Theatre, still recovering from economic and talent loss, following Covid-19 is understandably taking a safe approach to productions.
‘Spine tingling’: CHICAGO – Edinburgh Playhouse (UK Tour) ★★★★
Chicago’s tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery whispers back into the Edinburgh Playhouse with a thrum of double bass, a twitching off-beat on the drums and a haunting moan of muted trumpet.
‘Joel shows off a natural flair for comedy’: THE FOSSE FOREST BALLET (Online review) ★★★★
The Forest Fosse Ballet shows great potential to be developed further into a full series, with a great sense of comedy and many funny relatable characters.
‘Vocally impressive but also visually interesting too’: GODSPELL THE CONCERT (Online review)
Raising money for three charities: Hope Mill Theatre (A Factory of Creativity CIO), Acting For Others and National AIDS Trust, Godspell looks towards a brighter future post-lockdown.
‘Superb & enjoyable musical treat’: GODSPELL THE CONCERT (Online review)
The marvellous Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester has co-produced Godspell The Concert with Ginger Quiff Media.
’It is crystal clear that the cast are loving every moment’: JOSEPH & THE AMAZING ALL STAR CONCERT (Online review)
Joseph and the Amazing All Star Concert brings cast members from across the world together virtually for an all too brief sing-song that will have you dancing in your seat.
‘The perfect family trip to the theatre’: PETER PAN – Southampton ★★★★
With its colourful set, fast-paced story and funny jokes Peter Pan keeps the younger members of the audience transfixed and it was a delight to hear them chuckling and booing.
Sherman album series: Bumblescratch (2016 London Concert 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.
ADAM & EVE AND STEVE – King’s Head
It is a delightful curiosity, though, in the sense that it’s a show deliberately aiming at a long life on college and festival circuits rather than having eyes on the prize of Broadway or the West End.
BUMBLESCRATCH – West End
Told from the perspective of one Melbourne Bumblescratch, a laid-back, sleazy, pick-pocketing plague rat, Bumblescratch is a new musical comedy based around this remarkable rodent’s unique and twisted love affair with London during the 1665 Great Plague and the Great Fire one year later.
BUMBLESCRATCH – West End
This new musical by Robert J Sherman is fun, entertaining, poignant and excellently cast, delighting audiences at the Adelphi Theatre last night.
BUMBLESCRATCH – West End
Bumblescratch is a ‘ratty’ epic. 38 songs, mostly sung by Darren Day in a blonde beehive wig rescued from Mari Wilson’s dumpster. Kid co-star Ilan Galkoff is excellent as a sort of Stuart Little to Day’s Rat Thenardier and Michael Xavier gives the campest pirate since Robert de Niro in Stardust.
Bumblescratch: The challenges of writing sung-through musicals
Robert J Sherman is a composer, lyricist and book writer who is proud to carry on the enduring legacy of his father and uncle, Robert B and Richard M Sherman, a.k.a The Sherman Brothers, whose childhood musical classics include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins (whose stage versions are both currently revived on tour). Robert J Sherman’s own credits include A Spoonful of Sherman and Love Birds. And, with his latest show, BUMBLESCRATCH, he tackles something that even together his father and uncle never did: the sung-through musical.
NEWS: Full cast announced for Robert J Sherman’s Bumblescratch premiere
Full casting is announced today for next month’s special gala charity concert of Robert J. Sherman’s new musical BUMBLESCRATCH at West End’s Adelphi Theatre. The 13-strong company will include twelve-year-old Ilan Galkofff (Matilda, Oliver!) in the lead child role, joining previously announced adult leads Darren Day, Michael Xavier and Jessica Martin.
NEWS: Darren Day & Michael Xavier headline new Sherman musical Bumblescratch
Principal casting has been announced for the gala concert presentation of Robert J Sherman’s new musical BUMBLESCRATCH, which runs for one night only at the West End’s Adelphi Theatre on Sunday 4 September 2016, as part of commemorations for the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. Darren Day returns to the West End musical stage to take the title role of Melbourne Bumblescratch, starring alongside Michael Xavier, fresh from Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close, and Jessica Martin, recently seen in Elf. Further casting is to be announced.