Thursday, 4 February 2016

Grease (Live) is the word

On Sunday 31 January 2016, Grease Mania hit the states with a star studded live broadcast. The show and it's audience went together like Rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. In fact it was such a success that ITV 2 decided to show it here in the UK on Wednesday 3 February 2016 and that went down like Shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom.
 
This map takes 9,000 tweets with the hashtags: #Grease, #GreaseLive or directed at the official Twitter page; @GoGrease. The Pink Lady themed dotted show just how many of us around the world sat down to Grease Live this week. 
Grease is still placed quite nicely among twitter trends showing that even 38 years after it's initial release in 1978, Grease is still very much the word:


People were excited over the star-studded cast:



Some got a bit ahead of themselves:


The majority of tweets showed that people loved Grease's new look:






 I haven't had a chance to watch it myself yet but I rushed home to record it when I learned it would be playing on ITV2. Despite that, I have heard a lot of feedback about Vanessa Hudgens, who played Rizzo. Miss Hudgens made an announcement hours before going on stage:


She mostly certainly made him proud:


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Saturday, 24 October 2015

Kinky Boots

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots made its transition from the silver screen in 2005 to stage. 

The story takes you from the Northampton shoe factory to the fabulous Milan catwalk. Charlie Price (Killian Donnelly) steps into his father's shoes to continue the family business while the factory hits some hard times. An unexpected event brings Lola (Matt Henry) and Charlie together. Lola needs some new stilettos and Charlie needs to save the factory....

Harvey Fierstein, Cyndi Lauper and Jerry Mitchell are the brilliant minds behind this highly energetic, spectacle.  Lola and her glamorous angels show a parallel to Lauper's 'Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun' party atmosphere. There are still moments where the party stops but Henry still absolutely steals the spotlight especially during Lola's song 'Hold Me in Your Heart'. 

There are many reasons why this show is making 'Everybody Say Yeah', leading with the show's wonderful cast. Killian Donnelly is fantastic at completely reinventing Charlie, the rather simple and lackluster factory owner. His vocals are quite sensational as he takes on songs like 'Step One' and 'Soul Of A Man'.

If you liked Priscilla Queen of the Desert then you'll love Matt Henry's, Lola. Henry goes all out on Lola's extravagance and steals the stage whenever he is on stage. In fact, Henry seems more comfortable as Lola, 'six inches off the ground' than he does as Simon. It seems that Lauper saved the most memorable songs for Lola and just as well since Henry does each and every one total justice. 

Amy Lennox plays the slightly quirky but loveable Lauren, a factory worker who develops a crush on her boss. She's not your average girl-next-door  as her solo 'The History of Wrong Guys' proves. In fact, she performs the song so brilliantly with such perfect comic timing that this performance alone could win some awards. 

The choreography definitely deserves a mention. The angels especially, who manage to dance in heels that I probably couldn't even stand up in. The whole cast makes the show feel like one big party. 

My only criticism would be that 'Raise You Up' feels at time like it should be far more energetic than it actually is. It takes time for the energy to build which is a shame for such a wonderful final song. 

Kinky Boots leaves the audience in high spirits and with two very important lessons in  Raise You Up/Just Be. 'Just Be' tells the audience that you can be whatever or whoever you choose to be and macho man Don sings, 'Change the world when you change your mind'.

Check out the trailer! 



Go see this show, tickets and more information can be found on their website.
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Monday, 27 July 2015

5 Kilo Sugar

5 Kilo Sugar is a charmingly sweet story about a playwright, Gur Koren (Tom Slatter) who writes a play about a bizarre experience where his grandfather, from the afterlife, sends him on a quest. It all begins with a bag of sugar during World War Two and ends in modern day Tel- Aviv. 


The play is skillfully stitched together with very self-aware segments to bring all the scenes together. Throughout, the actors are all aware that they are indeed actors playing various roles and the story is told as both performance and story-telling. 


The themes explore the generational differences between the now old age generation and the younger generation through a series of very colourful characters. It's a very delightful comedy and can appeal to anyone who finds themselves learning interested in history and heritage. We all find out stories about our elders that we never knew about before and the generation gap is universal so this show appeals to all.


