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‘Exceeds all expectations’: FUN HOME – Young Vic

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Reviews by Not Exactly Billington11th July 2018Leave a Comment

Fun Home exceeds all expectations. It’s one of those productions where everything – book, music, performance, design – comes together in perfect harmony and by the final notes you know you’ve witnessed something sublime.

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‘Bittersweetly funny, powerfully emotive & superlatively performed’: FUN HOME – Young Vic

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews, Sticky by Ian Foster28th June 2018Leave a Comment

It’s fitting that Fun Home should open in Pride month, not least because it is an all-too-rare show that focuses on the L in LGBT+. But as stirring and gratifying and significant as it is to have a lesbian protagonist, this musical works because it is straight-up fantastic.

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NEWS: Jenna Russell, Kaisa Hammarlund & Cherrelle Skeete are cast in Fun Home at the Young Vic

In London theatre, Musicals, Native, News, Press Releases, Sticky by Press Releases3rd April 2018Leave a Comment

Casting has been announced for Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron’s five-time Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home, playing at the Young Vic’s main house from 18 June to 1 September 2018 (press night is 27 June 2018). The line-up features Kaisa Hammarlund as Alison; Eleanor Kane as Medium Alison; Jenna Russell as Helen; Ashley Samuels as Roy, Mark and Jeremy; Cherrelle Skeete as Joan and Zubin Varla as Bruce, Alison’s father.

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REVIEW: Dirty Dancing, Dominion Theatre

Array ( [post_title] => REVIEW: Dirty Dancing, Dominion Theatre [post_content] =>

The musical makes its return to the West End.

(c) Mark Senior.

As someone who always wanted to learn to dance (but never have really had the confidence to), Dirty Dancing was always a film that I have particularly enjoyed – mesmerised as much by the fabulous dancing as well as the wonderful chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Now back in the West End – the musical is just as sexy and enjoyable, faithful to the film but able to find its own way with a couple of additional moments.

Whisking audiences back to 1963, Dirty Dancing sees the Houseman family heading to Kellerman’s for their Summer holiday – where romance and dancing are only around the corner – particularly for Frances (also known as ‘Baby’) who soon meets the brooding Johnny Castle and finds herself involved with the troubles that the staff are going through. It is a real coming of age story as Baby grows in confidence and blossoms as a young woman with the help of Johnny.

It has to be said from the start this show has found its perfect home at the Dominion theatre, its expansive stage allowing Austin Wilks’s wonderful choreography really to take flight on Federico Bellone’s (who also directs) uncluttered set. Wilks’s choreography retains the original vibe of the film but with little touches of originality that work well as seen through the ‘Do You Love Me’ sequence.

While some might find that certain familiar scenes are a little bit rushed through in order to get to the next musical number, there is an incredible energy that is infectious and it is hard not to get swept up by it all. Meanwhile, I was also impressed with the onstage band whose performances are really beautiful – including a wonderful rendition of ‘This Magic Moment’ – the show is jam packed with songs from the 60’s and has a sense of nostalgia musically throughout – particularly when teamed up with recordings of songs.

Perhaps some might argue that some of the story gets a little bit lost along the way – it would have been lovely to have some more lingering moments between Johnny and Baby to really develop the romance. However, what is never in question is the chemistry between Kira Malou and Michael O’Reilly, who sizzle throughout (with the final moments of the first act really highlighting this…) – both capture the contrasts between their characters well and show how each develop characteristically thanks to the other person. Malou is sweet and comedic as Baby (her early moments in which she attempts to learn to dance are delightfully funny), while O’Reilly has a wonderful broodiness to him that works well for the character.

There is great support from the rest of the cast as well including Charlotte Gooch as Penny, whose character goes through an abortion – delivering a heart wrenching performance in all the moments she is involved with.Her dancing is also on an incredible level as showcased during the first time see Johnny and Penny dancing, making it all look so effortless. Georgina Castle is also delightfully comical as Baby’s sister Lisa while Colin Charles as Tito has wonderful vocals that are constantly put to good use.

Yes, while it could be argued that the story is a little bit flimsy, what is not in doubt is how sexy, energetic and romantic this show is. If you love the film then you don’t need to worry – you will have the time of your life at the Dominion Theatre.

By Emma Clarendon

Dirty Dancing will play at the Dominion Theatre until the 29th April 2023. You can book your tickets here.

Rating:

[post_excerpt] => The musical makes its return to the West End. As someone who always wanted to learn to dance (but never have really had the confidence to), Dirty Dancing was always a film that I have particularly enjoyed – mesmerised as much by the fabulous dancing as well as the wonderful chemistry between Patrick Swayze and […] [post_date_gmt] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_date] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_modified] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_status] => pending [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [guid] => https://lovelondonloveculture.com/?p=136532 [meta] => Array ( [$(post_content)] => Array ( [0] => ... ) [enclosure] => Array ( [0] => ) [syndication_source] => Theatre – Love London Love Culture [syndication_source_uri] => https://lovelondonloveculture.com [syndication_source_id] => http://lovelondonloveculture.com/category/theatre/feed/ [syndication_feed] => http://lovelondonloveculture.com/category/theatre/feed/ [syndication_feed_id] => 162 [syndication_permalink] => https://lovelondonloveculture.com/2023/01/26/review-dirty-dancing-dominion-theatre/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=review-dirty-dancing-dominion-theatre [syndication_item_hash] => Array ( [0] => a9503c0e71c62406190d0d2c042db428 [1] => 84f105bbcf832b8df404de7a7c803f05 ) ) [post_type] => post [post_author] => 50 [tax_input] => Array ( [category] => Array ( [0] => 1105 [1] => 729 ) [post_tag] => Array ( [0] => 763 ) [post_format] => Array ( ) ) )

