Home

Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London – until 16 January 2022

Reviewed by Debra Stottor

5*****

My first thought when I heard that ‘Five Guys Named Moe’ was coming to the Gatehouse was: how will all that song and dance work in such a small space? I needn’t have worried. Despite the stage area being a strip of floor about 8ft wide and the length of about 20 seats, with the audience seated on both sides, the cast performed effectively, and no one in the front row was inadvertently hit.

I first saw this show in the West End about 30 years ago, a full-on, glitzy show, and was intrigued to see how the energy would translate to a smaller venue. Clarke Peters’ musical has a story of sorts, but it mainly serves to link a series of songs by American saxophonist Louis Jordan and others from 1930s era of ‘jump blues’, a swinging, up-tempo hybrid of jazz, blues and boogie-woogie, all given a fresh, fun sound in this new production and performed impeccably. In short, it works.

The five Moes appear from nowhere to guide the hapless Nomax back onto the straight and narrow, using songs to advise how he might regain the affections of his long-suffering girlfriend. It’s not a complicated tale, and even this is dispensed with in the second half, until the very end. But when the songs are this good, frankly that’s a side issue.

The cast, which includes two Moes making their professional theatre debut (Andre Coulson as No Moe and Christian Maynard as Little Moe), work that small space really well, each number choreographed so that both sides of the audience get to see the action – and the audience is very much encouraged to join in the fun. Their singing is also spot on, whether solo or in harmony with each other, with a falsetto by Four Eyed Moe (Kieran McGinn) on ‘Ain’t Nobody Here but us Chickens’ a standout moment. And the band providing the musical accompaniment capture the spirit of the era with aplomb.

Mykal Rand’s direction and choreography (this isn’t his first time on this musical) make this production in this space really sing. He says: “I hope this show leaves people with a bounce in their step and a huge grin from ear to ear.” From what I could see, he’s hit the spot perfectly. This is a fun show, guaranteed to lift your spirits, and who doesn’t need a bit of that in their lives?

Jack Studio Theatre – until 8 January 2022

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

A country house ghost story is ideal Christmas entertainment, but Ross McGregor’s comedy has some welcome twists.

Jeremy Roland (Bryan Moriarty) has inherited his great aunt’s isolated house. Aunt Esme was a prolific romantic fiction writer and has also arranged for her publisher to work with Jeremy after her death. Jeremy is not in the same league as his aunt, however, writing a string of crime novels with practically the same plot. After having his heart broken, Jeremy is determinedly unromantic, describing his aunt’s work and her readers in increasingly cruel and funny ways and refusing to write any major female characters. The arrival of Lily (Rachel Summers), a romantic superfan of his aunt triggers a string of events that are straight out of one of Esme’s stories, and Jeremy begins to suspect supernatural interference, especially after people start bursting into song. As Jeremy gets lost in creating his latest crime novel, Aunt Esme’s influence is unescapable, and femme fatales appear, complicating his usual straightforward plotlines.

McGregor mixes the twee, waspish humour of the English 1920s spooky farce and the colourful and corny one liners of pulp fiction expertly and the clashing of styles is a joy. The cast of three work wonders with accent and costume changes – Moriarty fantastic morphing between uptight Jeremy and hardnosed private detective while Summers and Ben Higgins play multiple roles brilliantly. Most characters are familiar amusing stereotypes from the genres featured, while Higgins’ housekeeper evokes fond memories of Mrs Cropley and her “interesting” culinary offerings in Vicar of Dibley, and there is redemption for the Scroogelike publisher courtesy of Aunt Esme.

Kate Bannister’s direction gives the silliness a sophisticated touch, with Robbie Butler’s lighting and Julian Starr’s sound design adding wonderful atmosphere, especially in the film noir pastiches.

Kindred Spirits is great fun – gangsters, ghosts, romance and laughs – all you could ask for at Christmas.

Hampstead Theatre – until 29th January 2022

Reviewed by Emily Cliff

4****

What is a play? A question that was frequently asked throughout the first act of Alan Platers Peggy For You. But when we look into it, the question kind of stumps us all really. What is a play – well it is something we use as an escape, for us critics it’s work, a living and for agents, it’s all they live and breathe. Theatre whisks us away and takes us to somewhere else, and when it comes down to the nitty-gritty a play is just a collection of words designed to do just that – Peggy for you does that brilliantly.

