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.
‘Delighted by this classy production’: MY FAIR LADY – London Coliseum ★★★★
This gentle but classy production of My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum has plenty to offer those looking to experience Lerner and Loewe’s musical live.
‘The only person who transforms Eliza is Eliza herself’: MY FAIR LADY – London Coliseum
If you want to see a My Fair Lady that feels like a scene for scene remake of the film, then this production at the London Coliseum will not disappoint, but equally for anyone looking for a more contemporary resonance beneath the surface, then that is certainly here as well.
‘The in-your-face ferocity is hugely impactful in such a small space’: SPRING AWAKENING – Almeida Theatre
Directed by Rupert Goold with a cast of highly talented young performers, this energetic production about teenage desire and the failure of parental direction is a rare musical choice for the Almeida.
‘A showcase to savour’: The Theatre Channel – Episode 7 (Online review)
The Theatre Cafe, in collaboration with the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, have created this salute to the timeless duo Rodgers and Hammerstein for The Theatre Channel’s Episode 7.
NEWS: Saoirse Ronan makes her UK stage debut in new Almeida Theatre season
The Almeida Theatre has announced a new season for 2021. Highlights include: The Tragedy of Macbeth, directed by Yaël Farber, featuring Olivier-nominated James McArdle and four-time Academy Award-nominated Saoirse Ronan, making her UK stage debut.
Mark Shenton looks to the future with his pick of the next generation of rising stars
In four previous episodes of my weekly #ShenTens podcast, and their accompanying columns here, I’ve chosen my top ten favourite leading ladies and leading men respectively in both Broadway and West End musicals. Now I turn to rising stars — the next generation of performers who are already making their mark in London. (I’ll get to Broadway when it returns to business itself).
NEWS: Run of Les Misérables – The Staged Concert is extended due to latest Government restrictions on seating capacity
The run of Les Misérables –The Staged Concert at London’s Sondheim Theatre has been extended to 28 February 2021, with performances beginning on 5 December.
‘Sparkling production’: THE BOY FRIEND – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★
Just walking into the theatre and seeing Paul Anderson’s vibrantly coloured set for The Boy Friend chases away the winter blues and transports you to 1920s Riviera in this sparkling production.
‘Maintains its crisp choreography’: THE BOY FRIEND – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★
The Boy Friend is an ideal show to lighten these dark winter days, providing a healthy dose of escapism and pure joyousness for all.
‘A colourful & escapist retreat’: THE BOY FRIEND – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★
At the end of a year in which female-forward and feminist theatre has made so much progress, The Boy Friend looks regressive as well as nostalgic. On the other hand, it is a colourful and escapist retreat from the winter, and we could all do with a night off from angst.
‘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.
NEWS: Menier Chocolate Factory announces initial casting for major revival of The Boy Friend
The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced initial casting for its major revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend running at the theatre from 22 November 2019 to 7 March 2020 (press night is on 3 December 2019). Full casting will be announced shortly.
From Oklahoma! via Cats to Falsettos: My Stagey Week
It’s been another crazy busy Stagey week. I moved flats, travelled to Chichester, Kilworth, and Dartford, saw five shows, two cabarets, interviewed nine people and had a very early start on Sunday for a day’s filming.
‘Theatrical magic’: OKLAHOMA! – Chichester ★★★★
Jeremy Sams and his creative team have delivered theatrical magic in Oklahoma! at Chichester Festival Theatre.
‘Edgy & interesting’: OKLAHOMA! – Chichester ★★★★
If the overall effect of Oklahoma! at Chichester Festival Theatre is more of a puzzle-play than a lollipop romp, so much the better.
‘Engaging & very enjoyable production’: OKLAHOMA! – Chichester ★★★
This year Chichester Festival Theatre is taking on Oklahoma! with their usual mix of respect for the piece and urge to find a new viewpoint on it.
NEWS: John Simm, Dervla Kirwan Hugh Bonneville, James Nesbitt & Sheila Hancock all feature in Chichester Festival Theatre’s new season
Chichester Festival Theatre’s Festival 2019 has been announced by artistic director Daniel Evans. It includes John Simm & Dervla Kirwan in Macbeth, Hugh Bonneville in Shadowlands & Tim Firth’s first solo musical starring James Nesbitt.
NEWS: Winners of The Stage Debut Awards 2018 include Aidan Turner for The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Poldark actor Aidan Turner has won the Joe Allen Best West End Debut Award for his performance in The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre as part of The Stage Debut Awards 2018.
NEWS: Major cast changes at West End’s Les Misérables include Dean Chisnall as Valjean
There will be major cast changes at the West End production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre from 11 June 2018. The musical is now in its record-breaking 33rd year.