Author Archives: rageoffstage

Stroke of Genius: My Perfect Mind at the Young Vic

Saturday 13th April 2013, matinée Some people say reviews are important because they form a useful record, an evocation of the theatrical experience for those who were not able to attend.  Well, not in this case – My Perfect Mind defies … Continue reading

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That name rings a bell: Lionel Bart’s Quasimodo at the King’s Head

Sunday 24th March 2013, matinée Like its protagonist, Quasimodo is a quasi Lionel Bart musical, not quite finished, dark and violent in places, but with a kind heart.  Bizarrely, director Robert Chevera went to the Bart estate to ask about another … Continue reading

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Alice in Wordy-land: Peter and Alice at the Noel Coward Theatre

Saturday 23rd March 2013, matinée Approaching the Noel Coward Theatre for the matinée performance of ‘Peter and Alice’, the latest outing for the Michael Grandage Company, we were quite surprised to see the ‘House Full’ sign out and a long queue for returns.  … Continue reading

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The importance of being certain: David Auburn’s Proof at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Saturday 16th March 2013, matinée Families have always been a rich seam for dramatists and audiences alike, perhaps because we all seek to answer the question ‘why are we the way we are?’ or more scarily ‘are we becoming like … Continue reading

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Not exactly Chekhov: William Boyd’s ‘Longing’ at the Hampstead Theatre

Saturday 2nd March, 2013 Seeing the name ‘Iain Glen’ in the same sentence as Chekhov again after seeing him in a thrilling production of Uncle Vanya at the Print Room, we didn’t need much persuading to book for ‘Longing’, William Boyd’s adaptation of two … Continue reading

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Fruit cake on the menu at the Cafe France: Jerry Herman’s ‘Dear World’ enjoys a sojourn at the Charing Cross Theatre

Saturday 16th February 2013, matinée There were no problems deciding whether to go and see ‘Dear World’ at the Charing Cross Theatre.  As their publicity puts it – four legends unite to create theatrical history, and for once it’s not an … Continue reading

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Rising up the pecking order: Julian Bird is appointed Chair of Drama UK

Was anyone else a little puzzled by the recently-announced appointment of Julian Bird as ‘Chair’ of Drama UK, an organisation formed from a merger between the National Council for Drama Training and the Conference of Drama Schools. Bird is certainly enjoying … Continue reading

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Losing his marble: One Touch of Venus at Ye Olde Rose and Crown

Sunday 10th February 2013 Ever since going to Ye Olde Rose and Crown pub in Walthamstow to see Love and War, a well-crafted and performed revue featuring songs by Howard Goodall, we have hoped to return to see something else.  … Continue reading

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Desert Mirage: Robert Lepage takes a gamble with ‘Playing Cards’ at the Roundhouse

Thursday 7th February 2013 (first preview) When we heard that there was going to be a new production by Robert Lepage coming to the Roundhouse, we rushed to book our tickets.  We hadn’t seen any of his work before, but … Continue reading

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Tom Hooper’s movie puts the misery back into ‘Les Miserables’ and takes the ‘musical’ out

Having expressed our views about the hype surrounding Tom Hooper’s new film version of ‘Les Miserables’, and our concerns that the casting would prove as disappointing as it was for the 25th Anniversary concert, we felt it was time to give … Continue reading

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Parading his privates: Michael Grandage sets up camp at the Noel Coward Theatre

Thursday 27th December 2012 ‘Privates on Parade’ is the first in a season of plays to be staged by Michael Grandage at the Noel Coward Theatre.  Written by Peter Nichols against the backdrop of the Malayan emergency of 1948 and first … Continue reading

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The theatre-goers guide to the galaxy: Going Dark at the Young Vic

Saturday 15th December 2012 Sound and Fury are a theatre company with an interesting mission.  Instead of providing spectacle, they tend to immerse their audiences in total darkness.  It’s not often nowadays that you visit the theatre and don’t have to … Continue reading

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The pain goes on and on: Will it be a ‘Les Miserables’ new year for fans of musical theatre?

Ever since Cameron Mackintosh announced that he favoured Alfie Boe to play Jean Valjean in the film version of ‘Les Miserables’, declaring that screeching musical theatre voices wouldn’t work, we have had to face the possibility that this film might not be for … Continue reading

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Success Smells Sweet for the Arcola Theatre

Saturday 1st December 2012, matinée There is some pretty fortuitous timing in the Arcola’s British Premiere of Sweet Smell of Success, Marvin Hamlisch’s ten year old Broadway musical version of a film from 1957.  Taking the power of the newspapers to … Continue reading

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Let the Sun shine in: Howard Goodall brings us a warm hearted winter’s tale at the Landor

Sunday 11th November, matinée One of the many joys of being a fan of Howard Goodall’s musicals is that it sends you to a whole variety of new venues.  Last time it was Ye Olde Rose and Crown in Walthamstow … Continue reading

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