Review: Oslo

Hey readers!
It's time for my review of Oslo.
I had tried to see Oslo during my last trip to New York back in August 2016, but it was sold out and I couldn't get any tickets. I was absolutely delighted when I read the news that Oslo would be transferring to Broadway, so I'd be able to get the chance to finally see it. I find the play utterly fascinating, due to the historic teachings that the show brings. The show follows the peace agreements between Israel and Palestine. Orchestrating the peace agreements were a husband and wife team of politicians from Norway. It's quite amazing that at the end of the day, all it took to begin the peace agreements were a determined husband and wife from Norway. It really does show that you can do anything that you put your mind to! The play keeps the audience on the  edge of their seats throughout, it was able to keep my attention for the vast majority of the show (which is extremely hard to do, considering it was three hours). Funnily enough, it actually seemed shorter than other shows which are only 2 and a half hours *cough* Present Laughter *cough*. The play is structured very well, in a way that keeps the tension throughout. The show is performed by a top notch cast with no weak links whatsoever. I cannot fault any of the cast, each and every single one of them are so talented. I can't even pick any standouts, because they all did such an excellent job! I was very impressed with both the lighting and sound design, they were excellent. The show uses video projections, which is extremely well done. One of my critiques for the show is that I felt the stage was way too big for the show, especially as the set is very small. Perhaps if they had made a bigger set it would have suited it better, but it didn't feel right to have Oslo on such a big stage. This is nothing major and does not spoil the show itself. My other critique for the show is that I feel it could be cut down possibly by 20 minutes. When telling people about the show, they've loved the sound of it, up until the point where I mention it's three hours. Even though the time goes by pretty quickly, I still think the show would benefit from this time cut.

The featured star of Oslo is, drum roll please... JEFFERSON MAYS!

This is a cast full of wonderful actors, so I could have chosen anyone for this. However, having to choose, I'd go with Jefferson. I saw him in April 2015 in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and thought he was brilliant. To see him onstage again was great, he is a wonderful performer! After seeing this, I have truly been shown he is extremely versatile.

Now for my final verdict on Oslo. I give Oslo...

This rating was quite an easy decision to make; it's brilliant and deserved 4 stars with no doubt. It's a fascinating storyline with a wonderful cast; what more could be wanted from a play? It's not quite a 5 star, but I still loved it.

Think it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below. 

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer

Review: Amélie

Hey readers!
It's time for my review of Amélie.
Amélie was originally on my "back-up shows" list, however in the end I had more time than I thought I would so I was able to see it. The main reason behind me wanting to see the show was to see  Phillipa Soo. I thought she was stunning in Hamilton and was curious to see how her newest project was going. This is going to be a tough review to write, because I have very mixed feelings. I enjoyed it, but there are a lot of things that are wrong with this show. If I'm honest, I found the show to be really weird. The show had everything, from a talking goldfish on a scooter, to one of the characters dying from being jumped on by a fat man, to Elton John jumping out of the television, to a singing and dancing gnome. I don't think there's anything quite like it. I just found it all to be so strange. Apart from the one song of 'Times Are Hard for Dreamers', I wasn't a big fan of the music. The music seemed somewhat lifeless and there were no catchy songs (apart from that one) that stayed in my head. It seemed the show was lacking heart, which I personally felt left it to be quite average. There's nothing about this show that makes it special, nor does it stand out from other shows. Luckily, that's all I have to say about the bad points of the show, time for positives! Phillipa Soo is phenomenal, just as I had expected. She is a stunning actress and a stunning singer. Phillipa Soo is the sole reason my attention was kept throughout. She is the absolute one thing that makes the show enjoyable. She is a treat to watch! I thought the set design was lovely and was really nice to look at. Even despite the shows flaws, I did still enjoy it and I (somewhat) related with Amélie, because the character was homeschooled and I have been homeschooled for various parts of my life. Is this a must-see show? No. Would I recommend it to those who are curious to see Phillipa Soo's new work? Absolutely!

The featured star of Amélie is, drum roll please... PHILLIPA SOO!

What really makes Phillipa Soo's performance a success is the fact she's not in the greatest musical, however she's doing her very best to make it great and it really shows. Whether you liked the show, or you disliked the show, it seems that everyone agrees that Phillipa Soo is amazing!

Now for my final verdict on Amélie. I give Amélie...

I give this rating because, it is a show with quite a few flaws, but it has many good qualities which is what makes it a three star.

