I had a crazy few days towards the end of March that are going to make picking my favourite performances very hard! But, starting at the beginning of March and production 18 for the year so far!
2nd March – Bronco Billy – The Charring Cross Theatre – This was a last minute ticket for me, I bought it in the morning for the matinee. This is a theatre I really like, I had no idea what I was going to see, and my Rush ticket gave me a great seat in Row H. A delightful musical, the lead was Tarinn Callender who was in the original Hamilton cast, he has a lovely voice. This is a light hearted take of a travelling band of performing friends who meet up with an Heiress trying to stay alive. Victoria Hamilton Barritt played her evil step mother and was laugh out loud funny! I’d seen her in Bad Cinderella and Hex and been impressed. They were joined by Johnathan Bourne, Josh Butler, `Emily Benjamin, Alice Croft, Gemma Atkins, Chris Jared, Karen Mavundukure, Henry Maynard, Helen K WInt, Silas Wyatt-Barke, Alexander McMorran and Aharon Rayner. (18)
2nd March – The Little Big Things – Soho Place. This was my 3rd time and the closing night for the show. The emotion in the room was quite remarkable from minute 1. I could see Henry Fraser’s family from where I was sitting and there was laughter, singing and tears in equal measure. This is a special show about an inspiring young man and I really hope we see it in London again, it has been filmed so will be in cinemas, do go, but take tissues, my friend Cory and I both needed them! The cast – Johnny Amies, Jordan Benjamin, Rebecca Bowden, Jamie Chatterton, Alasdair Harvey, Linzi Hateley, Ed Larkin, Gracie McGonigal, Tom Oliver, Malinda Paris, Cleve September, Amy Trigg. (19)
6th March – My Beautiful Laundrette – Queens Theatre, Hornchurch. I’d never watched the popular film,, if I had I may not have gone along to watch this. This is one I wish I hadn’t bothered with, this is a piece, of it’s time, with blatant racism which I was uncomfortable watching. Some of the acting was good, but some of it really wasn’t. (20)
7th March – The Merchant of Venice 1936 – The Criterion Theatre – another last minute matinee I went to this one with my friend Sarah. This was Shakespeare see in London in 1936, it was cleverly done and brought in the fascists at that time into play, A couple of the cast members were dressed as Nazi’s. Shylock was played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, an actress known to fans of Eastenders she was joined by Raymond Coulthard, Hannah Morrish, Gavon Fowler, Grain Dromgoole, Priyank Morjaria, Jessica Dennis, Xavier Starr, Alex Zur and Nancy Farino. As is so often the way with Shakespeare there was a good mix of humour and a serious message that stands in good stead in today’s society, I’m glad I went! The Cable Street reference was particularly apt. (21)
12th March – MJ The Musical – Prince Edward Theatre. Big ticket, big cast shows aren’t usually my thing, but I nabbed a ticket for £20 in the very back row of the highest point in the theatre’; the view was excellent! Obviously I couldn’t;t see expressions on faces, but this is about preparing for a concert tour, the Dangerous Tour, so being up high meant I could see the whole stage and the choreography was excellent. I was one of those who saw the Jacksons and then Michael Jackson live, I bought his albums as they came out, I love his music. I really enjoyed this show, not withstanding the scandal that surrounded his life in his later years. There were 3 versions of Michael and all did a good job, the recreation of Thriller in particular is amazing! https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mj+the+musical+cast&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8. The cast is a long one and available on the link. (22)
16th March – The Hills of California – Harold Pinter Theatre.he cas My daughter Alexandra was visiting for my birthday weekend and we had tour tickets for the evening, but I’d decided to go for Rush tickets for the afternoon. It looked like we’d be having a chilled afternoon but I got an alert and 2 stalls tickets for £25 each – a deal that was too good to miss. Especially as I’d seen the play and knew just how good it was! This is a long play and again tie flew by for both of us, Alex loved this tale of 4 sisters and their ambitious Mother as much as I did. A play with music it’s very funny, but has a nasty twist towards the end. The cast included – Helena Wilson, Natasha Magigi, Richard Lumsden, Opheila Lovibond, Lucy Moran, Alfie Jackson, Leanne Best, Shaun Dooley, Bryan Dick, Laura Donnelly.(23)
16th March – Standing at The Sky’s Edge – The Gillian Lynne Theatre. I saw this at The National Theatre and really wanted Alex to see it, so this was a long time in advance buy. We had seats in the Circle at the side, which were very good value and a great view. I loved this when I saw it last year, there were a few key cast changes with Faith Omole playing in King Lear and Maimuna Memon involved in other projects. Those were the 2 major changes for me. I looked at this with different eyes watching with Alex, she felt it was a play with songs, rather than a musical. The songs aren’t necessarily telling the story. I love the music, written by Richard Hawley who’s worked with Pulp, I love the songs, but did get Alex’s point. Another link for the cast https://www.skysedgemusical.com/cast-creative/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwh4-wBhB3EiwAeJsppE32HiTOHK-7QOE4KpjcLnGDwdj_X-Ij4uyhne82afMEBdvz8BQBfhoCSskQAvD_BwE (24)
