Birmingham Hippodrome – until Saturday 21st May 2022

Reviewed by Emma Millward

5*****

From the moment the cherry pie decorated curtain rises, the audience are pulled into another world at ‘Joe’s Pie Diner’, it’s a sight that feels somehow comforting and familiar after seeing so many diners over the years in movies and TV shows. We are introduced to Jenna (Chelsea Halfpenny), Becky (Wendy Mae Brown) and Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) who work at the Diner. Jenna is in a loveless marriage to the abusive Earl (Tamlyn Henderson) and finds out she is pregnant. She finds solace in her love of baking the inventive pies that she creates daily at the Diner. She meets and begins an affair with Dr Pomatter (Matt Jay Willis) her awkwardly cute Gynaecologist. She dreams of winning a pie making contest so she can use the prize money to start a new life.

It’s not all sweet humour though, and the violent interactions between Jenna and her husband are some of the more disturbing scenes in the show which definitely shocked the audience. Then by complete contrast, we are soon laughing again with hilarious scenes such as the introduction of Ogie (played brilliantly by George Crawford) who turns up at the Diner to woo Dawn with the hilarious ‘Never Ever Getting Rid of Me’. Another more risqué scene with the three leading ladies getting up close and personal with their men drew a mixture of gasps and howls of laughter from the audience. Most definitely not a show for the whole family to watch together! I will never look at ‘Pineapple Upside Down Cake’ in the same way again!

The set design for the show makes clever use of the space. The Diner set spins around to become the Doctor’s office. The Orchestra led by Musical Director Ellen Campbell are onstage throughout the Diner scenes, where they interact with the ensemble and really become a part of the story.

The show-stopping moment came towards the end of the second act with the most famous song from the show ‘She Used To Be Mine’. Chelsea Halfpenny’s performance was powerful and emotional. It was met with prolonged applause and cheers from the audience.

The whole cast shines, so it is really hard to single out any of them as the stand-out performance, as they all worked so well together and this chemistry will only improve as the UK tour progresses. Although I think Michael Starke (of Brookside/The Royal fame) really did shine as the Diner owner Joe when he sang ‘Take It From An Old Man’. As did little Lulu (Evelyn Kent) who was only briefly onstage at the end of the show, but received the loudest cheers and applause of the whole cast during the inevitable standing ovation during the curtain call.

Waitress serves up a sugary sweet mixture of something for everybody. It’s funny, dramatic, heartwarming and bittersweet all in one show. I am sure I will have the words ‘Sugar, Butter, Flour’ going around my head for days.

OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL 21ST MAY 2022

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

4****

If you want to turn back time and celebrate Cher’s six-decade-long career of being the Goddess of pop, The Cher Show is for you. The musical runs chronologically with three talented musical stars conveying Cher at different stages of her life and career. These three ladies with their striking outfits, spectacular songs and glamour, raised the roof at the Opera House on Tuesday evening.

The musical portrays the rise to fame of a shy 16 year old, then known as Cherilyn Sarkisian. As the audience, you witness her relationship with her mum, Georgia and Sonny, their marriage breakdown, further relationships, the pressure of fame and her constantly re-inventing herself. The show features some 35 hits throughout including Believe, Strong Enough, I Got You Babe, The Shoop Shoop Song, Turn Back Time and many more.

Portraying the icon that is Cher, is never going to be easy but the three leading ladies are superb. In her younger years, Millie O’Connell (Six, Be More Chill, Rent) plays Cher as a Babe, showing her more introvert side, the vulnerable teen on her journey to stardom and meeting Sonny. O’Connell is vibrant and her dancing skills are impressive. Then Danielle Steers (Six, Bat Out Of Hell) takes over as Lady, the rising star with her marriage crumbling and having no time away from work for her family life. Steers’ mannerisms are a joy to watch, she tears up the stage with her musical numbers and she is my favourite Cher. Debbie Kurup (The Prince Of Egypt, Rent) transforms into Star, showing how she has become a star in her own right, not only with her singing but with a successful acting career. Kurup wows the audience with her remarkable vocals and outstanding performance.

