Tuesday, 13 September 2016

An American in Paris, Dominion Theatre | Press Launch

photograph by Angela Sterling
Yesterday I was lucky enough to go to the press launch for An American in Paris with some wonderful people from the Theatre Bloggers community. Aside from sipping champagne and indulging in delicious nibbles we were also treated to an exclusive presentation hosted by Darcey Bussell and her close friend and choreographer/director of the show Christopher Wheeldon.

Darcey and Christopher explained a little about what is going to be a wonderful show with some clips of the Broadway production just to wet our appetites. Some of the cast members were at the event and their talent is undeniable. We got a little sneak peek performance of the show with a fabulous rendition of 'S wonderful performed by Haydn Oakley, David Seadon-Young, Ashley Day and Zoe Rainey. If that was anything to go by, the show is going to be out of this world. 


Christopher and Darcey spoke extensively about the skill of the cast they have found for what promises to be a fabulous West End production of a classic musical. These performers are not only extremely talented singers, actors and dancers but they also have to be incredibly skilled ballerina's. Especially in the case of the leading lady Milo Davenport played by Zoe Rainey who has to have all the usual triple threat talents plus be able to dance en pointe! It's tiring just thinking about it!



Although this launch was just a small taster for what the show will be, if the clips we saw and the Broadway production are anything to go by then this is sure to be a huge hit!

Performances of An American in Paris begin March 4th.

A huge thank you to Theatre Bloggers for taking me along to this event  If you want to become a part of the theatre bloggers community check out the website: www.theatrebloggers.co.uk

Thursday, 8 September 2016

Vanities, Trafalgar Studios | Review


Vanities: The Musical
Trafalgar Studios
Reviewed on Wednesday 7th August 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★


Vanities is a musical adaptation of Jack Heifner's play with a script by Heifner himself and lyrics/music by David Kirshenbaum. Its London premiere at Trafalgar Studios is certainly a triumphant one, with radiant performances from all three ladies and extremely catchy and refreshing music. Set in the 70s one would assume the themes of the musical could be dated but in fact the plight for happiness, friendship and success are just as prevalent now.

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

A Thank You to the In The Heights Cast

Hello stagey friends! This is more of a personal post but I thought I'd share it anyway. You guys know by now how in love I am with 'In The Heights' (see posts about it here, here, here and here) and with it just being cast change I'm feeling very sentimental about it so I wanted to share some love for the show and cast.

Thursday, 1 September 2016

Little Shop of Horrors (UK Tour), New Wimbledon Theatre | Review



Little Shop of Horrors (UK Tour)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 23rd August 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★


Little Shop of Horrors is one of those cult musicals that everyone has heard of but not necessarily seen. I'd seen the film years ago and knew some of the songs but all I remembered was that its about a plant and this was my first time seeing the musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken onstage.

This is certainly a weird musical. We follow Seymour the shop assistant of Mushnik's flower shop who finds fame when he discovers an unusual, unknown plant with a mind (and appetite) of its own which he uses to win over his co-worker Audrey.

For me the standout performance was given by our Seymour, Sam Lupton who has just finished  a three year run playing Boq in Wicked. He has a wonderful voice and perfectly embodies the quirky, geeky Seymour.  I also adored the Greek chorus-esque divas Sasha Latoya, Cassie Clare and Vanessa Fisher. Stephanie Clift was heartwarming as Audrey, with an especially beautiful rendition of 'Somewhere That's Green', which although being somewhat contrived with the special effects was a very nice moment of the show.

Overall the cast were superb with wonderfully honest performances and although this story is very eccentric and the moral very twisted, its a brilliant show which is well worth checking out for a fun and enjoyable night out.

Little Shop of Horrors will be touring the UK until Saturday November 26th.
Further information and tickets can be found at www.littleshopuktour.com