This it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer

Review: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Hey readers!
It's time for my review of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
I first saw Sweeney Todd back in April 2015 at the London Coliseum, where it became one of my favourite musicals of all time (it's in the top 5). Since seeing it two years ago, I've always wanted to see it again live to get a deeper understanding of the show and to catch any parts that I may have missed. I was thrilled to be able to get that opportunity on my trip to New York! I had tried to see this production whilst it was in London, but it was sold out. I was finally able to see this production! It was really interesting to see a different version of the show. Sweeney Todd can be staged in many, many different ways. The intimacy of the the Harrington's Pie Shop set is extremely unique and works brilliantly, especially during the more dramatic moments of the show (and there's tons of those!). There is something really special about this production and I urge all Sweeney Todd fans to do their best to get a ticket for this stunning production. The cast are phenomenal and each bring a lot to the show. Despite there only being 8 cast members, they create an incredible atmosphere. Jeremy Secomb, who played Sweeney Todd, was by far the best Sweeney I have seen. I have seen two other Sweeney's (Bryn Terfel at the London Coliseum and Johnny Depp in the film), but neither of them are near Jeremy's level of talent. He was absolutely terrifying, especially during his great interaction with the audience. He also has a very good voice. Siobhan McCarthy, who played Mrs. Lovett, was hilarious and absolutely nailed the comedic parts of the show. Matt Doyle and Alex Finke, as Anthony and Johanna, made a perfect pair and harmonised well together. Also, they had fantastic British accents, with me not realising they were American until I met them at stage door. Duncan Smith is brilliant as Judge Turpin. He had a strong voice and played the role extremely creepily, just how it should be! Joseph Taylor plays the role of Tobias young and innocent, which I believe is the best way to portray Tobias. It really added a lot to the character. Beadle Bamford usually isn't  that significant, but Brad Oscar had done wonders in the role. He really makes something out of the character. Last but not least, Betsy Morgan, who portrays Beggar Woman and Pirelli, has an outstanding voice! Assisting the cast is the orchestra of 3, who are sublime. It's amazing that they are able to create a whole orchestra out of just 3 people! The recreation of Harrington's Pie Shop is superb, it's like stepping back in time. The lighting design is hidden behind vents, which also adds to this stunning production. It really is wonderful to see such creative thinking. This goes without saying, but I adored the music (who doesn't?). I saw this the same day I saw Sunday in the Park with George: double Sondheim! My one critique for the show (and this is a nitpick), but the female Pirelli had a long pony tail which I feel should have been hidden with the hat she was wearing. But as I said, this is a nitpick!

The featured star of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is, drum roll please... JEREMY SECOMB!

As previously mentioned, Jeremy is a stunner. This is a really strong cast, and yet when choosing featured star I knew it would be him, so that certainly says a lot about his performance. He does everything right to be the perfect Sweeney Todd. This is a performance that cannot be faulted in the slightest.

Now for my final verdict on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I give Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street...

I decided to give this rating because I was seriously impressed with how creative it was. Sweeney is one of my favourite musicals of all time, and to see it again was absolutely wonderful! That's my third 5 star in a row, I'm on a roll!

Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer

Review: Sunday in the Park with George

Hey readers!
It's time for my review of Sunday in the Park with George.
I didn't know too much about the show going into the theatre, however I had read about the storyline a few weeks ago and thought it sounded very interesting. I am also a big fan of Stephen Sondheim (composer of one of my favourite all time musicals: Sweeney Todd), so any chance to see another Sondheim musical gets a big yes from me. Luckily, it was a stunning production and was thrilling to watch. What I found to be most interesting about this show is that the show follows two storylines. Act one follows painter George Seurat and act two follows his great-grandson, also named George. It was sort of like seeing two shows for the price of one! Jake Gyllenhaal, as George (both of them), and Annaleigh Ashford, as Dot and Marie, are perfect in this production. They are both phenomenal at acting and singing. They have been really well paired for the revival, I couldn't have created a better pair myself.  Both actors showed a lot of versatility, especially Annaleigh who has to do two very different characters. They were an absolute pleasure to watch. They are backed up by a terrific ensemble, I couldn't fault anyone in this show. The costume and lighting design are excellent. Speaking of the lighting design, there's something really special in act two involving the lights. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, so all you need to know is that I was amazed during "Chromolume #7". I also really liked the orchestra, and having them onstage really added something special to the show. Even though is it a concert production, I was very impressed with how much they were able to create, whilst still keeping it fairly minimal. The two storylines are really interesting and touching, and I think can be relatable for many. It was wonderful to experience another Sondheim musical; his music is stunning. He's one of my favourite composers of all time, he is truly amazing! My only critique for the show would be that I think more could be done to make it clearer that there has been a storyline change. It was clear that Annaleigh Ashford was playing a different character, but I feel that Jake Gyllenhaal could have done more to differentiate between his two characters.

