Noises Off

“Great cast and excellent production, however slightly let down by not being able to hear occasional lines of dialogue. I love farce and did enjoy it, but judging by the very receptive audience, not quite as much as everyone else!”
Tom Butler, Camberwell

“Noises off is pure farce and I loved every second of it. As the characters and story developed, it got funnier and funnier and by the time the cactus worked its magic on Robert Glenister, I was crying with laughter along with the majority of the audience. If you like silly comedy performed perfectly by talented actors, you’ll love this.”
Lettice, South London

“The audience around me loved this energetic farce, but I found myself only mildly entertained. The cast had great comic timing and made this physically demanding role look spontaneous and easy. However, Noises Off was just too repetitive and slapstick for me. Not my cup of tea (or plate of sardines in this case).”
Jenny, South London

“I was sceptical about Noises Off but was pleasantly surprised. Traditional farce – slamming doors and clothing malfunctions galore - sends shivers down my spine. But despite an abundance of both these elements, there was a constant stream of giggles with a few big laughs thrown in. A masterclass in precision comic timing, Celia Imrie was a joy to watch.”
Jo, London

“Act one of the play seems pretty farcical, but compared to the third act, it’s straight-laced. I found myself laughing more and more as the show went on, the plot is completely ridiculous but you have to be lacking a funny bone not to get into the swing of it. The cast are great, particularly Celia Imrie and overall it’s a very well-polished performance.”
Laura, Camberwell

“Noises Off is a slapstick farce, where comedy moments include characters’ trousers falling down and their shoelaces being tied together. Despite being slightly dated in its humour, the show made for an entertaining evening. It was well-acted and I found parts of it reasonably amusing, while loud guffaws indicated that other audience members found it hilarious. Many people love this show and see it again and again. If you’re a fan if slapstick comedy, you’ll probably love it too.”
Hannah, North London

“Fantastic! The all-star cast delighted the audience with a fast-paced and sharp, laugh-a-minute adaptation. Will definitely be recommending Noises Off to friends!”
Lisa Taylor, Bermondsey

“I really enjoyed Noises Off, I haven’t laughed that much in ages, I thought the play was very original and if you are suffering the January blues, it’s a real pick me up!”
Kirsty, South London

Noises Off at The Old Vic until 25 February 2012. Book tickets

Shrek The Musical

We asked a few theatregoers what they thought of the stage adaptation of the popular book and film. They all agreed on one point – that Nigel Harman’s Lord Farquaad was their favourite part of the show:

I really enjoyed Shrek the Musical. It was enthusiastic and silly like a panto and aimed at kids but it was funny and enjoyable for adults too. Nigel Harman completely stole the show as Lord Faquaad with his great singing and hilarious dancing.
Betty 34 London

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Shrek the Musical. How can you recreate a green, burping giant on stage? But everything was brilliant: the dancing, singing, sets, costumes and lights. My favourite bits were the scenes with Nigel Harman, who acted (and danced!) on his knees as the vertically challenged Lord Farqaard. Shrek is a real feel-good show. As we left the theatre my friend declared, “That’s the best thing that’s happened to me all week!”
Hannah, 37, North London

Shrek the Musical had all the kids in the audience rolling in their seats. Like in the movies, the comedy was set on two levels: one aimed at adults and the other at kids – and while I would have appreciated a few more laughs and a fewer sentimental story lines, on the whole, the show was fun. For me, the real star of the show was Nigel Harman as the baddie, Lord Farquaad, getting a laugh from the audience at every appearance.
Jacqueline, London

Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad outclassed everyone else on stage. He was the perfect pantomime villain, and provided plenty of slapstick comedy performing all his songs and dances on his knees! Shrek The Musical could do with a few more things like that to justify the price of a ticket versus re-watching the DVD. The dragon puppet was also a highlight.
Barbara, 50, West London

Have you seen Shrek The Musical in London? Tell us what you thought in the comments below.

End of the Rainbow opened at Trafalgar Studios on Monday. The musical follows Hollywood legend Judy Garland (played by Tracie Bennett) towards the end of her life, as she embarks on a five-week run of shows London, which is approached in Garland’s typical shambolic-but-brilliant way.

