COMING HOME: Christopher Tendai, last seen in Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre and Artistic Director of Dance Company CTC

Pocket Size Theatre and Liza Heinrichs (Captured by Liz) have teamed up again and created our new series 'Coming Home'. In this new piece, we look at the reopening of Theatres in London and around the country and celebrate our industry coming back. We got together some performers who will be some of the first to return to theatres and created this piece to bring some positivity to the theatre industry which has been through one of the toughest years in our lifetime. Whilst it is important to acknowledge the hardships we've all gone through, it's important we pull together as a community and celebrate our beloved industry finally coming back! 

An up and coming choreographer and creative himself, as well as an accomplished West End performer, Christopher Tendai was appearing in the London production of Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. Appearing in the ensemble and covering the role of Rudolpho before the theatres shut their doors back in March 2020. Over the pandemic, he has been keeping himself very productive with his creative work but he also went on to appear in the National Theatres pantomime, Dick Whittington, in December. He was the Dance Captain and Swing on the show but the run was short-lived due to London being moved into tier 4. 

After Matilda and Dick Whittington being cut short for Christopher, he has been through his fair share of disappointments through this but he remains positive, telling us that if he could give out a piece of advice to people it would be “to take each day at a time. Don’t beat yourself up if your body takes longer to get back to where it was. We have all suffered trauma over this pandemic so make sure to be kind to yourself.” 

The Real Housewives of Musical Theatre

If you're anything like me, you would have fallen in the Real Housewives trap. Over this pandemic there hasn't been a lot to do, so of course watching Real Housewives was on the top of my list. But this got me thinking, who would be the Real Housewives of Musical Theatre? Well, let's find out... 

Madame Morrible 

No doubt she'll stir the pot without any of the others knowing, until all is revealed and her evil ways are exposed. 

15 Production Shots that describe the struggles of a Lockdown

With all this spare time we now have we have decided to bring back our most popular article to date but this time, with a twist. So here it is: 15 Production Shots that describe the struggles of being in a Lockdown! (P.S. before you all come for me, I know this isn't an official lockdown. It's just catchier than Quarantine. Ok thanks.) Enjoy! 

View Part 1 and Part 2 of the Production Pictures articles!

When your partner tries to make you go to the supermarket for supplies but you're too scared. 

Alistair Brammer and Laura Pick in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre 

When the supermarket is out of bread. AGAIN. 

Jon Robyns in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre

20 Production shots that describe the struggles of being in a Musical | Part 2

Following our overwhelming response to our article last year, we have decided to bring this back! Production Pictures that describe the struggles of being in a musical smashed all of our records last year and we had such fun creating it, so here's another one! We hope you all like it as much as last year and enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. 

Please note, this article is merely light-hearted entertainment. We respect and adore all the performers and shows involved in this and hope that it is viewed in the same way. 

REVIEW: Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre

I had the great pleasure of attending opening night for the brand-new cast of Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre, which premiered at the RSC in 2010. This is a multi-award-winning musical inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl and tells the story of a young girl who is growing up in a family that doesn’t appreciate her great love for books and her incredible imagination. Her habit of losing herself in literature doesn’t protect her however from nightmares and rage. Funnily enough, I was reminded of Stranger Things’ “L”, as Matilda starts moving objects with her mind and terrorising her bullies.

Matilda is written by playwright Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by the anarchic Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The text and music are clever and ingenious, including humour for children and adults. This makes it the perfect treat for the whole family and will transport anyone to this familiar but dark world: indeed, it’s good to be reminded of how dark Dahl’s stories can be! 

New production images released for the new London cast of MATILDA

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical has released new production images featuring the previously announced new cast of the multi-award winning show, which is now playing its eighth year in the West End having opened at the Cambridge Theatre seven years ago today on 25 October 2011. 

Hayden Tee stars as Miss Trunchbull alongside Rob Compton and Holly Dale Spencer as Mr and Mrs Wormwood, and Gina Beckwho joined the company Miss Honey in 2017. Isobel Hubble and Francesca McKeown have joined Sara Munday and Olivia Wellsin sharing the title role of Matilda. 

The London production of Matilda The Musical is booking until 20 October 2019 whilst the UK and Ireland Tour will be playing in cities across the country until 17 August 2019. For more information see www.matildathemusical.com.

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, developed and directed by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

#BeMoreMatilda

HOW CAN WE #BEMOREMATILDA?

“If it’s not right, you have to put it right” is Matilda’s motto in the vivacious stage adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel penned by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. The show, produced by the RSC, has been a family favourite in the West End for years… and with good reason. The songs are catchy and witty, providing laughs (and tears) for both children and adults in the audience. We were invited to see the show and discuss how people might #BeMoreMatilda, which may seem an obvious answer… read books, be kinder, be humble. Those are all excellent traits that the adorable titular character possesses, however what really struck me watching the production is her utter strength and determination. How often do we find ourselves as adults questioning our own choices and feelings? How often do we allow someone to put us down even when we know it isn’t fair? 

10 Most Iconic Mothers in Musical Theatre | Mothers Day Special

Mamma Rose in Gypsy 

Donna in Mamma Mia 

Diana in Next to Normal 

Minimal vs Actual art work!

Inspired by our feature last week, we thought it may be interesting to compare the Minimal Musical designs against some of the real designs used by the shows. Do you prefer the alternative version? Tweet us which one is your favourite, or if you like a particular design from a different production of the show then share that too! 

Cabaret 

2012 London revival vs Minimal Musicals 

New cast of MATILDA announced, CRAIGE ELS stars as Miss Trunchbull

Capturing the imagination of young and old alike, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical continues to play to packed houses at the Cambridge Theatre in London. Matilda has now been seen by almost 1.5million people since it transferred to the West End in October 2011. The production was commissioned by the RSC and played to sold-out audiences at the RSC’s The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon for twelve weeks from November 2010 to January 2011. Tickets are now on sale until Sunday 24 May 2015.

Craige Els will join the company as Miss Trunchbull from September, playing alongside James Clyde (Mr Wormwood), Haley Flaherty (Miss Honey) and Kay Murphy (Mrs Wormwood).

Tony Awards 2013: Full List of Winners and Nominees

BEST PLAY

Winner: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Nominees: 

The Assembled Parties
Lucky Guy
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

BEST MUSICAL

Winner: Kinky Boots

Nominees: 

Bring it On: The Musical
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Kinky Boots

Matilda The Musical

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY

Winner: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Nominees: 

Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

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.