The Stagey Couple

★★★★★

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is going from strength to strength. Streamed live across cinemas in the UK, her one-woman show Fleabag gives its swansong as a limited sell out run at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End. Originally created as an Edinburgh fringe performance from a successful 10 minute stand-up storytelling routine, Fleabag was a huge hit at the arts festival. Fringe success led to the creation of the BBC series starring Waller-Bridge alongside Sian Clifford and Olivia Colman which received critical acclaim, thus being renewed for a second series. After eleven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, it was announced that the show’s creator would reprise the original show and role in London’s West End, with a performance broadcast by National Theatre Live.

★★

Northern Stage 06/09/2019

One of the most talked about (and poorly reviewed) Edinburgh Fringe shows, Miranda Larson’s Friendsical has embarked on a small UK tour after the summer season in Scotland’s capital. The show is marketed as a parody musical inspired by the iconic TV show Friends, and has captured the curiosity of many dedicated fans.

★★★★★

Sunderland Empire Theatre 03/09/2019

It’s the first UK tour of Matt Stone, Robert Lopez and Trey Parker’s multi-award winning production of The Book of Mormon after 6 outstanding years in London’s West End and a stint in Manchester, it’s Sunderland’s turn to host one of the most successful comedy musicals of our time. Assumptions could be made that this show from the creators of South Park and Team America: World Police would be rude, offensive and immature. Those assumptions would be correct; but not only is this show all of those things, it has heart and morals supporting the hilarious jokes and musical numbers.

★★★★★

Newcastle Theatre Royal 23/08/2019

Les Misérables is a timeless classic. A show seen by over 70 million people all over the world since its debut in London 34 years ago cannot be denied the legendary status it has. The Victor Hugo novel released in 1862 has been adapted by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg for the stage. This touring production is the “new production” that has split the opinion of fans with the removal of the iconic revolving stageamongst other slight changes in the show.