A happier, more enthusiastic Britney audience would be extremely hard to find as we stream into Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gorgeous The Other Palace Theatre in anticipation of our evening at Britney Spears: The Cabaret. A solitary grand piano is set on stage underneath a tumbling waterfall chandelier; we settle into the intimately-packed cabaret seats, the majority of … [Read more...]
Review of Paper Hearts at Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Fresh from an extremely successful run at both the Edinburgh Fringe and Waterloo East Theatre, Paper Hearts transfers into the beautiful venue Upstairs at the Gatehouse. The theatre itself is gorgeous, nestled on top of the quaintest pub in the middle of Highgate - the perfect venue to host this upcoming, home-grown British musical, which works so beautifully in … [Read more...]
Stepping Out at the Vaudeville Theatre – Review
As one of the most prolific and successful writers for British stage and screen, and despite his various other huge successes, Richard Harris’ ‘Stepping Out’ still stands today as a truly delicious slice of comedy writing. It is known that the inspiration for the play came from Harris’ late wife, the actress Hilary Crane, who suggested he come down to sit in on her … [Read more...]
NYT 60th Anniversary Season – Pigeon English – Review
The world-renowned National Youth Theatre commemorate their 60th Diamond anniversary with an impressive trio of performances from this year’s rep company. This year’s talented group of diverse youths selected to form 2016’s ‘rep’ take on the roles in all three of the cleverly constructed pieces - Romeo and Juliet, DNA and Pigeon English, with the gorgeous Ambassadors … [Read more...]
Review of 27: The Rise of a Falling Star at The Cockpit Theatre
Sam Cassidy’s provocatively genius creation 27: The Rise of a Falling Star explodes into the intimate fringe space at The Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone, with the kind of stomping energy and vibrant presence of a new production that has ‘here to stay’ written all over it. World-renowned director and choreographer Arlene Philips lends her stellar expertise as director to … [Read more...]
5-star The Perfect Murder at The Churchill Theatre Bromley – Review
Darkly comical and hilariously macabre, The Perfect Murder has us hooked from the moment we see our protagonist Victor complaining to a prostitute about the state of his desolate marriage. Life would surely be easier if he had his wife killed; and so the seeds of his twisted plan are sown. Victor is compellingly portrayed by the enigmatic Shane Ritchie, husband of … [Read more...]
La bohème at Clapham Opera Festival – Review
The Clapham Opera Festival is a celebration of stunning classical music and talented musicians and artists, delivered in a way that is both engaging and professional but also intimate and relatable due to two things; the intelligent staging, and the prowess of the carefully selected cast. Puccini's much-loved romantic opera La Boheme is staged at the Clapham Church … [Read more...]
The National Youth Theatre REP Season: The Merchant of Venice
The National Youth Theatre have 'done it’ again, with their stellar production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. An inspiring piece of theatre with a modern twist that challenges us to really engage with this material, this is truly a Shakespeare classic reimagined for the modern audience, all the while whilst remaining true to the language and jargon that is … [Read more...]
Wild Card Botis Seva’s InNoForm at Sadler’s Wells – Review
Botis Seva's 'InNoForm' is an enigmatic and energy charged display of the London choreographer's work, and a political statement about urban life, race and social status in modern Britain. Debuting as part of the Wildcard dance demonstration works held at Sadler's Wells, the tone of the show is already pre-set before you've even taken your seats, with 'pre-show … [Read more...]
McQueen a tortured genius – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Your knee-jerk reaction to taking your seat at the Theatre Royal Haymarket to view 'McQueen' is that you feel uneasy. Our protagonist, artfully depicted by actor Stephen Wight, is pacing up and down the darkened stage before Act One even begins, wringing his hands and rubbing his head. He is troubled and tortured before we've even got stuck in - the accompanying … [Read more...]