Jackstage

 🌟 White Christmas 🌟 22 December 2023 at 7:30pm at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield ★★★★★ This past week began with Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse, then moving on to Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre. It was a pleasure to return to the Crucible for White Christmas, just 3 days before Christmas Day itself for a merry and cheery festive warmer. Irving Berlin's musical does exactly that, driving the holiday rom-com that left me beaming from ear to ear the whole show. I have seen a couple shows at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, but this really astonished me with the venue's capabilities, such enchanting sequences that I never thought would be possible in such a condensed space. Seated on the second row (side) of the auditorium, there is such a closeness, and feeling of involvement. Directed by Paul Foster, the story of White Christmas is far from the show I expected. While it maintains the family dynamic characterised by Christmas, the story sees two army buddies team up with a...

 🌟 Sunset Boulevard 🌟 21 December 2023 at 2:30pm at Savoy Theatre, London ★★★★★ Sunset Boulevard. Ahead of this afternoon's performance, I had never come across this musical before. It has taken me a while to truly comprehend the immense impact this show holds. The way people had spoken about it was like nothing else, the sheer level of astonishment bewildered me, but Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre is theatrical perfection, that really has to be seen to believed. I'm at a point where I've written over 40 reviews for my blog, and this is the first time I've been so lost for words. This reawakening of the Andrew Lloyd Webber original is one of the most exhilarating things in theatre to have existed, and I hardly doubt I will EVER forget this. Brought to the West End by the Jamie Lloyd Company, the vision for this adaptation of Sunset Boulevard is refined, that finds a haunting atmosphere in it's simplicity and isolated brutality. Lloyd's vision is phenome...

 🌟 Oliver! 🌟 19 December 2023 at 7:00pm at Leeds Playhouse ★★★★ The newest revival of Lionel Bart's musical transformation of Oliver! completely strips away Leeds Playhouse's Quarry Theatre, reinvented for an in-the-round audience. Though still maintaining many of the classic elements of the show, this hugely raved about production really delivers an exuberant and lively dynamic, though at times left me wondering whether this staging style was the best fit. Nevertheless, directed by James Brining, the vision is glorious, and delivers some incredibly unexpected WOW moments. Led by Luke Holman's musical direction, the soundtrack is outstanding alongside whirring tensions, orchestrations (plus live onstage music and percussions) keep the immersive show contained and coordinated. Almost everyone knows a couple of scores from Oliver!, including Food, Glorious Food and Consider Yourself, it certainly feels like a warm reminder of the 1968 film I'd seen as a child. For those...

 🌟 Aladdin 🌟 10 December 2023 at 6:00pm at New Theatre Royal, Lincoln ★★★★ Before visiting Lincoln's New Theatre Royal for their 23/24 pantomime Aladdin, I have to admit I was skeptical. For years I have been quite stubborn on the fact that I don't like panto. However, with Aladdin there comes a delightfully engaging show, which works marvels for both adults and children alike. It is very easy for pantomime to get lost in all the silliness, but NTR take a risk as the show holds an extra level of sophistication, with some extremely high quality talent, becoming a hybrid musical-panto. And it is joyous!! With a wildly diverse mix of live songs interjected into the action, including hits from Bruno Mars, Tom Jones and even the Spice Girls, everyone will know them, and it guarantees a really fun time! The New Theatre Royal doesn't have a gigantic stage, and the premise of Aladdin calls for a look of grandeur and wealth. Through Duncan Parker's scenic work and Kimberley Ne...