The Third Box

Opening the third box means I'm half way through this tidying up process. And what a nice smiley face to find on the top of the box.

It was a slightly bigger box that the previous two so the amount of stuff I've decanted from it is also bigger:

Yet again I found plenty of stuff I'd forgotten I'd seen so it's going to be another voyage of discovery.

Sweet Charity

Sweet Charity, Donmar Warehouse, 2019.

Cast:  Anne-Marie Duff, Arthur Darvill, Lizzy Connolly, Debbie Kirkup, Stephen Kennedy, Martin Marquez, Amy Ellen Richardson, Charlotte Jaconelli, Jo Eaton-Kent, Danielle Steers, Lauren Drew, Shaq Taylor, Ryan Reid, WIll Haswell, Beverley Knight.

Book: Neil Simon

Music: Cy Coleman

Lyrics: Dorothy Fields

Director: JosieRourke.

I don't think I'd seen the film this is based on until I had a ticket for this. I guess the draw was Anne-Marie Duff who I've actually seen on stage quite a few times, but of course a musical will always be a draw. I think this was a bit silly, but it's always nice to be in the Donmar Warehouse.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar, Barbican, 2019.

Cast: Robert Tripolino, Ricardo Afonso, Sallay Garnett, Matt Cardle, Samuel Buttery, Cavin Cornwall, Nathan Amzi, Matthew Harvey, Tim Newman, Daniel Bailey, Bernadette Bangura, Robert Bannon, Cyrus Brandon, Melanie Bright, Georgia Carling, Dale Evans, Rosie Fletcher, Luke Hall, Simon Hardwick, Josh Hawkins, Dayle Hodge, Steve Hutchinson, Cleopatra Joseph, Rachel Moran, Billy Nevers, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, Elliotte Williams-N-Dure.

Lyrics: Tim Rice

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Director: Timothy Sheader

I don't know why it took me quite so long to see this. This production started at the Regent's Park Open Theatre where it was such a success that I think it played a second year before going to the Barbican (and now a touring version of it is doing the rounds).

I hated it. Far too "rock". Far too ridiculous. I don't like the Barbican theatre either, which doesn't help. Nonsense.

Afterglow

Afterglow, Southwark Playhouse, 2019.

Cast: Jesse Fox, Sean Hart, Danny Mahoney.

Writer: S. Asher Gelman

Director: Tom O'Brien 

A play about a gay threesome is always going to get my attention. It's just a pity that the married couple at the centre of this are so smug and annoying. There was nudity and an on-stage shower just to make sure the gays bought lots of tickets. We did.

Educating Rita

Educating Rita, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2019.

Cast: Stephen Tomkinson, Jessica Johnson.

Writer: Willy Russell

Director: Max Roberts

I think I might have found Stephen Tomkinson a bit too grumpy in this but really any version of it isn't going to be able to compete with Julie Walters.

Closer to Heaven

Closer to Heaven, Above the Stag, 2019.

Cast: Adele Anderson, Blake Patrick Anderson, Maddy Banks, Ian Hallard, Rhys Harding, Billie Hardy, Aidan Harkins, Christopher Howell, Matthew Ives, Hollie Smith-Nelson, Mikulas Urbanek.

Music & lyrics: Pet Shop Boys

Book: Jonathan Harvey

Director: Steve Dexter

In an interview for their recent album Neil Tennant noted that although this show was considered a failure when it premiered it's about to get its fourth London revival. This production was the third of those revivals and the second revival I saw, and it was very good.

You need a good actor to play Billie Trix and carry the show and Adele Anderson is that, with years of performing in Fascinating Aida but her with her own personal life adding to the character. Excellent. I'd forgotten that Ian Hallard (Mark Gatiss's husband) was in it. 

As I remember it the set was small and bright and the whole thing was packed with energy and I loved it.

This theatre is now closed and this was the only time I went to it. It was in an arch under the railway at Vauxhall, next to a gay sauna and opposite the M16 building which made me smile.

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, Dorfman Theatre, 2016.

Cast: Melissa Allan, Caroline Deyga, Karen Fishwick, Kirsty MacLaren, Frances Mayli McCann, Dawn Sievewright.

Adapted by Lee Hall from a book by Alan Warner.

Director: Vicky Featherstone.

