Thoughts on major theatre awards, the alumni of I’d Do Anything, and my review of Teeth ‘n’ Smiles in the West End.
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.
During the start of a minor theatrical marathon (ten consecutive days of theatregoing, concluding with a hopefully chocolate-filled Easter weekend), I had the chance to attend the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards. As an awards enthusiast but an outsider to this particular forum, this was my first time in attendance and I shared some thoughts about how pleasant it was to spend the afternoon listening to critics speak with delight about a range of performances, productions and creative contributors.
Those who dismiss the value of Awards and see them simply as a self-adulatory waste of time (as some seemed to in response to my recent comparison of the Tonys and Oliviers), are missing the meaning – an extension of the impersonal curtain call that allows for a more singular, or more specific salute to brilliant, impactful and personally affecting work. It’s also a neater way of telling theatregoers “this is the show to see” or “this is the star to watch”.
As I headed this week from the Royal Court (catching a late preview of John Proctor is the Villain as a devoted fan) to the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham and the Lyric Hammersmith, I was struck by the careers of playwrights, some of whom I had the chance to hear in conversation, and the dedication needed to persevere in a prolonged and often isolated creative process. I’m sure these, after toiling relentlessly for hours over carefully chosen dialogue and stage directions, hardly consider a 90 second acceptance speech to be time wasted.
I finally found myself on the red carpet at the gala opening of Kinky Boots, where I had tasked myself, on behalf of LondonTheatre.co.uk with coercing the cast and invited guests into participating in a group lip sync, the result of which came together surprisingly well amidst the usual pre-performance chaos! We were all, I feel, robbed however of a Graham Norton cameo.
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This Week’s Videos
The TONY awards vs the OLIVIER awards – The major differences between the UK and US theatre awards…
In just a few weeks, the West End Theatre community will celebrate the annual Olivier Awards in London, while many of Broadway’s most exciting new shows are opening in anticipation of the Tony Awards in New York.
Though these two ceremonies and institutions seem to be comparable counterparts, there has always been distinct differences between them, beyond their geography.
As a frequent West End and Broadway theatregoer, I’m talking through what makes the Tony Awards and Olivier Awards different, from their categories and eligibility to their history and industry impact…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
I’D DO ANYTHING – where are they now? Jessie Buckley, Rachel Tucker, Samantha Barks, and more
When Jessie Buckley won an Oscar earlier this month for her celebrated performance in Hamnet, it reminded me of the 2008 BBC TV series I‘d Do Anything.
The programme was a weekly competition in which aspiring performers went head to head to win the role of Nancy in a major West End revival of Oliver!
What’s fascinating, on reflection, is how many of the show’s alumni have gone on to achieve huge success, from Broadway stardom for Rachel Tucker and Samantha Barks to screen success for Buckley and winner Jodie Prenger.
Check out this deep dive to find out what each performer went on to do after I’d Do Anything…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
John McCrea and Louis Emmitt-Stern talk new play, SLIPPERY at the Omnibus Theatre
I recently visited the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, where a new play Slippery was readying for its final preview performance.
I sat down with one of the play’s two cast members, John McCrea, known for his starring role in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie as well as his recent appearances in Cabaret and Prince F*ggot, as well as the rising star playwright Louis Emmitt-Stern.
Find out more about this plays themes, why it might make you call your ex, and what’s cooking in the onstage kitchen…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
This Week’s Reviews
Teeth ‘n’ Smiles at Duke of York’s Theatre, West End, London
★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
We went to the premiere of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!
Check out another week in our life of seeing theatre almost every day!
This time we’re taking you to the first preview performance of The Greatest Showman‘s world premiere production in Bristol, plus a workshop of Mona Loser at the Birmingham Hippodrome and plenty of London shows including Summerfolk, Manic Street Creature, and more.
Check out this brand new vlog to find out what a week in our lives looks like!
What’s coming up this week?
In the next few hours, I’ll be sharing my thoughts about The Last Five Years in concert at the London Palladium, with plenty more reviews to follow in what is set to be a hugely exciting week for UK opening nights.
Stay tuned for my thoughts on Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, a roundup of plays including Choir Boy and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a new Romeo and Juliet from Robert Icke, and the Carrie Hope Fletcher-led return of Waitress.
Until next week, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey… week! – Mickey-Jo
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