Mark Oxtoby steps into Back to the Future: The Musical as Doc Brown for opening night

Posted on September 14, 2021 by mkmswain

“This is dedicated to all the dreamers out there!” cries Doc Brown as he finally succeeds in his grand experiment: time travel.

Read my full London Theatre report here

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The Memory of Water, Hampstead Theatre

Posted on September 10, 2021 by mkmswain

It’s a homecoming for Shelagh Stephenson’s play, which premiered at the Hampstead in 1996, and for her characters: three sisters who return to Yorkshire for their mother’s funeral. Though it won Stephenson an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, it’s really an old-fashioned melodrama – and a shaky one at that.

Read my full Telegraph review here

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Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Posted on September 9, 2021 by mkmswain

Let it snow! The Broadway musical adaptation of the Disney film behemoth premiered back in 2018 and now, following Covid delays, a rejigged version finally makes its home in the West End – to the delight of the army of miniature Elsas in attendance.

Read my full theartsdesk review here

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Sh!t Theatre Drink Rum with Expats, Soho Theatre

Posted on September 8, 2021 by mkmswain

Rather than a spoonful of sugar, this canny performance-art duo are serving up free booze and well-honed comedy to help their political theatre go down a treat. 

Read my full Telegraph review here

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‘People want to be scared’: how online hysteria transformed Snakes on a Plane – and cinema

Posted on September 6, 2021 by mkmswain

The great Samuel L Jackson starring in a B-movie with arguably the greatest title of all time? No wonder fans latched onto Snakes on a Plane – and persuaded its studio, New Line Cinema, to reconsider their minor project and throw serious money at it.

Read my full Telegraph article here

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The Top 20 New London Shows Opening In 2021

Posted on September 3, 2021 by mkmswain

As theatre comes roaring back, this autumn and winter see plenty of exciting new productions, including big West End musicals and intriguing plays. Here are the shows that we’re most looking forward to seeing.

Read my full BroadwayWorld article here

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Cinderella review

Posted on September 2, 2021 by mkmswain

We have James Corden to thank for this. The unfathomably popular TV host decided we needed yet another “modern spin” on Cinderella, and – God help us – he also joins the cast as a mouse-turned-footman who’s obsessed with how his new human body pees. 

Read my full Telegraph review here

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New West End stars making major debuts on London stages right now

Posted on September 2, 2021 by mkmswain

While the pandemic year was incredibly difficult for everyone who works in the arts, it was particularly tough for those just starting out in their careers. So, as theatre comes back to life, it’s really heartening to see some exciting emerging talent hitting the stage, including numerous West End debuts.

Read my full London Theatre article here

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Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho, Garrick Theatre

Posted on August 22, 2021 by mkmswain

Maggie has finally arrived in Soho. Jon Brittain and Matt Tedford’s satirical drag musical began at fringe venue Theatre503 in 2013 and quickly became an Edinburgh Fringe staple. Now, the production makes its West End debut.

Read my full Telegraph review here

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Ben Platt on the Dear Evan Hansen trailer backlash: ‘It was a shellshock moment’

Posted on August 21, 2021 by mkmswain

Playing a chronically anxious teenager in the hit Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen made American actor Ben Platt a household name, winning him Tony, Emmy and Grammy Awards – one off the fabled ‘EGOT’.

Read my full Telegraph interview here

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