As funny and irreverant as ever, great songs and great puppetry combine for a fantastic production.
Shaftsbury Theatre – Until 29 August
I was a huge fan of Avenue Q during its 2006 London run, but curious both whether it had aged well and would feel relevant. With only a few tweaks, I think it has managed it well.
This revival of Avenue Q was as funny and irreverant as I remember. It is underpinned by excellent putpptry and memorable songs with clever lyrics.
Paddington plays it safe, but he story works well, the songs are good and the overall production is excellent.
Savoy Theatre
Paddington is overall very well done – slick, well paced fun and engaging musical. The story works well, the songs are good and the overall production is excellent.
However, it does (for me) fall into a bit of the “cookie-cutter” category – there is nothing surprising or interesting about the show. Overall it plays it safe and it doesn’t particularly stand-out from the other family musicals around.
A smart and elegant production that feels as relevant today as it was in the 90s
Duke of York’s Theatre – 20 June -12 September
A really elegant thoughtful production. The play was clearly rooted in its two time periods (1809 and 1990s) and brought through the parallels with the modern day (AI, social media) clearly.
The staging (in the round at the Old Vic) paired with excellent direction set design and costume makes the production visually appealing and uncluttered.
Arcadia is, though, “peak Stoppard” – so if you like the philosophical tangents, then this is sublime – if not, it may be a bit of an endurance test.
Hamilton delivers on pretty much everything I’d want from a musical
Victoria Palace Theatre
I really like this – for me it delivers on pretty much everything I’d want from a musical – the movement, the songs complement the emotional journey, it is funny and moving. I also thought the current cast was very good.
Great songs, good pace and very entertaining
Victoria Palace Theatre
I have love for this show – great songs and it just whips through and is entertaining – just feels a bit dated and tired compared to some of the newer stuff.
Totally and utterly bonkers – but thien it is immensely talented people singing and dancing on rollerskates
Trubador Wembley – Until 3 May
Totally and utterly bonkers – seen it 3 times with the children now – I think it makes even less sense (story wise) than ever – but it is about immensely talented people singing and dancing on rollerskates – and it delivers on that in spades – closing soon – some good ticket deals.
Other level live puppetry and totally immersive story telling – ecommend if you have children or are an anime fan
Gillian Lynn theatre
Really recommend if you have children or are an anime fan – I saw at the Barbican and will take my 8 year old this autumn. Other level live puppetry and totally immersive story telling – a very different theatre experience..
Executes the “bad play” concept almost to perfection
Duchess Theatre
I think this does the “bad play” idea almost to perfection – they don’t miss a gag, everything supports the world, and you have running gags and callbacks throughout – very well executed – especially good if you have children in tow.
A little dated in its gags and style but still funny, well written, acted, sung and directed
Prince of Wales Theatre
I absolutely love this show – it is funny, well written, acted, sung and directed – however, it is one of the older shows on the West End now, and does feel a little dated in its gags and style (I’d happily watch it ten times over again though)
A strong fringy feel but with West End quality and slickness – very well done and great fun.
Fortune Theatre (and UK Tour)
I saw this in previews – I loved it and it was obvious it would go on to have a long and successful life – I would definitely recommend, especially for anyone into the Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, patter song comedy stuff, and the frenetic multi-roling (and that also being part of the comedy. It has a strong fringy feel but with West End quality and slickness – very well done. However, it won’t necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea and it is quite high-energy. Definitely worth considering though..