Grand Opera House, York – until 25th March 2023

Reviewed by Katie Brewerton

4 ****

Going in to this show I knew very little about Buddy Holly and his tragic story. Beginning with his introduction to the music world with everyone around him encouraging him to be a country singer we join Buddy Holly (Christopher Weeks) and the Crickets trying to make a name for themselves in the world of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 1950s. Buddy refuses to give in to the radio station and record labels and plays the music he loves, he finds a record company willing to record and produce their music and becomes a star. 

After a tragic accident at only 22 Buddy Holly’s legacy lives on in his music and what he achieved is all the more unbelievable given the age he died.

Even if you’re not familiar with Buddy Holly’s music there’s bound to be the odd song you know with hits including ‘Everyday’, ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘La Bamba’.

The second half focuses on Buddy’s final performance in Clear Lake, with hit after hit being performed by Buddy Holly and his band as well as the 2 people who would accompany Buddy in the fateful plane crash that would end his life. Ritchie Valens (Miguel Angel) and J.P. Richardson ‘The Big Bopper’ (Christopher Chandler). Christopher Weeks as Buddy is phenomenal and vocal and instrumental talent is abundant on stage with a wonderful supporting cast. 

Despite the tragic end to the show which left a stunned silence across the theatre this is a fantastic, uplifting and fun filled show and one to add to the list of must see’s whether you’re a Buddy Holly fan or not.

Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 25th March 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

4****

Fisherman’s Friends The Musical is based on the true story of the singing Cornish fishermen who were discovered by a London A&R man who, whilst visiting their hometown of Port Isaac, persuaded them to allow him to record a demo and they became a sensation.

There was much to enjoy in this exuberant work. I absolutely loved the lead couple Danny (the out of towner) played with commendable personality, depth and verve by Jason Langley and local lass Alywyn played by Parisa Shahmir. Parisa had a gorgeous voice and the musical highlights for me were her playing guitar whilst singing and, especially, during her solo song when she was reflecting on love, thinking of Danny. Just beautiful.

When the fishermen went to London was their highlight. There were some hilarious scenes playing on the fish out of water aspects of “yokels” in the Big Smoke. Wonderful stuff. And while the men were away, the ladies ensemble back home had their most effective group scene – complete with fantastic ensemble song and dance routine.

Jago (Robert Duncan) and his wife Maggie (played tonight by understudy Janet Mooney) were amusing and tender, with both providing emotional highlights for entirely different reasons. And I very much warmed to the plight of young couple Rowan (Dan Buckley) and Sally (Hazel Monaghan), with these fine actors giving wonderful performances. Sensitively nuanced portrayals from all concerned that genuinely made one feel for and like their characters.

The musicianship was superb, the dancing was joyous, the cast gave it their all with a gusto that was commendable. The show contained a lot of humour with some genuinely funny one liners. And it was amazing to see live musicians on stage providing atmosphere and colour.

There was so much to enjoy here that I found myself asking why it was that I was left slightly unsatisfied. I’m not sure how much was fiction for dramatic effect and how much was the unvarnished truth but I didn’t enjoy watching the visitor to the village treated in a rather unfriendly manner by the locals. Indeed, the only time that the Cornish characters seemed to warm to the Londoner was when he was lining their pockets! It would have been nice to have had them like him without any ulterior motive, (ie just as a friend who enjoyed their music and wanted to help them share it with the world). Perhaps that was the way it was, but I found it uncomfortable viewing. It was obvious I was in the minority in having any problem with the show as everyone else seemed to love it. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it, I did – just that I would have loved it more had it felt a bit more, well… friendly.

If you enjoy the music of the original band, or the films about them, if you like folk or Irish music (much of the music reminded me of The Pogues), if you like big dance numbers and live musicians onstage and if you have any interest in sea shanties or Cornwall I’m certain you will love this show and have a ball.

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – 21st and 22nd MARCH 2023

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

The South African born dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo has built herself an international reputation on reinterpreting the great ballets, including Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, telling these classic stories from a contemporary African perspective. Following the critically acclaimed tour of Giselle in 2019, Dance Consortium is back by popular demand, with the UK premiere of The Sacrifice and performed at The Lowry last night (the first of two nights), as part of an extensive UK tour. It is their largest tour to date with fourteen venues presenting the show, ending the tour in Newcastle after Easter.

