The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

It only takes one step inside the auditorium to know that this show is going to be something special.

Fifteen year old Christopher, who has behavioral problems, comes across his neighbour's dog lying dead with a garden fork in his side one night. Christopher makes it his project to discover who killed the dog.

Graham Butler gives a very impressive performance and seems to have a fantastic grasp of his character, from understanding how the mind of the teenager works to perfecting realistic movements and reactions to all the other characters and environments. In the show's programme, Mark Haddon says, 'I've always regretted that the phrase 'Aspergers Syndrome' appeared on the cover of Curious Incident when it was first published.'  However, Christopher is most definitely portrayed as someone who has the habits and personality quirks that can often be identified on the autism spectrum. Although the play has some very comic moments there is nothing distasteful or offensive about the way that Christopher is played. 

Much like the best-selling novel of the same name, the audience view the show for the most part from Christopher's point of view. The various scenes are depicted through projections onto screens around the stage showing anything from Christopher's thoughts and how he sees day to day life. The audience are reminded how basic routines that we take for granted are bizarre and new to Christopher, this is acted so well that audiences are given a clear insight to the workings of his mind. Only those who know him well are able to find certain touches and words that help put his mind at ease and help him form some form of a relationship.   

The murder of the dog is a constant reminder to audiences that the 'curious incident' refers to every other character in the play as it is the quirks and flaws of the others that Christopher struggles to understand.

The physical acting in this show is completely phenomenal and the minimum use of props or doubling up props for different use is simply ingenious. The small cast means that each actor takes on multiple roles too and they do so, incredibly. 

This is really a one-of-a-kind show and whether or not you are familiar with the book, head on down the Gielgud Theatre.

White Christmas settles at Dominion until Jan 3rd 2015

After a recent tour of the first ever stage production, Irving Berlin’s, White Christmas has settled in the Dominion theatre until January 3rd 2015. 

White Christmas tells the heart-warming story of two-ex army friends, who team up with a couple of sisters to put on a show to save a secluded ski lodge in Vermont owned by their old army General.  

As expected with a cast like this, the singing is absolutely flawless. Aled Jones (best known for singing I’m walking in the air from The Snowman) who plays Bob Wallace, redeems an otherwise wavering performance through his sensational vocals. Likewise, Tom Chambers who plays Phil Davis is an extraordinary dancer but gives a decent performance. Luckily the two characters contrast each other so well that the pair’s acting styles complement each other quite well.

Similarly the Haynes sisters play off each other very agreeably to give a varied performance. Rachel Stanley, who plays Betty Haynes sings beautifully but it felt that her role could be bigger for a main character. Louise Bowden, who plays Judy Hayes is an incredible dancer and entertaining to watch.

The true star of the show is Martha Watson played by Wendi Peters. Peters gives an energetic performance. Her vocals are tremendous and her character is hilarious. Indeed, last night’s Susan Waverly gave a stunning performance easily falling into Peters’ shoes. General Henry Waverly played by Graham Cole transforms his normally grumpy character in a very moving performance toward to end.

The show didn’t seem to fit in to the typical mould of a Christmas film and didn’t feel to‘Christmassy’ until near the end. The plot seems underdeveloped; there is a misunderstanding but not much happens between this taking place and the resolution. However, the show includes many flashy dance numbers with stunning tap choreography, ideal for a classic big Christmas Musical. 

Although the music was particularly underwhelming, songs such as; White Christmas, both takes on the song Sisters and Let me sing and I’m happy, are exceptionally charming. The orchestra still plays every song exquisitely. 

The set for the show is fantastic and the use of the stage to show various locations at the same time is remarkable. 

The first short scene set in 1944 during the war is very sweet ans tied in nicely with the ending. Everything comes together again in time for Christmas for one spectacular finale. 

Although this may not necessarily be one for the kids, it is a nice break from all the Christmas pantomimes. 

Forbidden Broadway comes to London

I'd like to start with a note to the cast of Forbidden Broadway...

Just so you all know I took note of your 'everyone's a critic' song but, here is another blog with another opinion on your show! 

Forbidden Broadway takes some of the best West End shows and oh so wittily give them a new exposé. Musical theatre lovers everywhere can laugh at the revolving cast of Les Misérables and Laura Tebbutt's hillarious take on 'On My Phone'. You can chuckle at the Phantom's smoking performance and giggle through the slighty clutzy Jersey Boys. 

