Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Police Cops: The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse Review: A Hilarious Riot of a Show
Southwark Playhouse (Borough)
★★★★
Who'd have thought a comedy musical about the US police force could be so entertaining? Well, Police Cops: The Musical proves it's possible. Fresh from wowing crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe, this lively spoof of 80s American action films has now hit London.
Created by Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson, and Tom Roe, this musical takes you on a wild ride through all the clichés of action movies. It follows Jimmy Johnson, a regular teenager turned aspiring 'best damn police cop ever' after a tragic loss. He sets off on a mission to take down the big bad criminals, teaming up with a retired rogue cop, jetting off to Mexico and reconnecting with his high school crush. And all of this is delivered with a relentless dose of stupendously silly comedy.
In this latest iteration of Police Cops, the original team have penned some brilliantly witty lyrics, set to a catchy score by Ben Adams of Eugenius, drawing on musical theatre tropes and classic 80s hits. Andrew Exeter's set and lighting work is magical once again, contributing to a high-energy, high-budget production.
Police Cops: The Musical is outrageously ridiculous yet impressively slick, excellently performed, and keeps you engaged throughout. The humour is silly and over the top, and the cast and crew showcase their real skill in blending comic satire with musical theatre and improv, hitting every comedic and musical beat perfectly. Through the recurring gags, hilarious stage craft and show-stopping numbers it's clear this team understands their genres and have created something uniquely entertaining by merging them. Plus, the writing is really self-aware, touching on outrageous ideas but never crossing the line.
Melinda Orengo, Natassia Bustamente and at this performance Mychele Lebrun as well, all deliver standout performances. All three seamlessly blend polished musical theatre with offbeat character comedy. Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson, and Tom Roe, the masterminds behind this show, also star in it, showcasing their versatility. Hunt, as the leading man, pours endless energy and enthusiasm into his role, while Roe's sharp comic timing and Parkinson's unhinged characters add to the laughter.
One of the most delightful aspects of Police Cops is how evident it is that the entire team is having a blast. You can often catch cast members trying to stifle their laughter, and the musical director, Gabriel Chernick, exudes such joy, especially during a hilarious improv section involving sweets!
In Ameri-conclusion, Police Cops: The Musical is an unexpected treasure, blending zany satire with polished, professional musical theatre. It's hard not to have a grin plastered on your face throughout the performance—it's an absolute blast!
Reviewed on Tuesday 19th September by Olivia Mitchell
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Friday, 15 September 2023
The Little Big Things at Soho Place Review: Shines as a Celebration of Disability
The Little Big Things
Soho Place
★★★★
The Little Big Things at Soho Place presents an emotional journey that triumphs in depicting the resilience of the human spirit. Based on the story of Henry Fraser as told in his 2017 memoir of the same name, the musical tracks his journey from a budding rugby player, to being paralysed from the neck down after a freak diving accident on holiday in Portugal. This production is a testament to the power of adaptation and determination, and instead of being a somewhat patronising portrayal of becoming an inspiration after a life trauma, it showcases the transition from the person Henry was pre-accident to who he became post-accident. It also looks at how Henry's family deal with the changes and features the work of the NHS as well as a small romantic subplot. Each aspect makes this a truly uplifting and charmingly British musical, which feels like it's actively trying to shy away from the typical style of storytelling that often surrounds the stories of disabled people.
Nick Butcher (music) and Tom Ling (music and lyrics) clearly have a talent for writing high energy songs and ballads that tug at your heartstrings. The music is primarily upbeat and big however, while deeply engaging during the performance, the songs don't engrave themselves into memory once the curtains fall. The performances are undoubtedly and unanimously captivating, enriching the scenes and evoking a range of emotions. However, a few standout, memorable tunes would have elevated the overall experience and resonated long after leaving the theatre.
