Not only has 2013 been a huge year for high profile theatre openings but it has also seen some spectacular theatrical events take place in London's West End. As Editor of West End Frame most of my evenings are spent reviewing new openings so it always makes a nice change to review a one-off concert or to go to the theatre on a night off to celebrate a show or a cast leaving.
From last nights to West End stars being born and attending unforgettably stagy concerts, below are my ten personal favourite theatrical events of 2013.
10. Beverley Knight Joins The Bodyguard
October 2013
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Photo Credit: Dan Wooller
9. Merrily On Screen
October 2013
Photo Credit: Dan Wooller
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it was announced that soul diva Beverley Knight was taking over as Rachel Marron in the West End production of The Bodyguard. It wasn't until I arrived at her star-studded media night performance that I realised just how much excitement there was surrounding her casting. I had seen the show once before with Heather Headley in the lead role and enjoyed the performance, but Beverley takes the show to a whole new level. She brought the house down and leads the cast as if she has been performing in the West End for years. Watching her storm on stage on media night was one of the most exciting theatrical events of the year, a real 'a star in born' moment.
9. Merrily On Screen
October 2013
Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
8. Patti LuPone at the Leicester Square Theatre
June 2013
Photo Credit: Ethan Hill
7. Last Performance of The Color Purple
September 2013
Photo credit: Nobby Clark
6. Louise Dearman & Gina Beck Leave Wicked
November 2013
Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
5. "This is what we do for love" - the final performance of A Chorus Line
October 2013
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan
Read my Editor's Blog about the final performance of A Chorus Line here.
4. Trafalgar Transformed
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner
3. Kerry Ellis at the London Palladium
May 2013
On Monday 21st October the Cineworld Haymarket played host to the London premiere screening of Maria Friedman's terrific production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Merrily We Roll Along. Cinema Live and Digital Theatre teamed up to film the producion, which originally ran at the Menier Chocolate Factory before transferring to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre. The show translates well on screen, unveiling a whole new level of detail, and it is incredible that people all around the world were able to see the show in their local cinema. The production can now be downloaded to your computer via Digital Theatre.
8. Patti LuPone at the Leicester Square Theatre
June 2013
Photo Credit: Ethan Hill
In June Broadway's Patti LuPone returned to London for a string of concerts at the Leicester Square Theatre. Not only did Patti win a Tony for playing Eva Perón in Evita on Broadway, create the role of Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard in the West End and win a second Best Actress Tony Award as Mama Rose in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, but she also won an Olivier award for creating the role of Fantine in the original London production of Les Miserables, the most successful musical in the world. The concerts, presented by the hysterical Seth Rudetsky, created a special buzz in theatreland as every show was different and nobody knew what Patti was going to perform each night. It was an honour to see Patti live on stage, the show was so spontaneous and to hear her give such rare performances, such as 'Come To Me (Fantine's Death)', was beyond special.
7. Last Performance of The Color Purple
September 2013
Photo credit: Nobby Clark
As I go to the theatre five nights a week for work, I try to stay away from theatreland on a rare evening off. However, after falling in love with the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of The Color Purple I couldn't resist one final visit to the show for the final performance (which also marked my fifteenth show in fourteen days). The audience were extremely vocal during the final night, there was something very spiritual and special about the production which nobody will ever be able to put their finger on. As the performance drew to an end the entire audience were in tears, as were the cast. There are no words.
6. Louise Dearman & Gina Beck Leave Wicked
November 2013
Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
I have made no secret of Wicked being my guilty pleasure. If I ever have a bad reviewing week sometimes I turn up at the Apollo Victoria's box office on a Saturday evening to restore my faith in theatre. However, I had never seen a 'special' performance of Wicked so decided to (once again) head to the West End on a night off to bid farewell to Louise Dearman, Gina Beck and the Wicked cast of 2012/13. People always discuss Wicked fans as being dedicated but I was not expecting to see so many green faces and so much green hair. The woman sat in front of me also had the Wicked logo shaved into her hair! The atmosphere was electric, with Louise Dearman giving a knock out final performance to remember!
