There comes a point in every lifelong theatre lover’s career when you suddenly wake up and wonder: am I simply too old for this? Ben Brantley, former chief critic of the New York Times, hit this particular critical nail on the head when he ended his review of the 2018 Off-Broadway summer run of the cult musical Be More Chill (before it was propelled to Broadway in turn) by advising: “It may be helpful to think of this bounding, exhaustingly enthusiastic puppy of a show as the theatrical equivalent of one of those high-pitched dog whistles that only those under 25 can hear.”
NEWS: Principle casting is announced for Heathers The Musical at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Principal casting has been announced for the forthcoming return of Heathers The Musical, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 June until 11 September 2021 (press night on is 28 June).
NEWS: Heathers The Musical announces a return to the West End & new UK tour dates
Producers Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills have announced that Heathers the Musical will make its return to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 June 2021 for a strictly limited until 11 September, while simultaneously launching its new touring production from 28 July, opening at Leeds Grand Theatre for three weeks, before heading off across the UK.
’An easy informality that elevates this concert to the best kind of cabaret’: TOGETHER AGAIN – Thespie
Featuring the marvellous Sophie Isaacs, Jodie Steele and T’Shan Williams, Together Again might be Thespie’s best Reunited gig yet.
‘This is a show that could run & run’: HEATHERS THE MUSICAL – West End ★★★★★
Black musical comedy Heathers The Musical has graduated with honours to the West End, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket to whoops of laughter and screams of delight from enthusiastic audiences.
‘Packed full of humour & memorable numbers’: HEATHERS THE MUSICAL – West End ★★★
Following a sold-out run at The Other Palace earlier this year, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding Heathers the Musical, with a strong fandom out in force and social media buzzing with (mostly) glowing comments.
‘I did laugh a lot, until it palled’: HEATHERS – West End ★★★
You thought there were enough school-themed musicals? What with Bring it On, School of Rock and our own dear cross-dressing Jamie…? Make room, here comes Heathers.
NEWS: Final casting & brand new song announced for West End transfer of Heathers the Musical
The creative team behind Heathers the Musical has announced a brand new song has been written into the show ahead of its West End debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket (3 September to 24 November 2018), along with multiple re-workings to the script.
NEWS: Carrie Hope Fletcher stars in Heathers – The Musical European premiere at The Other Palace
Following a positive response to its sell-out 2017 workshop, 80s cult classic Heathers – The Musical will premiere at London’s The Other Palace from 9 June 2018 with Carrie Hope Fletcher in the role of Veronica Sawyer.
LEGALLY BLONDE – Touring ★★★★
Lucie Jones is exquisite as Elle, seamlessly blending nods to Reese Witherspoon’s film portrayal with her own flavour. This Elle comes with a level of self-awareness and sass that makes her truly memorable.
LEGALLY BLONDE – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
There’s an irrepressible sugary charm that surrounds Legally Blonde. Late into the show’s run and on a cold January night too, the Gatehouse Theatre was packed with a grinning audience picking up on the cast’s infectious enthusiasm.
LEGALLY BLONDE – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
There’s an irrepressible sugary charm that surrounds Legally Blonde. Late into the show’s run and on a cold January night too, the Gatehouse Theatre was packed with a grinning audience picking up on the cast’s infectious enthusiasm.
LEGALLY BLONDE – Kilworth House Hotel
Kilworth House Theatre, Leicestershire
****
Music and Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
Book: Heather Hach
Director and Choreographer: Mitch Sebastian
Jennifer Harding
Omigod – as autumn approaches and the nights are drawing in, Legally Blonde is creating a fabulously pink infusion of summer fun in the gorgeous grounds of Kilworth House Hotel’s theatre.
From a distance the show’s story couldn’t be cheesier. Elle expects boyfriend Warner to propose to her but instead the cad dumps her, prior to his leaving town to study law at Harvard – and find a fiancée of greater intellect and social standing. Not to be put down, Elle pursues her man, studying hard and also joining Harvard Law School. What follows is a story as delicious as it is improbable, as through a combination of hard work and sassy female intuition Elle heroically wins the day.
To say any more would spoil – for actually Legally Blonde is all about brilliantly executed song and dance, the breaking and mending of hearts and the lampooning of men whose attitudes to female equality belong in the Stone Age.
Fresh up from being nominated in London’s Off West Awards for Best Female Performer of the Year, Jennifer Harding is Elle. Barely off stage throughout, the strikingly blonde Canadian drives the show with stunning vocals and breathtaking presence. We sense her indignation, resilience, passion and yes at times, a deliciously ditzy blondeness that fuels the narrative. All of Harding’s singing is a treat, with her take on the title song and its Remix, proving spectacular.
Supporting Elle are a raft of featured characters. Greg Miller Burns is good-guy Emmet, who convinces in his transformation from geek to chic. The accomplished Jodie Jacobs is a delight as Paulette – scene stealing deservedly in her big number Ireland and bringing the house down during the Find My Way/Finale number.
Jenny Gayner puts in an eye-wateringly energetic turn as fitness guru Brooke Wyndham, a woman whose circumstances provide the opportunity for Elle to triumph. Gayner’s Delta Nu Nu Nu duet with Harding proves to be another of the show’s ridiculously memorable moments.
Mitch Sebastian directs and choreographs imaginatively – and for such a charmingly quirky venue, Philip Whitcomb’s set along with Chris Whybrow’s well-crafted sound design ensure all the action is both seen and heard as the sun sets behind the trees, with John Morton’s 11 piece band making fine work of the sugary score.
Fun musicals don’t get better than this!
Runs until 20th September
Review: Bat Boy The Musical (Southwark Playhouse)
Once you get past thinking this might be a rubber-suited prequel to the Gotham City franchise, the next thing to swallow is it’s based on a news story. Kinda. According to alien-spotting supermarket tabloid Weekly World News, a Spock-eared child purporting to be half-human half-Fledermaus was discovered in a West Virginia (isn’t it always?) cave in 1992. […]
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