Kenny Baxter's Blog

Christmas 2011

2011-12-08T11:09:00.001-08:00

I am sending this message to all of my friends and colleagues who I would normally have sent a Christmas card or purchased a gift.
This year instead of buying cards or gifts I have put all of the money I usually spend on cards or gifts together, and have made several donations to charity instead.

This year I have made the following donations:

- Children In Need - £25 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/
- NSPCC - £25 - http://www.nspcc.org.uk/
- SANDS- £20 - http://www.uk-sands.org/Home.html

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, and Great New Year.

Forthcoming Events

2011-09-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

Just a quick message about two upcoming amazing events being organised by my sister's production company, Carrie James Productions.

Visit the website at: http://www.carriejamesproductions.co.uk/ for more information, go buy your tickets NOW before they sell out!!!

Never is a long time...

2011-08-19T13:47:00.001-07:00

As the great song by roxette says!

This year's been a quiet one and I've not managed to post anything show related for some time.

In June Kerry Ellis did a fantastic show at the Albert Hall followed up by a tour with the great guitarist Brian May.

The next few months promise Mich excitement with the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera and Roxette in concert.

I hope to have a catch up with my blog postings I'm the near future.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-17T11:05:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone

I am sending this message to all of my friends and colleagues who I would normally have sent a Christmas card.

As in previous years instead of buying cards I have decided I put all of the money I usually spend on cards together, and have made several donations to charity instead.

This year I have made the following donations rather than spending money on Christmas Cards:

- Children In Need - £15
- NSPCC - £15

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, and Joyful New Year.

Kenny

25 Years - One Show - Les Miserables

2010-10-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables

In Concert

The 25^th Anniversary

The O2 Arena

Sunday 3^rd October 2010

7pm

The question of how to even start a review of this remarkable and amazing production is beyond me, I cannot begin to describe in words how brilliant this celebration of the greatest musical was to see live in one of the most atmospheric venues in this country. 5 minutes before the start the video screen showed an interview with various cast interviews and video clips from the London Queens and Barbican (Tour) cast and Cameron Mackintosh introducing the spectacle about to happen. Gradually the full orchestra and 300 strong choir filled behind the main stage and then not long after 7 the house lights went down, the stage lights rose up from the floor and the orchestra kicked in with the prologue.

Les Miserables is recognised worldwide for its rich orchestrations and brilliant lyrics, and this review is not to go into the detail of why this show is so successful or why it is my favourite musical, this is purely in recognition of a fantastic celebration and fabulous cast.

The Cast

Valjean – Alfie Boe

The most vocally strong Valjean I have ever seen, Alfie Boe was simply a revelation in the leading role, I am honoured to have had the experience of seeing this man live, his operatic and pure voice was sensation, he sang effortlessly through every single number, and the big notes in Valjean’s Soliloquy, Who Am I and Bring Him Home were simply heaven to listen to. I have never seen a standing ovation after Bring Him Home, but Alfie Boe truly deserved the round of applause from the audience. Alfie Boe has a unique voice for the role of Valjean and is different to anyone else I have seen in this role, but he was simply unbelievable.

Javert – Norm Lewis

Norm has a strong baritone voice and suited the role of Javert perfectly, his deep voice made him come across scary and powerful. Having played the role both in New York and London, Norm clearly deserved the role at the O2 anniversary concert, not the strongest of Javerts but he was a great choice and his Stars was vocally sensational and he gave a brilliant performance.

Fantine – Lea Salonga

It was a pleasure to see one of the ultimate Broadway and West End legends in the leading role, and Lea looked perfect in the part. Much better than her 10^th anniversary performance of as Eponine, Lea is a legend and this is one of my favourite performances of the role of Fantine that I have ever seen. Lea’s performance in the role of Fantine was sensational and her Dreamed a Dream is the best I have seen in years.

Madame Thenardier – Jenny Galloway

It was fantastic to see Jenny in the role of Madamme T live, she has always been one of my faviourites in the role and I was excited to see her performance and it was far from a letdown, Jenny is just hilarious and quality in the role and was perfect throughout, she was clearly enjoying her performance as part of the 25^th anniversary concert.

Thenardier – Matt Lucas

A pleasant and honest surprise, Matt Lucas, as a celebrity was simply sensational, his comic timing and acting skills were outstanding and his singing voice was of great standard, Matt Lucas is one of my favourite Thenariers from one performance, he was perfect for the role and a real revelation, a simple surprise and very amusing, he would fit in perfectly at the Queens if his TV commitments could ever manage it.

Marius – Nick Jonas

The weak link in an otherwise sensational casting, Nick Jonas did not have a strong enough voice or vocal range to perform in this role and could only vaguely be heard in such a large arena. I would rather have seen any previous Marius take the role, Hayden Tee and Gareth Gates who have played the role could have taken the O2 by storm.

Cosette – Katie Hall

What an incredible chance at 19 years old to perform on the O2 stage along with Broadway and West End legends, but Katie Hall is a legend in the making having already played Christine in Phantom and Cosette in Les Miserable at such a young age, she is simply a star with a fantastic opera voice who looks fabulous, having seen her performance both in London and on the UK Tour, I was excited when she was drafted in for the O2 concert and she deserved every moment and gave a brilliant performance.

Enjelrous – Ramin Karimloo

This is the first time I have seen Ramin Karimloo in a lead, whenever I tried to see him in Phantom he was off, but he was here tonight and gave the most spectacular performance in this role I have ever seen, his voice is simply sensational and his acting sublime, he is such a professional and just perfect for this lead role in a celebration of a show influential in his career.

Eponine – Samantha Barks

Samantha Barks was simply brilliant in the role of Eponine and gave a beautiful portrayal of the role and won everyone over with her emotional and brilliant performance of On My Own stood out as brilliant. I cannot wait to get the opportunity to go and see her in London in this role; she was vocally perfect and sensational.

The Ensemble

This cast of sensational leads was supported by a brilliant group of ensemble with top West End performers taking the more minor roles in this show, I would be here all night if I did an individual review of each performing member, so I will point out the most notable and my favourites here. John Owen Jones and Nic Greensheilds as Convicts, Earl Carpenter as the Bishop of Digne, Jeff Nicholson as Factory Forman, Tony Timberlake as Claquesous, Jonathan as Combeferre, Killian Donnelly as Coureyrac, Madelana Alberto, Gina Beck and Rebecca Seal as the Turning Women and Christopher Key as Loudhailer. Earl Carpenter, Jeff Nicholson and Christopher Key were particular notable in their individual performances.

The Choir

The 300 member choir also was also blessed with many great performers from the West End, they could not be seen clearly from where we were sat, but they could be heard and their presence was truly appreciated.

The Finale

The show ended, but of course with a celebration such as this, there had to be something special, and there was. During the finale the cast of the O2 were joined on stage by the London and UK Tour casts and finally by the original 1985 cast, then the celebrations could truly beginning; first we were treated with a sensational rendition of Bring Him Home performed by original Valjean Colm Wilkinson along with John Owen Jones, Simon Bowman and Alfie Boe, this was simply beautiful and brilliantly done with the mixture of voices working together, it was a wonderful way to say happy birthday to this fantastic show. Then the original 1985 company took on One Day More joined by the rest of the cast of the two current UK productions in a sensational finale. We were then treated to brilliant speeches from Cameron Mackintosh and the show’s musical composers Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Finally we were treated to a glimpse at the future of Les Mis with a performance by various members of the Les Miserable Schools Edition students performing Do You Hear the People Sing along with the full company, choir and even the odd member of the audience.

This was a perfect celebration of 25 years and I could not have been more delighted to attend such a magnificent and truly remarkable celebration of my favourite musical which always uplifts me and makes me smile. Les Miserables is often referred to as depressing and miserable by negative members of the press, but its story never fails to uplift and revive my spirits. This performance was just sensational and a fantastic performance by all members of the cast.

This show was well worth the money and a perfect celebration of the anniversary of what is truly a remarkable show. I think this overall event, performance and venue makes this show get a complete first, a 10 out of 10!

Here’s to another 25 years, Wembley Stadium next time?

One Day More!

2010-10-02T04:04:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Les Miserables' 25th Anniversary, I have posted the lyrics to one of the most famous songs in advance of the O2 concert tomorrow.

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/lesmiserables/onedaymore.htm

VALJEAN
One day more!
Another day, another destiny.
This never-ending road to Calvary;
These men who seem to know my crime
Will surely come a second time.
One day more!

MARIUS
I did not live until today.
How can I live when we are parted?

VALJEAN
One day more.

MARIUS & COSETTE
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away
And yet with you, my world has started!

EPONINE
One more day all on my own.

MARIUS & COSETTE
Will we ever meet again?

EPONINE
One more day with him not caring.

MARIUS & COSETTE
I was born to be with you.

EPONINE
What a life I might have known.

MARIUS & COSETTE
And I swear I will be true!

EPONINE
But he never saw me there!

ENJOLRAS
One more day before the storm!

MARIUS
Do I follow where she goes?

ENJOLRAS
At the barricades of freedom.

MARIUS
Shall I join my brothers there?

ENJOLRAS
When our ranks begin to form

MARIUS
Do I stay; and do I dare?

ENJOLRAS
Will you take your place with me?

ALL
The time is now, the day is here

VALJEAN
One day more!

JAVERT
One day more till revolution,
We will nip it in the bud!
We'll be ready for these schoolboys,
They will wet themselves with blood!

VALJEAN
One day more!

M. & MME. THENARDIER
Watch 'em run amuck,
Catch 'em as they fall,
Never know your luck
When there's a free for all,
Here a little `dip'
There a little `touch'
Most of them are goners
So they won't miss much!

Students (2 Groups)
1: One day to a new beginning

2: Raise the flag of freedom high!

1: Every man will be a king

2: Every man will be a king

1: There's a new world for the winning

2: There's a new world to be won

ALL
Do you hear the people sing?

MARIUS
My place is here, I fight with you!

VALJEAN
One day more!

MARIUS & COSETTE
I did not live until today.

EPONINE
One more day all on my own!

MARIUS & COSETTE
How can I live when we are parted?

JAVERT(overlapping)
I will join these people's heros
I will follow where they go
I will learn their little Secrets,
I will know the things they know.

VALJEAN
One day more!

MARIUS & COSETTE
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away

EPONINE
What a life I might have known!

MARIUS & COSETTE
And yet with you my world has started

JAVERT(overlapping)
One more day to revolution
We will nip it in the bud
We'll be ready for these

Schoolboys

THENARDIERS(overlapping)
Watch 'em run amok
Catch 'em as they fall
Never know your luck
When there's a free-for-all!

VALJEAN
Tomorrow we'll be far away,
Tomorrow is the judgement day

ALL
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store!
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!

Edinburgh Show Awards - 2010

2010-09-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

2010 Fringe Awards
Winners in BOLD
Best NEW show:
• Piramania!
• Shakespeare for Breakfast
• In Touch
• Closest To The Moon
• An Innovative Design
Best EXISTING show:
• Spring Awakening
• Blood Brothers
• Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Best Comedy Musical:
• Piramania!
• Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
• Shakespeare for Breakfast
• Hamlet! The Musical
Best Comedy Gig/ Comedian:
• Jason Byrne 2010
• Jimmy Carr – Laughter Therapy
• BBC Comedy Presents (Jimeoin)
• After Hours
Beast MALE lead:
• Brock Yurich (Putting It Together by Sondheim)
• Alyn Evans (Piramania)
• Jonathan Eio (Jump)
• Jack Shalloo (Hamlet! The Musical)
Best FEMALE lead:
• Nicola Davies (Shakespeare for Breakfast)
• Jess Robinson (Hamlet! The Musical)
• Ruth Bratt (Showstopper! The Musical)
• Lowri-Ann Richards (Jump)
• Anna Brook-Mitchell (Piramania)
Best Newcommer:
• Anna Brook-Mitchell (Piramania)
• Richard Foster-King (Shakespeare for Breakfast)
• Helen Hart (Spring Awakening/ In Touch)
• Michael John Griesen (Spring Awakening/ In Touch)
Best Music:
• Piramania
• Hamlet! The Musical
• House of Mirrors and Hearts
• Putting It Together By Sondheim
Best Ensemble Performance:
• In Touch
• Closest To the Moon
• Spring Awakening
• Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Best Solo Song
• Keep It In The Family (Piramania)
• Mamma Who Bore Me (Spring Awakening)
• To Be Or Not To Be (Hamlet! The Musical)
Best Ensemble Song
• Piramania! (Piramania!)
• Switch – SAS Bitch (Lights! Camera! Improvise!)
• Totally F**ked! (Spring Awakening)
• Being Alive (Putting It Together by Sondheim)
Best Set
• Spring Awakening
• Piramania
• Hamlet! The Musical
Best Last Minute Choice
• Closest To The Moon
• Oxford Imps
• JUMP
Deal Of The Fringe
• An Innovative Design (£4)
• A to Z of Oompah (£5 Fringe)

Edinburgh Show Reviews - 2010

2010-09-01T15:24:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh Fringe 2010

Well it’s been another fantastic return to this brilliant and fun festival, this year with my wonderful girlfriend Michele. Below is a review of every show, and the now annual awards. I am already looking forward to saving and planning for Fringe 2011! The main thing missing this year is George Square, which has been Taken over by C Venues and due to building works had very few shows and no musicals. The awards will be posted following the reviews.

Thursday 26^th August 2010

The fringe started in a rush, the hotel refused to let us pay and check in early, so we had to run across the city to make our first show!

16.20 – Oompah Brass: The A to Z of Oompah – GRV: GRV 1

We were downstairs in the basement for this year’s show. This marked a return of last year’s favourite Oompah Brass (Blow Up! The Credit Crunch Musical!) Presented their new show; The A to Z of Oompah. This show was an attempt to explain the delights of Oompah in just one hour. In the style of countdown they picked out ‘Random’ letters (which spelled out “CDs Only Ten Pounds”), a coy advertising pun, to mix in with their fun repertoire of everything from Jazz to Heavy Metal. They comically went through the rest of the alphabet, with notable comedy with a Xylophone being used during a portrayal of Toxic. The show of course ended with one of the most successful pop songs of all time, representing Q, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. One of the most exciting, humorous and high tempo shows I have seen at the festival. This was a great way to relax and enjoy the opening to our fringe experience. £5 pound fringe makes this show again one of the top deals of this year’s festival. With a fantastic opener, this show well deserves 7.5/10.

17.30 – Princess Caberet - Gilded Balloon: Sportsmans

In a smaller venue than last year it was a shame to see this show not as packed or selling out, this is another returning show, but with a few changes in the cast. Tinkerbelle, Belle and Ariel all remain the same, but new cast members included replacements for Snow White, Jasmine and Sleeping Beauty. This show takes on the story of Disney’s favourite princesses and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling! Although this year the vocal casting was superior to 2009, the cast lacked the comic timing and acting of last year. I enjoyed seeing this hilarious and clever show again, which is on the boundary of acceptable comedy with crudity and outrageous feminism. An enjoyable performance, cleverly written, but with the cast sounding bored and just going through the motions all this show can manage is a disappointing 5.5/10.

21.15 – Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre: On The Telly - Gilded Balloon: Sportsmans

Following one of the most hilarious shows of last year, it was a must return to see the strange and wonderful Sock Puppets back in action for their new show a commentary on the TV. Kev Sutherland the man behind the socks took on this subject with the usual two character humour, where a straight sock trying to be factual is constantly interrupted by his foolish counterpart. With the usual mix of interruptions, some wordplay and the odd song appearing again this year. This was a great take on one of the nations favourite past times. The socks took on period drama, the bio pic and even a gardening/ superman/ cookery fantastic sketch filled with more puns than can be imagined. This was definitely a welcome return to one of the 2009 returns and a well deserved 7/10.

23.00 – BBC Comedy Presents – Pleasance Dome : ACE Dome

Michele wanted to sit at the front, despite my warnings and as anticipated I got picked on by a couple of the performers. I’m an Analyst from Swindon, comedy gold as the MC of the evening said. This was a compilation show with 5 great comedians bringing a short stint from their 2010 Shows. It’s always a risk going to this type of event, as you have no idea of the comedy that will emerge, but this was another well picked line up which got laughs from the audience for most of the evening. The final performer Jimeoin was by far the most memorable, with a subtle Irish humour that really tickled my taste buds, including a section on the humour of facial expressions, given me some ideas! This was a great way to end the first day of the festival experience and earns a well deserved 6.5/10.

Friday 27^th August 2010

12.10 – In Touch – Pleasance Dome: 10 Dome

A new musical from the creator of Departure Lounge (2008) Dougle Irvine. This musical looked at the world of the internet and its control over our world, the impact on our lives. This show included a top cast of young musicians from One Academy, who sang effortlessly through a show full of great music and an emotional but comedic story. Presenting the story of two characters in different environments having their life controlled by computers and the internet. This show was a fun and inspiring start to the day. Helen Hart as wheelchair bound chain Jane was inspiring and emotional, Michael John Griesen as a fake internet personality was clever and vocally sensational. The whole cast were sensational as can be expected now from the company which have brought several fringe shows to life with brilliant acting and amazing vocal ability, well deserving of a 8/10.

15.05 – Spring Awakening – Pleasance Courtyard: Beyond

A controversial show which I never got the opportunity to see in London, this was an opportunity to get a taste for only £13. One Academy and Perfect Pitch presented this musical on a large stage, which had 8 stepped sections, one of which opened for a clever setting for the sex scene. This musical takes on the story of teenagers growing up in a strict and separated school environment learning about life and sex. This is a rude and edgy show which was brilliantly portrayed by a highly talented cast, great catchy songs and a cleverly used set. This was a memorable show which touched the heart at the same time as shocking the mind. Michael John Griesen appeared here to with an inspired and quality portrayal of Moritz, Helen Hart in the role of Wendla again stood out. The rest of this amazing cast perfectly portrayed the roles in a quality way, a well deserved 6.5/10.

18.10 – An Innovative Design – The Space @ Venue 45

A show about alive and talking furniture is one that stands out in the fringe programme as this could go either way (good or bad), especially with the £4 ticket price. This was a hilarious dance and physical theatre where a man is haunted by his furniture coming to life and attacking their owner after years of being miss-treated. A leaky tap fed up of being left dripping, a radio fed up having her knobs fiddled with, this was a fun and inspired show where the mental torment of the central character was displayed well by brilliant casting. The household compliances took hold in this hilariously funny show, which was short but sweet, well worth the £4 ticket price and deserving of a 7/10.

20.15 – Frances Ruffelle: Beneath The Dress – Pleasance @ Ghillie Dhu

The original Eponine and West End/ Broadway starr took her musical talent to the Jazz domain with a fun presentation of songs which she enjoys and have influenced her life and own personal taste. Some of the song choices were obscure, but this was a high energy and fun presentation from this highly talented performer supported by a talented jazz band. A great Les Mis pun thrown into the mix, this show was well worth an hour in a beautiful venue, very well produced and sung wins a fair 5.5/10.

22.50 – Showstopper! The Improvised Musical – Gilded Balloon: Debating Hall

The exceptional Showstopper cast are back following their success over the last few years, with audience suggestions the highly talented cast presented a entirely improvised musical called ‘l’amour c’est mort’, a love story set in a Parisian Mortuary. Including musical influences of South Pacific, Chicago, The Smiths and Wicked. This was typically random and fun take on the concept, with brilliant and hilarious contributions of an erratic mime up-staging the cast. Showstopper again took on a theme and proved they could take on something new with a good show. They had a great Wicked style ending, which enjoyed a rapturous applause from the audience. Ruth Bratt and Julie Clare were completely hilarious in their roles. Brilliantly hilarious and fun show, well worth a visit if you ever get a chance, this is deserving of an outstanding 9/10.

Saturday 28^th August 2010

10.00 – Shakespeare for Breakfast – C: +1

This was a brilliantly produced and comic take on Shakespeare’s play King Lear. A young cast brought Shakespeare to life in the modern would with ‘Who Wants to be a Million-Heir’, ‘Jeremy Vile’, ‘24’, ‘This Is Your Life’ and even a parody of the Anderw Lloyd Webber casting shows. Richard Foster King made a particularly amusing King Lear in the style of Richard Wilson. Nicola Davies took on a lead vocal role for most songs and was stand out. There was also a re-appearance here from Amy Cooke-Hodgson (Honk, 2009). This show was a fun song and dance, bringing Shakespeare into a new environment. This is a great concept, brilliantly performed by a talented young cast. This was a fantastic opener to my day, and made me smile, also a free coffee and croissant thrown in for the ticket was well worth a early start. Perfect opening which is well deserving of an 8/10.

13.15 – The Oxford Imps – Gilded Balloon: Dining Room

This was a gap filling show decided at last minute based on flyers picked up and reviews we had heard earlier that morning. This was improvised comedy, a fun hour of entertainment to fill our afternoon gap. A group of youngsters from Oxford put together a mixture of stand-up, music, film and a Shakespeare inspired mini-play based on audience suggestions. These youngsters were very quick witted and clever and able to come up with bizarre and humorous interpretation of ideas. A particularly memorable section inspired from chopping pineapple, and a Shakespeare inspired “Sweep of Bancock”. This was a great last minute choice, and worthy of a 6/10.

15.45 – Flawless: Chase The Dream – E4 Udderbelly

This was a show I was not expecting to enjoy as I am not a lover of dance. Flawless presented a series of dramatic dance presentation, which were well thought out and cleverly presented. This was an hour of entertainment, which was enjoyed by the largely female audience. The members of flawless are clearly talented and expressive. They were not what I was expecting and gave a good presentation, but not to my taste, just scrape in at a 4.5/10.

17.00 – Hamlet! The Musical! – Pleasance Courtyard: Beyond

There was a mad dash with an over-run of flawless meaning we were sat 3 rows from the back in this large venue. With a Spamalot style set, this talented cast took on the Shakespeare play in a completely new fashion. A modern take on a classic, this was well thought out and amusing with catchy songs and a quirky portrayal. This was a show full of puns and Monty Python style humour. Various shows were mocked during the “Musical within the Musical”. This show was perfectly timed, and had a brilliant title song “To Be or Not to Be”. A fun and clever musical which was entertaining from start to finish. Jack Shallo took on a hilarious title role of Hamlet, and Jess Robinson was sensationally operatic in the roles of Horatio, Ophelia and Rosencrantz. Stephen Webb took on an Avenue Q style puppet in one part of the show along with Virge Gilchrest. This was a fantastic show full of song, dance and hilarity; brilliant show which deserves a 7.5/10.

19.10 – The Musical of Musicals (The Musical) – Edinburgh Academy

Unfortunately due to a half our over-run caused by an electrical fault earlier in the day, we had to cut our losses and get a refund and return our tickets so we would not lose our tickets for Jason Byrne. Rather rude staff did not make this situation any easier, so a complete wash out and 0/10.

21.00 – Jason Byrne 2010 – Assembly: Assembly Hall

A great new and fresh show for 2010, Jason was on top form dragging audience members up on stage for an exercise warm up, with a mix of material about life and growing up in Ireland and his strange life, on the edge of funny and an overall great night out with much laughter and hilarity. Well deserving of a 7.5/10.

22.50 – The House of Mirrors and Hearts – C: +2

Selladoor theatre presented an emotional and sensitive musical about a professor researching a poet who moves in with 3 highly disturbed women and the ghost of their father/ husband. This was a dark musical with an influence of Sondheim and a highly talented cast of exceptional singers. Seeing this show tiered made it a hard watch, with its highly charged emotions, but it was worth seeing and another fantastic Selladoor production. A brilliant mix of music, poetry and art with a highly talented cast; which well deserves a 7.10.

