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A Doll's House (Almeida Theatre, London) - ★★ REVIEW
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Last week, Mickey-Jo attended the opening night performance of Henrik Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE at the Almeida Theatre in London, in a new translation by Anya Reiss.
This strikingly modern take on the classic play stars Olivier Award winner Romola Garai as Norma and Tom Mothersdale as Torvald, under the direction of Joe Hill-Gibbins.
Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the new script, the performances, and the bold choices made by this revival...
check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:
www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com
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00:00 | introduction
01:48 | this adaptation
10:56 | creative choices
15:51 | performances
21:46 | conclusion
About Mickey-Jo:
As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre
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The Rocky Horror Show (Studio 54, Broadway) - ★★★★ REVIEW
26:47|A few weeks ago, Mickey-Jo saw the new Broadway revival of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Studio 54.This production, presented by Roundabout Theatre Company, is directed by Sam Pinkleton and stars Luke Evans as Dr Frank n Furter with a cast that also includes Stephanie Hsu, Amber Gray, Andrew Durand, Juliette Lewis, MJ Rodriguez, Rachel Dratch, and more.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of this new creative interpretation as a longtime fan of the show, as well as its relationship to its audience and the infamous callout culture...•00:00 | introduction02:44 | this revival09:36 | the audience problem17:46 | creative choices / performances24:52 | conclusionwhy CHESS is closing early on Broadway | the reason the revival will end when Lea Michele leaves
28:21|In breaking Broadway news, it was just announced that the current revival of CHESS at the Imperial Theatre will end its run earlier than planned, on June 21st.The musical, first seen on stage in the 1980s, depicts a chess-centred love triangle in the midst of cold war tensions, written by Benny Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Sir Tim Rice. This new production, with a rewritten book by Danny Strong, stars Lea Michele (Funny Girl), Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd), and Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge! the Musical) as well as Bryce Pinkham and Hannah Cruz.The show will now end with the departure of leading lady Lea Michele, but that's just one of the factors to consider when we answer the question: why is Chess closing early...?•00:00 | introduction03:08 | closing details13:08 | the reasons why21:16 | what comes next?26:37 | conclusionwhy Kim Kardashian is a Broadway Producer now | the reasons behind theatre's new celebrity producers
28:31|An emerging trend on Broadway over the last few years has been the substantial arrival of celebrity co-producers - influential figures, entertainment stars and beloved personalities who use their platforms, connections and reputation to help bolster a newly opened show's credibility.This is under particular scrutiny this season, with the likes of Michelle and Barrack Obama, Neil Patrick Harris, Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, and Cynthia Erivo being joined as producers of new shows by Kim Kardashian.Kardashian has joined the producing team of The Fear of 13 in her capacity as a criminal justice reform advocate, and in doing so has sparked the conversation Mickey-Jo is eager to have today - why are there so many celebrities producing on Broadway, what do they actually have to do, what are the benefits of this to the shows, and does Mickey-Jo foresee any problems as this practice gains popularity?check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:16 | how does it work?13:28 | the mutual benefits22:36 | will there be problems?Mickey-Jo met the AVENUE Q puppets! | INTERVIEW with Emily Benjamin, Charlie McCullagh, and Noah Harrison
28:45|The fan-favourite, award winning comedy musical AVENUE Q is back in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and Mickey-Jo recently had the bucket-list-worthy opportunity to meet some of its cast and iconic characters.Mickey-Jo headed to the theatre to sit down with Emily Benjamin, Charlie McCullagh, and Noah Harrison plus Avenue Q residents Trekkie Monster, Lucy the Slut, and Rod to ask them about puppetry secrets, onstage mishaps, musical theatre dream roles, and more.Check out this fun and completely unique interview, and don't forget to book tickets to see AVENUE Q in the West End!Four London Play Review Roundup (Mass, Krapp's Last Tape, Mother Courage, and Equus)
32:23|Amidst Mickey-Jo's recent theatregoing, he saw four intense new productions of plays at non West End venues. They were:• Mass at the Donmar Warehouse• Godot's To-Do List / Krapp's Last Tape at the Royal Court Theatre • Mother Courage and Her Children at Shakespeare's Globe • Equus at the Menier Chocolate Factory Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the writing, creative choices, and performances in each!check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:12 | Mass09:47 | Godot's To-Do List / Krapp's Last Tape16:36 | Mother Courage and Her Children23:34 | Equus31:22 | conclusionEnd of the Rainbow starring Jinkx Monsoon (Soho Theatre Walthamstow, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW
24:28|Mickey-Jo recently caught one of London's most anticipated theatrical events of the year, a revival of Peter Quilter's END OF THE RAINBOW starring Jinkx Monsoon.At Soho Theatre, Walthamstow, Jinkx (Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors, Oh, Mary!) plays Judy Garland in the hard hitting play which was also adapted for the biopic film 'Judy'.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the play, Jinkx's performance, and the new production from director Rupert Hands...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:23 | production context08:12 | Jinkx as Judy Garland17:29 | creative choices22:36 | conclusionMickey-Jo saw Catherine Tate in OH, MARY! | thoughts on the latest star of the West End comedy play
21:31|British comedy icon Catherine Tate has donned the bratty curls of Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit comedy play Oh, Mary!Tate stars in the West End production at the Trafalgar Theatre, which opened last year starring Mason Alexander Park, and recently won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.After seeing a recent gala night performance, here are Mickey-Jo's thoughts about Catherine's performance as Mary, the show's slightly updated supporting cast, and his evolving feelings about the play itself...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction04:44 | Catherine Tate as Mary13:45 | the supporting cast19:29 | conclusionThe Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (@sohoplace Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW
26:52|The latest new musical to arrive in the West End is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, based on the film of the same name and the memoir that inspired it.The musical, which premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon, tells the story of William Kamkwamba, who created a windmill from scraps in order to provide for his famine-stricken community.Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this show, its original score, and its performances...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com• 00:00 | introduction01:45 | synopsis / overview07:23 | the material12:40 | performances20:17 | creative choices25:20 | conclusionwhy is DEATH BECOMES HER closing?! | the real reasons why the musical will end its Broadway run
22:56|A Broadway bombshell was dropped today when it was announced that DEATH BECOMES HER, the fan favourite musical would close next month at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.The show, based on the 1992 cult classic film, stars Betsy Wolfe, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams in the roles played on screen by Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini.Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts and insights on the reasons behind its sudden closure including the current industry climate and challenges in re-casting as it entered its second year, plus speculation about the next show at the Lunt-Fontanne and the possibility of a West End transfer...•00:00 | introduction02:22 | closing details 09:51 | the reasons why 18:40 | what comes next