We asked several theatre-goers what they thought of the show:

Kate, 32, Bethnal Green
Tracie Bennett doesn’t just play Judy Garland, she embodies her, perfectly capturing Garland’s every side from purring kitten to roaring lioness. She slinks and sashays around the stage, her tornado of a voice makes the walls shake, and she throws some pretty nifty dance moves, too. Captivating from hopeful start to tragic finish. I found it hard to believe so much life could be squeezed out of just 47 years.

Zoe, 30, Peckham Rye
End of the Rainbow is a must-see musical for all Judy Garland fans. It’s a pretty heartbreaking piece of theatre, but the brilliance of the songs really shines through. Tracie Bennett’s performance is nothing short of breathtaking. I’m too young to know (!) but a guy next to me in the audience who’d seen Judy perform live twice said he thought Bennett’s renditions of the songs were pretty much perfect.

Charlotte, 35, Clapham Junction
What a treat End of the Rainbow is! This stage biopic about Judy Garland illustrates how she was manipulated by all the men in her life, who played on her insecurities for their own ends. It also shows how she was trying to move on with her life in London when she tragically died. Tracie Bennett gives a superb performance as the brilliant yet deeply troubled Judy Garland and sings some of the classic songs she was famous for. Whether or not you are a fan of Judy Garland or only know her from The Wizard of Oz, I would highly recommend this play as a “must see”.

Jess, 29, Herne Hill
This is an incredible play. I was absolutely mesmerised by Tracie Bennett’s portrayal of Judy Garland. Her acting was incredible as was her singing – I really felt like I was watching Judy herself (she even looked so very like her). It was extremely touching – a real tear-jerker, as you can’t help but feel tremendous sympathy for Judy Garland. How Bennett will keep up such energy for the run I don’t know, because it is a very demanding role, both physically and emotionally. Whether you are a Judy Garland fan or not, I urge you to see this most magnificent play just to watch Bennett handle this role so wonderfully.

Madelene, 38, Finsbury Park
Sometimes you feel honoured going to see artists perform their craft and this was one of those moments. Tracie Bennett was absolutely magical.

Mark, 42, Chelsea
Tracie Bennett gives a bravura performance in this show. Having read Judy Garland’s biography and adoringly watched most (all?!) of her films, I thought Bennett’s portrayal was astoundingly accurate. Consequently End of the Rainbow was like watching a histrionic car crash – fascinating, frightening, utterly compelling and almost unwontedly enjoyable.

End of the Rainbow is on at Trafalgar Studios until 5 March. Get your End of the Rainbow tickets here.

Noel Coward’s 1932 play Design For Living was initially banned in the UK until 1939 because its risque subject matter was thought unacceptable to the official censor.

The provocative play has now returned to London for the first time in 15 years, to the Old Vic Theatre.

Design for Living’s racy plot centres on a love triangle between interior designer Gilda (Lisa Dillon), playwright Leo (Andrew Scott), and artist Otto (Tom Burke).

We asked what some audience members thought of the show.

Jess, 29, Herne Hill
This is a fabulous play – I enjoyed it immensely. I’ve never seen a Noel Coward play before and I thought the script was superb – but because it was brought alive and injected with a wonderful humour by three such strong leading actors. I thought Lisa Dillon made a charming Gilda – it was a real pleasure to watch her. And I just loved the scene when Otto and Leo got drunk – it was so well executed and achingly funny. Despite the comic lines, I believed in the characters and their love triangle scenario. The play had a very sweet ending and was an absolute tonic.

Linnie, 34, Croydon
I would describe it as a perfectly cast Coward that sparkled darkly – it was delightful and deliciously naughty.

Marlon, 26, Seven Sisters
I was blown away by Design for Living. The dialogue was superbly sharp, the sets were fantastic and the storyline really impressed me. And it was so refreshing not to have the typical “Hollywood ending”. Five stars!

Abby, 30, Tower Bridge
Thought the play was very entertaining and funny, though I thought some of the scenes were heading into the farcical (shouting scene at the end). Overall a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Nic, 31, Bethnal Green
Best thing I’ve seen in a long time, wonderful acting and just hilarious! Gave it a standing ovation.

Ricci, 29, Herne Hill
Great script, delivered supremely. Gripping from the start. The glamorous costumes and sets transported us back to another age. And yet the play’s content – and all the issues and emotions the characters have to deal with – still have relevance today. I loved it!

