THEATRE AND CONCERT REVIEWS 2011

 THEATRE AND CONCERT REVIEWS

Billy Stritch Sings the Mel Torme Songbook at The Pheasantry    18-Aug-2011
Brilliant-what a star and a huge fan! A friend from Australia told  me to go along, which I couldn't really afford, so I was thrilled  I had the opportunity. If you like cabaret and singer/ pianists  from NY (he was born in Texas) this is truly amazing and Billy is accompanied by a bass player. It's a wonderful venue and I will  happily go back there again. If the shows are at 8.30 you can  order pizza's (Pizza Express) and have dinner at the table  (7.30pm) in the venue which is downstairs on entry.  The Mel Tormé songbook isn't performed often so it was  instructive as well as an entertaining evening to listen to  Mel's songs in context. Mel is one of the genius singer/  songwriters of our time.
Four Nights in Knaresborough at Southwark Playhouse    14-Aug-2011
What a pleasant surprise this play was. It was recommended  by a friend so I went along to find my colleague Twinnie-Lee  Moore in it in her first play (instead of musicals). It was  brilliantly acted and directed and I thoroughly enjoyed the  space and it's acoustics. I met the writer who discussed  with me the new way (the most common device) of  writing historical pieces with modern language to  give the characters a feeling and presence of that's how it  was back in the day but very much in the now. It was much  better than I expected and the audience gave it a standing  ovation. As a result I will go back to the Southwark  playhouse and keep a close eye on their choice of shows.
Top Girls-Studio 1 at Trafalgar Studios 9-Aug-2011
There was lots of arguing onstage but well acted even though I have no idea what it was about? A whole group of women  around me all of the same mind-wondering what it meant?  We couldn't piece it together. I worked out the order of events but it just didn't come to a point, at least for the audience.  The man next to me thought it was the 'I hate men club'  story but who knows? Great set, (bad placement of the  chandelier-which blocked the view) well acted but once again  the fault lies in the writing. No point writing something the  audience doesn't understand? It's the first time I have been  to Studio 1, which is a lovely venue. One wouldn't want to  get a heel caught in the gaps below our feet where the  row in front is? Health and safety?
Two Boys at London Coliseum    26-Jul-2011
I wish I could choose no stars for this one. As an ex-opera  singer I had to leave at interval (the first time I have done this) it was so dreary and utterly boring. The music writing was  repetitive and lethargic and an hour could have been cut off  the timing because it took so long to move the storyline along.  Some lovely voices but the use of the opera chorus was  embarrassing and I can't believe the ENO with the arts  funding cuts, took this one on! What a waste of money and  how self indulgent the writing of Nico Muhly and Craig Lucas.  I'm all for investing in new works but the ENO need to pick  and choose quality new operas. So disappointing.
DANGER MEMORY at Jermyn Street Theatre    26-Jul-2011
The Jermyn street theatre seats are incredibly uncomfortable  so it's hard to sit still whilst one's feet don't touch the floor but  that didn't detract from the wonderful class acting moments  and choice of two plays in this performance. Simple, yet clever  setting, well-directed, staging and brilliant actors. One  empathises with the characters and storyline. What a joy! Respect La Diva at Garrick Theatre 10-Sep-2011 This is a tribute show which doesn't really know where it  belongs in the genre. There are some great and fabulous  voices (one of the lead voices really shouldn't be on the bill  except for the one character which it is represents well)  but considering this is in the West End, some of the  choreography and direction isn't up to the standard of  other musicals but then again it is a concert? The second half  is more 'get up and have a dance' to well known songs which  is a lot of fun but it misses the mark with some of the costumes,  staging, children coming on with candles, the Mindy character  (don't know what that was about but it really fell flat and quite  embarrassing), poor writing and naff moments. Andy Abrahams  does the best he can with his script but I felt for the 'Divines'  who have to wear some incredibly unflattering outfits. Is this so  they don't shine against the leads? Good concept and we don't  have anything like it on the West End at the moment but it does  have a short run and I'm not sure it will pack in the audiences. John Leguizamo - Ghetto Klown at Charing Cross Theatre- 5 Stars 20th November 2011. What an extraordinary energetic actor and autobiographical  self written, self performed work. He has managed to write  and perform four one man shows which have been performed  on Broadway. For an esteemed film actor who has had much  experience on what does and doesn’t work, this certainly does  as it displays vulnerability, it’s pacey with bold and brave choices,  uproariously funny, moving,  poignant and emotionally charged .  He doesn’t disappoint and his show includes personal  anecdotes, comical well choreographed dance routines,  impressions of the other actors he has worked with and the ups  and downs of his personal and professional life. He is  inspirational and I was blessed to meet him after and ask him  where he gets his energy from to do a two hour show-his reply  was running. So, I am going to take that on board and run!