Two Weeks Of Theatre In London

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 7:46am

After over a year of theatre bookings being canceled/rescheduled/canceled/rescheduled and on and on and all the Covid tests/forms, I wasnt sure if Id actually be on my way to London a few weeks ago until I was actually on the plane. I suppose for good reason, they really do make it as inconvenient as possible to travel now, unless its something you REALLY want to do. For anyone considering going right now, word is that vaccinated Americans will no longer need to quarantine starting next month but will still need a pre departure PCR test and a test on your 2nd day there. If youre going before that, a word of caution about the quarantine period - they every serious about it now. Ive heard it hasnt always been like this but i was contacted every single day by phone and randomly had people show up at my hotel to look at my passport and make sure i was there. You can still take a test on the 5th day and if negative, leave quarantine.

Now then. Returning to the theatre (Perfect Crime doesnt really count) was very interesting. Mask mandates were in place in all theatres however if you were eating or drinking you could have it down, so that meant more than a few people would just hold a cup or water bottle the entire show and never have their mask on. Even being fully vaxxed, I never removed mine unless to take a sip from a water bottle. Just not ready for that yet. Aside from that, it all just felt very normal and that surprised me - more so that i didnt feel this emotional Norma Desmond Ive come home at last feeling, entering again, that i know a lot of people expect to feel. It was all very Right, ok. This is back. Good.

That said, the speeches at Prince of Egypt on their first night were very emotional and made me truly appreciate how lucky i was (and they were) to be there that night. And then about halfway through my trip i decided to see the Les Mis concert and to my surprise, I just kind of burst into tears after Valjeans Soliloquy when the orchestra does its thing at that moment. I think it took seeing a show like that and hearing that epic score live and up close that suddenly hammered home what Id (and i assume everyone reading this) been missing. That was a standing ovation I was so happy to give.

Id written about some of the big things Id seen but I also, in my now-continuing quest to see everything, saw two shows that I detest for different reasons. I went to Be More Chill because I was curious if any changes had been made between NY and London that would make the show even slightly tolerable and the answer was 100% no. I then took myself to see Heathers because Id heard good things about Jodie Steele and also Im a fan of Christina Bennington and I LOVE Jordan Luke Gage who was playing JD until & Juliet reopens in a few months. While the show itself is still a total mess and and an insult to the greatest black comedy ever filmed, this cast proves the show can be enjoyable in its own way with the right cast, if they add a bit of edge to it, which they did and Id never seen done before.

I saw the West End premiere of Pretty Woman and had to laugh because just like on Broadway, it attracted a completely UK version of the bridge and tunnel crowd who were primarily drunk gals out for a night with their pals, wearing little to nothing and instagramming every second. I enjoyed the show about as much as i did on Broadway but its still meh. One of my favorite movies and you just cant improve on perfection. I guess its the same problem Heathers has.

But on the opposite end of that i saw the transfer of Amelie at the Criterion. Id seen it in 2019 at The Other Palace and luckily Audrey Brisson was still with the show. Its been discussed before but this version of the show, with her, deserves a proper Broadway run. Its gorgeous and moving and she is just perfection. It would really be a shame for this to not be seen by American audiences. Its one of the best things playing.

Also saw some Shakespeare, a few plays, a few more musicals Id already written about and some standup comedy in the rain by one of my favorite comedians in the world, Jimmy Carr.
16 shows total in about two weeks and Ill be heading back again next month for all the other new stuff opening.

Just surreal its been about 17 months since Ive gotten to do this. Lets keep staying safe so Broadway can reopen and everyone can experience this ASAP.

Oh and one last thing - this production of Hairspray thats playing now is pure joy and this show needs to come back to Broadway now. Everything opening is so dark and depressing, we NEED a big splashy feel good show like this.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 11:27am

Agreed about a big splashy feel good musical! But also really hope Amelie transfers! It’s so gorgeous!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 12:37pm

Sad to hear Be More Chill still isn’t working out.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 12:40pm

Sounds like a great trip!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 12:41pm

I believe there's talk of this production transferr over next year on Broadway. Not sure if the JOSEPH revival is still in the works to transfer over as well.

