Alan Menken’s classic score for Beauty and the Beast is shown off to its best at the London Palladium in this suitably charming production based on Disney’s animated film.
‘I hope some bigger theatre gets the bottle to pick up this production’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre ★★★★★
That Harry Hill is the writer explains the rumbustious irreverence of Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at the Park Theatre, but Steve Brown’s tunes and lyrics are much of its glory.
‘A show to lift your spirits’: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN – Touring
Based on the iconic 1952 musical film featuring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor, Singin’ in the Rain has both a great pedigree and a lot to live up to. Now touring after successful runs in Chichester and at Sadler’s Wells, this joyous show taking affectionate aim at the moment the movies learned to talk is both a homage to its source and an entertaining show in its own right.
‘Lovely hybrid between audiobook & theatre experience’: KISSES ON A POSTCARD (Online Show)
Streaming in two versions, a concept album at two hours available for free, and a four hour one for purchase, Kisses on a Postcard is an episodic piece which can be enjoyed in short bursts between 20 and 40 minutes each.
‘The whole thing sings’: CANCELLING SOCRATES – Jermyn Street Theatre
The Jermyn Street Theatre – small as it is – has been rocking Howard Brenton’s latest play Cancelling Socrates, set in Ancient Greece and dealing with the last days and condemnation for sacrilege of the philosopher Socrates.
‘Gripping & insightful piece of theatre’: EVELYN – Southwark Playhouse
Tom Ratcliffe’s compelling play Evelyn at Southwark Playhouse challenges our thoughts and opinions to great effect, while also offering a raw emotional experience.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Six in Melbourne
Given its fringe origins, Six is an ideal fit for Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre, flooding the relatively intimate space with throbbing music and rock stadium lighting. The heady combination of mega-talented cast, glittering production and fabulous material conjures an irresistibly electric atmosphere, grabbing the audience by the lapels and not letting go for the breathlessly brisk 75-minute running time.
‘It’s a true crowd pleaser, without the cliches’: MAM I’M ‘ERE – Liverpool
It’s been much, much longer than I thought since I sat down to watch a main stage performance at the Royal Court – and ten years since I caught the first outing of Mam I’m ‘Ere. Days later, I’m still smiling about this brilliant revival. And if the welcome back was warm, the cast was positively on fire.
‘Some shows are just meant to be experienced in bigger numbers’: Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch – Underbelly Festival ★★★
Underbelly Festival is currently home to Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch and promises to be brimming with dark comedy, blue eyeshadow and a myriad double entendres.
‘Inspiring, empowering & uplifting musical’: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – Touring
Kate Pankhurst’s best-selling picture book Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is filled with fascinating facts about some of the amazing women who have changed the course of history. And it’s now been adapted into a musical by a creative team of wonderful women.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in Melbourne
A jewel-toned joy, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella transports audiences back to the magic of Broadway’s Golden Age, when an evening of musical theatre meant a magical discovery of new and wondrous work.
‘A glorious romp’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre
Voted back into power three times, Tony Blair left office with the accusations of being a manipulative liar ringing in his ears – not that that has ever slowed down the current incumbent. And it is this almost Shakespearian trajectory of the tragic hero gone to the bad which forms the backbone of Tony! at the Park Theatre.
‘You’re always aware of the artifice’: SUNSHINE ON LEITH – Edinburgh ★★★
It’s heartening to see the fine folk of Capital Theatres involved in such a confident show, it’s just a shame this Sunshine on Leith is more concert than theatre.
‘Offers spectacle & wonder in every musical number’: ANYTHING GOES – Touring & London
Featuring Oliver Award-winning talent in the form of Denis Lawson and Simon Callow, as well as musical theatre royalty such as Kerry Ellis and Bonnie Langford, this energising performance of Anything Goes offers spectacle and wonder in every musical number.
‘The ensemble precision & attention to detail are superb’: CHICAGO – Touring ★★★★
New Wimbledon Theatre presented the latest touring production of the “sleek and sassy” successful West End musical Chicago. Set in the heart of 1920s America, the inner moral compass has virtually vanished, underground clubs are a common part of the social landscape and literally anything goes.
‘Rollicking, gleeful night of fun’: SCHOOL OF ROCK – Touring
School of Rock presents the recipe for a perfect 21st century family musical. A simple story with likeable characters and a heart-warming message, played out to a soundtrack of bombastic, foot-tapping tunes.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Cruel Intentions the ’90s Musical in Melbourne
A wild ride back to the heady, pre-woke 1990s, Cruel Intentions the ‘90s Musical is a salacious guilty pleasure that has all the makings of a cult classic.
‘Well on the way to being a very fine political satire’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre
Tony Blair became an MP and Prime Minister with the sole intention of meeting Mick Jaggers [sic], at least in Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s new satire Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at the Park Theatre.
‘A lovely production chock-a-block with humour’: MY FAIR LADY – London Coliseum ★★★★
The London Coliseum was packed to the rafters and buzzing to see the long-awaited West End transfer of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Bartlett Sher’s joyous production had a highly acclaimed run on Broadway and has now opened here, with the glorious Amara Okereke in the leading role. A role that seems made for her.
‘Brilliantly entertaining’: THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS – Soho Theatre
When we received the press release for Iman Qureshi’s latest play, The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, our interest was immediately piqued just by the name. And when we read on and discovered that it was a heartwarming comedy about a lesbian choir, it was clear that this was going to be just up our street.