Ronan Keating Label’s Once Debut “Liberating.”

If you’re a follower of Once, Simon Morris readers, you’ll have wondered how Ronan Keating did in his first night in the role of Guy; something he labelled “liberating.”

The Story of a Down-On-His-Luck Dublin Busker

As an adult, I’ve developed a passion for carefully crafted, thought provoking musical theatre which tells a captivating story, and accompanies it with a mind blowing score. There are few musical theatre productions that have piqued the interest of an adult Simon Morris the way Once has.

For those of you who haven’t heard yet, the story of Once chronicles the life of a down-on-his-luck Dublin busker named Guy. A man in need of inspiration, when he meets a woman who sparks his creative juices he stumbles on inspiration in spades, only to find out that she’s married.

Could Ronan Keating Hack it in the Role of Guy?

A modern day smash, Once has proved a hit with audiences around the world. UK musical theatre enthusiasts have proved no exception, as the West-End’s Phoenix Theatre production of Once turned out to be a runaway success.

That’s why I was a little apprehensive when I learned that former Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating was taking over the role of Guy. I honestly doubted he had the vocal prowess and onstage charisma to pull it off.

“The Most Liberating Experience.”

Yet if Keating himself is to be believed, his first night in the role of Guy left him feeling like a new man. According to the BBC, Keating labelled his performance "the most liberating experience."

Speaking in the wake of his debut, Keating admitted that at first, his performance was "all over the place,” but by the time the curtain fell he was left “feeling great.” He also said that "the stress and fear when I walked out was overwhelming," but once he got into it, “it was wonderful."

“An Extremely Creditable Account of Himself.”

And it seems the critics think he gave a decent performance as well. The Independent’s David Lister labelled it “surprisingly good,” whilst Fiona Mountford at the Evening Standard said that Keating gave “an extremely creditable account of himself” in the role of Guy.

In other words, he did pretty well for himself considering the fact that he’s a new comer to the West End stage. Maybe his liberating experience powered his performance and made him shine in the role of a down-on-his-luck Dublin busker!

Read More

What Did the Critics Think of Made in Dagenham?

Now the musical has officially debuted on the West End stage, this week on the Simon Morris blog I ask what the critics thought of Made in Dagenham.

The Real Story of the Ford Sewing Machinists’ Strike of 1968

I’ve been waiting with baited breath for the release of Made in Dagenham. As I pointed out in a recent blog post, I held high hopes for it. The story is compelling and the score looked promising. In other words, it looked like a West End smash just waiting in the wings.

The musical, an adaption of a 2010 film of the same name, chronicles the real story of the Ford sewing machinists’ strike of 1968, when workers protested in hopes of securing equal pay. It stars accomplished actress Gemma Arterton in the lead role of Rita O’Grady; an ordinary woman turned into a leader by extraordinary events.

A Deeply, Unapologetically, British Musical

Made in Dagenham debuted at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End on the 5^th November. The reviews are in, and as ever there seems to be somewhat of a mix.

There was plenty to like about the show. Paul Taylor at the Independent labelled it "a big-budget, even more crowd-pleasing, British musical," whilst the Evening Standard’s Henry Hitchings called it “a deeply, unapologetically British musical with a quirky, big-hearted charm." It was generally praised for its mischievous lyrics, amiable production, gag-infested book and feel-good vibe.

Sanitised in the West End

Yet these positives left some critics feeling as though the production lacked the substance that a musical about the struggle for women’s rights in the 60’s needs to make it resonate.

The Guardian’s Michael Billington suggested that despite the show boasting some positive elements, it "suffers from its caricatures, relentless jokiness and a functional score." In other words, he’s saying that it makes a good stab at representing feminism, but lacks passion and ultimately, substance. This is something echoed by the Morning Star, which said the show was “sanitised” in the West End.

A Thrilling Night’s Entertainment in the West End.

Ultimately, it seems as though the critics are saying that Made in Dagenham is hardly going to make Germaine Greer’s must see list anytime soon. Nevertheless, it’s a fun, big-budget affair that should provide a thrilling night’s entertainment in the West End.

Read More

Five Best Musical Theatre Dance Numbers

I celebrate the sheer spectacle actors are capable of putting on in a production this week on the Simon Morris blog, by sharing what I believe are the five best musical theatre dance numbers of all time.

Dance, the Physical Expression of Emotion

For the true musical theatre enthusiast, there is no one element that defines the love they share for the medium. The successful show is able to combine consummate acting, thought provoking dialogue, rousing musical tunes and jaw-dropping dance numbers to create a masterpiece.

Dance – the physical expression of emotion – works in musical theatre, because it accentuates and underscores the songs leaving the characters lips, providing us with more clarity into who said characters really are. As such, the medium has become known for the plethora of inspiring dance numbers it has spawned over the years.

