After the Old Vic 24 hour plays found themselves shortchanged by the clocks going forward earlier this year, clearly Showtime's 48 hour musical challenge thought they'd cash in by going for the weekend where the clocks went back, therefore gaining themselves an extra hour.
On the whole, I was impressed. Bill and Sally (names escape me) were both very strong and carried the show well between them. I thought the tightness of the ensemble numbers was commendable, given the limited rehearsal time, though I did feel that some of the choreography wasn't particularly imaginative. The orchestra (also only rehearsed in 48 hours) were, perhaps, the unsung heroes.
I could have done without Les Dennis and Mel Geidroyc, and especially their overly long drawing of the raffle, but a good evening nonetheless.
Monday, 27 October 2008
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Kindertransport
After a horrific drive across the Pennines to Mold, I wasn't really in the best frame of mind for Aberystwyth Arts Centre's 'Kindertransport'. I knew a little of the subject (it would be pretty much impossible to get through studying history to degree level without knowing rather a lot about most aspects of WWII) but had never seen it on stage.
What struck me was the complexity of the various mother/daughter relationships throughout. Each of them could have afforded a whole play about them individually so having so many in one play barely scratched the surface of each.
I found myself being really quite drawn in, by the lovely staging and the almost universally strong performances. The second act especially captivated and I was really quite moved as the whole story began to unravel.
What struck me was the complexity of the various mother/daughter relationships throughout. Each of them could have afforded a whole play about them individually so having so many in one play barely scratched the surface of each.
I found myself being really quite drawn in, by the lovely staging and the almost universally strong performances. The second act especially captivated and I was really quite moved as the whole story began to unravel.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Blood Brothers
Went to the matinee of Blood Brothers yesterday.
I will admit my bias, as the lovely Niki Evans is one of my clients. Her playing Mrs J is also the first West End lead that we've secured since I started work, so suffice to say I was a little excited.
She was even better than I expected. Vocally it just oozes out of her, seemingly without any effort whatsoever, and her 'Tell Me It's Not True' at the end was just completely heartbreaking.
It's not a show I'd ever really think of as one of my favourites. I've only seen it once before and that time, I was a bit disappointed. I think it's a very strong cast at the moment though (Steven Palfreman as Mickey especially) and was absolutely in floods.
To say Nik's only 8 shows in, she has found her feet exceptionally quickly. She's already a force to be reckoned with; God help us once she's properly settled in.
I will admit my bias, as the lovely Niki Evans is one of my clients. Her playing Mrs J is also the first West End lead that we've secured since I started work, so suffice to say I was a little excited.
She was even better than I expected. Vocally it just oozes out of her, seemingly without any effort whatsoever, and her 'Tell Me It's Not True' at the end was just completely heartbreaking.
It's not a show I'd ever really think of as one of my favourites. I've only seen it once before and that time, I was a bit disappointed. I think it's a very strong cast at the moment though (Steven Palfreman as Mickey especially) and was absolutely in floods.
To say Nik's only 8 shows in, she has found her feet exceptionally quickly. She's already a force to be reckoned with; God help us once she's properly settled in.
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