Say the name Jonathan Larson, and what comes to mind? For most people, myself included, the only thing I can think of is the writer of Rent, who died at the age of 35 on the 25th January 1996, the day before the first performance. But actually, Larson was a prolific composer/lyricist who left behind…
The 11th October is designated as National Coming Out Day. The only reason I mention this is because, to my mind, you should come out when you feel the time is right for you and not be pressured by a date in the calendar. Of course, while the day may be good for you, it’s…
Back in 1991, the Bush Theatre saw a theatrical phenomenon as Philip Ridley presented his first professional stage work – The Pitchfork Disney – to the public. Stories of the reaction to the play have become legendary, with reports of audience members walking out and even fainting. In fact, the effect of the story was…
Flicking through BBC iPlayer (other streaming services are available) the other day I came across Laurence Olivier’s 1955 version of Richard III. It’s an amazing film with a very relevant story of power, greed and downfall. Imagine my delight when I found that Sedos were putting the play on at the Bridewell Theatre. I signed…
I’m always a little bit ashamed that while I am quite well-read, I have failed to read some of the great classics of literature. It was easier when I was at school and you could buy revision cards that gave the basics meaning you could hold your own in conversations about, for example, ‘Little Women’…
Blue, which has recently opened at the Seven Dials Playhouse is a one-act two-hander that covers an “administrative investigation” into the shooting of David Mason, a 33-year-old black man by a white policeman. The officer under investigation is Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Boyd Sully (John Colella). His statement that he stopped a car for…
Should movies be turned into musicals? Well, after Back to the Future: The Musical I did wonder if it was a good idea to take a well-known and much-loved film and bring it to the stage as a musical. So, I was intrigued to know how things were going to turn out with the latest such…
The first review of the year takes me to a place I’ve never been before. No, I’m not talking about the Southwark Playhouse, where I’ve been many times but the subject matter of the show whose title explains precisely what it is going to be about. Welcome to The Sex Lives of Puppets. The show…