Traditionally, audiences don’t go to Oklahoma! to be unsettled. On the other hand you don’t go to the Young Vic to have your expectations cosily met by a singalong, with the dark bits tastefully brushed over.
‘Likely to infuriate as many people as it enchants’: OKLAHOMA! – Young Vic Theatre ★★★
Daniel Fish’s sexed-up, pared-down version of Oklahoma! at the Young Vic Theatre (co-directed for London by Jordan Fein) is less a revival and more a full blown deconstruction of the original material.
‘Something that disconcerts more than entertains’: OKLAHOMA! – Young Vic Theatre
The Young Vic presents a rather sexy version of Oklahoma! that replaces twee interpretations of cowboy country with a throbbing desire that inflicts the inhabitants of this rural town, and becomes a fascinating technical exercise in deconstructing a musical.
‘There are numerous scene-stealing turns’: HAIRSPRAY – London Coliseum
After the last 15 months in which theatre has been mostly a wasteland, it is wonderful to be back in one of the grandest theatres of all (the London Coliseum) and watching one of the most delightful of shows (Hairspray).
‘Completely irresistible’: HAIRSPRAY – London Coliseum
Fourteen months and four attempts later, Hairspray is finally back in the West End – the energy, sentiment and exhilaration of the show is completely irresistible.
NEWS: Les Dennis joins the cast of Hairspray the Musical at the London Coliseum
Actor Les Dennis is to join the new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the London Coliseum from 21 June to 29 September 2021.
‘Deeply effective & emotionally engaging’: BKLYN THE MUSICAL – Lambert Jackson Productions (Online review)
BKLYN the Musical is assured, confident and dynamic, while staying true to its source material. I thoroughly enjoyed its innovation, cleverness and attention to detail.
‘A real triumph of a production’: BKLYN THE MUSICAL – Lambert Jackson Productions (Online review) ★★★★★
Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson’s modern fairytale musical BKLYN the musical is evocatively brought to life in Dean Johnson’s stylish production.
Album Reviews: Marisha Wallace – Tomorrow / Shan Ako – Brave Heart / Soviet Zion
A trio of music reviews with Marisha Wallace’s album Tomorrow, Shan Ako’s EP Brave Heart and the original concept album of Soviet Zion.
‘Perhaps the best one yet’: The Theatre Channel – Episode 5 The Classics of Broadway (Online review)
We are now into a third lockdown, but the Theatre Cafe and Adam Blanshay Productions continue undeterred with the Theatre Channel’s musical theatre spectaculars.
‘A theatrical enterprise growing from strength to strength’: The Theatre Channel – Episode 4 Holiday Special (Online review)
Nipping in just before Santa arrives, The Theatre Channel’s fourth episode delivers festive treats aplenty in The Holiday Special.
Album Review: Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi
Covid-19 may have cut her time in Waitress short but Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi is a great reminder of the leading lady she is and will surely continue to be.
NEWS: Hairspray postpones for a second time, now runs for 19 weeks from April 2021
The return of Hairspray the Musical has been postponed again. It will now return next April, a full year after originally scheduled, but now for a longer, 19-week season, rather than ten weeks.
NEWS: Hairspray reschedules its London Coliseum season for this autumn
Producers have announced new dates for the return of Hairspray the Musical which, prior to the coronavirus crisis, had been due to run from 23 April to 30 August 2020 at the London Coliseum. The production will now run for a ten-week season from 1 September to 8 November 2020, with a press night on 8 September.
NEWS: Paul Merton will make his West End musical debut in Hairspray at the London Coliseum
Paul Merton, the popular comedian and star of BBC’s renowned programme Have I Got News For You – is to join the new production of Hairspray the Musical at the London Coliseum, making his West End musical debut as Wilbur Turnblad.
‘Oakley was absolutely stunning’: WAITRESS – West End
We were incredibly excited to learn that we would instead be seeing Desi Oakley, who had formerly played Jenna in the US tour, and had been flown over especially to cover the sickness spreading through the Waitress diner.
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.
‘A delicate show with powerful moments, laughs & tears’: WAITRESS – West End ★★★★
Waitress is a delicate show with powerful moments, laughs and tears that I have no doubt everyone will love.
NEWS: Lucie Jones & Ashley Roberts join the West End cast of Waitress in the roles of Jenna and Dawn
From 17 June 2019 Ashley Roberts will be making her West End debut as Dawn in Sara Bareilles’ hit musical Waitress for a strictly limited summer season, while it has also been confirmed that Lucie Jones will take over the role of Jenna from that date.
NEWS: Katharine McPhee’s final performance in the West End production of Waitress will be 15 June
Audiences have ten weeks to catch Katharine McPhee in the West End production of Waitress. The Smash and Scorpion actress will play her final performance on 15 June 2019 with new casting for the role of Jenna to be announced soon.