As per usual I tried to squeeze in as much theatre as I could during my stay in London and these are my top choices, writes Sabine Koch…
Titanique
Seagull’s View: Titanique The Musical
An incredible experience. The musical is daft in the best way, mapping the story of the hit movie filtered through Celine Dion’s songs and a back story of her being on the ship way back then. Yes, it is silly, but the jokes hit, the performers are excellent, singing and dancing their hearts out, and the references are just so much fun. I dare you to not laugh at the car scene or Rose’s mother. Even on the 2nd balcony the energy was infectious and everyone came out of the theatre with a wide smile on their face – you can’t ask for anything more!
Co-authors Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Director and Co-Author Tye Blue
Running time:1hr 40m, no interval
The Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HR
Hadestown
Going down to Hadestown
Another transfer from the US, this musical tells the old story of Orpheus and Eurydice with some modern tweaks and original music from Anaïs Mitchell. The cast was fabulous, the staging impressive (especially for a relatively small theatre) and the music new. I have nothing against the surge of the juke-box musical (see my review of Titanique above), but it was simply lovely to sit in a theatre seat and be surprised by music that was composed with this specific story in mind. I don’t see that kind of originality that often any more. So more power to the creators of this gem!
Music, Lyric and Book: Anaïs Mitchell
Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Running time: 2hr 30m incl. 1 interval
Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES
uk.hadestown.com
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- Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Tennyson
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- Curtain Call: The Invention of Love by Tom Stoppard
I love to champion the smaller theatres in town. The West End gets all the PR and recognition, but the smaller venues are doing exemplary work in neighbourhoods that are a bit off the beaten path. Case in point – The Hampstead Theatre with its two stages. I was lucky enough to score a ticket for The Invention of Love with one of the finest living actors – Simon Russell Beale. The play is wordy and cerebral, but to me entertainment is at its best, when it makes me think. As the English classical scholar and poet A.E. Housman SRB, is standing on the shores of river Styx, he recounts his life, his love, his ideas,and his debates. He is aided by a wonderful cast, notably Matthew Tennyson as the young Houseman. And the staging makes the most of the limitations of such a small theatre, that can’t afford the theatrics of larger, technically more advanced locations. It is a brilliant evening of contemplation that lingers on…
Written by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Blanche McIntyre
Running time: 2hr 50m incl. 1 interval
Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London, NW3 3EU
www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2024/the-invention-of-love
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