It’s simply The Best success story of the most deserving kind. Tina the musical is a stunning show in all respects and likely to be a run away success throughout it’s year on London’s West End.
As Strat in Bat Out Of Hell, Andrew Polec is an incredible find. His scrawny, pale build and unkempt hair hide a voice that is perfectly suited to Steinman’s incredible score. Quite where that voice comes from I shall never know but he delivers a flawless performance with a vocal dexterity that I’ve seldom scene in any rock musical
Instructions For Correct Assembly with its strong cast and striking design boosted by a touch of illusion, is smart and entertaining, confirming Thomas Eccleshare as a writer to watch.
As a work in its own right, if you ever wanted to know why it was such a colossal and damaging failure the first time around, then this version of Twang! provides abundant clues.
And The World Goes Round is a show that makes you not only want to hear more of these performers – and, please, let us! – but also directs right back to where all the stuff came from and delve into the creative genius of two of the very greatest of Broadways legends: Kander and Ebb. Terrific.
One of the more exciting developments this month is surely the arrival on our shores of this splendid new revue-like song-cycle Island Song by the brilliantly talented American writing team of Sam Carner (words) and Derek Gregor (music).
It’s great to see Chicago back in the West End. It’s certainly a show that enjoy revisiting every now and again and I’m sure that this revival will be a crowd pleaser.
These really are the most wonderfully written and excitingly conceived songs. Few people today – in this country, at least – can master the intricacies of rhyme in the way that Bermange can; and there is significant pleasure to be derived from hearing these wonderful ‘escapades’ into punning, twisting lyrical creation.