What makes it so brilliant is how they pick out the flaws of these shows and use them to accentuate the show' popularity. They provide insight into the life of an exploited child actor such as those who play Matilda, Billy Elliot or Gavroche and how they reach retirement aged ten. The use of props is absolutely magnificent, especially the well-known helicopter from Miss Saigon and the glass elevator from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Not forgetting Disney, the cast of The Lion King sing about the perils of their costume in 'Can you feel the sprain tonight'. I am sure that the cast of Once could not make their audiences laugh as much as the Forbidden Broadway version did. 

No show is safe when Forbidden Broadway comes to town, neither is any star of the stage. Ben Lewis 'engineers' Cameron Mackintosh in the Miss Saigon re-write 'The Americans Cream' Christina Bianco does a spot on impression of chirpy Kristin Chenoweth and a fabulous impersonation of the 'Wickedly Talented' Adel Dazeem (or as she is better known Idina Menzel). Bianco does the most impeccable Elaine Paige, right down to her iconic laugh, that prove that imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. Damian Humbley and Ben Lewis explain behind the thought process the popular show The Book of Mormon as comedy duo Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Hugh Jackman makes his appearance and the cast remind audiences how no one can resist a big name of stage such as Robert Lindsey, who is currently part of the cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Admittedly a show like this is more suited to a smaller audience niche. Even if there was the odd show I hadn’t seen, I still found myself laughing from start to finish.

Check out the trailer!

The Book of Mormon

As I am sure many critics have warned before, this show is definitely not for the easily offended. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park and the brains behind The Book of Mormon, leave no stereotype untouched in their cleverly hilarious show. Musical genius, Robert Lopez, also known for writing the songs for Frozen, shares the duo's dark sense of  humor. Together they have produced a musical that will have you laughing for days and playing the soundtrack on a loop for months.

Hello, was performed quite weakly which was a shame considering that the show opens on this song. After that, the show took off and the energy remained high throughout the rest of the show. 

The amount of big dance numbers was quite surprising but incredibly impressive. As the missionaries are being paired off for their missions, they dance out their excitement in the song Two by Two in an extravagant, over the top but highly entertaining routine. For choreography fans, watch out for the song Turn it off as it shows you that if you break into song and dance and wear sparkly enough jackets, nothing bad can get to you. 

Every musical needs its romantic ballad and The Book of Mormon is no different. Baptise Me is a cleverly twisted song to fit in as the show's required love song. Indeed things do heat up at this point between Elder Cunningham and Nabulungi as they both overcome their fears to 'do it' for the first time... 

Elder Price played by Billy Harrigan Tighe is a young missionary who is ready to bring others into the church and he's confident that he is the best man for the job until his faith becomes shaken. A.J. Holmes plays the lovable goofy Elder Cunningham whose vivid imagination manifests as a variety of sci-fi characters and bizarre stories. Both men are excellent performers and most entertaining. The two characters balance each other perfectly and are able to amuse the audience together and separately. The pair are sent to Uganda where they are faced with Warlords, disease and misery. Together with a group of Mormons lead by the hysterically camp Elder McKinnley (Stephen Ashfield) they try to bring the locals to the Church of Latter-day Saints. 

In a show where even a  Spooky Mormon hell dream is full of glitz, glamour and so many sparkles, there isn't really anything more I could ask for! 

Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap

Sixty two years on, The Mousetrap is still managing to draw in vast audiences. Currently playing at St Martin's Theatre, this play was adapted from one of Agatha Christie's short radio play written in honour of Queen Mary's eightieth birthday. 

As you expect from Agatha Christie, The Mousetrap is a 'who dun it' style play. Perhaps one of the main reasons this play is still so successful is that it is one of Theatreland's best kept secrets. Those who have seen this play are part of an exclusive group who know 'who dun it' but keep it strictly between themselves. 

The play takes place place in a guest house in the 1950s. Inn owners Mollie and Giles Ralston get ready to welcome their first guests. First to arrive is young, eccentric Christopher Wren, soon followed by grumpy old Mrs Boyle. Next to arrive is the interesting Major Metcalf and the mysterious Miss Casewell. Just as all the guests settle in, a mysterious unexpected guest arrives, Mr Paravinci, who claims his car overturned in the snow.

