An English man, a Scottish woman and an Irish cast are… A Fairytale For Christmas at the West End’s Dominion Theatre

The massive auditorium at the Dominion Theatre at Tottenham Court Road is heaving on this Sunday evening, the last one before the advent season begins. Not that Oxford Street minds: The surrounding buildings and rikshaws are already wearing their Christmas best and have opted in for loud festive tunes. Who is ready for Christmas yet? The Dominion … Continue reading An English man, a Scottish woman and an Irish cast are… A Fairytale For Christmas at the West End’s Dominion Theatre

Let’s do the Time Warp again – The Rocky Horror Show at Fairfield Halls

Show revivals are a funny thing: People come to see classics, then complain when twists, dialogues, casts, setting, roles or the use of technology have or have not been dedusted and modernised and adapted to current affairs: Think of this summer's debate about the minimalistic prop-stripped, bold West End production of Evita at London's Palladium, … Continue reading Let’s do the Time Warp again – The Rocky Horror Show at Fairfield Halls

Walk Right Back – The Everly Brothers’ Story at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Returning to the New Wimbledon Theatre is always a pleasure - even the walk from the train station appears shorter with every visit. I like a tribute show as a way of learning more about artists and musicians I can only name the very famous hits of, and love the moment when a familiar tune appears I … Continue reading Walk Right Back – The Everly Brothers’ Story at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Forgive your stylist – Sleeping Beauty as a West End drag panto at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Heading to a drag panto is almost a logical action between Christmas and New Year celebration, embracing both glam, silliness and good spirits: Everyone can be in drag, everyone can be a panto dame, non-binary and cis performers alike - drag is no longer a boys-only club. And everyone is welcome who can embrace smutty scurrilous jokes adult (age guidance 16+) about … Continue reading Forgive your stylist – Sleeping Beauty as a West End drag panto at the Harold Pinter Theatre

The Choir Of Man at the Arts Theatre – happy first West End anniversary

Of course I am in support of a first anniversary celebration dedicated to the suicide prevention Campaign Against Living Miserably who have crossed my stagy paths more than once before - the jukebox musical Choir Of Man is sharing some limelight with CALM, now having completed their first year in the West End. After all, the day correlates with … Continue reading The Choir Of Man at the Arts Theatre – happy first West End anniversary

Trying out London’s theatre roulette: Seeing Jersey Boys at the Trafalgar Theatre

It is not easy to pick and agree on a show with visitors who are musically far more trained than oneself - but luckily, this summer I had two visitors from Hamburg who were crazy enough to try out London's relatively new theatre roulette, apparently a successful concept from New York where a show is … Continue reading Trying out London’s theatre roulette: Seeing Jersey Boys at the Trafalgar Theatre

Magic reimagined: Unbelievable has arrived at the Criterion Theatre

A first visit to the Criterion Theatre, nestled below the centre of Piccadilly Circus and its glaring world-famous lights and silhouettes, is like entering a hidden Italian music hall palazzo in the West End: Painted tiles, vast mirrors, detailed glass art and red seats promise an unforgettable visit. First opened in 1874, this classic but nevertheless unique London theatre has … Continue reading Magic reimagined: Unbelievable has arrived at the Criterion Theatre

This is the hour of the Shire-Folk: The Lord of the Rings at the Watermill Theatre

It is the perfect summer day when I step out of the taxi at the Watermill Theatre in Berkshire and after almost three hours on the train to get here. This venue, surrounded by clear streams and beautiful willows, is a ten-minute drive away from Newbury station with no public transport alternatives available: A journey you … Continue reading This is the hour of the Shire-Folk: The Lord of the Rings at the Watermill Theatre

Schiller’s Demetrius evolves to Dmitry at London’s Marylebone Theatre 

The freshly opened Marylebone Theatre has moved in what was London’s Steiner Theater, dedicated to the Austrian founder of the anthroposophy founder Rudolf Steiner. In his independent private schools, student theatre is a fundamental part of the curriculum; I remember seeing Krabat and Albert Camus’ The State Of Siege staged in Hamburg, even before “I … Continue reading Schiller’s Demetrius evolves to Dmitry at London’s Marylebone Theatre 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the West End’s Gillian Lynne Theatre

Strongly recalling visits to London’s National Theatre (another prominent example of 1970s brutalism architecture), it appears the Gillian Lynne Theatre in Covent Garden also mastered an auditorium without bad seats. For the price we paid, we are more than happy with our seats in the first row of the balcony to the right, despite the apparent restricted view: Even the … Continue reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the West End’s Gillian Lynne Theatre