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2016

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GREY GARDENS London run: Southwark Playhouse, January 2nd – February 6th Music: Scott Frankel Lyrics: Michael Korie Book: Doug Wright Director: Thom Southerland Choreographer: Lee Proud Musical Director: Michael Bradley Cast: Sheila Hancock (Edith Bouvier), Jenna Russell ( Edith Beale/Little Edie ) Rachel Anne Rayham (Young Little Edie), Aaron Sidwell (Joseph Kennedy), Billy Boyle (Major Bouvier), Jeremy Legat, Ako Mitchell, Grace Jenkins, Eleanor Waldron, Rebecca Nardin, Alana Hinge.

Songs: The Girl Who Has Everything, Mother Darling, Marry Well, Daddy’s Girl, The Revolutionary Costume for Today, The House We Live In, Jerry Likes My Corn, Another Winter in a Summer Town.

Story: Grey Gardens is about two extraordinary women - the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - and tells the story of their lives from 1941 when they lived in their mansion on Long Island as American aristocratic socialites, to thirty years later when they had become recluses in the same, now crumbling, mansion – “a house that once played host to Howard Hughes and the Rockefellers, but is now a refuge for 52 stray cats, a few rabid racoons and its two reclusive inhabitants”.

Photo by Scott Rylander

Notes: Based on a 1975 documentary film, the musical adaptation was first staged on Broadway in 2006, winning three Tony Awards and 12 Drama Desk awards. This British premiere was less rapturously received.

The structure of the work was criticised by several reviewers: the first half “needlessly” contained flashbacks from 1973 to 1941, with Jenna Russell playing Edith’s younger self, and its contrast of a “High Society” world to the “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” of Act Two was felt by some to be a major imbalance in the show. However, in spite of reviews like “one for the cognoscenti, I fear” (Telegraph), “cult appeal for lovers of the grotesque” (Guardian), there was universal acclaim for the two leading performances, and much praise for the director of this “bizarrely beautiful and beautifully bizarre” show. (Tribune)

Jenna Russell & Sheila Hancock

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ROAD SHOW (1st Revival) London run: Union Theatre, Feb 3rd – March 5th Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman Director: Phil Willmot Choreographer: Thomas Michael Voss Musical Director: Richard Baker Cast: Andre Refig (Wilson Mizner), Howard Jenkins (Addison Mizner), Joshua LeClair (Hollis Bessemer), Cathryn Sherman (Mama Mizner), Steve Watts (Papa Mizner), Cameron Hay, Amy Perry, Amy Reitsma, Phil Sealey, Laura Jade Clark, Damian Robinson, Sam Sugarman, Alexander McMorran, Jonny Rust, Christina Thornton Songs: Waste, It’s In Your Hands Now, Gold, Brotherly Love, That Was a Year, Isn’t He Something?, Land Boom, Talent, The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened, Boca Rato, Get Out

Photo by Scott Rylander

Story: A moving story of love, antagonism and reconciliation between two brothers, “Road Show” tells how the ill-matched Wilson and Addison move across the USA, stopping off at some of the key moments which shaped modern America.

Notes: This was promoted as the first British production of “Road Show”, because the 2011 staging at the Menier Chocolate Factory had been a re-creation of John Doyle’s off-Broadway version. The show is noteworthy for prominently featuring a romance between Addison and an idealistic young male artist, portraying Sondheim's first openly gay characters and one of his most haunting love songs, notably sung by one man to another. The reviews felt the production emphasised the show’s lack of psychological weight, with the story itself weighed down with its theatrical baggage.

Original London run: Menier Chocolate Factory, July 2011 Joshua LeClair, Howard Jenkins & Andre Refig

THE WORLD GOES ROUND (1st Revival) London run: St James Studio, February 3rd – 7th Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb Director: Neil Eckersley Musical Director: Kris Rawlinson Cast: Oliver Tompsett, Debbie Kurup, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Sally Samad, Alexandra Da Silva Notes: With a four-piece band, this show had undertaken a brief stint at the Pheasantry in Chelsea in 2015, and was revived for one week in the St James Studio. It was well received, with the Times critic asking “How many glorious numbers can you cram into a single evening?”.

Original London run: Union Theatre, January 2014

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ANDY CAPP The Musical (1st Revival)

Cast: Roger Alborough (Andy Capp), Lynn Robertson Hay (Florence Capp), Todd James (Chalkie ), Tom Pepper (Elvis Horsepole), Jennifer Clement (Ruby), Terence Frisch (Mr Scrimmett), Tori Hargreaves (Raquel Scrimmett), Paddy Navin (Mrs Scrimmett), David Muscat (Geordie).

Notes: Based on the Reg Smythe cartoon characters as featured in the “Daily Mirror”, the show had a gritty reality which didn’t sit too comfortably with its musical format, and managed just 99 performances with Tom Courtenay at the Aldwych in its original run. This first revival, thirty-five years later, was given as part of the “re-discovered musicals” at the Todd James, Lynn Robertson Hay & Roger Alborough Finborough. With a two person band, augmented by a versatile cast doubling as actor-musicians, its decidedly nonPC content was considerably lessened by the cartoon nature of its characters, and it was regarded as “not exactly a neglected classic” but not without its pleasures.

Original London run: Aldwych, Sep 1982

THE KISSING DANCE (1st Revival) London run: Ye Olde Rose & Crown, February 10th – 28th Music: Howard Goodall Book & Lyrics: Charles Hart Director: Brendan Matthew Choreographer: Charlotte Tooth Musical Director: Aaron Clingham Cast: Andrew Truluck (Mr Hardcastle), Laurel Dougall (Mrs Hardcastle), Kira Morsley (Kate), Emily Peach (Constance), Jacob Jackson (Tony Lumpkin), Toby Hine (Sir James Marlow), David Zachary (Charles Marlow), Robert Metson (George Hastings), Emily Chesterton (Bet), Rebecca Withers, Kate Hume, Scott Hunter, Nicholas Chiapetta, Steven Dalziel Notes: Based on Oliver Goldsmith’s 1773 comedy of manners, “She Stoops to Conquer”, this production had been updated to the early 20th Century and performed with a five-piece band. The updating caused a problem for some critics who felt the exaggerated and stylised style of the 18th Century plot seemed overdone and too broad for its “modern” setting. It was also felt to be somewhat unbalanced, being dialogue-heavy in Act 1, and overfilled with musical numbers in Act 2.

This was its first professional revival, having been performed at the Lyric Hammersmith and the Linbury Studio in non-professional productions.

Original London production: Jermyn Street, March 2011

Photo by David Ovenden

Photo by Darren Bell

London run: Finborough, February 7th – 23rd (Sundays to Tuesdays) Music: Alan Price Lyrics: Alan Price & Trevor Peacock Director: Jake Smith Choreographer: Chris Cuming Musical Director:Tim Shaw

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MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS London run: Noel Coward Theatre, February 9th—June 18th Music: George Fenton, Simon Chamberlain Lyrics: Don Black Book: Terry Johnson Director: Terry Johnson Choreographer: Andrew White Musical Director: Barney Ashworth Cast: Tracie Bennett (Mrs Henderson), Ian Bartholomew (Vivian Van Damm), Emma Williams (Maureen), Jamie Forman (Arthur), Robert Hands, Matthew Malthouse, Samuel Holmes, Katie Bernstein, Lizzy Connolly, Lauren Hood, Liz Ewing, Oliver Jackson, Alexander Delamere, Sarah Bakker, Rhiannon Chesterman, Victoria Hay, Andrew Bryant, Katrina Kleve, Tania Newton, Sam O’Rourke, Neil Stewart, Dickie Wood.

Songs: If Mountains Were Easy to Climb, Living in a Dream World Story: In the late 1930s the widowed Mrs Laura Henderson has acquired the small, struggling Windmill Theatre in London’s Soho. When presented with a huge bill for costumes, inspiration strikes: together with her manager, Vivian Van Damm, she persuades the girls to work nude. She persuades the censor that if the girls stand still, they will be no more offensive than the classical canvases of Rubens and other painters. When the War breaks out, her shows defy Hitler, proudly claiming “We never closed”, and showing true British spirit by carrying on even as the bombs are falling. Other characters include Arthur, the cockney-patter comic who has to provide the front-of-curtain fillers whilst the immovable nude “tableaux” are changed, and Maureen, the timid tea-girl who transforms into a feisty model.

Notes: Based on the 2005 British film with Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, this musical version was given a try-out at the Theatre Royal, Bath in the summer of 2015. For most critics it was a triumph - a gloriously reminder of how the whole nation stuck two fingers up at Adolf Hitler, celebrating the Blitz spirit whilst gently mocking the contemporary muddled attitudes to nudity and sex. However, for a few others, it failed to resolve the question of whether the nudity constituted empowerment or exploitation of the women, it lacked true characterisation, and ran out of plot once the nudity was established.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

Photo by Joan Marcus

London run: Shaftesbury Theatre, February 11th

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MOTOWN THE MUSICAL London run: Shaftesbury Theatre, February 11th Music & Lyrics: Various Book: Berry Gordy Director: Charles Randolph-Wright Choreographer: Patricia Wilcox & Warren Adams Musical Director: Gareth Weedon Cast: Cedric Neal (Berry Gordy), Cindy Belliot (Anna Gordy), Lucy St Louis (Diana Ross), Charl Brown (Smokey Robinson), Sifiso Mazibuko (Marvin Gaye), Keisha Amponsa Banson (Mary Wells), Samuel Edwards (Jackie Wilson), Aisha Jawando (Martha Reeves), Simeon Montague (Jerman Jackson), Cheryl Williams (Mary Wilson), Cleopatra Rey (Gladys Knight), Jordan Shaw (Stevie Wonder), Tanya Nicole Edwards (Florence Ballard), Eshan Gopal/Kwame Kandekore/ Joshua Tikare (Michael Jackson), Portia Harry, Joshua Libard, Brandon Lee Sears, Story: In 1983, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, recording stars are gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Motown Records. In a flashback, the young Berry Gordy dreams of forming his own record label, and in 1957, with a borrowed 800 dollars, creates Motown and begins his professional and personal relationship with recording artists/ singers such as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson Five, the Supremes and Diana Ross. By the time of the 25th anniversary things have changed, some relationships have broken down, but the music has been an overwhelming success and Gordy believes he has gone a long way towards his goal of bridging the racial divide of segregated America.

Notes: The show opened on Broadway in March 2013 and closed in January 2015 after 775 performances. A return for an 18 week limited-run was announced for the summer of 2016. The musical was based on Berry Gordy’s 1994 autobiography “To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown”. The musical’s script was written

by Gordy himself and was heavily criticised as a piece of hagiography, with one reviewer claiming “the ego has landed”. The presentation of Gordy himself - a loving father abandoned by ungrateful children - came over as whitewash, with the several serious charges against him ignored. Rather than a complex portrait of this fascinating businessman, the “shoddily written book is essentially a self-serving theatrical memoir”. However, there was still the music: well over 50 glorious classics celebrating the songs that brought America's black and white populations together in a way nothing else ever did, and performed by an outstandingly talented cast.

WAR OF THE WORLDS London run: Dominion, February 8th— April 30th Music & Lyrics: Jeff Wayne Lyrics: Gary Osborne, Paul Vigrass Book: Doreen Wayne Director: Bob Tomson Choreographer: Liam Steel Musical Director: Jeff Wayne Cast: David Essex (The Voice of Humanity), Michael Praed (George Herbert 1898), Madalena Alberto (Carrie), Heidi Range (Beth), Jimmy Nail (Parson Nathaniel), Daniel Bedingfield (The Artilleryman), Video projection: Liam Neeson (George Herbert 1904) Notes: Jeff Wayne's musical version of H.G. Wells’s “The War of the Worlds” was originally a 1978 concept album combining progressive rock and string orchestra.

A concert-arena tour, based on the album, began in the UK in April 2006 and then was staged in various international arenas through the following years. “The War of the Worlds – the New Generation” was a 2012 follow-up album, where Jeff Wayne re-visited his score and adapted it for a new generation of audiences. This, too, was launched as a UK arena tour, playing the O2 for one night in December 2012. This Dominion Theatre production was its first outing as a stage show. It was spectacular and advertised as “probably the starriest cast the West End has seen” , but was mostly dismissed as over-loud, overhyped and over-done. “. . . a bombastic, bloated, bonkers beast of a show” (Independent), “. . . melodrama on steroids, kitsch on stilts” (Daily Mail), “. . . the whole stupefying self-regarding affair is almost certainly the worst West End show I have seen in the current decade” (Financial Times).

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BEYOND THE FENCE

Photo by Robert Workman

London run: Arts Theatre, Feb 26th - March 5th Writing team: Benjamin Till, Nathan Taylor Director: Luke Sheppard Choreographer: Cressida Carré Musical Director: Candida Caldicot Cast: Llio Millward (Ceridwen), Laura Jane Matthewson (Helen), Leonie Elliot (Raven), Annie Wensak (Margie), C.J. Johnson (Mary), Ako Mitchell (Jim), Hollie Owen (George), Christine Allado (Girlie), Rebecca Brewer (Kim), Rob Castell, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Michelle Moran, Guy Mott Story: Set in the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp, the story concerned the passions, humour and conviction of the protestors, including Ceridwen, a horny Welsh woman; Helen, a cheerful overweight Northerner; Raven, a young black girl with attitude and Margie, a motherly old matron. At the centre is the unlikely love relationship that develops between Mary, the leader of the protest, and Jim, the troubled US airman guarding the base. The catalyst in this romance is Mary’s 12 year old daughter, George, who has been mute for seven years, since she saw her father beat her mother.

Notes: Promoted as the world’s first computer-generated musical, this was the result of a Sky Arts TV documentary “Computer Says Show”. The details of 1,669 different musicals were fed into a computer to achieve the formula for story line, musical styles and suggested lyrics. These were then “fine-tuned” by the writing team to fit their proposed story. It was regarded as an interesting experiment that worked quite well for the “protest” part of the plot, but was unconvincing in the love-story element. The music was said to be a combination of “piano led ballads and squealy 80s power-rock” (Independent), whilst the characterisation was too formulaic and clichéd.

BAR MITZVAH BOY (1st revival) London run: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, March 2nd – April 10th Music: Jule Styne Music & Lyrics: Don Black Book: Jack Rosenthal revised by David Thompson Director-Choreographer: Stewart Nicholls Musical Director: Edward Court/ Neil Macdonald Cast: Sue Kelvin (Rita Green), Robert Maskell (Victor Green), Adam Bregman (Elliot Green), Nicholas Corre (Harold), Lara Stubbs (Lesley ), Jeremy Rose (Rabbi), Hannah Rose-Thompson (Denise).

Story: Young Eliot Green, filled with apprehension about his Adam Bregman & Lara Stubbs forthcoming bar mitzvah, escapes from the synagogue, much to the dismay of Rita and Victor, his middle-class parents, who have invested their savings in a lavish party to celebrate their son's coming of age. Elliot is supported by his sister, Lesley, when he tells her that looking at the adult world, he doesn’t feel he can belong to it.

Notes: The original 1978 musical version of Rosenthal's award-winning TV play was a 77 performance flop. The earlier play version, an honest portrayal of a family, had been turned into a series of clichés with the action halted for songs and dances which didn’t really fit in. An off-Broadway revival, adapted from 1970s London to Brooklyn in 1946 did no better. Jack Rosenthal himself later wrote a play called “Smash”, an hilarious but scathing look at how a show could be ruined on its journey from page to stage. For this first revival, almost forty years later, Don Black has written new lyrics to previously unheard Styne compositions and a revised script has been written by David Thompson (writer of The Scottsboro Boys, Steel Pier, etc.).

This small-cast fringe production was well received, although “there remains a basic imbalance between Rosenthal’s sharply observed comedy of Jewish manners and Styne’s gloriously brash Broadway rhythms” (Sunday Express).

Original London run: Her Majesty’s, October 1978

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TORSTEN, THE BEAUTIFUL LIBERTINE

Cast: Andy Bell, Lana P, Peter Straker Notes: This was more a song-cycle than a musical, with Andy Bell, part of the 80s pop group Erasure, delivering a succession of songs telling the character’s life from his runaway days as a “beautiful libertine” 15 Andy Bell year old drug addict through to his older years.

The other characters in his story are his former admirers (Peter Straker) and the “transvestite hooker of Totteridge Park” (Lana P.) This was the musical theatre debut for Andy Bell, and the general critical reaction was cool, feeling the show was underwritten and that Andy Bell himself was a singer rather than actor.

MISS ATOMIC BOMB London run: St James Theatre, March 7th – April 9th Music, Book & Lyrics: Adam Long, Gabriel Vick, Alex Jackson-Long Director: Adam Long & Bill Deamer Choreographer: Bill Deamer Musical Director: Matthew Brind/ Richard John Cast: Catherine Tate (Myrna), Simon Lipkin (Lou Lubowitz), Dean John-Wilson (Joey), Florence Andrews (Candy), Daniel Boys, Michelle Andrews, Stephane Anelli, David Birrell, Charles Brunton, Jessica Buckby, Olivia Fines, Ryan Gover, Alyn Hawke, Sion Lloyd, Suzie McAdam, Kirk Patterson, Sasi Strallen

Photo by Tristram Kenton

Story: It’s 1952 in Las Vegas, with tourists flocking to see the mushroom clouds, but they are not flocking to the mob-owned Golden Goose Hotel, run by Lou Lubowitz who is under pressure to make some money. His brother, Joey, a deserter from the US army, has met Candy, a Calamity-Jane-type country girl and her wouldbe fashion-designer friend, Myrna – and the girls have come up with a potential money-making scheme: organise a beauty pageant to discover Miss Atomic Bomb 1952. A series of subplots involve gunshots to the feet, sheep, pigs, and the repossession of Candy’s Winnebago.

Notes: With a confusing number of plots, “ragtag musical forms” (Daily Express), and “clichéd characterisation, amateurish capering and a lack of conviction” (Sunday Times), the show was roundly condemned, though several critics congratulated the cast for working their socks off. “The satire is lame, the songs desperately derivative. . . its chaotic and formless comic structure lacks purpose, polish and point” (The Stage) Catherine Tate as Myrna

Photo by PicsbyGaz

London run: Above the Stag, March 2nd – 27th Music: Christopher Frost Book & Lyrics: Barney Ashton Director: Robert McWhir Musical Director: Iain Vince Gatt

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SOMETHING SOMETHING LAZARUS London run: King’s Head, March 8th – April 2nd Music: Simon Arrowsmith Book & Lyrics: John Myatt Director: Dan Phillips Choreographer: Alice Bendall Musical Director: Daisy Amphlett Cast: Ralph Bogard (Daniel), Daniel Cech-Lucas (Jay), Valerie Cutko (Vee), Daisy Amphlett (Della) Songs: Cathedral, Alive, Promises, Apologies Story: The action takes place in the Midnight Sun, a seedy cabaret bar run by the aggressive bar manager, Daniel. The cabaret artists include Daniel’s young lover, the singer-compère Jay, the pianist Della, and Vee, a fading torch-singer with a drink problem. The characters explore their fragmented relationships in an experimental and surreal dramatic construction. A significant eight-second gap between life and death as Jay is strangled by his lover, Daniel, becomes an extended exploration of the characters and their separate demons.

