Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts

KERRY ELLIS: QUEEN OF THE WEST END - WESTWAY SESSIONS | REVIEW

Westway Sessions: Kerry Ellis
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Vaudeville Theatre, London
Cast: Kerry Ellis and special guests

Four leading stars of the West End and Broadway will perform exclusive Westway Concerts at the Vaudeville Theatre: Lee Mead, Cassidy Janson, Kerry Ellis and Aimie Atkinson. The series opens with TV and West End star Lee Mead, who brings his brand-new show The Best of Me to the Vaudeville. Next up is Oliver Award winner Cassidy Janson (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, & Juliet), followed by Kerry Ellis (Wicked, We Will Rock You) with her much talked about show Queen of the West End. And finally, Aimie Atkinson (SIX, Pretty Woman) returns to the West End to perform songs from her new album as well as career defining hits.

GHOST THE MUSICAL | REVIEW

GHOST The Musical
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Cast: Rebekah Lowings, Josh St. Clair, Jacqui Dubois, James Mateo-Salt, Jules Brown, Garry Lee, Tim Maxwell-Clarke, Tanisha Butterfield, Keiahna Jackson-Jones, Molly Cleere, Gabrielle Cummins, Olivia-Rose Deer, Wade Lewin, Jamie Pritchard, Joe Readman and Lewis Asquith

Walking back to their apartment late one night, a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger… 

GHOSTS | REVIEW

Ghosts 

Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Lyric Hammersmith, London
Cast: Patricia Allison, Callum Scott Howells, Victoria Smurfit, Rhashan Stone, Deka Walmsley

Helena is a woman on a mission. Since the death of her high-flying husband, she has dedicated herself to reclaiming his legacy. And her hard work is about to pay off, with a new children’s hospital bearing his name on the brink of opening.

But when their son Oz returns to the family home for the grand unveiling, he has ambitions of his own. Ambitions that threaten to unravel their family’s most tightly kept secrets.

SUPERSONIC MAN | REVIEW

Supersonic Man
Rating: ★★
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough
Cast: Dylan Aiello, James Lowrie, Jude St James, Dominic Sullivan and Mali Wen Davies

Fun-loving influencer Adam and the love of his life, Darryl, are young and carefree. But life is about to throw them a curveball. This joyous and moving new musical set amidst the LGBTQI+ community of Brighton, makes it UK premiere, asking how we find new ways to survive and love when faced with cataclysm.

MIDNIGHT COWBOY | REVIEW

Midnight Cowboy

Rating: ★★★
Venue: Southwark Playhouse, Elephant
Cast: Max Bowden, Paul Jacob French, Tori Allen-Martin, Elena Breschi, Joanne Henry, Nick Len, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Dean Makowski-Clayton, Christian Maynard, Phoebe Roberts, Tim Rodgers, Rohan Tickell and Matthew White

Two broken souls stumble the streets, misfits, clutching to a fragile hope of finding fortune around the corner. The dark corners and harsh flickering neon of New York City await, as Midnight Cowboy, a new musical, makes its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME | REVIEW

Thanks For Having Me
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Riverside Studios, London
Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Adeyinka Akinrinade and Keelan Kember

Thanks for Having Me is a sharp, comedic take on modern romance and heartbreak at the tail end of your twenties. Who is really seducing whom? Playwright and performer Keelan Kember’s previous play, February Face, enjoyed a sell-out run at the Old Red Lion and the King's Head Theatre, was nominated for a Standing Ovation Award for New Writing, and was later optioned as a TV pilot by a production company. Thanks For Having Me was on in the Main House at King’s Head Theatre, receiving high critical acclaim before its subsequent transfer to Riverside Studios.

CASSIDY JANSON - WESTWAY SESSIONS | REVIEW

Westway Sessions: Cassidy Janson
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Vaudeville Theatre, London
Cast: Cassidy Janson

Four leading stars of the West End and Broadway will perform exclusive Westway Concerts at the Vaudeville Theatre: Lee Mead, Cassidy Janson, Kerry Ellis and Aimie Atkinson. Oliver Award winner Cassidy Janson (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, & Juliet), followed by Kerry Ellis (Wicked, We Will Rock You) with her much talked about show Queen of the West End. And finally, Aimie Atkinson (SIX, Pretty Woman) returns to the West End to perform songs from her new album as well as career defining hits.

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING | REVIEW

Some Enchanted Evening
Rating: ★★
Venue: Richmond Theatre, London
Cast: Roy Locke and Lisa Jane Kelsey

Experience the grandeur of Broadway as the EMTO serenades you with unforgettable showtunes in Some Enchanted Evening - the critically acclaimed 2024 Manchester hit. Featuring iconic songs like I Could Have Danced All Night, People Will Say We’re in Love, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Getting to Know You, and My Favourite Things.

MAYBE HAPPY ENDING CAST RECORDING | REVIEW

Maybe Happy Ending Cast Recording
Rating: ★★★★★
Cast: Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, Marcus Choi, Dez Duron, Arden Cho, Young Mazino and Jim Kaplan

Can robots fall in love...? In Maybe Happy Ending, two outdated 'HelperBots' in Seoul embark on a journey of connection, adventure, and unexpected romance.

Starring Emmy winner Darren Criss (Glee) and rising star Helen J. Shen, this dazzling new musical blends heart, humor, and breathtaking visuals into an unforgettable theatrical experience.

STILETTO | REVIEW

Stiletto
 
Rating: ★★
Venue: Charing Cross Theatre, London
Cast: Greg Barnett, Sam Barrett, Jack Chambers, Kelly Hampson, Douglas Hansell, Jewelle Hutchinson and Connor Wood 

In Italy during the 18th century, an average of 5,000 boys were castrated annually. Almost exclusively, they came from poor families. Their treble voices intact, castration promised those who survived a chance to earn fame and fortune by singing female roles in the opera. A few made it, but most didn’t and were swept aside.

