While John & Jen can sometimes veer into the sentimental, it does try to bring in numerous issues in modern America, and particularly succeeds in bringing to life the special bond between siblings.
ALBUM REVIEWS: Matthew Croke’s Only Dreaming & Anna O’Byrne’s Dream
A pair of dreamy album reviews with Matthew Croke’s Only Dreaming & Anna O’Byrne’s Dream.
‘Let’s hope this isn’t the last we see of this sweet show’: A LITTLE PRINCESS – Royal Festival Hall ★★★
After the recent success in the UK of Big Fish and The Addams Family, Andrew Lippa’s lesser-known show A Little Princess has had its UK premiere at the Southbank Centre.
Album Review: Leading Ladies – Songs From The Stage
Across the 14 tracks of the collection, there’s a variety of approaches as they tackle songs from a wide range of musicals. Each singer gets a couple of solo numbers, and they all chip in with backing vocals on some of those, but the highlights come when the trio sing together.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Big Fish at The Other Palace
Frasier’s Kelsey Grammer stars in Nigel Harman’s UK premiere of Broadway musical Big Fish, based on the Tim Burton film. The production continues at The Other Palace in London until 30 December 2017. What have critics been saying about it?
BIG FISH THE MUSICAL – The Other Palace ★★★
Kelsey Grammer brings gravitas and empathy to this largely bed-bound role. His decent singing voice does its best to wrest emotion from Edward’s gruff Southern accent but on boisterous songs like Red, White And True, it veers between baritone and barking seal.
KRISTIN CHENOWETH – West End
Like many UK Kristin fans, I saw Wicked when it opened back in 2006, subsequently listened to the Broadway recording and fell in love with the cast. I then entered an obsessive phase where I watched all Kristin videos, listened to every song she’d ever sung, read every interview she’d done and was generally that annoying fan that could talk about nothing else.
KRISTIN CHENOWETH – West End
Like many UK Kristin fans, I saw Wicked when it opened back in 2006, subsequently listened to the Broadway recording and fell in love with the cast. I then entered an obsessive phase where I watched all Kristin videos, listened to every song she’d ever sung, read every interview she’d done and was generally that annoying fan that could talk about nothing else.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY – Touring ★★★★
This Irish and UK premiere tour production of the musical comedy, The Addams Family was an entertaining and fast-paced production of Andrew Lippa’s funny musical about a less than conventional family and its ancestors. During the overture; a finger-clicking hand appeared through the letter box;
THE ADDAMS FAMILY – Touring
The story centres around a grown-up Wednesday’s newfound romance, with the Addamses preparing to welcome the family of her new boyfriend for dinner. However, there is a secret looming that threatens the foundations of multiple relationships, and as the night descends into chaos more destructive secrets are revealed.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY – Touring
Diego Pitarch’s set is constantly changing and extremely layered but doesn’t look overcrowded or messy and the Gothic feeling is well achieved.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY – Touring
Sad to say, what I’m saying is that I was not a fan of The Addams Family at all. After a cracking opening number which promises oh so much, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s book grinds to a juddering halt in a first half which does nothing but interminably set the scene.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY – Touring
From the moment the overtures commences with the iconic clicks from the cartoon/TV series the audiences are not only on side but clicking along. The story, characters and settings are iconic. But with such a cultural resonance of course comes great expectations.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY – Touring
Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s book features a somewhat conventional love story, as daughter Wednesday wants to marry her more commonplace boyfriend Lucas Beineke. This involves enlisting the help of father Gomez, much to the chagrin of mother Morticia.
NEWS: Samantha Womack, Carrie Hope Fletcher & Les Dennis lead Addams Family
Samantha Womack, Les Dennis and Carrie Hope Fletcher will star as Morticia, Fester and Wednesday Addams in the UK & Irish premiere of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams. Further casting is to be announced. The UK …
NEWS: Addams Family musical gets UK premiere, Tour opens April 2017
The UK and Irish premiere of Broadway musical comedy THE ADDAMS FAMILY will open an extensive nationwide tour at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on 20 April 2017, directed by Matthew White.
Diary of a Theatre Addict: Ten Crazed Days (and Nights) Before I Go Away Again
I’ve had ten days in London between a holiday in Gran Canaria and heading to New York — and have been to fifteen shows. But I’m finally giving up on going to live concerts.