Review: Hobson's Choice at the Vaudeville Theatre

Hobson's Choice 

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 15th June 2016

★★★★

Two years since it was last seen in London at the Open Air Theatre, Hobson's Choice has opened at the Vaudeville Theatre. Jonathan Church's production, which ran in Bath earlier this year, stars Martin Shaw who gives a stellar performance as boot-shop owner Henry Hobson. 

Review: Hand To God at the Vaudeville Theatre

Hand To God

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 15th February 2016

★★★★

Never in my life have I seen a play vaguely comparable to Hand To God. Having played three off-Broadway seasons before transferring to the Great White Way for a nine month run, Robert Askins' comedy has now found its way to London. Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs an all British cast who offer some remarkable performances as the evening progresses.

Review: Dawn French - 30 Million Minutes at the Vaudeville Theatre

Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes
Vaudeville Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 12th November 2015
★★★

I think everybody needs a friend like Dawn French; I adore her strength, spirit and attitude towards life. In her solo show 30 Million Minutes, French delves into her personal life and offers an insight into various experiences as well as the relationships she shares with those closest to her. Subjects include 'how to be a mum' and 'how to be a wife'; plus, French dissects her body and speaks openly about the truth behind headlines from over the years. 

Comedian Bill Bailey brings solo show to the West End

Bill Bailey is bringing his solo show Limboland to the West End for a limited Christmas run.

The production will open at the Vaudeville Theatre on 10th December 2015 and close on Sunday 17th January 2016.

The subject of Limboland is described as "the gap between how we imagine our lives to be and how they really are".

Review: Just Jim Dale at the Vaudeville Theatre

Just Jim Dale
Vaudeville Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 28th May 2015
★★★★

Best known in the UK for starring in eleven Carry On films and in the US for narrating the Harry Potter audiobook series, Jim Dale returns to the Vaudeville Theatre (where he appeared in his first musical, The Wayward Way, fifty years ago) with his one-man show Just Jim Dale.

Big Interview: Jim Dale – “I wouldn’t change anything!”

Following a successful off-Broadway run, Jim Dale is bringing his one man show Just Jim Dale to the West End next month.

The production will open at the Vaudeville Theatre (where Jim made his West End musical debut in 1965 in The Wayward Way) on 28th May (previews from 26th May) for a limited season until 20th June 2015.

The Tony Award winner, two-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Academy Award nominee is best known in the UK for starring in eleven Carry On films and in the US for narrating the Harry Potter audiobook series and starring in the ABC series Pushing Daisies. 

From starting out as the youngest professional comedian on the British Music Hall stage, Jim’s career has been remarkably varied; he is a singer, dancer, comedian, Shakespearean actor, musical theatre star and raconteur. In Just Jim Dale, Jim takes audiences on a journey through an unequalled career in the theatre with a myriad of irresistible showbiz tales, songs and performances. 

In 1970 Sir Laurence Olivier invited Jim to join the National Theatre as a leading actor. As well as originating the title role in Barnum opposite Glenn Close, Jim’s Broadway credits include Scapino, Joe Egg, Me And My Girl, Candide and The Threepenny Opera. He also played Fagin in Oliver at the London Palladium in 1995.

I recently sat down with Jim to discuss how he knew the time was right to write Just Jim Dale and why he thinks the show will surprise people. We also talked about his incredible career, how he created Barnum's big entrance and why he doesn't have an agent... plus Miss Saigon's Richard Maltby Jr (director of Just Jim Dale) popped in for a chat...

Is a one man show something you had been thinking about doing for a while? I read somewhere that you first had the idea in 1973!

That’s true! I’ll tell you what, in 1973 I thought, ‘Wow, I’ve been doing this since 1955 so that’s twenty years of experience I could put into a one man show.’ But now I realise I wouldn’t have had much to put in it! I think it would have been nice to do this maybe ten years ago, I was probably more agile and could have done it for much longer… once I get that ramp leading up to the stage for a wheelchair in ten years we’ll do it [laughs]. Anyway, the fact is after all these years there are obviously so many more memories and so many more things that have happened. In 1975 I was not who I am now; I thought I knew it all – that’s what we all think in the early days, but then you realise that you’re still learning.

