I was in New York recently and decided to check out the smash hit musical Hamilton to see what all the fuss is about. No chance, I pulled every favour I could but no one could get me a ticket, the production is booked up solidly for at least the next year. But they do a daily on-line lottery. You have to register by a certain time and at 4pm you get an email letting you know if you've been successful or not. I imagined if I tried that every day for a week the odds were I'd win a ticket, I mean, how many other people would apply that much determination? Wrong again. 4pm brought disappointment every day.
West End Theatre News and Reviews
15 Jun
New Shows 
HAMILTON: The Musical that can stop traffic
By Phil Willmott Wednesday, June 15 2016, 09:02
14 Jun
Reviews 
Review: Tristan and Isolde at English National Opera
By Kit Benjamin Tuesday, June 14 2016, 10:12
Arguably one of the most important pieces of music of the nineteenth century (harmony was never the same again), Wagner’s Tristan And Isolde makes demands on all involved in it, including the audience. There is hardly any physical action on stage, making it a director’s nightmare, the singers are required to have massive vocal and dynamic range as well as the stamina of a long distance runner and the orchestral forces required are huge. And it’s over five hours long. Oh, and Wagner demanded that an entirely new instrument be invented for its performance – a wooden trumpet (ENO has managed to lay its hands on one for this production, and it’s a surprisingly effective thing).
13 Jun
News
No need to desert this sinking ship
By Phil Willmott Monday, June 13 2016, 09:38
An exquisite chamber production of the juggernaut size Broadway musical TITANIC is now playing at the the Charing Cross Theatre.
I couldn't get to the press night of this latest incarnation but I admired it a great deal when I first saw it at the Southwark Playhouse three years ago and the reviews this time around indicate it's every bit as good.
11 Jun
Reviews 
Review: THE DEEP BLUE SEA at The National Theatre
By Nastazja Domaradzka Saturday, June 11 2016, 08:05
Following the success of the 2014 production of MEDEA, actress Helen McCrory and director Carrie Cracknel return to The National Theatre with Terrence Rattigan’s THE DEEP BLUE SEA. Inspired by real life events Rattigan’s masterpiece examines the conflict between desire and love and despite being written over 60 years ago is still a relevant and moving story.
10 Jun
News
We need to talk about Harry
By Phil Willmott Friday, June 10 2016, 10:58
There have been many stern requests over the last week or so for audiences not to give away the secrets contained within the two part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child production, now premiering at the Palace Theatre.
On the face of it that seems absolutely fair enough, after all, everyone hates "spoilers" about TV programmes. If anyone gives away anything about an episode of GAME OF THRONES that I haven't seen I get furious. I can see no reason why we shouldn't feel the same about a theatre show and protecting the surprises it contains.
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