Barry, 45, South Woodford
Although the storyline is very thin the brilliant acting more than makes up for it. Tom Burke and Andrew Scott are like a well-oiled machine. They bounce off of each other like they have been doing the play for years. The drunken scene towards the end of act two is excellent. Lisa Dillon is also brilliant and is on stage for most of the production. The set is also very good and far more than you normally see in a play. The play lasts for 3 hours including two intervals, but you will be laughing for large parts of that.

Design for Living is on at the Old Vic until 27 November. Get your Design for Living Tickets here. Have you seen the show? Add your views to the mix in the comments below.

Happily, the original writers (Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn) have kept much of the classic comedy that makes the TV show so watchable. And the actors taking over from Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne, the excellent comic David Haig and the ever-brilliant Henry Goodman (read our interview with the latter here) are just as skilled as those they replace.

The script is updated, with references to BlackBerrys, the coalition, and the financial crisis, and packs in many laughs about politics, political relationships, foreign policy, and the BBC.

We asked a few audience members what they thought of the show:

Jonny, 25, Tunbridge Wells
Yes, Prime Minister was an enjoyable night out. Henry Goodman and David Haig combined impeccably, and although not hilarious, it was witty and entertaining. It also made sense for me, despite having seen very little of the original series. Worth going for Sir Humphrey Appleby’s (Henry Goodman) over-educated hyperbolic piffle alone!

Jo, 27, Battersea
Henry Goodman was as brilliant as ever – a complete chameleon actor who does justice to every role he plays, and his Sir Humphrey is no different. An hour and a half is possibly too long for the plot line (which flips between witty satire and pure farce), but this is not just a re-hash of the old Yes, Prime minister series, as the writers have adeptly updated the issues and context whilst retaining the style of the TV show.  

Madelene, 37, London
The new version of Yes, Prime Minister is not a far distance away from the original television version, sharp wit and killer lines, as well as a comical view of who may actually guide our political decisions.

Jane, 30, London
 Yes, Prime Minister was pleasing and nostalgic, although the update feels a bit old fashioned in comparison to shows like The Thick Of It. The supporting cast were excellent, especially Jonathan Slinger as Bernard.

Jenny, 27, Essex
I’m not really familiar with the TV show but I enjoyed the stage version of Yes, Prime Minister. Although the plot was pretty thin, the play was full of jokes and kept me amused all the way through. David Haig was great as the Prime Minister and it’s always a treat to see Henry Goodman on stage. This was the first comic role I’d seen him play. I’d say he’s more suited to a dramatic role than comedy, but he did make a very smooth Sir Humphrey!

Stephen, 37, Oxford
Good fun. Longer and more extreme than the TV series, the writers seem to have become more bitter and cynical over the years, but hasn’t everyone? Glad to see that Sir Humphrey is still a Balliol man.

Yes, Prime Minister plays at the Gielgud until 15 July next year. Book tickets here. Have you seen the show? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.

It’s a black comedy from the 1970s, by a top Broadway writer, Neil Simon. But the main draw for this new production has to be Hollywood star, Jeff Goldblum.

And in terms of laughs, Mr Goldblum certainly doesn’t disappoint. As Mel, a 47-year-old Manhattanite advertising executive on the brink of a breakdown, Jeff delivers every line with great comic timing.

He’s more than matched by a terrific performance from Mercedes Ruehl as Edna, his put-upon wife. The script zings with sharp one-liners, and definitely entertains. Ultimately, however, I found the overall plot was a bit lacking: The Prisoner of Second Avenue is very funny line by line, but the play doesn’t lead anywhere promising in the end.

But that’s just my view! I asked some other audience members what they thought:

Peter, 28, from South Africa
It’s a light-hearted look at a stressed-out couple. I enjoyed the show but I thought the narrative didn’t progress all that much and the comedy was a little forced at times. That said, there were some very funny moments and sparks of great acting throughout.

Nicola, 29, from South East London
A thoroughly enjoyable night out, which although not the funniest of scripts, entertains for the whole two hours. Jeff Goldblum is a little disappointing due to his reserved take on some scenes, but his pairing with Mercedes Ruehl is fab. Worth a watch if you’re looking for something witty that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

John, 30, from Northampton
I thought the two central performances were great. You just couldn’t take your eyes off Mercedes Ruehl and Jeff Goldblum.

