Theatre Explorer

PERFORMERS GALLERY 27

2012-02-08T13:59:00.000+01:00

This is the continuation of a gallery which celebrates all the performance artists I have seen on stage.

PAUL WHITE

Production: THE ORACLE. Choreographer: Meryl Tankard & Paul White. At Theater aan het Spui in The Hague on January 28, 2012. White received 2 Australian Dance Awards for Best Dancer & Best Choreography.

BELLAMY YOUNG

Production: THE LIFE by Cy Coleman, David Newman & Ira Gasman. Director: Michal Blakemore. At the ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York on August 18, 1997.

RUBINALD PRONK

Production: FOOLS' PARADISE by The Wheeldon Company. Choreographer(s): Christopher Wheeldon, Lightfoot Leon & Alexei Ratmansky. At Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam on November 12, 2009.

CAMILLE O'SULLIVAN

Production: LA CLIQUE by Brett Haylock & David Bates. At the Hippodrome in London on January 9, 2009.

GLENN CARTER

Production: JERSEY BOYS by Rick Elice & Marshall Brickman. Director: Des McAnuf. At the Prince Edward Theatre in London on May 27, 2008.

RAGAZZE KWARTET

Production: DODELIJK VERLANGEN by Fantasten. Director: Titus Tiel Groenestege. At De Melkweg in Amsterdam on January 22, 2012.

TALLI JACKSON

Production: BODY AGAINST BODY by The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. At the Korzo Theater in The Hague on February 2, 2012.

DREW JACOBY

Production: FOOLS' PARADISE by The Wheeldon Company. Choreographer(s): Christopher Wheeldon, Lightfoot Leon & Alexei Ratmansky. At Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam on November 12, 2009.

CHRISTIAN BORLE

Production: LEGALLY BLONDE by Heather Hach, Laurence O'Keefe & Nell Benjamin. Director: Jerry Mitchell. At the Palace Theater in New York on September 30, 2007. Borle received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor.

VALDA AVIKS

Production: THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK by Dana P. Rowe & John Dempsey. Director: Eric D. Schaefer. At Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on November 13, 2000.

Production: JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA by Stewart Lee & Richard Thomas. Director: Stewart Lee. At the National Theatre in London on May 28, 2003.

Production: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE by Tony Kushner & Jeanine Tesori. Director: George C. Wolfe. At the National Theatre in London on October 18, 2006.

ROY KULLICK

Production: MISS SAIGON by Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil & Richard Maltby Jr, translated by Seth Gaaikema. Director: Laurence Connor. Choreographer: Bob Avian. At the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht on September 28, 2011 & November 6, 2011.

MARIT VAN BOHEMEN

Production: VUUR by Justus van Oel. Director: Karim Traida. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on March 25, 2006.

ALED PEDRICK

Production: THE PRIDE by Alexi Kaye Campbell. Director: Tom Daley. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on January 27, 2012.

ANNE-MARIE JUNG

Production: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE by Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine. Director & Translator: Koen van Dijk. At M-Lab in Amsterdam on June 26, 2010.

DAMIAN HUMBLEY

Production: THE LAST FIVE YEARS by Jason Robert Brown. Director: Matthew White. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on August, 19, 2006.

MARYANN HU

Production: SOUTH PACIFIC by Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers. Director: Bartlet Sher. At the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York on May 27, 2009.

INGVAR E. SIGURDSSON

Production: WOYZECK by Georg Buchner, Warren Ellis & Nick Cave. Director: Gisli Orn Gardarsson. At the Muziektheater in Amsterdam on April 22, 2007.

POPPY MILLER

Production: TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare. Director: Sean Holmes. At Theater Kikker in Utrecht on October 7, 2008.

DAAN WETERINGS

Production: WHO THE HELL by Theo Fransz. Director: Theo Fransz. At Bellevue Theater in Amsterdam on November 10, 2009.

MADELEINE WORRALL

Production: THREE SISTERS by Anton Chekhov, translated by Christopher Hampton. Director: Michael Blakemore. At the Playhouse Theatre in London on May 29, 2003.

Production: GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Martin. Director: Sir Trevor Nunn. At the New London Theatre in London on June 6, 2008.

PARIS REMILLARD

Production: HAIR by Gerome Ragni, James Rado & Galt MacDermot. Director: Diane Paulus. Choreographer: Karole Armitage. At the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York on May 31, 2009 & Gielgud Theatre in London on May 20, 2010.

CHERYL HOWARD

Production: JOSEPHINE - The Musical by I.D.A. Washington. Director, Choreographer: Billy Wilson. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht.

WILLIAM MICHALS

Production: SOUTH PACIFIC by Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers. Director: Bartlet Sher. At the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York on May 27, 2009.

MARIE-CHRISTINE DE BOTH

Production: THERESE RAQUIN by Nicholas Wright. Director: Franz Marijnen. At the Nationale Toneel Gebouw on October 24, 2008.

Production: DE AVONDEN. Director, Adaptor: Leon van der Sanden. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht onOctober 28, 2010.

BEN CAPLAN

Production: TWO THOUSAND YEARS by Mike Leigh. Director: Mike Leigh. At the National Theatre in London on December 21, 2005.

Production: THE COMMON PURSUIT by Simon Gray. Director: Fiona Laird. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on May 25, 2008.

GAY SOPER

Production: MARGUERITE by Michel Legrand, Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg & Herbert Kretzmer. Director: Jonathan Kent. At the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London on May 28, 2008.

Production: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE by James Lapine & Stephen Sondheim. Director: Sam Buntrock. At Wyndham's Theatre in London on May 25, 2006.

BOUDEWIJN DE GROOT

Production: TSECHOV by Dimitri Frenkel Frank & Robert Long. Director: Eddy Habbema. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on September 23, 2000.

WIENEKE REMMERS

Production: REMBRANDT by Anna de Graef, Jeroen Engelbert, Dirk Brosse. Director: Frank van Laecke. At Carre in Amsterdam on July 15, 2006.

Production: INTO THE WOODS by Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine. Director, translator: Koen van Dijk. At M-Lab in Amsterdam on September 22, 2007.

JONATHAN JAFFE

Production: LAREIGNE/BLOOM/BUD SUITE by The Stephen Petronio Company. Choreographer: Stephen Petronio. At the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on October 20, 2006.

DEBRA LAWS

Production: IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES. Director: Randal Myler. At the Ambassador Theatre on November 22, 1999.

KASPAR SCHELLINGERHOUT

Production: HELP by Jan Veldman. Director: Moniek Merkx. At De Gourvernestraat in Rotterdam on January 15, 2012.

MARY STOUT

Production: JANE EYRE by Paul Gordon & John Caird. Director: John Caird & Scott Schwartz. At the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York on November 18, 2000.

ROWEN HAWKINS

Production: INTO THE HOODS by ZooNation. Director, Choreographer: Kate Prince. At the Novello Theatre in London on June 4, 2008.

Production: BLAZE! Director: Anthony Van Laast. At Carre in Amsterdam on April 2, 2010.

CASEY FRANCISCO

Production: RENT by Jonathan Larson. Director: Ivo van Hove. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on October 16, 2000.

Production: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice, translated by Daniel Cohen. Director: Paul Eenens. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on November 3, 2005.

BEN RIGHTON

Production: JOURNEY'S END by R.C. Sherriff. Director: David Grindley. At the Ambassadors Theatre in London on December 20, 2005.

ELLIS VAN LAARHOVEN

Production: JOE by Koen & Ad van Dijk. Director: Jos Thie. At Carre in Amsterdam on October 15, 1997.

Production: RENT by Jonathan Larson. Director: Ivo van Hove. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on October 16, 2000. Van Laarhoven received a Musical Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Production: URINETOWN by Greg Kotis & Mark Hollman. Director & translator: Jurrian van Dongen. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on November 16, 2010.

LEE WILKOF

Production: KISS ME, KATE by Cole Porter, John Guare, Bella & Sam Spewack. Director: Michael Blakemore. At the Martin Beck Theater in New York on November 12, 1999. Wilkof received a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

VIVIENNE BENESCH

Production: THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE by Edward Albee. Ditrector: Anthony Page. At the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London on March 9, 2007.

THE ENGLISH GENTS

Production: LA CLIQUE by Brett Haylock & David Bates. At the Hippodrome in London on January 9, 2009.

STEPHANIE MICHELS

Production: THE LIFE by Cy Coleman, David Newman & Ira Gasman. Director: Michal Blakemore. At the ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York on August 18, 1997.

Production: CONTACT by John Weidman. Director: Susan Stroman. At the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center in New York on November 21, 2000.

SEAN MARTIN HINGSTON

Production: CONTACT by John Weidman. Director: Susan Stroman. At the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center in New York on November 21, 2000.

ANNIE GOLDEN

Production: ON THE TOWN by Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green & Betty Comden. Director: George C. Wolfe. At the Delacorte Theatre in New York on August 30, 1997.

Production: THE FULL MONTY by Terrence McNally & David Yazbeck. Director: Jack O'Brien. At the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York on November 26, 2000.

TERRY BEAVER

Production: THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO by Alfred Uhry. Director: Ron Lagomarsino. At the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York on August 26, 2007. Beaver received a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Production: DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin. Director: Matthew Warchus. At the Noel Coward Theatre in London on September 20, 2010 & November 22, 2010.

Production: BORN YESTERDAY by Garson Kanin. Director: Doug Hughes. At the Cort Theatre in New York on May 14, 2011.

MARY CATHERINE GARRISON

Production: ASSASSINS by John Weidman & Stephen Sondheim. Director: Joe Mantello. At Studio 54 in New York on April 1, 2004.

MANOEL FELICIANO

Production: CABARET by Joe Masteroff, Fred Ebb & John Kander. Director: Sam Mendes & Rob Marshall. At Studio 54 in New York on November 14, 1999.

JULIE HANSON

Production: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Charles Hart. Director: Harold Prince. At the Majestic Theatre in New York on April 2, 2004.

DICK LATESSA

Production: CABARET by Joe Masteroff, Fred Ebb & John Kander. Director: Sam Mendes & Rob Marshall. At Studio 54 in New York on November 14, 1999.

Production: HAIRSPRAY by Thomas Meehan, Mark O'Donnell, Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman. Director: Jack O'Brien. At the Neil Simon Theatre in New York on March 24, 2004. Latessa received a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor.

NATASCIA DIAZ

Production: SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Director: Frank Galati. At the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York on November 22, 2000.

DAVID ENGEL

Production: SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Director: Frank Galati. At the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York on November 22, 2000.

MABEL MODRONO

Production: MOVIN' OUT. Director, Choreographer: Twyla Tharp. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York on March 26, 2004.

IAN CARNEY

Production: MOVIN' OUT. Director, Choreographer: Twyla Tharp. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York on March 26, 2004.

KRISHA MARCANO

Production: THE COLOR PURPLE by Marsha Norman, Brenda Russell, Stephen Bray a.o. Director: Gary Griffin. At the Broadway Theatre in New York on September 26, 2007.

TIMOTHY W. BISH

Production: MOVIN' OUT. Director, Choreographer: Twyla Tharp. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York on March 26, 2004.

MARY ANN LAMB

Production: CHICAGO by Fred Ebb, John Kander & Bob Fosse. Director: Walter Bobbie. At the Shubert Theater in New York on August 20, 1997.

Production: FOSSE. Director: Richard Maltby Jr. Choreographer: Bob Fosse. At the Broadhurst Theater in New York on November 10, 1999.

