REVIEW: Spamalot at New Victoria Theatre, Woking

"Lovingly ripped off from the hugely successful 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this spammier than ever production is a riotous comedy full of misfit knights, killer rabbits, dancing nuns and ferocious Frenchmen. Join King Arthur as he travels with his hapless Knights of the Round Table on a divine mission to locate the illusive Holy Grail – with uproarious consequences."

"Spamalot was the winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best New Musical, while it enjoyed a victorious West End run. This hilarious show is written by Python legend Eric Idle."

On paper alone, Spamalot is outrageously funny and this script has been updated to be as relevant now as it was when it premiered 12 years ago. It's Python's classic style of humour and fans of the films and television shows will love it. With this production, sadly what it's missing is, well, people... 

REVIEW: Legally Blonde at New Victoria Theatre, Woking

If you’ve not seen the classic chick-flick film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon, where have you been since 2001? Elle Woods, the chihuahua loving sorority sweetheart takes it upon herself to follow the love of her life, Warner, to Harvard Law School to prove to him that being blonde does not mean she’s not “serious” or “a Marilyn, not a Jackie”. It’s light-hearted yet deeply inspiring for girls everywhere who have ever wanted to prove someone wrong. 

After a successful run on Broadway, then at London’s Savoy Theatre starring Sheridan Smith and a stint at Leicester Curve last year, this UK tour was eagerly anticipated: starring Lucie Jones as Elle Woods, Rita Simmons as Paulette and Bill Ward as Professor Callahan. This is the fourth version of the stage show I’ve seen in the last 18 months, so my expectations were high. 

At Woking’s press night performance, due to illness, Lucie Jones was absent but we were treated to a debut performance as Elle from understudy Rebecca Stenhouse. I love seeing understudies have their opportunity to shine and when it comes to debuts, the atmosphere surrounding them is unique and adds an indescribable excitement to the evening which can be felt from the stage. Rebecca Stenhouse was remarkable - truly effortless as Elle. In a role which commands more stage-time than Mama Rose in Gypsy, she was energetic, warm and lovable from the offset and lit up the stage throughout. Brava, Diva!

REVIEW: The Addams Family, New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Diddly dee *click* *click*

The hottest tour on the UK circuit was welcomed with open arms last night to Woking’s New Victoria Theatre with a packed audience – eager to see what the night ahead would bring. Headlining the tour is Samantha Womack as Morticia, Cameron Blakely as Gomez and Carrie Hope Fletcher as Wednesday. Les Dennis plays Uncle Fester, but at last night’s press performance, the role was played by Scott Paige. 

“Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows. She's fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. With his cherished Morticia in the dark will Gomez manage to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner with hilarious consequences? Join them, plus Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley and more for a heart-warming story of love, family and friendship… with a twist!”

REVIEW: The Last Tango at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, starring Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace

The Last Tango is and co-choreographed by Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace of Strictly Come Dancing fame, along with Karen Bruce. This show is not just an evening of disjointed dance routines; there is a charming storyline woven through.

The Last Tango follows George, an aging man, as he looks through his attic and finds various objects which remind him of times gone by.  Each item inspires a flashback to his past, and all the special moments he shared with his true love. Beautifully characterised with Vincent Simone as the younger version of George, and Flavia as the love of his life, we can experience their first meeting in the 1920’s all the way through to their later family lives as they grow old together. 

REVIEW: Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Bright and bold; it’s a real slap in the face musical!

Bursting on stage with drag queens aplenty, Priscilla Queen of the Desert doesn’t take you on a journey but rather the ride of your life in a show that flies faster than the speed of light. Brash and garish in style and colour, this is also a show with real heart and warmth largely to some stellar performances and strong ensemble work.

REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty at the New Victoria Theatre

Matthew Bourne’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ re-imagines the classic fairytale with a gothic twist. This contemporary ballet, like Princess Aurora, is a thing of true beauty. Utterly captivating from start to finish, with humour delicately interwoven and a vampire or two thrown in for good luck.

