Oliver - Jodie Prenger wins I’d Do Anything May 31, 2008
Posted by Linda in : I'd do anything, Oliver, news, opinion , 189commentsOliver has it’s leading lady - on tonight’s I’d Do Anything the public vote chose Jodie Prenger.
Jodie has been a firm favourite during the whole series. She has hardly put a foot wrong and has given some extraordinary performances. In the final she was up against strong competition from Samantha Barks and Jessie Buckley. I agree with Andrew Lloyd Webber who’s final comment was that he’d always thought this might be the result. Jodie touched a nerve with the public. She’s got a good voice and she is closest to the way Nancy is usually portrayed.
There’s been some question over how happy Cameron Macintosh would be with Jodie as his Nancy. Some newspapers went so far as to suggest that he thought she might be too ‘big’ and that he’d prefer a slimmer actress for the part. As it was tonight when he was asked how he felt about the result he said:
I’m thrilled for Jodie
This did hit a slightly off note, especially after he’d expressed his preference for Jessie only a few minutes earlier.
John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen were both obviously delighted by the public’s choice. Barry Humphries seemed less so. He’s always had a soft spot for the younger girls and I suspect he’d have preferred the role to go to either Sam or Jessie.
Did the right Nancy win?
I think so, but it was awfully close. I’ve supported Jodie pretty much from the start but tonight I switched my support back and forth between the three of them.
I loved Sam’s rendition of Anyone Who Had a Heart and was ready to change my choice. Then her duet with ‘Oliver’ put me right off her for the role. There wasn’t much wrong with it but it was just very clear that there was only 5 years between them. It just didn’t work! It was no surprise then that she went out first. I’m sure we’ll see more of Sam and she’ll be on the West End stage soon.
Jessie sang a hard song and was far better with her Oliver, striking a lovely balance between being a tomboyish big sister and slightly maternal. It was the final song that let her down I think. She gave it everything. It was magnificent but I just couldn’t see her doing it 8 shows a week.
Jodie then was a safe, assured, mature Nancy. She sang all her songs beautifully, she did a great duet with ‘Oliver’ and she was just great. A safe pair of hands.
I still worry about teaming her with the right Bill Sykes though.
Have Your Say
What do you think? Is Jodie the right choice for Nancy?
Gone with The Wind set to close May 31, 2008
Posted by admin in : Gone With the Wind, New London Theatre, dates , 1 comment so farAlas the rumours are true and Gone with The Wind starring Darius Danesh and Jill Paice is set to close after June 14th, in just two weeks time. The bad news was supposedly broken to a devastated cast after Friday night’s evening performance at the New London Theatre.
Digitalspy has the scoop along with Playbill and Broadwayworld :
Showbiz - News - Darius Danesh’s West End run cut short - Digital Spy
Following low ticket sales and a poor response from critics, the production will now complete its run on June 15. Patrons who hold tickets for cancelled performances have been told that they will receive a refund.“From the beginning of our journey we have all worked hard to achieve the realisation of putting Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel, Gone with the Wind, on stage at the New London Theatre,” producer Aldo Scrofani explained in a statement. “Despite the critical response the Company have enjoyed much praise from audience members during our run and for that we are grateful, nevertheless we have made the difficult decision to close the production.
“Plans for a New York production are currently on hold but in the meantime we are pursuing various options that have been presented to us from interested parties worldwide.”
This is a great shame, because by all accounts the show was starting to shape up and given time may have developed into a long running classic musical. London Theatre Breaks commiserates with all involved.
Phantom 2 or Once Upon Another Time - Nov 2009 May 30, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Once Upon Another Time, news , 6commentsAndrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical, known till now as Phantom 2, will be called Once Upon Another Time. In an interview with the BBC today ALW revealed that the show will open in November 2009, if all goes well.
Ben Elton has already been confirmed as the writer of the book for the new show, rather than Frederick Forsyth who was involved in the early stages. Glen Slater (Little Mermaid) will be the lyricist and Andrew Lloyd Webber himself will write the score.
It seems likely that Jack O’Brian (lately of Hairspray) will direct.
No further news yet of which theatre or confirmed dates.
No BBC Link Up
Lloyd Webber also said that it was unlikely that he would do a fourth BBC show in the near future, making it unlikely that Once Upon Another Time will be cast in quite such a high profile way. In fact he suggested that he might do some US television and “give Britain a year off.”