Masilo’s The Sacrifice was inspired by the music from Igor Stravinsky’s epic Rite Of Spring score and Pina Bausch’s later adaptation. The story is about the return of Spring and the renewal of the earth through the sacrifice of a young woman, chosen by her community to dance herself to death. It follows the original structure and is divided into two parts, the first is when Ann Masina (vocals) walks across the stage announcing the return of spring by calling out ‘mielies’ and Masilo, along with her company of 10 superb dancers, celebrate spring and sets up a community. The second is where the ritual sacrifice takes place. Where Masilo’s reading differs from the original is that the sacrifice is shown as a cleansing ritual that brings peace and renewal to the community. This is emphasised by the dancers returning for the second part holding white calla lilies and wearing striking pure white flowing costumes, designed by David Hutt, complimenting their movements.

The dancers are all extraordinary, performing with synchronised rhythmical movements. Masilo herself dances the principle role within the show.

The staging is very simple because it is purely for dancing with freedom of movement without any distractions. Suzette le Sueur uses a projector to create images on a screen at the back of the stage.

Masilo choreographed the show to a new enthralling original score by four musicians; Leroy Mapholo on violin, Mpho Mothiba on a wide range of percussions (including a length of a corrugated tubing), Nathi Shongwe on piano and Ann Masina on vocals. Masina performance of the end song was so beautiful and heart-rending, I had tears running down my face.

Be prepared to be taken on a journey of emotions and witnessing choreography on another level!

STEPHEN CAMPBELL MOORE AND ADRIAN SCARBOROUGH TO STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF JACK THORNE’S

WHEN WINSTON WENT TO WAR WITH THE WIRELESS

Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce casting for the world première of Jack Thorne’s play When Winston went to War with the Wireless. Katy Rudd directs Stephen Campbell Moore as John Reithand Adrian Scarborough as Winston Churchill. Further casting to be announced.

The production opens on 13 June, with previews from 2 June, and runs until 29 July. The Donmar continues its 30th anniversary celebrations providing £10 tickets for audiences aged under 30 to mark the milestone, with support from Associate Sponsor Barclays.

The production is designed by Laura Hopkins, with sound design by Ben and Max Ringham,lighting design by Howard Hudson, movement direction by Scott Graham, music by Gary Yershon and casting by Anna Cooper CDG.

Jack Thorne says today “So delighted to announce this wonderful cast. Adrian is going to dazzle as the younger Churchill we’ve barely seen before, and Stephen will delight in bringing all the Gary Lineker shades in Reith. The BBC has constantly found itself pinched by Government crows, this was the first pinching and it feels an ever more apposite time to bring it to the stage.”

World Première

WHEN WINSTON WENT TO WAR WITH THE WIRELESS

by Jack Thorne

Director – Katy Rudd; Designer – Laura Hopkins, Sound Designers – Ben and Max Ringham, Lighting Designer – Howard Hudson, Movement Director – Scott Graham, Composer – Gary Yershon, Casting Director – Anna Cooper CDG

2 June – 29 July 2023

A true story about truth

In May 1926 Britain grinds to a halt, as workers down tools for The General Strike.

With the printing presses shut down, the only sources of news are the government’s The British Gazette, edited by Chancellor of the Exchequer Winston Churchill, and the independent, fledgling British Broadcasting Company, led by John Reith. What follows is a fierce battle for control of the news and who gets to define the truth.

At a time when the BBC is faced once again with the challenges of impartiality, When Winston went to War with the Wireless is a gripping new play about the birth of a great British institution by multi award-winning stage and screen writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage play, His Dark Materials for BBC One), directed by Katy Rudd (Ocean at the End of the Lane, Eureka Day).

This production is generously supported by Charles Holloway, Season Supporter.

Additionally, we would like to thank our Production Supporter, Charles J Burdick.