This production was incredibly refreshing, and while it nods to the upstanding traditions of classical ballet, it is happy to drastically re-write the rule book on a number of things. To some, ballet is synonymous with men in tights, pointe shoes and epic acts of considerable length. This reimagining is wonderfully up-to-date and thrilling to behold. Most of the performance is carried out bare-foot by all the performers, and there is no Lycra in sight. Furthermore, the running time is just right. At just over 2 hours (including an interval), the whole audience seemed very comfortable.

REVIEW: Shawshank Redemption at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

A stage adaptation of one of the most critically acclaimed films of all times, based on a book written by one of the World’s most successful author’s was always going to have a lot to live up to.

It was a shame therefore this production didn’t feel like an attempt to even try and compete.  

Set in a high security prison over 20 years, much of the original story and many of the original characters remain. Fans of the film will remember warm characters with depth and variety, honest storytelling, gritty drama and well-placed light hearted moments.

REVIEW: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Based on the classic comedy film starring Sir Michael Caine and Steve Martin, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels transports you to the French Riviera and its decadent underworld, as two seasoned swindlers attempt to hoodwink a millionaire heiress. As the pair compete in the true art of the con, they discover there is only room for one of them. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the Musical is a fabulous spectacle about two fraudsters, who are both equally determined to outwit each other, as well as anyone unlucky enough to cross their paths. 

The touring cast is led by Michael Praed as crooner 'Lawrence Jameson' and he is nothing short of outstanding. From his very first appearance, he was instantly likable and performed with smoothness and charm, without being slimy. His dance moves were suave, and his vocals were great. Despite a set malfunction involving a rogue doorknob, (and a forgotten line or two as a result of the raucous laughter from both the audience and actors), he delivered a fantastic performance overall. 

REVIEW: Love Me Tender at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Featuring 25 of The King’s most popular songs, Love Me Tender is a new musical from the producers of Hairspray and Legally Blonde inspired by the music of Elvis.

The story is simple enough; a small town in the US are shook to its core by a hip-shaking, pelvic thrusting stranger with enough charm and charisma to power a jukebox. What follows is lots of falling in love, mistaken identity and a happy ending all around!

REVIEW: East is East at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

An adaptation from screen to stage is never easy, especially when the subject is one of most successful and iconic British films of the last twenty years. But there is no doubt about it; this production is a great success in its own right.

Fans of the 1999 film (a play previously) will love the intimacy of this production where story-telling and characters firmly take centre stage. With a largely static set, the actors work hard together to combine minimal scene changes with fluid movement to keep the pace of the show fast and slick.

REVIEW: The Sound of Music at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

It’s hard to reinvent a production set in the 1930s but a little more imagination and panache is needed to rescue this latest tour of The Sound of Music.

If you’ve not seen the film (I haven’t so not everyone has!) this is the story of loveable and feisty Maria Rainer and her struggle find her place in the world. Does she want to dedicate her life to God and become a nun or can this free-spirit shake up the regimented von Trapp household and breathe new life into Captain von Trapp?

REVIEW: Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Well, the play certainly lived up to its title. Well almost. Nonsense it most certainly was, Perfect? Far from it.

 The three superb individual performances from the production’s cast wasn’t enough to paper over the cracks of a show with a woefully confusing or non-existent storyline and tired gags.

So to start with the good; Ed Hancock as Bertie Wooster was a loveable and energetic lead with great comic timing and facial expressions with just enough restraint to stop the character being irritating. He was a wonderful narrator for this tale but was a pity there wasn’t more in the text for this talented actor to work with.

REVIEW: The Kings Speech at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

For those who, like me, haven’t seen the smash hit film; this is the heart warming true story of King George VI overcoming his stutter in order to deliver the speech of his life.

Set during Churchill-era Great Britain, this play is tight, amusing, emotional and powerful and allows its leads the chance to take centre stage; an opportunity both actors do with pleasure.

