London Theatre Breaks

Musicals, plays, shows, hotels and attractions for theatre breaks in London midweek or weekend

Musicals

Contents
Moonshadow – Yusuf Islam at the O2 Dublin
Pete Townsend – New Musical
Original Cast Recordings of Musicals
Shout! now playing at the Arts Theatre
Spring Awakening Transfers to the Novello
Oliver! Reviews and Opinions
Shane Warne-the musical?
Come Dancing Video Clips
Come Dancing, Reviews and Previews
Exclusive Saturday Night Theatre Breaks

Moonshadow – Yusuf Islam at the O2 Dublin

Cat Stevens, Yusuf on tour and Moonshadow

Cat Steven is currently engaged on a concert tour at the same time as his new musical, Moonshadow is being prepared for a possible West End run.

But according to the Times Online review, all is not going too well.

The bad vibes began when Islam paused the performance for a 40-minute preview of his forthcoming musical, Moonshadow. A cast led by the former Hear’say singer Noel Sullivan trooped on to act, dance and deliver a mix of new material as well as the Cat Stevens classics Father and Son and Wild World. By the latter, streams of people were walking out, dismayed at Islam for handing over his hits. In truth, the musical segment lasted far too long and was confusingly introduced. In the West End of London, where it is expected to open next year, Moonshadow could go down a storm. In front of an audience who had come to hear Islam trawl his back catalogue, it was never going to work.

However, the bulk of the audience remained for a final segment of the show that began on shaky ground — they groaned as Islam introduced more new songs and pulled a plucky Sullivan back on to duet — but ended on a high with a lengthy, rocky rendition of Peace Train. (read more)

Oh dear, at first sight that wouldn’t seem to bode well for the musical. The people who want to be nostalgic about the songs may not be the right audience for the new show yet nostalgia would seem to be its main appeal. On the other hand there’s a lot of great material in that back catalogue and still some time left to turn it into a popular musical with wider appeal than just the hard core Cat Stevens fans who would only ever want to hear himself singing his old hits.

The Telegraph has a short interview which examines his life journey Yusuf Islam: coming out of the Moonshadows

..he continues to attract new audiences – his singing voice, at least, crosses generations and he recently won new fans when a track of his was used in the television show Skins.

and a review of the same concert the Times correspondent went to

Gosh, what a show. There was a standing ovation, disgruntled walk outs, some unfeasibly beautiful music, some “we are bored” slow hand clapping plus a surprise appearance by Ronan Keating. Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, must be feeling very confused this morning.

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Pete Townsend – New Musical

Peter Townsend of The Who has written anther rock musical. This one isn’t about growing up but rather about growing old. The musical is called Floss and tells the story of an ageing pub rocker and relationship with his wife.
Songs from the show will appear on the next Who album. Townsend is said to be in talks for a US opening in 2011.
He says he wants to tackle the issues the Baby Boomers are facing as they realise they didn’t die before they got old. The music will reflect the anger and disillusionment of this newly retired generation.
Meanwhile that other Townsend offering, Quadrophenia continues its UK tour.

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Original Cast Recordings of Musicals

I’ve found a great new free way to listen to original cast recordings of lots of musicals on my computer. Right now I’m enjoying Zorro!

Spotify is a legal way to listen to music online either for free (with occasional ads) or if you pay for premium it’s ad free.

Original Cast Recordings of Musicals originalcastrecordingslondonmusicals spotify 300x198

Spotify is sort of like radio on demand. It’s a streaming service so you can’t store the music on your computer or transfer it to an MP3 player but it’s good enough to listen to music whilst working on your computer.

You can make up your own playlists and share them with friends.

The service pays a small fee to access the songs legally so it’s perfectly ok to use. You have to download the software onto your computer but it’s really easy and works on both PC and Mac computers via Adobe Air

Cast recordings I found on Spotify so far

They are adding stuff all the time so it’s worthwhile searching. So far I’ve managed to find:

  • Avenue Q
  • Chicago (1997 version with Ruthie Henshall)
  • Godspell
  • Hairspray
  • Les Miserables (several versions)
  • Jersey Boys (Broadway Cast)
  • Joseph (various)
  • Mamma Mia!
  • Oliver!  - Original London 2009 cast recording
  • Phantom of the Opera (various cast recordings)
  • Spring Awakening
  • Zorro!
  • They are lots more – so I hope you enjoy Spotify.

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    Shout! now playing at the Arts Theatre

    Shout!, is described as a musical celebration of the swinging 60s. The show is at The Arts Theatre from 17 April to 28 June, press night on 29th April.

    The score features more than 30 of the biggest pop hits of the decade, including Downtown, Son Of A Preacher Man, These Boots Are Made For Walking, I Only Wanna Be With You and,of course, Shout! It tells the story of a group of young girls who arrive to try their luck in London the start of the 1960s.

    The show has just completed a successful tour despite accusations of being just another jukebox musical.

    This video, although it’s about the Chicago production will give you a flavour of what the show is like.

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    Spring Awakening Transfers to the Novello

    Spring Awakening will transfer from The Lyric, Hammersmith (until March 14th 2009) to the Novello Theatre .

    Previews will be at the Novello from March 21st with an opening night on March 26th. Spring Awakening is booking until October 31st in the first instance.

    Video Extracts of Spring Awakening

    Looks good, doesn’t it? The show has had some critics complaining about the level of sex and violence so it’s not for everyone, perhaps. The music is modern, with a band on stage.

    The Story of Spring Awakening

    Spring Awakening tells the story of three school friends as they move into adulthood. Melchior is a brilliant student whose best friend is the troubled youth Moritz, and Wendla is a beautiful teenage girl. All three are on the verge of discovering who they are and experiencing sexual awakening.
    Based on a play by Frank Wedekind Spring Awakening is full of repressed emotion and not so repressed adolescent passion.

    The Cast of Spring Awakening

    The young British cast range in age from 16 -24
    Aneurin Barnard -Melchior
    Lucy Barker -Ilse
    Natasha Barnes -Anna
    Chris Barton – Swing
    Jamie Blackley -Hanschen
    Hayley Gallivan – Martha

    Evelyn Hoskins -Thea
    Edd Judge – Otto
    Harry McEntire -Ernst
    Iwan Rheon -Moritz
    Jos Slovick-Georg
    Charlotte Wakefield – Wendla
    Swing (alternate cast members)
    Natalie Garner -swing
    Mona Goodwin -swing
    Jamie Muscato – swing
    Gemma O’Duffy -swing
    Richard Southgate -swing

    Sian Thomas and Richard Cordery play all the adult roles and are understudied by Andrew McDonald and Yvonne O’Grady
    Director Michael Mayer
    Choreographer Bill T. Jones.

    Just to remind you from March 21st the Novello Theatre in London’s West End will be the new home of Spring Awakening.

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    Oliver! Reviews and Opinions

    Oliver Reviews

    Oliver! the musical has opened at last in London, the critics’ reviews are in and it seems like a good moment for Reviewing the Situation.

    The Daily Mail’s Review

    Quentin Letts seems to have really enjoyed Oliver! He lavishes praise on almost all the major performers.

    Drury Lane has known more tuneful musical stars in its long history, but the grand old temple of dreams can seldom have played host to one with such a God-given gift for comedy.

    Rowan Atkinson, playing that warped scoutmaster Fagin, was the eyebrow-wriggling, funnywalking, laugh-wringing supremo on Wednesday night when Lionel Bart’s wonderful musical opened at the Theatre Royal

    He also enjoyed Jodie Prenger’s Nancy saying she:

    stands up to the test like a sturdy galleon…… She swings her big hips and heaves her all into the role

    I’m sure he means well but poor Jodie! Ouch!

    He enjoyed Harry Stott’s performance as Oliver and Ross McCormac’s Artful Doger is also picked out :

    This child seems to have been born to dance and skip and wink and swagger at an audience.

    His final verdict:

    Anyone who needs cheering up – and after recent jobs news, heaven knows, that probably means most of us – should get along to Drury Lane sharpish and catch this humdinger of a night.

    Verdict: More please, Sir Cameron

    I think he liked it!

    The Times Oliver Review

    not an old Bean but an infinitely creepy criminal with lank hair, a yellow face and a sinister, silvery glint in his eyes.

    He wasn’t so sure about Jodie at first but she convinced him in the end:

    Initially she struck me as parading, posturing, performing rather than acting, but she went on to prove herself a tough, coarse, credible presence with a big, robust voice — and that’s all that is needed.

    He picks out Burn Gorman’s Sikes as:

    a particular success, a pale, quiet figure who threatens more with his stillness than with his cudgel.

    He also makes particular mention of “Anthony Ward’s splendidly atmospheric sets”

    The Guardian Oliver Review

    Michael Billington describes Rowan Atkinson’s Fagin as “a saturnine comic presence” saying:

    Rowan Atkinson turns in a sprightly, distinctive performance…….Atkinson’s Fagin may be essentially comic but he endows the character with a camply sinister edge.

    He seems to have enjoyed Jodie Prenger’s performance and in particular her interpretation of Nancy’s big numbers As long As He Needs Me and Oom-Pa-Pa

    Mr. Billington’s main issue seem to be with Bart’s interpretation of Dickens and the very musical itself. Dickens’ book Oliver Twist gives a grim view of Victorian London which Oliver! tends to glide over. He says:

    too many of the characters are ciphers, and the plot is largely a device for getting the numbers on

    That is something that could be said of many musicals, I’m afraid.

