C.O.N.T.A.C.T is an opportunity to reacquaint oneself and make contact with an art form so close to so many, on a whole new level.
Mates blogger: Jonathan Baz
Jonathan Baz is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Jonathan'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.
Theatre critic Jonathan Baz is London-based but with a coverage that extends far beyond the capital to include regional theatre as well as occasional forays into Europe and the USA. He enjoys reviewing new writing as much as seeing fresh interpretations of well-known plays and musicals. Jonathan also sits on the judging panel of London's Off West End Awards ("the Offies") and has published numerous interviews and features with leading figures in the film and theatre world. Away from the arts, Jonathan is a practising Chartered Accountant with a number of clients in the entertainment industries. He blogs at www.jonathanbaz.com and tweets at @MrJonathanBaz.
The latest from Jonathan on MyTheatreMates
‘A stunning look back at our musical past’: One Voice by Siobhan Dillon ★★★★ (Album review)
Dillon rose to public prominence in 2006, competing in TV’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and from there has gone on to leading roles in musical theatre. Away from the spotlight, recent years have seen the singer win her own very private battle with cancer.
‘Simply exquisite musical theatre’: THE LAST FIVE YEARS – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★
Jonathan O’Boyle’s production of The Last Five Years has to be a definitive production of this complex and unusual work.
‘Only really springs to life in the musical numbers’: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT – West End ★★
Who knows, in years to come a Fringe theatre may manage to hit the right tone with The Prince of Egypt. In the meantime, this production could do with a little more creative flair and re-write.
‘Kaye’s enthusiasm for Elton is infectious’: ELTON JOHN IT’S A LITTLE BIT FUNNY – Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★
Clever and entertaining, Elton John It’s A Little Bit Funny is a musically brilliant tribute to one of our greatest showmen.
‘Fails to hit its target’: FAUSTUS: THAT DAMNED WOMAN – Lyric Hammersmith
There is fine work from Jodie McNee as Johanna Faustus in Faustus: That Damned Woman but the piece is overshadowed by a disappointing structure that sidelines real, factual female achievement in praise of the patriarchy.
‘A night of world class musical theatre’: LES MISÉRABLES – Sondheim Theatre ★★★★
Above all it is Kretzmer’s stunning lyrical treatment of those soaring French melodies (on press night, immaculately delivered under Steve Moss’ baton) woven around a story that is breathtaking in its scope that still define Les Misérables as a night of world class musical theatre.
’A show for lovers of great music’: BEAUTIFUL THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Simultaneously an homage to talent, love and friendship – with others and oneself – Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is a masterclass in musical theatre.
‘A fine example of Off-West End musical theatre’: RAGS – Park Theatre ★★★★
In Rags director Bronagh Lagan has assembled some gifted talent in her Park Theatre company with Carolyn Maitland as Rebecca driving the show.
‘Outstanding entertainment’: LEXICON – Roundhouse ★★★★
Traditional circus but with a defiantly modern, cutting edge, Lexicon’s live music sets a stunning pulse to the evening, with a backing that ranges from folk, to rock to balladry.
‘Sure to leave you with a smile on your face’: CURTAINS – West End ★★★★
With dazzling choreography, slick humour and top-notch performances musical whodunnit Curtains is well worth seeing this Christmas.
‘An evening of world class entertainment & dance’: THE RED SHOES – Sadler’s Wells & Touring ★★★★★
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes returns to Sadler’s Wells three years after it first premiered – and while the score and dance remain exquisite, there is a depth to this ballet that has only matured over time.
‘A standout evening of entertainment’: THRILLER LIVE – West End ★★★★★
For the run up to Christmas, Peter Andre takes over the leading performance in Gary Lloyd’s Thriller Live.
‘Best appreciated by students & Shakespeare enthusiasts’: MEASURE FOR MEASURE – Barbican Theatre ★★★
Greg Doran has translated the play’s Viennese setting to the 1900s, but while there has clearly been an imaginative attempt at a credible interpretation of the yarn, this production is hamstrung by too much mediocrity.
‘Too much of what occurs on stage is simply invisible’: TOUCHING THE VOID – West End
The true story behind Touching The Void and the endeavours and trials that befell mountaineer Joe Simpson and his climbing partner Simon Yates on the Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes has been recognised in both Simpson’s 1985 bestseller and Film Four’s acclaimed docu-drama released some 18 years later.
‘Perfectly timed’: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW – Barbican Theatre ★★★
The Taming of the Shrew remains an undoubtedly stimulating evening and well worth a visit, if only to witness the script re-imagined and reinterpreted – a pleasing rarity.
‘It’s a gorgeous way of presenting one of the Bard’s most quoted plays’: AS YOU LIKE IT – Barbican Theatre ★★★★
Director Kimberley Sykes embraces the playful text of As You Like It with a diverse and tuneful cast so at ease with the text that off-the-cuff moments and audience interaction are plentiful.
‘One of the finest musical theatre productions in town’: GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES – Union Theatre ★★★★★
Sasha Regan’s revival of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is one of the finest musical theatre productions in town.
‘There really is nothing quite like it’: MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY – The O2 ★★★★★
Forget a four hour flight, airport transfers and the like because now Mamma Mia! The Party is whisking audiences straight into the heart of the Greek island of Skopelos – and all within London’s O2.
‘Elevated by an outrageously good ensemble’: FALSETTOS – The Other Palace
Judging the production at face-value though, Falsettos is well sung, ultra-smart and ultimately gutting. Those who buy a ticket will have plenty to look forward to.