Showing posts sorted by date for query opera. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query opera. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday 19 November 2021

My Fair Lady to Open at the London Coliseum


New York’s Lincoln Center Theater’s critically acclaimed and multi award-winning production of Lerner & Loewe’s much loved MY FAIR LADY will transfer to the London Coliseum for a limited summer engagement in what will be the first major West End revival of the show for 21 years. The season comes as part of the ongoing celebrated tradition of summer musicals at the London Coliseum. The perfect way to celebrate London’s theatre scene as it blossoms once more after the pandemic. Performances begin on 7 May 2022 with an opening night on 18 May 2022.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on 23 November 2021 at 10am. For the latest news and to be amongst the first to access tickets please sign up to the mailing list at www.myfairladymusical.co.uk 

Directed by Bartlett Sher, this sublime production, which premiered in the spring of 2018 at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, was the winner of the Tony Award for Best Costume Design,  5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards including Best Musical Revival, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Revival, and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical Revival and Costume Design. The London production will feature the English National Opera’s award-winning Orchestra playing Frederick Loewe’s ravishing score.

Bartlett Sher said: “Getting a chance to revisit Shaw's extraordinary story of class and privilege in a new age, and especially for London audiences, is a rare and special event.  And I am also thrilled to be back at the ENO and the Coliseum, a perfect space for this epic musical.”

“Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady has returned to Broadway in a smashing new production from Bartlett Sher (The Sound of Music, The King and I).”
The Guardian

“Lavish revival of Lerner and Loewe’s 1956 masterwork…”
The Washington Post

My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady”. But who is really being transformed?

With a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, MY FAIR LADY boasts a score including the classic songs “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” 

“Thrilling! Glorious and better than it ever was! A marvellous and transformative revival.”
New York Times

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion, Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY premiered on Broadway in March 1956, winning 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history at the time. Following this success, the production transferred to London in 1958, where it played in the West End for five and a half years. 

MY FAIR LADY has seen many notable revivals and adaptations, including the acclaimed 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, which won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Most recently on the London stage, Cameron Mackintosh’s 2001 revival at Theatre Royal Drury Lane won three Olivier Awards, and later toured across the UK and Ireland in 2005.

James L. Nederlander, Jamie Wilson, Hunter Arnold, Playful Productions and the English National Opera present the Lincoln Center Theater production of Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY at the London Coliseum, with sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Marc Salzberg, original musical arrangements by Robert Russell Bennett and Phil Lang, and dance arrangements by Trude Rittmann. 

Full casting for the London production will be announced in due course.

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Friday 12 November 2021

The Choir of Man, Arts Theatre | Review


The Choir of Man 
Arts Theatre 
Reviewed on Thursday 11th November 2021 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★

Nine men, a pub, singing, dancing and amazing energy levels, The Choir of Man is an absolute treat of a show that's ready to entertain audiences this year at the Arts Theatre. Following three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and various US and European tours, a West End debut seems like the natural next step and how lucky we are that it's found a home in London where it can spread musical joy every evening.

Set in your average pub (The Jungle), the show follows nine individuals as they discuss aspects of their lives and share their stories with one another in a sort of beer filled utopia. The show features a number of reimagined classic songs such as Sia's Chandelier, The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha, Somebody to Love and many more. Every single number is performed expertly by the performers and you're constantly waiting for the next song to start and wrap you up in its harmony filled embrace.

What's so wonderful about this show is the simplicity of it. The basic set includes a bar, some tables and the band set up on a higher level. The costumes are everyday clothes and aside from some glasses and the occasional other item, there are no props. This is a show which really relies on its cast to carry it and they do so with an ease and grace that only comes with innate musicality. It's wonderful to experience such powerful harmonies without any gimmicks overshadowing them. One aspect which must be mentioned though, is Richard Dinnen's lighting design which works perfectly with the songs and helps evoke the various moods throughout.


