From the category archives:

Musicals

95 post(s)

Little Bulb look back at their 1930s Orpheus

27 April 2013

in Actors and Performers, Edinburgh Festival and Fringe, Greek Drama, Musicals

INTERVIEW: LITTLE BULB Matt Trueman meets Alexander Scott, Dominic Conway and Claire Beresford of Little Bulb Theatre to discuss their production of Orpheus, set in a 1930s Parisian music hall with virtuosic guitarist Jean ‘Django’ Reinhardt taking the lead role. The young company talk about the centrality of music in their work and why they love the plucky amateurism of the theatrical naif.

West End Review, April 2013: Once & The Book of Mormon

15 April 2013

in Musicals, Reviews and Roundtables

West End Review: Once and The Book of Mormon. Dominic Cavendish (Daily Telegraph) continues the month’s look at the West End’s major openings with a double-take on two major American musical imports: Once (Phoenix Theatre) & The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales).

West End Review: The Effect (NT), Merrily We Roll Along (Menier) and more

15 January 2013

in Musicals, New Writing, Reviews and Roundtables

West End Review, Dec 2012-Jan 2013: Mark Shenton and regular guests Kate Bassett, David Benedict and Matt Wolf cast a critical eye over some of the major London openings, beginning with Lucy Prebble’s The Effect (National), winner of this year’s Critics Circle Award for Best Play, as well as Best Musical winner Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory), plus Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse), Pinero’s The Magistrate, starring John Lithgow (National) and Simon Russell Beale in Peter Nichols’ Privates on Parade (Noel Coward Theatre), The Bodyguard (Adelphi) and Viva Forever! (Piccadilly).

Producers Ben Monks and Will Young unveil their first Tristan Bates season

7 September 2012

in London Fringe, Musicals, New Writing, Producers

1 Comment

INTERVIEW: BEN MONKS and WILL YOUNG The Creative Producers of the Tristan Bates Theatre at the Actors’ Centre in central London introduce Aleks Sierz to their first season, which features the European premiere of an American musical and new plays, and also explain the economics and aspirations of fringe venues in the capital.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Jeremy Sams, part one

10 July 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: Jeremy Sams, part one. Mark Shenton continues his Soho Theatre series, talking in-depth with the director and composer, and all-round man of many talents, about his career and chosen favourite show-tunes – which include: Piano Song (from Love Story, performed live by Emma Williams), We Will (Gilbert O’Sullivan), What’s The Use of Wondering (from Carousel, perf by Emma Williams), Move On (Sunday in the Park With George), The Beauty Is (Light in the Piazza, perf by Emma Williams), Now and Then (by Michel Legrand), Breeze off the River (The Full Monty). All rights reserved.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: Jeremy Sams, part two

10 July 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: Jeremy Sams, part two. Mark Shenton continues his Soho Theatre series, talking in-depth with the director and composer, and all-round man of many talents, about his career and chosen favourite show-tunes – which include: Piano Song (from Love Story, performed live by Emma Williams), We Will (Gilbert O’Sullivan), What’s The Use of Wondering (from Carousel, perf by Emma Williams), Move On (Sunday in the Park With George), The Beauty Is (Light in the Piazza, perf by Emma Williams), Now and Then (by Michel Legrand), Breeze off the River (The Full Monty). All rights reserved.

Asian Voices: actor Raza Jaffrey on starring in Chicago

7 July 2012

in Musicals

Asian Voices: Raza Jaffrey. An interview with the actor, who shot to theatrical fame via Mamma Mia! and Bombay Dreams, and whose TV credits include Spooks and Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee. Suman Bhuchar quizzes him backstage at the Garrick Theatre, as he prepares to take to the stage as Billy Flynn in Chicago for one of the last times in his recent run in the starring role, after seven years away from the stage in London.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Howard Goodall, part 1

3 July 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

1 Comment

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Howard Goodall, part one.

Mark Shenton talks to the composer at Soho Theatre about his career and asks him to select a few of his favourite tracks. The excerpts include: “Nocturnes” by Howard Goodall, sung live by Emma Williams, from his musical Love Story; “Here, there & everywhere” by Paul McCartney (talked-over recording); “When you sing” by Howard Goodall, sung live by Howard Goodall, from his musical A Winter’s Tale; Ev’ry time We say Goodbye (recording); “Surabaya Johnny” by Kurt Weill, sung live by Emma Williams; The Man I Love (recording); “Move On” (recording, sung by Bernadette Peters/Mandy Patinkin, from Sunday in the Park with George); Lorca, by Howard Goodall, sung live by Emma Williams, from his musical Days of Hope.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Howard Goodall, part 2

3 July 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

Mark Shenton talks to the composer at Soho Theatre about his career and asks him to select a few of his favourite tracks. The excerpts include: “Nocturnes” by Howard Goodall, sung live by Emma Williams, from his musical Love Story; “Here, there & everywhere” by Paul McCartney (talked-over recording); “When you sing” by Howard Goodall, sung live by Howard Goodall, from his musical A Winter’s Tale; Ev’ry time We say Goodbye (recording); “Surabaya Johnny” by Kurt Weill, sung live by Emma Williams; The Man I Love (recording); “Move On” (recording, sung by Bernadette Peters/Mandy Patinkin, from Sunday in the Park with George); Lorca, by Howard Goodall, sung live by Emma Williams, from his musical Days of Hope.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: Howard Goodall, part 3

