Author: FairyPoweredProductions

Arts Theatre – booking until 5 February 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

The Jungle reopens its doors in the West End for the return of one of the most uplifting shows of the year. Another Edinburgh Festival hit that has gone global, The Choir of Man is a warm bearhug of a show that has something for everyone.

With a functioning bar on stage to serve preshow beers (and some during the performance if you are lucky), The Arts Theatre is the perfect venue to turn into The Jungle pub, with its wonky, sometimes sticky, flooring and ancient seats always giving charming giant pub theatre vibes. The concept is simple – 9 men singing in a pub with a few monologues in between. But the song choices (from Adele and Sia to Queen via the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Ben Norris’s writing gives the show a huge heart. Perfectly capturing the camaraderie, earned trust and honesty (and occasional idiocy) of a group of male friends, the show touches on loss, relationships, men’s mental health and community with Norris’s poet linking songs and introducing the pub’s regulars with heartfelt and funny words. Celebrating the community and shelter of pubs and mourning the loss of those amazing places where 90-year-olds and teenagers mix and share shaggy dog stories with a bar food menu that runs to peanuts and crisps, the audience cannot help but be caught up in the sense of belonging and togetherness emanating from the stage.

The cast are introduced as pub stereotypes early on – The Bore, The Beast, The Romantic etc. – before a beautiful section where Norris gives more insight into the actors as he talks about what home means to each of them – cue cheers from audience members whenever their hometown is mentioned. The cast are phenomenal, with varying vocal styles, but voices blending beautifully in harmonies. Jack Blume’s arrangements are gorgeous, especially in the acapella numbers. On press night I was sitting between two former West End Beasts, and by the last number they couldn’t resist joining in with the bass harmonies – surround sound increased the goosebumps during The Parting Glass. Lemuel Knights is hilarious as The Barman, and his smooth vocals are incredible. Jordan Oliver taps his way into everyone’s hearts and Matt Thorpe, Levi Tyrell Johnson and Matt Beveridge’s rendition of Under the Bridge is wonderful, producing varying reactions from the audience, depending on how much beer they have drunk. Michael Baxter, Owen Bolton and Matt Nalton will make you grin for the rest of the night – everything seems so natural and off the cuff, even the choreography, and that is the joy of the show. The cast all play instruments throughout the show, accompanying the amazing band above the bar – Emmanuel Nana Kwasi Bonsu, Jack Hartigan, Caleb Wilson and Darius Luke Thompson.

The Choir of Man is a great night out – full of heart, packed with fun and incredible musical performances.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 19 November 2022

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Opera North and South Asian Arts UK collaborates Orpheus, a new reimagined production, for this autumn season. Orpheus is based on of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Claudio Montevideo’s Orfeo, one of the world’s oldest operas. Orfeo at the time played a significant role in combining dialogue, song, music and dance and this myth certainly offers scope for creators past and present to re-imagine the legendary Orpheus and his musical and spiritual journey he took.

Orpheus was guided by two worlds, and this is the case for both Opera North and South Asian Arts UK to offer in union baroque style and Indian classical music. Montevideo and Jasdeep Singh Degun’s musical compositions are combined with the musing of two cultures and traditions which aren’t compromised but celebrates two worlds.

Music and myth legends introduce the story and invites one and all to honour the marriage of Eurydice (Ashnaa Sasikaran) and Orpheus (Nicholas Watts). There is an eclectic of traditions and cultures that are merged colourfully and musically during the wedding festivities which continue into the night and morning. Eventually and unexpectedly, Orpheus learns the death of Eurydice from Silvia (Kezia Bienek), a messenger.

The world becomes a different place following Eurydice’s death and Orpheus’ resolve to bring his wife back. He travels to the Land of the Dead where he is guided by Nambikkai (Yarlinie Thanabalasingam) and he is acquainted with the gods and spirits of his family and friends. Orpheus meets Caronte (Kaviraj Singh), a boatman who refuses him to cross the boundary, and after a serenading the boatman with song Orpheus crosses and reaches the other world.

