Not much festive cheer around at the Royal Court, but plenty of grimly insightful writing in Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s A Kind of People.
‘Ria Jones’ Mama Rose is an undeniably forceful presence’: GYPSY – Manchester
Because nothing says Merry Christmas like a stage mum going off the rails! Gypsy offers a different festive treat at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.
‘A surefire hit if ever there was one’: THE BOY FRIEND – Menier Chocolate Factory
As light as a madeleine and as frivolous as a macaron, Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend proves a festive treat at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
Best of the Blogs: White Christmas, An Act of God, My Brilliant Friend & more
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 2 December 2019), ranging from The Blog Of Theatre Things’ Liz Dyer feeling festive thanks to a joyful production of White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre.
‘An absolute triumph’: WEST SIDE STORY – Leicester
No doubt about it, Nikolai Foster’s production of West Side Story for Curve Leicester is damn close to musical theatre perfection.
ALBUM REVIEW: Lea Michele – Christmas in the City
Jonathan Groff and Darren Criss elevate Glee star Lea Michele’s first holiday album Christmas in the City.
ALBUM REVIEW: RE:arrangement – An Album by Nick Barstow
A musical theatre album with a difference, RE:arrangement – An Album by Nick Barstow is refreshingly bold.
CD REVIEW: Luke Evans – At Last
Luke Evans’ debut album At Last is full of emphatic pop covers and his powerful voice at full stretch, not always a winning combination.
‘Searchingly powerful stuff’: DEAR EVAN HANSEN – West End
There’s much to like about Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, not least a brilliant lead performance from Sam Tutty.
‘Going to be a winner’: & JULIET – West End
Late 90s pop is always my jam so a musical that features it is always going to be a winner. The brilliant & Juliet is so much more besides as well though.
Best of the Blogs: Mary Poppins, Touching The Void, La Clique & more
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 17 November 2019) including Ian Foster’s delight at the arrival of Mary Poppins to its original West End home.
‘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.
Best of the Blogs: The House of the Spirits, The Green Fairy, Death of a Salesman & more
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 10 November 2019) including Aleks Sierz’s thoughts on Caridad Svich’s “excellent” adaptation of Isabel Allende’s 1982 modern classic The House of the Spirits at Cervantes Theatre.
‘Nothing lost & so much gained’: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Chiswick Playhouse
A genuinely updated I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a really rather lovely thing at the newly renamed Chiswick Playhouse.
‘An alternative festive treat’: SOHO CINDERS – Charing Cross Theatre
This amiable revival of Soho Cinders makes for an alternative festive treat at the Charing Cross Theatre.
‘The stuff musical theatre dreams are made of’: THE GREEN FAIRY – Union Theatre
New musical The Green Fairy is a bold experience at the Union Theatre, featuring the unmissable, almighty voice of Julie Atherton.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on When The Crows Visit, Different From The Others, On Bear Ridge, Soho Cinders & more
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 3 November 2019). Libby Purves emphasises the significance of Anumpama Chandrasekhar’s new play When The Crows Visit at the Kiln Theatre.
‘Definitely one to muse over’: ON BEAR RIDGE – Royal Court Theatre
The densely poetic On Bear Ridge offers a thoughtful experience at the Royal Court, with Rhys Ifans and Rakie Ayola on fine form.
ALBUM REVIEW: Jon Robyns – Musical Direction
I’ve long admired Jon Robyns and his new album Musical Direction reflects on his career so far beautifully, as well as suggesting what fun lies ahead.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Noises Off, Translations, [Blank], The Girl Who Fell, Tickle The Musical & more
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 20 October 2019), ranging from Olivia Mitchell’s thigh-slapping joy on seeing Noises Off to Libby Purves’ plea that we listen to the story being told in [Blank] at the Donmar Warehouse.