REVIEW: Sister Act at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Craig Revel Horwood is best known as the fab-u-lous judge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, but his latest project as Director and Choreographer of the divine musical comedy “Sister Act” should fast become his most notable work as this production is absolutely heavenly.

"This diva's got a secret...and it's nun of your business"

“Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a Convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.”

REVIEW: Shirley Valentine at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

“Shirley is a Liverpool housewife. Her kids have left home and she makes chips and egg for her husband while talking to the wall. Where has her life disappeared to? Out of the blue, her best friend offers her a trip to Greece for 2 weeks and she secretly packs her bags. She heads for the sun and starts to see the world and herself very differently.”

“Willy Russell’s heart-warming comedy premiered in 1986 and took the world by storm. It was adapted into an Oscar nominated film. Now, on its 30th anniversary, Jodie Prenger stars in the first major revival of this national treasure.”

REVIEW: RENT at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Fresh from its sold out run at the St James Theatre, London, RENT by Jonathan Larson celebrates its 20th groundbreaking year with this UK tour. The cast who brought this show to life in London have all joined this fabulous tour to spread the life-affirming message of Larson’s greatest work.

“This exhilarating, landmark musical tells the thrilling story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in New York City's East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian excess.Inspired by Puccini’s classic opera La bohème, RENT features unforgettable music and including the much-loved songs Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me and La Vie Bohème. Winner of four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and the hugely prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it ran on Broadway for an astonishing 12 years.”

REVIEW: Ghost at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

The new touring production of Ghost: The Musical hit headlines when it was announced that Sarah Harding, of Girls Aloud fame, would be taking on the lead role of Molly, originally played by Demi Moore in the 1990 film. After an array of terrible reviews, Harding quickly departed the production to make way for Carolyn Maitland, a more well-practiced and reputable stage performer. Joining Maitland in Ghost is Hollyoaks alum Andy Moss as Sam, Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mae Brown and Sam Ferriday as Carl. 

“Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of a phony storefront psychic Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger…”

REVIEW: WhatsOnStage 17th Annual Awards

It’s one of the highlights of any theatre-goers year – The WhatsOnStage Awards. This year’s 17^th Annual concert was packed to the brim with the biggest and brightest stars of London’s West End. With Harry Potter and The Cursed Child leading the nominations, closely followed by Half A Sixpence, the evening promised to be filled with the crème de la crème of theatre.

The Prince Of Wales Theatre - featuring 1100 goodie bags
for every guest at the awards

The evening was hosted by Simon Lipkin (Avenue Q, Guys and Dolls) and Vikki Stone who has previously been described as “the bastard love child of Victoria Wood and Tim Minchin”! These two musical theatre buffs were so at ease and wonderfully charming hosts. Quick witted jokes and sharp comedy injected a relaxation into the evening which was gratefully received. Lipkin in particular seemed to pride himself on his close-to-the-belt gags. For example, he introduced the evening by saying “This of this like the Oliviers or the Tony’s, just without all the gravitas” and later in the evening revived his old friend Trekkie Monster (Avenue Q) and proceeded to have a conversation with a wall which began “Oh, hello Russell Crowe. I thought you were great in the Les Mis movie”. Needless to say, the audience were in stitches. 

REVIEW: BLOOD BROTHERS at The New Victoria Theatre, Woking

When the Daily Mail’s Patrick O’Neill reviewed the original production of Blood Brothers on 10th January 1983 he said: “It may be a little early in the year for prophecy, but I rashly predict that come December this extraordinary show will be among the best new musicals of 1983.” The legacy of this stunning musical is as strong as ever, with it now being prominently featured in English and Drama curriculums at schools Nationwide. Hundreds of school children flooded into the New Victoria Theatre last night and filled every seat in the auditorium.

Branded “A Greek tragedy with a Scouse Accent” (O’Neill, 1983) Blood Brothers is the heart-wrenching and captivating story by Willy Russell, of two twins who are separated at birth and grow up not knowing the other exists. One brother leads a life of privilege and high-class education, while the other belongs to a family who can barely make ends meet. When they are finally re-united, the outcome is destructive and unalterable.

REVIEW: Snow White, New Victoria Theatre Woking

 

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's off to panto we go...!