Jack Thorne’s credits as a playwright include After Life (National Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Woyzeck (Old Vic Theatre), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (The Palace Theatre/Lyric Theatre Broadway), Sunday (Atlantic Theatre), The End of History, Hope (Royal Court), King Kong (Broadway Theatre), Mydidae (Soho Theatre), Stacy (Tron, Arcola Theatre, New Diorama Theatre), Let the Right One In (Apollo Theatre, Dundee Rep, Royal Court), Junkyard (UK tour), The Solid Life of Sugar Water (UK tour, National Theatre, Orange Tree Theatre), Bunny (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, UK tour, E9E59 Theatres) and Stuart: A Life Backwards (Sheffield Theatre/UK tour). His television credits include Help, Then Barbara Met Alan, Crip Tales, The Eddy, The Accident, His Dark Materials, Electric Dreams, Kiri, National Treasure, The Last Panthers, Don’t Take My Baby, This is England, The Fades, Glue, Cast-Offs and for film; The Swimmers, Enola Holmes, The Secret Garden, The Aeronauts, Dirt Music, Radioactive, Wonder, War Book, The Long Way Down and The Scouting Book for Boys. His work for television has won him 5 BAFTAs and an RTS Television Award. In 2022, he was the recipient of both the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain award for Outstanding Contribution to Writing, and the Royal Television Society’s award for Outstanding Contribution to British Television. Jack is a patron of Graeae Theatre Company, and associate artist of the Old Vic Theatre, and launched the pressure group Underlying Health Condition to champion disabled representation in the TV industry.

Stephen Campbell Moore plays John Reith. He previously appeared in Berenice at the Donmar Warehouse. His other theatre credits include: Consent (Harold Pinter Theatre); Photograph 51 (Michael Grandage Company/Noël Coward Theatre); Chimerica; Richard II; Coriolanus (Almeida); Clybourne Park (Royal Court/Wyndham’s); All My Sons (Apollo Theatre); The History Boys (National Theatre/Broadway); Much Ado About Nothing; Antony and Cleopatra (RSC); Death of a Salesman (Compass Theatre Company); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Albery); The Changeling (Salisbury Playhouse). TV includes: Criminal Record; The Confessions of Frannie Langton; Masters of the Air; The One; Responsible Child; The One; War of the Worlds; Traitors; Action Team; The Child in Time; The Last Post; Stag; The Wrong Mans; The Go Between; Our Zoo; Hunted; Just Henry; Titanic; Sleepyhead; Pulse; Ben Hur; Larkrise to Candleford; Ashes to Ashes; Rough Crossings; Hustle; Wallis and Edward; He Knew He Was Right; Byron. Films include: Our Man from Jersey; Downton Abbey; Red Joan; Goodbye Christopher Robin; How to Talk to Girls at Parties; The Lady in the Van; The Ones Below; Burnt; Moonwalkers; Man Up; Complicit; Johnny English Reborn; Season of the Witch; A Short Stay in Switzerland; Sea Wolf; The Children; The Bank Job; Amazing Grace; The History Boys; A Good Woman; Bright Young Things. 

