Tag Archives: musical theatre review

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: 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: Shrek The Musical at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A must-see for fans of the movie and musical theatre enthusiasts alike!

Get ready to leave your troubles Far Far Away and embark on an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, love, and ogre-sized fun as the award-winning Shrek The Musical comes to the Alexandra Theatre stage. 

With the Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and Music by Jeanine Tesori, we follow the story of Shrek, a lovable ogre who finds himself on a quest with the quirky and talkative Donkey to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. 

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Press Review: Annie at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A sensational show!

Directed by Nikolai Foster, book by Thomas Meehan, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, the show tells the story of Annie (Zoe Akinyosade), who lives a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. While holding onto the hope that her parents will return, her luck changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks (David Burrows). Spiteful Miss Hannigan (Craig Revel-Horwood) has other ideas and, together with her criminal brother, hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.

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Press Review: Rocky Horror Show at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Outrageous, absurd… and completely fabulous!

The Rocky Horror Show returns to Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre this week, celebrating its 50th anniversary – the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world. 

The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancé Janet, two clean-cut college kids who find themselves stranded after their car breaks down while on their way to visit a former college professor. Seeking help at a creepy mansion nearby, they are introduced to Dr Frank’n’Furter and embark on an adventure that they’ll never forget. 

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Press Review: Girl From The North Country

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Written and directed by Conor McPherson, with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, Girl From The North Country is set in the 1930s in Duluth, Minnesota, opening in an American boarding house run by Nick Laine (Colin Connor). Right from the start there is a sense that all is not right, and as we are introduced to the characters it becomes apparent that everyone has a story of hardship and loss to tell.

The character portrayals are absolutely believable and many provoke an instant connection. Frances McNamee as Nick’s mentally ill wife Elizabeth Laine is multifaceted and raw to the bone as she flits from delusional outbursts to seemingly crystal-clear understandings of her place in life. Colin Connor as Nick Laine is a man who has a dark past and is haunted by it daily, but despite his big heart and desire to succeed he never seems to quite make it in anything he does, be it business or relationships. Both are standout performances and mesmerising to watch.

 

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Press Review: Saturday Night Fever at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A fantastic feel-good evening of entertainment

Based on the smash-hit 1977 film starring John Travolta, with one of the biggest movie soundtracks in history, Saturday Night Fever has arrived at The Alexandra Theatre.

Directed by Bill Kenwright, Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero (Jack Wilcox), an Italian-American living in Brooklyn, New York with his family. Working as a paint clerk during the week, Tony lives for the weekend where he is the undisputed king of the local disco. When a dance competition is announced, he meets the beautiful and talented dancer Stephanie Mangano (Rebekah Bryant) and convinces her to become his partner. 

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Press Review: The Osmonds, A New Musical at The Alexandra Theatre

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One Family. One Hundred Million Records.

Decades before the boy band explosion of the 90s was The Osmonds, a clean-cut, all American family of musicians who grew up on the television. From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show to the arrival of Donny and Marie, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record breaking TV shows – until one bad decision cost them everything. 

Directed and co-written by Shaun Kerrison, written by Jay Osmond, the story of The Osmonds is told through the eyes of Jay in a series of flashbacks from their beginnings as a group under the watchful eye of their military father, the success of Merrill (Ryan Anderson), Alan (Jamie Chatterton), Jay (Alex Lodge), Wayne (Danny Natrass) and Donny (Tristan Whincup) as a band, sister Marie (Georgia Lennon) and little brother Jimmy (Samuel Routley), their meteoric rise to fame and subsequent fall, and the trials and heartbreak that accompany being a member of one of the biggest musical names of all time. 

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Press Review: South Pacific at The Alexandra Theatre

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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “A visually stunning production”

Directed by Daniel Evans, with Music and Lyrics by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, South Pacific is based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific and was an immediate hit following its Broadway premiere in 1949. With a now iconic score including I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Bali Ha’i, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, Some Enchanted Evening and Happy Talk, receiving multiple awards, spawning many successful revivals, tours and a 1958 movie. 

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