Notes: With its mix of social-media technology display, a score combining conventional cabaret with more tonally challenging music, and a deliberately non-linear plot construction, the critical reaction was wideranging. On the one hand it was welcomed as a “cross-over piece with the potential of cult status” but on the other it was described as “atrociously ill-conceived” and “cripplingly adolescent”.

BAD GIRLS – The Musical (1st revival) London run: Union Theatre, March 9th – April 2nd Music & Lyrics: Kath Gotts Book: Maureen Chadwick & Ann McManus Director: Will Keith Choreographer: Jo McShane Musical Director: Alex Bellamy Cast: Gareth Davies (Jim Fenner), Tori Evans (Helen Stewart), Sinead Long (Shell), Ceili O’Connor (Nikki Wade), Sarah Goggin (Rachel Hicks), Christine Holman (Yvonne), Maggie Robson (Sylvia ‘Bodybag’ Hollamby), Catherine Digges (Julie Saunders), Jayne Ashley (Julie Johnson), Livvy Evans (Crystal), Francine Rowan (Noreen Biggs), Imelda Warren-Green (Denny Blood), Amy Christen-Ford, Meg McCarthy, Eloise Davies, Melissa Po.

Photo by Darren Bell

Notes: The original run was described as a camp piece of glorious bad taste which failed to catch on and flopped after a two month run.

This revival managed to include some poignancy, some bleakness, as well as some heart and true comedy, and was well received.

Original London run: Garrick, September 2007

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FABLES FOR A BOY

Cast: Bethan Maddocks, Anya Hamilton, Mikey Wooster, Zac Hamilton, Owen Liggett, Mairin Miller Story: A changeling boy is adopted by a dysfunctional couple, but fails to engage with the real world. He is haunted by the ghost of his grandmother, whose dark fairy stories mirror his troubled psyche.

Notes: Combining puppetry and mime with the dialogue and music, this was praised as beautifully staged and flamboyantly designed, but condemned for being unrelentingly gloomy. “Seemingly endless passages of pseudopsychological mumbo-jumbo drain every ounce of charm from a story that was already spiralling into a black hole of melancholy” (The Stage)

PRINCESS CARABOO London run: Finborough, March 30th – April 22nd Music: Phil Willmott & Mark Collins Book & Lyrics: Phil Willmott Director: Phil Willmot Choreographer: Thomas Michael Voss Musical Director: Freddie Tapner Cast: Christian James (Eddie Harvey), Nikita Johal (Princess Caribou), Sarah Lawn (Lady Elizabeth Worrell), Joseph O’Malley (Osvaldo Agathias), Phil Sealey (Sir Charles Worrell), Oliver Stanley (Lord Marlborough), Althea Burey, Ruben Kuppens, Hilary Murnane, Rebecca Ridout, Songs: I Am My Own Person

Photo by Scott Rylander

Photo by Silhouette

London run: Lost Theatre, March 28th – April 24th Music: Sindre Kayman Book & Lyrics: Adrian Sandvaer, Ragnhild Kristoffersen, Gabriel Owen.

Director: Ryan Duncan Choreographer: James Houlbrooke Musical Director: Adrian Sandvaer

Hilary Murnane, Oliver Stanley, Christian James, Nikita Johal & Althea Burey

Story: Based on a true story, this tells of a beautiful young woman, a destitute Devonshire cobbler’s daughter, who tricked her way from vagrancy to wealth and power in Regency England by pretending to be a shipwrecked Princess. Unfortunately what began as a clever trick by a petty criminal to escape the law develops into something much bigger. She is taken in by a bereaved couple, Sir Charles and Lady Worrell, and then amorously pursued by the caddish Lord Marlborough and the ardent Christian James. “Princess Caraboo” quickly becomes a society “superstar”, and her presence threatens ruin for those whose compassion, lust or ambition has blinded them to the truth.

Notes: Originally part of a staged reading at the Festival of Finborough Playwrights, “Princess Caraboo” was developed with workshops at Bristol Old Vic overseen by Tom Morris and James Peries. The narrative was framed as an amateur scientific lecture, and the music combined a blend of modern jazz with lively ballads. The critical response was very complimentary, with much praise for its comic performances, and entertaining originality.

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UKIP! THE MUSICAL London run: Waterloo East, March 30th – April 3rd Music, Book & Lyrics: Cath Day Director: Jessica Williams Choreographer: Victoria Gimby Musical Director: Malcolm C. Godsman, Alex Hunt Cast: Matthew Atkins, Emily Barnett-Salter, Joe Bence, James Douglas-Brennan, Eleanor Dillon-Reams, Laura Franek, Lisa Lynn, Katy Oliver, Jarrard Richards, Joseph Tweedale Songs: Bongo Bongo Land, Europa -You Raped Her, Let’s Pull Up the Drawbridge.

Story: Nigel Farage is a haunted man. Tormented by feelings of impotence and inadequacy, he just doesn't know how to rescue Britain from Europe's clutches. However, following a visitation from the Ghosts of Britain Past (Churchill) and Britain Quite Recent (Thatcher) he suddenly sees a way to win over the public - only to watch his plan to save Britannia backfire spectacularly.

Notes: Described as “a rollicking satirical swipe at the most radical political party of our time” this was written by two RADA graduates and premiered at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe

ALL OR NOTHING London run: The Vaults, March 31st – May 21st Return: July 27th – August 27th Music & Lyrics: Small Faces Book: Carol Harrison Director: Tony McHale Choreographer: Cameron Hall Musical Director: Pat Davey Cast: Chris Simmons (Older Steve), Mark Newnham (Younger Steve), Joshua Dowen (Ronnie Lane), Drew Levi-Huntsman (Kenney Jones), Josh Maddison (Ian McLagan), Joseph Peters (Jimmy Winston), Russell Floyd ( Manager Don Arden), Dami Olukoya (P.P. Arnold), Sophia Benn (Dusty Springfield), Danielle Johnson (Cher), Daniel Beales (Tony Blackburn/ Sonny Bono/ Stanley Unwin), Carol Harrison (Kay Marriott) Songs: All or Nothing, Whatcha Gonna Do About It, Itchykoo Partk, Sha la la la Lee, Lazy Sunday, Tin Soldier, Here Comes the Nice Story: The older Steve Marriott looks back on the heady days of 1966. Back then, he was the cocky frontman of the Small Faces, an East End group of pop-star wannabes, and suddenly saw his group rise to the top of the charts with their first big hit “All or Nothing”. They even knocked the Beatles from the Number One spot, and went on to become legends of the Swinging London “mod” scene. Reflecting on those days of anger and arrogance, Steve recognises where they went wrong – but too late to counter the pitfalls of drug addiction.

Notes: This was a jukebox musical telling the story of the Small Faces. It had an initial try-out in Brighton in 2013, being the brainchild of the award-winning “Eastenders” actress Carol Harrison – and was directed by the BAFTA winning TV director, Tony McHale. Following its opening at the Vaults, which was much praised for its energy, drive and performances, the run was extended due to word of mouth demand for tickets. The show then went on tour for the rest of the year, but was able to return to London for the month of August

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Photo by Dan Wooller

Photo by Kevin Wilson

2016

Glenn Close at her curtain-call

Ria Jones at her curtain-call

SUNSET BOULEVARD (2nd Revival) London run: Coliseum, April 1st – May 7th Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Don Black, Christopher Hampton Director: Lonny Price Choreographer: Stephen Mear Musical Director: Michael Reed Cast: Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Fred Johanson (Max von Mayerling), Siobhan Dillon (Betty), Mark Goldthorp (Sheldrake), Julian Forsyth (Cecil B. DeMille), Carly Anderson, Michelle Bishop, Emily Bull, Jacob Chapman, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Matthew McKenna, James Peterson, Tanya Robb, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Adam Vaughan, Anna Woodside Notes: In 1993 the lavish original production had a troubled run, and closed temporarily for re-casting and a “re-vamp” However, this was nothing compared to its troubles in the USA, with lawsuits and controversy.

Despite long runs, the show was said to have lost a fortune. Its first London revival was a pared-down affair with actor-musicians enabling many critics to claim that concentrating on the essence of the characters and the score revealed a “great and undervalued” musical. However, that revival managed less than a six month run.

This production, “semi-staged” with a 50 piece orchestra and with the legendary Glenn Close was described as the theatre event of the year. It was a huge box office draw. It received enormous praise, and rapturous critical acclaim for Glenn Close. A month into the run Glenn Close was taken ill and missed four performances. The announcement that she would not appear was greeted by booing and a few people walking out. Her understudy was Ria Jones- and at the end of the evening Ria was given a five-minute standing ovation, and acclaimed as a quite outstanding performer, equal to the Hollywood superstar.

Original London production: Adelphi, July 1993 1st revival: Comedy Theatre, December 2008

FOREVER PLAID (2nd revival) London run: St James, April 5th – 24th Music: Various Book: Stuart Ross Director-Choreographer: Grant Murphy Musical Director: Anthony James Gabriele Cast: Jon Lee (Jinx), Matthew Quinn (Smudge), Keith Jack (Sparky), Luke Stiffler (Frankie) Notes: There was much praise for the cast who “sing and dance up a storm” (Stage) and the super-slick production, which “at times gets pretty close to harmony heaven”.

Original London production: Apollo Theatre, September 1993

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THE GREAT GATSBY MUSICAL (2nd Revival) London run: Union, April 6th—30th Music & Lyrics: Joe Evans Adaptation: Linnie Redman & Joe Evans Director: Linnie Redman Choreographer: Nick Pack Musical Director: Barnaby Southgate Photo by Roy Tan

Cast: Blair Robertson (Nick Carroway), Nicolas Fagerberg (Jay Gatsby), Joanna Brown (Daisy Buchanan), Zed Josef (Tom Buchanan), Kate Marlais (Jordan Baker), James Rallison (George Wilson), Ferne McCann (Myrtle Wilson), Emma Whittaker, Katie Beudert, Lewis Rae, Mark Townsend, Paul Dubois, Samantha Louise Clark Notes: This revival, re-worked from earlier productions, was poorly received: “Flabby, slipshod, vocally underpowered and forgettably scored. . .” (Stage); “. . .in the end we don’t care enough about the characters. . . (Review Hub). It marked the theatre debut of Ferne McCann (from TV’s “The Only Way is Essex”.)

Original London run: King’s Head, August 2012 First revival : Riverside Studios, May 2013

SHOWBOAT (6th Revival) London run: New London Theatre, April 9th - August 27th Music: Jerome Kern Book & Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Director: Daniel Evans Choreographer: Alistair David Musical Director: David White Cast: Rebecca Trehearn (Julie), Chris Peluso (Ravenal), Gina Beck (Magnolia), Emmanuel Kojo (Joe), Sandra Marvin (Queenie), Malcolm Sinclair (Cap’n Andy), Leo Roberts (Steve), Lucy Briers (Parthy Ann), Alex Young (Ellie May), Danny Collins (Frank Schultz)

Photo by Johann Perrson

Notes: Originally a Sheffield Theatres production, this was performed in a new version developed for the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. It was hugely praised for its all-round excellence, receiving five stars from almost every critic. “An absolute joy from start to finish” (Express); “Exhilarating update of a true classic is now one of the West End’s most gorgeous shows” (Stage). However, a month after opening it announced that it would be closing on August 27th, four months earlier than originally stated.

Original London production: Drury Lane 1928; 1st revival: London, 1943 ; 2nd revival: Adelphi, June 1971; 3rd revival: London Palladium, July 1990 (and again, March 1991) 4th revival: Prince Edward, April 1998 5th revival: Royal Albert Hall, June 2006

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Photo by Craig Sugden

2016

Elton John with many of Billys from the eleven year run of “Billy Elliot” at the Victoria Palace

BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL (Closing Performance) London run: Victoria Palace, May 11th 2005 – April 9th 2016 Music: Elton John Book & Lyrics: Lee Hall Director: Stephen Daldry Choreographer: Peter Darling Musical Director: Philip Bateman Final Cast: Brodie Donougher/ Thomas Hazelby/ Nat Sweeney/ Euan Garrett (Billy), Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Matthew Seadon-Young (Tony), Gillian Elisa (Grandma), Howard Crossley (George), Phil Snowden (Mr Braithwaite), Claudia Bradley (Dead Mum), James Butcher (Older Billy), Nathan Jones/Bradley Mayfield/ Ben Robinson (Michael), Connie Fisher/Beatrice Bartley/Hollie Creighton (Debbie), Notes: The musical opened on March 31st 2005, with its press night on May 11th and closed on April 9th 2016, after some 4,600 performances. Based on the 2000 film of the same name – which itself was inspired by A.J. Cronin’s 1935 novel “The Stars Look Down” – it was highly praised from the start, winning four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Musical awarded jointly to all three boys who played Billy. The original production had reportedly cost £5.5 million to produce The Broadway production opened in November 2008, earning rave reviews, ten Tony Awards, and recovering its entire $18 million investment in 14 months, finally closing on January 8th, 2012 after 40 previews and 1,304 performances. It went to on have productions in Chicago, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne, and non-English stagings in South Korea, Norway, Holland, Denmark, Estonia, Italy and Israel, amongst others.

Over the eleven year run in the West End, the Victoria Palace Theatre was home to 531 young performers including 42 Billys, 26 Michaels, 22 Debbies and 350 ballet girls. In total, world-wide, ninety four boys have played the iconic role on stage . A current UK national tour is underway.

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CORBYN THE MUSICAL: THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES London run: Waterloo East Theatre, April 12th – 24th Music: Jen Green Book & Lyrics: Bobby Friedman, Rupert Myers Director: Adam Lenson Choreographer: Mel Simpson Musical Director: Tim Shaw Cast: Martin Neely (Jeremy Corbyn), Natasha Lewis (Diane Abbott), James Dinsmore (Tony Blair), David Muscat (Boris Johnson/Vladimir Putin), Jennifer Hepburn, Jonathan Chambers.

Story: Jeremy Corbyn has become Prime Minister with Boris Johnson as leader of the opposition; Donald Trump is the President of the USA; Vladimir Putin is still running Russia and threatening nuclear war against the West. How can the pacifist PM handle this? The answer lies in a flashback to the Seventies, and a fateful motorbike holiday taken by young Corbyn and his then-lover Diane Abbot through pre-unification East Germany. This is the world of British politics, where Tony Blair will do anything for a cheque; Abbott anything for a free taxi fare; Boris thinks he’s a bit of a Lothario, and Corbyn, the PM, strips down to do yoga and sings in praise of Islington tofu.

Notes: This was a show lampooning political parties both left-wing and right, with the songs parodying everything from Book of Mormon, Lloyd Webber, Gilbert & Sullivan, Gloria Gaynor to Amy Winehouse.

Every performance was a complete sell-out. “. . . veers towards am-dram, done on the cheap – but then this is a small space under a railway arch.” (Times)

London run: Southwark Playhouse, April 22nd – May 21st Music & lyrics: David Bryan Book & lyrics: Joe DiPietro Director: Benji Sperring Choreographer: Lucie Pankhurst Musical Director: Alex Beetschen Cast: Mark Anderson (Melvin/Toxie) , Hannah Grover (Sarah), Lizzie Hills (Mayor/ Ma Ferd/Nun), Marc Pickering (White Dude, etc), Ashley Samuels (Black Dude, etc) Songs: Who Will Save New Jersey?, Jersey Girl, Get the Geek, Kick Your Ass, My Big French Boyfriend, Thank God She’s Blind, Hot Toxic Love, Bitch-Slut-Liar-Whore, Everybody Dies.

Story: Tromaville, New Jersey, is on the receiving end of all New York’s toxic waste, so nerdy Melvin Ferd plans to clean it up. This impresses Sarah, the blind librarian, but upsets Tromaville’s corrupt mayor, who gets her heavies to dump Melvin in a vat of toxic goo as a warning. However, that radioactive goo turns Melvin into “Toxie”, a mighty muscled Incredible Hulk, a one-eyed, deformed mutant who sets out to get revenge on the Mayor, and his hands on the girl (who being blind is only aware of the size of his attributes, not their look.)

Notes: Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman’s 1984 send-up violent B-movie “The Toxic Avenger” was the inspiration for this musical, first produced in New Jersey in 2008 (by the creators of the more successful “Memphis” ). It premiered off-Broadway in April 2009 and, praised for its great sense of fun, ran for more than 300 performances before setting off on a North America tour. In April 2016 it opened in both London and Melbourne. The general reaction was huge praise for the cast of five whose versatility, quick-changes and madcap energy were exhilarating; and for the “jubilant score” with “deliciously juvenile lyrics” (Telegraph).

It was “a nuclear meltdown of arse-kicking choruses and eco-savvy bodily dismemberment” (Time Out). On the other hand it was described as “witless, charmless and pointless. . . a lurid celebration of stoopid” (Times)

Photo by Claire Bilyard

THE TOXIC AVENGER

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SAUCY JACK & THE SPACE VICTIMS (4th Revival) London run: King’s Head, April 26th-May 21st Music & Lyrics: Robin Forrest & Jonathan Croose Book & Additional lyrics: Charlotte Mann & Michael Fidler Director: Mike Fidler Choreographer: Aimee-Marie Bow Musical Director: Tim Stuart Cast: Hugh Stubbins (Saucy Jack), Jamie Birkett (Jubilee), Lorna Hall (Anna), Zoe Nicholls (Bunny), Sophie Cordwell James (Booby), Tom Whalley (Dr Whackoff), Ashton Charge (Sammy), Kristopher Bosch (Mitch) Notes: This revival, marking the show’s 20th anniversary, was technically a year early, since the original production was at the 1997 Edinburgh Fringe. As always, the show divided the critics: “Highly entertaining and brilliant piece of theatre” (Everything Theatre); “If it were a standard 7.30pm show, it would be hard to say a single kind thing about this faux Rocky Horror perennial, but the 8.45pm start time allows for some food and a few drinks beforehand and relaxes expectations to the point where just-passable singing and acting, and the level of chaos inherent in both the script and production, somehow manage to numb the senses and hijack the heart.” (Islington Gazette) Original London Production: Queen’s Theatre, March 1998; 1st revival: The Venue, Dec 2005; 2nd revival: Leicester Square Theatre, Aug 2013; 3rd revival: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Aug 2015

THE BUSKERS’ OPERA London run: Park 200, April 28th – June 4th Music & Lyrics: Dougal Irvine Book: Dougal Irvine Director: Lotte Wakeham Choreographer: Lucie Pankhurst Musical Director: Sean Green Cast: David Burt (Peachum), Simon Kane (Lockitt), George Maguire (Macheath), Lauren Samuels (Polly Peachum), Natasha Cottriall (Lucy Lockitt), John McCrea (Filtch), Maimuna Memon (Jenny), Giovanna Ryan, Ishmael Gander,

Photo by Simon Annan

Story: For the London Olympics of 2012, the world is watching media mogul Jeremiah Peachum’s TV programme, hosted by his media star, Lockitt, the Mayor of London. They are a wily pair, perfectly placed to make money out of Team GB and to push their political agenda. But they haven’t reckoned with the street busker, Macheath, and his gang – all of whom are out to take down the fat cats, and stir up political mayhem.

