Review: The Nutcracker On Ice at the Royal Albert Hall

The Nutcracker On Ice
Royal Albert Hall
Reviewed on Tuesday 29th December 2015  (matinee)
★★★

The Nutcracker On Ice provided the most magical end to 2015 I could possibly have wished for. Capturing the imagination of children, parents and grandparents alike, the show made the perfect post-Christmas treat. 

The Nutcracker on Ice returns to Royal Albert Hall this Christmas

The Imperial Ice Stars are returning to the Royal Albert Hall for a third season of The Nutcracker on Ice this Christmas, as part of their 10th anniversary world tour. 

The Nutcracker on Ice will open on Monday 28th December for a strictly limited season of 12 performances.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s most famous score, the show features a 26-strong cast of Olympic, World, European and National Championship-level skaters. The Royal Albert Hall is the only venue in the world where a live 24-piece orchestra will be playing alongside the Imperial Ice Stars’ performance.

Royal Albert Hall hosting Rocky Horror anniversary screening

The Royal Albert Hall is hosting a special screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary.

After the film has been screened, members of the cast will take to the stage for a Q&A. The event takes place at 7pm on 27th October 2015. In a first for the Royal Albert Hall, the event will also be broadcast live to more than 600 cinemas across the UK.

Lucy Noble (Director of Events) said: "Rocky Horror is a cult phenomenon like no other, and we can't wait to welcome cast members and fans alike to this very special, one-off celebration of a deliciously twisted confection.

Photo Feature: Christine Baranski joins rehearsals for Follies In Concert

Christine Baranski has flown to London to join rehearsals for the upcoming concert staging of Follies. The show plays two performances at the Royal Albert Hall on 28th April 2015. Check out pictures of Baranski rehearsing alongside the rest of the cast below (click image to enlarge).

The cast also includes Betty Buckley, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson, Jennifer Coolidge, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Alistair Brammer, Alex Hanson, Stefanie Powers, Ruthie Henshall, Anita Dobson, Anita Harris, Roy Hudd, Russell Watson, Lorna Luft, Jos Slovick and Christopher Biggins.

Rehearsal images released for Follies at the Royal Albert Hall

Rehearsal images have been released for the upcoming concert staging of Follies. The show plays two performances at the Royal Albert Hall on 28th April 2015. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The cast includes Betty Buckley, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson, Jennifer Coolidge, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Alistair Brammer, Alex Hanson, Stefanie Powers, Christine Baranski, Ruthie Henshall, Anita Dobson, Anita Harris, Roy Hudd, Russell Watson, Lorna Luft, Jos Slovick and Christopher Biggins.

Betty Buckley to play Carlotta in Follies at the Royal Albert Hall

Betty Buckley

As if we couldn't be any more excited about the concert staging of Follies at the Royal Albert Hall, further star casting has been announced!

Tony winner Betty Buckley (Cats / Sunset Boulevard) will play Carlotta in the production which runs for two performances on 28th April 2015. 

Also joining the cast are Charlotte Page (Pygmalion), Peter Polycarpou (The Pajama Game) and Amy Ellen Richardson (Singin' in the Rain).

UPDATE (23/03/15): Final casting has been announced for Follies. Completing the cast are: Lorna Luft and Jos Slovick. The ensemble will feature: Sarah Bakker, CJ Field, Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone.

They join the previously announced: Jennifer Coolidge, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Alistair Brammer, Alex Hanson, Stefanie Powers, Christine Baranski, Ruthie Henshall, Anita Dobson, Anita Harris, Roy Hudd and Russell Watson.

Review: Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza 
Royal Albert Hall

Reviewed on Tuesday 6th January 2015

★★★★

Since its birth from humble beginnings in 1984, contemporary circus group Cirque du Soleil has grown into a global phenomenon with no less than 18 productions currently running around the world, including two lucrative residencies in Las Vegas. 

Cirque du Soleil return to Royal Albert Hall next year

It has been confirmed that Cirque du Soleil will return to London next year with KOOZA. Check out pictures of the cast in action below (click image to enlarge).

Running at the Royal Albert Hall from 6th January for a limited engagement, KOOZA is described as "an adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom."

The story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world, KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendour and fragility, presented in a colourful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humour.

Kristin Chenoweth to perform Royal Albert Hall concert in July

Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will perform in the UK for one-night-only later this year.

An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on 12th July 2014. Kristin will perform hits from across her extensive career.

Best known for creating the role of Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, the performer famously transitions between stage, television, film and boasts an accomplished singing career. She has received rave reviews for her television roles in Pushing Dasies, Glee and The West Wing and has also featured as a guest judge on American Idol.

Review: Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam

Royal Albert Hall

Reviewed on 7th January 2014

As part of their world tour, Cirque du Soleil have brought Quidam to London for the final time. This amazing production showcases some utterly incredible performers. As I watched act after act, my brain could not digest what I was seeing as all of Cirque du Soleil’s performers are so extraordinarily talented. I didn’t know it was possible for the human body to do such things!

Photo Feature: VIP guests attend opening night of Cirque du Soleil‘s Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil‘s award-winning production of Quidam officially opened at the Royal Albert Hall last night (7th Jan). 

The performance was attended by many VIP guests, including: Arlene Phillips, Beth Tweddle, Brendan Cole, Craig Revel Horwood, Esther Rantzen, Hannah Barrett, Hayley Tamaddon and Nigel Harman. Take a look at pictures of the VIP guests attending the performance below (click on an image to enlarge).

VIP guests also included: Aaron Buckingham, Alex Reynolds, Alex Zane, Amal Fashanu, Amanda Lamb, Amy Willerton, Annabel Giles, Andrew Castle, Ashley James, Brix Smith Start, Camilla Rutherford, Cara Theobold, Dakota Blue Richards, Danielle Lloyd, David Emanuel, David Webb, Denise Pearson, Fay Ripley, Future Kicks, Gail Porter, Gethin Jones, Greg Rutherford, Helen Fospero, Jo Wood, Joanne Page, Karren Brady, Kelly Hoppen, Kimberley Garner, Lisa Snowdon, Mark Foster, Matt Johnson, Natasha Kaplinksy, Nicholas Parsons, Olivia Inge, Ollie Baines, Plum Sykes, Rick Parfitt Jnr, Siobhan Finneran, Sir David Jason, Sir Paul Smith, Stephen Boman, Tamara Ecclestone, Tamera Foster, Tanya Burr and Vanessa White.

Cirque du Soleil brings award winning production to the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil have announced that they are bringing their award winning production 'Quidam' to London next year. The show will open at the Royal Albert Hall on 7th January 2014 (previews from 4th January) and will run until 9th February 2014. 

Quidam received its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since then, the production has toured on five continents and played to over 10 million patrons worldwide. During the run of Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil will welcome its 3 millionth London patron. In December 2010 Quidam embarked on a new journey, performing the same production in arenas throughout the world.