Just a quick update! As you may have read, I have joined the Birkenhead Operatics Society. They are widely regarded as being the best operatics group in the area and regularly put on big productions in the empire theatre and the floral pavillion in new brighton!
Not long after I was accepted into the group, one of the directors for the show they were in the middle of rehearsing - Jesus Christ Superstar - asked me and the other new lad if we could join the cast and be a part of the show as roman soldiers and in other smaller scenes. We were only too happy to oblige! And so it was that on 13th-16th October, I was in Jesus Christ Superstar, performing in front of 600-800 people a show as part of a remarkably talented cast of individuals! I loved it! Absolutely loved it and cant wait for the next show, which I hope I can also be a part of!!!!
Monday 8 November 2010
Friday 10 September 2010
A new site feature!!!
I've decided that I want to update this blog a bit more often and as a way of doing that I want to bring in a few features over the next few weeks! I've decided that I am going to include my musical song of the week, complete with a youtube clip of said song. I will also try and update with a top five run down of all things theatre, from top five plays and musicals I've seen, to top 5 sad songs, top five actors and actresses etc..
I would very much like it if you (if you are reading this!!) to comment on these additionos - do you agree with my choices or not! What would be your top 5?!
Anyway for now, I'll leave you with my first musical song of the week! It's from the Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde, and I think it is one of the best songs written for a male in theatre!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31i-5F__1tw
I would very much like it if you (if you are reading this!!) to comment on these additionos - do you agree with my choices or not! What would be your top 5?!
Anyway for now, I'll leave you with my first musical song of the week! It's from the Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde, and I think it is one of the best songs written for a male in theatre!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31i-5F__1tw
I've joined BOST!!!
After a suprisingly successful audition, yours truly will become a member of the Birkenhead Operatics Society Trust!!! They're one of the better amateur theatrical groups in the area and put on at least one big show a year so I'm very priveledged to become a part of their group!! For my audition I sang a song from Phantom of the Opera!! The link below will take you to youtube to tell you which one I performed!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWNKDmlnnQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWNKDmlnnQ
Hamlet @ The Liverpool Lantern Theatre
This autumn's most anticipated Shakespeare may be Antony and Cleopatra, but it doesn't stop one of the Bards more popular pieces from packing a punch down at the Lantern Theatre.
Hamlet, Shakespeare's longest play, follows the story of a young prince who wishes to exact revenge on his murderous uncle Claudius. Many of the themes within the play, inclusing greed and sexual depravity, are just as relevant today as they were when the play was first written, over four hundred years ago.
This version, by Liverpool's Black Box Theatre Company, is part of a cultural exchange with Rome's Blue in the Face theatre group. They brought the last collaboration, The Juggler's Take, to the city in June this year.
The cast of nine are generally good. Keir Howard is a formidable Hamlet, handling the text well. The standout performance however, is from Ben Patterson, who portrays both Claudius, and the ghost of his brother, with chilling passion.
The modest set is utilised well. This production benefits from being performed in a theatre inside an old warehouse, which gives the feeling of actually being inside Elsinore. The combination of mood lighting and actors using the centre aisle adds atmosphere and heightens the feeling of claustrophobia.
One of the traits of Shakespeare's plays is that they can be set in any place, any time. This version, from the choice of costumes, appears to be set in the mid twentieth century, but it never becomes clear why.
Full to the brim of action and suspense, this is a production which is worth venturing out to see. Performed in a small theatre, which is a hideen gem in its own right, this Hamlet deserves to be seen on a larger scale.
7/10
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Reply to Mark Shenton of the stage
In his blog today, Mark Shenton talks about actors and actresses becoming famous on the back of musical theatre. The "Wicked factor", as he calls it has led to the success of stars such as Shoshana Bean who was in town last night for her concert debut. Marks blog entry can be seen here.
