Theatre Recommendations for Bristol and London this April, May and June 2018
We have a deep vein thrombosis (our collective noun for too much theatre) of theatre shows penned in the diary for the next two months.
Here’s our recommended picks for the next 60 days featuring professional, amateur, musicals, operas and plays in Bristol and London based on our email confirmation inbox.
Don Giovanni
Welsh National Opera
Bristol Hippodrome
April 2018
What is it?
Mozart’s epic opera tells the downfall of serial seductor Don Giovanni, who sleeps his way around Europe with little regard for no means no. Ultimately, his wanton ways end in spectacular downfall, with help from beyond the grave. Performed by the wonderful Welsh National Opera, this production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. This is high culture Jeremy Kyle, with the Catalogue aria running through no less than 2065 conquests. Classy posh people.
Why you should go:
Mozart’s music is brilliant and the plot has a real pay-off Best Bonkers Ending. WNO productions are top notch.
More info:
www.atgtickets.com/Bristol
www.wno.org.uk/
The Band
Bristol Hippodrome
April 2018
What is it?
Written by Tim Firth and featuring the music of Take That, this is a nostalgia hit for anyone who was into 90’s boybands. Five friends are reunited after 25 years, reigniting their dream to meet their boyband heroes.
Why you should go:
This is the perfect light-hearted nostalgia night for thirty something Friends, even if you weren’t that keen on Take That at the time.
More info:
www.thebandmusical.com
www.atgtickets.com/Bristol
Awful Auntie
Bristol Hippodrome
May 2018
What is it?
Based on David Walliams’ hit book of the same name and staged by the brilliant Birmingham Stage Company, this is the ideal family show aimed at children.
When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, Lord and Lady Saxby, she has no idea her life is in danger. Waking up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie.
Why you should go:
Other than the obvious, it can be really useful for children struggling to get to grips with books to see them played out in front of them. This will be ideal for those who struggle with reading, literacy and comprehension skills.
More info:
http://birminghamstage.com/shows/awful-auntie
www.atgtickets.com/Bristol
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Bristol Musical Comedy Club
Redgrave Theatre
May 2018
What is it?
Drag queens Mitzi, Felicia and Bernadette travel across Australia in party bus Priscilla. As they head west, they learn to accept and support each other, whilst encountering a number of strange and colourful characters. As the three companions head towards their most important performance to date, they soon realise they have forged a bond that will last forever.
Why you should go:
This is one of the best musicals ever. A great story that embraces diversity, has a great score and is totally entertaining. The show is put on by BMCC who have been staging shows in Bristol for donkey’s years.
More info:
www.bmccproductions.com
redgravetheatre.com
Miss Saigon
Bristol Hippodrome
May 2018
What is it?
The show is based on Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, transported to the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam war. Against the backdrop of unrest forms a complex relationship between a 17 year old Vietnamese bargirl and an American GI.
Why you should go:
It’s a drama packed show without a happy ending, one of those West End classics from Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil – The pair behind Les Miserables. It features the iconic moment people scrambled to evacuate Saigon by helicopter.
More info:
www.miss-saigon.com
www.atgtickets.com/Bristol
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Part 1 & 2
Palace Theatre London
May & June 2018
What is it?
This is epic theatre going. Planning to see the Harry Potter play in London is like planning a trip to the moon. The show is broken up into two parts which means unless you can sit through two full length plays in one day, you’re going to have to stay in London if you’re traipsing to the city from the provinces.
The Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Potter series. Harry is now a father and works for the Ministry of Magic. Albus, his youngest son is about to attend Hogwarts. It’s a complex time-twisting plot that plays out across the two parts.
Why you should go:
The Cursed Child picks up immediately after the final Harry Potter story and is every bit as complex, magical and dark as the originals. Transferring the latest update to the stage and releasing the script is inspired.
More info:
www.harrypottertheplay.com
The Phantom of the Opera
Her Majesty’s London
June 2018
What is it?
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical interpretation of Gaston Leroux’s novel has been playing at Her Majesty’s theatre in London for more than 30 years. It’s basically a complicated love triangle between a chorus girl, a gifted but disfigured man with zero social skills and a wealthy man who was childhood friends with the chorus girl. It’s set in the Paris Opera House in the late 1800s.
Why you should go:
It’s the ultimate West End success story. The sumptuous over-blown melodrama, with a greatest hits score is a theatre must-see.
More info:
https://uk.thephantomoftheopera.com/
Flashdance
Bristol Hippodrome
June 2018
What is it?
What a Feeling! This is eightiestastic dance at its best in the stage version of the movie which featured Jennifer Beals as Alex, a welder by day, dancer by night.
Why you should go:
It’s the musical that will make you feel like you can dance in tiny shorts, legwarmers and jazz shoes. Even if you really shouldn’t.
More info:
www.flashdanceuktour.co.uk
www.atgtickets.com/Bristol