Pauline, 30ish, from South East London
I enjoyed the show and am a fan of Jeff Goldblum’s work. The play looks at a married couple driven over the edge by the stresses of modern life; it’s both serious and funny, and is set in the heart of Manhattan madness.

Abby, 32, from London
Set against a back drop of recession, The Prisoner of Second Avenue is particularly relevant to the world today. The main characters have to come to terms with the socio-economic problems and changes of the day. Their increasing levels of stress are humorously portrayed and, although I thought Jeff Goldblum was overly theatrical at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the play.

Bec, 29, from Sydney
A particularly timely production, The Prisoner of Second Avenue was both a really funny night out and, considering it was initially penned in the 70s, incredibly resonant in today’s economic climate. I was really looking forward to seeing Jeff Goldblum on stage, and although his performance certainly didn’t disappoint, it was leading lady Mercedes Ruehl that really blew me away.

Have you seen the show yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue plays at the Vaudeville Theatre until 25 September. Book your tickets here

The Broadway production of Hair The Musical opened at the Gielgud Theatre last night: the first time a Broadway show has transferred the same cast to the West End.

I was lucky enough to catch a preview of this exuberant show. I’ve never seen Hair before, despite hearing a lot about it from my parents who saw it “back in the day.”

It’s certainly a really interesting musical: while there’s no real narrative arc to speak of, making it difficult to care for any of the characters, there are some amazing songs, and the costumes, set and performances are really impressive (particularly the gorgeous Gavin Creel as Claude and Will Swenson as Berger).

We asked some other members of the audience if they thought the Age of Aquarius had arrived:

Juliette, Hatch End
I wasn’t sure what to expect and had heard alot about the original play in the 60s.  I was surprised at the level of audience interaction with the cast and at first found this a little daunting (probably more so if you were in the front few rows of the stalls). The second half was certainly stronger with the first half laying the foundations. Voices were great and definitely some strong characters. It was great to see so many on the stage at the end of the show.

Ricci Riccardi, Herne Hill, 29
The band were amazing – it was so good to see top session musicians playing in a West End show. The band made the show for me.

Jess Rees, Herne Hill, 29
Hair is a really fun show. The performers had bags of energy. It’s quite off-the-wall and the hallucination scene in the second act is really well done. There are some very random moments and it is definitely a product of the 60s, but it worth watching just to see the audience joining in at the end.

Lilac, Sydney, 32
I wasn’t expecting to like Hair, but I did. I didn’t think it would be innovative and memorable after all these years, but it was. I was intrigued by the format, impressed by the pace and made joyful by the obvious fun the cast (and audience) were having.

Flora, Reading, 27
I loved the music and the singing was outstanding, it sounded so good. What talent! Gavin Creel was outstandingly brilliant as Claude. I wasn’t sure about the character Berger though, he seemed like he was in the wrong theatre. Over all, really enjoyable and very beautiful.

Amy, Clapham, 33
Uproarious, glorious and groovy, baby! I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hair, but really got into the characters and the music. And I couldn’t believe it when the audience “gatecrashed” the stage to join the cast in their feelgood finale. Hair-larious!

Madelene, Finsbury Park, 37
If you immerse yourself in the fabulous music and forgive the lack of story then you will enjoy this new version of Hair. The energy from the Broadway cast lifts you up and takes you on a dreamy journey back to the 60s.

Have you seen Hair? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Hair runs at the Gielgud Theatre until 8 January 2011. Book your tickets here

Last night I joined Peter Hall, Jeremy Paxman, Samuel West* and Melvyn Bragg (among other celebs and lots of happy civilians) in the audience at A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rose Theatre in Kingston.

This was the opening night of a much-anticipated show, directed by Peter Hall, and starring Judi Dench as Titania, Queen of the Fairies. A winning partnership, Hall and Dench first did this show some 38 years ago.

Played on a dark, black stage with few props, this is a traditional-dress production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with lots of stars in the cast. Diana Rigg’s daughter (Rachael Stirling) plays Helena, one of the lovers, alongside sexy Ben Mansfield from Primeval. Oliver Chris gets lots of laughs as Bottom, and wears the most gorgeous, realistic donkey head we’ve ever seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

We asked one of the many families in the audience for their views:

Susan, mum:
I thought it was beautiful. The costumes were wonderful. I’ve never seen it done in traditional dress, and I loved it. I’ve seen it with hippies, or modern, or whatnot, but not in period like this. It’s excellent.

