Fame is a musical that will live on forever, and this production certainly doesn't disappoint. It is full of charm, humour, and wit. While it sticks to the original that we all know and love, this energetic and fresh-faced cast brings a new life to the classic musical. The original 1980s film, which was later remade in 2009, follows young men and women who audition … [Read more...]
London Musical Reviews for West End and Off West End
If you are planning to visit London to see a musical on stage at one of the West End theatres, or a musical in one of the many Off West End or Fringe venues, then maybe our London musical reviews section can be of help? Read one of the latest reviews or use the search button to find and view one of our previous reviews. We use a star rating system on our site.
Six: ‘something about the feistiness, the sassiness, the riotousness of it all’
There’s a good mix of musical styles amongst the ten musical numbers, though most of the melodies are firmly in the style of what I call ‘minicab music’ – the sort of chart music tunes I would only listen to if I were being driven home and the driver just so happened to have the radio on. But there’s something about the feistiness, the sassiness, the riotousness of it all. I liked the music so much I bought the cast recording on the way out. It only leaves me to wish Six a long and glorious reign.
Read the full review...
British Theatre Academy presents Godspell In Concert
Stephen Schwartz's 1971 musical Godspell is probably not his most famous work, it is, however, the first one I became aware of when, aged 13. I was granted a solo in my church choir's performance of Prepare Ye which, it turns out, was nothing like Schwartz had originally intended (and not just because I was slightly out of tune). When I arrived at Cadogan Hall this … [Read more...]
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan | Review
Direct from Broadway, On Your Feet! is the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Inspired by the true love story of Emilio and Gloria, On Your Feet! charts their journey from its origins in Cuba, to the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom. Bursting with some of the most iconic pop songs such as ‘Rhythm Is Gonna Get You’, ‘Conga’, ‘Get On Your … [Read more...]
Review of Fiddler on the Roof at the Playhouse Theatre
It is hardly the salient point in a musical where Russian Jews are singing their stories in English in the first place, but I do wish this cast of Fiddler on the Roof had followed Andy Nyman’s Tevye in being consistent in using one accent for their character throughout the evening. I hasten to add that most of them do. The occasional slips into RSC or RADA-style … [Read more...]
Trinity Laban Musical Theatre Presents Sweet Charity | Blackheath Halls
It’s probably unfair to compare a student summer showcase production with one done recently at the famed Donmar Warehouse, but I simply can’t desist from saying that the Trinity Laban production achieves pretty much the same effect, without nearly the same amount of scenery and props. The Blackheath Halls stage is a substantial one, and while the production does well … [Read more...]
Review of Bye Bye Birdie by Trinity Laban Musical Theatre
Presented as a one-act show (despite being written as two acts), it’s not been seen in the West End since 1961 and is set in 1958. It’s another one of those stage shows set in an era where the cool kids, like the title character of Conrad Birdie (apparently a play on words on the singer Conway Twitty (1933-1993)), a popular rock singer with hordes of screaming … [Read more...]
Review of Fat Rascal Theatre’s Vulvarine at the King’s Head Theatre
I’m not really much of a comic book fan. Having said that, I do know many of the characters that inhabit the Marvel and DC worlds. In fact, I could probably put together an alphabet of superheroes from Captain America, through to Professor X. But, how many on that list would be female? Probably not a lot. There is definitely a higher ratio of male to female … [Read more...]
Associated Studios Performing Arts – SISTER ACT at The Vaults
Associated Studios Performing Arts have gone for the Broadway version of Sister Act The Musical, which has enough differences in the narrative from the 2009 London Palladium production to make it an almost altogether fresh experience, particularly for those (like yours truly) that have never seen the Broadway version before. It’s a tighter show than the West End … [Read more...]
Legally Blonde The Musical at Trinity Laban | Review
This is the solitary note I made in a notebook whilst I watched this student production of Legally Blonde The Musical: “Harvard Law has bells?” This was in response to a bell ringing to mark the end of a timetabled lecture given by Professor Callahan (Barney Fritz), and for some reason, I found it momentarily hilarious that such an esteemed higher education … [Read more...]