00:40 – After Hours – Pleasance Dome: Ace Dome

This is one of Edinburgh’s favourite late night comedy nights, with a presentation of 4 top comedians with a young comic compare who reminded me of some of my old university friends, this was a good night of entertainment and great fun, this was worth a 5/10, it cheered me up when feeling very tiered.

Sunday 29^th August 2010

16.30 – I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change! – C: +3

One of my favourite 2008/09 shows returned as presented by The’atricks Company, a near full production sung and acted well by a slightly older cast than previous years. The acting and singing were not on top form, the cast seemed tiered and bored after doing a 3 week stint, but they did a good comedic interpretation of this show and it is always good to revisit some of my favourite scenes. A well presented show, if a little rough round the edges, on balance a show which is worth about 6/10.

18.15 – Blood Brothers! C Soco

I have now seen this show twice, I was excited to see the play, this was a very young and talented cast presented the show in play format with nods to the musical. This was a good and well acted show, and the cast were in character playing on the stage as we entered. The show was well acted and cleverly presented, however, the casting of the brothers was odd, with two boys who looked nothing a like (one fair, one dark skinned). The end was a twist to the musical, and was highly entertaining. A great return to one of my favourite 2008 shows, and clever use of the stage. Well deserving of 6/10.

21.30 – Jimmy Carr: Laughter Therapy – Venue 150 @ EICC

Jimmy’s close to the edge humour is not one which is enjoyable to all but I find him comic and entertaining. Jimmy presented a mix of comedy, unusual art and audience interaction. Jimmy presented a 90 minute show with an over-run caused by a rowdy audience. One woman causing some trouble in one area by constantly was kicked out, and it was great to see a comedian taking action and kicking someone who is rowdy out. A great night out and good to see Jimmy on top form, well worth a 6.5/10.

Monday 30^th August

12.10 – Closest to the Moon – Pleasance Dome: 10 Dome

We had to chose some shows to fill a gap before a scheduled 17.25 show; Perfect Pitch and One Academy presented a clever and inspiring musical based on the challenge of climbing Everest, with a sensational cast and clever acapela harmonies this show has to be a favourite for last minute choice. An outstanding presentation of technical ability and an outstanding new musical with a top pitch perfect cast, this is just a fantastic show. A brilliant show to start the final day, a definitive 8.5/10.

14.05 – JUMP – Pleasance Dome: Queen Dome

A man is about to jump off a building but is stopped by a reporter who goes on to stop him from extracting his life story through a series of flashbacks and high quality songs. This was a great story about love and life, where a man comes to realise the failure of his life. This had a great cast of singers who presented an entertaining and moving musical. Rebecca Hutchingson took on the lead role of Sarah who was fantastic in a moving and entertaining wife and Lowri-Ann Richards in the role of a mum who cannot face her son being an artist. A fantastic show, a great last min choice worth a rating of 6.5/10.

17.25 – The Magnets 2010 – E4 Udderbelly

Back again for 2010, following from 2009 brilliance, the Magnets are talented musicians presented an hour of entertaining takes on popular music, getting the audience out of their seats, this year they included an A to Z of film soundtracks. A highly entertaining session of music, with Andy Frost legendary beat boxing. Acapela and musically brilliant, this was fantastic entertainment, a great show well worth 7.5/10.

18.55 – Lights! Camera! Improvise! – C: +2

A talented and young cast presented in the style of Showstopper, based on audience suggestions the cast presented a film “Read Between the Lines” a thriller based in an Edinburgh library, where an Ex SAS member fought a hilarious Russian mob. With hilarious improve scenes and pure comic timing, this was a great collaboration presenting a comical and fun show. Not as polished as show-stopper, but high quality casting and a fun night of entertainment. A good show worth a 7.5/10.

20.30 – Piramania! The swashbuckling pirate musical! – C: -1

This was hilarious, comic and full of musical puns from the opening line to the les-mis style finale. This was a great night of entertainment with nods to nearly every musical going, there was Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sonhiem, Spamalot, Les Mis, Rocky Horror and even Drowsy Chaperone. This show was full of humour, murder, mystery, intrigue and welsh jokes. Possibly the funniest show I have seen in a long time, full of some very dodgy humour, it was more laugh out loud funny than the first visit to Spamalot! This was legendry theatre. Claire Hammett stood out in the role of Polly, her vocal range and comic timing made her performance outstanding. Anna Brook-Mitchell in the role of welsh ‘eyes’ was hysterical and well performed, an operatic voice and sensational. A brilliant cast and show, absolutely fantastic, deserves a 9/10.

23.40 – Putting It Together by Sondheim – Augustines: Sanctuary.

A highly talented cast of 5 presented a compilation Sondheim show, with great vocals and inspiring performances, involving audience interaction, great singing and brilliant character acting. This was a great way to end the festival and a top class production. Gregor Firth and Adam Woodhouse were brilliant during a moving and clever rendition of Pretty Women from Sweeny Todd. Including music from nearly every Sondheim show, the female cast members were outstanding vocally; Gayle Telfer-Stevens and Veronic Horta; brilliant actresses and fun musicians vocally. The whole evening was compared and sung by the fantastic Brock Yurich. A top performance from a fantastic cast, worth a 8/10 and a brilliant end to the festival.

Edinburgh Fringe 2010 Plan

2010-08-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

So here is the plan for next week, very exciting!

Thursday 26th August
16:20: The A to Z of Oompah @ The GRV
17:30: Princess Cabaret @ Gilded Balloon
21.15: Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - On The Telly @ Gilded Balloon
23.00: BBC Comedy Presents @ Pleasance Dome

Friday 27th August
12.10: In Touch @ Pleasance Dome
15.05: Spring Awakening @ Pleasance Courtyard
18.10: An Innovative Design @ Venue 45
20.15: Frances Ruffelle: Beaneath The Dress @ Pleasance at Gillie Dhu
22.50: Showstopper The Improvised Musical @ Gilded Balloon

Saturday 28th August
10.00: Shakespeare for Breakfast @ C
15.45: Flawless Chase The Dream @ Udderbelly
17.00: Hamlet! The Musical @ Pleasance Courtyard
19.10: The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) @ Edinburgh Academy
21.00: Jason Bryne @ Assembly Hall
22.50: The House of Mirrors and Hears @ C
00.40: After Hours @ Pleasance Dome

Sunday 29th August
16.30: I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change @ C
18.15: Blood Brothers @ C Too
21.30: Jimmy Carr @ EICC

Monday 30st August
17.25: The Magnets @ Udderbelly
18.55: Lights! Camera! Improvise! @ C
20.30: Piramania, The Swashbuckling Pirate Musical @ C
23.40: Putting It Together By Sondheim @ Augustine's

So you can see there is lot's of room still feed in the odd last min show!

2009 Review!

2009-12-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

2009

Well as we draw to close another year I guess it's time to look at everything that's happened during the last 12 months, and reflect a little. If you read the message I sent out last year you will know I like to focus on the positive aspects of my year.

It has been a quiet year on the blogging front, half the posts I made last year, but with working so much, I hardly have the time to post updates quite as regularly and I do not review half as many shows as I used to.

This year has been very exciting, busy and completely mind-blowing with all the really wonderful things which have happened in my life, some of you probably know about most of it, but this is really time for me to highlight what has changed.

There have been mind-shattering changes in my personal life this year, I have now been living in my own house for over a year, and it’s been very exciting adjusting to living on my own. In March I met a beautiful girl named Michele, I never anticipated I would fall in love, and meeting Michele was truly one of the most amazing things that has happened to me, it completely shocked me, those who know me well, know I have never been one to really “date”, but this wonderful person comes along and changes my life, in the matter of a few weeks. I have now been going out with Michele since April and we have shared some wonderful experiences together since.

Since I left university I have been working hard trying to find a permanent job, as most know I was working for Capita on the Zurich contract a long time, but it was frustrating and not challenging, after much effort I managed to secure a new job, and at the end of September I started work as an MI (Management Information) Analyst at Zurich, this is directly for the company, and permanent. The job is going really well so far, it is challenging and exciting, I have really enjoyed the new environment and working with some wonderful new people.

Most will know I have always missed my Canadian friends, and that one day I wish to move to that great country. I still remember the great Christmas with Guy and Ellen. In November I managed to arrange a brief return to Toronto, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines for one week only. It was great to see so many old friends again, to have Timmy’s with Rohama, share music with Andrew, and of course meet up with the Baha’i’s there who I still consider to be my good friends and made such a wonderful impact on my life, it was also good to introduce Michele to all these wonderful people. It was good to spend time with Mehdi, Catherine, Betty, Norm, Adam, Arash and others again.

In February I made a brief return to Swansea with my good friends Seb and Marvin, managing to have some great fun on the beach, and meeting up with some old friends back there, I still think of all the old friends back there, but my life has moved on and changed so much in that time.

I have met so many people this year, it is impossible to fathom the amount, and some great times have been had. Of course the most important is the wonderful Michele, but meeting Becky, Glen, Baktash and Tim has also introduced me to some really amazing people. I finally met musical online friend Robert in March.

This year has been another absolute epic one for seeing shows, with my best friend of 12 years Stephen, my friend of 6 Years Chris, my best friend of 19 years and Sister, Carrie, and my wonderful Girlfriend of 9 months Michele... and many others... also discussing my favourite shows and performers with online friends such as Robert, who is now extremely surprised at me mentioning him twice in this blog?! Or maybe not considering I used the same line last year?!

Of course many of you know that Musical Theatre is a huge part of my life, and I love going to the theatre, so here is a summary of 2009. For those who haven't been keeping up with the years musical entertainment, in 2009 I saw 45 Shows, this year I will have seen 93 Shows, that's record I don’t think I will ever beat, this is where all my money's disappeared to then!

January

Jersey Boys

Spamalot

Opening the year with a new show for me the story of Franki Vali and the four seasons I really enjoyed the music in this show, and the closing night of one of my top 10 musicals Spamalot, a quiet and gentle start to the year.

February

Joseph

Oklahoma

Hayley Westenra and Johnathan Ansell

Whatsonstage.com Theatre Goers Choice Awards

February was a great month indeed, with Jenna in Oliver, a wonderful production of Oklahoma in the New Theatre Royal Portsmouth with my wonderful sister Carrie in it! A fantastic concert with Hayley Westernra and Johnathan Ansell, plus the WOS Awards, a great and fun month.

March

Oliver!

Mary Poppin's

Phantom Of The Opera

Austentatious

Witches Of Eastwick

We Will Rock You

Avenue Q

West End Story

We Will Rock You

At the time I referred to it as March madness, I barely had time to finish a review before hoping off to the next show, but got to see some amazing shows. The great new show Austentatious; the fantastic tour of Witches of Eastwick; a brilliant cabaret in Wolverhampton.

April

Mary Poppin's

Jet Set Go

Beyond The Barricade

Mary Poppin's

Les Miserables

West End Eurovision

The Mary Poppin’s tour was amazing; Lisa O’Hare is just practically perfect. Getting to see another new show in Jet Set Go, as well as my first show with Michele in Bournemouth seeing Beyond the Barricade. The month concluded with the hilarity of West End Eurovision.

May

We Will Rock You

Wicked

The Last Five Years

Rent

Symphonic Queen Spectacular

John Barrowman in Concert

Tick Tick Boom!

Les Miserables

Phantom Of The Opera

Joseph

With Stephens birthday May usually ends up being pretty packed with greatness and this year really no exception, seeing Kerry Ellis’s fantastic final performance in Wicked, the fantastic Rent charity gala, and a trip to each of my favourite shows, plus the closing night of Joseph!

June

Avenue Q

Beyond The Barricade

Les Miserables

Kerry Ellis sings the Great British Songbook

West Side Story

June held in store one of the greatest nights of the year! Kerry Ellis’s own concert, the great british songbook, FANTASTIC is the only word to describe this magic night of singing, it goes down as my event of the year.

July

Les Miserables

I did better than last year, managing to squeeze just one show in July, and of course it is the wonderful Les Miserables!

August

We Will Rock You

People

Princess Cabaret

Curtains

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Goes to Hollywood

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

One Man Show Off

Charity Gala and 2009 MTM Awards

Porn The Musical

I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change

Been So Long

Six Ways

A-Team The Musical

Rob Brown - A Whole Load of Kabul

I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change

Best Of The Fest

OOR Tours- The musical Walking Tour of Edinburgh

Foursome

An Improvised Musical

Jason Byrne

After Hours

Best Of Edinburgh 2009

Credit Crunch The Musical

Baby

Bloodbath The Musical

Late Show

Pythonesque

People

Jerry Springer The Opera

Jimmy Car - Rapier Wit

Facebook Fables

Great British Soap Opera

The Magnets

Rent

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Honk

Falsettoland

Chat! The Internet Musical

Over The Threashold

Murder Mystery Musical

Facebook: The Musical

Two words describe how you fit this many shows into one month (most of them in one week – “Edinburgh Fringe”, some fantastic shows in here, too many to highlight, read my blog about the Fringe to know more about the brilliant treats found in Scotland.

September

We Will Rock You

Forbidden Broadway

Charity Gala Performance

We Will Rock You

Two trips to see the We Will Rock You Tour, plus the hilarious Forbidden Broadway and another trip to Wolverhampton for a charity concert, a great month.

October

Sweet FA

Les Miserables

We Will Rock You

Starting with another show at the marvellous Portsmouth New Theatre Royal, this show was really good, a nomination from me to go to Fringe, some great performers. The Les Mis 24^th Birthday, plus the closing of the We Will Rock You tour in Bristol completed a fairly quiet month.

November

Evita

Sound of Music

My first trip to the Derngate Theatre in Northampton, with Michele to see the fantastic Rachael Wooding in Evita made me laugh and cry, the month ended with a return to Toronto and a trip to see the fantastic show Evita.

December

Christmas In New York

Legally Blonde

Les Miserables

So Jest End

Well this December has been fantastic! Christmas in New York was a treat on the day I got back from Canada, and this week has been filled with fun and madness. Legally Blond Opened this week in London, and although it wont go down as one of my favourites it was not half as bad as originally thought. Les Mis’s 2^nd night on its 25^th Anniversary Tour was simply sensational, with a great cast. This week has ended with two trips to see the wonderfully comic So Jest End, all I have to say is Gary Lake is a genius!

Hope this blog hasn't sent you to sleep! Nowhere near as much forward planning for 2010, only a few shows booked:

Night of 1000 Voices

Hairspray Tour

Les Miserables London

Les Miserables Tour

Oh and one more thing…

The latest top 15 – and some shocks in store!

Times Seen in Brackets (), marks out of 10 for last performance in square brackets []

Les Miserables (13) [8.9/10] – The recent performance on the 2^nd night of the tour was fantastic, and its about time this show reigned at the top of my list, it’s been a contender for a while now, but here it is!
The Phantom Of The Opera (8) [7/10] – It’s gone up in my list because my current desire to the show is at an all time high, I really want to see the new cast!
Wicked (11) [9.5/10] – This show has lost its appeal since Kerry left, I have no liking for Alexia based on performances outside of the show, so I await cast change before going again. It’s a shock to see it drop two spaces, but Les Mis and Phantom are timeless classics here.
Only The Brave (1) [9.5/10] – We still await the west end transfer, it’s a shame I don’t think I will ever get to see the greatness of this show again, meanwhile it remains in the top 5.
We Will Rock You (40) [7.5/10] – It keeps its place at 5^th, the tour casting was week in parts, and I need to see it in London to push this up the list. It has now reached it’s big 40 landmark though!
So Jest End (2) [9.9/10] – I cannot fault this show, this time tomorrow I will have seen it twice, it is fantastically written and hilarious, a new entry!
Avenue Q (9) [8/10] – I really want to see it just one more time before it closes, especially with CJ in the lead , I love the madness of this show!
Spamalot (9) [8/10] – The closing night of this show was hilarious, and weirdly I have missed it a great deal more than I thought I would have!
I Love You Because (1) [9.8/10] - not much wrong can be said about this small off west-end production, with a fantastic cast, musical score and script, it's a shame it never got a transfer, or west-end cast recording, because it could easily be nearer the top than this if it did!
Evita (1) [7/10] – A New Entry, this classic story was portrayed excellently by the brilliant Rachael Wooding, but the cast needed better supporting characters, a great show, would go again!
Honk (1) [8/10] – A New Entry, from this years fringe, a great styles and drewe musical, I would expect a higher entry if I could see this one more!
I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change (3) [6/10] – I love the sketches in this show, it really needs some west end casting!
Mary Poppins (4) [9/10] – The tour of this show was sensational, I loved this show the more I saw it!
Take Flight (1) [8/10] – A drop for this great show, but some new things have come and over-taken a show that never took off! This was a great show, and had a great cast, was always going to be a small production, but it made a big impression on me, and remains one I love the cast recording too, I don't think there is a chance of seeing it again, but it's clever story and use of simple staging really works.
Rent (2) [5/10] – Although the performance at fringe was not desirable my first experience of this show with the charity gala is why this show is another new entry onto my chart, the fantastic performances turned around my opinion of the show. Fantastic!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-18T11:28:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone

I am sending this message to all of my friends who I would normally have sent a Christmas card, I apologise if you get this message more than once, but I have several different mailing lists to go around.

In years past I have spent lots of money on Christmas cards for everyone, and last year I decided that I will not be sending any Christmas cards anywhere or to anyone, instead I put all of the money I usually spend on cards together, and sent it as a donation to charity. This year I am continuing with that tradition, last year I donated £20 to NSPCC, and this year I am donating even more:

I have worked out that this year I would have spent £30 on Christmas cards, including postage.

I have decided to donate this money to the following charity:

NSPCC
http://www.nspcc.org.uk

Hoping this helps children in need improve their lives this Christmas.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, and Joyful New Year.

2009 Fringe Awards

2009-09-19T04:41:00.000-07:00

Winners in BOLD!

Best NEW show:

Blow Up - The Credit Crunch Musical
Great British Soap Opera
Over The Threshold
Porn The Musical

Best EXISTING show:

Showstopper
The Magnets
Honk

Best Comedy Musical:

Princess Caberet
Showstopper
Muder Mystery Musical
A-Team The Musical

Best Comedy Gig/ Comedian

Best of Edinburgh 2009
Jason Byrne
Jimmy Carr

Beast MALE lead:

Adam Pritchard (Chat/ Great British Soap Opera)
Sam Thackary (Falsetto Land/ Six Ways)
Kieran Brown (Over The Threshold)
Adam Meggido (Showstopper)

Best FEMALE lead:

Cassidy Janson (People)
Helen French (Over The Threshold)
Madalena Alberto (Over The Threshold)
Ruth Bratt (Showstopper/ A-Team The Musical)

Best supporting FEMALE:

Danielle Corlass (Bloodbath)
Kelly Anne Gower (Bloodbath)
Gina Murray (Murder Mystery Musical)

Best Newcommer

Katie Bernstern (Falsettoland/ Six Ways)
Philippa Buxton (Chat/ Great British Soap Opera)
Sam Thackary (Falsetto Land/ Six Ways)

Best Music

Baby
Great British Soap Opera
Honk
Over The Threshold

Best Ensemble Performance

Six Ways
Falsettoland
Princess Caberet
Showstopper

Best Solo Song

Judas The Icon (Bloodbath)
Leave Dreams (People)
Are You There? (People)
Everyone Hates There Parents (Falsettoland)
Diva Song (Six Ways)

Best Ensemble Song

A Whole New Girl (Princess Caberet)
The Chair is Fair (Bloodbath)
Good Morning Malta (Porn The Musical)
You Can Go Home Now (Porn The Musical)

Best Set

Been So Long
Bloodbath
Jerry Springer

Best Last Minute Choice

Princess Caberet
Foursome
Rob Brown - A Whole Load Of Kabul

Deal Of The Fringe

Blow Up - The Credit Crunch Musical (£5 fringe)
Princess Caberet (2 for 1)
Rob Brown (2 for 1)

2009 Fringe Reviews

2009-09-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

Monday

15:50 – 24th August 2009 – People – Pleasance Dome

CJ was amazing as can be expected from someone of her calibre, and she had some really sweet solo numbers that were both powerful and tear jerking. The other two members of the cast were also really good, and all three came together with a bass and a piano wonderfully with some great songs and really good music. The only disappointment to be found here was that it was difficult to understand everything that was going on, as there was no dialogue, and the songs seems to be separate, and not really part of any underlying story, and it would have been nice to have some context for the songs. I thought CJ’s costume was rather nice on the plus side. This nice intimate venue reminded me in some ways of the chocolate factory.

17:45 – 24th August 2009 – Princess Cabaret – Gilded Balloon Teviot

A brilliant take on the story of Disney Prinesses, with humorous songs and parody, very up-to date and vibrant jokes, 6 Disney characters illustrate their lives after marriage's, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Jasmin, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White all narrated by Tinkerbell, this fun musical was crude and rude, and more un-pc than Avenue Q, but had me laughing from start to finish. This hilarious show ended with the princess's turning lesbian and becoming “a whole new girl”, I could have seen this show a few times, it was perfectly funny.

20:50 – 24th August 2009 – Curtains – Church Hill Theatre

An amateur school production of a hit Broadway show, not something you necessarily expect to be brilliant, but this was overall a talented young cast with some outstanding performers, some of the notable performers were Julian Amato, Katie Jo Flanagan, Emily Schlotman, and Jillian Sayegh. This venue was a more traditional theatre, and really quite nice. Some of the big ensemble numbers seemed to lack thought and decent choreography but overall this was a good performance with signs of promise.

22:15 – 24th August 2009 – The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Goes To Hollywood – Gilded Balloon Teviot

A highly amusing high pitched comedy with a few parody songs thrown in that will make you cry with laughter, highlights including a rude-word version of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and a song called Swine Flu to the tune of Footloose. The show opened with some typically cheesy sock jokes, but this show was genuinely entertaining as the two sock characters attempted to take you through the history of film.

Tuesday

14:50 – 25th August 2009 – The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) – Just The Tonic @ The Caves

This highly amusing interpretation of Shakespeare’s complete works had me laughing from start to finish, you have to give credit to these three wonderful girls who youthfully pounded through everything from the sonnets to Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth in the short time they had on stage. These three girls had a great passion for drama and were highly enthusiastic, getting the audience involved in there hilarious interpretations of some of the greatest literary works. All of the skits were highly entertaining, but one particular highlight has to be seeing hamlet done backwards, and in 30 seconds. This show was highly impressive, and the girls projected their voices excellently, it was the first show without the use of microphones.

16:15 – 25th August 2009 – One Man Show Off – Gilded Balloon Teviot

Mildly amusing one-man show with various impressions and characters, some parts were reasonably funny but others were not so good, the dry sense of humour was good but was not too my taste at times.

19:00 – 25th August 2009 – Charity Gala and 2009 MTM Awards – George 1

A collection of some of the best musicals from the 2009 fringe, with performances from “Bloodbath”, “Ed: The Musical”, “Over the Threshold”, “Barbershoppera II”, “A-Team The Musical”, “Showstopper The Improvised Musical”, “Great British Soap Opera”, and “Porn”. The special guests were a group called the Magnets, a group of guys combining Acapella with Beat Boxing to go through some classic songs – this was not something I expected to enjoy, but I did, it was a fantastic display that had the audience giving a standing ovation. It was great to see the new musical theatre talent being recognised.

