Composer: Léo Delibes Conductor: Paul Murphy Choreography: Marius Petipa, Enrico Cecchetti, Peter Wright Reviewer: Claire Hayes Based on the stories of E T A Hoffmann, Coppélia is the lightest and most fragile of confections; the tale of a mechanical doll who entrances and enrages in equal measure. Yet the enchantment of this enduringly popular 19th Century work is underscored by ...
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Book: Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan New Music: Jeanine Tesori New Lyrics: Dick Scanlan Director: Racky Plews Reviewer: Claire Hayes If it’s light-hearted escapist entertainment you’re after then the jazz age Thoroughly Modern Millie, with Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton asserting her musical theatre credentials in the title role, could just fit the bill. Be warned though, around the edges, ...
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Book, Music, and Lyrics: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey Director: David Gilmore Reviewer: Laura Hesketh Grease is the word as the touring revival of the smash-hit musical comes rockin' and rollin' to Bristol Hippodrome. Complete with hand jives, quiffs and swing skirts this new production, while underwhelming at times, is the perfect opportunity to take a nostalgic trip down memory ...
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Book: Gregory Boyd & Jack Murphy Music: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Jack Murphy Director: Lotte Wakeham Reviewer: Chris Oldham With stage adaptations of fairy tales featuring heavily in the landscape of musical theatre, it's perhaps surprising that a show based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has, for the most part, yet to make an impact. Director Lotte Wakeham, and musician ...
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Composer: Giacomo Puccini Director: Joachim Herz Reviewer: Kris Hallett Welsh National Opera's Poisoned Chalice season ends with arguably its greatest hit, Joachim Herz's 1978 production of Puccini's Madam Butterfly. These themed seasons work well, both from a financial and artistic point of view, with two big hitters propping up a more obscure third title. So while La Vin Herbe may ...
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Libretto: Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica Director: Annabel Arden Revival Director: Caroline Chaney Conductor: Manlio Benzi Reviewer: Claire Hayes Welsh National Opera (WNO)’s evocative 2012 production of Puccini’s La bohème returns to the stage for a well-deserved revival, as part of the company’s Love’s Poisoned Chalice season. Here, Annabel Arden’s original combination of strong vocal performances, atmospheric staging and clear ...
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Composer: Frank Martin English Translation: Hugh Macdonald Director: Polly Graham Conductor: James Southall Reviewer: Kris Hallett Love’s Poisoned Chalice is the theme of Welsh National Opera’s Spring Season and it doesn’t get much more literal than that in Frank Martin’s take on the love affair of Tristan and Iseult in La Vin Herbé. Here the poison is real, a potion ...
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Director: Michael Mayer Book: Isobel Lennart Revised Book: Harvey Fierstein Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Bob Merrill Reviewer: Chris Oldham Not long after completing its engagement at London's Savoy Theatre, Funny Girl arrives at the Bristol Hippodrome this week. And with Sheridan Smith at the top of bill, expectation couldn't be higher. Fanny Brice (Smith) is a young Jewish girl growing ...
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