Saturday 31 March 2018

In Conversation With... Carrie Hope Fletcher | When The Curtain Falls (Album) | Interview

Carrie Hope Fletcher must be one of the busiest people in the West End. During the last few years she's managed to write 4 books (and a novella), perform in various shows and concerts, continually upload YouTube videos and blog posts AND record and release an album. Her work ethic, bubbly personality and sincerity makes her a role model for many people and her debut album When The Curtain Falls is just another branch of motivational vibes for people to cling on to. I sat down with Carrie at her album launch to ask her a few questions about it...


What do you think will surprise people most about this album?

 Well my dad's playing on it for a start, bless him. There's a song on the album, Summertime, which was the first song I ever learnt, my dad taught it to me so it only felt right to put my dad in the album. We've sort of rearranged some of the songs from how you'd usually hear them. Tom Barnes is the orchestrator on the album and he's done an incredible job of making the songs still sound like the songs we all know and love but just given them a sort of musical makeover.

What was the hardest thing about narrowing it down to just 12 songs?

Oh it was so hard to pick 12 tracks cause, how in the history of musical theatre do you pick 12 songs to fill 12 slots on an album? It was near impossible but every song has got a sentimental reason behind it for me personally and some of them remind me of pivotal moments in my life. It might have been a soundtrack that I was listening to at the time of something big going on in my life. So I feel like when you listen to the album from start to finish, for me especially, it feels like a good representation of my musical theatre soul.


If you could pick anyone, dead or alive to be on your next album, who would you choose?

I would pick the Sherman Brothers- I knew both of them. Bob Sherman who passed away a few years ago was a really dear friend of mine because he wrote the music to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, both of which I was in as a child, so our families sort of became friends and he moved to London and stayed in London for about 10 years. He sort of became my adopted grandfather; we used to go over and visit him and make him earl grey tea and it'd be lovely to sing with him again.

How would you sum up the album in five words?

Oh 5 words! Normally I get 3, this is nice! Splashing out... maybe that's too many! Okay: magical, warm I'd say cause every song has got such warmth and love and passion behind it. Empowering, I hope! There's lots of songs on there that have been sung by amazing women and have been written by powerful women so I've sort of given my best shot at those. Childlike, I feel like there's an element of childlike wonder cause I remember how I felt as a kid, watching musical theatre and how it made me feel and that's kind of like why I do it now and I hope that when young kids come to the theatre and watch me on stage I can kind of in-still that in them as well. And enchanting is my final word. Only because when people ask how you'd like to be described as they walk away (not necessarily how they will describe me as they walk away!) But what I'd like them to, is enchanting.

Thank you so much to Carrie for having me at her press launch and taking the time on the night to answer some questions. Carrie's beautiful album, When The Curtain Falls is out now so go buy it! Enter my giveaway to win a signed copy of the album here.

Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell

Watch my vlog of the launch and interview with Carrie here

photo credit: Darren Bell
Read post

Friday 30 March 2018

All or Nothing, Ambassadors Theatre | Review


All or Nothing
Ambassadors Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 28th March 2018 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★

I must admit, this review has been hard for me to write. This show isn't bad and I had a good time but I definitely am not it's target audience and that had a big effect. My plus one for the night was my dad who grew up during the time Small Faces were on the charts so he remembered all the songs, knew all the characters and could relate to it. Whereas I, a 21 year old who has never been introduced to their music, felt a bit like an outsider looking in. 

The performances aren't bad, in fact they're pretty fantastic. Samuel Pope, especially, as Younger Steve Mariott is outstanding both in terms of vocals and acting as is Chris Simmons as older Steve. The cast give it their all and do their best to deliver stellar performances. The sets are pretty good, if fairly basic, and the lighting fits perfectly to create the concert vibe. The small space of the Ambassadors theatre also lends itself well to this and it feels as though we are a part of the action as well as just watching it.

As I said, nothing is wrong with this production... if you're the target audience. At first I thought to myself: well, that's fine, it's for the older generations and that's that. But as I think about it more I don't think that's correct. Of course the music and story is for an older audience because they know it already, but I believe the creatives should have worked to make it relatable for a younger audience as well. I could tell from audience reactions around me that the characters were spot on to their real-life counterparts and that the jokes about specific things and people fell right, but I just couldn't find a way in. 


