On the third day of Christmas Little Birds gave to me three theatre reviews from the city.
(That sort of rhymes)
In order to put together the magazine’s Winter Fun Guide (you can read that here) I spent the majority of last month ‘researching’ (read: up to my neck in a whirlwind of yuletide good will) what’s on in and around London this festive season.
Amongst the reindeer petting and the gingerbread decorating, I also got to attend some of the press launches for a few of the new shows opening just in time for the Christmas holidays. Here are a three…
Matilda - The Musical
The RSC’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl classic tale of school days telepathy has got to be one of the most hyped productions of the year, not least because of the fact that the man behind the show’s revolting rhymes is none other than Tim Minchin.
Not being generally a musicals fan, especially West End musicals (too much set, exorbitant prices, staff in Shrek ears, etc.) I can’t say this was top of my ‘things I am looking forward to list.’ However, après a swift and pleasingly meaty burger at the Covent Garden Byron, I and my plus one for the evening, the hugely talent script writer and fellow musical apprehensive, Sam Ely over to the Cambridge Theatre.
And I must say it was stupendous. I mean wow-good. The sort of show that has you grinning like a lunatic and singing snippets on your way home.
It is undoubtedly a children’s show, but there was plenty of comedy aimed at those who have graduated from buckle shoes, school dinners and 6th form. You can spot the finger prints of Tim Minchin all over the show’s lyricism particularly in the pointedly funny ‘Miracle’ - ‘My mummy says I am a miracle, my mummy says I am a special little girl’ – pokes some excellent fun at the current cult of ‘specialness’ that is rife in modern day parenting.
Sparkly, witty, energetic – I can’t remember the last time I had such bloody brilliant fun at the theatre.
The Cambridge Theatre, www.matildathemusical.com
Rating: *****
La Soirée
I had the good luck to have attended La Soirée last year, when the sauciest circus in town set up their big top on the South Bank. It was such a fantastic night, that when I got the chance to go again last week I jumped at the chance.
This year La Soirée has returned turtle-like to its birthplace – Camden’s The Roundhouse. Which sadly lacks some of the luxurious and other worldly atmosphere of the mirrored big top that was its abode last Christmas. The sequel to the much celebrated La Clique, La Soiree combines burlesque, acrobatics and variety show type acts to create a decidedly adult night at the circus.
There have been a few changes to the billings since last year’s run. Some are hits: Hugo Desmarais and Katharine Arnold’s sex, drugs, rock, roll and aerial acrobatics ‘The Cage’ stands out in particular. And some misses: German acrobatic duo Chris-Iris is creaky in the extreme.
I was sad to note that last year’s absolute highlight The English Gents weren’t on the programme this time around. Seeing them last year, I have to say they are one most astounding cabaret acts I’ve come across. Not to give too much away, but a man stands on the other’s head. ON HIS HEAD! Whist they are both standing UPRIGHT. That is not the sort of thing one forgets easily.
Later I spoke to one of the performers who let slip that they had been dropped from the billing on the basis that they were too similar to Chris-Iris. Shame.
Anyway, in spite of that bugbear La Soirée was still a terrifically fun night out which I would highly recommend. Though if you suffer from stage fright/a fear of unicycles I would say avoid sitting on the front row.
The Round House, www.la-soiree.com
Rating: ****
Howl’s Moving Castle
So after two festive theatrical treats wrapped up with ribbons and placed in their respective stockings, here is the lump of coal.
Goodness me what a disappointment. An adaptation of one of my favourite books, directed and designed by Davy and Kristin McGuire, with music composed by Fyfe Dangerfield (Guillemots), featuring narration from Stephen Fry, and all at my favourite London theatre, the Southwark Playhouse… It could have been so gloriously good – but it just wasn’t.
There was so much wrong with this production – the tech and set over shadowed any of the actual humans on stage, and the sound was so loud that it often drowned out the dialogue, making following the brutally edited version of the enchanting Diana Wynne Jones story virtually impossible.
With the one exception of the paper castle set design there was nothing I liked about this production.
The Southwark Playhouse, www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Two hits, one miss
With thanks to the excellent people at The Corner Shop PR for providing tickets to both Matilda and La Soirée.
