REVIEW: Follies In Concert, Royal Albert Hall ✭✭✭

Follies In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

In the case of Betty Buckley as Carlotta, the casting was inspired. Her powerful and joyful rendition of I’m Still Here stopped the show. But it was Anita Dobson’s self-deprecating turn as Stella which finally galvanised the entire company into glorious cohesion: her attack in Who’s That Woman was splendid (a gutsy belt matched her tap-dancing prowess) and she and all of the other women acquitted themselves well in bringing Andrew Wright’s clever choreography to life. The younger versions of Sally, Phyllis, Ben and Buddy were spot-on, engaging and sublime. Christine Baranski’s Phyllis was brittle, regal and immaculately stylish.

REVIEW: Gypsy, Savoy Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Imelda Staunton in Gypsy at London's Savoy Theatre

Everyone in this company is superb in their part, everyone can really sing, really dance and really deliver the goods in terms of dramatic and comic acting. This is that rare beast: an exquisitely cast musical where the requirements of the parts have more importance in the casting process than potential box office draw or Twitter popularity. It is difficult to believe that there has ever been a better Rose than Staunton creates here.

Follies At The Royal Albert Hall – Great Seats Still Available

Follies at the Royal Albert Hall - one night only

A production of Follies is being staged by the National Theatre in February/ March 2019. Book Now! One of the iconic scores of Stephen Sondheim will be performed at The Royal Albert Hall for one day only on April 28, 2015. Great seats are available through BritishTheatre.com for the matinee and evening performance of this unique special event. Follies sees past performers of the Weismann Follies gathering in a crumbling Broadway theatre which is scheduled for demolition. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondehim and a book by James Goldman, Follies focuses on two couples, Buddy and Sally and Ben and Phyllis who are attending the re-union. It’s an evening of ghostly reminiscences, of revelations and of celebration as the former showgirls re-live their glory days. Follies won seven Tony Awards for its original Broadway production and is considered one of Sondheims great scores containing songs including Broadway Baby, Losing … Read more

Sweeney Todd At ENO – First Look Photographs

Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel in Sweeney Todd

Yet another Sweeney Todd sets up shop in London this week on a vastly different scale to the intimate affair at Harrington’s Pie And Mash Shop on Shaftesbury Avenue. Starring Emma Thompson, Bryn Terfel, Matthew Seadon-Young, Katie Hall, Philip Quast, Jack North, Alex Gaumond, Rosalie Craig and John Owen-Jones, this production runs until April 12 at the London Colliseum. Tickets are still available for Sondheim’s masterpiece at the ENO. Photos by Tristram Kenton

REVIEW: Sweeney Todd, Harringtons ✭✭✭✭✭

Siobhan McCarthy and Jeremy Secomb in Tooting Arts Club's Sweeney Todd.

Eschewing grandeur and wisely opting to follow that sensible motto, Less Is More, this transfer of the Tooting Arts Club production of late 2014 is a complete triumph in every way. It takes you by the throat and clasps you firmly in its thrall for its entire duration. It is shockingly powerful, brutally honest, raw and rich at the same time. A cast of eight, a band of three, clever but simple lighting, the potent power of blood and candles, economy in every department, a dedication to the text and the score: these are the ingredients of this absolute success.

Meryl’s Cut Song From Into The Woods Released

Meryl Streep as the Witch in Into The Woods

We are delighted to bring you this snippet of the new song written by Stephen Sondheim for Meryl Streep for the cinema adaptation of Into The Woods. The much talked about song was cut by the creative team who felt that the song did not work within the context of the show, but it now looks like the song will be included in the upcoming DVD release. Enjoy the snippet and pre-order your copy of the Into The Woods DVD now.

REVIEW: A Little Night Music Concert, Palace Theatre ✭✭✭✭

A Little Night Music 40th Anniversary Concert at the Palace Theatre, London

Wheeler’s dialogue sparkled and fizzed, even in the mouths of those who were oddly or badly miscast. The sense of the quality of the literary glories of the book was most clear in the case of Joanna Riding’s faultless Countess. Every line was a winner. In the hands of Anna O’Byrne, Anne Ergerman was a complete triumph, the glittering centrepiece of Act One.

Lara Pulver and Peter Davison Join Imelda Staunton In Gypsy

Imelda Staunton to appear in Gypsy at The Savoy Theatre

It has been announced that Peter Davison (Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Doctor Who) will join the cast of Gypsy playing Herbie alongside Imedla Staunton as Moma Rose. Lara Pulver (Parade, Honk!, The Last Five Years) will reprise the role of Louise with further casting to be announced. Gypsy is considered by many to be the greatest of the Broadway musicals. It tells the true story of ambitious showbiz mother Momma Rose, who treks across America with her daughters Baby June and Louise in search of success with their homespun vaudeville act. As times change, Momma Rose is forced to accept the demise of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, as well as her daughters’ quest for autonomy. A musical fable with book by Arthur Laurents, Gypsy has music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, choreography by Stephen Mear, designs by Anthony Ward, … Read more