Princess Caraboo (Finborough)

[David J]

I'm liking this

This is presented as a 'let us tell you a story' way. Phil Sealey (who apart from the deep voice reminds me of Brian Blessed) starts proceedings with a bang with Bring on the 1820

Like clockmakers daughter this does have an over the top villain but here it works

I'd like to see more of the characters conflicts rather than being told them

Otherwise it is a fun musical and nikita Johan is great as the mysterious princess

There's the usual enthusiastic whooping and loud laughs from friends of certain cast members

[David J]

This is absolutely great!

The cast performs enthusiastically

There's some beautiful use of limited props and lighting to establish setting and atmosphere in the tiny space

But most of all there's some fabulous and beautiful songs from Phil Wilmot and Mark Collins. 'Bring on the 1820', a pleasing 'Home', a mischievous 'Truth: A portrait of the princess' to start the second act, and 'Bad News' is quite salacious but leaves you flinching by the end.

Not sure about some of the music and dancing styles. I'm no expert but some of them looked like what I'd expect from a golden age of broadway musical. And this is meant to be Victorian times. Still they are fantastic to watch

But 'I am my own person' is stuck in my mind and Nikita Johal delivers this with passion.

I still think the musical could have conveyed some aspects of the characters rather than mentioning them. Show don't tell. I'd like to have seen more of Lady Worrall's grief for her dead daughter that leads her to adopt Caraboo. Same for Eddie Harvey being weighed down by his fathers behaviour. A song about that would have been nice

The story feels rushed occasionally, including the ending, and it isn't helped by the limited space.

Not quite as good as the Clockmakers daughter but I was beaming by the end. One of my favourite new musicals this year.

I highly recommend this

[showgirl]

This was fabulous & well worth my overcoming my dislike of the venue. Great music, plot, performances & thoroughly entertaining & enjoyable.

[westendcub]

Had the pleasure of seeing this last Thursday (all very last minute) and was my 1st visit to this quirky small theatre pub!

I absolutely loved this, I loved each of the songs throughout which is always a brilliant experience when seeing a brand new musical – ‘I am my own person’ is defiantly a highlight and it’s use of reprises works. Also it’s a story I am not familiar with at all so and felt it was well told with good pacing and character reveals throughout.

This may well be the smallest theatre pub I have visited thus far but I was impressed with the inventive use of some props (dolls houses, model ship, ship rope) to convey certain key moments and the use of that painting and frame was clever and rather enchanting.

The cast did great and pretty impressed with their handling of the big group ensemble numbers in such a limited space.

So yes it’s a show and I personally have no niggles or negative points to raise, I’m sure if it gets further life (fingers crossed) then songs will be looked at it (I’m sure some tweaks will only enhance it).

I too definitely had a few friends or family of cast in the audience but was all so lovely and I really enjoyed the night! Beer (craft beers) are a bit pricey mind, only had the one pre-show and was happy having a nice glass of water with a lemon at the interval (was being good!!).

Great to see such a lovely new piece of musical theatre, hope this week (the last of the run) goes well and if you are looking for a show to see this week in London town then I recommend!!

[showgirl]

Hooray, another supporter! And as above, it ends Friday 22 so do see it if you can.

[CG on the loose]

Absolutely gutted that I had to miss this last week when a major work deadline got in the way. Can't see how I can get there before it closes now, but I will if I can.