Some cracking choreography and two barnstorming lead performances make Gentlemen Prefer Blondes a musical treat at the Union Theatre.
Mates blogger: Ian Foster
Ian Foster is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Ian's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
Since 2003, Ian Foster has been writing reviews of plays, sometimes with a critical element, on his blog Ought to Be Clowns, which has been listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Theatre Blogs by Lastminute.com, Vuelio and Superbreak. He averages more than 350+ shows a year. He says: "Call me a reviewer, a critic or a blogger, and you will apparently put someone or other's nose out of joint! So take it or leave it, essentially this is my theatrical diary, recording everything I go to see at the theatre in London and beyond, and venturing a little into the worlds of music and film/TV where theatrical connections can be made."
The latest from Ian on MyTheatreMates
‘Powerful stuff all-round’: KARAOKE PLAY – Bunker Theatre
Karaoke nights can offer moments of real insight into something of what our aspirational society has become and it is this rich seam of potential that Annie Jenkins mines with her new play Karaoke Play at the Bunker Theatre.
‘From intriguing beginnings, promise is squandered’: TWO LADIES – Bridge Theatre
A pleasure to see Zoë Wanamaker and Zrinka Cvitešić onstage but they deserve a much better play than Two Ladies at the Bridge Theatre.
‘Brilliantly melding differing styles’: OUTWITTING THE DEVIL – Amsterdam / HEARTBEAT OF HOME – Piccadilly Theatre
A rare foray into the world of dance saw me catch the highly atmospheric Outwitting the Devil from the Akram Khan Company and Heartbeat of Home at the Piccadilly Theatre.
‘This is the history we should be teaching’: CALL ME FURY – Hope Theatre
In the space of just three shows, Out of the Forest Theatre has indisputably become a no-questions-asked do-what-you-can must-see company for me and so by extension, for you too. Now it is the turn of Call Me Fury to weave its theatrical magic at the Hope Theatre.
‘Eerily compelling soundscape’: ANNA BELLA EEMA – Arcola Theatre
The strange but spellbinding Anna Bella Eema makes for an intriguing trip to the Arcola Theatre.
‘Indulges entirely in cinematic nostalgia’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End
Big doesn’t always mean better, size does matter, it’s not how big it is it’s what you do with it – whatever the pun, Big the Musical is a severe disappointment at the Dominion Theatre.
‘Performances hit the mark from top to bottom’: THE STRANGE CASE OF JEKYLL & HYDE – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre & Touring
Arrows & Traps’ queer noir take on The Strange Case of Jekyll & Hyde is a contemporary adaptation that speaks to the ages at the Brockley Jack Theatre.
‘Hauntingly good in its fluidity’: THE SON – West End
British theatre’s determination to adopt Florian Zeller as one of its own continues unabated as the Kiln Theatre’s production of The Son transfers into the Duke of York’s for the autumn.
‘High quality & thought-provoking work’: HANSARD – National Theatre
Lindsay Duncan and Alex Jennings prove entirely watchable in Hansard, a sharp new play at the National Theatre.
‘Completely beguiling & emotionally true’: AS YOU LIKE IT – Hornchurch
The Public Acts programme produces another winner in As You Like It at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, community theatre at its absolute best.
‘Jamie Lloyd is unleashing a torrent of creative genius’: EVITA – Open Air Theatre
Director Jamie Lloyd offers up a complete reimagining of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical and one which feels sparkingly fresh in every single aspect.
Four shows for the family in London this August: which to see?
A rare summer in the city for me means I can take in some of the family shows on in the West End right now – including Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear the Musical, The Scarecrow’s Wedding, Where is Peter Rabbit? and Monstersaurus.
‘I suppose Harry Potter And The Cursed Child was a ripple’: 10 questions for 10 years – Noma Dumezweni
So pleased to have one of my favourite actresses take on the 10 questions for 10 years challenge – all hail Noma Dumezweni!
‘I wish for a finer appreciation of the new media landscape’: 10 questions for 10 years – Rebecca Felgate
Social media queen Rebecca Felgate puts down her gin-in-a-tin for long enough to answer some questions about the world of theatre.
‘I’ve been quite blessed with many highlights’: 10 questions for 10 years – Gabby Wong
Always guaranteed to be appearing in something interesting, Gabby Wong takes a moment to tackle 10 pressing questions for me.
‘I’ve really loved interviewing actors, writers & directors about their work’: 10 questions for 10 years – Alex Ramon
Tinkle, drizzle, bubble and gush! Alex Ramon, the man forever Boycotting Trends take up the 10 questions challenge.
‘I guess having two plays on the same West End street was lots of fun’: 10 questions for 10 years – James Graham
Playwright James Graham may have had two plays in the West End at the same time but can he handle ten questions from me?!
‘There’s a lot of exciting, ferocious, young theatre-makers out there’: 10 questions for 10 years – Rosie Wyatt
She’s been acting less time than I’ve been blogging but I can’t hold that against Rosie Wyatt, an actress whose name you should know.
‘It’s the creative team’s role to bring a play to fresh life’: 10 questions for 10 years – Rufus Norris
Rather tickled that no less than the artistic director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris himself does time out of his hectic schedule to answer Ten (9) Questions for Ten Years.
Where were you 10 years ago?
I’d just directed Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka in the Olivier Theatre.
Best show you’ve seen in the last 10 years?
An impossible question to answer but if I had to pick one it would be Pericles (Public Acts) in the Olivier last year.
What has been your professional highlight of the last 10 years?
Becoming Director of the National Theatre and London Road.
Top flavour of interval ice-cream?
Salted caramel.
What show do you wish theatres would give a rest for a few years?
Many plays have the potential to be boring or resonant so it’s the creative team’s role to bring a play to fresh life.
Name someone who you think is a really underappreciated talent (in the world of theatre)?
There are so many unsung heroes working within theatre, from the technical teams behind-the-scenes making magic happen on stage, to those ensuring the smooth running of a building, I’m always amazed by their commitment. A few people who come to mind are Erin Lee in Archive, Nicky Holderness in Props and the set builder Simon.
What is one thing that you think would help theatre survive and/or thrive the next ten years?
An education system that recognises the huge benefit that only the arts can deliver, and a shift in philosophy that correctly views subsidy as investment for the good of this country.
Which is your favourite theatre?
The National Theatre, of course. I also love the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
Can you say anything about what’s to come for you, (in the next ten years or otherwise)?
Loads of plays including our next Public Acts show As You Like It with a cast of 100 community members at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch. Hopefully a little time spent in nature in between.
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