Posts with the label Dolly Parton
Showing posts with label Dolly Parton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dolly Parton. Show all posts

Thursday 30 June 2022

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – A New Musical will play a Christmas season at the Southbank Centre


Producers Fiery Angel Entertainment and Red Tail Entertainment are delighted to announce that the European Premiere of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – A New Musical will play a Christmas season at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 8 December 2022 to 8 January 2023, with a press night on 13 December 2022. Tickets go on sale on 4 July 2022www.dollyschristmascarol.com
 
Dolly Parton said today “Bringing our reimagined Charles Dickens classic to London feels like a homecoming. My songs weave the music of my beautiful Smoky Mountains into this timeless Christmas story, and I can’t wait for London audiences to hear them as we tell that story, set in a place that is truly special to me.”  

Set during the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, this heart-warming and truly unforgettable production imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. As a Christmas Eve snowstorm approaches, Scrooge is visited by the spirit of his deceased business partner and three ghosts who compel him to see life anew and discover that love and family are the greatest and most precious gifts we have. Dickens’s classic characters and Parton’s heart-felt songs beautifully reimagine this timeless story in a whole new light.  
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is an adaptation by David H. Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan. The book is by David H. Bell with music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton.  It is produced by Fiery Angel Entertainment and Red Tail Entertainment.

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – A New Musical will play a Christmas season at the Southbank Centre

Thursday 30 June 2022

Wednesday 30 October 2019

9 to 5 The Musical (UK Tour), Wales Millennium Centre | Review



9 to 5 (UK Tour)
Wales Millennium Centre
Reviewed on Tuesday 29th October 2019 by Elisha Harris
★★★★★


9 to 5 The Musical is a sensational representation of what women had to endure when it was believed to be a ‘man's world’. Something which still plagues the modern day but is fortunately diminishing.


There’s nothing like escaping from your 9 to 5 reality to witness a world-class musical, and this production is most definitely that! This show is so unpredictable from start to finish. and everything is perfection. 

Amber Davies is impeccable, her comedic timing and powerhouse voice make for a perfect Judy. Amber presents the the purest transition from a reserved, meek housewife to a fearless, self assured business woman who will not take no for an answer.

The other two leading ladies, Caroline Sheen, who's temporarily moved from the West End production to the UK tour, and Georgina Castle blow the roof off the Millennium Centre. Between Caroline’s quick wit and gorgeous voice, and Georgina’s mesmerising vocal range, they compliment each other perfectly. I could listen to them sing all day long! 

The standout performance of the evening is Sean Needham who plays the ballsy, know it all boss, Franklin Hart Jr. He portrays the dishonest, antagonistic boss excellently. Sean really brings the role to life, he is witty, insanely entertaining and his facial expressions are priceless. For a character you’re meant to hate, it's hard not to belly laugh at every line he says- a real comical genius!

Overall this production is not one to miss, the ensemble are brilliant, the sound design is excellent, you can hear every voice individually when needed yet the harmonies were perfect. If you want to spend 2 hours in side-splitting, ball crunching laughter, 9 to 5 is the show for you! 


9 to 5 The Musical plays at the Wales Millennium Centre until 2nd November before continuing its tour







9 to 5 The Musical (UK Tour), Wales Millennium Centre | Review

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Wednesday 13 March 2019

9 to 5 The Musical, Savoy Theatre | Review


9 to 5 The Musical
Savoy Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 12th March 2019 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★

Its almost forty years since Violet, Judy, Doralee and their misogynistic boss made their way to screens in the film 9 to 5. Musical adaptation by film creator, Patricia Resnick shows that whilst times have changed, unfortunately many of the issues are still prevalent and feel very relevant during the Trump Era and #MeToo movement. 

Despite what you may think, this is not a jukebox musical and apart from the world hit 9 to 5, many of the songs are forgettable although being pleasing to listen to at the time. The arrangements by Stephen Oremus, Alex Lacamoire and Mark Crossland are pretty and Lisa Stevens' buoyant choreography keeps the momentum of the show going but the music itself is not the highlight. 

However, Jeff Calhoun's West End production features a fantastic cast who perform Dolly Parton's score with vigour and drive.  Natalie McQueen completely shines as Dolly's character, Doralee Rhodes. Funny, feisty and a vocal powerhouse, Natalie brings life to the role and provides a memorable moment with Backwards Barbie. Amber Davies is charming as the naive Judy Bernly who finds herself throughout the show. Whilst her acting is somewhat lacking at times, Amber retains her charisma and gives a lovely performance of Get Out and Stay Out. 


Caroline Sheen brings a light to the show as the strong and capable, Violet Newstead. Together the three ladies are a  real force as they take drastic measures to stop their sexist boss, Franklin Hart Jnr. (played comedically by Brian Conley) from blackmailing them.  The real show stealer is Bonnie Langford as Hart's devoted assistant who is completely wonderful is her unrequited love for her CEO. Her high-kicking, leg-splitting performance of Heart to Hart is impressive beyond belief and utterly hilarious.

This is a crowd pleasing production that, with a second act of only 45 minutes, flies by with a flash of hair, power-suits and feminism. There's no denying that the principles are dated and it's more of a period piece  than a modern inspirational tale to live by, but it does provide a laugh. Whilst being set in the 80s, the various nods to 2019 allow it to feel more relatable. 9 to 5 is a feel-good show, helmed by powerful performers who allow you to ignore the shortcomings and enjoy it for what it is: a load of female led fun.

photo credit: Craig Sugden

9 to 5 The Musical, Savoy Theatre | Review

Wednesday 13 March 2019