Warning: I'm about to go on about theatre for a bit. Could get boring.
My background is, in part, in theatre. During much of my adult life I've acted or written (or acted and written) even making my living at it at times -- not a small thing. London, for me, is the world capital of theatre. I've lived in New York, I've seen my share of shows there, and for me there is simply no comparison. New York may be tops for certain kinds of fare -- musicals; big, brassy SHOW BIZ type do's -- but that's not generally the kind of stuff that interests me. Not that one is better or worse than another, just that generally, as with most folks, some kinds of shows interest me and others don't. That's life -- I'm sure the producers of Cats won't lose any sleep over my lack of interest in their product.
The best theatre I've ever seen has been in London, often at the Royal National Theatre. King Lear with Anthony Hopkins (a spare production with a minimalist look, directed by David Hare); a beautiful production of Shakespeare's John II with Fiona Shaw as the young King John; Wild Oats, one of the most freewheeling productions of a comedy I've ever had the pleasure of chortling my way through; a lovely, popular production of The American Clock by Arthur Miller -- back in the 1980s, during a period when American critics were pooping all over Miller's later work.
During this last jaunt to London I went to six shows. (Well, five, but twice to one of them.) The standouts: A Winter's Tale at the National -- an odd bit of Shakespeare that the National did in modern dress and settings -- the first act essentially done as Greek tragedy, the second essentially done as Hair. It not only hung together, it was a hoot. With great ensemble work.
The show I did twice: The Relapse, a restoration-style comedy. And a peak experience, as it turned out. As with A Winter's Tale, a sizeable cast and top-notch ensemble work. Hugely funny performances by Edward Petherbridge and Brian Blessed (the man with the largest mouth/most teeth on Earth), and a genuine star turn by Alex Jennings in the role of Lord Foppington. So funny, this show, and the actors so into it that a lot of the time when I wasn't actually hooting or guffawing, I found myself giggling helplessly.
Who is this Alex Jennings guy? Never heard of him before this last trip. Whoever he is, whatever he's been up to, he's a serious talent.