ENTERTAINMENTA Chorus LineFrustrated ambitions, hidden foibles and surgical enhancements are among a string of revelations when atough Broadway director auditions dancers for a new show. Things hot up as the hopeful hoofers are graduallywhittled down and we engage with their back-stories, from the palpable desperation of never-quite-made-it-to-stardom Cassie (Scarlett Strallen) to cynical old Sheila (Leigh Zimmerman) who scene steals with herwitty lines. Hot-shot director Zach (John Partridge) you may recognize from British TV soap EastEnders andDiana (Victoria Hamilton-Barritt) has an extraordinarily rich voice. It’s an excellent production that I heartilyrecommend. Not least for Marvin Hamlisch’s marvellous songs which include What I Did For Love, I Can Do That,I Hope I Get It, Dance: Ten; Looks: Three and the dazzling One (Singular Sensation). Review by David G. TaylorA Chorus Line, p. 74.and I Want To Know WhatLove Is. Mon-Sat 19.45;Fri & Sat 15.00.Garrick Theatre, 2 CharingCross Road, WC2H 0HH. 08444 124 662. rockofagesmusical.co.uk Ë t CharingCross. Key 16.SINGIN’ IN THE RAINA musical comedy basedon the 1952 MGMblockbuster film. It’s abouta silent movie star gettingto grips with talkingpictures. Mon-Sat 19.30;Wed & Sat 14.30.Palace Theatre, CambridgeCircus, 109-113Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D5AY. 08444 124 656. singinintherain.co.ukË Leicester Square.Key 33.THRILLER LIVENon-stop hit songs,multi-media effects andrazor-sharp choreographybring to life this celebrationof the career of the lateMichael Jackson, and theJackson 5. Songs includeCan You Feel It, Billie Jeanand Thriller. Tues-Fri 19.30;Sat 16.00 & 20.00; Sun15.30 & 19.30.Lyric Theatre, 29Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D7ES. 08444 829 674. thrillerlive.comË Piccadilly Circus.Key 25.TOP HATA famous American tapdancer pursues the girl ofhis dreams in this dazzlingromantic musical. Songsinclude Let’s Face TheMusic And Dance. Tues-Sat 19.30; Tues, Thurs& Sat 14.30.Aldwych Theatre,49 Aldwych, WC2B 4DF. 08448 471 712. tophatonstage.comË t Charing Cross.Key 3.VIVA FOREVER!A fun new musical basedon the songs of 1990s girlgroup the Spice Girls. Thestory centres on a risingstar struggling to cometo terms with fame andfortune. Times vary.Piccadilly Theatre,16 Denman Street, W1D7DY. 08448 717 618. vivaforeverthemusical.com Ë Piccadilly Circus.Key 35.WE WILL ROCK YOUAn Olivier Award-winningmusical set in a bleakfuturistic world where rockmusic has been banned.It boasts anthems by theband Queen, includingBohemian Rhapsody, CrazyLittle Thing Called Loveand Radio Ga Ga. Mon-Sat19.30; Sat 14.30; plus14.30 on the last Wedof each month.Dominion Theatre,268-269 Tottenham CourtRoad, W1T 7AQ. 08448471 775. wewillrockyou.co.uk Ë Tottenham CourtRoad. Key 11.WICKEDThis multi award-winningshow is the tale of twogirls from the Land of Oz.It’s the backstory of thewitches made famous inL. Frank Baum’s iconicbook The WonderfulWizard Of Oz. Mon-Sat19.30; Wed & Sat 14.30.Apollo Victoria Theatre,17 Wilton Road, SW1V 1LG. 08448 268 000. wickedthemusical.co.ukË t Victoria. Key 5.PerformanceBURN THE FLOORRobin Windsor and KristinaRihanoff from BBC’sStrictly Come Dancing areamong the 16 world-classdancers appearing.Times vary.Shaftesbury Theatre,210 Shaftesbury Avenue,WC2H 8DP. 020 73795399. burnthefloor.comË Tottenham Court Road.Key 42.STOMPA multi award-winningfusion of theatre, dance,comedy and percussion.Performers innovate witheveryday items (like dustbinlids, lighters and a kitchensink), to create music andspectacle. Mon & Thurs-Sat20.00; Thurs, Sat & Sun15.00; Sun 18.00.Ambassadors Theatre,West Street, WC2H 9ND. 08448 112 334. stomplondon.comË Leicester Square. Key 2.A CHORUS LINE IMAGE © MANUEL HARLAN78 | visitlondon.com|<strong>LONDON</strong> PLANNER|May 2013
ENTERTAINMENTMay 2013|<strong>LONDON</strong> PLANNER|visitlondon.com |79
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