Far from frivolous, this fashion-based drama is a great choice for Chichester Festival Theatre’s inaugural broadcast, from a venue that so often gets it right. Perfect escapism.
‘There’s a rollicking good time to be had here’: MARY POPPINS – West End
Really, in the end, Mary Poppins is the kind of production full of uncomplicated fun that can’t help but
uplift the soul in the most delightful way.
NEWS: Casting update for the West End production of Mary Poppins
Final adult casting has been announced for the new production of Mary Poppins which begins rehearsals in September 2019 and returns to its original West End home at the Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October.
Q&A video: Watch Terri interview producer, director & stars of Amour… must now finish 8 Jun
I can’t believe that Amour has posted early closing notices at Charing Cross Theatre. This beautiful production now must finish on Saturday 8 June 2019. So please watch and share this post-show Q&A video – and then book to see the show – ASAP!
‘For lovers of quality musical theatre, it’s unmissable’: AMOUR – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★
Amour, a whimsical tale of a Parisian clerk who finds himself temporarily gifted with a superhuman ability to walk through walls, lends itself perfectly to London’s Off West End theatre scene.
‘Intriguing & mystical’: AMOUR – Charing Cross Theatre
Amour is a sweet and bittersweet story which is delicately handled by director Hannah Chissick. The concept of is intriguing and mystical, and the style of the music is chocolate box sweet.
‘A thing of real, gentle wonder’: FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS – Chichester
Some of the beauty of Flowers for Mrs Harris gets lost at Chichester Festival Theatre but it remains a striking new musical
“It’s a work of art… something not real, made to make you feel”
I had much love for Flowers for Mrs Harris when it premiered in Sheffield a couple of years ago, and so I was delighted to see Daniel Evans deciding to revive it at his new abode over in Chichester. My only cavil came with the placing of this most heartfelt musical in the vast space of the Festival Theatre rather than the intimacy of the Minerva where it might perhaps have been better served.
So much of the beauty of the show (book by Rachel Wagstaff from Paul Gallico’s novel, music & lyrics by Richard Taylor) comes from the fact that it isn’t a bells and whistles epic. It is something far more subtle that truly celebrates the ordinary in extraordinary, as Clare Burt’s charlady Ada Harris dares to dream of owning a Christian Dior dress and in working to achieve that dream, illuminates the lives of those around her.
Largely sung-through, the cumulative effect of Flowers for Mrs Harris is like a ripple billowing through a length of silk fabric, flipping it over – beguiling and beautiful, gentle but ultimately transformative. As Ada’s hard work takes her from Battersea to Paris, some nifty doubling in the cast sees her meeting contrasting figures to those for whom she toils. So Louis Maskell switches from accountant to dreamy photographer, Laura Pitt-Pulford from struggling actress to top model, Joanna Riding aristocracy to couturier, and all impress with their clear delineation.
And Burt is just magnificent the unassuming Ada, slowly coming to realise her place in the world, her worth and her right to a greater happiness than she ever dared dream of in the drudgery of post-war Britain. Lez Brotherston’s design looks superb under Mark Henderson’s well-observed lighting choices, and the conclusion is a thing of real, gentle wonder. Don’t just talk about wanting to see new exciting British musical theatre, go and see it now!
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (with interval)
Photos: Johan Persson
Flowers for Mrs Harris is booking at Chichester Festival Theatre until 29th September
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‘Blooming magical’: FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS – Chichester ★★★★
Flowers For Mrs Harris, a 2016 Sheffield hit for director Daniel Evans when he was there, is the big musical flourish for Chichester Festival Theatre, where Evans is now completing his second year as artistic director.
‘One of the most heartwarming shows I have ever seen’: FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS – Chichester ★★★★★
Flowers for Mrs Harris is one of the most heartwarming shows I have ever seen and a return to the great British musical. The audible gasps, from the audience, at certain parts a testament to both the writing and performances.
‘A masterpiece of modern theatre’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
Director Thom Southerland, at the helm since 2013, has created a masterpiece of modern theatre in Titanic that is packed with emotion and winning performances.
‘Really begins to fizz as a piece of theatre’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Tragic in a way that only stories of real life events can be, there is no small amount of hubris on display in this powerful touring production of Titanic the Musical.
‘Dignified production’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
This dignified production has a glorious and moving score with a story full of aspirations, hope, love, ambition and ultimately tragedy. A fantastic performance which deserved the standing ovation.
‘You should do everything in your power to see it’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
It’s not often you see a touring production greeted with a standing ovation but as one of the many on their feet I can say it was thoroughly deserved for Titanic the Musical. Shows like this simply don’t come around often enough.
‘As much a meditation as a drama’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
So after the fascinating Shadow Factory, Southampton gets a second theatrical take on its history with the touring revival of Thom Southerland’s marvellous production of Maury Yeston’s Titanic musical.
NEWS: cast revealed for Titanic The Musical first UK & Ireland tour
Casting has been confirmed for the first ever UK and Ireland tour of Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s Titanic The Musical.
Sherman album series: Mary Poppins (2005 Original London Cast Recording)
As A Spoonful of Sherman, a tribute to three generations of Sherman family music, including childhood classics by the Sherman Brothers, continues Live at Zedel until 20 August 2017, Ian Foster reviews related albums.
THE GIRLS – West End
So having not gotten round to seeing The Girls for whatever reason (mainly that I didn’t want to), I finally bit the bullet last week and within 24 hours, the show posted closing notices for its West End run. The Girls will then head out on a two year national tour from August 2018, aiming to visit 42 theatres across the UK
NEWS: The Girls closes in West End after six months, launches new UK tour
David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, the producers of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s new musical comedy THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, are delighted to announce that the production will return home to Yorkshire and open at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 15 August 2018 and visit 42 theatres …
INTERVIEW: Spotlight On… Star of The Girls, Claire Machin
Claire Machin is an actress who has been on my little radar for quite some time, she’s a versatile performer with an incredible singing voice and I think that her latest role as Cora in The Girls suits her down to the ground. It’s an absolute pleasure to introduce the lady herself who I was very privileged to steal some precious time with in between shows.
THE GIRLS – West End
The Olivier Award nominated musical comedy version of The Girls by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow has been much anticipated this year and I’ve scarcely been able to contain my excitement about finally going to see it.
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