Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Bodyguard has become synonymous with the 1992 movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Therefore, creating a musical rendition that surpasses the original is a daunting task. However, The Bodyguard musical puts up a strong fight, with amazing performances and clear vocals. It's such a shame that the show needs a modern update.
Reading Time: 2 minutesIt feels fitting that as I approach my first year as a semi-regular, semi-amateur theatre reviewer I found myself at the Empire Theatre watching the West End revival of 42nd Street. The plot remains simple, a country girl thrown into a theatre production last-minute; her talent pushing her to centre stage, complete with a triumphant redemption arc for all involved. Nicole-lily Baisden shines in this role, with a perfect nasal twang which teleported me to the roaring 20’s.
Reading Time: 3 minutesFresh of a revival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year, Alexander S. Bermange's I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical is back in London and it is FAB-U-LOUS. The concept is four cast members, plus Bermange on piano, performing a series of musical sketches that dive into everything related to musicals. They tell stories of up-and-coming young talent, poke fun at the know-it-all actor, mock the musicals themselves and, at one point, turn the spotlight on the audience to point out performers’ pet peeves about them. The lyrics are brilliantly witty with clever twists, capturing the hardships of the industry, but keeping things light and humorous. It is truly impressive the extent to which the musical language of the songs genuinely reflects Musical Theatre tunes.
Reading Time: 3 minutesMerrily We Roll Along is not an easy show to pull off. The story starts in 1980 and gradually works its way back to 1955, charting a journey from corrupted aspirations back to college optimism. It’s a story about dreams—their allure and their elusiveness, growing up, and how friendships survive. If they do. It’s an ambitious show for the National Youth Music Theatre to attempt; after all, these characters spend most of the time at an age far exceeding that of their actors. And, it’s a Sondheim. Fortunately for us, this production is a sure-fire success.
Reading Time: 4 minutesI would be remiss to not first cast some light on the incredibly unique journey Death Note has ridden to becoming a musical. In 2003, Death Note, a Japanese manga (comic/graphic novel) series written and illustrated by Tsugumi Obata and Takeshi Obata, respectively, was first published. In 2006, the anime (animation) adaptation first aired in Japan to widespread acclaim. Its popularity was so huge that two live action Japanese films shortly followed. A musical adaptation then premiered in Tokyo in 2015, before touring Japan and opening of a South Korean production. Jumping forward to 2023 we skip over several seasons of the musical in Japan and South Korea, a Netflix live action film and a concert version opening in Russia, and we land in the present day – Death Note: The Musical In Concert opening at the London Palladium.
Reading Time: 2 minutes ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ - This show was presented by the Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre, a company which unites local talent with industry professionals to provide real-world experience for those between the ages of 15 and 21
Reading Time: 3 minutesInterview with composer, playwright, choral director and musical theatre educator Spencer Williams, a co-writer of For Tonight. For Tonight will be showing at the Adelphi Theatre for one-night-only, on the 5th September.
Reading Time: 2 minutesI’ll be honest - I wasn’t sure. I’m a Die Hard fan and my inclination was that the panto element might be a step too far. I was wrong. So wrong.
Reading Time: 5 minutesInterview with playwright, performer and award-winning poet Raine Geoghegan, cultural script consultant on new West-End Musical For Tonight which will be having a staged concert, for one night only at the Adelphi Theatre on the 5 September.
Reading Time: 2 minutesExploring the angst and anxiety of first loves and the end of childhood that comes with going to Uni, The Verge of Forever depicts the journey of two young adults, Leo (Finlay McKillop– covering for Novello) and Marie (Scarlett Ayers) in the development of their relationship and their taking of those first tentative steps towards adulthood.