Rehearsals under way for The Hired Man coming to Hull, Oldham and London
Rehearsals are under way for a landmark revival of British musical The Hired Man that will be staged in Hull, Oldham and east London.
Howard Goodall
REVIEW: The Hired Man, Union Theatre ✭✭✭
Meanwhile, there’s a fair rendition of the text available here, and one that will do, particularly if you haven’t seen anything better.
REVIEW: The Hired Man In Concert, Cadogan Hall ✭✭✭✭✭
Cadogan Hall brought a lavish concert performance of the piece to its stage, and – once again – we saw and heard just why we should value this work amongst the highest achievements in the musical theatre. It is simply breath-taking. Indeed, freed of decor and costume, lighting and choreography, and of all the pageantry of the theatre, when exposed to the forensic inspection of the concert platform its virtues come across even more strongly.
The final whistle for West End’s Bend It Like Beckham
Bend It Like Beckham will play its final performance in London’s West End in six weeks. Meanwhile, producers of the critically acclaimed musical are finalising plans for tours of India, Dubai and the UK. The musical, directed by Gurinder Chadha, with original music by Howard Goodall, lyrics by Charles Hart and a new book by Paul Mayeda Berges & Gurinder Chadha, has played at the Phoenix Theatre since May 2015 and will close on 5 March 2016. Gurinder Chadha said: ”I am incredibly proud of the Bend It Like Beckham cast, musicians, production and creative teams. “We opened at the Phoenix Theatre to the most amazing five star reviews and we’ve inspired and entertained people of all ages and all backgrounds, something I have not seen in the West End for many years. “Whether in the UK or abroad, Bend It Like Beckham will continue to defy expectations and proudly represent … Read more
REVIEW: Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭✭
Act Two is practically perfect. It starts with a fabulous number for the girls, Glorious, and it never looks back. It’s full of great music from Goodall and the range of styles he covers is significant. He uses Punjabi tunes effectively, there is a terrific solo for Jules’s mother, There She Goes, a melodious duet which is gentle and joyful, Bend It, then a stirring quintet and an overwhelmingly joyous piece which celebrates the wedding of Pinky and Teetu in contrapuntal tandem with the celebration of the football grand final win. By the time the second Act is over, the longeurs of the first have been brushed aside, and the infectious sense of harmony and happiness is irrepressible.
REVIEW: Girlfriends, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭
This is the strongest of the three Goodall offerings the Union has produced this year. Tapner’s musical direction, an excellent cast led by Catherine Mort, and a vibrant, tuneful and polyphonic score combine to produce a real theatrical treat.
Bend It Like Beckham The Musical Announced
Gurinder Chadha will direct the world premiere of the new British stage musical Bend It Like Beckham. With original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart, Bend It Like Beckham will have a new book by Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha; choreography and musical staging by Aletta Collins; set design by Miriam Buether; costume design by Katrina Lindsay; lighting design by Neil Austin; sound design by Richard Brooker; musical direction by Nigel Lilley and orchestrations by Howard Goodall and Kuljit Bhamra. Bend It Like Beckham is being produced by Sonia Freidman. Jess needs extra time. She is facing the most important decision of her life; live up to family expectations of university, career and marriage, or follow in the footsteps of her hero David Beckham. When the talented teenage footballer is spotted playing football in Southall, a world of opportunities opens up before her. But as the … Read more
REVIEW: Love Story, Union Theatre ✭✭✭
Victoria Sierra as Jenny Cavilleri and David Albury as Oliver Barratt IV, as the young student couple share the warmth and passion of youth, determined to make their place in the world, despite family misgivings. There is real chemistry in their performances, allowing the audience to buy into their relationship.