Competition: Win a pair of tickets to see Just Jim Dale at the Vaudeville Theatre!

We are giving away a pair of tickets to Just Jim Dale at the Vaudeville Theatre. To enter the competition, simply sign up to West End Frame's mailing list below.

The winner will be randomly selected at 10am on Thursday 5th March 2015 (entries after this time will not be included). The prize excludes Saturday performances.

Even if you already subscribe to West End Frame's newsletter you still have to input your details below to enter this particular competition. You will not receive our newsletter twice (assuming you enter the same email address). Please read the terms and conditions below.

Tony Award winner, two-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Academy Award nominee Jim Dale will bring his critically acclaimed show, Just Jim Dale, to the Vaudeville Theatre this May, following his huge Off-Broadway success in New York.

Review: Di and Viv and Rose at the Vaudeville Theatre

Di and Viv and Rose
Vaudeville Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd February 2015
★★★★

Plays like Di and Viv and Rose don't come along very often. Playwright Amelia Bullmore allows her audience to live and breathe the friendship shared between these three women from when they join forces at uni aged eighteen right through to facing the troubles of adulthood.

Just Jim Dale to open at the Vaudeville Theatre in May for limited run

Following his huge off-Broadway success, Jim Dale will bring his show Just Jim Dale to London’s West End in May this year.

Just Jim Dale opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 28th May (previews from 26th May). Jim made his musical debut at the same theatre in the 1965 production of The Wayward Way. Just Jim Dale will run for a limited season, concluding on 20th June 2015.

Jim Dale is one of the world’s great stage entertainers: singer, dancer, comedian, Shakespearean actor, raconteur. 

Review: The Wind in the Willows at the Vaudeville Theatre

The Wind in the Willows

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 4th December

★★★★★

Last year The Wind in the Willows took me by surprise and cast me under its spell. One year on, the Royal Opera House's production has returned to the West End and is more transfixing than ever.

Interview: Anna-Jane Casey, star of Forbidden Broadway

Anna-Jane Casey is currently starring in Forbidden Broadway which has transferred to the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre following a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Forbidden Broadway is a comical musical sketch show which takes the mick of current West End shows as well as legendary West End and Broadway stars. Anna-Jane previously starred in the show’s 2009 run at the Chocolate Factory.

This updated version of the show feature special ‘tributes’ to the likes of The Book of Mormon, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once, Matilda, Wicked and Miss Saigon as well as Idina Menzel, Robert Lindsay, Kristen Chenoweth and Elaine Paige. 

Anna-Jane recently finished starring as Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace). Her other recent roles include The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Playhouse) and Jenny in Company (Sheffield Crucible). Just a few of Anna-Jane’s countless West End credits include: Cats, Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out of the Blue, Grease, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago, My One and Only and On Your Toes. 

Anna-Jane famously played the title role in Sweet Charity (Sheffield Crucible) whilst her other off-West End and regional credits include: Piaf (Sheffield Crucible), Sunday in the Park with George (Menier Chocolate Factory), Hobson’s Choice, Mack and Mabel and Radio Times (all Watermill in Newbury), Aladdin (Hackney Empire), Comedy of Errors (Regent’s Park), Bells Are Ringing (Union) and Guys and Dolls (Cadogan Hall).

I recently caught up with Anna-Jane to discuss why working with Christina Bianco makes her feel like Elle Macpherson, who taught her to swear in Czech, turning into an old stagey cow and why she’s having a fun but exhausting time in Forbidden Broadway…

You starred in Forbidden Broadway last time around so did you need any persuading to come back and do it at the Chocolate Factory again?

