RSC’s “Bring up the Bodies”: Breathtaking

After reading Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies last year, I was excited to hear about the two RSC plays adapting the seemingly unadaptable books. Not that I could get tickets…! It seems incredible to me that two books of historical fiction, no matter how brilliant, could pack out a theatre in the West End for a straight play. The hype, in itself, has been wonderful to promote the theatre at a time when there have been so many high profile productions terminating their runs early.

Anyway, I was delighted when a friend offered me a spare ticket to the second of the two plays, “Bring up the Bodies”.

Daytona: A curious ripple, rather than a dramatic splash

Courtesy of Masterclass, I was lucky enough to be given press night tickets for “Daytona”, a new play that recently transferred to the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The three person cast features Oliver Cotton (who also wrote the play), Maureen Lipman (my favourite!) and Harry Shearer (a.k.a. Mr Burns in The Simpsons).

It feels difficult to explain what this play is about – to provide a synopsis would be to “give away” the plot twists and turns that provide all of the momentum to this production. Instead, all I can say is this:

Fatal Attraction: the West End version

Luckily for me a colleague offered me a pair of tickets to “Fatal Attraction” at Haymarket Theatre Royal at the last minute last week. And who would say no? With a star billing of Kristin Davis (aka Charlotte from SATC), Natascha McElhone and bona fide live bunny rabbits, I jumped at the chance. The tickets were also super cheap – £3, yes really, only £3 each – through a flash sale on

Happy Days!

Recently, the new musical “Happy Days!” (loosely based on/inspired by the television series of which I have no prior knowledge) was featured on a documentary about the UK theatre industry. The zealous producer Amy Arnold showed quite how difficult it is to achieve funding and find a suitable cast. Feeling inspired and in awe of Amy’s determination, I popped to the Cambridge Corn Exchange to see the regional tour. It was a bit hit and miss: some of the script seems occasionally clunky and unsuited to the subtleties of English humour, but the dancing, new music and sheer verve of the cast was fantastic. In particular, the singing trio of the lovely (and still fizzing) Cheryl Baker, Heidi from Sugar Babes and new Emma Harold explored the aspirations and role of women in a way which was surprisingly thoughtful and touching. Slightly oddly, this is married with a very camp televised wrestling match, which may or may not raise sufficient funds to save Arnold’s from threatened closure – you would have to see it to understand! If you like US fifties chic then I reckon you would enjoy this alternative to the ever popular “Dreamboats and Petticoats” and “Grease”. Perhaps a prior awareness and fondness of The Fonz would also help…?

The Strange Incident of the Ceiling at Showtime

How odd that in the run up to Christmas the beautiful listed plaster ceiling of the Appollo chose to collapse during a performance of “The Strange Incident of the Dog in The Night-time”. Although it was a truly ghastly freak accident, I really hope it doesn’t put anyone off going to London’s theatreland. I was lucky enough to go twice over the holidays: to the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Colliseum and to “Strangers on a Train” at the Gielgud Theatre (incidentally practically next door to the Appollo). Both were so enjoyable but I noticed a significant number of vacant seats for both… Perhaps due to the bad press, bad transport or bad pricing?