Someone at the Globe may have sold their soul to the devil after all because it is the companion piece to Doctor Faustus, Dark Night of the Soul, that is exactly the kind of successful initiative they need.
Album Review: The Grinning Man – 2018 London cast live recording
I loved The Grinning Man in both its incarnations – from Bristol’s Old Vic to the West End – and so I was most pleased to hear that it would be immortalised in vinyl, or whatever the digital equivalent is…
‘Offers plenty to consider & enjoy’: DOCTOR FAUSTUS – Shakespeare’s Globe
Doctor Faustus at Shakespeare’s Globe certainly provides an entertaining evening and, if it raises questions as well as providing answers, its approach is fresh, important and fascinating.
‘A thing of real, gentle wonder’: FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS – Chichester
Some of the beauty of Flowers for Mrs Harris gets lost at Chichester Festival Theatre but it remains a striking new musical
“It’s a work of art… something not real, made to make you feel”
I had much love for Flowers for Mrs Harris when it premiered in Sheffield a couple of years ago, and so I was delighted to see Daniel Evans deciding to revive it at his new abode over in Chichester. My only cavil came with the placing of this most heartfelt musical in the vast space of the Festival Theatre rather than the intimacy of the Minerva where it might perhaps have been better served.
So much of the beauty of the show (book by Rachel Wagstaff from Paul Gallico’s novel, music & lyrics by Richard Taylor) comes from the fact that it isn’t a bells and whistles epic. It is something far more subtle that truly celebrates the ordinary in extraordinary, as Clare Burt’s charlady Ada Harris dares to dream of owning a Christian Dior dress and in working to achieve that dream, illuminates the lives of those around her.
Largely sung-through, the cumulative effect of Flowers for Mrs Harris is like a ripple billowing through a length of silk fabric, flipping it over – beguiling and beautiful, gentle but ultimately transformative. As Ada’s hard work takes her from Battersea to Paris, some nifty doubling in the cast sees her meeting contrasting figures to those for whom she toils. So Louis Maskell switches from accountant to dreamy photographer, Laura Pitt-Pulford from struggling actress to top model, Joanna Riding aristocracy to couturier, and all impress with their clear delineation.
And Burt is just magnificent the unassuming Ada, slowly coming to realise her place in the world, her worth and her right to a greater happiness than she ever dared dream of in the drudgery of post-war Britain. Lez Brotherston’s design looks superb under Mark Henderson’s well-observed lighting choices, and the conclusion is a thing of real, gentle wonder. Don’t just talk about wanting to see new exciting British musical theatre, go and see it now!
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (with interval)
Photos: Johan Persson
Flowers for Mrs Harris is booking at Chichester Festival Theatre until 29th September
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‘A dark & alternative show’: THE GRINNING MAN – West End ★★★★
A particular highlight was Julie Atherton as Queen Angelica, whose comedic timing was on point as always.
Mind the Blog’s best shows of 2017
Any number of shows could have been included in this post; frankly it’s ludicrous that I decided to stick with my whole top 12 idea… As I’ve seen about 90 more individual shows than last year.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Grinning Man at Trafalgar Studios
The Bristol Old Vic’s new British musical, based on Victor Hugo’s story, has transferred to London. What have critics made of The Grinning Man’s West End transfer, now running at Trafalgar Studios?
‘An astonishing piece of theatre’: THE GRINNING MAN – West End ★★★★★
The Grinning Man is an astonishing piece of theatre which will appeal to anyone with an appetite for an entertainment which is piquant, curious, original and just a little bit macabre.
‘Satisfying, challenging, complex, beautiful’: THE GRINNING MAN – West End
There’s superlative work from Gyre & Gimble’s puppetry, Loren O’Dair and James Alexander-Taylor’s work with the wolf is exceptional, and the whole show is just as satisfying and challenging and complex and beautiful as I remembered. Recommended.
‘A rare & genuine theatre magic’: THE GRINNING MAN – West End
The Grinning Man may not be suitable for children (it has an age limit of 12 years), and it’s certainly not a Christmas show in any way, but within the grotesque world that Grose, Morris, Teitler and Phillips create there is a rare and genuine theatre magic.
NEWS: Full cast announced for The Grinning Man’s West End transfer
Full casting has now been announced for the West End transfer of new musical The Grinning Man, with West End stars including Julie Atherton, Mark Anderson and Sanne den Besten amongst those joining the company.
NEWS: Full cast announced for The Grinning Man’s West End transfer
Full casting has now been announced for the West End transfer of new musical The Grinning Man, with West End stars including Julie Atherton, Mark Anderson and Sanne den Besten amongst those joining the company.
NEWS: Gothic musical The Grinning Man transfers from Bristol to West End
Gothic musical The Grinning Man transfers to the West End’s Trafalgar Studios 1 for an open-ended from 5 December 2017. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 11 October 2017.
NEWS: Female playwrights lead Best New Play nominations in UK Theatre Awards 2017
Industry body UK Theatre has announced the nominations for the annual UK Theatre Awards, which celebrate creative excellence and the outstanding work seen on stages throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Notably, for the first time in the Awards history, all nominations for Best New Play are written by female playwrights.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Chichester
If I Were A Rich Man, I would fund this production’s transfer to the West End right this minute.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Chichester
Though my life has long been filled with musicals, Fiddler on the Roof has never been the one. I’ve only ever seen it the once (2013’s touring version) and though I quite enjoyed it then, I can’t say I was hankering after seeing another production.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Chichester
Omid Djalili steps up to the pivotal role of Tevye the milkman. Married to Golde and with 5 daughters (3 of marriageable age) Djalili captures a hen-pecked, hardworking weariness of the poor pious family man who dreams of maybe, just a small fortune.
Year in Review: Ian Foster’s Best Actor in a Play & in a Musical
In addition to lists of top productions, Mates contributor Ian Foster reviews his reviews from the past year to award his personal prizes for the best performances for Best Actor and Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress in both plays and musicals…
THE GRINNING MAN – Bristol Old Vic
The master stroke of the creative team at Bristol Old Vic is to re-imagine his The Man Who Laughs through the dirty lens of Tim Burton, and to centre The Grinning Man on the brutally malevolent humour of a moping and Machiavellian clown played to and beyond perfection by Julian Bleach.
THE GRINNING MAN – Bristol Old Vic
Written by Carl Grose and directed by BOV AD Tom Morris, The Grinning Man is a deliciously dark fairytale of a show, sharing DNA with the likes of Kneehigh and The Light Princess in its theatrical playfulness and musical complexity.
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