Search Results for: michael ball

REVIEW: The King And I, Vivian Beaumont Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Broadway, Reviews
The King and I at the Lincoln Centre

Together with set designer Michael Yeargan, costume designer Catherine Zuber and choreographer Christopher Gattelli, Bartlett Sher has completely reimagined and reinvigorated Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical both for the vast space that is the Vivian Beaumont stage and for the 21st century. It is a triumph in every respect: gorgeous to look at, immaculate to listen to and something wonderful to experience. Watanabe commendably makes the King his own special, unique creation. As Anna, Kelli O’Hara is incomparable.

REVIEW: Something Rotten, St James Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Broadway, Reviews
Something Rotten at the St james Theatre

There is noting rotten here. Rather, Something Rotten is firm, juicy, fruity, perfectly cultivated, tart, sweet, and every segment, every layer that is peeled back, is full of life. It is almost an orgasm of enjoyment; an ode to the musical form, one that both satirises it’s subject and treats it with loving affection. Broadway will be hard pressed to find a tighter, more superbly tuned company than this one.

Billy Elliot – 40 Billys and 10 Years Later…

News, West End
Thomas Hazelby joins the cast of Billy Elliot to play the show's 40th Billy

As Billy Elliot celebrates 10 years in London, Thomas Hazelby from Doncaster becomes the fortieth boy to play the title role in the award-winning musical. Ten year old Thomas Hazelby said: “I am 10 years old and I live with my mum, dad and sister Maya in Doncaster. I started dancing at the age of three at my mum’s dance school, Hazelbiz Performers Academy. I was lucky enough to win my first national award when I was five years old at the British Championships. Before auditioning for Billy Elliot I trained with Miss Hatton on the Royal Ballet School Associate programme. The best day of my life was when I was offered the role of Billy Elliot. My favourite hobby is football, and I support Manchester United. Before joining Billy, I played for South Kirby Knights FC as well as for the Norton Junior school cricket team. I would like … Read more

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

REVIEW: Bad Jews, St James Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
Bad Jews at The St James Theatre, London

Harmon writes vicious dialogue fearlessly and with potent froth. The characters are clearly defined by their speech and each seems real, accessible – possibly someone you might know. There are several real surprises along the way and not much ends up as it first seems. It is a sharp, clever piece of writing.

REVIEW: Constellations, Samuel J Friedman Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Broadway, Reviews
Constellations starring Jake Gyllenhaall and Ruth Wilson

The acting is of the highest order. Every word, every pause, every gesture – all is precisely calibrated and thoughtfully designed to ensure maximum interest, a real involvement in the many disparate lives of these two intriguing characters. Jake Gyllenhaal proves to be entirely perfect as the ordinary bee-keeper, Roland. Ruth Wilson is very very funny, but also fragile and stern and unfair – whatever the situation requires, Wilson provides.

Stephen Collins Reviews The Best Of 2014

News, Off West End, Reviews, West End
Standing Ovation

2014 – a very good year. It’s often hard at this time of year, when the days are short, the errands before Christmas are many, the things to get done before the holiday season starts in earnest seem unending, and the prospect of another New Year looms dangerously close, to take the time to think about the theatrical highlights of the year that is about to end. But not this year. No. This year there have been so many theatrical highs in London it is difficult to not think about them. And when one is asked to list the “ten best” of the year, it is very hard indeed. So, I won’t do that. Well, not just that. Rather, I am going to mention the plays or musicals or theatrical events or performances which left the most lasting impression, the ones I think about often, the ones which have left … Read more

Meet the 39th Billy

News, West End
Brodie Donougher as Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre

Today, 19 November 2014, eleven year-old Brodie Donougher from Blackpool, gives his first performance in the title role of the internationally award winning Billy Elliot the Musical. Brodie joins a cast lead by Ruthie Henshall who plays Mrs Wilkinson, Billy’s dance teacher and Deka Walmsley who plays Billy’s dad, and becomes the thirty-ninth boy to perform the iconic role at the Victoria Palace Theatre and the seventy-sixth boy to perform the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film. Also joining the cast today will be 10 year old Connie Fisher from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who will play Mrs Wilkinson’s daughter Debbie. In addition 19 girls from London and surrounding counties aged 9 – 14 join the cast as Ballet Girls. Brodie Donougher said: “My name is Brodie and I’m eleven years old. I have three sisters, Derrian and Jessica and Arroia, and one brother, … Read more