Review – Well, Apollo Theatre

With everyone in New Year mode, many thinking about their health and their body (not that anyone is thinking about Andrew’s body) it seemed appropriate that the Whingers’ first outing of 09 should be to Lisa Kron‘s play Well at the Apollo Theatre.

Well, actually Andrew had no idea why the Whingers went to see this. He had a vague recollection that they had concluded quite some time ago – possibly before it had even been written – that it was going to be awful* and that the Whingers were definitely going to give it a wider berth.

Their presence at the Apollo on Monday evening can only be put down to Phil’s determination to see “international screen icon” Sarah Miles on stage. Anyway…

Review – Fat Pig, Trafalgar Studios

Some things are clearly not meant to be.

The Whingers were fully expecting to be able to review their own West End stage debuts in Fat Pig.

Having missed out on making their Broadway debuts in both Xanadu and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee they leapt at the chance to secure on-stage seating at the new Neil LaBute play at the Trafalgar Studios.

Andrew had got himself into a right old tizzy of excitement. He had spent weeks planning his “performance”, trying to pin down the nuances of his character (sadly elusive) and, most importantly, deciding what he should wear to draw most attention to himself. He eschewed Phil’s offer of his favourite fashion item of the moment: a Sarah Jessica Parker style fascinator, instead settling for his old favourite “Ignore Me. I’m Just Reviewing Your Performance” t-shirt.

But their plans were cruelly dashed.

Review – Dealer’s Choice, Trafalgar Studios

The policy of the West End Whingers this year is to take fewer risks by reading the what the critics have to say and then plodding mindlessly in their wake.

So first off for 2008 was a visit to a Saturday matinee of the much acclaimed Dealer’s Choice at the Trafalgar Studios which seemed to have been been received rather warmly:

“Drama that’s as good as it gets” (Dominic Cavendish)
(Lyn Gardner)
(Nicholas de Jongh)

Would it come up trumps or would the Whingers be dealt their usual lousy theatrical hands?

Yet more Box Office poison

The latest in our ongoing series of general whinging vis a vis shoddy box office (BO) experiences.

And for once it isn’t just the Whingers complaining.

Review – Elling at the Trafalgar Studios

A play about an under-achieving duo. What could the Whingers possibly have in common with these characters?

Review – Terre Haute, Trafalgar Studios

Well, what on earth will they think of next in London’s West End? An absorbing, thought-provoking drama with excellent performances and the opportunity to be back in the pub next door within 80 minutes (no interval) . Available for half price at the TKTS booth. Programme just £2. Perfect.

Phil was unable to make Terre Haute at the Trafalgar Studios last night due to what he grandly terms “business commitments” which probably means that he and the rest of the matrons from the typing pool had discovered a new Happy Hour somewhere.