Category Archives: Theatre

iD, Cirque Eloize, Peacock Theatre

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I’m sure we aren’t the first or the last people to turn up at the wrong theatre. For those that don’t know… Sadler’s Wells has a younger sister venue, the Peacock Theatre in Holborn. After a rather stressful sprint to the correct theatre we settled in for an awe-inspiring performance.

Cirque Eloize is an energetic and passionate production company – in their new show iD they combine hip hop dance and circus acrobatics in an organic urban fusion which is lively and invigorating to watch.

They began by exploring the genre of hip hop dance, moving fluidly into other forms of movement and performance. The show has little narrative, instead the cast are each given their chance to display their individual talent… whether it be on a bicycle, in the air or with ten juggling balls. The cast reconvene often to present impressive group acts, for example a trampoline sequence which drew audible gasps from the audience as the performers threw themselves around with great aplomb.

There are poetic moments too… contortionist Emi Vauthey and skater Jon Larrucea perform a beautiful piece towards the end of the evening that demonstrates skill and creativity.

The music, which sadly wasn’t live, was immersive and powerful with compulsive rhythms and insistent melodies. The simple but versatile set, designed by Robert Massicotte, provides a quirky backdrop which constantly reinvents itself.

Cirque Eloize are a team of super-talented artists with a strong sense of character and motivation. Their infectious energy ensures the audience have a good time, every night.

Continues until 19 October, book here.

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.