I agree with much of what Mark has said and have gone even further with my reasons why these people are becoming famous on the back of big shows. I think it is a good thing that they are finally getting the recognition they deserve for their talent, but think that it's a shame that smaller shows which don't have the big teenage following that some shows have, go under the radar and maybe even end up closing early - Spring Awakening comes to mind as one such recent show. I'm sure that the majority of the actors who were in that show will go onto bigger and better things, but I feel it was a shame it closed early because I thought that the cast were exceptional!
I agree with much of what Mark has said and have gone even further with my reasons why these people are becoming famous on the back of big shows. I think it is a good thing that they are finally getting the recognition they deserve for their talent, but think that it's a shame that smaller shows which don't have the big teenage following that some shows have, go under the radar and maybe even end up closing early - Spring Awakening comes to mind as one such recent show. I'm sure that the majority of the actors who were in that show will go onto bigger and better things, but I feel it was a shame it closed early because I thought that the cast were exceptional!
Thursday 12 August 2010
42nd Street and Pygmalion
Sorry for not posting a blog in a while! I've been rather busy completing my PGCE but hopefully I shall be updating my blog a bit more regularly over the next few weeks and months!
Just wanted to quickly mention that I've been down the Chichester this summer and had the chance to see their two biggest shows of the season - the epic, toe-tapping musical extravaganza that is 42nd street, and the play which My Fair Lady is based on - Pygmalian.
42nd street first open on Broadway in 1980, and ran for nearly 3500 performances. The West End version began the high profile career of Catherine Zeta Jones. The basic story is of a small town girl who wants to audition for a Broadway show. After being told she is too late to audition, Peggy Sawyer goes off with some of the other chorus girls and shows them her skills. Eventually she is cast in the show.
The show is laden with big Broadway hits which you will instantly recognise - Were in the Money and 42nd street being the two most well known. The beginning of the Chichester revival is as clever, and as memorable as the initial Broadway run where the curtain rose slightly to reveal a row of legs tap dancing in time to the music!
The leads are all good, with Kathryn Evans, as prima donna, Dorothy Brock showing why she is one of the best current leading ladies of the stage. There is not a weak performance in the whole show, despeite it being early in previews. The choreography is simply breathtaking - I wish I could dance like that! This is one musical that is possibly more famous for its dance than its music! The costumes are also superb - this is one of the best musicals - if not the best muscial I've seen in Chichester! Sweeney Todd next year has a lot to live up to! 8.5/10
This is in contrast to the slightly disappointing Pygmalian. Maybe it was because the show is so well known that caused me to be so disappointed. It was all there in the advertising! George Bernards Shaws most prolific play, starring Rupert Everrett, Susie Blake and Honeysuckle Weeks in the best regional theatre in the country. I was expecting this to be out of this world!
Doubts started to arise in my mind with the start of the first interval, barely 45 minutes in. The production up until then was good - the acting was decent, the costumes good, and it was suprisingly funny! The set wasn't that exciting but that was my only majoy complaint. Then another interval started barely 15 minutes after the start of the show after the last interval. It wasn't enough time to get lost in the words of Bernard Shaw or to forget that the actors weren't acting. Rupert Everrett was good in the role, however he was probably the weakest link in the show. Occasionally forgetting lines, and perhaps appearing too young for the role meant that he wasn't quite as believable as the other characters. On the whole, the story of East End bum being turned into upper class beauty was good, but that was all. When expectatations were so high, it was always going to be difficult to exceed them, however I just felt disapointed. It could have been so much better. 6/10
I will try and post again soon! Thanks for reading! If you know of any good theatre blogs out there please post them on my comments box or email me it so I can have a good read! x x
Just wanted to quickly mention that I've been down the Chichester this summer and had the chance to see their two biggest shows of the season - the epic, toe-tapping musical extravaganza that is 42nd street, and the play which My Fair Lady is based on - Pygmalian.
42nd street first open on Broadway in 1980, and ran for nearly 3500 performances. The West End version began the high profile career of Catherine Zeta Jones. The basic story is of a small town girl who wants to audition for a Broadway show. After being told she is too late to audition, Peggy Sawyer goes off with some of the other chorus girls and shows them her skills. Eventually she is cast in the show.
