Horrible Christmas - - West End Articles Page 10

Coventry's Belgrade Theatre has announced another exciting round-up of shows just in time for Christmas, with family fun, fresh new drama, live music and a dance show spectacular among the things to look forward to in 2019.

He really is a heel. He's as cuddly as a cactus and as charming as an eel. He's a bad banana with a greasy black peel. He's a monster. His heart's an empty hole. His brain is full of spiders. He's got garlic in his soul...

The World Premiere comedy SPECIAL commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the worst variety show in television history with a behind-the-scenes imagined look of how The Star Wars Holiday Special came to be. And from the outrageous imagination of playwright Andrew Osborne and a hard-working multi-role cast directed by Kerr Seth Lordygan (who also appears as a Special Guest Star in the production), laughs abound from start to finish as we witness how the ridiculous nature of the script, backstage politics and out-of-control spending doomed it to go down in history as being the most horrible Holiday Special that nobody talks about, notorious known for its extremely negative reception by Star Wars fans, the general public, and critics.

The world premiere of a stage version of Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch is the non-panto festive show at Northampton's Royal and Derngate this Christmas, ahead of a national tour in 2019.

Actor/singer Kevin Odekirk has been delighting audiences worldwide with his stage appearances in musicals such as Miss Saigon, concert venues and with his amazing CD Unheard. He now has a Christmas album called Season of Hope. Odekirk took time from a hectic holiday schedule to tell us about the album. Why did you want to record a Christmas album? And why at this point in time?

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY/WINTER SONG is quiet and thoughtful -- a 90-minute break from the hecticity, when you can take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy some beautiful music while contemplating the joy and sorrow that come hand in hand during this season.

Important to note right from the start ... Jeff Goode wrote The Eight: Reindeer Monologues back in the early 1990s around the time of the Clinton administration. The vehicle was his way of speaking out on a number of political issues. Maybe the sex scandal of Bill Clinton? Taking Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who are revered as two of the most benevolent fantasy characters of all time, and gossiping about their bouts with sexual harrassment and alcoholism, turns them into pretty despicable people. But when you are that good and held up as a model of perfection, something's gotta give. Everyone has flaws, and Goode has his reindeer take them to the extreme.

A fun, new musical adaptation of an audience favorite comes to First Stage this holiday season. Created by the talented husband/wife team of Jahnna Beecham (Playwright/Lyricist) and Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) and based on the play by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL is filled with catchy,'60s-inspired original music and a delightful story that both young and old will enjoy.

The Piano Guys became an internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original, self-made music videos that showcase their highly innovative blending of classical and pop. They've created more than 65 since joining forces in early 2011, including an innovative, 10-handed version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" that became an internet phenomenon and led to the release of their self-titled debut album in 2012. The Piano Guys are currently touring in support of their seventh studio album, Christmas Together.

You may say, Dear Readers, that it's impossible to have a bad production of the Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin classic "Annie". Throw some precocious kids on stage, belt out those recognizable tunes and you're gold. Well, I beg to differ as I've seen my share of "Annie" productions that missed the point, or the heart or maybe just didn't quite have the kids to pull it off well. (You know what they say, never work with kids or animals and this show has BOTH!) Well the current production at the 5th Avenue not only has the perfect tone for this boisterously fun old time musical, but they know exactly where the heart is in the show and in the audience and which buttons to push on both. Not to mention those precocious kids all seem to be consummate professionals with killer voices. So much so I'm suspecting they were actually just short adults. Maybe?

Cambridge Arts Theatre has announced that world-renowned ballet dancer, choreographer and TV personality Wayne Sleep OBE will lead the cast of its 2018 family pantomime, Aladdin, in the role of Abanazar.

'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' sets a merry tone for the holiday season - a season that, in the world of this Christmas pageant, challenges kids to focus on something other than just Santa and presents. The holiday season is all about renewed faith and finding something good and peace-willing to believe in. 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' reminds us of that, and such reminders are always a gift for kids young and old.

