asdamagicbiscuits

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Okay so I’m gonna need to find this and listen IMMEDIATELY

just heard Derek Klena sing As Long As You’re Mine with Courtney Reed…i’m……..can she play Elphaba already

[asdamagicbiscuits]

My Top Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2023 (in no particular order) 

Mary Poppins final show in London

So my first trip of the year saw me pop on down to Cherry Tree Lane for the final show of Mary Poppins. The show is so dear to me, I grew up with the film and the musical has become a firm favourite. To be in the audience for the final show was very special and to witness and be part of the standing ovation at the end of Step In Time was magical and a moment I won’t forget. Zizi and Charlie were the perfect Mary and Bert and delivered outstanding performances, along with the whole company. 

New York - the OG trip

Now this was an insane trip. New York has always been on my list of places I wanted to visit. I mean it’s home to Broadway and being the absolute stagey bean I am, I was naturally going to visit at some point.

Had a some trials pre going though. So me and Sarah were originally going to see Kinky Boots as I was desperate to see Danielle Hope as Lauren in the show. Also Kinky Boots is just one of those shows which is so good for the soul. Then it got announced it was closing early. Okay. Sad but plenty of shows to still see. So we booked Almost Famous. Now I didn’t know anything about it to be honest other than it had Chris Wood in it and I’d seen him in some tv shows and was like, it would be awesome to see him live and in a musical. That show closed early. I was starting to feel like this trip was cursed or I was. Haha. So me and Sarah had chats and we came to the decision that we would see Wicked as it was Brittney’s last show as Glinda during our trip so we kind of had to. We also were able to get tickets for the Behind The Emerald Curtain tour which they do and it was luckily on when we were there. We also booked Moulin Rouge as I really wanted to see Derek Klena as Christian and we both were keen to see Hadestown as our Broadway exclusive show. We both wanted to see a show in New York we couldn’t see in the UK. We also visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island which were so interesting and rich in history. The Museum of Broadway was a MUST visit for me and Sarah. We did that on our first day in New York and it really set up our trip so nicely. They have a Playbill room which is a really good visual indicator of what is currently on on Broadway. Also I fully made sure to have a lil photoshoot with the Nederlander playbill sign. (Sarah was SO THRILLED that I fully took 10 minutes for my photoshoot) nothing was currently playing at the Nederlander when I went or else I would have fully seen whatever was in at that time. (For context - the Nederlander theatre was home to Newsies when it was on Broadway)

The Museum of Broadway had so many artefacts and exhibits from so so many shows. I saw a pair of shoes which were worn in the original Broadway production of Grand Hotel. A stack of Newspapers from Newsies. But the most insane thing which they had was a model of the Gershwin Theatre. Stage, dressing rooms, front of house. THE MERCH DESKS. LIKE ACTUAL MODELS OF THE MERCH DESKS. Safe to say me and Sarah lost our damn minds over this model. I also didn’t realise that my theatre collection was missing a model Merch desk so that is something I need in my life!! 

Hadestown - this was our first show and it seemed very fitting that our first show on Broadway was a Broadway exclusive. I knew nothing going in and it can be a risk as I may have sat there so confused but I sometimes think going in knowing nothing is great as you can just sit and enjoy. My mind was blown. The performances from the whole company were outstanding. It felt very much like they moved as one and the roles were equal. It was very special to watch such an ensemble piece, it’s quite rare to come across a show like that. It was so great to see Eva Noblezada on stage again, gorgeous vocal from her and she absolutely stole the show for me. All I’ve Ever Known had me transfixed and her and Reeve Carney performed so beautifully opposite each other. 

Hadestown is currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway and will be opening at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End in February with Previews beginning on the 10th. 

Moulin Rouge - now do you remember me saying we booked as I wanted to Derek Klena as Christian? Well it was announced he was taking a sabbatical from the show for another role and Aaron Tveit was returning to the role for that time. Now sad I wouldn’t see Derek, super exciting to see Aaron who originated the role in the musical but I was concerned. Like most people on the planet I’d seen the Les Mis movie where Aaron played Enjolras and he was outstanding. Loved him in the role as the blonde charismatic revolution leader, like absolutely in awe of his performance and talent but I was concerned I wouldn’t feel the same watching him perform live. Weird as that is I know. Honestly though, SO GLAD I got to see him live in the role. I didn’t think it was possible to be more in awe of someone but here we are. Aaron blew me away. Roxanne. DAMN. 🔥🔥 Speechless. The whole show. Vocal. Phenomenal. Acting. Masterclass. 