The integration of projections and lighting (Howard Hudson) in The Little Big Things is nothing short of remarkable. The creative use of light and visuals immerses the audience into the heart of the story, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative. The play of light and shadows amplifies the depth of the characters' struggles and triumphs, leaving a lasting visual impression.
Director Luke Sheppard fearlessly pushes the limits of accessible theatre, infusing innovation, vitality, and charisma into an already poignant narrative. The staging is in constant motion, driven by Mark Smith's lively choreography, which ingeniously integrates moments of BSL (British Sign Language) and embodies the joy and celebration which is infused throughout the show.
Despite the undeniable power of the narrative, there are moments when the production grapples with sudden transitions and dialogues that could benefit from a smoother flow. The pacing occasionally feels a bit clunky, disrupting the overall rhythm. However, this doesn't detract significantly from the musical's poignant message of resilience and adaptation.
The cast's performances are stellar, embodying the characters with authenticity and dedication. Their portrayals breathe life into the story, allowing the audience to connect deeply with the struggles and triumphs of the characters. The musical shines as a celebration of disability, showcasing the strength and adaptability required to navigate a new life.
The Little Big Things is a moving musical that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. The impeccable use of projections and lighting, along with a talented cast, creates a poignant theatrical experience. Despite minor pacing and memorability concerns, the musical stands as a heartfelt celebration of perseverance and a glowing portrayal of adapting to life's challenges. The little faults don't take away from the big things that make this show as glowing and special as it is and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful and uplifting night at the theatre, just make sure you take some tissues with you!
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Friday, 25 August 2023
Love Never Dies in Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Review: Musicality Reigns Supreme
Love Never Dies in Concert
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
★★★★
Once again, the LMTO and Fourth Wall Live have joined forces to bring a musical to life in concert form with a stellar cast and stunning music. This time, it’s the much discussed and dissected Love Never Dies, which hasn’t been staged in the West End since 2011. For two days the Theatre Royal Drury Lane played host to the latest iteration of the show which mesmerisingly took audiences back to the world of the Phantom and Christine. With the spotlight on a talented cast, and powerful orchestrations, this concert rendition really let the music shine and provided a memorable theatrical experience for those in attendance.
With such a brilliant cast, it’s no surprise that the performances were broadly nothing short of exceptional, capturing the essence of the characters and their emotions. Celinde Schoenmaker stepped back into the role of the beloved songbird, Christine Daae and did so in an utterly magical way, with her soaring soprano perfectly bringing the score to life and dazzling throughout her time on stage. Alongside her, Broadway veteran Norm Lewis put mask back on (in this case a swanky gold number) and became the musical Phantom of the Opera once again. His gorgeous baritone vocals provided some spectacular moments, especially in the rousing Till I Hear You Sing and it’s always a treat to see him on a West End stage. It did however seem that the rock number The Beauty Underneath was not performed live, which is a bit disappointing in a show of this calibre, and it would be interesting to know what prompted this decision from the creative team. This isn’t a criticism of anyone in particular, but perhaps opens a wider conversation about how these concert versions are rehearsed and put together. Of course it’s a massive task to create such strong shows in a short amount of time and given their minimal runtime it’s understandable that the turnaround has to be fairly quick, but it would be curious to know if it’s possible to create a rehearsal process that works for everyone involved and doesn’t leave the audience feeling shortchanged.
Aside from this, the music was incredibly strong, with a number of stand out moments that brought to life the deeply evocative and emotive feelings which course through this show. As Meg Giry, Courtney Stapleton brought a lovely buoyancy and freshness which showed the character in a new and engaging light, whilst Matthew Season-Young provided some strong vocal moments as Raoul. The supporting cast, including the London Musical Theatre Chorus deserve commendation for their remarkable vocals which truly soared in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Staging wise, this was one of the less full-out concerts compared to others but it still did an excellent job of evoking the world of Phantasma and showcasing some of the whimsy of Coney Island. Rebecca Brower’s costumes were very in keeping with the gothic vibes and cleverly mirrored some of those from the original Phantom production, overall creating a dynamic atmosphere which cleverly set the place and time, without overshadowing the music.