    Oliver Reviews: The Independent

    Michael Coveny reviewing Oliver for The Independent has fewer qualms about Bart’s musical but is less convinced by Jodie Prenger.

    The moment Prenger appears, I’m afraid, the heart sinks. She seems to be hiding from the audience. Her voice is okay, but she can’t act and she doesn’t have the depth of lung power to fill a plastic bag, let alone a West End theatre on a nightly basis.

    “As Long As He Needs Me,” one of the great theatre songs of our time, is a total embarrassment compounded by a naff downstage centre rush for applause.

    Ouch!

    He’s a little bit kinder to Rowan Atkinson but not much:

    Long-haired and slithery like a Semitic toad, he weighs his options with a Mr Bean-style blubberiness, tugging at his lower lip and casting malignant glances to the wings. He’s funniest when fingering his stolen gems, or kicking his legs above his head in a sideways exit. But he’s not a malevolent, gleeful, stage-hogging, dubiously paedophiliac monster that you long for and Lionel Bart wrote, even if Charles Dickens didn’t.

    There seems to have only been one lead performance that he really enjoyed:

    ….the Artful Dodger was played by Ross McCormack, and he was terrific. The absolute centre of the show is “Consider Yourself” in Clerkenwell, as the Dodger’s gang materialise from inside a statue of a top-hatted worthy and the whole city erupts in a series of knees-ups and key changes, beautifully lit by Paule Constable.

    Your Opinions

    So what do you think? Have you seen Oliver! yet? Are the critics’ Oliver reviews right or are you baffled by them?

    add a comment

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    Shane Warne-the musical?

    I can see that Australian musicals might do well this coming year with Priscilla opening on the West End but I’m just not convinced we’re ready for a musical of Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne’s ‘interesting’ life.

    Who is Shane Warne?

    He was a famous/infamous Australian cricketer. He was a deadly bowler in his day who, according to the show (and many Australian cricket fans), bowled the ‘Ball of the Century’ against poor Mike Gatting in 1993. His story after that got a lot more soapy and complicated and this saga forms most of the second half of the show.

    The show plays with a variety of musical styles from  gospel to gangsta rap. The first Act concentrates on the suburban boy makes good story of Shane’s unexpected rise to fame and his subsequent marriage. So far so predictable. It’s the second half of the show where things start to get complicated. According to the Independent:

    The second half takes a downward swing with Warne banned for taking a prohibited diuretic (a diet pill from his mum), allegedly cheating on Simone, and agreeing to trade pitch and weather information for cash from an Indian bookmaker (complete with Bollywood-style backing dancers). This downfall is fleshed out in glorious technicolour boxer shorts, a dream orgy scene with women and a giant, inflatable dildo, and a knicker-flashing nurse sending saucy text messages in “What an SMS I’m in” (Warne was allegedly caught out sending an accidental response to his wife).

    There is hard-core swearing, some eye-boggling sexual descriptions, and gratuitous insults of everyone from Diana and Dodi to Oskar Schindler.

    So something for everyone then! Eddie Perfect, who composed and wrote the show  plays Warne. He has high hopes the show might eventually be invited to the West End.

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    Come Dancing Video Clips

    For all those Ray Davies fans overseas or anybody who couldn’t get to Stratford Theatre Royal to see Come Dancing here are some official video cips from the show which may give a brief flavour of what makes this musical so charming.

    Songs include “Come Dancing” “My Big Sister” “Saturday Night” “The Palais” “If you Love her” but for some inexplicable reason my favourite “New Town Stevenage” isn’t. ( See Come Dancing Reviews )

    Come Dancing has extended until November 8th so there may be some on stage table seats left.

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    Come Dancing, Reviews and Previews

    Come Dancing is a new musical by Ray Davies of the Kinks.

    Come Dancing reviews

    We really enjoyed our evening at Come Dancing, the new Ray Davies musical, at the Theatre Royal Stratford East on Friday. I thought the show was perfect for the theatre and for the Stratford audience. I can’t really give a fair Come Dancing review, as it was still in preview, so these are just my impressions.

    The Come Dancing Set

    The first thing I noticed on going into the theatre was that a few rows of seats had been replaced by tables and chairs and some people were seated at tables on the stage. There was also a bar on stage which the audience were encouraged to use during the interval.

    The set is designed to give the illusion that most of the time we were actually in the Ilford Palais dance hall in the mid ’50s. Lighting changes were skillfully used to convey set changes.

    I’m usually wary of this kind of thing in traditional theatres but I think it worked very well. We were in the first row of theatre seats (row D) and had a good view of the production. The tables looked like great fun and I’d be sorely tempted if I went again!