One of the, if not the stand out musical number of the evening was Jake Mitchell as Bob Mackie, in Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do, with his flair and impressive tap dancing skills. Tori Scott as Georgia, Cher’s mother, gives a knockout yet sensitive performance with stunning vocals.

With Arlene Phillips (Lord of the Dance) as the director and Oti Mabuse (double Strictly winner) as the choreographer, the dance performances are flawless and help the story flow through the decades. Ben Cracknell (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), who is responsible for the lighting gives this show the live music concert wow factor. Tom Rogers’ (9 to 5) impressive set design forms the backdrop to the whole production. Gabriella Slade (Six, Bedknobs and Broomsticks) ingeniously reflects each era and mood of the time with her fantastic and outrageous costumes.

The Cher Show is glamorous and flamboyant entertainment from start to finish!

Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford – until 21 May 2022

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4****

Memphis, Tennessee, the night before 4th April 1968. In room 306 of the Lorraine Motel, Dr Martin Luther King Jr is restlessly trying out his speech for the next day. He has been campaigning for civil rights for years, suffering arrests and assassination attempts. He’s hugely famous, but at this moment he’s alone with his hopes, fears and uncertainties. We get a sense of the strain he is under as he checks the phone for bugging devices, then calls room service for coffee.

And in bursts the cheeky, chirpy, fabulous chambermaid Camae, with coffee, cigarettes and bags of charm. King is enthralled and infuriated. He thinks she may be a honeytrap, but things take a much more interesting turn. Via flirting, shouting, pillow fights and a hotline to God (black and female), Camae and King explore his passion to make America better, his flaws, ambitions and self doubts. Ultimately Camae gets King to confront his imminent death, and accept that he must ‘pass the baton’.

Written by Katori Hall, The Mountaintop won the Olivier Best New Play Award in 2010. Its name and inspiration come from King’s eerily prescient speech on 3rd April, the day before he was assassinated. ‘I’ve been to the mountaintop. … And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land.’ We know that the play foreshadows King’s death, but it’s actually bright and funny. This is King (played by Luke Wilson) as a very human hero – he’s troubled and anxious with smelly feet and faltering marriage, but all this makes him more truly heroic. Boni Adelyi is simply enchanting as Camae, somehow managing to be authoritative, vulnerable, cheeky and profound in quick succession. She graduates from Guildhall School of Music and Drama this year, and this is her hugely impressive professional debut.

Sandra Falase’s set has a lot of charm too – a 1960s room, suspended in the shadowy stage. Near the end, Camae steps out of the room space and gives a roll-call of those who will take up the civil rights cause. It’s rather unsubtle compared with what has gone before, but poignant too – this is struggle that is far, far from over.

On a more boring note, sit near the front and centre if (like me) you have any hearing problems – the Yvonne Arnaud doesn’t have the clearest sound, and this play is strongly accented.

New Wimbledon Theatre – until Saturday 21 May 2022 

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge  

5***** 

Set in the Razzle-Dazzle of the 1920’s – brings you the story of Chicago where six women are facing the death sentence in a city where murder is entertainment and everyone wants fame for all the wrong reasons! The story comes alive with Roxy (Faye Brookes) a nightclub dancer/housewife who murders her lover when he threatens to walk away from her. Thinking she has an easy way out with her husband Amos (Jamie Baughan) covering her story only for him to find out she’s not as innocent as she makes out. This causing friction, where tempers arise and with trust now gone, she finds herself stuck in the local jail for murder! With things looking down she turns to a well know lawyer Billy (Russell Watson) who with a large fee has the ability to manipulate the outside world using the power of the press to achieve an entertaining story of vulnerability that might just see her walk away with freedom but is that what she really wants.  

But with success comes competition and throughout she meets her match with another inmate Velma (Djalenga Scott) who wants to break free but when her way of freedom has taken a back step because of Roxy things begin to fire up and competition becomes intent. 

During this story-line the production offers a full scene of murder, greed, violence, corruption, and adultery with Roxy and Velma at the heart of it all offering the audience exceptional dance with a provocative manor that was magnificent to watch just sexy and captivating. So much talent and a connection that was unreal. 