Production: SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Director: Frank Galati. At the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York on November 22, 2000.

Production: CURTAINS by Peter Stone, Rupert Holmes, Fred Ebb & John Kander. Director: Scott Ellis. At the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York on September 25, 2007.

JOE AARON REID

Production: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Terrence McNally, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. Director: Jack O'Brien. Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell. At the Neil Simon Theatre in New York on May 10, 2011.

MARY FABER

Production: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING by Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert. Director & Choreographer: Rob Ashford. At the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York on May 11, 2011.

MiG AYESA

Production: ROCK OF AGES by Chris D'Arienzo. Director: Kristin Hanggi. At the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York on May 8, 2011.

JOE MANTELLO

Production: THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer. Director: Joel Grey & George C. Wolfe. At the Golden Theatre in New York on May 18, 2011. Mantello received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor.

CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS 2012

2012-02-01T15:17:00.000+01:00

This time of year it is raining awards in the London theatre community! We've already had the Evening Standard Awards and the WhatsOnStage Awards are just around the corner. On January 24th, however, it was time for the Critics' Choice Awards at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End. During the ceremony the National Theatre came out on top with 5 awards. Check out the winners here (of which I saw quite a few):

BEST NEW PLAY: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by RICHARD BEAN (NT)

BEST MUSICAL: LONDON ROAD (NT)

BEST ACTRESS: SHERIDAN SMITH - FLARE PATH

BEST SHAKEAPEREAN PERFORMANCE: EDDIE REDMAYNE - RICHARD II

BEST ACTOR: BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH - FRANKENSTEIN (NT)

BEST DIRECTOR: MIKE LEIGH - GRIEF (NT)

BEST DESIGNER: MARK TILDESLY - FRANKENSTEIN (NT)

MOST PROMISING PLAYWRIGHT: TOM WELLS - THE KITCHEN SINK

THE ORACLE verenigt kracht en kwetsbaarheid in sensationele solo

2012-01-31T13:27:00.000+01:00

THEATRE: Theater aan het Spui, The Hague

DATE: 28-01-2012 (Holland Dance Festival)

TIME: 21:00

WITH: Paul White

CHOREOGRAPHER: Meryl Tankard

Het Holland Dance Festival ging afgelopen weekend van start met een zeer divers drietal solo’s. Een daarvan was Meryl Tankard’s “The Oracle” met de sensationele Australiër Paul White. De choreografie is gemaakt op Stravinsky’s "Le Sacre du Printemps", wiens iconische status begon met Nijisnky’s première voor het Ballet Russes (1913). White is echter zo’n unieke danser dat het lijkt alsof de muziek, met haar karakteristieke oerritmes, op zijn lijf geschreven is. Gedurende 50 minuten explodeert White op de vloer en in de lucht op onnavolgbare wijze. Een explosievere start had het festival zich niet kunnen wensen.

Tankard begon haar carrière bij Pina Bausch en was dus welbekend met diens creatie op Le Sacre (onlangs deels op film vastgelegd door Wim Wenders in Pina). Tankard hield zich om deze reden ver van deze muziek, totdat ze White zag dansen. Hij deed haar gelijk aan Nijinsky en Le Sacre denken. Hun interpretatie van Stravinski’s compositie heeft het element van opoffering en rituelen deels behouden, maar de nadruk ligt vooral op tegenstrijdige krachten in de natuur en de man.

Fotografie: Regis Lansac

Het gespierde lichaam van White weet op verassende wijze aan deze tegenstrijdigheden vorm te geven, soms zelfs simultaan. Zo heeft White het talent om in één beweging zowel kracht als kwetsbaarheid uit te stralen. Dit maakt de choreografie vanwege het ambigue karakter zeer spannend. White is het ene moment sensueel/maagdelijk dan weer zoekend/zelfverzekerd. Met enkel een fluwelen cape suggereert hij klassieke rituelen, zorgzaamheid, maar ook strijdkracht. Zo maakt hij, met de cape om zijn middel, enorm krachtige radslagen die de cape betoverende, vloeiende vormen doet aannemen.

White is een aardse danser. Veel bewegingen vinden dan ook op de vloer plaats, van rupsbewegingen tot ware B-boy moves. Ook danst hij vaak op zijn tenen en lijkt zijn lichaam dikwijls alle kanten opgesleurd te worden door oerkrachten. The Oracle wordt dankzij White’s talenten getransformeerd tot adembenemend schouwspel. Hij won ermee dan ook Australian Dance Awards voor Beste Danser en Beste Choreografie (met Tankard).

Minpuntje is de te lange video-intro van Regis Lansac (op muziek van Joao Rodrigues Esteves). Gedurende het optreden blijven deze projecties ook op de achtergrond aanwezig, maar eerlijk gezegd, als White danst, kijk je alleen naar hem. Dat geldt al helemaal voor de indrukwekkende finale. Deze danst White geheel naakt. Het geeft op schitterende wijze de kern van de choreografie weer. White belichaamt hierin op sensationele wijze enorme kwetsbaarheid, maar tegelijkertijd ook immense kracht. Zijn sprongen hebben een begenadigde dynamiek en expressie. Het eindigt dan ook met een gigantische sprong, die door een lichtspot in de lucht wordt gevangen om daarna gelijk in een black-out te verdwijnen. We zien White nooit landen. Als een dansgod blijft hij in het geheugen in de lucht zweven. Onvergetelijk!

Vurig DODELIJK VERLANGEN

2012-01-24T15:33:00.000+01:00

THEATRE: De Melkweg, Amsterdam

DATE: 21-01-2012 (premiere)

TIME: 19:00

WITH: Steef Hupkes, Marle Brouwer, Ragazze Kwartet

DIRECTOR: Titus Tiel Groenestege

"Dodelijk Verlangen" van Fantasten is een verrassende deconstructie van Christopher Hampton's toneelstuk "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". Door middel van twee acteurs, het Ragazze Kwartet en ingenieuze vormgeving wordt het verhaal verteld van een decadente en destructieve relatie, die ten onder gaat aan machtsspelletjes. De productie verrast, vermaakt, daagt uit en verdient gezien te worden.

Hampton's stuk - succesvol verfilmd door Stephen Frears met Glenn Close en John Malkovich - was zelf gebaseerd op de briefroman van Choderlos de Laclos. Dodelijk Verlangen geeft weer een eigentijdse draai aan het tijdloze verhaal. De vorm is associatief, en fysiek. Heden en verleden zijn op spannende wijze in elkaar verstrengeld. Dit laatste is op knappe wijze overal in doorgevoerd: van de muziek en vormgeving tot en met de atmosferische verlichting.

Het verhaal speelt zich af tegen een muur van maagdelijk witte jurken (die van binnenuit verlicht worden) en gaat van start als de Markiezin de liefde van de Graaf voor haar op perverse wijze test. Ze daagt hem uit om, uit liefde voor haar, een dame uit de hofhouding te verleiden. Dit vormt het begin van diverse machtspelletjes tussen het stel, die vaak fysiek worden uitgespeeld. Dit kan de vorm aannemen van onschuldige spelletjes als tikkertje en verstoppertje, maar ook van intense dansduetten van Annabelle Lopez Ochoa waarbij aantrekken en afstoten centraal staat.

Het Ragazze Kwartet speelt niet alleen de barokmuziek op schitterende wijze (wat een geweldige extra dimensie creëert), maar wordt ook op originele wijze ingezet om de vrouwelijke slachtoffers van het verknipte stel te spelen. De Graaf verleidt met woorden en de dames reageren via het spelen van hun instrument. Een orgasme vormt letterlijk een hoogtepunt van de voorstelling. Ook worden de strijkstokken op creatieve wijze ingezet. Zo kunnen ze transformeren van SM zweepstok tot moordwapen.

Marle Brouwer (Markiezin) en Steef Hupkes (Graaf) zijn aan elkaar gewaagd en maken van de machtsstrijd een vurig spel waarbij de spetters van het toneel vliegen. Brouwer weet op treffende wijze variaties in ijzigheid te vinden en Hupkes laveert op fenomenale wijze tussen roofdier en prooi. Ook zorgt hij geregeld voor een welkome dosis humor.

Regisseur Titus Tiel Groenestege heeft een goed oog voor detail en weet met flair spannende formaties op het speelvlak te creëren. Mede hierdoor is Dodelijk Verlangen een lust voor oog en oor geworden en een must voor de avontuurlijke theaterbezoeker.

R.I.P. Rudi van Dantzig

2012-01-19T14:56:00.000+01:00

Legendary Dutch choreographer Rudi van Dantzig passed away today in his hometown Amesterdam, where he created dozens of ballets for the Dutch National Ballet over several decades. His work was also known across the globe. May he rest in peace.

Opkomst van The Beatles in dynamische HELP

2012-01-17T16:05:00.003+01:00

THEATRE: De Gouvernestraat, Rotterdam

DATE: 15-01-2012

TIME: 15:00

WITH: Kaspar Schellingerhorst, Marne Miesen, Lottie Hellingman, Erik van der Horst, Viktor Griffioen, Mees van Warmerdam

DIRECTOR: Moniek Merkx

"HELP" van Theatergroep Max. gaat over de opkomst van één van de meest legendarische bands: The Beatles. In 2009 was de voorstelling voor het eerst te zien en nu volgt de reprise. Regisseuse Moniek Merkx en haar veelzijdige cast maken er met vaart, humor en veel muziek een dynamische voorstelling van die continu vermaakt.

Jan Veldman’s stuk speelt zich af in een psychedelische platenstudio en gaat terug naar de plek waar het allemaal begon: Liverpool. Het verhaal wordt in flashback verteld, met name vanuit het perspectief van George Harrison (een clowneske Erik van der Horst) en een devote fan (Lottie Hellingman). Alle hoogte- en dieptepunten van de beginperiode komen aan bod: de eerste ontmoeting tussen Lennon en McCartney, de complexe relatie tussen Lennon en zijn moeder, de oorspronkelijke drummer Pete Best die uiteindelijk uit de band wordt gezet, de tijd in Hamburg, de ontmoeting met manager Brian Epstein en natuurlijk de hysterische reacties van fans. Veldman heeft dit alles op vermakelijke en toegankelijke wijze in zijn stuk verwerkt. Het nadeel is wel dat alles zo snel voorbij komt dat niets echt een emotionele lading krijgt. Hierdoor mist de productie enige modulatie. Hoe meer je van The Beatles weet hoe meer er hier te genieten valt.

De cast weet op innemende wijze de chemie binnen een beginnende band neer te zetten, musiceren zelf en enkele acteurs nemen zelfs meerdere rollen op zich. Viktor Griffioen, Erik van der Horst en al helemaal Lottie Hellingman doen dit op voortreffelijke wijze. Hellingman weet niet alleen de tiener-hysterie op treffende wijze neer te zetten, maar weet ook in een minumum van tijd diepgang te geven aan Lennon’s onstabiele moeder. Verder zet Kaspar Schellingerhorst een explosieve Lennon neer en weet Marne Miesen als McCartney het charismatische rustpunt van de groep te vormen. Zoals altijd komt Ringo Star (drummer Mees van Warmerdam) er ook hier bekaaid vanaf.

