Pharaoh's number 2

May is turning out to be a very good month for me theatre wise. And this just made it even better.

Firstly, I'm amazed that this show is not done more often, or indeed better known. It's hit after hit after hit, and whilst the plot isn't the greatest on earth, it's surprisingly relevant.  And this is an utterly charming production. Tim Hatley's design is one of the most ambitious I've seen in the Minerva, yet manages to make the space feel bigger than it is, and doesn't over clutter or overshadow the piece itself.

It's a big cast, too, which allows Stephen Mear to really show off his choreography. 'Once a Year Day' is simply sensational, as is 'Steam Heat' with its jets of steam firing up from the floor.

This also confirms how underused Joanna RIding was in Lend Me a Tenor. She is surely one of our best musical theatre actresses, and Hadley Fraser, who I'd not seen before, is equally good. And there's great support from Claire Machin and Peter Polycarpou in particular.

I'd love to see it transfer, but will it? I'm not so sure. It's sold out in Chichester, but if you spot a return online, it's well worth the trip. Especially if you're sitting in the front row as I was, where they're dancing over you.

After The Dark Earth and the Light Sky and Quartermaine's Terms, and now this, Richard Eyre is the director of the year for me. I look forward to Liola  and Ghosts later this summer.

craftymiss, on 12 May 2013 - 12:06 AM, said:

I did too. I went not expecting all that much. Got a cheap ticket as I had a gap in my schedule. The trailer, reviews etc didn't entice me. But by god is it good. A masterclass in simplicity. It's raw, fresh, honest- just magical. Zrinka Cvitešić's is absolutely stunning. Starts off as this slightly blunt, straight-talking girl, but is overcome with love, hope and emotion. The growing relationship between her and Declan Bennett's Guy is beautiful to watch, as is that of him with his father, which is often deeply moving. More so because it's not a show about a pop star or actor etc. These are joe-public. Real people just trying to get by.

John Tiffany doesn't let anything overshadow the central pairing. We get a real communal feel with Bob Crowley's enveloping design, and Stephen Hoggett's choreography which really is another character in itself. I think it's the best work I've seen him do. And the music is so unshowy that it lifts this simple love story to a whole new level. It really is demonstration of the power of music. Both social and emotional. A couple of bits of the book jarred- I thought the music shop man was played up a touch too much, but that's a really minor quibble.

I loved it. Full standing ovation at the end, I joined in with tears down my cheek. So so pleased I went.

Transfers to the Aldwych in September for a 16 week run.

theatreliker, on 09 May 2013 - 11:11 AM, said:

Have you tried digging up a car park?

I've just booked for this. Was looking on the ATG website, and to my surprise there was one ticket, second row stalls, for £19.50 for next Saturday matinee. Every other day it was on sale for top price. So I grabbed it, and didn't have to pay a booking fee either. V odd. Looking forward to it.

armadillo, on 02 May 2013 - 07:16 PM, said:

Sometimes, so that I don't have to worry about having the right change with me. But there's no real advantage, unlike the Barbican where you save something like 30% if you buy your programme (and ice cream) in advance.

There has been talk of Maria Friedman reviving The Woman in White.

She liked Matilda, if I remember rightly. Mind you, how can anyone not like Matilda?

I saw it a month ago and rather enjoyed it. They could've delved into the politics a bit more, made it grittier. What it is a light, slightly superficial tale of triumph over adversity. It's a good night out. Some dodgy acting in there, but some strong performances too, and it's been well designed.

No crazy screaming 'til the end, when it must be said it is encouraged.

Saw this on Saturday evening. Very very impressed.

It's a beautiful, poignant and honest piece. To be honest, I wasn't all that familiar with it. I knew a couple of the songs and the basic premise, but that was about it..

It's been very well cast. And what makes it all the more moving is that these are very much individual characters, each with their own life and personality, trying to survive in this tempestuous business, and we get to see that. It takes something to be able to carry off a spoken monologue on the Palladium stage, but Gary Wood pulls it off. As does Victoria Hamilton-Barritt with Nothing. You were drawn into the lyrics.

Scarlett Strallen as good a usual- so disciplined and tight in her dancing. And I can see why Leigh Zimmerman has been nominated; I wanted Sheila to succeed. John Partridge surprised me - I;d only ever seen him in my local panto. The way we suddenly see his human side is v touching indeed.

The choreography is thrilling. And the lighting design is one of the best I've seen. It manages to transform the space instantly, adding depth to the work. The moments of inner thought are afforded a fantasy feel, before suddenly being brought back to the cold exposing light of reality.

I suggest him because he played Churchill in Three Days in May last year at Trafalgar Studio 1. I didn't see it, but he certainly looked the part on the publicity material- http://www.kenwright...dex.php?id=1234

Susan Stroman will direct the UK premiere of The Scottsboro Boys this October at the Young Vic.

I've seen several full houses in the main house; Sweeney, Singin', Kiss Me Kate, The Music Man..... all musicals. The plays don't sell as well in there. The Minerva is rarely not full.

Lots of tickets have barcodes already, the ATG ones certainly do. They're just never used....

Front row stalls, £10