Cabaret

Having been sad about Chicago's exit from the West End I am happy to announce that Cabaret is coming to town! Cabaret is just as sexy as Chicago but so much darker and the music is just sensational.

I can't wait to see Will Young in his West End debut playing Emcee. I always think that there is so much more to Will than meets the eye and I have a feeling that he's going to astonish audiences.

Oh and news just in that the brilliant Sian Phillips is taking the role of Fraulein Schneider. If the name doesn't ring a bell, she's been in I,Claudius and Goodnight Mr Chips and is one of our British greats.

I've got great hopes for this production.

It comes to the Savoy Theatre and plays from 3rd October.

Goodbye Chicago

It is with great sadness that I read that Chicago is leaving the West End. It is one of a handful of productions that has played for fifteen years or more and has become part of the furniture.

I remember watching Chicago in its first month all those years ago and being bowled over. Unlike so many musicals, it was sexy and daring and appealed to men as much as it did to women. The dancing was slick and "All That Jazz" was an instant hit, sticking with you for weeks.

In that early performance Ruthy Henshall played Roxie Hart and Ute Lemper took the role of Velma Kelly. They both totally embodied the characters and were just spectacular. Some of the "celebrities" who later starred in the musical were a bit of a let down. I remember being particularly disappointed by Michelle William's (of Destinys Child fame) lacklustre and nervous portrayal of Roxie Hart.

Fifteen years ago, Chicago was a daring addition to the West End and was unashamedly hot, sexy and slick. With the knowledge that sex sells I wonder if the West End needs an equally sizzling replacement? Let's hope that whatever it is, it is as classy as Chicago.

Horne Section at The Pleasance, Islington

I am lucky to have a great theatre within a stone's throw of my house. It is called the Pleasance and partners with the theatre in Edinburgh which goes by the same name.

The Pleasance Islington has been around for fifteen years and has provided a great springboard for a number of famous comedians and theatre productions. It is an intimate space which brings back memories (all good) of my school drama studio; the smell, the black floors and walls...this space is theatre in its rawest form and I love it.

Last week my husband Chris and I went along to see comedian Alex Horne perform with the addition of his (very talented) jazz band. Being a jazz and comedy lover, I found the combination of both really refreshing and exceptionally entertaining.

The premise of The Horne Section is that the comedian tells anecdotes and jokes and the band enhance the stories with the addition of ironic sound effects, fabulous ditties and a library of just about any tune you can imagine that they are able to pull off when asked.


Alex and the band were perfectly in tune with each other and the combination of his talent and the personality and standard of the band was outstanding.

Alex is an intelligent comedian and knows exactly how to work an audience. He is off the wall and relatable in equal measures.
Also of notable mention is the excellent pianist Joe Stilgoe. This guy is seriously talented and witty as they come.

The Horne Section are off to the Edinburgh Festival next month and if you're going I beg you to book a ticket. This is comedy at it's best!

http://thehornesection.com/

http://alexhorne.com/

http://www.joestilgoe.com/