London Theatre Reviews

Mamma Mia! Review

The show features Abba songs which are cleverly integrated into the story written by Catherine Johnson. Young Sophie who lives with her mother on a small Greek island is about to be married to Sky and wishes for her father to walk her down the aisle. However, she has a problem, who is her father? Her mother does not want to tell her and so Sophie reads her mother's diary and discovers the name of three men who could possibly be her dad. Sophie secretly invites all three men to the wedding. The...

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

This fairytale story concerns an old beggar woman who offers a spoilt, selfish prince a rose in return for shelter from the cold night, but he refuses. She warns him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. However, when he does not help her, she turns in to a beautiful woman and then casts a spell on the young prince, turning him into a beast and casting a spell on his castle and all his servants, who are turned into utensils and furniture! She leaves him the rose and...

Let It Be Review 2012

In the typical jukebox musical, the music of a well-known band or musician are combined with a script which tells us something about the life and times of the artist. In 'Let It Be', there is no script - the songs of The Beatles are simply left to speak for themselves. The format is more akin to a concert as the musicians are set-up 'on stage' in performing mode throughout.The show is billed as celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles - defined, it seems, by the acquisition of their...

Market Boy

Those who know that I have a tendency to mention Margaret Thatcher on occasions might pause before judging it a full-blown obsession. And if I have such a fault or failing (or quality, for that matter) it's a fascination shared by numerous writers and producers, and a large section of the theatre-going public too, or so it seems. Because there have been a number of successful shows recently which have involved Thatcher in one form or another: 'Billy Elliot - The Musical' to name but one. And to...

Notre Dame de Paris

The musical is based on Victor Hugo's classic novel in which a hunchback called Quasimodo, who dwells in the bell tower of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, falls in love with a gypsy girl named Esmeralda. However, she is also lusted after by the priest 'Frollo' who manipulates events to gain her love. To complicate matters Esmeralda is in love with 'Phoebus', who is engaged to Fleur-de-Lys.Unfortunately, this is an awful production, which is such a shame because the music is superb!! The show is a...

Noises Off

When I first saw Jeremy Sams' production at the National Theatre 16 months ago I said, "This is farcical comedy at its very best with some of the most incredible timing I have ever seen by a cast." Unfortunately, after transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre and now to the Comedy with a completely new cast the quality of the production has seriously diminished.This 1980's hit comedy by Michael Frayn of theatrical antics and disasters is in three acts. A theatrical company are performing in a play...

The Snowman Review

As escapist fantasies go, Raymond Briggs' book is a perfect seasonal treat for children. It's now developed into something of a colourful Christmas institution as this musical adaptation returns for a 6th year at the Peacock Theatre. A boy embarks on a magical adventure with his snowman, the pair venturing to the North Pole for some festive frolics before returning home in time for Christmas morning.Containing all the right ingredients to delight the under sixes, the show's big pluses are Paul...

Love and Money

I wince every time our prudent Chancellor boasts about growth. Producing more goods and services does not necessarily equate to 'being better off', or more importantly, to being happier. Growth also has a significant impact on global warming and increases the pressure on natural resources, and it's often fuelled by borrowing. More people than ever are now up to their consumerist eyeballs in debt, with record numbers seeking protection from creditors by filing for bankruptcy. It's a situation...

The Woman in Black Review

NOTE: These are older reviews - the cast has changed many times!It has been nearly 6 years since I last saw "The Woman In Black", so I thought it was about time I went to see it again to ascertain whether it is still as fresh as when I last saw it. The answer is a resounding yes!This thriller, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the novel by Susan Hill, has been running at the Fortune Theatre since February 1989 and one can see why as it is a thrilling ghost story that has you jumping out of your...

Blood Brothers

Note: These are old reviews and the cast has now changed!! The cast I saw consisted of Lyn Paul, Keith Burns, Andy Snowden and Mark Hutchinson. Lyn Paul, as Mrs Johnstone, has joined after playing the role in the national tour, and she is perfect in the part. Her singing voice is just right, and all the emotion she put into the show seemed real. Her laugh when Mickey and Eddie went off to see "Nymphomaniac Nights" and "Swedish Au-pairs" could have been genuine, and if it wasn't, her tears during...