The only flaw with The Choir of Man is that there isn't really any story or through line to the songs. Whilst it's great that each moment is a snapshot into one of the men's lives, it would be nice if there was a little more plot to tie everything up and round it out. However, credit must go to Ben Norris who plays The Poet and also wrote the monologues which open and close the show and are dotted throughout. These moments are funny, moving and so well performed. Ben is really a masterful storyteller and is completely enthralling.

In fact, the whole cast and band are first-rate. They work smoothly both individually and as a team and really make you feel like you're on a night out with a group of friends.

The energy of this show is really like nothing else on in the West End. Each moment was a sucker punch of emotion or musical brilliance and the whole audience seemed to be buzzing throughout. If you want feel-good, The Choir of Man is the show for you! The cast seems to so genuinely enjoy performing and it really shows and helps make the experience so uplifting and welcoming. This show is a perfect reminder of the importance of community, a message which couldn't be more prevalent now, and it's well worth a visit (and probably a repeat visit) for a night of carefree fun.

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks
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Friday 5 November 2021

Mrs Doubtfire Musical to Receive UK Premiere


Producers Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson are thrilled to today announce the UK premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire, the new comedy musical based on the iconic movie.

Mrs. Doubtfire will begin performances at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 2 September 2022, with a strictly limited season through until Saturday 1 October.

Tickets for the Manchester season of Mrs. Doubtfire go on priority sale on Monday 8 November and on general sale on Thursday 11 November at www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk

Out-of-work actor Daniel will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the ​alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father.

A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs. Doubtfire is the musical comedy we need right now.

Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson said: “We are thrilled to announce that Mrs Doubtfire will make its UK premiere next year. Manchester is one of the great cities of theatre, and we can’t wait to bring Mrs Doubtfire to the Opera House. We hope audiences will take this hilarious and touching show to their hearts, and promise a great evening for everyone!”

Sarah Bleasdale, General Manager, Palace and Opera House Theatres, said: 

“We’re incredibly excited to have another production launching in the UK from Manchester, and this time – direct from Broadway. We continue to proudly showcase the very best in new musical theatre under our Manchester gets it first banner and know that our audiences have a real treat on the way with the iconic Mrs Doubtfire. A big moment for our theatres and the city, and a production we cannot wait to open our doors to”.

Mrs. Doubtfire has been created by a transatlantic team of award-winning artists, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, original music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, (the Tony Award-nominated team behind Something Rotten!, along with O’Farrell), direction by 4-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks (Hello, Dolly!), scenic design by David Korins (Hamilton), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress), and music supervision by Ethan Popp (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical).

Mrs. Doubtfire is performing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Broadway, having started at with a spectacular run at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in 2019. Extended by popular demand, the Seattle engagement shattered the record for the bestselling new musical in the history of The 5th Avenue Theatre, selling over $4.7M worth of tickets and playing to more than 75,000 people in just 42 performances. 

Mrs. Doubtfire is produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson and is presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.


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Full Cast Announced for Love Story in Concert




Rebecca Caine (Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Preludes) will join the previously announced Emma Williams and Michael Xavier for Love Story: 10th Anniversary Concert, directed by Kirk Jameson (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Marry Me A Little).

Michael Matus (The Phantom of the Opera, La Cage Aux Folles) will replace Peter Polycarpou as Phil Cavilleri, who has had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts. Simon Green (Titanic, Mrs Henderson Presents, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) will play Oliver Barrett IV. Completing the cast is Jenna Boyd (Come from Away) as the Doctor. 

The Ensemble features Simbi Akande (The Prince of Egypt), Jordan Cunningham (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Alison Driver (What’s New Pussycat?), Charlie-Jade Jones (West Side Story), Maximillian Murphy (Parade), and Nikhil Singh Rai (Les Miserables, Mountview). 

Love Story celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Love Story’s premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre and subsequent transfer to the West End’s Duchess Theatre. 

Based on the 1970 New York Times #1 bestselling novel by Erich Segal - which was adapted into one of the highest grossing films of all time - Love Story follows Oliver Barrett IV, a Harvard jock, and Jenny Cavilleri, a gifted musician studying at Radcliffe. 

