The Press on When Midnight Strikes
Time Out Critics' Choice
**** Four Stars, Time Out, Evening Standard and Music OmH
“I am happy to say that a West End worthy show is now on at the Finborough, a snip at £13 a ticket.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
"This is a neat, sweet product, perfectly plausible for a run at a…West End venue"
Rogues & Vagabonds
“Rancorously diverting…Fenton Gray’s stylish production.”
Robert Shore, Time Out
“What really impresses in the evening is the unified cast.”
Richard Woulfe, UK Theatre Net
“A play...performed by a cast of twelve actors and a very competent pianist who work great as a team.”
Richard Woulfe, UK Theatre Net
“The dialogue is at its best when it’s at its bitchiest, and the songs likewise thrill most when the gloves come off."”
Robert Shore, Time Out
“It is a new musical and a new musical not derived as a spin-off from a book or film..If you (like me) have bemoaned the lack of original ideas for musicals, then you’d better go along to see it. There is plenty to enjoy.”
Richard Woulfe, UK Theatre Net
“When Midnight Strikes is a modern musical, well crafted, acted and directed.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“Dialogue and songs...are snappy and clear.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“This musical has a definitive Broadway look, a large ensemble cast where each member has their big number and all perform well.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“Catch When Midnight Strikes at the Finborough and your faith in musicals will be renewed.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“Fenton Gray’s…marshalling of such a large cast on the Finborough stage is to be applauded.”
The Stage
“When Midnight Strikes [is] original, entertaining, even exciting and hopefully heralds the dawn of a successful collaborative team.”
The Stage
“Despite this being one of the most compact venues on the London fringe, director Fenton Gray’s effective production…pulls off the trick of seeming to be a full-scale, handsomely-mounted musical.”
Adam Sheldon, Rogues and Vagabonds
"Slick, professional musical arrangements, sensitive, responsive musicianship from the MD (onstage throughout, cleverly resembling a cocktail pianist) and the superb quality of much of the singing from the cast." Adam Sheldon, Rogues and Vagabonds
“Producer Aaron Prior and his team have a transfer-ready achievement to be proud of...This is a neat, sweet product, perfectly plausible for a run at a small West End venue.” Adam Sheldon, Rogues and Vagabonds
“The Finborough, this cosiest of fringe venues, has staged another highlight of London’s exceptional 2007 musical calendar.”
Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
"Nowadays new musicals are rare beasts, great new musicals, rarer still and even though a few of the songs from When Midnight Strikes will be known by those who have already enjoyed Julie Atherton’s inspiring album of Charles Miller songs “A Girl of Few Words”, sitting amidst this new story with unheard songs and a fine cast and finer comedy is a cherished and exceptional joy. “ Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
“Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds music…flows through the show with verve and vitality.”
Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
"London ’s West End mainstream theatre has all but given up on the idea of the new musical. It is left to the fringe venues such as... the Finborough in Earl’s Court to encourage young writers into the genre." Michael Darvell, Classicalsource.com
“Amongst the cast of twelve are twelve great performers each making their mark.”
Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
“Such passion and talent…can’t fail to brighten up Earl’s Court and the fortunate Finborough audiences.” Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
“Strong women reacting against weak men in a transatlantic musical ‘comedy’: how could the West End not want it?”
Michael Darvell, Classicalsource.com
"Wai Yin Kwok’s elegant and stylish design"
Michael Darvell, Classicalsource.com
“Brimful of fresh songs, [When Midnight Strikes] gives a remarkably accurate sense of the brittle gaiety of a New Year party.”
Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
“The depth of character awarded each guest…gives the musical genuine warmth.”
Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
“The cast sings wonderfully as an ensemble...with infectious joy in the music.”
Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
"It is altogether a satisfying evening; of the many competent songs, there are enough truly memorable ones to occupy the journey home with humming. The dialogue has the snap and crackle of a good sitcom, and the performances are uniformly excellent. ...That some of the third-hand nonsense currently hawking its wares in the West End has audiences of thousands, and that this production sits atop a bar in Earl’s Court, in genuinely infuriating. I advise you to go and do something about it." Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
"When Midnight Strikes is a shining example of that all too rare breed - a brand new British musical by a composer whose name is not Lloyd Webber - crammed with original jazzy Latino inspired songs, which are paired with dialogue that positively fizzes. "
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“This is the perfect venue for the camp over-the-topness that sets this highly energised musical on fire.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
" There are good performances throughout with some noticeable talents given the opportunity to shine such as Alan Winner as Greg, with the delightfully self-effacing “A Jerk Like Me”, Lorraine Graham with the melancholy actor’s lament, “Never Learned To Type” and Susan Raasay leading the company in the dramatic climax “Up In Smoke”. Emma Hatton proves she has a powerhouse voice, sustaining the dramatic integrity of “You Know How To Love Me” and Bradley Clarkson shows a satisfying level of maturity as the shy and unassuming Alex. Burlesque comedy is provided by Miles Western as the token gay guest, Bradley, and Nancy Baldwin makes her presence felt as the acerbic neighbour Murial." The Stage
“Tango beats and plaintive multi-hued jazz harmonies infuse the whole with a zest for life.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“A thoroughly entertaining new musical… [which] deserves to go far.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“Super-slick direction, paced at just the right tempo and length.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“Fenton Gray directs with confidence and the cast is uniformly fine.”
Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
“An enterprising producer would do well to take a closer look.”
Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
"When Midnight Strikes offers a musical treat, albeit one for those who appreciate acerbic songs with a twist of Sondheim and an ability to smash through the thin ice of social nicety. Yet one of the many strengths of this sophisticated new show from the increasingly impressive pairing of Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds is that the whole thing wouldn’t collapse even if the songs were removed, so well drawn are the characters." Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
Time Out Critics' Choice
**** Four Stars, Time Out, Evening Standard and Music OmH
“I am happy to say that a West End worthy show is now on at the Finborough, a snip at £13 a ticket.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
"This is a neat, sweet product, perfectly plausible for a run at a…West End venue"
Rogues & Vagabonds
“Rancorously diverting…Fenton Gray’s stylish production.”
Robert Shore, Time Out
“What really impresses in the evening is the unified cast.”
Richard Woulfe, UK Theatre Net
“A play...performed by a cast of twelve actors and a very competent pianist who work great as a team.”
Richard Woulfe, UK Theatre Net
“The dialogue is at its best when it’s at its bitchiest, and the songs likewise thrill most when the gloves come off."”
Robert Shore, Time Out
“It is a new musical and a new musical not derived as a spin-off from a book or film..If you (like me) have bemoaned the lack of original ideas for musicals, then you’d better go along to see it. There is plenty to enjoy.”
Richard Woulfe, UK Theatre Net
“When Midnight Strikes is a modern musical, well crafted, acted and directed.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“Dialogue and songs...are snappy and clear.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“This musical has a definitive Broadway look, a large ensemble cast where each member has their big number and all perform well.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“Catch When Midnight Strikes at the Finborough and your faith in musicals will be renewed.”
Katherine Hayes, Extra! Extra!
“Fenton Gray’s…marshalling of such a large cast on the Finborough stage is to be applauded.”
The Stage
“When Midnight Strikes [is] original, entertaining, even exciting and hopefully heralds the dawn of a successful collaborative team.”
The Stage
“Despite this being one of the most compact venues on the London fringe, director Fenton Gray’s effective production…pulls off the trick of seeming to be a full-scale, handsomely-mounted musical.”
Adam Sheldon, Rogues and Vagabonds
"Slick, professional musical arrangements, sensitive, responsive musicianship from the MD (onstage throughout, cleverly resembling a cocktail pianist) and the superb quality of much of the singing from the cast." Adam Sheldon, Rogues and Vagabonds
“Producer Aaron Prior and his team have a transfer-ready achievement to be proud of...This is a neat, sweet product, perfectly plausible for a run at a small West End venue.” Adam Sheldon, Rogues and Vagabonds
“The Finborough, this cosiest of fringe venues, has staged another highlight of London’s exceptional 2007 musical calendar.”
Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
"Nowadays new musicals are rare beasts, great new musicals, rarer still and even though a few of the songs from When Midnight Strikes will be known by those who have already enjoyed Julie Atherton’s inspiring album of Charles Miller songs “A Girl of Few Words”, sitting amidst this new story with unheard songs and a fine cast and finer comedy is a cherished and exceptional joy. “ Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
“Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds music…flows through the show with verve and vitality.”
Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
"London ’s West End mainstream theatre has all but given up on the idea of the new musical. It is left to the fringe venues such as... the Finborough in Earl’s Court to encourage young writers into the genre." Michael Darvell, Classicalsource.com
“Amongst the cast of twelve are twelve great performers each making their mark.”
Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
“Such passion and talent…can’t fail to brighten up Earl’s Court and the fortunate Finborough audiences.” Geoff Ambler, Reviewsgate.com
“Strong women reacting against weak men in a transatlantic musical ‘comedy’: how could the West End not want it?”
Michael Darvell, Classicalsource.com
"Wai Yin Kwok’s elegant and stylish design"
Michael Darvell, Classicalsource.com
“Brimful of fresh songs, [When Midnight Strikes] gives a remarkably accurate sense of the brittle gaiety of a New Year party.”
Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
“The depth of character awarded each guest…gives the musical genuine warmth.”
Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
“The cast sings wonderfully as an ensemble...with infectious joy in the music.”
Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
"It is altogether a satisfying evening; of the many competent songs, there are enough truly memorable ones to occupy the journey home with humming. The dialogue has the snap and crackle of a good sitcom, and the performances are uniformly excellent. ...That some of the third-hand nonsense currently hawking its wares in the West End has audiences of thousands, and that this production sits atop a bar in Earl’s Court, in genuinely infuriating. I advise you to go and do something about it." Sarah Perry, MusicOMH.com
"When Midnight Strikes is a shining example of that all too rare breed - a brand new British musical by a composer whose name is not Lloyd Webber - crammed with original jazzy Latino inspired songs, which are paired with dialogue that positively fizzes. "
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“This is the perfect venue for the camp over-the-topness that sets this highly energised musical on fire.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
" There are good performances throughout with some noticeable talents given the opportunity to shine such as Alan Winner as Greg, with the delightfully self-effacing “A Jerk Like Me”, Lorraine Graham with the melancholy actor’s lament, “Never Learned To Type” and Susan Raasay leading the company in the dramatic climax “Up In Smoke”. Emma Hatton proves she has a powerhouse voice, sustaining the dramatic integrity of “You Know How To Love Me” and Bradley Clarkson shows a satisfying level of maturity as the shy and unassuming Alex. Burlesque comedy is provided by Miles Western as the token gay guest, Bradley, and Nancy Baldwin makes her presence felt as the acerbic neighbour Murial." The Stage
“Tango beats and plaintive multi-hued jazz harmonies infuse the whole with a zest for life.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“A thoroughly entertaining new musical… [which] deserves to go far.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“Super-slick direction, paced at just the right tempo and length.”
Julia Hickman, Theatreworld Internet Magazine
“Fenton Gray directs with confidence and the cast is uniformly fine.”
Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
“An enterprising producer would do well to take a closer look.”
Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
"When Midnight Strikes offers a musical treat, albeit one for those who appreciate acerbic songs with a twist of Sondheim and an ability to smash through the thin ice of social nicety. Yet one of the many strengths of this sophisticated new show from the increasingly impressive pairing of Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds is that the whole thing wouldn’t collapse even if the songs were removed, so well drawn are the characters." Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard
