After what seems like an eternity of waiting, the much anticipated Matilda the Musical is in its new West End home at the Cambridge Theatre and last night, invited its first audiences over for its opening preview. Written by Dennis Kelly and with music/lyrics by Tim Minchin, Matilda was a mammoth success for the RSC in Stratford earlier this year, where it originally played before its West End transfer. Based on the popular children’s book by Roald Dahl, which has already spawned a film … [Read more...]
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Crazy For You Review Novello Theatre
After a successful run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Crazy For You has made its West End transfer to the Novello Theatre, and quite frankly, who could ask for anything more? God bless such a musical that ensures every single patron sways their way out of the Novello, exiting as a youngster once again no matter what their age; simple, traditional magic at its best! Sure, it is evidently a musical plucked straight out of its time, the pre-Sondheim separation between song and dance is more … [Read more...]
Why we should encourage children to go the theatre
In one of my blogs a few weeks back, I mentioned an incident that occurred during a trip to see Love Never Dies, in which a fellow theatre-goer criticized the fact that my young daughter was in attendance by remarking that ‘children shouldn’t be allowed at the theatre’. This man is hardly alone in his thinking; I have heard stories of other such incidents in other theatres. I find such small-mindedness truly unbelievable – where do these people think the next generation of theatre-goers are … [Read more...]
Free London Theatre App for iPhone and Android Mobile Phones
First London Theatre App Launched for iPhone and Android Mobile Phones This week launched the first London Theatre mobile phone App that can be used on iPhone and Android networks, from which theatregoers can book theatre tickets through a secure booking system and also read London theatre news, show reviews and cast interviews. This new mobile phone App, which is free to download from the iPhone store and the Android Market from anywhere in the world, is unique in that it is the only … [Read more...]
Stunt Casting in the West End: Good or Bad for Business?
The tweets were flying yesterday morning as the new December cast for Wicked were announced. Taking over from Louise Dearman as Glinda is Gina Beck, currently in The Belle’s Stratagem at the Southwark Playhouse; the talented soprano has previously been in Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. Joining her in Wicked will be Lillie Flynn as Nessarose, Christopher Howell as Doctor Dillamond and Adam Pettigrew as Boq, with Desmond Barrit returning to the role of the Wizard. Last night, it also … [Read more...]
Who Is Theatre For?
I work the occasional shift in my local pub and from behind the bar, you hear all kinds of things. In conversation with a customer last night, I mentioned that I write for theatre, to which he replied, “Are you a posh girl then?” That theatre is just for the ‘upper-class’ of society, as it were, is clearly one misconception that is still being touted around; the image of well-to-do people dressed in all their finery whilst sitting in the theatre – perhaps with a stuffy critic or two – for … [Read more...]
Dave Stewart: Ghost The Musical
The film Ghost (1990), written by Bruce Joel Rubin won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and laid a solid foundation for Ghost The Musical. Dave Stewart, together with Glen Ballard and Bruce Joel Rubin have worked together in writing the music and lyrics for this fabulous new musical. Dave Stewart is acknowledged as being one of the most respected and accomplished talents in the world of music today. Aside from his creative work as a musician, he is also a celebrated producer, writer, … [Read more...]