If it isn't hard enough to have to play multiple roles, these actors are also faced with the challenge of transforming mid role to embody Gur's grandpa. As well as the Headteacher, Waitress, Taxi Driver or prostitute they happen to be playing at that point they all skillfully change into the old man - often with tremendous comic timings.


The cast is made up of both Israeli and British actors which works wonders in favour of this play. The Israeli accents are exaggerated, the mannerisms mirrored to the tee and the terminology thrown in for good measure. This also works hilariously with Grandpa Koren's stereotypical (to his generation) Eastern European Jew - spurting out Yiddish all over the place. 


Toward the end, the play changes from a gentle comedy to a more farcical one, although the humor turns more and more bizarre, it remains completely lovable.



Tik-sho-ret is a theatre company that encourages collaborations through cultural and artistic exchanges and creates educational and community-based projects around themes of communication and co-existence.



5 Kilo Sugar plays the Etcetera Theatre in Camden until 1st August 2015 and then continue to play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 7th-15th August 2015. Click here for more information and getting your tickets.



Cast:                                                                                      Production Team:
Tom Slatter          Gur Koren                                                 Director                   Ariella Eshed
Shai Forester        Headteacher, Beggar,                               Lighting                   Yaron Shyldkrot
                             Gadi Electric, Taxi Driver                        Producer                  Jordan Blackwood
Michal Banai       Lee-My, Shimrit, Waitress                       Associate Producer  Rachel Lee
                             Evelyn Barda, Prostitute
Spencer Cowan    Yoad Riva








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Sunday, 19 April 2015

Les Misérables

I saw Les Misérables the first time back in 2012 (before it hit the silver screen) and I thought the show was absolutely phenomenal. I had yet to start my blog so it is really great to have had another opportunity to see it and give it the proper review it deserves.

October 2015 will welcome the 30th anniversary of this much loved show. So why do audiences keep coming back to this tragically wonderful (or wonderfully tragic, if you prefer) show? 

The story, based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, speaks to audiences on a multitude of levels. Whether you choose to look at it as historical, political, religious or moral narrative, you are bound to find some way to relate to the themes of the show - even if you can't relate to the characters directly. 

The music is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and includes some of the most iconic songs in the Musical Theatre world such as; I Dreamed a Dream, One Day More, Bring Him Home and On My Own among many others. The music can often seem repetitive throughout with melodies being repeated, however, this connects the timeline of events and the lyrics are really beautifully written. 

While watching the show this time around, it occurred to me how physically fit the cast must be to survive such a physically challenging show. The clever staging allows the cast to change location and time by walking with against the revolving stage. Also it is incredibly skillful to see how a set can be turned 90 degrees to transform from a café into the barricades. 

The cast in 2012 left a more powerful impression than the current cast but that is not to say that this performance is just as talented and still are able to portray the heart-ache and passion of their characters. Carrie Hope Fletcher as Eponine and Celinde Schoenmaker as Fantine both leave remarkable impressions with their emotive acting and powerful vocals. The children in the show easily capture the hearts of the audience night after night, I'm sure. 

Everything is so beautifully choreographed only highlighting the series of tragic events that take place throughout Les Misérables. A show with so much sorrow needs some wicked comic relief and the Thénardiers (Tom Edden and Wendy Feruson) fulfill that role perfectly. It is nearly impossible to hate this pair of crooks. 

So in answer to my question, Les Misérables is still as popular as ever as it keeps delivering a wonderful cast who tell a fascinating story that will stay with you forever. Just one last warning: you might want to pack a few packets of tissues.


Click here for some more information and to book your tickets!




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Saturday, 11 April 2015

Made in Dagenham

This show might take play in 1968 but the message still speaks loud and clear today too. Based on a true story of how the the women of Ford Dagenham stood together to insist on equal pay for their skilled work. Rit O'Grady is the voice of these women and together with her friends stood their ground until they were given 100% of the same pay as men. 

David Arnold and Richard Thomas work together to make a fantastic soundtrack for Made In Dagenam. The songs support the uplifting and powerful message of the musical from the song's opening Busy Woman to the closing Stand Up. This song has the kind of soundtrack that you could happily sing along to for days on end. In fact, fans of the show can look forward to the soundtrack soon to be downloadable from iTunes. 

The script is just so clever. Filled with witty one liners and perfectly timed jokes that can still be related to today. The humour doesn't take away from the morals of the show but actually empowers it. The men are often portrayed as the comic relief who do not realise the important roles of the women but highly value their own power (although they don't really do much with it). The very tongue in cheek humour in this show is part of it's extraordinary charm. 

The women are incredibly sassy and present a strong and proud community. Gemma Arterton (Rita O' Grady) illustrates an amazing development in her character and is unsurprisingly a fabulous singer. Her friends Connie (Isla Blair), Sandra ( Sophie Isaacs), Beryl (Sophie Stanton) and Cass (aana Agei-Ampadu) are the best group of friends a girl could ask for. The cast are phenomenal and so full of energy. 

Sadly the show closes this evening. If the fans of the show continue to show their support then maybe a tour could be on the horizon? In this day and age the message remains just as relevant as ever and so it would be fantastic to have this show back on stages throughout the UK and hopefully it could make it's way back to the UK today.  

This musical reminds us everywhere of the women who stood up in the past to give us the rights we have now and how we should continue to fight for equality between everyone no matter what differences lie between us. 

Click here for some more information and please support this show!



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Shooting with Light - New Diorama

Shooting With Light is a fantastic new play devised, written and directed by the small cast. The story tells of the life of a photographer journalist, Gerda Taro who's bravery and determination to report the truths of the war brought her short career to a sudden end. Although this is based on a true story - not all the events performed are completely true to her story. For a show that looks to praise this amazing woman, it doesn't seem to focus on her story as much as some of the other characters in the play. 

Every step in the performance has been carefully and intricately planned to create some very artistic movement. The young lovers explore a roll of film together in some very intimate choreography around each other which beautifully portrays their growing love for each other as well as for photography. They move at different speeds as if to signify the movement of time in their narrative and incorporate set changes in their movement wonderfully. 

Even the simple backdrop is really impressive as just one screen changes from a block of flats, a grassy patch for the couple to lay down on and also a screen for the photographer's photos. It is fascinating to be able to see the actual photos taken my Gerda and her partner Andre/Bob. Even today with these photos, we can really understand just how awful the Spanish Civil War and the rise of fascism in Europe really were. 

The small cast are fantastic and although they seem quite young are perfectly capable of capturing the emotion of this tragic story. Each actor doubles up as a past and present character and this creates a rather remarkable performance. Especially in the last few minutes of the show when the audience are quickly taken through the entire story and brought right back to the present. 

Gerda Taro changed photography and her story is fascinating. In a day where we can't go a moment without taking a 'selfie' or sending a snapchat - her story is only a beginning for way we can easily change the world with one click. 

Click Here for some more information.




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Matilda

Most people are familiar with Roald Dahl's famous book about a little girl who proves that sometimes children understand right and wrong better than adults. The loveable bookworm hit the West End in 2011 after a great run in Stratford Upon Avon. 

Tim Minchin is the genius mind behind the music in this wonderful musical. Every song is very memorable and you'll find yourself bursting into many of these fantastic songs for months after you see the show. Indeed the whole cast from the youngest to the oldest, should make Mr Minchin proud as they perform each song with the justice it deserves. 

Every catchy song should come with some spectacular choreography and this show is no different. The salsa sensation, Loud is one of the absolute highlights for dancing in this show. Mrs Wormwood (Kay Murphy) and her dance partner,  Rudolpho (Jason Winter) perform a salsa routine that will have you on the edge of your seat. Another song worth a mention for it's unbelievably impressive choreography is, School Song - without giving too much away, the way in which they incorporate the props into this dance is just beyond words (and I'm aware that as a journalist, I should always have the 'words').

There are many tricks and surprises throughout the show in order to keep some of the book/film's most iconic scenes, Bruce (Arthur Yamaguchi) demolishes the chocolate cake before your very eyes, Amanda (Havana Garcia) is flung by her pigtails by the evil Miss Trunchbull (Will Kenning) and Matilda (Matilda Shapland) knocks over the newt infested water onto her horrible headmistress. 

In a modern re-telling of this classic story, everything is as it should be. The Wormwoods are still a hilarious family, Miss Trunchbull is still rather frightening and Matilda is still lovable. 

The cast are all incredible but a special mention for all the children who completely steal the show. 

Matilda is booking until May 2015 so hurry on down to the Cambridge Theatre! 




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