Love Story was Olivier-nominated for Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Xavier) and Best Actress in a Musical (Williams). Since its West End run in 2010, the show has been performed in the USA, Russia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, South Korea, Italy, Germany and Bolton Octagon Theatre. 
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Bonnie and Clyde in Concert Full Cast and Company Announced



Fourth Wall Live is delighted to announce the full cast joining Broadway star Jeremy Jordan in the sell-out BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 January 2022. www.bonnieandclydeconcert.com
 
Joining the previously announced Jeremy Jordan as ‘Clyde’ will be Olivier-nominated performer Frances Mayli McCann as ‘Bonnie’. The previously announced Laura Osnes is no longer performing in Bonnie and Clyde in Concert.
 
The principal cast is completed by West End stars including Olivier Award winner George Maguire as ‘Buck’, Natalie McQueen as ‘Blanche’, Trevor Dion Nicholas as ‘Preacher’ and Liam Tamne as ‘Ted’.
 
The cast is completed by Casey Al-Shaqsy (The Prince of Egypt, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as ‘Stella’, Simon Anthony (The Wedding Singer, Ragtime) as ‘Cop/Bud/Archie/Deputy Johnson’ Gillian Bevan (Holby City, Into The Woods) as ‘Cummie Barrow/Eleanor’, Eloise Davies (Be More Chill, Grease) as ‘Trish’, Adrian Grove (Follies, Wonder.land) as ‘Henry Barrow’, Olivier Award nominee Debbie Kurup (Girl From The North Country, The Bodyguard) as ‘Governor Miriam Ferguson’, Matthew Malthouse (Matilda, Mrs Henderson Presents) as ‘Bob Alcorn’, Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera) as ‘Judge/Sheriff Schmid’, Russell Wilcox (Billy Elliot, Annie) as ‘Captain Frank Hamer’ and Julie Yammanee (Lazarus, Spamilton) as ‘Emma Parker’.
 
George Maguire is the winner for the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance as ‘Dave Davies’ in Sunny Afternoon. His other theatre credits include 35mm: A Musical Exhibition at The Other Palace Studio, Oliver! at the London Palladium and the European tour of Rent.
 
Frances Mayli McCann is an Olivier Award nominated actress, who originated the role of Kylah in Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. Her other West End credits include ‘Heather McNamara’ in Heathers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, ‘The Mistress’ in Evita at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Eponine’ in the UK and International Tour of Les Misérables.
 
Natalie McQueen’s West End credits include playing ‘Doralee Rhodes’ in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre. Her other theatre credits include the UK tour of Wonderland, Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre and Starlight Express at The Other Palace.
 
Trevor Dion Nicholas’s West End credits include ‘George Washington’ in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre and ‘Genie’ in Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre. He also presents on Magic at the Musicals and appears as a panellist on ITV’s All Star Musicals.
 
Liam Tamne’s West End credits include playing ‘Ramses’ in The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre, The Light in the Piazza at the Royal Festival Hall, The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre and Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
 
BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT has a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical), a Tony Award nominated score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel), lyrics by Don Black (Tell Me On a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Henderson Presents) and is directed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with musical direction by Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys). The Assistant Director is Alexzandra Sarmiento (Hamilton, Message in a Bottle), Lighting Designer is Zoe Spurr (The Unreturning, Tiny Dynamite), Set and Costume Designer is Philip Whitcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, Mame), Sound Designer is Tom Marshall (The Drifters Girl, Nativity! The Musical), Production Manager is Phil McCandlish (Rock of Ages, Elf), Company Stage Manager is Graham Harrison (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Deputy Stage Manager is Anne Baxter (Singin’ in the Rain, Spamalot), Assistant Stage Manager is Tom Fisher (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Dialect Coach is Charmian Hoare (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, War Horse) and children’s casting is by Keston and Keston (Nativity! The Musical, A Christmas Carol).  BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT is produced by Fourth Wall Live and co-produced by DLAP Group, Jason Haigh-Ellery and David Treatman Creative.

The band is made up of Assistant Musical Director Chris Poon (Keys 2), Kate Ingram (Reed 1), Hannah Lawrance (Reed 2), Kobi Pham (Guitar 1), Jack Pennifold (Guitar 2), Zach Okonkwo (Drums), Elliot Lyte (Fiddle)and Annie Blake (Bass).

At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America's most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement's worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The show features the songs “Raise A Little Hell”, “This World Will Remember Me” and “Made In America”.
When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame, combined with a desperate need to lift themselves out of the endless banality and poverty of West Dallas, set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo's fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.

Fourth Wall Live is a live entertainment company that produces concerts internationally. It regularly brings Broadway artists to the UK, previous concerts include Broadway and TV regulars Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Kelli O'Hara, Chita Rivera, Laura Michelle Kelly, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison, Erich Bergen, Eden Espinosa, Julia Murney and Cynthia Erivo. Other concerts include West End Stars solo concerts including Michael Ball, Matt Cardle, Kerry Ellis, Oliver Tompsett, Hannah Waddingham, Sharon D Clarke and Bonnie Langford. Upcoming productions at Cadogan Hall include Jenna Russell, Shoshana Bean, Keala Settle and Jessica Vosk.

Tori Amos’s musical The Light Princess was presented to critical acclaim, as a special one-off concert in the summer of 2018. Next year Bonnie & Clyde the musical concert will run for two nights to a sold-out audience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Jeremy Jordan. 

Fourth Wall Live also regularly partners with the Hippodrome Casino, in November-December 2020 they produced 25 nights of socially distanced entertainment, proudly being the first live event post lockdown. The current season of Hippodrome concerts runs from September 2021 to December 2021 and features 20 nights of musical entertainment featuring Alice Fearn, Kerry Ellis, Hayley Tamaddon and David O’Reilly.Fourth Wall Live is committed to following all relevant UK Government Covid-19 guidelines, creating a safe working environment for our cast, musicians, creatives, crew and their families.
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Thursday 16 September 2021

Bat Out of Hell (Tour), Manchester Opera House | Review



Bat Out of Hell (UK Tour) 
Manchester Opera House
Reviewed on Saturday 11th September by Hope Priddle
★★★★★

Hitting the highway until late 2022, after several staggering runs in Toronto, New York and London, Bat Out Of Hell returned to its proverbial Manchester home this weekend. A stunning realisation of Jim Steinman’s life’s work and Meat Loaf’s iconic trilogy, the rock-opera is set in the dystopian city of Obsidian, a wasteland governed by the despotic Falco in the wake of a chemical war. Falco embarks upon a campaign to rebuild his metropole, which has since been overrun by a gang of feral, mutated youths – The Lost - frozen forever at the age of eighteen. As their leader Strat falls for the tyrant’s daughter Raven, an epic drama unfolds.


Bat Out Of Hell has undergone numerous changes across its various iterations; this new touring production is no exception, having been understandably shortened and scaled back. The book, which was already somewhat nonsensical, has suffered because of this. Amendments to the script, which were clearly made to clarify and accelerate the storyline, are overly literal, with clunky dialogue often betraying the visceral atavism of Steinman’s poetry. However, it’s foolish to think that anyone coming to see Bat Out Of Hell is after a refined and sophisticated narrative. Bat Out Of Hell is bursting with knowing irony and sarcasm – it has its tongue firmly situated in its cheek throughout. It’s a magical fever dream that invites you to suspend your disbelief.


Incoherency is irrelevant when you have a cast as stellar as this one - a cast who perform with such raw passion and hunger, you absolutely cannot take your eyes off them. As the black-hearted leader of The Lost and ultimate manic pixie dream boy, Glenn Adamson is mesmerising as Strat. His powerful performance of the titular song blew the roof of the Manchester Opera House. Adamson shares sizzling chemistry with Martha Kirby, our atypical teenage ingénue Raven, who perfectly captures the character’s fearless spirit and delivers flawless vocals. Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton triumph as Raven’s parents, Falco and Sloane. While the couple are outrageously comic and camp, their failing marriage inspires genuine pathos as they reflect upon What Part of My Body Hurts the Most. Sultry and savvy, Joelle Moses embodies the role of Zahara; James Chisholm is charming as  tough yet huge-hearted Jagwire, and Killian Thomas Lefevre plays a wholly endearing Tink, the youngest member of The Lost. Whilst supporting characters Valkyrie (Kellie Gnauck) and Ledoux (Danny Whelan) demonstrate stunning vocal prowess, the loss of an all-male rendition of Objects In The Rear View Mirror during the second-act, is felt massively.  In previous productions, the number provided an emotional antidote to examples of sexually-charged masculinity and it was always refreshing to see raging machismo tempered by platonic male love.