And when Macheath starts sleeping with Peachum’s daughter, it’s time to take action. How about reintroducing capital punishment?

Notes: As well as its verve and energy, the show was praised for “the most original British musical score since Bend it Like Beckham” (Stage).

Performed with a band of three – guitar, cello, keyboards it did “showcase Irvine’s musical virtuosity and witty lyrics, but the “two hours of rhyming couplets, however whiplash smart, can be more than a mite wearying.” (Guardian)

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FOOTLOOSE (1st Revival) London run: Wimbledon Theatre, May 3rd – 7th Music: Tom Snow Lyrics: Dean Pitchford Additional music: Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins & Jim Steinman Book: Dean Pitchford & Walter Bobbie Director: Racky Plews Choreographer: Matthew Cole Musical Director: Mark Crossland Cast: Luke Baker (Ren), Lee Brennan (Willard), Nicky Swift (Ethel), Nigel Lister (Rev Shaw Moore), Hannah Price (Ariel), Maureen Nolan (Vi Moore), Joanna Sawyer, Matthew Tomlinson, Natasha Brown, Miracle Chance, Scott Haining, Lauren Storer, Natalie Morton-Graham, Luke Thornton, Alex Marshall, Thomas Cotran Notes: This show returned to London for one week as part of a UK tour which had opened in Bridlington in January, and was scheduled to run until October. The role of Willard was shared between Lee Brennan and Gareth Gates.

Original London production: Novello Theatre, April-November 2006, then after a short tour, returned to the Playhouse from August-December 2007.

COMEBACK! THE KARL MARX MUSICAL London run: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, May 3rd – May 14th Music, Book & Lyrics: Maximilian Reeg, Steffen Lukas & Tobias Künzel Translated: Pauline Kingsbury & Graham Laybourne Director: Harry Meacher Choreographer: Paula Brett Musical Director: Gon von Zola Cast: Tim Thomas (Manfred), Harry Meacher (Rasputin), Maria Karelina (Jenny Acreman), Jorge Franco (Marc), Brian Hands (Mortimer Pickledigger), Colleen Daley (Mrs Abramowitch) Story: Manfred Acreman, the head of Acreman Bank, is about to see his bank collapse and the consequent financial meltdown of London itself. The only solution is to call on the services of the devilish Rasputin Mammonson, who has the answer: the collapse is all down to the theories of Karl Marx. The solution is to bring him back to life, get him to withdraw his theories, and then everything will be sorted. Rasputin’s price for this rescue act will be to marry Jenny, Manfred’s rebellious, socialist daughter.

Meantime Jenny has been hanging about Highgate Cemetery where she has met and fallen for young Marc, sleeping rough next to the Karl Marx tomb. Inevitably the bankers assume that Marc is the reanimated Marx, and he is bribed with wads of cash to play it the bankers’ way. If he accepts he can live the life of the superrich. But he, too, has fallen in love with Jenny. What’s going to win? Corporate greed? Or Love among the tombstones?

Notes: Written by Tobias Künzel, one of Germany’s best-known and most successful rock musicians, this part parody, part political satire was a great hit in Hamburg and Berlin. It was described as one of the strangest things London has ever seen “you’ll leave, possibly at the interval, wondering what on earth you’ve just seen and laughing for all the wrong reasons” (Reviewshub). It was damned for its pointless story, its weak music, and its general lack of purposes. However, the scene where Marc is given an onstage bubble-bath was felt to have some merit, and Colleen Daley’s over-the-top Polish cleaning lady was said to be fun.

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DEVILISH! London run: Landor, May 4th – 29th Music: B.B. Cooper Book & Lyrics: Chris Burgess Director: Marc Urquhart Choreographer: Adam Scown Musical Director: Ian MacGregor Cast: Alex Green (Angel), Louie Westwood (TV Host), Katie Ann Dolling (Maddie, the Weather Girl), Victoria Hope (Good woman), Gareth James, George Longworth

Notes: H.G. Wells wrote “The Wonderful Visit”, a novel inspired by John Ruskin’s comment that an angel appearing on earth would be shot on sight. This is a modern take on the same subject. However, it was generally condemned for its flagging story line, poor script and weak songs

Photo by Scott Rylander

Story: An Angel crash-lands in Clapham North and is so enamoured of the place he wants to become a human. And so begins his journey through the sinful world of the metropolis. Beautiful of face and body, he is soon lusted after by all manner of admirers and is persuaded to appear on a “Freak Idol” TV show. Will he sell his soul to the fleshpots of the Big City? Or will he be saved by the love of a good woman?

Alex Green

THE SINS OF JACK SAUL London run: Above the Stag, May 11th - June 12th Music: Charles Miller Book & Lyrics: Glenn Chandler Director: Steven Dexter Choreographer: Carole Todd Musical Director: Aaron Clingham Cast: Jack McCann (Jack Saul), Michael Gonsalves (Fergus), Ciaran Bowling (Lieutenant Kirwan), Felicity Duncan, Hugh O’Donnell, Sam Chipman Songs: I Could Be Jane Austen, I Always Wanted a Man in Uniform, It’s a Fine Life on the Dilly, The Ballad of the Dublin Seven Story: Jack Saul, “Dublin Jack” was a male prostitute involved in the Cleveland Street scandal of 1889, when a male brothel employing telegraph messenger boys was raided by the police. Clients included Lord Arthur Somerset, Equerry to the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Euston, Mr George Cavendish-Bentinck MP, and numerous top military personnel. Rumours that Prince Albert Victor Edward, 'Prince Eddy', Heir Presumptive and grandson to Queen Victoria was a regular visitor, elevated the scandal into an affair that the establishment became anxious to suppress at all costs. In this telling, Dublin Jack is dead, and about to enter the gates of Hell manned by Fergus. If Jack can prove he has done one good thing in his life, then Fergus will relent, and Jack can enter Heaven instead.

Notes: Jack Saul’s memoirs, “The Sins of the Cities of the Plain”, was banned in Victorian times and placed in the forbidden books section of the British Library. Glenn Chandler’s research led first to a biography, and then to a musical version of the story of what really went on behind the front door and velvet curtains of No 19 Cleveland Street. It was described as an energetic and entertaining look at a moment in gay history. This was the professional debut of Jack McCann, and he was highly praised for a performance of “panache and aplomb, simmering with saucy sexuality, and gifting pathos and soul” (Gay Times)

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THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL London run: Waterloo East Theatre, May 11th – June 5th Music & Lyrics: David Nehls Book: Betsy Kelso Director: Kirk Jameson Choreographer: Rebecca Howell Musical Director: James Taylor Cast: Michelle Bishop (Betty), Jodie Steele (Linoleum), Rosemary Ashe (Pickles), Jemma Alexander (Jeannie), Sabrina Aloueche (Pippi), Adam Vaughan (Norbert), Josh Denver (Duke) Songs: This Side of the Tracks, Immobile in My Mobile Home, The Buck Stops Here, Flushed Down the Pipes, Storm’s a Brewin’ Road Kill, Panic, Big Billy’s NoTell Motel Story: “The Girls” - three dysfunctional Greek-chorus-like harpies, Betty, Linoleum and Pickles, tell the story, past and present, of the tenants of the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park in Florida. The tenants include the agoraphobic Jeannie Garstecki and her toll-booth collector husband, Norbert, whose twenty-year marriage is threatened when he falls for the charms of a young newcomer, Pippi, a stripper on the run from Duke, her glue-sniffing ex-boyfriend. The story includes adultery, spray cheese, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, a disco-eatery called “Stand by Your Flan” and a hurricane.

Notes: The show premiered off-Broadway in September 2005 and ran for 121 performances before undertaking a national tour of the USA. The American tour included a visit to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008. The reviews were somewhat dismissive: “. . .it’s the kind of show that improves in direct relation to how much you’ve had to drink” (What’sOnStage); and “ Go as a group, have a few glasses of wine and just enjoy” (Off WestEnd), but overall the reaction implied it was not a great musical, but was a fun evening with a great cast.

THE DARK MIRROR London run: Barbican, May 12th – 14th Music: Schubert, Hans Zender Book: Wilhelm Müller Director: Netia Jones Musical Director: Baldur Brönnimann

Photo by Hugo Glendinning

Cast: Ian Bostridge Notes: Schubert’s original 1828 score for voice and piano was a song cycle telling of the protagonist’s “winter journey” from the maniacal mood swings of his first encounter with the girl who “spoke of love” to the ultimately hopeless end, accompanied by his doppelgänger – a hurdy-gurdy man, with no audience, no hope, endlessly grinding out his repetitive tune for a hostile universe. The unrelieved bleakness of the work was innovative in the early Romantic era, and, for many, a fore-runner of 20th century nihilism and the post-apocalyptic world of Samuel Beckett .

This staged version was performed in the 1993 orchestration by the contemporary German composer, Hans Zender, and backed with surreal monochrome video projections. It was performed by the tenor Ian Bostridge, who has been singing this cycle for many years and is generally recognised as one of its greatest interpreters.

Appearing both in person and on the screen (courtesy of extracts from Ian Bostridge’s 2007 TV performance on Channel 4) “at one point staring a younger version of himself in the eye, at another sprawled lifelessly in the snow. . .It’s elegant, inventive, a haunting take on alienation. . and stokes rather than smothers our imagination” (Hannah Nepil, Financial Times). This was unanimously praised as a memorable and important staging of one of the greatest song cycles ever composed.

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TOM, THE STORY OF TOM JONES – THE MUSICAL London run: Richmond Theatre, May 17th -21st Music: Various Book: Mike James Director: Geinor Styles Musical Director: Greg Palmer Photo by Simon Gough

Cast: Kit Orton/ Tim Bonsor (Tom Jones), Elin Phillips (Linda), Nicola Reynolds, Phylip Harries, Richard Corgan, Deborah Thomas, John McClarnon, Daniel Lloyd, Kieran Bailey, Tom Connor, Nicola Bryan.

Songs: Ghost Riders in the Sky, Spanish Harlem, Lucille, It’s Not Unusual, Delilah, Green Grass of Home, What’s New Pussycat, etc.

Kit Orton as Tom Jones

Story: The story focuses on the early years, with the teenage Tommy Woodward nursing dreams of global stardom, encouraged by his hard-put-upon wife, Linda, whom he married when he was just 16. There are some tough times when his band The Senators take second place to the raffle of a 12lb turkey, and a nasty incident when Tommy panics over the none too subtle gay advances of Joe Meek, then panics even more when Joe fires a gun at him. There’s also a moment of despair and the thought of suicide, but. . . the show ends with his record contract, and his first No. 1 hit, “It’s Not Unusual”. (The mega-mix encore naturally allows the many succeeding hits to be performed.)

Notes: The one-week run at Richmond Theatre was part of its UK tour, following the premiere at the Wales Millennium Centre on March 7th. Initially the tour had a three month run, ending on June 4th in Birmingham.

Photo by Geraint Lewis

THE THREEPENNY OPERA (5th Revival) London run: Olivier, May 18th – Oct 1st Music: Kurt Weill Lyrics: Jeremy Sams Book: Bertolt Brecht (trans. Anthony Meech) Director: Rufus Norris Choreographer: Imogen Knight Musical Director: David Shrubsole Cast: Rory Kinnear (Macheath), Nick Holder (Peachum), Haydn Gwynne (Mrs Peachum), Rosalie Craig (Polly), Debbie Kurup (Lucy Brown), Sharon Small (Jenny), George Ikediashi (Balladeer) , Peter De Jersey (Tiger Brown), Sarah Amankwah (Filch), Dominic Tighe, Jamie Beddard, Andrew Buckley, Hammed Animashaun, Toyin Ayedun-Alase, Rebecca Brewer, Ricky Butt, Matt Cross, Notes: Rufus Norris, the “newish” National Theatre boss, was under pressure with this musical, following the failure of his earlier direction on “wonder.land”. Generally the critical reaction was mixed: the 1950s setting seemed to be stated and then ignored, and some basic premises turned upside down “. . such as turning Peachum from an embodiment of bourgeois criminality into a louche figure in high heels and a Louise Brooks wig” (Evening Standard). Sex and drugs were emphasised, with Macheath portrayed as a polysexual ex-lover of Tiger Brown, Jenny Diver dipping into a tin marked “drugs”, and Mrs Peachum spraying drunken vomit. This “filth-encrusted adaptation largely succeeds in having and eating its grubby cake” (Time Out). There was praise for the eight-piece onstage band, and the performances “in a production that finally suggests it is Weill’s score that really keeps the piece alive today” (Guardian). The song “Surabaya Johnny” was interpolated from “Happy End”.

See Original London production, Royal Court, Feb 1956; 1st revival: Prince of Wales, Feb 1972; 2nd revival: Olivier Theatre, March 1986; 3rd revival: Donmar Warehouse, Dec 1994; 4th revival: Albany Nov 2002 (then Cottesloe, Feb 2003)

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ALADDIN London run: Prince Edward Theatre, May 27th Music: Alan Menken Lyrics: Howard Ashman & Tim Rice Book & lyrics: Chad Beguelin Director-Choreographer: Casey Nicholaw Musical Director: Michael Kosarin Cast: Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie), Dean-John Wilson (Aladdin), Jade Ewan (Jasmine), Don Gallagher (Jafar), Peter Howe (Iago), Irvine Iqba (The Sultan), Nathan Amzi (Babkak), Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Kassim), Rachid Sabitri (Omar) Songs: From the original film: Arabian Nights; One Jump Ahead; Prince Ali; A Whole New World. Cut from the original film: Proud of Your Boy; Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim; High Adventure. Newly written for the stage version: These Palace Walls; A Million Miles Away; Diamond in the Rough; Somebody’s Got Your Back.

Photo by Deen van Meer

Notes: Based on the 1992 Disney animated film, this stage adaptation was given a first outing in Seattle for the month of July 2011, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw. It then received further USA regional productions in Utah and St Louis under a different director, as well as productions in the Philippines and Colombia, before Casey Nicholaw returned to the show, with a pre-Broadway tryout in Toronto in November 2012, and a Broadway opening in February 2014. The Broadway production was nominated for five Tony Awards. The London production earned mostly favourable reviews, with much praise for its opulent production values, sheer splendour and breath-taking effects – “The sheer sense of spectacle is aweinspiring” (Stage); “ . production numbers of such over-the-top razzle-dazzle that you expect a kitchen sink to emerge from the wings any second” (Observer). There was universal praise for Trevor Dion Nicholas – “. . . if Nicholas doesn’t win an Olivier next year I will eat a metal lamp” (Time Out). Somewhat inevitably, the London production drew comparisons to British pantomime tradition (not a problem in the USA!). Several critics commented on the fact that “although the cast list their birthplaces as Middlesbrough, Bolton and Orpington, they adopt mid-Atlantic accents . . .it would benefit hugely from a dose of honest, home-grown humour. Where is Widow Twankey when you need her?” (Sunday Express) “Aladdin” is the second current West End hit to be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw – the other is “Book of Mormon” – and when the planned “Dreamgirls” opens at the Savoy at the end of the year, he is expected to achieve a rare hat-trick of successes

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THE GO-BETWEEN

Cast : Michael Crawford (Older Leo), Gemma Sutton (Marian Maudsley), Stuart Ward (Ted Burgess), Stephen Carlile (Viscount Trimingham) , Issy Van Randwick (Mrs Maudsley), Julian Forsyth (Mr Maudsley), Silas Wyatt-Burke (Denys), Jenni Bowden (Leo’s Mother), John Addison (Henry), Johnny Evans-Hutchison/ Luka Green/ William Thompson (Leo), Samuel Menhinick/ Matty Norgren/ Archie Stevens (Marcus)

Photo by Tristram Kenton

London run: Apollo, May 27th – October 15th Music & Lyrics: Richard Taylor Book & Lyrics: David Wood Director: Roger Haines Musical Director: Nigel Lilley

William Thompson & Michael Crawford

Story: Leo Colston is an elderly man looking back on his childhood – “the past is a foreign country: they do things differently there” - to the summer of 1900, which he, a poor fatherless young boy, spent as a guest at Brandham Hall in Norfolk, the luxurious home of his school-friend Marcus Maudsley. Leo developed a crush on Marcus’s sister, Marian, and she used him as a secret "go-between", delivering messages to Ted Burgess, the neighbouring tenant farmer. Initially innocent, Leo is being manipulated by the couple, whose relationship is impossible due to differences in their social class. But Marian is about to become engaged to Hugh, Viscount Trimingham, and the situation is now highly dangerous for all concerned. Leo tries to end his role as go-between, but is forced to continue, and ultimately his involvement has disastrous and tragic consequences. Prompted by these memories, Leo returns to Branham Hall, 52 years later, only to meet up with Marian once more Notes: Based on L.P. Hartley’ elegiac novel, written in 1953, “The Go Between” has been adapted several times for stage and screen, most notably for the award-winning 1970 Joseph Losey film, scripted by Harold Pinter. The story was even re-created as an opera by the South African composer, David Earl. This musical-theatre version was first produced at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2011, and won Best Musical Production in the Theatre Management Association’s UK Awards. It is a chamber musical, written to be accompanied by a solo piano - and this seemed to be the problem for most of the critics: it was a piece for a studio venue rather than an 800-seat West End Theatre. The reviews fell neatly into two camps: “ it has an elegiac elegance. . .but how we long for this elegance to be supplanted for just a few minutes by something more powerful, more tuneful” (Eve. Standard); it was “a muted conservative show” (Time Out); “You want to scream ‘oh, get on with it!” (Daily Mail). On the other hand, it was “enthralling and beautifully-textured” (Independent) , a “powerful, theatrical and heartfelt exploration” (Mail on Sunday) and Michael Crawford was praised for “a marvellous, wounding performance and it tops a production of subtle humanity” (Daily Express)

Photo by Scott Rylander

TITANIC (1st Revival) London run: Charing Cross Theatre, May 28th – August 6th Music & Lyrics: Maury Yeston Book: Peter Stone Director: Thom Southerland Choreographer: Cressida Carré Musical Director: Mark Aspinall

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TITANIC (1st Revival)

Photo by Scott Rylander

London run: Charing Cross Theatre, May 28th – August 13th Music & Lyrics: Maury Yeston Book: Peter Stone Director: Thom Southerland Choreographer: Cressida Carré Musical Director: Mark Aspinall

David Bardsley as Ismay

Cast: David Bardsley (J. Bruce Ismay), Sion Lloyd (Thomas Andrews), Claire Machin (Alice Beane), Dudley Rogers (Isidor Straus), Judith Street (Ida Straus), Helena Blackman (Lady Caroline) Philip Rham (Captain Smith), Niall Sheehy (Barrett), Victoria Serra (Kate McGowan), Shane McDaid (Jim Farrell), James Gant (Purser), Alistair Barron, Scarlett Courtney, Scott Cripps, Matthew Crowe, Luke George, Douglas Hansell, Rob Houchen. Jessica Paul, Peter Prentice.

