Just a quickie...

It was the first night for Justin Lee Collins last night as he made his Westend debut in Chicago. Reviews have been positive so far and it would seem he put on a flawless performance. Clearly this is another success to add to his already glittering career and good to see a change in direction. Hopefully it will make younger people more aware of Theatre and change the perception of so many who see it as an entertainment for the older generations.

Anything goes

I thought I would tell you about a musical I went to see recently.  It has to be one of the oldest Broadway Musicals as it premiered in the 1930's! But since then it has been revived and many theatre companies choose to perform the classic.  

It has the key ingredients of any good musical.  The songs are very catchy and well known, the dancing is fabulous and it will make you laugh!

Sailing on the S.S. American is a gangster on the run posing as a minister, a former nightclub singer traveling with her four dancing 'Angels', a high society lady who is engaged to an English gentleman (also aboard the ship) and her ex-boyfriend who stows away on a boat to try and win her back.  This comical mixture ensures there's not a dull moment aboard as the passengers and crew sing and dance from New York to London.  

There is not currently a Westend production of Anything goes but often a smaller theatre group will perform it at regional theatre's.  I know there will be a production of it in 2009 at The Beck Theatre- Hayes Middlesex but keep your eyes peeled to see it at a theatre near you.

To get a taster of the musical here is a link to a video on youtube with a college doing a recent production of 'Anything Goes'.   Hope you enjoy and if you can't see it at a theatre then there are film versions available (not as good) but will show you the brilliant and comic story.  

'THE SHARPEST, SLICKEST SHOW ON THE BLOCK'

Justin Lee Collins does Chicago!

The famous TV comic, Justin Lee Collins is taking to the stage, playing the part of Amos Hart in Chicago for three nights.  

Amos Hart is the husband of Roxy in Chicago.  Justin says: 'I sing a song called Mr Cellophane, it's not the most famous song in the show but right at the end of the number there's a huge note you have to hit which is intimidating.'  

Justin's performances are all being filmed for his Sky1 show, Justin Collins Is... where he'll also be learning ballroom dancing and pro-wrestling.  

Justin is well known for the TV shows, 'The friday night Project' and more recently 'The Sunday Night Project.' which stars himself and Alan Carr with different celebrity guests each week.  

Justin appeared on the Chris Moyles Show, on 2nd Dec to talk about his Sky show and his performance in Chicago.  Listen to the funny pair if you missed it and hear a preview of Justin's singing talent.  

Chicago is one of the best known West End musicals, so if you like Justin Lee Collins and you want to see Chicago now really is the best time to do so.  Chicago is celebrating over 10 years of dazzling success.  If you want to catch Justin he will be playing on 4th, 5th and 6th December at the Cambridge Theatre, London.  It will be an amazing show. 

Christmas!!

Christmas is Panto season. If you want to entertain your children this Christmas take them to watch a Pantomime. The shows are interactive so kids won't get bored and some may star a well known TV personality... you'll be surprised at how many stars have donned an ogre outfit for Panto!

Whats on guide

• Cinderella


• WHERE: Old Vic Theatre

WHEN: 4 December - 20 January 2008 Pauline Collins is the Fairy Godmother and Sandi Toksvig plays the narrator in Stephen Fry's new version of the classic story.

Box office: 0870 060 6628

• Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs


• WHERE: Wimbledon Theatre

WHEN: 7 December - 20 January 2008 Ross Kemp is the villain and Bobby Davro is Muddles in this year's Wimbledon panto.

Box office: 0870 060 6646

• Hansel and Gretel


• WHERE: Theatre Royal Stratford East

WHEN: 29th Nov 2008 to 17th Jan 2009 You think you've got problems! Hansel and Gretel's dad has lost all his money... again. They have had to move to the middle of nowhere, aka, a cottage at the edge of a spooky forest.

Box Office: 020 8534 0310

New Musical

The traditional musicals such as Chicago or Les Miserables may be too heavy for first time theatre goers, so to attract a younger audience a new musical has been produced.


INTO THE HOODS
'A London fairytale' is Cinderella with a twist - an urban twist. The music is a mixture from Bob Marley to Jay-Z. The dancing is far from Ballet with street and break dance. The idea behind the creation is to bring modern, street issues that young people can relate to and combine it with a classic fairytale.

However the production finished in August but clips and rehearsals are available on Youtube
or Facebook

If you like what you see then musicals may be for you.

Recommended for virgin theatre goers
I recently saw The Lion King and it was a brilliant experience. The costumes and the set were very elaborate and really brought the production to life. Timon and Pumbaa were hilarious and added contrast to the serious scenes involving Simba. Even if you have never seen the Disney film, the stage production is very easy to follow and is definitely a must see.