Not being a writer I don't know how they could have drawn all ages in, perhaps by taking a note out of Beautiful's book and telling the story of the lives more that just assuming we're all aware. The fire at the end for example, felt like a complete gear change to me, as I didn't know that's how Steve died, it just seemed like a random, erratic scene. Of course I could have read up on their story first but that's not really something you should have to do when going to the theatre.

I really wanted to like this show and I'm glad that my dad and those around me did. If my dad was writing this review it would have been far more glowing and received one or two stars more but I can only say how it feels personally. I did still have fun regardless because of the wonderful performances, but I can't say I'll be rushing back or rushing to recommend it to people my age. However, if you're a fan of Small Faces then I definitely think you'll enjoy All or Nothing and will certainly feel the nostalgia and joy that their music evidently brings.

All or Nothing runs at the Ambassadors Theatre until May 12th.

Read post

Trainspotting Live, The Vaults | Review


Trainspotting Live 
The Vaults 
Reviewed on Thursday 29th March 2018 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★

Crude, disgusting, shocking, amazing, outstanding. Just a few words to describe this mental but incredible production. Trainspotting Live, based on Irvine Welsh's 1993 book, follows a group of heroin addicts on their journey through life in an economically depressed part of Edinburgh.

I must admit, when I was handed my fluorescent wristband and shown into the space thumping with techno music like an underground rave, I was a little (okay a lot) scared. This fear remained with me for the first part of the show; my heart was racing and I was shocked and slightly appalled at what was going on. Having never seen or read Trainspotting Live, I had zero idea of what to expect but oh boy was I pleasantly surprised. 

 Sure this show is crazily abrasive and probably offensive to a lot of people but it's also funny, authentic, moving and inventive. The 75 minute performance is visceral and as long as you have an open mind that's ready to be shocked then it's totally for you.


This show is not for the faint of heart though. Lets just say that the actors are not the only people involved in the action of Trainspotting Live, so beware. Especially if you find yourself sat next to the dirtiest toilet known to man, or in the firing line of the of the products hurled out of it. This story is immersive and innovative whilst still capturing reality and being relatable for the people of today.

This darkly comic show has no boundaries and freely approaches nudity, drugs and sex. The young actors do a fantastic job of bringing this all to the audience and their free, energetic performances and blunt portrayal of addiction which will resonate and stay with you after the show. I felt so immersed that coming out  was like waking up and having to readjust to the world.

 From a technical standpoint, Trainspotting Live is outstanding. The entire cast of actors put their absolute all into every single moment and it honestly feels as though they're experiencing the whole show for the first time. Frankie O'Connor's performance as Renton particularly stands out but there is not a weak link in the cast. 


 The lighting design by Clancy Flynn is inventive, with the strobe lights used at the end creating a disorientating but mesmerising effect and Tom Lishman's sound design is constant enough that it blends in and becomes a part of the show instead of being a layer added on top just for the sake of it.

There are gasps, laughs and pained silences throughout and the full spectrum of emotions are truly explored. For a visceral and moving performance, like nothing else then please go and see Trainspotting Live. You'll be left feeling slightly drained, extremely shocked and really really wanting to go and clean yourself but it'll be worth it!

Trainspotting Live is at The Vaults until June 3rd before heading to New York.
Read post

Thursday 29 March 2018

Ruthless, Arts Theatre | Review


Ruthless
The Arts Theatre 
Reviewed on Wednesday 28th March by Shaun Dicks
★★★

The Arts Theatre is in the heart of the West End. It has been host to a plethora of eclectic shows - from Ushers to American Idiot to Murder Ballad – the Arts Theatre shows new and edgy work. Currently, it plays host to Ruthless the Musical, a story of an all-American family that becomes fractured because of a school play and Tina, the youngest member of the family, whose desire to get the lead goes too far. Ruthless is full of camp, betrayal, deceit and talent. 