REVIEW: Dance 'Till Dawn at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Ok, let’s address the obvious first; Vincent and Flavia are exceptionally talented dancers. Even though I am no Strictly Come Dancing expert, I know this. Flawless footwork, perfect timing and chemistry that ooze out of every pore, the pair recreates the magic of 1940s Hollywood in this high energy production.

What was a welcome surprise was just how good the rest of this 2 hour feast for the senses was!

Musical Director Patrick Hurley created a score rich in sounds that take the audience on a nostalgic journey to the golden era of film and showbiz, with jazz favourites like Cry Me A River and Why Don’t You Do Right. The show also added new tones to contemporary songs by Bruno Mars, Adele and Paolo Nutini which only aided the shows appeal and made it relevant to a younger audience.

REVIEW: The Full Monty at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

There was an air oestrogen smothered excitement that enveloped this packed out New Victoria Theatre for the opening night of The Full Monty.

Based on the smash-hit 1997 film, Stephen Beaufoy’s adaptation leads the audience through the trials and tribulations of a group of working class men, on the dole and looking to make a quick buck as wannabe strippers!

Set against a backdrop of the once successful steel works, this production packs a good visual punch throughout with impressive set, effects and a soundtrack fizzing with memories and emotion.

For a story that is so well known and approaching 20 years old, the themes resonate strongly, particularly the underlying tension of the post-Thatcher era still ringing in the ears of the British public. It was a startling reminder and realisation of how far we haven’t come. Hard working families are struggling to stay afloat and it is this message that carries the audience from start to finish.

REVIEW: Saturday Night Fever at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

It upsets me that this is the standard of productions that the British public are watching, there is so much more out there that is amazing but this is what people are paying to watch? I’m confused.

This is a poor quality show, absolutely no love or passion has gone into the creating of this show so there is a flat and dull feeling through out the entire thing. You wait and wait and wait and wait for it to pick up, but it never does. 

Sound issues were a major downfall of this production, I couldn't hear a word most of the cast were singing or speaking however I could hear all the automation and pushing of sets on stage.

REVIEW: Aladdin at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

There is nothing that gets me more in the mood for christmas than Pantomime, remembering back to my childhood where I used to be taken to see one every year brings back all the feelings of excitement!

The pantomime starts out with an advert. Yes, you read that correct, an advert. I feel very disappointed that adverts have now been introduced to theatres. It completely takes you away form the magic of theatre and I couldn't believe my eyes when it started to play! It left the auditorium feeling very stale and unenergised for the performance. However this energy dip was soon rescued by the cast. 

Simon Callow stars in THE MAN JESUS at New Victoria Theatre, Woking on Wednesday 22 October

Stalwart of stage and screen Simon Callow performs this fresh and moving account of biblical stories in The Man Jesus coming the New Victoria Theatre, Woking on Wed 22 October.

This extraordinary play looks back two thousand years to witness key moments in the life of ‘the man Jesus’, through the eyes of the people who knew him.

Simon Callow, one of Britain's best-loved actors, performs many biblical tales including the raising of Lazarus, the wedding at Cana and the journey to Jerusalem. His powerful portrayal of the tyrants, traitors and madmen in Jesus’ life asks people of all faiths and none: what sort of a man was able to inspire the history of the world? 

Star cast join ALADDIN at the New Victoria Theatre

The New Victoria Theatre is proud to present the most spectacular and magical pantomime adventure, Aladdin from Friday 5 December 2014 – Saturday 10 January 2015.  

Join our Panto stars, Justin Fletcher, Ben Adams, Steven Arnold, Jason Sutton, Shaheen Jafargholi and Djengla Denman as they come together to celebrate this magical Panto extravaganza!

Justin Fletcher returns to the New Victoria Theatre following a sell out 2013 season and overwhelming public demand. The BAFTA award-winning CBeebies superstar will be starring as the loveable and fun Wishee Washee.