FIRST LOOK: The View Upstairs at the Soho Theatre

The musical opens in present day when Wes (Tyrone Huntley), a young fashion designer buys and abandoned space, not realising this had been the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant '70s gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, which in 1973, was burned down in an arson attack, killing 32 people. THE VIEW UPSTAIRS brings to life this forgotten community and takes the audience on an exhilarating journey of seduction and self-exploration, celebrating the lives of those forgotten while featuring a soulful, rock and jazz score. The musical also stars Andy Mientus, Declan Bennett, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Cedric Neal and John Partridge as Patrick, Dale, Inez, Willie and Buddy respectively. Completing the cast are Carly Mercedes Dyer as Henri, Gary Lee as Freddy, Joseph Prouse as Richard and Derek Hagen as Cops/Realtor. THE VIEW UPSTAIRS is written by Max Vernon and directed in London by Jonathan O'Boyle. 

THE VIEW UPSTAIRS is produced in London by Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger for Take Two Theatricals and Ken Fakler, with Creative House Productions and Associate Producers Kittie Fahey, Benjamin Lockwood, Sue Marks and Club 11 London.

DREAM CASTING: Six on Broadway!

What makes this cast so special in the West End is that we have a cast of fresh faces that really make you realise how much undiscovered talent we have around. But we couldn't help our minds get creative and wonder who we'd absolutely adore to see in the Broadway cast of the show! We do however love how they've cast it in the UK so we would love the same to happen across the Atlantic, but heres our dream! 

Catherine of Aragon | Shoshana Bean 

Most famed for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, having replaced original cast member and Tony Award winner Idina Menzel. She returns to Broadway to play the role of Jenna in Waitress and we think she'd be epic in this show and as this role! 

Anne Boleyn | Denée Benton 

Seen in her Tony nominated interpretation of Natasha Rostova in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and currently as Eliza in the Broadway production of Hamilton. We think she'd be a great Anne Boleyn! 

Stand out Performances of 2018

2018 saw many kinds of theatre; ground breaking theatre like The Inheritance, gender swapping in Company, new musical theatre like Unexpected Joy at the Southwark, twisting and retelling of loved  shows like Little Shop of Horrors and revivals of classic like Pinter at the Pinter. Within that we have seen some incredible performances and we wanted to highlight some of our top performances of the year. What are yours?! 

Rosalie Craig in Company at the Gielgud Theatre

The first Female to tackle the role of Bobby (Or Bobbie in this adaptation) in Stephen Sondheim's Company, she succeeds in every way possible. She gives a real and genuine performance that is natural and precise, this role could have been written for her. Alongside one of the best ensemble of actors in the West End, she proves exactly why she is the true meaning of a Leading Lady. Company closes on the 30th March, so get down to see her quickly!

Marc Antolin in Little Shop of Horrors at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

After seeing Marc in quite a few things over his career, we knew he was great but after seeing him as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors over the summer at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, we finally saw how truly versatile and brilliant he is as an actor. Maybe not the obvious choice for the role aesthetically but he was absolutely the perfect choice in this wonderful and ground breaking production.

The BEST and CHEAPEST Theatre Black Friday Deals!

Here at Pocket we like to treat our readers, so what better way than to list the BEST Black Friday Week deals we have! Check out some of the offers and get booking to see these shows because this offer won't be around forever! 

*All offers are subject to availbility. Please read terms and conditions of the linked pages below. 

42nd Street | EXCLUSIVE!

£69.50 reduced to £37.50

Available Monday - Friday from 22nd November - 14th December. 

Click here to Book! 

Motown | EXCLUSIVE!

Save up to 46%, Tickets from £21.50!

Available Monday - Friday 

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Kinky Boots | EXCLUSIVE!

£69.50 reduced to £39.50
£49.50 reduced to £29.50
£29.50 reduced to £17.50

Available Monday - Thursday performances from 20th November - 24th December.

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THEN AND NOW: Starlight Express

Starlight Express broke down all the barriers when it opened in the West End in 1984, putting things on stage that had never been done before. After countless productions around the World, its now a household name and instantly recognisable across the globe. Its holds the World record for being one of the longest running sit down productions in the World after the Bochum production celebrated its 30th Birthday this year. The thing that we found super cool about this show is how its evolved through the years, different productions have some completely different designs and its really interesting to see how its altered through time. Productions that are included here include the original West End run, the 1992 revamp of the show, UK tours and the Bochum production, both past companies and the current revamped version made especially for the 30th year. Take a look and share your favourite moments of the show with us on Twitter! @PocketSizeBlog #PocketThenNow  

Rusty 

Ray Shell (1984), Paul Baker (1994), James Gillan (2004), Kevin Kohler (2014) & Blake P Anderson (2018)

