London Theater in June/July

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 1:41pm

Will be in London once again in mid-June/early July...

Doesnt seem to be alot of must-sees - or am I wrong? In previous summers, I got treated to PRISCILLA, PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, BILLY ELLIOT (late to the game on that one...)ASPECTS OF LOVE, LA CAGE and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

Anyone suspect there might some new shows announced?

Will try to get tickets to Donmar Warehouse show...but other than that, any recommendations?

[Mark_E]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 2:29pm

On the musicals front, Betty Blue Eyes and Ghost look set to be "must-sees". Umbrellas of Cherbourg is getting completely marmite reviews. Love it or hate it with that one it seems. There should be announcements in the next few months on new shows incoming for the summer.

It's a shame you will miss Clybourne Park, Flare Path and End of the Rainbow. All extremely good.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 9:12pm

thank you Mark_E - have read nothing but amazing things about Clybourne Park and End of The Rainbow...would have been great to see both.

I'll do some recon on Ghost....havent heard great things about Betty Blue Eyes...

And I forgot to check what is on at Royal Court and National Theater...

[JHerman5]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 12:45am

I would take a look at 'A Delicate Balance' playing at the Almeida theatre. It's starring Imelda Staunton & she's almost always fantastic! http://www.almeida.co.uk/production_details/production_details.aspx?code=103

Also, that time of year is perfect to catch a production at the Globe (ground seats are only 5 pounds! I believe they're doing 'All's Well that Ends Well' and 'Much Ado About Nothing' AND Marlowe's Dr. Faustus (also, reviving last year's Anne Boleyn by Howard Brenton which I thought was superb).
Updated On: 3/12/11 at 12:45 AM

[frapperia]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 7:21pm

I didn't get to see Anne Boleyn that time but did hear great things.

And Sam Crane is in All's Well - he's wonderful, so I'd recommend!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 8:17pm

On top of GHOST, I'd wholeheartedly recommend LOVE NEVER DIES.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 1:10am

I will certainly check out A DELICATE BALANCE...ive never seen that piece - nor read it - actually dont know anything about it other than its Albee.

Really, Love Never Dies? Molly, youre in danger girl.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 8:30am

Love Never Dies, for all the criticism it has received, is very much worth seeing. I absolutely love it, it really is a good show.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 8:53am

Love Never Dies has pretty melodies and absolutely not one other thing going for it; definitive Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[MariusPontmercy]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 10:45am

As well as Imelda Staunton, A Delicate Balance also has Penelope Wilton and Tim Pigott-Smith. I'm really looking forward to seeing that.

In addition to those mentioned there's also The Cherry Orchard and Ibsen's Emperor and Galilean at the NT which both have great casts.

The two all-male Shakespeares at Hampstead Theatre are apparently excellent - they've been on tour for a while - The Comedy of Errors and Richard III.

Government Inspector at the Young Vic sounds like it could be good, but I don't really know much about it.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 12:45am

typically meniere chocolate factory has a big summer musical - anyone here have any inside scoop?

too bad i wont be there for the new neil labute...

[mallardo]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 7:18am

The Menier was supposed to be doing Road Show. Check their website.

[DeNada]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 8:38am

Depending on when you're here you might want to catch some of the other random stuff at the National - LONDON ROAD is a verbatim musical which should be intriguing at least, and the two leads for ROCKET TO THE MOON (a play I'm not familiar with) should be good. I'd probably give ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS a miss purely because Richard Bean is a slightly polarising playwright and the lead actor is a bit of an enfant terrible of British theatre at present...

LUISE MILLER at the Donmar has a pretty stonking creative team but again I'm not familiar with the play so couldn't say.

I think everyone else's recommendations are pretty much on the money; musicals-wise I think BETTY BLUE EYES will be something of a sleeper critical hit (although maybe a bit quaintly "British"?), and GHOST seems to have a much stronger score than I was expecting.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 11:27am

LUISE MILLER - by sheer fact that its on at Donmar and directed by Grandige looks good - trying to score a ticket to that actually,.

