Reviewer: Mark Clegg Debuting in 1990, Once On This Island is best described as a cross between The Little Mermaid (Hans Anderson’s original tragedy, not Disney’s softened version) and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set on a Caribbean island. It is based on Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel My Love, Mt Love or, The Peasant Girl. The story is overseen by the ...
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Book: Terence McNally Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Reviewer: Scott Matthewman EL Doctorow’s 1975 historical novel,Ragtime, set in the early years of the 20th Century, sees three (predominantly New York-based) communities – Harlem’s African-Americans, Jewish immigrants and a WASP family based in the genteel community of New Rochelle – intertwining with each other and a series of real-life figures ...
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Reviewer: Donna Kelly In an inspired decision by Broadway Records, Patti LuPone’s superb 1999 solo album Matters of the Heart has been reissued in CD format and as a digital download. Best known for her Broadway performances in Sweeney Todd, Anything Goes, Evita and Gypsy, LuPone is an American actress and singer, well-known in the world of musical theatre. The ...
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Book and Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Music: Stephen Flaherty Director: Andrew Keates Reviewer: Paul Couch In this game you get to see quite a lot of dross, especially in the West End, which these days seems to be a recycling facility for mass appeal juke-box musicals and star name vehicles – no artistic integrity required. Occasionally, however, you come across ...
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Reviewer: Ian Foster Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have enjoyed a prolific writing career stretching over three decades and in celebration of their 30 year working relationship, held a series of concerts at 54 Below which have now been immortalised on their double CD Nice Fighting You: A 30th Anniversary Celebration Live at 54 BELOW. The collection looks back at ...
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Writers: Thomas Meehan and Sylvester Stallone Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Director: Alex Timbers Reviewer: Stephen Bates In the blue corner we have musicals, traditionally romantic, emotional and more than a little bit camp; in the red corner there is boxing, traditionally brutish, blood-spattered and very macho. A mismatch for sure, but the fact that this show’s two key ...
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Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Book: Stephen Flaherty + Lynn Ahrens Co-conceived by: Eric Idle Director: Kirk Jameson Reviewer: Ian Foster [rating:3] Much of the charm of many festive shows comes from their innate familiarity – childhood pantomimes, the ever-present Dickens, the ageless music of The Nutcracker – but in an increasingly global cultural world, other shows are attempting ...
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Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Book: Terrence McNally Reviewer: Ian Foster [rating:3.5] Much like its central character, the charms of A Man of No Importance are gentle and delicate and these remain the watchwords for Gareth Machin’s actor/musician production of this musical for Salisbury Playhouse. Based on a 1994 film and set in early 1960s Dublin, Alfie Byrne is ...
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