Ashley Loran as Satine. Omg I didn’t know perfection existed until I saw her in the role. She came down on the swing for Satine’s entrance and my jaw hit the floor. What. A. Vision. Such a presence. Dancing was incredible, she led the company in Satine’s opening number wonderfully. So playful. Gorgeous vocal throughout the show and every time she sang I got goosebumps. Powerhouse!! Again. A Masterclass in acting and what a leading lady. 

Ashley and Aaron were insane together. The Elephant Love Medley which closes Act One, is my favourite moment in the show and they did not disappoint. They melted my heart and played opposite each other so beautifully. This show was my trip highlight and those two solidified it with their performances.

I didn’t expect to leave with adding two Broadway performers to the stagey favs but here we are. 🤷‍♀️🤪

It was weird sitting in the theatre before the show started and looking at the set as it felt like I should be watching the London company but I was gonna be seeing the Broadway company. The strangest feeling. Haha. 

Moulin Rouge is currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway and at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End. 

Behind the Emerald Curtain - this is something which is exclusive to Broadway. We don’t have anything like this in the UK. It was a behind the scenes talk and Q and A with a couple of the cast members of the show. We got to see how the show was put together and then see a few of the costumes and props up close and we could actually touch the costumes. It was such an insightful experience, so the Tony winning Elphaba dress (you know the one!) - the colours in it represent that Elphaba is a child of the earth. Would recommend anyone checking it out if you’re in New York and this is on when you go. 

Wicked - now it’s always special to be in the audience for a cast change or a performer’s first or last show. Me and Sarah were lucky enough to be able to go to Brittney’s last performance as Glinda on Broadway. This concluded the shows we saw on this trip and we couldn’t ask for a more fitting show to end it with. 

Brittney was INCREDIBLE. From start to finish. Breathtaking. She absolutely stole the show, as she should. Comic timing was outstanding, the vocal. Oh my. Goosebumps. It felt like I was watching a piece of magic up on that stage and not a dry eye in the house. 

Wicked is currently playing at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway and at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London’s West End. 

On this trip I got to meet one of my best friends irl. It was so lovely to see Shelbi and explore New York and also to meet the New York pogo squad. Shoutout to those guys. Looking forward to seeing them again when I’m next in the city!

Shelbi took me to Grand Central Station and oh Lordy it was so pretty. She also showed me Bryant Park and the Library. We also ended up in Theatre Circle, which we stumbled across accidentally when we were hanging out. Theatre Circle is a Merchandise shop opposite the Majestic Theatre (where Phantom was on Broadway) so NATURALLY we had to go in and have a look. What happened? Well I basically had a breakdown and was nearly in tears as I found a bit of Newsies Merch in there 🤪🤷‍♀️🙈 long story short RE Merch shops, this one, Broadway Up Close and the one Araca owns on Shubert Alley, I’m basically going with an empty suitcase to fill up next time as I’ve got my eye on a lovely Beetlejuice hoodie which looks like the cosiest thing ever!! 

Blood Brothers

It’s always a treat to see this show again. This time it was on my home turf at my local theatre I saw the show. I went to see Richard Munday as the Narrator in the show. One of my favourite performers in an iconic show as my favourite character. No way was I going to miss this and it didn’t disappoint. Richard was insanely good. Strong vocal, excellent acting. I’m getting chills just remembering how good his performance was. It was also so lovely to see him on stage again and to say hello after so long! 

Strictly Ballroom the Musical

When I say it was a show 3 years in the making I am NOT joking. Haha. Me and Sarah had this booked literally in 2020 so it took some time to see it 🤪🙈

Absolutely worth the wait though. Kevin Clifton as Scott Hastings was such a perfect casting for the role. Faye Brooks as Fran. FLAWLESS!! Outstanding choreography, brilliant performances and to be front row for it was mind blowing. York is such a beautiful city so getting to have a wee adventure up there and to go to the most magical place ever (the place where you can get a roast dinner in a massive Yorkshire pudding. Honestly, heaven!) was so lovely. I’ll deffo be back in York, even if it’s just to go for a roast 🤪

Newsies 

Now you could argue that I spent most of my free time at the Troubadour Theatre seeing Newsies in 2023. And you wouldn’t be wrong 😜 ZERO REGRETS HAD!!

