Tag Archives: Musicals

Young Voices Thread: Kinky boots review by Megan Cannell

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I love musicals. In fact I love them so much that I listen to “Wicked”s sound track every morning on the way to school. When my grandma offered to take us up to London to watch Kinky Boots, I could not refuse. My friend went to see it on Broadway and told me it was amazing and that the songs were so catchy.  At first I was a bit sceptical because of the name but when it started I knew that I was going to enjoy it so much.

 

The story is about Charlie Price, who turns an Northampton shoe factory which is on the brink of closing, into a success by making boots for drag queens who want thigh-high red boots. Hence the name, Kinky Boots.

 

At the same time, we see how Lola, the project’s design consultant who is also a drag queen, makes Charlie and his co-workers overcome their dislike of men in frocks. All ends happily at a Milan shoe fair where the collapsing business is joyously ‘rebooted’.

 

The songs were super duper good and the story line was very interesting and personally, I had my eyes glued to the stage the whole time. I would say that this particular musical is great for lots of people, but I personally would recommend it for ages 10+, just because of some of the language and scenes. The show was really funny and had me and my sister laughing, but some of it was quite emotional. Don’t worry I won’t spoil it. All in all I would really recommend this musical and I have been listening to the songs nonstop after seeing it.

 

 

See it at the Adelphi Theatre, The Strand, London.

 

 

The Tailor-Made Man | Theatre Review

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The Tailor-Made Man, set in Hollywood during the 1930s, is a musical theatre show, which
still strongly maintains the quality of a play.

Exceptionally staged – at the Arts Theatre in London, West End – its creative team,
includes super talented choreographer Nathan M. Wright who, in between his many credits,
also counts the mass movement choreography of the London Olympic & Paralympics
2012.

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The stars studded musical production has brilliant actors in the leading roles: Faye Tozer, Mike
McShane and Dylan Turner. Faye Tozer (from the band pop band Steps) delivers
an outstanding and energetic performance certainly not inhibited by the vocal tone
variations the part requires and the upper class mannerism of the early 20th century. Also,
starring undying talent Mike McShane and classically, impeccably beautiful, as much as
skilled, Dylan Turner that has already landed roles in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales)
and Grease (Victoria Palace) just to mention a few. Full of character Bradley Clarkson
also gives a captivating and dynamic performance. Worth a mention is Kay Murphy
who gives a funny and outstandingly performance in the role of Pola Negri, the famous Polish actress.

Claudio Macor co-wrote ‘The Tailor-Made Man’ book with Amy Rosenthal, adapted
the play and directed it. ‘The Tailor-Made Man’, was nominated for Best New Play in 1995 and
for writer of the year and then some years later was made into a musical. The music is by Duncan
Walsh Atkins and Adam Meggido.

‘The Tailor-Made Man’ is a true old Hollywood story that brings back memories of when
the homosexuality was far from being socially accepted. It is the true story of William ‘Billy’ Haines who was a movie star at MGM, and then became a famous interior designer in Hollywood. It highlights the emotional difficulties, openly declared gay men had to go through including work discrimination
and episodes of verbal and physical violence, all of this surrounded by the Hollywood
creative melting pots of sophisticated artists and a bit of sentimental twist.

The musical will run for a limited eight weeks season until the 6th of April.

http://www.thetailormademanlondon.com/

Written by Paola Berta

Damsels In Distress Film Review

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Damsels in Distress is a quirky and funny movie about depression. Yes, really. It has a funny script. Whit Stillman’s first film in 13 years is a very original film about a trio of girls who try and rescue their fellow students from depression and general low standards. Love is won and lost, and because the film is about college students, this is all heightened.

With subtle humour and cracking lines through out, this film has a very Woody Allen-esque feel to it. It is a smart comedy with brilliant costumes and musical numbers. Yes, that’s right musical numbers. Even if musicals are not your thing, the sight of earnest Violet, played by Great Gerwig, trying to fix her fellow students depression through song and dance is endearing and fun to watch.

The characters are fun and well-rounded. I really liked this charming comedy. Watching Damsels in Distress is a fun way to spend an evening. It has a strong script and a wonderful vintage feel.

From Academy Award® nominee Whit Stillman (Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Metropolitan, 1990) comes the charming and witty comedy DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, debuting on DVD August 20 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film is a quirky tale of a group of beautiful, female college students and their misguided ways of helping to cure their depressed classmates with a programme of good scents and musical dance numbers. DAMSELS IN DISTRESS stars Greta Gerwig (No Strings Attached, upcoming To Rome With Love by Woody Allen), Aubrey Plaza (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, TV’s “Parks & Recreation”), Adam Brody (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, TV’s “The OC”, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love, TV’s “America’s Next Top Model”), Hugo Becker (TV’s “Gossip Girl”), Megalyn Echikunwoke (TV’s “House of Lies,” “90210”), and newcomer Carrie MacLemore.

DAMSELS IN DISTRESS follows a trio of beautiful girls who set out to revolutionize life at a grungy East Coast College – the dynamic leader Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (Carrie MacLemore). They welcome transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) into their group, which seeks to help severely depressed students with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically entangled with a series of men — including slick Charlie (Adam Brody), dreamboat Xavier (Hugo Becker) and the mad frat boys Frank (Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (Billy Magnussen)—who threaten the girls’ friendship and sanity.

A charming comedy starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody and Annaleigh Tipton, is out on the 20th August.In this stylish and quirky film Violet, played by Woody Allen’s latest leading lady Greta Gerwig.

Greta Gerwig has all the best lines. Check out the quotes from her character below.

Violet: [about their college] There’s enough material here for a lifetime of social work.

Violet: We’re also trying to make a difference in people’s lives, and one way to do that is to stop them from killing themselves.

Violet: I don’t really like the word “depressed”. I prefer to say I’m in a tailspin.

Martian Fighting Machines Crushes Cars {Entertainment}

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Some martian fighting machines have apparently been trampling on cars in West London according to these pictures. ‘Well that’s outrageous’ I imagine you say. As if that’s not enough, they’re visiting towns and cities all around europe and…putting…on…a…musical!

Aiding them are x-factors Rhydian, Liz from the Atomic Kittens and Jason Donovan acompanied by a 11 foot high 3d hologram of Richard Burton.

I am not making this up…

[War of the Worlds Musical]