Month: July 2015

Critic’s Choice: Top 10 Long Running Shows 31 July 2015

News, Reviews, West End
Wicked London Apollo Victoria Theatre

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 tremendous shape and the current cast gives it full value. If you have never seen it or if you have seen it, now is the time to go again – you too could be changed for the better. READ OUR REVIEW | BOOK TICKETS 2. Les Miserables If you have never seen Les Miserables, this is a good year to see it; if you have seen it, this cast … Read more

REVIEW: Of Thee I Sing, Royal Festival Hall ✭✭

Events, Reviews, West End
Of Thee I Sing Royal Festival Hall

The comic performance of the night, and the source of most consistent pleasure, came from the very talented Tom Edden who made an acting masterclass out of the portrayal of the reluctant Vice President, Alexander Throttlebottom (is there a character in a Broadway musical with a better name?). Taking his cue from that name, Edden presented a neurotic, chaotic, frantic but ambitious, character: he stole every scene he was in and even some he was not in. Superb.

Rocky Horror Show Returns To West End With O’Brien And Bedella

News, West End
Richard O'Brien in the Rocky Horror Show for limited season in London

Producers have announced that the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show will return to London’s West End in September for a strictly limited season prior to a national tour. What makes this special limited engagement even more special is that the cast will include the shows creator Richard O’Brien as the Narrator. David Bedella will join O’Brien in the role of Frank N. Furter. In addition producers have announced that the show will be broadcast live to cinemas for one night only in conjunction with Amnesty International on Thursday 17th September. Tickets for this limited season of The Rocky Horror Show go on sale at 10am on Saturday 1st August 2016. Tickets for the 2015-16 UK Tour are already on sale.

Critic’s Choice: London’s 10 Best New Plays 31 July 2015

News, Off West End, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, West End
As Is at Trafalgar Studios

What play 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 new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. The Elephant Man At first glance it is a simple historical tale with a couple of central star turns; unremarkable fodder but capable of reaching glitzy heights. Ellis sees beyond that though, and although the casting is undeniably starry, this is a thoughtful, incisive and ultimately shattering meditation on tolerance, convention, acceptance and love. READ OUR REVIEW 2. Richard … Read more

Critic’s Choice: London’s 10 Best New Musicals 31 July 2015

News, Off West End, West End
Gypsy Savoy Theatre London

What Musical 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 new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Musicals which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Gypsy 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 … Read more

Willemijn Verkaik in Concert

Broadway, Events, News, West End
Willemijn Verkaik in Concert

Dutch vocal powerhouse Willemijn Verkaik will play a one-off solo concert at the Ambassadors Theatre on Tuesday 25 August 2015. Accompanied by a live band and joined by some to-be-announced special guests, Willemijn will take a journey through some of the greatest classic and contemporary musicals of all time, as well as celebrating some of the iconic songs that have defined her career so far. Willemijn Verkaik is best known for playing the role of Elphaba in Wicked, having performed the role in the West End, on Broadway, in Germany and the Netherlands. Willemijn is also the only actress to have performed the role in multiple languages. Other stage credits include Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in the West End, and Mamma Mia!, Aida and We Will Rock You in Germany. Willemijn also voiced Elsa in the Dutch and German versions of Disney’s smash hit animated film … Read more

REVIEW: Aida, Opera Holland Park ✭✭✭

Off West End, Opera, Reviews
Opera Holland Park Aida

This is a very great opera that can take many different interpretations. However, there is no room for compromise. Ultimately, it either has to be done straight and with absolute conviction that the themes with which it deals are as important to our culture now as they were to Verdi in the 1860s. Or if the traditional setting is thought to raise too many troubling questions or is beyond budget to realize then a fully thought-through alternative scenario is needed.