TV auditions for Oliver! are going on a pace and as well as vote for the stars you can now book breaks to see them - so consider yourself well in - did I ever tell you that Jack Wild was my brother-in-law?

 

But if you can't wait till December for your theatre fix then this month we really do have something for everyone.

 

Never Forget the Take That musical that sold out when it was touring the country comes to the Savoy Theatre opposite the Strand Palace Hotel. I'm lucky enough to be going to the opening night so I will know more soon. 

 

But it is not all musicals...

 

Polly Stenham's multi-award winning, critically acclaimed play That Face, starring the thinking man's femme fatale, Lindsay Duncan, transfers to the West End for a short ten week season.

 

We also have Greta Scacchi and Simon Williams starring in Terrance Rattigan's Deep Blue Sea. Words like "obsession" and the "destructive power of love" tend to put me off a play - I just think bunny boilers - but that is because I prefer fluff and nonsense. If you want proper theatre then ignore me and listen to the Telegraph when they say that it is an "Outstanding Production of a Modern Masterpiece".

 

West Side Story

is back for its 50th anniversary at Sadlers Wells. "I've seen it" - I hear you say - yes but time and time again I am blown away by seeing a show done by a professional cast rather than an amateur one. Most recently The Sound of Music is a perfect example, but Joseph and Cabaret are the same:  seriously good shows often made ordinary in our minds by amateur companies and that is very unfair. New Year's Resolution: "See these shows done by professionals!!"

 

Dickens Unplugged is a brilliant new comedy musical by Reduced Shakespeare Company founder Adam Long so expect low budget, small cast, high quality, big fun.

 

Divas is a dance show celebrating the works of Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland brought to London by the Peter Schaufuss Dance Company from Denmark.

 

But these all pale into insignificance when I reveal that Zorro! The Musical comes to London at the end of June. And yes I am sure you have already noticed: another musical with an exclamation mark - my mouth is watering as I type.

 

Whilst we are generalising, somebody said to me that it was good to have another blokes show in the West End (just in time for Father's Day) but actually I think there are lots of them: We Will Rock You, Spamalot, Buddy, Blood Brothers, Lord of the Rings (although it closes soon), Avenue Q and 39 Steps are all great for the romantically challanged one in your life - and they should enjoy many others too: did you know that in percentage terms more men book Chicago, Mousetrap, Les Miserables and Phantom than women?

 

So in preperation for Fathers Day, give him a treat - a trip to the theatre can be fluff and nonsense or can really rock your world: your choice.