Author: KarenB13

I got an ATG+ discount for opening night, but the prices for this production were higher than most, so for the normal price of a dress circle seat, I was near the front of the upper circle.

I was pleased that I had watched the BBCs Hollow Crown of Richard II and both parts of Henry IV in the weeks before this as the story is very complicated. I also managed to get some of the jokes.

They wore modern costumes and had modern props, which seemed a bit odd for a “history” play, particularly when they don’t seem to modernise the language.

I liked the way they changed scenes by walking a curtain across, and while it was being walked across, they changed performers and the limited props.

However, they also had a black screen/curtain that regularly came between half and three quarters way down the height of the  stage which blocked all but the very front of the stage to those in the upper circle and some scenes were completely blocked by it – although the restricted view was not mentioned beforehand.

They also just came out on stage and started speaking at the start and after the interval without warning and while the house lights were all still on, meaning quite a few people had to suddenly rush to their seats and clamour over people trying to watch.

Overall, despite the abridged script, and staging issues I enjoyed the fact that I got to see Sir Ian McKellen perform in a Shakespeare play in a role that has comedic elements without having to go into central London, and I now know that I could probably cope watching other “history plays” and/or VERY long plays (but  I was pleased I was aware of the general story beforehand).

7/10

I got a discount in the ATG January sale for opening night for this new play. It is a comedy whodunit spoof based on the board game, film, and previous play but now set in the 60s.

The script wasn’t brilliant, but there were a few laughs, and it wasn’t overly long.

5/10

I used a Theatre Token I got through Neilsen IQ Panel to get a ticket for this.

The theatre has been decorated in a Stranger Things theme.

It goes back to the Hawkins, Indiana of 1959 and focuses on the origins of Henry Creel and also has teenage versions of the adult characters from the TV show

It was an interesting story with special effects that were good but not the best in the West End.

8/10

I got a Rush Ticket for this.

It was an uplifting entertaining show about the true story of a teenage boy who wants to be a drag queen.

8/10

I got a Rush ticket to see this show

It is a small theatre and the show is about a group of men at their local pub and how they help each other.

There is some interaction with the audience and you can get tickets to go to the real bar on stage before the show. In the circle there is a bit of pre-show and you may catch flying veermats and vags of crisps.

6/10

I got a Rush Ticket to see this play.

It was my second time the play – but first with this cast at this theatre.

The auditorium was prettier than it was for Oklahoma! and it was a good seat.

This is a comedy about the dangers of making friends on holiday – especially if you invite them to visit your home and you later discover that they happen to be a serial killer and your children have befriended them.

9/10

I got one of the Bohemian deal seats. It was a great seat in the circle.

It is slightly different to the film, but the main storylines about a dancer/courtesan falling in love with an artist, while a Duke wants her are still there.

There was also some pre-show and cast walking around the auditorium at various stages.

8/10

I got a special opening night offer for my ticket.

This is a stage sequel to the classic sitcom set in a newsroom, where the surviving former Globelink colleagues are brought together to work at the new Truth News.

It was very funny, and the audience was very pleased to see all the cast from the show. There was a slight lighting problem at one point where a spotlight seemed to be activated in error plunging the cast into darkness & maybe a couple of times there was slight stumbling over lines, but the cast carried on and it didn’t spoil the enjoyment of the show.

9/10

I got a special opening night offer on my ticket for this show.

This is a camp, colourful, rom-com musical, where a group goes on holiday to try to resolve some issues in their love lives.

Kylie appears as a recording in a mirror to one of the characters and there are lots of Stock, Aitken, and Waterman songs.

7/10

This is an inspiring (but felt a bit long at points) musical play about a young man who is paralyzed on holiday and how he and his family cope with the changes it brings.

8/10