Reading Time: 2 minutesBased on the book written by Dominique Morisseau, Ain’t So Proud- the musical captures the life journey of the famous Black American band, The Temptations, from the streets of Detroit to one of the most successful bands of their time. It recounts the struggles and victories the performers overcame throughout their careers, including interpersonal problems, the civil rights movement, and the shifting face of the music business.
Reading Time: 2 minutesNoah's Flood was similar to the biblical myth: through it, Benjamin Britten, the composer returned to a purer form of art, similar to the Chester Miracle plays from the 14th century when ordinary, untrained performers put together a show for their besotted ones. But the production, similar to the catastrophic event, suffered from a watery chaos of uninspired choices.
Reading Time: 3 minutes"How very" of a show was Heathers at Liverpool Empire. I was welcomed with open arms to Westerberg High. Full of dry humour, savageness, pure camp and a lot of energy, the production is a worthy adaptation of the 80s high-school cult classic – be it, a more sanitised one.
Reading Time: 2 minutesCirque - The Greatest Show at O2 Indigo is currently on tour across the UK, produced by James Taylor, the director of Entertainers. Cirque is an incredibly glitzy performance, and has aimed to set itself apart by combining circus with musical theatre. Well-known hits from Broadway and the West End are sung by the cast members in between, and sometimes during, their dancing and circus acts.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIt’s hard to find a starting sentence that quite sums up the experience of Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical. Spawned from the well loved satirical TV first aired in the 80’s the show takes all the well known political and celebrities pundits of our generation and throws them into this circus.
Reading Time: 3 minutesViola lands on the shore of Illyria after losing her twin brother in a shipwreck. She dresses as a boy, calls herself Cesario and goes to work for a rich Duke called Orsino. What follows is brilliantly ordered chaos in which we find a love triangle, mistaken identity (of course) and ye olde classic resolution device of marriage to wrap it all up. It’s a story that has entertained audiences for centuries and this showing is no exception.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIt is always impressive and inspiring to see a fully fledged production of a new musical - particularly with a beating British heart. In the stunning new Southwark Playhouse Elephant space, the show sits with ease - as if it were written for the venue.
Reading Time: 2 minutesIan Hallard's new comedy has everything you need from an evening at the theatre, laughter, Abba, wigs, platforms and a feel good ending.
Reading Time: 3 minutesFor anyone who might be interested in an unconventional musical, an interesting spectacle, and has strong retinas, a trip to Wyndham’s Theatre’s ‘Oklahoma!’ might just be for you.
Reading Time: 2 minutesDirected by Bob Eaton and Howard Gray, “Two of Us” is a truly delightful musical double act that steers the audience chronologically through a charming selection of Lennon and McCartney’s music and relationship.