Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is going to happen

 

Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is going to happen, Bush Theatre, 2023.

Cast: Samuel Barnett

Writer: Marcelo Dos Santos

Director: Matthew Xia

I adored this. A one man show about a gay man was always going to be right up my street. Samuel is turning into one of those people who I will see in anything, and have seen him in quite a lot. It was short and funny so I bought the play text and when I read it it was just as good. I sat next to someone famous, possibly Olivia Williams, which made the evening even more exciting. A triumph.

La Cage aux Folles

 

La Cage aux Folles, Regent's Park Open Theatre, 2023.

Cast: Jak Allen-Anderson, Craig Armstrong, Tom Bales, Taylor Bradshaw, Billy Carter, Daniele Coombe, Ben Culleton, Jordan Lee Davies, Nicole Deon, Lewis Easter, Harvey Ebbage, Emma Johnson, Julie Jupp, Shakeel Kimotho, Debbie Kurup, George Lynham, JP McCue, Carl Mullaney, Richard-Kyro Nelson, John Owen-Jones, Sophie Pourret, Alexandra Waite-Roberts, Hemi Yeroham.

Book: Harvey Fierstein

Music & lyrics: Jerry Herman

Director: Tim Sheader

My second visit to the Open Air Theatre as nothing had been on which felt appropriate to the space. This wasn't really either but it was brilliant and then, about ten minutes from the end, the heavens opened and the show was abandoned and we got horribly lost and wet getting out of the park in the dark. I know that's not a memory about the show but it was a fantastic evening.

Beautiful Thing

 

Beautiful Thing, Stratford East, 2023.

Cast: Raphael Akuwudike, Joshua Asaré, Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, Shvorne Marks, Scarlett Rayner.

Writer: Jonathan Harvey

Director: Anthony Simpson-Pike

I saw the original production, then the twentieth anniversary one, and because I'm so old I saw the thirtieth. I wonder if there will be a fortieth. It's interesting (and inevitable) that my feelings for it have changed as I get further away from the ages of the characters: the first time made me cry all the way home, this time I really appreciated the writing. I think it felt less dated with a black cast as I felt (possibly wrongly) that being gay might be more of a problem in their community. Lovely theatre as well.

Song from Far Away

 

Song from Far Away, Hampstead Theatre, 2023.

Cast: Will Young

Writers: Simon Stephens & Mark Eitzel

Director: Kirk Jameson

This was on in Manchester and I didn't fancy the trip so I was pleased when it came to London. As I was waiting outside the theatre I saw Will walk past, which was exciting. I loved this and wish he would do more acting. As I nice bonus it was good to see something Mark Eitzel was involved in.

Assassins

 

Assassins, Chichester Festival Theatre, 2023.

Cast: Peter Forbes, Sam Oladeinde, Jack Shalloo, Harry Hepple, Luke Brady, Nick Holder, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Amy Booth-Steel, Danny Mac, Liam Tamne, Lizzy Connolly, Samuel Thomas, Bob Harms, Ivan De Freitas, Charlotte Jaconelli, Kody Mortimer, Daniel Bowskill, Jaimie Pruden, Reuben McGreevy/Alex Medina, Neil Chadwick, Tiffany Clark, Luc Oratis.

Music & lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: John Weidman

Director: Polly Findlay

The third production of this show and the one with the biggest set. That I loved each one is a testament to just how good a show it is. I'd happily see it again.