The play takes place in an agents office in the space of a day, giving us insight into the fast pleased life that is ‘showbiz’. Brilliantly chaotic, our leading lady Peggy portrayed by Tamsin Greig delivered the lines with clarity shining a light again on how fast-paced this industry is and how beautifully messy Peggy was as a person.

The first act is funny in all of the right places purely because of how much of the world of Peggy Ramsay is chaos and despite everything everyone lays at her feet. It is not until act two that where we see some tension building up between her clients and the consequences of what happens when you push them to breaking point. Unknowingly blunt, the world revolved around Peggy leading her to give questionable yet hilarious advice.

The second act takes a more dramatic and serious turn. As said before the faced paced world of showbiz can have a tragic effect on some. The life of living fast and dangerously can be too much for some people and as Peggy finds out a beloved client of hers passed away her entire world come crashing down around her. The blunt and harsh words from geordie Henry (portrayed by Trevor Fox) bought her head down from the clouds with a thundering crash to earth.

The show has a fantastic supporting cast, with Danusia Samal portraying the assistant, Tessa, who picks up the pieces and keeps the office turning smoothly – Philip (Portrayed by Jos Vantyler) the golden boy who keeps the cash rolling in with his spectacular plays in the Westend and on Broadway and soon to be client Simon (portayed Josh Finan) is a blissfully unaware new playwright making his world debut in the back of a pub. The characters are all uniquely their own and under the direction of Richard Wilson, gelled and connected intricately on stage.

Overall this play with its all star cast is a brilliant night of theatre. Fantastically chaotic, witty and whimsical it really gets you thinking about what goes on behind closed doors. Why? Because its showbiz darling.

Soho Theatre, London – until 30th December 2021

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

5*****

The Dina Martina Christmas Show at Soho Theatre is a comical masterpiece, which includes a few Christmassy songs, with some very funny jokes in between, and a quick costume change here and there. The songs are hilarious, with some being sung to the tune of some Beatles songs, such as ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘I am the Walrus’. My personal favourite was Dina’s rendition of ‘Let it Snow’ sung to the tune of ‘Let it Be’, and then vice versa. There are also a few life lessons scattered throughout; apparently murder is like cilantro, and John Wayne Gacy was one of Santa’s reindeer. The audience are also educated on the very honourable occupation of ‘earthquake clowns’, which is possibly the funniest story I have ever heard.

The costumes featured in the show are absolutely gorgeous, from a beautiful green floor length dress, to a long sparkly red jumper with one sleeve. These outfits were simply dazzling, and worked perfectly in the show to create a piece that engulfs all of the senses, the green dress specifically also engulfing the stool, alongside some humorous sound effects from Dina herself.

The set was very minimalistic, with a white Christmas tree, a table and stool, and a large wrapped box, the contents of which aren’t revealed until the very end as part of a hilarious moment in her final song.

Dina Martina is a comedic genius, and her show should definitely not be missed. Leave the kids at home and get down to Soho Theatre to see this hysterical Christmas show.

Grand Opera House York – until 9th January 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

3.5***

After retiring as the Dame, Berwick Kaler just couldn’t keep away, it’s in his soul, and Grand Opera House York have taken up the realm this year. York legend Berwick brings his regular band of highwaymen, to York’s Grand Opera House for their latest pantomime, his first at this lovely venue. As well as staring as Dotty Donut, the mammie of the bunch, he has also written and directed Dick Turpin Rides Again, presented by Crossroads Pantomimes.

As the regular gang of, Martin Barrass, Suzy Cooper, David Leonard and AJ Powell, graced the stage they were all greeted with enthusiastic applause. Obviously, a lot of the audience had followed them to their new “home”.

Suzy and Martin play Dotty’s children, Donna and Dunkin Donut, whilst David is the dastardly Vermin the Destroyer, the evil villain, until he isn’t. Last, but not least, is the loveable brummie, AJ Powell, as Luvlie Lumpit. New to their panto family is Daniel Conway as the Dashing Dick Turpin and his faithful steed Peggy.

