Out With The Old, In With The New

As some of you may be aware by now, I am no longer one of the judges for the Off-West End Awards. There are several reasons for this although I have no intention of going into them at length on a public blog.

The Offies were an important part of my life for nearly three years and in that time I have been privileged to have witnessed some wonderful productions and performances on the London Fringe. Highlights have included 2 perfectly marvellous Sally Bowles in Southwark and Islington; a shuddering Thomas Coombes in Tooting; discovering my favourite musical theatre authors, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens; Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper's writing brought to filthy life in their adult pantos; Thom Southerland rediscovering classics and Michael Strassen giving it large at the Union; much of the output of the Landor with Rob and Andrew and naturally the Chickenshed, who made me cry (again!).

I fully intend to continue being a regular presence in theatres all over London in my capacity as a theatre reviewer for The Stage and other publications.

In the meantime, I shall endeavour to update my blog more often with observations on the comings and goings on and off West End, as time dictates. Despite the moving of the International Make-Artists Trade Show to June, I have been hellishly busy since the end of October with shows, deadlines and even helping Sean occasionally.

Two of the movies he has worked on in the last year have been nominated for Academy Awards and BAFTA's for Best Costume including Anna Karenina and Snow White and the Huntsman. That said, I am meeting him this evening to go and see a production of Dear World staring Betty Buckley and Paul Nicholas, which he has also worked on.