Does being a successful member of ‘The Establishment’ come with a price? That’s the basic question at the heart of award winning play “Accolade” at the St James Theatre. Will Trenting (Alexander Hanson) is a successful writer. OK, that’s a major understatement. He is an extremely successful writer. He has a string of best selling novels, a Nobel Prize, and a house by Regent’s Park, inhabited by himself, his lovely wife Rona (Abigail Cruttenden) their son Ian (Sam Clemmett) and a small … [Read more...]
Michael Ball releases his new album If Everyone Was Listening
Michael Ball seems to be one of those performers that has a bit of a ‘Marmite quality’ about him. His devoted fans (such as my mother) will happily tell you how marvellous he is, while those that aren’t so keen, will dismiss him as a combination of musical theatre singer and Radio 2 crooner – not too bad a combination in some ears. He has just released his latest album “If Everyone Was Listening” and the advertising blurb promises 15 tracks personally selected by Michael, covering a wide range … [Read more...]
Review of Norris Church Mailer’s GO SEE at The King’s Head Theatre
The King's Head Theatre in Islington is a very well known venue amongst those that like a great night and it has completely excelled itself with its latest production, the world premiere of Norris Church Mailer’s “GO SEE”. The play takes us back to 1985 where we meet a woman by the name of Marie (Lauren Fox) who is working in a sex booth on 42nd street, a place well known for vice before Disney cleaned it up. Brash, foul-mouthed and full of all the insincerity you would expect of the ladies … [Read more...]
Review of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre has been running since March 2014. It is based on the 1988 film of the same name and can be summed up quite simply as a glorious example of commercial musical theatre at its best. For anyone that hasn’t seen the movie – and I would really recommend you get a copy – the story is about two con artists on the French Mediterranean coast. Lawrence Jameson (Robert Lindsay) is smooth, suave, sophisticated and firmly established, thanks in large part to … [Read more...]
Review of Temporary Theatre’s BUNCO
Ah, the 1960s! And as they say, if you remember it you weren’t there. But in this sparkling production of Yasmin Zadeh’s “Bunco” at “The Proud Archivist”, we get a taste of the era as we head back in time to meet Sebastian and Annabell, a couple who seem to have everything as they sit in their very cool Thames-side apartment enjoying intimate gatherings with good friends. However, as with the action of the swan, whilst all is calmness and beauty above the waterline, below there is a different … [Read more...]