The second bag

 

This, if my filing is correct, should be full of things for 2022. It's bulging which makes me think I was busy making up for the lost couple of years before, although a lot of the stuff in there is brochures for country houses which I was doing with a vengeance. Hopefully my memory for things more recent will be a bit better.

Celebrating Sondheim: Sunday in the Park with Daniel

Celebrating Sondheim: Sunday in the Park with Daniel, Chichester Festival Theatre, 2020.

Cast: Daniel Evans, Clive Rowe, Hannah Waddingham, Gabrielle Brooks, Jenna Russell.

Director: Louise Shephard

 

A pandemic thing, the only thing I saw in the theatre after the lockdown began, taking place on the 1st November, probably squeezed in before all the rules changed again and life went back to being strange. You'd think I'd remember more about it but I'd forgotten that Hannah Waddingham was in it. I imagine there were gaps in the seating but can't be sure. Did we have lunch before? Did I drive? Surely I didn't venture on a train after so long not going on a train?

Six

Six, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2021.

Cast: Lauren Drew, Maddison Bulleyment, Caitlin Tipping, Shekinah McFarlane, Vicki Manser, Elena Gyasi.

Writers: Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss

Directors: Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage

It took me far too long to get around to seeing this which was stupid as the first proper production of it after the Fringe was at the Playhouse in Norwich. I guess I was one of the many people who didn't realise how big or amazing it was going to be. Silly me. It was worth the wait. Clever and funny lyrics attached to great tunes, brilliantly staged. The sort of thing you could see repeatedly (I've already been back once).

La Cage aux Folles (the play)

La Cage aux Folles (the play), Park Theatre, 2020. 

Cast: Georgina Ambrey, Louise Bangay, Mark Cameron, Simon Hepworth, Arthur Hughes, Paul Hunter, Sarah Lam, Syrus Lowe, Michael Matus, William Nelson, Peter Straker.

Writer: Jean Poiret

Adapter: Simon Callow

Director: Jez Bond

I'd forgotten I'd seen this, probably because since then I've seen a much more memorable production of the musical. I hadn't realised how much theatre I'd packed into 2020 before it all fell apart and imagine that if life hadn't taken the turn it did it would have been my busiest year ever for theatre going. I don't think I've been back to the Park, which prompted them to send me a free ticket code that I haven't found anything to use it on.

Cabaret

Cabaret, New Theatre Peterborough, 2020. 

Cast: John Partridge, Kara Lily Hayworth, Anita Harris, Charles Hagerty, James Paterson, Basienka Blake, Gemma Archer, Joseph Dockree, Francis Foreman, Sophie Hirst, Mary Hodgkinson, Sara Morley, Hannah Nicholas, Oliver Roll, Ben Rutter, Catherin Saunders, Tom Scanlon.

Book: Joe Masteroff

Composer & lyricist: John Kander & Fred Ebb

Director: Rufus Norris

This was a revival of the production that Will Young starred in a few years earlier, which might have become the standard for this show if they hadn't gone and reinvented it in London. I'd seen John Partridge in other things and hadn't liked him but he was good in this. I'd see this version of the show again any time.

City of Angels

City of Angels, Garrick Theatre, 2020.

Cast: Hadley Fraser, Theo James, Rosalie Craig, Rebecca Trehearn, Jonathan Slinger, Nicola Roberts, Vanessa Williams, Marc Elliott, Rob Houchen, Jeremy Batt, Cindy Belliot, Michelle Bishop, Matthew Caputo, Nick Cavaliere, Emily-Mae, Joe Frost, Dickon Gough, Derek Howard, Manuel Pacific, Mark Penfold, Ryan Reid, Joshua St Clair, Sadie-Jean Shirley.

Book: Larry Gelbart

Music: Cy Coleman

Lyrics: David Zippel

Director: Josie Rourke

The last thing I saw before lockdown (although I think I had something booked for the following weekend, that ambiguous time when Johnson told people not to go out but didn't demand that places shut). This was such a good cast and a great show it's a pity it didn't get to do it's whole run - I'm sure this was a preview. I'd like to see it again to see if it's as good as I remember, or if I'd romanticised it in my head.

