Musical Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Musical

A man and woman in formal attire embrace intimately, their faces close together, against a backdrop of metal panels.
Review

West Side Story

by David Jenkins

Steven Spielberg comes a‑cropper in this stiff and soulless revamp of the classic Leonard Bernstein barnstormer.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A person sleeping on a sofa with a keyboard in front of them.
Review

Tick, Tick… Boom!

by Elena Lazic

Jonathan Larson’s celebrated stage musical gets the Lin-Manuel Miranda treatment – for better and for worse.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people, a man and a woman, sitting on a sofa and looking at each other intently. The room is dimly lit, with a lamp and framed artwork visible in the background.
Review

Dear Evan Hansen

by Corey Atad

This well-intentioned but glaringly wrongheaded adaptation of the Tony-winning musical is one of the year’s worst.

2
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
A young person with blonde hair wearing a colourful patchwork jacket and holding a large plastic bag.
Review

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

by Emily Maskell

Tom MacRae and Dan Gillespie Sells’ hit West End show is fabulously translated to the big screen.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Moody close-up of a man with long dark hair and intense eyes in a blue-tinted scene.
Review

Annette

by Hannah Strong

Leos Carax’s surreal, Sparks-scripted musical-of-sorts stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard as ill-fated lovers.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A lively street scene with a crowd of people, including a couple dancing energetically in the foreground.
Review

In the Heights

by Charles Bramesco

New York is teeming with sweaty, joyous life in the exuberant musical from Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M Chu.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two women with colourful floral hair accessories embrace in a visually striking setting featuring a patterned background.
Review

Music

by Charles Bramesco

The controversy surrounding Sia’s directorial debut should not distract from its basic cinematic failings.

1
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Glamorously dressed people celebrating at a lavish event, with a large illuminated "Eleanor" sign in the background.
Review

The Prom

by Emily Maskell

Ryan Murphy’s star-studded restaging of the hit Broadway musical hits all the right notes.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
An older bearded man wearing a brightly coloured coat and a young boy wearing a striped sweater sitting at a desk in a dimly lit room.
Review

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

by Flora Spencer Grant

Forest Whitaker stars as a down-on-his-luck toymaker in David E Talbert’s festive family frolic.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people in medieval-style costumes - a male in armoured attire and a female in a white gown - standing on a rocky, barren landscape.
Review

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

by David Jenkins

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are the Icelandic bar band who accidentally make it big in this occasionally effective comedy.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect