Tuesday marked the night Glasgow turned pink, with the opening of Legally Blonde the musical on tour. Having seen the show in London 3 times, I was delighted when I heard it was playing in my home town, making Tuesday the first of 3 planned visits. Walking into the Theatre Royal gave me the same feeling I have each time I walk into the Savoy Theatre (where the London production is currently). The orchestra was rehearsing the familiar songs and the whole place was buzzing with people who had seen the show before. I always forget that I live in Scotland and not in fact Antarctica, I get so surprised when I meet people here that have the same love for musical theatre.
There is no denying that this is a scaled down production - set wise - from the London show, however the best was made with the space and I think all the key elements of the west end set were there. The one thing I did miss was the Delta Nu house from the first scene.
The cast were out of this world. My favourite cast member - by a country mile - was Faye Brookes. Cue my new theatre star obsession! She was so talented, funny and seemed so comfortable in the role. I can't wait to see her play Elle again. She was the star of the evening and absolutely deserved the applause and standing ovations.
Liz McClarnon played Paulette and I absolutely loved the way she portrayed this character. She had the perfect balance of comedy and emotion and such a likability factor.
The swings -as always- did an amazing job and seeing anyone that wasn't Lee Mead play Emmett was really refreshing.
I think the tour was a genius idea, opening theatre doors for people all over the country and I would absolutely recommend going to see it.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Hi my name is Siobhan and i'm obsessed with London!
The online dictionary describes obsessions as :
"A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion"
Over the past three or so years I have wondered if my love of London, specific musical theatre stars and really, musical theatre as a whole, is simply a passionate hobby, or indeed an obsession. I mean if I broke down the above definition I can absolutely relate to all parts of it. I feel myself spending my time inbeween trips to London just waiting to be back there again and if I have nothing booked it’s like a compulsive need to remedy that. The outcome is often - if not always -unreasonable (travelling 5 hours for one night) and the emotion attached to it is sometimes scary levels of excitement.
This is where I get confused. I am very happy with my life, my job aside. Although given the current economic climate I am grateful to be in a job that can fund said obsessions. I am surrounded by the most amazing people and have so many important relationships which I pride myself on maintaining. I have a stable home life and live in a very thriving city full of possibilities. Why is this not enough?
The internet world as a whole is a very foreign concept to most people in my life. They think twitter is “sad” and “a waste of time and energy, speaking to people you don’t know”. I have always been involved in this "www" world and love meeting new people who have the same passions as me. So I don't know if it's just the case that people do not understand this side of me, because they do not embrace up to date social networking. Or if their worry for me is needed.
So here lies the question. Am I obsessed? Or just passionate?
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Legally take 3- cast changes!
After another flying trip to London, I am yet again on the 4.5 hour train journey home. Feeling bored and sick as I've packed uber light so no laptop, and I'm facing the opposite way than the train is going- severely bad times! Had an awesome time as usual though.
I experienced day seating for the first time on this trip- got up at 3.15 to travel to London so I would be in time for front row tickets for legally blonde, but only managed row N- so annoying! That aside I really like the idea of day seating, I think it's a great incentive for regular theatre goers. This is my third viewing of legally blonde since march and I honestly don't think I could ever get sick of it. There had been a few changes since I was last there. Lee mead is now playing the role of Emmett and I'm sad to say I was less than impressed with him. Don't get me wrong- he's not bad by any means but he's so forgettable in my opinion. His character is supposed to have struggled and worked hard to get where he is now and he just doesn't portray that in his performance. He almost fades into the background.
Carley stenson is now playing Elle and she did an amazing job, this was her first official Elle performance and she did really well. I always think you get attached to the people you see in a show first, and in this case my favourite Elle will always be Susan McFadden- she was outstanding- but Carley can certainly do the role justice and I wish her every success in her run.
Ellie kirk is another newbie, playing the role of margot, she's so adorable and has the part nailed already. She has a real likability factor about her and gives a very sweet yet professional performance. The star of the night for me though was Natalie casey- who now plays paulette- she just brings something fresh to the role and has really made it her own. Her comedy timing is amazing and I really want to see her more before she leaves. I always get a really sad feeling leaving London and this is no different. I don't know when I'll be able to get down again but I really hope it's some point in the not so distant future.
I experienced day seating for the first time on this trip- got up at 3.15 to travel to London so I would be in time for front row tickets for legally blonde, but only managed row N- so annoying! That aside I really like the idea of day seating, I think it's a great incentive for regular theatre goers. This is my third viewing of legally blonde since march and I honestly don't think I could ever get sick of it. There had been a few changes since I was last there. Lee mead is now playing the role of Emmett and I'm sad to say I was less than impressed with him. Don't get me wrong- he's not bad by any means but he's so forgettable in my opinion. His character is supposed to have struggled and worked hard to get where he is now and he just doesn't portray that in his performance. He almost fades into the background.
Carley stenson is now playing Elle and she did an amazing job, this was her first official Elle performance and she did really well. I always think you get attached to the people you see in a show first, and in this case my favourite Elle will always be Susan McFadden- she was outstanding- but Carley can certainly do the role justice and I wish her every success in her run.
Ellie kirk is another newbie, playing the role of margot, she's so adorable and has the part nailed already. She has a real likability factor about her and gives a very sweet yet professional performance. The star of the night for me though was Natalie casey- who now plays paulette- she just brings something fresh to the role and has really made it her own. Her comedy timing is amazing and I really want to see her more before she leaves. I always get a really sad feeling leaving London and this is no different. I don't know when I'll be able to get down again but I really hope it's some point in the not so distant future.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
The facade was lost on me...
I went to see the tour production of Jekyll and Hyde recently and left the theatre feeling rather flat. The timeless tale about the Doctor who conducts an experiment on himself and unleashes a darker side is there. However a big part of me thinks the Marti Pellow was stunt cast and so many other musical theatre actors could have played the character more believably.
The only noticeable difference of appearance between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was the style of hair, and apart from the occasional grunt their personalities were very similar. This made it hard to think of them as different parts of one man.
The musical numbers were done very well, and I'm all for audience participation, but the people of Glasgow we're going crazy for Marti every time he sang and this personally ruined the mood and theme of the musical for me.
The ensemble impressed me and the set was really well done but it was the lighting that stood out most. There were 2 spotlights on Marti at all times to represent the two personalities which was the main visual I used throughout the performance.
Overall this musical definitely has the creepy factor, although I am in no rush to see it again.
The only noticeable difference of appearance between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was the style of hair, and apart from the occasional grunt their personalities were very similar. This made it hard to think of them as different parts of one man.
The musical numbers were done very well, and I'm all for audience participation, but the people of Glasgow we're going crazy for Marti every time he sang and this personally ruined the mood and theme of the musical for me.
The ensemble impressed me and the set was really well done but it was the lighting that stood out most. There were 2 spotlights on Marti at all times to represent the two personalities which was the main visual I used throughout the performance.
Overall this musical definitely has the creepy factor, although I am in no rush to see it again.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Distance is no friend of mine
I am in a pit of theatre depression today. There's so much going on south of the border and I can't attend because I live in "sunny" Scotland, and national express have decided to increase their train prices - don't they know who they are dealing with?.
Today marks Alex Gaumonds last 2 performances as Emmett Forrest in Legally blonde. I think i'm in the minority when I say that Emmett wasn't one of my favourite characters from the musical, but Alex played the part perfectly and going by the tweets in my timeline, he will be sorely missed. Lee Mead is to take over from Alex, and after not being impressed with his take on Fiyero in Wicked, i'm slightly nervous to see what he will do with this role.
The yearly London showcase event, west end live (www.westendlive.co.uk) is also this weekend. This event gives the west end a chance to show the public what it has to offer, showing performances from over 20 top productions. I'm extremely disappointed that I can't go this year and will be making it my mission to attend next year.
Being jealous of every ones excitement for one or both of these events I have decided to book last minute tickets to see Jekyll and Hyde tonight. Having never seen the show before I am looking forward to the element of surprise and getting my theatre fix at the same time.
Today marks Alex Gaumonds last 2 performances as Emmett Forrest in Legally blonde. I think i'm in the minority when I say that Emmett wasn't one of my favourite characters from the musical, but Alex played the part perfectly and going by the tweets in my timeline, he will be sorely missed. Lee Mead is to take over from Alex, and after not being impressed with his take on Fiyero in Wicked, i'm slightly nervous to see what he will do with this role.
The yearly London showcase event, west end live (www.westendlive.co.uk) is also this weekend. This event gives the west end a chance to show the public what it has to offer, showing performances from over 20 top productions. I'm extremely disappointed that I can't go this year and will be making it my mission to attend next year.
Being jealous of every ones excitement for one or both of these events I have decided to book last minute tickets to see Jekyll and Hyde tonight. Having never seen the show before I am looking forward to the element of surprise and getting my theatre fix at the same time.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Legally and London in 24 hours
It’s the morning after my 24 hour stint in London and it was so fast I am sitting at my desk in work wondering if it really happened. After seeing Legally blonde the musical for my birthday back in February, I have spent the past 3 months frantically finding a space in the holiday calender at work to return. Unfortunately there were only 2 spare days I could take and rather than cutting my losses like a sane person, I decided I would travel 5 and a half hours to my favourite city for one night… And it was so worth it!
