Tag Archives: musical

Press Review: The Book of Mormon at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A true modern classic of musical theatre!

The Book of Mormon, the smash-hit musical by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, has taken the West End by storm and is now embarking on a UK tour, arriving on stage at The Alexandra Theatre for the festive season. 

The story follows two young Mormon missionaries, Elder Price (Adam Bailey) and Elder Cunningham (Sam Glen), who are sent to a remote Ugandan village to spread their faith. What ensues is a hilariously exaggerated culture clash, as the naive missionaries attempt to reconcile their idealistic beliefs with the harsh realities faced by the local community. 

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Press Review: Here & Now – The Steps Musical at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A jubilant and nostalgic homage to one of Britain’s most beloved pop groups. Sensational!

Back in February I had the privilege of speaking with award-winning director Rachel Kavanaugh and writer Shaun Kitcherner about their new project: Here & Now, a brand new musical based on the songs of British pop band Steps. 

At the time, the casting process hadn’t yet started, but right from the beginning they were both passionate about roles being made available for “all types of ordinary people of all ages, young people, older people of all shapes and sizes, all heritages, all gender identities.”

And almost nine months later, after seeing snippets of cast rehearsals and interviews, ticket sales that were so poplar that extra nights were added and glowing initial reviews of early performances, I was eager to see whether it would deliver.

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Press Review: Dear Evan Hansen at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A Heartfelt Masterpiece!

Today is going to be a good day. And here’s why…

The Olivier, Tony, and Grammy award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen has arrived on stage at The Alexandra Theatre.

With the Book by Steven Levenson, and Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman), I have seen the rave reviews and heard the songs a thousand times, and to say I was excited is an understatement.

The story follows Evan Hansen, a socially anxious teenager whose life takes a drastic turn after a misunderstanding leads him to become an unexpected beacon of hope for a grieving family. The musical’s exploration of loneliness, the pressures of social media, and the search for belonging feels achingly relevant in today’s world.

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Press Review: Here You Come Again – The New Dolly Parton Musical at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “A heartwarming celebration of Dolly’s music and spirit…”

Written by Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and Tricia Paoluccio (who also plays Dolly), Here You Come Again has now been adapted for the UK by acclaimed British playwright Jonathan Harvey following several successful runs across the United States.

Set during the pandemic, we follow the story of Kevin (played brilliantly by understudy Aidan Cutler), a devoted Dolly Parton fan facing personal and professional difficulties. Forced to move into his parents attic during lockdown, he is struggling emotionally after being dumped by his boyfriend and laments over his failed attempt to be a stand-up comedian. 

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Press Review: BMOS presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical

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The BMOS Musical Theatre Company – an amateur performing arts group with members of all ages from across the West Midlands – is back on stage at The Alexandra Theatre, this time with a rousing production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, the world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

The whimsical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory was brilliantly realised with vibrant colourful stage décor, dynamic use of space and well-crafted stage props that transported us straight into Dahl’s fantastical universe. 

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Press Review: BYMT Presents Animal Farm at The Hippodrome, Birmingham

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As part of its 20th anniversary season, British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome presents: Animal Farm.

This classic George Orwell novella is far from the obvious choice of texts to be adapted into a musical. Animal Farm, first published in 1945, is a satirical take on the Bolshevik revolution of Russia and the politics of Joseph Stalin – examining themes of power, corruption and equality, posing important questions about how we view certain socio-political ideals, all shown through a group of anthropomorphic farmyard animals. 

Animal Farm – British Youth Music Theatre. Birmingham. 5 April 2024. Picture by Simon Hadley/ http://www.simonhadley.co.uk

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Press Review: An Officer and a Gentleman – The Musical

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Based on the award-winning 1982 classic starring Richard Gere and Deborah Winger, we follow the story of Zack Mayo and his fellow recruits as they embark on their gruelling training to become Navy Jet Pilots. 

Zack (Luke Baker) – a military brat who was forced to live with his alcoholic US Navy Petty Office father in the Philippines following his mother’s suicide – has a bad attitude and immediately clashes with their drill sergeant Emil Foley (Jamal Crawford). With an unexpected romance with young factory workers Paula Pokrifki (Georgia Lennon), Zach and his fellow candidates learn some tough lessons about love and life. 

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HERE & NOW – The Steps Musical

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FINALLY, we have the musical that all Steps fans (myself included) have been waiting for. 

HERE & NOW is the hilarious and heart-warming brand new musical based on the songs of British pop band Steps, and I was lucky enough to bag an invite to the press launch at The Alexandra Theatre.

Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone’s dancing in the aisles. But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal, the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy. Have they all lost their chance of a ‘happy ever after?’ Or does love have other plans in store…?

Formed in 1997, Steps has sold over 22 million records worldwide, and HERE & NOW is produced by the band themselves, along with ROYO and pop legend Pete Waterman. With an enormous (and loyal) fan base, the production has already broken the Alexandra Theatre box office records, selling TEN THOUSAND tickets within the first 24 hours of release ahead of their November shows. 

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Press Review: Calendar Girls The Musical at The Alexandra Theatre

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Written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth and directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, the newly reimagined musical adaptation of the 2003 smash-hit movie is back on tour for the first time since 2019, and the cast list alone is enough to spark excitement. 

Based on the now world-famous true events of a group of middle-aged women in Yorkshire, Calendar Girls The Musical follows the story of the members of the Knapley Women’s Institute. Annie (Tanya Franks), is devastated following the loss of her husband John (Colin R Campbell) to cancer. With her friend Chris (Amy Robbins), they hit on the idea of creating a nude calendar featuring members of the WI to raise money for a new sofa in the visitors lounge of the hospital where John received treatment. But can they get approval from the notoriously traditional Women’s Institute and will they be able to convince their fellow WI members Ruth (Maureen Nolan), Jessie (Lyn Paul), Celia (Marti Webb), Cora (Honeysuckle Weeks) and self-proclaimed leader Marie (Paula Tapenden) to participate?

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Press Review: 9 to 5 The Musical (BMOS) at the Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

9 to 5 is back at The Alexandra Theatre this week, this time with the BMOS Musical Theatre Company – an amateur performing arts group with members of all ages from across the West Midlands.

Based on the 1980 film starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, the show has an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by Dolly Parton herself, and a book by the iconic movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick.

Set in the late 1970s, 9 to 5 tells the story of Doralee (Jo Smith), Violet (Michelle Worthington) and new employee Judy (Rachel Richards) – three female co-workers pushed to their limits by their sexist and egotistical boss Franklin Hart. After a hilarious turn of events, the women concoct a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on the despicable Hart, taking control on the company that has always kept them down.

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