Friday 11th November 2011 by Will Langdale
A quick pick of what’s hot in the TicketTree.com office
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| Fred Astaire, who starred alongside Ginger Rogers in Top Hat, photographed by Ernest Bachrach in 1937, digitised by danceonair1986 on flickr. |
New shows at the Aldwych
This week has been rather exciting at the Aldwych Theatre! Ever since Dirty Dancing closed things haven’t been the same. Originally tipped to be home to Matilda the Musical’s transfer from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Straford-Upon-Avon, it’s had a bit of a rough time after lukewarm (heh) reviews of replacement show Cool Hand Luke, starring Marc Warren. With Cool Hand Luke announcing early closure back in October, it’s left something of a gap in the schedule until Midnight Tango starts a rumba in the jungle in January.
In lieu of Cool Hand Luke has appeared A Round-Heeled Woman, adapted from a novel about a 60-something woman who rediscovers her sex life after placing an advert in the New York Review of Books. The production’s been touring for a while after first appearing in San Francisco, and stars Sharon Gless, best known as Cagney from 80s TV series Cagney & Lacey. It’s a strictly limited run due to Midnight Tango’s confirmed opening night, but it promises to be a very interesting production of a very interesting book.
Snagging another touring show, the Aldwych has confirmed an adaptation of the 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat, due to open on May 9th, with previews from April 19th. Perhaps thinking along the lines of recent Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre success story Crazy For You, the film was an immensely popular combination of talent both in front of and behind the screen.
Just as Crazy For You uses the music of the Gershwins, Top Hat features the considerable songwriting talent of Irving Berlin, who was behind some of the most influential popular American tunes of the early 20th century, including White Christmas, Puttin’ on the Ritz and What’ll I Do?. George Gershwin himself said: “I frankly believe that Irving Berlin is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived” – high praise indeed, and definitely something to look forward to in the spring!
May the farce be with you
Opening this week at the Liverpool Playhouse was Father Ted and IT Crowd writer Graham Linehan’s adaptation of 1955 Ealing comedy The Ladykillers. Its garnered glittering reviews so far, which makes us even more enthusiastic to see it when it finally transfers to the Gielgud Theatre later this month. Definitely one to keep an eye on!
Deal of the week
With precious few weeks remaining until Priscilla Queen of the Desert leaves the West End, here’s another chance to get a bit of a discount before we wave the show goodbye at the end of 2011. Use PRISCILLABLOG at the end of your booking for a quick 5% off all packages to see the show!