Het live spelen van de tijdloze nummers geef het stuk een flinke injectie authenticiteit en levendigheid. Er worden zowel covers van de band – als Gene Vincent’s Be-Bop-A-Lula en Till There Was You uit de musical The Music Man – en eigen nummers (Help, I Wanna Hold Your Hand) gespeeld. De meeste geven het plot en personages geen extra dimensie, behalve dat ze illustreren hoe en wat de band samen speelde. Uitzondering zijn She Loves You en Blackbird, die worden gebruikt om de pijnlijke en gedoemde relatie tussen Lennon en zijn moeder te illustreren. Hellingman en Schelingerhorst weten deze momenten tot het emotionele hart van de voorstelling te transformeren.

HELP weet op speelse en vermakelijke wijze de oorsprong van de band der bands op toneel neer te zetten en is 70 minuten puur vermaak voor jong en oud.

Fotografie: Philez Deprez & Joep Lennarts

Sweetness Galore in NUTCRACKER!

2012-01-16T17:53:00.000+01:00

THEATRE: Sadler’s Wells, London

DATE: 18-12-2011

TIME: 14:30

WITH: Adam Maskell, Ashley Shaw, Katy Lowenhoff, Dominic North, Etta Murfitt, Daniel Wright, Liam Mower, Alastair Postelthwaite, Edwin Ray, Luke Murphy, Mari Kamata, Nicole Kabera a.o.

DIRECTOR/CHOREORAPHER: Matthew Bourne

Christmastime equals loads of “Nutcracker” ballets, but I bet none is as clear, colorful, and fun as Matthew Bourne’s version which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary. Although ‘the Spielberg of dance’ struggles story wise with the second act, the weak link of any “Nutcracker,” the production never fails to engage. It has orphans, star-crossed lovers, snow, ice-skating, and all kinds of dancing sweets. A huge wedding cake, with Busby Berkeley-like choreography on its layers, represents the visual piece-de-resistance of Anthony Ward’s imaginative designs. “Nutcracker!” lacks the depth and complexity of Bourne’s later work, but remains an endearing, entertaining and eye-popping dance feast for all ages.

The classical ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score, originated in St. Petersburg (1892) and was choreographed by Lev Ivanov. Although it bombed first time around it has become the piece for ballet companies to draw in the crowds during the holidays. The music has also seeped into pop culture, from commercials to movies like Disney’s Fantasia (probably my first encounter with it) and Billy Elliot. Bourne’s version started out in 1992 as a commission for Opera North and is the genesis of his artistic signature: reimagining classic ballets, much like Walt Disney did with classic fairy tales (Highland Fling, Swan Lake and Cinderella would follow and Sleeping Beauty is in the works).

The production opens in a bleak Dickensian orphanage and then transports longing heroine, Clara, to a colourful fantasyland in pursuit of love (The Nutcracker). The structure of the dance piece is not unlike that of the The Wizard of Oz and its effect of contrasting black and white film with Technicolor. Over the years Nutcracker! has been revived several times and each time Bourne keeps improving it . The first time I saw Nutcracker! was in 2002. Although I was entertained I was also a bit disappointed. Previously I had seen and been blown away by Swan Lake and The Car Man and they had created high expectations for Nutcracker! These expectations were not met because its story, characters, and emotions were not as strong and daring as the productions that made me such an admirer of Bourne’s work. This time around though I could enjoy the piece much more for what it is: a fun fairy tale (nothing more and nothing less) set to a great Tchaikovsky score.

From my second row seat I could also bask in all the expressive faces of the dancers. This is a big advantage because in Bourne’s choreography faces are often equal to movement. Therefore his dancers have to be excellent actors, which they invariably are. Katy Lowenhoff makes for an endearing Clara, but it is Ashley Shaw’s delightfully bitchy Sugar and Adam Maskell’s dreamy Nutcracker who run away with the show. Etta Murfitt, Daniel Wright and especially the zany Dominic North also have lots of fun with their villainous characters.

Bourne cleverly mixes extreme sweetness with his characteristic humor and sexuality. Clara’s first sexual awakening, when she sees The Nutcracker for the first time bare-chested and in white pants, is just one example of this. In Sweetieland Bourne also has characters tasting each other and themselves, pinching bums, there is a suggestive open mouth as a doorway to pleasure (which Clara is denied), and there is duet between Clara and the kinky Knickerbocker Glory (slimy Alastair Postelthwaite with ice cream hair).

Besides the dancing cake the production also has ice-skating as one of its choreographic highlights. Through clever movements Bourne’s dancers are able to suggest the illusion of skating, which in combination with the music and snow, creates a magical sense of wonderment.

The second act plot mainly revolves around Clara trying to stop the marriage between Sugar and The Nutcracker (who has been brainwashed via a hit to the head with a snowball). The focus, however, constantly shifts to minor characters because Bourne has to lots of music to fill. He does this by creating dances for several colourful sweetie wedding-guests (which include one of the original Billy Elliot’s: Olivier Award-winner Liam Mower). They are all very entertaining, especially the dynamic Gobstoppers in biker jackets and helmets, but do not do much to further the story along or deepen the main characters it.

In the end Clara awakens from her ‘nightmare in pink’ and finds herself back in the grim orphanage. To her amazement she finds her Nutcracker in her bed and he fancies her this time around. He opens a huge window and together they make a getaway. Windows play a big part in Bourne’s work and often represent freedom. In Swan Lake the image of the window would also feature prominently in the end, but have a much stronger dramatic effect. Here it mainly represents a traditional, simple happy end for the heroine.

Nutcracker! is a wonderfully entertaining and imaginative dance feast for the whole family and I would happily dip into Bourne’s bag of bountiful, colourful, and slightly naughty sweets again.

PERFORMERS GALLERY 26

2012-01-13T13:53:00.003+01:00

This is the continuation of a gallery which celebrates all the performance artists I have seen on stage.

HARRY JUDD

Concert: MCFLY: ABOVE THE NOISE TOUR. At De Melkweg in Amsterdam on January 28, 2011.

SOPHIE OKONEDO

Production: HAUNTED CHILD by Joe Penhall. Director: Jeremy Herrin. At the Royal Court in London on December 17, 2011.

LENNY HENRY

Production: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare. Director: Dominic Cooke. At the National Theatre in London on December 11, 2011.

Production: THEATRE QUIZ 2011. At the National Theatre in London on December 16, 2011.

FRANCES RUFFELLE

Production: THE VIVIAN ELLIS PRIZE SHOWCASE. Director: Martin Connor. Choreograher: Bill Deamer. At the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on October 1, 1998.

Production: PIPPIN by Stephen Schwartz & Roger O. Hirson. Director & Choreographer: Mitch Sebastian. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on December 13, 2011.

JUVAT WESTENDORP

Production: NE ME QUITTE PAS. Choreography by Isabelle Beernaert. At Nieuwe Luxor in Rotterdam on December 21, 2011.

AMY NUTTALL

Production: NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn. Director: Lindsay Posner. At the Old Vic in London on December 16, 2011.

BEN DANIELS

Production: THE WILD DUCK by Henrik Ibsen, translated by David Eldridge. Director: Michael Grandage. At the Donmar Warehouse in London on December 15, 2005.

Production: HAUNTED CHILD by Joe Penhall. Director: Jeremy Herrin. At the Royal Court in London on December 17, 2011.

CIARAN HINDS

Production: THEATRE QUIZ 2011. At the National Theatre in London on December 16, 2011.

ANNA-ALICIA SKILAS

Production: NE ME QUITTE PAS. Choreography by Isabelle Beernaert. At Nieuwe Luxor in Rotterdam on December 21, 2011.

DAVID THRELFALL

Production: SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME by Frank McGuinness. Director: Dominic Dromgoole. At the Ambassadors Theatre in London on April 18, 2005. Threllfall received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor.

ASHLEY SHAW

Production: NUTCRACKER! Director & Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At Sadler's Wells in London on December 18, 2011.

ALASTAIR POSTELTHWAITE

Production: THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING by Matthew Dunster & Pet Shop Boys. Choreographer: Javier de Frutos. At Sadler's Wells in London on March 19, 2011.

Production: NUTCRACKER! Director & Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At Sadler's Wells in London on December 18, 2011.

JENNY GAYNER

Production: CHICAGO by Fred Ebb, John Kander & Bob Fosse. Director: Walter Bobbie. Choreographer: Ann Reinking. At the Garrick Theatre on December 17, 2011.

MATT WESLEY

Production: CHICAGO by Fred Ebb, John Kander & Bob Fosse. Director: Walter Bobbie. Choreographer: Ann Reinking. At the Garrick Theatre in London on December 17, 2011.

GERALDINE JAMES

Production: 13 by Mike Bartlett. Director: Thea Sharrock. At the National Theatre in London on December.

ANDREW BUCHAN

Production: RICHARD II by Eddie Redmayne. Director: Michael Grandage. At the Donmar Warehouse in London on December 15, 2011.

JACQUELINE DEFFERARY

Production: COLLABORATORS by John Hodge. Director: Sir Nicholas Hytner. At the National Theatre in London on December 14, 2011.

TRYSTAN GRAVELLE

Production: 13 by Mike Bartlett. Director: Thea Sharrock. At the National Theatre in London on December.

LOUISE GOLD

Production: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG by Jeremy Sams, Richard & Robert Sherman. Director: Sir Adrian Noble. At the London Palladium on December 7, 2004.

Production: MARY POPPINS by Julian Fellowes, Anthony Drewe, George Stiles, Richard & Robert Sherman. Director: Sir Richard Eyre & Matthew Bourne. At the Prince Edward Theatre in London on October 17, 2006.

Production: OLIVER! by Lionel Bart. Director: Rupert Goold. Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on September 24, 2010.

Production: PIPPIN by Stephen Schwartz & Roger O. Hirson. Director & Choreographer: Mitch Sebastian. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on December 13, 2011.

MARK ADDY

Production: COLLABORATORS by John Hodge. Director: Sir Nicholas Hytner. At the National Theatre in London on December 14, 2011.

SUZE TOASE

Production: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean. Director: Nicholas Hytner. At the Adelphi Theatre in London on December 12, 2011.

DAVID PAGE

Production: PIPPIN by Stephen Schwartz & Roger O. Hirson. Director & Choreographer: Mitch Sebastian. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on December 13, 2011.

PAMELA NOMVETE

Production: NOW OR LATER by Christopher Shinn. Director: Dominic Cooke. At the Royal Court Theatre in London on September 5, 2008.

Production: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare. Director: Dominic Cooke. At the National Theatre in London on December 11, 2011.

OLIVER CHRIS

Production: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean. Director: Nicholas Hytner. At the Adelphi Theatre in London on December 12, 2011.

CLAUDIE BLAKELEY

Production: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare. Director: Dominic Cooke. At the National Theatre in London on December 11, 2011.

AMIT SHAH

Production: THE ALCHEMIST by Ben Jonson. Director: Sir Nicholas Hytner. At the National Theatre in London on October 17, 2006.

Production: THE MAN OF MODE by George Etherege. Director: Nicholas Hytner. At the National Theatre in London on March 5, 2007.

Production: KING LEAR by William Shakespeare. Director: Michael Grandage. At the Donmar Warehouse in London on February 3, 2010.

Production: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare. Director: Dominic Cooke. At the National Theatre in London on December 11, 2011.

LAUREN WARD

Production: MATILDA THE MUSICAL by Dennis Kelly & Tim Minchin. Director: Matthew Warchus. Choreographer: Peter Darling. At the Cambridge Theatre in London on December 10, 2011.

