Based on the hit 1992 comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, this is the latest touring incarnation of the highly entertaining musical Sister Act. Originally set to star Goldberg in a reprise of the role, the cast instead has the more than able replacement of Beverley Knight. Joined by Jennifer Saunders, Lesley Joseph and Clive Rowe, this revival certainly isn’t lacking firepower in the casting department.
‘It’s been worth the wait’: SISTER ACT – Eventim Apollo ★★★★
Incredibly anticipated by the theatre community and postponed due to Covid, Sister Act has certainly made the long wait worth it. Beverley Knight, Jennifer Saunders, Keala Settle and Lizzie Bea leave audiences beaming from ear to ear.
‘Five cracking performers all get their moments to shine’: THE DRIFTERS GIRL – West End
The Drifters Girl is a classic example of the worst type of jukebox musical – a group effort in failing to tell an interesting story whilst putting on a good show.
‘Beverley Knight once again proves what a powerhouse she is’: THE DRIFTERS GIRL – West End
This new musical is filled with style, but it does feel as though more attention could have been paid to the story itself in places.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Drifters Girl at the West End’s Garrick Theatre
On LoveLondonLoveCulture, Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for the world premiere of new music industry bio-musical The Drifters Girl.
‘Each number is sensationally staged’: THE DRIFTERS’ GIRL – West End
The nostalgia musical is back in full force with crowd-pleasing easy listening stories that looks back to the 1950s and 60s for their inspiration.
NEWS: Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry & Tosh Wanogho-Maud join The Drifters Girl cast
Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud will play The Drifters in brand new musical The Drifters Girl, also starring Beverley Knight, which tells the remarkable story of one of the world’s greatest vocal groups and the woman who made them. The show begins performances at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 9 October 2021, playing until 23 October, before transferring to London’s Garrick Theatre on 4 November (press night is 25 November).
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Returning & new productions heading for the West End & beyond post-lockdown: Are you up to date?
Meanwhile, I want to start keeping track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, in a new feature here that will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Remember all the many creatives who have brought us theatre online, not just the big-hitters
There’s no question that, apart from his undoubted brilliance as a composer of instantly memorable melodies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest gift is as (self) publicist. He’s just wonderful at getting people to speak about him and his shows; and thereby promote them.
‘We’ll keep the blue gags flying here!’: PANTOLAND – London Palladium
Not for the very youngest probably, but for the rest of us over-7s and our inner child Pantoland at the London Palladium is a proper, silly, defiant showbiz shot in the arm.
Love London Love Culture’s Theatre Picks for December
Love London Love Culture offers a guide to some of the shows set to open in London next month.
NEWS: Elaine Paige joins the cast of Pantoland at The Palladium
Elaine Paige will join the cast of Pantoland at The Palladium for the three-week festive run from 12 December 2020 to 3 January 2021, which sees pantomime return to the the London Palladium for a fifth consecutive year.
NEWS: Julian Clary leads all-star cast in Pantoland at the London Palladium
This Christmas Julian Clary will lead a star-studded cast in Pantoland at The Palladium, a treasure-trove of the London Palladium panto past devised by Michael Harrison and playing from 12 December 2020 to 3 January 2021.
‘Lloyd Webber & his team have stepped up’: Read the reaction to the London Palladium pilot performance
A few days ago, Andrew Lloyd Webber presented a pilot performance at the London Palladium to show what live performances inside theatres could look like. Here’s some of the reaction from those who were there…
’An absolute ray of sunshine’: Hello, Harry! A Celebration of 40 Years at Stage Door (Online review)
Hello Harry!, an online concert celebrating the incredible 40-year career of Harry Gabriel, the Shaftesbury Theatre’s Stage Door Keeper, was an absolute ray of sunshine.
‘This is what theatre is’: HELLO, HARRY! (Online review)
Harry Gabriel is one of those unsung heroes in theatreland: the stage door keeper. Part surrogate parent, part nurse, part firm friend, they are the conduit between front and back of house, cast and crew, performer and fan.
In forty years at the Sha…
NEWS: After 72 virtual shows, Leave a Light On series concludes with Beverley Knight concert
Leave a Light On, the online concert series launched during lockdown, will draw to a close on Friday 29 May 2020 at 6.30pm with a finale concert by Beverley Knight.
‘Compelling & moving from start to finish’: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE – Peacock Theatre ★★★★
A compelling & human story brought vividly to life by a company that pulses with energy – Sting’s music and Kate Prince’s choreography are a marriage made in dance heaven in Message in a Bottle.
Stars on stage in 2020
Here’s our guide to some of the familiar faces that you can expect to see on stage this year…