Review: Beautiful - The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical 
Aldwych Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 25th February 2015
★★★★

Following Carole King's long journey from school girl to music icon, Beautiful is the latest Broadway musical to transfer to London's West End. It's hard to pinpoint the magical ingredient of King's music; it is an absolute joy to hear her biggest hits performed by a tremendously talented British company.

Review: Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace star in Dance 'til Dawn at the Aldwych Theatre

Dance 'til Dawn 
Aldwych Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 3rd November 2014
★★★

Marking their return to the West End, Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace's new dance show takes them in a whole new direction. Hot on the heels of the success of Midnight Tango, Dance 'til Dawn shows Vincent and Flavia like you've never seen them before!

Set in 1920s Hollywood, Teddy Kempner (Tommy Dubrowski) narrates the story of romance and jealousy. Abbie Osmon provides top notch diva vocals as Lana Clemenza whilst Vincent and Flavia star as Sadie Strauss and Tony DeLuca who develop a relationship following the murder of leading man Bobby Burns.

The piece is very lighthearted and doesn't take itself too seriously; Kempner makes fun of theatre in general throughout which is often amusing, although at times the humour verges on irritating. The true stars of the show are the wonderful ensemble who are slick, smooth and bursting with joy and charisma. I couldn't get enough of the group numbers and would love to have seen more! The live band sound absolutely amazing, the music is suitably varied, featuring something for everyone.

200th Interview: Flavia Cacace & Vincent Simone

Following the success of Midnight Tango, Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone are preparing to open their new show Dance ’Til Dawn which transfers to the West End’s Aldwych Theatre following a successful UK Tour. 

Best known for starring in Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), Vincent and Flavia have been dancing together for twenty years. The former World Champions stole the hearts of the British public with their breathtaking Argentine Tango on the popular television programme. 

Together they launched Midnight Tango in 2010 which went on to be seen by over half a million people during its tours and two West End runs (Aldwych and Phoenix). Dance ‘Til Dawn is directed by Olivier Award winning choreographer and director Karen Bruce who also directed Midnight Tango.

I recently spoke to Vincent and Flavia about why Dance ‘Til Dawn will surprise people, how they developed the show from page to stage and why they’re so excited to be back in the West End…

I believe Dance 'Til Dawn is very different to Midnight Tango. What were your initial visions for the show?

Flavia Cacace: We wanted it to be very different and didn’t really want it to be compared to Midnight Tango because that was so special in itself. We wanted to create something completely different and wanted to dance Ballroom and Latin as well as Argentine Tango which in Midnight Tango we didn’t really do. So together with our director Karen (Bruce) and producer Adam (Spiegel) we came up with the idea of branching out a little bit and heading a little more towards musical theatreland. 

CONFIRMED: Beautiful - The Carole King Musical to open at the Aldwych Theatre in February 2015

It has confirmed that the West End production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, will open at the Aldwych Theatre in February next year. 

Based on the early life and career of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King, Beautiful has a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and is directed by Marc Bruni.

GOSSIP: Carole King musical Beautiful to open at the Aldwych next year?

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Beautiful - the Carole King musical - could transfer to the West End.

The show, which is currently taking Broadway by storm, is rumoured to be opening at the Aldwych in early 2015. Jessie Mueller has received huge acclaim for her performance in the Broadway production, but it is not yet known whether she would reprise the role in London

RSC's Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies to transfer to the Aldwych Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed that its productions of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies (currently playing in rep in Stratford-upon-Avon) will transfer to the Aldwych Theatre from 1st May for a limited season until 6th September. Jeremy Herrin directs.

Wolf Hall/Bring Up the Bodies follows Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward which closes at Aldwych on Saturday 29th March 2014.

Review: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre

Stephen Ward
Aldwych Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 20th December 2013

2013 has seen some incredible, as well as some terrible, productions open in London’s West End and Stephen Ward, Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical about the Profumo scandal, is neither. The production is far from awful, but it doesn't seem to connect with audiences. 

From the moment Lloyd Webber announced that he was working on a show about the Profumo scandal everybody seemed to be asking how such a topic would work as a musical. I was open minded but unfortunately I don't think it quite works. 

The score has some great moments. I grew fond of the instantly catchy 'Human Sacrifice' and enjoyed listening to 'You've Never Had It So Good' (aka the orgy number, which features some revolting staging), and, despite sounding a little dated, '1963'. One issue with the score is that Ward dominates the first few numbers which lose individuality and begin to roll into one tangled song. 

UPDATED: Sneak peek at... Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward

Production images have been released for Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Stephen Ward which is currently in previews at the Aldwych Theatre. The production officially opens next week on 19th December 2013. Take a look the the images below (click on a picture to enlarge).

Stephen Ward, which has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black, is directed by Richard Eyre and is currently booking until 1st March 2014. Set and Costume designs are by Rob Howell, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Groothuis, projection design by Jon Driscoll and choreography by Stephen Mear. Stephen Ward is produced by Robert Fox Limited and The Really Useful Group. 

Kristen Beth Williams, Alex Gaumond & Clive Hayward to join cast of Top Hat

From 5th February 2013, joining the previously announced Gavin Lee who will play Jerry Travers in the West End hit musical Top Hat are Broadway actress Kristen Beth Williams as Dale Tremont, Olivier award nominee Alex Gaumond as Alberto Beddini and Clive Hayward as Horace Hardwick. Vivien Parry continues as Madge Hardwick and Stephen Boswell as Horace's valet Bates. In addition, on 28th January 2013, over 275,0000 tickets will be released for sale taking bookings for Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre to 27th April 2014.

Gavin Lee and Charlotte Gooch to take over from Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen in Top Hat

From 5th February 2013 Gavin Lee will join the cast of the hit West End production of Top Hat to play Jerry Travers. Top Hat is currently booking at the Aldwych Theatre until 28th September 2013 having recently released a further 180,000 new tickets for sale. Seventy seven years after its movie release, Matthew White’s production arrived in the West End earlier this year having completed a 20 week sell-out UK tour. 

From 27th November 2012, Charlotte Gooch will join the cast to play Dale Tremont alongside Tom Chambers who continues in the role of Jerry Travers until 2nd February 2013. 

Review: Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre

Top Hat
Aldwych Theatre
Performance: Thursday 18th October 2012

Jerry Travers, the famous American tap dancer, arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart. Performed by a cast of 31 and accompanied by a live band of 15, this new musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the original movie. A further ten numbers have been interpolated from Berlin’s 1200 strong back catalogue.

Top Hat extends booking to September 2013

Over 180,000 new tickets are now on sale for Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre as it extends its booking period to 28th September 2012. Seventy seven years after its movie release, Matthew White’s production arrived in the West End earlier this year having completed a 20 week sell-out UK tour. 

The show follows Jerry Travers, the famous American tap dancer, as he arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart.

Performed by a cast of 31 and accompanied by a live band of 15, this new musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the original movie. A further ten numbers have been interpolated from Berlin’s 1200 strong back catalogue.