Tag Archives: The Alexandra

Creator: Adrian Grant Director:  Gary Lloyd Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Despite the controversy and unwanted headlines that plagued him during his life, and that haven’t abated since his premature death in 2009, the enduring strength of Michael Jackson’s musical legacy is undeniable. Still widely regarded as the undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson enjoyed unparalleled worldwide success and, thanks to his ...

Book, Music and Lyrics: Richard O’Brien Director: Christopher Luscombe Reviewer: Gemma Fincher Still packing out theatres in its 46th year, the iconic cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Show is back in Birmingham with an all-star cast. Initially written as a stage play in 1973 by Richard O’Brien, The Rocky Horror Picture Show was produced largely as a parody of the science fiction/B horror movies ...

Book and Lyrics: Gerome Ragni and James Rado Music: Galt McDermot Director: Jonathan O’Boyle Reviewer: James Garrington One of the sad things about Hair the Musical is that it is famous – or infamous – as much for its nudity as for its themes and music. When it first appeared in 1967 for a brief run in New York this was ...

Writer: David Mamet Director: Sam Yates Reviewer: Selwyn Knight Four glib and fast-talking salesmen are increasingly desperate to sell what is frankly undesirable real estate to unsuspecting prospects. Their worldview is concentrated on getting to the top of the office leaderboard and winning a Cadillac. They’ll do anything to clinch the deal. But their fates are also in the hands ...

Book: Jeff Whitty Music and Lyrics: Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx Director: Cressida Carré Reviewer: Nicole Craft Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, right? If such an idea offends, then Avenue Q might not be the show for you. With the stage arranged like a children’s TV show's friendly neighbourhood street, complete with screens to each side of the stage just ...

Writer: Mike Leigh Director: Sarah Esdaile Reviewer: James Garrington When it was first written in 1977 Mike Leigh’s masterpiece was very much a commentary of the time. This was a time when social mobility started to become a real ambition for many, when the aspirational middle-classes wanted to have the latest and best of everything and would do everything they ...

Book: José Fernandez Music: Steve Margoshes Lyrics: Jacques Levy Director: Nick Winston Reviewer: Selwyn Knight ‘You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying…’ To a generation raised on instant celebrity and The X Factor, these words must ring hollow, but Fame the Musical, based on Alan Parker’s 1980 film, Fame, shows that there is ...

Writer: Chris D’Arienzo Director: Nick Winston Reviewer: Clare White Two things are integral to 1980s Hollywood - big dreams and big hair. In The Bourbon Club on LA’s Sunset Strip small town girl Sherrie meets city boy Drew, both desperately searching for their big break. Aspirations of stardom and double denim collide as the pair fall in love; however, the ...