Stuart Matthew Price “The roles I’ll never play” – 12th May 2013

Everyone who has heard Stuart Matthew Price sing will most likely agree with me on one thing: He has a voice to die for. So obviously the chance to listen to this voice for an evening was too good to miss out on.

With “The roles I’ll never play” Stuart took a very clever approach to this concert. Although the title does have a slightly depressing touch to it Stuart made it clear right from the start that the evening was going to be an uplifting look on parts he was too young, too old or simply “not female enough” for.

And after listening to Stuart singing all those beautiful musical numbers it’s even more clear that this young man who has gone so far already is going to achieve so much more in his career. His “Bring him home” was heartfelt and simply astonishing. I have a strong feeling we have a Jean Valjean in the making here – barricades, watch out!

Another highlight had to be “Til I hear you sing” which was an unexpected yet welcomed song choice – because lets admit it, we’ve all heard “Music of the night” a billion times already.

One of my personal favourites has to be one of the female songs – I’m not sure Stuart would look good in green but vocally “The Wizard and I” suited him perfectly.

“Losing my mind”, “Not a day goes by” and “Being alive” were my favourite set of songs because a) I adore all three of them (especially the first one) and b) they fit together so perfectly.

A special mention goes to Ben Fenner, Aime Hodnett and Natasha Ferguson who supported Stuart with some amazing backing vocals and who treated the audience to a couple of solo songs as well. Especially Aime’s rendition of “14G” was a complete show stopper. Currently in their third year at Arts Ed Ben, Aime and Natasha are definitely three artists to watch out for in the future.

The whole evening proved what I knew all along: Stuart Matthew Price can sing anything, simple as that. And anyone who can turn “Thriller” into a jazzy song AND get the whole audience to sing along has true entertainer qualities.

Stuart Matthew Price’s refreshing approach to some well-known musical theatre songs is entertaining, funny and beautiful. He is by far one of the most talented artists in London’s West End and I’m sure we will hear a lot of him in the years to come.

If you missed out on this gig keep an eye on Stuart’s Twitter because you never know – there might be more concerts in the future. Find him @StuartMPrice and start following.

I’d also like to give a mention to St. James Theatre – the place where it all happened. Please check this new venue out. They have some great things happening in the future: http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/

I’m going to leave you with the set list and a couple of photos from the evening. As always, please don’t publish any of the pictures elsewhere without asking. Thank you.

Act One
Circle of Life
I’m The Greatest Star
… As If We Never Said Goodbye
Being Him Home
Til I Hear You Sing
Billie Jean/Smooth Criminal/Thriller
They Just Keep Moving The Line (Ben Fenner)
The Life of the Party
The Wizard and I
Defying Gravity

Act Two
In The Heights
Astonishing
The Girl in 14G (Aime Hodnett)
Losing My Mind/Not A Day Goes By/Being Alive
Listen (Natasha Ferguson)
When I Grow Up/Tomorrow/Where Is Love
Encore: Who I Am Today

Theatre is a memory

Reblogged from his&her scene:

I came across this lovely quote today:

What a lovely thought to go into the bank holiday weekend with.

A x

I don't usually reblog but I just had to share this with you. Beautiful and true.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Apollo Theatre – 25th April 2013

Mark Haddon’s novel “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” tells the story of fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone’s quest to solve the mystery of who killed his next door neighbour’s dog. This doesn’t sound very interesting, you may tell yourself. But add the fact that Christopher is an autistic math genius who finds people confusing and you end up with a gripping, slightly disturbing but also heartwarming story of a boy who lives in his own world and who is trying to make sense of all the strange things happening around him.

In the stage adaption Luke Treadaway takes on the ridiculously difficult task of portraying Christopher, a boy with a total lack of self-awareness and no comprehension of the world around him. And what a performance it is! He just won an Olivier for this role and I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy of the award this year. Luke Treadaway manages to bring the audience into Christopher’s world. It’s a world where metaphors don’t make sense, prime numbers are superior, the colours yellow and brown are bad and any person’s touch is just impossible to bear. Luke portrays a teenager who is strange and funny and brave. We pity him and we feel for him but at the same time we realise that he himself is pitiless. He lacks any sentiment. He will never truly love his parents who have split up because Christopher’s mother couldn’t handle the extreme challenges of Christopher’s situation.

