Since it first opened on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has become something of a phenomenon amongst musical theatre aficionados. When “The Untold Stories of the Witches of Oz” opened here at the Victoria Apollo in 2006, audiences this side of the pond had to agree. Since then, it has become a world-wide hit, made huge stars of its first lead actresses and provided half the storylines in the first series of “Glee”. Writing a review therefore is a pretty daunting task. Having seen it myself 7 times so … [Read more...]
Face To Face 2014: Voices from the Edge at the Lost Theatre
Last night was the launch of Face To Face 2014, Voices from the Edge at the Lost Theatre. At the launch we were treated to extracts from 6 of the 45 solo performances that will be being performed over the 6 evenings of the actual festival, and I have to say, based on what I saw, theatregoers are going to be in for a real feast of entertainment. We started, as the festival itself does, with “Adult Child/Dead Child” which was performed by 6 very diverse actors telling a story of one child … [Read more...]
Review of Mamma Mia! at Novello Theatre London West End
40 years ago on the 6th April 1974, four clean-cut Swedish singers went to Brighton, performed a song about a Napoleonic battle and changed the world of pop music forever. Fast forward to April 1999 and the music of Abba (for it is they) made its way to London’s West End with the opening of Mamma Mia! at the Prince Edward Theatre. 15 years later, the show is well into its teenage years and thriving at the Novello. OK, I do have to confess here. I love Abba’s music and have seen the movie … [Read more...]
Review of Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles
If you’re not from Liverpool or a fan of the Fab Four, then the words “Epstein, who’s he then?” may cross your lips if someone invites you to the Leicester Square Theatre in the next few weeks. Fortunately, the play’s full title Epstein, The Man Who Made the Beatles will give you a clue as to the nature of the show. This two hander is introduced by “This Boy” (Will Finlason), a character whose name we never learn, and who starts the show with a monologue to the audience explaining what it … [Read more...]
Review of SEE ROCK CITY AND OTHER DESTINATIONS Union Theatre
If you've never been to America, or even if you have visited but would like to go back, then get yourself down to the Union Theatre in Southwark and take a tour of some of the landmarks of the USA that you will never forget. See Rock City & Other Destinations uses various unconnected but ultimately linked scenes, to take us, and the cast of 13, around America where they face their hopes, their dreams, their fears, even themselves. On a minimal set – a series of free-standing cubes – … [Read more...]