Flare Path

We asked a few theatregoers what they thought of the play:

“The gentle flowing Flare Path brought to our attention the real life difficulties that people had to face during the war years. Wives watching RAF husbands go off to work, waiting and hoping that they would return safely and just trying to make the best of this very hard situation. For me Sheridan Smith was the stand-out performer whose character provided a light hearted touch as well as delivering serious emotion.”
Madelene, 38, London

“I didn’t think there was much chemistry between the two leads James Purefoy and Sienna Miller and their scenes lacked energy which made the play drag a little. I enjoyed Flare Path because the supporting cast were absolutely superb. Sheridan Smith stole the show as the Countess, and Joe Armstrong and Clive Wood were both really funny.”
Lettice, 30, London

“I really enjoyed Flare Path’s beautifully subtle script, which was quite funny but also brought me to tears in some moments, highlighting how remarkable sacrifices made by individuals during the war quickly became a part of everyday reality. The performances were generally all great and while the celebrity pull is probably Sienna, for me Sheridan Smith was the star of the night.”
Rebecca, 29, Uxbridge

“Flare Path didn’t blow me away but I enjoyed it. I was keen to see Sienna Miller and Sheridan Smith on stage because I’ve heard so much about them both. I thought Sienna Miller did a pretty good job but Sheridan Smith had far more energy and stole every scene she was in. The rest of the supporting cast were also very good – especially Clive Wood who created some great comic moments from the few lines he had.”
Jenny, 28, London

“I enjoyed Flare Path. From the period detail of the set and costumes to the smooth pace of the onstage action it was a good, if not sparklingly great, evening’s entertainment. Written soon after the war, I appreciated the simplicity of the plot and characters: three-dimensional but free from the tortured psychology you’d probably get in something more modern – and the refreshingly happy ending. Sheridan Smith was excellent, Sienna Miller was fine if not exceptional. However the whole play was over-long and would benefit from some astute editing.”
Claire, 28, Tottenham

“Sienna Miller may be the main attraction of Flare Path but she was outshone on stage by some of her fellow cast members. My favourite characters were the hilarious female hotelkeeper, the slightly camp wing commander and the nosey young waiter.  I liked the set too, with its huge windows overlooking a misty air field. The plot’s fairly slow, but the show does immerse you in the 40s world of air force lingo and tea dresses, and it kept me interested from beginning to end.”
Hannah, 37, Devon

Flare Path at Theatre Royal Haymarket until 4 June 2011. Book tickets

Have you seen Flare Path? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments below.

Aside from the much-publicised The Real Van Gogh at the Royal Academy, there are lots of treats for art lovers in London this year. There’s a new Henry Moore exhibition in February, portraits by Irving Penn at the National Portrait Gallery, and a Chris Ofili exhibition at Tate Britain.

If you like your art global, you can check out Italian masters and African sculptures at the British Museum, or see contemporary Indian art at the Saatchi Gallery.

London’s dance calendar is typically international for 2010 too: from the Flamenco Festival to Havana Rakatan, to Riverdance: The Farewell Tour and the Imperial Ice Stars, there’s something for everyone.

Crafty types will love the Quilts exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum; if you like Hollywood glamour, look out for the V&A’s Grace Kelly: Style Icon show later in the year.

Theatre fans have a lot of excitement to look forward to this year. There’s:

• Jonathan Pryce in The Caretaker
• Anthony Head in Six Degrees of Separation
• Kim Cattrall in Private Lives
• Judi Dench in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Felicity Kendal in Mrs Warren’s Profession
• David Suchet and Zoe Wannamaker in All My Sons

Head to The O2 for some of London’s most exciting music concerts in 2010; Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston and Leona Lewis are all playing the mammoth arena this year.

And who isn’t straining at the leash to get into ABBAWorld at Earls Court when it opens on 27 January?!

Check out our London Events Calendar for more exciting London events for 2010. And don’t forget to let us know what you’re most looking forward to in London in 2010 in the comments below!

Get Into London Theatre is offering fantastic cut-price theatre tickets between 1 January and 12 February next year.

The booking period for these fantastic offers opens today! What are you waiting for? Just take your pick from the 55-odd fantastic shows, and book your tickets. 

There really is something for everyone: tickets are available at just £10, £15, £25 and £35 for a choice of musicals, plays, opera and dance. 

The sensational selection of shows include popular musicals and plays: 

• Billy Elliot
• Jersey Boys
• Priscilla Queen of the Desert 
• Sister Act
• The 39 Steps
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
• The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

Don’t miss out, get booking now at www.getintolondontheatre.co.uk or by calling the Get into London Theatre ticket hotline on 0871 230 1548.

Oliver! Oliver! Never before has a boy wanted more…

I’ve had this song stuck in my head since seeing the Theatre Royal production of Oliver! last week. Directed by Rupert Goold and choreographed by Matthew Bourne this musical production of Dickens’ classic novel is an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular.

I considered myself at home as the familiar tunes were performed in front of amazing sets in Covent Garden‘s beautiful old Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Whoever said you shouldn’t work with kids or animals should “eat their head”, as the kids were the stars of the show – first appearing as orphans, then as Fagin’s urchins and other London street strays. And Bullseye – Bill Sikes’ dog, played by a real live dog – was a big hit with the audience.

Oom Pah Pah, Oom Pah Pah, that’s not to say the adults didn’t belt out a few good ‘uns (literally, in the case of Sykes, ahem). Omid Djalili as Fagin was fickle, funny and just the right side of fiendish. And Nancy sang up a storm.

Proving you’ve gotta pick a pocket or two – I particularly liked the Act 1 scene where Oliver is sold to work in a Funeral Parlour and the undertaker and his wife were styled to look like Riffraff and Magenta – bit of a timewarp, but it worked.

This is a great production that’s suitable for young and old. I’m sure you’d do anything to see it for yourself and, luckily, all you have to do is buy a wonderful theatre ticket.