Joe, 12:
I really liked Oliver Chris, the guy from Green Wing, as Bottom. He was really funny.

Hannah, 15:
It was excellent. I really liked all of it, the mechanicals especially. Oberon and Puck were great too.

Peter, dad:
It was fantastic, just as Shakespeare should be done: bare stage, a few props, just the words. You could hear every word, the speaking and acting was fantastic. I’m not sure Judi Dench added much: she just wafted in, spoke beautifully, and wafted out, but it didn’t matter.

Susan:
I wasn’t sure about having the old Titania either, but she was lovely, and she speaks beautifully. It was a fantastic show.

Have you seen this new A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays at the Rose Theatre until 20 March

[*UPDATE:  as pointed out in the comments below, it was Timothy West, not his son Sam I saw in the crowd. Sam was obviously otherwise engaged, on stage, in Enron.]

Jerusalem, Jez Butterworth’s award-winning play, opened in the West End last night at the Apollo Theatre.

I was lucky enough to see a preview performance last week. Jerusalem is incredible: funny, thought-provoking and refreshingly different. And Mark Rylance’s performance as the central character, Johnny “Rooster” Byron, is quite spectacular.

It was also impressive to see how many celebs were in the audience. We spotted Clive Owen, Felicity Kendal, Ben Miller, Nigel Planer and one of the Spandau Ballet boys. It’s clearly the show to be seen at!

We asked some (non-celebs) in the audience for their views on the play:

Barry, 33, from South Woodford
“If you only see one play this year, go and see Jerusalem. Beg, steal (well maybe not that) or borrow the money: it’s well worth it. Mark Rylance is beyond brilliant.”

John, 28, from Northampton
“I thought it had everything: it was funny, challenging and beautiful. Mark Rylance’s performance is an incredible feat and it was the best night I’ve had at the theatre for ages. And the celeb-filled audience was the icing on the cake!”

Jean, grandmother, from Bristol
“The language may be blue in this green and not always pleasant land – but this is an extraordinary piece of theatre. Mark Rylance’s performance is electrifying.”

Lilac, 32, from Sydney
“Jerusalem is a rollicking rollercoaster of emotion, enjoyment and evangelism – although not in the obvious sense. We’ve all known, if not been, the “king of the kids” at some point in our lives and I observed the antics of “Rooster”  Byron with equal parts nostalgia and relief! The play is thought-provoking, poignant and also bloody funny. Well worth seeing.”

Jenny, 27, from Essex
“I agree with all the praise for Mark Rylance’s performance – one of the most gruelling I have seen as he is on stage for almost the entire duration of the play, which clocks in at more than three hours.”

Josephine, just over 40, from Mortlake
“This is the best play I’ve seen in ages – funny, moving, razor-sharp dialogue, original, memorable. The main character dominates proceedings brilliantly, though the rest of the cast move in and out of focus superbly well. As well as a good laugh, the story really makes you think about life’s values. Not for readers of the Daily Mail.”

And last night, I finally got to see the show. Regular readers won’t be surprised to hear that I loved it. (It’s a girly, giggly, pink, hilarious musical – what’s not to like?!) To be honest, I’d happily watch it again tonight. And tomorrow. And the next day…

But what about the other audience members? We asked a few for their views on London’s hottest new show:

Christine, Senior Citizen
“I thought it was surprisingly brilliant. I wasn’t expecting it to be so good as it wasn’t marketed at me – too pink and Barbie. The reviews said it was just for women, but there was so much too it, every scene was so different.”

Barry, 18
“I was pleasantly surprised. It was really fun. I thought the dog was the best bit. And by that, I mean the Boxer, not the Chihuahua.”

Amy, 28
“I laughed so hard, it blew the January blues clean away! This is the best West End fun I’ve had since Avenue Q and Mamma Mia. Sheridan Smith is mesmerising.”

Victoria, 33
“The show was high energy and full of colour, excellent for a young crowd. The songs were well orchestrated and choreographed but rather unmemorable and it was a bit too “panto” in its humour for me, with obvious cultural references. But an excellent choice for a teenage outing!”

Foamy, 42
“I went straight home and stayed up all night practising my bend and snap! To my wife’s amusement.”

Have you seen Legally Blonde yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!