This had quite a journey, starting off as a book (which I read) and ending up as a film (which I liked) but this was probably my favourite incarnation and it was told with lots of songs (13 listed in the programme, 6 of them by Jeff Lynne of ELO)  and as there was a band on stage it was more of a musical. It was also on in the smallest of the National Theatre's spaces so it felt more intimate and immediate. I loved it and would happily see it again.

The Philadelphia Story

The Philadelphia Story, The Old Vic, 2005.

Cast: Julie McKenzie, Jennifer Ehle, Talulah Riley, Damien Matthews, Colin Haigh, Nicholas le Prevost, DW Moffett, Lauren Ward, Richard Lintern, Kevin Spacey, Oliver Cotton, Laura Brook, Eben Young, Claire Adams, Jeff Peterson, Tim Beckmann, Lucy-Anne Holmes.

Writer: Philip Barry

Director: Jerry Zaks

I imagine Kevin was the main reason for seeing this, getting a chance to align himself with Cary Grant , which now I'd rather not think about. I have friends who think the film is a masterpiece but I prefer High Society, the musical version that came later. I'd forgotten I'd seen Julia McKenzie in something - what a shame it wasn't Sondheim.

Bess the Commoner Queen

Bess the Commoner Queen, St Nicholas Chapel, 2019.

Cast: Michelle Todd, Matt Weyland, Tom Dussek, Seth Morgan,

Writer: Kevin Fagan

Director: Rikki Tarascas

I remembered this as a one woman show when it clearly wasn't. Bess of Hardwick is fascinating and there's a great story to be told about her. This wasn't it. I bet Hilary Mantel would have done a great job with her.

The Bodyguard

The Bodyguard The Musical, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2019.

Cast: Benoit Maréchal, Alexandra Burke, Peter Landi, Craig Berry, Phil Atkinson, Lemar Bucknor Jr, Noah Burnett, Caelan Edie, Ethan Marsh, Jesse Oniha, Emmanuel Owusu-Boachie, Gary Turner, Micha Richardson, Simon Cotton, Rosie Cava-Beale, Myles Cork, Kerry Crozier, Sia Dauda, Gustav Die, Chris Edgerley, James-Lee Harris, Holly Liburd, Jack Loy, Daniil Shmidt, Jessica Simmons, Yiota Theo, Callum Clack, Hannah Millichamp, Helen Parsons, Michael Wade Peters.

Screenplay: Lawrence Kasdan

Book: Alexander Dinelaris

Director: Thea Sharrock

Shining programme! There's actually a second one inside it with the writing on and it's all a bit of a waste of paper really. I saw the film this is based on and enjoyed it but never saw it again. I knew Alexandra Burke but had no experience of her. I wasn't certain I would enjoy this when I went but I ended up loving it mostly because Alexandra can really sing and absolutely did Whitney justice, and it was nice to be reminded just how good the songs were in the first place.

One Man, Two Guvnors

One Man, Two Guvnors, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2012.

Cast: Amy Booth-Steel, Mark Monero, Colin Mace, Kellie Shirley, Nick Cavaliere, Leon Williams, Rufus Hound, Rosie Wyatt, Edward Bennett, Matthew Woodyatt, Peter Cauldfield, Sabrina Carter, Alicia Davies, Mark Jackson, Alan Pearson, Seun Shote, Russell Wilcox.

Writer: Richard Bean

Director: Nicholas Hytner

I don't like slapstick and have left other stuff at the interval when there has been too much of it so this was a risky proposition. But it was also a huge hit and the fact it was coming to Norwich was a big deal. And unexpectedly I absolutely loved it. So I should probably learn something from that.

Into the Woods

Into the Woods, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Ethan Beer, Eddie Manning, Joshua Swinney, Helen Dallimore, Ben Stott, Mark Hadfield, Jenna Russell, Gaye Brown, Amy Ellen Richardson, Amy Griffiths, Marilyn Cutts, Beverly Rudd, Hannah Waddingham, Gemma Wardle, Billy Boyle, Michael Xavier, Valda Aviks, Alice Fearn, Simon Thomas, Mark Goldthorp, Sophie Caton, Marc Antolin, Judi Dench (as the voice of the giant).

Music & lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: James Lapine

Director: Timothy Sheader

My first visit to the Open Air Theatre, and it would take me thirteen years to get back. I went to a matinee because I couldn't work out if it would be possible to get home after an evening performance and if I'd been worried about the daylight somehow spoiling the show I was wrong. The backdrop of trees was perfect for this production and I think that's why it took me so long to go back - nothing could ever work as well.

It was my second time seeing Into the Woods and I'm overdue another viewing. It's interesting to see Hannah Waddingham in the programme, looking far less imperial than she does now. 

 

The Habit of Art

The Habit of Art,  Lyttelton Theatre, 2009.

Cast: Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings, Adrian Scarborough, Stephen Wight, Laurence Belcher, Otto Farrant, Toby Graham, Philip Childs, Elliot Levey, Frances de la Tour, John Heffernan, Barbara Kirby, Danny Burns, Martin Chamberlain. Tom Attwood.

Writer: Alan Bennett

Director: Nicholas Hytner

They really did make the most of Bennett at the National Theatre didn't they? He turned 90 this week so I suppose the chances of any more full length plays are very slim now. I remember this as being a play within a play but I think I'm the wrong generation to really appreciate how important Auden and Britten were.

Hamlet

Hamlet, Olivier Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Michael Peavoy, Matthew Barker, Giles Terera, Marcus Cunningham, James Laurenson, Patrick Malahide, James Pearse, Ellie Turner, Alex Lanipekun, David Calder, Rory Kinnear, Clare Higgins, Ruth Negga, Victor Power, Ferdinand Kingsley, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Saskia Portway, Michael Sheldon, Richie Hart, Jake Fairbrother, Nick Sampson, Zara Tempest-Walters, Leo Staar.

Writer: William Shakespeare

Director: Nicholas Hytner

I associate this with the tail end of the period when every young actor had a go at Hamlet on stage - Benedict Cumberbatch, David Tennant, John Simms. I didn't see any of them as the tickets would have been impossible to get hold of and although this is the Shakespeare play I know best (we studied it for A level) perhaps I've seen it enough. One of the things about having seen a decent amount of theatre and getting older is knowing that it's okay not to see stuff again. I'd go if there was a significant production -- Cush Jumbo at The Young Vic was my most recent experience - but it's quite nice knowing I don't have to see any more if I don't want to. 

I seem to remember Rory being good but maybe he's not the ideal person for this role.

La Bete

La Bete, Comedy Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Mark Rylance, David Hyde Pearce, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Ouimette, Lisa Joyce, Greta Lee, Robert Lonsdale, Michael Milligan, Liza Sadovy, Sally Wingert.

Writer: David Hirson

Director: Matthew Warchus.

I imagine the reason I dragged a friend along to see this was Joanna Lumley, in the second of only three theatre productions this century. But arguably the bigger deal was David Hyde Pearce making his only London appearance (so far) but as I didn't watch Frasier this meant less to me. I find Mark Rylance difficult.

It was a period piece, at least I remember there being period costumes, and I think it was a bit of a romp - I remember laughing hard at something. They're all comedians so it would have been silly to get them all to play straight.

Canary

 

Canary, Cambridge Arts Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Ben Allen, Sean Gallagher, Philip McGilney, Jodie McNee, Ryan Sampson, Kevin Trainor, Philip Voss, Paula Wilcox.

Writer: Jonathan Harvey

Director: Hettie Macdonald.

I wish I remembered this but even after reading the programme again it means nothing to me. I also wish Jonathan Harvey would write more plays but he seems to have stopped, which is a bit of a loss.

Blithe Spirit

Blithe Spirit, Cambridge Arts Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Jodie Taibi, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathurst, Bo Poraj, Charlotte Thornton, Alison Steadman, Ruthie Henshall.

Writer: Noel Coward

Director: Thea Sharrock.

This is probably top of my list of things I never want to see again and that's' because of this production. Alison Steadman really hammed it up as Madame Arcati in a way that was just annoying. Ruthie Henshall was probably too old to play the dead first wife. Perhaps it's time to look at some of Coward's other work or give him a rest completely.

Or You Could KIss Me

Or You Could Kiss Me, Cottesloe Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Adjoa Andoh, Basil Jones, Finn Caldwell, Adrian Kohler, Craig Leo, Tommy Luther, Mervyn Millar, Marcus Tilt.

Created by Neil Bartlett and Handspring Puppet Company

Director: Neil Bartlett

I went to see this because I was a fan of Neil Bartlett, a gay writer whose work I really liked (but which I feel a bit different about now - it maybe feels old-fashioned now). I remember there were puppets but I don't remember it being in the Cottesloe Theatre - in my head it felt bigger than that. It might have been set in South Africa.

dinnerladies

dinnerladies, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2009.

