Blog

We have been having an absolute hoot so far this summer. And yep, I can officially say it is summer now! YES! To let you know what we have been up to this month and to give you the saucy summer gossip goings on from the world of theatreland!

Dirty Rotten Fun!

So there seems to be kind of a vintage throwback trend happening in the West End at the moment with many shows glamorising past eras. Personally I love all things glam and art deco, so when Official Theatre was invited not only to DANCE on the stage of the Savoy Theatre whilst leaning a number from hot new musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, but ALSO to swill wine with the fabulous cast after we JUMPED at the chance. Literally. So on Wednesday the 25th June, hot off the back of our interview with Scoundrel’s star Katherine Kingsley, we sauntered along to the Savoy feeling very smug indeed. OH hello wine reception! After a small amount of Dutch courage, myself and several of Londons finest theatre bloggers, took to the stage to learn a Dirty Rotten dance number! Under the watchful eye of choreographer’s Darren Carnell (Associate Choreographer) and Dominic Shaw (Associate Director) we did our duty and shook our booty. I partnered up with the lovely Katie Brennan and we did our very best to dazzle. Check out the video below to see the (somewhat hilarious) results. Watch out for glamour Nanna, West End Wilma, being swung around by 4 burly men at 2 minutes and 16 seconds!

As you can see, I may not be a natural born dancer, but the enthusiasm was there! After a cheeky romp around the stage, we were VERY thirsty indeed and simply had to head back to the bar for a few pre theatre wines to prepare us for our trip to the Baumont-Sur-Mer! Following a chance to mingle, we took to our seats (Dress Circle dahling!) and let the good times role. (Read our 4* review of the show here) Post show we got to catch up with the cast over yet more wine! We had fabulous conversations with the firecracker actress, Lizzie Connelly who plays the side splitting Joleen and the scoundrels themselves, Robert Lindsay and Rufus Hound. What a fabulous evening! We LOVE Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, so we think you will too! The show is currently booking until 7th March 2015. Get your tickets here. It’s cheaper than an actual trip to the French Riviera, but JUST as fun.

Made In Dagenham / We Love Babycham

A far cry from the Rivera, but just as fun (!?) we also found ourselves in Dagenham this month. Well, not ACTUALLY Dagenham, because…well…y’know, but the mini Dagenham brought to life at the Playhouse Theatre for the new musical Made in Dagenham’s press launch. Oo err! Wine wine, you are so fine. Here Official Theatre were given ANOTHER opportunity to sup a chardonnay whilst being thoroughly entertained (if there is an opportunity to swill a cheeky glass of white in the après noon, we will take it!) Feeling very exited to be catching a cheeky preview of this show, which opens at the Adelphi Theatre in October, we became ecstatic after a sighting of THE LORD (Lloyd Webber.) I mean, who wouldn’t be thrilled to be hobnobbing with such theatrical royalty! After a little speech from the most sought after director in town, Rupert Gould, we were quickly introduced to the creative team and cast, headed by film star Gemma Arterton (turns out she can also sing fabulously!) On trend, Made in Dagenham is set in the swingin’ Sixties where hair was fabulous but equal rites sucked! Here we see Arterton playing Rita O’Grady, a revolutionary young lady who fights for equal pay for ladies in a Ford Factor (based on real life don’t you know!) Girl power! (Yep, turns out I CAN say that without cringing.) We were treated to 5 genuinely great and punch songs from the forthcoming show, our favourite of which was “Everybody Out.” Check it out! So we had a great time in Dagenham! They even gave us a goody bag that not only contained lip balm, the Made in Dagenham DVD etc BUT ALSO A MINI BOTTLE OF BABYCHAM. YES Dagenham, you beauties! We can’t wait to see this punchy picket line musical! Get your tickets here!

More Hobnobbing

When we aren’t drinking wine and rubbing shoulders with theatrical royalty (who may even be beginning to recognise my moon face, if not actually knowing my name!) we actually manage to do some work! This month we launched our union with #LdnTheatreBloggers, during which we have made some wonderful new friends AND we have interviewed not one, not two, not three but FOUR West End stars! Katherine Kingsley, Peter Lockyer (Les Miserables), Tamsin Carroll (Miss Saigon) and James Donnovan (War Horse.) Katherine and Peter are already live on the site and do keep your eyes peeled at the beginning of July when we will publish our chats with Tamsin and James. La de da!

July?

Sooo we have some pretty awesome stuff lined up for July too, not least attending the CATS Press Launch (seriously, I have been running around the office pretending to be Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat ever since I heard the news!) We willll let you know how it goes, but we are sure it will be purrrrfect! (#sorrynotsorry) In the mean time, if you want to be an Official Theatre friend, then get in touch! We are looking for more Theatre Bloggers to sup wines with, because heck, we heart wine!