Review: Another Way at the Cockpit Theatre

Another Way

Cockpit Theatre

Reviewed on Friday 13th September 2013

2013 has been a massive year for London's Fringe. We have seen many revivals and new pieces of writing staged to a certain quality and standard which simply never would have happened several years ago. When you see a bad fringe production it can be spectacularly bad, but when you see something incredible it feels like you've discovered a hidden gem which is exactly how I felt after seeing Another Way at the Cockpit Theatre.

Big Interview: Julie Atherton

Julie Atherton is currently starring in the world premiere of Another Way at the Cockpit Theatre. The new musical features a book by Sarah Henley and Tori Allen-Martin and music by Benedict.

Another Way is three short stories about three London-based couples - friends, family and lovers - over the course of three months. It’s about luck in its different forms, from feeling lucky to being struck by luck, by a chance meeting. It’s about hope, it’s about getting stronger, and staying up later, for the 'dawn of our glory days'.

Julie Atherton famously created the roles of Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut in the original West End production of Avenue Q (Noël Coward & Gielgud). She made her West End debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia (Prince Edward) and went on to play Serena Katz in Fame (Aldwych & UK Tour).

Her other theatre credits include: Emily in The Hired Man (Mercury Colcester & Curve Leicester), French Teacher in Lift (Soho Theatre), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (UK Tour), Deb in Ordinary Days (Trafalgar Studios & Finborough), Cathy in The Last 5 Years (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Kolokolo Bird in Just So (Chicester Festival).

Julie has also released two studio albums, 'A Girl of Few Words' and 'No Space for Air' and continues to support new writing. Later this year she will star alongside Daniel Boys in The Opinion Makers which will run in Derby and Colchester. Yesterday I chatted to Julie about what attracted her to starring in Another Way, why she feels so strongly about supporting new writing and what it was like to perform in Scott Alan’s recent concert at the IndigO2...

How are rehearsals for Another Way going so far?

Really well, we’ve got a lot to cram in! I’m trying to learn my lines at the moment so we’re at that stressful stage but I’m really enjoying it, the music is incredible!

Julie Atherton to star in new musical 'Another Way'

It has been announced that Julie Atherton will star in Another Way, a new musical which will premiere at The Cockpit Theatre next month. The show is about being on the cusp of greatness features the songs of the up-and-coming singer/songwriter Benedict, which have been specially arranged for the production.

Julie Atherton originated the role of Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q, made her West End debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia! and played Sister Mary Roberts in Sister Act. Her most recent theatre credits include Life at the Soho Theatre and The Hired Man at the Colchester Mercury Theatre and The Leicester Curve Theatre.

Another Way is three short stories about three London-based couples - friends, family and lovers - over the course of three months. It’s about luck in its different forms, from feeling lucky to being struck by luck, by a chance meeting. It’s about hope, it’s about getting stronger, and staying up later, for the 'dawn of our glory days'.