Phil Willmott
23 May
Reviews 
Review THE COLOUR PURPLE: Great News for Stage Struck Kids and their Cash Strapped Parents
By Phil Willmott Tuesday, May 23 2017, 09:59
Last night, May 21st, saw an event at the Cadogan Hall conceived to encourage more kids from culturally diverse backgrounds to not only appreciate West End performances but to aspire to perform themselves.
It took the form of a scintillating concert performance of Broadway musical The Colour Purple featuring some of the best black performers in the U.K. spending their night off from major London and touring shows like Dreamgirls, The Bodyguard and Jesus Christ Superstar to sing with a choir of young performers and no doubt inspiring every one of them.
22 May
Reviews
A Second Look at OBSESSION starring Jude Law
By Phil Willmott Monday, May 22 2017, 10:32
Fellow critic Nastazja Domaradzka raved about Ivo Von Hoves production of Obsession starring Jude Law recently so I was delighted to be invited by the Barbican Theatre to the launch of their new season, which included a chance to check it out for myself.
22 May
Reviews
Review: LOVE IN IDLENESS at The Apollo Theatre
By Phil Willmott Monday, May 22 2017, 09:45
Watching Trevor Nunn's funny and fleet-of-foot production of Love in Idleness, a "new" play forged by combining two drafts of an old play written by Terrence Rattigan that's been barely performed, is like a blast from the past.
Until the emergence of angry, radical drama in the 1960s every theatre in the West End would offer variations on its formula - posh people chattering away in posh drawing rooms, with a quick dip into melodramatic peril before leisured wit and privileged are restored. The overarching philosophy of most of this repertoire is summed up when a character quips that there's nothing that can't be overcome with "small talk".
18 May
News
Fall in Love with Matilda
By Phil Willmott Thursday, May 18 2017, 07:06
Everybody loves the musical Matilda. When it opened at the Royal Shakespeare's home theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon even the most pompous critics were besotted calling it the greatest new musical of recent years. Actually it isn't, the musical numbers are fun but beyond the infectious kids song - When I Grow Up - there's nothing anyone will still be singing in ten years time but watching the show is a glorious experience and if you haven't seen it before you'll fall in love with it too. I paid a second visit the other night and fell for its charms all over again.
15 May
Theatre Awards
Meet the musical theatre stars of tomorrow
By Phil Willmott Monday, May 15 2017, 07:30
If you're interested in spotting the hot new musical theatre writers and performers you won't want to miss the forthcoming gala at the Noel Coward Theatre which includes performances from the nominees for The Stephen Sondheim Society's student performer of the year. The afternoon includes the announcement of the winner, both of this and a song writing prize set up by Styles and Drewe. You can hear a selection of the competing songs too.
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