21:05 – 25th August 2009 – Porn The Musical – George 4

A completely unexpected brilliant show, filled with a good balance of fun and humour with a level of sensibility, a Rocky Horror of the Porn age! In this cut down production you still got a good idea of the story, and catchy songs which have stayed in my head most of the week. I managed to get picked on during the song PHD a moment I will try and wipe from my mind. This highly talented Maltese cast were a credit to this musical. Good Morning Malta and Sandy with a Double D have stood in my head since the show.

23:00 – 25th August 2009 – I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change – Laughing Horse @ City Café

It was good to see the full second act of such a fantastic show, which I enjoyed last year, although it would take a lot to beat Take Notes production last year, and unsurprisingly this Manchester University production could not even come close. I did not realise that the reason for having two performances in a day was to cover both acts; unfortunately the first act could not be seen as there was no room to schedule in a performance. The performance was an incredibly high standard, and had me smiling. There were a couple of vocal flaws, and without microphones I would not like to have been at the back of the venue. Overall this production was good, and you can’t argue when it was part of this year’s free fringe.

Wednesday

10:00 – 26th August 2009 – Been So Long – Traverse Theatre

An amazingly brilliant R&B musical with great cast with great cast who all had fantastic voices, the show had an amazing set, and good plot, using hand microphones at times made the show seem more tongue in cheek humour at times this was inappropriate considering the story line. This show had some fantastic show’s and a great band, there were some great comic moments thrown with a generally good show, quite a large venue and a really nice theatre.

14:00 – 26th August 2009 – Six Ways – George 2

A really nice show with 6 fantastic performers from Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, a great story of love and deceit, with great music and a mix of comedy. Loved the performances, the show, which had all the right elements and a fantastic cast. One of my favourite moments was a tribute to West End Diva’s including a hilarious send up of Defying Gravity sung by the fantastic Sam Thackray Having a mixture of fun and seriousness that made for a great show, after seeing this I eagerly await seeing their other show falsettoland.

17:30 – 26th August 2009 – A-Team The Musical – Gilded Balloon Teviot

“You Just Hired The A-TEAM!” to the theme tune of this 80’s hit television show, a hilarious and cheesy send up of the A-TEAM TV show, a wonderful cast including the fantastic Vincent Jerome and Ruth Bratt, a well sung and well musically written show which made fun of the A-TEAM and Musical Theatre in general, some catchy songs and fun characters, easily can see why this show is a sell out.

19:00 – 26th August 2009 – Rob Brown A Whole Load Of Kabul – Gilded Balloon Teviot

A touching story of this comedians experiences in Afghanistan, a funny honest man who told his story with videos and good humour, it was a different type of comedy, but it was enjoyable and a good way of showing the things you don't see on the news.

21:00 – 26th August 2009 – I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change – C

A good quality production which felt far too short, and had only half of the sections from the overall selection of base material. A cast of six, rather than the usual eight, with no microphones which could have left the audience at the back missing some of the dialogue, like the other production there were some vocal weaknesses, but much more professional in costume, set and presentation. Really nice production, but it would have been nice to see more, and it seemed to pass by all too quickly.

23:59 – 26th August 2009 – Best Of The Fest – Assembly @ George Street

The MC of this comedy night was fantastic and extremely funny, and so were the first two acts, the 3rd act was good but I didn’t follow some of the humour, the final act was extremely poor. One of the nicest venues, with a beautiful chandelier.

Thursday

14:00 – 27th August 2009 – OOR Tours The Musical Walking Tour of Edinburgh – Blue Police Box

An entertaining historical and musical tour of Edinburgh, looking at the history of the places around the Royal Mile, a unique look at Edinburgh’s past backed with comedy and songs. It was only me and Stephen on this tour which could have made things awkward, but the guy dealt with the situation well and was genuine and interesting. Overall this was a worthwhile experience that you can find nowhere else.

16:30 - 27th August 2009 – Foursome

A really amazing play with strong actors who portrayed a brilliant story of love, loss and grief, showing the progression of relationships, an enjoyable serious play which makes you think about how short life can be.

17:30 – 27th August 2009 – An Improvised Musical – C Soco

“Chicken” the musical started in heaven and told the story of a boy killed by a giant hamster and included the song “at least it’s not a camel”. This young, fresh vibrant cast brought improvisation for the next generation, with some great humour. These promising performers were good, but nothing special, but could the future potential coming through. This nice light-hearted production was in a small intimate venue

20:15 – 27th August 2009 – Jason Byrne – Assembly @ Assembly Hall

A really good comedy show in one of the largest Fringe venues, a fantastic Irish comedian with a great sense of humour and funny stories from real life. A lot of audience participation, had a great seat in the front of the balcony, a really smart venue, one of the nicest.

Friday

00:40 – 28th August 2009 – After Hours – Pleasance Dome

A good evening of comedy, with some fantastic acts, the first act was Toppin and Butch who we saw at the Late Show last year, I did not like them, and I did not appreciate them any more this year, however the other three acts were pretty good.

13:10 – 28th August 2009 – Best of Edinburgh 2009 – Pleasance Courtyard

Has to be one of the best comedy combinations this year, with four fantastic acts, a great hour of entertainment which flew by all too quickly.

16:20 – 28th August 2009 – Credit Crunch The Musical – GRV Comedy Club

The story of a German banker who rose in the boom, and fell dramatically in the bust of the 2008 Credit Crunch, told humorously and explained well, all illustrated by the fantastic OmmPah Brass band, a 5 piece brass band with fantastic players who joined in the humour with great facial expressions. Amazing music, the show concluding with a fantastic arrangement of the Queen epic Bohemian Rhapsody.

19:30 – 28th August 2009 – Baby – George 2

A sweet musical from the writers of Take Flight (Mathby and Shire), this Broadway show was at times a little obvious in it's story but this was great show with some fantastic music, six fantastic performers who all showed signs of future promise, not sure if this show would be a success on the West End, but you could tell this is a great musical written by some fantastic writers)

21:30 – 28th August 2009 – Bloodbath The Musical – George 1

Murder, Fun and Rock music, if you think you can imagine this musical, your probably not even close, it's a Rocky Horror for the Psycho generation with some of the weirdest fans you could meet (and yea I was at Kerry's last night in Wicked). A west end cast with strong vocals made this shows catchy rock soundtrack stand out. Kelly Anne Gower stood out in this brilliant cast which included Danielle Corlass, Carina Gillespie, Siobhan McCarthy and Gary Amers, Kelly's solo Juda's the Icon and the ending ensemble number The Chair is Faitr stood out. Genuinely a fun musical, but not helped by it's scary fan's.

Saturday

00:45 – 29th August 2009 – Late Show – Underbelly

Another great late night show, with some great acts.

12:45 – 29th August 2009 – Pythonesque – Udderbelly’s Pasture

A unique comedic look at the story of the Monty Python team, and how everything happened from the beginning to the end, through parody sketches and amusing impressions, some really funny parts, a cleverly done family friendly show which will have you highly amused if your a big Python fan,

15:05 – 29th August 2009 – The Brothers Lionheart – George 4

Show cancelled due to the ill health of the lead performer.

15:50 – 29th August 2009 – People – Pleasance Dome

When brother's lionheart was cancelled I decided I would give this show a second chance, as I was quite tired the first time I saw it, I definitely enjoyed it more second time round, but I still couldn't quite fathom the story, if you like a good score though and don't mind not understanding the plot, then this show is a good one to see, especially with the outstanding Cassidy Janson singing some emotional and fantastic songs which send shivers down your spine.

18:30 – 29th August 2009 – Jerry Springer The Opera – George 1

I never got to see this show in London or on tour, but the opportunity to see it at fringe prices had me attending, and this outstanding company and production was not to be missed. I can see why this show could be seen as offensive, but it was in good fun and the performers Scotland's best performing arts school all showed great sings of promise, the set and music were clever, and the costumes well thought about, some of the girls in this show had particularly amazing voices.

21:30 – 29th August 2009 – Jimmy Carr Rapier Wit – EICC Venue 150

One of my favourite comedians shows his talent again, with his new touring show, as usual Jimmy is on the edge of a fine line, but he was fantastic.

Sunday

13:45 – 30th August 2009 – Facebook Fables – Gilded Balloon Teviot

The trials, tribulations and problems caused by the internet sensation that is facebook, 3 girls present a comic play on how things can go wrong on facebook, a cleverly written and devised play which had a great story played out brilliantly by the three actresses.

15:45 – 30th August 2009 – Great British Soap Opera – George 2

A fantastic new show from the Take Note Theatre production company, with a top class cast, great story and brilliant music, the story of a soap on the verge of death and trying to survive and the back stage story of the performers and their complicated personal lives which would make for a good soap story line in the first place.

17:24 – 30th August 2009 – The Magnets – Udderbelly’s Pasture

There is not much you can say about this amazing group of singers, they are just sensational, 6 guys sing contemporary music a-cappella, no instruments, really talented performers who had the audience on their feet at the end with a sensational Blame it on the Boogie, just amazing beyond imagination – look them up – they are worth a trip!

19:45 – 30th August 2009 – Rent – Spotlites

A high quality amateur production with a talented cast which showed great promise, with no microphones projection was an issue and this production came nowhere close to the Gala earlier this year. I did enjoy seeing Rent again, and this is a show I feel works better live than on DVD.

22:50 – 30th August 2009 – Showstopper! The Improvised Musical – George 4

Once again the Showstopper's do not fail to amaze and entertain with their brilliant high quality standard of improvisation that cannot be beaten. Tonight's show was “The Dancing Samuri” set in Feudal Japan including influences of Jonny Cash, Noel Coward, Jason Robert Brown, Mozart and Les Miserables. A great night of hilarity with random Ninja's and truly comic inspiration and up-staging, some great comic moments with the songs, all concluding with a magnificent Les Mis style finale, the whole show had me in stitches, no words can come close to describing the brilliance of this magnificent company.

Monday

12:00 – 31st August 2009 – Honk – George 1

An amazingly high quality production of this fantastic Styles and Drew musical, the cast were out in the audience before the start welcoming the audience into their seats, a great way of getting young children into the show. The cast were all highly talented individuals who came together to give this show the justice it deserves. Cracking music explains the story of the Ugly Duckling, but this show isn't just for children, its for everyone and it was great to finally see this show for the first time on stage.

14:00 – 31st August 2009 – Falsettoland – George 2

Things go slightly wrong in the planning of Jasons bar mitzvah, his Gay dad's partner is dying of AID's, his mum is seeing his Psychiatrist and the Lesbians next door are trying to get involved in the food. This is a fun show, with a great cast and some good songs, a brilliant song “we all hate our parents” had the audience laughing. A good plot and a meaningful story, real life can be shocking at times.

15:45 – 31st August 2009 – Chat! The Internet Musical – George 2

This musical was short but sweet at only 45 minutes, but in that time managed to tell the stories of the “sad” people who use the internet chat rooms and how they portray fake versions of themselves, this show flew by with a magnificent cast and was filled with brilliance. Another Take Note production, this is clearly the production company to keep your eye on every year.

17:30 – 31st August 2009 – Over The Threshold – George 2

Four characters have their lives turned around in this fantastic new musical, Madelena Albero's performance as Sam was sexy and fun, equally Helen French stole the show in the role of frustrated Kate, and when these two came together to sing Women Like You. Kieran Brown and Trevor Jary as Tom and Charlie were completely on par as well. Christopher Hamilton has produced a fine musical which is to be at Jermyn Street Theatre in London very soon, unfortunately I won't be able to make it.

19:10 – 31st August 2009 – Murder Mystery Musical – George 4

One of the funniest musicals of 2009, with a fantastic cast including Gina Murray. Making fun of Murder Dectective, X-Factor, Simon Cowal, and Celebrity Island programmes this fun musical hit the right note with it's playful over-acting and silliness, so many twists it kept the show interesting and fun. Just one word can describe Gina Murray's performance, Sensational.

22:30 – 31st August 2009 – Facebook: The Musical – C

A serious and well thought out musical with humour, love and betrayal, and everything else, a talented cast of 5 bring seemingly unconnected lives together through Facebook, this realistic story of fake facebook accounts and strange relationships being formed really shows you need to look carefully how well you know the people on your friends list. A high quality musical, the only thing to fix was the mixing and microphone levels.

Fringe Schedule

2009-08-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

People Monday, August 24, 2009 Edinburgh (Pleasance Dome) Curtains Monday, August 24, 2009 Edinburgh (Church Hill Theatre) The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Goes to Hollywood Monday, August 24, 2009 Edinburgh (Gilded Baloon Teviot) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Edinburgh (Just The Tonic @ The Caves) Charity Gala and 2009 MTM Awards Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Edinburgh (George 1) Porn The Musical Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Edinburgh (George 4) I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Edinburgh (Laughing Horse @ City Café) Been So Long Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Edinburgh (Traverse Theatre) Six Ways Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) A-Team The Musical Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Edinburgh (Gilded Baloon Teviot) I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Edinburgh (C) Best Of The Fest Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Edinburgh (Assembly @ Assembly Hall) OOR Tours- The musical Walking Tour of Edinburgh Thursday, August 27, 2009 Edinburgh (Blue Police Box, Outside the Tron Kirk, Hunter Square) An Improvised Musical Thursday, August 27, 2009 Edinburgh (C Soco) Jason Byrne Thursday, August 27, 2009 Edinburgh (Assembly @ Assembly Hall) After Hours Thursday, August 27, 2009 Edinburgh (Pleasance Dome) Best Of Edinburgh 2009 Friday, August 28, 2009 Edinburgh (Pleasance Court) Credit Crunch The Musical Friday, August 28, 2009 Edinburgh (GRV Comedy Club) Baby Friday, August 28, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) Bloodbath The Musical Friday, August 28, 2009 Edinburgh (George 1) Late Show Saturday, August 29, 2009 Edinburgh (Smirnoff Underbelly) Pythonesque Saturday, August 29, 2009 Edinburgh (Udderbelly's Pasture) Brothers Lionheart Saturday, August 29, 2009 Edinburgh (George 4) Jerry Springer The Opera Saturday, August 29, 2009 Edinburgh (George 1) Jimmy Car - Rapier Wit Saturday, August 29, 2009 Edinburgh (Venue 150 @ EICC) Facebook Fables Sunday, August 30, 2009 Edinburgh (Gilded Baloon Teviot) Great British Soap Opera Sunday, August 30, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) Rent Sunday, August 30, 2009 Edinburgh (Spotlites) Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Sunday, August 30, 2009 Edinburgh (George 4) Honk Monday, August 31, 2009 Edinburgh (George 1) Falsettoland Monday, August 31, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) Chat! The Internet Musical Monday, August 31, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) Over The Threashold Monday, August 31, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) Murder Mystery Musical Monday, August 31, 2009 Edinburgh (George 2) Facebook: The Musical Monday, August 31, 2009 Edinburgh (C) We Will Rock You Tuesday, September 01, 2009 Birmingham (Hippodrome)

Flying High Defying Gravity - You Won't Bring Me Down

2009-07-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

28 November 2009

I return to the greatest country known to man :) for 1 week, with 3 nights in Toronto and 4 nights in Niagara falls!

I will try and visit as many friends as I can possibly fit in, whilst showing my lovely girlfriend Michele around the amazing sites and attractions around the TO and NF, as well as a trip to St Kit's and hopefully Brock :)

I will surely give you all an update as soon as I possibly can!

KERRY ELLIS :) celebrates the great british songbook

2009-06-21T15:22:00.001-07:00

A night a west end star becomes the biggest legend ever. Kerry ellis -
sang some fantastic songs new and old, and just was awesome, for me
the highlight was simply just being there. First act included bond
songs, somebody to love and a legend triple of unexpected song, don't
cry for me argentina and memory . Second act was full of suprises
including some coldplay! The show was ended in spectacular fashion
with who want's to live forever and crazy little thing called love,
kerry was joined on stage by brian may for this stunning finale. This
one may deserve a full review, if i can say more than amazing :)

The Last Five Years/Rent - Charity Gala

2009-05-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

Just a brief commentary...

The Last 5 Years

A nice musical with a touching story of two lovers, with a great performance from Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer in the only two roles.

Rent

Rent has never been my favourite musical, certainly not from the film, which I have never been able to watch fully because of getting board.

It is a huge compliment to the cast really more than anything that I enjoyed the production at the Garick on Sunday, I came away on an absolute high from the amazingness of the perfornaces.

Outstanding performances were from Jonathan Williams, Jodie Jacobs, Kelly Anne Gower and Tim Dresden!

Highlights were Take Me or Leave me with Jodie and Kelly and Jonathan's One Song - Glory

Kerry's Final Flight

2009-05-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday 9th May 2009

Wicked

Victoria Apollo - London

------------------------------

Wicked is one of my favourite shows, and usually makes me come out on a high, but tonight was something special. For those of you who do not know Kerry Ellis has been one of my favourite performers for a long time, and my excitement in 2007 to see her for the first time in Wicked was immense, my excitement for her final performance in 2009 was just as immense.

The show was full of amazing performances from all of those leaving, as well as emotional performances from those staying.

The real highlight of the evening of course was the brilliantly fantastic Kerry Ellis who is really just sensational in the role of Elphaba, her performance tonight was beyond her best performance, she really let lose with her vocal's and just blew the audeience away with some absolutely sensational moments. The audience as expected was wild, and Kerry got a huge cheer just for coming on stage in the opening scene, of course she rewarded her fans during Wizard and I with some fantastic vocals. The end of the first act was something to be treasured, usually Kerry's Defying Gravity is pretty damn special, but this was beyond sensational, I think I lost count of the amount of shivers down my spine, but it was the final note that will be savoured, she took in a deep breath and let out one of the longest notes I have ever heard - completely amazing - earning a well deserved standing ovation.

The second act was just as amazing, during As Long AS Your Mine - Kerry decided on a slight line change to "for the last time... I feel... wicked". No Good Deed was just sensational with some really amazing vocals again a final note that really shook the theatre, it will be one of my favourite Kerry songs, her Fiyeroooo was of course a hearken back to her "Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa" day's from WWRY, she just let loose and will probably start another competition! For good was one of the most emotional performances I have ever seen with both Kerry and Dianne completely amazing me with a tearful and touching rendition! Of course there was a well deserved standing ovation at the end, and some touching speaches from both Kerry and Dianne!

Other's leaving include the legend Andy Mace who will be missed as understudy Wizard more than Dr Dillamond, Caroline O'Keiff who will be missed as Nessarose, Desmond Barret and Jeremy Legatt.

Goodbye We Will Rock You Toronto

2009-05-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

13th May 2009

Bad news after a fantastic run at both the Cannon and the Pansonic We Will Rock You: Toronto is coming to an end on 28th June - that's only 6 weeks left to get the chance of seeing this fantastic show!

To bring back memories of the legend show when I saw it in Toronto for the first time I thought I would re-post my review from that day when I saw it.

Good new's - WWRY London is extending to March 2010!

Some amazing show's have passed by recently without review, these will be done tomorrow night!

18 Mar 2007 TORONTO ROCK's

We Will Rock You – 17^th March 2007 – 2pm & 8pm

Cannon Theatre, Toronto

Well after what seems like ages I finally got to see We Will Rock You again, I have not seen it since the end of August, back home in London, and after what seemed months of counting down the days, it finally got here, the big event, the 17^th trip to see this show! I got to the theatre at about noon, and collected my pre-booked tickets for the afternoon show, I also noticed a sign advertising tickets for the evening performance at $45 (£20), and being such a big fan, and seeing as I was already in Toronto for the day, I thought why not and got myself a ticket for the evening show as well.

At 2pm it was eyes down for a full house, my seat in row A, 6 rows from the front was pretty good going. In the evening I was at the back of the God's in row T, stuck behind some tall people, but fortunately they decided not to come back for the second act!

Pop: Jack Langedijk – His performance as the ageing hippy barman (bar-tender for Canada) was as convincing and brilliant as all previous leads in the London production, matching performances of both Nigel Planer and Jeff Shankley, his rendition of Those Were The Days Of Our Lives was perfect. In the evening he forgot the words to the first verse of the song, so improvised on the spot, and unless you knew, you wouldn't have been able to tell he was bluffing!

Khashoggi – Evan Buliung – Probably the most convincing bad-guy I have ever seen, he played this part perfectly, and he was truly amazing, going beyond the evilness of all the London Khashoggi's that I have seen. His singing was also spot on for the role, and he worked perfectly opposite Alana Bridgewater as Killer Queen. When he appeared on the big TV screen (there is only one large one in this production), you could see his eyes were different colours, and this made him look even more of a bad-guy! This role sees the appearance of an English accent, and he did a remarkable job of pulling it off, however there were some times when I rolled my eyes at how typically stereotypical it was!

Galileo – Yvan Pedneault – What an achievement, he became the best Galileo as soon as I heard his fist note of "I Want To Break Free", and girls if you fell in love with Peter J from the London production, you will love Yvan, his French accent makes the role a dream with the ladies. His singing has to be equalled if not greater than previous holders of this role. Perfect Casting! At the end of the show when he is telling Scaramouche he loves her and that he cannot make music without her, he speaks in French, with the underscore of "Love of my Life" playing in the background, I thought this was a touching addition for Canada, especially as French is the other official language.

Scaramouche – Erica Peck – This girl is amazing, for a 20-year old not even graduated from drama-college, I was blown away, she is as good (if not better) than Hannah Jane Fox! I wasn't convinced of this until the evening performance where she turned herself up another notch, and came close to equalling Jenna Lee James' vocals! The sarcasm is changed quite significantly for the Canadian production, and a lot of the wording is changed. One of my favourite changes though was just before "under pressure", when Galileo and Scaramouch first meet, Galileo call's her a "weirdo", and she responds with "well you're an a##hole!" Met her at stage door, and she was just lovely, really pleased to hear that she was keeping up with the London performers!

Killer Queen – Alana Bridgewater – The return of a big black vocal powerhouse in the role, her performance was very reminiscent of Sharon D Clarke's, but beating that hands down. The change of the song "Play the Game" to "Now I'm Here" seemed to work, the lyrical implications of her having a relationship with Khashoggi in the past added something of a 'plot' to the show (somewhat of an achievement for We Will Rock You!) The set-changes put in place with no Trap-Door, and no big rotating platform was interesting, but clever, and her big red chair in the shape of a heart is something all powerful women would want to die for! At stage door she was exclaiming how she was still nervous having to live up to this role, and that reading reviews was scary, I assured her, this one will be completely flattering, she is Top-Notch!

Britney – Sterling Jarvis - Well this is another piece of brilliant casting, a true Britney, adding his own style of Kong-Fu which was just brilliant. His performance was perfect, as was his vocal capability. Britney being bald works so much better now after recent events, and I won't spoil the joke in the second act when Galileo and Scaramouche talk about his death!

Oz (Meat) – Suzie McNeil – What can I say about this woman, she is fantastic, she is well deserving of this role, her brilliant talent is somewhat limited by this role after seeing her perform on the show RockStar: INXS with MiG Ayesa and Ty Taylor, I thought she had the talent for this show, little did I know that sometime she would go on to be in it! Well seeing her perform live was a pleasure, and she was having some great fun up there. Her performance of "No-One But You" had me in tears during both performances. Possibly the sexiest Oz (Meat) I have seen, she was stunning, and it's the hardest role to compare, considering the competition in Kerry Ellis, but she's there, right next to her, in terms of vocal performance as well. It still disappoints me that its such a small role, and she doesn't get to feature in "Bohemian Rhapsody", but life is full of these small disappointments!

The Ensemble – I was very impressed, all playing the various small roles very well. A lot of Canadian references in the Bohemian Names, one small gripe I had was that the men did not have there mid-riff's shaved, so they were hairy, this didn't seem quite right for a "perfect race".

