Imaginatively conceived and artfully staged, new musical Hadestown is a heady combination of music, dance and mythology.
Hadestown review [London]
Simon Parris
I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty-three years. Favourite roles include Eugene Fodor and Junior in (separate productions of) Crazy for You, Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.
I have directed several school productions. I choreographed Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13 for St Michael’s. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr for St Michael's.
I review music theatre and opera for Theatre People and the Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne). I served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years as Treasurer and I am currently on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in New York this year, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier this year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Simon Parris: Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
Violet review [London]
An ideal choice for an off-West End season, Violet features an exceptional lead performance from Kaisa Hammarlund.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical review
Currently one of London’s hottest tickets, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is a solid entry in the bio-musical genre, combining an inspiring story with a terrific catalogue of hit songs.
Menier Chocolate Factory: Fiddler on the Roof review
Boiled down to a boutique-scale presentation, Fiddler on the Roof brims with fresh life, gentle humour and impactful drama.
Royal Opera: The Queen of Spades review
Splendid music is the clear highlight of an unusual and indulgent staging of Tchaikovsky opera The Queen of Spades, the central concept of which wears thin very quickly.
The Royal Ballet: Asphodel Meadows / The Two Pigeons review
The Royal Ballet combines a contrasting pairs of works to create a well rounded mixed program with Asphodel Meadows / The Two Pigeons.
Caroline, or Change review
Succinctly written and brilliantly performed, musical drama Caroline, or Change packs a powerful message.
Aspects of Love review
Streamlined staging and a strong ensemble cast allow Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love to be seen in a favourable light.
Royal Opera: La Traviata review
It is hard to begrudge the near annual presence of The Royal Opera’s workhorse production of La Traviata when it is lovingly re-staged and splendidly cast as this 2019 opening night performance.
The Cher Show review
Full of feathers and factoids, hit songs and head dresses, The Cher Show is diverting, if not particularly enlightening, entertainment.
