July 2015 | Page 9 of 9 | British Theatre

REVIEW: Measure For Measure, Shakespeares Globe ✭✭✭

Stephen Collins2nd September 20182nd July 2015 Off West End, Reviews

Measure For Measure at Sjakespeare's Globe

This is a feel-good production of a difficult play. The very best thing about it is Dominic Rowan’s exceptionally charismatic Duke. In the second half, particularly, the underlying comic approach to the play allows Rowan to have a great deal of fun, and the final scenes, which can be excruciatingly painful to endure (because in some productions, essentially, the Duke is emotionally torturing Isabella in those scenes) are light and engaging.

REVIEW: The Dreamers, St James Theatre ✭✭

Danny Coleman-Cooke2nd July 2015 Off West End, Reviews

The Dreamers is a real mixed bag. Musically it is often very strong; the musical direction and band are both terrific. However, lyrically and dramatically it falls short, especially the paper-thin first act. Despite this, it would be cruel to be too dismissive of The Dreamers

CRITIC’S CHOICE: Top 10 New West End Plays 30 June 2015

Stephen Collins7th January 20221st July 2015 News, Off West End, Reviews, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, To Kill A Mockingbird, West End

To Kill A Mockingbird at the Barbican Theatre

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. To Kill A Mockingbird Timothy Sheader’s utterly astonishing, profoundly beautiful, and intensely gripping production of To Kill A Mockingbird, is now playing at the Barbican Theatre. It’s not practically perfect in every way – it is absolutely perfect in every way. In terms of glorious story-telling and superb ensemble acting rapturously telling a richly detailed and extraordinarily resonant – … Read more

REVIEW: Rent Boy The Musical, Above The Stag ✭✭✭

Stephen Collins1st July 2015 LGBT, Off West End, Reviews

Rent Boy The Musical at Above The Stag Theatre in Vauxhall

The star of the show, in truth, is Carole Todd’s spirited, cheeky, and knowing choreography, which brings out the very best in the cast and masterfully establishes high readings on the happy barometer of the mood in the auditorium. The cast might not be real hookers, but they are all good hoofers.

CRITIC’S CHOICE: Top 10 New West End Musicals 30 June 2015

Stephen Collins1st October 20181st July 2015 News, Reviews, West End

Imelda Staunton to appear in Gypsy at The Savoy Theatre

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