Monthly Obsessions! October 2016

Actress - Eva Noblezada

This ‘Mexic-Asian’ superstar burst onto the West End stage in 2014, making her professional debut in the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon at just 18 years old. The cinema screening of Miss Saigon’s 25th Anniversary performance was an overwhelming success with Miss Noblezada receiving widespread acclaim for her incredible performance. You can now see Eva in Les Miserables as Eponine at the Queen’s Theatre. Be sure to catch her before she flies away to Broadway to reprise her role as Kim in 2017! Tickets available here.

Actor – Johnathan Sayer

Jonathan is an Olivier award-winning writer and the company director of Mischief Theatre working as a writer, actor and producer. Nothing short of a comedic genius, Sayer wins our Actor of the Month prize Having previously performed in The Play That Goes Wrong, and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, as well as co-writing them both, Sayer can now be seen starring in The Comedy About A Bank Robbery as Warren Slax. Tickets start at £20, and the show is now booking until October 2017.

THE COLOR PURPLE will close on Broadway on January 18, 2017

The Color Purple, named Best Revival in the 2016 Tony Awards, has posted a closing notice for January 18, 2017.

Directed by John Doyle and starring Cynthia Erivo, who won the Tony as Best Actress in a Musical, the revival opened December 10, 2015 and will have played 33 previews and 449 regular performances when it closes.

A North American tour of the production will launch in the fall of 2017.

REVIEW: Chicago at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Chicago is a musical which the world has adored for many years. Brought to the masses in the Academy Award winning film (2002) starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere, this show is all about murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts… and so begins the international award winning Broadway and West End musical, Chicago!

Further casting announced for SHE LOVES ME at the Menier Chocolate Factory

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that Scarlett Strallen(Amalia Balash) will be joined by Alastair Brookshaw (Ladislav Sipos), Les Dennis (Mr Maraczek), Callum Howells (Arpad Laszlo), Katherine Kingsley(Ilona Ritter), Dominic Tighe (Steven Kodaly) and Mark Umbers (Georg Nowack), with Rachel Bingham, Peter Dukes, Luke Fetherston, Olivia Fines,Aimee Hodnett, Sarah-Marie Maxwell and Vincent Pirillo for the company’s major revival of She Loves Me this Christmas. The production reunites Strallen with director Matthew White, following their previous collaboration at the Menier on Candide. The production opens on 7 December, with previews from 25 November, and runs until 5 March 2017. Full casting will be announced shortly.

Meet Amalia and Georg, who work as clerks in Maraczek’s Parfumerie - and aren’t exactly the best of friends.  However, they have something in common.  They both rapturously write to romantic pen pals.  Despite the anonymity of their secret admirers, they live for the love letters that they exchange and the day they will finally meet.   This enduring love story has been the basis for the films The Shop around the Corner and You’ve GotMail.  The musical version – written by the authors of Fiddler on the Roof – has delighted audiences since its 1963 Broadway premier and features a sparkling score that includes now-classic songs Ice Cream and A Trip to the Library.

REVIEW: No's Knife at the Old Vic

Samuel Beckett’s single-voice Texts for Nothing had never been intended for the stage and, for this reason, lack the usual rigorous author’s stage direction. Nonetheless, theatrical wonder Lisa Dwan embarked on the challenging task of co-directing and performing its adaptation No’s Knife, presented at the Old Vic for its world premiere.

Despite the power with which Beckett’s words take shape through the voice and silences of the actress, I’ve found the speech quite hard to follow, with its meaning hidden behind broken sentences and many rhetoric questions. In the writer’s style, this reflects the attempt to come to terms with the horrors of the second world war and his dramatic direct involvement with the French Resistance.

REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

What better way is there to celebrate #WorldBalletDay than to go and see a live performance of the most famous love story of all time! The Northern Ballet presents: Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s Romeo and Juliet. 

“Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life…”

Simply put, this production is amazing. It’s understated; not brash and loud, but carefully choreographed with a wonderfully youthful and playful feel. The modern choreography is enchanting. While some will beg to differ, classical ballet can sometimes be abit… long. This revival of Romeo and Juliet runs for just under 2 hours 30, including a 15 minute interval, so for those who may be concerned they’ll get restless, fear not. If anything, you’ll be left wanting more. 

WICKED 10: Gregor Stewart

Firstly, tell us what part you played and what year(s) you were in the company! 

I was in the 2009/10 cast when Alexia Khadime was Elphaba, I was Ensemble and understudy Fiyero.

Do you remember seeing WICKED for the first time? When and where was it?

I do, I saw it in Previews when Idina Menzil was playing Elphaba, that night one of the big Flat heads (think that's what they are called... Big costume with clown feet) fell over and just lay there for one of the stage management to come out and drag them off stage it was hilarious. Also the Oz Head didn't work and Idina performed a time step and said that's live theatre before walking off for a show stop, it was brilliant.

Did you ever think you’d be in the show one day?