Well I was working at Billy Elliot and my agent said to me, “I think they’re going to do Forbidden Broadway again” and I just said, “Oh my god please let me be able to do that again!” Sophie Louise Dann and I had done the show five years previously and we were both just thrilled to be able to do it again because it is such a laugh! It is knackering, but hilarious! There’s nothing better than having people point and laugh at you and getting paid for it… well it’s better than falling over in the street and having people pointing and laughing at you [laughs].

Review: Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre

Forbidden Broadway

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 15th September 2014

★★★★

Do you have a passion for theatre? Have you seen your fair share of musicals? Are you up for a good laugh? If so, have you booked tickets to see Forbidden Broadway?!

Following its successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory - London's leading off-West End venue - Forbidden Broadway has once again found its way into the West End. Making fun out of London's biggest musicals, the show has been updated to ensure it is as relevant and current as possible. 

Forbidden Broadway features musical sketches based upon the likes of Miss Saigon, Book of Mormon, Once, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Mis, Wicked, Phantom, Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia. Shows which have been added to the line-up include Evita, Cats and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Phillip George's production is broken up with nods to some of theatre’s biggest stars including Liza Minnelli, Idina Menzel, Elaine Paige and Angela Lansbury. As Christina Bianco has also joined the cast, it would have been silly not to add a special Kristin Chenoweth section. Bianco's impression is tremendously spot on and provided my personal highlight of the evening.

Alan Titchmarsh makes West End debut in The Wind in the Willows

Alan Titchmarsh is set to make his West End debut as the narrator in The Wind in the Willows. 

Following an acclaimed West End run last year at the Duchess Theatre, the Royal Opera House’s production is returning this Christmas for a limited run at the Vaudeville Theatre between Thursday 4th December 2014 (previews from 26th November) and Saturday 17th January 2015. 

The story is brought to life through song, music, dance and puppetry. The production is directed and choreographed by Will Tuckett, Full casting will be announced soon. Click here to read West End Frame's ★★★★★ review of the show.

Interview: Sarah Goddard, starring in Hetty Feather

Sarah Goddard is currently starring as Peg/Ida in Hetty Feather at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Adapted from Jacqueline Wilson's popular novel, Hetty Feather recently transferred to the West End for 40 performances only. The West End transfer follows the production's critically acclaimed and hugely popular run at the Rose Theatre in Kingston and a smash-hit international tour.

The story has been brought to life on stage by script writer Emma Reeves and director Sally Cookson. Jacqueline Wilson’s tale of fiery and feisty Hetty Feather runs until Saturday 6th September with a family-friendly performance schedule.

Sarah has enjoyed taking part in a range of theatre over the years. Her family theatre credits include: Cinderella (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Them With Frozen Tails (Nottingham/Network of Stuff), Jack (York Theatre Royal) and The Borrowers (Mac Birmingham). 

Other credits include: Mistress Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (OSC), Katherine in The Taming of The Shrew (The Orange Tree), Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Sprite), Roxanne in Cyrano (OSC), Maria in Twelfth Night (Bold ‘n’ Saucy), Mephistophilis in Dr. Faustus (Brute Farce), Rossignol in Marat/Sade (Arcola).

Sarah has also appeared in physical, devised and site specific theatre with various innovative companies. Her most recent credits include: The Clock Stopped at 8:19 (Connect) and Bluebeard in Brompton Cemetery. She also works as a drama practitioner and facilitator.

I recently spoke to Sarah about the huge success of Hetty Feather, Jacqueline Wilson's involvement and taking part in a week of circus training in preparation for the show…

What were your first impressions when this show came up? Had you read the book?

The whole thing was a surprise really! I knew Sally (Cookson, director) from a long time ago, but hadn’t worked with her. I went along to an audition without time to even read the book. I picked up my little lady from school and my little boy from nursery and we dashed across London. I’ve wanted to work with Sally for a long time and it all came together rather beautifully. Sally does very nice auditions! I read the book which is quite an epic with a Jane Eyre type story which covers Hetty from birth to the age of about 10 to 11 years old. It’s a very lively feisty story about someone with tenacity and spirit. 

Review: Hetty Feather at the Vaudeville Theatre

Hetty Feather 

Vaudeville Theatre 

Reviewed on Wednesday 6th August 2014

★★★★★

Jacqueline Wilson is an author I've always looked up to as a writer. Not only does she cast a spell with the stories she writes, but because her characters are so real their personalities shine through her words so that readers immediately associate with them.

Forbidden Broadway transfers to West End; Christina Bianco joins cast

It has been announced that Forbidden Broadway will transfer to the West End following its successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

The production will open at the Vaudeville Theatre on Tuesday 9th September for a limited eleven week run ending on Saturday 22nd November 2014.

Current cast members Damian Humbley, Anna-Jane Casey and Ben Lewis will star in the transfer alongside Christina Bianco. As well as being a YouTube sensation, Bianco has appeared in the New York production of Forbidden Broadway.

Michael Morpurgo's I Believe in Unicorns transfers to Vaudeville Theatre

It has been announced that Wizard Presents' production of I Believe in Unicorns will transfer to the West End's Vaudeville Theatre.

Based on the eponymous book by award-winning children's author Michael Morpurgo, the show will run between 8th and 31st August 2014  following a hugely successful run at last year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe and an Arts Council-supported National Tour. 

Michael Morpurgo said: "It is wonderful that a magic unicorn is coming to town, a unicorn like no other. A horse, like War Horse is one thing - also like no other - but a unicorn? No one will believe it until they see it, but a unicorn, once seen, like the horse, like Joey, is always believed."

Royal Opera House's The Wind in the Willows returns to West End this Christmas

It has been announced that Will Tuckett's production of The Wind in the Willows will return to the West End this December.

Last year the production's transferred to the Duchess Theatre, marking the Royal Opera House's first commercial West End transfer. The production, which was named Best Entertainment and Family at the 2014 Olivier Awards, will this year run for eight weeks at the Vaudeville Theatre. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 15th July.

Based on Kenneth Grahame's timeless classic, the adventures of four woodland friends are retold through dance, song, music and puppetry. From a dusty old attic a wonderful tale unfolds; the peaceful riverbank world is rocked by a speeding car, a racing train and criminal deeds cooked up in the Wild Wood.

Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather transfers to Vaudeville Theatre

It has been announced that Jacqueline Wilson’s tale of fiery and feisty Hetty Feather will transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre this summer with a family friendly performance schedule. 

The West End transfer follows the production's critically acclaimed and hugely popular run at the Rose Theatre, Kingston and a smash-hit national/international tour. The story has been brought to life on stage by script writer Emma Reeves and director Sally Cookson. 

Hetty Feather opens on Wednesday 6th August (previews from 5th August) and runs until Saturday 6th September. The cast includes: Phoebe Thomas (Hetty Feather), Matt Costain (Jem/Matron Bottomly), Sarah Goddard (Peg/Ida), Nikki Warwick (Madame Adeline), Isaac Stanmore (Saul), Paul Mundell (Gideon) and Luke Potter (Musician).

Discussing the transfer, Jacqueline Wilson said: “I'm so thrilled with the stage version of Hetty Feather – and this deserved West End transfer. I couldn't have asked for a more inventive director, a better adaptor, or more fabulous cast. Phoebe Thomas is wonderful as Hetty, perfectly capturing her spirit. I've watched the show five times - and every child and adult I've spoken to agrees with me that the stage show is fantastic. You laugh, you cry, you gasp - and at the end you'll clap until your hands ache."

Review: Handbagged at the Vaudeville Theatre

Handbagged

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 10th April 2014

Although I was born in the 1980s, I wasn't even at nursery school by the time Margaret Thatcher's reign at Downing Street was over. However, I did meet Baroness Thatcher when I was older and always found her to be a charming and very clever woman. So, as an admirer of both her and the Queen I was intrigued to see how Moira Buffini would explore the relationship between these two women on stage.