From my birthday, to one of my best friends: George’s birthday, to cast change, to the final show at the Troubadour and many many trips in between. So many moments and highlights to talk about so will try and condense as much as possible. Sitting front row of Brooklyn for George’s birthday was pretty damn special. Getting to see the show from so close, to say it was magical would be the understatement of the year. 

So many outstanding covers I was able to see throughout the run. Bobbie Chambers as Katherine, Damon Gould as Davey, George Crawford as Jack, Matt Trevorrow as Jack, Morgan Gregory as Race are five which stand out to me. It was a pleasure to see the Newsies company so many times. To be there at Cast Change for Newsies felt so special, having been there at the their first show so to be there at the last was lovely and very full circle.

I will say the first show I saw after Newsies won Best Choreography at the Oliviers was so so special. Seize The Day is my favourite song in the show and choreographically it’s stunning, I did tear up seeing the lads perform it for the first time. They gave so much in the whole show but in that number especially. They deserved to win the Olivier so much. 

The final show. Holy shit. That was out of this world. I thought the first show was insane. Closing night was next freaking level. Every number. Standing ovation. Seize The Day Standing Ovation went on for so long you could see it in the boys' faces it meant so much and they gave it their all in that number. I was so thrilled Bronté got a standing ovation for Watch What Happens. Gorgeous performances from the whole company. It was a magical night and I can’t thank this company enough for every show they did. This show holds such a special place in my soul (yep soul) and I will forever be grateful to each company member.

I do want to give a special shoutout to Sam Bailey who portrayed my favourite Newsie, Specs, so wonderfully. He took such brilliant care of him and was the perfect Specs. In Seize The Day Sam shouts ‘boys’ when the lads start to walk away during the number and it broke my heart every time. Such a lovely lovely touch. 

I can’t wait to see what happens next for this show but until then I’ll carry the banner in my heart until the next bunch of Newboys bring it to life on stage again ☺️🎭🎶💛🗞️📰 hashtag Newsies Forever 

New York part 2

SOOO… Went to New York again. Hehe 🙊 another super fun trip exploring the city. I know I could never get bored of this city as there is just so much to see, do and explore. Like London, I will never get tired of New York. This trip was a little more flexible in terms of seeing shows what day. I had my list I wanted to see but I only pre booked Hadestown for the first night in New York (which idiot thought that would be a good idea to see a show after an 8 hour flight? This one right here 🙈🙈) it was so lovely see the Hadestown Broadway company again and they were just as phenomenal as the first time I saw them. 

Sweeney Todd - now as a young British theatre fan I came across this show called Wicked. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it. 🤷‍♀️😜🙊☺️ but I watched a lot of Bootlegs of that show and others. Lots of great shows out there. Now for me I watched a certain bootleg with Annaleigh Ashford as Glinda and oh my word. She blew me away. She instantly became one of my stagey favs and I knew I wanted to see her perform live. So in 2020 (remember that crazy year?!) Sunday In The Park With George was going into the Savoy Theatre and Annaleigh was coming over to be in the show. Then the craziness happened which meant the show was cancelled and it never came to be. I was gutted as I thought I’d never get the opportunity to see her perform live. It was announced she was going to be in Sweeney Todd as Mrs Lovett and I was like 👀 will this happen? Will I get my chance? In my February trip I had photos with her production shot outside the theatre (I theatre girl nerded HARDDDDD. Haha) and was like this is probably gonna be the closest I get. I had no idea I would be back in New York in less than 3 months with the aim and determination to see her perform live.

I dragged my friend out to dayseat for tickets. We were first in the queue at 6:45am (Starbucks opened at 6:30am or else we’d have been there earlier). No one was going to get in my way from securing a ticket to see the show. Now obviously it’s a risk as per the terms and conditions ‘the producers can not guarantee the appearance of any performer due to illness and/or holiday’ but I was risking it. Fast forward to the box office opening and they still have seated tickets to sell before standing tickets could be sold (that’s what we were queuing for). Me and my mate were deliberating the $99 tickets in the Mezzanine when the box office clerk says she’s got a pair of tickets in the orchestra stalls for $69. Sold. I’ve never been so excited before in my life. I didn’t need to stand, which my friend was super happy about and I had a ticket to see Annaleigh perform live. I was BUZZING and had a rush of adrenaline. I was soaring the whole day. When it came to showtime, I want to briefly discuss the Merch stand. Bloody good display and such an excellent range of Merch. The hoodie was purchased, naturally (is anyone surprised??). The show blew my mind. The whole company was just outstanding. It was all so fluid and flowed wonderfully. The opening set the scene and it made me so happy to see Josh got a cheer on his entrance and when it came to Annaleigh’s entrance I was gonna cheer for her (thankfully I wasn’t the only one) and I had the BIGGEST smile on my face every time she was on stage. She stole the show for me (this surprises no one) but she was always going to command my attention. Excellent acting, vocals were insane. Loved the on stage chemistry her and Josh had as Mrs Lovett and Sweeney Todd. She was EVERYTHING and then some live. I’m so thrilled I got to see her perform live. Big bucket list item ticked. 