The LMTO orchestra, under the baton of Freddie Tapner, masterfully captured the intricate emotions of the music, underscoring the characters' journeys with every note. The majestic melodies and haunting refrains were a testament to the timeless quality of Lloyd Webber's composition and it was such a treat to hear the score performed by such a large group of highly talented musicians.
While Love Never Dies has faced criticism for its narrative depth, the concert format seemed to address some of these concerns. The live performance allowed the characters to shine and their relationships to be explored with greater nuance. A lot of the plot is quite frankly ludicrous and the characters have taken complete 180s from their initial iterations but this concert format seemed to be a perfect vehicle for highlighting the strengths of the piece while minimising its perceived weaknesses.
Overall Love Never Dies in Concert, was a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. The talented cast and impeccable orchestral accompaniment combined to create a theatrical event that honoured the legacy of its predecessor while standing as a powerful production in its own right. Many of the original book issues still stand but from the audience reaction, it’s clear that this is still a show which many hold close to their hearts.
Reviewed on Tuesday 21st August 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Tuesday, 22 August 2023
Death Note the Musical in Concert at the London Palladium Review: An Ambitious and Engaging Evening
a testament to the creative team's dedication to translating the essence of Death Note to the stage"
Death Note the Musical (Concert)
London Palladium
★★★★
In its first ever English language performance Death Note the Musical in Concert provides an engaging experience, that beautifully combines a concert style show with the allure of a full-fledged production, including captivating staging, meticulously designed costumes, and expertly executed choreography. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Death Note franchise, which originated as a manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, this musical adaptation pays homage to the rich history and context of the source material.
The exceptional cast, which include remarkable talents such as Frances Mayli McCann as Misa Amane, Dean John Wilson as L, Aimie Atkinson as Rem and Adam Pascal as Ryuk, deliver performances that breathe life into the characters. Their portrayal of the characters showcasing both their impressive vocal prowess and their deep understanding of the emotional complexities within the story which questions morality, justice and power.
While the storyline can be a bit challenging to follow, particularly for those not acquainted with the original Manga, the production's sleek execution manages to pack in a lot without feeling overwhelming. The adaptation skilfully navigates the intricate plot points, a testament to the creative team's dedication to translating the essence of Death Note to the stage.
The translation of various elements from the manga to the stage is nothing short of impressive in this truly ambitious concert debut. The show's director, Nick Winston, and the rest of the creative team, including choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento and costume designer Will Skeet, deserve commendation for their remarkable work in seamlessly integrating these elements into the live performance. The audience's palpable elation is a testament to the success of this collaborative creative endeavour.
The pre and post-show buzz, along with the audience's enthusiastic reactions, clearly indicate that Death Note the Musical has found its niche. Wonderfully, it manages to attract those who might not typically be drawn to musicals, thanks to its connection to the established Death Note franchise and the efforts of the cast and creatives. This broad appeal speaks volumes about the production's ability to engage and captivate diverse audiences.
Admittedly, the sound balance did exhibit some issues on opening night, which can be expected with such an ambitious score. While it occasionally detracted from the overall experience, it's understandable for a complex production. Once the sound balance is finely tuned, there's no doubt that this show will achieve the impactful resonance it aims for.
Death Note the Musical in Concert at the London Palladium showcases the successful fusion of storytelling, outstanding performances, and production design. By highlighting the talents of the cast, and thanks to the creative vision, the musical celebrates the legacy of the Death Note franchise while crafting a unique and captivating theatrical experience. The show's potential to become an unforgettable sensation is evident, and with further refinements, it's poised to leave a lasting mark on the world of musical theatre and is a must see for fans of the source manga.
Reviewed on Monday 21st August 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
Photo Credit: Mark Senior
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
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