Review: Hairspray (UK Tour) at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

Hairspray (UK Tour) 
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd May 2016
★★★

Juxtaposing some serious issues such as equality, racism and bullying with catchy tunes, big hair and cheesy grins galore, Hairspray is an exhilarating show with a powerful message.

Paul Kerryson's new production of Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan's musical premiered at the Leicester Curve in 2014 and I absolutely adored it. Kerryson's production returned the following year to launch a UK tour.

Review: Private Lives (UK Tour) at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

Private Lives (UK Tour) 
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Reviewed on Tuesday 19th January 2016
★★★

Marking my favourite Noel Coward play, Private Lives is back with an all-new touring production directed by Tom Attenborough. The set up is one of pure genius; imagine you are in an explosive marriage, get divorced and then re-marry. However, whilst on your honeymoon you discover your ex-partner is staying in the hotel room next door... also on their honeymoon.

Review: The Producers (UK Tour) at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

The Producers (UK Tour)
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Reviewed on Wednesday 11th March 2015
★★★★

Fourteen years after it first opened on Broadway, Mel Brooks' musical The Producers is back with a new UK tour directed by Top Hat's Matthew White. The show sees producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom launching a dodgy scheme to make money by producing a Broadway flop. Surprisingly things don't to plan and the pair encounter one or two 'eccentric' characters along the way.

Review: Things We Do For Love at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

Things We Do For Love 
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Reviewed on Monday 9th June 2014

Things We Do For Love contains all the necessary ingredients of a hysterical Alan Ayckbourn play. Set in South West London, immaculate Barbara lives on the middle floor of her converted house which is where most of the action unfolds. Gilbert, the postman and resident handyman, lives in the flat downstairs, with the clever design allowing the audience to just see the top few inches of his home.

Editor’s Blog: Playing a cameo role in Happy Days the Musical…

It’s not every day that an email arrives in your inbox inviting you to play a cameo role in a musical, but the feeling I had whilst reading an email asking if I would be interested in playing the Onstage Announcer in Happy Days, a new musical currently touring the UK, felt all too familiar.

Let me explain. Around a year ago I was invited to play a small cameo role, ‘Sir Not Appearing’, in the West End production of Spamalot. All I had to do in Spamalot was literally walk on stage, perform a short head sequence with the rest of the cast, shout “SORRY” and run back into the wings. Simple. However, as the Onstage Announcer in Happy Days I was given a small paragraph to read meaning there would be more opportunity for something to go wrong… terrifying! But I accepted…

Review: Happy Days (UK Tour) at the Churchill Theatre Bromley

Happy Days (UK Tour)

Churchill Theatre Bromley

Reviewed on Thursday 16th January 2014

Too often these days shows open in the West End that simply are not ready, they receive bad reviews, word of mouth becomes awful and then they close prematurely. However, instead of immediately opening in the West End, Happy Days, a new musical based on the American television sitcom created by Garry Marshall, has embarked on a six month UK tour. Whilst the musical's producer, Amy Anzel, has clearly stated her desire for a West End transfer, the creative team now have six months to ensure the show is as good as it could possibly be before any decisions regarding a transfer are made.