Thoughts on August’s openings and my reviews of Cats, Game of Thrones: The Mad King, The Car Man, and more.
OHMYGOD HEY!
Welcome back to my weekly collation of the various reviews, opinion pieces and theatre news updates I’ve shared across multiple social media platforms.
It’s August, which in the British theatrical calendar means all roads lead to Edinburgh and the international festival and fringe – world leading arts events that beckons thousands of shows and even more attendees from around the globe. But before I head there myself and shine a daily light on its theatrical offerings through rigorous daily coverage (pray for me), I had a few more press nights to attend to.
At the start of last week, I returned to Arcadia, now transferred to the soon-to-be Tom Stoppard Theatre in the West End, where I rode the waves of its wit and wisdom more confidently than ever before. From high brow to dubious whisker, I was just as delighted by the brand new staging of Cats at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with its lunar set, primal costuming and contemporary balletic choreography, plus a star-making opening night turn from Taziva-Faye Katsande. To know that I adore both of these shows is to know me on a deeply personal level.
I also crossed off another show I’ve somehow never seen either on stage or screen (Fame, don’t judge me!) in a reworked revival at Theatre Royal, Plymouth, as well as a show few have seen as it readied for the opening night of its auspicious world premiere run. This was Game of Thrones: The Mad King, an appropriately Shakespearean prequel expanding on George RR Martin’s existing Westerosi lore that commanded a huge amount of intrigue with its strict phone policy and speculation-driving set. Always exciting to be present at the start of something that feels as though it could become a juggernaut, even if just because of its existing fanbase.
And yet, is it me or are these openings not commanding the excitement they ought to? In cramped Broadway seasons, with the majority of the openings falling almost consecutively in April, shows can aspire to only 24 hours of undivided press and community attention, but the more evenly spread British calendar ought to sidestep this. I can’t shake the sensation, however, that more and more high profile revivals, adaptations, and reworkings are dividing the limited oxygen to such an extent that fewer shows are capable of truly breaking through the constant noise. Faced with such conditions, how can the shows which aren’t based on hugely popular books-turned-spunoff-television-series survive?
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I stood onstage for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: Everything you need to know about the standing tickets…
I recently headed back to Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium, but this time I wasn’t seated in the auditorium, but stood onstage.
This production is offering dozens of audience members at each performance the chance to book onstage standing tickets and experience the show from an intimate, alternative vantage point.
This experience came with many logistical requirements as well as a unique theatrical point of view, and in this video I’ll be sharing everything you may need to know about both…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is back on stage! Meet the cast and creatives of the show’s upcoming return!
20 years after it first hit screens, High School Musical is back on stage, with a brand new production coming to Manchester and London.
I visited a rehearsal event to see a sneak preview of the show as well as chat with the cast and creatives about what audiences can expect…
JANE EYRE is finally coming to London: Inside the rehearsals for the musical’s UK premiere…
The stage musical adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre premiered on Broadway more than 25 years ago, but is only now received its UK professional premiere.
The show will play at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, under the co-direction of John Caird and Megan McGinnis, with Charlie Burn starring as Jane alongside Ashley Gilmour as Rochester.
I recently spoke to members of the cast and creatives team during a rehearsal preview event and found out a little more about the show and this brand new production.
This Week’s Reviews
Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical at Evolution London, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
9 to 5 the Musical at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (UK Tour)
★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
★★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Love’s Labour’s Lost at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Cats at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Game of Thrones: The Mad King at Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Space Dogs at The Other Palace Studio, London
Review available YouTube / Instagram / TikTok
We went back to immersive Grease! Theatre Vlog ft The Car Man, Cleansed, Jesus Christ Superstar
Check out another week in our life of seeing theatre in the UK!
This week, we enjoyed some unique theatrical experiences including a flamenco inspired Shakespeare play at the Globe, an immersive staging of Grease, and an onstage standing booking for Jesus Christ Superstar.
I also saw the Sarah Kane play Cleansed at the Almeida, as well as 9 to 5 the Musical, The Car Man, and a new musical called Space Dogs.
Join us vicariously in this brand new vlog to find out what a week in our lives looks like!
What’s coming up this week?
Ad I write this, I an returning from Death Note the Musical’s opening night (review to follow imminently), and the first legitimately fully staged version of the show in the UK, and tomorrow I will pay a visit to the rehearsal room of the Tony Award winning musical Kimberly Akimbo.
Thereafter, I finally head north to dip my toe into the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (and participate in a fun morning panel alongside fab critics) before a few days of relaxing Scottish travel – the calm before the storm.
Until next week, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey… week! – Mickey-Jo
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