Notes: This was a re-creation of Thom Southerland’s multi-award winning production from 2013, substantially recast, but including several performers from the original. It was revived to mark the opening of Thom Southerland’s artistic directorship of the newly re-organised Charing Cross Theatre. As with the earlier production, it was said to offer “the best piece of musical staging you will find in London” (Guardian).

Original London run: Southwark Playhouse, July 2013

WALLIS: A CERTAIN PERSON London run: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, May 28th – June 26th Music: Simon Slater Book & Lyrics: Jennifer Selway Director: John Plews Musical Director: Simon Slater

Story: This telling of the Abdication Crisis, unlike the 1997 flop “Always” is not a gushing romantic affair.

Edward is emotionally stunted and totally unsuited to power; Wallis has no feminine wiles, and is more of a nagging wife than a mistress. The story is set in the luxurious world of cocktail parties and weekends in the country, and is more or less a straight play regularly interrupted by musical interludes from a bi-sexual valet and his parlour maid wife, who comment on the situation.

Notes: The specially written songs for the musical interludes were not just a device for changing the scenes, but were considered to be a witty and pertinent commentary on the action. The show, however, was basically a play with songs rather than a musical show.

Nick Kyle, Zoe Doano, & Alastair Brookshaw

Photo by Mitzi de Margary

Cast: Emma Odell (Wallis Simpson), Grant McConvey (Edward, Prince of Wales), Robert Hazle (Valet), Katie Arnstein (Maid), Bernard O’Sullivan (Stanley Baldwin), Eliza McClelland (Lady Cunard/ Mrs Baldwin), Alice Pitt-Carter (Thelma Furness), Lee Ormsby, Tom Slatter

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NORMA JEANE – THE MUSICAL (1st Revival) London run: Lost Theatre, May 30th – June 19th Music & Lyrics : Several credited Book: T.L. Shannon Director: Christopher Swann Choreographer: Adam Scown Musical Director: Alex Bellamy Cast: Joanne Clifton (Marilyn Monroe), Joseph Bader (Dr McCarthy), Ruth Betteridge (Young Norma), Sarah Orris (Norma Jeane), Will Teller (Stanley ), Maggie Robson (Gladys Monroe), Darrie Gardner, Hugo Joss Catton, Martin Rossen, John McInnes, Erica Martin, Bradley Richardson, James Andrews, Martyn Ian Davies, Jasmine Avis Notes: This was a re-worked version of the show originally staged a year earlier, and the enhanced production values and the addition of a live band were felt to be a great improvement. The songs (written by Anton Mullan, David Martin, Verity Smith, Graham Noon, Orna Klement, Geoff Cotton and Mike Daniels) were still felt to give the show a distinct lack of any musical style. However, the leading performances were praised.

Original London Production: Ye Olde Rose & Crown, March 2015

JACKIE THE MUSICAL London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, June 7th – 11th Songs: Various Book: Mike James Director: Anna Linstrum Choreographer: Arlene Phillips Musical Director: Dan de Cruz Cast: Janet Dibley (Jackie), Michael Hamway (David), Graham Bickley (John), Tricia Adele Turner (Gemma), Daisy Steere (Young Jackie), Laura Mullowney (Cathy), Hayley-Jo Whitney (Claire), Nicholas Bailey (Max), Lori Haley-Fox (Jill), Bob Harms (Frankie), Sam O’Hanlon, Gemma Archer, Matthew Barrow, Dominic Adam Griffin, Liam Paul Jennings, Ricky Johnston, Lacy Jordinson, Anna Muuray, Gemma Naylor, Adam Philpott, Anthony Starr Songs: Crazy Horses, Love is in the Air, Tiger Feet, Puppy Love, The Things We Do For Love, I Love to Love, Hold Me Close Story: 54 year old Jackie, mother to teenage son, David, is in the midst of divorcing her fickle husband, John, who is shacked up with Gemma, a younger woman. Downsizing, Jackie comes across a dusty box filled with old copies of “Jackie”, her favourite 70s teen-magazine. Out of the box pops a sort of genie – Young Jackie - eager to help with relationship advice, backed up by Cathy and Claire, the magazine’s agony sisters. Older Jackie’s search for love involves the internet, mobile phones and a blind date with a man called Max, but Young Jackie’s advice comes from the days of “Be cheerful and say hello”, “Your Jackie Guide to Kissing”, “Don’t date marrieds” and “Use lemons to soften your elbows”. Older Jackie also receives advice from her contemporary friend, Jill, and from Frankie, the barman – only to end up with both a married man and her ex-husband declaring their love for her. Jackie decides she’ll be okay in the end.

Notes: The Wimbledon week was part of the March to July UK tour. The Telegraph asked: “Cheerfully dire? A bargain basement version of Mamma Mia? Or a cult hit in the making?” With a live band of five it was also described as a jukebox musical about female empowerment, “packed with the target audience of 50-something women, who brought their hands together high above their heads, although it was impossible to tell if their elbows were lemon soft” (Guardian)

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BUGSY MALONE (2nd Revival) London run: Lyric, Hammersmith, June 11th - September 4th Music & Lyrics: Paul Williams Book: Alan Parker / Micky Dolenz Director: Sean Holmes Choreographer: Drew McOnie Musical Director: Phil Bateman Cast: Adryan Dorset-Pitt (Bugsy), Leni Ziegelmeier (Fat Sam), Rhianna Dorris (Tallulah), Tabitha Knowles (Blousey Brown), Oliver Emery (Fizzy) , Alessandro Bonelli (Dandy Dan), in a company of 37 performers aged between 9 and 19.

Notes: This was a return visit of the 2015 production.

Original Production: Her Majesty’s, May 1983; 1st Revival: Lyric Hammersmith, April 2015

THE DONKEY SHOW London run: Proud Camden, June 21st—August 21st Music & Lyrics: Various Book: Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner Director: Ryan McBryde Choreographer: Lucy Ridley Musical Director: Paul Herbert Cast: Vikki Stone (Oberon), James Gillan (Lady Puck), Siobhan Athwal (Dmitri), Bronté Barbé (Helen), Melissa Bayern, Natalie Chua, Samuel Fogell Songs: Car Wash, I Will Survive, We Are Family, Ring My Bell, You Sexy Thing, I’m Every Woman, etc.

Story: In a 1970s Camden Town Disco, Oberon, the sleazy club-owner, introduces Lady Puck, a roller-skating drag queen, and a motley collection of debauched and decadent guests who recreate the main story elements of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Notes: With a great deal of audience participation, this was a kind of disco party-night adaptation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” first presented off-Broadway in August 1999 by the husband-and-wife team of Paulus and Weiner and members of the Project 400. It had a cult following and was staged in many different cities in several countries, and claimed to have been seen by “over a million party-goers world-wide”. “Part drag-show, part singalong, it’s doubtful whether you’d have any idea what was going on if you weren’t already familiar with the plot” (The Stage)

GET ‘EM OFF London run: Above the Stag, June 22nd – August 28th Music & Lyrics: Jon Bradfield Book: Jon Bradfield & Martin Hooper Director: Robert McWhir Choreographer: Carole Todd Musical Director: Ian Vince-Gatt Cast: Dereck Walker (Quinny), Tom Bowen (Luke), Joe Goldie (Mitch), Michael Nelson (Milosh), Ashley Daniels (Ricky), Stuart Harris (Brian), David Michael Hands (Headmaster/Therapist, etc) Songs: Gotta Get Your Dick Out, Netflix and Chill Story: Quinny is the manager and resident drag queen of the failing Yellow Canary gay club. So, the staff and clientele come up with a rescue plan – no more tired old cabaret, and in with competitive stripping. The enthusiastic Canary boys include Luke, the straight electrician who strips strictly for cash; Mitch, the twerking twink; Milosh and Ricky, a pair of star-crossed lovers; and Butch Brian, a college tutor. The strippers form a team, and things get serious when they find themselves heading for the Amateur Gay Strip Night regional finals.

Notes: Described as “The Full Monty meets Glee” this was reviewed as “the most fun we’ve ever had with our clothes on”.

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London run: Menier Chocolate Factory, July 1st – September 17th Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Lapine Director: Noah Brody & Ben Steinfeld Choreographer: Lisa Shriver Musical Director: Evan Rees Cast: Vanessa Reesland (Witch), Liz Hayes (Jack’s Mother/Cinderella’s Mother), Emily Young (Red Riding Hood/ Rapunzel), Ben Steinfeld/ Harry Hepple (Baker), Jessie Austrian/ Laura Tebbutt (Baker’s Wife), Claire Karpen (Cinderella/ Granny), Noah Brody/ Steffan Lloyd Evans (Cinderella’s Prince/ Wolf), Andy Grotelueschen (Milky White / Rapunzels’ Prince), Paul L. Coffey (Mysterious Man), Patrick Mulryan (Jack/ Steward).

Notes: This production by the Fiasco Theater Company was originally staged in Princeton, NJ, and then transferred to New York’s Roundabout Theater. With a cast of 10, and costumed in early Pioneer skirts and shawls, this visiting American import was described as “Charming, large-hearted and endearing” (Stage). The music was provided chiefly by Evan Rees on an upright piano, with the cast members adding such instruments as a bassoon, banjo, trumpet, autoharp and even a bucket. A bearded Milky White (the cow) with a baby’s bottle for an udder, and “two ungroomed-looking blokes with facial hair playing Cinderella’s step-sisters, holding between them a pair of flowery curtains to suggest their dresses” (Daily Telegraph) caused some critics to feel it was adding more levels of “cleverness” to a show that was already complicated and clever enough. As always, a Sondheim show raised the widest range of responses. From August 9th Harry Hepple, Steffan Lloyd-Evans and Laura Tebbut replaced the original American performers.

Original London Production: Phoenix Theatre, Sept 1990 1st Revival: Donmar Warehouse, Nov 1998; 2nd revival: Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House, Jun 2007 3rd revival: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Dec 2008; 4th: Open Air, Regent’s Park, Aug 2010 ; 5th revival: Ye Olde Rose & Crown, Oct 2014

I’M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER AND TAKING IT ON THE ROAD (1st Revival) London run: Jermyn Street Theatre, July 6th – 23rd Music: Nancy Ford Lyrics & Book: Gretchen Cryer Director: Matthew Gould Choreographer: Uncredited.

Musical Director: Nick Barstow Cast: Landi Oshinowo (Heather), Nicolas Colicos (Joe), Rosanna Hyland (Cheryl), Kristen Gaetz (Alice), David Gibbons (Jake) Alice Offley (Scottie), Nick Barstow, Rich Craig Songs: Natural High, Miss America, Dear Tom, Old Friend, Strong Woman Number, Put in a Package and Sold, Lonely Lady Story: A divorced 39 year old pop singer attempts a comeback and auditions before her dubious manager as honestly as she can, without make-up or sexy clothes. Through her songs she gradually becomes the embodiment of the outspoken totally liberated woman who knows exactly who she is and where she is going.

Notes: Although this show ran for three years in New York, and had a West End transfer, it has had to wait 35 years for a London revival. Perhaps this is due to the form of the show – neither a developed musical story nor a song cycle, it is “more a debate between performer and manager with music” (Stage). However, the general reaction was very favourable and its description: “a metaphor for the relationships between men and women.

He liked her the way she used to be. He doesn’t like this new version of her” was felt to be as meaningful today as it was in the late 1970s.

Original London production: Apollo, March 1981

Photo by Tristram Kenton

INTO THE WOODS (6th Revival)

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THE STRIPPER London run: St James Studio, July 7th– Aug 13th Music & Lyrics: Richard O’Brien, & Richard Hartley Book: Carter Brown Director: Benji Sperring Choreographer: Lucie Pankhurst Musical Director: Alex Beetschen Cast: Sebastian Torkia (Al Wheeler), Gloria Onitiri (Patty Keller/Deadpan Dolores), Hannah Grover, Marc Pickering, Michael Steedon Songs: The Lonely are Legend, Men Like That, Hearts and Flowers, Man of Steel, Cry On, There’s Many a True Word Said in Bed, Planning my Big Exit, Trouble in Pine City.

Story: Set in California in 1961 where Al Wheeler, an over-sexed cop, fails to save a suicidal Patty Keller from a window ledge. Investigating her death, he discovers she and her cousin, the stripper Deadpan Dolores, were involved with some heavies at a dubious lowlife strip-club-cum-knocking-shop. However, solving the case takes longer than it should because of Al’s attempt to bed almost every woman with whom he comes into contact.

Notes: Based on the 1961 book by Carter Brown, “The Stripper” was first staged by the Sydney Theatre Company in Australia. It was not a happy premiere, with the original director banning Richard O’Brien from the rehearsals, and the show failing in its attempt to cash in on the Rocky Horror Show market. With lyrics like “I want to fondle your tits. . . Baby you give me a hard-on” this European premiere was slated by the critics. “Wearingly misogynistic” (E. Standard); “oozes unpleasantly like a cheap, overfilled meat pie” (Guardian); “ a toe-curler” (Daily Mail); “The enterprise feels, to quote O’Brien’s greatest hour: Lost in time. And lost in space. And meaning” (Stage)

AMERICAN IDIOT (1st Revival – Return Visit) London run: Arts Theatre, July 8th – September 25th Music & Lyrics: Billie Joe Armstrong Book: Michael Mayer & Billie Joe Armstrong Director-Choreographer: Racky Plews Musical Director: Mark Crossland Cast: Alexis Gerred (Tunny), Steve Rushton (Will), Newton Faulkner (Johnny), Lucas Rush (St. Jimmy), Amelia Lily (Whatsername), Cellen Chugg Jones (Theo), Alice Stokoe (Extraordinary Girl), Jemma Geneaus (Alysha), Emma Housley (Heather), Llandyll Gove (Gerard), Karina Hind (Libby.

Notes: This production had played the Arts Theatre from July to November 2015, and then undertook a UK tour. It came back to the Arts for a limited run.

Original run: Hammersmith Apollo, December 2012 First revival: Arts Theatre, July 2015

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GROUNDHOG DAY London run: Old Vic, July 15th – September 17th Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin Book: Danny Rubin Director: Matthew Warchus Choreographer: Peter Darling , Ellen Kane Musical Director: Alan Berry Cast: Andy Karl (Phil Connors), Carlyss Peer (Rita Hanson), Georgina Hagen (Nancy), Andrew Langtree (Ned Reyerson) and an ensemble of 21

Story: Phil Connors, a cantankerous TV weatherman is sent to Punxatawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day celebrations, where the behaviour of the celebrity resident woodchuck will determine whether spring is on its way, or whether winter will hang around a bit longer. This small-town folksy nonsense is far below the arrogant Phil, who then gets trapped by a blizzard, marooned amongst the people he sneers at, and is forced to relive the same day over and over. He is trapped in a never-ending time loop until he breaks the cycle by becoming a nicer person, and a caring human being. Initially he attempts to break the monotony by sleeping with Nancy and all the other women in the town, though the one he really wants is Rita, his perpetually new colleague. Every single day he has a set-to with an old school-friend, Ned, who is serially and inevitably punched. Finally the déjà-vu is too much, and he kills himself with an electric toaster in the bath - only to wake up back where he started the next day. Eventually, Scrooge-like, redemption provides a rescue.

Notes: This was based on the 1993 film with Bill Murray, with the book by the original screenplay writer, Danny Rubin and the music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (of “Matilda” credit). Its limited ten week run at the Old Vic was intended as a try-out for a Broadway run, with the American, Andy Karl in the Bill Murray role.

Photo by Manuel Harlan

It was a great success with audience and critics alike: “equal to, and perhaps better than, the movie” (D. Telegraph); “. . .funny, frantic and at times, very touching” (Times”) ; “. . .makes the tale of redemption of a wisecracking heel irresistible” (Sun). The magic illusions of Paul Kieve, the choreography , design and direction , as well as the score with its ballads, bluegrass and rock all came in for high praise, though the highest was for the tour-de-force performance of Andy Karl. Before the show had ended its limited season in London, the New York opening had been announced for March 2017.

Andy Karl and Carlyss Peer

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THE FIX (2nd Revival)

Photo by Darren Bell

London run: Union Theatre, July 13th – Aug 6th Music: Dana P. Rowe Book & Lyrics: John Dempsey Director-Choreographer: Michael Strassen Musical Director: Josh Sood Cast: Fra Fee (Cal Chandler), Lucy Williamson (Violet Chandler), Ken Christiansen (Grahame Chandler), Madalena Alberto (Tina), Sam Barrett (Peter), Kate Parr (Deborah), Rhys Benjamin, Peter Saul Blewden, Laura Bryars, Alastair Hill, Francesca Leyland, Sarah-Marie Maxwell Ken Christiansen & Fra Fee

Notes: A revival of Michael Strassen’s 2012 production at the old Union Theatre was his choice for the opening of the “new” Union, almost across the road from the old venue. The earlier production was staged during a USA Election Year, and scored with its contemporary satire. However, the present USA election offers a far more grotesque view of American politics than this revival and for many critics the satire falls short of the real thing.

Original London run: Donmar Warehouse, May 1997 First revival: Union Theatre, June 2012

THE BODYGUARD (1st Revival) London run: Dominion, July 15th – January 7th, 2017 Music & Lyrics: Various; Book: Alex Dinelaris Original Screenplay: Lawrence Kasdan Director: Thea Sharrock Choreographer: Arthur Pita Musical Director: Richard Beadle / Mike Dixon Producer: Michael Harrison & David Ian

Photo by Alessandro Pina

Cast: Beverley Knight/ Carole Stennett (Rachel Marron), Ben Richards (Frank Farmer), Mark Holden (Bill Devaney), Alex Andreas (Tony Scipelli), Rachel John (Nikki Marron), Dominic Taylor (Sy Spector), Matthew Stathers (The Stalker), Glen Fox (Ray Court) Notes: The original London run ended in August 2014 when the contract with the Adelphi expired, and no suitable venue was available for a transfer. The show was re-staged in February 2015 for a UK tour with Alexander Burke playing Rachel – with Zoe Birkett as an alternate. There were also several E u r o p e a n productions. For its return visit to the West End, Beverley Knight was back playing the lead role (with Carole Stennett playing matinees.)