These Five Dance Heavy Numbers Stood Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

Some of these numbers stand head and shoulders above their competitors, as true examples of what a production can really do, when it takes full advantage of its ability to incorporate the art of dance. The following five mastered the craft…

1)      Cellblock Tango: The people who created Chicago picked the perfect name for this number. A tango is a daring dance which takes you to the edge, which is where these merry murderesses are, as they chronicle their stories of how they came to the cellblock. As such, the song’s infamous tango routines are not only spellbinding to watch, but fit seamlessly into the narrative.

2)      Buenos Aires:  When you’re a young girl moving to the Big City, you’re full of life and energy; something conveyed by the high-energy, frenetic dance routines of Evita’s ‘Buenos Aires.’ As Eva glides across the floor with a number of men, the dance underscores the words, to help the audience really understand just what this girl has planned for her time in the Big Apple.

3)      Electricity: A show that centred on one boy’s dream of becoming a professional dancer, it makes sense that a number from Billy Elliot would make this list. The number I have chosen is ‘Electricity,’ and I have chosen it, because that’s exactly what it is. When Billy lets go and shows us what he do, with a number of intricate, awe inspiring dance moves, it really is electric.

4)      Time Warp: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical dedicated to exploring the weirder side of life, and nothing quite expresses this like the infamously wacky dance routine in the show’s signature hit, ‘Time Warp.’ Honestly, it’s infectious, and often has people standing up in their seats to match the actions of the actors on stage, as they bust out the ‘Time Warp!’

5)      One: This number typifies the genre. From the show A Chorus Line, a musical about the public and private lives of dancers, ‘One’ is the ultimate stage dance number. With a group of dancers, all identically dressed in gold costumes, performing the same steps in sync with pin point precision (including a never ending stream of hard-to-execute shoulder high chorus line kicks) ‘One’ is a masterpiece.

So Many to Choose From

The great thing about this is, that I honestly had to narrow down the list from a lot, to five. I had to neglect other dance numbers I love, such as ‘Anything Goes,’ ‘Hard Knock Life’ and ‘Santa Fe.’ There’s just so many to choose from, showing just what the musical theatre genre is capable of, when it chooses to incorporate the art of dance!

Read More

A Bend it Like Beckham Musical is Happening!

Fans of the cult female football film will be amazed to hear on the Simon Morris blog this week, that a Bend it Like a Beckham musical is finally happening!

Bend it Like Beckham, a Cult Classic

As a young Simon Morris, musical theatre wasn’t my only interest. I was also a big film buff, and no film charmed me quite like Bend it Like Beckham; no wonder it’s a cult classic.

For those who haven’t seen it, here’s the run down. It’s about a girl living in a traditional Sikh family who yearns to play football professionally, like her idol, David Beckham. After she joins an amateur women’s team, she battles to make her dream a reality, whilst simultaneously falling in love.

What Do We Know About the Bend it Like Beckham Musical?

Yes, it may be cheesy, but it’s addictive, which is why I’m not really that surprised to hear that Bend it Like Beckham will be adapted to the West End stage. Even better, it’ll be written and directed by the same woman made the original 2002 film; Gurinder Chadha.

That’s one of the few things we know about the project at the moment; details are somewhat thin on the ground. We do also know, however, that with previews starting on 15^th May 2015, it will open properly on the 24^th June 2015 at the Phoenix Theatre.

A Totally New Kind of Musical

Chadha took the time to comment on the project. She said that "developing Bend It Like Beckham for the stage has been the most enjoyable creative process of my career so far."

She went on to say that "it was always my intention to build on the film and to present its themes and storylines to live audiences in an exciting new dynamic way. I believe we are presenting a totally new kind of musical - part West End, part London Punjabi, but whole-heartedly British."

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

So we may not know much, but what we’ve heard from Chadha makes me really excited for a Bend it Like Beckham musical in the West End. It’s sure to be a one-in-a-lifetime experience!

Read More

Is Frozen Coming to Broadway?

This week on the Simon Morrisblog, I discuss the question on every movie musical enthusiasts lips right now; is Frozen coming to Broadway?

Frozen, Disney’s Biggest Smash Hit in Years

For any of you who haven’t seen Frozen, where have you been? It’s only the biggest movie musical animation smash since The Lion King. It’s grossed millions at box offices around the world, and inspired a cult following usually only gathered by the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises.

Frozen is a Disney animated movie musical that reimagines the story of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Snow Queen. With names such as Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff lending their voices to the film, as well as one of the most infectious musical numbers in recent years (‘Let it Go’), it was always destined to become a colossal hit.

Disney’s Stellar Track Record on the Broadway Stage

So of course, ever since it was released, fans have been wondering when it would come to Broadway. This is a prudent question, considering the fact that Disney have transformed a number of their most famous movie musicals into bona fide stage hits.