Wow, so this is probably the longest review I have ever written, so much that needs to be said. What is below this review is some of the differences I noticed, if you're going to see it, and don't want spoilers, then don't read the next little bit!

Act 1

Ø Statues instead of Pillars in Radio GaGa

Ø New Dance Moves for the Bass-Solo section of Radio GaGa

Ø Changes/removal of sarcasm, especially near Somebody To Love

Ø Now I'm Here instead of Play The Game, with a small lifting platform that comes out of the bottom part of the "Chair Set", this small platform is adjusted and rises higher and rotates during A Kind Of Magic, but its just about the size of the stage, and does not come out above the audiences heads as in London!

Ø Lots of Canadian/America Jokes, which I can't remember and some I don't want to spoil, during the Who Are You scene with Galileo and Britney, Galileo professes "I Am CANADIAN!" which got one of the biggest cheers of the night! Some of the song titles and band references are north Americanised, and so are TV show references.

Ø Scaramouche calls Galileo "Figgy" for short, which I'm not sure if I like or not yet!

Ø The Heartbreak Hotel, looks like it is a down-trodden hotel, during No-One-But You, a video screen comes down and images of those who have died young are shown, this adds a whole extra element to the song!

Ø No Trap Door meant some changes in lighting and pauses, and people being dragged off stage, rather than disappearing through the floor!

Act 2

Ø The Van disappears back-stage before Seven Seas Of Rhye

Ø With only one big screen, there are lots of more minor alterations to how things are structured

Ø The Seven Seas of Rhye is Las Vegas, the place where old rockers never die, they only "fffffffffade away"

Ø The place of living rock is: "Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens" oops sorry, I mean Wembly Stadium London, actually.

Ø Cliff Richard is replaced Clay Akin (the winner of American Idol), don't worry about him, he won't be around to too long

Ø During Headlong Reprise, classic queen album covers are shown on the screen

Ø Do You Want Bohemian Rhapsody – Probably the biggest cheer I have ever heard in a theatre!

Les Mis and West End Eurovision 2009

2009-05-01T02:40:00.001-07:00

What an amazing night. First we had les mis, greatness in typical
fashion with a full cast, except for jonathan williams as valjean. A
spectacular performance from him as well as the rest of the cast,
specially nancy as eponine who seemed to be on an emotional power
house :) fantastic show, and cast.
West end eurovision was cheesy and fun, with fantastic performances
from wicked, we will rock you, and lion king. Rock you should have won
for the superb rendition of 'love shine a light' by katrina and the
waves, love how they brought in typical wwry dances, that made arleen
philips on the judging panel smile at least.
Phantom won best video, mamma mia won best creative input, and best
performance.
Over 25k raised for theatreMAD so worth the effort.

Oliver, Mary Poppins, Phantom and Austentatious

2009-03-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

A mid March-madness update from me...

2nd March

Oliver

I watched parts of I'd Do Anything, but in general I am not a fan of such shows, however they do find some hidden gems of talent, most of them don't go on to win!

We did not have Jodie Prenger on for the performance, and had Tamsin Caroll (Standby) instead, who from the beggining sounded a bit raspy, I thought this was her protrayal of the role, until she hit a really bad note during "As Long As He Needs Me", found out since she had a throught infection - next time love rest your voice and let the understudy go on!

Other than this the casting was perfect, loved Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, hilarous and perfectly acted, his lack of singing talent wasn't too obvious. Gwion as Oliver was brilliant, love the welsh accent!

Two things stood out from this show more than anything else, the fantastic sets and the brilliant ensemble, the most notable the most fantastic Wendy Ferguson (previously Carlotta in Phantom) and Sarah Lark.

A show worth seeing once, maybee twice - at most! Bring on Omid!!

4th March

Mary Poppins

When I first saw this show nearly two years ago in London, and was extremely sceptical, but the fantastic show, set and cast made it practically perfect - in every way! Not much has changed for the tour, and none of the magic of the London production has been lost.

Standing out in this cast has to be Lisa O'Hare as Mary, she is utter perfection, and of course Martin Ball as Mr Bank's is brilliant!

I will do a more full review on second viewing in April at Cardiff

9th March

Phantom of The Opera

A return to Her Majesty's after near 2 years, was well worth the wait, the show has got back it's brilliance, and a sensational cast, even with two understudy's on! Perfect Seats in Row J of the Stalls on My Birthday!

Phantom - Nic Greenshields (Standby) - A really good performance in this role, was dissapointed to miss out on Ramin, but Nic wasn't noticeably an understudy, his acting was perfect, and emotion pure, the only one weakness was a short end note in "Music Of The Night" but nothing major, otherwise I really enjoyed his performance, and would certainly say your not needing to be worried about seeing him.

Christine Daae - Robyn North (Standby) - FANTASTIC, I was slightly disapointed by Leila Benn Harris in this role last time, but Robyn is sensational, she sing's really well and play's the role so well, not much I can say, but she's a competitor easily with Rachel Barrell and Sarah Lawrance - EASILY!

Raoul - Simon Bailey - From We Will Rock You, to Phantom of the Opera, two completely different show's but Simon really excells in this show, fantastic as Raoul, he sings really well, and play's the role excelently!

Carlotta - Kate Radmilovic - How do you replace the legend of Wendy Fergusson - this proved it is pretty much impossible, I didn't connect with Kate in the role at all, she sang quite well though.

M. Andre - Gareth Snook - Worked well opposite his counter-part, and sang eccelently.

M. Firmin - Barry James - Brilliant, from playing Thenardier to this, he is hilarious (yea phantom went funny?) in the role, he playes it really uniquely, and it's great, he sings pretty well, and is just a pleasure to watch!

M. Giry - Heather Jackson - same comments as last performance - pretty good (ha-ha one of the only cast members still there)

Piangi - Rohan Tickle - still play's the role perfectly, love his acting, and performance.

Meg Giry - Tori Johns - my most understudied role - but got a lead for a change - she is perfect, really loved her portrayal of the role - she looks fantastic as well!

Oh and the new sound system is perfect, makes the show completely perfect again!

11th March

Austentatious

Well after a year and a half it was back to the Landor, and it was brilliant, funny and just well, the cast was pretty damn faultless.

Cassidy Janson as a nutty stage manager reminded me in character of my sister. A fantastic performance. Simon Lipkin as the pot-smoking warped Blake was hilarious. Fem Belling was completely nut's and made me cringe doing the splits right in front of my seat, got to remember never to sit there again ;-). Richard Meek, and Iian Goodman were revelations, as were Jenna Boyd and Lucy Mills. FANTASTIC SHOW!

Right enough! More To Come Soon

The Last Few Show's

2009-02-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

Not really had time to comment in detail on the last few things I have seen, so here's a brief round up!

4th Feb 2009 - Joseph

Never been one of my favourite show's, but a row B seat 1/2 price seat to see Jenna could not be missed, really enjoyed the show from close to the front, and was much more entertaining being able to see everything going on properly! Jenna Lee James as Narator is fantastic, and is just typically nut-case like! Ricky Rojas as Joseph was a revelation, really nice voice, suited the role well, the understudy for the role, covering the gap between Lee and Gareth, definately could pull the role off full time. Dean Collinson rocked the house as usual with his brilliant pharoah! Quite a large audience, front row was empty, unfortunately, no matter how good the show is, I don't think now in the current climate it will survive without a "Star" in there.

7th Feb 2009 - Oklahoma!

I have never seen this Rogers and Hammerstien show, but know the music, and when I found out my little sister was appearing in an amatuer production in Portsmouth, I could not resist! I really enjoyed the show, all of the lead's were absolutely fantastic, and the cast really performed well. The two lead's were outstanding Vikki Smith and Philip Donald performed their roles brilliantly, as did everyone else in the cast, who won't get mentioned here, but deserve all the praise for putting together a show and rehearsing it in only 3 weeks - an outstanding show!

11th Feb 2009 - Hayley Westernra and Johnathan Ansell in Concert

FANTASTIC, two great operatic classical performers came together to perform fantasticly some brilliant numbers as solo's and duets. Hightlights of the evening included Hayley singing Scarbourough Fair and Songbird, and breath taking duets including All I Ask Of You, Amigo's Para Siempre and Time To Say Goodbye!

15th Feb 2009 - WOS Awards

A hilarious evening, some awards, some performances, and some fantastic acceptance speaches, which just made you crack up. Highlights included: Julie Atherton accepting Daniel Boy's award, and performances from Julie Atherton, Jimmy Johnstone, Sarah Lark. Low-lights included dodgy miming from Mamma Mia, and half-miming from Jersey Boys.

On a Jersey Boy's note they picked up lot's of award's, and Ryan got a little lost finding his seat (in our row) then turned round and passed us again!

Got a busy March in store, so look out for more updates and reviews soon!

Confessions of a Theatre Adict

2009-01-28T10:24:00.000-08:00

[version 2.1]

This post is up for editing, and I will be adding to it, so please feel free to comment and anything to add...

I have been thinking recently about my obsession/ addiction/ fascination with theatre, and how much fun it brings me in my daily life, with the little in-jokes, the comment's from "normal" people that make me smile, and just generally the little things I do which nobody even realises is musical theatre related...

- Someone asks for directions in London, and rather than using landmarks or street names, I give them directions in terms of Theatre's

- Someone asks me who "my favourite artist is" or "what my favourite music is", and I immediately come back with an answer they have never heard of, Kerry Ellis for example - even more amusing, I tell them they SHOULD know who the person is

- Someone asks my favourite musical, and it takes me a while to really consider, because there are so many to consider and lot's of different categories also

- I find myself thinking "do I really want a girl in my life, to take money away from my theatre fund?"

- When someone says something from a show (without realising) and I come back with a quote/ song

- I find myself bursting into song

- When you phone someone and in the voice of Tim the Enchanter say "Gr eating's Arthur King"

- When the above person is a fellow theatre fanatic and responds "Arthur King, Arthur King the biggest and the coolest thing"

- When someone asks me the date and I inadvertently add 300 years

- When I have done the above and start quoting the opening of We Will Rock You "although I have yet to uncover the exact moment the music died... etc"

- When I can't go a week without booking another trip

- When I buy albums just because my favourite performer is on there

- When I see the name Kerry Ellis I immediately look for the "buy ticket's" option

- I stop questioning whether I can afford a show - just because it sounds like one that will be exciting

- When I get asked how I can afford such extravagant a hobby I have a clear, precise, and thoughtful argument

- I know my theatre discounts

- I don't smoke

- I don't drink

- I don't have a girlfriend or kid's

- I don't socialise much outside work - except for theatre trips

- I know my train discounts

- I book a show before I know who will be in it, just because well, it's an amazing show (WWRY Canada, WWRY UK Tour)

- The first transaction you complete in a foreign country is the purchase of Show Tickets (Spamalot on arrival in Toronto)

- You start to wonder if you will ever find something as exciting as going to see a professional stage show

- You are willing to travel anywhere in the country to see something (Only The Brave, Edinburhg Fringe)

- You buy Cd's from things like Forbidden Broadway and see shows like Musical of Musicals then laugh so much it hurts because the Joke's are just 100% funny

- You giggle when you hear a tune in a pop song/ other show that is a copy of/ reminds you of something from a show

- When your colleague asks you what you are humming then you have to try and explain something really rude, "Avenue Q"

- When someone mentions they have seen a show your on top of them all day to find out the cast, what they thought, where they sat - and get frustrated when they don't know if they had understudies etc

- When you see someone miss-treat a theatre ticket - especially an usher

- When a cast member recognises you in the audience

- You recognise every single difference between the cast recordings and the actual shows.

- You know 99% of what happens in shows before you have even seen them.
- You have to buy the books about the shows and behind-the-scenes DVDs.
- You know at least half the libretto to every show on the West End.
- You have to buy both the programme and souvenir brochure, getting a surprised reaction from the person selling them.
- You have to write very long detailed reviews of the shows you have seen.
- You know not to pull funny faces at Poppins because the wind changes.
- When someone you know goes to see a show you get insanely jealous even if you are seeing one at the same time - so true.
- You have to buy top price tickets because you want the ultimate view.

- You know the offers which get you the above for a decent price
- You see more and more shows every year even if it means raiding your savings

- You start to panic if you've missed a show off your record-keeping spreadsheet

I am sure there will be more to come

ACT ONE

2009-01-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

2009 is filled with excitment and greatness so far. I usually write about shows, personal goings on and such like on this page. But this is a first - a review of a CD, it's unusual, because I rarely buy a CD without knowing the music/ seeing a show, but I could not resist, some of my favourite west end performers on one CD.

The CD is songs from the musicals of Alexander S Bermange, a little known composer who has written, well it seems some fantastic pieces of work, and has managed to bring together some of the greatest voices of musical theatre to sing his work for this brilliant album.

I urge any musical fan to go and buy this Album NOW, its essential for your collection!

(Artist) [Show's I've seen them in]

1. Walking on Sun (Jon Robyns) [Avenue Q/ Les Miserables]

- A very sweet and possitive song that is emphatically sung by Jon, a character finding a new place and becoming accustomed to it "I have come to a place I belong".

2. How You Imagine It To Be (Susan McFadden)

- How truth can be very different from what you expected, great for an opening number, really like Susans voice in this song.

3. Anyone But You (Jenna Lee James) [We Will Rock You/ Joseph] and (Dean Collinson) [Joseph]

- A great romantic song, but strange wishing they hadn't fallen in love, because the relationships complicated. I am a huge Jenna fan, and I love this duet, really show's off both performers vocal abilities.

4. Trial of the Heart (Ricardo Afonso) [We Will Rock You], (Cassandra Compton) [Les Miserables], and (Sabrina Aloueche) [We Will Rock You]

- A very rocking song, Ricardo's voice is just brilliantly unique and amazing, his range isn't even nearly shown, and Cassie and Sabrina are just perfect, three of my favourite performers on one song, really just worth it just for this! Ricardo sounds like quite an evil character in this song, which amazing! The end note with all three in harmony is just amazing.

5. I Want to Reach the Stars (Jon Lee)

- Isn't this the guy from S Club 7 - YEP! I was outstanded to find out how well this man actually sings, really amazing song too.

6. My Prince (Lara Palmer)

- Quite a comic song, really nice voice to listen to, not a performer I have heard of before this CDm and can't seem to find much info online, someone to keep an eye out for though.

7. If This Could Be Better (Linzi Hately) [Mamma Mia]

- Back to the great voice I recognise as the original Joseph Narrator, she is an amazing singer, and this song is wonderful too.

8. More Than A Memory (Oliver Thompsett) [Wicked]

- WOW, Oliver has an amazing voice, and it's perfectly unique, and this is just a great lamentation song, showing off how great this man, he needs a major leading male role next, Fiyero doesn't sing nearly enough when Oliver's on stage!

9. The Threshold of Her Heart (Dean Chisnall) and (Sabrina Aloueche) [We Will Rock You]

- Illustrating the amazingness of Sabrina, really nice to hear her voice in a slow romantic song, just fantatic!

10. You Can Read My Heart (Daniel Boys) [I Love You Because, Avenue Q]

- This man has an amazing voice, and is just sensational live, really enjoy seeing him perform, so glad he didn't win Joseph, because the two show's I've seen him have been amazing!

11. Just For One Moment In Time (Summer Stallen) [The Drowsy Chapperone]

- Quite embaressing that I havn't seen Summer in anything a little better, would love to have had the opportunity to see her in Sound of Music, but it's just not going to happen, a great performance on this song.

12. Higher Than A Shooting Star (Mark Evans) and (Susan McFadden)

- I really like this song, something about it just makes it appeal.

13. I've Grown To Learn (James Gillan) [Wicked]

- As Boq his voice wasn't shown off in the slightest, at last we can appreciate how great he is, fantastic song, fantastic singer!

14. The Magic's With Me Tonight (Joanna Ampil) [Les Miserables, Avenue Q]

- This woman has an amazing voice, and everything I hear from her just show's her diversity and ability, she can't show off much in Avenue Q (she does brilliantly with quite a hard role to make your own), but here she show's a true brilliance.

15. I Only Wish For You (Shona Lindsay) [Aspects of Love], (Ramin Karimloo) [ALW's Birthday], and (Dianne Pilkington) [Wicked]

- AMAZING, I need to see Ramin in Phantom, the two ladies here are just sensational, and their voices work so well together/

16. The Land Of Gold (Earl Carpenter) [Phantom, Les Miserables]

- Proving this man is more than the Phantom, and more than Javert, he is just fantastic, and I really like the song, and it just really shows his absolute fantasticness!

17. Where's the Love? (Janie Dee)

- Quite a good song again, from a performer I know little about.

18. Enchanted (Ben James-Ellis) and (Alexia Khadime)

- This song makes me wonder how Alexia can play Elphaba, her voice sounds quite sweet and pleasent, and well not really like Elphaba, but I quite like this song, and the duet works well.

19. Can't Get Enough (Sally Ann Triplett) [Chicago, Take Flight]

- Does Chicago have to trash this wonderful review ;-), I think Sally is a great performer who has a great voice, and the opening of this song reminds of her role in Take Flight, there's even half a line almost exactly the same as one of her solo's in that show! No matter how great she is though, I'm not sure what happened with the last note on this song - it doesn't suite her.

20. If No-One Loves You (Oliver Thornton) [Phantom]

- Soon to be in drag performing in Pricilla, this man really is quite amazing!

You can get this fantastic CD from Dress Circle in London...

or if London is too far: http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=34131

A Personal Note

2009-01-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

Doing half of Book 1 and all of Book 2 in the Ruhi sequence was possibly one of my favourite activities over in Canada, and the group of people we had was so special and unique.

It was with great sadness I recieved a mail from the tutor Betty this week, our dear friend Dixie has departed this mortal world, she was such a lovely soul who made every effort through severe illness and challenges to serve the entire community, she really was one of the kindest people I have ever met, and my thought's and prayers are with her closest friends and family at this time.

Picture, Back Row (Left to Right) - Lenny, Farshad, Arash, Pouria, Adam

Front Row (Left to Right) - Jolene, Me, Betty, Dixie

Farewell Spamalot

2009-01-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

3rd January 2008

8pm

The Palace Theare

SPAMalot!

-------------------

October 2006 - January 2009

Monty Python's SPAMalot!

So it's gone, one of my favourite comic shows, has sung it's tune and changed it's key's for the final time. Tonight was the best performance of spamalot I have ever seen, the cast put in 1million% effort and just excelled in every way, it was sad to see it go, but great to see possibly the ultimate triumph of this final cast!

I loved spamalot the first time I saw it in Toronto, and this was the time I laughed the hardest and found jokes funniest, long breaks from seeing the show did it's most justice, because the jokes wear thin if you see it too many times in a short space of time. I managed 7 visits to Spamalot, and saw some great (and some damn awful) performers in it.

This show will favourites for a long time, and it's a real shame its going. But I guess I must "look on the bright side of life", we might get a tour in a year or two, that would be fantastic!

Spamalot was never truely original, but that's why I found it so great, it admitted from day one that it's the biggest rip-off in the west end.

This performance will be remembered for a long time, and I just would like to appreciate this great cast one final time, by saying - FANTASTIC!

A special note about Amy Field, throughout the entire run of this show Amy was standby for the title female role Lady of The Lake, and she performed the role numerous times, and I had the pleasure of seeing her perform the role on 2 occasions, she gave great service to this show, and deserves a special bow of her own, she did dragged onto stage with all the swings/ standby's/ understudy's for the final speach and bow's.

Now I think it's time for a wish, I just hope the palace isn't wasted!

A Jersey First

2009-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

3rd January 2009

Prince Edward Theatre

2.30pm

Jersey Boys

------------------------

Amazing Singing, Amazing Songs, Great Set, Fantastic Theatre...

But I think I missed something... Story... I couldn't associate with it, I couldn't feel it, I couldn't get into it, I found it slow, and I just don't know it didn't feel exciting.

The music was sensational though, the set was clever, and it was quite fun at parts (where the music was lively).

I love the cast album, because the music is great, I love the voices, I love the songs, but for me on stage I would just have prefered the music - with less dialogue. I know they have to tell a story, and the story of the Four Seasons is interesting and exciting, it just didn't come across to me that well, perhaps I was sitting too far back and got distracted by the greatness of this beautiful theatre which I absolutely loved Mary Poppins in.

There are some shows I go into expecting rubbish, and come out excited, entertained and overwhelmed by greatness, there are some shows I go into expecting greatness and come out horrified at how absolute tripe can survive in the world of theatre. There are show's that meet expectations. Trouble is Jersey Boy's doesn't really fit into this category, I went expecting fun, great music and good voices, I got what I expected, but I still feel, well cut-short.

A thought to ponder upon perhaps?

A Rocking New Year

2009-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

31st December 2008

7.30pm Dominion Theatre

We Will Rock You

---------------------------

A fair few understudy's here:

Jon Boyden as Galileo

Rebecca Mckinnis as Killer Queen

Amanda Coutts as Meat

Rakesh Boury as Rebel Leader

We have a great cast in this show at the moment, and it's getting almost as good as the 2006 cast which I adored so much and saw so many times, the understudy's all performed exceptionally well.

Jon was great as galileo, it'ts been a while since I saw him when her first started, but he has grown into a brilliant understudy, and really is vocally strong. Not sure what was going on with the costume tonight though - seemed to just have a normal black shirt on, did the white t-shirt shrink in the wash?

Sabrina as always excelled as scaramouche and really just blew me away as usual, she really is just fantastic.

Rebecca reminded me very much in looks like Julie Stark, but sounds very different, she has a very individual essence to her voice, a little too soft and not rock enough, something a little lacking, but her acting is sensational, and her voice although it takes getting used to does begin to grow on you, with this being the first Mazz understudy I've seen since the greatness of Deonne back in 2006 I think it was always going to be a tough challenge!

Alex was hilarious and brilliant as he always is as Khashoggi.

I absolutely loved and adored Amanda as Meat, she is sexy, vocally excelent, and just WOW, the moments she was on stage just flew by, I was amazed, it takes alot for a Meat to get through to me first time, but she did, and she just rocked, I've not been this amazed for a long time. Everyone will know how hard it is for me to accept new people in this role, even the great Jenna Lee James took a couple of visits, but this girl hit the spot FIRST TIME!! All I need to say is I WILL make sure I try and see her again.

Ian was as every fantastic in the role of Brit, really played off Amanda well.

Gary as always just makes pop's scenes more enjoyable, it's alot of dialogue in that role, but he makes every line entertaining as anything.

A Wicked New Year

2009-01-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

31st December 2008

2.30 Apollo Victora

Wicked

---------------------

I havn't seen this show nearly as much as I should have recently, but Kerry Ellis is back, and on top form, a rush decision to buy tickets led us to a purchase of Row Q stalls, for £25 at 2.25pm percisely! All I have to say is it was definately worth it, the show as usual was absolutely sensational.

Only two understudy's with David Stroller on as Dr Dillamond/ Witches Father and Sarah Earnshaw on as Glinda.

Firstly I really enjoyed Sarah's performance as Glinda, she played the role very natuarally and not OTT as some do (even though I love that way of doing it too), I thought her vocals were sensational, and she really had some quirks that I adored. I missed Diane, but Sarah is a great standby. Not sure what happened but the Bubble juttered around during the opening, and didn't come back for the rest of the show!

First time seeing Desmond Barret as Wizard, and I was somewhat dissapointed by his lack of singing ability, but he wasn't all that bad, definately missed Nigel Planer though!

