Because nothing says Merry Christmas like a stage mum going off the rails! Gypsy offers a different festive treat at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.
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
‘A surefire hit if ever there was one’: THE BOY FRIEND – Menier Chocolate Factory
As light as a madeleine and as frivolous as a macaron, Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend proves a festive treat at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
‘An absolute triumph’: WEST SIDE STORY – Leicester
No doubt about it, Nikolai Foster’s production of West Side Story for Curve Leicester is damn close to musical theatre perfection.
ALBUM REVIEW: Lea Michele – Christmas in the City
Jonathan Groff and Darren Criss elevate Glee star Lea Michele’s first holiday album Christmas in the City.
ALBUM REVIEW: RE:arrangement – An Album by Nick Barstow
A musical theatre album with a difference, RE:arrangement – An Album by Nick Barstow is refreshingly bold.
CD REVIEW: Luke Evans – At Last
Luke Evans’ debut album At Last is full of emphatic pop covers and his powerful voice at full stretch, not always a winning combination.
‘Searchingly powerful stuff’: DEAR EVAN HANSEN – West End
There’s much to like about Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, not least a brilliant lead performance from Sam Tutty.
‘Going to be a winner’: & JULIET – West End
Late 90s pop is always my jam so a musical that features it is always going to be a winner. The brilliant & Juliet is so much more besides as well though.
‘There’s a rollicking good time to be had here’: MARY POPPINS – West End
Really, in the end, Mary Poppins is the kind of production full of uncomplicated fun that can’t help but
uplift the soul in the most delightful way.
‘Nothing lost & so much gained’: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Chiswick Playhouse
A genuinely updated I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a really rather lovely thing at the newly renamed Chiswick Playhouse.
‘An alternative festive treat’: SOHO CINDERS – Charing Cross Theatre
This amiable revival of Soho Cinders makes for an alternative festive treat at the Charing Cross Theatre.
‘The stuff musical theatre dreams are made of’: THE GREEN FAIRY – Union Theatre
New musical The Green Fairy is a bold experience at the Union Theatre, featuring the unmissable, almighty voice of Julie Atherton.
‘Definitely one to muse over’: ON BEAR RIDGE – Royal Court Theatre
The densely poetic On Bear Ridge offers a thoughtful experience at the Royal Court, with Rhys Ifans and Rakie Ayola on fine form.
ALBUM REVIEW: Jon Robyns – Musical Direction
I’ve long admired Jon Robyns and his new album Musical Direction reflects on his career so far beautifully, as well as suggesting what fun lies ahead.
‘It’s all really rather good fun’: TICKLE THE MUSICAL – King’s Head Theatre
Set in the world of competitive enduance tickling, Tickle the Musical proves a rather good-natured, sweet thing at the King’s Head Theatre.
‘Fascinating slice of historical drama’: IRISH COFFEE – Calder Bookshop Theatre
Irish Coffee marks the 100th anniversary of Eva Perón’s birth with a fascinating look at her legacy at the Calder Bookshop & Theatre.
‘Proves riotous good fun’: GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES – Union Theatre
Some cracking choreography and two barnstorming lead performances make Gentlemen Prefer Blondes a musical treat at the Union Theatre.
‘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.