20th March – Red Pitch – Soho Place Theatre. Soho Place is quickly becoming one of my favourite theatres and their new production, (transferred from the Bush Theatre) definitely lived up to my expectations for the theatre. 3 young actors, Kedar Williams-Stirling – Bilal, Emeka Sesay – Joey and Francis Lovehall – Omz, play 3 friends whose lives revolve around football. Omz is a young carer fo this grandparent sonf his regard and care of them is clear to see. A tale of friendship and disappointment it’s a one Act play which has its’ advantages. The language could be a challenge for some I was there with my friend Sheila and she struggled at times, but got the gist. I’m booked to go again at the end of April! (25)
21st March – Hadestown – The Lyric Theatre. Sheila and I booked tickets for this as soon as they came out, we treated ourselves to Stalls Row C tickets at £85. The seats were in effect Row B, which meant a lot of dry ice blowing over us and huge spotlights in the face. It also meant we were in ‘spitting distance’ so could most definitely see facial expressions. We had the undercover Hades Christopher Short and this was his first time standing in, he was excellent, what a voice! I met him a couple of days later so was able to tell him and grab a photo with him. The vocal range of Donal Finn playing Orpheus is incredible! There is a lot of outstanding talent in this production, amongst them in addition to the 2 mentioned are – Grace Hodgett Young, Melani La Barrie and Gloria Onitiri. (26)
22nd March – Just For One Day – The Old Vic. I kept looking at tickets for this and not buying, but a chance to go with Cory goit me buying my ticket and wow I’m so glad I went! I remember 13th July 1985 very well, it was the weekend before my first wedding. The 13th was a glorious day, it rained on the 20th, prophetic as it turned out! This production is largely about Bob Geldof played brilliantly by Craige Els, it tells the tale of that day and the things that drove it through the eyes of Jemma played by Naomi Katiyo and 1985 Suzanne – Hope Kenna and Suzanne 2024 – Jackie Clune. Amara played by Abiona Omonua was the person ‘on the ground’ in Africa. We were treated to a lot of the iconic songs from that day sung by a very talented cast. I’ve read reviews criticising Band Aid, but this show was highly entertaining and was a great showcase for lots of talented young actors. (27)
24th March – The Philharmonia Orchestra, Pictures at An Exhibition – The Royal Festival Hall. A last minute decision to go and listen to some classical music and it was truly beautiful! There were 3 pieces 2 by Mussorgsky with a piece by Kabalevsky in the middle, that brought soloist Steven Isserlis and his Cello onto the stage. I always find it fascinating to watch a full orchestra to see what those not playing as much as those taking part in a big way. The final piece, Pictures at An Exhibition included 3 huge bells and the organ, with minor parts. Both Mussorgsky pieces included 8 double bass players which was a sight to behold! This was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon and I shared a cuppa with Laura and James too, who by coincidence walked in just before me! (28)
24th March – Jason Robert Brown in Concert – The Palladium. What can I say about this man, he wrote Songs For A New World, The Last Five Years, and The Bridges of Madison County to name but 3. I saw The Last Five Years in 2021 on the stage and have since watched the film. I love, love, love the songs from The Bridges of Madison County but haven’t seen in live – I have Spotify Discovery to thank for that! Jason was funny and humble, a great entertainer, he was joined by Cynthia Eviro who was just amazing! Her voice! Just sublime, she had standing ovation after standing ovation and deservedly so! I’m going to decry another croed favourite, Alfie Boe was brought on to lots of applause to sing Wondering from Bridges – and just no! Give me Steven Pasquale each and every time! There was applause, of course, but no ovation. His voice just isnt right for the song. Overall this was a wonerful evening. Cory and I had eaten dinner at Sophie’s which is where we saw the stand in Hades! (29)
26th March – The Divine Mrs S – Hampstead Theatre. This was a trip with my friends Laura and James, a theatre they know well and one I’m getting to know and love, I’m sure there isn’t a bad seat in the house! The Divine Mrs S is Mrs Siddons,(played by Rachael Stirling) the first respected actress, she graced the stage if Drury Lane in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but I wasn[t expecting a comedy! There was laughter from the first moment as Dominic Rowan playing Sarah Siddons brother gave a very exaggerated performance to the ‘audience’ at the back of the stage. A small cast with Eva Feiler, Sadie Shimmin and Gareth Snook playing several parts each. All 5 actors brought humour to their parts and this play gave me my performance in a play. (30)
30th March – The Time Machine – The Royal & Derngate, Northampton. I’d wanted to visit some out of London theatres and a trip to Northampton to watch my rugby team (lose) gave me the chance to try this one out! The theatre is lovely and the curtain – well I’ve never seen anything like it! The play was, very funny! George Kemp played a relative of HG Wells and he was joined by Michael Dyland and Noah Marullo (standing in for Amy Revelle).. This production has been nominated for the Unusual Rigging Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre at the Olivier Awards. A laugh out loud play with audience interaction added in, if it’s at a theatre near you I can highly recommend it. (31)
Best Performance in a Musical – 2 for this month, I can’t decide between Orpheus and Hades – Donal Finn and Christopher Short.
Best Performance in a play – Racheael Stirling was excellent as Mrs Siddons.
A special mention for Cynthia Eviro who is a verified superstar! Roll on the Wicked film!
365 Happy Days 