This role was famously played by the inimitable Alison Steadman in the original, and whilst these are gold heels which are impossible to fill, Jodie Prenger is excellent as Beverly.
‘The rousing chorus leaves you feeling free & uplifted’: HAIR – Touring ★★★
Hair doesn’t have much of a story but focusses on hippies, LGBTQ+ rights, Black Live Matter, women’s equality, the anti-war movement, freedom and so much more.
‘A night to remember’: DIRTY DANCING – Touring ★★★★★
Dirty Dancing is not just a show about a love affair against the odds, or an early 60s period piece. Its continued popularity over the past 31 years is just as much due to tackling issues of class, family, loyalty, and right and wrong head on.
‘Quality-filled night out that keeps audiences coming back for more’: THE BODYGUARD – Touring ★★★★
Offering the right balance of romance, suspense, dance, humour and music, the award-winning musical The Bodyguard gives audiences everything they want wrapped up in a quality-filled ‘night out’ to keep them coming back for more.
‘Will make you laugh, cringe, gasp & howl’: AVENUE Q – Touring ★★★★★
The Avenue Q puppets are back in one of the naughtiest and funniest musicals around, and they will make you laugh, cringe, gasp and howl as they make their way round the UK.
‘A beautiful showcase of Verdi’s music’: LA TRAVIATA – Touring ★★★★
La Traviata, Verdi’s well-loved opera, has spawned various productions and inspired a number of other works, including Moulin Rouge which is set to open on Broadway in June 2019.
‘Sure to continue thrilling audiences’: JERSEY BOYS – Touring ★★★★
Overall this is touring production of Jersey Boys is superbly slick and longtime fans and newbies are sure to enjoy it. For a night of carefree fun, join the Four Seasons and experience the happiness their music brings.
‘A dance-based showcase for fancy footwork & ridiculously high-energy routines’: FLASHDANCE – Touring ★★★★
Book-ended by its ever-popular signature song, this is a fantastic feel-good show for people who remember the popular film with its memorable big hit songs or for those who just want an entertaining night of light-hearted escapism (which, judging by the public reaction, was 99% of the audience).
‘A must-see for people of all ages’: WAR HORSE – Touring ★★★★★
War Horse has been enthralling audiences around the world and after seeing it, it’s clear why. The play follows the deeply moving story of the relationship between a young boy, Albert Narracott, played brilliantly by Thomas Dennis, and his adored horse, Joey.
‘A fantastic celebration of Michael Jackson’: THRILLER LIVE – Touring ★★★★
Thriller Live is currently running in the West End as well as being on a UK tour. While there is no plot, it’s clear that audiences are loving it due to the show celebrating and drawing together the songs of music legend Michael Jackson in a glitzy, concert format.
‘Solid vocals & good performances’: SON OF A PREACHER MAN – Touring ★★
I expected more in terms of Craig Revel Horwood’s choreography for Son of a Preacher Man, but that was made up by most of the cast members occasionally playing instruments on stage.
‘Vigour, precision & enjoyment’: HAIRSPRAY – Touring ★★★★★
It is hard to know where to start with such a talented and energetic cast. Every cast member in Hairspray brought life and vitality to the performance and executed the complex choreography with vigour, precision and enjoyment in equal measure.
‘Mesmerising’: MADAMA BUTTERFLY – Touring ★★★★★
I found Madama Butterfly beautiful, mesmerising and ultimately painfully sad. I congratulate Ellen Kent on bringing together a very talented cast and succeeding in making opera accessible to the masses.
‘As light & frothy as Lydia Bennet’: AUSTEN THE MUSICAL – Touring
The problem is, this was a play as light and frothy as Lydia Bennet, while what I want is a Lizzie.
EVITA – Touring ★★★★
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber have written some truly captivating, catchy musicals and Evita is of course iconic and no exception to this. An ever popular rags-to-riches type of story based on the life and demise of Eva Peron, wife of Argentine president, Juan Peron.
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
Wasting no time in getting started, the Carole King musical opened with the protagonist (played by the talented Bronté Barbé) sitting behind a grand piano at the Carnegie Hall concert, a highlight of King’s solo singing career.
SON OF A PREACHER MAN – Touring ★★★
The undoubted star was Diana Vickers, as Kat from the mobile phone generation, who brought a nice balance of humour and great vocals to the show.
MAMMA MIA! – Touring ★★★★★
You don’t have to be an ABBA fan to get caught up in this wonderful show. Full credit to the talented performers who, with boundless energy, dance and sing their way through the show, giving life to the music and storyline.
CILLA THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★★
This new production chronicles the Merseyside National Treasure’s rise to fame accompanied by the hits of not only Cilla herself, but the other bands of the time.
SON OF A PREACHER MAN – Touring ★★★★
The present meets the past in Son of a Preacher Man, where 3 lonely hearts go in search of an old record store in Soho, which, during the 1960’s, the legendary Preacher Man was famed for giving out his words of wisdom, a cure to everyone’s ills. Our lonely-hearts are also in search of love.