I will say this one thing I ADORED about the show (I’m hoping they bring this production over) - when Mrs Lovett was telling Sweeney essentially his story it was all done in shadow up on the walkway above them which was simple but oh so effective and it really stuck and stood out in my mind. The set was so so good. Overall I’d go as far to say it was a perfect production from casting, choreography, set, everything. Also I’m gonna go and say it - Annaleigh was robbed of the Tony. In my mind that is. 

Sweeney Todd is currently playing at the Lunt Fontaine Theatre on Broadway and stars Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster as Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett from February 6th. 

Shucked - so this an interesting story. Me and my friend dayseated for Shucked. Now I wasn’t sure what to expect to be honest or how I’d fare with a show about corn. This is a bit of an odd tradition but basically if a show is in the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway I would see it regardless if it was a play or a musical. The Nederlander was home to Newsies on Broadway but I thought with that tradition it would be a great way to see shows which I wouldn’t necessarily automatically see. So anyway, went to the show and oh my goodness. Me and my friend turned to each other at the interval and we both went we love it. Really enjoying it and it was only the interval. It wouldn’t have even been on our radar to see it had it not been in the Nederlander so it was one of those lovely surprises. I came out of the show so so obsessed with it. It was a fun show with a lot of heart and soul. So comical and the ending (which I will not spoil) I did NOT expect. It was brilliantly written, hilarious, expertly performed by the whole company. If there was time I’d have absolutely seen it again had I had another night in New York.

Shucked has closed on Broadway but it’s due to be coming over to the the West End, I personally can not WAIT to get Shucked in London. Shucked is also due to be a feature film so keep ya eyes peeped for that. It’s not to be missed!!

Moulin Rouge - yep. I went back and saw the show on Broadway again. Derek Klena had returned to the show and I was determined to see him as Christian. I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. I booked a ticket for the Saturday night performance the day I landed in New York. (I got into New York on the Wednesday) I must have looked absolutely crazy, 8 hours on a flight and a bit frazzled and I literally couldn’t have made it clearer to the box office person that I wanted to see Derek in the show. I must have checked that he was scheduled to be on at least four times. I didn’t fly over 8000 miles again to not see him in the show. Haha.

Again for context - way back when, I had watched a bootleg of Derek as Fiyero in Wicked and listened to his vocals in Anastasia so I was aware of his work. Like with Annaleigh I really wanted to see Derek perform live. He was every bit as phenomenal as I thought he would be and more. The vocal. THE VOCAL. I can’t express the goosebumps I got every time he sang, Elephant Love Medley melted my heart and Roxanne. ROXANNE. It was like my heart was ripped out and stamped on and crushed and I was so happy about it. Derek was outstanding as Christian and so so worth the wait to see him in the role.

I do also want to give a special shoutout to the lovely Sophie Carmen-Jones who was Nini. Having seen her in London many times it warmed my heart so so much to see her as Nini on Broadway, it felt like there was a little piece of home. Sophie was flawless, as she always is. Stunning performance. 

Derek Klena returns to the role of Christian on Broadway from February 6th alongside Courtney Reed as Satine (so keen to see them together. Know they are gonna be fire!!) 

Operation Mincemeat 

Now whilst I’ve technically seen this show twice I only really remember the second time properly. I got very distracted during Act 1 of my first visit so went back to watch the whole show and to not get distracted by anything I sat front row of the stalls, naturally. 

I had the same company both trips aside from who was playing Montague. I had Natasha the first time and the second time I had Holly.