This role is without a doubt a challenge both physically and emotionally – I can hardly imagine how hard it must be to dive into the world of Christopher day after day and to bring this boy to life in front of an audience.

Beside Luke Treadaway’s performance the set and staging is the highlight of this show. Basically a huge black paper box the set gives an insight into the overload of Christopher’s mind. It is indeed quite a simple staging yet also one of the most effective I have seen in a long time.

The story is mainly told through Christopher’s teacher, wonderfully played by Niamh Cusack. She often talks as Christopher’s inner voice and gives the audience yet another insight into his mind.
The whole supporting cast does a fantastic job but there is no denying that Luke Treadaway is the star of this play. The clarity of Christopher’s thoughts almost make you uncomfortable. And Luke’s portrayal of this isolated yet in his own way brilliantly special boy is gripping and almost painful to watch.

If you only see one play this year, please do yourself a favour and make it The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. And although not necessary to follow the play I suggest you read the book first in case you haven’t done so already. It will make the whole thing even more haunting and fascinating.

I’m planning a return visit already!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is on at the Apollo Theatre. For more info and to book tickets visit http://www.curiousonstage.com/

We will rock you at the Colosseum Theater, Essen – 23rd April 2013

After watching the We will rock you Arena Tour two weeks ago I decided to check out the German production for the first time in 8 years. The show is currently doing a limited run at the Colosseum Theater in Essen and is once again performed with German dialogues and a mix of German an English songs.

I admit I have never been a fan of the German version of the show which is why I stopped watching it back in 2005 during the original run in Cologne. First of all We will rock you has a completely random plot anyway. But to translate this plot and add some kind of “English is the forbidden language” storyline has always struck me as rather ridiculous. I mean, why would the leader of such a planet have the not so German name Killerqueen? It just doesn’t make sense at all. And while I realise it is essential to make sure the audience  understands what is being said on stage the German dialogues are quite simply appalling in places. They make me cringe.

However, I was aware of that and decided to concentrate on the music because after all this is still Queen and Queen does rock!

First of all the show was experiencing technical difficulties – things like that happen but it would have been a good move to inform the audience before the start of the performance. There were no video screens throughout the entire show which means whenever Killerqueen or Khashoggi were supposed to be on those screens you just heard a mysterious voice from off stage. One Vision was performs in front of a black curtain. There was no statue of Freddie Mercury emerging from the water so the audience was left wondering what everyone on stage was so excited to “see”. Without the screens the whole show just looked like a rather cheap touring production.

But in the end I was there to listen to great music so I concentrated on that. I’ll start with my personal highlight: Jeannine Wacker as Scaramouche. That girl has quite the voice! I’ve always thought Scaramouche wasn’t very likable in the German production and that hasn’t changed (because yes, there is a difference between being feisty and acting downright bitchy). But Jeannine’s Somebody to love won me over straight away. What a fantastic rendition of such a belter of a song! She does well on the acting side – the fact that I don’t like the character as a whole isn’t her fault after all.

Christopher Brose is Galileo and I’m afraid to say I don’t know how to describe his performance without sounding rude. He has a nice voice – which sadly isn’t suited to a lot of the songs in the show. He’s quite clearly a classical musical theatre singer. His voice is missing a rock edge and he seems to struggle with several of the higher notes. He looks weirdly out of place during the show. It almost looks like he hasn’t got a clue why he is in this show. His “I want to break free” seems almost bored – there is no energy at all. He improves throughout the show but he never loses that “What the heck am I doing here”? vibe.

Martin Berger’s Khashoggi is solid and he does well with the material he has been given. The same goes for Goele De Raedt’s Killerqueen although someone needs to tell her that trying to look extra evil the whole time might come across a bit funny after a while. I’d love to see her let go of that extremely musical theatre voice and put on more of a rock voice (because lets face it, singing Queen in “Les Miserables” style just doesn’t sound that cool).

Walesca Frank plays Ozzy and whilst her performance isn’t bad I was missing a certain sparkle. Her voice is rather weak compared to others I have seen in the part and both her and Markus Neugebauer (Brit) lack energy on stage. To me Markus appears to be almost embarrassed of the material he is working with – I can’t blame him to be honest because Britney Spears really has lot all dignity the character has ever had. It’s a shame to see this role being turned into such a laughing-stock. This, of course, isn’t Markus Neugebauer’s fault.