The show is laden with big Broadway hits which you will instantly recognise - Were in the Money and 42nd street being the two most well known. The beginning of the Chichester revival is as clever, and as memorable as the initial Broadway run where the curtain rose slightly to reveal a row of legs tap dancing in time to the music!
The leads are all good, with Kathryn Evans, as prima donna, Dorothy Brock showing why she is one of the best current leading ladies of the stage. There is not a weak performance in the whole show, despeite it being early in previews. The choreography is simply breathtaking - I wish I could dance like that! This is one musical that is possibly more famous for its dance than its music! The costumes are also superb - this is one of the best musicals - if not the best muscial I've seen in Chichester! Sweeney Todd next year has a lot to live up to! 8.5/10
This is in contrast to the slightly disappointing Pygmalian. Maybe it was because the show is so well known that caused me to be so disappointed. It was all there in the advertising! George Bernards Shaws most prolific play, starring Rupert Everrett, Susie Blake and Honeysuckle Weeks in the best regional theatre in the country. I was expecting this to be out of this world!
Doubts started to arise in my mind with the start of the first interval, barely 45 minutes in. The production up until then was good - the acting was decent, the costumes good, and it was suprisingly funny! The set wasn't that exciting but that was my only majoy complaint. Then another interval started barely 15 minutes after the start of the show after the last interval. It wasn't enough time to get lost in the words of Bernard Shaw or to forget that the actors weren't acting. Rupert Everrett was good in the role, however he was probably the weakest link in the show. Occasionally forgetting lines, and perhaps appearing too young for the role meant that he wasn't quite as believable as the other characters. On the whole, the story of East End bum being turned into upper class beauty was good, but that was all. When expectatations were so high, it was always going to be difficult to exceed them, however I just felt disapointed. It could have been so much better. 6/10
I will try and post again soon! Thanks for reading! If you know of any good theatre blogs out there please post them on my comments box or email me it so I can have a good read! x x
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Blood Brothers @ The Empire Theatre
It is always nice to see a show which has done very well return to the city where it made it's name, and Blood Brothers is no exception.
The tale of the twins separated at birth has delighted audiences for over twenty years, gaining standing ovations every night as well as some of Britains finest leading ladies. Set in Liverpool, the show begins with the death of the two young men who ended up living two very different lives. One child was kept and one given away by the mother who couldn't afford to keep both of them, and the story follows the life of both boys as they grow up world's apart in the same city.
Both boys fight to keep their friendship alive, becoming blood brothers in the process. No matter how far apart their families move they are always brought back together. As they leave their childhood years behind them however, their destiny leads them down completely different paths - one to local government and the other to prison.
Sean Jones as Mickey and Paul Jones as Eddie both do sterling jobs as the two young brothers. It is Lyn Paul who shines however as the Marilyn Monroe obsessed mother. Her rendition of Tell me it's not true will have audiences reaching for their tissues, long after they've left the theatre. Her acting skills are good, but it is her voice, which projects from the stage right to the back of the auditorium, which distingishes her from the rest of the cast.
Robbie Scotcher as the narrator does disappoint however. It is true that much of the material which he has to deliver isn't particularly strong, but he delivers many of his lines in such a rush that the diction suffers and so it is hard to understand exactly what he is saying. This becomes quite distracting during the second half when his character is suposed to move the storyline on.
Whilst this show keeps returning to Liverpool is will continue to sell well, and rightly so. It is a good story which is told very well. However some of the lyrics are too contrived and this means that the flow of the story is occasionally affected. The show and the set are beginning to look dated now, although will the current economic climate there is more relevance to today.
The show does bring in the crowds, but it would be nice if it encouraged the audiences it does get to stay and watch other musicals - many of which are much better both lyrically and musically.
What the show does very well is that it lets you re-live your youth- it lets you revel in it.. the long, hot summer days at the fayre; the walks through the countryside and the nights sat looking out over the city. It lets you connect with the characters, and so it becomes ever more poignant at the ending.
