Brits on Broadway | Part 2

After the success of our first Article, 12 Brits Who are flying the Flag on Broadway, we thought we'd bring this one back and celebrate the Brits who are showing New York what they can do! It's so many peoples dream to play on Broadway and these actors are lucky enough to be doing that, so take a read and join us in celebrating these wonderful performers. 

Ruth Wilson

Originally from Surrey, Ruth has returned to Broadway to play Cordelia in King Lear. She made her Broadway debut in Nick Payne’s Constellations, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. Film credits include The Little Stranger, Dark River, Suite Française, Saving Mr. Banks, The Lone Ranger, and Anna Karenina. Her London Theatre credits include Anna Christie & A Streetcar Named Desire (both at the Donmar Warehouse) and Hedda Gabler at the National Theatre. 

Ashley Andrews

A seasoned West End performer, Ashley is currently a Swing and assistant dance captain on King Kong. He most recently featured in the US transfer of Jesus Christ Superstar after being in the production in the UK, his other credits include An American in Paris, Wicked, Chicago, Billy Elliot, Jekyll and Hyde, Mack and Mabel. @ashleyjandrews 

Ralph Brown

Born in Cambridge, Ralph is currently playing Muldoon in The Ferryman. He is an actor and writer, his credits include Gemini Man, Final Score, Crying Game, Alien 3, Wayne’s World 2, Up’N’Under, I’ll Be There, Star Wars Phantom Menace, Jack The Giant Slayer, Contractor, I Anna and Tower Block. @Ralphwjbrown

Matilda the Musical: Theatre Review

Matilda the Musical was originally staged in Stratford-Upon-Avon by the RSC at the Courtyard theatre, the production recently moved to the Cambridge Theatre in London (replacing Chicago). The production seems to be based more on Roald Dahl's original book than the film which translates onto the stage perfectly. The story follows a young girl (Matilda) who loves books and tells how she defeats the horrible people in her life, a story which all children and adults love with a heart-warming message.

It would be one of the last things I would ever think of to put on stage, but with Tim Minchin's Music and Lyrics and Dennis Kelly's book it works fantastically. The music is very good, but in all fairness it's not a score that's going to be remembered forever, you'll be humming the songs after the show but unless you buy the soundtrack then you'll forget the tunes pretty quickly. None the less, Tim Minchin has done a brilliant job with this musical and his writting is very intellegent.

The visual side of the show was absolutely stunning, it must be the best design I have ever seen on a West End stage. The set poured off the stage, surrounding the proscenium arch in boxes which looked fantastic and a spectacular lighting design to complement this. The continuous theme of books throughout was also a nice touch; it gave the production that edge which left you spell bound. The production has really been modernised and that's exactly what it needed, I did think they might try and set the show in a specific date but it's really been brought into the 21^stCentury and has brought a new life into the much loved, classic book.