Here’s a guide to some of Love London Love Culture’s most popular reads for December…
Review of The Pirates of Penzance at the Palace Theatre: this was our last in person trip to the theatre for 2020 and it was a real treat. Filled with good humour, fabulous singing this production was certainly one that lifted the spirits of the audience. Luckily, you can still catch it by watching it online via Stream.Theatre until the 3rd January 2021.
Review of Red Riding Hood, The Arts Centre Hounslow: while we weren’t able to experience a pantomime in person this year, many companies have given us plenty of opportunity to see them online. This includes this entertaining new take on Red Riding Hood that was jam packed full of chaos and songs making it great family entertainment.
Review of Jack and the Beanstalk (online pantomime) : leading the way for online pantomimes was this one by Peter Duncan that he filmed and and created in his own back garden. Filled with larger than life characters, plenty of imagination and fun really made this a standout pantomime this year.
Review of Covidella and the Masked Ball: created by those involved with the Musical Theatre Academy, this was a great pantomime performed from potential stars of the future that made it feel ok to laugh at this year and the trouble it has caused. There is a great energy about it that was delightful. It is available to stream via Stream.Theatre until the 7th January.
Review of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk: Wise Children, Kneehigh and Bristol Old Vic’s captivating production was another real treat to watch this month. At the centre of it were the compelling performances of Marc Antolin and Audrey Brisson, who offered endearing characterisations as artist Marc Chagall and his wife Bella. Really hoping this is made available to watch again soon!
Review of GHBoy, Charing Cross Theatre: our first theatre trip back following the second lockdown was to watch this compelling piece of writing come to life. Emotionally complex, it is a story about mental health, grief and drugs that stayed with this writer long after it had finished.
Review of Charles Court Opera’s Snow White in the Seven Months of Lockdown: this theatre company is renowned for their pantomimes at the King’s Head Theatre and for this year once again upped their game with this playful take on the fairytale with hilarious interactive elements that keep the audience feeling as though they are involved. It is available to watch online until the 3rd of January.
Review of Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic Christmas by Liz Callaway: there has been a real flurry of new Christmas albums this year, but this one from the Broadway star was a real treat. It features a huge range of festive tunes – many of which I hadn’t heard before, all performed acoustically that made it a charmingly easy album to listen to.
Interview with Marc Antolin: earlier this month we chatted to the actor about reprising his role in the charming and quirky production of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk.
Review of Iris Theatre’s The Snow Queen: the way in which theatre has been able to use technology in the last few months has been extraordinary – particularly when it comes to presenting family shows as shown in this limited run production. Filled with songs and plenty of interactive elements to bring the family together it was a real joy to watch.