WORTH A LOOK?: ****
We last saw Pulp live at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo in July 2023 and wrote: ‘We absolutely yearn for new material as good as those songs like Common People which soundtracked and shaped our adulthood’.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Friday 25 April, opens 8 May and runs through 28 June 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)
Sondheim, musical theatre’s Shakespeare, died in 2021 and when news emerged of this final new musical hopes were high that he might have saved his best for last.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
It’s on repeated listens that the downbeat melancholy charms of this lead single from a new album have revealed themselves.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN? Saturday 19 April (matinee), runs through 20 April 2025 Tickets for autumn gigs
Setlist: I Do And I Don’t Care; Mother; Lies; 69; You Forever; Logic Bitch; Prioritise Pleasure; Fucking Wizardry; The Curse; In Plain Sight; What Now; Cheers To Me; If Not Now, It’s Soon; Focus Is Power; I Do This All The Time; The Deep Blue Okay
Self Esteem urges us to keep our cameraphones on, ignore the ‘dusty old pervert vibes’ of this esteemed West End theatre and to get up out of our seats and dance if we want to.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Friday 17 April, opens 29 April and runs through 12 July 2025
McGregor (T2 Trainspotting) returns to the West End stage after a 17-year absence playing ‘starchitect’ Henry Solness as his British publishing magnate wife Elena prepares to throw a party for him on the eve of July 4th in the Hamptons.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Saturday 12 April 2025 (matinee, last night)
Based on the 1990 John Waters film (BFI Q&A), this new musical with book by the writer of Hairspray which ran on Broadway in 2008 is brought spectacularly to life in the best production we’ve yet seen at this east London studio venue.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Saturday 12 April, opens 16 April runs through 10 May 2025 RUNTIME 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Playwright Gary Owen explains his modern take on this beloved Ibsen in the programme: ‘There is a point to messing with a classic – if you get it right, you might preserve what was truly startling about the original. You might reproduce the impact this dusty old classic had when it was a snarling, swaggering young play.’
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN? Friday 11 April, opens 24 April runs through 14 June 2025 RUNTIME 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Could unknowingly drinking water from a local well make the recipient fall in love with the 1st person they see afterwards?
By Neil Durham (Review ticket)
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Opened Wednesday 9 April 2025, runs through 26 April 2025 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)
‘All time spent not being in love is time spent queuing,’ observes writer/star Kember as neurotic overthinker Cashel in this laugh-out-loud funny romantic comedy.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Last date of tour Monday 7 April 2025
Setlist: Polari; I Know; Make Me A Man; If You’re Over Me; Whisper In The Waves; Cupid’s Bow; Archangel; King; Dizzy; Starstruck; Worship/Breathe; Desire; All For You; It’s A Sin; Eyes Shut; When We Kiss; Sweet Talker; Heal You; Shine
The voice of Sir Ian McKellen (Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre) opens the show explaining Polari, the title of Alexander’s debut album, and the actor’s here tonight waving at the delighted crowd from the box above us.
