Reviews

REVIEW: The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Landor Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
The Clockmaker's Daughter

It’s a great story, but the show’s most glittering treasure is its music. There are folk tunes, love songs, impassioned ballads, comedy numbers, patter songs, soaring melodies, complex harmonies and splendid polyphony, all with a sprinkle of Irish jig around the edges. The inherent power and attraction of the score is helped in no small measure by a superbly assured delivery of the most difficult, and gorgeous, music by Jennifer Harding who excels in the central role of Constance. This is an engaging, absorbing, fantastical musical, radiant with possibility and truth. It’s confronting in parts and heartbreaking in others. And it is full of magical moments.

REVIEW: The Flannelettes, King’s Head Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
The Flannelettes at the King's Head Theatre

The Flannelettes King’s Head Theatre 19 May 2015 5 Stars The Flannelettes come to the King’s Head Theatre as part of its 45th anniversary celebrations. The play re-unites Richard Cameron and Mike Bradwell, the team that had such a success at the Bush with The Glee Club (2002) and similar works. It shares many similar qualities with its nationally successful predecessor: a setting in a depressed Northern town, populated by tough or exploited women and violent or ineffectual men; where music fills the huge gap between the rough circumstances of everyday life and the aspirations and longings of the soul within. The curtain goes up on a Tamla Motown tribute routine in a Miners’ Welfare Club, which introduces us to five of the six characters in the play – Brenda (Suzan Sylvester), a widow who runs the local women’s refuge; her niece, Delie (Emma Hook), who is aged 22 but … Read more

REVIEW: James Freedman – Man Of Steal, Trafalgar Studios 1 ✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
James Freedman - Man Of Steal at the Trafalgar Studios

It is always fantastic to see original theatre in London and Man of Steal certainly breaks new ground in putting on a public safety lecture with a difference. Freedman rightly received a warm reception from the crowd but perhaps the biggest compliment of all was the number of people checking and rearranging their pockets and bags as they left the Trafalgar Studios. Proof if it were needed that he really did steal the show.

REVIEW: Duncton Wood, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
Duncton Wood review Union Theatre

Michael Strassen’s richly detailed, splendidly cast, and lovingly staged premiere production of Duncton Wood (music and lyrics from Mark Carroll, book by James Peries, adapted from Horwood’s book) is now playing at the Union Theatre. Strassen has first rate support from his entire creative team and each produce excellent work in the fulfilment of Strassen’s vision: Josh Sood as Musical Director, Jean Gray as Designer, Tim Deiling as Lighting Designer, Orchestrations from Michael England and Vocal Arrangements by David Steadman. Everyone here does exemplary work. The cast of 16 is exceptional and, with only one slight reservation, superbly and convincingly portrays the Duncton Wood moles.

Critics Choice: Top 10 New Plays in London May 29

Off West End, Reviews, West End
The One Day Of The Year at The Finborough Theatre

10 Best New Plays in London 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 One Day Of The Year Despite its trappings and narrative, this is not a play about Anzac Day, the public holiday in Australia where attention is paid to those who fought for their country in wars, those who were killed or maimed, or worse, survived. No. In the same way Death of … Read more

Critics Choice: 10 Best West End Musicals 29 May

Off West End, 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 – awarded BritishTheatre.com’s only 6 Star Rating 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 … Read more

REVIEW: Jason Robert Brown In Concert, Royal Festival Hall ✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Jason Robert Brown at the Royal Festival Hall

The unstoppable, extraordinary Cynthia Erivo proved, twice, what a potent combination Brown’s music and lyrics can be in the hands of a singer whose voice can electrify every note. Her rendition of Stars And The Moon was perfectly judged, poetical and gorgeous in every way, each word ablaze with intense feeling, each note true and rich. But her staggeringly powerful I Can Do Better Than That served as the 11 o’clock number here and, quite rightly, brought the house down.

REVIEW: Just Jim Dale, Vaudeville Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Jim Dale

It is genuinely delightful to be able to report that anyone, child, adult, theatre sceptic or theatre lover, should have no hesitation in snaffling a ticket to the one man sensation that is Just Jim Dale, now playing at the Vaudeville Theatre after what can only be described as a glittering press night. Theatrical luminaries, critics, fans and audience members were seemingly all of one mind – Jim Dale is one hell of a performer.