Adrian Scarborough plays Winston Churchill. He previously appeared in Accidental Death of an Anarchist and To The Green Fields Beyond at the Donmar Warehouse. Other theatre credits include Leopoldstadt, Don Juan in Soho (Wyndham’s Theatre), The Madness of George III, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, The Clothes They Stood Up In (Nottingham Playhouse), Exit the King, King Lear, After the Dance, The Habit of Art, Time and the Conways, Once In A Lifetime, Henry IV Part 1 and 2, The Mandate, The False Servant, The Day I Stood Still, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Racing Demon, Murmuring Judges, The Absence of War, The Miser, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, The Wind in the Willows, The Recruiting Officer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (National Theatre), Hedda Gabler (The Old Vic), Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre), Humble Boy (Gielgud Theatre), Platonov, The Tempest (Almeida Theatre), What the Butler Saw (Sheffield Theatres), Comedians, Hamlet (Belgrade Theatre), The Comedy of Errors, Little Murders (Royal Exchange Theatre), and Dona Rosita, The Master Builder, Master Harold and The Boys and Oliver Twist (Bristol Old Vic). His television credits include The Chelsea Detective, Bloods, Sanditon, The Bremmer Files, The Windsors, The Accident, Killing Eve, A Very English Scandal, Urban Myths: The Mysterious Case of Agatha Christie, Little Women, Maigret, Professor Branestawn, Crashing, Midsomer Murders, Blunt Talk, Up the Women, Father Brown, Plebs, Edge of Heaven, Death in Paradise, The Paradise, Our Story, Restless, Doctor Who, Mrs Biggs, Watson and Oliver, Miranda, Upstairs/Downstairs, Gavin & Stacey, Cranford, Psychoville, Minder, Kingdown, Ten Days to War, Poppy Shakespeare, The Cranford Chronicles, The Commander: The Fraudster, Maxwell, New Tricks, The History of Mr Polly, The Trial of Tony Blair, Saxondale, Promoted to Glory, T.L.C, Let Them Eat Cake, The Passion, The Governor and Fist of the Dragonfly;and for film, 1917, Artemis Fowl, Lyrebird, Christopher Robin, Patrick, On Chesil Beach, A Little Chaos, Delicious, Les Miserables, The King’s Speech, Golden Age, The Tenth Man, Notes on a Scandal, The History Boys, Vera Drake, Bright Young Things, To Kill a King, Dirty Pretty Things, Gosford Park, Love is the Devil, In the Bleak Midwinter and The Madness of King George.

Katy Rudd’s credits as a director include Eureka Day, Camp Siegfried (The Old Vic), The Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre/Duke of York’s Theatre), The Almighty Sometimes – Winner of The Stage Debut Award for Best Director (Royal Exchange Theatre), and her credits as an Associate Director include Lungs, The Master Builder (The Old Vic), Groundhog Day (The Old Vic/August Wilson Theater), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National Theatre/Piccadilly Theatre/UK tour), Husbands and Sons, Pinocchio (National Theatre), Linda (Royal Court), and as an Assistant Director; Mojo (Harold Pinter Theatre), The Playboy of the Western World (Old Vic Theatre) and Into the Woods (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

LISTINGS

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41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX

Box Office: www.donmarwarehouse.com / 020 3282 3808          

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Evenings Mon – Sat: 7.30pm

Matinees Thu & Sat: 2.30pm

TICKET PRICES

£55 (£50) / £41 (£38) / £21 (£19)

£10 standing tickets

Preview discounts apply to the first four performances only

BARCLAYS UNDER 30s £10 TICKETS

To celebrate our 30th birthday and thanks to generous support from our Associate Sponsor Barclays a limited number of £10 tickets are available for under 30s for every performance.

YOUNG+FREE

YOUNG+FREE tickets for 16–25-year-olds released by ballot. Sign up at www.donmarwarehouse.com.

Generously supported by IHS Markit.

DONMAR DAILY

New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.

ACCESS

The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.

ASSISTED PERFORMANCES

If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email access@donmarwarehouse.com.

For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES – 7.30pm (captioned by Stagetext)

When Winston Went to War with the Wireless: Monday 17 July

AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE – 2.30pm (audio-described by VocalEyes)

When Winston Went to War with the Wireless: Saturday 8 July, touch tour at 1pm

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES – 7.30pm

When Winston Went to War with the Wireless: Friday 22 July

MICHAEL D. XAVIER to star in  

The New COLE PORTER Musical

ROMAN HOLIDAY
UK Premiere of a new stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning movie

Opening at THEATRE ROYAL BATH from June 2023

Adapted for the stage by KIRSTEN GUENTHER and PAUL BLAKE

Directed by JEREMY SAMS

Theatre Royal Bath Productions, by arrangement with Paul Blake and BFI Productions, is delighted to announce that the acclaimed West End leading actor Michael D. Xavier will star in the UK premiere of the brand new stage adaptation of Roman Holiday, when it opens at Theatre Royal Bath from 10 June this year.

Two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier‘s theatre credits include Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close (London Coliseum and Palace Theatre, Broadway), My Fair Lady (UK No. 1 Tour), Love Story (Duchess Theatre and Minerva Theatre), Into the Woods and The Sound of Music (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Prince of Broadway (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway), The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Wars Of The Roses – Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III (The Rose Theatre), The Secret Garden (Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington D.C), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Spamalot (Palace Theatre) and Miss Saigon (UK Tour). On screen, Xavier’s credits include series regular Elliott Wallace in Grantchester and recurring roles in Outlander (Starz!), The Blacklist (NBC) and Gentleman Jack (HBO).

