Month: January 2015

One Of Those comes to Tristan Bates Theatre in March

News, Off West End
One Of Those is a new play by Tom Ward-Thomas at the Tristan Bates Theatre in March

One Of Those is a new play by Tom Ward-Thomas which is playing at the Tristan Bates Theatre from 2 – 7 March 2015. On a long train journey to Cornwall, James and Laura meet for the first time. In the next carriage, Philip and Davina look forward to a weekend away together, only to be confronted by Philip’s wife. A fast-paced comedy that challenges the classical stereotypes of age and background and explores the exciting beginnings of one relationship against the desperate cartwheels of another. The cast includes Tom Ward-Thomas, Amy Newton, Sam Halpenny, Emma Kelly and Carole Street. One Of Those is directed by Amy Ewbank with set and lighting design by Alexander Silvester. The play is produced by Trapdoor Productions. Box Office 020 7240 6283

REVIEW: Spamalot, Richmond Theatre (on Tour) ✭✭✭✭

Touring Reviews
Joe Pasquale as King Arthur in the UK Tour of Spamalot

The balance in Luscombe’s revival is precisely right. The “make-do” feel of the sets is in sync with the coconut clacking of the unrelentingly cheery Patsy and helps set the tone of silliness and frivolity with which one must approach Spamalot to reap its many rewards. Versatility is at a premium in this cast. Wide-eyed, dry, droll and gently teasing, Pasquale makes a lovable and very funny Arthur.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Extends Booking Period

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, News, West End
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical London

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory continues its record-breaking run at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane with the announcement that is will be extending bookings until 4th June 2016.  This new booking period will go on sale on 9th February 2015. Producers also revealed that Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke the record for the highest weekly gross sales for a third time, taking more than £1.1 million in the week commencing 29 December 2014. That week saw the 2,200 seat theatre – one of the largest in the West End – 100% full, for every single performance. The production celebrated its 700th performance in the West End on Saturday 24th January 2015. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc … Read more

The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2014 Winners

News
A View From The Bridge Mark Strong

The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2014 were hosted on Tuesday at the Prince Of Wales Theatre, London. The Young Vic’s production of A View From The Bridge won two major awards including Best Director and Best Actor. As ever, the ceremony was an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners and the media, convivially coming together to celebrate the critics’ personal choice of the best theatre from throughout the UK during the last calendar year. Comedian Arthur Smith introduced proceedings with his own inimitable style, as has become a well-loved tradition. WINNERS Best New Play : King Charles III by Mike Bartlett Almeida Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre, London The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical [new or revival] : Gypsy Festival Theatre, Chichester, followed by 2015 transfer to Savoy Theatre, London Best Actor : Mark Strong in A View from the Bridge Young … Read more

REVIEW: The Ruling Class, Trafalgar Studios ✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
James McAvoy and Kathryn Drysdale in The Ruling Class at Traflagar Studios

James McAvoy is a true, blistering, white-hot star who lights up every moment he is on stage, whose smile and darting, impressive eyes can say whatever he wants them to say; utterly mercurial, hilarious and wild one moment, malevolent and disturbed in the next, then sad or insane or calculating or sexy – or all of those at once.

REVIEW: The Changeling, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ✭✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
Hattie Morahan in The Changeling at the Sam Wannamaker Playhouse

Dromgoole’s production is detailed and clear, effortlessly moving from the sombre and macabre world of Beatrice-Joanna to the lighter, albeit equally odd, world of Isabella. Hattie Morahan is sheer delight as Beatrice-Joanna. Sarah MacRae is a luminous actress and her work here as Isabella adds further to the lustrous work she delivers.

Michael Urie Brings Buyer & Cellar To The Menier

News, Off West End
Michael Urie in Buyer and Cellar

Jonathan Tollins’ Buyer & Cellar, the one man comedy which was a major Off-Broadway hit in 2013 will have its UK premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 19th March running until 2 May 2015. Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous new comedy about the oddest of odd jobs – an unemployed Los Angeles actor going to work in Barbra Streisand’s Malibu basement. The production reunites the team behind the sell-out award-winning New York run – Stephen Brackett directs Michael Urie as Alex More. Urie is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Marc St James in Ugly Betty, and is also currently appearing in hit comedy Modern Family. For originating the role at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Urie received the Drama Desk Award, Clarence Derwent Award, and nominations for the Drama League and Outer Critics’ Circle awards. Read Stephen Collins’ review of Buyer & Cellar when it ran Off-Broadway. Purchase … Read more

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

Events, Reviews
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.