Their voices alongside their acting were just a pleasure to take in whilst accompanied by an outstanding orchestra that was in full view that engaged with the audience throughout. 

The choreography was first class and so in sync was a delight to watch so much skill! 

What a tremendous over dramatised show that in my eyes was perfection. Totally astonishing and definitely one to watch! 

Bristol Hippodrome – until Saturday 21 May 2022

Reviewed by Alexandra Browning

4****

Feel transported straight to the 1920’s in the toe tapping dance spectacular Singin’ in the Rain. Pop on the old glad rags and get ready for a little singing and dancing. Singin’ in the Rain is an eclectic mix of feel-good music and talented dancing.

Inspired by the classic Metro-Goldwin-Mayer film, this musical leaves you humming feel-good show tunes. You are introduced to Monumental Pictures and their cast and crew on a recording for ‘The Royal Rascal ’following the premiere, you are introduced to the heartthrob Don Lockwood (portrayed by Sam Lips) and Lina Lamont (portrait by Jenny Gayner). Gayner plays the perfect Lamont with her fantastic Betty Boop-esque accent. Garner is the perfect fit for the role with looks, the consumes and the voice, a triple threat. Garner goes on to sing the Lamont number ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’ with the perfectly-imperfect voice.

As the show goes on, you are introduced to the talented actress Kathy Selden, who is portrayed by Charlotte Gooch. As Lamont’s main competition on screen and off screen, the Lamont -Selden competition is noticeable and both ladies seem to have a good fight. Kathy Selden wins the audience over very quickly with her lovely personality, witty comebacks and extraordinary dancing skills. Gooch plays the role marvellously as her dancing past supports the role perfectly.

A stand out part of the show was the “Gotta Sing Gotta Dance” breakdown as you are transported to Broadway with bright costumes and fitting flapper dresses. However, nothing could top the rain and the singing that comes with it. In both musical renditions of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, the waterworks are flowing, and both times the number is performed left the audience in a standing ovation.

A Landmark production 

presented by Neal Street and Playful Productions

Gabriel Byrne

WALKING WITH GHOSTS

Written and performed by Gabriel Byrne

Directed by Lonny Price

6 – 17 September 2022

Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London

Web address www.withghosts.co.uk

• INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ACTOR GABRIEL BYRNE WILL MAKE HIS WEST END DEBUT IN HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SOLO SHOW
  
   
• BYRNE BRINGS HIS LEGENDARY STORYTELLING SKILLS TO LONDON FOR A SHORT TWO WEEK SEASON PRIOR TO TAKING THE SHOW TO NEW YORK
  
   
• FOLLOWING A SELL OUT RUN AT DUBLIN’S GAIETY THEATRE, WALKING WITH GHOSTS WILL PLAY AT THE APOLLO THEATRE FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON 6 – 17 SEPTEMBER
  
   
• BOOK IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID MISSING THIS EXCLUSIVE SEASON. 14 PERFORMANCES ONLY. TICKETS ARE ON SALE TODAY FROM WWW.WITHGHOSTS.CO.UK

Producers Landmark Productions, Neal Street and Playful Productions are delighted to announce the transfer of Walking with Ghosts, Gabriel Byrne’s acclaimed solo show adapted from his best-selling memoir, to the Apollo Theatre. Making his West End debut, master storyteller and Hollywood star Byrne, will perform the show for a strictly limited season of just 14 performances from 6 – 17 September. Tickets are on sale now from www.withghosts.co.uk. Audiences are advised to book early to avoid disappointment as Walking with Ghosts will be in London for just 2 weeks before it heads to America.

The production opened at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin in February this year where it sold out. It received enormous critical and public acclaim. Byrne was described as a “master of his craft” (Sunday Times), “captivating” (Financial Times) and the production as “storytelling at its simple best” (Business Post).

Byrne’s career as an actor, writer and director spanned both stage and screen. He has starred in over 80 films working with Hollywood’s great and good. His work on Broadway has seen him win multiple awards and nominations including a Golden Globe for his role in the television drama In Treatment.

