London Theatre Reviews

Sweeney Todd review with Michael Ball

Based on a 1970 play by Christopher Bond, this retelling of the story of the 'Demon Barber of Fleet Street' first appeared in 1979 and boasts a book by Hugh Wheeler and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Coming from the prolific Chichester Festival Theatre, this is one of those productions that really is stunning both in its execution and in terms of the story and music, making it one of the must-see musicals of, perhaps, the decade.The story of Sweeney Todd emanates from the England of the...

Shrek The Musical - Review

Four successful films are sufficient credentials to warrant a stage appearance for the swamp-dwelling ogre, Shrek. And it has duly arrived with Nigel Lindsay as Shrek and Richard Blackwood as his side-kick, Donkey. As you might expect, the colour theme of the show is ... green! For the uninitiated, Shrek's skin is green, hence the choice of colour, or at least I presume that is the rationalisation for it. At the beginning, we're given a glimpse into Shrek's past in a scene where his parents push...

One Man, Two Guvnors - Review

The National Theatre isn't one of those organisations that plays safe or shuns risk-taking. Of course, old favourites make regular appearances, but there's also lots of new and interesting things which pop up on quite a regular basis. Some, like the brilliant 'War Horse', are ideas which, at least on paper, might not have seemed potential hits. Try thinking how you might have reacted to the suggestion of having puppet horses made of see-through cane as the major feature of the show! So what's...

The Drowsy Chaperone

Give actors the chance to camp it up and/ or ham it up and it's like ducks taking to water after a prolonged drought. Not that I am suggesting that our hard-working thespians are all hams at heart, but I suppose it's a welcome change to have the chance to do something with no hidden meanings, or strident emotions to conjure up night after night, and to just, well, have a bit of a laugh. And that's the kind of opportunity the cast of this show have been offered and have taken up with vigorous...

Avenue Q

What the popular press had to say when the show opened at the Noel Coward Theatre in 2006. (Note: The show is now playing at Gielgud Theatre) "It had delighted me sufficiently...Much of the show's charm lies in the easy interaction of people and puppets...There is more wit than whimsy in the delightful Lopez-Marx numbers." Michael Billington for The Guardian "What's appealing about the piece and Jason Moore's bouncy, enjoyable production is the total absence of jaded cynicism. What's less...

Night of the Iguana

When I told a friend that I was seeing this play he said "I couldn't go to a play with a title like that!" Apparently, he's terrified of lizards and indeed reptiles of any kind. It just goes to show that titles can be very powerful, and arouse all kinds of undesirable reactions in those who read them. But my friend needn't have worried, because the iguana in question is seen only very briefly and, as far as I could tell, was not a live specimen.Written by Tennessee Williams in 1961, 'The Night...

Mary Poppins - Review

NOTE: There have been cast changes since this reviewMary Poppins has finally opened at the Prince Edward Theatre and after all the pomp and excitement that has been generated around this much anticipated Disney and Cameron Macintosh stage version of Pamela Lyndon Travers inscrutable nanny, the show has generated exceptionally high expectations. Even before the curtain rises we are anticipating a stupendous Mary Poppins, who with the aid of a strong east wind will transport us into a magical...

Dinner

Moira Buffini has written a deliciously black satirical comedy on that ever-recurring theme, the dinner party from hell. At Buffini's dinner party caustic comments fly like poisonous darts across the dinner table, penetrating false personas and leaving a trail of emotional carnage.Lars (Nicholas Farrell) is celebrating the fact that his pop psychology book 'Beyond Belief ' is now a best seller. His wife Paige, a self-confessed 'rich-bitch' (Harriet Walter) decides to throw a dinner party in his...

Grease

The story concerns Sandy and Danny, two high school kids who fell in love during the holidays. However, when they go back to school Danny is embarrassed to find that Sandy now attends the same school. This presents problems for him as he is known as a bit of a womaniser and is looked up to by his mates. How can he now start being soppy with Sandy? Sandy, a goody goody, butter would not melt in her mouth sort of girl, gets involved with a bunch of 'hip' girls and needs to make lots of adjustments...