I love everything about London. I love the hussle and bussle, the polar attitudes of Londoners -where they can be the coldest people you ever meet if they are rushing for the tube, to the most friendliest locals if you meet them in a bar - . What I love most about London though, is the west end, and that was the sole purpose of my trip.
Legally blonde was a musical that I had no rush to see, I had heard really good reports, but for some reason I didn’t have the urge to book. When I finally got round to seeing it I was hooked. And seeing it for the second time was even more brilliant than the first. I unfortunately did not get to see Sheridan Smith in the roll, but Susan Mcfadden wowed me in every way. She portrays Elle perfectly and her voice is incredible. The soundtrack is so catchy and if you don’t know the songs before you go, you will certainly know them when you leave.
The whole cast have every single movement and facial expression down to a tee and never fail to be anything but professional. This combined with the epic sets and colour explosion of pink in the costumes, makes this musical a recipe for success and will guarantee to leave you in the best mood when you leave. *snaps*
I love everything about London. I love the hussle and bussle, the polar attitudes of Londoners -where they can be the coldest people you ever meet if they are rushing for the tube, to the most friendliest locals if you meet them in a bar - . What I love most about London though, is the west end, and that was the sole purpose of my trip.
Legally blonde was a musical that I had no rush to see, I had heard really good reports, but for some reason I didn’t have the urge to book. When I finally got round to seeing it I was hooked. And seeing it for the second time was even more brilliant than the first. I unfortunately did not get to see Sheridan Smith in the roll, but Susan Mcfadden wowed me in every way. She portrays Elle perfectly and her voice is incredible. The soundtrack is so catchy and if you don’t know the songs before you go, you will certainly know them when you leave.
The whole cast have every single movement and facial expression down to a tee and never fail to be anything but professional. This combined with the epic sets and colour explosion of pink in the costumes, makes this musical a recipe for success and will guarantee to leave you in the best mood when you leave. *snaps*
Anthems the tour
I have literally just come home from Edinburgh, sat down my suitcase and turned on my macbook as I have to vent my excitement, elation and sheer admiration for the performance I witnessed last night. Anthems the concert starring Kerry Ellis and Brian May can only be described as a breath of fresh air from the run of the mill music that seems to be dominating the charts in recent times. The humble set and exposed band leave nothing to the imagination, it’s pure talent that would blow away any person of any age.
At first I wasn’t sure how Kerry and Brian would be as a duo, what with seemingly different backgrounds, one being a rock star and the other a west end sensation - I could not have been more wrong- The two compliment each other perfectly.
Kerry’s voice is phenomenal, every note is perfect and her performances are so believable. She sang the album in it’s entirety last night and there was not one song she didn’t nail. Personal highlights included, you have to be there, no one but you and of course defying gravity. Practically every song was met with a standing ovation, and the atmosphere was electric.
I have never seen anyone more passionate about playing guitar than Dr Brian May, he looked so intense when playing his solos and in complete awe when not. He seemed so proud of Kerry and complimented her on numerous occasions, even proclaiming that no one but you was now Kerry’s song.
When the concert ended I was on a complete high and could not seem to come down from it, and still haven’t if i’m honest. I went to the stage door after and Kerry could not have been more lovely. If you still have the chance to see it I would highly recommend it, it’s an experience that i’m glad I had and will never leave me.
At first I wasn’t sure how Kerry and Brian would be as a duo, what with seemingly different backgrounds, one being a rock star and the other a west end sensation - I could not have been more wrong- The two compliment each other perfectly.
Kerry’s voice is phenomenal, every note is perfect and her performances are so believable. She sang the album in it’s entirety last night and there was not one song she didn’t nail. Personal highlights included, you have to be there, no one but you and of course defying gravity. Practically every song was met with a standing ovation, and the atmosphere was electric.
I have never seen anyone more passionate about playing guitar than Dr Brian May, he looked so intense when playing his solos and in complete awe when not. He seemed so proud of Kerry and complimented her on numerous occasions, even proclaiming that no one but you was now Kerry’s song.
When the concert ended I was on a complete high and could not seem to come down from it, and still haven’t if i’m honest. I went to the stage door after and Kerry could not have been more lovely. If you still have the chance to see it I would highly recommend it, it’s an experience that i’m glad I had and will never leave me.
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