Tag Archives: Songs

Director: Jonathan O’Boyle Book / Lyrics: Gerome Ragni and James Rado Music: Galt MacDermot Reviewer: Helen Tope It’s 1967 and the Hippie Movement is at its height. Young Americans, disappointed and disillusioned, are seeking a different path. Rather than live out the lives of their parents, they want to live freely, with no limits or expectations. We meet a group of hippies, co-habiting under one ...

Writer: Emma Reeves (based on novel by Jill Murphy) Director: Theresa Heskins Composer: Luke Potter Reviewer: Helen Tope  Goofy, clumsy and a spectacular failure, Mildred Hubble is the ultimate thinking girl’s heroine. Since the publication of Jill Murphy’s novel The Worst Witch in 1974, Hubble has entertained generations of children. A newly-inducted member of Miss Cackle’s Academy, Mildred’s dubious grasp of even the most ...

Director: Des McAnuff Book: Marshall Brickman / Rick Elice Music / Lyrics: Bob Gaudio / Bob Crewe Reviewer: Helen Tope If you had to place a bet on how Jersey Boys begins, I would imagine a French rap would not figure at the top of your list. A startling opening for a jukebox musical, Jersey Boys declares its point of ...

Book: Douglas McGrath Music / Lyrics: Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil Director: Marc Bruni Reviewer: Helen Tope Tapestry is no ordinary record. A chronicle of heartbreak and hope, even forty years after its release in 1971, it continues to speak to men and women about the nature of love. Carole King’s remarkable album is just part of ...

Writer: Roald Dahl (adapted for the stage by Sam Holcroft) Music: Arthur Darvill Lyrics: Darren Clark, Arthur Darvill, Sam Holcroft, Al Muriel Director: Maria Aberg Reviewer: Helen Tope Dead birds and boozy farmers; Fantastic Mr Fox starts off with a bang. Stuffed full of cruelty and avarice, this production bears all the hallmarks of Roald Dahl’s novel. Adapted by Sam ...

Musical Director: Sam Coates Director & Choreographer: Emma Rogers Reviewer: Helen Tope Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2020. It is a milestone few groups can boast. Their back catalogue features some of the most memorable songs in pop history: Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man. The music has moved beyond ...

Writer: Mark Trevorrow Reviewer: Jay Nuttall Bob, Sweat &Tears includes everything you’d expect from an evening with Bob Downe during The Fringe. We are treated to plenty of polyester, campy pop songs, cheesy grins and naughty jokes – but there’s something waiting for us that we never saw coming. Bob has a revelation – he’s actually been living a lie ...

Writer: Mark Trevorrow Reviewer: Stephanie Walls [Rating:4] Bob Downe’s latest show ‘Smokin’’ is a fabulous, funny piece of frothy light entertainment. A show such as this is so welcomed because the audience are under no obligation to over-think or over-analyse the show they are watching. We are quite simply able to sit and enjoy an hour of Bob’s charm and ...