I remember watching Wicked with my Parents and saying to my mum "I'll play that part one day" and a year later I got the chance, I was so proud that night.

WICKED 10: Gary Wood

Firstly, tell us what part you played and what year(s) you were in the company!

I joined the second cast in 2007 as a member of the ensemble and stayed a further two years until 2010 as a crossover swing. That meant I covered all 9 of the male ensemble.

Do you remember seeing WICKED for the first time? When and where was it?

I first saw the show in London not long after it opened. It was a Wednesday matinee and the entire principle cast were on including Idina Menzel. I hadn't listened to the soundtrack before going so I really knew nothing about the show. I just remember sitting, absolutely transfixed by the whole thing. I will never forget the thrill of seeing Elphaba fly for the first time!

REVIEW: Bit of Sunshine at Theatre 503

Written and directed by Nicole Zweiback, Bit of Sunshine is a one-woman play about youth at risk and eating disorders. Kira is a teenager whose parents died suddenly when she was only eight years old and the difficulty to cope with this loss is channelled immediately into bulimia.

The play starts in darkness and when the lights go up Kira is there, staring at the audience. Then, for a moment, it’s dark again and next Kira is on a different spot. The idea is good and could suggest the ubiquity of the disease but the effect is spoiled by the use of neon tubes that don’t switch on and off fast enough.

There is a stack of chairs in the corner and a window on the back wall, which will prove to have symbolic role within the play. It nods to the ‘bit of sunshine’ Kira can get into her room at the clinic but also to the loss of her friend Polly.

WICKED 10: Stevie Tate-Bauer

Firstly, tell us what part you played and what year(s) you were in the company! 
I was in the ensemble in 2010/2011. I was also 1st cover Elphaba and 1st cover Nessarose and during my time at Wicked, I was lucky enough to go on as Elphaba twice and I lost count of how many Nessarose shows I did! Lots!

Do you remember seeing WICKED for the first time? When and where was it?
I saw the Original London Cast 10 years ago at the Apollo Victoria and I was absolutely spellbound. From that day onwards, it was my aim to be in the show!

Did you ever think you’d be in the show one day?
Although I had a burning passion to be in Wicked and also get to play Elphaba, it still came as quite a shock when I received the phonecall from my Agent  saying the job was mine!

What is your best memory from your time at WICKED?
My first show as Elphaba. I had it in my contract that I would go on and so the audience was filled with so many of my family and friends supporting me. I was overwhelmed by the whole experience and felt after that night, I really had lived my dream and felt fulfilled as an actress.

WICKED 10: Gareth Chart

Firstly, tell us what part you played and what year(s) you were in the company! 

I played Frex, Elhpaba's father and I understudied and played Doctor Dillamond and the Wizard in 2010 and 2011.

Do you remember seeing WICKED for the first time? When and where was it?

I remember seeing Wicked for the first time in its first year, I had some friends in the show and I got to see Kerry Ellis and Olly together which was awesome. And the brilliant Martin Ball as Doctor Dillamond.

Did you ever think you’d be in the show one day?

I didn't really imagine being in the show when I saw it because I didn't know what I could really do in it! I danced a bit but nowhere near the level of the choreography of Wicked, i'm not short enough to play Boq I'm not handsome enough to play Fiyero! Of course as it turned out all it took was a shaving of the head and some make up and I just about got away with being in it!

WICKED 10: Lauren James Ray

Firstly, tell us what part you played and what year(s) you were in the company! 

I first joined WICKED in 2009 as ensemble (fainting girl some people call it) and 2nd cover Nessarose and left in 2011. I rejoined WICKED originally for 5 months during 2014 as ensemble (fainting girl), shared 1st Glinda, 2nd Nessarose. I then continued my contract until 2016 as first cover Nessarose, 2nd cover Glinda. All in all I’ve been a part of the show for 4.5 years!

Do you remember seeing WICKED for the first time? When and where was it?

I do! It was in London 2006 and it was my birthday treat. 

Did you ever think you’d be in the show one day?

From seeing the show, I knew I wanted to do it and I always hoped I’d be in it. I was thrilled when I finally got to be a part of it in 2009 and even more so when I went back in to it in 2014 with a Glinda cover.

WICKED 10: Christopher Howell

Firstly, tell us what part you played and what year(s) you were in the company! 

 I played Doctor Dillamond from 2011 to 2013 (22 months) and I had the best time.

Do you remember seeing WICKED for the first time? When and where was it?
I first saw Wicked when it opened in London. I remember the huge buzz about the show and it certainly delivered. I also remember thinking that I would never be in the show as I could not place myself in it. 

What is your best memory from your time at WICKED?
My best memories of my time there would be to do with the fantastic cast and audiences' there. I think Rachel Tucker's last night was absolutely incredible as she sung as if her life depended on it and the audience ate it up! I made many good friends there so there are many memories. Also, getting to work with Louise Plowright again was a joy - I miss her.