Musicals
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.
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.
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.
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:
They are lots more – so I hope you enjoy Spotify.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Gemma 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!)
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
- LondonTheatreGoer “I still don’t like musicals“
- Lyn Gardner, The Guardian “not theatrical rock’n'roll“
- Wharf “sure-fire hit“
- Tim Walker, The Independent
- Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
- Londonist
- British Theatre Guide “I have rarely been more touched“
- Kate Kellaway – Observer “hackneyed”, “embarrassing“
- Financial Times “a comfy evening
- Sunday Times – “wide-eyed fun and tension”, “mostly sweet and sometimes memorable”
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:
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.
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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
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- An Exclusive Directors Choice CD
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Further details and check availability of tickets on the Exclusive Saturday Peformance Offer page
Thanks for reading Theatre Breaks articles about Musicals on the London Theatre Breaks Blog
