London Archives - Page 56 of 107

<strong>Newsies – Troubadour Wembley Park</strong>

11Dec

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Newsies – Troubadour Wembley Park

One of Broadway’s biggest hits in recent years, Newsies has finally landed in London for the first time ever. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, the show is based on the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 a group of working-class boys who fought for better working conditions, standing up against the exploitation of wealthy publishing tycoons. The story was made into a Disney film starring Christian Bale before being adapted for the stage, becoming a Broadway sensation With no expense spared, Morgan Large has truly transformed the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre for Matt Cole’s fresh version of the show. From the huge gangways to the West Side Story-style scaffolding, this production means business from the moment you step inside the auditorium. The cast emerges from...

<strong>A Christmas Carol-ish – Soho Theatre</strong>

11Dec

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol-ish – Soho Theatre

I’ll say it now: I love a good Christmas Show. I don’t consider myself over-the-top when it comes to festive feelings, but I do like the spirit of Christmas – the warmth, good tidings and all that razz the season brings. And so it was with much excitement I got myself down to Soho Theatre for ‘A Christmas Carol-ish’ by Mr Swallow (aka Nick Mohammed). I was not disappointed. ‘A Christmas Carol-ish’ is loosely based on a musical retelling of Dicken’s festive classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. And when I say loosely, I mean basically think of the story outline: three ghosts turn up to change a man to be a better person, and that’s as close to Dicken’s as this show gets. And it’s all the better for it. The writing on this show in insanely clever, funny, relevant and on the pulse of current eve...

<strong>Alice in Wonderland – Brixton House</strong>

8Dec

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

Alice in Wonderland – Brixton House

Alice in Wonderland devised by Poltergeist is an original, lurid take on the classic. On the tube, Alice and her Mum wait on the platform after a Christmas shopping spree. An argument ensues and suddenly Alice gets transported to a zany, alternate dimension of the London underground, meeting strange characters at every turn. She explores the world with confusion and wonder as she tries to return home, before becoming embroiled in the problems in her new environment. It is magically creative in the way it transforms some mundane aspects of tube life into strange, absurd characters. Photo: Helen Murray All of the odd characters created a coherently bizarre world tied together by effective, energetic multi-roling. Rabbit (Khai Shaw) stresses as he rushes to his corporate job. Tortoise (...

<strong>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – New Wimbledon Theatre</strong>

7Dec

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – New Wimbledon Theatre

Few pantos can boast such an illustrious cast as this production of Jonathan Kiley's Snow White. Ruthie Henshall, Lee Mead, Brenda Edwards, Matthew Kelly, Dick and Dom -it's a cavalcade of West End and TV talent. And they deliver a wonderfully traditional panto with contemporary elements and twists. There are all the usual topical references and innuendo for the grown-ups, lots of naughty humour for adults and children alike, groan-worthy jokes to make everyone laugh, booing and hissing the villain, cheering on the heroine. This version of Snow White, while keeping the songs from the classic, updates them with modern pop orchestrations, adding contemporary songs into the mix. The story is the well-known tale of orphan princess Snow White who threatens to outshine her wicked stepmo...

<strong>Othello – National Theatre</strong>

5Dec

By Khushboo ShahNo Comments

London

Othello – National Theatre

The most common thematic link in Shakespeare’s Othello to the present times has been race and patriarchy. While it would be grossly wrong to say that we are over these issues, the complexities in these two realms in contemporary society have simply multiplied with ever-increasingly polarising viewpoints. Clint Dyer’s Othello brings the production to “2022”’s National Theatre with scenographic brilliance, stellar performances, and contextual relevance. Performed by a powerful cast with Giles Terera as Othella distinguished from an all-white ensemble, Dyer’s Othello not only “cleans up”, both literally and figuratively, as witnessed in the beginning, the preceding production by Laurence Olivier of 1964 but also reinstates the fact that we are still far from a post-racial society. The strong ...

<strong>Mother Goose – Hackney Empire</strong>

2Dec

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Mother Goose – Hackney Empire

Mother Goose feels like that glass of mulled wine on a cold Christmassy evening. It has the rounded flavours, tastiest spices and leaves you smiling. If you want to join festive spirits, this is one celebration you wish to attend. The pantomime pays a fitting tribute to the ongoing 120 years that Hackney Empire came into being. The play brings together the familiar pantomime elements with some spectacular performances. A true testimony to this production's universality is to have younglings, grandparents and a 25-year-old celebrating their birthday in the audience! You will not be disappointed. Mother Goose is bright! Clive Rowe's presence and voice soar to the skies. The set is technicolour rainbow bursts of sunshine, the music lifts spirits while the improvised lyrics make you giggle ...

The Wind in the Wilton’s – Wilton’s Music Hall

1Dec

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Wind in the Wilton’s – Wilton’s Music Hall

This enchanting adaptation of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of community with a magical, fantastical element from the talking animal characters. The home of a sheltered mole is destroyed by weasels as they construct a private road to the river. Mole finds companionship in Rat, and she endeavours to help him find a new home. On their journey, they encounter more problems, all of which can be traced back to the weasels. Piers Torday’s script makes a clear allusion to our current social climate with careless, wealthy people in power. The stunning set designed by Tom Piper and Emma Brunton’s movement direction wove the plot together to a symbiotic effect. The scene changes with ropes hinted at manual labour and gave the piece a community/village feel. The story was set in Lond...

<strong>Best of Enemies – Noel Coward Theatre</strong>

1Dec

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Best of Enemies – Noel Coward Theatre

It is 1968 in the United States of America. The elections are approaching, ABC news trails behind NBC and CBS. To catch up with the competition, they setup an experimental debate between Gore Vidal, a left-wing writer and William Buckley, a pamphleteer for the Conservatives; in one of a kind prime time show. The conflict is simple. Conservatives goes against Libertarianism. (And we can never get enough of it). ‘Which country do you belong to?’ The right or the left? Democratic or Republican? The incorrect question is the backbone of the conflict. It simply assumes the answer has to be an either, or. Throughout the play, one kept wondering what happens if a citizen chooses neither, nor? Or what happens to the subjective benefits and failures that come with choosing one and vice versa. Du...

<strong>Cinderella – Theatre Royal, Stratford East</strong>

27Nov

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Cinderella – Theatre Royal, Stratford East

The festive family shows at Stratford East have been happening for 130 years! It opened in 1884. Nine times performed, Cinderella returns to the stage but with many a twist and twirl. This year's production was a fitting tribute to Jo Melville, known popularly for her role in Eastenders but a mentor for so many in the community with her infectious enthusiasm for the Arts. For the third year in a row, the Stratford East is recording and taking theatre into hospitals to the community who could use a laugh. The play sets Cinderella near the pyramids! With exceptional puppetry skills, Kathryn Bond has you hooked with her all-knowing Sphinx cat. All the talented performers brought new avatars of familiar old characters to life. Gigi Zahir served Cleopatra with Zesty and feisty razzmatazz. Pa...

<strong>Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith Theatre</strong>

27Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Widely acknowledged as a staple part of the festive celebrations, pantomime has a long theatrical history in the UK, performed up and down the country during Christmas and New Year, with the expected, cookie cutter format, with singing, dancing, cross-dressing and slapstick humour, along with a healthy dose of topical references and audience participation. It’s not often you would describe a pantomime as quality theatrical production, they are usually lots of fun, something for the kids to enjoy, and a mixed bag of talent, but the creative team at the Lyric Hammersmith has raised the bar this year with this year's production, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, written by Jude Christian and Sonia Jalaly, and directed by Nicholai La Barrie. The team has kept all of the essential pantomime elements bu...