One of my favourite things about Pantomime season at Woking's New Victoria Theatre is the excitable children who fill the auditorium. As I took to my seat, Idina Menzel singing "Let It Go" was blasting through the speakers and around 500 children around the theatre were joining in. I couldn't help but smile - the atmosphere was great and set the tone for the rest of the evening.

This year's panto is the fairytale classic 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', but this version has been reimagined in a playful and engaging way. Directed by, written by and starring Warwick Davis as 'Prof', this pantomime is bursting at the seams with fun for all the family. An unfortunate illness meant this year's press night performance was actually Snow White and the Six Dwarfs, but the cast managed seamlessly to make up for this absence and the audience were none the wiser.

REVIEW: Sunny Afternoon: The Kinks Musical at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Fresh from its run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, Sunny Afternoon, the hit musical based on the music of The Kinks launched it new tour at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre in outstanding fashion.

Sunny Afternoon was the recipient of four awards at the 2015 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies. Sunny Afternoon features some of The Kinks best-loved tracks including You Really Got Me, Lola, Waterloo Sunset, Tired of Waiting For You, Sunny Afternoon, Dedicated Follower of Fashion and more!

REVIEW: Pride and Prejudice at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

Following sell-out performances at Regent's Park Theatre, Pride and Prejudice features the Olivier award-winning Matthew Kelly (Of Mice and Men) and Felicity Montagu (Alan Partridge, Bridget Jones's Diary, The Durrells) as Mr and Mrs Bennet. Kelly is a wonderful presence in this production and his comedic timing is spot on. Montagu is also superb – her “woe is me” Mrs Bennet was a crowd favourite, and she really binds the show together, with ease too I might add.

Monthly Obsessions! October 2016

Actress - Eva Noblezada

This ‘Mexic-Asian’ superstar burst onto the West End stage in 2014, making her professional debut in the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon at just 18 years old. The cinema screening of Miss Saigon’s 25th Anniversary performance was an overwhelming success with Miss Noblezada receiving widespread acclaim for her incredible performance. You can now see Eva in Les Miserables as Eponine at the Queen’s Theatre. Be sure to catch her before she flies away to Broadway to reprise her role as Kim in 2017! Tickets available here.

Actor – Johnathan Sayer

Jonathan is an Olivier award-winning writer and the company director of Mischief Theatre working as a writer, actor and producer. Nothing short of a comedic genius, Sayer wins our Actor of the Month prize Having previously performed in The Play That Goes Wrong, and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, as well as co-writing them both, Sayer can now be seen starring in The Comedy About A Bank Robbery as Warren Slax. Tickets start at £20, and the show is now booking until October 2017.

REVIEW: Chicago at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Chicago is a musical which the world has adored for many years. Brought to the masses in the Academy Award winning film (2002) starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere, this show is all about murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts… and so begins the international award winning Broadway and West End musical, Chicago!

REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

What better way is there to celebrate #WorldBalletDay than to go and see a live performance of the most famous love story of all time! The Northern Ballet presents: Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s Romeo and Juliet. 

“Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life…”

Simply put, this production is amazing. It’s understated; not brash and loud, but carefully choreographed with a wonderfully youthful and playful feel. The modern choreography is enchanting. While some will beg to differ, classical ballet can sometimes be abit… long. This revival of Romeo and Juliet runs for just under 2 hours 30, including a 15 minute interval, so for those who may be concerned they’ll get restless, fear not. If anything, you’ll be left wanting more. 

REVIEW: Little Shop of Horrors at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Sell A Door Theatre Company Ltd and Damien Tracey Productions in Association with Immersion Theatre, Libby Brodie Productions, and Ian Melding for Announcement Productions present LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. 

Directed by Tara Louis Wilkinson, Little Shop of Horrors makes a triumphant return to the UK touring circuit. 

“Little Shop of Horrors is a charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical. Seymour Krelborn, the assistant at Mushnik's Flower Shop in downtrodden Skid Row, becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers a strange and exotic plant. He names it Audrey Two in order to impress glamorous Audrey, the colleague he’s secretly in love with.”

Monthly Obsessions: August 2016!