Thank you for the heads up on National...

Too bad nothing at Royal Court really speaks to me at the time Im there...Chicken Soup With Barley seems it might be slightly over my head???

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:20pm

thank you MariusPontmercy - just booked my ticket to A DELICATE BALANCE...

I'm thinking I should leave a Sat matinee open in case something else opens - and last year at least - Menerie Chocolate Factory had a Sunday afternoon performance which I understand is rare in Theaterland. Hoping that they announce a show for the summer - I can't imagine they wouldnt.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 12:29pm

whats the buzz been on WIZARD OF OZ? Is that worth a visit - I see they have Sunday performances? Still undecided and leaving some space open in my trip in case anything new is announced....

I havent heard/read anything else about a summer show at The Meneire Chocolate Factory...

Does it seem the West End is missing a big Summer show?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 1:15pm

In your boat too - just a little earlier. I've booked A Delicate Ballance for Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton alone same withe Moonlight at the Donmar...'cuz it's the Donmar. That said, my prayed for Claybourne Park extension doesnt seem likely, so i'm also looking to fill a hole (and the West End Board has been very helpful!).

You might want to check out the Globe - I'm very much looking forward to seeing Eve Best in Much Ado - simply adore the woman. Her Hedda rivaled that of Cate Blanchett...

Yeah. I said it.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 6:37pm

thank you Play Esq - I'll look into MUCH ADO - I didnt know Eve Best was in it...

I'm seeing if i can score some tickets to Donmar's Luise Miller...ive never been - still leaves one open slot...maybe WIZARD? maybe BETTY? and hoping they'll be some sort of announcement of a new show...

[Mark_E]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 7:10pm

I think Road Show will probably be playing the Menier in the Summer.

A friend of mine was at first preview of Betty Blue Eyes tonight and they say it is Musical Theatre at it's best! It can only get better as previews progress!

[Billy Whiz]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 12:51pm

A friend of mine was at Betty Blue Eyes as well last night and they reiterate everything in Mark_E's post.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 2:22pm

Thank you...knew nothing about BBE until I read about it on this thread. I may still wait for reviews, but good to know I have a last minute option. And Richard Eyre at the helm? I'm just about sold!

But my dear Zoe is at the national...so what to do?!?!

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 7:33pm

im with you play esq - i'll wait to see what the reviews and/or message boards say about BBE - but i concur, it looks exciting...

I looked into Much Ado but apparently it wont be on while I'm there...sadly, same with The Cherry Orchard..unless I stay another day or two...

Hannah Waddingham was so terrific in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC it might be interesting to see her in WIZARD OF OZ but i think thats more a show for kids - and if i end up going at a matinee, it might be kinda loud...

I think im gonna take a wait and see approach - and who knows - maybe something interesting will be announced...

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 7:34pm

im with you play esq - i'll wait to see what the reviews and/or message boards say about BBE - but i concur, it looks exciting...

I looked into Much Ado but apparently it wont be on while I'm there...sadly, same with The Cherry Orchard..unless I stay another day or two...

Hannah Waddingham was so terrific in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC it might be interesting to see her in WIZARD OF OZ but i think thats more a show for kids - and if i end up going at a matinee, it might be kinda loud...

I think im gonna take a wait and see approach - and who knows - maybe something interesting will be announced...

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 9:09pm

VG: though I see the interest in Oz, I just feel that it'll ultimately be a bunch of empty calories. I actually could see it on the Sunday while I'm in London, but I think I'd rather catch an Arsenal game and pub hop all afternoon.

I'm not sure what your classical music interests are, but take a look at the Royal if you're interesed in opera. I intended to fill one slot with an opera, but the only option I have is Werther with Rolando Villazon...and I learned early on not to trust RV to show.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/21/11 at 6:34pm

Extended my trip so I can see THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Really excited - thanks for the tip Play Esq.

And a pint in a pub is always good fun...

I still have two spots open (Sat Mat and Sunday Mat) should anything pop up...