GARY WATSON

Production: MATILDA THE MUSICAL by Dennis Kelly & Tim Minchin. Director: Matthew Warchus. Choreographer: Peter Darling. At the Cambridge Theatre in London on December 10, 2011.

SOPHIA KIELY

Production: MATILDA THE MUSICAL by Dennis Kelly & Tim Minchin. Director: Matthew Warchus. Choreographer: Peter Darling. At the Cambridge Theatre in London on December 10, 2011.

GIJS SCHOLTEN VAN ASCHAT

Production: IN ONGENADE by Josse de Pauw. Director: Luk Perceval. At the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam on December 9, 2011.

JOSIE WALKER

Production: THE BEAUTIFUL GAME by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Ben Elton. Director: Robert Carsen. Choreographer: Meryl Tankard. At the Cambridge Theatre in London on November 15, 2000. Walker received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress.

Production: MATILDA THE MUSICAL by Dennis Kelly & Tim Minchin. Director: Matthew Warchus. Choreographer: Peter Darling. At the Cambridge Theatre in London on December 10, 2011.

SERGIO HASSELBAINK

Production: IN ONGENADE by Josse de Pauw. Director: Luk Perceval. At the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam on December 9, 2011.

CHRIS NIETVELT

Production: TEOREMA by Willem Bruls. Director: Ivo van Hove. At the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam on December 2, 2009.

Production: IN ONGENADE by Josse de Pauw. Director: Luk Perceval. At the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam on December 9, 2011.

MATTHEW MICHEL

Production: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES by Harvey Fierstein & Jerry Herman, translated by Martine Bijl & Jon van Eerd. At the Delamar Theater in Amsterdam on December 30, 2010.

Production: THE WILD PARTY by Andrew Lippa. Director & Translator: Koen van Dijk. Choreographer: Carolien Canters. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on October 6, 2011.

Production: LELIES by Allard Blom & Sam Verhoeven. Director: Martin Michel. At the Fakkelteater in Antwerp on December 4, 2011.

ANTOINETTE JELGERSMA

Production: AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare, translated by Gerrit Komrij. Director: Gerardjan Rijnders. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on February 16, 2008.

Production: EQUUS by Peter Shaffer, translated by Johan Boonen. Director: Johan Doesburg. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on October 9, 2009.

Production: MIDZOMERNACHTDROOM by William Shakespeare, translated by Tom Kleijn. Director: Theu Boerman. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on November, 11, 2011.

DOOR VAN BOECKEL

Production: JUNGLE BOEK by Ronny Mosuse & Ivo de Wijs. Director: Niek Kortekaas. At the Schouwburg in Den Bosch on December 10, 2006.

Production: LELIES by Allard Blom & Sam Verhoeven. Director: Martin Michel. At the Fakkelteater in Antwerp on December 4, 2011.

ARIANE SCHLUTER

Production: MIDZOMERNACHTDROOM by William Shakespeare, translated by Tom Kleijn. Director: Theu Boerman. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on November, 11, 2011.

LI-TONG HSU

PIETER DE GROOT

PEGGY SANDAAL

Production: THE LION KING by Roger Allers, Irene Mecchi, Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, Elton John & Tim Rice. Director: Julie Taymor. Choreographer: Garth Fagan. At the Circus Theater in Scheveningen on May 13, 2006.

Production: DADDY COOL by Allard Blom & Frank Farian. Director: Eddy Habbema. Choreographer: Gerald van Windt. At Nieuwe Luxor in Rotterdam on September 26, 2011.

STEVE HOOI

Production: ROMEO & JULIETTE: A CARIBBEAN XPERIENZ by Jenny Mijnhijmer & Harto Soemodihardjo. Director: Khaldoun Elmecky & John Leerdam. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on June 1, 2003.

Production: VOOR VOLK EN VANDERLAND by Enver Husicic. Director: Jeroen Kriek. At Huis aan de Werf in Utrecht on March 8, 2008.

Production: BASQUIAT & WARHOL by Mustafa Stitou. Director: Hans Man in 't Veld. At De Brakke Grond in Amsterdam on November 18, 2010.

Production: TAXONOMANIA by Tommy Ventevogel. Director: Kasper Kapteijn. At MC Theater in Amsterdam on November 2 & 5, 2011.

LAUREN O'NEIL

Production: WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN by Thomas Middleton. Director: Marianne Elliott. At the National Theatre in London on May 17, 2010.

AYMERIC AUDE

Production: MIXVANMATS by Introdans. Choreographer: Mats Ek. At the Stadsschouwburg in Arnhem on October 9, 2010.

Production: INDIGO ROSE by Introdans. Choreographer: Jiri Kylian. At the Stadsschouwburg in Arnhem on June 25, 2011.

Production: GEKKEBEKKEN by Introdans. Choreographer(s): Didy Veldman, Cayetano Soto, Paul Lightfoot, Sol Leon a.o. At the Schouwburg in Arnhem on October 29, 2011.

ANNICK BOER

Production: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS by Howard Ashman & Alan Menken, translated by Koen van Dijk. Director: Caroline Frerichs. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on January 7, 2001.

Production: REMBRANDT by Anna de Graef, Jeroen Engelbert, Dirk Brosse. Director: Frank van Laecke. At Carre in Amsterdam on July 15, 2006.

Production: DOE MAAR - de pop musical by Pieter van de Waterbeemd, Henny Vrienten & Ernst Jansz. Director: Jos Thie & Martin Michel. At the Schouwburg in Tilburg on January 28, 2007. Boer received a Musical Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Production: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE by Martin McDonagh. Director: Josh Thie. At the Paardenkathedraal in Utrecht on Febraury 28, 2009.

AREND BRANDLIGT

Production: MACBETH by ZEP & William Shakespeare. Director: Peter Pluymaekers. At Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on October 10, 2011.

CINDY BELL

Production: BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR. Director/Choreographer: Rich Ascroft. At the Goudse Schouwburg in Gouda on November 4, 2007.

Production: FAME by Jose Fernandez, Steve Morgoshes, Jacques Levy, translated by Allard Blom. Director: Martin Michel. At the Schouwburg in Tilburg on January 20, 2008.

Production: INSIDE OUT. At the Fijnhouttheater in Amsterdam on July 1, 2010.

SAMUEL LEE ROBERTS

Production: DANCE CONSORTIUM UK TOUR by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Choreography by George W. Faison, Robert Battle, Ronald K. Brown & Alvin Ailey. At Sadler's Welss in London on September 14, 2010.

EDSILIA ROMBLEY

Concert: MICHIEL BORSTLAP BAND. At Vredenburg in Utrecht on November 20, 2004.

Concert: GOSPELFESTIVAL. At the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam on September 8, 2007.

GREGG EDELMANN

Production: WONDERFUL TOWN by Leonard Bernstein, Joseph Fields, Jerome Chodorov, Betty Comden & Adolph Green. Director: Kathleen Marshall. At the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York on March 28, 2004.

ETTA MURFITT

Production: THE CAR MAN. Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At the Old Vic in London on November 16, 2000.

Production: NUTCRACKER! Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At Sadlers Wells in London on December 28, 2002.

Production: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At Sadler's Wells in London on December 14, 2005.

Production: NUTCRACKER! Director & Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At Sadler's Wells in London on December 18, 2011.

DANNY DE MUNK

Production: LES MISERABLES by Claude-Michel Schonbberg, Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer, translated by Seth Gaaikema. Director: Sir Trevor Nunn & John Caird. At Circustheater in Scheveningen.

Production: TSECHOV by Dimitri Frenkel Frank & Robert Long. Director: Eddy Habbema. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on September 23, 2000.

Production: BLOOD BROTHERS by Willy Russell, translated by Daniel Cohen. Director: Eddy Habbema. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on May 25, 2006.

SOPHIE VAN WINDEN

Production: DE KERSENTUIN by Anton Chekhov, translated by Eric Vos & Inez van Dulleman. Director: Erik Vos. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on November 14, 2009.

Production: FAUST I & II by Goethe, adapted by Janine Brogt. Director: Johan Doesburg. At the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on January 23, 2011.

JEROEN BOS

Production: DWELLING IN BED AIN'T BAD by Paul Haenen. Director: Paul Haenen. At the Betty Asfalt Complex in Amsterdam on January 21, 2011.

Production: WAT EEN HEERLIJKE HETE DAG by Paul Haenen. Director: Paul Haenen. At the Betty Asfalt Complex in Amsterdam on June 3, 2011.

CARLI NORRIS

Production: BEAUTIFUL THING by Jonathan Harvey. Director: Toby Frow. At the Sound Theatre in London on August 18, 2006.

MICHAEL MALARKEY

Production: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux. Director: Eric D. Schaeffer. At the Noel Coward Theatre in London on March 17, 2011.

CHRISTIANNE TISDALE

Production: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Linda Woolverton, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice & Alan Menken. Director: Robert Jess Roth. At the Palace Theater in New York on March 17, 1996.

ADAM UNZE

Production: FUCKING MEN by Joe Di Pietro. Director: Phil Willmott. At the Finborough Theatre in London on June 1, 2008.

KIRSTY HOILES

Production: BETTY BLUE EYES by Daniel Lipman, Ron Cowen, George Stiles & Anthony Drewe. Director: Sir Richard Eyre. Choreographer: Stephen Mear. At the Novello Theatre in London on August 18, 2011.

CHRIS POLICK

Production: FUCKING MEN by Joe Di Pietro. Director: Phil Willmott. At the Finborough Theatre in London on June 1, 2008.

HELEN RYAN

Production: 13 by Mike Bartlett. Director: Thea Sharrock. At the National Theatre in London on December.

NICHOLAS KEITH

Production: FUCKING MEN by Joe Di Pietro. Director: Phil Willmott. At the Finborough Theatre in London on June 1, 2008.

ANNEMARIE LABINJO-VAN DER MEULEN

Production: REISCHL & GOECKE by Scapino Ballet. Choreographer(s): Marco Goecke & Georg Reischl. At the Rotterdamse Schouwburg in Rotterdam on February 12, 2010.

Production: KATHLEEN+ by Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. Choreographer: Ed Wubbe & Marco Goecke. At the Rotterdamse Schouwburg on November 11, 2011.

GIANNI GROT

Production: NE ME QUITTE PAS. Choreography by Isabelle Beernaert. At Nieuwe Luxor in Rotterdam on December 21, 2011.

SENSUAL

Concert: SENSUAL. At Vredenburg in Utrecht on January 24, 2007.

HARRY HEPPLE

Production: PIPPIN by Stephen Schwartz & Roger O. Hirson. Director & Choreographer: Mitch Sebastian. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on December 13, 2011.

MARJOLIJN TOUW

Production: CHICAGO by Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb & John Kander in a translation by Seth Gaaikema. Director: Walter Bobbie. At the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht on August 20, 2000.

Production: THE WIZ by William F. Brown & Charlie Smalls, adapted by Martine Bijl. Director: Anthony Van Laast. At the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht on November 30, 2006.

NICK CORDERO

Production: THE TOXIC AVENGER by Joe DiPietro & David Bryan. Director: John Rando. At New World Stages in New York on June 1, 2009.

RACHEL LESKOVAC

Production: SPEND SPEND SPEND by Steve Brown & Justin Greene. Director: Jeremy Sams. Choreographer: Craig Revel Horwood. At the Piccadilly Theatre in London on June 15, 2000. Leskovac received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress.

JOSE TIRADO

Production: SWAN LAKE. Director, Choreographer: Matthew Bourne. At Sadler's Wells in London on December 5, 2004.