Now this show really caught me by surprise. I thought I’d go in, see it, come out and be like. That was nice. Enjoyed it. probably won’t see it again. How VERY wrong I was. I’m literally obsessed with it. The talent in that company. Off the charts. Dear Bill gets me every time and not a dry eye in the house. Making A Man and Useful are two of the songs I’ve played the most of the whole soundtrack. Comedy which then delivers hard hitting emotion. I can’t sit through the ending without crying. 

Sitting front row and getting to see the emotion and facial expressions and performances from so close was incredible. I will say Holly absolutely stole the show for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her and Making A Man had my jaw on the floor. 

I do also want to say I didn’t have my programme when I saw it the second time so at the interval I turned to my friend George and go ‘Monty is brunette this time. They were blonde last time’ George ‘is that all you noticed?’ Me ‘yeah…’ George ‘anything else? Like the fact it’s a DIFFERENT PERSON’ Me 😳😳🙈🙈 so then we went on a Google and discovered I’m an idiot! Excellent casting though with Natasha and Holly is what I’m taking from it. 🤪☺️ you MUST go and see this show. Beg, borrow, steal a ticket to see this!

I’m currently working out when I can see it again. 

Operation Mincemeat is currently playing at the Fortune Theatre in London’s West End. 

Mates in Chelsea

So my final show of the year was a new play, Mates in Chelsea at the Royal Court which I was able to see three times. A play Anne? Are you feeling okay? If I said the name Natalie Dew would it all make sense? 😜 hehe

Yep. This was the first time I was getting to see one of my stagey faves perform LIVE. It had been four years since I saw Nat perform on stage so I was thrilled to be able to see her in this, quite genius play. I throughly loved it. It was funny, heartfelt and at the end it really made me think. Also got quite confused during the second act when we were seemingly in Russia? Don’t worry fam. It all made sense in the end but I was FULLY confused for the whole monologue. 

It was so so great to see Natalie on stage again, and in ways I hadn’t seen her as before. I jumped out of my seat every time her character told their boyfriend to ‘sell the fucking castle’. I don’t own a castle but every time my first thought was ‘must sell my castle for Nat’ 🤪🙈 

Phenomenal performances all round from the whole company but nothing made my soul happier to see Nat on stage again. Truly ended my year in the best way possible! 

So that pretty much wraps up an insane year of theatre for me. Never did I think I’d be discussing TWO trips to New York in one blog post. Hey, at least I can say ya girl was well travelled for the theatre in 2023. 

If you’re still here, thanks for reading, apologies for the lateness and make sure to come back next time to see what makes the cut and where adventure took me in 2024…

Until next time, cheerio! 

[asdamagicbiscuits]

A mood a vibe.

I'm not done being annoying, get the fuck back here.

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Me pal George once said to me that he believes Jack, Davey and Katherine are in a poly relationship and honestly that lives rent free REALLY happily in my brain.

*also. It takes a village to support Jack Kelly*

@groggysoup

I dont care whether you ship jack and davey there is no denying that there is something impossibly Not Cishet about the way they act and at any point in the show after they become friends davey is looking at jack with what i can only describe the Gay Heart Eyes like jesus christ he’s not even trying to be subtle and jack is running around singing about santa fe and throwing newspapers on the ground with an unmistakably bisexual flourish. You cannot tell me you CANNOT tell me that jack is not undressing davey with his eyes the first time they speak. What about katherine? you ask. Well what ABOUT katherine? Jack has two hands.

[asdamagicbiscuits]

My Top Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2021 AND 2022 (in no particular order, it’s all rather mishmashed I’m afraid. What happens when I get behind on my one yearly blog post 🙈) 

Hi beans!

I’m baaaaaaaaaack! Did yous miss me? 😜

First of all I want to start with a bit of background and an apology as to why I completely missed 2021’s blog post, and the lateness of 2022’s post. So I did have a skeleton of the 2021 post ready to write but I just was so so busy towards the end of 2021, and then I got Covid at the start of 2022 on my week off when I was going to sit down to write and upload it. So I decided to combine it with 2022’s. Similar story for 2022 (minus the covid mind) - I got super busy so I'm taking some time in my month off now to sit down and write this.

I don’t like that I’ve missed one and it’s made me sad, but I thought I’d start back with a bumper edition of theatre. So without further ado, let’s jump straight into it. I’ll combine years likely but I'll state if I saw it in 2021 or 2022 next to the title.

You can definitely say that 2021 was a year of two halves. Even so I crammed a lot into that half a year and still a chonky amount into 2022. Let’s jump in! 