If you have yet to see this show then you should get yourself a ticket - if you've already seen it then splash out the cash you would have spent on a ticket on another musical - you never know, you may even enjoy it more!
7/10
The tale of the twins separated at birth has delighted audiences for over twenty years, gaining standing ovations every night as well as some of Britains finest leading ladies. Set in Liverpool, the show begins with the death of the two young men who ended up living two very different lives. One child was kept and one given away by the mother who couldn't afford to keep both of them, and the story follows the life of both boys as they grow up world's apart in the same city.
Both boys fight to keep their friendship alive, becoming blood brothers in the process. No matter how far apart their families move they are always brought back together. As they leave their childhood years behind them however, their destiny leads them down completely different paths - one to local government and the other to prison.
Sean Jones as Mickey and Paul Jones as Eddie both do sterling jobs as the two young brothers. It is Lyn Paul who shines however as the Marilyn Monroe obsessed mother. Her rendition of Tell me it's not true will have audiences reaching for their tissues, long after they've left the theatre. Her acting skills are good, but it is her voice, which projects from the stage right to the back of the auditorium, which distingishes her from the rest of the cast.
Robbie Scotcher as the narrator does disappoint however. It is true that much of the material which he has to deliver isn't particularly strong, but he delivers many of his lines in such a rush that the diction suffers and so it is hard to understand exactly what he is saying. This becomes quite distracting during the second half when his character is suposed to move the storyline on.
Whilst this show keeps returning to Liverpool is will continue to sell well, and rightly so. It is a good story which is told very well. However some of the lyrics are too contrived and this means that the flow of the story is occasionally affected. The show and the set are beginning to look dated now, although will the current economic climate there is more relevance to today.
The show does bring in the crowds, but it would be nice if it encouraged the audiences it does get to stay and watch other musicals - many of which are much better both lyrically and musically.
What the show does very well is that it lets you re-live your youth- it lets you revel in it.. the long, hot summer days at the fayre; the walks through the countryside and the nights sat looking out over the city. It lets you connect with the characters, and so it becomes ever more poignant at the ending.
If you have yet to see this show then you should get yourself a ticket - if you've already seen it then splash out the cash you would have spent on a ticket on another musical - you never know, you may even enjoy it more!
7/10
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake @ Liverpool Empire
I was a bit sceptical about going to see this show I’ll admit. Having never seen a ballet before, and not knowing much about this particular one, I figured that the evening would be enjoyable enough but that it wouldn’t really capture my imagination. How wrong I was!
This interpretation of the story isn’t the same as the traditional sense. The piece is a mixture of contemporary dance with ballet, which in my opinion heightens the story – from the softness and elegance of the ballet, to the rush and the passion of the contemporary.
Swan Lake follows the story of a prince who longs for a more enjoyable existence than cutting ribbons and attending royal functions. In a dreamlike sequence he imagines what it would be like to fly with the swans he sees in a park, which starts his ascent into madness, which results in tragic consequences.
The production value is astonishing! The set is especially striking – it seems no expense has been spared on the wonderful royal hall, and the backdrop to an opera. The one thing I felt was missing however, was a live orchestra. I realise that with a full casts of 25, as well as accompanying stage managers, dressers, etc, that it would be impractical to tour with a full pit, however, during the more climactic scenes, when the music was reaching a crescendo, I did feel that it was such a shame that there was no live band – it would make the production more “real”.
The choreography is what this show is famous for, and boy it doesn’t disappoint. The dancing is flawless, and what is particular exceptional about it all, is that each cast member has their own routines – many hours have been spent in the rehearsal room, and it pays off!
The acting is also very good. Sam Archers shines in particular as the prince. One of the main differences between this version of Swan Lake and the traditional version is that the swans are played by an all male cast. This, I think, heightens the drama – it shows the sheer strength and the elegance of the animals.
It was obviously very risky 15 years ago to have two male principles dancing with each other and showing that two men can connect, but it was definitely worth it, because it adds a new dimension to a show, which I’ve not seen before in any show. The show has not aged, and is still as edgy now as it was when it opened in London 15 years ago.
