Month: February 2015

REVIEW ROUND UP: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

News, Reviews, West End
Gary Trainor, Ian McIntosh, Lorna Want, Katie Brayben in Beautiful. Photo: Brinkhoff Moegenberg

Beautiful – the Carole King Musical has now opened in London at the Aldwych Theatre. Here’s a summary of what the major critics had to say. Book tickets to Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Stephen Collins BritishTheatre.com ★★★★★ Everything about the production seems fresher, lovelier and livelier than on Broadway. It’s a feast for eyes and ears and, when it is done, the feeling of elation is irresistible. I can count on one hand the number of musicals which have tempted me to dance along with the final tune, after the bows, but this show is another. And at its heart is the phenomenal Katie Brayben. This is the kind of musical one can see every week and not regret spending the time or money in so doing. Fundamentally fabulous and perfectly executed. Michael Billington The Guardian ★★★ Fans of the singer-songwriter Carole King may be happy just to … Read more

Meryl’s Cut Song From Into The Woods Released

News, Video
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.

The 10 Best Long Running Shows In The West End

News, West End
Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London

What long running show should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so that cast changes can factor into the mix. Only Plays and Musicals which have been running for more than three years are included in this is list. So go see them! 1. Wicked Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard Of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Wicked has become a phenomenon not only … Read more

Jonathan Slinger Named As New Willy Wonka

News, West End
Jonathan Slinger takes over the role of Willy Wonka from May 4 in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory at London's Drury Lane Theatre

It was announced today that Jonathan Slinger will replace Alex Jennings in the role of Willy Wonka in the smash hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory from Monday 4 May 2015. Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 2016. In a stage career spanning two decades, Jonathan Slinger has cemented his position amongst the foremost Shakespearean actors of the age. His extensive appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company include the title roles in recent productions of Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard II and Richard III; Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Prospero in The Tempest and Dromio and Puck in The Comedy of Errors … Read more

REVIEW: Beautiful, Aldwych Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Katie Brayben plays carole King in Beautiful at London's Aldwych Theatre

The throbbing, majestic and luminous heart of this production comes from Katie Brayben’s faultless, radiant and absolutely triumphant turn as Carole King. Brayben recreates the feel, the sound, the look of Carole King in a completely authentic and resonant way – she feels like the natural woman.

REVIEW: Stand And Deliver, King’s Head Theatre ✭

Off West End, Reviews
Stand And Deliver at the Kings Head Theatre

Stand and Deliver is a curious piece of theatre, now playing at the King’s Head in Angel. There are some very funny moments reminiscent of Carry On, some football humour that many fanboys across the country will enjoy, and a dash of 1980s nostalgia in the form of some fantastic chart toppers, but ultimately, as a piece of theatre, it does not hold together in present form.

REVIEW: Miniaturists 50, Arcola Theatre ✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
Miniaturists 50 review Arcola Theatre

The Miniaturist night at The Arcola Theatre is a wonderful evening of brand new short plays by some of the UK’s top young writing talent. But ultimately, the night does leave one wondering where and when these works might be performed again. If performed only on a night such as this, does that mean, as play texts, they can possibly stand alone?