As always with Berwick’s panto’s, they start with the story you may know, but this all goes out the window, with any semblance of sanity, pretty quick. This show did not disappoint. We had cowboys, vampires, and a garlic alien from the planet Garlatica to name but a few. The later had me snorting in laughter, quite literally, to see AJ in his skimpy shorts with his garlic head is a sight to behold. Suzy had us in stitches as a bat, teeth falling out and all. I must say she looked fantastic, very lithe.

The set and costumes were colourful, though the piéce de résistance was the flying Peggy, complete with Daniel in full voice, riding in the starry skies. This was truly magical and enchanting to watch. I must say I’ve only seen 2 pantos this year and both had flying horses??!! To be fair, though completely different, they were both spectacular. Unfortunately, Berwick’s costumes were a bit of a let-down, not nearly flamboyant and outrageous enough. We wanted more!

Overall, I did enjoy the show, but it was lacking the wow factor for me. Some of the jokes and humour were dated and missed the mark, at times the audience were just not getting involved with the bite backs. It is still worth going to see for a bit of out there escapism, a laugh and to see the York Dame back in action.

IMMERSIVE EVERYWHERE

PRESENT

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE

THE IMMERSIVE SHOW LIVE IN LONDON

AT THE VANGUARD THEATRE, CAMDEN

SUMMER 2022

Producers Immersive Everywhere, in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions and Steven Knight, are thrilled to announce PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE, a brand-new immersive theatre show, live in London at The Vanguard Theatre, Camden opening in summer 2022, with casting to be announced soon.

Priority sign-up to be the first to find out more is open now at www.immersivepeakyblinders.com

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is the first official fully immersive 360-degree theatre show set in the world of one of the most globally successful TV franchises, “Peaky Blinders” and taking place at The Vanguard Theatre, just moments away from the setting for Solomons Yard in the TV series. Follow the rise in fortune of Tommy Shelby and his family as the unfolding narrative and live actors place the audience right at the heart of the Shelby Company, featuring iconic locations, from the betting shop in Small Heath and The Garrison through to the bakery on the banks of Regent’s Canal, the home of the Solomons gang. PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is the unmissable immersive show live in London from Summer 2022.

The Creative Director and Director of PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is Tom Maller (Doctor Who: Time Fracture and Arcane, Casino Royale, Romeo + Juliet and Blade Runner: Final Cut with Secret Cinema) and Production Designer is Rebecca Brower (Doctor Who: Time Fracture, Secret Cinema Presents Arcane, Bat Out Of Hell).

Peaky Blinders, the tv series, was created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke). The multi award-winning BBC One and Netflix series is produced by Peaky Blinders’ official series and brand owner, Caryn Mandabach Productions.

Peaky Blinders® © Caryn Mandabach Productions. All rights reserved. Licensed by Caryn Mandabach Productions.

Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, the UK’s national advisory body for theatres, has commented on the new changes in Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland and Wales:

Theatres already have a range of safety measures in place to keep audiences, staff and performers safe, but as Covid cases rapidly rise Theatres Trust understand why both the Scottish and Welsh Governments have advised to limit social gatherings. While the regulations do not directly affect theatres, there has already been an impact on ticket sales and theatres are finding themselves in a precarious position. Like the hospitality sector, the theatre sector will need additional economic support to help it survive this latest challenge.

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

PATRICK DUFFY

LINDA PURL  & GRAY O’BRIEN

IN

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

BY JACK WEINSTOCK AND WILLIE GILBERT

ON TOUR THROUGHOUT THE UK IN 2022

Dallas legend Patrick Duffy (The Man from Atlantis; Step by Step) and Linda Purl (Happy Days; Homeland) fly in from Hollywood to star alongside Gray O’ Brien (Peak Practice; Coronation Street), leading the cast in this exciting new production of the classic Broadway thriller.

Catch Me If You Can, written by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, and directed by Bob Tomson, will embark on its nationwide tour, opening at the Theatre Royal, Windsor on 8 February 2022. Adapted from Robert Thomas’s French play Trap for a Lonely Man, this highly entertaining mystery has inspired three successful screenplays. 

Inspector Levine is called to a house in the remote Catskill mountains to investigate the disappearance of newly married Elizabeth Corban. But when Elizabeth suddenly turns up, her husband seems surprised – and this is only the beginning of a truly baffling train of events, in which nothing is what it seems and no-one is as they appear. Will this extraordinary sequence of surprising twists and turns lead to a murderous conclusion?

