I’ve got to nearly the end of September before starting to write this, too much cricket and theatre! The cricket finsishes this weekend, the theatre continues! Early August saw my daughter Alexandra visiting from Paris, she loves musical theatre in particular and I love her to see things I’ve enjoyed, so there’ll be some doubles!
August 1st – The Constituent – The Old Vic – One of my favourite theatres I try to book most things on there. I’d held back from this one but liked the idea of seeing James Corden live. Anna Maxwell Martin was playing opposite Corden, a great actor, I thought he outshone her. Zachary Hart was the 3rd wheel and played a somewhat corrupt police officer. This was, as the name suggests, a tale of a constituent and his MP. An ex soldier in difficulty and an MP with high morals they’d come from the same school, back ground but then faced different worlds. James Corden seems to be a marmite actor/individual, I like him and thought he was very good in this role. (61)
August 1st – Kiss Me Kate – The Barbican – This was one I had to take Alex too, she loves an all singing, all dancing show! This was my 3rd time and I enjoyed it again, thought Charlie Stemp was under utilised, Andrew Dunbar was a little weak in the singing department, Stephanie J Block was the superstar she was billed as and that Hammad Anismashaun and Nigel Lindsay were inspired choices for the ‘gangsters’. Oh and that Too Darn Hot was fabulous! This is on in cinemas on November 17th – do go and see it if you missed it at The Barbican. (62)
August 6th – Slave Play – Noel Coward Theatre – Another must see for Alex as she’s a massive John Snow and Game of Thrones fan, so a huge Kit Harrington fan. I’d managed an hour in July before food poisoning hit, this was a chance to see everything (if you know, you know). Seeing the whole play left me with as many questions as answers, a play about race, sex, power relations. trauma and interracial relationships. I enjoyed it, but it won’t be on my list of favourites for 2024. (63)
August 8th – Fiddler on The Roof – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – My good friend Sheila had bought me a ticket for my birthday, we added Alex in. For the 2nd year we had dinner under the awnings at the theatre which was a delight. The show itself was wonderful, The Fiddler appeared on what was in effect a field/roof and at various points throughout ,he was a real highlight for me. A film from my childhood with Topol in the lead role this was a lovely production that brought back many memories. (64)
10th August – The Year – The Almeida Theatre – This play most definitely will be on my list, it was stunning! Based on a book by Annie Ernaux – Les Annees it involved 5 different actors bringing one woman’s personal and political story to life. Deborah Findlay, Romola Garai, Gina McKee, Anjii Mohindra and Harmony Rose-Bremner took the protagonist from childhood to her older years. The intervening years included a controversial abortion scene, I’d read an article on my way home from London about the play needing to ne stopped and that transpired the night I went along as a young woman become distressed. It was a traumatic scene and one Romola Garai had to stop and start again with I felt for her. There were trigger warnings aplenty but I suppose no one knows how they’re going to react. I saw so much that resonated with me in this play and found I had tears pouring down my face as it ended. I’d have liked to sit and think but people wanted to rush out, I consoled myself with a strawberry tart and hot chocolate. (65)
14th August – A Chorus Line – Sadler’s Wells Theatre – Pretty much my whole family had been to see this show in 2013 for my Mother’s 80th birthday, pretty much all of us, excepting Alex, thought the production was poor, a boring show, we thought. But anything with Adam Cooper is something I want to see! Another evening with Sheila and another friend Wendy I was a bit nervous about this one. But, wow, I loved it! It was a lively and bright production with some excellent performances, it was like watching a totally different show! With the big number, What I Did For Love and the finale of One were highlights in particular! The only regret was that we didn’t get to see Adam Cooper dance more than he did. (66)
15th August – Slave Play – Noel Coward Theatre – A 3rd visit to watch this play, but with the understudies this time, with the exception of Kit Harrington and Chalia La Tour. I preferred the performances of Prince Kundai as Gary and Dimitri Graph as Dustin, their section made me cry, whereas I was unmoved in the last full run through I saw. Seeing Kit 3 times was a treat I must admit. (67)
21st August – Fangirls – The Lyric, Hammersmith – My friend Sonia booked this one and we both went in a bit blind. This had come over from Australia and in part is a tale most lovers of boybands (And I am one such) would recognise. Jasmine Elcock playing Edna is obsessed with Harry played by Thomas Grant. She kidnaps him when his band comes to her town and chaos ensues. A young and diverse cast singing come great songs produced a very entertaining show. I’d like to see it get a berth in the West End. (68)
21st August – Hello Dolly – The Palladium – Another one I’d held back from booking, but wow I’m so glad I saw it in the flesh! Another film from my youth Barbara Streisand was Dolly for me, I couldn’t see how her part could be replicated. But, Imelda Staunton was fabulous, her voice isn’t a match but this was a brilliant show. The scene where they sing Hello Dolly with Imelda coming down the staircase was perfect. Jenna Russell, who I’d seen in Flowers for Mrs Harris was excellent alongside Imelda Staunton. (69)
27th August – The Grapes of Wrath – The National Theatre – A theatre where pretty much everything is excellent; I’d booked a seat In row A of the Littleton Theatre as I had before, for this play the stage was high so certain parts were hard to see. A tale that’s quite apt to today this play is based on the book by John Steinbeck, this was one of 3 books, including Dubious Battle and Of Mice And Men. This book is seen as a novel of social protest, here’s a description of the play from the National’s site –
Forced to travel West in search of a promised land, the Joad family embark on an epic journey across America in the hope of finding work and a new life in California.Their story is one of false hopes, wrong turns and broken dreams, but also a hymn to human kindness and a tribute to the endurance of the human spirit.
Cherry Jones of Succession fame was the mother of the family, I found it a bit odd that she and her ‘husband’ looked the same age as the couple in the next generation. A heavy play, it was well acted. (70)
28th August – Death of England – Closing Time – Sohoplace Theatre – The 3rd and final part of the Death of England plays not brings Michael’s sister, Carly, played by Erin Doherty and Delroy’s Mum, Denise played by Sharon Duncan-Brewster. I find it so hard to pick my favourite of the 3 plays and saw all 3 on the same day in September which was amazing! My friend Cordell, who I’d seen all 3 with in August I think had this final play as his favourite. Another humorous and thought provoking play, this 2 hander kept the audience transfixed. (71)
Favourite Musical Performance – Jasmine Elcock as Edna in Fangirls – she has a stunning voice
Favourite Drama Performance – The whole cast of The Years – a truly stunning play! But Paapa Essiedu as Delroy takes the solo prize, he is a wonderful actor and this part has him very close to taking over from Danny Sapani as King Lear as my favourite of the whole year!
365 Happy Days 