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!