The Red Lion...

Last night Roger and I went to see The Red Lion at the Dorfman Theatre on London's glitzy South Bank.

The roar of the crowd, the passion, the glory, the smell of the dank locker-room, the testosterone, the aggression, the corruption, the secrets, the back-room deals - and that was just in the theatre foyer (boom, boom.)

Patrick Marber's three-hander The Red Lion tells the story of small-time semi-professional grass-roots non-league football club, its staff and players. The arrival of a new young player (Calvin Demba) brings out the best and the worst in everyone - not least the wheeler-dealer manager (Daniel Mays) and long serving kit man (Peter Wight).

The locker room is lovingly realised by Anthony Ward, Patrick Marber's script is electric and Ian Rickson's production shines.

Recommended.

Here Lies Love...

What's that you say? A musical about Imelda Marcos? A DISCO musical about Imelda Marcos? A disco musical about Imelda Marcos written by David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim at The National Theatre's new Dorfman Theatre? Set in a Studio 54 style night club? With flashing lights, a giant disco-ball, non-stop dancing, podia that twirl and slide and glide across the auditorium and banging tunes that stick in your head like earworms? We were so there.

Who cares if there is no reference to her shoes? Who cares if politics takes a bit of a back seat? The audience were clapping, singing, and dancing along. Well, we simply loved it. 

Sadly it's sold out for the rest of it's three month run so let's hope for a West End transfer.