Musical Reviews
Emma writes: One of my hobbies is writing reviews of
shows, usually musicals, that I’ve seen. Mostly these have been in
Flahooley (Performance July/August 1997) -
A Review of Ian Marshall-Fisher’s Lost Musicals concert staging of this musical
about a puppet-builder who accidentally brings to life a magic Arabian genie
who doesn’t understand capitalism and gets hunted by a witch.
Lost Musicals 1998 (Performances
of Summer 1998) - A review of the 1998
season of Ian Marshall-Fisher’s Lost Musicals at The Barbican. Perhaps the most
notable thing about this season of five shows: As Thousands Cheers, On A Clear
Day You Can See Forever, Hollywood Pinafore, The Frogs, and, Strike Up The
Band, was that the doyenne of the Lost Musicals gang, Louise Gold, was absent,
because she was appearing in a Mike Leigh film. Fortunately many other regular
members of the gang: Jessica Martin, Stewart Permutt, Myra Sands, and, James
Vaughan were present.
Mamma Mia review 2 (Performance of Tuesday 7 June 2001) - An
account of the second time I saw the hit musical Mamma Mia. I sometimes think
this might be subtitled “Super Trouper Star Saves Her Own Show” as: Pepper
seemed to have mislaid his Chemistry set, Rosie was short of a counterbalance,
and I don’t know what Tanya thought she was doing. All I can say is thank
goodness for Louise Plowright as Donna The Dynamo.
Anything Goes (Performance of 4 July
2002) - A review of the Grange Park Opera production, which starred the
redoubtable Kim Criswell as Reno Sweeny. Apart from providing a full account of
a very full production of Anything Goes, this review is also an opportunity to
compare Kim Criswell with both Ethel Merman and Louise Gold.
Two’s A
Crowd (Performance of 20 October 2002 in Southampton) - A review of a
new little musical about Opera versus Jazz, which ends up with an opera diva,
played by a real one, Rosalind Plowright, doing a crossover, and very well she
does it too.
Sweeney
Todd (Performance of Friday 9 January 2004) - A review of the Royal Opera House
production. Is this an Opera or a Musical? or simply a piece of Music Theatre?
Whatever you call it it’s a jolly fine production. All the performers are good.
It’s quite a revelation how brilliantly many of these opera singers, among
them: Thomas Allen, William Dazeley, and, Rosalind Plowright can act; But the
surprise of the evening is Felicity Palmer.
Shooting Star Gala (Sunday 16 May
2004, Richmond Theatre, Surrey) - A review of a gala at a local theatre. with a
wealth of talent, including: Jane Asher, Sarah Greene, Tony Hawks, Jessica
Martin, Roger McGough, Tony Robinson, Prunella Scales, and, Timothy West However, the highlight was the finale
starring Maria Friedman accompanied by
Chris Walker and
Singin’ In The Rain (Saturday 7 August
2004, Sadlers Wells) - A review of The third Leicester Haymarket Team In
London’s musical. Turning a classic film into a good stage show is no mean
feat, but under Paul Kerryson’s masterful direction Adam Cooper, Josefina
Gabrielle, Simon Coulthard and company make it their own.
Beauty And The Beast - A Musical
Pantomime (Wednesday 29 December 2004, The Lighthouse, Poole) - a review of The
Lighthouse Arts Centre in
Silk Stockings (Sunday 22 May 2005) - A
review of Ian Marshall-Fisher’s Discovering Lost Musicals concert staging of
this musical. Lost Musicals regulars Frank Lazarus, Jessica Martin, Neil McCaul,
and James Vaughan, along with Nigel Anthony and Martin Turner, ensure the show
measures up to the kind of standard we have come to expect from Ian
Marshall-Fisher’s productions.
Six Pictures Of Lee Miller
(Thursday 14 July 2005, The Minerva Theatre, The Chichester Festival Theatre) -
a review of a new musical by
Snow
White and the Seven Dwarves (Thursday 29 December 2005, The Lighthouse,
Poole) - a review of The Lighthouse Arts Centre in
Nymph Errant
(Sunday 23 April 2006, Lillian Bayliss Theatre Sadlers Wells) – A review of Ian
Marshall-Fisher’s Discovering Lost Musicals concert staging of this musical.
Dutch Baroness Issy Van Randwyck makes the jolly English title role, and Cole
Porter’s songs, very much her own; with strong support from such versatile
performers as: Stewart Permitt, Gay Soper, James Vaughan, and, Matt Zimmerman
amongst others; while
Avenue Q (Tuesday
20 June 2006, Noel Coward Theatre) – A review of the London Production. Four
new puppeteers do their best in a fun, feel good, groundbreaking, edifying
show. The puppeteers (Julie Atherton, Claire Foster, Simon Lipkin, and, Jon
Robyns), clearly have potential, although they lack the polish of experience.
The score is quite decent, the lyrics thoughtful, and the book an affectionate
edifying take-off of a certain much loved pre-school children’s programme.