Pearl

Stephanie Lawrence (1984), Cheryl McAvoy (1998), Amanda Coutts (2012), Trina Hill (2014) & Georgina Hagen (2018)

DREAM CASTING: 9 to 5 the Musical

Violet Newstead | Steph Parry 

Judy Bernly | Cassidy Janson 

THEN AND NOW: Chicago the Musical

Making its return to the West End stage, Chicago is one of the most famous musicals around the world. The show has attracted some very famous names to it including Ruthie Henshall (who is the only Woman to play all three leads), Bebe Neuwirth, Brandy, Jerry Springer, Mel B, Todrick Hall, Wendy Williams, Tase Diggs, Ashlee Simpson, Melanie Griffith, Patrick Swayze and most recently on the West End, Alexandra Burke. In this edition of 'Then And Now' we look back on the original Broadway production, the 1996 Broadway revival, the 2013 revival at the Leicester Curve, the current West End production and we also look back to numerous cast members who have featured in the West End run of the 1996 revival. Take a look and share your favourite moments of the show with us on Twitter! @PocketSizeBlog #PocketThenNow

Roxie Hart 

Gwen Verdon (1975), Ann Reinig (1996), Bonnie Langford (2006), Gemma Sutton (2013) & Sarah Soetaert (2018)

Velma Kelly 

Chita Rivera (1975), Bebe Neuwirth (1996), Leigh Zimmerman (2001), Verity Rushworth (2013) & Josefina Gabrielle (2018)

FEATURE: When understudies save the day!

Understudies are a vital part of what keeps shows all across the world going every night. Over the past few years, we've had stories all over the press about understudies taking on lead roles in extreme circumstances and absolutely smashing it. Here are just a few of the recent stories we love (All with happy endings!), we'd like to thank these performers for not only being amazing but also taking the time to chat to us briefly for this article. And make sure to check out the bottom of the page with a breakdown of the past understudies who are astounding audiences all across the UK every night! 

Jennifer Caldwell 

When sickness hits a cast, sometimes dramatic solutions have to happen! Knights of the Rose, a new musical running at the Arts Theatre, had a wave of sickness in the cast and when an understudy is already covering someone else, whats happens?! Jennifer Caldwell was working in the Box Office and was asked for help from the Producer, she agreed to go on at 7pm and by 7.30pm was on stage! 

"When the producer asked if I could possibly step up and perform in the show I was, I think it's safe to say, apprehensive, however, adrenaline and excitement took over pretty quickly. 

The company I had around me are some of the most talented people you could ever meet which could have made things pretty daunting, but, everyone was incredibly supportive and made it so easy to slot in to the show. I couldn't wish for a better group of people to be around."

She has now been made a permanent member of the cast and features as a swing. 

"I think, as performers, we should always be willing to accept any challenge as, in such an unpredictable industry, you never know if this kind of opportunity could arise again."

Steph Parry

Steph recently finished playing Donna in Mamma Mia on the Royal Caribbean before landing the role of the standby for Dorothy Black and Maggie Jones in 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. She was called upon when Mamma Mia (at the Novello Theatre) needed someone to step in mid show for the lead role, Donna, when the understudy suffered a serious injury. 

"It was such a surreal night, there was a moment just before I stepped out onstage where I thought “what the hell am I about to do?!” But I walked out to such a huge cheer from the audience that I instantly knew they were behind me and it felt so awesome!" 

She completed the show to great acclaim and was promoted from stand by to lead as Dorothy Black in 42nd Street.

THEN AND NOW: Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors opened at the Open Air Theatre, Regents Park in a production like we've never seen before. So as part of our new 'Then and Now' series we thought this show would be thee perfect one to kick things off. We decided to look back at the different productions we've been treated to over the years, both here and in the US. Take a look and share your favourite moments of the show with us on Twitter! @PocketSizeBlog #PocketThenNow

Seymour Krelborn

Lee Wilkof (1982), Hunter Foster (2003), Paul Keating (2006), Sam Lupton (2016) & Marc Antolin (2018)

Audrey 

Ellen Greene (1982), Kerry Butler (2003), Sheridan Smith (2006), Stephanie Clift (2016) & Jemima Rooper (2018)

Game of Thrones takes over the West End!

Iwan Rheon in Foxfinder at the Ambassadors Theatre

Iwan Rheon played Ramsay Bolton in the TV show, Game of Thrones. He is also known for Misfits and Inhumans. He made his stage debut in the Broadway transfer of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and later, the Novello Theatre. He'll star in Foxfinder which opens at the Ambassadors theatre from the 6th September. 

Maisie Williams in I and You at the Hampstead theatre

Maisie Williams plays Arya Stark on the hit show, her other credits include Doctor Who, Cyberbully, iBoy and Mary Shelley. She will make her stage debut in I and You at the Hampstead Theatre from the 18th October.