The score of the show by Marvin Laird isn’t the type of score we come to expect from a show at the Arts, it is very stylised but also very cliché. The majority of the score has been overdone and over used in a multitude of shows before this, the influences are obvious. However, the book and lyrics by Joel Paley are well thought out and give the cast something to work with. The minimal amount of choreography is crisp and stylised, the direction is simple but mostly well executed. What is lacking in this show is a spark, there is nothing exciting about this show. There is a distinct lack of creativity that stifles it, everything presented here, I’ve seen before. 

Despite the shows hindrances, there are some positives. The comedic timing of all was completely spot on, the energy from the entire cast was high for the most part and the twists were well executed. I cannot fault the cast, they all delivered solid performances, with Jason Gardiner as Sylvia St. Croix as a particular stand out. His performance was stylised, well thought out and exceptionally delivered. 


Ruthless has its good moments but also its flaws. It has moments of humour and glamour but there is sadly no stand out moments. The show is good for what it is, and its message is very appropriate in the world of Instagram famous, but the material is nothing to rave about. The casting has saved this show, if the cast hadn’t carried the material like they have, this show would be a flop. They did the best with what they were given and sadly what they were given wasn’t good enough. 

Ruthless runs at the Arts Theatre until June 23rd.

photo credit: Alistair Muir



Read post

Son of a Preacher Man (UK Tour), Storyhouse | Review


Son of a Preacher Man (UK Tour) 
Storyhouse 
Reviewed on Tuesday 27th March 2018 by Becca Cromwell
★★

Set in modern day Soho, Son of a Preacher Man focuses on the lives of three people dealing with loss and heartbreak who turn to the past to find answers. All three of them end up at a record shop named the Preacher Man, which got its name from the man who ran it. In the 60s, all your troubles would be solved through music and advice from the shop’s owner, making it one of the most popular places of its time.

The story focuses on Kat, who recently lost her grandmother, Alison, who realises she’s in love with someone she can’t have and Paul, who still pines over a man he first fell in love with 40 years ago. The three of them venture to where the shop used to be in a search for advice and closure, only to find it no longer exists. Distraught, they meet the son of the shop’s owner Simon, who is the son of a preacher man. Simon takes it upon himself to help them, and with a little help from his deceased father, does just that.

The storyline is rather cheesy, which is to be expected from a jukebox musical, and features plenty of Dusty Springfield’s hits including The Look of Love, I Only Want To Be With You and of course, Son Of A Preacher Man. There are also plenty of other sixties hits thrown in for good measure, such as Cilla Black’s You’re My World.


Kat, played by Alice Barlow, is a young girl suffering the loss of her grandmother, who turns to her grandmothers’ favourite place, which just so happens to be the Preacher Man, for comfort. Alice is known for playing Rae Wilson on Hollyoaks, and being a previous contestant on The Voice. Alice delivered solid vocals and gave a good performance as Kat, and impressed many of the audience with the sheer quality of her voice.

Alison, played by Michelle Gayle, is a teacher turned tutor who recently lost her Husband, Jim. Alison turns to the Preacher Man for advice on her new love, and learns a lot from it. Michelle Gayle is known for playing Hattie Tavernier in Eastenders, signing a record contract and releasing two albums with BMG and starring on Grange Hill as a child. Michelle gave a good, believable performance, with impressive vocals to match.

Simon is played by Nigel Richards who has had an extensive and impressive career in musical theatre, including Enjrolas and Grantaire in Les Miserables, and the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. Nigel gave a convincing performance as the shy but loveable Simon and I was suitably impressed.


Paul, a man who is still lusting after his first love, is played by Nigel Howe. Nigel has had an affluent career in theatre, TV and Film, with over 40 acting credits to his name on IMDB and almost as many theatre credits. Nigel gave a decent performance as Paul, making the audience really feel for him in the process.

With Craig Revel Horwood choreographing the show, I expected more in terms of choreography, which left me a little disappointed. However, the lack of choreography was made up for by most of the cast members occasionally playing instruments on stage.

Son of a Preacher Man continues its UK tour until July.