Everyone else gave excelent performances, and of course Kerry was spine-tinglingly good - AGAIN! She's not supposed to do this to me, I fall in love with her the more I see her!

2009

2009-01-02T10:27:00.003-08:00

Happy New Year!

Fantastic time was had in london!

Review's coming soon...

The End of 2008

2008-12-24T06:01:00.000-08:00

Well as we draw to close another year I guess it's time to look at everything that's happened during the last 12 months, and reflect a little.

A lot has changed in my personal life this year, I finished university in June, and have moved into my own house, back in my home-town of Swindon, getting into the working environment has been challenging, and I have learnt lots of things about the world you don't realise as a student. No movement towards what some keep insisting I should have - a love life - all in good time friends!

I am starting to miss more and more the good friends that I made over in the great country of Canada, I wish so much I could be over there at this time of year, I had one of my favourite Christmas's out there with Guy and Ellen, and such a great year in general, meeting some really great friends, I miss the Timmy's get together's with Rohama, I miss the sharing of music with Andrew, I miss all my Baha'i Friends who taught me so much, Mehdi, Catherine, Betty, Arash, Adam, Farshad, Jolene, Dixie, and Lenny, I will never forget the joy our Book 1 and 2 sessions brought me!

I miss Canada, much more than I ever could Swansea, after all it's a lot easier to go back to Swansea and visit, than it would be to get back to St. Catharines, but there so many people there who I think of, I miss the great fun I had with Lydia, Helen, Eli, Liz, Jo, Emily, Emilie, David, Cheresse, and all the many others who may kill me for not naming them!

I have met lot's of new friends, and got closer to some others being back in Swindon, I am sure you know who you are, too many names to mention!

This year has been another epic one for seeing shows, with my best friend of 11 years Stephen, my friend of 5 Years Chris, my best friend of 18 years and Sister, Carrie... and many others... also discussing my favourite shows and performers with new online friends such as Robert, who is now extremely surprised at me mentioning him in this blog?!

For those who haven't been keeping up with the years musical entertainment, in 2007 I saw 33 Shows, this year I will have seen 45 Shows, that's quite a record, this is where all my money's disappeared to then!

January

Sound of Music

Avenue Q

Masters Of The House

- My first experience of SOM, a fantastic show, a half-full theatre for the matinee, really wonderful show, with excellent performances. One of many visits to Avenue Q, seeing the 2008 cast for the first time, really enjoyed seeing people in new roles for the first time. Masters of the House was a touring event in Swansea, a mixture of songs performed fantastically!

February

Avenue Q

Blood Brothers

- Seeing avenue Q again was pure luck when I went to London with Chris, and we did Leicester square tickets- the same day we saw Blood Brothers, this was a first, both shows were fantastic, and a great time was had!

March

Hello Dolly

- An amateur production in Swansea which could have so easily been professional, which both me and Stephen really enjoyed!

April

Les Miserables

We Will Rock You

Joseph

- All shows I have seen before, Les Mis and Joseph for the first time in a little while, both really enjoyable, and Joseph starred the wonderful Jenna Lee James, an old WWRY tradition that heralds from the days of Cast changes in April seemed to sneak itself somewhere in there as well!

May

Chess

Aspects of Love

Beyond The Barricade

- Two firsts in a short space of time, the Chess concert at the Albert hall although good suffered from poor audio quality, but Aspects of Love in Swansea was fantastic, even if my msn name the following weeks led to some confusion! The Beyond The Barricade concert back in Swindon, was a similar event to Masters of the House, but nowhere near as good!

June

Wicked

Aspects of Love

Mums The Word 2

Les Miserables

We Will Rock You

- One of two visits to Wicked this year - wow that seems criminal on reflection, another trip to Aspects, a brilliant Charity concert, the Cast Change of Les Mis and another WWRY, a quiet June?

August

Beatlemania

We Will Rock You

The Spitfire Grill

Departure Lounge

Late Show

Mathilde

Musical of Musicals

Showstopper! The Impovised Musical

Brand New World

I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change

Only The Brave

Miss Sign-On

Footloose

- By far the busiest month, I moved house somewhere in there as well, it felt like the quietest month, but the end of the month crammed in 10 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, me and Stephen had a fantastic time, and so did Lyndsay for the time she joined us!

September

ALW's Birthday In The Park

Les Miserables

We Will Rock You

Never Never Land

We Will Rock You

Spamalot

Avenue Q

- Back to normal form? Quite a pricey month with the cast change of WWRY in there, but a fantastic time at all of these events!

October

Les Miserables

Queen + Paul Rogers

Les Miserables

- A quiet month, the Les Mis birthday, and taking my aunt for her first time, plus the fantastic concert at the O2 arena!

November

Spamalot

- An extremely busy month at home, doing lots of events, but managed to squish a show in somewhere - Haydn Oakley as King, and Amy Field as Lady of the Lake made it worth some Spam!

December

Wicked

Avenue Q

Spamalot

We Will Rock You (31st December)

- One of the busiest December's I have ever had, and I managed to see Wicked again, getting that average up a bit, can't believe I have only managed it twice!

Hope this blog hasn't sent you to sleep! Lot's booked for 2009 already:

Jersey Boys

Spamalot Closing Night

Hayley Westernra and Johnathan Ansel Concert

What's On Stage Awards

Oliver!

Witches of Eastwick

Avenue Q Closing Night

Mary Poppin's

John Barrowman Concert

West Side Story

We Will Rock You (on tour) * 2

Julie Atherton returns to the Q

2008-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 2nd December 2008
Avenue Q
Noel Coward Theatre, London

As if one west end legend returning to the stage wasn't enough, on Monday, Avenue Q also saw the entry of a new Casting, and it's closing cast, including a west end legend, and a return to the show by original cast member Julie Atherton.

This show's casting, is truly, ultimate, and cannot beaten, how appropriate then, it should be the closing cast.

Princeton/ Rod - Daniel Boys - I love Daniel in these roles, he is a fantastic singer and performer, and his voice for Rod is hilarious, he's done really well in this show, and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

Nicky/ Trekki/ Bear - Mark Goldthorpe - Mark is one of those performers who seems to excel in every role he plays, he was stand-out in I Love You Because, and he is equally fantastic as his roles in Avenue Q, after a year in the show, he has really settled and just gives the upmost energy, his If You Were Gay, makes me crack up every time!

Kate/ Lucy - Julie Atherton - I loved Julie in Fame, and in the OLC of this show, she plays both her roles in this just fantasticly, her voice is hilarious as Kate, I really don't know how she manages that every night. Rebecca Lock was good for the year she was with us, but tonight we got a reminder of why everyone missed Julie, her facial expressions are always just hillarious!

Gary - Edward Barawa - He has really adapted to this role from the seriousness of Les Miserables really well, and playes his role really well.

Brian - Christopher Fry - Although I don't think he is the best Brian in the world, he is OK, and it's a hard role to make a really large impact with this role.

Mrs T/ Bear/ Others - Rachel Jerram - Promoted from the Swing, I saw Rachel understudy these roles not so long ago, and she is fresh faced, pretty and quite a joy to watch, her Bad Idea Bear is hilarious, expecially in combination with the legendary of Mark Goldthorpe.

and so to the other west end legend, and it's another Les Miserables past cast member...

Christmas Eve - Joanna Ampil - I usually stuggle to like this role, but Jo is just sensational, I loved her Fantine in Les Mis, and seeing her in this was really different, but she excels at it, you can tell she's having fun, smiling all the way through, her voice also beats previous portrayals of this role, you can hear how good she is coming through the put-on accent Japanese accent. Just loved her.

Kerry Ellis Flies Home

2008-12-06T08:04:00.001-08:00

Monday 1st December 2008
Wicked, Victoria Apollo, London

"I Knew You'd Be Back" - The Wizard
"Well There's No Place Like Home" - Elphaba

It's felt like a long time, and I have missed this show lots, it's been left for far too long! But finally I took a seat in the Apollo for the first time in a while, of course the main reason being the return of my favourite west end performer, Kerry Ellis, to these shores, and to her lead role as Elphaba in this fantastic show!

Surprisingly we had 3 understudies for this performance, with Andy Mace on as Wizard,Nadine Cox on as Madam Morrible, and David Stoller on as Dr Dillamond.

Leaving a little break meant something quite special - a reminder of how brilliant this show truly is, and spine tingling shivers were experienced as I enjoyed some of the parts of the show like seeing them for the first time.

Dianne Pilkington was on perfect from as G(a)linda, she is just sensationally brilliant, is definitely becoming my favourite Glinda, her high notes are sensational, and her pure humour in Popular is just sensational, there is nothing I can say bad about her, I love everything about her portrayal of this role now.

I have never really liked Andy Mace's Wizard, but tonight he put in much more effort, and was great in the role, felt like he was putting his top performance into it to welcome the star of the show back.

Oliver Thomsett was ever impressive as Fiyero, his voice as usual fantastic in combination with both leading ladies, I really like how he plays the role, and really moves through the changes in the role very well.

Haven't seen the show since the cast change all the way back in June, so I had the experience of the new Nessarose and Boq.

Caroline Keiff is great as Nessarose, and plays the role well, a great replacement for Katie Rowley Jones, and didn't feel a great impact from this change, she has really taken with the role.

Jeremy Legat doesn't really do the same with Boq, he is taller than Dianne, which really doesn't work (if you have seen the show, then you know why), and he just doesn't seem to have the humour of previous Boq's, I really missed this in the role.

Nadine Cox understudied the role of Morrible really well, it's a hard to role to really pass much comment on.

So right now your thinking "surely he's forgetting Elphaba?"

either that or you know me too well!

Of course tonight saw the return of the fabulous, sensational and just purely talented Kerry Ellis to the role of Elphaba!

Of course your expecting me to say she was fantastic, and I cannot let you down, now will you believe me when I tell you, she was even better than before, and has improved? Every time I think it's not possible, she goes and does it! Kerry is now a fully rounded Elphaba, her singing gets better, and so does her acting, as if either part needed to improve. She proved herself perfectly during the Wizard and I doing some amazing vocals, and carrying on throughout the show to impress the audience. I could go on forever saying how amazing this woman is, and how brilliant she is in this role, but I think you would probably just get bored.

It's back in the top spot after this one, a deserved standing ovation from the audience.

FANTASTIC!!!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-05T09:56:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone

I am sending this message to all of my friends who I would normally have sent a Christmas card, I apologise if you get this message more than once, but I have several different mailing lists to go around.

Every year I usually waste lot's of money on Christmas cards for everyone, but this year I have decided that I will not be sending any Christmas cards anywhere or to anyone, instead I am putting all of the money I usually spend on cards together, and sending it as a donation to charity.

I have worked out that this year I would have spent £20 on Christmas cards, including postage.

I have decided to donate this money to the following charity:

NSPCC
http://www.nspcc.org.uk

Hoping this helps children in need improve their lives this Christmas.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, and Joyful New Year.

Much Love

Kenny Baxter

Pictures @ http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/baxter_kd/2008/
Blog @ http://kennybax.blogspot.com

"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value, education alone can cause its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." Baha'u'llah

Celebrating the Birth of Baha'u'llah in Swindon

2008-11-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday 15th November 2008

On the 12th November Bahá'í's everywhere in the world come together to celebrate the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the faith, and the person we believe is the manifestation of God for this day. The Bahá'í day goes from sunrise to sunset, so usually celebrations are held after sunrise on the day before, or before sunset on the day itself. In Swindon we had our usual celebration on Tuesday night, which was a fantastic occasion, with Prayers, Readings, Great Food, and socialising as a community. An even bigger celebration took place on Saturday 15th November at the Lawn Community Centre, with even more great Persian/ Iranian food, and some outstanding performances.

First we had a story, presented by Daryl, Marvin and Padraig, the story of a tiny seed called Timmy, and the Rosebush, and the many gardeners that tended to them. The story is an incredible metaphor for how we as people can see the Manifestation's of God as the gardener's sent down throughout the ages to look after humanity, and the most recent Gardener Baha'u'llah has come to help us grow, generously giving our fruits in service to the betterment of mankind. The story of Timmy seed starts when he is a seed planted, and his struggles as the gardeners come and help him to grow and eventually become a marvelous fruit tree. All of the time he is guided through these trials by the Rosebush, who is very wise, and has seen these things before. I have seen a shorter performance of this story at the Interfaith Conference earlier this year, this was an extended version, which more closely linked the story of Timmy, into the story of humanity. Marvin is a great actor and played the role of Rosebush with great integrity, teaching the young Timmy Seed played by Daryl about life in the garden, and life in the world of humanity. It's a touching performance, narrated by Padraig.

After this stunning performance, we were blessed by a wonderful performance by one half of Bahá'í music group Rowshan, Payam Baint, he sang some of the groups old and new songs, and got the whole room joining in. The groups transformation of quotations from the hidden words, and other Bahá'í prayers are always fun, inventive, and sung incredibly well. A fantastic performance, I think I will be buying both of the band's albums in the near future.

The night ended with general social and celebration, it's always great fun going to these events, and seeing the community celebrate, it's like Christmas, but without the Alcohol, Rubbish Songs, Rubbish Presents, and general materialistic gab!

I hope you have enjoyed my little review, I regularly post my thoughts/ reviews/ comments about life in general, west end professional theatre, and anything else that crops up on my Blog, which can be viewed online at http://kennybax.blogspot.com.

Understudy-a-lot

2008-11-15T03:15:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note...

Went to see Spamalot again on Monday 10th November, I wasn't planning on going again before it closed, but how could I resist a rare opportunity, 3rd Understudy King Arthur, and Standby Lady of the Lake.

Some might call me strange wanting to see understudy's, but very often they are just as good, if not better than the leads, I knew in advance of tonight these two roles would be understudy, and specifically booked to see them. It was no huge risk Amy Field has been Standby Lady since the show opened in London, and I saw her the first time I saw the show on these shores. As for the understudy for King, well that was Haydn Oakley, who is ex We Will Rock You, and Wicked ensemble, a few years ago I saw Haydn understudy the role of Pop in We Will Rock You.

I was not disappointed, every time I have seen the show in this country a fairly big name has been in the role of King, so it made a change to see a "real" west end performer take the lead. Haydn was fantastic, the best King vocally I have seen, and his acting was pretty good as well, it was his first performance of the role, and most likely his last, not very often the 3rd understudy goes on. His line in response to getting a show to the west end of London was amusing and appropriate "how do we get to the west end of London, it's 1000 years in the future, and the understudy's always on for the lead".

It was 2007 I first saw Spamalot in the West End, and had the Fantastic Amy Field (also ex We Will Rock You), on in the role of Lady of the Lake, and I definitely can't complain about seeing her again. I loved Hannah Waddingham in this role, and she will always be my favourite, for her hilarious Sarah Brightman impressions. But Amy brings something fresh and different to the role, she has a fantastic voice, and she looks good too, which goes a long way. Her Diva's Lament was perfect today, and as always she impressed. I prefer Amy to the current lead Nina Sonderquest.

The only other difference tonight was the role of Lancelot, last time I saw the show Haydn was on covering this role (multi-talented guy), so tonight we had the lead Jake back, never seen him before, and there was something that didn't quite work for me, he didn't seem to play the role comfortably at times, although his Knight of Ni, and Tim the Enchanter were hilarious, I didn't like his portrayal of Lancelot itself.

Anyway I guess that's enough ranting for now.

Spamalot closes on 3rd of Jan, and a crowd of us are taking over the front row.

Les Miserables hits the TOP SPOT

2008-11-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

Some have expressed shock at my bold suggestion that Les Miserables has over taken Wicked as my favourite musical!

I went again on Monday 27th October and had a fantastic time, as usual, felt particularly moved at this performance, and everyone was on very top form I feel nothing can beat this show at the moment, it's just sensational, it's a shame it has it's one weakness in the current fantine, but apart from that I come away loving the show even more each time I see it.

I am sure Wicked will have it's day again when Kerry Ellis comes back to our shores in December though!

Been very busy, so no full review.

More shows being booked, lots more to come!

One Day More!

2008-10-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables
Queen's Theatre, London
Wednesday 8th October 2008
23rd Anniversary Performance

We had great front row (BB20,21) for the celebration of Les Miserables 23rd birthday performance. A special curtain (see picture) was used, and a special announcement was made at the start of the show. We had a full cast, all of whom were in fine voice for this spectacular performance. The show was brought to an end by a speach by Drew Sarich, followed by the singing of Happy Birthday/One Day More (Reprise), and a huge amount of gold confetti and streemers being shot into the audience. A 9/10 for the show tonight, hard to find a single fault!

Jean Valjean - Drew Sarich - I love Drew's interpretation of this role, it grows on me the more I see it, he is vocally perfect, and really portrays the character with a great range of emotion. Another astonishingly brilliant performance tonight. Now seen Drew in the role 2 1/2 times, last time he had hit his head, meaning the understudy going on after "Stars".

Javert - Earl Carpenter - Can this man get any more evil and agressive as Javert, perfect in the role, a must see, really just sensational, can understand every single word, and he is just amazing, complete contrast to the role of Phantom, but plays both brilliantly.

Fantine - Allyson Brown - Remains the weakest point in this cast vocally, her acting is incredible, and you can see that more from the front, the person I would not mind seeing an understudy for!

Thenardier - Jimmy Johnston - Being in front row really noticed some of his quirky quiet comments under his breath when he's not supposed to be speaking, really great performance tonight, an outstanding Dog Eats Dog, and Beggers At The Feast.

Mme Thenardier - Jackie Marks - Just perfect in this role, strong vocally, but acts the role sensationally, her facial expressions are everything, just can't stop smiling when this womans on stage!

Eponine - Nancy Sullivan - Showing she is truely unique in this role again tonight, strong acting and vocals, really powerful in On My Own, and Little Fall Of Rain was extreme of emotions, top notch!

Cosette - Leanne Dobinson - Definately my favourite cosette, from up close she is also very good looking on top of being a fantastic singer and actress, I for once can see why Marius would choose her over Eponine, where I've not been able to answer that question in the past. A fantastic performance again tonight, flawless.

Enjolras - David Thaxton - I didn't think much of David in this role the first time I saw him as an understudy way back in March 2006, but he has improved ten fold, a truely fantastic and emotional performance from him tonight, nothing to fault it at all!

Marius - Jon Robyns - Last, but by no means least, this man is a sensation, perfect vocally, perfect look, and perfect acting, has many similarities to Michael Ball, and plays the role exactly as it should be, really truely great performer, very strange seeing him in this after the humour of Avenue Q, but he is just perfect, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, was fantastic!

I don't usually mention the kid's, as I never really feel like taking note of names, or paying that much attention, the gavroche tonight got a big applause, but I fear mainly for the cute factor, although his singing was good, there was something not quite right, but I will leave it at that.

Fantastic performance again!

Roll on 27th October!

Les miserables is 23, and i was there, mini review.

2008-10-08T15:41:00.001-07:00

Les mis birthday celebrations were fantastic. A full cast, and as
usual a fabulous show. Will do a full show review the weekend. We had
a speech from drew sarich at the end, followed by happy birthday/one
day more reprise. 9/10 for this performance, could hardly fault it.
Can't wait to go again on the 27th.

Top 15, October 2008

2008-10-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

This becomes more and more difficult the more show's that I see, and shows are moving around more than ever as I see them again and change my opinion! We have pretty much a completely new top 15, and I am sure some will be shocked!

Times Seen in Brackets (), marks out of 10 for last performance in square brackets []

1. Wicked (8)[8/10] - even though I haven't seen this in a while it remains at the top for its story, songs, and general goodness, I have missed seeing this show, and I need to go again soon, may as well wait for the great Kerry Ellis to come back to our shores first now though!

2. Les Miserables (5) [8.5/10] - fast approaching the top, its becoming my *new* phantom, the obsession is worse here because I keep getting good tickets at low prices, so its hard to say no, it will have overtaken phantom (6) in terms of number of times seen at the end of October, and it may even catch wicked (8), if I am not careful!

3. Only The Brave (1) [9.5/10] - this show has only had one chance to impress me, in Edinburgh, and it did the job superbly, it cold go right to the top if it ever gets to the west end.

4. The Phantom Of The Opera (6) [6/10] - the only reason I don't see this show much is the cost, its virtually impossible to get good discounted tickets, and it's a show you have to have good visability for, the last time I saw the show I didn't have a great chritine, and not great seats, am looking to go again in the new year though, need to see it again!

5. We Will Rock You (31) [8.5/10] - it's crept back into the top five with the new cast, I keep going back to this show, it got me into theatre, and into queen, and is just great fun, and great casting, and good tickets are always available at discount in the week, a show I will see again and again, nothing will ever overtake this one!

6. Blood Brothers (1) [7.5] - knocked out of the top five only because of the very high quality above it, a fantistic show, which I have only seen once, but loved, one to see again

7. I Love You Because (1) [9.9/10] - not much wrong can be said about this small off west-end production, with a fantastic cast, musical score and script, it's a shame it never got a transfer, or west-end cast recording, because it could easily be nearer the top than this if it did!

8. Avenue Q (6) [8/10] - one of the funniest shows I have ever seen, and I keep loving the casting, a show that's hard to compare to any other, remains strong after 2 years on the west end stage.

9. Spamalot (6) [7.5/10] - although I am sad this is closing in January, its a show that looses a lot of its humour as soon as you've seen it once, but Sanjeev Bhaskar has saved the show from being out of my top 10, and with only one more performance booked, I am sure I will remember this for its good points.

10. I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change (1) [9/10] - Another of my favourtes from Edinburgh, and a fairly strong off-broadway show, with a fantastic idea and clever score, would need to see this show again for it to contend with anything above.

11. Take Flight (1) [8/10] - This was a great show, and had a great cast, was always going to be a small production, but it made a big impression on me, and remains one I love the cast recording too, I don't think there is a chance of seeing it again, but it's clever story and use of simple staging really works.

12. Hairspray (1) [7.5/10] - A great movie, and a great stage show, which I think is great, but it's not one I am pulled to see repeatedly, may go and see it if a ticket at the right price comes in my direction, although I loved it at the time, I havn't missed not seeing it

13. Mary Poppins (1) [8/10] - I am really looking forward to seeing this move up the list once I see the show again on tour in April, it was really good, and changed my perspective in once visit, so if it keeps it's strength I imagine it will move up, to where I don't know!

14. Musical of Musicals (1) [8/10] - Definatly a show that you have to be there to get the humour, and doesn't sound the same on the cast recording, but a clever and humerous show, which was great fun, something I would see again!

15. Aspects of Love (2) [7/10] - I saw this twice on tour, in quick succession and really enjoyed it, it's hard to put anything at the bottom of this list, because everything is so strong, but there are show's that didn't make it this far which are just sensational!

So what has missed out?

Sound of Music (1)[7/10]
Joseph (2) [8/10]
Chess (1) [6.5/10]
Mamma Mia (1) [7/10]
Fame (1) [6/10]
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1) [6.5/10]
My Fair Lady (1)
Chicago (1) [4/10]
Little Shop Of Horrors (1) [8/10]
Footloose (2) [7/10]

and all the stuff at the fringe

Spamalot and Avenue Q

2008-10-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

On Friday 26th September I saw two show's I haven't seen in a while, and had a day of crying with laughter, possibly the best thing to do on a Friday, after a busy week is to sit back, relax and laugh your head off at the brilliance of these two show's! I am not going to do my usual long reviews for either of these, it would take way too long, and I want to be all up to date before my next excursion, tomorrow, to see the wonderful show that is Les Mis!

Spamalot felt refreshed with its *new* cast, and you just have to love the new King, Sanjeev Bhaskar. We had one understudy, Haydn Oakley in the role of Lancelot (and others), he was fantastic in this role, as was each of the cast. I did miss Hannah Waddingham as lady of the lake at points, but that's not to fault Nina, who is absolutley fantastic. The Song That Goes Like This was expecially humerous tonight, I think Michael Xaivier (previously played Raoul in phantom) made this so! After over a years gap, it was time to Look On The Bright Side Of Life again, and enjoy some SPAM, next visit will be closing night in January, can't believe it's closing!

I have seen Avenue Q alot more recently, but it was good to give that a little break, and it was funny as ever tonight, some new faces in the cast, most notably Edward Baruwa in the role of Gary, his take on the role is fantastic, and he does the comedy much better than expected, considering his last show was Les Mis! It was a great show again, and I keep loving the whole cast, expecially Mark Goldthorpe who just makes Trekki/Nikki absolutely spot on, find myself in stitches whenever he is on stage!

Dominion Keeps Rocking

2008-10-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

We Will Rock You

Thursday 25^th September 2008

Dominion Theatre

It's rare these days that I go and see a new cast during their first week, the show tends to be less polished until everyone's had the chance to settle into their roles and make it their own, but I brought tickets for the originally planned Jersey Boy's midnight matinee, even though that was cancelled at last minute, I still had three other show tickets, so went to London anyway. Contrast to expectations the new cast were extremely polished, and brilliant, in fact arguably it's the best I have seen the show in a little while, and that includes the cast change on Saturday!

Pop – Gary Lake – I was dubious about our new pop, having seen him many times over the last year in the role of Rebel Leader, I was worried his aggressiveness and dodgy accents would carry forward into his new role. No, Garry took the role to a whole new level, bringing a Welsh accent and a fantastic voice, making every line entertaining, even throughout the lengthy bar scene. Really enjoyed his performance, may his brilliance continue in this role!

Brit – Ian Carlyle – Having seen Ian understudy the role once before, I had no concern over his taking over from Lain, and he has improved even more since last seeing him, and has made a few little changes that make him an absolutely perfect Brit.

Meat – Rachel Tucker – I am not by any stretch of the imagination a fan of reality shows, or the method of casting, but sometimes it finds a real talent, this year “I'd do anything” has done just that, with severel people, seeing Niamh and Sarah in Edinburgh was good enough, but this is the west end, a whole different quality is needed to remain consistent. Rachel brings to stage an Irish meat, who is bubbly, sexy, lively, and a fantastic singer. A brilliant reflection on her performance for her to get a good review from me, I normally take a while to settle into a meat, but Rachel has entered into the top of my favourites list very quickly. Only one fault to her performance was forgetting parts of a dance, and not doing quite a long enough “yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah” when first coming onto stage, but these are things which can only be improved upon.

As for the rest of the leads, well not much to say, continuing to wow, and just be sensational Mazz. Alex, Ricardo and Sabrina are all fantastic, and they just continue to put 110% in. Alex seems to have become a lot more evil in the last few days, and I like it!

The new ensemble seem to be settling in well, some great people cast, and the new rebel leader isn't half bad, Brian McCann could never immediately replace the brilliance of Craig Ryder, but his Irish accent is brilliant, and he does play the role perfectly. Overall a worthwhile trip to Rock You, possibly the most I have enjoyed it in a little while!

Never Never Land

2008-10-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Never Never Land

Sunday 21^st September 2008

Duchess Theatre

I am not going to write much about this concert, it was a superb showcase of the talents of the west end, and Broadway, with some famous songs in the first act, and some music by composer scott allen in the second. The night was extremely entertaining, and worth a trip to london for, there were some outstanding performances, but it was a shame that some performers had to pull out at the last minute. By far the outstanding performers were Jenna Lee James, Jenna Leigh Green and Gemma O'Duffy, oh and of course Cassandra Compton. It was so long ago now, it's difficult to write much about the night, this was just a passing comment.

testing

2008-10-07T11:34:00.001-07:00

a test of the e-mail blog service

"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value, education alone can cause its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." Baha'u'llah

Graduation – the end of one era, and the dawn of a new one

2008-10-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

On July 15^th 2008 I graduated from university in Swansea, after four years of hard work, supporting me were my sister Carrie and auntie Sharon. It was a strange, proud, and emotional day, seeing some friends for what may have been the last time, and being admitted into the degree itself. I had forgotten that fellow student and Bahá'i Tanya was also graduating from her masters, so it was an extra surprise to have friends Madhu and Joan also present as the ceremony. In four years I have learnt much, and not purely degree related, there has been much learning of life skills, and of course I have developed my spiritual side, delving into the delights of the Bahá'i faith.

The day itself was quite nerve racking, the gown felt uncomfortable, and I felt very self conscious, even though there were hundreds of students wearing exactly the same. But the relief and joy I felt “receiving” my degree was incomparable, and made all of the hard work worth it.

The four years of my degree were spent predominantly in Swansea, but I spent 8 glorious months at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, and a fantastic time was had, taking in a whole different culture, and has added so much to my life in general. There was ups, downs, highs, lows, fun, sadness, stress, and lots of hard work, not to mention the computer problems that wanted to hinder everything, but nothing is worth achieving if it's easy to get. The Bahá'i faith teaches us that tests are sent to build us spiritually, well I can't help but believe in this even more after my experience at university, no matter what was thrown at me, I managed to find a way of dealing with, and overcoming to achieve the end goal.

I have got an awful lot out of my degree, and learnt many lessons, the most important is that whatever is thrown at you, you can overcome any test, and the sense of enlightenment, accomplishment and happiness when you have done this is incomparable.

I look forward to my tests going forward, and encourage everyone to face challenges with a positive attitude and strength, but seek help and guidance when its needed, and you will achieve your hearts desire.

Reviews Coming Soon

2008-10-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

Never Never Land
Sunday 21st September 2008
Duchess Theatre

We Will Rock You
Thursday 25th September 2008
Dominion Theatre

Spamalot
Friday 26th September 2008
Palace Theatre

Avenue Q
Friday 26th September 2008
Noel Coward Theatre

WWRY CAST CHANGE 2008

2008-10-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

We Will Rock You
Saturday 20th September 2008
Dominion Theatre

What an appropriate night to reach the 30 mark, I can't believe how much I keep loving this show, but the music is just sensational, and the casting is constantly superb, each time I travel to the dominion I come away feeling revived, refreshed and stunned. Today it was cast change, with the current Brit (Lain Gray), Meat (Lucy Sinclair), Pop (Julian Lithman), Rebel Leader (Craig Ryder), and virtually the whole ensemble leaving. Cast-change is always emotional, and is always where performers put in their utmost effort on their last night, and tonight was really no different. We obviously had a full cast, although Lucy was unlikely until last minute, as she had recently been injured, and this was her first night back. So in usual we will rock you fashion, I will review by cast member.

Pop – Julian Lithman – Julian has really been a great pop, it took time to grow into his interpretation of the role, after the cool and relaxed Jeff Shankley, but he has put in a great year, and really been fantastic in this role, and will be truly missed, as usual a great acting performance tonight.

Khashoggi – Alex Bourne – This man never stops being brilliant, he is thankfully staying for another year, and he still puts in full effort at every performance, he really loves it and you can tell with the amount of fun he has on stage, another flawless show from Alex tonight.

Galileo – Ricardo Alfonso – As usual a stunning vocal performance from my favourite Galileo, at each performance he seems to better the one I last saw, and I am really glad he is staying for another year treating the boards as the dreamer, as he is truly fantastic, tonight we were treated to an extra long note at the end of we are the champions.

Scaramouche – Sabrina Aloueche – In a year this girl has made the biggest improvement, at first I didn't like her acting, now I consider her the best Scaramouche to hit the dominion stage, and that takes some admitting, although she is the first I am not absolutely infatuated with, she is all round the best vocally, and she has done so much to turn the role in something brilliant to watch, and spot on, absolutely thrilled to know she will continue to wow theatre goers for another year.

Killer Queen – Mazz Murray – The words Killer Queen and Mazz Murray have become something quite inseparable for the last four years, and quite rightly so, she is fantastic, cannot be faulted, and is always faultless, she is absolutely consistent, the last time I saw an understudy for the role was in August 2006, and I have seen the show 13 times in London since then. Thankfully we have another year of Mazz and her evil stares, fantastic acting singing, and general brilliance.

Brit – Lain Gray – Only a year as the lead in this role, but came from being understudy, and he is truly fantastic, we know his replacement the current understudy is fantastic, but he will be missed, and he has been a fantastic Vic/Brit in his time in the role. The role of Brit came back tonight, and very glad to have that back, everything flows so much better.

Meat – Lucy Sinclair – I have gone through my stages of liking and disliking this woman, she has certainly been the most inconsistent of the current cast, and I don't feel she will be missed, she struggled on stage tonight, with her leg injury still obviously hindering her movement, but she managed to overcome. To her credit, I enjoy her I Want It All, and Headlong, but find myself disappointed by her No-One But You, and Crazy Little Thing Called Love, by far still the weakest casting in this role I have seen.

Rebel Leader – Craig Ryder – Always glad to have Craig on stage, he is fantastic, and always puts in superb effort, not seen him much as “Robbie Williams” this year, but he is fantastic, and will be missed from the ensemble.

An emotional end to the show, but surprisingly no speeches, or guests, a normal end, which was quite disappointing.

Look Down, Look Down

2008-10-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables

Saturday 20^th September 2008

Queens Theatre

I cannot believe this is only the fifth time I have seen this marvellous show, and this is fast becoming one of my favourite shows, I fall in love with it the more that I see it, with each new member of cast's interpretation of the many roles. This afternoons performance had two understudy's, Mark Dugdale on in the role of Enjolras and Matthew Gent in the role of Marius. However that wasn't to be the end of the story, Drew Sarich only played valjean up until stars. At the end of Stars the music for “that inspector thinks he's something” did not start, and the curtain went down followed by the announcement “due to technical difficulties the show will continue in approximately 5 minutes, please remain in your seats”, after the short intermission the lights went down and the announcement was made “due to the indisposition of Drew Sarich, the role of Valjean will be played by Jonathan Williams for the remainder of the performance”, Jonathan plays the role completely differently to Drew, and the change at first was quite shocking, but he grew on me, and I thought he was brilliant to go on at last minute and cover the role like that. The last time I saw Les Mis was at the cast change, so my challenge was getting used to all the new people, on the whole each was fantastic, nobody putting in a weak performance, an expectationally stunning performance from the new Javert Earl Carpenter, whom I loved in phantom, but now think even more highly off seeing him in this. By far the weakest performance of the night came from the new Fantine, whose singing was reasonable, but whose acting left something to be desired. Another outstanding performance came from the new Eponine, played by Nancy Sullivan, she nowhere meats the sheer excellence of either Cassie Compton or Shonagh Daly who I have seen in the role, but she is fantastic, and makes the role her own, which is really hard to pull off in a show which has to stay so close to the metaphorical “book”, to meet expectations. The new Thenardiers are again something to treasure, much anticipation though is in readiness for the new Marius, who was not performing tonight, but I look forward to seeing John Robyns the next time I visit. The show as usual was remarkable, and I can't help wanting to see it more and more, it is fast becoming my favourite, and is coming close to over taking Phantom, and even Wicked in terms of number of times seen.

blogging

2008-09-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

mass update off some back-dated reviews online today

still some outstanding, will put more on the weekend

Andrew Lloyd Webber is 60

2008-09-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Birthday In The Park

Sunday 15^th September 2008

Hyde Park

Well after a long break it was finally time to go back “home” well, to London, and another first, a concert in Hyde Park, a celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webbers 60^th birthday, with a huge concert in the park, with music from all of his great (and not so great) shows, the program's running order got a little messed up, but the show was perfect, and there were numerous stand out performances from some outstanding performers. The concert opened with Jesus Christ Superstar Overture, followed by Joss Stone singing Superstar, this was followed by one of the most amazing performers to ever grace the stage, Steve Balsamo singing an emotional and stunning Gethsemane, he was on top form, and was in tears by the end of the song, extremely powerful performance. We then had Jessie Buckley from the TV show sing “I Don't Know How To Love Him”, I never liked her in the TV show, and this didn't improve my opinion of her, except to know she can (just about) sing in tune, I could not help imagining Kerry Ellis' version throughout though! We then had the famous Jason Donovan sing No Matter What, but unfortunately he was rather poor too! Just when we thought we were in for a night of song ruining, John Barrowman saved the day with Oh! What A Circus, unfortunately again we went a little down hill after this with Idina Menzel singing Don't Cry For Me Argentina, actually she wasn't too bad, infact she pulled off a rather good version, after this we had the fantastic Andrew Johnston from the Britains Got Talent doing as usual his brilliant version of Pie Jesu. We then had possibly one of my favourite orchestrations of the evening, the Jellicle Ball from Cats, followed by Duncan James singing Mr Mistoffelees, rather well, but could not help thinking of Clive Carter's version. Duncan then stayed on stage to sing I Believe My Heart with the magnificent Hayley Westerna. We then had Jonathan Ansell with Evermore Without You, followed by the brilliant Denise Van Outen singing Take That Look Of Your Face, although she sounded out of practice during some parts of her performance. We then had the pleasure of Lee Mead being introduced to sing a stunning rendition of Love Changes Everything, followed by a fabulous rendition of Whistle Down the Wind by Hayley Westernra. We then had Philip Achille and Edward Buara do a duet (Philip on harmonica) of Starlight Express. After a pause for set-change we has Variations with Julian Lloyd Webber, with another set-change following it then we had the brilliant Dean Collinson singing the new King of My Heart song from Joseph. We then had Jodie Prenger (winner of I'd Do Anything) sing You Must Love Me from Evita. With another pause for set change, and in the midst of set changes, we had a video recording of Michael Crawford sending his best messages, followed of course on stage with a phantom stint, starting with the Entr'act/Masquerade, then followed by the current Phantom (Ramin Karimloo) and Christine (Gina Beck), followed by All I Ask Of You with Lee Mead and Hayley Westernra, concluded with Rhydian from X-Factor. We then John Barrowman sing Sunset Boulevard followed by the brilliant Maria Friedman sing As If We Never Said Goodbye. We then had another favourite orchestration of mine, the Beautiful Game Overture. After much greatness Idina Menzel came back on stage with Unexpected Song, and unlike pulling off Don't Cry For Me Argentina, she completely ruined it for me, much to squeekyness. But to cheer me up we had the fantastic Shonah Daly sing Buenos Airies, followed fantastically by Ruthie Henshall singing a cracking version of Another Suitcase In Another Hall, followed by her being joined by John to sing The Perfect Year. The show closed fantastically with Lee Mead singing close every door/ any dream will do, followed by various contestants from I'd Do Anything and Any Dream Will Do, with finally concluding with one of the best vocalists of the west end, of course Elaine Paige singing a brilliant rendition of Memory. Andrew came on for a speech and announced the title to the phantom sequel will be Love Never Dies, we then had a firework spectacular ending, with Happy Birthday Andrew sung by everyone! This certainly turned out to be a fantastic evening in the park, and truly wonderful entertainment!

Footloose and Fancy Free

2008-09-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

Footloose

Friday 29^th August 2008

Bristol

Back to “professional” theatre after my adventures in Edinburgh, it's been nearly a whole year since I saw this show for the first time on the west end, it's not one I find especially brilliant, but the music is good, and its a bit of fun, and the biggest appeal of the show were some of the cast, namely Jodie Jacobs as Rusty and Simon Lipkin as Wellard, these two made the night for me, and were absolutely brilliant in their roles, especially Jodie who really stood out as performer of the night, this was my first experience of an “opening night”, and some performances showed as being week for that, but overall everyone did very well.

FRINGE AWARDS!!!

2008-09-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Kenny's Fringe Awards

Best Show: Only The Brave

Best New* Show: Only The Brave

Best Existing Show: I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change

Best Comedy: Musical of Musicals

Best Male Lead: Tom Soloman (Only The Brave)

Best Female Lead: Cassidy Janson (Only The Brave)

Best Supporting Male: Gareth Richards (Only The Brave)

Best Supporting Female: Sarah Lark (Mathilde)

Best Newcomer: Nicole Rowley (Spitfire Grill(

Best Music: Only The Brave

Best Solo: Always The Bridesmade, Never The Bride (I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change)

Best Duet: Hear My Prayer (Only The Brave)

Best Ensemble Number: Oh! Mrs Hitler (Only The Brave)

Best Set: The Spitfire Grill/ Only The Brave

Favourite Quote: “Sreeeeeeeeeew”

* Completely new production

Monday 25th August 2008, Fringe Day 3

2008-09-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

Brand New World (George 1)
The idea of the story of Aladin told in modern terms, with modern style music (R&B) sounds good, and it's a fantastic concept, and I couldn't fault the music at all, but unfortunately the show was poorly cast, and directed, with the choreography being the only thing that stood out with any quality. Not much was good about this show, but the Genie played by a large coloured gentleman with a huge afro (forgive me not having names, no program) was sensational! The show wasn't helped by having a small audience, excluding the producers taking photo's, and some friends of the cast, the real audience was only 4, which in a theater which could have sat a couple of hundred must have been disappointing for the cast, but they put in a less than half-decent performance.

Casting: 2/10, Music: 4/10, Set: 3/10, Show: 3/10

I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change! (George 2)
Stephens pun at the end of this really summed up how fun this show was, “I love it, it was perfect, now change it”, a musical with various skits and songs about different perspectives of love, a show which has had great success off-Broadway, with three different productions at the Edinburgh fringe, it was challenging enough to choose which one to go to, this one with a young vibrant cast was definitely fun, another show at which we couldn't stop laughing, this was our first show in George 2 which happened to be a temporary theater, made up of containers (like you would see for site offices on building sites). We had great fun at this show, and its one I would love to see again, one of the best shows of the fringe.

Casting: 10/10, Music: 9/10, Set: 8/10, Show: 9/10

Only The Brave (George 1)
Not sure how this really classes as a Fringe show really, with a west-end cast, orchestra, and impressive set, you could really have been fooled to thinking you were actually in London watching the show. Not only is this the best show of the fringe festival, but possibly the best show I have ever seen. A very moving story from the second war, emotionally played by a stellar cast, that it was hard to single out the sensational performances. I think Stephen will be surprised by some of the awards which are going in the direction of this show, and certain performers, but I hope he will agree. The cast were: Gerard Bentall, Cassidy Janson, Keith Jack, Niamh Perry, Tom Soloman, Gareth Richards, and Laura Kate Harris. I am the worlds biggest cynic at times, and especially when it comes to television casting for musicals, so I went into this show expecting week performances from both Keith Jack and Niamh Perry, but was pleasantly surprised, especially Niamh of whom my opinion was very low before seeing her perform live in this show. I think for me though the most surprising element was how much I enjoyed Cassidy in this show, after seeing her understudy Kerry Ellis twice as Elphaba in Wicked, I was never a big fan, but her performance in this show was truly fantastic, and much more suited to her acting and singing qualities, I think she deserves a big standing ovation on her own, but the show got one, and it was well deserved indeed, I definitely want this show to get on the west end at full length, its set a record for entering my overall chart going in at number 4! I won't go into my new chart here though, which has been vastly altered against almost all expectations!

Casting: 10/10, Music: 10/10, Set: 9/10, Show: 9.5/10

Miss Sign-On (George 2)

The story of a Diva on the Doll, and definitely “the biggest thing since Michael Ball in a dress!”, a very small show in a small theatre to end the fridge, the small audience did not reflect the quality of the show, because it was fantastic, if slightly cheesy and camp at times, it is a good concept, it is the only show which has transferred to the west-end, OK so Croyden, is off-west-end I suppose! The show had a clever set in the small space, and some good songs, it was a good way to end the fringe, but no show could ever really expected to have followed the greatness of Only The Brave!

Casting: 7/10, Music: 7/10, Set: 7/10, Show: 7/10

Sunday 24th August 2008, Fringe Day 2

2008-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Mathilde (George 4)
This show had a complex layered story, which had an truly remarkable twist at the end, it was a very moving and powerful musical, with music which set the tone as sombre. Lyndsay said coming out of this one that it was a little depressing, that I think was quite the point, definitely quite sad, and brought tears to your eyes, the story of the rise and fall from a high position, and how people would do anything for love. The cast was perfect, Frances Ruffelle took the lead role, opposite Sally Anne Triplet and Sarah Lark, three sensational women who brought this story even more emotion, all playing their respective roles brilliantly. The show felt a little slow at times, and I don't feel it could have been longer, but it was in a concert format, rather than staged, which may have impacted, and perhaps if this was staged it could have been even better, hopefully no more emotional as I could have been in pieces.

Casting: 9/10, Music: 7/10, Set: 3/10, Show: 6/10

The Musical of Musicals (C Too)
We all needed cheering up after mathilde, and this was the perfect way to do it, possibly the funniest show I have seen in a long time, had me laughing from start to finish, we had real luck in finding this show, we were walking along the royal mile on Saturday and passed a guy saying “phantom of the opera, aspects of love, rent, Sweeney Todd, all your favourite shows in one, in a new light”, how could we resist trying to get to see this? The show was the story of a girl who can't pay her rent to an intimidating landlord, and her lover comes to save the day, told in five different ways based on some of the most famous composers. First we had “Corn” in the style of Rogers and Hammerstein, a fantastic send up to Oklahoma, Sound of Music, and Carousel, with some other puns thrown in for a little bit of fun, then we had “A Little Complex” in the style of Stephen Sondheim, with Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods, and A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum to pull from the cast had great fun, some of the actions had the audience in stitches. Third we had “Dear Abbey” in the style of Jerry Herman, possibly the shortest of the 5 sketches, with only really Hello Dolly drawn from. Penultimately we had “Aspects of Junita”, a spoof of Andrew Lloyd Webber, I think they managed a reference to near enough all of Mr Webber's shows, with great hilarity at some points, possibly my favourite part of the show. Finally the show closed with “Speakeasy” in the style of Kander and Ebb, with pulling's from Chicago and Caberet, possibly the most obscure version, but lead to the quote of the fringe “SCREEEEEEEEEEW” which appeared as part of the spoofed “Cell Block Tango”. The cast for this were fantastic, with Christopher Allen playing the various Landlord Roles, Lucy Barnett playing the mothering advisor, Dominic Brewer as the boyfriend, and Charlotte Grace as the Tenant. Needless to say this show has been highly successful off-Broadway, and I can only hope to get to see it again.

Casting: 8/10, Music: 7/10, Set: 3/10, Show: 8/10

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (George 4)
A show where they actors put on a show based on information they are only given on the night during the performance, complete improvisation, complete hilarity, and just plain fun, we ended up with Crop Circle, The Musical, set in my home county of Wiltshire, this was pure hysteria and just fantastic, standing out for me were the two girls who played two dumb wiltshire girls who wanted to get with the scientist investigating the crop circles. This was so much fun, with some great songs, you could tell it was improvised as they went along, as it took time for harmony's to get going as everyone got the idea of what the other cast members were doing.

