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

Bob Marley’s West End is Red, Yellow and Green: Get Up Stand Up at the Lyric Theatre

The winner of the evening at Get Up Stand Up – The Bob Marley Musical is its palettes of red-yellow-green, of green-yellow-blacks, of double denim, of the mottled wooden coating of 1970s speakers and LP listening booths – if the crackling of a record player's needle starting the iconic album Uprising has a theme, these … Continue reading Bob Marley’s West End is Red, Yellow and Green: Get Up Stand Up at the Lyric Theatre

Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre – I want to go again

Come From Away is a love letter to the wonders of air travelling and being connected, of pilots and the warm welcome another person’s home can offer when lost and unprepared: In the era of chunky Nokia phones and Hugh Grant romcoms, a provincial airport somewhere in Newfoundland unexpectedly hosts thousands of passengers which were … Continue reading Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre – I want to go again

Ladies and Jellicles – Linus Karp at the Phoenix Arts Club

The euro techno beats of an upbeat version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Memory welcome me at the Phoenix Arts Club once my covid pass has been checked, followed by another non-conical Let’s Get Jellicle anthem. If you know how the blue Belgium comic goblins describe events as smurftastic you get an idea of tonight’s one … Continue reading Ladies and Jellicles – Linus Karp at the Phoenix Arts Club

Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane – a triumph

My non-fluent visitor from abroad has never heard of the most successful animated film ever and does not recognise pictures of the Pixar film, let alone the Oscar-recognized soundtrack. I had my suspicions already but still gasp when this is being confirmed over and over, even by someone who lives pop culture-wise under a stone … Continue reading Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane – a triumph

Take a London city break – listen to The Understudy

Did you know that you can point out actors at a party because they will harmonize when singing Happy Birthday? Expect more thrusts on The Ivy scene, people boring others with their knowledge about Japanese whiskey while quoting from Notting Hill for unrequested aspiration - enter the world of struggling actor Stephen. Failing to bond … Continue reading Take a London city break – listen to The Understudy

Hakuna Matata at the Lyceum Theatre – The Lion King is still stunning

It’s an amazing feeling to buy musical tickets for someone to see a show with when this very someone has taken you to the cinema years ago to watch the film this show is based on. The massive impact of The Lion King was even felt by my primary school self in late 1994 while … Continue reading Hakuna Matata at the Lyceum Theatre – The Lion King is still stunning

It’s like panto – Emma Rice does Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld in the London Coliseum

Experiencing Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld on an opera stage has been on my wishlist for a long time. When I hear that Emma Rice’ production returns to London’s magnificent Coliseum for a few performances it takes some rearrangements to at least join the very last staging – and the newsletter of her production … Continue reading It’s like panto – Emma Rice does Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld in the London Coliseum

“We are immigrants, we are getting things done”: Hamilton at the West End’s Victoria Palace Theatre

Last year I received raised eyebrows when explaining that Hamilton tickets cannot be booked eight months in advance – folks from abroad had made their travel arrangements already and put Hamilton on the agenda. After months of trying to win £10 tickets through the musical’s app, tickets for July finally became available in April (advanced … Continue reading “We are immigrants, we are getting things done”: Hamilton at the West End’s Victoria Palace Theatre