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL | REVIEW

Hairspray The Musical

Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Cast: Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby, Neil Hurst, Joanne Clifton, Michelle Ndegwa, Solomon Davy, Declan Egan, Katlo, Reece Richards, Allana Taylor and Freya McMahon 

Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. Hairspray has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and still packs a punch with its message of tolerance and the fight against racial discrimination.

DEATH ON THE THRONE | REVIEW

Death on the Throne
Rating: ★★★
Venue: Upstairs at the Gatehouse

A simple bedtime story swirls into a surreal tale of four flawed souls stuck in purgatory—a celestial bathroom—in this irreverent yet warm-hearted new musical with songs by German pop-rock star Tobias Künzel (Die Prinzen) and Mark Underwood.

With limited spots in the afterlife, St. Peter is barely keeping his head above water. As each soul pleads their case, ‘help’ arrives in the form of (puppet) Elvis and, you guessed it, (puppet) former leader of the German Democratic Republic, Erich Honecker.

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE | REVIEW

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Step through the wardrobe into the magic kingdom of Narnia where a world of wonder awaits.

Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage, sacrifice, and the power of love. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’s classic novel, watch The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe come to life in this spectacular production—a delight for all ages.

MURDER, SHE DIDN'T WRITE | REVIEW

Murder, She Didn't Write
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Duchess Theatre, London
Cast: Lizzy Skrzypiec, Rachael Procter-Lane, Peter Baker, Caitlin Campbell, Stephen Clements, Douglas Walker, Harry Allmark, Rosalind Beeson, Sylvia Bishop, Emily Brady, Alice Lamb, Sara Garrard, Peta Maurice and Matthew Whittle

Don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and get your ‘finger of suspicion’ at the ready because Edinburgh Fringe favourites, Degrees of Error, are bringing back their multiple sell-out show for your sleuthing pleasure. They’ll create a classic murder mystery on-the-spot in this ingenious improvised comedy. You, the audience, become the author as the cast act out your very own Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece live on stage. 

THE WOMEN OF LLANRUMNEY | REVIEW

The Women of Llanrumney
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Stratford East, London
Cast: Matthew Gravelle, Shvorne Marks, Suzanne Packer and Nia Roberts 

Set in 18th century colonial Jamaica, Azuka Oforka’s searing yet witty new play powerfully explores the experience of women during slavery – those who benefited from it, those who were brutalised by it and those who fought to destroy it. THE WOMEN OF LLANRUMNEY puts Wales’s role in slavery centre stage; illuminating a hidden chapter of British history.  

MAN IN THE MIRROR | REVIEW

Man in the Mirror

Rating: ★★★
Venue: Golder's Green Hippodrome
Cast: CJ, Holly Harrison, Becky Holden, Harriet Johnstone, Laura Summers, Nic Southwood, Doug Jenkinson, Lewis Wheeler and Chris Davies

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the legendary KING OF POP! Introducing "Man in the Mirror" – the must-see, electrifying tribute concert to Michael Jackson. Starring CJ, one of the world’s top Michael Jackson Tribute Artists, and supported by a talented cast, this show captures the essence of Michael Jackson’s unique style and charisma. Enjoy all his greatest hits, including 'Thriller', 'Billie Jean', 'Beat It,',' Smooth Criminal' and 'Man in the Mirror.'

NIKITA KUZMIN - MIDNIGHT DANCER | REVIEW

Nikita Kuzmin - Midnight Dancer

Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Peacock Theatre, London 
Cast: Nikita Kuzmin, Sophie Baker, Thomas Charles, Lowri Hamilton, Samuel Lake, Charlotte Lee, Zara Liu, Seamus McIntosh, Daniel Rae, Andreea Toma, alongside vocalist Rebecca Lisewski

Enjoy a fairytale ball like no other and a night full of music, sequins and world class dancing. Follow the highs and lows of a classic romance as two star-crossed lovers meet, only to be torn apart. Will they reunite at the masked ball, or will real life put an end to their fairytale fantasy? This brand-new dance spectacular is a modern-day Cinderella story, featuring all your favourite dancefloor anthems, dazzling costumes, and explosive choreography.

THE SOCIETY FOR NEW CUISINE | REVIEW

The Society For New Cuisine
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Omnibus Theatre, London
Cast: Chris Fung 

The Substance meets Woman in Black in this debut play from East-Asian writer and performer Chris Fung and directed by Rupert Hands. A deliciously twisted Buddhist inspired folk fable about power, masculinity and heartbreak which took Edinburgh Fringe by storm last summer, now making its much anticipated London debut.  What would you give for a taste of new understanding?

RETROGRADE | REVIEW

Retrograde
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Apollo Theatre, London
Cast: Ivanno Jeremiah, Stanley Townsend and Oliver Johnstone

Ten years before he becomes the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor, this gripping drama captures the moment a young Sidney Poitier prepares to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star. But there’s a catch. Will he put his career before his principles? In a time of betrayals, will he name names? Will he sign his life away?

KAREN | REVIEW

KAREN

Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: The Other Palace, London
Cast: Sarah Cameron-West

We open on Protagonist’s 30th birthday at the Alton Towers, where her life takes an unexpected turn. Mid-calippo, she’s unceremoniously dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Joe. Little does she know, this is just the beginning. Protagonist must soon navigate through office hell as Joe starts dating her arch-nemesis: Karen. This creates a perfect storm of heartbreak, societal pressures, and an identity crisis that threatens to engulf our heroine.