Shitfaced Shakespeare (2021 and 2022) 

Wouldn’t be a Theatre Highlights without mentioning the booze and bard loving beans over at Shitfaced Shakespeare. Always a treat to see them in London but it was equally lovely to see them on my home turf at the Wyvern in Swindon. I even took the Mothership with me to see the touring show of Macbeth. She loved it. Chaotic as usual but in the best way possible. Can’t thank those talented beans enough for bringing some much needed comedy and some fabulous escapism from the real world for an hour or two. 

Hairspray (2021)

Hairspray. My first show back in an indoor theatre. Now this show for me was re-scheduled about four times. Every time Sarah and I had set a date for it, RESCHEDULED! Such was the 'living with Covid' era of theatre (let’s not discuss that now though).

My god this show was worth the wait. The cast were insanely brilliant. All so, so talented, each and every one of them! Hairspray is such an uplifting show and the London Coliseum is a beautiful theatre, MASSIVE. Like literally a very fancy and boujie barn! The roar of the audience when the show started was outstanding and such a thrill. It was fantastic to see Luke George on stage again too in his ensemble track as Fender.

Now I’m gonna talk about something else I was EXTREMELY lucky to get to witness. Luke George’s Debut performance as Link. It was the strangest of days for me. So I was in London for a job interview. It was a group interview and it did NOT go well, to the point where when I came out, I ran to the nearest quiet street I could find and just burst into tears (now I hear ya: you want the good stuff and what does this all have to do with Luke’s Link Debut. Hold fire gang. Painting a picture here. I’ll get to it!). Now my phone was still off from the interview but after about five minutes of crying I got my phone and turned it on. The very first notification to pop up was from West End Covers on Twitter ‘Tonight will be the debut of Luke George in the role of Link Larkin’. My heart stopped. My brain couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I’ve never felt such a switch from utter despair to pure excitement, joy, disbelief. My emotions were frazzled and it was about 4pm in the afternoon. Well naturally I ran and got a ticket. Think it's the fastest I’ve EVER bought a ticket for anything before. Awesome seat in the stalls. Luke was PHENOMENAL as Link. It was so brilliant to see him take on the role. Fantastic acting, dancing was great and a stunning vocal. The theatre gods were smiling on me in that delivery of a golden opportunity to see one of my stagey favs on for their cover!

I loved it so much I went back the next night to see him on as Link again! Such a talented and lovely person. Didn’t get to see Luke perform in 2022 but hopefully 2023 will give me another opportunity to see him shine on stage!

Anything Goes (2021) 

Now this show is very special to me. I was in a youth production as a teenager so when it was announced a revival was coming to the Barbican in London I knew I needed tickets! I managed to get my hands on a pair of tickets to see the show in previews. Now the reason was that Robert Lindsay was in the show as Moonface Martin and I didn’t know if he would do every show (I had seen him in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy years ago and he didn’t do the midweek matinees). I was determined to see Robert in the show as I knew he’d be OUTSTANDING and I didn’t want to run the risk of not seeing him on my first live experience of the show. THEN it was announced that Sutton Foster was coming over to play Reno Sweeney and I could have burst with excitement. The whole cast was chef's kiss sublime! So whilst everyone was losing their damn mind trying to get tickets to the show to see Sutton I was VERY smug sitting and being like I got my tickets already babes. 😜🙊 haha.

Okay. So the show. Well first of all it made my soul SO HAPPY!! Nostalgic. Stunning vocals from the whole company. Brilliant performances all round. I want to give a shoutout to Samuel Edwards and Nicole-Lily Baisden who shone as Billy Crocker and Hope Hardcourt. ‘It’s de-lovely’ was breathtaking and dream-like. Perfection! 

I also need to mention Carly Mercedes Dyer who stole the show as Erma. Such a stage presence, comic timing was on point and ‘Buddie, Beware’ was delightful to watch. 

Sutton Foster was exceptional and phenomenal like you would expect. ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’ earned a very well deserved standing ovation. It wasn’t just a little polite one, it went on for easily a couple of minutes and I hope I’m forgiven for saying this, but I could have sworn there was a moment in Sutton’s eyes as she was looking out at the audience to the cheers and people on their feet and the applause where she was genuinely so so touched by the reception she received. I said it on Instagram after and I’ll repeat it here if it wasn’t obvious. The West End loves you!’ 

Robert Lindsay was incredible as well. Brilliant comic timing, a great vocal. Loved the number he did with Sutton. It looked like they were having THE BEST time up there! 

A standing ovation at the end of Act 1.

A standing ovation at the of Blow, Gabriel, Blow.

A standing ovation at the end of Act 2.

I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Phantom Phantom with a sprinkle of Gantom (2021 and 2022) 

Sitting comfortably? I’ll wait a moment for you to get a biscuit? Ready? Okay great!

Let’s not waste any time and jump straight to it.

Gantom. So I didn’t get to see his debut show - I got close to it happening with the tour but in London it just wasn’t meant to be. However, I was able to get in for the show to see James Gant as Phantom at the end of October in 2021. Only waited six years to see him don the mask. Worth. The. Wait. The vocal. THE VOCAL. The acting. All fucking sublime (apols for the expletives here). James was hitting all the marks as Phantom I wanted to see. Music of the Night. Front Row. Devine. Now my favourite moment is in the Final Lair. It’s the ‘this face will churn a mothers fear etc etc’ section and the emotion in that. Pure magic. Broke my heart in the best way. It was one of those afternoons where at the end I couldn’t quite believe I had seen him play the role but I wanted to relive it immediately. Also whenever I’m in for a Gantom show the line ‘The GAAAAAAAAAANTOM of the Opera’ fully lives rent free in my mind. A fun insight into my brain I thought I’d share 🤪 I’d been saying for years what a phenomenal Phantom he would be, so to see the world catch up to that fact is great to see! ☺️ 

The Phantom company is full of exceptionally talented people though, and a few standouts for me are: 
Adam Linstead and Matt Harrop as the managers play wonderfully opposite each other. I especially love how Adam plays André as a bit of a nervous and anxious character - honestly it’s such a refreshing take on the role. Also when André shushes Firmin when Carlotta is singing Eliza’s solo it is the biggest mood ever. Lovely touch. 

Ellie Young as Meg. Delightful. Dreamy. Devineeeeee. Honestly such a gorgeous portrayal of my favourite character in the show. Meg is sassyyyyyy and we love that a lot. Flawless every time!

I also want to give a shout-out to all the ballet girls as the ballet numbers in the show are always a joy to watch for me. The talent and skill on that stage. Outstanding. I want to give a special mention to Jasmine Wallis, she always caught my attention in the ensemble numbers and for the longest time I couldn’t work out who the mystery ballet girl was with gorgeous lines and stunning performances. Her Masquerade costume was so pretty as well. 

Lucy St Louis and Holly Anne Hull as Christine. These two leading ladies. Stunning. Beautiful performances from them both. Vocals are out of this world and when they smile they light up the stage. Phantom is so lucky to have two such wonderful performers play Christine. 

Lucy’s last performance is January 21st so make sure you see her before she departs the Opera House to fly by bubble from March in Wicked.

Killian Donnelly as Phantom. I need to talk about how ICONIC this man’s performance is. Killian is a legend. I didn’t see him as Raoul but I’d heard great things so I was BUZZING to get the chance to see him don the Mask as Phantom. He didn’t disappoint at all and fully blew me away. So smooth. Commanding performance, incredible vocal. He plays so well opposite Lucy and Holly. I was so thrilled to get to see Killian and Holly together as I was going to see them on the tour so I was gutted when it got cancelled, and I felt like I was given a second opportunity with them being cast in the West End production. 

I can’t urge everyone enough to go and see Killian in the show before he departs the Opera House on February 4th! You won’t want to miss his Phantom.

The Phantom Of The Opera is currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London

Shagged Married Annoyed Live Tour (2021) 

Now for anyone who wasn’t aware Chris Ramsey and his incredibly talented and lovely wife Rosie do a podcast called Shagged Married Annoyed. They’ve won awards for it and genuinely it’s hilarious. People are disgusting but it’s so entertaining! So they did a live tour of it and I went to Wembley to see them!! It was honestly the best night of my life. To be in a room full of fellow SMAs and DAs (well, nearly. One bloke there had zero fucking idea of what was going on) was great. Listening to a podcast can feel very intimate as it’s just you or you and another person listening so you sort of forget that there are LOADS of people out there who love it as much as you do. 

I will say this. Hearing 10,000 people sing the ‘Let’s talk about shit’ jingle made my soul so, so happy it powered me through 'til Christmas! I also got quite emotional when the lights came up on Chris and Rosie on stage.

