Review: Bar Mitzvah Boy at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Bar Mitzvah Boy
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Thursday 10th March 2016
★★★★

Adapted by Jack Rosenthal from his 1976 TV play, shockingly Bar Mitzvah Boy hasn't been seen in London since the original production opened in 1978 and closed after 78 performances. Following the stressed Green family as they prepare for their only son's Bar Mitzvah, the musical is a perfectly pitched observational comedy.

Casting announced for Bar Mitzvah Boy at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Casting has been announced for Bar Mitzvah Boy at Upstairs at the Gatehouse.

The musical, which was adapted by Jack Rosenthal from his 1976 TV play, has music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Don Black. 

Directed by Stewart Nicholls, Bar Mitzvah Boy opens on 10th March (previews from 3rd March) and runs until 10th April 2016. This new production marks the show's first staging since the original 1978 London production. 

The cast includes: Adam Bregman (Eliot), Sue Kelvin (Rita), Robert Maskell (Victor), Lara Stubbs (Lesley), Nicholas Corre (Harold), Hayward B Morse (Granddad), Jeremy Rose (Rabbi), and Hannah Thompson (Denise). 

Big Interview: Jodie Jacobs

Jodie Jacobs is currently reprising her performance as Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde for its London fringe premiere at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. 

Jodie previously played the role at the Kilworth House Theatre. For her performance as Paulette, Jodie has won rave reviews, received an OFFIE nomination and was featured in West End Frame’s Top Ten Performances of 2015. 

Jodie’s West End credits include: Regina in Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury/Garrick), Serena in Fame (Aldwych), understudy Eva Peron in Evita (Adelphi), understudy Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Duke of York’s/Ambassadors), understudy Scaramouche & Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion) and Joanne in Rent In Concert (Garrick).

Her further credits also include: Miss Gardner in Carrie (Southwark Playhouse), Grizabella in Cats (Arena Tour), Rusty in Footloose (UK tour), Jest End (Waterloo East/Jermyn Street), Holly in The Wedding Singer (UK tour), Tink in Lost Boy (Charing Cross), Nurse Fiona in Happy Ending (Arcola), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Aberystwyth), Betty/Carmen in Me & Juliet (Finborough), Marcy Fitzwilliams in I Love You Because… (Landor), Emily in State Fair (Trafalgar Studios 2), Another Kind Of Magic (Scandinavia Tour) and Broadway and Beyond (Dubai). 

Yesterday I visited Jodie backstage at Upstairs at the Gatehouse to discuss why Legally Blonde was her dream show, the similarities between herself and Paulette and her showstopping rendition of ‘Ireland’. We also discussed her autobiography, the highlights of her career, working with her idol Kim Criswell plus much, much more…

Before doing Legally Blonde the first time round were you a fan of the show? 

Oh yes, I was in love with this show… absolutely in love with it! The lyrics are just brilliant. I remember driving on tour with Simon Lipkin – Simon’s the campest straight man I’ve ever met – and we would listen to musical after musical, and I could have sung you the entire show word for word. I was lucky enough to go to America and see it three times in one week on Broadway. I’ve never got bored of it! And I’ll never got bored of watching the MTV version [laughs]. 

The MTV recording is legendary – the audience are insane!

I know, it was like a rock concert! I love how brilliantly cast it was over there. In fact we still watch it, during the first week we all put it on in the dressing room! There’s something wrong with us! It’s because it’s brilliant. It’s a brilliant show with brilliant tunes and brilliant lyrics – I love everything about it.

Review: Legally Blonde at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Legally Blonde
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Friday 18th December 2015
★★★

Fact: Legally Blonde is the ultimate feel good show. 

The Broadway musical was a huge hit when it transferred to the West End for a triumphant run between 2009 and 2012. After some time away from the UK, Legally Blonde is suddenly popping up all over the place; I saw a fantastic production at Kilworth House last summer and now Upstairs at the Gatehouse are hosting the show's London Fringe premiere.

Casting announced for Legally Blonde at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Casting has been announced for Legally Blonde at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. 