Original production: Adelphi, Dec 2012

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JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (3rd Revival) London run: Open Air, July 15th – August 27th Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice Book: Tom O’Horgan Director: Timothy Sheader Choreographer: Drew McOnie Musical Director: Tom Deering

Photo by Johann Persoon

Cast: Declan Bennett (Jesus), Tyrone Huntley (Judas), Anoushka Lucas (Mary Magdalene), Peter Caulfield (Herod), David Thaxton (Pilate), Cavin Cornwall (Caiaphas), Joel Harper-Jackson (Simon Zealotes), Sean Kingsley (Annas), Phil King (Peter), Ashley Andrews, Will Barratt, Billy Cullum, Joshua Dever, Omari Douglas

Photo by George Beard

Tyrone Huntley as Judas

Notes: “Shorn of hippy excesses, infused with melancholy, this production is a work of rare mission and artistic merit” (Daily Mail) – this was a typical reaction to a much praised open-air production. The staging, choreography and performances – especially Tyrone Huntley as Judas – were almost unanimously acclaimed. “If you need any reminding how skilled British musical actors have become in recent years,. . . the ensemble is terrific and there’s not a weak link in the cast” (Guardian). The one dissenting voice complained of “. . . the banality of the lyrics and bombast of the music. . . ugly iron-girder set, largely monochrome costumes, aerobics-class choreography and undistinguished performances” (Sunday Express). However this latter was a lone voice in overwhelming acclaim.

Original London run: Palace, Aug 1972 ; 1st Revival: Lyceum, Nov 1996 ; 2nd Revival: O2 Arena, Sept 2012

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (1st Revival) London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, July 20th – one week Music & Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Book: Jeremy Sams ; Director: James Brining Choreographer: Stephen Mear Musical Director: Robert Scott Cast: Lee Mead (Caractacus Potts), Andy Hockley (Grandpa Potts), Hope Fletcher (Truly Scrumptious), Matt Gillet (Childcatcher), Hayden Goldberg/Henry Kent/Elliott Morris (Jeremy), Lucy Sherman/ Darcy Snares/ Caitlin Surtees (Jemima), Shaun Williamson (Baron Bomburst), Michelle Collins (Baroness Bomburst), Ewan Cummins (Toymaker), Notes: This was a touring production which had played the Christmas season at the West Yorkshire Playhouse 2015-2016 , and then started a UK tour which is scheduled to end at the Bristol Hippodrome in February 2017.

Original London production: London Palladium, April 2002

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BABES IN ARMS (1937 Version) London run: Ye Olde Rose & Crown, July 20th – August 7th Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Lorenz Hart Book: Rodgers & Hart Director: Brendan Matthew Choreographer: Carole Todd Musical Director: Aaron Clingham Cast: Andrew Truluck (Sheriff Reynolds), Ruth Betteride (Billie Smith), Anthony Matteo (Lee Calhoun), James Tait (Irving DeQuincy), Alex Okoampa (Ivor DeQuincy), Jack McCann (Valentine Lamar), Joey Warne (Peter), Meg McCarthy (Dolores), Dominic Owen (Gus), Beth Bradley (Baby Rose), Austin Garrett (Marshall Blackstone), Paige Mackenzie (Bo Calhoun), Jordan Ginger, Annabel Edwards.

Songs: Where or When, Babes in Arms, I Wish I Were in Love Again, Light on our Feet, Way out West, My Funny Valentine, Johnny One Note, All at Once, The Lady is a Tramp.

Story: A group of teenagers, left at home in Rhode Island while their parents are travelling for work, decide they will put on a show to avoid being sent to a work camp by the local sheriff. They are helped by outsiders who happen to be passing through. The first is a smart-talking woman called Billie who persuades the local rich boy Lee Calhoun to fund the show. However, he refuses to put up the money if two black boys, Irving and Ivor are allowed to be in the show. But the group includes Valentine, who has read Karl Marx, and others who support Roosevelt, the reforming President, not to mention the fiercely independent Billie, and her philosophy “no man has the right to own any woman”. The plot also involves an aviator forced to make a crash landing in Rhode Island when his attempt at a trans-Atlantic flight goes wrong; a dream-sequence ballet involving Peter, the communist; and a secondary love story between Dolores, the Sheriff’s daughter, and her ex, Gus. Notes: The 1937 original version had strong political overtones with discussions of Nietzsche, a Communist character and two African-American youths who are victims of racism. For the Broadway revival in 1959 George Oppenheimer created a "sanitized, de-politicized rewrite" which changed the story so the young people were trying to save a local theatre from being demolished, not trying to avoid being sent to a work farm. The sequence of the songs was re-arranged, many dance numbers eliminated and all references to Communism erased.

Photo by David Ovenden

The 1959 revision was the only one allowed for the next forty years, until the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music presented the original version (with a few race references slightly re-edited) in 1998. This prompted the American playwright John Guare, with the Richard Rodgers’ estate approval, to create the third version of “Babes in Arms”, restoring much of the political content. This was staged in New York by the City Centre's Encore Company in 1999. (Yet another version was created for the Chichester production in 2007, using a combination of Oppenheimer and Guare, but adding extra characters and interpolating songs from other Rodgers & Hart shows.)

The present Rose and Crown production was of the original 1937 version (with some small changes relevant to “political correctness”) and was its first performance in the UK. The 1988 production at Regents Park used the George Oppenheimer adaptation and had been roundly condemned for its staging and performance.

This version, performed with a five-piece band, was welcomed as an interesting piece of musical theatre history, a fascinating glimpse of how Rodgers’ work developed from his collaboration with Hart to that with Hammerstein, and w a s p r a i s e d f or i t s performances and especially Carole Todd’s choreography.

Original London production: Open Air, Regent’s Park, August 1988

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EXPOSURE THE MUSICAL – Life Through a Lens

Cast: David Albury (Jimmy), Natalie Anderson (Tara), Michael Greco (Mike Mason), Niamh Perry (Pandora), Kurt Kansley (Jimmy’s Father/ Envy), Jahrel Thomas (Gluttony/ Aid Worker), Rhiannon Duncan (Lust), Andy Barke, Stevie Mahoney, Cassie Rogers, Lauren Stroud, Manny Tsakanika, Ella-Rose Whitehouse.

Story: Jimmy, whose photographer father died the day he was born, follows in his father’s footsteps and wants to become a top photographer of the biggest celebrities and the top names in the fashion world. By selling his soul to the Devil, through the agency of corrupt agent Mike Mason, Jimmy achieves his ambition, only to find one of his models is Pandora, an old childhood friend, now pregnant and a drug-addict pop-star, and then to fall in love with Tara, a homeless woman who makes angels out of Coke cans.

Notes: Heavily criticised for its clunky construction, a “relentless, repetitive score” (Stage), and a muddle of fashion floorshow and photo slideshow. Other comments: “This is cringe theatre. Some of the numbers were so bad that I couldn’t watch and held my breath” (Times); “jaw-droppingly crass melodrama and grating pomposity without a glimmer of guiding intelligence” (Time Out) . Most critics commented on the fact that whenever the show dipped, the solution was to send on David Albury in his skimpiest underwear. Gratuitous and pointless for some, and, for others, the only entertaining thing in the show.

MARCO POLO –An Untold Love Story London run: Shaw Theatre, August 5th – September 4th Music, Book & Lyrics: Rogelio Saldo Chua Director: Preece Killick Musical Director: Paul Ooi Cast : Lawrence Olsworth-Peter (Marco Polo), Stephanie Rees (Princess Kogajin), Marie Glorieux (Empress Wu), Gian Carla Gloria, Nicholas Lupu, Chingoy Alonso Story: On Marco Polo’s journey from Venice to Central Asia he meets and falls in love with Princess Kogajin, the daughter of Kublai Khan.

Notes: “The wild mix of different accents” (The Stage), “The acting is woefully declamatory and over the top” (London Theatre.co.uk) and “it feels like a weak imitation of Gondoliers or The Mikado crossed with Turandot” (Musical Theatre Review Online) - these were typical of the critical response to this Malaysian musical receiving its European premiere following productions in the Philippines and Paris. It was staged with a cast of 26 and an offstage seven-piece band

Photo by Pamela Raith

London run: St James, July 16th – August 27th Music, Book & Lyrics: Mike Dyer Director: Phil Willmott Choreographer: Lindon Barr Musical Director: Mark Collins

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London run: Southwark Playhouse, August 5th – September 10th Music: Richard Rodgers Book & Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Director: Thom Southerland Choreographer: Lee Proud Musical Director: Dean Austin Cast: Gary Tushaw (Joe Taylor), Emily Bull (Jenny Brinker), Katie Bernstein (Emily), Steven Watts (Joe’s father), Julia J. Nagle (Joe’s mother) , David Delve (Ned Brinker), Dylan Turner (Charlie Townsend) , Susan Travers (Grandma Taylor), Cassandra McCowan, Matthew McDonald, Louise Olley, Benjamin Purkiss, Jacqueline Tate, Samuel Thomas, Leah West, Matthew Woodyatt.

Songs: A Fellow Needs a Girl, You Are Never Away, So Far, Money Isn’t Ev’rything, The Gentleman is a Dope, Come Home Story: The story follows the life of Joe Taylor from his birth in a small Midwest American town to his 35th birthday. Joe goes to school, marries Jenny, a local beauty, and follows in his father’s footsteps by qualifying as a doctor. He goes to work in a large Chicago hospital which devotes itself to pandering to wealthy hypochondriacs.

When he discovers his wife is cheating on him, he returns to his home town with Emily, his adoring nurse, and rededicates his life to healing the sick and helping the needy.

Notes: This was Rodgers & Hammerstein’s third collaboration, following the great successes of “Oklahoma” and “Carousel”. By those standards, it was a flop, opening on Broadway in 1947 and closing after nine months.

Hammerstein’s aim in book and lyrics was to tell the story of an American Everyman, and to present the tale in the bare-stage, no-props style of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”. The show’s other innovations included a Greek chorus commenting on the action both to the actors and the audience. The show suffered from being oversentimentalised and way ahead of its time in musical staging (this latter aspect had a great influence on the future work of Stephen Sondheim) but this UK premiere was regarded as a “fascinating collector’s item” (Guardian), and “A lovely heartfelt production that takes you into the soul of a lost gem” (Independent).

THE BURNT PART BOYS London run: Park 90, August 10th – September 3rd Music: Chris Miller Lyrics: Nathan Tysen Book: Mariana Elder Director: Matthew Iliffe Musical Director: Nick Barstow Cast: Joseph Peacock (Pete), Ryan Heenan (Dusty), Chris Jenkins (Jake), Grace Osborn (Frances), David Haydn (Ghost of Father), David Leopold (Chet), Danny Black-George, Tomas Wolstenholme, Jonathan Bourne, Jamie Fillery.

Story: The burnt part of the mountain in West Virginia got its name after a mining disaster in 1952, which left many of town’s children fatherless. Ten years later the owners of the mine decide to go back on their original promise, and plan to re-open the section where the bodies of those men are still interred. Pete, who was just four when his father was killed in the accident, is determined to prevent this, and he and his friend Dusty set off with explosives to blow up the mountain. They are hotly pursued

by Pete’s older brother, Jake, and his friend, Chet, who both, with no other choice, work for the mining company, and by Frances, a girl who also lost her father in the disaster.

Notes: With a five piece band creating an authentic “Texan” sound of elegiac bluegrass, and an ingenious design, this received all round high praise. All ten performers were acclaimed, and the score and libretto contributed to “a powerful coming of age story.” The one act show was first staged at Playwrights Horizon, off-Broadway, in April 2010. This was its British premiere.

Photo by Scott Rylander

ALLEGRO

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CHILDREN OF EDEN (2nd Revival)

Cast: Stephen Barry (Adam/Noah), Natasha O’Brien (Eve/Mama Noah), Nikita Johal (Yonah), Daniel Miles, Guy Woolf, Kris Marc-Joseph Notes: This revival marked the 25th anniversary of the show’s West End premiere. That original production, and the fringe revival nine years later were both flops. It was hoped this Stephen Barry and Natasha O’Brien might be third time lucky. Sadly this was not the case. The critics were able to praise the musical content and performance, but generally decried the very literal and plodding book.

Original London Production: Prince Edward, January 1991;

.LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (4 London run: New Wimbledon, August 22nd – 27th Music: Alan Menken Lyrics: Howard Ashman Director: Tara Louis Wilkinson Choreographer: Matthew Cole Musical Director: Mark Crossland

th

1st revival: Landor, February 2000

Revival)

Cast: Sam Lupton (Seymour), Stephanie Clift (Audrey), Rhydian Roberts (Orin), Paul Kissaun (Mushnik), Sasha Latoya (Crystal), Vanessa Fisher (Chiffon), Cassie Clare (Ronette), Josh Wilmott (Audrey II) Notes: This played Wimbledon as part of a UK tour which opened at the beginning of August in Bournemouth, and was scheduled to run until November 26th. The cast was highly praised – Sam Lupton and Stephanie Clift who managed to convey extreme vulnerability and truthfulness in roles that could easily have been sent up, and the former X-Factor winner, Rhydian, for delightfully “chewing the scenery” (Times) in the over-the-top role of the dentist. This was a touring production of excellent vocal performances, though, for some, its production and scenic values were somewhat lacking.

Photo by Matt Martin

Photo by Scott Rylander

London run: Union Theatre, August 10th – September 10th Music & Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: John Caird Director: Christian Durham Musical Director: Inga Davis-Rutter

Sam Lupton and Stephanie Clift

Original London production: Comedy Theatre, Oct 1983 ; 1st revival: Landor, May 2001; 2nd revival: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Dec 2002; 3rd revival: Menier Chocolate Factory, Nov 2006 (trans. Duke of York’s/New Ambassadors)

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GHOST – THE MUSICAL (1st Revival) London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, September 1st – 10th Music & Lyrics: Dave Stewart & Glen Ballard Book: Bruce Joel Rubin Director: Bob Tomson Choreographer: Alistair David Musical Director:

Notes: This revival began its UK tour at Wimbledon and immediately met with very poor reviews for Sarah Harding’s performance. The online follow-up was damningly vitriolic.

The former Girls Aloud singer was having difficulty with the singing and the practicalities of the famous “clay” scene.

Things did not improve, and the mental and physical strain led to her missing several performances, and failing to complete one performance at Blackpool, with her understudy Kelly Hampson taking over half-way through the show. After a short break she returned to the show, fulfilling her original six month contract.

From January 2017 she was replaced by Carolyn Maitland for the remainder of the tour, planned to run through to April 2017

Photo uncredited

Cast: Andy Moss (Sam Wheat), Sarah Harding (Molly Jensen), Sam Ferriday (Carl Bruner), Leo Sene (Willy Lopez), Jacqui Dubois (Oda Mae Brown), James Earl Adair, Gary Lee Netly, Tarisha Rommick, Simbi Akande, Lori Baker, Ethan Bradshaw, Lauren Drew, Matthew Vinetot, Mike Ward, Kelly Hampson

Sarah Harding & Andy Moss

Original London run: Piccadilly Theatre, July 2011

GODSPELL – In Concert (6th revival) London run: St Paul’s , Covent Garden, August 30th & 31st Music & Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: John-Michael Tebelak Director: Dean Johnson Choreographer: Billy Cullum Musical Director: Michael Bradley Cast: Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimloo, Preeya Kalidas , George Maguire, Dominic Anderson Notes: This was a fund-raising event with established performers joining a group of young performers from the British Theatre Academy.

Photo by Roy Tan

Original London Production: Wyndham’s, Nov 1974; 1st revival: Her Majesty’s, May 1977; 2nd Revival: Shaftesbury July 1978; 3rd revival: Barbican, August, 1993; 4th revival: Union, April 2011; 5th revival: Hackney Empire, April 2015 George Maguire & youth ensemble

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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT London run: The Scoop (Free open-air theatre), August 31st – September 25th Music & Lyrics: Toyah Wilcox & Simon Darlow Book: Phil Willmott Director: Phil Willmott Choreographer: Francesca Bridge-Cicic Musical Director: Pre-recorded tracks uncredited Photo by Susan Burnett

Cast: Alec Porter (Raskolnikov), Rachel Delooze (Sonja), Steve Graney (Andrei), Zac Hamilton (Dimitri), Angelas Laverick, Phil Willmott, Reuven Gershonn, Jasmeen James, Aran MacRae, Lizzie Frain Songs: I Want to be Free, It’s a Mystery Notes: A rock-musical based on Dostoyevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment”, and featuring the music of Toyah Wilcox and Simon Darlow, this show was originally announced as “Gods and Monsters” before reverting to the original title. Its “soft-punk” score was said by some critics to be an ill-fit with the setting of 19th century St Petersburg, but several of the numbers were praised as crowd-pleasing. Overall, it was felt this was more a colourful and theatrical play with added songs rather than a piece of musical theatre. The individual performances were praised, and the 90 minute show was performed in the open-air near Tower Bridge, however “. . . the best thing about this production is that it’s free” (Times). During the run Alec Porter broke his ankle and the role was taken over by understudy Jack Watson.

VANITIES – The Musical London run: Trafalgar Studios2 , September 1st – October 1st Music & Lyrics: David Kirshenbaum Book: Jack Helfner Director-Choreographer: Racky Plews Musical Director: Tamara Saringer Cast: Lauren Samuels (Mary), Ashleigh Gray (Kathy), Lizzy Connolly (Joanne) Songs: Mystery, I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing, An Organised Life, I Can’t Imagine, Fly Into the Future, Cute Boys with Short Haircuts, Let Life Happen, The Same Old Music, Friendship Isn’t What it Used to Be, Letting Go.

Lauren Samuels, Ashleigh Gray & Lizzy Connolly

Story: Self-assured Mary, sweet and naïve Joanne, and organised Kathy are popular High School cheerleaders when they first become friends. They go to college together, and eventually Joanne gets married and becomes extremely conservative; Mary opens an art gallery and becomes sexually liberated; and Kathy lives the high life in Manhattan. At a reunion in Kathy’s luxurious apartment they end up fighting over the different paths of their lives, but later, at a funeral, they all reconcile and end as they started, three best friends.

Notes: The play version of “Vanities” began off-Broadway in January 1976, and went on to become one of the longest running off-Broadway plays, closing in August 1980 after 1,785 performances. Following try-outs in Palo Alto in 2006, and a production in Pasadena, California in 2008, the musical adaptation opened off-Broadway in July 2009 for a short but much praised run. This London premiere included some new songs and omitted some of the material used in New York. Generally the critics felt it was a bland attempt at a tale of female friendship and empowerment, but there was praise for several of the individual songs and much praise for the performers themselves

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[TITLE OF SHOW] (1st Revival) London run: Waterloo East Music & Lyrics: Jeff Bowen Book: Hunter Bell Director: Will Keith Musical Director: Oliver Rew

September 6th – 25th

Cast: Daniel Mack Shand (Jeff), Louie Westwood Garnham (Hunter), Malindi Freeman (Susan), Chloe Hawkins (Heidi)

Photo by James Beedham

Notes: Originally a one-act offBroadway hit, this had been performed in London in 2013.