May this be the beginning of a wonderful relationship between Matthew Bourne’s production company and Liverpool audiences.
Swanderful!!! 9/10
This interpretation of the story isn’t the same as the traditional sense. The piece is a mixture of contemporary dance with ballet, which in my opinion heightens the story – from the softness and elegance of the ballet, to the rush and the passion of the contemporary.
Swan Lake follows the story of a prince who longs for a more enjoyable existence than cutting ribbons and attending royal functions. In a dreamlike sequence he imagines what it would be like to fly with the swans he sees in a park, which starts his ascent into madness, which results in tragic consequences.
The production value is astonishing! The set is especially striking – it seems no expense has been spared on the wonderful royal hall, and the backdrop to an opera. The one thing I felt was missing however, was a live orchestra. I realise that with a full casts of 25, as well as accompanying stage managers, dressers, etc, that it would be impractical to tour with a full pit, however, during the more climactic scenes, when the music was reaching a crescendo, I did feel that it was such a shame that there was no live band – it would make the production more “real”.
The choreography is what this show is famous for, and boy it doesn’t disappoint. The dancing is flawless, and what is particular exceptional about it all, is that each cast member has their own routines – many hours have been spent in the rehearsal room, and it pays off!
The acting is also very good. Sam Archers shines in particular as the prince. One of the main differences between this version of Swan Lake and the traditional version is that the swans are played by an all male cast. This, I think, heightens the drama – it shows the sheer strength and the elegance of the animals.
It was obviously very risky 15 years ago to have two male principles dancing with each other and showing that two men can connect, but it was definitely worth it, because it adds a new dimension to a show, which I’ve not seen before in any show. The show has not aged, and is still as edgy now as it was when it opened in London 15 years ago.
May this be the beginning of a wonderful relationship between Matthew Bourne’s production company and Liverpool audiences.
Swanderful!!! 9/10
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Chichester 2010
I've had a quick glance at whats on this summer in Chichester and I'm not sure what to make of it. There are definately a few things which look good, and I shaln't be missing - Pygmalion and 42nd street, both of which are in the Festival Theatre, but the rest of their programming doesn't look too hot! Both shows at the minerva (The Critic Sherridan Stoppard The Real Inspector Hound and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist) don't really appeal to me in the slightest (they just have really long names!), and one of them is a co-production between Chichester and Liverpool, and so without a doubt I will get to see it in Liverpool for free! Overall I'm not too impressed with this years! It would always take alot to beat last years Enron and Oklahoma and 2007's Macbeth and Babes in Arms, but I feel that the programming just doesn't look as strong on paper! I hope I am wrong however, and am indeed glad that they've brought Patrick Stewart back (in a show I won't be able to see), and am very much looking forward to seeing Rupert Everrett in Pygmalion! They're also bringing Enron back to the Festival Theatre for 10 performances only which I'm sure will do very well, however I do feel that it was so good last year due to the small space it was in and some of that will undoubtably be lost! x
Wicked @ West End
Sorry it's took a while to put up a post! I've been very busy recently!
Anyway, during the last week in November, I took my nieces down to London to watch Wicked as a treat! I'd promised I would take them a few years ago after I showed them the trailer after going to see it myself. One weekend I went home with a poster of the show, the tickets and a poster I'd made which showed them the things they would do in London. I did a treasure hunt where they had to follow the clues to find the prize. After a while they eventually found it and boy, where they excited! It was lovely to see their little faces light up!
Fast forward 2 months and my sister and nieces arrived at my flat late on the Friday evening. It was my nieces birthday so they drove up straight from her birthday party. After going to Asda to buy magazines for the journey and some snacks for the next day, we went back to my flat, watched Jonathon Ross on the TV and went to bed.