Recent graduate Abbie Chambers will lead the cast as Elle. 

Reprising her performance as Paulette is Jodie Jacobs (Rock Of Ages/Jest End) who recently starred in Kilworth House’s production of the musical.

The cast also includes: Robert Colvin (Joseph UK tour) as Warner, Ross Barnes (Parade at the London Theatre Workshop) as Emmett and Hugh Osborne (The Sound of Music international tour) as Professor Callahan.

Creative team announced for Legally Blonde at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Legally Blonde the musical is returning to London this Christmas!

The show will open at Upstairs at the Gatehouse on 18th December 2015 (previews from 16th December) and run until 31st January 2016.

Directed by John Plews, musical direction is by Matt Abrams with choreography by Anthony Whiteman, casting by Harry Blumenau, lighting by Sam Waddington and sound by Jon Raper. Casting to be announced.

Camden Fringe Review: Sexual Perversity in Chicago at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Sexual Perversity in Chicago

Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Reviewed on Sunday 16th August 2015

★★★★

I was lucky enough to catch the final performance of David Mamet’s Sexual Perversity in Chicago at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Staged by the Prowl Theatre Company, the play begins on a very humorous level where the audience titter and shriek at the sex-mad 20-somethings in Chicago. 

Review: There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 2nd June 2015
★★

Funnily enough I actually already knew that the only time Elvis Presley set foot in the UK was in 1960 when his plane had to briefly stop off at Prestwick airport. It is this brief moment which has inspired John Plews and Jennifer Selway's new play with music.

There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis to premiere Upstairs at the Gatehouse

There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis is to receive its world premiere Upstairs at the Gatehouse. 

Described as a "new play with music", the piece is devised and directed by John Plews with book by Jennifer Selway. There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis opens on 20th May (previews from 16th May) and runs until 28th June 2015.

Elvis Presley set foot in the UK only once, on 3rd March 1960, at Prestwick in Scotland. The news of the King’s flying visit sends the teenage members of the Elvis Presley Fan Club (Kilmarnock Branch) into a spin as they plan to meet their idol in the flesh. He’ll only be there for a couple of hours so what could possibly go wrong? Fast forward to the 1980s to find out….

Review: The Goodbye Girl at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

The Goodbye Girl 
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Friday 6th February 2015
★★★

Based on the 1977 movie, Marvin Hamlisch, David Zippel and Neil Simon's musical adaptation of The Goodbye Girl first opened on Broadway in 1993 starring Bernadette Peters and Martin Short.

The show centres around an unemployed dancer and single mother Paula (played by Rebecca Bainbridge)  who, following a mix up, finds herself having to share an apartment with Elliot (played by Paul Keating), a struggling stage actor. 

Review: Singin' in the Rain at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Singin' in the Rain 
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Friday 19th December 2014
★★★★

I caught Chichester's recent production of Singin' in the Rain several times so was intrigued to see how such a big glamorous musical would work in such a small theatre. John Plews' production works a treat. The small cast have to work twice as hard. They burst with energy and carry the piece from beginning to end.

Casting announced for The Goodbye Girl at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Casting has been announced for the upcoming revival of Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl.

The production opens at Upstairs at the Gatehouse on Friday 6th February 2015 (previews from 4th February) and runs until Saturday 28th February 2015.

The Goodbye Girl is described as a "wry, warm-hearted musical comedy". It is based on Neil Simon's Academy Award and Golden Globe award winning film, with score by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by David Zippel.

Rebecca Bainbridge (Mamma Mia/Cabaret) will star as Paula and Paul Keating (The Wizard of Oz/Tick Tick Boom, pictured right) will star as Elliot. The role of Lucy will be shared between Shannon Beach and Olivia Hallett. 

Full casting announced for Singin' in the Rain at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Casting has been announced for Ovation's production of Singin' in the Rain. The musical opens at Upstairs at the Gatehouse on 19th December 2014 (previews from 17th December) and runs until 25th January 2015.

Simon Adkins (Viva Forever/Jersey Boys, pictured right) will lead the cast as Don Lockwood. He will star alongside Frankie Jenna (Candide/Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Kathy Selden and Paul Harwood as Cosmo Brown.

