Reviews

The big juicy soundscape that is Hadestown wondrously filled the Theatre Royal with the musicians on stage getting the attention they deserve.  A highlight were the cracking, sometimes dirty solos, of trombonist James Greening.

The score, a mixture of folk, blues, jazz and rock, was expertly performed by this stellar band and cast.

Bringing a beloved film to the stage is always a challenge, but this production of Sister Act rises to the occasion with a fresh approach and a brand-new soundtrack. While audiences familiar with the movie might expect to hear the same tunes, the musical instead features original compositions by the legendary Alan Menken. Known for his work on Aladdin, Enchanted, and The Little Mermaid, Menken infuses this score with the infectious energy of 1970s motown, soul, and disco, creating a soundtrack that is vibrant and dynamic in its own right.

“Come You Spirits” co-producers Charles Mayer and Jo Bloom lead this production that concentrates on the romantic tragedy of Shakespeare’s play, touching only briefly on the political situation that took Antony backwards and forwards between Rome and Alexandria. This means that only fragments of the play are included – and though the acting is moving and the language beautifully spoken, it is only part of the play.

Mrs ‘Jackie’ Marvin (Emma Algeri) presents as a type of Head Mistress we recognise or remember.  Bumptious, self-assured, self-important, just a little authoritarian, boasting while humble…  ‘Call me Jackie…’  Jackie tells us that there will be a presentation on ‘leadership in education’ and that announcement is backed by a slick video presentation.  We’re off to a promising satiric start – except that Jackie seems to forget about ‘leadership’ very quickly and instead catalogues a somewhat dubious