Cast: Shobna Gulati, Andrew Dunn, Laura Shepherd, Jacqueline Clarke, Liz Bagley, Stella Ross, Emily Butterfield, Barrie Palmer, Louise Dumayne, Joanne Lee Martin.

Adapted by David Graham from the TV series by Victoria Wood.

Director: David Graham

I assumed I'd seen this after she died because it feels like the sort of thing she'd have said no to because of her complete control over her work but I was wrong. Two people from the original cast can't make up for the complete band of nobodies playing the rest of the characters. I'm sure I liked it, and there was a second version of it so I wasn't the only one, but in retrospect Victoria deserved better.

The Little Dog Laughed

The Little Dog Laughed, Garrick Theatre, 2010.

Cast: Tamsin Greig, Rupert Friend, Gemma Arterton, Harry Lloyd.

Writer: Douglas Carter Beane

Director: Jamie Lloyd

I have fond but sketchy memories of this. I think Tamsin Greig played an agent in it and Rupert Friend was an actor. I was so wowed by Tamsin that I'd forgotten that Gemma Arterton was also in it. I'd love to see both of them on stage again. Possibly the only successful experience I've had at the Garrick which is a nightmare of columns if you're at the back and Tube trains running underneath it.

Les Misérables

Les Misérables, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2010.

Cast: John Owen-Jones, Earl Carpenter, David Lawrence, Jonathan Alden, Madalena Alberto, Laura Tebbutt, Victoria Farley, Rhiannon Sarah Porter, Rosa O'Reilly, Leigh Rhianon Coggins, Vanessa Leagh Hicks, Beth Davies, Rebecca McKinnis, Carl Mullaney, Alice Payne, Charlotte Nicholas, Sophie Downham, Lynne Wilmot, Emily Remer, Maia Hunt, Charlotte Cooper, Ashley Artus, Jake Abbott, Dylan Jones, Toby Prynne, Rosalind James, Katie Hall, Luke Kempner, Ian Caddick, Jon Robyns, Gareth Gates, David Covey, Owain Williams, Christopher Jacobsen, Rhidian Marc, Adam Linstead, Jamie Muscato, Joanna Loxton, Gemma O'Duffy, Michael Baxter, Peter Manchester, Leighton Rafferty.

Music: Claude-Micehl Schonberg

Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer

Directors: Laurence Connor & James Powell

I hated this. The songs are shit and the best one - I Dreamed a Dream, the Susan Boyle one - is the fourth song in a three hour show. I saw the film thinking I might be wrong and hated that too and was glad to be proved right. Apparently it was a production of this that prompted Pet Shop Boys to write their own musical as they thought the songs were so bad, so at least something good came out of it.

Cause Celebre

 

Cause Celebre, The Old Vic, 2011.

Cast: Lucy Black, Timothy Carlton, Simon Chandler, Richard Clifford, Oliver Coppersmith, Niamh Cusack, Anne-Marie Duff, Rory Fleck-Byrne, Freddie Fox, Jenny Galloway, Patrick Godfrey, Nicholas Jones, Tommy McDonnell, Lucy Robinson, Tristan Shepherd, Richard Teverson, Sarah Waddell, Michael Webber, Tristram Wymark.

Writer: Terence Rattigan

Director: Thea Sharrock

I assume I went to this partly to see Anne-Marie Duff but also because Rattigan was having a bit of a moment (Flare Path was on in London that summer too) but without rereading the programme I'd have remembered nothing about the play.

What I do remember, far too vividly because that's how these things work, is that the singer Tracey Thorn asked for people's opinions on it on Twitter as she was thinking of going. I think I replied that the second half was stronger than the first and I enjoyed it. She hated it and stupidly I felt in some way responsible.

Jekyll & Hyde

Jekyll & Hyde, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2011.

Cast: Marti Pellow, Sabrina Carter, Sarah Earnshaw, David Delve, Mark McGee, Amira Matthews, Michael Taibi, Martin Dickinson, Matt Stevens, Jacob Chapman, Jon de Ville, James Gant, Daniel Robinson, Carolyn Maitland, Alexandra Grierson, Grace Gardner, Rob Copeland, Kerri Watt.

Lyricist/Librettist: Leslie Bricusse

Composer: Frank Wildborn

Director: Martin Connor

Marti's second appearance on here and it won't be his last. I remember nothing about this but wonder if it prompted me to read the book it was based on.