I (Louise) have seen a fair bit of theatre shows from from Fringe theatre to full on plays, musicals, talks and gigs. Creating a list of 10 took some thought, but here they are:
Pretty Woman the Musical
It was amazing just how close to the film it was. There were moments for scenery when I wondered if and how parts could be recreated, but it truly was. The cast were on top form and it was a masterpiece from beginning to end.
Discover the synopsis, the cast listing and my full review here: Pretty Woman
David Suchet – Poirot and More… A Retrospective (Talk)
David Suchet, famed for playing Poirot in every tv series gave the most fascinating talk about how he got into the profession, playing many parts that perhaps don’t know so much about and of course and how he ended up embodying one of the most famous detectives in the world – Agatha Christie’s Poirot. This was an amazing, flawless, entertaining talk that had more than anyone could’ve anticipated…
Discover the review and some photos here: David Suchet – Poirot and More
Rick Astley and his Swing Band (Gig)
He’s Never Gonna Give You Up… It’s Rick Astley. He returned with mostly covers from the greats of Swing and totally nailed it! There was amazing jamming of his Swing Band too. It was a fun night out that left me full of joy!
Find out more, including more photos here:
Rick Astley
Macbeth (Play)
Entering the walkway to the auditorium wasn’t how it normally is. The atmosphere and scene was set with big props and theatrics in lighting and plumes of smoke. It was like nothing else I’ve ever seen before (see photos in the blog link) Then you enter to watch what is an incredibly immersive, powerful, performance. It was so enthralling there wasn’t any chatter nor a rustle nor even a sneeze in the audience.
Discover those photos and full review here: Macbeth
Jekyll and Hyde (Play)
A minimalist set is all this play needed. What occurs on stage is nothing short of magic. This was a one man play and what happens on stage is nothing short of compellingly haunting.
Discover more of my review and more here: Jekyll and Hyde
The Last Laugh (Play)
Take 1 dressing room and 3 men you think you know – Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe and what you get is an excellent array of comedy mixed with poignancy as you see their inner thoughts, concerns and banter between each other before their shows.
Discover the synopsis and review here: The Last Laugh
Talk on Corners – The Corrs with Natalie Imbruglia supporting (Gig)
Return to the 1990’s and squish it together a bit and you get iconic people. Natalie Imbruglia is back! She sang from her new album just ahead of it being officially released (more about that in the link), with great catchy songs and of course sang Torn. She’s still got it!
The Corrs biggest album was Talk On Corners and they played drums and violin, sang their greatest hits and a few others as well as danced and twirled like it was the 90’s. The stage was electric and the atmosphere in the audience was amazing, with sing-along parts too. An excellent night out that left me very smiley like when I first heard them in my teens! The Corrs
Squidge (Play)
“You Can Count On Me Like 123 and I’ll Be There!” That song by Bruno Mars is the theme song throughout Squidge. Lots of people working in education, especially SEND will have it running through their heads countless of times as it fast became a favourite positive song for kids. Daisy is a teaching assistant and looks after those with special needs. Squidge is what she uses as a “tool” for a particular child. What unfolds is heartwarming, poignant and truthful in conversations and inner thoughts about work, school in general and life outside work. It’s as real as it comes, performed by a woman in the know… It was loads better than I expected and I was impressed.
Discover more here: Squidge
The Screen Test (Play)
Set in the 1930’s and played by Bebe Cave, The Screen Test introduces audiences to the character Betsy Bitterly, a charismatic, optimistic actress trying to forever move onwards and upwards in her career and concludes with a dramatic ending. It’s a great play for looking at behind the scenes and delving into the psyche of an actress who also has certain attitudes to deal with.
Find out more of my review and the synopsis here: The Screen Test
The Interval
We all see the person who sells the ice cream during the interval at the theatre, but do we know anything more? Not usually. This play peels back the face of who you see to the soul, experiences and raw emotions of the person we think we see. It’s gritty at times as well as humorous in what is an unforgettable play.
Discover the synopsis and review here: Interval
Rick Astley makes Swing music cool again at the Usher Hall, Royal Albert Hall and other venues. If you ever get the opportunity to see him and his big swing band in future years, I highly recommend it. I saw him at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
He put together a great repertoire that flowed well. It included songs Christmas songs such as “Winter Wonderland”, “Santa Clause is Coming To Town”, “White Christmas”, romantic songs such as “Strangers in the Night”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” “As Time Goes By” and many more…
Part memoir, part travelogue, discover John Suchet’s almost lifelong love of Beethoven. It’s a heart warming and informative read. The opportunity to delve into how Beethoven’s and John Suchet’s lives have intertwined, even years apart, with one dead, one alive. Join him from your comfiest chair on his travels to Vienna with his wife Nula as they explore deeper than they have before in this profound relationship.
Lynda La Plante has written critically acclaimed books that have made it onto tv, perhaps the best known one is Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren, which she has now got a book series charting Jane Tennison’s career in the police force in Tennsion. There’s much more to Lynda La Plante that meets the eye and this emotional, fascinating memoir reveals a lot of them women behind the writing as she charts her career and let’s readers into some of her personal life.
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 