The next morning we got up super early and I made everyone sausage and bacon muffins before we left to catch the bus. The five of us jumped into a taxi and got to the bus station a bit too early - think Pete was a bit anxious that we'd miss the bus otherwise! The bus turned up on time (so only a 35 min wait in the cold!), and so we got on and began our journey. It did seem to last quite a long time, but the fact that the bus wasn't too busy meant that we could all stretch ourselves out on the coach and just while away the hours until we got to London. After what seemed like forever, we finally entered the city! The sites were amazing and the sun seemed to shine the whole way to Victoria coach station. The kids and my sister definately enjoyed the sights from the inside of the coach.
Once we had arrived, we met up with Mark, who had travelled down from Birmingham. The first thing we did was to walk to our hotels (which took a while to locate on the maps!) and to dump our stuff. Luckily Dawn and the kids hotel was quite close to our hotel. We left the girls to freshen up and unpack whilst we went and did the same. 40 minutes later we all met up and went and purchased our tickets for the tube, during which time Mark got lost! After finding him, we jumped the tube to Oxford St, where we spent a few hours looking in Topshop, Hamleys and had a Subway. It was nice to see the pretty lights and the shops, but I'd advise taking a load of London virgins to Oxford Street 4 weeks before Christmas on a Saturday afternoon! It was not fun!
After a little walk around town, we got the tube to Victoria station (my nieces directing us quite well after being taught how to read the tube map), and met Tim who was joining us for the show. Everyone was very excited, including myself who'd already seen the show twice before! The nieces bought a t-shirt each and I got my Wicked hoodie (thanks Pete), and we settled ourselves down to watch the show. It was enthralling, and enjoyable on every level - I don't think I'll ever get bored of this show! The kids particularly enjoyed Defying Gravity, and my sister actually cried! My bro enjoyed the show as well, because although he'd seen it before, this time he had better seats. He's becoming almost as West End cultured as I am - having seen Avenue Q, Spring Awakening and now Wicked twice in the past year! It must be the London bug!
Afterwards, we tried waiting for autographs, but I think that we'd missed the majority of the cast due to spending too long in toilet queues. This was a shame, but didn't ruin our evening. We went to Leicester Square and spent a couple of hours wandering round admiring the sites which everyone enjoyed, before returning to our hotels and getting some shut eye for the night.
Everyone was up bright and early the next day - breakfast was served at 8ish, and for the price of the hotel, it wasn't much kop! We dumped our bags in the luggage room and went for a wander around central London. The kids enjoyed walked around Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. We all enjoyed a boat trip up the Thames, which was suprisingly cheap! The day was quite miserable but didn't dampen our spirits (Ok, well only Beckys!). We met up with Tim once again and she acted as tour guide along with Peter! We spent a while in Harrods, were Dawn bought us some lovely cakes, before returning to our hotel and picking up the bags. Afterwards we returned to the city centre, where we went Ice Skating! Only myself, Dawn and the kids did this as the others wanted to sit inside and enjoy a hot chocolate. I think this may have been a good idea in hindsight as it was raining cats and dogs! It didn't matter though to be honest as we all enjoyed ourselves. We then went and had a quick look at Convent Garden, before biding farewell to Tim and Mark who were returning to their respective homes, and taking the tube to Euston Station. En route, Danw bought a load of souveniers for everyone back home, and the girls got their very own "I heart London" hoodies, which they were very impressed with!
Once at Euston station, we realised that we had around half an hour to spare and so we went and got a burger king (pete and zoe a harry ramsdens). We then boarded the train and everyone fell asleep on the way home, were reality awaited us! Dawn and the kids drove back to Skem and me and Peter tidied up before falling asleep!
It was a great weekend, which hopefully the children, and my sister will remember for a very long time! I hope they return to London in the future and that it gives them the theatre bug! x
Anyway, during the last week in November, I took my nieces down to London to watch Wicked as a treat! I'd promised I would take them a few years ago after I showed them the trailer after going to see it myself. One weekend I went home with a poster of the show, the tickets and a poster I'd made which showed them the things they would do in London. I did a treasure hunt where they had to follow the clues to find the prize. After a while they eventually found it and boy, where they excited! It was lovely to see their little faces light up!
