Aliya Al-Hassan - Page 12

There’s a little bit of magic occurring on Richmond Green this festive season. You won’t find acerbic political commentary, much booing, hissing or lewd double-entendres, but Richmond Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast is a brightly coloured, sweet and rather gentle affair, perfect for some good old-fashioned entertainment for all the family.

The first major London revival of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of The Producers is now open at the Menier Chocolate Factory, directed by Tony Award-winning Patrick Marber and Broadway choreographer Lorin Latarro.

Good things come to those who wait. Last seen in the West End way back in 2004, starring Nathan Lane and Lee Evans, Mel Brooks' satirical work of genius, The Producers, has finally goose-stepped its way to a glorious return to the London stage at the wonderful Menier Chocolate Factory.

The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel, has strutted into London’s Dominion Theatre. What did the critics think?

Beloved by parents and children alike, the National Theatre has taken on the first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s best-selling book Ballet Shoes as their big ticket show this festive season. It is a brave move, as the book is so well known and hasn't been out of print since 1936. However, there's so need to fear, as Kendall Feaver's adaptation is a truly charming and heart-warming family show.

The Devil Wears Prada may be the most hyped musical of the year. With a stellar cast, incredible clothes and none other than Sir Elton John at the helm of the music. The publicity tells us to 'gird our loins.', but after seeing this thin and rather flat show, the question is: for what?

Christmas is nearly here and there is no better time of year to dive into a new book. You're in luck, because theatre's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre history; check out BroadwayWorld's recommendations for books that every theatre lover will adore!

Despite mince pies being spotted in supermarkets since September, for many, Christmas in London doesn't really begin until Jack Thorne's adaptation of A Christmas Carol opens at The Old Vic theatre.

And finally, the wait is over. The foot-stomping and award-winning musical, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, has arrived in London’s West End after capturing hearts and selling out at Southwark Playhouse.

After its excellent recent revival at Stratford East, there is clearly still public and creative appetite for Mike Leigh's savage suburban comedy, Abigail's Party, now ending another national tour at the Rose Theatre in some style.

I’m not sure F Scott Fitzgerald would recognise what Jethro Compton and Darren Clark have done with his intriguing short story about a man living his life, while aging in reverse.

Late night in Barcelona. An American tourist goes home with a handsome Spaniard. What begins as a carefree, one-night stand becomes an invitation to danger, as the personal and political catastrophically intertwine.

Steve Coogan stars in the first ever adaption of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic Dr. Strangelove, as the world premiere stage production prepares for a strictly limited run at London’s Noël Coward Theatre. Check out what the critics are saying about the new show here!

Who owns beauty? How far would you go to obey orders? What is the ultimate price of friendship? Rajiv Joseph's thought-provoking and blackly comic play, Guards at the Taj, explores power, obediance, human curiosity and allegiance, beautifully directed by 2024’s recipient of the JMK Award, Adam Karim.

A couple crash through the door of a Barcelona apartment in a passionate embrace, but this ardour quickly cools as cultural and personal clashes take over. Collins and Morte are both impressively natural on stage, but without their billing, it is highly doubtful this play would have made it to the West End.

One of the seminal action comedies of the 1980s, Ghostbusters teamed up Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis in a story about three failed parapsychology professors in New York. After losing funding for their scientifically-debatable experiments, set themselves up as paranormal investigators catching and containing all manner of spectral ectoplasm across the Big Apple.

Starring the internationally renowned, multi award-winning Mark Strong and Lesley Manville, Sophocles’ epic tragedy is transformed into an essential, explosive human thriller.

Lorraine Hansberry’s&nbsp;A Raisin in the Sun&nbsp;was the first play by a Black woman to appear on Broadway. Since its first performance in 1959, it remains as hard-hitting as ever. Exploring a domestic drama in its depiction of an everyday working class Black family, with ordinary desires, conflicts and aspirations; radical at the time of writing.&nbsp; <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">See what our critic had to say.</span>

The landmark National Theatre and Neal Street production of The Lehman Trilogy, directed by Academy Award, Tony Award, and Golden Globe winner Sam Mendes, has returned to the Gillian Lynne Theatre for a strictly limited encore season this autumn. Hailed by The New York Times as 'a genuinely epic production', The Lehman Trilogy is a sweeping story of a family spanning generations and a company that changed the world.

One of my biggest bugbears in theatre is a production that remains on stage well past its welcome. Overlong and flabby shows do neither the audience nor the show itself any favours. It is therefore a huge endorsement for me to state that a production of nearly three and a half hours really is worth every second of your time.