Afternoon Tea - Things to do in London May 29, 2008
Posted by Linda in : attractions , add a commentOne of the best things to do in London which you should really try and find time for is to indulge in that great British institution, the afternoon tea. I’m going to explain exactly what to expect and give you some idea of the best places to go in London to experience it. Now I don’t know about you, but I love the whole business of afternoon tea in an upmarket cafe or tea room. Just in case you were not aware, by the way, afternoon tea is more than just a cup of tea!
What is ‘afternoon tea’
The main thing to remember about afternoon tea is that it is a snack rather than a meal. Usually taken at around 4 - 4.30 pm it is designed to fill the gap between an early lunch and a later dinner, or possibly an after theatre supper. It’s not the same as high tea, which is more substantial, often includes something hot and is served at about 5pm. Having said that you are unlikely to leave the afternoon tea table feeling in the least bit hungry!
Where to go
Afternoon tea is a civilised sort of a snack and half the fun is going somewhere quite upmarket and traditional to indulge in it. I think the best places to sample it in London are one or two of the high quality department stores and some hotels. Now I do know that there are some places outside the capital that pride themselves on their wonderful afternoon teas and they are fantastic but London’s most famous tearooms have been serving afternoon tea for 300 years. It has to be worth trying!
Fortnum and Mason
I really think the ultimate place to go is Fortnum and Mason of Piccadilly. Now it’s not so straight forward as just wandering in and grabbing a table. You really need to book days or possibly weeks in advance, especially at weekends. Luckily you can add an afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason as an extra when you are booking your theatre break in London.
An Ideal Menu for Afternoon Tea
The essential elements include:
Dainty sandwiches - smoked salmon, ham or crab are always good, maybe some sort of pate, even cucumber (much nicer than you might think!)
Some sort of small savoury treat - maybe melba toast and Gentleman’s Relish, or a little cheese and potato pastry of some sort.
Then
Scones, fruit or plain, preferably with jam and cream, could be whipped or ideally clotted.
Finally to finish you off - did I mention this is just a snack?
Cakes - small iced cup cakes, little fruit tarts, individual iced cakes, little cream horns, eclairs, vanilla slices, need I go on?
(Groan - I’m making myself hungry!)
The Tea
Of course you also have the all important pot of tea. It has to be a pot, preferably china, though silver is acceptable, with another pot of hot water so that you can top it up. I prefer Earl Grey, with it’s gorgeous scent of bergamot oil, but smokey Lapsang Souchong, or even a really good Ceylon, is quite acceptable. Cups should be china too, with pretty matching saucers and milk jug. Slices of lemon should also be there for people like me who don’t take milk. Bowls of sugar cubes and pretty silver sugar tongs to serve them are lovely to look at even if you don’t take sugar.
Setting
I think where you eat is nearly as important as what you eat out. Afternoon tea is an ideal opportunity to live out all your Jeeves and Wooster fantasies or pretend you’re in an Agatha Christie. I want waiters and waitresses in black and white uniforms looking very efficient. Of course, to do it justice you need to be fairly smartly dressed too, smart casual is fine.
Choose the right setting and you might even see a few celebs refreshing themselves after a taxing afternoon’s shopping. Half the fun is people watching so choosing somewhere like Fortnums is ideal.
This is one of a series of posts about extra things to do whilst you are enjoying your theatre break in London. I’ve already looked at rickshaw rides and Thames river boat trips.
Fat Pig - the Guardian asks why May 28, 2008
Posted by admin in : Fat Pig , add a commentThe Guardian’s Michael Billington writes a very positive review for Niel LaBute’s Fat Pig play opening in London this week, but then curiously goes on to suggest that the playwright/director should explain to us how America got to be in the state it’s in.
I cannot fault the acting or the deft economy of Labute’s storytelling. But it would an even better play if it told us why America, founded on the notion of independence, has turned into such a tragically conformist republic.
I suppose it might just be worth putting the question, but it reminds me of the way that chat show presenters feel compelled to ask young celebrity pop stars for their opinion on world politics. In general, the role of an artist is often merely to reflect the world as it is, it takes others to explain it. The trouble with Fat Pig is that Neil LaBute’s world is a harsh and unpleasant place which offers no escape or hope for change, let alone a grounded sense of history.
Wicked - Harriet Thorpe chats about Wicked - Thursday 29th May May 27, 2008
Posted by Linda in : news, wicked , add a commentJust a quick post for all you Wicked fans.
Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible) is appearing on a new chat show on Thursday 29th of May. She will be chatting about Wicked and her impressive career. So if you like Wicked and Madame Morrible don’t miss it!
Suggs in the City (Ooh can that be who I think it is? Yep, it really is that Suggs. Unmissable then!)