Read post

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Liza Pulman Sings Streisand (UK Tour), Live at Zedel | Review


Liza Pulman Sings Streisand (Concert) 
Live at Zedel: The Crazy Coqs 
Reviewed on Monday 26th March 2018 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★

One-third of cabaret group, Fascinating Aida, Liza Pulman is on the road once again with her show that celebrates and honours the icon, Barbra Streisand. 

Liza and her phenomenal band The Stardust Ensemble, have created a vibrant 90-minute set which showcases Ms Streisand's fantastic career and musical style. Liza takes pieces from from Barbra's remarkable 6 decade's of music and weaves them into an entertaining show which fuses wit and personal anecdotes to tell the story of Barbra Streisand.

Streisand has a huge catalog of songs so of course they can't all be performed, but Liza brings together a variety of well and lesser-known pieces to draw together Barbra's vast career whilst making each and every one, iconically Liza. Whilst taking influence from Barbra's vocal technique and attitude to music, Liza is not a tribute act, instead she shows off her own vocal range and musicality through the stunning music Barbra has performed.

The night is opened with a pacy version of Don't Rain on my Parade from Funny Girl to which Liza added a jazzy, swung feel and set the tone for the night ahead. Throughout the night Liza is witty as she tells the story of Barbra's life alongside her own personal anecdotes which wind the two together as if Liza is channeling Barbra. 

A personal favourite moment for me came a few songs in with an expressive and energetic rendition of Miss Marmelstein. Delving into the story Liza explained that Barbra has only actually been in two Broadway musicals (perhaps due to her self confessed fear of performing), the first being I Can Get It for You Wholesale. The show received lukewarm reactions until Ms Streisand stepped out in act two to perform this song, received an instant mid-show ovation and was catapulted to fame! Liza shows off her humourous side in this fantastic lament about no one calling her by her first name. Ironically, when this song was released by Columbia Records, Barbra's name was spelt wrong!

Accompanied by Andy Taylor's beautiful guitar playing, Liza gave a moving performance of Sleeping Bee before shining with New York State of Mind. After a brief interval for a costume change, Liza showed of her's and Barbra's diversity with an emotional performance of You Don't Bring Me Flowers. The Stardust Ensemble led by MD Joseph Atkins were stellar throughout and seemed to love performing alongside Liza. Their chemistry is evident and it's really lovely to watch.

The night ended with two of Barbra's most iconic songs, Happy Days Are Here Again and People, both of which were performed astoundingly by Liza who's vocal range and stability is impeccable. Her charisma and natural stage presence draws the audience in and her knowledge and love for Barbra Streisand helps the night flow in an entertaining but sincere way. I don't doubt that Barbra would be honoured to hear and see Liza's fantastic celebration of her music and career.

Liza Pulman sings Barbra Streisand is touring round the UK
Read post

Ruthless, Arts Theatre | Review



Ruthless
Arts Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 23rd March by Olivia Mitchell
★★

I've never felt as lukewarm about a show as I do this one. Ruthless wasn't bad but it also wasn't good. Overall the cast were strong, the songs were pretty catchy and there were moments of humour but I really can't describe it as anything else but "meh", which is annoying because I really did want to enjoy it.

Ruthless follows a young girl Tina Denmark who wants to be a star and will do anything in her power to achieve it. Her mother is a typical generic housewife who does everything she's meant to do and never anything self-indulgent. Then we have Sylvia  St.Croix, the talent scout, agent, ever present 'pusher' who comes out of no where and stays for the duration of the show.

The story is genuinely funny (at points) and although predictable, it is entertaining to see this camp, spoofed, mixed up story play out. But there's just something which doesn't work. Satire is used cleverly, especially with Tina's mum in the opening number and I enjoyed spotting the musical theatre references such as Mame and Sunset Boulevard but there's only so much repetition of jokes one person can take!


As for the cast, they're strong and entertaining. Our Tina Denmark who perfectly portrayed the stagey maniac was Anya Evans. Anya's performance is stellar and she really was born to be on the stage. Her determination mixed with her psychotic side is extremely entertaining to watch and I would gladly go back just to see her again.

Ever the audience favourite, Tracie Bennett is great as theatre critic, Lita Encore. Although the drunken swagger is somewhat cringey, she give a fabulous performance and commands the stage during I Hate Musicals. 

