Review: The Who's Tommy at the Greenwich Theatre

The Who's Tommy
Greenwich Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 31st July 2015
★★

Adapted from The Who's 1969 rock opera double-album, this was my first time seeing Tommy which many know as the 1975 film directed by Ken Russell. The title character is "traumatized into catatonia" after witnessing his father murdering his mother's partner and embarks on a journey to rediscover his spirit. 

Sneak peek at... Ashley Birchall & Carly Burns in The Who’s Tommy

First images of Ashley Birchall as pinball wizard ‘Tommy’ and Carly Burns as ‘Acid Queen’ in The Who’s Tommy have been released. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge)

The Who’s Tommy opens at the Greenwich Theatre on 31st July (previews from 29th July) and runs until 23rd August 2015. Based on the iconic 1969 double-album rock opera, which later became a film of the same title, The Who's Tommy is described as an "exhilarating musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit". 

The cast also includes: John Barr as Uncle Ernie, James Sinclair as Captain Walker, Giovanni Spanó as Cousin Kevin, Carrie Sutton as Sally Simpson and Miranda Wilford as Mrs Walker. Danny Becker, Scott Sutcliffe and Alice Mogg complete the cast.

Casting announced for Pinocchio at the Greenwich Theatre

Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Neil Bartram and Brian Hill's musical adaptation of children’s story The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan, the production opens at the Greenwich Theatre on 7th August (previews from 5th August) and runs until 23rd August 2015. 

The cast includes: Christian James (pictured right) as Pinocchio, Martin Neely (Les Misérables/Mary Poppins) as Geppetto, Rachael Louise Miller (Les Misérables/Joseph) as Fairy/Storyteller, Ceris Hine (The Rocky Horror Show) as Cat/Puppet Master and James Charlton (The Light Princess) as Fox/Lampwick.

Casting announced for The Who’s Tommy at the Greenwich Theatre

WhatsOnStage have announced casting for The Who’s Tommy which will play a limited season at the Greenwich Theatre this summer, marking the 40th Anniversary of the original film and the 50th Anniversary of The Who.

Ashley Birchall will take on the title role, starring alongside: John Barr as Uncle Ernie, Carly Burns as Acid Queen, James Sinclair as Captain Walker, Giovanni Spanó as Cousin Kevin, Carrie Sutton as Sally Simpson and Miranda Wilford as Mrs Walker. Danny Becker, Scott Sutcliffe and Alice Mogg complete the cast.

The production opens on 31st July (previews from 29th July) and runs until 23rd August 2015. Based on the iconic 1969 double-album rock opera, which later became a film of the same title, The Who's Tommy is described as an "exhilarating musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit". 

Pinocchio musical recieves UK premiere at the Greenwich Theatre

A new musical adaptation of the classic children’s story The Adventures of Pinocchio will open at the Greenwich Theatre on 7th August (previews from 5th August) for a limited run to 23rd August 2015.

Written by the Broadway and Disney writing duo Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (The Story of My Life / Bedknobs and Broomsticks), this family musical features puppetry, live musicians, singers and performers.

Originally produced at the Chicago Shakespeare Festival, this production will mark the show's UK premiere. The Adventures of Pinocchio will be directed by Bronagh Lagan with musical direction by Freddie Tapner. Casting is to be announced.

The Who’s Tommy to be revived at the Greenwich Theatre

It has been announced that The Who’s Tommy will play a limited season at the Greenwich Theatre this summer, marking the 40th Anniversary of the original film and the 50th Anniversary of The Who.

The production opens on 31st July (previews from 29th July) and runs until 23rd August 2015. Casting will be announced shortly.

Based on the iconic 1969 double-album rock opera, which later became a film of the same title, The Who's Tommy is described as an "exhilarating musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit". 

The Who’s Tommy has music and lyrics by Pete Townshend and book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, with additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. 

Review: Jekyll and Hyde (UK Tour) at the Greenwich Theatre

Jekyll and Hyde
Greenwich Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 12th February 2015
★

It is always exciting when someone tries to bring something new to a well-known story, but sadly Jo Clifford's new adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is yet to find its feet. The futuristic interpretation sees Dr Jekyll as a dodgy high-profile cancer specialist.

Review: Altar Boyz at the Greenwich Theatre

Altar Boyz 

Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 9th October 2014

★★

Following a five-year run off-Broadway, Altar Boyz has found its way to London where it receives a short off-West End run at the Greenwich Theatre. The musical takes place on the last night of a Christian boyband’s tour.

Interview: Liam Doyle

Liam Doyle is currently rehearsing for the UK premiere of Altar Boyz. The production will play a strictly limited run of 14 performances at the Greenwich Theatre between Friday 3rd October and Saturday 18th October 2014.

Altar Boyz is described as a “foot-stomping, rafter-raising” musical comedy about a fictitious boyband on the last night of their Raise the Praise tour. The show is “full of sharp parody, sinfully spectacular dancing and irreverent humour.” 

Liam recently originated the role of Fiyero in the first UK and Ireland tour of Wicked. After winning GMTV’s ‘Search for Troy Bolton’ competition, Liam toured the UK as Troy in High School Musical. 

His theatre credits also include: Link in Hairspray (UK Tour), Eddie and understudy Sky in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales / Novello), Camp Rock (Dubai), Ricky Nelson in Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven (national tour) and After The Turn (Courtyard). 

I recently spoke to Liam about life post Wicked, why Altar Boyz is a new challenge and the support he receives from theatre fans…

You’ve just left Wicked and have literally gone straight into rehearsals for Altar Boyz. Is your brain frazzled? Both shows couldn’t be more different!

Yes! It’s actually a really nice change. I loved being in Wicked but this is something which is new and which is really fresh. Everybody working on Altar Boyz wants it to be the best it possibly can be, there’s such a nice team. I’m loving every second of it! It has actually made leaving Wicked a lot easier because this is so much fun.

Review: The Last Five Years at the Greenwich Theatre

The Last Five Years

Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 17th May 2014

I was majorly excited after discovering The Last Five Years was returning to London, it’s a musical I've heard so much about. Following its premiere in Chicago in 2001, The Last Five Years was staged off-Broadway in 2002 and has since been performed all over the world.

Review: Avenue Q (UK Tour) at the Greenwich Theatre

Avenue Q (UK Tour)

Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 29th April 2014

Marking the third production of Avenue Q that I have seen within the past twelve months, Sell A Door have launched Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty's musical at the Greenwich Theatre ahead of a UK Tour. 

Avenue Q follows a group of neighbours who are facing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. As the show progresses the characters begin to discover who they are and what their purpose is in life. Sesame Street style puppets perform alongside real people, creating a unique but strong recipe for a musical.

I seem to love Avenue Q more and more every time I see it; the show isn’t about big sets or huge production numbers, its success is down to clever, outrageous writing and strong casting. The score is tremendous, I find it impossible to pick a favourite number and it's always hilarious to watch the faces of those who are unfamiliar with the show - it's not every day you watch a musical which features musical numbers such as 'Everyone's a Little Bit Racist' and 'The Internet Is for Porn'.

Avenue Q for Greenwich Theatre run prior to UK Tour

It has been announced that Sell A Door are staging the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q later this year. The production will open at the Greenwich Theatre on Monday 28th April 2014 (previews from 23rd April) and run until Sunday 11th May 2014 before touring the UK for ten weeks until August 2014.

Avenue Q premiered in 2003 Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre before transferring to Broadway later that year. It won the Tony for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Cameron Mackintosh  brought the show to the West End in 2006 where it ran for five years. Most recently Avenue Q was staged at Upstairs at the Gatehouse and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Interview: Ross William Wild

Ross William Wild is currently playing Jason in Bare at the Greenwich Theatre. He originated the role in the musical's UK premiere at the Union Theatre.

Most recently Ross played Michael in The Witches of Eastwick at the Watermill Theatre directed by Craig Revel Horwood. After Bare he is heading to New York to star in an off-Broadway show before travelling back to Scotland to appear in pantomime over Christmas.

Ross’s theatre credits include starring as Kenickie in the recent UK Tour of Grease and understudying Galileo and Brit on the UK Tour of We Will Rock You. You may remember Ross from his appearance on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Superstar programme last year. He is also an avid singer songwriter.

Following my interview with Ross earlier this year, I recently caught up with him to discuss what it's like performing Bare in a larger theatre, why he thinks certain people find the show so powerful and what it is like receiving gifts from fans...

What has it been like revisiting Bare?

It’s been great, the energy had been good with the cast and everyone is working really hard. We’ve sold loads of tickets and I’ve had a fun time!

Review: Bare at the Greenwich Theatre

Bare: The Rock Musical
Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Friday 11th October 2013

Following a successful run at the tiny Union Theatre, Bare: The Rock Musical has transferred to the considerably larger Greenwich Theatre. Apart from the two leads, the show features a new, bigger cast but is still very similar. Despite reviewing Bare on its opening night at the Union, I actually couldn't remember many details of the storyline so it was as if I was watching the show for the first time again.

Review: Sincerely, Mr Toad at the Greenwich Theatre

Sincerely, Mr Toad 

Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 10th September 2013

Sincerely, Mr Toad is a new musical which tells the story of Kenneth Grahame who longs to write wild adventure tales and pursue his love of nature and literature. Sincerely, Mr Toad charts the turbulent relationships that inspired and haunted one of literature’s biggest treasures, The Wind in the Willows. I previously saw this production a few weeks ago during its run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in my review I wrote that I was keen to see the show again at the Greenwich Theatre where it is being performed in its entirety.

Full casting announced for Bare at the Greenwich Theatre

Full casting has been announced for cult rock musical Bare, which transfers to the Greenwich Theatre for a limited run next month. Following its sold out European Premiere at the Union Theatre earlier this year, Bare will open at the Greenwich Theatre on Friday 11th October (previews from 9th October) and run until Saturday 27th October 2013.

Ross William Wild and Michael Vinsen will return to the roles of Jason and Peter, alongside Jodie Steele as Ivy, Molly Stewartas Nadia, Luke Baker as Matt, Nadine Cox as Claire, Christopher Dickens as Priest, Gary Lee Netley as Lucas, Lauren Rae as Tanya, Jemma Geanaus as Kyra, Tash Holway as Diane, Ashley Andrews as Rory, David Albury as Zack and Adam Bailey as Alan. The cast also includes Ashley Gilmour, Daniel Hope, Charlotte Jeffery, Annie Kitchen and Alison Pope.

Ross William Wild’s recent credits include Michael in The Witches of Eastwick at the Watermill Theatre directed by Craig Revel Horwood, Jason in Bare at the Union Theatre, Kenickie in the UK Tour of Grease and cover Galileo in the UK Tour of We Will Rock You.

Union Theatre's Bare transfers to the Greenwich Theatre!

It has been announced that cult rock musical Bare will transfer to Greenwich Theatre, following a sold out run at the Union Theatre earlier this year. The production will open on Friday 11th October (previews from 9th October) and run until Saturday 27th October 2013. New casting to be announced.

A contemporary rock musical, Bare is the electrifying story of a group of students navigating their way through a journey of teenage self-discovery, wrestling with identity, sexuality, and religion at a co-ed Catholic boarding school. Provocative, raw, and unyielding in its exploration of how today's generation navigates the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood, Bare examines the consequences of baring a soul, or hiding it from those who matter most.