ITV London - 11.10pm (Sky channel 993 if you’re outside London)
Thursday May 29th
Fancy a rickshaw ride after the theatre? 5 things you should know. May 25, 2008
Posted by Linda in : advice, attractions , add a comment
Take a casual wander round any part of the West End and you will soon see the rickshaws, parked up outside the theatres or whizzing through the traffic. They look like an interesting way to get from your restaurant to the theatre or to end an evening at the theatre in London.
Five Things You Should Know About Bicycle Rickshaws
Here are five things you need to know before you get into a bicycle rickshaw in London.
Safety - are they safe?
There have been no major collisions involving rickshaws. However the ride can be a bit hairy when traffic is busy, during the rush hour for example. The rickshaws owned by the large companies have regular safety checks and are well maintained.
They all carry lights but not all them use them.
The community police make regular checks on this issue. If you are getting into a rickshaw at night make sure yours has its lights switched on.
They have seat belts, usually lap belts. Please use them.
Bicycle rickshaws are not designed to carry more than three passengers. If there are four of you use a second rickshaw.
Insurance - are they insured?
Contrary to popular belief, the rickshaws run by the main companies definitely carry full public liability insurance. This is part of their voluntary code of practice. However, see above, if you exceed the stated number of passengers you may invalidate the insurance.
Expense - what do they charge?
The fare is a matter of negotiation between the driver and the passengers. Most of the rickshaw companies charge a basic flat rate fare per passenger (between £3.50 and £4) and then the driver negotiates his fee on top of that. How much more you pay is dependent on your negotiating skills and how far you are going. It’s hard physical work so they expect something worthwhile for their efforts. Agree a fair price before you get in the cab and then stick to it.
You will find they expect a tip as well. If you are pleased with your ride a 10 - 15% tip is adequate.
Drivers - who are they?
The drivers are mostly young foreign students trying to make a bit of money to help fund their studies. A few may have shadier backgrounds. They don’t have background checks. They do receive training via the London Pedicabs Operators Association and there is a voluntary Drivers Code of Conduct. Your driver should be wearing a name badge.
Booking - can I book one in advance?
If, like many Brits, you aren’t comfortable haggling you can book your ride in advance - expect to pay more though and your driver will still expect a tip. Your rickshaw will be waiting for you at the theatre at the end of the show. You can get contact details from the web sites mentioned at the bottom of this post.
Distance - how far will they go?
Realistically you do not want to go very far in a rickshaw. They are not wonderfully comfortable and it’s a bumpy ride. Whilst the rickshaws are fine in the West End and Soho areas you definitely don’t want to travel much further out that way! Once you are into fast moving London traffic the rickshaw becomes a much less attractive mode of transport. In their element though the rickshaws are a quick way of getting around and a bit of fun to end your evening after a trip to the theatre.
Companies - who are the major companies?
The major companies who run the rickshaws (pedicabs) are all members of the LPOA and abide by their code of conduct.
Three of the major operators in the West End are:
Inwheelswetrust.com
If you want to know anything else leave a comment and I’ll do my best to find out for you.
Fat Pig - Review May 22, 2008
Posted by Andy in : Fat Pig, Plays, Trafalgar Studios , 23commentsReview of Fat Pig at Trafalgar Studios
Bank Holiday weekend, so the performance I saw last night may not be fully representative of how it will be played from then onwards, with continuous refinement being a necessity.
It’s American
The first thing I hadn’t anticipated from my scant research, what with the cast list boasting “The country’s hottest actor-comedians” is that it’s an American play. So these well known faces from British TV have to act the parts as Americans, with all the cultural nuances, language, gestures, comedy style and spoken accents that entails. I had a really hard time getting used to it, and evidently so did some of the cast. So what’s the point? I spent far too much of my own attention during the first half-hour trying to evaluate how much effort it would take to rewrite the script to set the story in the UK. Are we not well off for British playwrighting talent at present - I don’t know. Or is the money only interested in backing shows that have already proved their earning potential in the states? (Fat Pig played in New York already) But hang on, this is the Trafalgar Studios - a supposed bridge for new productions offering “theatre that is uniquely fresh, stimulating and challenging”.
Fat
Which brings me to the headline topic of this play, the politics of fat. Yikes, if you’re going to use such a provoking title as Fat Pig you’d think there would be something positive to conclude. I was promised “an ultimately touching love story” but can hardly claim to have been left with an uplifting message. Another possible thought excercise is to try rewriting the play with the contentious issue being the reactions dating a black woman rather than a fat one. Now try holding the same implications!
