Editor's Blog: Top 10 Shows of 2015

10

The Ruling Class

directed by Jamie Lloyd at Trafalgar Studios

Photo by Simon Annand

Wild and unpredictable, The Ruling Class is probably the most bonkers play I saw all year. James McAvoy gave a stellar performance as a paranoid schizophrenic in Peter Barnes' play. Jamie Lloyd's production had absolutely no boundaries, it seemed nothing was off limits. I still can't decide whether I was moved or disturbed by Lloyd's top notch, thought-provokingly enthralling production.

Read our 4* review of The Ruling Class

9

Carrie

directed by Gary Lloyd at the Southwark Playhouse

Photo by Claire Bilyard

Known as the most expensive flop in Broadway history, 2015 saw Carrie The Musical finally make its long-awaited London premiere. As expected there was plenty of death and blood, but - thanks to a strong performance from the perfectly cast Evelyn Hoskins - the production also had a great deal of heart. I have no idea why it took so long to bring Carrie to London; Gary Lloyd's production certainly has potential for future life. Behind the blood and beyond the darkness is a touching story of self-discovery, and I loved every second.

Read our 5* review of Carrie

Check out our interview with Evelyn Hoskins

8

Hangmen

directed by Matthew Dunster at the Royal Court & Wyndham's Theatre

Photo by Helen Maybanks

Evelyn Hoskins to play cabaret this weekend

This weekend, Evelyn Hoskins, who recently played the title character in the UK premiere of Carrie The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse, will star in cabaret at Above The Arts.

Running as part of Anthony Williamson and Emma Ralston's Sunday in the Arts with... season, the performance takes place on Sunday 26th July 2015 at 7.30pm.

Described as "an evening of alternative musical theatre performances", Hoskins will reminisce about her career so far as well as looking forward to the roles she dreams of tackling in the future. 

Interview: Gabriella Williams, starring as Sophie in Mamma Mia!

Gabriella Williams recently took over as Sophie Sheridan in the West End production of Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre. 

Marking her West End debut, Gabriella stars alongside Mazz Murray, Jo Napthine, James Darch and Dianne Pilkington as her mother, Donna Sheridan. Having recently made her professional debut as Chris in Carrie at the Southwark Playhouse, this summer Gabriella will graduate from Arts Educational Schools. 

I recently spoke to Gabriella about stepping into such an iconic role, her favourite Abba song, why she looks up to Dianne Pilkington and her fond memories of Carrie…

Sophie is a massive dream role for so many actresses in musical theatre – was it a part you had your eye on?

It was certainly a role I wanted to play, but I don’t think I expected to be so lucky so early on! I haven’t graduated yet so it’s all very overwhelming for me. It’s an absolute dream role, I get to sing amazing songs with incredibly talented people. It’s a really, really lovely part – you get some of the best songs in the musical, in my opinion anyway [laughs]. It’s an absolute dream!

Review: Carrie The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse

Carrie The Musical 
Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed on Thursday 7th May 2015

★★★★★

Carrie The Musical first premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988 before transferring straight to New York where it became the most expensive flop in Broadway history. Based on Stephen King's bestselling novel, the piece - which has music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and book by Lawrence D. Cohen - has never been staged in London... until now.

Sneak peek at... Carrie The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse

Production images have been released for the London premiere of Carrie. The production officially opens at the Southwark Playhouse tonight (6th May) and runs until 30th May 2015. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Evelyn Hoskins stars as Carrie alongside Kim Criswell as mother. The cast also includes: Sarah McNicholas as Sue, Greg Miller Burns as Tommy, Gabriella Williams as Chris, Dex Lee as Billy, Jodie Jacobs as Miss Gardner, David Habbin as Mr Stephens, Molly McGuire as Norma, Bobbie Little as Frieda, Emily McGougan as Helen, Patrick Sullivan as George, Olly Dobson as Freddy and Eddie Myles as Stokes.

Interview: Evelyn Hoskins, starring as the title role in Carrie The Musical

Evelyn is currently starring as the title role in the London premiere of Carrie The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse.

Gary Lloyd has directed a revised version of the musical which is based on Stephen King's bestselling novel. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Carrie The Musical first premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988 before transferring to Broadway starring Linzi Hateley. However, until now the musical had never been produced in London.

Evelyn famously created the role of Thea in the UK premiere of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith which transferred to the West End’s Novello Theatre. She has also played Lucy in Misfits (E4) and Shona in Casualty/Holby City (BBC).

Evelyn’s further theatre credits include: Wendy Darling in Peter Pan (US Tour), the title role in Alice's House Of Cards (Royal Festival Hall), Nicky in This Is My Family (Sheffield Crucible/UK Tour), Kevin in The Boy Who Fell Into A Book (Stephen Joseph Theatre, directed by Alan Aykbourn), Sophie in The Iguanodon Queen (Bush Theatre) and Martha in The Secret Garden (Birmingham Rep).

I recently spoke to Evelyn about what drew her to Carrie, the challenges of the role, Spring Awakening memories and being a wimp when it comes to horror movies…

How much did you know about Carrie The Musical before being cast in this production?

I obviously knew the film, but ironically I don’t really ‘do’ horror [laughs]! I can’t watch horror films… I have to mute them because the music always scares me and I’m really jumpy. So I hadn’t actually watched it, but I obviously knew about it because it’s so iconic and everyone knows the pigs blood and all that. I wasn’t aware that it was a musical until I was doing a tour in America and they released the updated version off-Broadway. I remember thinking ‘Oh my gosh, Carrie as a musical?!’ 

Casting announced for Carrie at the Southwark Playhouse

Casting has been announced for the London premiere of Carrie.

The production opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 6th May (previews from 1st May) for a limited run until 30th May 2015.

Evelyn Hoskins (pictured right) will star as Carrie whilst Kim Criswell will play mother. The cast also includes: Sarah McNicholas as Sue, Greg Miller Burns as Tommy, Gabriella Williams as Chris, Dex Lee as Billy, Jodie Jacobs as Miss Gardner, David Habbin as Mr Stephens, Molly McGuire as Norma, Bobbie Little as Frieda, Emily McGougan as Helen, Patrick Sullivan as George, Olly Dobson as Freddy and Eddie Myles as Stokes.

Thriller Live's Gary Lloyd directs a revised version of the musical which is based on Stephen King's bestselling novel. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Carrie first premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988 before transferring to Broadway starring Linzi Hateley.

Carrie to be revived at the Southwark Playhouse in May

Carrie will receive its London premiere at the Southwark Playhouse on 6th May (previews from 1st May) for a limited run until 30th May 2015.

Thriller Live's Gary Lloyd will direct a revised version of the musical which is based on Stephen King's bestselling novel.

Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Carrie first premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988 before transferring to Broadway starring Linzi Hateley.

Producer Paul Taylor-Mills told the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye that open auditions will be held for the title role. Carrie has music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and book by Lawrence D. Cohen.