3 July 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: Howard Goodall, concluding part three, including Q&A. Mark Shenton talks to the composer at Soho Theatre about his career and asks him to select a few of his favourite tracks. The excerpts include: “Nocturnes” by Howard Goodall, sung live by Emma Williams, from his musical Love Story; “Here, there & everywhere” by Paul McCartney (talked over recording); “When you sing” by Howard Goodall, sung live by Howard Goodall, from his musical A Winter’s Tale; Ev’ry time we say goodbye (recording); “Surabaya Johnny” by Kurt Weill, sung live by Emma Williams; The Man I Love (recording); “Move On” (recording, sung by Bernadette Peters/Mandy Patinkin, from Sunday in the Park with George); Lorca, by Howard Goodall, sung live by Emma Williams, from his musical “Days of Hope”.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Simon Russell Beale, part 1

10 June 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Simon Russell Beale, part 1. Critic Mark Shenton’s series asking leading lights of British theatre to select a few of their favourite (show) songs and talk about their career resumes at Soho Theatre. The first interviewee is the award-winning actor Simon Russell Beale, currently rehearsing for Timon of Athens at the National Theatre. For more details about the series visit Soho Theatre’s website.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Simon Russell Beale, part 2

10 June 2012

in Musicals, Theatre People

These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs: Simon Russell Beale, part 2. Critic Mark Shenton’s series asking leading lights of British theatre to select a few of their favourite (show) songs and talk about their career resumes at Soho Theatre. The first interviewee is the award-winning actor Simon Russell Beale, currently rehearsing for Timon of Athens at the National Theatre. For more details about the series visit Soho Theatre’s website.

West End Review: revivals special

7 April 2012

in Black Voices, Musicals, Reviews and Roundtables

WEST END REVIEW: MARCH 2012 Mark Shenton (Sunday Express) and guests Kate Bassett (Independent on Sunday), Charles Spencer (Daily Telegraph) and Matt Wolf (International Herald Tribune) convene to assess Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (Adelphi), Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party (Menier Chocolate Factory), De Filippo’s Filumena (Almeida) and Errol John’s Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National’s Cottesloe).

The Society of London Theatre’s Julian Bird on Oliviers and Olympics

26 February 2012

in Musicals, Producers, Theatre People

INTERVIEW: JULIAN BIRD The new Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) tells Philip Fisher about his job, the current state of London West End theatre today, with special insights into the Oliviers and the Olympics.

Jonathan Church looks forward to Chichester’s 50th anniversary

10 October 2011

in Directors, Musicals, Regional Theatre

2 Comments

INTRODUCTION: JONATHAN CHURCH The artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre talks to Carole Woddis about the venue’s 50th anniversary season next year, and about his current production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.

West End Review: July 2011 (1/2)

31 July 2011

in Musicals, Reviews and Roundtables

WEST END REVIEW (1/2) Mark Shenton (Sunday Express) and his guests David Benedict (Variety), Charles Spencer (Daily Telegraph), and Matt Wolf (International Herald Tribune) run their critical eyes over the latest crop of major musicals in London: Ghost (Piccadilly Theatre), Shrek (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory).

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: producer Michael Codron (1/2)

24 July 2011

in Musicals, Producers, Theatre People

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS: MICHAEL CODRON (1/2) The veteran West End producer talks to Mark Shenton about his career with the leading playwrights of his age, Michael Frayn and Simon Gray included, and shares some melancholy favourites. Recorded at Jermyn Street Theatre, London as part of a special week-long series, curated by Shenton, in aid of the Theatrical Guild. The featured singer is West End leading lady Caroline Sheen.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: producer Michael Codron (2/2)

24 July 2011

in Musicals, Producers, Theatre People

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS: MICHAEL CODRON (2/2) The veteran West End producer talks to Mark Shenton about his career with the leading playwrights of his age, Michael Frayn and Simon Gray included, and shares some melancholy favourites. Recorded at Jermyn Street Theatre, London as part of a special week-long series, curated by Shenton, in aid of the Theatrical Guild. The featured singer is West End leading lady Caroline Sheen.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: producer Bill Kenwright (1/3)

14 July 2011

in Musicals, Producers

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS: BILL KENWRIGHT (1/3) The leading West End producer talks to Mark Shenton about his career, spills glorious anecdotes, relives glory days as an actor, hymns the wonders of Liverpool – and divulges some of his favourite songs. Recorded at Jermyn Street Theatre, London as part of a special week-long series, curated by Shenton, in aid of the Theatrical Guild. The featured singer is West End leading lady Caroline Sheen.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: producer Bill Kenwright (2/3)

14 July 2011

in Musicals, Producers

1 Comment

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS: BILL KENWRIGHT (2/3) The leading West End producer talks to Mark Shenton about his career, spills glorious anecdotes, relives glory days as an actor, hymns the wonders of Liverpool – and divulges some of his favourite songs. Recorded at Jermyn Street Theatre, London as part of a special week-long series, curated by Shenton, in aid of the Theatrical Guild. The featured singer is West End leading lady Caroline Sheen.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Songs: producer Bill Kenwright (3/3)

14 July 2011

in Musicals, Producers

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS: BILL KENWRIGHT (3/3) The leading West End producer talks to Mark Shenton about his career, spills glorious anecdotes, relives glory days as an actor, hymns the wonders of Liverpool – and divulges some of his favourite songs. Recorded at Jermyn Street Theatre, London as part of a special week-long series, curated by Shenton, in aid of the Theatrical Guild. The featured singer is West End leading lady Caroline Sheen.

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