The featured star of Sunday in the Park with George is, drum roll please... ANNALEIGH ASHFORD!

This was a really great cast, and yet Annaleigh was still the absolute stand-out. She has a huge presence onstage and all attention is on her whenever she enters. Stunning acting, stunning voice, what more could you want from a leading lady?

Now for my final verdict on Sunday in the Park with George. I give Sunday in the Park with George...

This was a rating I really struggled to decide on: 4 or 5 stars? I eventually decided to go with 5, because there is no denying what a stunning and fresh revival this is, with a spectacular cast. Adding to this, any show composed by Sondheim usually deserves 5!

Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer

Review: Hello, Dolly!

Hey readers!
It's time for my review of Hello, Dolly!
Hello, Dolly! was at the top of my wishlist of New York shows, due to it starring one of my favourite actors of all time... David Hyde Pierce! I've always wanted to see David Hyde Pierce live and the opportunity finally arose. As you most likely know though, tickets were extremely hard to get. However, wherever there is a will there is a way! This is the best show I have seen in months. I left the theatre walking on air; the show is a thrill from beginning to end. They have pulled out all the stops for this stunning revival. Every part about it is amazing. If I had to choose my favourite aspect of the show, it would be the stunning cast. Every single one of them could act, sing and dance brilliantly. They all fitted in with each other really well and there was absolutely no weak link. It was nice to see that the show wasn't only focused on Bette Middler, with everyone having a chance to shine. Cast members who stood out were Bette Midler as Dolly Gallagher Levi, David Hyde Pierce as Horace Vandergelder, Gavin Creel as Cornelius Hackl, Kate Baldwin as Irene Molly, Taylor Trensch as Barnaby Tucker and Beanie Feldstein as Minnie Fay. Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce are pure magic onstage together. They make a wonderful team and compliment each others talents. Not only this, but they are both hilarious. They are the perfect stage combination! All of the production aspects of the show are excellent. Nothing can be faulted about the set design, costume design or lighting design. They are perfect in every way! The choreography is glorious as well; everything in this show is seriously amazing! The music is another highlight of the show and I cannot wait for the cast recording of this revival to be released. The storyline was really interesting to follow, I was gripped from beginning to end. I even lost track of the time (I think it was around 2 hours and a half, but not sure). As I'm sure you can tell, I adored this revival. I urge everyone in New York to pick up a ticket to this. It is one of the best shows on Broadway right now.

The featured star of Hello, Dolly! is, drum roll please... BETTE MIDLER!

This was an extremely hard decision, and I was planning to give featured star to David Hyde Pierce at one point, but in the end it has to go to Bette Midler. I think she's definitely going to win the Tony. She adds so much to the show. Funnily enough, I hadn't actually known Bette Midler prior to seeing the show (I must have been the only one the theatre), but she was terrific. She is truly a star!

Now for my final verdict on Hello, Dolly! I give Hello, Dolly!...

I give this rating because it was a stunning show from beginning to end with no faults. 

Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer

Review: Present Laughter

Hey readers!
It's time for my review of Present Laughter. 
I'm finally in New York! *excited squee* Present Laughter was the first show we went to see, which was saw mainly to see Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother star) live. Sadly this show 'wasn't my cup of tea'. The problem I found with this show, was that there was nothing I really gained from it. At the end of the show I was left wondering what the point was and why had they made this into a show (and revived it). The main reason for this is that there really isn't much to the storyline. Present Laughter follows an arrogant actor and his mistresses, with how busy his mornings get. There really isn't much more to it. When I see a show, I hope I will go away having learnt something, or to be wowed, or something along those lines, but I didn't feel like I had any of that here. The play dragged on quite a lot, with the running time being 2 hours and a half. The show would be vastly improved if the time were to be cut down. This show seems to be "marmite" type. You love it or hate it. After seeing the show, I had a look on the Broadway forum on BroadwayWorld.com to see what people thought of it. There were many saying they hated it, however there were many saying they loved it. I think the main factor to it is that the comedy in the show only appeals to a certain type. If you're one of those who loves farces, then I would definitely recommend it. If it's not your genre, than I would say to look for a different show. Sadly I felt that a large portion of the actors didn't seem right for their roles. They were either overacted or underacted, there wasn't really an in-between for the majority of them. Having said that, there were four actors who I thought were excellent. They were: Kevin Kline as Garry Essendine, Kate Burton as Liz Essendine, Kristine Nielsen as Monica Reed and Cobie Smulders as Joanna Lyppiatt. These four were all excellent, I could not fault them in any way. I really liked both the costume design and the set design, they were outstanding! I wouldn't be surprised if they pick up Tony nominations for these aspects. Despite not all the acting being great, I thought all the British accents were outstanding and better than a lot of productions. Overall, there are worse plays out there and this isn't terrible, but it did nothing in particular to win me over.