Read my interviews with Louise Dearman and Gina Beck.
5. "This is what we do for love" - the final performance of A Chorus Line
October 2013
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan
The problem with A Chorus Line is that I fell in love with the show more and more every time I saw it. The musical really seemed to connect and relate to certain people and created lots of fans who seemed to see the show almost daily in its final few weeks at the London Palladium. I couldn't help but book tickets to the very final performance, the boom and roar from the crowd as the cast faced the audience during the opening number was unforgettable and filled the cast and audience with adrenaline. "Don't cry because it’s over" cast member Leigh Zimmerman said whilst fighting back the tears during her final speech "smile because it happened. THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE."
Read my Editor's Blog about the final performance of A Chorus Line here.
4. Trafalgar Transformed
February 2013 - November 2013
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner
2013 saw director Jamie Lloyd present his own season, Trafalgar Transformed, at Trafalgar Studios in the West End. The three productions were unmissable; it was extraordinary to see how, despite all three plays being completely different, Jamie managed to put his own unique stamp on each play. There is something so simple yet detailed about Jamie's work. Trafalgar Transformed was sadly cut short (Jamie was busy directing The Commitments and Urinetown) but The Daily Mail has claimed he will return next year with a new season. Hoorah!
Read my reviews of The Pride, The Hothouse and Macbeth and interviews with Mathew Horne and Al Weaver.
3. Kerry Ellis at the London Palladium
May 2013
Photo Credit: Francyne Carr
Read my 5* review of Kerry Ellis at the London Palladium here.
2. Rachel Tucker at the St James Theatre
October 2013
Kerry Ellis has had the perfect career playing countless leading and iconic roles in the West End. Back in May she performed at the London Palladium for one night only to celebrate her incredible career. She also performed alongside some special guests, including Queen's Brian May who Kerry regularly performs, records and tours with. However, the absolute highlight of the evening was 'The Elphaba Quartet' which saw the four London Elphabas (Alexia Khadime, Rachel Tucker, Louise Dearman and Kerry) perform a dazzling arrangement of 'Defying Gravity'. I have never applauded so hard in my life, the whole thing felt like a dream. Kerry ended the evening with a heartfelt rendition of 'One By One (Only The Good Die Young)' which embarrassingly left me in floods of tears.
Read my 5* review of Kerry Ellis at the London Palladium here.
2. Rachel Tucker at the St James Theatre
October 2013
Photo Credit: Big Hand Recordings
Read my 5* review of Rachel at the St James Theatre.
1. Scott Alan Live at The IndigO2
August 2013
Photo Credit: Darren Bell
What was your favourite theatrical event of 2013? Let us know by commenting below!
For a long time I have had a great deal of respect for Rachel Tucker and often described her voice as the best in musical theatre. However, nothing prepared me for her solo concert at the St James Theatre. I am literally still coming to terms with the theatrical event and how it is physically and technically possible for a singer to belt out so many songs so effortlessly in such a short space of time. The evening was so personal, Rachel has such natural stage presence and it was a joy to see her reunited on-stage with her close friend and former Wicked co-star Louise Dearman.
Read my 5* review of Rachel at the St James Theatre.
1. Scott Alan Live at The IndigO2
August 2013
Photo Credit: Darren Bell
I am yet to recover from composer Scott Alan's phenomenal concert at The IndigO2. Seeing so many West End and Broadway stars share the same stage was utterly surreal. Scott's musical is so deep and heartfelt and the array of performers did every song justice. The first act featured some of Scott's best-loved songs, the opening 'I'm A Star' was incredible and as soon as it ended I wanted to press re-wind and watch it all over again. Watching Willemijn Verkaik march to the front of the stage at the end of the number was a moment to remember! The entire audience were shocked and honoured when Scott announced at the start of the second act that he was going to premiere the entire score of his new musical Home, which will premiere in the West End next year.
Special mentions must also go to West End Heroes at the Dominion Theatre, the UK & London premiere productions of [title of show], the National Theatre's 50th Gala and Punchdrunk's epic return to London.
What was your favourite theatrical event of 2013? Let us know by commenting below!
Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
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