|
 A
tune-free Woman In White, full marks for Rod Stewart and Alan Bennett,
several thumbs-down for Jerry Springer - the Opera, and the Sweeney
Todd debate rages on.
Here's
another selection of your views and comments on theatreland's current
attractions...
From
David Brading
Re:
The Woman in White (at the Palace Theatre). Did I see the
same show that Mark Shenton writes about? I always thought that
the claim to fame and success of a musical was its music. Nobody
walked away from this show humming, whistling or singing!!!
Take away Michael Crawford and see how long it will last! I don't
see this as being a popular or a commercial success. Back to the
piano Andrew if it's another 'Phantom' you're looking for.
See
our review of The Woman In White here>>
From
Patrica Elphick
We
have just been to see Tonight's the Night. What a fantastic
show. It helps being a Rod Stewart fan, but even if you're not,
you can't help but get totally immersed in this musical.
The cast was fantastic, Stu, Stoner (what a fantastic actor) and
the rest. Superb and very professional. Also we were able to see
the longest legs ever (Penny Lancaster), stunning lady.
It is such a shame it finishes on October 9, I would thoroughly
recommend this to all my friends. It was just an energetic, feel
good factor musical. Well done all.
See
our review of Tonight's The Night here>>
From
Veronica Timperley
The History Boys (at the National Theatre) is
an outstanding production in all respects - acting, set, pacing,
writing, all of the highest quality. By turns funny and moving,
it is at all times convincing and thought-provoking.
Having
spent three decades in the education profession, I can vouch for
the authenticity of every aspect of this production. One of Alan
Bennett's best.
See
our review of The History Boys here>>
From
Ken Cumberlidge
I can't believe that Mark Shenton and I have both witnessed the
same production! Sweeney Todd shrink-wrapped? Never: I would
have said "distilled". Like absinthe. Taken neat.
I saw
it in its first week at the Watermill, Newbury. Even then, with
the cast still feeling their way into the tortuously complex business
of simultaneous acting and musicianship, it took me in its dreadful,
cold, suffocating grip and held me enthralled to the end.
It's
interesting that both Mark and Online reader Tim Davies found the
singing less-than-ideal. There were no such problems at Newbury
- but then the Watermill is only 200-odd seats, all arranged pretty
closely around a thrust stage. Maybe there was a bit of tiredness
going on, too: by the time the cast started on the London run (at
the Trafalgar Studios), they'd just come out of a six-week tour.
I'm
just glad I got to see this show when I did - I can afford the tickets
at the Watermill!
See
Mark Shenton's review of Sweeney Todd here>>
See
Online reader Tim Davies' rejoinder here>>
From
Veronica Timperley
Jerry
Springer - the Opera: witty and profound? I don't THINK so.
This much-hyped musical (at the Cambridge Theatre), for some reason
greeted with enthusiasm by London's critics, is actually a humourless,
tasteless, unconvincing and embarrassingly badly-performed disappointment.
Don't
be taken in by the "King's New Clothes" syndrome. This
is inconsequential, meaningless and cacophanous nonsense and is
a waste of time and money.
Jerry
Springer - the Opera is theatreland's equivalent to Tracey Emin
- shallow, fashionable dross. Why doesn't anyone in luvvieland have
the courage to admit as much?
From
Barbara Raisner
I
am so glad to hear your bad review of Jerry
Springer - the Opera. It was recommended
to us (two women, ages 63). I am far from a prude, but this was
the most disgusting, tasteless show I have EVER seen.
I
went out during the intermission to talk to the manager to leave
and get my money back...my letter to him was in the next morning's
mail. My
married girlfriend, who was with me, didn't want to leave but didn't
enjoy it either.
From
Karin Moelter
Sorry
to say, but what a pain for the ears! Yes, we have been warned regarding
the foul language in Jerry
Springer - the Opera,
but compared with the shreiking voices of the women, the language
was quite harmless.
What
a waste of time and of course money.
See
our review of Jerry Springer - the Opera here>>
See our background feature on the show here>>
Add
your comments here: yourlondon@bbc.co.uk
This
month's essential theatre planner here>>
More
theatre reviews here>>
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