Theatre Outings Over the Holidays

By Carlie Newman GTO

The big one is THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA*** on at the Dominion Theatre, London, booking until 18 October 2025). Based very closely on the film but with added songs and a close relationship with the audience, it provides a lively and colourful outing for groups. Andy (Newcomer Georgie Buckland), who has just graduated, managers to get a job at a prestigious magazine ruled over by Miranda Priestly (magnificent Vanessa Williams ). We see how Andy gradually takes on the mannerisms of her boss and becomes successful in her own right. Super costumes modelled by some lovely actresses and ok singing with a loud band will give you an enjoyable show. Although personally, I preferred the film.

A lovely new production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM **** brought to the Barbican theatre by the Royal Shakespeare Company (until 18 January 2025) will give you lots of laughter and jollity as you see the humans run around in a love torn mix-up and fairies – here represented by lights – dancing in a magic forest. Mathew Baynton gives a delightful portrayal of Bottom the Weaver, who is turned into an ass in order for Titania, Queen of Fairies (Sirine Saba) to fall in love with him because her husband, Oberon, King of Fairies (Andrew Richardson) wants to make fun of her. The whole cast are physically as well as vocally able to provide a super fun evening.

For those groups who are interested in Film as well as Theatre, the small Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, London (until 11 January 2025) will give you satisfaction in both areas. BETTE AND JOAN***** shows Bette Davis (played with extraordinary likeness by Greta Scacci) and Joan Crawford (portrayed in a more subtle manner by Felicity Dean) as they start to film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. We learn of their backgrounds, their marital relationships and career progression and difficulties at the present time. It is an interesting play which is very well directed by Sue Jenkins and is very well worth seeing.

THE LITTLE FOXES **** at the Young Vic (until 8 February 2925) presents us with a group of actors who perform this play, written in 1939 but in this production set in the 1950s, with great style and manages to – just – avoid it coming across as a melodrama. Regina (the always excellent Anne Marie-Duff) and her two brothers, Ben (John Light) and Oscar (Steffan Rhodri), together with his son Leo (Stanley Morgan) battle it out to get hold of money belonging to Horace (John Light) who is very ill and about to die.

Very professional acting by the whole cast in a production that looks good and is directed by Lyndsey Turner with understanding of the period and story. Good seating available for your group!

HAPPY THEATRE GOING IN 2025!