It has been a while and it has been a BUSY week of theatre for me this week. I really like doing these sort of round up posts but I’ve been incredibly busy with work and trying to find the energy has been hard. However, I managed to see 4 shows this week, all of which I enjoyed and wanted to shout about.

Anyone Can Whistle at the Southwark Playhouse*
Ticket link: https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-homepage/anyone-can-whistle/
Running until: 7th May 2022
Rating: 4/5

A new to be Sondheim show at one of my favourite theatres in London? A no brainer. I absolutely had to see this. I was very lucky to attend the press night for this production of Anyone Can Whistle. I knew nothing going into it. By the end of it, I still don’t really get what was going on because the book is a bit of a mess. But oh, I had such a fun and entertaining time. Alex Young as Cora Hooper Hoover is just inspired casting. She is so commanding every time she’s on stage. Giving such an outrageously funny and charming performance, I just need her to be in all of the things from now on, she was so excellent. I thought Chrystine Symone as Nurse Fay Apple was wonderful as well, she has such a stunning voice. It was also such a treat to watch Jordan Broatch as J Bowden Hapgood in their professional debut, such an accomplished performance given it’s their first show since graduating. Overall, this is such a vibrant, colourful and highly entertaining production. It’s a bit like Dr Seuss on drugs, make of that what you will. I had a blast.

Lava at the Soho Theatre
Ticket link: https://sohotheatre.com/shows/lava-2/
Running until: 30th April 2022
Rating: 4/5

Set in an alternate London, post an asteroid landing, Lava follows Vin a young man who has stopped talking since the day of the attack. Throughout the play, we see Vin’s relationship with his mum, Vicky, his former colleague Rach and her friend Jamie, who was affected by the attack. As you enter the Soho Upstairs space, there are content warnings/guidance around themes of mental health, loss and grief. Although that may make you think the play is very doom and gloom, I actually found it to be really touching and moving, highlighting that you can overcome your darkest moments. James Fritz’s script also has some truly hilarious lines and balances the comedy/tragedy line very well. This production has such a strong cast with Dan Parr, Kacey Ainsworth, Bethany Antonia and Oli Higginson all working so well as a 4 piece but individually give brilliant performances too.

The 47th at the Old Vic
Ticket link: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/the-47th
Running until: 28th May 2022
Rating: 4/5

After the success of their production King Charles III, Rupert Goold and Mike Bartlett reunite to pose another big societal what if question. What if Donald Trump ran for president again in 2024? I decided to give the play a chance, purely because I was intrigued in how this was going to be explored. I’m glad I did because this is one of those plays that has to be seen to be believed. Bertie Carvel’s performance as Donald Trump is just a complete metamorphosis of a performance down to every mannerism, accent choice and hand movement. Similarly, I thought Tamara Tunie was incredible as Kamala Harris, she had such brilliant stage presence on top of her brilliant interpretation. I can’t really delve into the plot without going into spoiler territory but something I did like about this play was that it wasn’t the Trump show like I assumed it would be. It’s very much about the power plays that go into politics and how people in those high positions of power present themselves. Personally think it’s worth the watch. And try not to see any production photos beforehand because the transformation of Bertie Carvel into Trump really is something else.

& Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Ticket link: https://www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk/
Booking until: September 2022
Rating: 5/5

And to end the working week, my friend Angel and I managed to secure rush tickets to see the new cast in & Juliet. This was my 5th time seeing the show and I still continue to have an absolute blast. It’s just such a joyful show and the new cast members bring such a fantastic new energy to the show. The entire ensemble were incredible. I really loved Julius D’Silva and Keala Settle as Lance and the Nurse, they had such a great dynamic together. Thought Tom Francis was excellent as Romeo as well, his voice is just outrageously brilliant and is just so charming in the role. Always have a good time at this brilliant and original pop jukebox musical. Can’t wait to revisit already.

Let me know what you have seen recently.

Until next time!