WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Savoy Theatre
WHEN: 24/11, runs to 6/5/17
You may have heard the rumours about Glee star Amber Riley’s (pictured right above) showstopping performance in this first West End production of this 1981 Broadway hit sparking multiple midshow standing ovations. They’re all true.
It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.
London’s iconic Savoy Theatre is always a guarantee of a hot hit musical and Glee‘s Amber Riley (pictured above and with And I’m Telling You clip below) stars in Dreamgirls there 19/11 – 11/3/17. We’ve given the Savoy’s last three musicals (Gypsy, Guys and Dolls and Funny Girl) the full 5*. We’re going twice already. Would you bet against this supreme musical not inspiring such baby love? Tickets.
Sheri actually made her triumphant return last month but we’re seeing her in it for the 3rd time the day after the soundtrack is released 5/8. It won 2015’s monstas for best musical and actress. Picture via Facebook courtesy Funny Girl UK. Tickets.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Royal Opera House
WHEN: 22/7 runs to 23/7
SETLIST: Inner Sanctum; West End Girls; The Pop Kids; In The Night; Burn; Love Is A Bourgeois Construct; New York City Boy; Se A Vida E; Twentysomething; Love Comes Quickly; Love Etc; The Dictator Decides; Inside A Dream; Winner; Home and Dry; Vocal; The Sodom and Gomorrah Show; It’s A Sin; Left To My Own Devices; Go West; Domino Dancing; Always On My Mind; The Pop Kids (reprise)
We’ve seen Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe at London venues as diverse as The 02, the old Wembley Arena, Clapham Common, Trafalgar Square and the Savoy Theatre.
Last year we awarded our first monstas to the best pop, theatre, film and TV of 2015 in 11 categories.
WHERE?: Menier Chocolate Factory
WHEN?: 21/2
It’s 6.45pm and our Q&A compere Mark Shenton, associate editor of The Stage, is telling us that its star Sheridan Smith is unwell and may not be joining us and her leading man Darius Campbell has to leave in 15 minutes. Read More
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Savoy Theatre
WHEN: 20/12 runs to 12/3/16
Casting has been announced for next year’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and its hero is Jamie Parker, who is currently starring in Guys and Dolls in the West End.
The undisputed Queen of Pop’s Rebel Heart tour arrives for two nights at The 02 from 1/12 and we’ll be reporting from there for you. This will be the 6th time we’ve seen Madge live and she’s reportedly more comfortable playing some of her oldest hits. Photograph via Facebook courtesy Madonna from Montreal copyright Kevin Mazur. Tickets here.
Read on for reasons 2 to 10 including Star Wars, Marina and the Diamonds, Guys and Dolls and Brian Cox
WORTH A LOOK? *****
WHERE? Savoy Theatre
WHEN: 11/7/15 runs until 28/11/15
Who’s giving the best performance in the West End at the moment? We’d plump for Imelda Staunton in Gypsy. Read More
