August was dominated by Edinburgh for me but the London theatre wheels were still turning; here’s my round up of my favourite bits of news, my theatre hits and misses and few celeb spots…
News, reviews & controversies: Mark Shenton has plenty to discuss as he views the week ahead
News, reviews, controversies and interviews of the week from London to Broadway, by way of Edinburgh, including the ‘banning’ of Mazz Murray from singing a song from Dreamgirls, Edinburgh venue pay rates, and a 70-year-old Broadway understudy getting the lead.
Text of the Day: A Monster Calls
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘For a play about storytelling, most of the story is oddly unengaging’: A MONSTER CALLS – Old Vic
For a play about storytelling, most of A Monster Calls is oddly unengaging and bland. Worst of all, it does the audience’s moral work for them, being increasingly didactic and offering its sincere insights into loss, love, and feeling on a plate.
‘I was not prepared for the emotional journey the story would take me on’: A MONSTER CALLS – Old Vic ★★★★★
This story contains no real heroes or villains. It is a brutal tale that focuses on the harsh realities of mortality, and our helplessness in grief and the emotional complexities of its process. This production tells it very well, especially in the quietest of scenes. A Monster Calls is not to be missed.
‘It means very well… but it’s a heavy evening’: A MONSTER CALLS – Old Vic ★★★
A Monster Calls is billed for ten years old or more, and its protagonist is a boy of 13. But be warned: this Old Vic young adult summer special is no cosy Lorax.
‘Reminding us of how much we stand to lose’: THE GREATEST WEALTH – The Old Vic
Paying tribute to the NHS in its 70th year, the specially-commissioned monologues of The Greatest Wealth made for a great night at the Old Vic.
‘We’re in the palm of Scott’s hand’: SEA WALL – The Old Vic
Key to Sea Wall’s effectiveness is Andrew Scott’s ability to connect so entirely with his audience. Laughing and joking, we’re totally with him in the anecdotes of his ideal life.
NEWS: Casting for Old Vic’s series of monologues celebrating the NHS includes Art Malik, Meera Syal & Jade Anouka
The Old Vic has announced casting for The Greatest Wealth, curated by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Adrian Lester to celebrate 70 years of the National Health Service.
Text of the Day: Mood Music
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
NEWS: Beverley Knight, John Dagleish & Carly Bawden are cast in Suffragette musical Sylvia at The Old Vic
The cast of SYLVIA at The Old Vic, which has its world premiere at The Old Vic on 11 September 2018 (previews from 3 September) will include Delroy Atkinson, Carly Bawden, Verity Blyth, John Dagleish, Jade Hackett, Todd Holdsworth, Izuka Hoyle, Beverley Knight, Genesis Lynea, Jaye Marshall, Tachia Newall, Maria Omakinwa, Karl Queensborough, Ross Sands, Witney White and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure.
‘Surely a candidate for best play of the year’: MOOD MUSIC – The Old Vic
Mood Music is all about the music industry and the pains of creativity. It is a powerful journey into the dark heart of music-making — and surely a candidate for best play of the year.
‘Lethally funny, memorably moving play’: MOOD MUSIC – The Old Vic ★★★★
The theatrical repertoire has a new monster: music producer-creator-arranger Bernard, created by Joe Penhall in Mood Music and brought to scorchingly memorable, sociopathically irresistible life by Ben Chaplin. Who is wonderful. Made for the part.
Debbie Gilpin on Olivier Awards: Disappointment for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie & Hamlet
So, that just happened! Despite some small disappointments in the nominations (nothing too much, just some things felt unnecessarily overlooked), I was rather looking forward to this year’s Oliviers.
‘A thrilling evening of impassioned insight & empathy’: ONE HAND TIED BEHIND US – Old Vic Theatre
A stirring and compelling evening of monologues exploring women’s rights – Maxine Peake curates One Hand Tied Behind Us at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
‘It’s the performances that drive this marvellous production’: FANNY & ALEXANDER – Old Vic Theatre ★★★★
It may be better not to have seen the movie Fanny & Alexander. Coming to the stage version untainted you’ll have a stronger chance to enjoy an exuberant energy and ribald theatricality that doesn’t really characterise Bergman films.
From The Country Wife to Olivier Award nominations: What to look out for in March
Lots of different things opening across the country in March. In London there are a lot of Fringe and Off West End productions coming your way.
Mind the Blog’s Christmas Carol recap
Kicking off my challenge was the Old Vic’s production, which I’ve seen four times (and by some bizarre providence I managed to see each actor playing Tiny Tim).
It wasn’t all good: Debbie Gilpin recalls her 12 least favourite shows of #theatre2017
When you see around 200 different shows, you’re bound to come across a few duff ones, but I’m pleased to say that nearly all of the bad shows I saw can be found in this post.
Never Mind The Blog, here’s January’s theatre news
Lots & lots of shows have their first performances in London and across the country this month, including new productions of Pinter’s The Birthday Party, Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, and Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well.