The verdict then, as now, for this first revival, was this is a charming and fun show ultimately aimed at musicaltheatre devotees, and unlikely to hold much interest for the average theatregoer. This first revival stretched the show into two acts, with some feeling the interval was unnecessary, interrupting the flow of the action.

Original London production: Landor, August 2013

27 – RISE OF A FALLING STAR London run: The Cockpit, September 8th – October 22nd Music: Matt Wills Book& Lyrics: Sam Cassidy Director: Sam Cassidy & Arlene Phillips Choreographer: Arlene Phillips Cast: Greg Oliver (Orpheus), Jack Donnelly (Max), Cassie Compton (Amy), Ryan Gibb (Jason), Ryan Molloy, Lucy Martin, Maisey Bawden, Eloise Davies, Jodie Jacobs, Collette Guitart, Emily Kenwright, Sophie Ayers.

Anthony Selwyn, Jason Kajdi, Kristian Cunningham.

Photo by Nick Ross

Story: Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain, Morrison and Winehouse – all music legends whose lives were tragically cut short at the age of 27. And now Orpheus has to come to terms with his relationship to himself and to the people closest to him as he first struggles with the difficulties of being an unknown , penniless artist, and then as a world-famous rock star. His ultimate quest is to be reunited with his girlfriend, Amy, following her to the underworld after she has died from an overdose.

His experience of fame and notoriety leads him on a journey of unstoppable selfdestruction.

Notes: The show received a predominantly negative reception: “loud and flashy. . .hazy, lazy script” (Stage), “. . . a tacky mess, high on its own empty bombast” (Times).

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London run: Southbank Centre, Sept 10th & 11th Music: Ian Hill Book & Lyrics: Liz Carr Director: Mark Whitelaw Choreographer: Jane Turner Musical Director: Ian Hill Cast: Liz Carr, David James, Isaac Bernier-Doyle, Gillian Dean, Stephanie James, Claire Willoughby Story: There is no linear plot as the show reviews the question of assisted suicide in a series of songs and sketches, attempting to diffuse any possible distaste with humour. Liz Carr acts as a kind of suicide tourist, visiting countries that already allow assisted suicide; a marketing team debate how to “sell” the scheme, and how to come up with a more attractive name for their service; a lady called Palliative Claire looks at possible alternatives; and there is input from representatives of the Catholic Church and senior citizens.

Photo by Rob Henderson

ASSISTED SUICIDE – THE MUSICAL

Notes: This was presented as part of the Southbank Centre’s Unlimited Festival. Reflecting the satirical nature of the piece, the score consisted of a variety of pastiche numbers in styles ranging from music-hall to romantic ballads, and came in for some praise. However, the thin pre-recorded tracks and poor quality technical staging were felt to have handicapped the production and its message.

FLOYD COLLINS (2nd Revival) London run: Wilton’s Music Hall, September 21st – 15th October Music & Lyrics: Adam Guettel Book: Tina Landau Director: Jonathan Butterell Musical Director: Tom Brady Cast: Ashley Robinson (Floyd Collins), Rebecca Trehearn (Nellie Collins), Sam Thomas (Homer Collins), Daniel Booroff (Skeets Miller), Ian Burfield (H.T. Carmichael), Sarah Ingram (Miss Jane), Jack Chissick (Lee Collins), Craig Pinder (Bee Doyle), Marc Akinfolarin (Ed Bishop), Francesco Lo Giudice (Skeets Miller), Joel Elferink, Christopher Jordan-Marshall, Alex Spinney

Original London run: Bridewell, July 1999 First Revival: Southwark Playhouse, February 2012 Ashley Robinson

Photo by Tristram Kenton

Notes: This was a highly praised revival, “not to be missed” (Stage), with particular praise for Rebecca Trehearn and for Ashley Robinson in the title role. He was described as a major new discovery and his performance was acclaimed.

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GLASGOW GIRLS (1st Revival) London run: Theatre Royal, Stratford East, September 20th – October 1st Music & Lyrics: Various Book: David Greig Director: Cora Bissett Choreographer: Natasha Gilmour Musical Director: Gavin Whitworth Cast: Callum Cuthbertson, Roanna Davidson, Rebecca Donnelly, Sophia Lewis, Terry Neason, Stephanie McGregor, Patricia Panther, Aryana Ramkhalawon, Shannon Swan, Kara Swinney, Notes: This true story of seven Glasgow teenagers campaigning for a failed asylumseeking classmate seemed even more relevant in this post-Brexit revival.

Original London production: Theatre Royal, Stratford East, February 2013

OUT THERE London run: Union Theatre, September 2nd – October 8th Music, Book & Lyrics: Elliot Davis & James Bourne Director: Michael Burgen Choreographer: Lisa Mathieson Musical Director: Joe Louis Robinson Cast: Dave Willetts (Ned Thomas), Luke Street (Logan Carter), Neil Moors/Chris Howell (David Carter), Imelda Warren-Green (Jamie Pack), Melissa Veszi (Sheriff Marti Pack), Adam Pettie (Billy), Rhys Owens (Stan), Jodee Conrad (Celia Carter), Melissa Bayern (Linda Wares), Thea Jo Wolfe (Hope Carter), Shane Gibb (Newman Carter) Songs: Space, Walking a Thin Line, Things Are Looking Up, Learn to Dance, Too Late for Change, What Matters Most, One Step Away

Notes: Like “Loserville”, the earlier Davis & Bourne musical, this show was originally commissioned by Youth Music Theatre UK. It had received a workshop performance in the “From Page to Stage” series at the Tristan Bates Theatre in October 2015 and had now been revised and given a full staging. It received very mixed notices, with the story reported as unbelievable, the characterisations sketchy, and the plot development too sprawling and diffuse.

However, the strong performances were said to have saved the show, and the score came in for some praise. It was agreed that Davis & Bourne could be a writing force to be watched.

Photo by Scott Rylander

Story: Logan Carter is a rebellious but gifted high-school drop-out, on the run from his father, David, and from the local police. His aunt dispatches him to the guardianship of an irascible farmer, Ned Thomas, in Hope, Texas, a bankrupt town in desperate need of money. Ned’s farm is under offer from a chemical company, promising to save the town’s fortunes with a new factory, but Ned refuses to sell, in spite of pressure from the townsfolk, headed by the Sheriff. Logan discovers that Ned is actually his grandfather, Newman Carter, a world famous astronaut who disappeared forty years earlier, following the death of his wife in a car accident. Newman had abandoned his son, David, to the care of an aunt. Logan also learns that Ned’s barn contains a self-built rocket which his ailing grandfather intends to launch for one last flight. (There is some love interest for both David and Logan, respectively with Linda Wares, a glamorous attorney, and Jamie, a tomboyish mechanic.)

Luke Street, Neil Moors & Dave Willetts

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THE HIRED MAN (Concert Performance) London run: Cadogan Hall, September 22nd Music & Lyrics: Howard Goodall Book & Lyrics: Melvyn Bragg Director: Samuel Hopkins Musical Director: Andrew:Linnie Cast: John Owen Jones (John), Jenna Russell (Emily), Matthew Seadon-Young (Jackson), Jessica Louise Parkinson (Sally), James Moore (Harry), Stewart Clarke (Seth), Nigel Richards (Isaac), Sean Kearns (Pennington), Evelyn Hoskins (May), and an ensemble of 25, with Melvyn Bragg (Narrator) Notes: This was an acclaimed concert performance: “It is simply breath-taking. Indeed, freed of décor and costume. . .exposed to the forensic inspection of the concert platform its virtues come across even more strongly” (britishtheatre.com) Original London production: Astoria Theatre, October 1984 First revival: Greenwich Theatre, March 2008 Second revival: Landor, August 2011

DIRTY DANCING (2nd Revival) London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, September 26th – October 1st Phoenix Theatre, December 6th – 31st Music & Lyrics: Various Book: Eleanor Bergstein Director: Federico Bellone Choreographer: Gillian Bruce Musical Director: Richard John Cast: Lewis Griffiths (Johnny Castle), Katie Hartland (Baby Houseman), Carlie Milner (Penny Johnson), Julian Harries (Jake Houseman), Simone Craddock (Marjorie Houseman), Roger Martin (Max Kellerman), Jo Servi (Tito Suarez), Lizzie Ottley (Lisa Houseman), Michael Kent (Billy Kostecki), Greg Fossard (Neil Kellerman), Tony Stansfield (Mr Schumacher), Daniela Pobega (Elizabeth), Gabby Antrobus, Imogen Brooke, Simon Campbell, Robert Colvin, Michael Cuckson, Katie Eccles, Beth Highsted, Michael James Hinchliffe, Samuel John Humphreys, Megan Louch, Camilla Rowland, Ashley Rumble, Callum Sterling, Austin Wilks, Karl James Wilson (alternate Johnny Castle)

Photo by Alastair Muir

Notes: Following a five year run at the Aldwych, and a two-year provincial tour, the show returned to the Piccadilly Theatre in July 2013 for a limited six month run before going out on its second UK tour from March 2014 to January 2015. This third UK tour was a completely new production by the Italian director Federico Bellone, and based on his July 2015 version staged at Milan’s Teatro Nazionale.

The English version opened in August in Blackpool, and was booked to run for a year, with a week at Wimbledon at the end of September.

However, the availability of the Phoenix Theatre enabled the show to return for a short Christmas season back in the West End. Original London production: Aldwych, Oct 2006 First revival: Piccadilly Theatre, July 2013

Lewis Griffiths & Katie Hartland

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ADDING MACHINE: A Musical

Photo by Kristian Guilfoyle

London run: Finborough, Sept 28th – Oct 22nd Music: Joshua Schmidt Book & Lyrics: Jason Loewith & Joshua Schmidt Director: Josh Seymour Choreographer: Chi-San Howard Musical Director: Ben Ferguson Cast: Joseph Alessi (Mr Zero), Sue Appleby (Mrs Two), Edd Campbell Bird (Shridiu), James Dinsmore (Mr One), Joanna Kirkland (Daisy Dorothea Devore), Kate Milner-Evans (Mrs Zero), George Rae (Mr Two), Helen Walsh (Mrs One) Story: After 25 years loyally working in the accounts of a department store, blind to the doe-eyed devotion of his timid assistant, Daisy, Mr Zero is suddenly told he will be replaced by a machine. He rebels by murdering his boss, and is sentenced to death. In his death-cell he and his harridan wife are reconciled, and he encounters Shridiu, a repentant and fresh-faced matricide. Finally he is transported to the Elysian Fields, only to discover that love-struck Daisy has chosen to join him there.

Notes: Based on Elmer Rice’s 1923 play “The Adding Machine”, this musical version opened at the Next Theater in Illinois in 2007 and moved Off-Broadway in 2008, winning a series of awards. Several of the songs are made up of rhythmic speech, percussive and repetitive to imitate the sound of machines; others are discordant, operatic, jazzy and gospel-inspired. Running for 95 minutes and billed as an “anti-musical”, this was felt to be a bizarre, expressionist, and fascinating experiment.

MURDER BALLAD

Photo by Marc Brenner

London run: Arts Theatre, Sept 29th – Dec 3rd Music & Lyrics: Juliana Nash Book & Lyrics: Julia Jordan Director: Sam Yates Choreographer: Michaela Meazza Musical Director: Sean Green Cast: Kerry Ellis (Sara), Ramin Karimloo (Tom), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Narrator), Norman Bowman (Michael), Covers: Natalie McQueen, Matthew Harvey, Natalie Law Songs: I Love N.Y., Mouth Tattoo, Little by Little, Trouble Mind, Promises, Turning into Beautiful, Coffee’s On, Sugar Cubes & Rock Salt, Built for Longing, You Belong to Me Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimloo & Norman Bowman

Story: Tom, a gritty New York bartender, and Sara had a torrid and passionate affair which came to an end when she met and married Michael, a poetry student at the New York University. After the marriage and the birth of her daughter, Tom and Sara meet up again and start secretly seeing each other, and she realises how much she misses the passion and excitement of the old life, compared to the safety and security of her present situation. This is a love triangle under great threat, the sort of situation that could end in murder. Or could it?

Notes: Running for 80 minutes with no interval, this sung-through rock show had a successful limited run at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2012, and then was recreated at the larger Union Square Theatre the following year.

The original cast included Caissie Levy and Will Swenson. The London cast offered four “ferociously good leads” and a score that “pulses and throbs with desire and passion” (Stage). However, most other reviews agreed on the quality of the performances and music but found “the characters are not particularly interesting and the show is full of cliché” (Guardian), “the lyrics let it down, thanks mostly to rhymes that would be laughable coming from a teenage busker” (Time Out).

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THIS LITTLE LIFE OF MINE London run: Park Theatre, October 4th – 29th Music: Charlie Round-Turner Book & Lyrics: Michael Yale Director: Michael Yale Musical Director: Thomas Duchan Cast: James Robinson (Jonesy), Kate Batter (Izzy), Greg Barnett , Caroline Deverill Songs: Just One More, Bella Rose, Drinking Alone Story: Jonesy and Izzy are an ordinary couple moving into a tiny flat in London’s Zone 2, struggling to make ends meet, but having a fun, modern lifestyle, with a lot of sex and even dabbling in swinging with a friendly couple. Eventually the urge to enlarge the family arises, but Jonesy’s sperm-count turns out to be a problem, and the relationship is under threat. (The two other cast members play everything from swingers, to a barrista, a gynaecologist, a slut, and Izzy’s mother.)

Notes: Was this a musical or a play with songs? It received very mixed notices. For one critic the great lengths of dialogue were duplicated with interpolated songs that in no way advanced or commented on the action. For another the “spoken dialogue feels badly stilted” and the show was really “all about the songs”. “It’s like a bad sitcom, with oversexed best friends and comic bartenders” (The Stage)

RAGTIME (3rd Revival) London run: Charing Cross Theatre, October 8th – November 26th Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Book: Terrence McNally Director: Thom Southerland Choreographer: Ewan Jones Musical Director: Jordan Li-Smith

Photo by Scott Rylander

Cast: Anita Louise Combe (Mother), Gary Tushaw (Tateh), Earl Carpenter (Father), Ako Mitchell (Coalhouse), Jennifer Saayeng (Sarah), Tom Giles (Henry Ford), Christopher Dickins (Houdini), Anthony Cable (JP Morgan) Valerie Cutko (Emma Goldman), Joanna Hickman (Evelyn Nesbit), Simon Anthony, Jonathan Stewart, Bernadette Bangura, Nolan Frederick, Lemuel Knights, Martin Ludenbach, James Mack, Sufia Manya, Seyi Omooba, Jonathan Stewart, Kate Robson-Stuart, Jess Ryan.

Notes: A five-star rating from The Stage claimed this was “A triumphant reclamation of one of the best Broadway musicals of the 1990s”. On the other hand, most of the other reviews were less enthusiastic: “... too many songs (32), too many actors (24), it’s too loud and the stage is too cluttered. At nearly three hours it’s a punishing evening” (Eve Standard); “….there’s little getting round Ragtime’s overwhelming sense of its own importance” (Telegraph); “…. this overly earnest celebration. . .looks and sounds hopelessly naïve and shamelessly manipulative” (Guardian). However, there was praise for the actor-musicians and the production itself.

Original London production: Piccadilly Theatre, March 2003 1st revival: Landor, September 2011 2nd revival: Open Air, Regent’s Park, May 2012

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MOBY DICK (1st Revival) London run: Union Theatre, October 12th – November 12th Music: Hereward Kaye & Robert Longden Book & Lyrics: Robert Longden Director - Choreographer: Andrew Wright Musical Director: Lee Freeman Cast: Anton Stephans (Dorothy Hyman/Ahab), Brenda Edwards (Esta), Laura Mansell (Starbuck), Rachel Anne Rayham (Ishmael), Aimee Hodnett (Stubb), Glen Facey (Pip), Sam Barrett (Coffin), Rebekah Lowings (Tashtigo).

Grant McConvey (Elijah/Capt Gardiner), Perola Congo (Quuequeg) Songs: Forbidden Seas, Primitive, Love Will Always, Mr Starbuck, Building America, Save the Whales.

Story: The sixth-form girls at a St Trinian’s type school decide to create a musical version of Herman Melville’s classic “Moby Dick”, and to stage it in the school’s swimming pool. They persuade the headmistress to undertake the role of Captain Ahab, whilst the girls themselves appear as scantily-clad sailors.

Notes: The original 1992 production generally met with critical howls of derision. Cameron Mackintosh kept the show running for 15 weeks in the hope of building up some kind of cult following – but it finally succumbed to the inevitable. Over the years it would acquire a “legendary flop” status. This was its first revival, and for most critics it remained the confusing mess of a musical that failed to work.

Original run: Piccadilly Theatre, March 1992

WONDERFUL TOWN (2nd Revival) London run: Ye Olde Rose & Crown, October 12th – 30th Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Betty Comden & Adolph Green Book: Joseph Fields & Jerome Chodorov Director: Tim McArthur Choreographer: Ian Pyle Musical Director: Aaron Clingham Cast: Lizzie Wofford (Ruth Sherwood), Francesca Benton-Stace (Eileen Sherwood), Aneurin Pascoe (Robert Baker), Simon Burr (Wreck), Leah Pinney (Violet), Francesca Pim (Helen), Hugo Joss Catton (Frank), Nicholas Chiapetta (Appopolus), Ashley Holman (Chick Clark), Jack Keane (Lonigan), Jon R. Harrison (Speedy Valentin), Laurel Dougall, Lucie Horsfall, Joe Goldie, Kitty Whitelaw, Anna Middlemass.

Photo by David Ovenden

Notes: This was performed with just piano accompaniment and no radio mikes – leading several critics to point out how “every word of the clever dialogue and lyrics comes over”. There was considerable praise for the cast and production.

Original London Production: Princes Theatre, February 1955 1st Revival : Queen’s Theatre, August 1986

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London run: National Dorfman, October 14th – November 29th Music: Tom Parkinson Book & Lyrics: Bryony Kimmings Book: Brian Lobel Director: Bryony Kimmings Choreographer: Lizzie Gee Musical Director: Marc Tritschler Cast: Amanda Hadinge (Emma), Hal Fowler (Mark), Golda Rosheuvel (Laura), Amy Booth-Steel, Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Gareth Snook, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Francesca Mills, Max Runham, Rose Shalloo, Lottie Vallis, Gary Wood.

Story: This was a kind of documentary-survey covering the stories of a number of patients awaiting their hospital appointments. Emma, a young single mother, has brought her baby son for treatment; Stephen is a young man with testicular cancer, being urged to bank his sperm; Mark has lung cancer, but can’t give up cigarettes; and another has run out of options, and is advised to go into a hospice. And there is the story of Frank, based on Bryony Kimmings’ real-life son. At the end of the show the audience are asked to call out the names of cancer sufferers from their own friends and family.

