Category Archives: Music

Die Fledermaus, ENO

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Die Fledermaus is a saucy operetta from Johann Strauss. This classic comedy is centred around a fantasy world influenced heavily by Freud and dream analysis. Highly complex theories translate into a rather confused and complicated, but utterly hilarious, show.

The ENO welcome this new production from Olivier Award-winning director Christopher Alden. Much of the cast are commendable, with a few stand-out performances from Rhian Los as Adele and Richard Burkhard tremendous as the sly Dr Falke. However I found Julia Sporsen rather too much as the over-indulgent and melodramatic Rosalinde, whose rampant dreams in the prelude were unbelievable and laughable even! Jennifer Holloway too looks a bit silly playing the paranoid Russian Prince Orlofsky.

The gorgeous Art Deco inspired staging is a joy – I especially loved the giant clock pendulum that swings ominously from the ceiling. And with the elaborate costume designs from Costance Hoffman, it is quite a spectacle.

It was a shock to not see Edward Gardner at his post in the pit, instead Korean conductor Eun Sun Kim takes to the stand making her ENO debut. I so wanted her to be brilliant but she seemed to be drowning a bit in the orchestra and wasn’t quite able to keep the score afloat. Strauss’ music should be light and dazzling, and some of this joyful quality was lost.

Strauss’ Viennese operetta is full of memorable melodies and lyrical turns, and though aspects of this production fall a little flat, I can’t help admiring the cast and crew for their brave rendition and updated version of this clever classic.

Running until 6 November, book tickets here.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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Tim Minchin’s Matilda has been an astounding hit the world over and I’m sure composer Mark Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman hoped for equal success with their long-awaited Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Roald Dahl’s “deliciously dark” tale follows the young Charlie Bucket whose chocolatey adventure certainly lends itself to the stage. An imaginative story of gleeful gluttony and exaggerated characters, this magical sugar-fuelled story cannot help but capture the minds of theatregoers young and old.

Housed in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, it is Mark Thompson’s elaborate set and costumes that remain in my mind after the final curtain. The chocolate garden with an army of live squirrels and a team of hilariously peculiar Oompa-Loompas is a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but think the production costs for this show must have been in the millions.

The cast rise to the challenge, and the five young children are particularly convincing. I was amazed by their confidence and conviction of character creating these roles on stage for the very first time.

My senses were so overwhelmed I almost forgot about the importance of a musical’s script and music. Aside from the familiar song ‘Imagination’, the other songs are catchy but not memorable, similar I guess to the film.

I am sure Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will satisfy the appetite of all children, and I cannot deny it truly is a spectacle. But for slightly older musical theatre fans the impressive visuals may highlight the weak score in comparison.

More information here.

Book the best tickets here with Shows in London, starting from £40.99.

Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

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Wicked is a show that is suitable for the whole family but is perhaps more geared towards kids, and particularly those with an over-active imagination. This was my second visit to Stephen Schwartz’s hit musical and it felt even more bizarre than the first time and yet I cannot help but revel in the colourful production and wonderfully dramatic score.

It is imperative that you read up on the Wizard of Oz otherwise the narrative will be completely foreign to you. Those in the know will delight at the nuanced and intelligent quirks of this tale. In short, it is the untold story of the witches of Oz.

The show has been running for a while now and the cast perform together fluently and naturally. They make an unbelievable narrative almost believable. Main roles Glinda (Gina Beck) and Elphaba (Louise Dearman) are performed with great vigour and impressive stamina, however I found Ben Freeman to be less convincing as the powerful Fiyero.

For me, it is the music that makes this production so successful. At university I learnt and performed many of the songs, and have fond memories of the catchy melodies, compulsive rhythms and unexpectedly satisfying harmonies. Songs such as “Defying Gravity” have become a phenomenon outside the show and is often featured on karaoke lists, a firm favourite for showcasing divas. But there are other lesser known numbers which are just as good – “Loathing” and “One Short Day” are favourites of mine, the scrunching harmonies are impossible not to sing along to (sorry to the people sitting on my row!).

There is no doubt about it, Wicked is a brilliant night out for all the family, but will appeal most to those who go to the theatre for a dose of escapism, it certainly fires the imagination.

More information on the show here.

Book the best tickets here: http://www.showsinlondon.co.uk/show/wicked, starting from just £18.