Casts of Mary Poppins, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables take to the stage of Britain’s Got Talent for ‘One Show More’
Continue reading “One Show More – good news for theatre but…”
One Show More – good news for theatre but…
Lockdown treat: ‘Thank You Baked Potato’ from the West End
Matt Lucas’ ‘Thank You Baked Potato’ reaches its apotheosis with this West End frenzy
Lockdown treat: Mary Poppins at the Royal Variety Performance 2019
Here’s a heart-gladdeningly lovely turn from the Mary Poppins company to perk up your weekend
Re-review: Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre
So good I went twice in as many weeks! I rave about Mary Poppins as it delights the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre
“I suffer no nonsense and whilst I remain
There’s nothing else I feel I need to explain”
So good I went twice in as many weeks! When the opportunity presented itself to go back to Mary Poppins, I couldn’t help myself. So why not take a read of my five star review for Official Theatre here. And if you’re that way inclined, you can read my other review here.
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes (with interval)
Photos: Johan Persson
Mary Poppins is booking at the Prince Edward Theatre until 3rd May
Review: Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre
Someone clearly has too much time on their hands…enjoy the wordplay in this review of this spectcular revival of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre
“Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I”
Strallens to the fore,
umbrellas at the ready,
penguins…well we won’t mention them. Making its return to the Prince
Edward Theatre where it debuted in 2004, this
revival of
classic musical Mary Poppins
arrives at just the right time to
lift our spirits as the nights start to draw
in and politicians spout
falsehood after falsehood to further darken our nights. And there’s a
rollicking good time to be had here
as the show recalls the
good old days of easy-going entertainment.
In the
leading role, Zizi Strallen
is a constant delight as the
stern nanny with just the right amount of
twinkle in her eye as she alights upon the Banks’ household. Vocally, she
is impressive too, whether rebuffing
Charlie Stemp’s charmingly flirtatious Bert whose
enormous perma-grin may or may not be the result of
xanax
pills.
In the roles of the domestic staff, Claire Machin
and Jack North get many a
laugh and
if George Banks isn’t the
dad of your dreams, Joseph Millson pretty much is.
Obviously
children play a big part
in this world and the pair
of tykes I saw this evening were
unusually
sweet and sour as their characters are much naughtier than the film. Continue reading “Review: Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre”
Review: 42nd Street, Théâtre du Châtelet
“Musical comedy — the most glorious words in the English language!”
It may be in the English language but this production of 42nd Street is in a French theatre, the glorious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris which, under Jean-Luc Choplin’s artistic directorship, has arguably entirely reshaped the Parisian relationship with musical theatre. He’s brought Sondheim there for the first time in a big way (Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods) and has staged a number of classic Broadway musicals like An American in Paris (soon to open in London after its New York transfer) and last year’s Singin’ in the Rain.
42nd Street actually marks Choplin’s final show here, as the theatre will soon shutter for a couple of years to undergo major renovations, and Stephen Mear’s production certainly has the visual flair of a fitting finale. With a company of over 40, the tap-dancing routines are a absolute vision, a joyously heart-swelling parade of well-drilled precision, the likes of which we see so rarely these days even in the biggest shows. Combined with dazzling visual effects and gorgeous costumes courtesy of Peter McKintosh, the lavish aesthetic is an absolute treat. Continue reading “Review: 42nd Street, Théâtre du Châtelet”
Finalists of 2014 Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year
Hugo Catton (Guildford School of Acting)
Luke Reilly (East 15 Acting School)
Hayley Hampson (LIPA)
Stephanie Lyse (Royal Academy of Music)
Nicola Martinus-Smith (CPA Studios)
Callum McIntyre (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
Sam O’Hanlon (Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
Corrine Priest (London School of Musical Theatre)
Katie Shearman (ArtsEd)
Tyler Smith (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).
Jay Worley (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama)
Monique Young (ArtsEd)
Host: David Bedella
Judges: Edward Seckerson (Chair), Jonathan Butterell, Maria Friedman, Nigel Lilley & David Lan
Review: The Boy Friend, Shaw Theatre
“We want to have, we plot to have, for it’s so dreary not to have that certain thing called ‘The Boyfriend'”
If you are quick, you might be able to catch the second show of this production of The Boy Friend at the Shaw Theatre in St Pancras by the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Written by Sandy Wilson in the 1950s, this enduring classic, a light-hearted pastiche of 1920s shows, is constantly being revived by professionals and amateurs alike, last appearing significantly in London at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park in 2007.
Set in a finishing school on the French riviera, it’s a classic girl-meets-boy story, with secretary Polly falling for errand boy Tony, despite being incognito in their lowly positions and are both actually filthy rich. Their story is placed in the midst of lots of charleston-dancing young ladies and their intendeds, a bunch of madly flirtatious adults, and it’s all jolly japes, flapper dresses and a set of very tuneful songs. Continue reading “Review: The Boy Friend, Shaw Theatre”