In the other world he meets Proserpina (Chandra Chakraborty), Land of the Dead’s Queen, and she learns of Orpheus plight. Proserpina allows him to take Eurydice home, world of the living, without looking back in which he with doubt does. Back at home and alone Orpheus however is changed forever and is supported by Apollo, guru god (Kirpal Singh Panesar), as a changed man dealing with loss and having new perspectives.

No doubt inspiration is sought from this Greek myth and how Orpheus traverses from one world to another dealing with loss through pursuing a personal and spiritual journey – past, present, and future. The blended of melodic and baroque and Indian Sargam music creatively and skilfully explores, reimagines, and retells the story of Orpheus under the excellent collaboration of Laurence Cummings and Jasdeep Singh Degun. The transient project of the melodies, songs and sounds certainly ambiences one to join Orpheus’ journey to one world to another and back.

The musical ingenuity is supported with stunning staging, courtesy of Leslie Travers, Jackie Shemesh and Camila Tirado which represents a universal meeting point which could be anything and anywhere in the world. Under the direction of Anna Himali Howard, the cast excellently portrays the characters. An Orpheus re-imagined with the re-imagination of two Eastern and Western cultural worlds telling one legendary myth and emphasising how relevant the content is for whoever, wherever and whenever.

The first performance is coincided with Light Night Leeds with Shahbaz Hussain’s Taal Yatra light installation nearby and how the “journey of rhythm” encapsulates a spiritual journey and how lights and sounds become one – a similar vein to Orpheus’ journey and a continuation of it.

Orpheus is a musical and cultural feast of the re-imagining!

Leeds Playhouse – until 15 October 2022

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Leeds Playhouse and Opera North jointly brings this production, Orpheus in the Record Shop, to the Playhouse. Running for three nights Testament, an acclaimed rapper, playwright, and beatboxer, brings this live on stage after it being previously filmed for BBC Four’s Lights Up, a virtual theatre festival that took place during lockdown in 2021.

Testament who portrays Orpheus takes one on an aural and visual personal journey. A record shop owner and loner, he takes pride in his vinyl records and plays tunes that resonates his journey past, present and an uncertain future. Following a friend’s visit, unexpected and strange things happen as he goes on a mythical, musical, and realistic journey, a similar vein to Orpheus, and searches something that is eclectically filled with hopes and dreams.

Inspiration sought from the Greek myth of Orpheus who had took on a similar journey and had faced similar predicaments. In parallel to Orpheus’ music of the Sirens, Orpheus (Testament) fuses spoken dialogue, rap, beatboxing with song and classical music, courtesy of Opera North’s chorus and orchestra. Supported with incredible and ambient staging, lighting, and soundscapes, created by Aletta Collins, Chris Davey and Hazel Plummer, Orpheus in the Record Shop certainly transports one into this journalistic world.

Originally directed by Collins and revived by Amy Leach, Orpheus in the Record Shop is a short moving entertaining production which Testament legendarily tells and performs with an eclectic musical arrangement.

Theatre Royal, York – 13 October 2022

Reviewed by Katie Brewerton 

3***

Forensic pathologist Doctor Richard Shepherd has performed 23,000 autopsy’s and has worked on many high profile cases and mass disasters including 9/11 and the 2002 bombings in Bali. With a career spanning more than 40 years he has written 3 books detailing his work and the most interesting and strange cases he’s worked on all of which have received rave reviews. For his latest book ‘Unnatural Causes‘ he has also created a stage show. 

Unnatural Causes show us how important the evidence provided by forensic pathologists is. Having been called to the witness stand so many times through his career the evidence he provides has the power to determine whether someone is guilty or not.

‘Unnatural Causes’ focuses on one of these cases, the case of Jimmy and Anita, Doctor Shepherd, must examine the body of Jimmy after he is found stabbed in his own home. We learn how he would conduct his autopsy, what the clues point to and learn how the evidence was presented in court. Doctor Shepherd shares the outcome of the case only after we get the opportunity to act as the jury and cast our vote on one of the three possible causes of death. 

There is also a short question and answer session in the second half so you have the opportunity to write a question for Doctor Shepherd to answer. 

At the end of the show, I felt the general consensus in the audience was similar to my feelings of ‘that wasn’t what I expected’. Although interesting, it would have been great to hear more about the cases Doctor Shepherd has worked on rather than focusing just on one case and hearing a lot about how he got to where he is now in his career. The section on mass disasters was fascinating and it would have been very interesting to hear more about his experiences in that area. It was also a shame that when asked about his most interesting cases during the question-and-answer session he didn’t have the time to go in to detail about them. 

One thing to note is that it over ran by around 25 minutes so the 2 hours 20 minute show became 2 hours 45 minutes meaning it did feel a little long. 

Theatre Royal, Windsor – until 22nd October 2022

Reviewed by Joanna Huggett

5*****

We had the pleasure of watching the opening night of ‘Darker Shores’ written by Michael Punter, a thought provoking ghost story that we continued to discuss well into the following evening.

The play switches between the Covent Garden offices of Professor Gabriel Stokes, an American spiritualist played by Maxwell Caulfield and the bedroom of an East Sussex sea house in which Tom Beauregard stayed at, played by Michael Praed. Beauregard recounts the story of his visit last Christmas, or should I say ‘Advent’, in which he enlists the support of Stokes to prove or disprove the existence of ghosts. They both re-visit the sea house the following December to bring the matter to a resolution, no matter what the consequences would be. Their experiences at the house further complicated by the mysterious involvements of Mrs Hinchcliffe the house-keeper played by Juliet Mills and her maid Florence Kennedy played by Chipo Kureya.

To say any more about the story would be spoiling it for you, but the excellent stage production, haunting but hardly background sound effects and eerie lighting takes you directly to the scene of the encounter and won’t release you until the story is complete.

A wonderful cast, some extraordinary acting, a superb production, and an altogether enjoyable evening in Windsor, my only complaint is that now we know how it ends, we don’t need to see it again!!!

FOURTH WALL LIVE

PRESENTS

OSCAR, BAFTA, AND SAG AWARD WINNER

ARIANA DEBOSE

LIVE IN CONCERT

AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

SATURDAY 1 APRIL 2023

FOURTH WALL LIVE is delighted to announce that Oscar, BAFTA, and SAG Award winning actor, singer, and dancer ARIANA DEBOSE will appear live in concert at the London Palladium on Saturday 1 April 2023 with Musical Director Benjamin Rauhala.

Sign up for exclusive pre-sale access is open now at www.ariana-london.com  

ARIANA DEBOSE won the 2022 Academy Award ®️, British Academy Film Award, Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice Awards for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s WEST SIDE STORY. She also recently hosted the 2022 Tony Awards to critical acclaim and has starred in the hit television series Schmigadoon! for Apple TV+, Ryan Murphy’s film adaptation of THE PROM for Netflix, and HBO’s hit series Westworld. Upcoming film projects include Disney’s animated feature film WISH, KRAVEN THE HUNTER (Sony), ARGYLLE (Apple), and the independent feature I.S.S. She is currently in production on the Blumhouse psychological thriller HOUSE OF SPOILS for Prime Video. Her Broadway credits include Hamilton, Bring It On, Company, Pippin and her Tony Award nominated performance in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.

Fourth Wall Live is an entertainment company that produces events, concerts and on-stage shows. In January 2022 FWL presented Bonnie and Clyde The Musical In Concert for two nights to a sold-out audience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, starring Broadway favourite Jeremy Jordan. The concert broke Drury Lane box office records selling out a two-night run in less than six minutes. The concert was live captured for cinematic/streaming distribution, with its release to be announced in due course.  

In 2022 Fourth Wall Live presented Audra McDonald at the London Palladium, and Jeremy Jordan at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. FWL regularly presents concerts featuring stars of the West End and Broadway including Keala Settle, Chita Rivera, Matthew Morrison and Hannah Waddingham among others.

Fourth Wall Live was also a producer of Bonnie & Clyde the Musical which ran at The Arts Theatre in the West End for 13 weeks during 2022.

BOOKING EXTENDS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 FOR WEST END PRODUCTION OF

H A M I L T O N 

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the multi award winning West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce that booking is extending at the Victoria Palace Theatre to Saturday 30 September 2023. 

HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.

The Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 and is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

Reuben Joseph plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Roshani Abbey as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton is played by Alex Sawyer.

The cast also comprises Jade Albertsen, Curtis Angus, Maya Britto, Matthew Caputo, Filippo Coffano, Ashley J. Daniels, Kelly Downing, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Jordan Frazier, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Olivia Kate Holding, Barney Hudson, DeAngelo Jones, Phoebe Liberty Jones, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Travis Kerry, Ella Kora, Natasha Leaver, Aaron Lee Lambert, Louis Mackrodt, Kerri Norville, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Lindsey Tierney and Brandon Williams.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                             Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA

Dates:                                Now booking to 30 September 2023

Prices:                               Tickets from £20, no booking fee applies

Box Office:                         0344 482 5151

Website:                            hamiltonmusical.com

Social Media:                       facebook.com/HamiltonWestEnd

twitter.com/HamiltonWestEnd

instagram.com/HamiltonWestEnd

#HamiltonLDN

Announcing the launch of MUSICALS magazine, the only print magazine to embrace and celebrate this incredibly diverse genre on an international scale

It is the latest consumer title from the Mark Allen Group, publisher of Gramophone, Jazzwise and Songlines, the leading magazines in classical, jazz and world music

MUSICALS magazine is a celebration of all things Musical Theatre, with a focus on the West End and Broadway, but also covering regional and international productions, and what’s on screen as well as on stage.

Editorially, the magazine is pitched at both the novice and connoisseur of the genre featuring interviews with creative teams, from producers and designers to composers and lyricists as well as the stars of the shows. Reviews are integral to the publication with in-depth analysis of productions as well as recordings.

Edited by Sarah Kirkup, writers for the magazine include the very best critics, presenters, authors and biographers of Musical Theatre, all of whom are steeped in this world and have years of experience of writing about the genre: among these are critic, broadcaster and presenter Edward Seckerson, London theatre critic for the International New York Times Matt Wolf, official Sondheim biographer and London critic for Variety David Benedict, and Deputy Editor of The Stage Matthew Hemley.

Sarah Kirkup says: ‘Whether you’re new to Musical Theatre, an afficionado, or somewhere in between, this magazine is for you. Our cover star of the launch issue is the unstoppable Marisha Wallace who has smashed through barriers to redefine what Musical Theatre in the 21st century looks like, most recently in her unflinching portrayal of Ado Annie in ‘Oklahoma!’ at London’s Young Vic.

“Other features include an appraisal of Sondheim’s legacy by his official biographer David Benedict, while Matt Wolf looks at the most recent successful transfers of stage musicals to the big screen, from this summer’s ‘13’ to the forthcoming ‘Matilda’. Plus, we review UK shows including ‘Bugsy Malone’ and ‘The Famous Five’, Broadway’s ‘MJ’ and ‘A Strange Loop’ and the North American premiere of ‘& Juliet’ in Toronto.

“We’re pleased to include recording reviews too, from the cast recording of ‘Back to the Future’ to John Barrowman’s new album ‘Centre Stage’. And we have the one-and-only Elaine Paige joining us too, for a trip down memory lane – from her earliest encounters with musicals to the starring role in ‘Evita’, which transformed her career.

The first issue of MUSICALS will be on-sale from October 21, 2022 and launched at the Musical Con at London’s ExCel on October 22-23.

The magazine will be distributed throughout UK newsstand (WHSmiths, Waitrose, Tesco & Sainsbury’s) and specialist stockists as well as internationally, and available at retail for three months until January 2023.

MUSICALS will then publish as a bi-monthly magazine from April 2023, available on newsstand and via subscription, in print & digital formats.

BESTSELLING AUTHOR DAVID WALLIAMS HEADING TO BLACKPOOL FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY IN CONVERSATION WITH BLUE PETER PRESENTER RICHIE DRISS.

SPECIAL EVENT AS DAVID WALLIAMS TALKS TO RICHIE DRISS ABOUT HIS BRAND-NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK SPACEBOY!

Join no.1 bestselling children’s author David Walliams for one night only on Wednesday 09 November2022 at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, in conversation with Blue Peter presenter Richie Driss. 

Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience, as David introduces his brand-new book Spaceboy; featuring exciting extracts read live on stage, a cosmic Q&A, hilarious anecdotes, and supersonic entertainment, there is something for the whole family to enjoy!

David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and has become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel, The Boy in the Dress (2008), Walliams has seen unprecedented growth with global sales exceeding 50 million copies, and his books translated into 54 languages across 34 titles, including two charity releases, Blob (World Book Day 2017) and The Queen’s Orang-utan (Comic Relief 2015). Collectively across his titles, David has celebrated 76 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the overall book charts and more than 200 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the Children’s charts – an achievement no other children’s writer has reached.

‘As a boy I was fascinated with outer space. I devoured all science fiction books, TV shows and films. So this comedy adventure, set during the space race of the 1960s, was an absolute joy to write and took me back to my own childhood.’ – David Walliams on Spaceboy

About Spaceboy 
America. The 1960s. Ruth loves climbing trees, making a mess and throwing stones. But the thing she loves most is SPACE.
The girl is OBSESSED. She spends her days reading comics about alien invasions, doodling UFOs, watching B-movies about Earth being invaded by creatures from Mars… and gazing at the stars through her old, battered telescope.
Until one night, Ruth creeps out of bed in the attic room of her rickety old farmhouse to watch the stars – and is just dozing off when she spots something blazing across the sky. Something that looks like a flying saucer! Is she dreaming? No! And the flying saucer is on fire…
But when the UFO crash-lands in the cornfield, and Ruth rushes to help, she finds a mystery – and an adventure – beyond her wildest dreams…

TICKETS ON-SALE NOW
An audience with David Walliams, Wednesday 09 November 2022. Book your tickets now at wintergardensblackpool.co.uk and opt for our book & ticket bundle to get your copy of Spaceboy for an exclusive discounted price!

On manoeuvres… rehearsal photos are released from the brand new
production of Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson’s epic musical
‘From Here To Eternity’

Rehearsal photos are released today from the brand new production of Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson’s epic musical  ‘From Here To Eternity’, which  is getting its first London revival in a newly revised production at Charing Cross Theatre, from 29 October – 17 December.

The cast features Jonny Amies, Jonathon Bentley, Desmonda Cathabel, Leonard Cook, Kyerron Dixon-Bassey, Sarah Drake, Dominic Adam Griffin, Cassius Hackforth, Robin Hayward, Callum Henderson, James Mateo-Salt, Rhys Nuttall, Jack Ofrecio, Jaden Oshenye, Eve Polycarpou, Adam Rhys-Charles, Carley Stenson, Alan Turkington, Joseph Vella.

Creative team: Director Brett Smock, Set & Costume Designer Stewart J. Charlesworth, Musical Director, Orchestrations and New Musical Arrangements Nick J Barstow, Choreographer Cressida Carré, Sound Designer Chris Murray, Lighting Designer Adam King, Projection Designer Louise Rhodes-Brown, Costume Supervisor Lucy Lawless, Casting Director Jane Deitch, Production Manager James Anderton, Produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Bill Kenwright and Heartaches Limited, General Management by Chris Matanlé.

Set in the two weeks leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, ‘From Here To Eternity’ is a compelling portrait of humanity, love, duty and redemption set against the backdrop of a beautiful and conflicted paradise.

Adapted from the classic novel by James Jones, this breathtaking musical unites the writing talents of Tim Rice (lyrics), Stuart Brayson (music) and Donald Rice and Bill Oakes (book), and is directed by Brett Smock (Producing Artistic Director/The Rev Theatre Company).

LISTINGS INFO

Aria Entertainment,
Bill Kenwright
and Heartaches Limited
present‘From Here To Eternity’

Adapted from the classic novel
by James Jones

Lyrics Tim Rice, Music Stuart Brayson,
Book Donald Rice and Bill Oakes

Directed by Brett Smock

Charing Cross Theatre
The Arches
Villiers Street
London WC2N 6NL
www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
Box office: 08444 930650

29 October – 17 December

Performances:

Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm

Wednesday,  Saturday and Sunday
at 3.00pm

Prices:
£25.00 – £39.50
Premium seats £49.50 (includes a
programme and a glass of bubbly)

A booking fee applies to phone and internet
orders; no booking fee to personal callers
The box office is open from 2 hours
before curtain time on performance days for
personal callers

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
@FHTEMusicalUK