Leon van Leeuwenberg’s Bap is likable and entertaining. His performance is another small highlight in an all in all average show.

This was the first time I ended up watching We will rock you and just wanting it to end. I couldn’t connect with the cast on stage. As a whole they lacked stage chemistry and I caught myself thinking “Do they actually want to be up there?” several times. It’s a shame because usually We will rock you is a show full of energy and you can see how much the people on stage enjoy singing those iconic songs.

Safe to say I won’t make a return visit. But as always I suggest you make up your own mind.

We will rock you is running in Essen until the end of June. For more info and to book tickets go to http://www.wewillrockyou.de/.

We will rock you at Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam – 11th April 2013

We will rock you is without a doubt one of the (if not the) most successful Jukebox musicals of all time. The show has been running at the Dominion Theatre in London since 2002 and is now touring European arenas to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Based on the music of Queen this show is all about great rock songs and big voices. Ben Elton’s script has some funny moments, however the story is rather random and definitely not the focus main of the show. Personally I’ve always looked at We will rock you as a rock concert with a bit of a story in between. And I’m not saying that in a negative way. I used to watch this show a lot a couple of years ago and I have fond memories of my visits to the Dominion Theatre.

This tour production is scaled down slightly which is understandable. It would be impossible to tour the Dominion. There’s no trapdoor in the middle of the stage and no rotating stage lift. The lack of the latter means Killerqueen and Khashoggi do a lot of walking around on stage during “A kind of magic” which I had to get used to first – I didn’t really miss anything set-wise though.
There were a few sound issues on the night and sometimes the music drowned out parts of the singing which was a shame. However, it didn’t spoil my overall enjoyment of the show.

The anniversary tour is led by MiG Ayesa as Galileo. Having seen MiG play the part almost 10 years ago in London I have really been looking forward to catching his performance one more time. He is not the vocally strongest Galileo out of all performers I’ve seen in the part but his voice suits the songs really well and he definitely makes the part his own. His Galileo is playful and likeable. I don’t even mind that he doesn’t actually fit into the role age-wise anymore. MiG is just a wonderful Galileo with so much enthusiasm for his role and the show. It’s simply a joy to watch.

Lauren Samuels plays Scaramouche and once again proves why she received such rave reviews for her portrayal of the part at the Dominion Theatre. Her Scaramouche is funny without losing her vulnerable side and she has a beautiful and strong voice. I especially loved to hear her “Who wants to live forever” (with MiG) – such a tender moment in an otherwise rather loud and in your face kind of show.

Sean Kingsley’s Khashoggi doesn’t stand out acting wise for me. However, I completely love his take on “Seven Seas of Rhye”. He has quite an edgy rock voice and some of the notes he hits are just insane.

My personal highlight of the show has to be Jenna Lee-James’ Killerqueen. I have been lucky enough to catch Jenna as Meat Loaf and Scaramouche when she played the parts at the Dominion Theatre a few years ago. She remains my all time favourite Scaramouche and I’m thrilled I now got the chance to see her take on Killerqueen. Jenna has a stunning voice which fits the part perfectly. Her “Another one bites the dust” is nothing but amazing and it is great to see her play the villain for a change. Until now Mazz Murray has been my favourite Killerqueen by far (and everyone who has seen her will probably agree that she was absolutely perfect in the part). But I can safely say that Jenna has taken her place right next to Mazz in my all time favourites.

I quite like Lucie Jones’ Meat Loaf but I admit she doesn’t blow me away. She’s a good singer but I think her voice lacks a bit of power especially during “I want it all”. Next to Lauren Samuels she doesn’t quite manage to stand out.

Rolan Bell plays Britney Spears on this tour and I admit I just can’t warm to his portrayal of the part. It’s probably not even his fault as my main issues are down to the way the part is written these days. Britney used to have a bit of dignity but now the role is a walking joke. I really dislike the mocking way in which the Welsh accent is used. And the whole karate thing is just too much in my opinion.

Rob Castell’s Pop is highly entertaining. I’ve never been a fan of the part itself so the fact that I actually enjoyed Rob’s performance speaks for itself. His Gollum impression is the best I have seen and I loved his “These are the days of our lives”.

All in all this tour is a fun night out – it has great songs, some stunning voices and is simply a great celebration of Queen. If you like the music you will enjoy the show. If you are expecting thoughtful theatre this one is not for you.

I had a brilliant time watching the show again and seeing Jenna and MiG brought back wonderful memories of my days at the Dominion Theatre. If you get the chance please go and check out this tour. It’s a great chance to see We will rock you in the original English version. And although the script has been changed quite a lot since the show’s opening 10 years ago (and not for the better if you ask me) this show still rocks!

For more info on the tour visit http://www.wewillrockyou.co.uk/tour/.

You can check out my interview with Jenna Lee-James here.

 

Declan Bennett: “I’ve been waiting for something to bring me home.”

With a lead role in the pop biography Taboo at 21 Declan Bennett’s career in musical theatre started at an early age. He  played Roger in Rent both on tour in the US and on Broadway and appeared in the original cast of Green Day’s American Idiot on Broadway.

Being a singer songwriter Declan writes music with gripping, reflective lyrics. His album “An Innocent Evening Of Drinking” was released in 2008. His latest album “record: BREAKUP” is out now.

Declan has returned to the UK stage to play the part of Guy in the Tony Award winning musical Once. He kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to talk about the show, his career and what it’s like to be back on stage in the UK.

Once is currently in previews at the Phoenix Theatre in London after playing in Dublin for 2 weeks. What has your journey with the show been like so far?
Its been great, demanding, lovely, tough, tiring, a good laugh and extremely challenging. I moved back to London from New York for the production and I started rehearsals the day after I landed so I feel like I’m only just adjusting to British life once again.

It has been a while since you have appeared in the West End. How does it feel to be back?
Feels lovely. I’ve been waiting for something to bring me home and this couldn’t be more perfect. I love New York and I love living there. But London feels like home. And to be back in the West End, particularly when there’s a lot of exciting stuff happening here this year feels great.

Once is presented as a musical. Personally I would call it a play with music. How would you describe the show to someone who knew nothing about it?
I agree. It’s a play about music. It’s not your average play and it’s not your average musical. It sits in this quiet little corner on its own not trying to be anything it isn’t and not shouting too loud about itself.

Being a singer-songwriter yourself, how far can you relate to Guy?
The similarities are almost embarrassing. Haha. It’s a role that I identify with very strongly for a lot of reasons. But there’s a healthy distance between us which is also important!

Doing the show eight times a week is vocally demanding. Are any of the songs particularly hard to sing? How do you keep your voice in good shape?
Living like a bloody nun….Who has the odd whiskey every now and again. This is without a doubt the most vocally challenging experience I’ve ever had. When I first started on the role, songs like “Leave” and “Say it to me now” felt like these uphill climbs that I was unsure I could reach the top of. So I made it my absolute priority to learn about my voice and how to get the most out of it. I started singing when I was 14. I am finally learning how to sing at 32.

You released your latest album in 2011 and have done gigs in the USA last year. Are you planning any gigs while you are in London?
Yes I am. I’m releasing a live album shortly and a new album towards the end of the year. Once we’re officially open I’ll start doing some gigs around the UK. I can’t wait for that.

Would you like to do more theatre in the future or would you prefer to concentrate on your own music?
I want to keep working on creative projects that stimulate me and make me jazzed to get up in the morning. Whatever form that takes doesn’t matter. I’m currently writing songs like a maniac which is good and I’m working on a solo performance art piece that blends live gig and theatre based on my 2nd album “An Innocent Evening of Drinking”. It’s keeping my creative juices flowing.

Why should people come to see Once?
Because it will sit you down, put its arms around you and remind you what it feels like to be alive.

Visit http://www.declanbennett.co.uk/ for more info on Declan and his music. You can buy his albums on iTunes .
Get tickets to see him in Once at http://www.oncemusical.co.uk/.

Follow Declan on Twitter @thisainttherapy

Once at the Phoenix Theatre – 23rd March 2013

Now and then a show comes along that stands out amongst the masses, a show that is different, a show that touches your heart. A show like that has just found its way into London’s West End. Once tells the story of a man and a woman who remain nameless and are simply known as Guy and Girl. Guy’s girlfriend has moved to New York, his music career is at a standstill. Girl approaches him in a bar after hearing him sing and sensing his crisis. These two individuals who have never met before quickly connect through their passion for music yet they are both fighting their own inner battles which prevent them from being together.

Once is an eight time Tony Award winning show which has been playing on Broadway to sell out houses for the past year. In the West End transfer Declan Bennett takes on the role of the Guy, an Irish busker who works as a vacuum cleaner repairmen in his father’s shop in Dublin. Declan portrays the part with a raw intensity which makes it hard to take your eyes of him whenever he is on stage. Those of you who know the Broadway cast recording (or have been lucky enough to see Once on Broadway) will notice that Declan’s voice has more of a rock tone to it and is slightly more edgy than Steve Kazee’s voice (Guy in the Original Broadway cast). Personally I enjoyed this different approach to the songs enormously. For me Declan’s voice has quite a mesmerising sound to it and I could happily listen to him singing “Falling slowly” on repeat for hours. His Guy is a man on the verge of giving up on his dreams, unsure of what to do with his life. He meets Girl, played by Zrinka Cvitesic, and after leaving his first surprise and bewilderment at this unknown woman’s bold intrusion behind he quickly feels a strong connection to her. Zrinka Cvitesic’s Girl is the perfect portrayal of a woman who is attempting to come to terms with her own life while trying to break down the wall Guy has built around himself. These two individuals connect through the one thing they both love: Music. And whenever Zrinka sits down and plays the piano the audience just listens in awe.

Once is one of these rare stories that touch your heart and soul. It is a beautiful piece of theatre that reminds you that music knows no boundaries. Music can bring people together and help them connect on a deeply emotional level.

This show left me emotionally drained. It is a gorgeous play with music (I wouldn’t call it a musical in the common sense). There are no huge sets or fancy costumes – this show is all about telling a story through songs and that is what makes it so special. It reminds us how powerful good storytelling combined with beautiful songs performed by an amazingly talented cast can be.

The set is an Irish pub that serves as an on stage bar before the start of the performance and in the interval. The cast come on stage to play a few Irish folk tunes while the audience gets to mingle on stage, have a drink and watch. This sets a nice tone for this intimate show. The few set changes are done by rearranging a few chairs or tables – simple but effective. One of the most beautiful scenes is set on top of a hill overlooking the city. This is probably one of the most tender scenes you will ever see on a stage – it’s a gorgeous moment in a heartbreakingly beautiful show.

There is now weak link in the supporting cast. The special thing about this show is that the cast acts, sings and plays all instruments – the amount of talent on stage is just amazing. These guys and girls are all stars and one of the reason this show is such a wonderful night out in London’s West End.

I know Once is a bit of an outsider at this point arriving in town at the same time as The Book of Mormon and just two months before Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is opening at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The West End is full of flashy shows that compete for an audience at the moment. So you might think Once doesn’t have a lot to offer with that one little set, a score with an Irish touch and a few actors on stage who play their own instruments. However, I’m telling you this is exactly why Once should be on top of your list of must see shows. It’s a unique piece of theatre that concentrates on telling a beautiful love story through songs. It’s simple – and simply gorgeous.

Once is playing at the Phoenix Theatre. For more info and to book tickets go to http://www.oncemusical.co.uk.

Jersey Boys – New cast – 24th March 2013

I am just back from seeing the new cast of Jersey Boys and although I was planning to get a review of Once done first i feel like I should write down my thoughts now while they are still fresh in my memory.

As some of you will know I have been a regular at Jersey Boys since the show started. That means I have seen five casts come and go. A new cast always needs time to settle in and there’s usually the odd one or two people in it who’s portrayal of a part is not to my taste. That’s natural and I have never let this affect my overall enjoyment of the show.

So here I am with Jersey Boys cast number six. Before I start I want you all to know that Jersey Boys has been a vital part of my life for the last five years. I love that show dearly. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Ryan Molloy continues to lead the cast as Frankie Valli. He’s the Jersey Boys veteran having been with the show right from the start. He gets accused of looking bored on stage now and then and while I do think he has good and not so good days I have nothing but praise for his performance. Even on a not so good day he delivers a top class performance. His voice is flawless and he is a born performer and entertainer. I adore his Frankie, simple as that.

Jon Boydon plays Tommy DeVito for the fourth year. His portrayal is spot on and he gives the show a kind of security. Jon has been a tower of strength during the last three years an he continues to be just that in his year number four.

Edd Post has take over the part of Bob Gaudio after understudying the role for a year. His singing is good yet not amazing which is especially noticeable in “Oh what a night” which lacks strength. Personally I don’t like all of his acting choices. His Bobby comes across as very confident right from the start which means there’s no real development in the character’s behaviour throughout the show. His acting doesn’t seem natural to me sometimes and I am missing proper chemistry between him and Ryan.

David McGranaghan is Nick Massi. Personally I have yet to find someone who can compete with Philip Bulcock’s Nick. But I have so far enjoyed at least parts of the performance of every Nick Massi I’ve seen. Nick has to be likeable. He is the “outsider” in the group despite being one of Frankie’s closest friends and mentor. Yet he is the one the audience needs to fall for – the guy that never really fit in but was such a vital part of the group nevertheless.
My problem with David’s Nick is quite simple: For me he is not likeable. His Nick is like a stubborn teenager who is sulking because he doesn’t get his way. I don’t feel for him, I just want to tell him to pull himself together.

Will Barratt is in my eyes the best addition to the cast. His Bob Crewe is camp without losing his authenticity. It’s nice to see a portrayal of the part again that I can actually relate to. Bob Crewe has been such a vital part of the band’s history. It’s important to not let him lose his dignity by turning him into a walking joke.

The rest of the cast does a good job. I can’t fault the individuals – they handle their parts well. Rebecca Jayne Davies is a rather feisty but cute Francine and Mark Halliday makes a good Donnie & Knuckles. Ben Evans who is now back in the cast, is still a great Joey (on this occasion – the part is usually played by Ben Jennings). And it is nice to see Chris Gardner get an extra appearance right at the start of the show when he takes on the little dance part usually performed by the person playing Bob Crewe.

However, all of this brings me to one major point – Jersey Boys needs a cast that works well together and has great onstage chemistry. After the previous four cast changes I have always felt that chemistry straight away. It’s like a sparkle that makes you aware of what a tight company you are watching.
Sitting in the theatre tonight I realised this sparkle was missing. I was watching the show that has meant so much to me for five years and it just didn’t feel right. There was little chemistry between the four leads. You could catch Ryan turning to Edd during a song and Edd just staring straight ahead and not even acknowledging Ryan. That’s just one example but it stands for what I was missing while watching the show. There was no real bond between the four leads.
That combined with the – in my opinion – not too fitting acting choices of the two new guys resulted in a lack of heart and soul in the show.

Of course, the new cast is still settling in and I’m sure they will work together better with time. But I have to be honest, I was just disappointed after watching the performance tonight. This is not the show I fell in love with. This was just another musical and nothing special.

It saddens me to say this but I won’t be rushing back to see the show again soon. Yes, I will watch it again at some point because after all some of my favourite performer are still in the cast. I won’t stop supporting them and their work. But I won’t be a regular visitor like I used to be over the past five years.

For me this is the end of an era and I’m quite simply devastated (I know that sounds rather dramatic speaking of nothing more than a West End musical). I want nothing but the best for this show and I wish I could keep loving it the way I used to.

The Book of Mormon at The Prince of Wales Theatre – 9th March 2013

If you have been walking around London in the past weeks or are just slightly interested in musical theatre (or both) you will have noticed one thing: The Mormons are in town! It is almost impossible to avoid this show these days.

The Book of Mormon has been a sell out on Broadway since March 2011 and has now found its way across the pond and right into London’s West End. The show tells the story of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to Uganda to share the Book of Mormon and convert the locals. However, people in the village they travel to are worried about war, poverty and AIDS and have no interest in religion.

It does sound quite deep just from reading this short and VERY basic summary. However, in reality The Book of Mormon is a satiric approach to organised religion and the literal credibility of the LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). But despite being downright filthy in parts The Book of Mormon is a show with heart and in the end it tells us that religion can do good if taken metaphorically.
The show’s songs are as clever as they are hilarious – some of them hinting at well-known musical theatre classics. The choreography has to be one of the finest you have seen on a West End stage and the characters – whilst drawn out of proportion – are thought through and well-developed.

Gavin Creel reprises his role as Elder Price after opening the US National Tour of The Book of Mormon. Gavin is no stranger to the West End having starred in both Mary Poppins and Hair. His Elder Price starts out on his mission wonderfully optimistic and sure of his beliefs but after being sent to Uganda and experiencing various set-backs his faith starts to crumble. Gavin plays Elder Price with a boyish charm that is impossible to resist. His singing is flawless and his acting is nothing but spot on.

Jared Gertner plays Elder Cunningham who is sent to Uganda with Elder Price to spread the word of Jesus amongst the locals through the Book of Mormon. Elder Cunningham is the geeky outsider, the one that never fits in. He doesn’t actually care about the Book of Mormon (in fact he hasn’t even read it). Elder Cunningham just wants to be accepted and declares the popular Elder Price his new best friend. Jared is a perfect fit for this part – his Cunningham is hilariously funny and awkward but he’s never a complete laughing-stock.

The secret star of the show has to be the wonderful Stephen Ashfield who shines as Elder McKinley. His “Turn it off” is a complete show stopper and has the audience in fits of laughter. Stephen has appeared in several West End shows to rave reviews including Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio) and Legally Blonde (Emmett) but The Book of Mormon finally gives him the chance to show off his incredible comic timing. To say Stephen is great in the show would be an understatement – he is quite simply outstanding.

Alexia Khadime is an irresistibly cute Nabulungi. She plays the part with a tender humour and manages to win the audience over instantly. “Baptize me“ (Nabulungi and Elder Cunningham) is brilliantly funny and “Hasa Diga Eebowai (Reprise)“ gives her the chance to show off her amazing voice.

There really is no weak link in this cast. From Chris Jarman (General) to Haydn Oakley (Price’s Dad, Joseph Smith, Mission President), Giles Terera (Mafala Hatimbi) and the complete ensemble this cast is put together perfectly. The chemistry on stage is noticeable throughout the show. In fact I don’t recall watching a show that was so extremely slick after less than two weeks of previews in all my years of theatre going.

The Book of Mormon is by far the most offensive piece of theatre I have ever seen and I am sure there will be visitors who can’t cope with this kind of humour. This is definitely not a show for kids and if you can’t take jokes about religion The Book of Mormon is not for you.
However, I had the absolutely best time watching this show. I laughed until I cried and I loved all the “Did they actually just say that??” moments (there are plenty, believe me). And in the end this is a parody but it is also a story about friendship, standing up for your belief and staying true to yourself. Having said that it is funniest show I have had the pleasure to attend in my life – a through and through brilliant night out.

The Book of Mormon is one of those “Beg and steal for a ticket” shows – a proper hit musical that you just can’t miss out on!

The Book of Mormon is playing at The Prince of Wales Theatre. For more info and to book tickets go to http://www.bookofmormonlondon.com.

Dear World at Charing Cross Theatre – 7th March 2013

Dear World opened on Broadway in 1969 to mixed reviews. However, the show earned Angela Lansbury a Tony Award for her performance as Countess Aurelia. After more than 40 years this musical now receives its UK premiere at Charing Cross Theatre.

The show is described as a musical fable which gives a first hint that this might not be your typical musical theatre story. It focuses on the Countess Aurelia and her friends who are trying to stop a group of businessmen from destroying Paris in their search for oil below the city. Sounds a bit odd you think? Trust me, odd doesn’t even come close. This show is by far the most bizarre thing I have seen on a stage in a long time. However, I ended up finding the whole experience strangely entertaining. This is without a doubt due to a wonderful cast who does the absolute best with the material they’ve been given.

The cast is lead by Betty Buckley as Countess Aurelia. The chance to see one of Broadway’s most legendary leading ladies on stage in such an intimate venue definitely is worth the ticket price alone. Her performance is flawless and a pure joy to watch.
The same goes for Stuart Matthew Price who plays Julian, a young man who starts out as an assistant to the businessmen but ends up helping the Countess and her friends save the city. In my eyes Stuart is one of the most talented young performers in London and it’s fantastic to see him share a stage with Betty Buckley.
Julian’s love interest Lisa is played by Katy Treharne who does a marvellous job.
Paul Nicholas shines as the Sewerman – pity the part itself is probably the weirdest in the whole show.
One of my personal highlights is Rebecca Lock’s Gabrielle and her imaginary dog Dicky – pure comedy genius!

This show could be a hidden gem if it wasn’t for the completely random storyline. Yes, it does have its funny moments and it is entertaining for most of the time. However, in its current manifestation I doubt this musical will ever appeal to a wider audience. It is simply too strange and leaves the paying public with too many questions – the main one being: How is it possible to come up with a show like this?

Still, if you get the chance and you want to see a proper Broadway legend together with an all around talented cast perform in a lovely little venue, then please give this show a shot.
Dear World is playing at the Charing Cross Theatre until 16th March. For more info and to book tickets go to http://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/.