, but perhaps more so for families, that transport costs to see a show in London can be expensive and a factor in choosing to see a show. However other factors come into play too. For some it is the admiration for a particular … [Read more...]
5 star review of Once London December 2014
Once - the award winning musical based on the film that was written and directed by John Carney. With the news of its closure on 21st March 2015, prior to embarking on a European tour, the production team made the decision to bring in a big name for the final few months at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. I have previously seen Once and enjoyed it … [Read more...]
4 Star Review of Stink Foot at The Yard Theatre London
Having been assigned this review and receiving the synopsis my curiosity was further piqued with a seemingly bizarre plot "Staged in a pool of treacle". This bold and messy retelling of Sophocles’ Philoctetes is adapted and directed by Jeff James (One for the Road/Victoria Station, Young Vic) and designed by Alex Lowde (Body of an American, Gate Theatre). The Yard … [Read more...]
Review of City Stories at St James Theatre Studio
I was promised an evening about tales of love and magic in London and I was not disappointed. St James Theatre Studio is a perfectly formed bijou character filled auditorium, with its bar, tables and upstairs lounge swivel chairs, it created a charismatic setting for this production. So as I took my seat, the scene is set and the ambience created. What followed was … [Read more...]
5 Star Review of Sunny Afternoon at the Harold Pinter Theatre
I have to confess that I thought I knew very little about The Kinks before the show or should I say their songs - how wrong could I be? I knew every single song and, my goodness, how this excellent cast rose to the challenge of portraying both the atmosphere and personalities of this iconic British band. The show begins with the stage stacked sky high with … [Read more...]
Review of Alan Bennett’s Single Spies Rose Theatre Kingston
Single Spies: The award-winning double bill of An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution. An Englishman Abroad is based on the true story of a chance meeting of an actress, Coral Browne, (Helen Schlesinger) with Guy Burgess, (Alexander Hanson) a member of the Cambridge spy ring who worked for the Soviet Union whilst with MI6. A Question of Attribution … [Read more...]
Review of Richard Marsh’s WINGMAN Soho Theatre
Wingman tells the story of a father and son drawn together by the imminent death of Richard's mother. Father and son have been estranged for 20 years and they come together to witness the passing. However due to their endless bickering, comically manage to actually miss the moment of death and so the story continues to unfold with mum controlling the future from her … [Read more...]