Notes: This was a most unlikely subject for a piece of musical theatre, performed by a cast of 12 and a five-person band. For some critics the songs got in the way, and the second half of the show, predominantly Frank’s story with fewer musical items, was much stronger. But for others “This boring, preachy philistine drama goes around in circles for two hours and then reveals itself as a hoax” (Spectator), “Nor. . . did this ultimately uncomfortably mawkish show even remotely persuade me that the theatre is the place for an evangelical group hug” (Daily Telegraph).

HOTEL FOR CRIMINALS London run: New Wimbledon Theatre Studio, October 18th – 29th Music: Stanley Silverman Book & Lyrics: Richard Foreman Director-Choreographer: Patrick Kennedy Musical Director: Kieran Stallard Cast: Niccolo Curradi (Fantomas), Kate Baxter (Irma Vep), Madelaine Jennings (Helene), Alistair Frederick (Max Beauchamp), Nick Brittain (Gaston), Louis Rayneau (Duchamp), Ben Rawlings (Julot), Tom Whalley (Lacloche)

Photo uncredited

Story: Max Beauchamp, a journalist in Paris in 1913, tries to track down the mysterious criminal Fantomas, who runs a vampire gang, assisted by his associate, the seductive Irma Vep. Notes: The show was based on a series of short silent-films from the earliest days of French cinema, each film telling a separate tale of various gothic horrors. It was first staged in 1974. Stanley Silverman is an award-winning composer and arranger with a diverse career covering the classical concert hall, television, film and off-Broadway. The music for this cult-success defies categorisation. Among the critical responses were: “a rich combination of haunting, discordant phrases and sumptuous melodies that reflect the other-worldliness of the narrative”; “elegant melodies dappled amongst chromatic recitative and horror film discordance”. It was definitely a show of specialised interest.

Photo by Mark Douet

A PACIFIST’S GUIDE TO THE WAR ON CANCER

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SIDE SHOW London run: Southwark Playhouse, October 21st – December 3rd Music: Henry Krieger Book & Lyrics: Bill Russell Additional Book: Bill Condon Director: Hannah Chissick Choreographer: Matthew Cole Musical Director: Jo Cichonska Cast: Louise Dearman (Daisy), Laure Pitt-Pulford (Violet), Christopher Howell (Boss), Jay Marsh (Jake), Haydn Oakley (Terry), Dominic Hodson (Buddy), Lala Barlow (Bearded Lady), Oliver Marshall (Human Dog), David Muscat (Human Pin Cushion), Newan Hugh Perera (Sheik Fakir), Agnes Pure (Snake Lady), Nuno Queimado (Reptile Man), Kirstie Skivington (Half Man- Half Woman), Genevieve Taylor (Dolly).

Story: Daisy and Violet Hilton were real-life conjoined sisters, born in England in 1908, and then exhibited around Europe before being forced into sideshow performances around America, and exploited by their sinister “Boss”. Aided by Jake, the Human Cannonball, who becomes their protector, and by Terry and Buddy, who fall for a sister each, they are able to sue their manager, escape the fairground and become highly paid vaudeville stars. They even become film-stars, appearing in Tod Browning’s notorious 1932 film, “Freaks”. The story follows the complications facing the sisters as love, marriage and life itself develops, and their final acceptance that they only have each other and must accept the true nature of their place as outcasts in a society which welcomes “freaks”.

Notes: “Side Show” was first staged on Broadway in October 1997, but despite some good notices and several Tony Award nominations, it closed on 4 Jan 1998 after just 31 previews and 91 performances. A revised version was created in 2013, with several new songs, and a re-written book which took a “darker approach”. This version was tried out in La Jolla California, and, after a little more tweaking, formed the new version which returned to Broadway on 16 Nov 2014, reportedly at a cost of $8 million. Again it failed to take off at the Box Office and closed after just seven weeks.

Photo by Pamela Raith

Its London premiere was given just a month before the first UK production of the same writers’ “Dreamgirls”.

The performances of Louise Dearman and Laura Pitt-Pulford were praised, as was the overall casting, but “the fault lies with a repetitive book, too many songs and the conflict between the subject matter and the Broadway musical” (Guardian); “the lyrics rarely leave anything to the imagination. The rhymes are often trite and the sentiments predictable” (The Times). Overall, the view was “despite its many charms. . . it goes down as a curiosity rather than a classic” (Time Out).

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SCHOOL OF ROCK – The Musical London run: New London, October 24th New Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Glenn Slater Book: Julian Fellowes Director: Laurence Connor Choreographer: Joann M. Hunter Musical Director: Laurence Connor Cast: David Fynn / Gary Trainor (Dewey Finn), Florence Andrews (Rosaline Mullins), Oliver Jackson (Ned Schneeby), Preeya Kalidas (Patti di Marco), Jonathan Bourne, Nadeem Crowe, Michelle Francis, Rosanna Hyland, Cassandra McCowan, Joel Montague, Andy Rees, Cameron Sharp, Andrew Spillett, Lucy Vandi, Charlotte Bradford , Jason Denton, Cellen Chugg Jones, Alfir Parker, Tasha Sheridan.

(The cast also contained 13 children at each performance) Songs: When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock, Horace Green Alma Mater, Children of Rock, You’re in the Band, If Only You Would Listen, Faculty Quadrille, Stick it to the Man, Time to Play, Where did the Rock Go. Dewey’s Confession (From the film: In the End of Time (Jack Black/ Warren Fitzgerald) ; School of Rock/ Teacher’s Pet (Mike White/ Sammy James Jnr.) Story: Dewey Finn is a would-be rock star, but has been kicked out of his band and is desperate for money.

His roommate, Ned Schneebly, himself a former rock singer , now works as a supply music teacher. Using Ned’s documentation, Dewey fakes his way into a teaching job at the Horace Green School, where the very uptight principal, Rosalie Mullins, has a secret love for rock’n’ roll. Dewey, inspired by the schoolkids’ musical talent forms a band of fifth-graders in an attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the School Bands contest. But Ned’s domineering girlfriend, Patty di Marco, hates Dewey and wants him out of their lives. Are his plans for the band about to be blown apart? (A pre-recorded voice-over at the start of the show assures the audience that the children are playing all their instruments live.)

Photo by Tristram Kenton

Notes: Based on the 2003 film of the same name, with a screenplay by Mike White, the musical was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s next project after the failure of “Stephen Ward”. The film already contained some original music associated with the band’s performances, but the idea behind this “musical” adaptation was to focus more on the individual backgrounds of the students, and to include additional theatrical songs to cover their stories. The show began previews on Broadway on November 9, 2015, with an official opening on December 6th. The decision to open on Broadway (the first Lloyd Webber show to do so since 1971’s “Jesus Christ, Superstar”) was said to be due to the more relaxed child labour laws in the USA. Following the New York success, the London production was similarly acclaimed, “at a stroke rescuing the ailing artistic reputation and rebooting the commercial fortunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber” (Evening.

Standard).

It was described as “the most enjoyable few hours money can buy” (Telegraph); “this show has tons and tons of heart, and it has been executed with a heartfelt amount of art” (The Stage); “this is the finest musical I’ve ever witnessed” (D. Express)

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London run: King’s Cross Theatre, Oct 25th – Jan 22nd, 2017 Music & Lyrics: David Bowie Book: Edna Walsh Director: Ivo van Hove Choreographer: Annie-B Parson Musical Director: Henry Hey Cast: Michael C. Hall (Thomas Jerome Newton), Amy Lennox (Elly), Sophia Anne Caruso (Girl), Michael Esper (Valentine), Gabrielle Brooks, Sydnie Christmas, Richard Hansell, Maimuna Memon, Jamie Muscato, Tom Parsons, Julie Yammanee Songs: Lazarus, It’s No Game, This is Not America, Love is Lost, Changes, Where are we Now?. Absolute Beginners, Dirty Boys, Life on Mars, All the Young Dudes, Sound and Vision, Always Crashing the Same Car, Valentine’s Day, Heroes. (New songs: No Plan, Killing a Little Time, When I Met You.) Story: Thomas Jerome Newton, the extra-terrestrial who came to earth in search of water for his droughtstricken planet, is still stranded on earth, decades later. Hidden away in a New York apartment, he survives on a diet of gin, Twinkies, and the memories of Mary-Lou, his blue-haired love from the old days. Thomas is unable to die, sleep or return home. Newton’s assistant, Elly, falls into the vortex of his world and loses her own identity as she tries to reinvent herself as Mary-Lou. Other characters in the story are Girl, a ghostly waif sent on a mission to help him return to his planet; the psychotic Valentine, a smiling serial-killer who seems to symbolise the earth’s dark forces Notes: Featuring both new songs and tracks from Bowie’s back catalogue, including “Life on Mars” and “Heroes” , this was written as a sequel to “The Man Who Fell to Earth” (the 1976 Bowie film based on the novel by Walter Tevis.) The show, just under two hours without an interval, was staged for a completely sold-out limited run at the New York Theatre Workshop from November 2015, and scheduled to close on January 17th 2016. The American reviews were mixed: "Ice-bolts of ecstasy shoot like novas through the fabulous muddle and murk of Lazarus, the great-sounding, great-looking and mind numbing new musical built around songs by David Bowie” (N.Y. Times); it was “a tour de force. . .theater at its finest" (Rolling Stone); though others were not so fulsome, describing it as a vanity project on the part of the director, and an indulgence on David Bowie’s part.

The sudden death of David Bowie on January 10th led to an outpouring of tributes to his undoubted multitalented brilliance, and the run was extended to January 20th with additional tribute performances. The New York City mayor’s office even declared the final day of the show “David Bowie Day” in honour of the late artist.

With the Americans Michael C. Hall, Michael Esper and Sophia Anne Caruso reprising their original roles, the London production inevitably took on the aspect of David Bowie’s musical-theatre epitaph: “It feels like the height of disrespect and ingratitude to do anything other than bow low before Lazarus” (D. Telegraph). Most critics tried hard to find something kind to say, praising the performances, and the mastery of the individual songs, with reactions like “Lazarus is a flawed work, but I can’t help but love it” (Time Out), and “I sat rapt throughout” (Independent”).

Several critics thought it should not be reviewed as a musical - “It is part scifi story, part rock concert, part video installation, part study in alienation” (Guardian). Others took a tougher line: “Frankly, it’s pretentious rubbish. . . like an interminable music video from the Nineties: inchoate jerky movements; Rohrschach ink blots that spread; nubile young women in lingerie” (Times); “However enticing this final message from Bowie’s vast empire of images, it’s hard to care for it. Is there life on Mars? Possibly. Is there life in Lazarus? Barely a flicker” (Sunday Times)

Photo by Johann Persson

LAZARUS

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC (6th Revival – Return Visit) London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, October 25th – 29th Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse Director: Martin Connor Choreographer: Bill Deamer Musical Director: David Steadman Cast: Lucy O’Byrne (Maria), Andrew Lancel (Captain von Trapp), Rebecca Caine (Mother Abbess), Lucy Van Gasse (Elsa), Howard Samuels (Max), Kane Verrall (Rolf), Annie Horn (Liesl), Kate Scott (Sister Berthe), Zoe Ann Brown (Sister Margaretta), Tammy Davies (Sister Sophia), Scott Ainslie, Piers Bate, Alexander Evans, Jude Neill, Anouska Eaton, Jon de Ville, Pippa Winslow, Notes: 2015 being the 50th anniversary year of the release of the film, this touring production opened at Wimbledon in March 2015 and was planned for a UK tour through to January 2016. It was heavily praised for its casting and for its staging. It was re-staged in May 2016 at Aylesbury and scheduled to end its tour with this return visit to Wimbledon.

Original London production, Palace Theatre, 1961; 1st revival: Apollo Victoria, Aug 1981; 2nd revival: Sadlers Wells, June 1992; 3rd revival: BAC, Dec 1997; 4th revival: Palladium, Nov, 2006; 5th revival: Open Air, Aug 2013; 6th revival: New Wimbledon, March 2015- Return Oct 2016

STATE FAIR (Concert) London run: Cadogan Hall, November 6th Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Tom Briggs & Louis Mattioli Director: Thom Southerland Musical Director: Freddie Tapner Cast: Clive Carter (Abel), Wendi Peters (Melissa), Celine Schoenmaker (Margy Frake), Oliver Saville (Wayne), Emma Hattton (Emily), Richard Fleeshman (Pat), Elizabeth Bright, Hywel Dowsell, Jessica Duncan, Toby Hine, Lizzie Jay, Charlie-Jade Jones, Richard James King, Chris McGuigan, Matthew Pennington, Ana Richardson, Rebecca Ridout, Oliver Stanley, Tom Sterling, Rebecca Withers, Lizzie Wofford.

Notes: Thom Southerland’s 2009 production at the Finborough had been accompanied by solo piano, and expanded to a trio when revived a year later at the Trafalgar Studios. This time it was performed in concert with a 32-piece orchestra, using the scoring from the original film. The dialogue was shortened, and space limitations created some awkward entrances and exits, however, hearing the show with a full orchestra earned universal praise Original London production: Finborough, August 2009; 1st Revival: Trafalgar Studios, August 2010

CATS (1st Revival - 2nd Return) London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, November 7th-12th Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: T.S. Eliot Extra lyrics: Richard Stilgoe & Trevor Nunn Director- Choreographer: Gillian Lynne Musical Director: Anthony Gabrielle Cast: Marianne Benedict (Grizabella), Marcquelle Ward (Rum Tum Tugger), Greg Castiglioni (Asparagus), Shiv Rabheru (Mister Mistoffoles), Kevin Jones (Deuteronomy), Lee Greenaway (Skimbleshanks), Javier Cid (McCavity), Emily Langham (Rumpleteazer), Joe Henry (Mungo Jerrie), Matt Krzan (Munkustrap), Lucinda Shaw (Jennyandots) , Phoebe Lewis (Jemima), Sophia McAvoy (White Cat), Josh Andrews, Aaron Hunt, Enric Marimon, Danielle Cato, James Titchener, Helen Turner, Megan Armstrong, Leonie Thomas, Gabrielle Cocca, Grace McKee, Lucy Brushett, Alice Cornwell, Connor McAllister, Dane Quixall, Oliver Ramsdale, Guy Salim, Notes: This was yet another return to London of the production which had played the Palladium for three months at the end of 2014, then played Blackpool prior to some international dates, returning to the Palladium in October 2015 for a limited season before going back on the road. Following its week in Wimbledon it was scheduled for Budapest, Dubai and Antwerp, and booked till April 2017.

Original London run: New London, May 1981, and ran for 21 years and 8949 performances.

1st Revival: London Palladium, December 2014 & return October 2015. Return visit: October 2016

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HALF A SIXPENCE (1st revival) London run: Noel Coward Theatre, October 29th – Original Music & Lyrics: David Heneker Original Book: Beverley Cross New music: George Stiles New lyrics: Anthony Drewe New Book: Julian Fellowes Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Choreographer: Andrew Wright Musical Director: Graham Hurman Cast: Charlie Stemp (Arthur Kipps), Emma Williams (Helen Walsingham), Devon-Elise Johnson (Ann Pornick), Vivien Parry (Mrs Walsingham), Jane How (Lady Punnet), Gerard Carey (James Walsingham), Ian Bartholomew (Chitterlow), James Paterson, Annie Wensack, John Conroy, Harry Morrison, Alex Hope, Callum Train, Sam O’Rourke, Bethany Huckle, Kimberley Blake, Harry Morrison, Tim Hodges, Jaye Juliette Elster, Jennifer Louise Jones, Matthew Dale, Philip Marriott, Nick Butcher, Lauren Varnham, Rebecca Jayne-Davies, Gerard Carey Songs: (Original) Half a Sixpence, Money to Burn, If the Rain’s Got to Fall, Flash Bang Wallop, I’ll Build a Palace, She’s Too Far Above Me, The One Who’s Run Away, Long Ago, A Proper Gentleman, I Know Who I Am, I Only Want a Little House.

(New) Look Alive, Believe in Yourself, Back the Right Horse, Just a Few Little Things, A Little Touch of Happiness, Pick Out a Simple Tune, You Never Get Anything Right, In the Middle There’s Me. Story: Arthur Kipps, a humble draper’s assistant in Edwardian Folkestone, has big ideas when a life-changing inheritance propels him into high society. He leaves behind his first love, Ann, with whom he once cut a sixpence in half so each of them could keep their love in mind, and falls into the arms of Helen, a posh girl whose family is in need of money. As a result he loses his fortune, but learns that money doesn’t buy happiness and that his childhood sweetheart, Ann, is truly the one for him.

Photo by Manuel Harlan

Notes: Based on the novel “Kipps” by H.G. Wells, this was written specially as a vehicle for Tommy Steele and ran for 677 performances in 1963. It transferred to Broadway where it was much altered to suit the American audiences. Although beloved and regularly staged by amateur companies it had never been revived professionally in the West End. This new version was staged from the end of July to the beginning of September in Chichester in a joint production with Cameron Mackintosh. The book was completely re-written by Julian Fellowes, naturally emphasising the Upstairs-Downstairs class distinctions of his “Downton Abbey” success; the songs were re-arranged, re-ordered and supplemented with eight new numbers by Stiles and Drewe. This was the team that had worked on the “Mary Poppins” musical.

It was a big hit in Chichester, though one or two critics failed to be completely won over: “. . .hugely efficient. . but oddly charmless” (Guardian), and “striking and slick but soulless” (Sunday Express). However, there was unanimous delight in the performance of Charlie Stemp as Kipps, the exciting choreography, and several showstopping sequences – the old, “Flash, Bang, Wallop” and the new, the banjo-bonanza “Pick Out a Simple Tune”.

As a result, it became yet another of the Chichester summer musicals to transfer to the West End.. Having already reviewed the show in Chichester, the London transfer was covered by just a handful of critics, but this time they all came out in full praise: “you simply don’t want it to end “!

(Telegraph), “solid gold entertainment” (Dail y Express).

Original London run: Cambridge Theatre, March 1963 Charlie Stemp

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THE BEGGAR’S OPERA (Revival) London run: Brockley Jack, November 8th - December 3rd New Lyrics & Music: Bobby Locke Book: John Gay New adaptation: Ricky Dukes Director: Ricky Dukes Musical Director: Dominic Gee-Burch Cast: Sherwood Alexander (Macheath), Michaela Bennison (Polly Peachum), Elizabeth Hollingshead (Lucy Lockit), David Jay Douglas (Mr Peachum), Natalie Barker (Mrs Peachum), Josie Mills, Louis Rayneau, Alasdair Melrose, Rachel Kelly, Shalana Serafina Notes: “The Beggar’s Opera” has been revived many times since it was “re-discovered” in 1920 in the musical arrangement by Frederick Austin. Since then the original songs have been altered, re-set and sometimes re-composed by several arrangers. The dialogue has been updated and re-written and several “new” shows have been based on the original (notably “The Threepenny Opera”). This is possibly the 14th “revival” since 1920, though several may have been adapted and altered to such an extent that they qualify as “new” works. This particular version used completely new music and lyrics, updating and modernising the message. However, it retained much of the original 18th century dialogue. This mixture of genre received a similar mix of reviews.

