State of the Art

A title I have often used in publications when I simply can’t think of anything specific to write. I will give a run down of what’s happening in the West End at the moment. Here though, it is a little more desperate. I may have only lived in London for 10 years but I have never known the West End to be in such a state of flux. When I arrived Theatreland was riding on the crest of the long-run musicals – Starlight, Cats, Phantom, Saigon, Buddy, Les Mis – and naturally some are still running today. The point is that with the announced closure of Dickens Unbound, less than a month after it opened, it makes the third big West End failure in six months – Desperately Seeking Susan and Gone With The Wind being the other two. Marguerite seems to have advanced bookings for a while as well as a credible book and score but other than that, we await the opening of Zorro with much anticipation. Virtually re-cast for the West End – this one has been schlepping in the sticks with Amy Atkinson and Adam Cooper – we wait with baited breath to see if it will actually be any good. I hope so, at least if not for Emma William’s sake – two stinkers in a row doesn’t help a career as audiences might begin to question your judgement.

It is also interesting to observe that to accompany this fluctuating West End, legislation now insists that companies are no longer allowed to edit critics and thereby mislead audiences. The first noticeable changes are the publications that get quoted in the search for a favourable bon mot – Metro, Evening Standard or Daily Mail quotes are being replaced with Whatsonstage.com, South London Press or even The Stage. One quote, used in an ad for Never Forget, highlights the ‘best fire and rain effects on a West End stage’…….mmmmm, clutching at straws to find a good quote methinks.

To this end, I shall run a little competition – if you will. A couple of years ago I reviewed this show and hated it. If you were the Producer and this was all you had – how many doctored quotes could you get to drag audiences in? I have high-lighted an obvious one to give you the idea. There will be a small prize – probably a make-over or something - for the most quotes! Enjoy.

Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens
The Venue, London
6 December – 18 February

Across space in a seedy cabaret club a series of grisly murders occur by a character known as the Slingback Killer. As another artiste is discovered murdered the Space Vixens are called in to halt the blood lust and save the day with the Power of Disco.

The creators have put together a recipe for a real fun night out provided you don’t examine the ingredients too closely. Certain performances are quite powerful such as Fay Tozer as the voluptuous investigative vixen, Jubilee Climax. Carmen Cusack is quite superb as the lusty, biker-chick Chesty Prospects and until her entrance this show wobbles along on extremely dodgy platforms. Much is made of the Vixens prior to their entrance and thankfully they are actually worth the wait. Melitsa Nicola is a delight as Bunny Lingus and her scenes with Cusack are easily the best in the show. The rest is a mish-mash of sub-standard Rocky Horror fare held together with strong voices and sharp dance routines.

Wardrobe and make-up are particularly shabby with a design concept that shows little imagination and less skill. Discerning audiences may find that even the Power of Disco may not be able to save this night out.