The featured star of Present Laughter is, drum roll please... KEVIN KLINE!

This was a tough one, as all of the four actors I mentioned would be worthy, however at the end of the day I have to give it to Kevin Kline. There have been a lot of reports about his performance claiming he is unenthusiastic and boring. I couldn't disagree more. I felt he was one of the more positive aspects of the show and thought he did an outstanding job in what was quite a dull play. 

Now for my final verdict on Present Laughter. I give Present Laughter...

I give this verdict because it was not a show I was particularly impressed with, however there are many redeeming qualities, which puts it at a three star rating.

Think it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Join me next time when I will be reviewing Hello, Dolly!

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer

The Basic Theatre Awards 2017-The Results

Hey readers!

After 6 weeks of waiting, I am thrilled to finally be announcing the winners of this years Basic Theatre Awards! It has been amazing to see the support for the awards this year and I am pleased to say we had a 36% increase in votes! I thank all of those who voted for their favourite productions, actors and actresses and I am sure they are all extremely grateful! Here we go...

Winning with 36% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Play goes to...

Esther Smith in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as Delphi Diggory in the West End!

This was the closest category, with this outcome only being decided in the last week, however in the end it was Esther Smith who took the crown. In what is already a cast full of stunners, Esther is one of the major stand-outs. What I was most impressed with was the subtlety of her performance. Delphi is involved with a major plot twist and it is because of Esther's remarkable acting that you would not have seen it coming.

The other nominees were

• Olivia Greene-The 39 Steps
• Barbar Marten-People, Places and Things
• Pascale Armand-Eclipsed
• Saycon Senbloh-Eclipsed

Winning with 38% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play goes to...

Paul Thornley in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as Ron Weasley in the West End!

Paul was an early favourite to win this race, however starting from week two he faced some fierce opposition. In the end, the Potterheads joined together to help Paul win. Having seen the films of Harry Potter (and having read a few of the books), Paul's portrayal of Ron is exactly how I would have imagined an adult Ron. He does everything right to be the best possible Ron. He's goofy, he's got a good comic timing and is great during the more serious moments of the show.

The other nominees were

• Bryan Dick-Hobson's Choice
• Christopher Simpson-Brideshead Revisited
• Kunal Nayyar-The Spoils
• Malcolm Sinclair-This House 

Winning with 50% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play goes to...

Denise Gough in People, Places and Things as Emma in the West End!

Denise won this award with ease, and not surprisingly. Denise gives an absolute masterpiece of a performance. I had a look at my review of People, Places and Things and in it I wrote that Denise Gough gave "the performance of a lifetime in a role she was born to play". I ,100% stand by that comment. People, Places and Things will be going on a UK Tour later this year, which Denise will not be appearing in, due to her starring in the shows transfer to America. It won't be the same without her!

The other nominees were

• Sarah Snook-The Master Builder
• Lupita Nyong'o-Eclipsed
• Kelley Curran-Sense and Sensibility 
• Kate Hamill-Sense and Sensibility

Winning with 40% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Production of a Play goes to...

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End!

This was a three horse race which towards the beginning of the awards looked like it could go any way. However, in week three Harry Potter and the Cursed Child began to take the lead and won with a plurality of the votes. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is pure magic, there's something so special about it. The two parts combined are over 5 hours; at the end of these 5 hours I truly felt like I had been on a wonderful journey with these characters and really related to them.

The other nominees were

• The Father-UK Tour
• People, Places and Things-West End
• Your Ever Loving-Fringe
• The Spoils-West End

Winning with 42% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Understudy goes to...

Arun Blair-Mangat in Kinky Boots as Lola in the West End!

As I'm sure many of you know, I am a huge understudy supporter. I feel they are massively under appreciated. Many feel the same way and it is so nice to see how much support this category gets. Arun Blair-Mangat's performance is stunning. He has a stage presence like no other. Whenever he entered the stage all the focus would be on him. He is also a triple threat: amazing actor, amazing singer and amazing dancer. I can't give enough praise to this performance!

