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‘Moves along at a cracking pace’: MOTHER GOOSE – Hackney Empire

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Pantomimes, Reviews by Louise PennLeave a Comment

Mother Goose at the Hackney Empire moves along at a cracking pace. Even with a short salute to the 120 years of the Hackney(wood) Empire, Mother Goose is one of the best options available this year, with fabulous costumes, a sparkling script with room for a bit of improv, and some amusing bits of slapstick.

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‘The comic timing from the cast is certainly on point’: SISTER ACT – Eventim Apollo

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews, Touring by Laura KresslyLeave a Comment

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.

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‘It shows how integration can help lift artistry’: IN THE WILLOWS – Touring ★★★★

In Musicals, Opinion, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Kris HallettLeave a Comment

Who could have predicted that Kenneth Grahame’s genteel Edwardian tale about riverbanks and hot buttered toast would translate so well to Metta Theatre’s grime infused retelling? I went in sceptical; I came out converted by one of the freshest, most original pieces of theatre I’ve seen this year.

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‘Raves, cartwheels, windmills, head-slides & tears up the stage’: IN THE WILLOWS – Touring ★★★★

In Musicals, Opinion, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by Libby PurvesLeave a Comment

This isn’t the Wind in the Willows by Alan Bennett or Disney. In Metta Theatre’s cheeky, exuberant hip-hop musical version, Kenneth Grahame’s oar-plashing sylvan tale is kidnapped by the unruly class at The Willows school, next to the rough Wildwood Estate where the Weasel gang rule.

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‘Large group numbers energised the space quite thrillingly’: GUYS & DOLLS LIVE IN CONCERT – Royal Albert Hall ★★★★

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Reviews by Jonathan BazLeave a Comment

Gamblers, gangsters and nightclub singers mingle together in 1950s New York in Guys & Dolls, Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows’ ‘musical fable of Broadway’, which returned to London in concert form for just three performances at the Royal Albert Hall.