Les Miserables Theatre Breaks November 29, 2008
Posted by Andy in : Les Miserables, theatre breaks , add a comment** book Les Miserables Theatre Breaks**
Les Miserables Theatre Breaks
Les Miserables theatre breaks are a great choice whether you’ve seen the show already or it’s your first visit. Les Miserables is the longest running musical in London (The Mousetrap is a play) and many of the audience have seen Les Miserables more than once. It’s a good choice for people who like a more sophisticated musical with lots of drama, and emotion. The longest-running West End musical ever, Les Miserables will now be running at The Queens Theatre until at least February 27th, 2010
Les Miserables - the musical story
Les Miserables is of course based on a classic French novel. Set in France in the early nineteenth century the story starts with Jean Valjean. Jean is released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang. He finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave which he must by law display, condemns him to be an outcast. One person, the Bishop of Digne, treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by his experiences betrays his trust by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by police, and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew. From this point the story sweeps on through more than 30 turbulent years to reach a devastating climax. It’s a story of love redemption and failed revolution. Les Miserables is full of powerful emotions with a score to match.
The performance starts at 7:30 pm and lasts for a full 3 hours. The last thing you want after that is a long journey home, which is why Les Miserables Theatre Breaks with inclusive overnight London hotel stays are usually the best way to plan and book tickets. When booking for whichever dates you have chosen, you will then be presented with the hotel options and here are some suggestions which may help:
Hotels for Les Miserables Theatre Breaks
Previous customers with London Theatre Breaks to see Les Miserables have booked the following excellent central London hotels:
London Theatre Breaks Hotels
- Crowne Plaza London St James
- Grosvenor House
- Holiday Inn Kensington Forum
- Grange City Hotel
- Copthorne Tara Hotel
- Jurys Inn Islington
- Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
- Travelodge City Road
- Hyatt Regency London The Churchill
- Strand Palace Hotel
- Ibis London Earls Court
Les Miserables Video Clips
One Day More - Les Miserables
From the Hey Mister Producer concert
Les Miserables Theatre Breaks
** book Les Miserables Theatre Breaks**
In a Dark Dark House - Neil LaBute November 27, 2008
Posted by Linda in : In a dark dark house, Plays , 1 comment so farIn A Dark Dark House at the Almeida
Neil La Bute’s latest offering is playing at the Almeida until January 22nd. In A Dark Dark House continues his exploration of the psyche of the American male. In three acts, it’s the story of two brothers who grew up together in an unspecified mid-western US town, a town where as LaBute himself says, you wouldn’t want to stop if you knew what was going on under the surface. The two brothers are brought together as the younger brother Drew, is undergoing court enforced rehab. Their encounter with a young woman acts as a catalyst to bring to the surface much that has remained long hidden and denied for both of them.
LaBute’s work is never less than controversial. (Just have a look at the comments on our Fat Pig review!) I’ve softened my view of LaBute since Andy wrote that review as I have to admit Fat Pig was really thought provoking and even now discussing it can still cause arguments debate 
This has to be a good sign I think and theatre that actually provokes that much thought has to be worthwhile at some level.
The cast is interesting with Steven Mackintosh (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) returning to the stage after an 8 year gap, playing the younger brother Drew. Terry, the older bother is played by David Morrissey (on our screens over Xmas in Dr Who). Kira Sternbach plays the young woman.
Have a look at the trailer for the play:
It seems from some of the responses so far that the whole ‘fake American accents’ thing continues to be an issue. However if the actors can keep up the standard we hear in the video I don’t think it will be too much of a problem. Of course, it’s not a problem at all for Kira Sternback as she is actually American!
My only issue really is whether I can manage to get around to seeing In A Dark Dark House at this busy time of year. I hope we can fit it in but remember comments here are open for your thoughts and reviews.
Joseph gets a new lead - Gareth Gates! November 26, 2008
Posted by Linda in : cast changes, joseph, news , add a commentJoseph Has a Major Cast Change
Gareth Gates will take over the lead role in the musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from February 9 2009 , after Lee Mead leaves on January 10. I know this slightly begs the question “who’ll play it for the missing month or so?” We’ll keep you posted.
Gareth Gates was a very popular runner-up in the first ever Pop Idol in 2002. He says:
“I have a lot to thank Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for as it is the reason I first started singing, after being chosen to play the lead in a school production when I was eight years old. Ever since then it’s been a dream of mine to appear in a West End musical….. I am really honoured to be appearing at the Adelphi, stepping into that famous coat, and really can’t wait to get stuck in!”
Should be interesting!
Evening Standard Theatre Awards - results November 24, 2008
Posted by Linda in : awards, news , add a commentWinners of this year’s Evening Standard Theatre Awards have been announced. The 54th Evening Standard Awards were hosted by Richard Wilson at the Royal Opera House.
Nominees and Winners
Best Actor:
Kenneth Branagh in Chekhov’s Ivanov.
Chiwetel Ejiofor - title role in Othello
David Calder - King Lear.
And the winner was:
Chiwetel Ejiofor for Othello
Best Actress:
Penelope Wilton- The Chalk Garden
Margaret Tyzack - The Chalk Garden.
Lesley Sharp -Harper Regan.
And the joint winners were:
Margaret Tyzack and Penelope Wilton for The Chalk Garden
Best Play:
Black Watch - based on interviews with former soldiers who served in Iraq
Now Or Later - an examination of a fictional American election
The Pitmen Painters-based on a real-life story of miners in the 1930s who were celebrated after taking up art.