The ensemble are electric, executing Xena Gusthart’s dynamic choreography with real attitude. They are complimented by a spectacular use of multi-media effects, including live video. Action is televised, Big-Brother style, across the auditorium, with an on-stage camera woman magnifying the drama. Given that the cast have free-reign over Jon Bausor’s multi-levelled post apocalyptic playground, this technique proves highly effective in capturing every little detail. The show is a huge assault on the senses, in the best way possible; expect a cacophony of colour, light, sound (and fire)!


If you’re after an evening like no other, exploding with hedonistic pleasure and unadulterated euphoria, head out on your Harley and get yourself a ticket…before they’re too hot to handle. 


Bat Out of Hell is currently touring the UK and Ireland


photo credit: Chris Davis Studio

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Friday 2 July 2021

Wonderful Town, Opera Holland Park | Review


Wonderful Town
Opera Holland Park 
Reviewed on Thursday 1st July 2021 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★

As the world returns to a new normal, there aren't many better ways to spend a Thursday evening than enjoying a glorious musical in the beautiful setting of Opera Holland Park. Quick Fantastic have returned to the space to present Wonderful Town, the half-forgotten 30s  musical which brims with exhilarating jazz and witty comedy.

Under Alex Parker's musical direction, Bernstein's score soars around the auditorium and reminds us just how brilliant the older Broadway musicals can be. The comedy on stage is matched perfectly with the music and the whole affair feels as rich and jubilant as can be. The musical  diversity is also a treat to hearr, with an Irish jig, a beatnik scat and some moving ballads, there's really something for everyone.

The book by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields is basically the story who two sisters from Ohio who arrive in the New York with dreams of taking the town by storm. The source material for the show was taken from autobiographical short stories by Ruth, the sister who longed for a writing career and chronicled her and her sisters' lives in The New Yorker. There are a number of little adventures the duo go on whilst finding their careers (and romances) which make for a highly entertaining and all round wholesome story.

Ruth is played with grit and wit by West End superstar, Louise Dearman, who seems almost made for the role of the sassy, vulnerable, bookish author. Of course Louise is vocally effortless and provides some real highlights, but she also shines in the humourous moments which help make the whole production feel so jubilant.



Balancing Dearman out is the equally brilliant Siubhan Harrison as Eileen, the sister who knows how to get what she wants but in the end is unwaveringly committed to her sister. The double act are a dream to watch and have the audience wrapped around their little fingers, especially during their smooth as butter rendition of Ohio.

The male love interests are performed by Ako Mitchell who is vocally divine and very authentic as magazine editor Bob; Roger Dipper who is utterly wonderful and so humourous as the bumbling Walgreens worker Frank Lippencott; and Alex Lodge who is suitably sleazy as newspaper hack Chick Clark.

Billy Nevers is the washed up football player The Wreck, and Emma Harrold is his secret fiancé, Helen. Both do a great job of padding out their characters as well as providing super strong vocals and some light-hearted comedic moments.

The rest of the cast made up of: Jade Albertsen, Robson Broad, Ashley Daniels, Tamsin Dowsett, Gregory Haney, Jas[er Kajd and Natasha Leaver are super sleek throughout whilst bringing the vibes of 30s New York to life. Carrie-Anne Ingrouille's choreography is superb and a joy to watch.

From a conga to an incarceration there's a lot to enjoy and laugh at, and the cast do an outstanding job of making a semi-staged production feel full. Overall it's a wonderful night at Wonderful Town.

Photos by Danny Kaan

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