Review: The War of the Worlds at the Dominion Theatre

The War of the Worlds
Dominion Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 17th February 2016
★

Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of The Worlds has found its way to the West End following eight years of world-wide arena tours. Recreating Wayne’s 1978 concept album, the show is essentially a staged concert production with the orchestra positioned onstage throughout.

Review: Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (UK Tour)

New Wimbledon Theatre 

Reviewed on Wednesday 3rd February 2016

★

Featuring bucket loads of fake tan, fake accents and fake enthusiasm - as well as an appalling storyline and some very odd mash-ups - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life has embarked on a UK tour following its premiere last year with David Hasselhoff and Shane Richie Jr reprising their performances.

Review: Desperate Measures at the Jermyn Street Theatre

Desperate Measures 
Jermyn Street Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 27th November 2015
★

Adapting Shakespeare's Measure For Measure into a musical is certainly an intriguing idea - themes surrounding corruption and loyalty could pave way for a punchy score - but sadly Robin Kingsland and Chris Barton's musical is far from a success story.

Review: Dusty at the Charing Cross Theatre

Dusty
Charing Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 9th September 2015
★

Following nearly four months of previews, Dusty has officially opened at the Charing Cross Theatre. The "multi-media" production combines video footage and 3D holograms with the jukebox musical concept in an attempt to tell the story of Dusty Springfield’s rise to fame.

Review: Jekyll and Hyde (UK Tour) at the Greenwich Theatre

Jekyll and Hyde
Greenwich Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 12th February 2015
★

It is always exciting when someone tries to bring something new to a well-known story, but sadly Jo Clifford's new adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is yet to find its feet. The futuristic interpretation sees Dr Jekyll as a dodgy high-profile cancer specialist.

Review: Miracle on 34th Street (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Miracle on 34th Street (UK Tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 4th November 2014
★

I seem to be one of the few people never to have seen the original 1947 film version of Miracle on 34th Street, or any of its subsequent remakes. Despite the beginning of November being a little too early to be seeing a Christmas show, I was looking forward to getting into the festive spirit and discovering a Christmas classic for the very first time. 

Review: See Rock City and Other Destinations at the Union Theatre

See Rock City and Other Destinations
Union Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 19th August 2014
★

Described as a "contemporary musical about connections missed and made at tourist destinations across America", See Rock City and Other Destinations is the most bewildering musical I have seen so far this year. 

I absolutely adore ensemble shows which see stories link and intertwine - Lift by Craig Adams provides a prime example. However, See Rock City and Other Destinations is a disconnected piece of theatre which leaves too many questions unanswered. 

The large cast portray a variety of characters that are all seemingly shallow, making it challenging to connect to the piece. To make things worse, just when you begin to feel an ounce of compassion for a character they disappear, often never to be seen again.

The text is weak; the majority of the humour falls flat on its face while the writing of what-could-be touching scenes is clumsy. However, Brad Alexander and Adam Mathias' musical won the 2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book so perhaps I'm missing something.

Edinburgh Review: Connected the Musical at the Pleasance Courtyard

Connected the Musical 
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ​
15:30 / 1 hour
Reviewed on Thursday 7th August 2014
★

A new musical by Craig Christie, Connected follows Emma as she joins a new school and experiences awful bullying. The show explores the lengths school children will go to in 2014, including what they will do whilst sat behind a computer screen.