With so many quirky strangers trapped together in the snow storm, it doesn't take long until matters turn dark...

Secrecy, lies and a skiing detective determine the outcome of this play. Although it is a murder mystery, it has moments of humour and silliness with a fantastic twist ending. 

In the Heights

Back in the summer of 2014 the small intimate theatre, Southwark Playhouse, played host to Lin-Manuel Miranda's lively Latin fiesta, In the Heights. Although this show is long gone, having finished its run June 7th, it still deserves some recognition as I would be more than happy to see it have a long term return to the West End. Over the last year there have been rumors implying that In the Heights could hit the silver screen but latest updates suggest project has been abandoned. Personally I would love to see that idea rekindled. 

In the Heights focuses on the largely Latino Barrio of Washington Heights in New York City. The show opens on Usnavi, the local shop owner struggling to keep his business afloat with a horrendous heatwave and a broken fridge. Usnavi has his eye on Vanessa, who currently works in the hair salon, with local gossips Daniella and Carla, but dreams of moving out of the barrio and onto greater things. 

The community cab company is owned by a Puerto Rican immigrant, who came to America with nothing. He will do anything to support his family, especially his daughter Nina who has gone to College. Nina comes home for a visit and sparks begin to fly with cab worker Benny. Every tight knit community needs a loving abuela (grandmother) Claudia, the old lady who lives in the Barrio and treats all the other residents as family. 

In a small community with huge dreams, the residents start to wonder how their problems might be solved if they win the $96,000 lottery... 

Lin-Manuel Miranda shows great strengths in his Hip-Hop and Rap skills in songs such as the title song, In the Heights and in 96,000. Songs like Paciencia y Fe (Patience and Faith), The Club and Carnaval del Barrio provide the feisty Latin rhythm that will have you looking up your local salsa club. 

Indeed, if you are like me and can't resist a Latin beat, I recommend finding any YouTube video from this show as Drew McOnie's choreography is absolutely outstanding.

As such an up-beat musical, it would be amazing to see it return to the London stage.  

Check out the trailer from the Broadway show!

Miss Saigon

Playing at the Prince Edward Theatre, Miss Saigon follows the life of one seventeen year old girl whose village and family were destroyed during the Vietnam war. After being brought to work for the Engineer, a sleazy Saigon bar manager, she meets Chris, an American GI and the two soon fall in love.

From the team behind Les Miserables, Miss Saigon returns to the West End 25 years after its first appearance in 1989 with Lea Salonga as Kim.

Eva Noblezada, is a fresh faced American actress who makes her debut in this production, very much mirroring the choice for the original Kim. She beautifully portrays youthful innocence yet as the show progresses she grows stronger in her character. Her voice shows just how young she is but this works in her favour as she does not struggle much emotion she puts behind every word.

The Engineer provides the comic relief for this show. The greasy bar owner who pimps out Vietnamese girls to American GIs. The Engineer is obsessed with the 'American dream' and will try at all costs to make his way to America. Played by Jon Jon Briones, his big song The American dream is highly entertaining to watch as he is so disillusioned by the glitz and glamour of his dream.

American GI, Chris, played by Alistair Brammer  often appeared quite reserved in his emotions unless it was anger. Luckily for Brammer he had enough opportunities to act out his anger, most spectacular being while he sang Why God Why? where he starts to realise there is more to Saigon than the war. Without spoiling the plot, there is a certain point at the end of the show where his reaction was not strong enough and needed a lot more power.

Chris' GI friend, John played by, Hugh Maynard is not particularly likable in the first act. John opens the second act with Bui Doi, a song informing an audience of the children affected by a war torn Vietnam. Maynard's take on the song is stunningly chilling and really conveying his pain. This completely redeemed his character from act one.

Another bar girl, Gigi played by Rachelle Ann Go deserves to be acknowledged for her solo in the song The Movie in my Mind. Before seeing Miss Saigon this was a name that was circling around due to the sheer talent in this woman's voice and every word is completely justifiable. An absolutely sensational performance!

Once again Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel SchÖnberg team up to create music and lyrics that are simply unforgettable and completely flawless. The choreography is absolutely exquisite too.

Just a wholehearted performance from all the cast and crew!


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