Movies including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King have all been reinterpreted for the Broadway stage. The Lion King in particular has become a fan favourite, burrowing its way into the hearts and minds of theatre goers around the world.

Disney Director Speaks Out on Frozen Stage Adaptation

Now it looks like Frozen is set to do the same. In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Thomas Schumacher, Disney Theatrical executive, announced he is currently putting the wheels in motion to make sure a stage adaptation of Frozen happens.

Schumacher confided that “I’m already talking to directors, and I have a design concept, and we have to begin to fashion this idea,” before emphasising, “it doesn’t need to be fast. It needs to be great.” He went on to say that “there’s something purely theatrical about the relationship between these two women [Elsa and Anna],” adding “you can see it.”

Counting Down the Days

You certainly can, and I have no doubt that he’ll put on a stage version of Frozen that will do its silver screen predecessor proud. So yes, a Broadway version of Frozen looks like it’s really going to happen. Now, I’m counting down the days until it hits the boards!

Read More

Lindsay Lohan in The West End

After Lindsay Lohan’s debut in the West End, I thought I’d take the time to look at how she did this week on the Simon Morris blog.

Even Simon Morris Occasionally Watches a Straight Play!

Whilst I usually prefer to head down on a sojourn to the West End for a day chock full of musical theatre, I sometimes wander off the beaten track and take in a straight play or two. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen The Mousetrap!

So of course, it was only a matter of time until I heard about the latest news rocking the UK’s theatre district. Lindsay Lohan is in Speed the Plow. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to see it for myself. That may have been a good thing, as the critics weren’t exactly bowled over.

What is Speed the Plough?

For any of you who don’t know, Speed the Plow is a play by David Marmet, which expertly dissects the American movie industry. It tells the story of what happens when a hugely bankable star agrees to feature in a sure fire hit; a dream come true for its producers, until their plans are derailed by temp secretary Karen.

It first debuted on Broadway in 1988, with the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, in the pivotal role of Karen. It is the role of Karen that Lohan is currently playing, in the current incarnation of Speed the Plough, which is being put on at the Playhouse Theatre in the West End.

What are the Critics Saying?

Marmet himself has said that he is proud of the effort Lohan is putting into the role, but what are the critics saying? Well let’s just say they’re not exactly universally praising her acting ability.

The Daily Mail’s Georgina Brown, for example has said that “it was more of an unfortunate prang than a total write-off.” Meanwhile according to the BBC, critic Mark Shenton has pointed out that at one point she forgot her lines, whilst theatre critic Quentin Letts commented that “Lindsay Lohan's acting is like that of a not specially gifted schoolgirl.”

Yet the same BBC article suggested that Lohan’s performance wasn’t a total car crash, as many had predicted. Fay Strang at the Daily Mirror suggested that Lohan "pulled it back after the incident with her lines, "showing she's a true professional."

It Really Could Have Been Worse

So from what the critics are saying, it doesn’t look like Lohan is winning an Oliver Award any time soon. However, I generally get the feeling that it really could have been worse. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, I’d suggest you check out the show now, while you can.

Read More

TONY Award Winning Musical to Close on Broadway

This week I want to take the time here on the Simon Morris blog to persuade you to see TONY award winning musical Once while you can, as it is due to close on Broadway.

The Story of a Dublin Street Busker Down on His Luck

Once is a stage adaptation of the movie musical of the same name, which was critically acclaimed and even won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007.

Once tells the story of a Dublin street busker who’s down on his luck, and about to give up his dream. That is until he meets a beautiful young woman, who is suddenly enchanted by his haunting love songs. Yet as they fall in love, his music soars to new heights until he discovers she has a husband.

“An Unforgettable Story about Going for Your Dreams.”

Billed as “an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all,” in the press notes, Once opened to great critical acclaim on Broadway in 2012.

That acclaim carried it to victory at the 2012 TONYs, becoming the most awarded show of the New York theatre season, and even clinching the coveted Best Musical award. Furthermore, it secured the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Theatre album, and has gone on to spawn productions around the world, including in the West End.

Once to Close on Broadway in 2015

Which is why many musical theatre fans (including Once fan Simon Morris), were disappointed to learn that Once is closing on Broadway. According to Playbill, producers announced last week (Wednesday 7^th October) that Once will play its last show on 4^thJanuary 2015.

By the time the theatre doors well and truly close on Once, it will have played a staggering 1,167 regular performances on Broadway, as well as 22 preview performances. Despite the show closing on Broadway, however, it will still be playing at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End.

See Once While You Can

So considering how critically applauded the musical is, I think I have stated my case for why you should take the chance to see it on Broadway if you can before it closes. If not, then I’d highly suggest you go to see it in the West End.

Simon Morris

Read More