Teddy

Bill and Lawrie are kicking themselves. They've been so busy working on This Is Elvis, they've taken their eyes of the ball.

Did this play the Southwark Playhouse about 3 years ago?

Agreed.

Really enjoyed this yesterday at The Lowry.

Effervescent, relentlessly compelling lead performances from George Parker as Teddy and Molly Chesworth as Josie drive the narrative forward, supported by an awesome, charismatic live band comprising Dylan Wood, Freya Parks, Andrew Gallow and Harrison White. 

There's shades of Once, with the band staging a jamming session before the show and bookending the second act with mini sets of original music that suited the era perfectly, none more so than Ready Teddy, Shake Rattle N' Rail, and Heartache Express. The energy and alchemy of all on stage made this half gig and half a whirlwind of a play. It's certainly not your typical, traditional musical.

I actually found myself captivated by the beautiful poetic style of lyrical writing, done full justice by the two central performers who were a tour-de-force inhabiting a range of characters beyond just Teddy and Josie, always with a tangible chemistry between them. The story builds effectively, with darker moments of real tension. Then, just when the plot seems to have evaporated into nothing, there's a final denouement that delivers a satisfying, unsettling conclusion. 

Overall, I thought the production does a great job of bringing the teen movement of the Teds to life. The production is certainly a grittier representation of an exciting, iconic era than the fluffy Dreamboats and Petticoats but still delivers an energetic slice of rock n roll heaven. Well worth catching during its (now extended) run at The Vaults or elsewhere on its UK tour. The music from the show has also been released on CD and Spotify, Google Play, Apple Music etc, under the band name Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts.

4 stars.

If this is the same production that was at the Southwark Playhouse I'd say give it a go. I went not expecting much and remember thinking it was really good. Especially the lead girl who's name I can't remember. Sorry. Maybe it was also because it was set locally and so I go all the references to long gone E&C landmarks. Be interesting now to see what everyone out of Newington and Walworth thinks and whether it can travel.

I'm seeing it in a couple of weeks on a special offer through Travelzoo (so it's obviously not selling well). As it's only cost £27 for two tickets, I can't complain really.

I'm seeing this tomorrow at the Vaults. Anyone else seen it? Same writer and director as Boudica which is why I booked, but don't really know much about it.

Has anyone seen this? I'll be seeing this next Sunday, as (aparrently) it's the only show possible to see before my flight home (besides The Lion King, in which I'm not interested). I have no idea what to expect, as there is little information about it online. Well, it's only 12 pounds, and a bad show is still better than hanging aroung London senselessly.