The West End Is Sparkling With These Fabulous Revivals
Posted on 23 March 2015
With London full of revivals and everyone looking forward to some other big guns about to open I started to think about what else I would like to see make a return to the West End?
Cats at the London Palladium and Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre are both enjoying great success, and are pitted against each other in the upcoming Olivier awards in the best musical revival category.
Enjoying full houses for this fabulous new production, Cats the musical boasts some of the most spectacular choreography ever seen on stage and also enjoys a perfect performance by Queen of the West End Kerry Ellis in the iconic role of Grizabella. Check out my review: Kerry Ellis Is The Cat's Whiskers At The London Palladium
Miss Saigon, returning to the West End to celebrate 25years since it first opened, has bowled over a whole new generation. With a wonderful gala performance, which could have sold out more than four times the number of seats available, I'm hoping this show will be sticking around. Having swept the board at the What's on Stage awards, Miss Saigon is not to be missed. Here is my latest review: 13 Times And Miss Saigon Isn't Unlucky For Anyone
Probably the most anticipated revival this year is the Chichester festival theatre's transfer of Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre. This show is likely to set the town alight with its amazing score and dazzling cast including the Academy Award winning Imelda Staunton as Momma Rose. I for one will be doing everything I can to get a ticket to what promises to be a show which will go down in West End history.
We can also look forward to a concert version of Sweet Charity at Cadogan Hall in August starring Denise Van Outen, Michael Xavier, Kimberley Walsh, and Kerry Ellis and I would love to see this properly revived again having loved the Menier Chocolate Factory version a few years ago featuring Tamsin Outhwaite.
There are also quite a few big shows touring the country, which if successful, might be knocking on the doors of some of the London theatres in the not too distant future. Most notably The Producers starring Jason Manford and Calamity Jane starring Jodie Prenger although having myself played Calam I personally think the show is a bit too dated for the modern West End audience.
With tours of Mack and Mabel featuring Michael Ball and Mary Poppins due to embark within the next few months, I think we can safely say there won't be any shortage of revivals to quench our thirst for nostalgia over the coming months.
If I were to chose one show to return it would probably be Mame. Having played the title role in this classic show, I know it has everything. With great music, and great characters this Angela Lansbury classic may need a little updating but is a fantastically funny feel good show.
I would also love to revisit Martin Guerre. The lesser known of the Schonburg and Boublil musicals, it has the same feel as its famous counterparts and a really engaging and timeless story.
How about you? I would love to know the shows you would like to see make their glorious return to theatreland.
