One Night Only - what to see?

[76trombones2]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 11:42am

I am in London this week unexpectedly and just realized that I may have a free evening tomorrow. What should I see?

Background: I live in NYC and see much of what's there, so no need for any of the shows that are / have been on Broadway. (Although I haven't see Miss Saigon in a couple of decades...) I'd probably prefer a musical, although if there is a truly must-see play, I'm open to it. I was kicking around The Pajama Game, but thought I'd ask the experts! Many thanks in advance for your help.

[Gary Naylor]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 11:49am

Only 80 minutes, but I thought About Miss Julie was superb (https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/BWW-Reviews-ABOUT-MISS-JULIE-Kings-Head-Theatre-July-3-2014-20140704?PageSpeed=noscript#.U7rBQJRdWSo). Do enjoy whatever you decide upon!

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 12:03pm

We just got back from a multimonth sojourn, so there are my thoughts:
(You may also want to peruse www.theatreforum.com which was the discussion forum for WhatsOnStage.com.)

Musicals:

Miss Saigon - if you haven't seen it in decades, it will feel fresh, and there are lots of lyric changes.

Pajama Game is a lot of fun and tix are easier. But this may depend on whether you saw the Kelli O'Hara/Harry Connick revival.

The Bodyguard has mixed reviews. There is a new leading lady of whom I've read good things, and the show is unlikely to come to NYC for a while, allegedly due to contractual commitments to Heather Headley.

Billy Elliott just added Ruthie Henshall on as the teacher, so it may feel fresher and different for you.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has Robert Lindsay (although someone wrote that his performance has deteriorated as he may be getting bored before his planned vacation) and Samantha Bond - but not Norbert Leo Butz. Jerry Mitchell directed/choreographed this version. We enjoyed it.

I wouldn't see Charlie or The Commitments.

Plays:

Curious Incident - although it will by in NYC starting in October.

I didn't like Great Britain - and if you're not a local, it may be lost on you - but lots of people like it and it certainly is the talked about play.

1984 is highly talked about.

Let The Right One In will stick with you and should be seen.



Updated On: 7/7/14 at 12:03 PM

[ajh]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 1:10pm

If you like Soul music, I would heartily recommend The Commitments. It's funny, full of heart, brilliantly cast and those numbers nearly ripped the roof off of the theatre. I've seen it 5 times. I would avoid The Pajama Game like the plague. One of the most boring musicals I've ever sat through, and I love the Broadway "Golden Age" shows. Sure there are some great numbers but they are staged here with little originality, the set is hideous and cheap looking, and I found much of the casting lacklustre. Again, just my opinion. For a straight play, The Crucible at The Old Vic is really powerful (staged in the round) and Let The Right One In is a genuine thriller, cleverly and originally mounted.

[The Glenbuck Laird]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 3:06pm

Skylight at the Wyndhams.

Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan on the same London stage. Worth breaking your 'would prefer a musical' rule for

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:33pm

Ir you haven't picked a show yet (and do come back and tell us what you saw), Ben Brantley has a glowing review of Let the Right One In - confirming the recommendations you have gotten here for that show.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:54pm

Only one choice : Let The Right One In .

Grab a royal court 35 pound ticket, its the most amazing thing I have seen on stage ( play wise ) in years

[76trombones2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 7:01pm

Hello! Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I did indeed go see Let the Right One In, and really enjoyed it. I couldn't get myself fired up about any of the musical options and so took it as a sign that I should hit a play instead. So glad I did! The crowd was slightly thin but very appreciative.

[IndyTheatreGeek]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 7:06pm

As a frequent Yank visitor I'd also vote for Let the Right One In. Superb cast and play. I enjoyed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels-and I had seen the original on Broadway many moons ago.

Commitments is great if you like the music. The revival of Pajama Game is entertaining. I loved seeing it done "straight" and seeing a 40 something leading lady play a 20 something character was very impressive.

As for Miss Saigon, the performances are great but when I saw it on Press Night, I felt detached from the story. Folks love or hate the set, I'm not a fan. Probably headed for Broadway in the future.