And the winner was:
The Pitmen Painters
Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical
Street Scene (The Opera Group and Young Vic)
There was also a special award for Kevin Spacey in recognition of his work at the Old Vic.
The Milton Shulman Award for best Newcomer:
Ella Smith in Fat Pig (Trafalgar Studios and Comedy Theatre)
Nicholas de Jongh (Evening Standard theatre critic and judge) said:
“It’s been an astonishing year in the London theatre.”
Calendar Girls in Richmond November 24, 2008
Posted by admin in : Calendar Girls, Plays, Richmond, dates , add a commentCalendar Girls opens tonight in the West London Richmond Theatre for six nights 24th - 29th November 2008 and two matinees as part of a UK tour before ending up at the Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London for a twelve week run starting on 4th April 2009.
This is the same full cast who will be coming to the West End including Lynda Bellingham, Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips, Gaynor Faye, Brigit Forsyth, Julia Hills and Elaine C Smith. So if anybody is going along to the opening night or during the week do let us know how what you think of the show as a taster for next spring.
Richmond Theatre is one of the most beautiful of all the Frank Matcham theatres, of which there are many in both central London and the outer boroughs.
Pic by Jim Linwood
Imagine This - critics reviews November 20, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Imagine This, news, press, reviews , 31commentsImagine This - what the press said:
Last night was press night for Imagine This, the new musical set in the Warsaw Ghetto. Despite our best wishes I’m afraid all did not go well.
Michael Billington in the Guardian was unimpressed
“They said it couldn’t be done: a musical about the Warsaw ghetto. And, now that I’ve seen it, I know that they were right
Oh dear 
Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph was a bit more encouraging:
“At one level, the show strikes me as not bad at all. There are big soaring anthems, a strong love interest and a plot that undoubtedly grips. The production values, though far from extravagant, are effective enough, and though there are no star names, the performances are impressive … Imagine This has a certain integrity about it.
So far so good, but it didn’t stay that way:
Except, of course, for one inconvenient, incontrovertible and unpalatable fact – this is a musical that attempts to turn the Holocaust into entertainment.
And it got even worse by the end of the review:
Imagine This must finally be judged a manipulative and morally dubious show. In the present harsh economic climate, however, it is unlikely to trouble the West End for long.”
Benedict Nightingale in The Times wasn’t impressed either. He didn’t seem to have the same level of distaste for the choice of subject but he still wasn’t happy. He found many of the lines ‘clunky’ and said this was “accompanied by a major loss of nerve on everyone’s part”
Evening Standard critic Nicholas DeJong felt that the musical should come with a bad taste warning. He didn’t like the book or the score much either. He said:
In any case, the music and songs of Imagine This never do justice to its terrifying theme.”
So how can it be that those arbiters of blogging taste The West End Whingers loved the show? The Whingers are not known for their patience with anything below their undoubtedly high standards. They found themselves enjoying the show and it seems they were not alone:
Judging by the cheers of the audience at the curtain call and several who awarded standing ovations (probably Americans too - they’re on a high at the moment so it’s excused this time) it could prove to be the next surprise hit.
If the crowds who turn out for Les Miz (and God knows there are enough of them) aren’t deterred by the credit crunch The Whingers imagine this could be the just the fare they’ve been looking for. Imagine that.
Imagine This - have your say.
So, dear readers, what do you think? Have you seen the show? Do you agree with the critics or have they misjudged the show? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of Imagine This.
Bill Bailey Tinselworm November 20, 2008
Posted by admin in : comedy, gielgud , add a comment
I like Bill Bailey. His clever wit is surreal and funny without resorting to personal attacks and lowest common denominator smut that passes for fashionable comedy these days. And he’s a great improvising musician as well of course, which adds significantly to the entertainment when he gets the chance to have the stage to himself for any significant time. Bill Bailey’s “Tinselworm” tour has bewildered and delighted audiences all over the UK in 2007, down under in 2008 and now finishes off in London’s Gielgud Theatre booking until December 30th.
** Bill Bailey Tinselworm Tickets **
Eddie Izzard - Stripped November 20, 2008
Posted by admin in : Lyric, comedy , add a comment
Eddie Izzard brings his “Stripped” comedy tour to the Lyric Theatre in London for 23 nights in London’s West End November and December 2008.
Imagine This - Good Luck November 19, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Imagine This, news , 1 comment so farImagine This finishes its preview run and opens to the critics tonight at the New London Theatre. Good luck to the cast and producers from London Theatre Breaks Blog.
Sister Act The Musical - Making Whoopi November 19, 2008
Posted by admin in : SisterAct , add a commentSister Act the Musical
Sister Act the Musical is coming to London in May 2009, so this is quite advance notice - they haven’t even cast the lead role Deloris Van Cartier yet! But the producers are so confident of success with this stage version of the hit comedy film that advance bookings are being taken for 7th May 2009 right up to February 13th, 2010 at the London Palladium where the Sound of Music closes at the end of February next year.
** Sister Act Tickets Search - Discount Theatre **
Whoopi Goldberg Sister Act
Whoopi Goldberg has signed up to co-produce the new London stage musical adaptation of Sister Act, which will receive its West End premiere at the London Palladium on 2 June 2009, previews from 7 May. Whoopi Goldberg starred in the original 1992 screen version of Sister Act and then Sister Act 2.
Sister Act on Stage
The Stage Musical version of Sister Act with a brand new musical score by Alan Menken has already played in Pasadena California in 2006 and Atlanta Georgia in 2007 and hopes to transfer to New York or Broadway later in 2009 or 2010.
