MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS – Theatre Royal, Bath

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

A musical can only be as good as its underlying book – and in Mrs Henderson Presents, the show’s fable couldn’t be more strong or poetic. Based upon the 2005 movie, the true story tells of Laura Henderson, wealthy widow and owner of London’s Windmill Theatre, who sought to halt the venue’s falling revenues by putting on shows of naked girls. Britain’s censorship laws were fierce at the time, forbidding nude performers, but in a bid to circumvent the Lord Chamberlain’s disapproval, Henderson, along with close adviser Vivian Van Dam, concoct a revue that will feature naked women but in still life tableaux. The Windmill’s success was assured and as war with Germany broke out in 1939, so did the Windmill never close, always packed with troops enjoying morale boosting visits even through the darkest days of the Blitz and in its own way capturing the essence of British resilience.

Review: Aladdin (Richmond Theatre, London)

In Musicals, Reviews by Johnny FoxLeave a Comment

Like a lot of people with a lifelong theatre habit, mine started with a pantomime. Having since written and acted in several, playing everything from Peter Pan to an Ugly Sister, I still love them and it’s delightful on the walk from Richmond station to the theatre, to see the excitement of so many diminutive […]

The post Review: Aladdin (Richmond Theatre, London) appeared first on JohnnyFox.

Review: Aladdin (Richmond Theatre, London)

In Musicals, Reviews by Johnny FoxLeave a Comment

Like a lot of people with a lifelong theatre habit, mine started with a pantomime. Having since written and acted in several, playing everything from Peter Pan to an Ugly Sister, I still love them and it’s delightful on the walk from Richmond station to the theatre, to see the excitement of so many diminutive […]

The post Review: Aladdin (Richmond Theatre, London) appeared first on JohnnyFox.