Decide filter: Returning post, everything seems orderly :REVIEW: Dirty Dancing, Dominion Theatre

Array ( [post_title] => REVIEW: Dirty Dancing, Dominion Theatre [post_content] =>

The musical makes its return to the West End.

(c) Mark Senior.

As someone who always wanted to learn to dance (but never have really had the confidence to), Dirty Dancing was always a film that I have particularly enjoyed – mesmerised as much by the fabulous dancing as well as the wonderful chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Now back in the West End – the musical is just as sexy and enjoyable, faithful to the film but able to find its own way with a couple of additional moments.

Whisking audiences back to 1963, Dirty Dancing sees the Houseman family heading to Kellerman’s for their Summer holiday – where romance and dancing are only around the corner – particularly for Frances (also known as ‘Baby’) who soon meets the brooding Johnny Castle and finds herself involved with the troubles that the staff are going through. It is a real coming of age story as Baby grows in confidence and blossoms as a young woman with the help of Johnny.

It has to be said from the start this show has found its perfect home at the Dominion theatre, its expansive stage allowing Austin Wilks’s wonderful choreography really to take flight on Federico Bellone’s (who also directs) uncluttered set. Wilks’s choreography retains the original vibe of the film but with little touches of originality that work well as seen through the ‘Do You Love Me’ sequence.

While some might find that certain familiar scenes are a little bit rushed through in order to get to the next musical number, there is an incredible energy that is infectious and it is hard not to get swept up by it all. Meanwhile, I was also impressed with the onstage band whose performances are really beautiful – including a wonderful rendition of ‘This Magic Moment’ – the show is jam packed with songs from the 60’s and has a sense of nostalgia musically throughout – particularly when teamed up with recordings of songs.

Perhaps some might argue that some of the story gets a little bit lost along the way – it would have been lovely to have some more lingering moments between Johnny and Baby to really develop the romance. However, what is never in question is the chemistry between Kira Malou and Michael O’Reilly, who sizzle throughout (with the final moments of the first act really highlighting this…) – both capture the contrasts between their characters well and show how each develop characteristically thanks to the other person. Malou is sweet and comedic as Baby (her early moments in which she attempts to learn to dance are delightfully funny), while O’Reilly has a wonderful broodiness to him that works well for the character.

There is great support from the rest of the cast as well including Charlotte Gooch as Penny, whose character goes through an abortion – delivering a heart wrenching performance in all the moments she is involved with.Her dancing is also on an incredible level as showcased during the first time see Johnny and Penny dancing, making it all look so effortless. Georgina Castle is also delightfully comical as Baby’s sister Lisa while Colin Charles as Tito has wonderful vocals that are constantly put to good use.

Yes, while it could be argued that the story is a little bit flimsy, what is not in doubt is how sexy, energetic and romantic this show is. If you love the film then you don’t need to worry – you will have the time of your life at the Dominion Theatre.

By Emma Clarendon

Dirty Dancing will play at the Dominion Theatre until the 29th April 2023. You can book your tickets here.

Rating:

[post_excerpt] => The musical makes its return to the West End. As someone who always wanted to learn to dance (but never have really had the confidence to), Dirty Dancing was always a film that I have particularly enjoyed – mesmerised as much by the fabulous dancing as well as the wonderful chemistry between Patrick Swayze and […] [post_date_gmt] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_date] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_modified] => 2023-01-26 18:47:54 [post_status] => pending [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [guid] => https://lovelondonloveculture.com/?p=136532 [meta] => Array ( [$(post_content)] => Array ( [0] => ... ) [enclosure] => Array ( [0] => ) [syndication_source] => Theatre – Love London Love Culture [syndication_source_uri] => https://lovelondonloveculture.com [syndication_source_id] => http://lovelondonloveculture.com/category/theatre/feed/ [syndication_feed] => http://lovelondonloveculture.com/category/theatre/feed/ [syndication_feed_id] => 162 [syndication_permalink] => https://lovelondonloveculture.com/2023/01/26/review-dirty-dancing-dominion-theatre/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=review-dirty-dancing-dominion-theatre [syndication_item_hash] => Array ( [0] => a9503c0e71c62406190d0d2c042db428 [1] => 84f105bbcf832b8df404de7a7c803f05 ) ) [post_type] => post [post_author] => 50 [tax_input] => Array ( [category] => Array ( [0] => 1105 [1] => 729 ) [post_tag] => Array ( [0] => 763 ) [post_format] => Array ( ) ) )