Another rip-roaring night at the Menier Chocolate Factory as a cast of four - and their hard-working pianist - take a deep breath and launch themselves headlong into the spotlight of musical spoofs. Forbidden Broadway is like acrobatic theatre as numbers tumble over each other, performers reach higher and the stunts get ever more daring (Daniel Radcliffe getting his kit off in Equus is here a Harry Potter-esque striptease). This subversive hall of fame hits the collective nerve of Broadway and the West End in glorious fashion - merchandise, ticket prices, characters, stars and storylines; nothing escapes Gerald Alessandrini's merciless lyrics. Les Mis and The Lion King are particular laugh-out-loud highlights, capturing the ardent performances and over-the-top staging in equal measure. Solo take-offs of Cameron Mackintosh, Hannah Waddingham, Andrew Lloyd Webber are wickedly funny, the only dud note coming from a Stephen Sondheim parody, which doesn't quite have the familiarity factor. It also threatens to be the last hoorah of the night, but then a sing-a-long La Cage aux Folles number bursts forth, given an extra bite of humour because it started out life at the Chocolate Factory. This updated version includes brand spanking new material from musicals such as Hairspray, Avenue Q and Priscilla - it's a snow globe of glittering shows, shaken up by the Chocolate Factory's irrepressible style - do we sense a West End run waiting in the wings?
What's on at
Menier Chocolate Factory
Sweet Charity 21st November 2009 - 7th March 2010 As theatres spread a glittery, glowing sheen over London for...
Aladdin
Hackney Empire, E8 1EJ
28th November 2009 - 9th January 2010
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La Cage aux Folles
Playhouse Theatre, WC2N 5DE
Until 9th January 2010
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Menier Chocolate Factory
51-53 Southwark Street, SE1 1RU
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Little Shop of Horrors
Menier Chocolate Factory, 4 O'Meara Street, SE1
7th November 2006 - 25th February 2007
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Another rip-roaring night at the 
