After You Review: Tonight at the London Coliseum

Credit: https://www.stream.theatre/home

For the second week in a row, I am watching a brand new musical that has the word "After" in the title somewhere! Next week there'll be a parody musical coming up called "After Covid" or something..... 

During the past few weeks, the London Coliseum have been airing a series of concerts from popular musical theatre talents, including Sharon D Clarke (Caroline or Change), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Heathers) and Cassidy Janson (Chess), with more from Kerry Ellis (Wonderland), Ramin Karimloo and Sharon Sexton and Rob Fowler to come. But slap bang in the middle of the line up is a change of pace - a whole, short two-actor new British musical. 

Written by Katie Lam and well known MD Alex Parker, After You follows two people who meet by chance on a cruise ship. She is an American lawyer taking some time out; he is a British singer on the ship who puts on an American accent to attract girls. From that one meeting, they form a connection: but can they make it work?

The shows stars two of my personal favourites: Bradley Jaden (Les Mis, Wicked) and Alexia Khadime (most recently seen in The Prince of Egypt). They have some of the finest and most distinct voices out of many people in the West End; hearing them sing this music was a joy, and their performances were so believable and heartfelt.

Speaking of the music, it is stunning to listen to. Plus Lam's lyrics and book were witty and clever. I particularly loved the scene when Jaden's character was trying to explain British slang. It brought back memories of when I was trying to teach Aussies I met abroad last year the exact same thing. 

But then it throws a huge curveball and your heart somehow ends up jumping ship (no pun intended). No spoilers, but if you watch it, you'll know when and what I am talking about. 

This may only be a brief review, but because it is a short piece and it is brand new, I don't want to spoil anything. Plus I encourage you to get tickets for the 7.30 performance tonight (3rd October). If you're reading this afterwards, then join me in pestering Parker into making this show have a post-Ms Rona run; where they can play to a full auditorium instead of an empty one. Because like Before/After, it deserves it! 

To get tickets for tonight's performance, click here: https://www.stream.theatre/home