William Shakespeare's Hamlet produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF runs from February 6 - March 24, 2019. Hamlet will play in repertory with the world premiere of Gertrude and Claudius by Mark St. Germain. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

A fun, new musical adaptation of an audience favorite comes to First Stage this holiday season. Created by the talented husband/wife team of Jahnna Beecham (Playwright/Lyricist) and Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) and based on the play by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL is filled with catchy,'60s-inspired original music and a delightful story that both young and old will enjoy. The horrible Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. The entire town panics when these rowdy six siblings are cast in the church's annual Christmas pageant. It's up to good-hearted Mrs. Bradley to help the Herdmans - and the rest of the town - discover the true meaning of Christmas before it's too late. Silent night? Not a chance, but sometimes a little joyful noise is just right for Christmas. Sponsored by Associated Bank and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.

This Columbus Children's Theatre classic returns for the holiday season with a refreshing twist - a new musical adaptation. This hilarious and moving story will be performed at The Lincoln Theatre from December 13 - December 23. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical," directed by Columbus Children's Theatre's Artistic Director, Bill Goldsmith, will lend a nostalgic nod to previous "Pageant" productions while providing energizing music to the same heartwarming story that has been adored for years.

There are plenty of seasonal treats served up in the capital this year, from pantos and plays to opera and dance. Here are some of the tastiest morsels for the 2018-19 festive period.

This Christmas, Theatre Royal Bath's the egg theatre and Pins & Needles Productions present a new adaptation of Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel in a comedic romp reuniting the award-winning production team behind last year's critically acclaimed production of Little Mermaid. Recently named winners of the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People, they will present this new production at the egg from 6 December to 13 January 2019, with opening night for press on 12 December 2018.

The horrible Herdmans are arguably the worst children in the world, but these six delinquent outsiders who create mayhem when they try out for their community's annual Christmas pageant also create a classic story that has charmed audiences for more than four decades.

The Music Hall and the Ogunquit Playhouse announce the cast and creative team of Elf The Musical, on stage November 28 - December 16 at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Legendary actor, broadcaster and DJ, Craig Charles, comes to Manchester this December.

Two heartwarming holiday specials that many of today's parents grew up with on television are making their cinematic debuts when Fathom Events and The Jim Henson Company present “Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas” and “The Bells of Fraggle Rock” on December 10 and 16 only.

A fun, new musical adaptation of an audience favorite comes to First Stage this holiday season. Created by the talented husband/wife team of Jahnna Beecham (Playwright/Lyricist) and Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) and based on the play by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL is filled with catchy,'60s-inspired original music and a delightful story that both young and old will enjoy. The horrible Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. The entire town panics when these rowdy six siblings are cast in the church's annual Christmas pageant. It's up to good-hearted Mrs. Bradley to help the Herdmans - and the rest of the town - discover the true meaning of Christmas before it's too late. Silent night? Not a chance, but sometimes a little joyful noise is just right for Christmas. Sponsored by Associated Bank and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.

The Piano Guys became an internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original, self-made music videos that showcase their highly innovative blending of classical and pop. They've created more than 65 since joining forces in early 2011, including an innovative, 10-handed version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" that became an internet phenomenon and led to the release of their self-titled debut album in 2012. The Piano Guys are currently touring in support of their seventh studio album, Christmas Together.

A 1930s comedy for Christmas, Jeannie by rediscovered female playwright Aimee Stuart will open at the Finborough Theatre for a four-week limited season on Tuesday, 27 November 2018 (Press Nights: Thursday, 29 November and Friday, 30 November 2018 at 7.30pm).

A few years ago, I came across a story about a boy who broke into Buckingham Palace and stole Queen Victoria's knickers. He served a three-month prison sentence and then on release broke back into the palace. Between 1838 and 1841, there were two more recorded break-ins and two more prison sentences.