 

Curtains

Curtains, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2020.

Cast: Jason Manford, Carley Stenson, Rebecca Lock, Samuel Holmes, Ore Oduba, Leah Barbara West, Alan Burkitt, Martin Callaghan, Emma Caffrey, Mark Sangster, Adam Rhys-Charles, Nia Jermin, Minal Patel, J R Ballantyne, Samuel John-Humphreys, Thomas-Lee Kidd, Charlie Johnson, Kate Ivory Jordan, Gleanne Purcell-Brown, Kathryn Barnes, Robin Kent, Pamela Blair, Ben Munday.

Book: Rupert Holmes

Original book & concept: Peter Stone

Music: John KAnder & Fred Ebb

I loved this! A musical about a crime - the perfect evening out for a gay who loves crime novels. I liked it so much that I went to see it a few weeks later on the tour in Northampton. I'd have happily seen it again but then Covid cancelled the tour. They did an online screening of it which I watched and loved but when everything got back to normal all those things that were halted seemed to get forgotten about, as if people were ashamed of them somehow and wanted to forget they'd ever happened. Jason Manford was especially good.

Dial M for Murder

Dial M for Murder, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2020.

Cast: Tom Chambers, Sally Bretton, Christopher Harper, Michael Salami.

Writer: Frederick Knott

Director: Anthony Banks

Based on the book, I think, rather than the film, although that wouldn't have made any difference as I don't know either of them. Which makes me wonder why I went in the first place. I can only assume my friend wanted to go and Tom Chambers was likely to be good, even if there was no dancing in it.

Blithe Spirit

Blithe Spirit, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2020.

Cast: Rose Wardlaw, Lisa Dillon, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Simon Coates, Lucy Robinson, Jennifer Saunders, Emma Naomi.

Writer: Noel Coward

Director: Richard Eyre

I feel like I haven't had much luck with this play - the role of Madame Arcati just encourages people to overact and I hardly think Jennifer Saunders needs encouragement. I should probably never see this again, although I suspect I said that before I saw this - who can resist Jennifer?

 

The Normal Heart

The Normal Heart, Olivier Theatre, 2021.

Cast: Elander Moore, Daniel Monks, Richard Cant, Ben Daniels, Liz Carr, Luke Norris, Dino Fetscher, Robert Bowman, Danny Lee Wynter, Henry Nott, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Daniel Krikler, Lucas Rush, Samuel Thomas.

Writer: Larry Kramer

Director: Dominic Cooke

I've seen the TV version they made of this and probably should give the DVD away as it's unlikely to be the kind of thing I'll watch again, just because it's not very good in that serious American way that's often disappointing. This was very different. It had an excellent cast and the drama was heightened as it was during those pandemic times when there were gaps in the seating to keep you away from people, or was it performed in the round so we went in through a different entrance. We all left in tears.

 

The bags

So that's all the theatre programmes from the boxes sorted out. I've kept about a third of a box, just the significant ones - things I remember fondly or starring incredible people. I was surprised at how many things I'd forgotten and it made me realise that perhaps there were a lot of things I shouldn't have bothered seeing.

When I ran out of space for more boxes of programmes my temporary solution was to start filling bags. This worked well actually as filling a bag for each year made it easier to do an end of the year round up. So now I need to start on these:

The first bag covers 2020 & 2021, because there was less on in those years for reasons we can't forget but don't really want to remember.

The bag itself makes me nostalgic as it's from a newsagents in town that doesn't exist anymore although I still think of it with that name. If it wasn't split I'd keep it for old times sake.

Sweeney Todd

 Sweeney Todd, London Coliseum, 2015.