Patrick Duffy is known to audiences around the world for his twelve years in the role of Bobby Ewing in the CBS primetime drama Dallas. Other notable roles include Mark Harris in NBC’s Man from Atlantis, Frank Lambert in the ABC sitcom Step by Step and Stephen Logan in CBS’The Bold and the Beautiful. On stage, he played Serge in the award-winning West End production of Art.

Linda Purl’s numerous screen roles include Ashley (Fonzie’s girlfriend) in Happy Days, Helene  in the American version of The Office, Charlene Matlock in the legal drama series Matlock, and Elizabeth Gaines in Homeland. Her stage appearances include the international tour of Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners, Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (Rubicon Theatre, California) and, most recently, Rosemary Clooney in Tenderly at the New Vic, Santa Barbara.

Gray O’Brien is best known for his portrayal of villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in Coronation Street, as Dr Tom Deneley in Peak Practice and as Dr. Richard McCraig in Casualty. He played Milo Tindle in Sleuth at the West End’s Apollo Theatre.

The cast also includes Ben Nealon, who played Captain Jeremy Forsythe in ITV’s award-winning series Soldier Soldier. He has appeared regularly on stage with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company and the Classic Thriller Theatre Company.

Catch Me If You Can is directed by Bob Tomson (Blood Brothers, Scrooge, Evita, On The Piste), with design by Julie Godfrey (How The Other Half Loves, Pack of Lies, Rehearsal for Murder) and lighting by Chris Davey (Witness for the Prosecution, the Car Man, Touching the Void). 

LISTINGS

Bill Kenwright presents

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

UK Tour from 8 February 2022

by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert

Based on the French play Trap for a Lonely Man by Robert Thomas.

Directed by Bob Tomson

Designed by Julie Godfrey

Lighting by Chris Davey

Website: kenwright.com 

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

Instagram: @bklproductions

DATES AND VENUES

Theatre Royal Windsor                                              theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

08 February – 19 February 2022                                  01753 853 8888  

Belfast Grand Opera House                                          www.goh.co.uk

21 February- 26 February 2022      02890 241 919

New Theatre Cardiff                                                      newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

28 February- 05 March 2022                                        03433 100 041

Blackpool Grand                                                             www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

07 March- 12 March 2022                                             01253 290 111

Darlington Hippodrome                                                darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

14 March- 19 March 2022                                             01325 405405

Malvern Festival Theatre                                              malvern-theatres.co.uk

21 March- 26 March 2022                                             01684 8922770

Theatr Clwyd                                                                   www.theatrclwyd.com

28 March- 02 April 2022                                                01352 344101

Milton Keynes Theatre                                                  atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes         
04 April- 09 April 2022                    02072 061174

Richmond Theatre                                                          atgtickets.com/richmond

11 April- 16 April 2022                                                    0844 8717615

Alexandra Theatre Birmingham                                   atgtickets.com/birmingham

25 April- 30 April 2022                                                    0333 0096690

Eastbourne Devonshire Park                                        eastbournetheatres.co.uk

09 May- 14 May 2022                                                     0132 3412000

Theatre Royal Bath                                                         theatreroyal.org.uk

16 May- 21 May 2022                                                     On Sale Soon

Cambridge Arts Theatre                                             cambridgeartstheatre.com              

23 May- 28 May                                                          On Sale Soon

The Lowry Salford                                                      thelowry.com

30 May- 04 June                                                          On Sale Soon

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                       atgtickets.com/aylesbury

06 June- 18 June                                                               On Sale Soon

Yvonne Arnaud Guilford                                           yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

13 June- 18 June                                                         On Sale Soon

Churchill Theatre Bromley                                             churchilltheatre.co.uk

20 June- 25 June                                                               On Sale Soon

Theatre Royal Glasgow                                                   atgtickets.com/glasgow

27 June- 02 July                                                                 On Sale Soon

Although 2021 has been a yet another trying year with regards to theatre, we are absolutely delighted to announce the winner of the Aurora Award 2021 is Rob Madge.

Our reviewers nominated them because “They deserves an award just for existing – heavenly”

You can find the review for their 5* show, My Son’s a Queer, But What Can You Do? here :

“If you want to feel uplifted after lock down and feel enveloped into a loving family this little show will do that for you” https://fairypoweredproductions.com/my-sons-a-queer-but-what-can-you-do-review/

and the 5* Bedknobs and Broomsticks here:

“Norton the very northern fish voiced by Rob Madge all add an extra dimension of magic to the show” https://fairypoweredproductions.com/bedknobs-and-broomsticks-review/

So a huge congratulations to Rob and thank you for their amazing contribution to keeping us entertained during 2021

CAST AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

Molly-Grace Cutler as Carole King
Tom Milner as Gerry Goffin
Seren Sandham-Davies as Cynthia Weil
Jos Slovick as Barry Mann

A Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton co-production

Leicester’s Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton have today announced the company of talented actor-musicians joining their new UK tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

Opening at Curve on Monday 28 February 2022, the company will be led by Molly-Grace Cutler (The Worst Witch, Girls Don’t Play Guitars, We’ll Live and Die in these Towns) as Carole King. Tom Milner (Holby City, Waterloo Road) will play Gerry Goffin, Carole’s former husband and collaborator. Seren Sandham-Davies (Crazy For You, Brassed Off) and Jos Slovick, who performed in the original West End production of Once, will play husband and wife song-writing duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.

Garry Robson returns to Curve as music producer and talent manager Don Kirshner. Garry was last seen on-stage in Leicester as General Henry Waverly in the 2018 Made at Curve production of White Christmas.

Clare Greenway, who originated the role of Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act at the London Palladium, will play Carole’s mother Genie Klein, and Dan de Cruz will join as the production’s on-stage Musical Director. The cast is completed by Naomi Alade, Kemi Clarke, Chris Coxon, Amena El-Kindy, Louise Francis, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Jessica Jolleys, Sorrel Jordan, Myles Miller, Peter Mooney and Adrien Spencer.

After its run in Leicester, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will tour to Theatre Royal Bath 17 – 26 March, Theatre Royal Brighton 29 March – 2 April, Festival Theatre Edinburgh 5 – 9 April, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 12 – 16 April, Newcastle Theatre Royal 19 – 23 April, Orchard Theatre Dartford 26 – 30 April, Malvern Theatres 3 -7 May, Cambridge Arts Theatre 10 – 21 May and New Theatre, Cardiff 24 – 28 May.

Based on the story of Carole King’s remarkable rise from singer/songwriter to chart-topping music legend, this production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will take audiences back to the heart of King’s landmark 1971 album ‘Tapestry’.

The musical will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose recent credits include acclaimed five-star productions of A Chorus Line, West Side Storyand 2020’s streamed production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home.

Speaking about the cast, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“Carole King’s body of work speaks for itself and it is an honour to work on a show which celebrates some of the greatest pop songs ever written and the extraordinary life of the woman who has provided the soundtrack to our lives across the decades.

“In Molly-Grace Cutler, we have the perfect actor to lead our production and embody the spirit of King’s supreme artistry. Molly leads a phenomenal company of actor-musicians, who will recreate all the hits live onstage, under the supreme musical talents of Grammy winner Steve Sidwell and Tony winner Sarah Travis.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with our friends at Theatre Royal Bath and Southampton Mayflower, flying the flag for Leicester once Beautiful tours from Curve.”

Carole King’s music will be brought to life by Grammy Award-winning Orchestrator Steve Sidwell and adapted by Tony Award-winning Curve Associate and Musical Supervisor Sarah Travis. The production will be choreographed by rising star Leah Hill (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre) and the creative team also includes Set Designer Frankie Bradshaw, Costume Designer Edd Lindley, Lighting Designer and Curve Associate Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer Tom Marshall, Associate Director Jennifer Lane Baker and Casting Director and Curve Associate Kay Magson CDG. The production will also provide training opportunities for Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme (RTYDS) Resident Assistant Director Lilac Yosiphon and Birkbeck Trainee Director Thyrza Abrahams.

Featuring countless classics such as You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Take Good Care of my Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, Up on the Roof, Locomotion and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is written by Douglas McGrath, with songs by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical was originally produced on Broadway and in London by Paul Blake, SONY/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath

Words & Music by Gerry Coffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing