Imagine this v Oliver (New musical or revival?)

I recently went to see a new musical about the Warsaw Ghetto called Imagine This, playing at the New London theatre on Drury Lane.

Sitting in curious abandonment before curtain up, I was admiring the set and quaffing my vin rouge. As the show began, I was impressed by the stylish simplicity of the staging and the intriguing beginning, gently leading us into a horrific holocaust story of real heart.

The problem really lies in the parallel story of Masada, an ancient race of Jews who fought the Romans, and in the repetitive music and patchy plot (the female lover runs on attempting to kill the Roman centurion, only seconds later to start singing a love song. Where’s the stuff in-between?) So is it a triumph of a new musical? No not really. And will it encourage joe public to go to the theatre? I doubt it.

Playing down the road, is something that will definitely put bums on seats, and is already sold out for a good year, Oliver starring Rowan Atkinson and one of the Nancy contestants from telly. So, I wonder, is this better for theatre? No, not really. And will it encourage joe public to go to the theatre? Well, unfortunately, yes. And if that’s what we need to rejuvenate theatre in this country, then so be it. Although I have to say, why oh why can’t all this hype be put into a new musical rather than a tired revival of a sure-fire hit? I don’t know, but the scared producers of London Town certainly have some stuff to answer for. Would the real Cameron Macintosh please stand up?