Review: Miss Atomic Bomb at the St James Theatre

Miss Atomic Bomb
St James Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 14th March 2016
★★★★

Transporting us back to 1952 Las Vegas, Miss Atomic Bomb is a bold new musical with a satirical style not everybody is going to get. For the first ten minutes I sat in my seat wondering what on earth I was watching, but after the first few numbers I embraced the style and found myself laughing all evening.

Taking no prisoners, Adam Long, Gabriel Vick and Alex Jackson-Long's musical finds humour in the strangest of places. Miss Atomic Bomb sees the U.S. military testing its atomic bombs and taking control of the city. Despite an array of characters being faced with life-or-death situations, everyone is far more concerned about who will have their 'life changed' by being crowned the Miss Atomic Bomb beauty queen. It's bizarre, surprising fun.

The piece is still a little rough around the edges, but the supreme cast cover it up well. There are some stand out songs along the way; Dean John-Wilson and Simon Lipkin lead a showstopping tap number in the first half whilst Florence Andrews raises the roof in the second act with her solo number 'The Sun Went Down'. Lipkin is the driving force behind the piece - he can do no wrong. 

Production images released for Miss Atomic Bomb

Production images have been released for new musical comedy Miss Atomic Bomb starring Dean John-Wilson, Catherine Tate, Florence Andrews, Simon Lipkin and Daniel Boys. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Co-directed by Bill Deamer and Adam Long, the production officially opens at the St James Theatre tonight (14th March) and runs until 9th April 2016. Inspired by the bomb tests and beauty pageants of the era, Miss Atomic Bomb features original songs by Adam Long, Gabriel Vick and Alex Jackson-Long.

Judi Dench, Mark Gatiss, Catherine Tate, Nina Sosanya, Hadley Fraser & Rosalie Craig + more cast in Donmar's The Vote

The Vote, a play for theatre and television by James Graham, will run at the Donmar Warehouse between 24th April and 6th May ahead of a live broadcast on 7th May on More4.

Catherine Tate, Mark Gatiss and Nina Sosanya

Following their collaboration on Privacy, writer James Graham and Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Josie Rourke will reunite for The Vote, a drama and unique television event set in a fictional polling station, during the final ninety minutes of voting on election day. 

An ensemble cast of actors will represent the team of polling station volunteers, polling officers, and the diverse array of characters that are the voting public.

Initial casting includes: Fisayo Akinade, Jade Anouka, Madalena Alberto, Nicholas Burns, Paul Chahidi, Jackie Clune, Pandora Colin, Rosalie Craig, Heather Craney, Judi Dench, Rachel Denning, Hadley Fraser, Mark Gatiss, Llewella Gideon, Alice Hewkin, Kadiff Kirwan, Aïcha Kossoko, Wanda Opalinska, Bill Paterson, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Nina Sosanya, Catherine Tate, Yusra Warsama, Timothy West and Finty Williams.

Michael Xavier & Anna Francolini take over from Aaron Tveit & Catherine Tate in Assassins

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced that Anna Francolini and Michael Xavier (pictured right) will join the cast of Jamie Lloyd’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins.

From 10th February, Michael Xavier will take over the role of John Wilkes Booth from Aaron Tveit. Tveit leaves the run due to a change in schedule for his television series Graceland, which has been brought forward.

Anna Francolini plays Sara Jane Moore from 10th February, with Catherine Tate returning to the role on 24th February to complete the run at the Menier. Tate leaves the role for 2 weeks to fulfil pre-contractual filming commitments.

Review: Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Assassins

Menier Chocolate Factory

Reviewed on Monday 1st December 2014

★★★★★

Assassins is probably the most intense piece of theatre ever written. Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's musical, which premiered off-Broadway in 1990, is dark, in your face, sometimes uncomfortable and open to interpretation. I don't think I breathed once for the entire hour and forty-five minutes.

Aaron Tveit to make UK stage debut in Assassins

Baz Bamigboye has announced that Broadway star Aaron Tveit will make his UK stage debut in Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

He will star as John Wilkes Booth in the production which is directed by Jamie Lloyd.

Further casting has now been announced. Click here for more.

The actor has starred in the Broadway productions of Hairspray, Next to Normal and Catch Me If You Can. He also starred as Fiyero in Wicked opposite Kerry Ellis as Elphaba during her run in the Broadway production and played Enjolras in the film adaptation of Les Misérables.

The cast also includes Catherine Tate, Carly Bawden, Simon Lipkin, Mike McShane, Andy Nyman, and David Roberts.

Catherine Tate & Simon Lipkin to star in Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory

It has been announced that Catherine Tate will star in Jamie Lloyd's production of Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Tate will star in the show from when it opens on Friday 21st November until Sunday 8th February. Her replacement, who will star in the rest of the run until Saturday 7th March, is yet to be announced. 

The cast also includes: Carly Bawden, Simon Lipkin, Mike McShane, Andy Nyman, and David Roberts. Full casting will be announced shortly.

Lily Cole, Jack Whitehall and Lesley Sharp join Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays

It has been announced that Lily Cole, Jack Whitehall (pictured right) and Lesley Sharp will take part in the 24 Hour Plays gala at the Old Vic on Sunday (24th November). 

They join the previously announced Kaya Scodelario, Anthony Head, Ronni Ancona, Nick Moran, Jeff Fahey, Kaya Scodelario, Zawe Ashton, Neil Stuke, Jaime Winstone, Lesley Manville, Amanda Donohoe, Douglas Booth, Catherine Tate, Tom Ellis, Clive Rowe and Tina Hobley.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the event sees established performers, writers and directors write and perform six new plays in just one day. Comedian Rob Brydon is returning to host the annual event.

Rob Brydon, Catherine Tate, Douglas Booth, Tina Hobley, Tom Ellis & Clive Rowe for Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays

The initial cast list has been announced for the tenth anniversary of the Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays which takes place on Sunday 24th November 2013. Rob Brydon, who performed in The 24 Hour Plays in 2007 and hosted them in 2011, will return this year to host the tenth anniversary celebrity gala. 

The cast will feature Catherine Tate, Douglas Booth, Tina Hobley, Tom Ellis and Clive Rowe. More cast members will be announced over the next few weeks. 

The event is an evening of never to be seen again performances with six short plays being conceived, written, cast, rehearsed and then performed in 24 hours. Tickets start at £75.