Maybe we were all weary at the end of a full day of theatre; maybe, and with ample justification, the cast were flagging after appearances in different roles in the previous two parts of the trilogy, but whatever the explanation Richard III seemed something of an anti-climax rather than a natural culmination of this notable revival of the Barton/Hall Wars of the Roses.
Henry VI stands out as the play in this triptych that most benefits from Barton’s editing and clarifications. Characters and scenes are cut away in profusion to reveal a focus on the nature of good and bad governance.
The production of Showboat opening at Sheffield Theatre on 10 December 2016 has been extended by a week by popular demand and will now run until 23 January 2016. Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Daniel Evans said today, “We are delighted that Show Boat has proved itself to be so popular with our audiences. We’re lucky to have the most wonderful cast and creative team and I know we’re all looking forward to bringing it to life on the Crucible Stage at Christmas.” Showboat has music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and is based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard a show boat as it plies the Mississippi River. One of the most romantic musicals of all time, this lavish new production is directed by Daniel Evans … Read more
Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director Daniel Evans has today announced the company for his new production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical Show Boat which will play at the theatre from December 2015 to January 2016. This epic musical is based on the classic novel by Edna Ferber and spans three generations of show folk as they perform along the Mississippi River. Labelled one of the most romantic musicals of all time, Show Boat’s score contains musical theatre standards including Ol’ Man River, Make Believe and Cant Help Lovin’ Dat Man. Showboat was a ground-breaking moment in American musical theatre history marking the first time that songs helped tell the story marking the beginning of the modern musical. Evans will direct Michael Xavier as Gaylord Ravenal, Gina Beck as Magnolia Hawks, Lucy Briers as Parthenia Hawks, Sandra Marvin as Queenie, Emmanuel Kojo as Joe, Rebecca Trehearn as Julie La … Read more
It’s a great night out; pure entertainment. And with this cast, works far better than the same production did in Chichester last season.
No matter what one might have thought about The Sound of Music before, what Kavanaugh achieves here, with a gobsmackingly good cast, redefines it, giving it a truth and honesty and freshness which is utterly, completely joyous.
