Man of La Mancha – the musical – review

Kelsey Grammer (star of beloved sitcoms Frasier and Cheers) gives a memorable performance as Cervantes in Dale Wasserman’s Man of La Mancha at the magnificent London Coliseum. This is the first time in 50 years that the show has come to the UK.

The story is about Miguel de Cervantes (Kelsey Krammer) who sits in a Seville dungeon with his manservant, awaiting trial by the Spanish Inquisition for an offense against the Church. A mock trial is set up by the other prisoners. If Cervantes is found guilty, he will hand over all his possessions. Cervantes agrees to do so and offers his defense where he tells the story of where he got here. He transforms himself into Don Quixote de La Mancha.

Nicholas Lyndhurst who we know as Rodney from Only fools and horses plays the Governor and the innkeeper.

While Grammer brings his distinctive voice to Dream the impossible dream, it is opera singer Danielle de Niese’s Dulcinea, that is the highlight of the show. Her remarkable voice just fills the Coliseum as does the English National Opera in bringing the many beautiful songs in this musical to life. The audience loved it and there was a standing ovation at the end.

Man a la Mancha runs at London Colosseum until Saturday 8th of June.