STELLA GONET

Production: TOP GIRLS by Caryl Churchill. Director: Max Stafford-Clark. At Trafalgar Studios in London on August 25, 2011.

BASTIEN ZORZETTO

Production: OPUS 589 & 590 by the Nederlands Dans Theater I. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on May 1, 2009.

Production: UNLEASH. Choreography by Lightfoot Leon for Nederlands Dans Theater I. At the Muziektheater in Amsterdam on December 10, 2010.

TANAIRI SADE VAZQUEZ

Production: WEST SIDE STORY by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim. Director: Arthur Laurents. At the Palace Theater in New York on May 26, 2009.

ALWIN PULINCKX

Production: ANGELS IN AMERICA by Tony Kushner. Director: Ivo van Hove. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on April 12, 2008.

Production: RASHOMON-EFFECT by Joachim Robbrecht. Director: Joachim Robbrecht. At Frascati in Amsterdam on January 24, 2010.

Production: UBU by Simon Stephens & Alfred Jarry. Director: Sebastian Nubling. At the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam on May 2, 2010.

TRO SHAW

Production: WEST SIDE STORY by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim. Director: Arthur Laurents. At the Palace Theater in New York on May 26, 2009.

DAVE WILLETTS

Production: RAGTIME by Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Director: Stafford Arima. At the Piccadilly Theatre in London on March 10, 2003.

Production: SUNSET BOULEVARD by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Christopher Hampton & Don Black. Director: Craig Revel Horwood. At the Comedy Theatre in London on January 10, 2009. Willetts received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Production: ASPECTS OF LOVE by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black & Charles Hart. Director: Sir Trevor Nunn. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on September 19, 2010.

ANN MITCHELL

Production: WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY by Brian Clark. Director: Sir Peter Hall. At the Comedy Theatre in London on April 21, 2005.

Production: ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare. Director: Tamara Harvey. At the Middle Temple Hall in London on September 9, 2008.

JOSEPH THOMPSON

Production: THE VOYSEY INHERITANCE by Harley Granville Barker. Director: Peter Gill. At the National Theatre in London on May 24, 2006.

MADELEINE POTTER

Production: MADAME MELVILLE by Richard Nelson. Director: Richard Nelson. At the Vaudeville Theatre in London on November 12, 2000.

Production: SOUTHWARK FAIR by Samuel Adamson. Director: Sir Nicholas Hytner. At the National Theatre in London on April 1, 2006.

ROBERT LENZI

Production: SOUTH PACIFIC by Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers. Director: Bartlet Sher. At the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York on May 27, 2009.

KAISA HAMMARLUND

Production: THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG by Neil Simon, Carole Bayer Sager & Marvin Hamlisch. Director: Fiona Laird. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on September 6, 2008.

Production: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC by Stephen Sondheim & Hugh Wheeler. Director: Sir Trevor Nunn. At the Menier Chocolate Factory in London on January 11, 2009.

GERARD CANONICO

Production: SPRING AWAKENING by Steven Sater & Duncan Sheik. Director: Michael Mayer. At the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York on September 26, 2007.

FAVOURITE ACTORS IN A LEADING ROLE (play)

2012-01-03T13:48:00.000+01:00

This final category was probably the most difficult to compile, because there were so many great, explosive and moving male performances in 2011 (as you can gather from runners-up list). These extraordinary actors graced the most intimate and biggest stages, and it is notable that 3 of my top 10 actors performed classic roles at the Donmar Warehouse in London.

1. JUDE LAW for Anna Christie (Donmar Warehouse, London)

2. JOE MANTELLO for The Normal Heart (Broadway, New York)

3. BOBBY CANNAVALE for The Motherfucker With The Hat (Broadway, New York)

4. SANNE DEN HARTOGH for Till The Fat Lady Sings, De Misantroop, Taxonomania (Oostpool, Arnhem & MC, Amsterdam)

5. KYLE SOLLER for The Faith Machine (Royal Court, London)

6. SIR DEREK JACOBI for King Lear (Donmar Warehouse, London)

7. EDDIE REDMAYNE for Richard II (Donmar Warehouse, London)

8. ERIC VAN SAUERS for Topdog/Underdog (MC, Amsterdam)

9. JAMES EARL JONES for Driving Miss Daisy (West End, London)

10. THOMAS CAMMAERT & KEVIN HASSING for Bent (De Engelenbak, Amsterdam)

Runners-up (in no particular order): James Corden (One Man, Two Guvnors), Simon Russell Beale (Collaborators), Claybourne Elder (One Arm), Dominic West (Butley), Samuel Barnett (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead), Ben Miles & Douglas Henshall (Betrayal), Peter Blok (Blasted), Chiem Vreeken (Clyde en Bonnie), Trystan Gravelle (13), Mike Starink & Jeroen Bos (Dwelling in Bed ain't Bad), James Purefoy (Flare Path), Ben Daniels (Haunted Child), Matthew Fox (In a Forrest, Dark and Deep).

FAVOURITE ACTORS IN A LEADING ROLE (musical)

2011-12-31T11:57:00.000+01:00

These actors rocked the musicals in 2011! They acted, sang, and danced their way into our hearts and are tangible proof that musicals can be art.

1. NORBERT LEO BUTZ for Catch Me If You Can (Broadway, New York)

2. BERTIE CARVEL for Matilda The Musical (Royal Shakespeare Company, London)

3. ANDREW RANNELLS & JOSH GAD for The Book of Mormon (Broadway, New York)

4. MICHAEL JIBSON for Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory, London)

5. AARON TVEIT for Catch Me If You Can (Broadway, New York)

6. SEAN PALMER for Crazy For You (Open Air, London)

7. RYAN COLLINSON for Billy Elliot (West End, London)

8. DANIEL RADCLIFFE for How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Broadway, New York)

9. MATTHEW MICHEL for Lelies (Antwerp)

10. RICHARD FLEESHMAN for Ghost The Musical (West End, London)

Runners-up (in no particular order): Kyle Dean Massey (Lucky Guy), Ton Sieben (Miss Saigon), Reece Shearsmith (Betty Blue Eyes), Sahr Ngaujah (Fela!), Chad Kimball (Memphis), Leslie Jordan (Lucky Guy), Dan Domenech (Rock of Ages), Timo Descamps (Lelies), Andrew Durand (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg).

FAVOURITE ACTRESSES IN A LEADING ROLE (play)

2011-12-31T11:23:00.001+01:00

These amazing actresses gave life on the stage to various women of infinite complexity with awe inspiring skill and overwhelming power.

1. NINA ARIANDA for Born Yesterday (Broadway, New York)

2. FRANCES MCDORMAND for Good People (Broadway, New York)

3. KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS for Betrayal (West End, London)

4. ELISABETH MOSS for The Children's Hour (West End, London)

5. RUTH WILSON for Anna Christie (Donmar Warehouse, London)

6. FANIA SOREL for Branden (RO Theater, Utrecht)

7. VANESSA REDGRAVE for Driving Miss Daisy (West End, London)

8. MARIA KRAAKMAN for Till The Fat Lady Sings (Oostpool, Arnhem)

9. JULIET STEVENSON for The Heretic (Royal Court, London)

10. HAYLEY ATWELL for The Faith Machine (Royal Court, London)

Runners-up (in no particular order): Suranne Jones (Top Girls), Laura de Boer (Clyde en Bonnie), Geraldine James (13), Sophie Okonedo (Haunted Child), Olivia Williams (In a Forrest, Dark and Deep), Linda Emond (The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures).

FAVOURITE NEW MUSICALS

2011-12-30T19:30:00.007+01:00

2011 was quite the year for new musicals. Not only were there many with adult subject matter (rarer in musicals that one might think), but the shows also often took on exciting forms. The subjects ranged from the effects of a serial killer of prostitutes on a neighborhood in "London Road" to a Mormon bromance lost in a cartoonesque Uganda in "The Book of Mormon".

The year was also exceptional in that most musicals on my list had original scores! A miracle in the age of the jukebox musicals. Nothing beats discovering new musical material that has been specifically written for the story and characters. Not all scores had an immediate impact on me, but quite a few did. Two musicals, Lelies and Road Show, even presented complex gay relationships!

These musicals gave me a lot to sing about in 2011 and there are several moments in them that will stay with me forever: Norbert Leo Butz blowing the audience away during his first act solo as FBI agent in Catch Me If You Can, the gorgeous love scene in a bath tub between Matthew Michel and Timo Descamps in Lelies, Rory O'Malley lighting up the stage with his repressed Mormon boys during the song 'Turn It Off' in The Book of Mormon, the freedom of the kids on swings while singing the bittersweet 'When I Grow Up' in Matilda, the flower baskets descending from the ceiling in London Road, and the women singing about the relief Reece Shearsmith brings to their feet in Betty Blue Eyes. It was a musical year to treasure!

1. THE BOOK OF MORMON (New York)

2. MATILDA THE MUSICAL (London)

3. LELIES (Antwerp)

4. LONDON ROAD (London)

5. ROAD SHOW (London)

6. BETTY BLUE EYES (London)

7. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (New York)

8. ROCK OF AGES (New York)

9. MEMPHIS (New York)

10. SHREK THE MUSICAL (London)

FAVOURITE FEATURED ACTRESSES (play)

2011-12-30T12:04:00.000+01:00

This category contains some extraordinary award-winning actresses, who gave performances of rare power and beauty. Two of them, Ellen Barkin and Sheridan Smith, were both so exceptional that they share the number one spot. Barkin's second act monologue in "The Normal Heart" was delivered with such overwhelming fury and conviction that it received applause at each performance (something that rarely ever happens in a play mind you) and Sheridan Smith consistently brought tears to eyes during the now famous letter scene in the second act of "Flare Path".

1. ELLEN BARKIN for The Normal Heart (Broadway, New York)

& SHERIDAN SMITH for Flare Path (West End, London)

2. EDIE FALCO for The House of Blue Leaves (Broadway, New York)

3. ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ for The Motherfucker With The Hat (Broadway, New York)

4. LIA WILLIAMS for Arcadia (Broadway, New York)

5. ELLEN BURSTYN for The Children's Hour (West End, London)

6. BRYONY HANNAH for The Children's Hour (West End, London)

7. BRONAGH GALLAGHER for The Faith Machine (Royal Court, London)

8. GINA MCKEE for King Lear (Donmar Warehouse, London)

9. BRENDA WEHLE for The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures (Public Theater, New York)

10. ESTELLE PARSONS for Good People (Broadway, New York)

FAVOURITE NEW PLAYS

2011-12-29T13:48:00.000+01:00

2011 was an exceptional year for new writing. New works by Alexi Kaye Campbell, Tony Kushner and Mike Bartlett had the ambition, balls and craft to write about huge themes in exciting forms. It is no accident that their work received world premiere productions at non-profit organizations like the Royal Court, Public Theater and National Theatre. There were also interesting intimate plays - like the comic Dutch two-hander "Dwelling in Bed Ain't Bad" by Paul Haenen - in which a gay couple spends the day in bed (it toured across Holland and also played Antwerp and London) - and brilliant comic relief like Richard Bean's "One Man, Two Guvnors". It is important to emphasize that most plays on my list were developed and produced by the subsidised sector, so governments cutting the performing arts left and right take notice!

