Review: Lend Me A Tenor
Currently on Sunday nights we’re fed a second innings of singing competition ‘Popstar to Operastar’ (does what it says on the tin). As these forgotten stars screech and belt their way through every loved opera, my thoughts lie in the strength of these musical theatre tenors (and sopranos) lending themselves to opera with great aptitude … Continue reading
Review: Yes, Prime Minister
During a year of political uncertainty and diversification, never more has one wanted so much to be a fly on the wall in the Prime Minister’s office. The power balance inside politics has shifted significantly and I can’t help thinking that this satirical political romp may not be altogether too far from the truth. Writers … Continue reading
Impressions: Tap Dogs
Last night I joined two friends to see Tap Dogs at the Novello Theatre. With a little knowledge of the movie Bootmen, I had basic expectations of what the night might hold. At only 80 minutes long with no interval, Tap Dogs features six (mostly Australian) men performing non-stop tap dance routines set on a … Continue reading
Impressions: Hair
Tonight I saw a Broadway show…an entire Broadway cast, fabulous may I add, on stage, only not on Broadway. The Public Theater’s Tony Award-winning new production of Hair has landed in London with an explosion of joy, love and life. This is the first time that the complete cast of a Broadway show has transferred … Continue reading
Theatreland Box Office breaks £500m mark.
London’s West End celebrated its most successful ever year in 2009 with box office receipts totaling more than £500 million for the first time. The figures presented by the Society of London Theatre show that audiences reached a new high of more than 14 million despite the recession. Total revenue was up by 8% on … Continue reading
Legally Blonde: the Musical and other discussions…
What I did on my holidays. Or rather what I did at the weekend… After a fantastically indulgent weekend of commercial musical theatre, I feel that I should share my reflections – particularly on one of the productions that I’m arguably most excited about, the controversial Legally Blonde: the Musical. The theatre-going public seem to … Continue reading
Funding boost for the “grassroots” musical.
Arts Council England has this week announced that is has awarded a grant of £188,860 to Perfect Pitch Musicals, an organisation committed to developing contemporary British musicals. The organisation, started in 2006, works with writers to develop and present their work through an annual West End showcase. Musical theatre receives very little support from the … Continue reading
West End: Riches to Rags…
The deteriorating condition of West End theatre buildings is never far from the minds of regular London theatregoers. Lack of foyer and bar space, insufficient toilets, uncomfortable seating, poor leg-room and bad sightlines are just a few of the usual complaints. These tired and timeworn venues are no longer adequate for modern audiences and await … Continue reading
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