Based on the multi Academy Award winning movie comedy which made a worldwide star of Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday is now transformed into a glittering stage musical, featuring the unforgettable music of Cole Porter including Easy To Love, You Do Something To Me, In The Still Of The Night, Just One Of Those Things and Night and Day.

Winning multiple Academy Awards when first released 70 years ago, Roman Holiday follows a youthful princess and an American journalist on a frenetic 24-hour adventure through the delights of the Italian capital. The beloved movie has been adapted for stage by Kirsten Guenther and Paul Blake, who co-wrote the stage version of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Ann, a young princess visiting Rome on a goodwill tour, escapes from the watchful eye of her chaperone. She meets Joe who offers to show her around the city, but Joe’s editor has demanded a story regarding a missing princess. Through the course of one charming day and eventful night in Rome, Ann and Joe grow closer, but will true romance blossom before Ann has to return to her royal duties…?

Roman Holiday is directed by double Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Jeremy Sams, whose directing credits include Noises Off in the West End and Jason Robert Brown’s 13. He also wrote the script for the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and translated the award-nominated Amour on Broadway.

Further cast and further creative team will be announced in due course.

THE GRAND THEATRE, LEEDS – UNTIL 1 APRIL 2023

REVIEWED BY ELLIE WATSON

5*****

Based on the 1992 hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act tells the story of Deloris
Van Cartier, a club singer, who is put into protective custody at a local convent after witnessing her gangster boyfriend commit murder. At first she has many run-ins with Mother Superior but soon her high enthusiasm and energy starts to influence the other nuns as she goes against traditional practice and uses her vocal talent to inspire the choir helping her to breathe in new life into the church but also blows her cover whilst doing this. However there are notable differences in the musical to the film, making this production stand apart from the hit movie.

Firstly I want to start this review by acknowledging that Lesley Joseph was taken ill just before the curtain came up, meaning that the star of the show was delayed, however Lori Haley Fox stepped into the role without much prior notice and did an amazing job as Mother Superior showing to the whole audience the skill and talent of covers and understudies in theatre.

Leading the show in the role of Deloris Van Cartier, is Sandra Marvin. Marvin was amazing with great vocal technique and brilliant stage presence. Her vocal ability was amazing and I could listen to her belt those songs out again, she effectively portrayed the character of Deloris. Another standout performance for me was Lizzie Bea, playing Sister Mary Robert. Bea’s portrayal was sweet yet lovable, having everyone root for her and her character throughout the musical. Her performance of “The Life I Never Led’ was OUTSTANDING, she did this song justice and her last belt note was amazing. The breath control needed to sustain this note that Bea managed to carry out is amazing and even when the whole audience had finished cheering and clapping for her, she was still holding on to this final note! AMAZING! She definitely did my favourite song in musical theatre justice.

It was also great to see Clive Rowe in this performance, best known for playing Duke in Tracy Beaker. He was Eddie Souther, the loveable policeman that has a great voice and made me laugh in his rendition of I could be that guy where his policeman outfit gets changed for a sparkly white jumpsuit. This solo number is really fun and enjoyable.

Everyone in this cast was amazing, from all the nuns with particular stand out performances
from Catherine Millsom as Sister Mary Patrick and Anne Smith as Sister Mary Lazarus, Graham MacDuff as the Monseigneur, to the 3 funny gangsters who are part of Jeremy Secomb’s character Curtis Jackson’s gang. These were Bradley Judge playing TJ, Tom Hopcroft playing Joey and Damian Buhagiar playing Pablo. These 3 were hilarious and I loved it every time they did a musical number, always making me laugh in my seat. I cannot mention everyone in the full cast but everyone did an amazing job and you could clearly see they were all enjoying their time on stage.