The name of the show, Jason Gardiner is good but generic. His camp, audacious Sylvia St. Croix is fun to watch but not shocking in any way. I get that the whole thing is a sort of parody but it would have been great to have a touch more originality with the way he plays the role.

As the mother, Judy Denmark, Kim Maresca is wonderful. Her embodiment of the role is cheesy but not too over the top and her voice wows, especially in act 2. Harriet Thorpe is suitably biting whilst Lara Denning is sharp and witty.

This show isn't a masterpiece but while I wasn't the biggest fan, I know others who will lap it up. There's certainly a market for this over the top, zany, crude show and I can see it doing well but for me it just needs some tweaking to take it from "meh" to something special.

Ruthless runs at the Arts Theatre until June 23rd.

photo credit: Alistair Muir
Read post

Monday 26 March 2018

Why We Should 'Be More Matilda'



There are a lot of inspiring stories in this world, and for me, some of the best can be found in Musical Theatre. Some people think musicals are all about the fun, the glitz and the glamour, but really there are some truly inspiring stories intertwined with all of that. Stories of overcoming the impossible, reaching for your dreams and fighting adversity. At first, whilst enjoying the show, you may not realise the true depth of the story but it's there and I believe that we can learn a lot from the stories of the musicals.

On international women's day, there was a lot of talk on social media about the most inspiring women in musical theatre. Plenty to choose from but the twitter tag that really stood out to me was Be More Matilda. Despite being the smallest leading lady in the West End, Matilda is certainly inspiring, and the show as a whole has this wonderfully motivating story. So why should you choose to 'Be More Matilda’?

Matilda the musical, whilst being full of fun and humour, has an incredible story of fighting for what is right at its heart. It is a classic little versus large story, with a little girl coming up against her giant of a headmistress, with Matilda determined to turn the tables. Matilda the musical creates a world where children can teach adults the lessons they deserve and teaches the audience that you can do anything as long as you are determined.

Little Matilda Wormwood, despite her size, is stubborn and won't take no for an answer. She knows that it is not right that Miss Trunchball treats the students of her school like prisoners, or that her parents treat her like dirt, and she is intent on teaching them a lesson. As she says, 'Even if you find that life's not fair, it doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it'. Matilda is a strong character, she knows that things need to change, and she uses her incredible mind and fighting spirit to prove everyone around her wrong and change her life for the better.

In Musical Theatre, there are a few characters that champion the idea that 'Even if you're little you can do a lot' and Matilda is just one of them. You could also mention Les Miserables Gavroche, the tough talking urchin who fights to the death alongside the rebellious students, or Barnum's General Tom Thumb who uses his circus act to celebrate his small size with a proud proclamation that Bigger isn't better.

Despite her size and the fact that the clear majority of the adults around her want to silence her, Matilda comes out on top. She fights against it all, using her brains and her determination to right all the wrongs in her life. Matilda is inspired by the stories she reads in her books, and she understands how those characters could have changed their stories. With that inspiration, she is able to change her own story. She believes that the biggest event can begin with the tiniest start, and even though you're small, you can do anything you want to do.

Matilda the Musical teaches everyone who watches it a wonderful lesson. It tells everyone that if you have a problem, you shouldn't just sit around and let it get on top, because that is a way of saying that it's okay, when it really isn't. The show teaches that you are the creator of your own story and no one else can write that story for you.

So, whether you decide to be the tiniest mite who packs the mightiest sting or decide to take advice from Mrs Wormwood and Rudolpho in Loud and give yourself permission to shine, maybe it's time to decide to Be More Matilda.

 Comment down below how you're going to Be More Matilda or which other musical theatre characters inspire you...

Article written by Becky Wallis

Read post

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review


Signed, Sealed, Delivered (UK Tour) 
New Victoria Theatre 
Reviewed on Friday 20th October 2017 by Glenys Balchin 
★★★★

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, hit musical tribute show featuring Lejaune André, the star of The Magic of Motown, playing homage to Stevie Wonder.

