October 2014 | British Theatre

Side Show Revival Starts Broadway Previews

Douglas Mayo25th February 201630th October 2014 Broadway

Following seasons at The Kennedy Centre and The La Jolla Playhouse, the re-imagined production of the 1997 Tony-nominated musical Side Show has begun previewing on Broadway at the St James Theatre. Side Show has a score by Dreamgirls composer Henry Kreiger, with book and lyrics by Tony nominee Bill Russell and additional book material by Director Bill Condon. Bill Condon who was director of the film Dreamgirls, makes his Broadway directorial debut with Side Show which officially opens on November 17. Side Show is inspired by the true story of the Hilton twins, Daisy and Violet, conjoined twins who in their time, were the highest paid performers on the vaudeville circuit. Erin Davie and Emily Padgett, who starred in both the Kennedy Centre and La Jolla productions reprise their roles as the Hilton Sisters. The original Broadway production staged in 1997 was the only time in Tony history where two … Read more

Richard Armitage In The Crucible Hits Cinemas

Editorial Staff9th December 201430th October 2014 Events, News, West End

Digital Theatre have announced that special cinema screenings of the recent Old Vic production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible starring Richard Armitage will take place on December 4 and 7. The screenings will take place in the UK and Ireland with international screenings to follow. For more information visit www.thecrucibleonscreen.com

REVIEW: You Can’t Take It With You, Longacre Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins30th October 201430th October 2014 Broadway, Reviews

There are forced laughs, natural laughs, gentle laughs, belly laughs and many, many smiles over the course of the production. By the final Act, however, you realise that Ellis had a clear purpose from the very start; a magic trick he pulls off with finesse.

The Cat In The Hat Returns This Christmas

Editorial Staff29th October 2014 News

Following a sell-out run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the National Theatre’s acclaimed stage adaptation of Dr Seuss’s The Cat In The Hat will return to London in a brand new production this festive season from Monday 8 December 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2015 at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington. From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will mum find when she gets home? Based on the much-loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for young children aged 3+. Dr Suess’ The Cat In The Hat, based on the book by Dr. Seuss, … Read more

REVIEW: The Wild Duck, Barbican Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins16th April 201629th October 2014 Off West End, West End

The Wild Duck: Richard Piper as Ekdal senior in Sydney's Belvoir Company's production Photo: Alastair Muir

It is, in every way, a complete theatrical triumph; a marvellous reimagining of Ibsen, set firmly in an Australian idiom, resonating with thrilling power, and chilling, insightful imagination. If you have but a passing interest in theatre, do yourself a favour and see it immediately. It will be a long time before you see something quite like this again, if ever.

REVIEW: Neville’s Island, Duke Of York’s Theatre ✭

Stephen Collins29th October 2014 Reviews, West End

The prospect of discovering what the blood was about, where Angus’ wife was, what Roy’s secret was and how the four get along was not sufficiently compelling to require attendance for the second Act. The titular Island may be an unknown quantity but it is not a place where laughter abides.

REVIEW: James III – The True Miror, National Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins28th October 201428th October 2014 Reviews, West End

Sansom imbues this play with a reckless, frenetic energy, a listlessness that reflects the monarch’s temperament and a sexy, splendid pulse that tantalises and intrigues. The story telling is very clear, very theatrical, but the sense of real history is strong.

REVIEW: James II – Day Of the Innocents, National Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins28th October 201428th October 2014 Reviews, West End

The National Theatre presents the James Plays

The script and treatment of the material in the writing of this play is so different than the first, that one could be forgiven for thinking that a different writer was responsible. Munro flexes her considerable literary prowess to tell the tale of James II in a fresh and invigorating way. And Laurie Sansom’s fabulous production runs with that.