Editor's Blog: Top 10 Shows of 2015

10

The Ruling Class

directed by Jamie Lloyd at Trafalgar Studios

Photo by Simon Annand

Wild and unpredictable, The Ruling Class is probably the most bonkers play I saw all year. James McAvoy gave a stellar performance as a paranoid schizophrenic in Peter Barnes' play. Jamie Lloyd's production had absolutely no boundaries, it seemed nothing was off limits. I still can't decide whether I was moved or disturbed by Lloyd's top notch, thought-provokingly enthralling production.

Read our 4* review of The Ruling Class

9

Carrie

directed by Gary Lloyd at the Southwark Playhouse

Photo by Claire Bilyard

Known as the most expensive flop in Broadway history, 2015 saw Carrie The Musical finally make its long-awaited London premiere. As expected there was plenty of death and blood, but - thanks to a strong performance from the perfectly cast Evelyn Hoskins - the production also had a great deal of heart. I have no idea why it took so long to bring Carrie to London; Gary Lloyd's production certainly has potential for future life. Behind the blood and beyond the darkness is a touching story of self-discovery, and I loved every second.

Read our 5* review of Carrie

Check out our interview with Evelyn Hoskins

8

Hangmen

directed by Matthew Dunster at the Royal Court & Wyndham's Theatre

Photo by Helen Maybanks

Editor's Blog: Kay Murphy saves the day!

Last Monday (2nd November) West End actress Kay Murphy innocently attended press night of Xanadu at the Southwark Playhouse, enjoyed the show and made a remark to a friend about how she loved Alison Jiear's character Melpomene. Seven days later Murphy is told Jiear is unwell and is asked to learn the role in 24 hours...

Last month I was taken aback by the craziness of roller skating Broadway musical Xanadu which is currently receiving its UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse. Following a magical Greek muse sent from the heavens of Mount Olympus to inspire a struggling artist in California, Xanadu is "bold, bizarre and camper than Christmas".

I was keen to see the show again so yesterday bought a last minute ticket to the evening performance. After being let into the theatre a little late, director Paul Warwick Griffin took to the stage and first explained that there had been some technical issues with the lighting. 

Xanadu cancels tonight's performance at the Southwark Playhouse

Tonight's performance of roller skating Broadway musical Xanadu at the Southwark Playhouse has been cancelled due to cast illness.

Ticket holders should contact the Southwark Playhouse to transfer their tickets or arrange a refund.

A statement posted on Twitter reads: "Due to cast illness tonight's performance of Xanadu has been cancelled. We're trying to get in touch with everyone who has booked. If you have tix please call 020 7407 0234 to transfer/refund."

Marking its UK premiere, Xanadu began previews at the Southwark Playhouse on 16th October before opening officially on 2nd November. It runs to 21st November 2015. 

Review: Xanadu at the Southwark Playhouse

Xanadu
Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed on Thursday 29th October 2015

★★★★

Bold, bizarre and camper than Christmas, Xanadu is the craziest musical EVER. 

Carly Anderson stars as Kira, a magical Greek muse sent from the heavens of Mount Olympus to inspire struggling artist Sonny (Samuel Edwards) in California. Based on the 1980s cult movie which starred Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly, the roller skating musical premiered on Broadway in 2007 where it broke box office records and was a huge success.

Jeff Lynne and John Farrar's score is frighteningly catchy whilst Douglas Carter Beane's script has no boundaries and features some ridiculously funny moments. Xanadu tells a chaotic story of forbidden love - it takes a while to adjust to the craziness; at first it's overwhelming, but I loved every second and left the Southwark Playhouse absolutely buzzing.

Marking the first time Xanadu has ever been staged in the UK, Paul Warwick Griffin's production works well in the intimacy of the Southwark Playhouse. It didn't feel like I was watching a small show with a cast of nine because the musical numbers are so big (Nathan M. Wright's choreography is terrific) and the audience's reaction was huge. Morgan Large's design is spot on, the costumes and wigs really are something else.

Big Interview: Samuel Edwards

Samuel Edwards is starring as Sonny in the UK premiere of roller skating Broadway musical Xanadu.

Following two weeks of previews, Xanadu officially opens tonight (2nd November) at the Southwark Playhouse where it runs until 21st November 2015. 

Based on the 1980s cult film, Xanadu originally opened on Broadway in 2007 where it ran for over 500 performances and was nominated for four Tony Awards. The score features the movie's chart topping songs including 'Magic', 'Suddenly', 'I’m Alive', 'Evil Woman', 'All Over the World' and 'Xanadu'.

Sam recently starred as Fiyero in the UK and Ireland tour of Wicked, having previously understudied the role in the West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. His credits also include: understudy Sam Wheat in Ghost The Musical (Piccadilly), Feuilly in Les Misérables (Queen's) and The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air). 

I recently spoke to Sam about embracing the cheesiness of Xanadu, what people can expect from the show and how he has found the roller skating. We also discussed his year as Fiyero, why Ghost was such a special show for him and what he got up to in a previous life…

How much did you know about Xanadu before this production came up?

If I’m honest with you I had never heard of the film! Someone mentioned the show to me back in February this year so it was on my radar. I remember typing it into YouTube and watching their performance at the Tonys and thinking, ‘This looks awesome’! I had never really heard any of the songs before – they’re 80s hits apparently [laughs] from before my time. It wasn’t until the auditions came around that I thought I should probably buy the DVD. I got about half an hour into the film… and just couldn’t take it anymore! I know it’s a cult film and everything, but I thought it was diabolical! It is awful [laughs]! But the show is very different and did so well on Broadway.

Casting announced for UK premiere of Xanadu

Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Xanadu.

Directed by Paul Warwick Griffin, the production opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 2nd November (previews from 16th October) and runs until 21st November 2015. 

The cast includes: Carly Anderson as Kira, Samuel Edwards as Sonny, Alison Jiear as Melpomene, Lizzy Connolly as Calliope, Micha Richardson as Erato, Joel Burman as Terpsicore, Nicholas Duncan as Thalia and Emily McGougan as Euterpe.

Broadway musical Xanadu to receive UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse

It has been announced that Tony Award nominated Broadway musical comedy Xanadu will receive its UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse later this year.

Directed by Paul Warwick Griffin, the production will open on 3rd November (previews from 16th October) and run until 21st November 2015.

With book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, Xanadu is based on the 1980s cult movie classic which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. The score features the movie's chart topping songs including 'Magic', 'Suddenly', 'I’m Alive', 'Evil Woman', 'All Over the World' and 'Xanadu'.