As a young boy growing up on the outskirts of Dublin, Gabriel Byrne sought refuge in a world of imagination among the fields and hills near his home, at the edge of a rapidly encroaching city.  Moving between sensual recollection of childhood in a now almost vanished Ireland and a commentary on stardom in Hollywood and on Broadway, he reflects on a life’s journey.

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Walking with Ghosts is a lyrical homage to the people and landscapes that ultimately shape our destinies. 

Directed by three-time Emmy award-winning director Lonny Price, the creative team also includes Sinéad McKenna (set and lighting designer); Joan O’Clery (costume designer) and Sinéad Diskin (sound designer).  

Gabriel Byrne said: “’It was a real joy to hear laughter in a theatre during the premiere run of Walking with Ghosts in Dublin.  Although I’ve appeared several times on Broadway, I’ve always had an ambition to work on the West End stage.  I’m looking forward immensely to the experience of performing at the beautiful Apollo Theatre. 

I’ve chosen to be honest and unflinching in the recounting of a life from working class Dublin to Hollywood.  Although rooted in the local, I hope the play has a universal resonance.  What I want  in the theatre is to be moved to laugh … to be provoked … to be changed.  I think Walking with Ghosts sets out to fulfil that.”

Lonny Price said: “I am thrilled we’re bringing Gabriel Byrne’s theatrical adaptation of his gorgeous memoir, Walking with Ghosts, to London. Not only is Gabriel one of the greatest actors of his generation, but his writing is funny, deeply moving, and wise.”

The London performances of Walking with Ghosts are made possible by the support of Culture Ireland.

Dominion Theatre – until 29th October 2022

Reviewed by Emily Cliff

4****

Summer nights are arriving in London with the weather getting warmer and the flights getting longer and along with it lands Grease The Musical on the west end at the Dominion theatre. Starring 90’s icon Peter Andre, this new adaptation brings fun, summer lovin’ back to the west end for a limited run.

If you’re familiar with the film you will know that the jukebox themed tunes and poppy musical influences are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face, and the same happens when you see it in the theatre. While you may not be able to run around your living room dancing along to all of the tracks in this version, it sure does supply the same feel-good feeling onstage as it does on screen.

The first company number we see is Grease is the Word. It is everything you would expect and more. A high energy number fulfilled with brilliant harmonies shows you that this production means business and sets up the show for an evening of fun loving hits. With the addition of new songs that aren’t in the film, a whole new context is put into the story. Still loosely following the love story of Sandy and Danny, this version of the stage show gives more limelight to supporting cast members not just principal cast members.

One supporting cast member that stood out was Mary Moore playing the role of Jan. Grease marked her West End debut and she smashed it out of the water. Providing perfect comedic timing as well as beautiful vocals to accompany, Mary was the perfect fit for the character of Jan. Olivia Moore’s version of Hopelessly Devoted was simply flawless, it is such a shame that her character was not as present in the onstage story as the film story.

Unlike the film, Sandy and Dany’s love story is a component that is not as present in the story as in other productions of the musical. This production focuses more on the friendships and relationships between the Pink Ladies and the Burger Place boys. That aside the staging and the lighting of this production were phenomenal. The clever use of lighting from above made for some extra special bits of theatre magic. And Grease Lightning herself was definitely a highlight of the props onstage.

The only criticism I have for this production is that some of the dances weren’t as punchy and poppy as you would hope in a high profile production such as this. The Hand Jive number and the Grease Lightning dance break felt a little messy and clunky and not as sharp and on beat as previous productions of Grease.

Overall, this show is a lot of fun through and through. With iconic songs under its sleeve and a beautifully diverse cast to perform them the summer nights ahead for the west end will be simply amazing. Complete with a fun megamix at the end this show is bound to keep you singing and dancing all the way home.

BEN ELTON IS BACK FOR THE

‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR!

Queen and Ben Elton’s smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ is back for 2022 to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new tour in 27 theatres across the UK. The worldwide smash hit musical arrives at Stockton Globe from Monday 6th June until Saturday 11th June and one thing’s for sure, this musical phenomenon is not to be missed!

