Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre empire braced for Reeves’ tax hike March 18, 2025 Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre empire has warned it is bracing for the “notable impact” the hike in employer’s National Insurance contributions (NICs) when it comes into force next month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her Budget in October 2024 that NICs would rise by 1.2 per cent from April to 15 per cent in [...]
Kenrex, Southwark Playhouse, review: Jack Holden’s astonishing scope February 19, 2025 Kenrex, Southwark Playhouse, review and star rating: ★★★★ Here’s the thing: there are plenty of people who technically do what Jack Holden does, but scarce few who actually do what Jack Holden does. In Cruise, Holden’s homage to the people who were hit by the AIDS crisis, and new show Kenrex, he creates the scope [...]
Oliver! London musical review: Please, sir: give me more of this five-star hit January 15, 2025 Oliver! London musical review and star rating: ★★★★★ One of the surest ways to confirm a new musical is a hit? It has a song with more refrains than you could ever possibly imagine. In the last few years in London, productions of 42nd Street and Anything Goes have had this – and it happened [...]
The 25 best things to do in London in 2025, from theatre to films and bonkers events January 6, 2025 Theatre, film, exhibitions, barmy events: here are the best 25 things to do in London in 2025 Another new year and, Dry January aside, there’s plenty to be excited for. Yes, our capital is stepping up to mark a quarter of a century since the millennium bug (feel old yet?) with oodles of brilliant new [...]
Mamma Mia and Hamilton help Cameron Mackintosh’s West End empire towards £200m January 3, 2025 The continued popularity of Les Miserables, Mamma Mia and Hamilton has helped push sales the West End theatre empire run by Sir Cameron Mackintosh to almost £200m. For the year to 31 March, 2024, Sir Cameron’s group has reported a turnover of £199.1m, up from the £185.8m it posted for the prior 12 months. Newly-filed [...]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child maker remains in the red amid West End troubles December 20, 2024 The company behind the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage play remains in the red amid falling sales and show closures, it has been revealed. The joint venture which produces the show across the world has reported a turnover of £41.3m for the year to 31 March, 2024, down from the £45.2m it achieved [...]
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof review: Daisy Edgar-Jones in Tennessee Williams misfire December 18, 2024 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof review and star rating: ★★ Rebecca Frecknall is hoping for a third strike of luck with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, her third Tennessee Williams production at the Almeida following the buzzy Streetcar Named Desire with hot-boy-of-the-moment Paul Mescal, and 2019’s Summer and Smoke. The Gladiator II actor [...]
The London pantomime not to miss is at the Hackney Empire December 16, 2024 Dick Whittington and his Cat at the Hackney Empire is the heartfelt London pantomime you need in your life. It runs until 5 January With its pretty 18th century period detailing, grand entranceway and impressive 1,275 capacity auditorium, the Hackney Empire theatre is a slice of the West End in east London. Every year they [...]
The Purists, Kiln Theatre, review: The first act will surprise and astound December 11, 2024 The Purists review and star rating: ★★★ There’s promise in newcomer playwright Dan McCabe’s writing in The Purists, and paired with Tom Piper’s intriguing set and Amit Sharma’s pacey direction, the first act has fist-clenching cannot-turn-away high stakes – it’s a shame the plot cannot hold firm long enough to do these characters, and their [...]
The Devil Wears Prada musical review: Meryl Streep is missing December 6, 2024 The Devil Wears Prada musical review and star rating: ★★★☆☆ Despite her many more serious, grown up roles, Meryl Streep has become defined by The Devil Wears Prada. Such is the fascination with enigmatic Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who Streep plays a fictionalised version of in the film. Both Wintour and the character Miranda Priestly are [...]