Cast: Bryn Terfel, Emma Thompson, Matthew Seadon-Young, Katie Hall, Jack North, Philip Quast, Rosalie Craig, Alex Gaumond, John Owen-Jones, Marc Akinfolarin, John Barr, Alastair Brookshaw, Emily Bull, Ian Caddick, Edd Campbell Bird, Jacob Chapman, Scott Cripps, Ffion Emyr, Lydia Gerrard, Alexandra Grierson, Madeleine Harland, Nancy Hill, Gavin James, Frankie Jenna, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Molly Lynch, Jeff Nicholson, Anna O'Byrne, Kane Oliver Parry, Leah Penston, Joseph Prouse, Verity Quade, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Susannah van den Berg, Adam Vaughan, Gaia Wise.

Music & lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: Hugh Wheeler

Director: Lonny Price

I miss the brief spell of big summer shows that Coliseum did. This was probably my favourite, and I expect it will be the only time I'll see Emma Thompson on stage (why would she bother now?). Looking at the cast list it's nice to see Rosalie Craig was in it before I realised who she was.

The Father

 

The Father, Cambridge Arts Theatre, 2015.

Cast: Kenneth Cranham, Claire Skinner, Nicholas Gleaves, Kirsty Oswald, Jim Sturgeon, Rebecca Charles.

Writer: Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton

Director: James MacDonald

Remember when Florian was the hot young thing and one play after another appeared? This is the only one I saw, and I didn't see the film it was made into (assuming it would be both upsetting and not as good as the play).

The main thing I remember about this is the clever staging. In each scene a piece of the set vanished to physically demonstrate the father's failing memory. Clever.

My Night with Reg

My Night with Reg, Apollo Theatre, 2015.

Cast: Julian Ovenden, Jonathan Broadbent, Lewis Reeves, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Richard Cant, Matt Bardock.

Writer: Kevin Elyot

Director: Robert Hastie

I saw this revival at the Donmar and hadn't realised it had transferred. I nearly gasped out loud with surprise when I saw this programme (overdramatic). Which theatre is the Apollo I wonder? It would have been excellent though.

All on Her Own / Harlequinade

 

All on Her Own / Harlequinade, Garrick Theatre. 2015.

Cast: Zoe Wanamaker, Jaygann Ayeh, Tom Bateman, Kenneth Branagh, Jessie Buckley, Vera Chok, Jack Colgrave Hirst, John Dalgleish, Hadley Fraser, Ansu Kabia, Stuart Neal, Zoe Rainey, Miranda Raison, Michael Rouse, John Shrapnel, Kathryn Wilder, Jimmy Yuill.

Writer: Terence Rattigan

Director: Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh

The other thing I saw in the Kenneth Branagh season, presumably because I've not seen much Rattigan so it would have been nice to see something more. But now I have no idea what it was or whether I enjoyed it.

The Winter's Tale

 

The Winter's Tale, Garrick Theatre, 2015.

Cast: Pierre Atri/Rudi Goodman, Jaygann Ayeh, Tom Bateman, Kenneth Branagh, Jessie Buckley, VEra Chok, Jack Colgrave Hirst, John Dalgleish, Judi Dench, Hadley Fraser, Adam Garcia, Matthew Hawksley, Taylor James, Pip Jordan, Ansu Kabia, Stuart Neal, Michael Pennington, Zoe Rainey, Miranda Raison, Michael Rouse, John Shrapnel, Kathryn Wilder, Jimmy Yuill.

Writer: William Shakespeare

Director: Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh

I remember being excited about this because Judi Dench was in it. It was part of a season of plays directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh at the Garrick but I managed to resist most of them. They weren't very well reviewed and the Garrick really out to be knocked down as it's no use as a theatre. Looking at the programme now I realise it's another occasion where I've seen Jessie Buckley before she became the phenomenon that she is now.

Handbagged

 

Handbagged, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2015.

Cast: Susie Blake, Kate Fahy, Emma Handy, Sanchia McCormack, Richard Teverson.

