Edinburgh Playhouse Archives - North West End UK

Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse

27Feb

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse

It’s big, bold and cheesier than a Swiss Fondue, but if you can put up with the variably dodgy Brummie accents there is a lot to enjoy in this jukebox musical based on the best musical decade there ever was – the eighties of course! The story, set in Birmingham, follows two school chums Gemma and April and their friends and family between the year 1989 and a class reunion in 2009, and music is the elixir that never grows old – as powerful and evocative twenty years on as it was when they first heard it. It is certainly an interesting and well thought out concept for a musical and on the whole, it works, helped in no small part by a brilliant set which flips very cleverly from bar to lounge to park to video shop (remember those!). The clever and at times very funny script also skips alon...

Queen Extravaganza – Edinburgh Playhouse

12Feb

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Queen Extravaganza – Edinburgh Playhouse

If you love Queen… scratch that, if you like Queen just a bit… don’t miss this. A sell-out crowd was clearly up for it but the first ‘act’ began with a peculiar, muddy version of ‘We Will Rock You’, the band in dull, pub-band regulation black and as the following two tracks travelled past the chief positive was that the sound clicked sharply into place. Though hang on, that vocal pirouette Gareth Taylor dropped at the end of ‘Somebody To Love’ was a bit special, wasn’t it? Then came ‘Under Pressure’, a lump in the throat reflecting that this was written before mental health was a thing; we all had stuff going on, it just wasn’t ok to talk about it. Except that David, Freddie and the band did, producing an epic four-minute pop song that resonates more heavily every single year si...

22Jan

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Rocky Horror Show – Edinburgh Playhouse

Midway through its UK tour, The Rock Horror Show is a franchise which retains its cult appeal and an ardent band of followers despite being over fifty years old. And there were no complaints here from the almost full audience, who cheered and bayed and provided the necessary responses at the appropriate times, and also plenty of unnecessary responses at inappropriate times! This time around, ex-Neighbours star, 56-year-old Jason Donovan takes on the alien, transvestite scientist lead role as the mercurial Frank-N-Furter. Donovan’s Frank is a languid, louche and limp-wigged affair, more aging aunt than sexy vamp. This is Dame Edna in stockings and suspenders, and for me at least, it doesn’t entirely pay off. Given the look and the speed of delivery, which is generally a slow, eye-rollin...

8Jan

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Bat Out of Hell – Edinburgh Playhouse

Walking into the Edinburgh Playhouse, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Bat Out of Hell. I’d heard the rave reviews and knew of Meat Loaf’s legendary anthems, but would it translate into a compelling night of theatre? As I was not familiar with the story, I had my doubts but by the time the final note rang out, my question was answered with a resounding yes! Right from the opening moments, the show makes its intentions clear: it’s big, it’s bold, and it’s not afraid to embrace its madness. Backed by an incredible eight-piece live band, the production hurtles forward at full speed. The stage transforms into a dystopian world filled with rebellion and romance, brought to life by Jon Bausor’s stunning set design. One moment we’re in dark underground tunnels; the next, a teenager’s...

21Nov

By H.S. BakerNo Comments

Scotland

101 Dalmatians – Edinburgh Playhouse

This musical is very much a children’s entertainment, so it’s therefore surprising that it runs the standard length of time, despite starting and finishing half an hour earlier than one normally expects. It would benefit considerably from being at least half an hour shorter, without losing any of the essential story telling or spectacle. The narrative is a simple one, the evil Cruella de Vil desires a wardrobe of outfits made of white with black spots fur, and to that end, sends her two incompetent nephews to steal all the Dalmatians in the area. With music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge, book by Johnny McKnight from an original novel by Dodie Smith, and directed by Bill Buckhurst, this musical has a lot in common with pantomime. With Cruella the villain we all love to bo...

Only Fools and Horses the Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse

6Nov

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Only Fools and Horses the Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse

Nothing compares with a theatre full of supportive fans who love what is going on up there on the stage. So, it was with Only Fools and Horses and the West End cast performing in Edinburgh. The jokes are wonderfully familiar, the characterisation excellent and the musical interludes perfectly pitched. This show is an out and out winner for Del Trotter fans and Rodney’s fellow aspiring art students. Co-written by Jim Sullivan (the original writer, John Sullivan’s son) and the prolific, Paul Whitehouse, this show hits the target again and again. It is played for fans of the long-running television sit-com which hit our screens in 1981 and, if my dad was still alive, he’d have loved it! The set works fluidly and looks ideal, thanks to Alice Power’s design. The ensemble dancing an...

The Book of Mormon – Edinburgh Playhouse

17Oct

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

The Book of Mormon – Edinburgh Playhouse

It should be immediately noted that The Book of Mormon Musical is not a factual retelling of the original Mormon text, nor is it created to pay homage to the religion itself, in fact one could argue it does exactly the opposite. Brought to you by the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon is a comedy musical designed to poke fun and indulge one’s dark humour needs. We follow the mission taken by two Mormon’s from the Latter-Day Saints Church who have embarked on their quest to convert the world into the all American religion that is Mormonism. Elder Price believes he is set to do great things, to change the world and to go to Orlando…..? His main issue now is that he’s been coupled up a pathological liar who hasn’t even read the book and instead of Orlando they are going to Uganda, ...

26Sep

By H.S. BakerNo Comments

Scotland

Blood Brothers – Edinburgh Playhouse

Blood Brothers is an emotional morality tale which is all about the narrative, less about the music. Poor and fecund Mrs Johnstone discovers she is expecting twins shortly after starting work as a cleaner for rich infertile Mrs Lyons. With her husband having done a bunk and too many mouths to feed already, Mrs Johnstone agrees to let Mrs Lyons have one of her twins. Conveniently Mr Lyons is away on business for nine months, so Mrs Lyons is able to create the pretence of pregnancy, fooling everybody including her husband, into believing the baby is hers. The show’s narrator constantly warns of the consequences of their actions and is the voice of impending doom throughout. Written by Willy Russell, directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright (resident director...

Cat Power Sings Dylan ’66 – Edinburgh Playhouse

21Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Cat Power Sings Dylan ’66 – Edinburgh Playhouse

Running some fifteen minutes late, Chan Marshall, AKA Cat Power takes to the stage hobbling with a recently broken toe. It’s not a good start, but nothing compared to the distinctly lacklustre 45 minutes that follow, which are to say the least a huge disappointment, to me personally and on the evidence I saw, the majority of the almost full Edinburgh Playhouse crowd. People leaving, muttering, thank god that’s over, is never a good sign! Far from owning the stage, the American performer, with a distinctly quiet acoustic guitar and harmonica support, and an almost inaudible Hammond organ accompaniment makes heavy weather of Visions of Johanna, Desolation Row and Mr Tamborine Man. Powers rather convoluted and, frankly, untuneful interpretations of these classics, with constant referen...

28Jun

By Melissa JonesNo Comments

Scotland

Grease – Edinburgh Playhouse

Think you know Grease? Think again. This production takes Rydell High back to its gritty roots and it’s never been so refreshing. Forget your memories of Travolta and Newton-John politely bopping away in pastel pinks, Nikolai Foster’s Grease’s origins appear firmly rooted in the sardonic gritty teenage drama that Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey originally wrote. Here, the teenage hormones flow quicker than burger sauce, the cuss words come thick and fast and hand-jiving is a very serious business, indeed. Now sitting somewhere between a homage to Americana and a raw Westside Story, Douglas O’Connell's set design includes all key components of the era, reveling in Americana. One can’t help but feel a little High School Musical creep into the giant Rydell High with the bright red tracksuit...