1. THE FAITH MACHINE by Alexi Kaye Campbell at the Royal Court in London.

2. THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES by Tony Kushner at the Public Theater in New York.

3. THE MOTHERFUCKER WITH THE HAT by Stephen Adly Guirgis at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York.

4. GOOD PEOPLE by David Lindsay-Abaire at the Biltmore Theatre in New York.

5. BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO by Rajiv Joseph at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York.

6. BRANDEN by Wajdi Mouaward, Dutch translation by Tom Kleijn. Produced by the RO Theater in Rotterdam.

7. ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS & THE HERETIC by Richard Bean. The first was at the National Theatre and the latter at the Royal Court in London.

8. 13 by Mike Bartlett at the National Theatre in London.

9. COLLABORATORS by John Hodge at the National Theatre in London.

10. DWELLING IN BED AIN'T BAD by Paul Haenen at the Betty Asfalt Complex in Amsterdam.

Runners-up: One Arm by Tennessee Williams (New York), Till The Fat Lady Sings by Toneelgroep Oostpool (Arnhem) & Clyde en Bonnie by Holger Schober, dutch translation by Timen Jan Veenstra (Amsterdam).

FAVOURITE FEATURED ACTORS (musical)

2011-12-29T08:55:00.002+01:00

These actors all left an indelible mark on me in 2011 with their unforgettable creations, ranging from the cartoonesque to complex human beings, and in one case even by outstanding chorus work.

1. RORY O'MALLEY for The Book of Mormon (Broadway, New York)

2. ARA HALICI for Lelies (Antwerp)

3. JON ROBYNS for Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory, London)

4. DOOR VAN BOECKEL for Lelies (Antwerp)

5. PAUL KAYE for Matilda The Musical (Royal Shakespeare Company, London)

6. NIGEL HARMAN for Shrek The Musical (West End, London)

7. JOHN LARROQUETTE for How To Succees in Business Without Really Trying (Broadway, New York)

8. STEVEN WEBB for Betwixt (West End, London)

9. MARK EVANS for Wicked (West End, London)

10. JAMES O'CONNELL for Crazy For You (Open Air, London)

FAVOURITE ACTRESSES IN A LEADING ROLE (musical)

2011-12-29T08:31:00.001+01:00

These actresses made roles, new and iconic, come to life with the sound of music.

1. NA-YOUNG JEON for Miss Saigon (Stage Entertainment, Utrecht)

2. SOPHIA KIELY for Matilda The Musical (Royal Shakespeare Company, London)

3. MONTEGO GLOVER for Memphis (Broadway, New York)

4. NIKKI DAVIS-JONES for Wicked (West End, London)

5. JENNY GAYNER for Chicago (West End, London)

6. LOUISE DEARMAN for Wicked (West End, London)

7. KIRSTY HOILES for Betty Blue Eyes (West End, London)

8. CLARE FOSTER for Crazy For You (Open Air, London)

9. CAISSIE LEVY for Ghost The Musical (West End, London)

10. REBECCA FAULKENBERRY for Rock of Ages (Broadway, New York)

FAVOURITE DIRECTORS (play)

2011-12-29T08:04:00.002+01:00

My favourite directors made old and new texts come alive in interesting theatrical ways, spaces of all sizes, with awesome acting, without fuss, and always in service of the playwright. All made theatregoing exciting, topical, illumniated the human condition, and (to me) the most exciting art form.

1. GEORGE C. WOLFE & JOEL GREY for The Normal Heart (Broadway, New York)

2. JAMIE LLOYD for The Faith Machine (Royal Court, London)

3. ROB ASHFORD for Anna Christie (Donmar Warehouse, London)

4. IAN RICKSON for The Children's Hour & Betrayal (West End, London)

5. MICHAEL GRANDAGE for King Lear & Richard II (Donmar Warehouse, London)

6. SIR NICHOLAS HYTNER for One Man, Two Guvnors & Collaborators (National Theatre, London)

7. THIBAUD DELPEUT for Blasted (Toneelschuur Producties, Utrecht)

8. ALIZE ZANDWIJK for Branden (RO Theater, Utrecht)

9. ERIK WHIEN for Till The Fat Lady Sings (Toneelgroep Oostpool, Arnhem)

10. DAVID LEVEAUX for Arcadia (Broadway, New York)

Runner-ups (in no particular order): Lindsay Posner (Noises Off), Kasper Kapteijn (Taxonomania), Michael Greif (The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures), Moises Kaufman (One Arm & Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Daniel Sullivan (Good People), Anna D. Shapiro (The Motherfucker With The Hat), Sir Trevor Nunn (Flare Path), Thea Sharrock (13) & Ad de Bont (Clyde en Bonnie).

FAVOURITE FEATURED ACTRESSES (musical)

2011-12-28T16:17:00.000+01:00

These actresses made the musicals this year shine so much brighter for me! Their ages range from the little wunderkind in "Wonderland" to veteran Ann Emery who appeared to have the energy of a 20-year-old in "Betty Blue Eyes".

1. ANN EMERY in Betty Blue Eyes (West End, London)

2. NIKKI M. JAMES in The Book of Mormon (Broadway, New York)

3. SHARON D. CLARKE in Ghost The Musical (West End, London)

4. TAMMY BLANCHARD in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Broadway, New York)

5. LAUREN WARD in Matilda The Musical (Royal Shakespeare Company, West End, London)

6. MEOW MEOW in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Kneehigh, West End, London)

7. MELANIE MARSHALL in Fela! (National Theatre, Amsterdam & London)

8. CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR in Wonderland (Broadway, New York)

9. ELLEN EVERS in The Wild Party (M-Lab, Utrecht)

10. LOUISE GOLD in Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory, London)

FAVOURITE FEATURED ACTORS (play)

2011-12-28T15:39:00.000+01:00

This was an extremely difficult category, because there were so many brilliant featured performances, from newcomers and veterans alike. Often the choice was between incredible fully realized humans versus amazing physical comic portraits. In the latter category some incredible caricatures of breathtaking physical comic feats, like those of Tom Edden and Jamie Glover, just did not make the top 10 list. But I do want to acknowledge their achievements and so I also added my runner-up list (in no particular order). All these actors were mesmerising and made me experience the range of human emotions. I will never forget their creations and impact on me.

1. JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY in The Normal Heart (Broadway, New York)

2. IAN MCDIARMID in The Faith Machine (Royal Court, London)

3. TOM RILEY in Arcadia (Broadway, New York)

4. YUL VAZQUEZ in The Motherfucker With The Hat (Broadway, New York)

5. ARIAN MOAYED in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Broadway, New York)

6. BILLY CRUDUP in Arcadia (Broadway, New York)

7. JOHNNY FLYNN in The Heretic (Royal Court, London)

8. MICHAEL ESPER in The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures (Public Theater, New York)

9. HARRY HADDEN-PATON in Flare Path (West End, London)

10. OLIVER CHRIS in One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre, London)

Runners-up: Steven Pasquale (The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures), Teun Luijkx (Polaroids), Lucian Msamati (The Comedy of Errors), Tom Edden (One Man, Two Guvnors), Daniel Rigby (One Man, Two Guvnors), Andrew Buchan (Richard II) & Jamie Glover (Noises Off).

FAVOURITE REVIVALS OF A PLAY

2011-12-28T13:30:00.000+01:00

Revival of plays sadly always outnumber new works. This year, however, I was stoked to see (for the first time) masterpieces by playwrights like Shakespeare, Larry Kramer, Tom Stoppard, Caryl Churchill, Sarah Kane and Michael Frayn. In case of “Anna Christie” it was an extraordinary production of a Eugene O’Neill that will never be my favourite. Pinter’s “Betrayal” I saw for the third time, but Ian Rickson’s detailed production made it the best one yet. Rickson also turned “The Children’s Hour” into a scorching theatrical experience. The same goes for Trevor Nunn’s production of Terrence Rattigan’s (2011 was his centenary) rarely staged “Flare Path”. He turned it into a slow burning, but ultimately deeply moving production. I feel so lucky that I had the chance to see so many great productions of these classic (and sometimes) forgotten plays.

1. THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer.

At the Golden Theatre in New York, directed by George C. Wolfe & Joel Grey.

2. ARCADIA by Tom Stoppard.

At the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York, directed by David Leveaux.

3. ANNA CHRISTIE by Eugene O'Neill.

At the Donmar Warehouse in London, directed by Rob Ashford.

4. BETRAYAL by Harold Pinter.

At the Comedy Theatre in London, directed by Ian Rickson.

5. TOP GIRLS by Caryl Churchill.

At Trafalgar Studios in London, directed by Max Stafford-Clark.

6. THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by Lillian Hellman.

At the Comedy Theatre in London, directed by Ian Rickson.

7. BLASTED by Sarah Kane.

At Theater Kikker in Utrecht, directed by Thibaud Delpeut.

8. NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn.

At the Old Vic in London, directed by Lindsay Posner.

9. KING LEAR* by William Shakespeare.

At the Donmar Warehouse in London, directed by Michael Grandage.

* = seen in the cinema via NTLive.

10. FLARE PATH by Terrence Rattigan.

At the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in London, directed by Sir Trevor Nunn.

FAVOURITE DIRECTORS (MUSICAL)

2011-12-28T12:46:00.001+01:00

These are my 2011 favourite directors (of a musical)! With great imagination and craftsmanship they brought old and especially new musicals to life!

1. TREY PARKER & CASEY NICHOLAW for The Book of Mormon (New York)

2. MARTIN MICHEL for Lelies (Antwerp)

3. MATTHEW WARCHUS for Matilda The Musical (London)

4. RUFUS NORRIS for London Road (London)

5. EMMA RICE for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (London)

6. JOHN DOYLE for Road Show (London)

7. TIMOTHY SHEADER for Crazy For You (London)

8. SIR RICHARD EYRE for Betty Blue Eyes (London)

9. MITCH SEBASTIAN for Pippin (London)

10. ROB ASHFORD for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (New York)

FAVOURITE REVIVALS OF A MUSICAL

2011-12-28T04:15:00.001+01:00

I was pleasantly surprised to conclude that I saw much more new musicals in 2011 than revivals. A rarity! Of the revivals I did see these were my absolute favourites! My list includes two of the most hated musicals (by British critics) of the year: "Umbrellas" and "Pippin".

1. THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG at the Gielgud Theatre in London

2. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York

3. CRAZY FOR YOU at the Open Air Theatre Regent's Park in London

4. PIPPIN at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London

FAVOURITE ENSEMBLES (musical)

2011-12-27T10:53:00.000+01:00

A top notch ensemble can lift a play/musical into the stratosphere. These ensembles turned my theatregoing in 2011 into unforgettable, overpowering experiences that will be treasured forever. It is no accident that English ensembles, and in particular those of the National Theatre, are in the majority on my list b.t.w. In my experience they have the best ensemble acting in the world.

1. THE BOOK OF MORMON (New York)

Ensemble included: Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad, Rory O'Malley, Nikki M. James, Michael Potts, Lewis Cleale, Brian Tyree Henrey, Scott Barnhardt, Justin Bohon, Darlesia Cearcy, Kevin Duda, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Clark Johnsen, John Eric Parker, Benjamin Schrader, Michael James Scott, Brian Sears, Jason Michael Snow, Lawrence Stallings, Rema Webb, Maia Nkenge Wilson, Tommar Wilson a.o.