Writer: Moira Buffini

Director: Indhu Rubasingham

I remember really liking this, partly because I have a weakness for seeing the Queen on stage, but mostly because I think it was well written and funny. I could have seen it more recently but I don't think the boyfriend has the same opinion of Thatcher as me and that might have made for an awkward evening out.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Norwich Theatre Royal, 2015.

Cast: Joshua Jenkins/Chris Ashby, Geraldine Alexander, Stuart Laing, Gina Isaac, Roberta Kerr, Clare Perkins, Lucas Hare, Edward Grace, Emmanuella Cole, John MacAndrew, Jessica Williams, Ann Marcuson, Paul Sockett, Kieran Garland.

Writer: Simon Stephens

Director: Marianne Elliott

The third appearance of this here and although I might not have bought programmes on more recent visits I've certainly seen it since. And I'd see it again. A modern classic from that golden moment when the National Theatre was absolutely incredible. An absolutely incredible piece of work.

Loot

 

Loot, Princess Theatre Hunstanton, 1990

Cast: Chris McHallem, Peter O'Brien, Brian Capron, Lesley North, Desmond Jordan, Aidan Watts.

Writer: Jos Orton

Director: Antony Tuckey

This must be the oldest programme in the box, from the year after I finished sixth form so right at the start of me discovering theatre. How extraordinary that a theatre which now plays hosts to tribute acts once had this on. And once again I'm reminded how the economics of touring theatre have got worse. The only people who could do this locally now would be amateurs. It's all very sad.

Here Lies Love

Here Lies Love, Dorfman Theatre, 2014.

Cast: Martin Sarreal, Natalie Mendoza, Gia Macuja Atchison, Dean John-Wilson, Mark Bautista, Frances Mayli McCann, Li-Tong Hsu, Christopher Chung, Christine Allado, Lauren Chia, Julius Ebreo, Jim Andrew Ferrer, , Maria Lawson, Kok-Hwa Lie, Aaron Jan Mercado, Julie Yammanee, Sunny Yeo.

Concept & lyrics: David Byrne

Music: David Byrne & Fatboy Slim

Additional Music: Thomas Gandey and José Luis Pardo

Director: Alex Timbers

This is one of those productions that was so good I should have seen it a second time while I had a chance. I desperately hoped they'd revive it somewhere else in London - there must have been a space, not necessarily a theatre, which would have been ideal for it, but it never happened. 

I bought a standing ticket so was in the thick of it as the stage moved around us so we were up close and personal with it all. I'd completely forgotten about it until I spotted the cast recording in the cupboard - I must dig that out and reacquaint myself with it.

The Cripple of Inishmaan

 

The Cripple of Inishmaan, Noel Coward Theatre, 2013.

Cast: Ingrid Craigie, Pádraig Delaney, Sarah Greene, Gillian Hanna, Gary Lilburn, Conor MacNeill, Daniel Radcliffe, Pat Shortt, June Watson.

Writer: Martin McDonagh

Director: Michael Grandage

I saw all five plays in this series without really intending to. I guess the appeal of this one was Daniel Radcliffe, who has turned into a better actor than anyone might have expected. Martin McDonagh proved to be more tricky though - as much as I like his films I hate his plays. This wasn't as bad as Hangman (or whatever it was called) but I don't remember it being much fun.

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard, London Coliseum, 2017.

Cast: Glenn Close, Michael Xavier, Fred Johanson, Siobhan Dillon, Haydn Oakley, Julian Forsyth, Mark Goldthorp, Fenton Gray, Carly Anderson, Michelle Bishop, Emily Bull, Jacob Chapman, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Matthew McKenna, James Paterson, Tanya Robb, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Adam Vaughan.

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Book & lyrics: Don Black & Christopher Hampton

Director: Donny Price

I'd completely forgotten I'd seen Glenn Close on stage! I remember the production but the only detail I remember is hanging around the stage door after to see if she'd pop out (a friend wanted to do it, Glenn stayed in the building which wasn't a surprise after a matinee).

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!