    The Cast of Come Dancing

    Ray Davies

    Ray Davies

    Ray looked quite nervous at first, in his role as narrator but he soon settled into it. I thought he was in good voice and gave an excellent and at times very touching performance.

    come dancing Rays sistersGemma Salter was fantastic as Ray’s youngest sister Julie. She has a great voice and a strong stage presence. This is her first major role and I am sure it is just a glimpse of things to come. She looked frail and delicate, as the role required, but she gave the part just the edge of steel it needed. (I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful Nancy she might have made!)

    Alasdair Harvey Come Dancing

    I thought Alasdair Harvey’s portrayal of the fading band leader Frankie was superb but it’s not really fair to single people out as the rest of the cast were terrific too.

    The Story of Come Dancing

    I’m not going to spoil it by saying anything much about the plot. It is a really genuine, touching human story. Ray Davies has done his best to show us a moment of transition, the birth of the teenager, the start of rock and roll and what it meant to that post war generation. I think he’s done a good job of capturing the raw, sometimes dangerous, energy of the time as the new generation began to emerge.

    The Future for the Musical of Come Dancing

    I really hope that Come Dancing gets a West End transfer, or perhaps a regional tour. It was still in previews when we went so it would not be fair for anybody to write full Come Dancing reviews just yet. Still, I’m happy to give an initial thumbs up because I feel so positive about the show. The audience were on their feet clapping and dancing by the end. It was a great night out, full of excellent music, wonderful dancing, laughter and tears.
    If you get the chance to see Come Dancing, even if you are not a Kinks fan, go!

    There are one or two less favourable Come Dancing reviews around already but the vast majority of the audience on Friday night seemed to share my positive opinion of the production. Hopefully it will soon be everyone’s favourite new musical. We’ll be watching Come Dancing’s progress with the highest of hopes for all involved.

    Other Views and reviews

    Open Comments

    Agree or disagree with our review, have you seen Come Dancing yet or hoping to? Ray Davies fan or not, what do you think of the issues and ideas behind bringing this musical to London?

    Update

    The show is almost over now so will it make a transfer to the West End? Make up your own mind and thanks to our commentor Frank for this video:

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    Exclusive Saturday Night Theatre Breaks

    Exclusive Saturday night theatre tickets

    A new offer from Superbreak gives you the chance to choose Saturday night tickets for one of a range of popular shows with two nights in a London hotel for a very reasonable price. There’s also a fantastic bonus pack but more about that later. The top London show Saturday night tickets for these particular dates can be hard to find which is part of what makes this exclusive theatre break deal particularly attractive. You can not only choose from a range of 3* and 4* hotels but also specify from a range of theatre ticket price bands.

    For example, two could stay 2 nights in a 3* hotel and see Oliver! (with Jodie!) in January from as little as £252 ! Or go in November and see Lee Mead in Joseph before he finishes, 2 nights in a 3*hotel plus tickets for 2 from £262

    Not only that you get a VIP Theatre Pack full of goodies including a special exclusive CD and loads of valuable discount vouchers. But just wait until you see which West End Musicals are included in this exclusive offer.

    Want to be sure of getting tickets? Book now

    Shows and Dates

    The offer is for specific dates in the autumn and winter of 2008. You could even book more than one.

    Dirty Dancing Saturday 18 October 2008

    do I see a girls’ night out in your future? Plus these weekends in London would be perfect for anyone planning a Hen Night.

    November

    Feeling like a musical November to chase away the winter chills?

    Grease – Saturday 08 November 2008

    Is this the one that you want?

    Dirty Dancing - Saturday 15 November 2008

    Wedding not till November? No Problem!

    Joseph – Saturday 22 November 2008

    Yes, see Lee before it’s too late!

    Hairspray – Saturday 29 November 2008

    Top show, what can I say, these are class shows! check availability

    December

    What about a shopping break in London combined with a show?

    Jersey Boys – Saturday 06 December 2008

    Oh What A night!

    Dirty Dancing – Saturday 13 December 2008

    Aw, Xmas weddings are cute :-)

    January 2009

    Oliver! – Saturday 24 January 2009

    Oh yes, would you believe it? Tickets to see Jodie on a Saturday in January could be yours!

    Act Fast – Book Now

    You are going to have to act fast to grab these. It’s such a good offer the shows will book up fast.

    So act now to book your Saturday Night Exclusive Theatre Break in London

    What’s in the VIP Theatre Pack?

    • An Exclusive Directors Choice CD
    • A free subscription to Passport of the Arts (worth £20)
    • A host of discount vouchers for London Attractions

    Further details and check availability of tickets on the Exclusive Saturday Peformance Offer page

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    Thanks for reading Theatre Breaks articles about Musicals on the London Theatre Breaks Blog