Casting: 7/10, Music: 7/10, Set: 4/10, Show: 6/10

Saturday 23rd August 2008 - Fringe Day 1

2008-09-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Spitfire Grill (George 4)
The fringe started in the best way possible with a truly excellent and brilliant show, the show based on the film of the same title, was set in a small town where a girl on probation gets working at a grill, and slowly gets accepted by the town, falls in love with the sheriff. The show had moving music from the start, but was a good mixture of both fun and serious, the cast was great all of whom performed exceptionally, standing out was Nicole Rowley who played the role of Percy, she was truly fantastic vocally, and knew she would be fantastic from the opening number, had to love her all round really, and she's from Canada! The rest of the cast included Stephanie Callow (Shelby), Rosemary Amoani (Stephanie Callow), Derek McGhie (Joe), Caleb (Gerry Harkins), Effy (Sam Blaney), and The Visitor (Onur Orkut). The production was by the Royal Scottish Acadamy of Music and Drama. It was a truly fantastic show, with some brilliant songs, some especially moving.

Casting: 7/10, Music 9/10, Set: 8/10, Show: 7/10

Departure Lounge (George 4)
“The Brit's On Tour”, four boys in a departure lounge, waiting for their delayed flight, start reminiscing on their holiday in Spain, talking about a girl they have “had”, it turns out though that it was the same girl played by the stunning Hayley Angel Wardle, the boys are the only ones to sing, and they did so brilliant, backed only by two acoustic guitars, with some brilliantly clever, hilarious and a few moving songs, this was a slightly over the top show, but it worked extremely well, and was brilliantly played by all, the four boys doing some fantastic harmony's, with freakishly high pitched notes at times, the show stared Mike Shearer, Stuart Mathew Price, Luke Kempner, and Tim Edwards. There was no real set for this show, just four red plastic chairs, but these were used brilliantly throughout the show.

Casting: 8/10, Music: 8/10, Set: 6/10, Show: 6.5/10

Late Show (Smirnoff Underbelly)
The title of the show should have given that it would not start at the advertised time, and it eventually got underway at just after one in the morning, this not a musical, but a stand up comedy gig, with one act which did have some singing, overall this was a good show to go to, one of highlights perhaps was the woman with the really loud laugh which gave all the comedians something to pick on. I am not really going to say much more about this, so I can concentrate on the musicals.

Edinburgh Brief Comment

2008-09-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

On Friday 22^nd August I drove from Swindon after work, up to just north of Liverpool, where we stopped over night, half way on our journey to the north, we had a pleasant and quick journey this far, and our Holiday Inn stay was most journey, as was the breakfast the following morning, after which we got back onto the road, and drove the rest of the way to Scotland, booking into our Travelodge in Kinross just after lunch-time, and then heading back into the centre of Edinburgh for our first day on fringe shows, the weekend turned out to be a great deal of fun, and many shows were seen, a mixture of happy, funny, sad, excellent, and bad shows really made the trip worthwhile. The drive back to Swindon on the Tuesday 26^th August was slightly less enjoyable than the one up, but we had some of the cast recordings from some of the shows to keep us entertained on the long journey. I will post here some reviews of the stuff I saw on that fantastic weekend, which now in September seems a long time ago!

Rocked Again

2008-08-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

On Wednesdy night I went to the Dominion to see one of my favourite shows for the 29th time, and it was worth the last minute decision to use the DVD offer and have a fantastic night out.

We had a full lead cast, except Gary Lake on in the role of Rebel Leader (Robbie Williams).

The show has had a few line changes, and some updates have been made to the opening screens and the background screens throughout the show have been changed to the latest graphics technology giving it that extra edge of the futureistic look to the show, and it's great to see the show is being kept fresh with constant improvement.The cast overall just get better, and a real improvement over the last couple of months.

Galileo - Ricardo - Fantastic performance from the word go, he is fantastic in this role, definately my favourite we are the champions tonight, he kept going on with the long note for what seemed like forever, fantastic, cannot be faulted at all, now fast becoming my favourite in this role.

Scaramouche - Sabrina - After tonights performance I think she takes over as my favourite, I never thought that would happen, with my complete fixation with Jenna in the role, but WOW, she is just sensational, got right into the role now, and really is making it her own, her and Ricardo together are sensational, and Hammer To Fall tonight is the best I have ever seen it.

Killer Queen - Mazz - Unbelieveably brilliant, enough said, every time I see her she just gets better, and has a fantastic time up there.

Khashoggi - Alex - The long madam was back in full force tonight and I have missed that, really pleased to see Alex back in his usual form, brilliant again as usual, and just love A Kind Of Magic with him and Mazz, raises the roof.

Brit - Lain - We had lain back, after seeing the fantastic Ian last time, Lain is just pure class as well, just brilliant, will definately miss him, fantastic in this role.

Meat - Lucy - I have never taken to meats quickly, they all seem to grow on me over time, but Lucy is not working for me, I said last time there was a big improvement, but tonight it seemed like she had taken a step or two back, she seems highly inconsistant to me, it's a shame, because she has a great voice, but doesn't use its full potential, harsh though this seems, its my opinion.

Pop - Julian - I love Julians Pop, he hasn't been anywhere near as good vocally as Jeff, but he is in his own right making his own in the role, I think I will miss his quirkyness in the role.

RW - Gary - I always find Gary's accent doesn't quite know where it is going when he plays this role, he wanders around the country it seems at times, I find that distract from an otherwise fairly good performance, but I miss Craig everytime he is off.

Well cast change soon, have to book my tickets soon

Beatlemania and Mamma Mia

2008-08-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

This has been a fantastic weekend, absolutely well and truely had some of the best fun and laughed more than I have in a long time.

Friday I had the day off work and went for a leisurely drive to bournemouth to see the "Beatlemania" a concert with the Bournemouth Sympthony Orchestra and four west end performers, went last year to see the Symphonic Queen Spectacular, so how could I miss the opportunity to see another one. Our performers this year were Jenna Lee James, David Shannon, Paul Spicer and Jacinta Whyte.

Here was the set list:
Overture
Magical Mystery Tour
Back In The USSR
Lovely Rita
The Long and Winding Road
Ticket to Ride
The Fool On The Hill
Help!
Revelotion
I Want to Hold Your Hand
A Hard Days Night
With A little Help From My Friends
Eleanor Rigby
Paperback Writer
Penny Lane
---
Enter'act
Octopus's Garden
Yellow Submarine
Strawberry Fields Forever
Here, There and Everywhere
Can't Buy Me Love
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
I am the Walrus
Yesterday
Here comes the sun
Ob-la-di-ob-la-da
She Loves You
Sgt Peppers Hearts Club Band
Final Medley (She Loves You, When I'm 64, Hey Jude and many more)

The whole concert was fantastic, and was performed in really well, in general it was not as good as last years, and the music doesn't suite the atmosphere so much, but we still had a great time, and some of the performances were quite spectacular, it took a little while to warm up to David, but all of the other performers were great from the outset, and of course my bias is towards the fantastic Jenna Lee James, who was wearing a very nice outfit in both parts of the concert, her best solo's were Back in the USSR and Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, in fact Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was my favourite performance of the night, Jenna did the best version of the song that I have heard, including the original!

There were some comedy moments, David said the name "dave" in when I am 64, and also the lines about the barber in Penny Lane, quite appropiate as he has been playing the title role in Sweeny Todd quite recently!

Overall it was a great outing, not quite as long a review as last years, but I don't feel like going into the detail I did with the queen one!

Saturday morning I decided to go to Swansea to pick up some more stuff from my flat down there, and in the evening I decided to get my arse finally round to seeing Mamma Mia, having seen the stage show and ready to be critical, I was pleasently surprised, I loved the film, it was in parts hilarious, and all of the parts were played really well, and yea the male roles were weekly cast, but it worked, and worked well, it's a shame loads of songs got cut out, but the rest was a highly energetic piece of fun, and Meryl Streep was fantastic in the leading role, one of the best films I have seen in ages, and possibly the best film musical I have ever seen, but Hairspray and Sweeney were so good, that it's hard to say.

Well I am back in Swindon now, but looking forward to the next event, my trip to Edinborough at the end of the month. Am making up for a quiet july (NO SHOWS AT ALL!!!!), with a quite busy august, and hopefully september.

Look out for new house news soon.
Thats me out for now

Nearly August

2008-07-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

On friday 1st I am going to Bournemouth to see Beatlemania, a rock/orchestral performance of beatles songs by a collection of fantastic west end performers, it should be great, hopefully we will get some nice weather for it.

At some point in august I will be moving house.

At the end of august I am going to Edinborough for 4 days, which should be fun and exciting!

Full Results

2008-07-06T08:38:00.001-07:00

Here is a breakdown of the full results from my final year in Swansea!

EBR316 - Strategic Analysis: 60%
EBH300 - Human Resources Management II: 64%
EBC301 - Informations Systems Management & Planning: 53%
EBL321 - Commercial and Consumer Law: 54%
EBC315 - E-commerce: 55%
EBM327 - Marketing Research: 60%
EBM217- Consumer Behaviour: 68%
EBR327 - Business Logistics and Supply Chain Management: 60%
EBR329 - Strategy Implementation (Corporate): 60%
EBH322 - Organisational Behaviour 2: 57%

Final Degree Grade 2.1 (Second Class Honours, First Division)
Kenny Baxter, Bsc (Hons)

Phantastic

2008-07-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

A little while ago now I wrote about the sheer brilliance of the fantastic show Wicked, which has grown over the last 2 years to be my favourite show, well before that slid into the top spot, for a long time it was occupied by what remains a huge favourite of mine - The Phantom Of The Opera.

In February 2003, I went on a college trip to New York, my first time in a plane, the college agreed to take us to see a Broadway show, at this point I had only seen My Fair Lady (2001), and We Will Rock You (2002) on the west-end, so I had no idea what to expect, then I was told we would be seeing "The Phantom of The Opera", I had no idea what the show was, or anything, I assumed it was an "Opera", and that I would be bored out of my scull! How wrong can you be?

The theatre was highly impressive, and then the show was just sensational, I could not have been proved more wrong than my first impression, and I could not have enjoyed something as much as I did, we even got to meet some of the brilliant cast after the show, it instantly became my favourite, but it was a long time before I could bring myself to seeing the show again, I just didn't want to forget that magical Broadway experience, I eventually saw it in London for the first time in 2005, and have been back several times since, and even managed to catch the show on Tour in 2007 during my trip to Canada, so I have seen it in three different country's, the only show to have managed that so far, if I ever realise my dream of going back to New York, then it will be top of my list to see, along with Wicked.

Years later I realise I saw a pretty damn sensational cast over in New York, with Sandra Joseph and Hugh Panaro in the leads, I really can't believe how lucky I was back then, if you don't know the names, here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxtA5x47PIY

Over In London each time I have seen the show I have seen the sensational Earl Carpenter, he has now left the show, and is currently in another favourite show of mine, Les Miserables, but here he is with the fantastic Rachel Barrel in phantom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWaUrrnJCuY

more on this brilliant show soon...

Rocked for the 28th Time

2008-07-06T05:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday 28th June
2.30pm Matinee

For a Sat matinee I was surprised to see only one understudy, Ian Carlisle on in the role of Brit, I was also shocked at the amount of empty seats in the theatre, it felt deserted, the circle and stalls had lots of empty seats, may have even got everyone into the stalls, this is probably an indication of the hot sunny weather on Wimbledon weekend, rather than anything to do with the [continued] success of the show (I hope).

In comparison to the last matinee I saw, everyone was on all firing cylinders, and the show gave a lot of energy even if the audience didn't.

Ricardo was his usual brilliant self as Gaz, I think he improves every time I see him, and I love the way he works in the role, he did not do his extra-long WATC note, but everything else was pure class from the leading man!

Sabrina was on fire, and her voice is just sensational, we have a brilliant Scaramouche gracing the dominion stage at the moment, and despite my initial reservations, she has become one of my all time favourites in the role along with Jenna and Erica Peck (Toronto), a stunning singing voice, me and my sister commented that she would make a cracking Elphaba in wicked, once she finishes in WWRY.

Mazz is the most consistant performer I have ever seen, she seems to always be there, the only times I have not seen her is when going purposefully to see the understudy (Deone and Julie Stark), it seems she doesn't want to leave as much as everyone else doesn't want it, from the way she performs and keeps it fresh, I think she'll be there for a while to come, but she would make a fantastic Lady of The Lake if she ever wanted a change of sceneary!

Alex is fast becoming my favourite Khashoggi, and I thought nobody would ever be able to match Clive, the only thing I really dislike is the cutting of the long madam (probably ben's fault, and we'll blame him anyway?), as it's hard to actually tell he is sucessfully stopping Mazz in DSMN.

Ian was fantastic in the role of Brit, his voice is just brilliant, he will make an excelent replacement for the wonderful Lain in september.

Lucy is a very fiesty meat, and she reminds me alot of Suzie McNeal (Toronto), and she is perfect, up until No-One But You, to me it doesn't feel like she really connects with the song, and I don't like her performance of it, she has improved a lot since I first saw her in the role, but there is still something not quite right,

Jullian has really settled into the role of Pop, but he just doesnt come close the great Jeff Shankley, he does make the role his own, and I like his performance a great deal.

We had Alica covering Marianne, and this left us with a brilliant teacher, possibly the best since the days of Mazz!!!

Do You Hear The People Sing?

2008-07-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables - 21st June 2008

This is the first time I have seen a full lead cast for Les Mis, and as this was the cast change, everyone was putting in full effort, which led to a brilliant night, and an emotional night. The whole evening was just sensational, right from the very first note, until the very last curtain call.

The opening prologue was performed brilliantly by Drew Sarich (Valjean) and Hans Peter Janssens (Javert) played their roles brilliantly, this was my first performance with Drew, and I was highly impressed by his interpretation of the role, his singing is sublime, and he really impressed me a great deal throughout the night, of course I cannot forget to mention to brilliant Stephen John Davies who plays bishop, he is fantastic, and after seeing him play Valjean last time I was at Les Mis, I really appreciate his great voice. The first emotional moment of the night came for me during unusually fantines death scene, fantine played by the fabulous Joanna Ampril, who was sensational, really loved her take on this role, I saw the great Kerry Ellis play this role twice, and she takes some matching, but I was really supprised at how well I took to Joanna, and thought she really played the role well, the death scene was extremely well played by her and Drew, extremely emotional.

The two Thenardiers are just fantastic, Chris Vincent and Melanie La Barrie are pure comic class, it took some getting used to Chris's interpretation of the role, and I didn't really like his voice in Master Of The House, but when he sang Dog Eats Dog in the second act, his voice sent shivers down my spine, he has a voice which is remarkable, absolutely brilliant.

Marius played by Gary Watson, worked really well oposite his two numbers in the love triangle Cassandra Compton (Eponine) and Claire Marie Hall (Cosette), I really like his Marius, but his voice doesn't match his understudy, or the last Marius I saw (Hayden Tee). Cassandra Compton makes a stunningly attractive and vocally sensational Eponine, however I do feel she lacks a little something compared to the first Eponine I saw several years ago (Shonagh Daly). I have never liked the role of Cosette in general and Claire doesn't make it feel any better, Rebecca Caine is still the only voice I have heard to do what I expect from this role.

For once Les Mis got its continuity nearly right with kids looking like they could grow up to look like the adults on stage, and we had a sensational Gavourch, unfortunately I am not sure of his name.

A Fantastic Night Out

West End Live Mini-Review

2008-07-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

So as you all know I have been really busy with moving and stuff, so it's taken me a while to get round to doing some reviews of the last few things I have seen, I am going to review some stuff now, but you will have to wait for a full west-end-live review until later on in July.

West End Live 2008 - Mini Review
The two days on 21/22nd June were fantastic, like last year they managed to pull together some fantastic shows to take time out to perform for free to hundreds of people, the program was much better this year, but again the Saturday was overall better shows than the Sunday!
On Saturday we had some fabulous performances from Jersey Boys, Avenue Q, We Will Rock You, Joseph and many more, unfortunately we had Mamma Mia back, who were lip-syncing to the OLC Recording, which seems strange when they have the Brilliant Linzi Hately in their cast, and Grease also sung along to backing tracks with backing vocals, rather than giving all of the cast mic, which is odd considering both WWRY and Ave Q managed to Mic everyone up and just use standard backing tracks, full bands not really an option with such a small stage. On Sunday the real highlight was a stunning performance from Aiofe Mulholland and Margret Priece doing Sound of Music, it was disappointing to not have the new Maria (Summer Strallen), but I love Aiofe, so that was a worthy compromise. I will review WEL in full when I find which box the programme went in ha-ha!

Busy

2008-07-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

yes - very

reviews of west end live/ we will rock you/ les mis coming soon

work going well

house move in progress

Mums The Word - Take Two

2008-06-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Soho Review Bar
9th June 2008

A fantastic show, with a sensational cast, with some great songs, well worth a trip, won't review in detail, but highlights included:

Gemma O'Duffy - Warrick Avenue
Rachael Wooding - River Deep Mountain High
Gemma O'Duffy & Rachael Wooding - For Good

best performers of the night were Gemma, Rachael, Cassie Compton, Sabrina Alouche and Jeff Nicholson

really enjoyed the entire show, such a good collection of new songs, look forward to the next event

Aspect's Round 2

2008-06-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

Aspects of Love
Cheltenham Everyman
Saturday 8th June 2008, Matineee

Another trip to see this show, different theatre, very different seats, at the back, front row of the balcony, I enjoyed the show even more this time round, so time for a review.

Rose - Shona Lindsay - Really impressed again, absolutely stunning, and her voice is so powerful its wonderfully brilliant, Anything but Lonely was the most special song of the night.

Alex - Tim Rogers - Another good performance, but still sticks out as the most un-suited to their role in this show.

Guillietta - Poppy Tierney - Fantastic, Sexy, Pure Brilliance, confirmed my need to go see her in Witches of Eastwick, what a sensational performance.

George - James Graeme - Superb again, nothing to say, but brilliant.

Jenny - Rachel Lynes - Another great performance, prefer her to the CD.

Marcel - Phillip Cox - A small role, but this guy played the role well, and really was an additional credit to the team!

Something Wicked Comes This Way...

2008-06-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 3rd June 2008
Apollo Victoria, London
"Wicked"

It was raining pretty hard yesterday, never a good sign for going to a show, arrived at the theatre to find surprisingly only one understudy, unfortunately it was just the one I really did not want, not anything against Cassidy Janson, but I wanted to see Kerry in her final week, unfortunately miss Ellis has been strucken ill in her final week, so was not performing.

This was my 8th trip to Wicked, I thought it was less than this, but here comes my review.

Elphaba - Cassidy Janson (Standby) - This is my 2nd time seeing CJ in the role, and although she is a good performer and has a great voice, I find her at times either too poppy, or too shouty, expecially in belt, she is unfortunately inconsistent, and outpowered by the other leads, making her stick out, unlike Kerry who stands out as much as everyone else when on stage. I don't mean to be overly critical, and it's my own opinion of course, so don't slate me, but CJ is a great understudy, and couldn't carry the role full time.

G(a)linda - Diane Pilkington - I love this woman forever afternight, it was super hyperness time from her, she must have had a caffine/sugar/both rush before the show, her usual characterisation was even more bubbly and girlish, absolutely fantastic, and as for the comedy perfect, almost caught up with the legend which is Megan Hilty tonight, and I am so glad she is staying!

Fiyero - Oliver Thomset - Gets better every time, shines as a performer, and really glad he is staying, because tonight he proved himself as the ultimate in the role, fantastic vocals.

Madamme Morrible - Harriet Thorpe - Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic, her evilness and evil laugh make her perfect for this role, just brilliance, glad she has joined the cast, wonderful interpretation of the role.

Wizard - Nigel Planner - I love this man, he is a great wizard, and its great shame he is leaving the show, because he plays this role so convincingly, really sings well, will be missed.

Dillamond - Andy Mace - Not my favourite role in the show, but Andy plays it well, he has improved since I last saw him

Boq - James Gillan - Fantastic, what a shame he is leaving, the best Boq ever really, think he makes the role really special with his accent and comic timing, love him.

Nessarose - Katie Rowley Jones - The person me and stephen (more so stephen *winks*) will miss the most, the most consistent performer, and the most brilliant Nessa ever, I love her, really sang well, think she makes it so unbelieveibly fantastic, and her "Wicked Witch Of The East" is sensational, hope she goes into a bigger role after this cast change.

Right thats it, works going well, annother update soon

The "Director" Returns

2008-06-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Well university is over, and it was time to start life as a working man, I am now back at Zurich, for the considerable future.

A good day doing some induction training and taking some simple tests, some customer services training tomorrow.

Off to 'Wicked' tomorrow night, which I am looking forward to greatly!

Beyond The Barricade

2008-06-01T01:52:00.000-07:00

I am now back in the land of Swindon, last night I paid a visit to the local theatre to see 'Beyond the Barricade' a show made up of songs from various shows, in parts this was truly fantastic, in others it was truly awful.

I will review each song/ part of the show...

Beyond The Barricade
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
7.30pm, Saturday 31st May 2008

The cast included Andy Reiss, Katie Leeming, Becci Morrell, and David Fawcett

The show opened with a medly from Jesus Christ Superstar opening with all four singing Jesus Christ Superstar/ What's The Buzz, a highly positive start to the show, this was followed by I Don't Know How To Love Him sung by Becci, she has a sensational voice, and made a really good job of this song, she then duetted with David on Everythings Alright, which was excelent, then Andy sang Heaven On Their Minds extremely well, and the section was finished off with a reprise of Jesus Christ Superstar.

After such a fantastic opening, they introduced the next Lloyd webber tribute, Becci sang Think Of Me incredibly well, apart from her cesenda at the end which couldn't match any Christine I have seen on stage, she had a fantastic voice though, so could not complain. This was followed by a All I Ask Of You a duet between Becci and Andy, a good duet. Overall this section was not a highlight.

After singing two older shows, we were brought right up to date with No One Morns The Wicked, then a duet between Becci and Katie of What Is This Feeling, and a reprise of No One Morns The Wicked. As such a big fan of Wicked, this was highly anticipated, and the vocals were superb, but out of context the songs chosen did not work, and Becci taking Glindas vocals overpowered Katie doing Elphies parts, the music did not really get it's best treatment either!

We then had a Lloyd Webber Sandwhich, David sang Nothings Gonna Harm You from Sweeny Todd, this was excelent, I love this song, and it was brilliant, we then had Memory from Cats sung by Katie, she proved herself as a solist here, and was one of her best songs of the night, the end of the sandwhich was What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line sung by Andy extremely well.

The end of the first act was We Will Rock You songs, we started with a fantastic rendition of Under Pressure by Andy and Katie, followed by all four singing Radio GaGa I was disapointed they used the original Queen lyrics, but they worked better out of context than the original would have. They then lied about We Will Rock You, saying that they did not perform Bohemian Rhapsody live, I can verfiy that they do! They went on to give a fairly good rendition of the song.

The Second act started with a medly from Miss Saigon, all four sang a great The Heat Is On In Saigon, then we had Becci and Katie singing an excelent version of The Movie In Mind and the intro was brought to a fantastic conclusion with Katie and Andy sang Last Night Of The World.

This was followed by another bringing up to date with Spamalot, we had The Song That Goes Like This, a fantastic rendition by David and Becci, a great pairing, and one of the best renditions of the song I have heard, and they made it work out of context because it was one of the only songs they acted, followed by David and Andy doing Always On The Bright Side Of Life pretty well.

All four then sang Shadow Lands and Circle of Life from Lion King, not my favourite music, but they did this part justice.

