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Soul Sister – theatre review
With no big names or celebrity performers, the real draw of Soul Sister at the Savoy Theatre is its telling of the Ike and Turner story against the backdrop of her legendary and extremely stageworthy songs.
Starring Emi Wokoma and Chris Tummings in the lead roles, the production which transferred from Hackney Empire, has a lot going for it.
A talented cast, the singing was top class, but with songs like Private Dancer, Simply the Best and River Deep, Mountain High hitting the audience hard and fast, a slight lack of development in the script meant the play was in danger of becoming a Tina Turner tribute concert.
Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but myself and my friend who joined me on the night, would have loved to have seen some further – and deeper – development in the script.
Wokoma who works hard to take on the characteristics of Tina, while still managing to make the songs her own, is undoubtedly the star of the show and ultimately keeps it from being the feared tribute concert. She’s definitely one to look out for in the future.
Soul Sister is at the Savoy Theatre until September 29, before touring the UK.
Media Mummy rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Looking For a Panto Treat? – Head to Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire pantos are renowned for being one of the best on offer each year. ‘Oh, no they’re not’ – Oh yes they most definitely are!
And while taking my two (nearly three!) year old daughter to her first pantomime, I couldn’t have wished for a better introduction to the theatre.
This year the east London theatre welcomed Joanna Riding to star in Dick Whittington and his Cat. The show was full of laughs, especially with Steve Elias in the role of the panto dame and Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzgerald – they were the perfect comedy duo – and while my daughter definitely did not warm to the King Rat played by Kat B, he was also hilarious; playing up to the audience’s boos and hisses.
I must admit, even I was scared when a giant gorilla/king kong type character clambered on stage using some sort of puppetry/stilt walkers inside (although I still haven’t quite got my head round how they did that!), but my little one took it fairly well and didn’t bat an eyelid.
Vocally it was Dick Whittington’s love interest Alexia Khadime who stole the show alongside Elias who could more than hold a note or two.
All in all a great show and what better excuse to support your local theatre? Go check it out.
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
The Media Mummy
Being a working mum is not easy – I’m sure you’ve heard it all before – and being a working mum in the media is just as hard.
The idea behind this blog is not to complain about working in the world of showbiz/entertainment journalism, while finding time to be the perfect mother to my two year old daughter, but to give myself an outlet to write about all the things I’m currently concerned with – namely celebrities, childcare costs and the joys of potty training. So expect to hear about everything from fashion, beauty and showbiz, to celebrity parents and child-friendly days out and products….
Spread the Love – not Covid – with the 2020 Charity Gifting Appeal
2020 is definitely the year which made us realise how important it is to think of others and those less well off.
While many of us now have the choice to spend Christmas with our loved ones, feasting on turkey and opening multiple gifts around the tree – many people will not have that option.
And so it was great to hear that leading gift retailer Thumbs Up has partnered with Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Salvation Army to create the 2020 Charity Gifting Appeal and donate a massive 2,000 presents to those who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.
To help them carry out their target Thumbs Up are asking people to contribute just £5 for postage and packaging.
The donation will see each individual receive a package full of presents worth £30.
You read that right people! All they’re asking is for £5 towards postage and packaging!
Times are hard, but if you feel you can help please visit thumbsup.com to choose from four different packs (Teen Girls 12-17, Teen Boys 12-17, Male or Female 18+).
Spread the love this Christmas (not Covid!).