The cast also includes: Thea Jo Wolfe as Lina Lamont, Nick Barclay as R F Simpson and Samuel Haughton as Roscoe Dexter. Martin Steven Carlton, Lindsay Atherton, Vicky Longland, Emily Wigley, Will Ferris and Matt Jolly complete the cast.

London Fringe Production of the Year: The Full Result

We can officially reveal the full result of our London Fringe Production of the Year Award. Ovation's production of Avenue Q triumphed in the publicly voted for award, out of twelve nominated fringe shows. 

WINNER

Avenue Q

Upstairs at the Gatehouse

32% of the final vote

Avenue Q wins 'London Fringe Production of the Year' Award

Ovation's production of Avenue Q  has won West End Frame's 'London Fringe Production of the Year' Award, voted for by the theatregoing public.

Speaking to West End Frame, Ovation's John and Katie Plews said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised by West End Frame and would like to say a massive thank you to all who saw Avenue Q and voted for us”.

The adult Sesame Street-style show, written by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, ran at fringe theatre Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate between May and June this year. Ovation are Upstairs at the Gatehouse's in-house company who produce several shows each year. Their latest production, the fringe premiere of Kiss Me Kate, officially opened earlier this week to rave reviews.

Alice in Wonderland (St Paul’s Church) comes second and Rent (Tabard Theatre) comes third. Click here for the full result.

Review: Kiss Me Kate at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Kiss Me Kate
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 17th December 2013

There is nothing worse than seeing an awful fringe show, but there is nothing better than discovering a world class production hidden away above a pub in Highgate. This Christmas Ovation have staged the fringe premiere of Kiss Me Kate which was last seen in London this time last year when Chichester's production of the musical transferred to the Old Vic. When this production was announced, having seen Chichester's brilliant staging, I wondered how such a huge musical could work in such a small theatre... but John Plew's production has blown me away.

Full casting announced for fringe premiere of Kiss Me Kate at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Full casting has been announced for the fringe premiere of the the award-winning hit Broadway musical Kiss Me Kate. 

The production opens on 17th December 2013 (previews from 12th December) and runs until 26th January 2014. The musical, which won five Tony Awards, has music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Sam & Bella Spewack.

Lilli Vanessi (Katherine) will be played by Sabrina Carter (who was nominated for West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award in 2012). Sabrina's theatre credits include: One Man, Two Guvnors (International Tour), The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre) and Oliver (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). She also understudied and played Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Full casting announced for When Midnight Strikes at Upstairs At The Gatehouse

Full casting has been announced for When Midnight Strikes which opens at Upstairs At The Gatehouse on 13th September (previews from 11th September) and runs until 29th September 2013. 

Kevin Hammonds and Charles Miller's musical previously enjoyed a sold at run at the Finborough Theatre in 2007 and has been produced all around the world with productions in New York, Norway and Australia.

The cast includes: Miranda Wilford (Jennifer West), Ashley Emerson (Christopher West), Jessica Anne Ball (Josephina), Victoria Croft (Zoe), Tom Millen (Greg West), Stephanie Parker (Nicole), Newley Aucutt (Edward), Tash Holway (Rachel), John Hicks (Bradley), Sarah Harlington (Twyla), Samuel Parker (Alex), and Lucyelle Cliffe (Murial)

Upstairs at the Gatehouse to host fringe premiere of Kiss Me Kate this Christmas

It had been announced that Upstairs at the Gatehouse will host the fringe premiere of Kiss Me Kate later this year. The production will open on 17th December 2013 (previews from 12th December) and run until 26th January 2014.

Featuring music and lyrics by Cole Porter with book by Sam and Bella Spewack, Kiss Me Kate is an exuberant show-within-a-show that throws together the worlds of gun-toting gangsters, sparring actors and romantic entanglements against a backdrop of a musical production of The Taming of the Shrew.

The show was recently revived at the Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by Trevor Nunn. The production, which starred Hannah Waddingham and Alex Bourne (pictured right), later transferred to The Old Vic.