Starlight Express

This is control.

This is control.

The famous Starlight Express is pulling into a station near you.

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber in the late 70's the story follows a child's toy railway trains.

The score is a mix of rock, pop and there's even a bit of country with Dinah and comedy song U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. At times it does feel like you're seeing a concert, not a musical, with light shows and action packed dance/skate routines.

Understudy Rusty, Adam Illsley gave an endearing performance as the underdog, and whilst his vocals weren't always up to scratch he made up for it with the acting.

Indeed, there were quite a few times where the vocals weren't what you'd expect from people in musical theatre, but maybe that's just what comes from having them all on roller skates.

Stuart Armfield was deliciously devious as the Caboose and it's hard to tear your eyes away from Mykal Rand's Electra whenever he's on the stage.

Sadly, the female characters lack much depth, and costume material, with the only racing the're doing being after the male characters. Nevertheless, the women in the cast all do what they can to add substance to the roles and give good performances.

The skating is fun, with the added extra of 3D for the races due to size constrictions at regional theatres. Whilst this aspect of it was enjoyable I can't help but think the best way to properly enjoy this show is in a large theatre where the roller skating can really be showed off.

Overall, a very different experience to your normal theatre show, but all the bells, whistles and steam make it worth a visit.

Olivier Awards 2013

Electricity - from Billy Elliot, winner of the BBCR2 Audience Award

Hosted by Sheridan Smith and Hugh Bonneville, last night saw the best of the West End gather at the ROH to celebrate the past year's theatre.

With performances from theatre favourite Idina Menzel, writer of nominated musical Loserville James Bourne and Glee's Matthew Morrison to name but a few. Not forgetting a breathtaking performance from nominee Heather Headley of The Bodyguard's hit I Will Always Love You.

Gillian Lynne was honoured with the special award in recognition of her lifelong theatre career.

Helen Mirren was once more been awarded for playing the Queen, this time in play The Audience.

Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball both won for their lead roles in Sweeney Todd, which also picked up an award for Best Musical Revival.

But it was The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time that stole the show, tying with Matilda's record breaking win of last year with 7 awards.

An example of award shows at their best I hope that next year television will give it the appreciation it deserves by airing it in its entirety.

Midnight Tango

When you hear 'ice skating' your first thought is of Torvill and Dean. When you hear 'tango' your thoughts flock to dance partners Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone.

Since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2006 the pair have become a household name and the past 12 months have been their most successful yet. In the 2012 series of Strictly both reached the final with their celebrity partners and Flavia went on to win with gymnast Louis Smith.

Having recently finished a sell out stint in the West End, Midnight Tango is now on its third UK tour.

Set in a Buenos Aries bar it is a simple story of the relationship between a couple and another man who tries to come between them. With an amazing ensemble and an endearingly sweet sub-story between the married bar owners this show has all the romance, passion and sensuality you expect from the dance.

But it is Flavia and Vincent's dances together that steal the show. This is where they show off their enormous amount of skill in the dance, moving together with a fluidity and smoothness that can only come with time (they have been dancing together for 17 years). But it is the pure joy and love of what they are doing you can see in their eyes and with every step that gives it that extra something to make this a very special show.

This chance to see two of Strictly's finest dancers in action is not to be missed.

9 to 5

A fun, feel good musical.

Based on the 1980 movie of the same name the story follows three women, Violet (Jackie Clune), a ballsy widow who is after that 'fat promotion', Judy (Natalie Casey), the new girl and Doralee (Amy Lennox), a girl with big hair and a big heart. They all work in the same office under the employ of their chauvinistic boss Mr. Hart along with a fantastic ensemble, the most memorable being the office drunk, Margaret, played by Lori Hayley Fox who gets a laugh out of the audience each time she's on stage.

Bonnie Langford is fantastic as Roz, the secretary harbouring a crush on Hart, and it's a shame that she's so underused. The three leading ladies each bring a certain charm to their characters that will endear you to them enough so you care about what happens to them.

With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton this musical is nothing groundbreaking but it will provide you with a good night out and an excuse for a good old sing a long at the end.

The Ladykillers

One of the classic Ealing comedies, The Ladykillers has now made it's way to the stage in Gary Linear's new adaptation.
There is always a suspicion surrounding any classic piece of work that is going to be brought to the stage, but time and time again it's been proven that it does work. These are not remakes but retellings of classic stories that give us the chance to see them in a new light and introduce them to new people. You know what's coming, but you will still watch with bated breath as each of the players meet their end.

It is more of a farce than the movie, but it doesn't have to try too hard and the laughs come in droves. Michele Dotrice (Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em') leads the show as the sweet and determined Mrs. Wilbeforce, with the thieves posing as a string quartet practising in her spare room each bringing their own, unique, vibrant personalities to the stage. Paul Brown heads the troupe with an assertive yet understated performance as mastermind Professor Marcus, with William Troughton being a stand out as Harry Robinson, darting round the stage whilst his pill popping drives him to obsessive cleaning. Clive Mantle is not so secret transvestite Major Courtney, Chris McCalphy faux Cello player One-Round and Cliff Parisi looms in the background as Romanian mafia type Louis.

A character in itself is Michael Taylor's set. A beautifully quaint house interior, suffering subsidence and close proximity to the railway. When I first saw it I couldn't help but wonder how exterior scenes were going to work, so was delighted when we were treated to a car chase and even a glimpse inside the railway tunnel. A perfect example of the magic and frivolity one expects at the theatre.

And with its continued success it has just been announced that another West End run is in store. The Ladykillers will be at the Vaudeville theatre from June 2013.

The Woman In Black

The Tour

The sound of nervous laughter fills the theatre as the audience takes their seats. It can't really be as scary as everyone says, can it?

A lawyer, Arthur Kipps (Julian Forsyth) has a story to tell. Grown old, it has plagued him for many years and we meet him on the day he has hired an actor (Anthony Eden) to help him tell his tale. We could be watching a comedy as we see the actor's rather bemused frustration at the old man's lacklustre reading. And so the actor suggests to tell it in the form of a play. The actor will play the young lawyer and Arthur will play the people he meets along the way.

What follows is a chilling performance with the tension building until you are gripping your seat and glancing around in fear of seeing The Woman in Black. Forsyth and Eden, who have both played the role on the West End, both give fantastic performances and of course not forgetting the other stars of the show, the sound and lighting crews who create the perfect atmosphere for such a ghostly tale. Nothing is overdone so you never know what to expect and the scary moments are always different and exciting. Not much else is needed, with just a few props and your imagination you will be left hiding behind your hands and filling the room with your screams.

And so it is easy to see why the show has continued to play to packed crowds for more than 25 years, the mystery and undeniable curiosity that surrounds it drawing people in. A marvellous piece of theatre, The Woman In Black will stay with you and haunt you well into the night.