The set and costume by Morgan Large were amazing and helped that cast perform Alan Menken’s disco score with infectious energy that made you want to dance in your seat. The musical is fun and enjoyable to watch and I would definitely go again to see this. Tim Mitchell’s lighting design transforms this production and transforms the stage into a full on disco on scenes where this is appropriate and I love the use of the disco balls. The production was so good I could just sit back and relax and enjoy the musical. It is a crowd pleasing musical and has some amazing character developments throughout. It’s a wonderful night out at the theatre and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Overall in the words of the Sister Act cast, it was “Fabulous, Baby!

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until Saturday 25th March 2023

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4****

Home I’m Darling tells the story of Judy (Jessica Ransom) a wife who finds herself made redundant and decides she wants to take her life into a different direction. What could be better than being a perfect 1950’s housewife an era that’s she very much in love with, for her husband Johnny (Neil McDermott) convincing him that a change will impact their lives and both for the better. Imagine dinner being cooked before your even home, ready and waiting! Someone to take your shoes of and pop your slippers on with a nice relaxing cocktail ready to go! The sheets always being tidy and clean! Think of how it would make you feel as a Husband, a true provider. Sounds like the perfect idea for the pair and they decide to try it out for 6 months, this only leading to what seems like a 3-year chore.

Although looking in from the outside it seems the pair are incredibly happy, totally entwined and have the perfect life.  As constantly mentioned by the couple’s close friends Fran (Cassie Bradley) and Marcus (Matthew Douglas) who they meet through the love of the 50’s. With Marcus moaning that Fran doesn’t do enough around the house, always pointing out the differences between both women and how Johnny is a very lucky man to have Judy. With Fran always feeling put down by these words as she will never be able to live up to anything near Judy and to be honest, she doesn’t really want to. Instead, she would rather be working and doesn’t feel she would get the same satisfaction that Judy gets from her spotless house. But on the inside Judy is slowly losing herself to an obsession that is taking over her, making her forget who she really is. Whereas Johnny is missing the old Judy and the normal things in life with the simplicity of actually being able to doing things for her! Her Mother Sylvia (Diane Keen) is desperate for Judy to return to work believing that she needs something more fulfilling in her life to help her along, whilst asking herself what would she have left if something happens between the pair! Things take a turn for the worst when Johnny opens up saying he’s no longer happy could this be the end for the couple or will they look deeper in order to find a happy medium.

Home I’m Darling offers much insight into the life of 50s where women were solely responsible for the upkeep of the household,  keeping everything running and looking their best . Although this reality seems far from the truth offering much loneliness forgetting who you really are as well as never wanting to socialise much and leaving your home your comfort zone

The set looked amazing of a house with many retro designs true to that era. Upstairs the rooms were painted giving it the effect of a full house and very appealing to the eye.

This production was enjoyable to watch I found it witty, charming and nostalgic. Would definitely recommend for a entertaining evening out.

Blackpool Grand – until 25 March 2023

Reviewed by Debra Skelton

5*****

Titanic The Musical has sailed its way into Blackpool and what a show it is.

I have to say that the 11 Academy Award-winning worldwide film directed by James Cameron is a huge favourite of mine and I have lost count of the number of times that I have seen it. Trying to recreate the story of Titanic and its final hours into a musical was something that I was interested in seeing and I can only say what a fabulous 5 times Tony Awards production created by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone it was.

The musical is about the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic from Southampton to New York and the collision with an iceberg that resulted in the sinking of the described “unsinkable ship” on the 14th of April 1912 which was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th century with 1517 men, women and children losing their lives.

Based on real people who were aboard this legendary ship including J. Bruce Ismay of the White Star Line, Edward Smith the captain and Thomas Andrews the builder this musical is an impressive and stirring production which focuses on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories of their own.

This production starred Martin Allanson as J. Bruce Ismay, Graham Bickley as Captain Edward Smith and Ian McLarnon as Thomas Andrews who were supported by an incredible cast. Their voices can only be described as out of this world and along with their acting talents created such a presence on stage in telling a truly remarkable story.

Special thanks are also needed to Thom Southerland the Director, Maury Yeston for music and lyrics, David Woodhead for creating such an adaptable set and for the authentic costumes, Andrew Johnson for sound, Howard Hudson for lighting and Cressida Carre for musical staging.

Please Note: Titanic the Musical is not a musical of the film. This is the Broadway musical

EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL 25TH MARCH 2023

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

4****

Having grown up listening to Whitney Houston’s music playing on the radio and watching The Bodyguard at the cinema in 1992, I was a little bit apprehensive about watching the show. Despite becoming an international, award-winning smash hit musical, I was chary of it turning out to be a Whitney Houston tribute act instead of a West End Show, but this musical made a significant impact from the offshoot. I was pleasantly surprised!

Let’s be honest, the real reason audiences love The Bodyguard is the incredible soundtrack featuring Whitney Houston. Stepping into the shoes of an icon must have been demanding for former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton, but from the moment she appears on stage, belting out ‘Queen Of The Night’, she commands the audience and makes the role her own!

Whilst Thornton (Rachel Marron) might be the real star, Emily-Mae (Nicki Marron) as Rachel’s sister comes close to stealing the show. She is an excellent addition to the cast and shows off some awe-inspiring vocals in ‘Saving All My Love For You’, standing out as a highlight for me.

Youngster Iesa Miller who plays Rachel’s son, Fletcher is lovable with his charming smile and receives some of the loudest cheers of the night during act two and the encore when he shows off some surprising vocals.

There is some amazing choreography throughout by Karen Bruce and the dancers are full of relentless energy. Tim Hatley’s set and costume design makes the audience feel like they’re at an explosive, fiery live concert.

Ultimately this show is all about the music and with Musical Director Sam Hall and his five-piece orchestra delivering the score of emotional and lively numbers with such energy, the audience was desperate to get up on their feet and join in.

It is 11 years since the tragic death of Whitney Houston but her legacy lives on in The Bodyguard The Musical. Alexander Dinelaris (book) brings the story forward to the present day. The musical will conjure up feelings of nostalgia and you don’t have to be a Houston fan to appreciate how grand it is.

Park Theatre, Finsbury Park – until 8th April 2023

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

5*****

‘Leaving Vietnam’ is an absolutely amazing play, written and performed by the brilliant Richard Vergette, showing how our individual experiences shape our characters and political views. Set in a car garage in America, We listen to decorated Vietnam War Veteran, Jimmy Vandenberg, tell his life story. Joining the US Marines at an early age, influenced by the photo of his grandfather, Jimmy tells stories about his time serving in Vietnam, about his friends and acquaintances he served alongside. After returning, he works in a ford garage before opening his own garage specialising in Ford Mustangs, although the play takes place when he is reaching retirement and taking on one last job. Through his stories we see how such a traumatic experience can impact on someone’s memory, as Jimmy tells stories about Vietnam in a non-chronological order, and goes back to stories because he has remembered another part of it. As a whole, this play does an amazing job of portraying how war affects people, and how many soldiers coming back from war struggle to adjust to being back at home, feeling as though they never left the war. As a result of serving in Vietnam, and realising how unfair it was that he had served when other men had escaped the draft, as well as the beliefs of the majority that the Vietnam War was shameful, we see Jimmy lean towards a certain political figure and their beliefs to ‘Make America Great Again’, which speaks specifically to Jimmy’s resentment towards his sacrifices going unacknowledged.

This play is a masterpiece. It expertly portrays how the men who returned from Vietnam were seen as the bad guys, and how these men felt betrayed by the very country that they had served. It is a reflection of how time and time again, people who feel disillusioned and excluded tend to turn towards populist politicians and views, voting for the same parties that are responsible for treating them so badly, such as mining communities in the UK voting for the same party in 2019 that was to blame for their demise in the 1980’s coal miners’ strike.

Throughout the play, the audience are on the side of Jimmy, feeling sympathy for him as he experiences such awful things, and a sense of disappointment on his behalf that he returned to a country that saw his and all the other men’s service as shameful. However towards the end of the play we are forced to shift our views of Jimmy as he becomes a Trump supporter, and we see how he exhibits some racist and homophobic views, although these views are challenged during a visit from the son of an old friend, which helps to repair the relationship with his wife as he reaches an understanding of why his views are seen as wrong by his wife. Everybody should experience this brilliant play.