WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: now
Imagine sassy Prince mashing up Greased Lightning from musical Grease with the keyboards from Pulp’s Common People and you might come close to recreating this summer anthem singing the praises of the dash of imperfection that accentuates perfection.
WHERE?: On Blackheath
WHEN?: 13 and 14/7/19 (press tickets)
‘After gallivanting around the world twice, it’s nice to be home,’ says Jamiroquai mainman Jay Kay at the start of this 1st UK gig of the year.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? Above The Stag RUNTIME: 130 minutes (with 20 minute interval)
WHEN? 7/7, opens 10/7 runs to 31/8/19
We saw the original production of this musical in 2001 and authors Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys have written a follow up of sorts featuring lead character Billie Trix which premieres at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE? Noel Coward Theatre RUNTIME: 180 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)
WHEN? 6/7, opens 16/7 runs to 28/9/19
Two years ago the West End revival of Tennessee Williams’ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof was so scorching it very much needed its onstage shower and so we approached this 1st preview with high hopes on the day that up to 1.5 million people were on the streets of London for this year’s Pride celebrations.
By Carron Stacey
WHERE?: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
WHEN?: 30/6/19
It’s been a week since we saw them and my opinion is still the same – one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. Here’s why.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including 20-minute interval) (press ticket)
WHEN? 4/7 (matinee) runs to 3/8/19
Sirtis is best known for appearing as Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation until 2002 and so her starring role here, as a former sci-fi actress tracked down by a fan, is a casting triumph as well as being a brave role for her to play.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? National Theatre RUNTIME: 215 minutes (including 2 intervals)
WHEN? 3/7, opens 9/7 and runs to 8/10/19
Peter Gynt is David Hare’s Scottish update of Henrik Ibsen’s 1867 play Peer Gynt which draws on a Norwegian fairy tale to examine the value of his hero’s life as we join him on his journey through it.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE? SSE Wembley Arena
WHEN? 2/7/19
SETLIST: Dirty Computer; Crazy, Classic Life; Take A Byte; Screwed; Django Jane; QUEEN; Electric Lady; Prime Time; Pynk; Yoga; I Like That; Don’t Judge Me; Make Me Feel; I Got The Juice; Cold War; Tightrope; Come Alive
We are standing towards the back of this 12,500-capacity venue by the mixing desk when we see Lupita Nyong’o wearing sunglasses flanked by security guards rush by.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? London Coliseum RUNTIME: 2 hours and 30 minutes (with 20-minute interval)
WHEN? 27/6/19 (matinee), opened 27/6, booking to 31/8/2019
Summer is most definitely with us and this musical of the lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan featuring their Miami Sound Machine hits might struggle in any other climate.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE? Wembley Stadium
WHEN? 30/6, tour runs to 2/11/19
SETLIST: Get The Party Started; Beautiful Trauma; Just Like A Pill; Who Knew; Funhouse; Hustle; Secrets; Forest; Try; Just Give Me A Reason; River; Just Like A Fire; What About Us; For Now; 90 Days; Time After Time; Walk Me Home: I Am Here; F**kin’ Perfect; Raise Your Glass; Blow Me (One Last Kiss); Can We Pretend; So What; Glitter In The Air
We marvelled at the acrobatics of the cast in the Bridge Theatre’s production of `A Midsummer Night’s Dream recently but US pop star P!nk takes those skills to the next level here (see picture above).
