These Theatre Thoughts

  Tickets: Paid For Date: 24th February 2023  Seat: C24 (Stalls) Before I start on my actual review, I want to say one thing: support your local theatres ! They are such a vital part of the community; for many, this is their only chance to see some great shows and experience the theatre. So book some tickets if you see something advertised that you might like. It will likely be cheaper than you think it will be, and you'll have a great time.  Now, on with the review.  First Thoughts  A Night on Broadway gave me an entertaining Friday night. It didn't give me star-quality performances or even exceptional singing (barring a few standout numbers and voices). But does it matter? If someone enjoys a show and is entertained for a couple of hours, isn't that the important thing? I think in this context, yes, that's the important thing.  This is a professional production (it's a show produced by Paul Gostling ), and leafing through the nicely printed programme, yo...

Tickets: Gifted Date: 18th February 2023  Seats: A1, A2 (Dress Circle) Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6y09atmhSk Matilda is one of those stories that everyone knows. Whether that's because of the Roald Dahl book, the original 1996 film with Danny Devito and Pam Ferris, the new musical version of the film, or any of the myriad other tellings and re-tellings, the story of the little girl with the big brain and the kind-hearted but timid teacher coming up against the seemingly unstoppable and terrifying force that is Miss Trunchbull (and her chokey) and getting the better of her once and for all is a rousing tale of good versus evil - the oldest story in the book.  So it makes sense that Matilda the Musical is a sell-out at every performance and has been ever since it opened in 2010 in Stratford-upon-Avon before moving to London in 2011.  I had seen it once before, but that was in 2015, and I couldn't quite remember how some of the set pieces looked or wha...

L-R: Vivian Panka, Maddison Firth, Jasmine Beel Photo credit: Pamela Raith Tickets: Gifted Date: 16th February 2023  Seats: J5, J6 (Stalls) Trailer:  https://youtu.be/rUco8XjgTvg Heathers finishes its sell-out run with this particular cast at The Other Palace on 19th February 2023, and although I had seen it before back in August, I was keen to see it again (or at least, again in that fantastic venue, as it is going on tour, and I do already have tickets...).  It was well worth it. I will admit, I have a soft spot for Heathers, even though I'm well aware that it's not exactly everyone's cup of tea. It's dark. Really dark. With its themes of suicide, murder, eating disorders, bullying, homophobia, date rape, gun violence, and - without giving too much away - massive great bombs (and a Norwegian in the boiler room - that will make sense if you see it), it's certainly not for everyone.  If that description makes Heathers sound thoroughly unpleasant, that wasn't my...

Is there a sitcom as dearly loved and with as much nostalgia attached to it as Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em? It’s the kind of programme that we grew up watching, no matter whether it was the original airing in the 70s, the repeats that were often shown on a Sunday evening (just before Doctor Who, if I recall rightly) in the 80s, or the many other showings across the 90s and up to the present day. It’s gentle humour. It’s got pathos and heart. It’s got Michael Crawford as the hapless, hopeless, wonderfully inept Frank Spencer, for goodness sake, complete with signature beret and mac. It’s got everything for all ages. So, a live version of Some Mothers, eh? With Joe Pasquale as Frank Spencer, is it? How’s that going to go down? If the audience at last night’s performance at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley was anything to go by, it’s going to go down a storm. credit Scott Rylander Before we get to the review proper, I must just mention the effort that the theatre’s staff went to – each one d...

So… Billionaire Boy… what’s that all about then? Surprisingly enough, Billionaire Boy is actually about a boy who happens to be a billionaire. But although the name of this stage show by The Birmingham Stage Company, based on David Walliams’ children’s book, might not have much to hide, there are many layers to the story once you get right into it. A bit like a piece of loo roll, really. Like Bum Fresh toilet paper, in fact. Bum Fresh. It’s a name to make the kids giggle (and quite a number of the adults too) and it sets the tone for the rest of the play. Or musical. Because it’s a bit of both. There are some fantastically catchy songs included, but not so many that it starts to become tedious. They come into play at just the right moments, allowing for a little pathos and feeling amongst all the craziness. But back to Bum Fresh. Our protagonist, Joe Spud, is heir to the Bum Fresh billions. His dad created this amazing toilet paper after working for years in a loo roll factory; it’s mo...

Paula Hawkins’ novel,   The Girl On The Train,   was astonishing. It captured the imaginations of people across the world, and it became a best-seller seemingly instantly. And no wonder; the story of Rachel Watson and what she may or may not have seen when it comes to the disappearance of a local woman is engrossing and certainly keeps the reader turning pages. But would it work on the stage? To answer that question: yes, it would. And it does. In fact, the stage adaptation is just as engrossing, just as astonishing, and just as captivating. There is a feeling of loss and confusion throughout, meaning that the audience is able to empathise with Rachel who is feeling these things after the breakdown of her marriage to Tom, and his subsequent remarriage to Anna, who also happens to have had his child, something that Rachel was never able to do. Photo by Manuel Harlan But this story is more than that of Rachel, a woman on the edge who has lost everything and who travels by train ...

Little girls, little girls… Miss Hannigan’s desperate refrain rings through the hallways of the New York Municipal Orphanage and echoes with pathos and despair… No, wait. That’s not right. Miss Hannigan’s the baddie, and she’s mean and cruel and those little girls are the ones in despair in this sparkling, slick, engaging production of Annie at The Orchard Theatre. The reason I almost forgot who was good and who was bad in this show was that Craig Revel Horwood’s portrayal of the tyrannical Miss Hannigan was a masterpiece, combining some truly impressive singing with some excellent dancing, along with the ability to act whilst tottering around in heels. So good was he at all of this combined that the audience instantly fell in love with Miss Hannigan, despite knowing that she was wicked. And Craig certainly stole the show – every time he appeared the audience were right there with him, excited for the next one liner, booming baritone, or expressive gesture that would give them a giggle...