This is the second brilliant musical dealing with past American racism to open in the West End this autumn and London is enriched as a result. Not just because of the issues raised but because MEMPHIS and now SCOTTSBORO BOYS are examples of how skilled writers, creatives and actors are proving beyond a doubt that great musical theatre can be intelligent, original and provocative yet also be very, very entertaining.
Theatre News and Reviews
31 Oct
Reviews 
Review of The Scottsboro Boys at the Garrick Theatre
By Phil Willmott Friday, October 31 2014, 11:27
30 Oct
New Shows 
New play Taken at Midnight transfers to the West End
By Oliver Mitford Thursday, October 30 2014, 10:21
Mark Hayhurst’s new play, Taken at Midnight premiered at the Chichester Festival Theatre in September. It has now been announced that the play will transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in the heart of London’s West End from 15 January 2015, following the National Theatre's production of Great Britain.
29 Oct
Reviews
Review of Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre
By Phil Willmott Wednesday, October 29 2014, 08:22
This Broadway export of the Tony Award winning musical MEMPHIS to the West End, is very good news indeed for London theatregoers.
Although it has an original score that the majority of the audience didn’t know, it had everyone leaping to their feet and roaring their approval on the night I saw it. The likelyhood is you'll feel the same way.
The show tells the story of how Huey, a geeky, white Memphis DJ won't take no for an answer when he sets out to convince the mainstream record buying public that they should be listening to music from the black community, specifically as sung by his girlfriend, Felicia.
28 Oct
Reviews 
Review of Once The Musical
By Daniel Perks Tuesday, October 28 2014, 10:49
A simple, no frills, heart wrenching production delivered with catchy original songs. The replacement cast is not quite up to scratch compared with the original, but this is definitely one to catch before it leaves the West End in March 2015.
Normally when a family member comes to stay, I inwardly groan. Now that’s not because I don’t love my family, but it does seem to be hard work taking tourists around the city of London. My flatmate on the other hand has a much more relaxed family, so when her sister came to stay with us I was excited at having another person to go to the theatre with. Not only an artistic soul like us, she is also applying for drama schools at the moment to do stage management and so was more than happy to tag along and pass comment on a musical with me. She really seemed the perfect choice to take along to the Phoenix Theatre and watch an Olivier award-winning musical before wandering to get a drink at half time from the on-stage bar and soak up the atmosphere.
27 Oct
Reviews
Review of Made in Dagenham
By Daniel Perks Monday, October 27 2014, 14:25
A show full of working class, no frills energy, but at times it needed reigning in. Well done to the women, both for what they achieved and the actors’ performances – the men need to catch up here.
Musicals that are based on films are popping up all over the West End at the moment. Maybe these shows are trying to emulate some of the success of the West End gold standard Billy Elliot, which has made the successful transition to the stage after being an iconic film that I and love. Well it’s time for another production to tell its story and hope to gain a piece of the glory – taking over from The Bodyguard, I went to see the Adelphi Theatre’s latest offering.
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