[KFC1991]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 1:46pm

Which plays did you see? I have no idea what's currently playing over there.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 2:18pm

KFC1991 said: "Which plays did you see? I have no idea what's currently playing over there."

“As You Like It” at the Globe, “The Comeback”, “Death Drop” and “The Mousetrap” again since I really wanted to see this new cast. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 2:44pm

Lucky that you for to see PRINCE OF EGYPT before the performances suspension.

[steven22]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 2:52pm

Sounds like a great trip! I am crossing my fingers I can keep my trip in December...

[Mark_E]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 3:53pm

Glad you enjoyed your trip over the pond!

I've loved being back at the theatre in London and am back to my 2 or so trips a week. Seeing things as they open which is meaning a fairly limited selection each week so looking forward to everything else coming back.

"For anyone considering going right now, word is that vaccinated Americans will no longer need to quarantine starting next month but will still need a pre departure PCR test and a test on your 2nd day there."

Just to note, this is currently only announced for UK residents returning to the UK, not for international visitors. Hopefully this will be announced soon but there's no indication of when this will be yet.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 3:56pm

Well I’ll say that the wording is in fact a bit confusing about that. Watching BBC News the other morning they said something about residents and vaccinated people from Amber list countries. Of course, much like here it’s all a confusing mess so we’ll just have to wait and see.

[52889j]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 4:01pm

I was about to pull the trigger on an October trip before that vertical Delta spike struck which is making me think that perhaps the measures will still be just as strict in the fall. I've gotten quite good at quarantining, but it doesn't quite seem worth paying for accommodations across the pond to do it.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 5:18pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Well I’ll say that the wording is in fact a bit confusing about that. Watching BBC News the other morning they said something about residents and vaccinated people from Amber list countries. Of course, much like here it’s all a confusing mess so we’ll just have to wait and see."

Unfortunately our governments messaging has been anything but clear. I am sure that it will happen sooner rather than later (and hoping the US will reciprocate)

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 5:24pm

Sounds amazing Jordan! Can’t wait to get back into a theatre. I hope I can travel to London within the year. Been saving up since before covid.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 6:56pm

Or not. It’s truly a terrible musical and production.

[SouthernCakes]

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

How was Death Drop? I’m sure it’s campy and awful, but I’d be the first in line for a ticket.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 8:52pm

SouthernCakes said: "How was Death Drop? I’m sure it’s campy and awful, but I’d be the first in line for a ticket. "
 

oh man, i loved it. Willam is my favorite drag queen of all-time so that was a real treat to see. Just a hilarious play that i think would actually do well over here, with some changes. It’s so British it would have to be “Americanized” but would probably do pretty well.

 

[iabwayfan]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 9:32pm

Thanks for everyone sharing their London experiences.  If there isn't already, I think you all should start a London "How To" list of all the tips and tricks to visiting London.  I'd love to hear where people stay, how easy it is to get around, best way to get tickets, etc.  London, someday!

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 9:45pm

iabwayfan said: "Thanks for everyone sharing theirLondon experiences. If there isn't already, I think you all should start a London "How To" list of all the tips and tricks to visiting London. I'd love to hear where people stay, how easy it is to get around, best way to get tickets, etc. London, someday!"

There is some of that on BWW UK board. But you may be better off over at UK Theatreboard

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 7/12/21 at 11:44pm

Jordan Catalano said: "SouthernCakes said: "How was Death Drop? I’m sure it’s campy and awful, but I’d be the first in line for a ticket. "


oh man, i loved it. Willam is my favorite drag queen of all-time so that was a real treat to see. Just a hilarious play that i think would actually do well over here, with some changes. It’s so British it would have to be “Americanized” but would probably do pretty well.

"

Aww so good to hear! Willam what a treat! I do envy the West End for getting these kinds of shows. This would never work on Broadway because it’s all about $$$. I’d think it’d need to play some smaller off-Broadway theater.