REVIEW: King, Hackney Empire ✭✭✭✭✭
Julian Eaves reviews King the musical by Martin Smith presented by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra at Hackney Empire.
John Barr
REVIEW: You Won’t Succeed On Broadway If You Don’t Have Any Jews, St James Theatre ✭✭✭✭
This revue is great fun and well-produced, combining superb music and performances with an insightful journey through the history of Jewish musical theatre. The show has wowed audiences in Tel Aviv (talk about preaching to the converted!) but judging by tonight’s crowd it has made its mark in London as well.
REVIEW: Tommy, Greenwich Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭
Regardless of how it is characterised, Michael Strassen’s production of Tommy is a genuine triumph, practically perfect in every way. From the first note, it grabs you by the throat, demands that attention be paid, and does not relent in that until Tommy spins the oversized pinball in his hands and a blackout signals the show has ended. Intervals are rarely resented these days, but I freely confess to resenting the interval here. This is an exceptional reimagining of a work rarely performed on stage. Vocally, dramatically and artistically it is an unqualified triumph. Ashley Birchall is a rising star, John Barr an established one.
REVIEW: The Rhythm Of Life, St James Theatre ✭✭✭
Coleman worked in an era where Broadway was consistently part of the Top 10. Not every number presented as part of Rhythm Of Life deserved placement in the show, but audiences were left with no doubt that he was clearly a very talented composer with an ability to craft some surefire hits. A talented and versatile cast means that even a big spender would not come away disappointed.
The Who’s Tommy – Cast Announced
The Who’s Tommy will return to London for a limited run at the Greenwich Theatre twenty years after it’s last production in London. The production of the classic rock musical will mark the 40th Anniversary of the film and will celebrate The Who’s 50th Anniversary. Casting will include Ashley Birchall (Starlight Express, Germany) as Tommy, John Barr (ENO’s Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables) as Uncle Ernie, Carly Burns as The Acid Queen, James Sinclair (Duncton Wood) as Captain Walker, Giovanni Spanó (Dance ’til Dawn, Mamma Mia!) as Cousin Kevin, Carrie Sutton (The Wizard Of Oz, Sister Act) as Sally Simpson and Miranda Wilford (Thriller Live) as Mrs Walker. The cast also includes Danny Becker (Follies at Royal Albert Hall) Scott Sutcliffe (Mamma Mia!) Alice Mogg (We Will Rock You, Grease). The Who’s Tommy is staged and directed by award-winning director Michael Strassen with choreography by Mark Smith, musical direction by Kevin … Read more