The show of course is made up past perfomers from Les Miserables, so it was guaranteed we would end the show with songs from that show. First Becci sang I Dreamed A Dream fantastically, and with a great deal of emotion, was really impressed. Then Andy sang Stars emphatically well, this was followed what was supprisingly the worst point of the evening, Katie has played Eponine on the west end, so you would expect a fantastic rendition of On My Own, but no, unfortunately it was almost shouted, and I was supprised as she had impressed me so far throughout the evening, this song just was not done its justice. I am not sure why we then had A Little Fall Of Rain with Katie and Andy, it did not work out of context, and again Katies vocals for the role of Eponine let us down, David then sand Bring Him Home very well, but could not quite manage the last note, we then had the reprise version of Do You Hear The People Sing sung extremely well. Most shows of this variety end with the same song, and no surprise this one followed the trend, of course One Day More this was sung very well indeed.

This was a overall a great show, and it was good value for a night out, expecially given the usual nature of shows at the Wyvern, but I felt that the Les Miserables section let the evening down considering who these performers were, contrasting it with the Masters Of The House concert I saw in Swansea earlier this year who performed the Les Miserables sections extremely well, but did not do such a range of songs from other shows, Beyond The Barricade at least had a great collection of songs from well known musicals.

Well I am now looking forward to the fantastic Wicked on Tuesday evening, that will be the true celebration!

The End

2008-05-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

It's finally over, four years of hard work, so to conclude this story, before the dawn of a new era, here is some fun!

[Parodies]
(Quotes)
My tribute to Swansea

"What ever happened to my class,
it was exciting at the start,
now were at the end,
and I've got nothing left to do" [Spamalot, Diva's Lament]

"Tomorrow you'll be worlds away,
and yet with you my world has started,
One Day More!" (Les Mis, One Day More)

"At the end of the day, Rhy's is getting older,
and the essays you write won't pay any bills,
let the freshers hurry past,
you can hear the failures crying,
and the real world is coming up fast, ready to kill...
...you've got to graduate, at the end of the day" [Les Mis, At The End Of The Day]

"Climb every mountain, forge every stream, follow every rainbow, until you find...." (Sound of Music, Climb every mountain)

"I've paid my fee's time after time,
I've written an essay, but committed no crime,
and bad modules, I've taken a few,
I consider it a challenge to the whole human race
to put up with you... and he goes on and on and on..." [Queen, We Are The Champions]

I am sure I could do many more, but that's it for now!

next update will be over the weekend, keep up to date with the latest goings on in my life at http://kennybax.blogspot.com

4 down, 1 to go

2008-05-29T04:01:00.001-07:00

logistics this afternoon

strategy was ok, pretty confident

thats it nearly the end

to be continued later this afternoon

3 down, 2 to go

2008-05-28T06:06:00.000-07:00

third exam over
consumer behaviour

two final ones tomorrow

then wicked on tuesday to celebrate the end of the end

...tbc...

2 Down - 3 To Go

2008-05-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

feels like blog overload doesn't it?

another exam bit the dust today

only 3 more left

next one is Consumer Behaviour on Wednesday

wow it really close to the end now

1 week to go

Why is Wicked... Well "Wicked"

2008-05-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

Now I feel I need to persuade you as to the love for everything Wicked, by far the best New Musical to come out recently, when I first listened to the album, I couldn't stand it, the voices of Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel really grated on me, and I found it all a bit sickening. I was in Toronto and the tour came along, I thought I would take a gamble and see if it's any good, expecially knowing Kerry Ellis (my all time favourite performer) would be going into the London Production, which I would have to see on my arrival back in the UK. What I did not know at the time of booking, I was due for the 'ultimate' wicked cast, with Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean as the two lead girls. I went in quite sceptical, at half time I was blown away, by the end I was close to tears, and it overtook Phantom as my favourite. It was only the second show I had seen which persuaded me to go again very quickly after the first time (the first being Les Mis). I loved the show even more second time round, and again and again seeing it with Kerry Ellis back in London on my return form Canada. The appeal of Wicked is hard to explain, but it feels like the true story of The Wizard of Oz, and its a fantastic display of Good Vs Evil (Wickedness), the opening of the show asks "Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them". I don't want to spoil the show for someone who has never seen it, there is so much to enjoy from the plot twists and references to the original, but it has everything you seem to enjoy from a show, some good comedy, some great songs (when sung well) and a love triangle (but I would not want to spoil who is involved). As I said, the CD holds out nothing special, so to show the greatness of these songs you need to hear some good versions, defiantly some you tube clips:

Kerry Ellis (Elphaba):
Wizard and I - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76FIcM9QfNw (amazingly she had a cold this day)
No Good Deed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXePidQEEhY (amazing quality)
Defying Gravity - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AJXNiiH5fc (with Diane Pilkington as Glinda)

Diane Pilkington (Glinda)
Popular - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOD_qCclyJY (the comedy in this song is pure class)

Shoshana Bean & Megan Hilty (Ex Elphaba/ Glinda Partnership (Broadway and America Tour))
For Good - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNvqbOFKQkg (probably my favourite song of the show)

Kerry & Diane
What Is The Feeling - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s-J0sDbiKg (do they really hate each other?)
For Good - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p50onHbQezg (again just a brilliant song, and highly emotional, always makes me cry)

Oh and so many plot twists! I hope this has persuaded you that Wicked is "Wonderful" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gUFrgAnhME (Nigel Planner, singing the part of Wizard).

I think that's my Wicked Rant Over!

On an Aspects note, I love Avenue Q - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuhOWDHMn1Q
and as for fantastic Parodies - Wicked can do humour in its cast at times - some stuff from outside of the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW8pjtR0jWI (Wicked On Ice)
and for one concert Megan and Shoshana did a swap of their roles and its just hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_cPbB_dp1A (P1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ZcCzcpv3Q (P2)

That's it
For Now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGt-GFZ7M7U

1 Down - 4 To Go

2008-05-19T04:11:00.000-07:00

exams have now started

first one today - marketing research

wasn't too bad
but not great

oh and 4 more to look forward to

next one is Organizational Behaviour on Thursday

more updates soon...

p.s. going to watch clips on youtube now

Aspects of Love

2008-05-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

Aspects of Love
Swansea Grand Theatre
Thursday 15th May 2008

This is the first time I have seen a professional musical production at the grand, and I was impressed, at first I was worried about the volume, and thought it sounded a little quiet, but this was soon proven wrong and the volumes, and levels were just right for the theatre. This is also a new experience on the show side, I knew a few songs such as 'Love Changes Everything', 'Seeing is Believing', 'Chanson D'Enfance' and 'Anything But Lonely'. This was pleasant show, with clever sets, an entertaining story, and some cracking songs sung by an outstanding tour cast! I think the second act was better, as it flowed more easily, but overall I really enjoyed this show, the music is typically Lloyd-Webber, and Charles Hart.

Rose - Shona Lindsay - The programme says she is 'one of the most sought-after leading ladies of the west end' and I have to agree, she has a fantastic voice and acting ability, she really plays this role exceedingly well, and I can imagine her as Christine (which she has played).

Alex - Tim Rogers - I really enjoyed his performance, but he has a more 'phantom' voice than one which really suites this role, and it needs a bit of a softer performance at times, and he can't pull off looking 17 at the start of the show, however his voice and performance made up for it, and as the show went on he showed his sheer brilliance.

Guillietta - Poppy Tierney - An outstanding performer who's vocals were some of the best of the evening, she plays this role extremely well and she is very sexy, and it just works well, she has understudied Mary Poppin's in the past, and I can see that, expecially from her pronunciation which was perfection.

George - James Graeme - One of the best performances of the evening, his acting and singing were on top form, he was brilliant in this role.

Jenny - Rachel Lynes - Played her role incredibly well, she pulled off the young age very well, despite being in her 20's.

Marcel - Phillip Cox - A small role, but this guy played the role well, and really was an additional credit to the team!

The ensemble were really good as well, its been a long time since seeing any kind of tour, and having one here in Swansea locally has been great, I really enjoyed the production, and its definitely a show I would go and see again, expecially with this wonderful cast!

Love Changes Everything...

2008-05-16T05:44:00.000-07:00

no this is not a blog post about being in love with some random girl from uni, so sorry to disappoint you Jo, Emily etc :P

its actually about the show I went to see last night, Apects of Love, at the Swansea Grand Theatre, and its soon time for my review... in the next post

*evil laughs*

Chess in Concert

2008-05-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

Chess in Concert

The Royal Albert Hall, London

12^th May 2008 – 8pm

Not sure where to start, I have not read anyone else’s full review of this event yet, I wanted to keep it my perspective, I’ll have a read of some of the other reviews when I have written mine. I expect I will get criticised for the more ‘critical’ parts of my review.

The Venue: The Albert Hall is certainly an impressive building, and looks amazing, once you get inside the auditorium you realise what a spectacular location this is, and the chairs round the sides (stalls) swivelled, so even sitting to the left you could adjust yourself to see well, we had an extremely good view of the stage. The only downside with this venue is the acoustics and sound system, its not right for a musical, big ensemble numbers were lost and you could not hear some of the lyrics well enough, especially with those cast members where clear diction was lacking, but more on that later.

The show: I went to this show not knowing much, apart from the songs ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘Heaven Help My Heart’, but the music is catchy and quite good, some excellent orchestrations, performed by most with passion, vigour and versatility, very impressive concept, because of the ‘concert’ setting there was no ‘set’ but they made use of a huge TV screen to project images linked to the story line throughout the performance, which was really clever.

The lead roles:

(In order of appearance)

Anatoly – Josh Groban – from his outstanding fame as an opera singer you expect a lot from him, and he does not fail to impress you even further, an absolutely brilliant performer, and really seemed to get into this role. He had a cracking few solo parts where his full voice could show off, and his diction was perfect, you heard and understood nearly every word, absolutely sensational.

Florence – Idina Menzel – I have never seen her appeal, and from recordings and videos not enjoyed her vocals, seeing her live for the first time to some extent concreted my opinion, when she sings high her voice goes quite screechy, but she is a good actress and performer, she played her role well. Possibly the weakest link in this cast, as her diction at times was poor, and you could not understand some of her lyrics, of course this was not helped by the sound problems, so may come across much better on recording/dvd.

Frederick – Adam Pascal – I did not know a great deal about him before I went to this show, and his voice really impressed me, he was strong and powerful, however he was another cast members who’s diction did not do him any favours in my opinion.

The Arbiter – Marti Pellow – Whenever I see a show with a big name from the ‘pop’ sector, I expect to get a performer who’s more operatic/show voice necessary for certain songs does not come across well, however I was pleasantly surprised by his performance, and his voice can certainly handle the more operatic tone of a show like this, really quite a good performance.

Alexander – David Badella – Having seen him in charity concerts and hearing rave reviews of him in rocky horror I had high expectations, on the male side probably the second best performer after josh, he was absolutely fantastic, really clear diction and played the character in a great way.

Svetlana – Kerry Ellis – I always feel I will get accused of bias when it comes to this woman, as I worship the ground she walks on. Tonight though just proved what an amazingly talented individual she is, definitely star of the show, the most clear diction in the entire show, you could understand every word, she is just sensational, arguably the best performer in the west end currently. We had an Elphaba duet between Idina and Kerry in the most famous song ‘I Know Him So Well’, being a fan of the original Barbara Dickson/Elaine Page version, I was in anticipation, well Kerry out-sang Idina throughout, and she was proving herself as just plainly brilliant. Kerry had one of the smallest roles, but she stood out the most, which is always the way with her.

Walter – Clarke Peters – A good performance an excellent choice to replace the originally cast Clive Carter, not much really to say, as was the smallest role in the show.

The Ensemble – in the ensemble we had outstanding leading performers from some of the top musicals, the ensemble were Grant Anthony (Starlight/JCS), Christopher Colley (Take Flight/Sunday In The Park with George/RSC), Tiffany Graves (Chicago/Sunset/Tonight’s the Night), Leila Benn Harris (Phantom/Evita/Fame), David Michael Johnson (Starlight/WWRY Germany/JCS), Debbie Kurup (I Love You Because/Chicago/Tonights the Night), Christian Lund, Aoife Mulholland (Chicago/Sound of Music), Andrew Playfoot (Guys and Dolls), Jon Robyns (Avenue Q/Les Mis), Tabitha Webb (Phantom/Les Mis). As I said the line up included some fantastic performers, they each got some solo vocals and were outstanding, most surprisingly Aoife backing Idina on some of Idina’s solos, and overpowered her! From the ensemble Aoife, Chris and Debbie really stood out.

Cantabile – this group of four had one solo part in support of one of the songs and were very well sung, quite an amusing little part of the show!

The Dancers – Ben Dixon, Mark Evans, Barnaby Ingram, Caroline Jones, Anabel Kutay, Bonnie Parker, Richard Peakman, Lucie Waugh – some great dancers in here, and all performed well.

The Choir – some good vocals in support, but loose the cheesy dance moves that were timed awfully!

Other comments: I think the weak link was the shear contrast between the brilliance of Kerry and the average of Idina, which showed most in the duet, casting wise I can think of much better pairings to go with Kerry, definitely Jenna Lee James, Sabrina Aloueche, Aiofe Mulholland, Racheal Barrel would all be contenders for being better than Idina for that role, especially finding someone who could match Kerry’s sheer brilliance. Also the venue wasn’t quite right, but not sure where else I would have chosen.

Lookout for more reviews soon!

One Year On, One Month To Go, Other News

2008-04-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

I am in a very reflective mood at the moment, it's been a while since I got in touch with all my Canadian friends, so I thought I would use my blog and a quick e-mail to say hi, and keep the communication going.

Well today is 25th April, this time last year I was getting ready to fly away from St. Catharines and all the great friend's I made their, and return to the homeland.

A lot has happened in the past year, and it really has flown by, Uni has been absolutely hectic, especially since Christmas, and I have barely had time to even breath at times, without an internet connection in my flat, I have also been badly out of touch with even my U.K. friends let alone those 3000+ miles away.

A year on from leaving Canada (26th April 07), I am yet again at another milestone, it's now only a month before I finish what I started four years ago, on 29th April 08 I sit my final two exams, and I finish University. On 2nd June 08 I start work, full-time this is it now, finished being a student, got to earn a living type thing! And further down the line on 15th July 08 I officially stop being a student, and receive my degree. Wow that's a scary thought, it is nearly all over!

I have done much that is exciting (and much that isn't) in the last year, and if you have been regularly viewing this page (I thank-you) you may have seen some of the highlights, including some fantastic shows that I have seen. If you haven't been reading regularly (why not? ;-)) I do tend to post here regularly with news, and its a good way of seeing what I'm up to at the busy times when I don't have much time to e-mail en-mass.

Yesterday marked the penultimate Ruhi Book 4 session, almost a year after completion of Book 2, we were joined by Azar and Thenna from Cardiff, and enjoyed a wonderful evening. In other Báhá'i new's I am looking forward to hosting my first 19 Day Feast on Monday evening, but not looking forward to officially announcing my departure from the Swansea community, which will be on Friday 30th May! I return to Swindon that weekend, so will be back in with the lovely community their. My return to Swindon of course is to take position in my new (well not quite so new) job, I will be working back at Zurich, where I have worked for the last two summers.

So it's been a mad year, and even madder (if that's a word) 4 years, but it has been worth it, I have learnt a lot, and not just from the lectures, its been a life experience, one which I will never forget, where I have made some of the best friends (you know who you are) and met some of the loveliest people ever. You rarely see me get emotional (if ever), but this is now the end of an era, a sad occasion, I probably will get emotional!

So on this day, I guess its strange that I have been thinking most about my great time in Canada, it was the best 8 months of my life, I hope to save some money and come visit you (the country and the people) in August, maybe one day I will move their permanently, or perhaps that's just a dream!

It's scary to think the next time I write a blog, I may well be finished with my lectures (May 9th), unless anything exciting happens before then, its such an odd point in life, to quote Phantom I guess you could say were 'past the point of no return'.

On a lighter note I have shows planned (see below posting), and an exciting job to look forward too.

I guess this weekend its time to focus on the final two group projects, and revision for those exams at the end of May.

This note was longer than anticipated, but it gives you I hope some insight into what's been going on with me recently, and what will be going on in the next few weeks.

Shows, Shows and More Shows

2008-04-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

Well its the middle of April and I have been in planning mode, so here's what's coming up soon...

12th May - Chess @ The Royal Albert Hall (with Stephen)
15th May - Aspects of Love @ The Swansea Grand (with Stephen)
EXAMS 19-29 May
8th June - Mum's the Word - Take Two @ The Soho Review Bar (with Stephen and Carrie)
15th Oct - Queen @ The O2 Arena (with Stephen and Carrie)

and there is more to be announced I am sure

12th April Reviews

2008-04-15T04:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday 12th April saw another marvellous trip to our capital to see shows, so time for the usual reviews!

We Will Rock You [Matinee]
Only the one u/s, Sarah French-Ellis as Scaramouche

Pop - Julian Lithman - Great to see how much he has improved since October, after seeing Craig a week or so ago, it was good to have Julian to see his improvements, really convincing in the role.

Khashoggi - Alex Bourne - As always a fantastic performance, again an un-emphatic Madam, perhaps this is a permanent change?

Galileo - Ricardo Alfonso - An unusual 'average' performance in the first act, but definitely rocked the house down in the finale.

Scaramouche - Sarah French-Ellis - She has an absolutely brilliant voice, and her 'Rabbit' line was delivered stunningly, but at times I didn't think the timing or the comedy was there, she didn't seem a very Scaramouche like character. I missed Sabrina (Aloueche) in the role.

Killer Queen - Mazz Murray - As usual on fire, and sensational, the best performer of the afternoon.

Vic - Lain Gray- Another great performance, his voice proves to be just sensational.

Meat - Lucy Sinclair - First time with her in the role, vocally sensational, her portrail of the role reminded me a lot of Suzie McNeal (Toronto), however I didn't feel comfortable with her at times, not any great criticism, takes a few performances for me to get used to a new Meat.

Great to have Craig Ryder back as a 'Scouse' Robbie, although his accent did slip back to the welsh at times ha=ha!

Overall somewhat a lack-luster 'matinee' performance, for the first time came away not feeling refreshed, perhaps I went to soon

Joseph and the ATD [Evening]

Possibly one of my least favourite shows, I don't like the kid's and I find it a bit too cheesy at times, however I did enjoy my visit to the Adelphi, I had a loner seat at the back of the dress-circle, but this was a great view.

Jenna Lee-James in the role of Narrator, well I have missed not seeing her in Rock You, and have been watching her videos and listening to her recordings to keep hearing her fantastic voice, it was worth the money just to see her in this role, she is stunningly brilliant, her voice overpowers everyone's, just brilliant.

Lee Mead in the role of Joseph, despite my reservations about the reality TV casting, he does have a fantastic voice, and is absolutely brilliant in this role. The screaming women that have been attracted to the show made the audience a bit excitable, he may as well of got a standing ovation just for appearing on stage. Lee reminds me of a young Michael Ball, which is probably a compliment?

Dean Collinson in the role of Pharoh, now this man has a great voice, I heard him on Friday Night is Music Night performing with Kerry Ellis and didn't think too much of him, but his performance in Joseph was fantastic, really good casting, he plays 'the king' really well.

These three work well together, and shine above the rest of the cast, the ensemble is made up of a mixture of good and excellent performers, who I will not review. The performance did improve my opinion on Joseph, but its still no-where near my favourite, I expect it to clime my chart at my next chart-review, but this is down to a sensational cast, and not the show itself.

Well that's it for another trip, time to go back to studying now.

Next trips are in May, where I am attending the Chess Concert (with my friend Stephen) and the Aspects of Love Tour in Swansea again with Stephen.

Return of "The Director" ;-)

2008-04-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

Greatings Everyone

I went for an interview at Zurich today for a Temp/Perm role for graduates, I am pleased to announce I got the job, and start in June.

Good News
Can relax for those all important final exams now!

More updates soon...

Les Mis, 2nd April

2008-04-06T05:02:00.001-07:00

My 3rd visit to this brilliant show, its been a few years since I went to see Kerry Ellis in the production, absolutely fantastic seats, front row of the stalls, stage right.

A few understudy's as you would expect from Les Mis, Wednesday Matinee's

Valjean - Stephen John Davies (2nd Understudy), a remarkable performance, really fantastic voice, could not criticise any part of his performance

Javert - Hans Peter Janssens, another great performance, really enjoyed his portrayal of this role, and love his accent.

Fantine - Jennifer Hepburn (1st Understudy), it was going to be hard seeing anyone replacing Kerry's shoes, but a fairly good performance, disappointed not to see the lead, but still a good portrayal of the role.

Thenardier - Roy Litvin (1st Understudy), again a good performance from an understudy, no disapointment here at all, excellent performance, very convincing, made the role his own

M. Thenardier - Melanie La Barrie, first time I have seen a lead in this role, and Wendy Sommerville was something to live up to, Melanie definately does it, really good in the role, absolutely wonderful

Eponine - Cassandra Compton, 3rd visit and 3rd different Eponine, Cassie is fantastic, voice sent shivers down my spine (forgive the rock you pun), loved her portrayal of the role, I can see her going far in the West End, and absolutely gorgeous to go with it.

Cosette - Claire-Marrie Hall, a good performance, not much to say, my least favourite role in the show

Enjelrous - Edward Baruwa - excelent performance, really good voice.

Marius - Joel Elfrink (1st Understudy) - absolutely smashing voice, no complaints with this understudy, highly convincing portrayal of the role, spot on

no reviews of the Kid's

Good audience for a wed's matinee, a standing ovation

Performance of the afternoon: Cassandra Compton

We Will Rock You, 2nd April

2008-04-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

My 26th Visit to the show, my 2nd Visit with the new cast

Craig on as Pop, Kelly Anne Gower on as Meat

Technical Glitch - The opening screens did not work properly, which meant no cheer for Queen release Bo Rap, also the green Lasers seemed to be delayed throughout the first act!

Sabrina - much improved since I saw her in the first few weeks, her comic timing is much better, really getting settled in the role, absolutely brilliant

Ricardo - really making the role his own, absolutely brilliant, sensational voice

Lain -brilliant as Vic, an ecelent performance, really like him in the role

Kelly - disappointed not to see Lucy, but an excuse to go again, as for Kelly, much improved since last time, absolutely cracking performance, on top form, got everything right

Mazz - her usual firey self, completely brillianht as usual, we had the "highly embarressing Northern Rock building society" line, we also had her wrapping her coat around Gaz at the end and making *suggestive* movements

Alex - brilliant performance as usual, a lovely tap routine followed by bruce forseyth pose at the end of SSOR, a very unenthusiastic Madam unfortunately :(

Craig - first time seeing him as pop, and i had high expectations of him in the role, absolutely brilliant, really enjoyed his performance, the Zap It All line seems to have been cut (well the repetition of it)

Audience were lively but a bit slow on the uptake, very delayed reactions to most of the humour, but a usual standing ovation

top night out as usual, will have to go again soon

Getting Old???

2008-03-09T04:41:00.000-07:00

Today: 9th March 2008 is my Birthday (Hurray?).. I'm 22 (old??)

- I don't feel older, mind you I have always felt older than I am
- I don't enjoy my birthday anyway (far too materialistic), haven't enjoyed it for years, its a kid's thing really

So yet another year flies by, this time last year I was in Canada, enjoying life to the full, and my birthday celebrations there were the best ever, I spent them with the people I wanted to, how rare is that!

This year I am alone, suffering from a cold, but that's okay, I don't mind, I am a loner, so it suites me to have a quiet one for a change.

Normally people ramble on about the exciting presents, I won't, but the best part of this week was watching the 4-0 game at Anfield, now that's a birthday present, especially for someone with a name like mine!

It's a rarity, I have no specific show planned to celebrate this birthday (last year Phantom/WWRY), but I will be going to London over Easter.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me messages so far today.