The other nominees were

• Adam Grupper-Fiddler on the Roof
• Jonathan Stewart-Guys and Dolls
• Nathan Madden-An American in Paris
• Sam O'Rourke-Half a Sixpence

Winning with 36% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical goes to...

Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple as Celie on Broadway!

This was yet another close one, where the verdict wasn't decided towards the very end, however it's very hard to beat a Tony Winner such as Cynthia Erivo. I first saw Cynthia back in 2014; she starred in "I Can't Sing-The X Factor Musical". It would be an understatement to say that she has progressed. It's amazing to see the level she has climbed to. Her solo of "I'm Here" melts my heart. I am absolutely praying that Cynthia's next piece of work will be Hamilton (Eliza or Angelica, I'm not picky!).

The other nominees were

• Sheridan Smith-Funny Girl
• Jessie Mueller-Waitress
• Rebel Wilson-Guys and Dolls
• Anita Louise Combe-Ragtime

Winning with 60% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical goes to...

Michael Esper in Lazarus as Valentine Off West End!

Out of all of the categories, Michael Esper has won his award with the largest percentage. Congrats Michael! Lazarus is one of my favourite shows of all time. One of the reasons for this being the stunning performances. Michael's character is a psychotic killer, and Michael plays this out really well. He plays the character really calmly and builds up anger, which works very well. Adding to this, he has a stunning voice!

The other nominees were

• Tom McGowan-She Loves Me
• Christopher Fitzgerald-Waitress
• Isaiah Johnson-The Color Purple
• Jonathan Stewart-Ragtime

Winning with 38% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play goes to... 

Ian McKellen in No Man's Land as Spooner in the West End!

This was another three horse race, with the result changing many times but in the end Ian McKellen won with a much larger amount of votes than his opponents. In my opinion, this was the best category and I always knew this would be extremely competitive. Ian McKellen is one of the United Kingdom's best actors. To see him live onstage was an amazing experience. He shined in this role and I was so lucky to have seen it. I booked the tickets 6 and a half months before seeing the show, so it was a long wait, but it was definitely worth it.

The other nominees were

• Stefan McCusker-Your Ever Loving
• Jesse Eisenberg-The Spoils
• Patrick Stewart-No Man's Land
• Anthony Boyle-Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Winning with 46% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical goes to...

Sophia Anne Caurso in Lazarus as Girl Off West End!

On day one, this award looked liked it could go any way. However, after a few hours, Sophia tweeted about Lazarus's nominations and all Bowie fans joined together. I really appreciate Sophia spreading the word about the awards, so thank you Sophia! Sophia's performance as the Girl is mesmerising. There is a lot of mystery to the character, which is perfectly portrayed. Sophia's voice is one of the best I have ever heard, she is amazing!

The other nominees were

• Emma Williams-Mrs. Henderson Presents
• Jane Krakowski-She Loves Me
• Keala Settle-Waitress
• Danielle Brooks-The Color Purple

Winning with 52% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical goes to...

Michael C. Hall in Lazarus as Thomas Jerome Newton Off West End

Michael C. Hall's performance is the best theatrical performance I have seen in a long time. When I saw Lazarus in December 2015, I didn't realise how genius his performance was. Having seen it a second time, I am in amazement. His character is very damaged and is most likely at the point of mental insanity. A role like this takes a high amount of skill. Whenever I looked at him onstage, he was always in character. Even when he was just in the background. He also has a phenomenal voice. I love the way he performs "Where Are We Now?".

The other nominees were

• Robert Creighton-Cagney
• Andy Karl-Groundhog Day
• Gary Tushaw-Ragtime
• Ako Mitchell-Ragtime

Winning with 40% of the vote, the Basic Theatre Award for Best Production of a Musical goes to...

Lazarus-Off West End

I saw the show in December 2015 in New York. I was puzzled by a lot of it, but really liked it. I felt there was a deeper meaning of the show that I had missed. I went back on New Years Day 2017 in London and I certainly found all those deeper meanings! I was really touched by the show; I was even close to tears towards the end. It is a show that is both heartbreaking and haunting. I did not want it to end. This is a show that I just want to watch over and over again. I am praying that there will be a DVD release of the show. Fingers crossed!

The other nominees were

• Fiddler on the Roof-Broadway
• Waitress-Broadway
• Kinky Boots-West End
• Groundhog Day-West End

And that brings us to the conclusion of the 2017 Basic Theatre Awards. Once again, a huge thanks to all of those that voted and to all the actors that spread the word. Congratulations to all the winners!

Thanks for reading!

-The Reviewer