Despite the best efforts of Kelsey Grammer in the lead role, this leaden and often down right confusing revival of Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum is unlikely to give the show new impetus on this side of the pond.
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Production Company’s Lazarus
Lazarus is unlikely to appeal to lovers of traditional musical theatre, but for those seeking theatre with an edge the production more than lives up to its tantalising promise.
‘Plenty of panache & satirical social commentary’: OPERATION MINCEMEAT – New Diorama Theatre
The true story of a British intelligence operation is told with plenty of panache and satirical social commentary (and heaps of high camp) in smashing new show Operation Mincemeat.
‘Highlights the importance & power of music’: SCHOOL OF ROCK – West End ★★★
School of Rock is one of those cult films that is genuinely wonderful. Funny, sweet and a crowd pleaser, the 2003 Jack Black hit transfers well to the stage and provides an entertaining night out for all ages.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Southwark Playhouse
Love London Love culture rounds up the reviews for the brand new musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
‘A sort of McBurney-meets-le Carré mini-thriller’: ANNA – National Theatre ★★★★
After the querulous, inward-looking tedium of her feminist polemic The Writer, Ella Hickson returns to interesting form with this curiosity, Anna.
‘Far from bonzer new musical’: SUMMER STREET – Waterloo East Theatre
An energetic cast and an understated performance from Pogo the Summer Street dog are not enough to save this problematic show at the Waterloo East Theatre.
Best of the Blogs: Death of a Salesman, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Orpheus Descending & more
As part of a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (29 April-6 May 2019). Amidst her choices are two more West End productions of classic American drama: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at the Young Vic (Emily Garside) and Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending at the Menier Chocolate Factory (Libby Purves).
‘Isn’t a show I will let go of in a hurry’: ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS & RAGING QUEENS – Union Theatre ★★★★★
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens is such a beautiful and moving piece of work celebrating the lives and commemorating the deaths of those who have been lost to AIDS.
NEWS: Lucie Jones & Ashley Roberts join the West End cast of Waitress in the roles of Jenna and Dawn
From 17 June 2019 Ashley Roberts will be making her West End debut as Dawn in Sara Bareilles’ hit musical Waitress for a strictly limited summer season, while it has also been confirmed that Lucie Jones will take over the role of Jenna from that date.