Titanic The Musical sailed its way into Blackpool and what a show it was. I have to say that the 11 Academy Award-winning worldwide film directed by James Cameron is a huge favourite of mine and I have lost count of the number of times that I have seen it.
Are theatres taking Covid safety provisions seriously enough?
I recently wrote to every major theatre chain in London to ask to see their COVID safety risk assessments and ventilation plans.
‘Lovely, lively celebration’: The Theatre Channel – Episode 6 The Showstoppers (Online review)
Showstoppers, the most recent episode of the Theatre Channel’s web series is a lovely, lively celebration of the reopening of the West End this week.
NEWS: Jeanine Tesori’s award-winning musical Violet gets UK premiere in the new year
VIOLET, a multi-award-winning musical with music by Jeanine Tesori (Tony Award winner for Best Original Score with Lisa Kron for Fun Home, and Tony-nominated for Caroline, or Change and Shrek the Musical), and book & lyrics by Brian Crawley (The Little Princess), will get its UK premiere in an international co-production opening in London in January before transferring to Tokyo, Japan.
‘Really begins to fizz as a piece of theatre’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Tragic in a way that only stories of real life events can be, there is no small amount of hubris on display in this powerful touring production of Titanic the Musical.
‘Dignified production’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
This dignified production has a glorious and moving score with a story full of aspirations, hope, love, ambition and ultimately tragedy. A fantastic performance which deserved the standing ovation.
‘You should do everything in your power to see it’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
It’s not often you see a touring production greeted with a standing ovation but as one of the many on their feet I can say it was thoroughly deserved for Titanic the Musical. Shows like this simply don’t come around often enough.
‘As much a meditation as a drama’: TITANIC THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
So after the fascinating Shadow Factory, Southampton gets a second theatrical take on its history with the touring revival of Thom Southerland’s marvellous production of Maury Yeston’s Titanic musical.
NEWS: Linda Marlowe & Patrick Walshe McBride take over as Harold & Maude as run extends six weeks
Thom Southerland’s acclaimed London premiere of Harold and Maude has added six weeks to its limited run at Charing Cross Theatre. Linda Marlowe and Patrick Walshe McBride are announced today as the production’s new title stars.
NEWS: Linda Marlowe & Patrick Walshe McBride take over as Harold & Maude as run extends six weeks
Thom Southerland’s acclaimed London premiere of Harold and Maude has added six weeks to its limited run at Charing Cross Theatre. Linda Marlowe and Patrick Walshe McBride are announced today as the production’s new title stars.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Harold & Maude at the Charing Cross Theatre
Thom Southerland directs Bill Milner and Sheila Hancock in this new adaptation of Harold & Maude based on the film (playing until 31 March 2018). Here is what critics have had to say about it so far…
‘So full of happiness and magic’: HAROLD & MAUDE – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★★
Harold and Maude is so full of happiness and magic. This gem cannot stay hidden, it is too special to stay hidden, it needs the recognition it deserves. In a dreary winter, treat yourself to this ray of light.
‘Charmingly absurd’: HAROLD & MAUDE – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★
Harold & Maude at the Charing Cross Theatre is not dangerous or daring, but a light few hours of frivolous fun.
‘A third dimension of pure class’: Harold & Maude – Charing Cross Theatre
This new stage version of Harold & Maude says more about modern attitudes to ageing, about feminism, migration and seizing opportunities than the current slew of angry Fringe diatribes. And it says it more elegantly.
‘Too mainstream but still a desperately needed dose of life affirmation’: HAROLD & MAUDE – Charing Cross Theatre
Maybe this Harold & Maude isn’t a show for fans of the movie – it doesn’t match up, but that’s ok. It does still do a pretty good job in delivering a desperately needed dose of life affirmation on a cold February evening.
‘Hopeful, joyous and hilarious’: Harold & Maude – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★
When told well, coming of age stories are very often a reminder of the fragility and beauty of life, inspiring a carpe diem attitude tempered with immense gratitude. That the ‘Harold and Maude effect’ delivers this message completely liberated of any subtleties is a shining beacon of hope for humanity in otherwise trying times.
‘An absolute delight’: Harold & Maude – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★★
Directed by Thom Southerland, Harold and Maude is an absolute delight. True to the book, but with a few diversions taken out, it will keep fans happy and introduce many more to Maudism and the movie.
THE WOMAN IN WHITE – Charing Cross Theatre
With a focus on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sumptuously melodious score, the new chamber-sized production of The Woman in White avoids the excesses of the original staging, allowing the gripping Victorian melodrama to be enjoyed purely on its own merits.
NEWS: Bill Milner stars opposite Sheila Hancock in Harold & Maude
British film star Bill Milner (Dunkirk, X-Men: First Class, Son of Rambow) will appear opposite Olivier Award-winning West End star Sheila Hancock in the London premiere of Colin Higgins’ 1971 American black comedy romantic drama Harold and Maude.
‘Quasi-Gothic tropes’: THE WOMAN IN WHITE – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★
The Charing Cross Theatre has been home to a number of musicals in recent years, but this marks the first time a show by Andrew Lloyd Webber has performed there.