The show included many of Stevie’s extensive memorable songs featuring the Grammy award winning Signed, Sealed, Delivered as well as Superstition, Higher Ground, Master Blaster, Sir Duke, Part-Time Lover, Isn’t She Lovely and the biggest international hit of all time – I just Called To Say I Love You, plus many, many more!

The performance tonight was really a show of two halves Lejaune André being Stevie and then Lejaune as himself singing Stevie Wonders music. Although, he remained dressed as Stevie with the braids for the second half so I found that a little disjointed visually.


He was joined on stage by a seven-piece band and four backing vocalists, who were all good musicians and singers  but  at times seemed not to be at ease on the stage or uniformed in their overall performance collectively. Two vocalists Portia and Nathan delivered a more polished performance than the other couple. 

The same can be said for the band the brass, percussionist and drummer section were more  in tune with the overall stage performance than the keyboards and guitarists. The two guitarists really did not look like they wanted to be on stage and were not engaging with the audience, so it was very distracting. 

The same cannot be said, about Karen Straw who not only pulled off a polish performance on the trumpet, danced incredibly well, was energetic and mesmerising to watch


Lejaune Andre performance also, was well received by the audience and enjoyable to watch, if a little uncomfortable when he was first led onto the stage by the female vocalists, as Stevie Wonder.

The first half of the show had been hampered with technical difficulties and at times it was difficult to always hear the other singers but the second half was more enjoyable. The rendition of Happy Birthday had everyone up on their feet dancing in the aisles. The finale of Signed, Sealed and Delivered was executed well; the whole overall stage presence and performance of all the cast came together much better in the second part of the show.

That is why I would rate this show a four out of five and not a five,  as there is room for improvement, a start would be for the guitarist and keyboard player to look like they wanted  to be be on stage!

Read post

Brief Encounter, Empire Cinema Haymarket | Review


Brief Encounter
Empire Cinema, Haymarket
Reviewed on Friday 20th October 2017 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★

A uniquely theatrical experience and a love letter to film, Brief Encounter, first seen in London in 2008, is back with a fantastic adaptation by Emma Rice. Complete with uniformed ushers, popcorn and pink curtains, Brief Encounter is a quaintly wonderful show that works perfectly in the Empire Cinema. 

Laura and Alec meet by chance in a train station cafe when she gets some grit in her eye and he kindly helps her remove it. They bump into each other a few more times before ending up spending an afternoon at the cinema together. Of course, this story is set in 1938 and both are married with children, so whilst they continue to develop feelings for each other and fall in love, they (and the audience) know that it will not end well.

Of course times have changed but an affair between two married people is still unacceptable to most. However, I felt that by only seeing Laura's (Isabel Pollen) home life with her less-than-sensitive husband, it made it more acceptable in a way. Seeing both of the families, or seeing families who were 'happy' would've added a depth to the show that was missing at times.


However, this is a sweet show helped by the brilliant set from Neil Murray which brings stage and screen together. A number of levels, nooks and crannies provide space for movement as well as surprise when actors just appear. 

Kneehigh's composer Stu Barker has done some fantastic arrangements Noël Cowards pieces which really set the scene. Especially wonderful is Jos Slovick's performance of So Good at Love towards the end.

Jos is one half of another couple in the show, the quirky young lovers Stanley and Beryl (Beverley Rudd). The two are a wonderful pair and capture the feeling and excitement of young love perfectly. The final couple in the show are the refreshment room manager, Myrtle Bagot (Lucy Thackeray) and Albert Godby (Dean Nolan) who are memorable, hilarious and a joy to watch. Myrtle's faux accent which slips in and out is absolutely brilliant. The contract between the three couples is jarring at times but cleverly highlights how all relationships vary.


As the leads, Isabel Pollen and Jim Sturgeon are captivating. Suitably reserved and excited at times they create a moving and heartbreaking relationship which blurs the lines between film and reality.

Overall this is a lovely revival which uses its story and surrounding thoroughly to its advantage. Fun, moving and at 90 minutes, not too brief, it's a gem of a production.

Brief Encounter is at the Empire Cinema Haymarket until September 2nd.

photo credit: Steve Tanner
Read post
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Latest photos from RewriteThisStoryBlog

© Rewrite This Story. Design by Kate.