Fast forward 2 months and my sister and nieces arrived at my flat late on the Friday evening. It was my nieces birthday so they drove up straight from her birthday party. After going to Asda to buy magazines for the journey and some snacks for the next day, we went back to my flat, watched Jonathon Ross on the TV and went to bed.
The next morning we got up super early and I made everyone sausage and bacon muffins before we left to catch the bus. The five of us jumped into a taxi and got to the bus station a bit too early - think Pete was a bit anxious that we'd miss the bus otherwise! The bus turned up on time (so only a 35 min wait in the cold!), and so we got on and began our journey. It did seem to last quite a long time, but the fact that the bus wasn't too busy meant that we could all stretch ourselves out on the coach and just while away the hours until we got to London. After what seemed like forever, we finally entered the city! The sites were amazing and the sun seemed to shine the whole way to Victoria coach station. The kids and my sister definately enjoyed the sights from the inside of the coach.
Once we had arrived, we met up with Mark, who had travelled down from Birmingham. The first thing we did was to walk to our hotels (which took a while to locate on the maps!) and to dump our stuff. Luckily Dawn and the kids hotel was quite close to our hotel. We left the girls to freshen up and unpack whilst we went and did the same. 40 minutes later we all met up and went and purchased our tickets for the tube, during which time Mark got lost! After finding him, we jumped the tube to Oxford St, where we spent a few hours looking in Topshop, Hamleys and had a Subway. It was nice to see the pretty lights and the shops, but I'd advise taking a load of London virgins to Oxford Street 4 weeks before Christmas on a Saturday afternoon! It was not fun!
After a little walk around town, we got the tube to Victoria station (my nieces directing us quite well after being taught how to read the tube map), and met Tim who was joining us for the show. Everyone was very excited, including myself who'd already seen the show twice before! The nieces bought a t-shirt each and I got my Wicked hoodie (thanks Pete), and we settled ourselves down to watch the show. It was enthralling, and enjoyable on every level - I don't think I'll ever get bored of this show! The kids particularly enjoyed Defying Gravity, and my sister actually cried! My bro enjoyed the show as well, because although he'd seen it before, this time he had better seats. He's becoming almost as West End cultured as I am - having seen Avenue Q, Spring Awakening and now Wicked twice in the past year! It must be the London bug!
Afterwards, we tried waiting for autographs, but I think that we'd missed the majority of the cast due to spending too long in toilet queues. This was a shame, but didn't ruin our evening. We went to Leicester Square and spent a couple of hours wandering round admiring the sites which everyone enjoyed, before returning to our hotels and getting some shut eye for the night.
Everyone was up bright and early the next day - breakfast was served at 8ish, and for the price of the hotel, it wasn't much kop! We dumped our bags in the luggage room and went for a wander around central London. The kids enjoyed walked around Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. We all enjoyed a boat trip up the Thames, which was suprisingly cheap! The day was quite miserable but didn't dampen our spirits (Ok, well only Beckys!). We met up with Tim once again and she acted as tour guide along with Peter! We spent a while in Harrods, were Dawn bought us some lovely cakes, before returning to our hotel and picking up the bags. Afterwards we returned to the city centre, where we went Ice Skating! Only myself, Dawn and the kids did this as the others wanted to sit inside and enjoy a hot chocolate. I think this may have been a good idea in hindsight as it was raining cats and dogs! It didn't matter though to be honest as we all enjoyed ourselves. We then went and had a quick look at Convent Garden, before biding farewell to Tim and Mark who were returning to their respective homes, and taking the tube to Euston Station. En route, Danw bought a load of souveniers for everyone back home, and the girls got their very own "I heart London" hoodies, which they were very impressed with!
Once at Euston station, we realised that we had around half an hour to spare and so we went and got a burger king (pete and zoe a harry ramsdens). We then boarded the train and everyone fell asleep on the way home, were reality awaited us! Dawn and the kids drove back to Skem and me and Peter tidied up before falling asleep!
It was a great weekend, which hopefully the children, and my sister will remember for a very long time! I hope they return to London in the future and that it gives them the theatre bug! x
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