2. LONDON ROAD (London, National Theatre)

Ensemble included: Kate Fleetwood, Claire Moore, Paul Thornley, Michael Schaeffer, Rosalie Craig, Nicola Sloane, Clare Burt, Hal Fowler, Howard Ward, Nick Holder, Duncan Wisbey.

3. MATILDA THE MUSICAL (London, Royal Shakespeare Company)

Ensemble included: Bertie Carvel, Sophia Kiely, Lauren Ward, Paul Kaye, Josie Walker, Peter Howe, Melanie La Barrie, Matthew Malthouse, Tim Walton, Gary Watson, Alistair Parker, Emily Shaw, Ted wilson, Jake Bailey, Oonagh Cox a.o.

4. THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (London, Kneehigh)

Ensemble included: Joanna Riding, Andrew Durand, Carly Bawden, Meow Meow, Matt Wilman, Gareth Charlton, Aki Omoshaybi, Dominic Marsh, Cynthia Erivo, Chris Jenkins a.o.

5. CRAZY FOR YOU (London, Open Air Theatre)

Ensemble included: Sean Palmer, Clare Foster, Michael McKell, David Burt, James O'Connell, Stephen Whitson, Joshua Lacey, Samuel Holmes, Harriet Thorpe, Kim Metcalf, Rachel Stanley, Sidney Livingstone, Richard Jones, Carl Sanderson a.o.

6. LELIES (Antwerp)

Ensemble included: Matthew Michel, Ara Halici, Hans Peter Janssens, Door van Boeckel, Timo Descamps, Leendert de Vis, Christian Celini, Sebastien de Smet, Laurenz Hoorelbeke.

7. FELA! (London, National Theatre)

Ensemble included: Sahr Ngaujah, Melanie Marshall, Paulette Ivory, Ryan H. Rankine, Gelan Lambert, Ismael Kouyate, Jacqui Dubois, Jermaine Rowe, Thierry Picaut, Cindy Belliot, Talu Green, Nicole Chantal, Iris Wilson, Justin Prescott a.o.

8. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (New York)

Ensemble included: Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, Rose Hemingway, Tammy Blanchard, Christopher J. Hanke, Michael Park, Nick Mayo, Joey Sorge, Ellen Harvey, Charlie Williams, David Hull, Mary Faber, Rob Bartlett, Cameron Adams, Justin Keys, Marty Lawson, Barrett Martin, Megan Sikora a.o.

9. BETTY BLUE EYES (London)

Ensemble included: Reece Shearsmith, Kirsty Hoiles, Ann Emery, Adrian Scarborough, Christopher Howell, Jack Edwards, Mark Meadows, Howard Jones, Neil Ditt, Rachel Archer, Andy Mace, Claire Machin, Laura Medforth a.o.

10. LUCKY GUY (New York)

Ensemble included: Kyle Dean Massey, Leslie Jordan, Jim Newman, Varla Jean Merman, Joshua Woodie, Callan Bergmann, Wes Hart, Xavier Cano, Jen Colella, Savannah Wise.

FAVOURITE ENSEMBLES (play)

2011-12-26T12:10:00.002+01:00

FAVOURITE ENSEMBLES (play)

1. THE NORMAL HEART (New York)

Ensemble included: Joe Mantello, Ellen Barkin, Lee Pace, John Benjamin Hickey, Jim Parsons, Mark Harelik, Patrick Breen, Luke MacFarlane, Richard Topol, Wayne Alan Wilcox.

2. THE FAITH MACHINE (London, Royal Court)

Ensemble included: Kyle Soller, Hayley Atwell, Ian McDiarmid, Bronagh Gallagher, Jude Akuwudike, Alan Westaway, Maya Wasowicz, Kesrena James.

3. NOISES OFF (London)

Ensemble included: Celia Imrie, Janie Dee, Jamie Glover, Robert Glenister, Amy Nuttall, Paul Ready, Jonathan Coy, Karl Johnson, Aisling Loftus.

4. FLARE PATH (London)

Ensemble included: Sienna Miller, James Purefoy, Sheridan Smith, Harry Hadden-Paton, Joe Armstrong, Sarah Crowden, Mark Dexter, Emma Handy, Matthew Tennyson, Clive Wood a.o.

5. THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES (New York, Public Theater)

Ensemble included: Stephen Spinella, Michael Cristofer, Linda Emond, Steven Pasquale, Michael Esper, Brenda Wehle, K. Todd Freeman, Hetienne Park, Danielle Skraastad, Molly Price, Matt Servitto.

6. ARCADIA (New York)

Ensemble included: Billy Crudup, Lia Williams, Tom Riley, Margaret Colin, Bel Powley, Glenn Fleshler, Grace Gummer, Noah Robbins, Byron Jennings, David Turner.

7. TOP GIRLS (London)

Ensemble included: Suranne Jones, Catherine McCormack, Lucy Briers, Laura Elphinstone, Stelle Gonet, Lisa Kerr, Olivia Poulet.

8. ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS (London, National Theatre)

Ensemble included: James Corden, Oliver Chris, Daniel Rigby, Jemima Rooper, Suze Toase, Tom Edden, Trevor Laird, Fred Ridgeway, Claire Lams, Martyn Ellis, David Benson, The Craze.

9. 13 (London, National Theatre)

Ensemble included: Trystan Gravelle, Geraldine James, Adam James, Danny Webb, Genevieve O'Reilly, Helen Ryan, Matthew Barker, Nick Sidi, David Ghadami, Kristy Bushell, Lara Rossi, Nick Blakeley, Katie Brayben, Shabe Zaza, Zara Tempest-Walters a.o.

10. STAAL (Amsterdam, Toneelgroep Max.)

Ensemble included: Jurrien Remkes, Jeroen van Venrooij, Jose Montoya, Joel Mellenberg, Romano Haynes, Tibor Lukacs, Abdelkarim el Baz.

MY TURKEYS OF THE YEAR

2011-12-26T10:58:00.000+01:00

These are the productions that committed the biggest stage sin of all this year: they bored me to death. Among them is the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Its travails, including injuries, an amazing 75 million dollar budget, 6 delayed premieres, a record setting 183 previews (at full price), and sacking of its high profile Tony-winning director Julie Taymor, turned it into the most publicized theatre story across the globe.

These media stories were, however, much more entertaining than the show itself. I saw it on the first opening day after it had closed, Ms Taymor had been sacked, and revision were made by a new creative team. The show stupified me by its ineptness and awfulness. The flying sequences had absolutely no effect on me (watching Mary Poppins fly had more impact), the choreography was embarassing, and the music an assault on the ears. The night after this performance I saw Tom Stoppard's Arcadia on Broadway and found it to be much more stimulating and exciting than any moment in this crap commercial tourist trap.

1. HET PORTRET VAN DORIAN GRAY by Artemis

2. MENEER VAN OOYEN by Tg Carver/Oostpool

3. BLIND VERTROUWEN by Rick Engelkes Producties (REP)

4. THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by Barbican Centre/Holland Festival

5. SPIDER-MAN: TURNN OFF THE DARK by Julie Taymor, Bono & The Edge

FAVOURITE CHOREOGRAPHERS (MUSICAL) 2011

2011-12-24T11:43:00.000+01:00

Yep, it’s that time of year when all the ‘end-of-year-lists’ appear. Personally I love them. I've even made several myself, which I will be publish here during the next few days. Like a proper nerd I loved compiling these lists, but it was no easy task. In 2011 I saw 115 productions (plays, musicals, dance etc.) all over Holland, and in Antwerp, London and New York. Although the economy is still ailing I encountered loads of excellent productions and full houses. Of course there were casualties, but these occur in prosperous times as well. Over all 2011 was a very good theatre year, as my lists will attest to. Here are the masters who made the musicals dance in 2011! They are my favourite choreographers of the year!

1. STEPHEN MEAR for Betty Blue Eyes & Crazy For You in London.

2. PETER DARLING for Matilda The Musical in London.

3. BILL T. JONES for Fela! in London and Amsterdam.

4. ROB ASHFORD for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in New York.

5. CASEY NICHOLAW for The Book of Mormon in New York.

6. JERRY MITCHELL for Catch Me If You Can in New York.

7. MITCH SEBASTIAN & BOB FOSSE for Pippin in London.

8. EMMA RICE for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in London.

9. CAROLIEN CANTERS for The Wild Party (Dutch National Tour).

10. GERALD VAN WINDT for Daddy Cool (Dutch National Tour).

FAVOURITE DANCE PRODUCTIONS 2011

2011-12-23T15:44:00.010+01:00

1. CHERKAOUI by het Nationale Ballet; Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui; Music by Szymon Brzoska. At the Muziektheater in Amsterdam on June 19, 2011. Dancers: Nadia Yanowsky, Erica Horwood, Claire Lonchampt, Jurgita Dronina, Seh Yun Kim, Aya Okumura, Steven Etienne, Koen Havenith, Peter Leung, Bastiaan Stoop, Ryan Ocampo, Bruno da Rocha Pereira a.o.

This piece was Cherkaoui's debut at het Nationale Ballet and a world premiere for the Holland Festival. The abstract, hypnotic beauty of Cherkaoui's choreography moved me to tears. Even though the modern dance movements did not come naturally to the classically trained ballet dancers they performed it to exquisite perfection.

2. NE ME QUITTE PAS; Choreography by Isabelle Beernaert; Music by Various Artists. At Nieuwe Luxor in Rotterdam on December 21, 2011. Dancers: Anna-Alicia Sklias, Juvat Westendorp, Gianni Grot, Timo Muller, Angelo Pardo, Annemarie Suijkerbuik, Hettie Leroy, Manon Beernaert, Patrick Soediono Kariowijojo, Giorgio Valentino Costa a.o.

A gorgeous modern dance piece that portrayed a doomed love story, which ends in suicide. Big emotions and heartache danced to perfection by this year's incredible So You Think You Can Dance finalists: Anna-Alicia Sklias and Juvat Westendorp. They were the perfect vehicles to dance Beernaert's tortured and sensual choreography: fearless and emotionally naked. The music was an eclectic mix ranging from Bach, Beethoven, The Beatles, Brel, Piaf to Damien Rice and Adele. An added bonus is that this piece is introducing a whole new audience to the power of modern dance thanks to the popularity of SYTYCD.

3. CINDERELLA by New Adventures; Choreography by Matthew Bourne; Music by Serge Prokofiev. At Carre in Amsterdam on March 30, 2011. Dancers: Noi Tolmer, Sam Archer, Christopher Marney, Michela Meazza, Neil Westmoreland, Shaun Walters, Adam Maskell, Katy Lowenhoff, Daniel Collins, Sophia Hurdley a.o.

Matthew Bourne's imaginative retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale - set during the London blitz - made for a spectacular night of narrative dance. Not in the least because of Lez Brotherstons's incredible design. As ever Bourne's dancers proved themselves to be not only awesome dancers, but also incredible actors. No wonder so many of his stars (Adam Cooper, Will Kemp, Richard Winsor) are able to cross over to films, plays and musicals.

4. BEE SWING by Scapino Ballet; Choreography by Ed Wubbe; Music by Bach. At the Stadsschouwburg in Rotterdam on October 11, 2011. Dancers: Besimo Hoti & Annemarie Labinjo.

The only new piece in Scapino's Kathleen+ program this was an absolutely mesmerising fusion between modern dance and hiphop. Besim Hoti's astounding performance in it made him one of my dancers of the year.

