FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, 5 Stars

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
Charing Cross Theatre
29th Oct to 17th Dec 2023

Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson’s epic musical  ‘From Here To Eternity’ is getting its first London revival in a newly revised production at Charing Cross Theatre, previewing now ahead of press night on Tuesday 8 November.

Set in the two weeks leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, ‘From Here To Eternity’ is a compelling portrait of humanity, love, duty and redemption set against the backdrop of a beautiful and conflicted paradise.

Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars

With a huge cast of 19, 8 creatives, 27 production staff and 5 musicians this is an epic production! Brilliant set design by Stewart J. Charlesworth and directed by Brett Smock the Charing Cross Theatre has got it all right in a traverse staging configuration – FINALLY!!!!

With any show by Aria Entertainments you’re guaranteed wonderful vocals and musical arrangements. From Here to Eternity is no exception – with songs that range from driven beat and power, to ballads and love songs, this musical is an emotional roller-coaster.

A well rounded lighting rig from all angles, enhanced by a top down hazer, provided some beautiful scenes. The band and cast were all mic’d however the lead singer and sound mix not always well balanced. One major issue was that the reverb for the singing was overly ramped up to the point that they sounded like they’d fallen down a cavernous deep well rather than singing from the stage. Less is definitely sometimes more.

The choreography was well rehearsed which the immaculately groomed male cast performed in great unison.

The technical star of the show really had to be the video design by Louise Rhoades-Brown. With scene-scapes to change locations and calendar countdowns in the style of a ticker-tape printout, supporting the book.

An emotionally charged quality show with a lot of heart!

Photo credit: Mark Senior

The cast features Jonny Amies, Jonathon Bentley, Desmonda Cathabel, Leonard Cook, Kyerron Dixon-Bassey, Sarah Drake, Dominic Adam Griffin, Cassius Hackforth, Robin Hayward, Callum Henderson, James Mateo-Salt, Rhys Nuttall, Jack Ofrecio, Jaden Oshenye, Eve Polycarpou, Adam Rhys-Charles, Carley Stenson, Alan Turkington, Joseph Vella.Creative team: Director Brett Smock, Set & Costume Designer Stewart J. Charlesworth, Musical Director, Orchestrations and New Musical Arrangements Nick J. Barstow, Choreographer Cressida Carré, Sound Designer Chris Murray, Lighting Designer Adam King, Projection Designer Louise Rhoades-Brown, Costume Supervisor Lucy Lawless, Casting Director Jane Deitch, Production Manager James Anderton, Produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Bill Kenwright and Heartaches Limited, General Management by Chris Matanlé.Further Info

Aria Entertainment, Bill Kenwright and Heartaches Limited present‘From Here To Eternity’ Adapted from the classic novel by James Jones Lyrics Tim Rice, Music Stuart Brayson, Book Donald Rice and Bill Oakes Directed by Brett Smock Charing Cross TheatreThe ArchesVilliers StreetLondon WC2N 6NLwww.charingcrosstheatre.co.ukBox office: 08444 93065029 October – 17 DecemberPerformances:Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pmWednesday,  Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pmPrices: £25.00 – £39.50 Premium seats £49.50 (includes a programme and a glass of bubbly)A booking fee applies to phone and internet orders; no booking fee to personal callersThe box office is open from 2 hours before curtain time on performance days for personal callersSOCIAL MEDIAFacebook, Twitter & Instagram @FHTEMusicalUK