Saturday, December 21

Author: Gemma Prince

Amélie The Musical – Criterion Theatre
London

Amélie The Musical – Criterion Theatre

Based on the hit 2001 French film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant of the same name, Amélie tells the story of a young Parisian waitress living in her own little vibrant world. Following a sell-out tour in 2019, the musical adaptation has finally arrived in the West End. I must confess, I have not yet seen the motion picture although I am familiar with it, but after watching the show, Amélie is certainly at the top of my must watch list. Michael Fentiman’s production certainly creates the imaginative world of the young heroine I was hoping for. From the joyful opening number to Dik Downey’s creative puppetry of Amélie as a child struggling to cope with her distant father (Jez Unwin), the production really delves into the colourful imagination of the quirky lead. Audrey Bri...
Clean: The Musical – Brighton Fringe
South East

Clean: The Musical – Brighton Fringe

Based on the winner of Brighton Fringe 2019’s Best New Play, Clean: The Musical from Different Theatre explores the lives of a group of women in Brighton’s historic Roundhill area (or Laundry Hill) from the 1880s to today. The story begins in the present with Tasha (Holly Ray) sitting in her old family home which was once a laundry house after many years away living abroad. Tasha looks back on what life may have been like for women in the area throughout history. Throughout the musical, the present-day stories are interwoven with tales from the past, allowing the audience some reflective yet insightful moments. The split-screen editing of the characters shows that these women are connected in their experiences. From mental health and sexuality to women’s rights and grief, Clean ex...
In Pieces – Future Spotlight Productions
REVIEWS

In Pieces – Future Spotlight Productions

Originally presented at the Lincoln Center, Joey Contreras’ new musical In Pieces explores love and relationships in the heart of New York City. Directed by Louis Rayneau, the musical film features a talented cast with stars including Jordan Luke Gage as Grey, Amy Di Bartolomeo as Alex, Danielle Steers as River and Ross Harmon as Charlie. The production pieces together the romantic stories of eight individuals, merging musical theatre with pop music to create a versatile soundtrack reflecting the trials and tribulations of different types of relationships. From the upbeat opening number ‘You Never Know’ focusing on love as a journey and taking that leap rather than the anxieties it can cause, to the emotional finale ‘The Fork in the Road’ exploring the struggle of making our own choices...