Broadway Shows

Mark Shenton, the reviewer for the Stage, had recently returned from New York, where he has had a look at many of the new shows of the season which are all competing for Tony Award recognition, as well as the audiences cash. There are a record number of shows which have opened in the last few weeks, and so it is inevitable that there will be some which will close, as they lose in the battle of enticing the New York audience to come and see them.

It's been many year since I went to New York. Back then I wasn't really that interested in the theatre. The trip was an AS media studies trip to go and see a TV show being recorded, visit a few museums, take in the sights and to go and see a Broadway Show. Everyone wanted to watch the Lion King, but the only night we could go and watch the show was a Tuesday, and The Lion King didn't run on that day, so instead we opted for Chicago. Whilst the show was quite enjoyable, it didn't set the world alight for me as other shows since have done. Now I find myself envious of Mr Shenton, wishing that I could fly over to the Big Apple to watch some of the shows which have just opened.
One of these shows is Wonderland, which is a contemporary version of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, which is set in New York and focuses on a descedent of Alice. From what I have seen the show is visually stunning. The costumes also look very good, and the Mad Hatter looks, and sounds incredible. The score doesn't sound especially amazing, but there do seem to be a couple of memorable songs in there. The choreography doesn't seem to fit in with the music however - it seems to want to be all kinds of genre, and so much of it looks out of place. The reviews for the show haven't been especially kind, but then they weren't either to Wicked, which I loved. I doubt this production will transfer to the West End, and so I will have to just read lots about the show and then buy the cast album when it becomes available.

Anything Goes is another show which has recently opened. Of course, this show is a revival, originally opening on Broadway in 1939! Featuring instantly recognisable songs such as the title track, and It's Delovely, Anything Goes is one of the shows I desperately would like to see. This version stars Sutton Foster, who is argueably one of the current darlings of Broadway - this woman can currently do no wrong - everything she touches turns into a hit, and this is no exception! Looking at the clips on Youtube, this seems to be everything you could ask for of a classic Broadway show. It has exquisite costumes, show stopping numbers, and excellent tap dancing routines which are expertly choreographed! This is another show I would love to see!

Other shows which I would really like to see include Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and show for which he has secured excellent reviews. The clips for the show online look really good Daniel has obviously put in alot of work to ensure he is physically able to perform 8 shows a week. His dancing also looks very good!

The big musical hit of this season seems to be Trey Parker and Matt Stone's "The Book of Mormon". According to Broadwayworld, this show seems to be selling out every performance, and has queues around the block for returns. It seems to be the hottest ticket in town at the minute. There don't seem to be any clips of the show online yet, but when they appear I will try and post them, because this is one show I am excited about watching!

Mark Shentons favorite show of the new season is Catch Me if You Can, which is based on the film of the same name, starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo Dicaprio. The score is by Marc Shaiman, who also wrote the score for Hairspray. The show looks fun and enjoyable, and is another which I woul like to learn more about.

Some of the other shows which have opened have travelled across the pond. Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and Sister Act, are both hugely successful shows from London which are gracing The Big White Way. They have both undergone extensive re-writing to suit the American audience, and it is thought that the re-writes will be included back into the London version of Priscilla, which is still running. I am not really that bothered about watching either of these shows, although I wouldn't say no to a ticket!

Broadway this year seems to be enjoying a creative revival, with a huge number of new plays and musicals opening. I'd like to go and see a number of shows, but I fear it will be a while before I get a chance to jump over the pond. Hopefully, by the time I do, some of these shows will still be running!

Summer Shows

This year I haven't been able to go and see as much theatre as I would have liked. Now with the scrapping of the A Night Less Ordinary scheme, I will see even less. For the past five summers, I have travelled down to Chichester to go and see as many of the summer season shows as possible, and have in recent years been able to watch such gems as Sir Patrick Stewart in Macbeth, Enron and last years Pygmalion, starring Rupert Everrett.

Although this year, I won't be able to see a many shows, I am desperate to get down to Chichester to see at least two shows -Singing in the Rain starring Scarlett Strallen, and Sweeney Todd starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. Both of these shows, I am sure, will be wonderful! I would also like to see the Terrence Rattigan plays,but we will have to see how my finances are looking, especially because I have just (possibly) purchased Olympics tickets for next year!

This summer, I would also like to g and see Jekyll and Hyde starring Marti Pellow, which is touring the UK. Another show I would love to see if the UK tour of Legally Blonde. I didn't go down to London to see this show, purely because I have seen the Broadway version on MTV, and I would rather have spent my money on seeing another show, which I did when I was down theee last (I went and watched the Michael Ball produced Love Story, which was lovely - Michael Xavier and Emma Williams were both robbed at the Olivier awards recently!). I am also probably going to see We Will Rock You, although I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to that show much - I've heard mixed reviews!

I would also love to get down to London again to see some shows in the capital. I am absolutey gutted that I didn't get a chance to see The Little Dog Laughed, or Fela at the National. Maybe one day my finances will allow me to take unlimited trips to the theatre in the name of Art, or maybe someone will employ me to write lots of reviews for the Guardian or the Times! One can only dream!

I am also looking forward to taking part in BOST's production of Beauty and The Beast!

Thriller Live @ The Empire Theatre

It may be nearly two years since the superstar's tragic death, but going by the reaction of the audience at the Liverpool Empire last night, it seems that the music of Michael Jackson is as popular as ever.

Brought to the stage by Adrian Grant, Thriller Live celebrates the back catalogue of one of the most talented stars the world has ever seen.

The show begins with an X-Factor style montage, complete with images of the king of pop and facts about his career. The only thing missing is te voice-over by Peter Dickson.

The first half follows Jackson's music as he sings with his brothers in the Jackson Five. Too many of these songs are lost on the audience and so it takes a while to build any atmosphere. Die hard fans may be engaged during this segment, but too many people around me started to grow restless.

The audience interaction is a nice touch, but goes on too long. Altogether there is a distinct lack of substance in the first half.

The second half of the show is much better, with a barrage of instantly recognisable hits. "Beat it" is a real highlight, as well as the title song. This is where the show really becomes alive, the catchy melodies and lyrics tearing deep into your soul.

Hayley Evetts, who reached the final five in the inaugual series of Pop Idol, sand many of the hit songs. Her vocals were excellent and she has a realstage presence.

The standout performance though, came from Nathan James, whos unique voie gave a real edge to Jacksons lyrics. The live band also gives an added energy to the production.

At times the music drowns out the singng, and there were a few problem with the sound last night.

The dancin and the choreography are outstanding. The whole ensemble give their all, performing much of the late singers complex routines with ease throughout the two hour show.

The set includes a series of screens, onto which projections are added to change the mood and the atmosphere of each era,

Not suprisingly, the show doesn't mention anything about Jackson's offstage persona. This makes the show slightly less exciting, as many people found his real-life antics just as interesting as his music and dancing, particularly his more recent years.

Despite the lack of extra substance to the show, Thriller Live is undoubtably an enjoyable ight out, showcasing the music of one of the legends of pop music. Fans of Michael Jackson are in for a treat.

6/10

Update on BOST!

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!!!!

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'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

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