Best Shows of 2019

Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens at the Union Theatre

"This has to be one of the best things I’ve ever seen and I implore you to see this show because you will not regret it. I hope this show has more life after this run at the Union Theatre and I’m sure this won’t be your only chance to see this production but you need to go and buy a ticket now otherwise you’ve missed one of the theatrical highlights of 2019."

Click here to read the full review 

Emilia at the Vaudeville Theatre

"I have never come out of a show feeling the way I felt about this play. It is time to face the facts and realise the wrongs in history and change them now, our voices can be heard... This is the play of the year, if there is one story you are to be told this year, its this one."

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REVIEW: Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Dirty Dancing is back on another national tour following its record-breaking success in 2016/2017. True to the classic film of the same name from 1987 starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing has been a fan favourite for over 30 years and this production does it complete justice and more. Featuring 35 hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, you’re in for a real treat with this production. 

If you’ve been living under a rock and have never seen Dirty Dancing before, here’s a speedy summary. It’s the summer of 1963 and daddy’s girl Frances “Baby” Houseman travels to Kellerman’s summer resort where she meets the tall, dark and handsome Johnny Castle who works as a principal dancer there. These two strangers from different worlds become intertwined in a whirlwind of dance, drama and … watermelons. It’s a classic Romeo and Juliet style love story with a merengue or two thrown in for good measure. 

The choreography for this new production is mind-blowingly good and executed to perfection. Every single cast member shines and elevates this production to a completely new level of brilliance. As the seasoned leading dancer at Kellerman’s, Simone Covele’s Penny Johnson was sensational. Her featured dance spots in Act 1 were some of the highlights of the show. Her movement is categorically perfect; graceful, sexy and effortless. Brava, Diva. 

INTERVIEW: Lewis Griffiths, currently playing Nick Massi in the UK tour of Jersey Boys

Lewis is currently reprising the role of Nick Massi on the UK tour of Jersey Boys, having previously played the role on the 2014 UK tour. His other credits include Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing (UK tour), cover Carl in Ghost (UK tour), Chad/Dewey/Kyle & Cover Warner in Legally Blonde(UK tour), Frank in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Palace Theatre), cover Benny in Rent Remixed (Duke Of York Theatre) and Clarence in Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych Theatre). He took the time out of rehearsals before the show kicked off its new tour to speak to us about this upcoming production of Jersey Boys. 

You are returning to playing Nick Massi after playing him on the last UK tour, what made you want to return? 

Call it unfinished business. Nick Massi is an enigmatic character to play, so I wanted to honour that and build on what I already knew.

After already going on tour with the show, what are you expecting from audiences this time round? 

Who knows, some regional audiences will turn out in droves, due to the success of the last tour, but you can’t take that for granted. Hopefully they will re-love Jersey Boys all over again.

REVIEW: Dirty Dancing at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

“Nobody puts Baby in the corner”

It’s been 30 years since the film Dirty Dancing hit screens for the first time, and since then it has become nothing short of iconic. Whether you think of watermelons, dancing on a bridge or being lifted high into the air in a lake, Dirty Dancing is a classic and is much loved by audiences of all ages.

Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

This UK Tour is filled to the brim with electrifying energy and fantastic routines throughout.

Marianne Benedict | Interview

Marianne Benedict is currently gracing the stage as The Wicked Witch of The West in The Wizard of Oz in which she took over the role from Hannah Waddingham, She was part of the original ensemble in the show and was recently promoted to full time Wicked Witch. She graduated from Arts Educational, Her credits range from playing Vivian in Dirty Dancing, Understudying the role of Killer Queen in We Will Rock You and Debbie in Debbie Does Dallas. Her other include Miss Mackintosh in The Sunshine Boys, Catherine in The Girl Dusty, Gloria and resident MD in Return to the Forbidden Planet, Sophie in the Misfits (film workshop), Alice and understudy Bonnie in Loveshack, Stella and understudy Polly Baker in Crazy for You and singer in West End Musical Theatre Celebration. I was lucky enough to catch up with her and talk to her about her career...

When and how did you realise that you wanted to perform for a living? Very early on in life, I never stopped singing and dancing around at home and putting on shows.

You attended Arts Educational, what did you learn from them that you still practise or use in your career today? So so much. It really is a fantastic college and I still hear words of wisdom from the staff ringing in my ears.

Is there anything that you didn't learn whist in training that you think is important for young performers to know? You can't possibly learn what it's really truly like to work in this business. Only by getting out there and doing it will you know.