The fourteen earlier productions were: 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935 at the Lyric Hammersmith (Frederick Austin version) 1940: Haymarket (Austin version) 1948 : Sadler’s Wells (Benjamin Britten/ Guthrie version) 1963: Aldwych Theatre (Leppard version) 1968: Apollo (David Turner) 1980: Lyric Hammersmith (Austin 50th anniversary) 1982: Cottesloe (Muldowney) 1983: Barbican (Sekacz) 1999: Bridewell (Gregson/Jackson) 1999: Wilton’s (Jonathan Lloyd) 2011: Open Air, Regent’s Park (Skeaping)

SAUCY JACK & THE SPACE VIXENS (5th Revival) London run: Ye Olde Rose & Crown , November 9th-12th Music & Lyrics: Robin Forrest & Jonathan Croose Book & Additional lyrics: Charlotte Mann & Michael Fidler Director: David Brady Choreographer: Harriet Lambert Musical Director: Erin Read Cast: Paris Bailey (Saucy Jack), Sara Lynam (Jubilee), Molly Whitehouse (Anna), Vienna Love (Bunny), Jonny Richards (Booby), Flannan Hassett (Dr Whackoff), Ross Kernahan (Sammy), Huw Cook (Mitch), Emma Dodwell-Groves (Chesty/Shirley) Notes: This was the second London fringe production within six months.

Original London Production: Queen’s Theatre, March 1998 First revival: The Venue, December 2005 Second revival: Leicester Square Theatre, August 2013 Third revival: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, August 2015 Fourth revival: King’s Head, April 2016

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DREAMGIRLS London run: Savoy Theatre, November 14th Music: Henry Krieger Book & Lyrics: Tom Eyen Director-Choreographer: Casey Nicholaw Musical Director: Nick Finlow Cast: Amber Riley (Effie White), Liisi LaFontaine (Deena Jones), Ibinabo Jack (Lorrell Robinson), Joe Aaron Reid (Curtis Taylor Jr), Tyrone Huntley (C.C. White), Adam J. Bernard (Jimmy Early), Lily Frazer (Michelle Morris), Nicholas Bailey (Marty) and an ensemble of 21 players.

At certain performances Effie White is played by Ruth Brown or Karen Mav Amber Riley’s illness with pneumonia in December led to Marisha Wallace (who had played the part in the USA) being imported to alternate with Karen Mav. Songs: Fake Your Way to the Top, Cadillac Car, Steppin’ to the Bad Side, And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, I Am Changing, When I First Saw You, Hard to Say Goodbye My Love. (Interpolated from the film version: Listen) Story: Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorell Robinson are the three girls who make up “The Dreamettes” a rhythm and blues singing group. Their slick manager, Curtis Taylor Jr, feels the girls must offer a more glamorous image, and insists that Effie is dropped from the act. The story follows the re-named “Dreamgirls” from their Harlem debut as a backing group to the hyperactive sex symbol Jimmy Early through the cutthroat world of Motown music: a world where Effie’s brother betrays his sister, lover betrays lover, and friend betrays friend in the pursuit of wealth and fame before Effie finally becomes a star on her own terms.

Notes: The show opened on Broadway in December 1981, based on the real-life story of the Supremes, where Florence Ballard was dropped in favour of Diana Ross – though the real-life Florence came to a sad end, unlike the heroine of this musical. Directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, it ran for 1,522 performances, winning six Tony Awards. A touring production returned to Broadway in 1987 and in 2006 the show was adapted into a film starring Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé Knowles.

This UK premiere, 35 years after the original Broadway show, was a very hyped affair, staged with blazing energy and glitter, and was greeted with a very mixed critical reception. “Shedloads of sequins, crystals and rhinestones, acres of brocade and flocks of ostriches have gone into the making of Dreamgirls” (Mail on Sunday) ; “like an Aladdin’s cave with beaded curtains, backdrops as sparkly as quartz “ (D. Telegraph). However, another view described it as “a dazzlingly tacky production: endless glittery backdrops and crystal curtains, and bright polyester costumes that unleash a little rain-shower of sweat when the dancers spin” (Time Out).

Photo by Brinkhoff & Mogenburg

Indeed, the reviewers were very divided: “. . . predictable, banal and overly sentimental. . .mostly forgettable songs” (Daily Express); “. . .tremendous gusto of soul and gaiety of spirit” (D. Telegraph); “ Every once in a while we learn, usually as an aside, that someone has had a baby or is corrupt. It’s impossible to feel attached to these cardboard cut-outs” (Times); “. . . tremendous energy and pace, crammed with snappy numbers and tight, slick 60s routine” (Guardian).

There was almost universal complaint about the sound levels – “amplified as if for Wembley Arena” (Sunday Express), “…the decibel level just got louder. . . it began to feel like a nightmare that wouldn’t end” (Times).

At the same time there was total universal praise for Amber Riley, “a real star in her first West End role”, “a blazing powerhouse performance”, “a performance that’s at all times exhilarating”, “Glee’s Amber Riley is an absolute dazzler”.

Amber Riley as Effie White

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RUMPY PUMPY London run: Union, November 14th –19th Music, Book & Lyrics: Barbara Jane Mackie Director: Simon Greiff Musical Director: Paul Smith Cast: Louise Jameson (Jean Johnson), Tricia Deighton (Shirley Landels), Linda Nolan (Holly Spencer), Sally Firth (Gosia), Claudia Cadet (Mags), Scarlet Wilderink, Liberty Buckland, Alex Roots, Basienka Blake, Craig Armstrong, James Charlton.

Story: The true story of Jean Johnson and Shirley Landels, two genteel ladies from the Hampshire Women’s Institute, who take it upon themselves to campaign for the legalisation of prostitution and to achieve better conditions for working girls. They are contacted by Holly Spencer, an outgoing brothel-keeper, offering them the perfect venue they could be looking for.

Photo by Scott Rylander

Notes:

Rumpy Pumpy was advertised as a very English comedy of manners with a social conscience: its underlying message being how hypocrisy and indifference condemn thousands of girls to appalling working conditions.

However, despite “ s o me excellent songs and solid performances” it was felt the show was one-dimensional, with a bit of a preachy tone, and over-reliant on crude jokes and double-entendre.

“The writing is of a crudity that makes the average Carry-On movie look like William Congreve” (Guardian). The show had premiered at the King’s Head in 2015, and this production had originated at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.

James Charlton, Tricia Deighton, Louise Jameson, & Sally Firth

BADDIES, the Musical (1st Revival) London run: Unicorn Theatre, November 15th – December 31st Music & Lyrics: Marc Teitler Book & Lyrics: Nancy Harris Director: Purni Morell Choreographer: Wilkie Branson Musical Director: Sam Sommerfield Cast: Nigel Barrett (Big Bad Wolf), Christian Roe (Peter Pan), David McKay (Rumpelstiltskin), Ngo Ngofa (Ugly Sister May), Karis Jack (Ugly Sister Fay), Cornell S. John (Captain Hook), Kathy Rose O’Brien (Cinderella/Red Riding Hood).

Notes: Following its success in the pre-Christmas run 2015, the show was revived, with a few changes of cast.

Original London run: Unicorn Theatre, Nov 2015

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BREXIT THE MUSICAL London run: Canal Café, November 17th - 25th January 11th- 18th , 2017(various venues) Waterloo East, January 20th – 29th, 2017 Old Sorting Office Arts Centre, February 7th – 11th , 2017 Music: Russell Sarre & Frederick Appleby Book & Lyrics: David Shirreff Director: Lucy Appleby Musical Director: Frederick Appleby Cast: James Sanderson (Boris Johnson), Steve Emery (David Cameron), Reggie Seeley (Theresa May), Chris Vincent (Michael Gove), Jack Bradley (Nigel Farage), Neil Jennings, Airlie Scott, Elliott Bagden Story: When Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon and Andrea Leadsom appear as Macbeth’s three witches, Boris Johnson cries out ‘Let them hail Boris the king!’, only for the squeaky voice of Michael Gove to ask ‘What will I get?’. David Cameron is a weak toff who trembles every time Angela Merkel opens her mouth. The Three Brexiteers, Johnson, Liam Fox and David Davies, bitch furiously at each other, whilst Boris also performs a rap number with Putin. Leavers and Remainers are treated with equal ridicule.

Notes: This was political satire at its most farcical, but was also a musical romp of much wit and skill. The antics of our political leaders following the shock result of the June 23rd Referendum were summed up in the lyric: “We have everything under control. Well, sort of – nearly – on the whole”. Its audience loved it, and had nothing but praise for the versatility of the performers in their multi-role send-ups.

SOHO CINDERS (1st Revival) London Run: Union Theatre, November 23rd – December 22nd Music: George Stiles Lyrics: Anthony Drewe Book: Anthony Drewe, Elliot Davis Director: Will Keith Choreographer: Joanne McShane Musical Director: Sarah Morrison

Photo by Darren Bell

Cast: Joshua Lewindon (Robbie), Emily Deamer (Velcro),Lewis Asquith (James Prince), Lowri Walton (Marylin), Samuel Haughton (William George), Chris Coleman (Lord Billingham), Natalie Harman (Dana), Michaela Stern (Clodagh), Meg Matthews, Oliver Bingham, Lance Collins, Harry Wright, Luke Byrne, Matt Morris, Charis Murray, Chloe Polson Davis, Jade Bailey Notes: Following a one-night try-out at the Queen’s Theatre in 2011, the show ran for a limited one month season at the Soho Theatre in 2012. It received mixed notices, with most agreeing the songs were witty and tuneful. It has rapidly acquired a cult following, and this revival received much the same reaction as before: “memorable tunes stuffed full of witty rhymes. . .a number of top drawer musical theatre hits” but suffering from “clunky narration” (londontheatre.co.uk) Original production: Soho Theatre, August 2012

Natalie Harman & Michaela Stern

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SHE LOVES ME (4th Revival) London run: Menier Chocolate Factory, November 25th – March 4th, 2017 Music: Jerry Bock Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick Book: Joe Masteroff Director: Matthew White Choreographer: Rebecca Howell Musical Director: Catherine Jayes Cast: Scarlett Strallen (Amalia Balash), Mark Umbers (Georg Nowack), Katherine Kingsley (Ilona Ritter), Dominic Tighe (Steven Kodaly), Les Dennis (Zoltan Maraczek), Callum Howells (Arpad), Alastair Brookshaw (Ladislaw Sipos), Rachel Bingham, Peter Dukes, Luke Fetherston, Olivia Fines, Aimee Hodnett, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Vincent Pirillo

Photo by Tristram Kenton

Notes: The opening night was attended by the 92 year old lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who declared to the audience this was the best production of “She Loves Me” he’d ever seen.

All the critics agreed with him, and the show was universally praised – for the show itself, and for a superb cast.

See Original London run: Lyric Theatre, April 1964 1st revival: Savoy, July 1994; 2nd revival: Gatehouse, July 2006 3rd revival: Landor, Feb 2015

JEST END ( 2nd Revival) London run: Waterloo East, Nov 26th – Dec 18th Music & Lyrics: Parodies Writer & Director: Garry Lake Choreographer: Rebecca Howell Musical Director: James Taylor

Notes: London’s answer to the “Forbidden Broadway” series was welcomed back, with a lot of new material, and a four-handed cast of astonishing versatility.

Original London run: Jermyn Street Theatre, April 2009 1st revival: Waterloo East, Nov 2015

Photo by Garry Lake

Cast: Bronté Barbé, Adam Bailey, Daniel Buckley, Jemma Alexander

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SISTER ACT (1ST Revival) London run: New Wimbledon Theatre, November 28th – December 3rd Music: Alan Menken Lyrics: Glenn Slater Book: Cheri & Bill Steinkellner Director- Choreographer: Craig Revel Horwood Musical Director: Greg Arrowsmith Cast: Alexandra Burke/ Joanna Francis (Deloris), Jon Robyns (Eddie), Sarah Goggin (Sister Mary Robert), Rosemary Ashe (Sister Mary Lazarus), Isannah van den Berg (Sister Mary Patrick), Karen Mann (Mother Superior), Tim Maxwell-Clarke (Monsignor Howard), Aaron Lee Lambert (Curtis), Allison Harding (Sister Mary Theresa), Ricky Rojas (Pablo), Samuel Morgan-Grahame (Joey), Sandy Grigelis (TJ). Aiesha Pease, Justin Wilman, Sally Peerless, Jennifer Douglas, Joe Vetch, Nicola Bryan Notes: This touring production originated at the Curve, Leicester in July and played a week at Wimbledon as part of its ongoing UK tour. It is scheduled to finish at Blackpool in August 2017.

Original London run: London Palladium June 2009

LICENSED TO ILL (1st Revival) London run: Southwark Playhouse, November 30th – December 24th Music: The Beastie Boys Book & concept: Adam El Hagar & Simon Maeder Director: Adam El Hagar & Simon Maeder Cast: Adam El Hagar (MCA), Daniel Foxsmith (AdRock), Simon Maeder (Mike D), Tope Mikun Notes: The 2015 original Camden staging of the Beastie Boys Eighties album “Licensed to Ill” was re-worked for a short autumn UK tour immediately prior to a second London staging, this time at the Southwark Playhouse. It was revived with the original cast.

Original London production: Camden People’s Theatre, November 2015

London run: The Bunker, December 7th – Jan 7th, 2017 Music & Lyrics: Tim Prottey-Jones & Tori Allen-Martin Book: Sarah Henley Director: Jamie Jackson Choreographer: Isla Jackson-Ritchie Musical Director: Adam Gerber Cast: David Leopold (Michael), Mark Hawkins (Uncle), Lauren (Tori Allen-Martin), Jake (Jos Slovick), Edd Campbell Bird (Young Michael) , Helen Hobson (Mother), Songs: Down Through the Doves, It Won’t Be Easy Story: This is the story of Michael, a one-time rising rock-star in the band Lost Boys, who has shut himself away in his Tori Allen-Martin & David Leopold uncle’s Bethnal Green house, and is unable to speak following the loss of his mother in a hit-and-run accident. His former girl-friend, Lauren, and her new partner Jake, a fellow Lost Boy member, try to coax him to speak, but he is haunted by memories of darker times, and by visions of his dead mother and his younger self.

Notes: Originally presented under the title “After the Turn” at Hoxton's Courtyard Theatre in 2012, this reworked version was premiered at the Bunker (the Menier Factory’s disused car-park, now turned into a theatre space.) It was felt the plot got somewhat tangled trying to cover too much back story, and some of the numbers were a bit abrupt with trite lyrics, but all the reviewers recognised a work of much merit with some powerful music. With further development this could be a musical with a promising future.

Photo by Savannah Photographic

MUTED

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RENT (5th Revival)

Cast: Ross Hunter (Roger), Philippa Stefani (Mimi), Layton Williams (Angel), Billy Cullum (Mark Cohen), Ryan O’Gorman (Tom Collins), Shanay Holmes (Joanne), Lucie Jones (Maureen), Javar La-trial Parker (Benjamin Coffin), Katie Bradley, Harrison Clark, Raffaello Covino, Joshua Dever, Jordan Laviniere, Bobbie Little, Christina Modestou, Jenny O’Leary, Kevin Yates Notes: This opened at Theatr Clwyd in October, then toured before coming into the St James Theatre for the Christmas period. It was much praised for its “stunningly well-cast” company (The Stage) and the outstanding direction and choreography which “captures the show’s sizzling seize-the-day spirit and its undertow of grief” (Mail on Sunday). The performance by Layton Williams was acclaimed - a “magnificent, tragic turn as transvestite Angel” (Time Out). This Layton Williams as Angel was the show’s 20th anniversary, and several reviewers alluded to it having a dated, almost period feel nowadays – “A musical that was once predicated on being daringly ‘now’ had faded into safe nostalgia” (Time Out) ; “. . .its rock score defined the grungey American Nineties the way Hair did the Sixties” (Mail on Sunday).

Original London production: Shaftesbury, May 1998 1st revival: Prince of Wales, Dec 2001; 2nd revival: Prince of Wales, Dec 2002; 3rd revival: Duke of York’s Oct 2007; 4th revival: Greenwich Theatre, Sept 2012 Concert version: Hackney Empire, April 2013

ANYTHING GOES (4th Revival)

Photo by Darren Bell

London run: Upstairs at the Gate, December 14th -29th January, 2017 Music & Lyrics: Cole Porter Book: Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse New book: Timothy Crouse & John Weidman Director: John Plews Choreographer: Chris Whittaker Musical Director: Dan Glover Cast: Taryn Erickson (Reno Sweeney), Jack McCann (Billy Crocker), Samantha Dorsey (Hope Harcourt), Nova Skipp (Mrs Wadsworth Harcourt), Jack Keane (Lord Evelyn), Chloe Adele Edwards (Bonnie), David Pendelbury (Moonface Martin), Timothy Booth, Lucas James, Lewis McBean, Lucie Horsfall, Chloe Porter.

Notes: This was the more rarely performed off-Broadway 1962 version, incorporating songs from other Cole Porter shows. These included “It’s De-Lovely”, “Let’s Misbehave”, “Take Me Back to Manhattan”, “Let’s Step Out”, “Heaven Hop”. The production was praised for its inventive choreography in such a fringe space, and several critics approved the choice of the re-written version.

Original London Production, Palace Theatre June 1925.

1st revival: Saville Theatre, November 1969 2nd revival: Prince Edward, July 1989 3rd revival: Olivier, Dec 2002 (transfer Drury Lane 2003) Jack McCann, Taryn Erickson & David Pendelbury

Photo by Tristram Kenton

London run: St James Theatre, December 13th – January 28th 2017 Music, Lyrics & Book: Jonathan Larson Director: Bruce Guthrie Choreographer: Lee Proud Musical Director: Phil Cornwell

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MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (1st Revival) London run: Royal Festival Hall, December 17th – January 2nd 2017 Music & Lyrics: Various Book: Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux Director: Ian Talbot Choreographer: Lizzie Gee Musical Director: Philip Murray Warson Cast: Matt Wycliffe (Carl Perkins), Robbie Durham (Johnny Cash), Martin Kaye (Jerry Lee Lewis), Ross William Wild (Elvis Presley), Martin Kemp (Sam Phillips), Katie Ray (Dyanne) Notes: This was a touring production which originated at the Curve, Leicester in September, with Jason Donovan playing Sam Phillips. Due to his prior concert commitments, he was replaced for the Festival Hall season by Martin Kemp. The tour was booked to continue throughout 2017 with Jason Donovan, Martin Kemp and Peter Duncan sharing the Sam Phillips role at different times, and with Ashley Carruthers taking over as Jerry Lee Lewis.

Original London production: Noel Coward Theatre, Feb 2011