Bad Girls – The
Musical (Friday 23 June 2006, The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds) – a
review of a rather weird new musical, in the seemingly current trend for
musicals-inspired-by-TV-programmes. Does this musical ever quite decide what
style or musical it is? or is it a new type of musical? The cast (which includes:
Nicole Faraday, Hal Fowler, Neil McDermott, Louise Plowright, Laura Rogers,
and, Hannah Waddingham) generally do their best, despite the casting being a
little unbalanced in places. The score isn’t bad (there’s at least one number
that is actually catchy), but the book is rather odd.
Follies (Friday
3 November 2006, Royal & Derngate Theatre,
Can Can
(Sunday 15 April 2007, Lillian Baylis Studio Theatre, Sadler’s Wells) – A
review of Ian Marshall-Fisher’s Discovering Lost Musicals concert staging of this
musical. Valerie Cutko’s performance is better than in Silk Stockings, and she
does put Live And Let Live where that song truly belongs. Also in her second
show Selina Chilton proves to be quite a find. Christopher Dickens is also
surprising. While the presence in decent roles of three stalwarts: Stewart
Permutt, Myra Sands, and, James Vaughan ensure the show lives up to the Lost
Musicals standards.
Steven
Pimlott – A Celebration (Thursday 17 May 2007, Olivier Theatre,
National Theatre) – A review of the ‘Memorial Concert’ presented at the
National Theatre celebrating the life and work of theatre director Steven
Pimlott. Including contributions from: Nicholas Hynter, Edward Kemp, Ruth
Mackenzie, Meera Syal, and, Samuel West amongst others. The event also included
a musical highlight from Maria Friedman and Philip Quast; and some very special
performances by
Around
The World In 80 Days (Sunday 1 July 2007, Lillian Baylis Studio
Theatre, Sadler’s Wells) – A review of Ian Marshall-Fisher’s Discovering Lost
Musicals concert staging of this seemingly impossible to mount, very funny,
un-PC musical. In a splendid costume Valerie Cutko gives her best performance
in a Lost Musical to date. Valda Avicks too displays an unexpected vivacity.
Jack Klaff takes on Orson Wells. Bryan Torfeh engages the audience. But the
star of the show is that smart Mr Peter Gale, who really does set all the
audience (male and female) agog, proving himself to be up there with the best
of the Lost Musicals Leads.
Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang (Friday 6 July 2007, The Mayflower Theatre,
Southampton) – A review of the touring production. How would it compare to the
show at The Palladium three years ago? Couple Craig McLachlan play an English
inventor? Is Alvin Stardust any good on the musical stage? And in particular
how would David Henry and Louise Plowright fair tackling the roles once
inhabited by Christopher Biggins and Louise Gold? Would they be as good?
The
Drowsy Chaperone (24 July 2007, The Novello Theatre) – A review of the
London production. A fun score (by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison) with lots of
good old-fashioned 1920’s style cheese, and proud of it. A cast which includes:
Selina Chilton, Sean Kingsley, Elaine Paige, John Partridge, and, Summer
Strallen have a good flapper style frolic, but the show suffers from its
production and advertising.
Cabaret In The House: Rebecca
Thornhill & Louise Davidson (Sunday 25 November 2007, Lauderdale
House) – A review of one of Lauderdale House’s Sunday afternoon cabarets. In
fact what must surely be one of the most entertaining episodes of Cabaret In
The House. Rebecca Thornhill and Louise Davidson sing and dance their way
through an afternoon of jolly good, mostly 1940s, fun.
James
And The Giant Peach (Tuesday 18 December 2007, The Chichester Festival
Theatre) – A Review of Chichester Youth Theatre’s new Christmas musical. A good
opportunity to hear a nice tuneful score, by the brilliant contemporary theatre
composer Jason Carr; once again back at The Chichester Festival Theatre.
Park Avenue
(Sunday 13 April 2008, Lillian Baylis Studio Theatre, Sadler’s Wells) – Ian
Marshall Fisher’s Discovering Lost Musicals does it again. A excellently cast
undiscovered delight. All the performers play roles for which they are well
suited. Of particular note is ever reliable Peter Gale, and, excellent comedy
singer-actor James Vaughan turning out typically brilliant performances, in a
cast headed very well by Elizabeth Counsell. A very funny show, which deserves
to be rediscovered.
Avenue 2
review 2 (Wednesday 28 May 2008, Noel Coward Theatre) – A review of the
London production with it’s second cast. Four more new puppeteers find their
hands, bringing new characterisations to the Avenue Q puppets, in this edifying
and entertaining show. Once again the four puppeteers (Daniel Boys, Mary
Doherty, Mark Goldthorpe, and, Rebecca Lock) are clearly inexperienced,
nevertheless they turn out interesting passable performances, though like their
London production predecessors lack the polish of experience. The three live
actors also bring new ideas to their characters. The new interpretations
demonstrate how the show can change and endure as a new cast attempts to make
it its own.
Blood Brothers
(Monday 16 June 2008, Phoenix Theatre) – A review of the long running London
production of this show. This performance had four understudies on, including
Louise Davidson (rather an experienced West End understudy) holding the show
together, along with Amy O’Neil. So would the standards one expects in a show
like this be upheld? Is it worth a West End ticket price?
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