Friday 27th May 2011 by Will Langdale
A quick pick of what’s hot in the TicketTree.com office
Matilda
After a run at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda the Musical has announced its move to the Cambridge Theatre, currently home to Chicago, from October 18th. Although rumoured to be moving to the Aldwych Theatre after Dirty Dancing’s untimely closure, it seems the Cambridge, owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, has snapped it up.
Having caught it in Stratford, we’re extremely excited for Matilda, and especially songwriter-comedian Tim Minchin’s score. Reviews from across the spectrum have been glowing, with WhatsOnStage.com calling it “jaw-droppingly good”, and The Times’ Libby Purves going as far as “the best British musical since Billy Elliot.” The Guardian’s Michael Billington has nailed our anticipation perfectly: “I defy the hardest-bitten cynic to watch it and not come away grinning” – so if you’re looking for a family musical that’ll be as much fun for miserable dad and dismissive teenagers as it is for the kids, this is one to watch.
Packages are on sale on our website now for as low as PRICE.
But what’s on at the Aldwych after Dirty Dancing? Rumour has it that it could be a moved Chicago, but no confirmation as of yet!
Pygmalion
Although previews have been running since May 12th, Geroge Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion opens at the Garrick Theatre, and we’ve already taken several bookings from people looking forward to a play some might know better as the musical and film My Fair Lady.
Originally written as a satire of the British class system, Pygmalion follows the story of Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins (Rupert Everett) as he trains cockney flowergirl Eliza Doolittle (Kara Tointon) to become a lady in order to win a bet. As the TicketTree HQ contains fans of both Everett and Shaw, we’re very pleased to see this transferring to the West End!
Thriller 1000th Performance
Lastly, Thriller Live’s 1000th performance happened last night at the Lyric Theatre. The show included special performances from Blue, the boy band who represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest two weeks ago, and Shaheen Jafargholi, the Britain’s Got Talent contestant who has appeared in both the touring show, and singing a tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2009 MOBOs.
It’s always nice to see special performances of reoccurring shows – Les Miserables’ 25th anniversary last year at the O2 was fantastic (we’re very excited for Alfie Boe’s return this year alongside Matt Lucas) – and we were no less excited for Thriller.
Deal of the week
We’ve just extended our Blood Brothers availability until November next year, and although discounts haven’t yet been announced, our top-priced seats at cut-down prices are amongst the best packages on the site.