I’ve just found a post I started but didn’t finish in 2019, I got up to 55 performances that year, I think my theatre addiction has grown!
1st September – Alex Newell in Concert – Cadogan Hall. I’d seen Alex in Pippin and was blown away by their voice, yet somehow this was a last minute decision. A solo concert with a guest appearance from Marisha Wallace, Alex has the most stunning voice and was funny and engaging when not singing. Their final some was beautiful, Meadowlark – I’d never heard it before and had to look it up, it’s from The Baker’s Wife, a Stephen Schwartz show an day coincidence my next foray to the theatre! (72)
4th September – The Bakers Wife – Menier Choclolate Factory – A show I knew nothing about it’s a gentle tale of a new baker arriving in a French village. They’d been without fresh bread and cakes for a while so he was welcomed with open arms, along with his much younger wife. The Baker, Aimable was played by Clive Rowe and Genevieve his wife was played by Lucie Jones. A gentle show well performed Lucie Jones version of Meadowlark was beautiful. (73)
5th September – The Singing Revolution – The Savoy Theatre – This was a workshop performance of a new musical – explained by a note from the authors.
The inspiration for The Singing Revolution came from historical events that the people of Estonia generated to gain their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The integrity of their peaceful resistance and acts of kindness are not only important themes tour story, but also extremely resonant in today’s increasingly divided world.
he hope is that this will be picked up and funded to appear in the UK and hopefully the West End, I hope its gets there. There were some great performances and he message is an important one. (74)
5th September – Shifters – The Duke of York’s Theatre – Another last minute decision I managed toy grab a seat on the stage. A clever 2 hander with Heather Agyepong as Des and Tosin Close as Dre. This is a Rom Com about 2 young people whose live go off on a tangent, he stayed locally, she left – words now from the website –
Now, years later they’re reunited, and sparks fly as they confront old wounds and new secrets. With the clock ticking, wink destiny give them a seciomd chance?
As much as I enjoyed this clever play, 2 Strangers it was not! (75)
8th September – Hadestown – Lyric Theatre, West End – I saw this in the 2nd row when the show first returned and felt rather recovered by dry ice and smoke in the 2nd row, or spitting distance as I like to call it. My last minute ticket was in Row Q and if anything I preferred the view. There was change of cast with Madeleine Charlemagne as Eurydice and Dylan Wood as Orpheus. They didn’t gel for me as a couple, in spite of 2 very good performances. I’d seen Christopher Short as Hades and he was again in the role, having watched the lead on YouTube I prefer Christopher in the role. An enjoyable show, but not one I want to rush to see again. (76)
14th September – Death of England – Michael, Delroy and Closing Time – Sohoplace Theatre. All 3 of these plays in a day with my friend Sonia, it was like A Super Saturday of theatre! I wrote about each play in August and feel privileged to have seen them all twice. (76-78)
23rd September – Cable Street – Southwark Playhouse, Elephant. I missed this first time round so was happy to sort myself a ticket for this run. Based on the true events in Cable Street in 1936 when the locals who had been at odds with each other came together to repel Oswald Moseley and his Black Shirts, Fascists. I’d seen something of the tale in the latest Merchant of Venice, this goes deeper. Showing how the Irish and Jews are battling with the East Enders for the same jobs, yet they all united when the fascist came calling. A musical it told the story through a walk through in the modern times which then throws back, it’s very well done. I hope it gets a West End run. (79)
24th September – A Face in The Crowd – The Young Vic. I book most things on in the main stage at the Young Vic and had booked this without knowing the cast; I was therefore thrilled when I saw an instagram post by Ramin Karimloo! The music and lyrics were penned by Elvis Costello the book was written by Sarah Ruhl, the production was based on the screenplay written by Budd Schulberg, it had been a film too. Anoushka Lucas played Marcia a radio producer who discovers Ramin Karimloo’s character, Lonesome Rhodes. His fame rises and he gets involved in politics as his ego grows. Anoushka has a unique and beautiful voice and for me Ramin is stage royalty vocal wise, they were both stars of this particular show. A show with mixed reviews I think it could be one of the best new musicals of the year. (80)
26th September – Here You Come Again – Richmond Theatre. My first visit to this theatre, it is a mission from Chelmsford, it’s a lovely space. As the title suggests this is a Dolly Parton thing, but not quite in the way you’d expect. I’m not going to give away more than that, but Tricia Paoluccio who plays Dolly is wonderful, this is a completely feel good show, one I highly recommend! (81)
26th September – Waiting For Godot – Theatre Royal, Haymarket. My excuse for 2 in a day with this booked at the last minute was that Dolly finished earlier than I thought it would and my train ticket was outside the time! I went to see this for the actors, Lucian Msamati and Ben Whishaw, with the very funny Tom Ebben and Jonathan Slinger supporting. I can’t go with the highbrow thoughts on this Samuel Beckett play, it was highly entertaining with some great acting, but it made no sense at all, however I throughly enjoyed it! (82)
Favourite Musical Performance – Ramin Karimloo and Anoushka Lucas in A Face In The Crowd
Favourite Dramatic Performance – Lucian Msamati and Ben Whishaw in Waiting for Godot
365 Happy Days 