Robert Webb as Tom played a blinder, outshining the other three in my opinion, although Ella Smith as Helen was the more convincing American and played a believable role right up until the final scene. The other three american accents began to deteriorate in the second act, with one magnificent tirade from Joanna Page gaining a round of applause or was it for recognition of the emergence of a familiar Welsh character?
Discussion
The revolving stage worked flawlessly for transporting the plot progression through five very different locations, so that was really well managed in this close-up theatre, and the loud guitar music made me jump at each scene change, but perhaps that was the intention. This is a real live theatre play experience, moving and challenging, that may induce anger as much as laughter, but one thing is for sure - there was plenty to talk about for hours afterwards and anybody who is interested, whether having seen Fat Pig or not over the forthcoming months is invited to discuss the issues, boldly but tactfully, in the comments here on London Theatre Breaks.
P.S. Was it funny? - Not really, but there are moments.
Other Reviews:
Why take on a weighty subject? - Evening Standard
Kris Marshall on Fat Pig and his car acccident - The Times Online
Beauty and the beastly - Neil LaBute’s new comedy deals darkly with a weighty matter - Independent
Review of Fat Pig, Trafalgar Studios - West End Whingers
Is “Fat Pig” Funny? We’ll see May 20, 2008
Posted by Andy in : Fat Pig, Trafalgar Studios, comedy , 2commentsFat Pig at Trafalgar Studios
Fat Pig is the title of a new comedy play at Trafalgar Studios by Neil LaBute and starring at least two great TV comedy actors. Robert Webb from hit comedy duo Mitchell and Webb ( Jeremy from “PEEP SHOW” ) plays the male lead against Ella Smith (Phoebe from ITV’s “Sold”) and then you also get Kris Marshall (Nick Harper from My Family) making that two characters from Sold, and Joanna Page from Gavin and Stacey.
So a bit of a comedy supergroup then, but what about the storyline? Well you can get a clue from the title “Fat pig”, which seems designed to raise worries about the nature of the comedy:
“Helen is a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized - and then some - so it’s only so long before the jokes start to fly from Tom’s office buddies.
- A funny, searing and ultimately touching love story.”
I just hope the subject is handled as well as promised, we’re going to see a preview tomorrow night. Yay !
So, reviews to come later then.
** Fat Pig tickets from Discount Theatre **
PS. Kris Marshall ( well known from currents BT ads on TV) received head injuries in a serious car accident last month and decided to go ahead with the show anyway which is a sign of great courage and dedication, or something!
Oliver - Never mind Nancy -who will be Bill Sykes? May 19, 2008
Posted by Linda in : I'd do anything, Musicals, Oliver, opinion , 7comments
The Daily Mail seems to think it knows. They are tipping Burn Gorman to play the bruiser Bill Sykes in the new production of Oliver. Now I really like Burn’s work. He’ll be sadly missed in Torchwood where he did show he has an interestingly dark side. He was excellent in Bleak House on the BBC too so he knows his way around a costume drama. He’s musical, having even worked with the ENO. I just cannot quite see him as Bill Sykes. How can I put this? Maybe Dickens can help.
Oliver Twist
Skyes was….
… a stoutly-built fellow of about five-and-thirty, in a black velveteen coat, very soiled drab breeches, lace-up half boots, and grey cotton stockings which enclosed a bulky pair of legs, with large swelling calves;–the kind of legs, which in such costume, always look in an unfinished and incomplete state without a set of fetters to garnish them. He had a brown hat on his head, and a dirty belcher handkerchief round his neck: with the long frayed ends of which he smeared the beer from his face as he spoke. He disclosed, when he had done so, a broad heavy countenance with a beard of three days’ growth, and two scowling eyes; one of which displayed various parti-coloured symptoms of having been recently damaged by a blow.
You see, by this point I’m imagining Oliver Reed who played the part in the 1968 film version .
I just can’t quite fit the slim figure of Burn Gorman, all 5 ‘ 10″ of it, dominating some of the remaining Nancys. In particular I think if Burn is cast then Jodie is doomed. She would need someone with a bit more physical substance to play against than Burn. This is a great shame in my opinion as Jodie is consistently the best Nancy on I’d Do Anything. And Andrew Lloyd Webber has a cheek describing her dancing as “meatloaf” - not nice or even accurate!
I don’t really see how they can cast Bill Sykes without knowing who will play Nancy. There has to be a physical chemistry there that helps to explain why Nancy would stay with such a rat. If not it makes a total nonsense of a huge part of the plot. And this would mean that all four lead characters would have no solid, day in day out, stage musical experience! Am I the only one that’s worried?
Update - it’s Sikes not Skyes!
What can I say? I got it wrong as one of our readers kindly pointed out. Thanks Rosie 
