Some early thoughts on the theatregoing months to come plus reviews of End of the Rainbow, Bank of Dave the Musical, Equus, Mass, 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.
Over the last few days, I’ve been doing something that has grown increasingly uncharacteristic – travelling to a new country, and seeing absolutely no theatre there. On the understanding that weddings (even those with Portuguese vineyard fireworks displays) don’t count, I went almost an entire week without theatrical performance, and as such I’ve grown curious about where else I could travel this summer to achieve the total opposite – as much as possible.
In the madly busy weeks of May (check out the number of reviews I’m sharing below) I didn’t end up finding time to fulfil a briefly planned trip to Vienna to see, among other things, a seemingly futuristic production of Follies. Meanwhile, London’s offerings are not entirely unexciting (I’m giddily looking forward to shows including Pride, a major reworking of Cole Porter’s High Society, and an outdoor outing for Cats), but amongst countless remountings and transfers, there’s a lack of thrilling new work to contend with the extraordinary summer of 2025, a high I’m still chasing.
Regionally in the UK, eyes will eventually turn towards Stratford-upon-Avon for the stage arrival of Game of Thrones while the recently announced casting of My Fair Lady at Chichester Festival Theatre has me about as intrigued as I can be about another revival of it. Of course, my intrigue is dominated by the actor-musician production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang beginning soon at the uniquely enchanting Watermill Theatre in Newbury.
Perhaps I’ll find myself back in Europe this Summer, perhaps stateside (though not necessarily in New York), and inevitably I’ll make a return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I can only hope that, along the way, more than one evening offers genuine, surprising delight.
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This Week’s Videos
Why is DEATH BECOMES HER closing?! The real reasons why the musical will end its Broadway run…
A Broadway bombshell was dropped today when it was announced that Death Becomes Her, the fan favourite musical would close next month at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
The show, based on the 1992 cult classic film, stars Betsy Wolfe, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams in the roles played on screen by Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini.
Check out my thoughts and insights on the reasons behind its sudden closure including the current industry climate and challenges in re-casting as it entered its second year, plus speculation about the next show at the Lunt-Fontanne and the possibility of a West End transfer…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
I saw Catherine Tate in OH, MARY! Thoughts on the latest star of the West End comedy play…
British comedy icon Catherine Tate has donned the bratty curls of Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit comedy play Oh, Mary!
Tate stars in the West End production at the Trafalgar Theatre, which opened last year starring Mason Alexander Park, and recently won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.
After seeing a recent gala night performance, here are my thoughts about Catherine’s performance as Mary, the show’s slightly updated supporting cast, and my evolving feelings about the play itself…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
This Week’s Reviews
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind at @sohoplace Theatre, West End, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
End of the Rainbow at Soho Theatre Walthamstow, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Mass at Donmar Warehouse, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Godot’s To-Do List / Krapp’s Last Tape at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, London
★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Mother Courage and Her Children at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Equus at Menier Chocolate Factory, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Bank of Dave at Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Salford
★★★ Review available YouTube / Instagram / TikTok
We saw theatre every day for a week – ft 1536, Priscilla, Mamma Mia!, & more
Check out another week in our life of seeing theatre almost every day!
This week we had back to back press performances including 1536, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Krapp’s Last Tape, and The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. We also tried the new Mamma Mia! themed dinner at the River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay at the Savoy Hotel.
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?
Stay tuned for a comprehensive overview of Tony Awards predictions from myself and Aeron James, detailing, as always, the shows, creatives, and performances we think will / should win – but to tide you over, here are some of my (perhaps already questioned) musings for New York Theatre Guide.
On that front, I’m determined to work my way through my remaining Broadway critiques, so expect a few more of those as well as my opening night review of Beetlejuice, which has recently completed its hugely anticipated journey to the West End.
Until next week, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey… week! – Mickey-Jo
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