Simply Heaven transferred from the Young Vic to the West End, where it opened to mostly positive reviews on October 25. The musical centers on Simple, who is leading a very complicated life. With a wife awaiting an expensive divorce, a girlfriend awaiting an engagement ring and a weakness for the local goodtime girl, things could certainly be less troublesome. And when faced with choosing between temptation and responsibility, he doesn't always pick the right path. Celebrating the soul of 1950s Harlem, the show features music by David Martin and book and lyrics by Langston Hughes.
Losing Louis is currently running at the Hampstead Theatre, where it closes on February 19. The play explores secrets that refuse to remain buried and erupt as family members are brought together after years of separation--to work it out in the bedroom--the place where all the confusion began. Directed by Robin Lefèvre, the show stars Lynda Bellingham, Anita Briem, Emma Cunniffe, Jason Durr, David Horovitch, Brian Protheroe and Alison Steadman. The entire Hampstead cast will be reprising their roles at Trafalgar.