Abi at the Theatre

  When: 10th October (Matinee) Where: Piccadilly Theatre, London Writer: John Logan Director: Alex Timbers Moulin Rouge is one of my favourite films, and whilst I was excited to see it transferred onto the stage there was also a lot at stake. Adapting a fan-favourite can come with a lot of backlash, and while yes, there are changes in this production that I found confusing and frustrating, overall I really enjoyed watching it.  I think the biggest way in which this production of Moulin Rouge gets around backlash and anger from movie lovers is through the ways that it harnesses the techniques of theatre that are not present in film. It allows audiences to experience the story in a new way and makes it feel less like its trying to recreate and more like its trying to build on what the film started. It proves this in a number of ways but most notably through its use of immersive experience. From the moment you step into the theatre you can tell that this is about the experien...

  When: 5th October (Matinee) Where: The Old Vic, London Writer: Tom Stoppard Director: Max Webster Immediately after leaving the theatre I thought this was a good solid play, but nothing much of note. Yet, a day later thinking back on it there's something interesting in the artistry of this production. It's a beautifully crafted play written by Tom Stoppard and I think this specific production brings that effortlessly into the contemporary through its use of set and the included characters of the stagehands.  The play itself written by Tom Stoppard is the beating heart of this play. Whilst that could be said for most productions as it's the story and the words that bring something to the stage in the first place, more so than many the actors are simply hanging off the text, it is the craft of the play and the precision of Stoppard's story that make this play something worth watching. Initially it didn't fully engage me, I found it a little confusing and whilst I...