White Christmas The Musical

White Christmas The Musical, Dominion Theatre, 2014.

Cast: Aled Jones, Tom Chambers, Louise Bowden, Graham Cole, Wendi Peters, Rachel Stanley, Michelle Bishop, Phil Cole, Brendan Cull. Lori Haley Fox, Jonathan Halliwell, Lucinda Lawrence, Vicki-Maria Ryan, Tatum Confrey, Sophia Pettit, Emily Robins, Amy Snudden, Karen Aspinall, Emma Caffrey, Matthew Cheney, Vicki Davids, Jennifer Davison, Grace Holdstock, Jonny Labey, Joshua Lay, Ross McLaren, Gary Murphy, Eddie Myles, Helen Patching, Hayley Reed, Matthew Whennell-Clark, Anthony Whiteman, Stuart Winter.

Music & lyrics: Irving Berlin

Book: David Ives & Paul Blake

Director: Morgan Young

I wonder why they added "the musical" to the title as everyone knows it as a musical - it's not like there's an alternative unmusical version (that had a completely different name). This is what was on offer in London before the return of panto at the Palladium. I imagine it was spectacular and I would have had a cheap seat, but I don't suppose I'd go and see it again when I could easily watch the film.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show Live!

 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show Live!, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2013.

Cast: Simon Jones, Geoff McGivern, Susan Sheridan, Tom Alexander, Mitch Benn, Toby Longworth, Samantha Beart, Andy Secombe, Philip Pope.

Based on the novels by Douglas Adams.

Adaptor & director: Dirk Maggs

This is absolutely unnecessary. There's a generation of men for whom this is their defining book and my God they never stop banging on about it. If anything it's gotten worse since 2013. I think I went because a friend was a bigger fan than me, but I had read all the books (and still have one on my bookshelves). I doubt it was very good.

Songs for a New World

Songs for a New World, St James Theatre, 2015.

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Damian Humbley, Dean John Wilson, Jenna Russell.

Music & lyrics: Jason Robert Brown

Director: Adam Lenson 

I remember going to see this - I went with a man who I was dating at the time, at his suggestion. I'd not heard of the writer and remember enjoying it. It was one of the few times I went to the St James Theatre before it became The Other Palace (stupid rebrand) and although I loved the theatre I've never found a reason to go back. Imagine my surprise when I opened the programme and spotted the global phenomenon that is Cynthia Erivo in the cast!

Thirty Million Minutes

 

Thirty Million Minutes, Cambridge Corn Exchange, 2014.

Cast: Dawn French

Writer: Dawn French

Director: Michael Grandage

Dawn French is always a joy and it was a treat to see her in a smallish venue. Very funny, occasionally moving, a joy.

Show Boat

 

Show Boat, New London Theatre, 2016.

Cast: Simbi Akande, Georgie Ashford, Gina Beck, Christina Bennington, Lucy Briers, John Coates, Danny Collins, Joshua da Costa, Laura Darton, Adam Dutton, Kit Esuruoso, Dale Evans, Nolan Frederick, Victoria Hinde, Linda John-Pierre, Linford Johnson, Emmanuel Kojo, Javar La'trail Parker, Sandra Marvin, Kate Milner Evans, Maria Omakinwa, Tom Partridge, Chris Peluso, Ryan Pidgen, Mykal Rand, Leo Roberts, Malcolm Sinclair, Rebecca Trehearn, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Alex Young, Lauren Coby/Mia Young.Isabella Manca/Grace Schneider.

Music Jerome Kern

Book & lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II

Director: Daniel Evans

If I'd been left to my own devices I probably wouldn't have seen this - all those old musicals that were always on TV on Sundays during my childhood don't always appeal to me anymore. The songs might be good but the stories they're attached to haven't always aged well and they're invariably too long. But a friend who I really only see at the theatre suggested it and I haven't often been to this theatre so I said yes.

I remember it making spectacular use of the big stage and feeling like it was a great theatre that I should go to more often and I don't think I've been back since.

Assassins

 

Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory, 2015.

Cast: Carly Bawden, Stewart Clarke, Simon Lipkin, Mike McShane, Harry Morrison, Andy Nyman, Jamie Parker, David Roberts, Melle Stewart, Catherine Tate, Aaron Tveit, Marc Akinfolarin, Adam Bayjou, Greg Miller Burns, Aoife Nally.

Music & lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: John Weidman

Director: Jamie Lloyd

This show is the cause of one of my favourite theatrical memories. It was staged with the audience on two sides of the floor with the action taking place in the middle. At the end the cast turned to the audience and pointed guns at them. Jamie Parker stood directly in front of me and pointed a gun at me and I didn't shut my eyes, I held his gaze. Except I wonder if that's a false memory and I really did shut my eyes?

I'm surprised to see this was directed by Jamie Parker, who is currently annoyingly hot despite making some weird choices.

West Side Story

 

West Side Story, Sadler's Wells, 2013.

Cast: Anthony Festa/Liam Tobin, Elena Sancho Pereg/Jessica Soza, Penelope Armstead-Williams, Pepe Munoz, Mark Mackillop, Doug Rees, John Wojda, Mel Shrawder, Eric Rolland, Mitchell Woodcock, Luke Hawkins, Matthew Couvillon, Andrew Purcell, Michael Bullard, Beau Middlebrook, Nicholas Sipes, Brandon Patrick Stonestreet, Christie Portera, Dominique DeNinis, Alexa de Barr, Blue Cervini, Hannah Balagot, Melanie Wildman, Nick Nerio, Charles South, Christian Elan Ortiz, Adam Soniak, Michael Bishop, Travante Semale Baker, Armando Yearwood Jr, Maya Flock, NaTonia Monet, Natalie M Williams, Tiffany Mellard, Sheridan Mouawad, Naomie C Walley.

Book: Arthur Laurents

Music: Leonard Bernstein

Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Director: Joey McKneely

What I remember about this is how long it was until the first song. There's something a bit cool about it - not as in hip but as in cold - which makes it slightly hard to love (the more recent film was the same). Perhaps it's the precision and perfection of it. It tries a bit too hard. It might be a masterpiece but it's not as much fun as it could be.