Actress of the Month – Celinde Schoenmaker (The Phantom of The Opera)

Currently starring as Christine Daae in The Phantom Of The Opera at Her Majesy’s Theatre, this angel of music wins our August Actress of the Month! It was announced this month that Schoenmaker would be extending her stay at Lloyd Webber’s Opera Populaire for Phantom’s 30^th Anniversary, and we couldn’t be more delighted! To book tickets to see Celinde in Phantom of The Opera, click here

Actor of the Month – Matt Gillett (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK Tour)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of the most loved shows of all time, and is currently taking the UK by storm with its current tour. This family friendly classic also features one of the most terrifying villains in theatre, The Childcatcher, and Matt Gillett is starring in this role on Chitty’s tour. I never thought I’d celebrate a role which is intentionally there to scare children, but here I am! Gillett wins August’s Actor of the Month. See Gillett singing with his co-star, Carrie Hope Fletcher (in full costume!), on her YouTube channel here

REVIEW: Guys & Dolls at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

After a hugely successful run at The Savoy theatre, Guys and Dolls transferred to The Phoenix theatre in London, and launched a nationwide tour. Having seen the production at The Savoy with Jamie Parker, Siubhan Harrison, Sophie Thompson and David Haig, I had high expectations of the tour that the cast, the sets, the choreography and all would be just as good as the London show. Featuring a stellar track list including favourites like ‘If I Were A Bell’, ‘Luck Be A Lady’ and ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking The Boat’. 

Monthly Obsessions! July 2016

Actress of the Month - Natasha J Barnes (Funny Girl)

Natasha J Barnes

Actress of the Month - Natasha J Barnes (Funny Girl)

After Sheridan Smith's dramatic, temporary departure from Funny Girl at The Savoy Theatre, understudy Natasha J Barnes stepped up to take on the leading role of 'Fanny Brice'. Winning over critics, and audiences alike, Barnes has proved, not only her own immeasurable talent, but the talent of understudies/swings/standbys in theatre companies everywhere, and in such a high-profile role takeover, has handled herself with grace and integrity. She’s earned the respect of theatre-goers and proved the haters wrong. For this, she's my winning actress for this month!

REVIEW: Footloose at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

A foyer; palpable with energy and filled with people singing within their groups; the same phrase over and over again. “Everybody cut footloose”. The film of Footloose (1984) starring Kevin Bacon is a cult classic, and fans were eager for the start of the show to toe-tap their way through the evening. As it all kicked off with the unmistakable guitar riff written by Kenny Loggins, the excitement and energy in the audience only grew greater. 

Footloose follows the story of Ren, a Chicago teenagers moves to small, secluded town called ‘Bomont’ in West Virginia, where rock music and dancing are banned after an unfortunate accident killed 4 young residents. His brash attitude and rebellious nature shakes up the younger people of the town and as he meets the Reverend’s daughter, Ariel, things start to get even more complicated. 

REVIEW: That's Entertainment at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, with special guest Ruthie Henshall

If you leave a show sighing; wishing you’d stayed at home and binge-watched TV instead, chances are, the show wasn’t worth seeing. I left The New Victoria Theatre after 'That's Entertainment' feeling exactly like that. 

‘That’s Entertainment’ is a mish-mash of 40’s and 50’s hits from movies and musicals. It’s full of potential, but no amount of stellar choreography or knockout vocals could have saved this show. It wasn’t quite a cabaret night, nor was it a storyline show – it was all over the place. One moment we’re absorbed in the genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein, then all off a sudden, we’re thrown into the midst of a ‘Cockney Knees Up’. 

REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Picture show at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Stockings. Corsets. Boas. Suspenders. Let’s be honest – if any of those items are involved, you know you’re in for a great night. The girls (and guys) were out in force at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre for The Rocky Horror Show’s press night. Truly unique in its entirety, Rocky Horror has had a cult following since its premiere.. The New Victoria theatre was full to the brim with eclectic costumes and excitable groups of friends ready for their ultimate night out at the theatre.

REVIEW: Goodnight Mister Tom at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

The Olivier award-winning Chichester Festival Theatre production of Goodnight Mister Tom returns to the stage starring David Troughton (The Archers).

Now a modern classic, Michelle Magorian’s wonderfully uplifting tale is brought gloriously to life in this magical stage adaptation by David Wood. Set during the dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and forges a remarkable and heart warming friendship with the elderly recluse, Tom Oakley.  All is perfect until William is suddenly summoned by his mother back to London.