Directed by Ben Elton, the musical has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas all around the world since it first premiered in London 20 years ago at the Dominion Theatre in May 2002. And now, the original writer of We Will Rock You and godfather of stand-up comedy, Ben Elton will be back in the Director’s chair working with the new 2022 cast to rock UK audiences once again.

Ben Elton said: “I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years since We Will Rock You premiered in London. Or that much of what we thought was science fiction in the script back then has turned into science fact! I guess Queen were always ahead of the game! I’ve directed this show all over the world and I’m thrilled to bring it home to the UK with a brand-new production and a fabulous cast of young Bohemians, most of whom were rocking in their cradles when this adventure first began.”

The musical extravaganza featuring 24 of Queen’s greatest hits, which has been watched by over 16 million people in 19 countries, will once again rock theatres across the UK from February this year. After opening in Portsmouth, the tour will play York, Cornwall, Bournemouth, Stoke-On-Trent, Liverpool, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Bristol, Reading, Aylesbury, Ipswich, Torquay, Wolverhampton, Wimbledon, Stockton, Peterborough, Norwich, Bromley, Birmingham, Southend, Canterbury, Southampton, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.

The cast will see Ian McIntosh play Galileo, Elena Skye as Scaramouche, Jenny O’Leary as Killer Queen and Adam Strong as Khashoggi. Together with Michael McKell as Cliff, Martina

Ciabatti Mennell as Oz, David Michael Johnson as Brit, and an Ensemble including Laura Bird, Kate Leiper, Joanne Harper, Anna Davey, Edward Leigh, Spin, Karen Walker, David Muscat, Damien Walsh, Laura Ava-Scott, Victoria Collins, Joseph Connor, Louis Clarke-Clare and Jacob Fearey.

Southampton Mayflower – until 21st May 2022

Reviewed by Phillip Western-Scott

4****

For me, Cluedo was not a widely advertised or talked about play/show but I believe it should be!

Having not seen the film myself, I was told it was equally as good as the original film, which was a welcome surprise.

It was a very funny show which was make by the acting of the ‘butler’ Jean-Luke Worrel absolutely amazing acting and comical timing. He enhanced the performance and had the audience in stitches during many points of the show. All the cast were brilliant and worked well on stage together to produce the comical jokes and hilarious slapstick style acting. The rapport between these 8 characters was excellent and thrust Mark Bell and Anna Healey’s direction into a new light.

David Faarleys set design was amazing and was particularly great to see how they turned the one main set into many rooms of the mansion to tell the story. It left the audience feeling as though they were really within the house, solving the clues as they went-making us the detectives too!

This show is now one of my favourites and would highly recommend that everyone see it-who knows, can you solve the murder?!

The Alexandra, Birmingham – until Sat 21 May 2022

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

5*****

The fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society with its illustrious president, Chris Bean, brings us an immersive and interactive night of thrills and mayhem in The Play That Goes Wrong. There has been a Murder at Haversham Manor’ and we are invited to watch the mystery, and its players, unravel until the dastardly murderer is revealed.

The Play That Goes Wrong is a theatrical masterpiece. It’s a rip roaring, farcical, far-fetched, comedy of errors, which leaves you breathless from constantly laughing. There is so much care and thought put into the humour, the setup, delivery and the punch line of jokes. The performance is peppered with both physical and verbal comedy, with meticulous attention to detail being paid to the narrative to ensure its not a messy jumble.

I could go into more detail about what happens in the play, but part of the joy is the unexpected occurrences. You don’t quite know what’s going to happen next and you are consistently caught off guard by relentless fun. You really have to experience it to get the full effect.

The premise of The Play That Goes Wrong is simple: Take all the usual theatrical mishaps to the extreme. I was astounded by the boundless energy of the cast and outlandish caricatured yet minutely detailed comedy performances they deliver. A genius script, superb timing from a stellar cast and a stunning set combine to make this the best theatrical comedy show I have ever seen.

It takes a lot to make something go wrong so effortlessly whilst also being hilariously funny too. The Play That Goes Wrong is every kind of right, a must see by all.