5. NUTCRACKER! by New Adventures; Choreography by Matthew Bourne; Music by P.I. Tchaikovsky. At Sadler's Wells in London on December 12, 2011. Dancers: Adam Maskell, Ashley Shaw, Katy Lowenhoff, Etta Murfitt, Dominic North, Alaistair Postlethwaite, Edwin Ray, Luke Murphy, Daniel Wright, Liam Mower a.o.

Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! is a sweet, transporting reimagining of the classic ballet that takes the story from a bleak English orphanage to colourful Sweetie-land and back. Bourne's cheeky humour really comes to the fore and after much suffering orphan Clara does get her Nutcracker (a dreamy Adam Maskell) in the end. An absolute holiday treat that serves up lots of candy and even has snow and ice skating!

6. ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by the Royal Ballet; Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon; Story by Nicholas Wright; Music by Joby Talbot. At the Royal Opera House in London on March 1, 2011. Dancers: Lauren Cuthbertson, Sergei Polunin, Edward Watson, Zenaida Yanowsky, Eric Underwood, Simon Russell Beale a.o.

Christopher Wheeldon made a huge comback after the failing of his company and gave the ballet world a huge spectacle in which Lewis Carroll's quirky characters magically came to dance. Joby Talbot's enchanting score was everything one could wish for and then some and the designs by Bob Crowley (lit by the brilliant Natasha Katz) were out of this world. Lauren Cuthbertson was the ideal Alice and she was surrounded by the awesome principals of the Royal Ballet, who made iconic characters like the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts move with awesome skill!

7. MONTEVERDISH by ISH & VocaalLAB; Choreography by Marco Gerris; Music by Monteverdi, Perquisite & DJ Irie. At the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam on November 7, 2011. Cast: Laura Bohn, Nienke Otten, Harm Huson, Marijn Zwisterlood, Shailesh Bahoran, Carl Refos, Robert Thomas Villedieu, Jeffrey Duivestein, Thomas Krikken.

Another exciting fusion, this time between hihop dance and opera. Never mind that the story of the opera gets a wee bit lost in the mix. It is the exciting mix of an old and new art form that made for fireworks on stage.

8. BARE SOUNDZ; Choreography by Savion Glover. At the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on April 16, 2011. Dancers: Savion Glover, Keitaro Hosokawa, Marshall Davis Jr.

Kudos to the Utrecht based Springdance Festival for bringing tap dance master Savion Glover and his fab proteges to Holland. It was an evening of tap in its most pure and electrifying form. Tony-winner Glover (who gave Mumbles his moves in Happy Feet) amply demonstrated why he is the greatest living tap dancer in the world.

9. GEKKEBEKKEN by Introdans Ensemble voor de Jeugd; Choreography by Robert Battle, Paul Lightfoot, Sol Leon, Cayetano Soto, Marguerite Donlon, Didy Veldman; Music by Various Artists. At the Schouwburg in Arnhem on October 29, 2011. Dancers: Aymeric Aude, Mathieu Di Scala, Jurrien Schobben, Mirko Campigotto, Alexis Geddes, Alberto Villanueva, Merel Janssen, Karin Lambrechtse, Elena Pampoulova, Vivian Sauerbreij, Jamy Schinkelshoek.

A joyous program of various choreographies that had a crazy childlike dynamism in common. It brought the sun out on stage and put a smile of everyone's face.

10. THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING Choreography by Javier De Frutos; Story by Matthew Dunster; Music by the Petshop Boys. At Sadler's Wells in London on March 19, 2011. Dancers: Aaron Sillis, Ivan Putrov, Clemmie Sveaas, Michael Camp, Alastair Postelthwaite, Cameron McMillan a.o.

Hans Christian Anderson's story got a bit muddled in Javier de Frutos' take on it, but it had a fab score by the Pet Shop Boys and three exciting principals, including Ivan Putrov of the Royal Ballet. It was also a huge box office success and will return to Sadler's Wells this year.

Escape and Confrontation on the London Stage

2011-12-21T10:20:00.002+01:00

So many shows, so little time. That is a recurring luxury problem for a theatre freak like me when visiting London. My recent trip to the theatre capitol of the world was no exception. I saw 12 productions in 8 days, ‘and still could beg for more’ (to quote Lerner & Loewe’s “My Fair Lady”). Here is an impression of those wonderful days in the dark.

Vanessa Redgrave & James Earl Jones

reprising their Broadway roles in "Driving Miss Daisy"

Not only were there productions by extraordinary directors like Sir Nicholas Hytner, Michael Grandage, Matthew Warchus, Matthew Bourne and Jeremy Herrin, but they were also graced by acting legends like Vanessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones, Simon Russell Beale, and a new generation of stars like Eddie Redmayne and James Corden. Common threads running through these new productions are drag (it is the panto season after all), farce, and a focus on a spiritual and idealistically dead British society. One that gave birth to an economic crises and riots in August, which set London ablaze. The London stages not only supply world-class escape, but also tackle current problems in highly entertaining form.

New experimental production of Stephen Schwartz's "Pippin"

at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Musical visits were few. I returned to Chicago, one of my all time favourite shows, for the upteenth time. Mainly to see Ugly Betty star American Ferrera play Roxie Hart. Turns out, however, Ms Ferrera was a no show. My disappointment, however, disappeared as soon as the awesome opening number ‘All That Jazz’ started. Chicago remains topical, brilliantly written, staged and performed by an outstanding company.

Matilda is the new musical girl in town and she is quite the sensation with critics and audiences alike. This delightful Royal Shakespeare Company production is based on Roald Dahl’s story and will put bums on seats for many years to come. The night I saw it the house was at full capacity and completely enchanted. The show has in Bertie Carvel’s (in drag) creation of butch and mean Agatha Trunchbull one of the funniest stage performances of the year. Good stuff!

I also saw a radical interpretation of Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin, a show I had never seen before, at the distinguished Menier Chocolate Factory (La Cage Aux Folles, Sunday in the Park with George). It is staged inside a video game (incredible design by Timothy Bird) and received some of the worst reviews of the year. I, on the other hand, actually liked it. It was an exciting experiment that worked for and spoke to me (more in the first than second act) and was performed by an incredible company that included Olivier Award-nominee Matt Rawle and Tony Award-winner Frances Ruffelle (the original Eponine from Les Miserables).

James Corden gives a comic tour de force in

"One Man Two Guvnors"

One of my favourite theatre’s in the world is the National Theatre (with its three stages), which has bloomed under the artistic leadership of Sir Nicholas Hytner. In the West End I finally saw its monster comic hit One Man Two Guvnors by Richard Bean, which stars James Corden (The History Boys). Corden gives nothing short of a comic tour de force in the role of an ever-hungry servant. It had me in stitches and the masterful first act finale, in which Corden farcically serves dinner to his two masters is one of my comic highlights of the year. At the NT itself there were also lots of laughs to be had at Dominick Cooke’s multi cultural production of The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare’s most farcical play. It stars comic Lenny Henry, who only recently made his Shakespeare debut playing Othello. Clearly London audiences are currently craving a comic catharsis.

Mike Bartlett's epic "13" at the National Theatre

At the NT I also saw two more serious new plays: 13 by Mike Bartlett (Cock, Earthquakes in London), an epic play about an England searching for the meaning of life, and Collaborators by John Hodge (Trainspotting) about Russian playwright Bugalkov (The White Guard) receiving the assignment from Stalin (fantastically performed by Simon Russell Beale) to write a play celebrating his life. Both received exemplary productions and were performed by supreme companies.

At the NT I also attended its annual Theatre Quiz in which the English actors of 13 battled it out against the Irish actors of Juno and the Paycock. The quiz was expertly presented by Emma Freud who was hilariously assisted by Lenny Henry, who kept score in his own schizo way. This was my second time at the Theatre Quiz and it is always good fun. The audience gets to participate as well and the teams got rowdy support from their company members in the dress circle. The teams were not above bribing Ms Freud, which in some instances worked. In the end the Irish company was triumphant, mainly thanks to the eager and knowledgeable young actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

Eddie Redmayne in Michael Grandage's farewell

production at the Donmar Warehouse: "Richard II"

Michael Grandage is one of my heroes and as artististic director of the intimate Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden he has raised the theatre’s profile to exceptional heights. Now Grandage is leaving his post after 9 years (Sam Mendes was responsible for the first 10) to form his own company and work as a freelance director (his first job will be reviving his Evita for Broadway with Elena Roger and Ricky Martin). I was fortunate to meet Grandage after a performance of his Madame de Sade with Dame Judi Dench and Rosemund Pike and got to tell him, with great enthusiasm, how much I admired his work. His 'style' is minimal, clean, clear, fast, always in service of the playwright, and his actors are always at the top of their game. I saw his first production as A.D. of the Donmar (The Vortex with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Francesca Annis) and I just had to see his last one, which is Richard II with Eddie Redmayne. I was unfamiliar with the Shakespeare play and Grandage made it an exciting discovery. As it was sold out I could only get standing room tickets, which I had to qeue for early in the chilly winter morning. It was definitely worth it, though.

I also got to watch stage legends Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones at work in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry. I was told when buying my ticket that Redgrave might be a no show, but I took the chance, and luckily the legend was on and in fantastic form. Redgrave and Jones were very funny, touching and (needless to say) have incredible stage presence. Both legends recently received Lifetime Achievement Oscars, but they truly belong on stage. It was a privilege and delight to watch these supreme stage beings doing their thing.

"Haunted Child" at the Royal Court

Dominick Cooke has turned the Royal Court into the place to be for exciting new British plays. The Court also has the best seats in town (for a decent price). I always make a point of visiting the Court, because there is always something interesting running. This time it was Joe Penhall’s Haunted Child starring the great Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and Ben Daniels. Although I was constantly involved with the goings-on the play did not completely work for me. The title and staging suggested a supernatural story, but this is not the direction the story ultimately takes.

Farcical masterpiece "Noises Off" at the Old Vic

I always wanted to see Michael Frayne’s farcical masterpiece Noises Off - about a theatrical troupe whose rehearsal and performance of a farce goes haywire - but never had the chance. I love Peter Bogdanovich’s (ignored) movie adaptation (with Carol Burnett, Michael Caine & Christopher Reeve) and when I learned it was to be the Christmas show at Kevin Spacey’s run Old Vic I just had to see it. Lindsay Posner’s production delivered on all my expectations and then some. The entire Old Vic was alive with waves of laughter that kept on coming until the looney finale. Celia Imrie and Janie Dee led a pitch perfect company, who proof that farce really can be an art.

Matthew Bourne's wonderful new interpretation of the "Nutcracker!"

My theatre marathon came to a delightful end at Sadler's Wells where I saw the return of Matthew Bourne’s “Nutcracker!” (20th anniversary). I had seen it once before and liked its sweetness and humour. This time, however, I enjoyed it even more. The journey from an English orphanage to Sweetie-land and back is theatrical magic and the love story transporting. The production also has in gorgeous Adam Maskell a nutcracker to die for and in Ashley Shaw a delicious femme fatale. It was a festive farewell to the theatre city I am so mad about.

Alex Jennings & Simon Russell Beale in "Collaborators" at the National Theatre

There have been a few theatre casualties of the economic crises lately, e.g. Betty Blue Eyes, but on the whole theatre in London still seems to be thriving. Not in the least because of the subsidised sector. I encountered many a full house and adventurous programming. But as the economic malaise continues and arts cuts by the conservative government take hold it remains to be seen if London’s so called theatrical ‘golden age’ will continue its reign. Needless to say I fervently hope so...