The podcast Shagged Married Annoyed is available on all good podcastery app things. Enjoy! The Ramseys are going back out on tour this year so make sure to snap up any remaining tickets as you’re gonna be in for a great night out!! (I think it’s this year. Sarah booked the tickets I just paid for mine. She’ll tell me when I need to turn up. Haha) 

Chris Ramsey’s tour (2021) 

So myself and Sarah had never seen a stand up comedy gig before but having LOVED Chris and Rosie’s podcast, Shagged Married Annoyed, it was only right that we got to see the man in action on his own tour. Even if it was a year and a half later than we should have seen it (bloody Rona!).

A bloody great night out! SO FUNNY. Face hurt by the end of the show which is a great sign of a hilarious comedy gig! 

Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

This show is really special to me especially as it was the soundtrack to getting me through most of the time I was off work. Heck, it even became a long-standing project in my singing lessons over that time, so getting to see the show again live from the front row was incredible. I do want to apologise to the cast for the fact that my glasses likely reflected the light back up to the stage. Wasn’t expecting the glare. The whole company and what they can create on stage with just 8 performers and the power of their voices in the musical numbers, it’s something really magic and special. Also getting to see Sam Tutty’s performance so close was awesome. I could go on but I’m conscious this is already a long post.

Carl Hutchinson’s Tour and A Pissmas Carol (2021) 

Now my last shows of the year saw me head to the lovely Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End to see two shows essentially back to back. I’d love to say it was fully intentional but it was only half planned, mainly when me and my friend realised we could do it! 🤪 haha. 

So I saw Carl earlier in the year supporting Chris Ramsey on tour. Carl mentioned in the show that he was on tour. I bought a ticket to his tour. Absolutely hilarious show. Carl and his support act, Amy, had the audience in fits of laughter. Definitely look out for their names on the comedy circuit and I can’t urge you all enough to go see them. You’ll be in for a great night!

So my very last show of the year was to return once again to Victorian England to see Dickens classic A Pissmas Carol! A fantastic way as always to get into the festive spirit. Plus we all know it’s what Dickens would have wanted and totally his vision for his works! Hehe! 

Talent in buckets. The skills the gang have at Shitfaced Showtime will forever and always blow my mind. If you ever have the opportunity to see them - do it! Don’t hesitate. You’ll be in for a pissed up festive treat and you’ll leave with a lighter soul! 

Wicked (2022) 

So in the summer I got to take my little cousin to see Wicked, just waited a very long time to take her, and we had the best time in Oz. It was so fantastic to see Helen Woolf as Glinda and we were lucky enough to see Laura Harrison as Elphaba and oh my word. What brilliant leading ladies they are!! Laura delivered such a heartfelt and touching performance as Elphaba and played opposite Helen’s Glinda so beautifully. It was a dream to return to such a special show. The whole company were fantastic and my cousin loved the show. At the end she asked if we could go back and watch it again. I think I’ve got a little stagey in the making on my hands here… 🤪🙊☺️

Moulin Rouge (2022) 

So for most of 2022 I essentially moved into the Piccadilly Theatre as I saw Moulin Rouge A LOT. I saw an array of different performers in all roles. I got to see a cover debut. Let’s jump into it. 

Zoe Birkett as Satine. When it was announced MR was coming over there was one name which stood out to me for Satine and that was Zoe. Getting to see her debut show as Satine. Wowzers. She blew my mind and then some. Like, I knew she’d be outstanding but I wasn't expecting her to surpass the high expectations I had. Flawless. When she came down on the swing in the first moment the audience sees Satine and the cheer which erupted from the audience. My soul was so happy. 

Tanisha Spring as Satine. The pocket rocket herself. The first time I saw her Satine she melted my heart straight away. Her smile lights up a space. Like I genuinely saw the theatre get brighter when she smiled. 

And Liisi LaFontaine, principal Satine. Devine. So strong and sassy. Heartfelt performance. 

I love love love that no matter when you go to the Rouge you will see a woman of colour as the Sparkling Diamond Satine. I was so lucky to see each of the above ladies many times and each of them are pure perfection. Their individual interpretations of the role were fantastic and it was like watching pure magic every time I saw the show. 

Adam Gillian as Christian. It was like someone had taken Christian out of my head and put him on that stage. Acting. Genius. Vocals. Perfection every time. Again I was lucky to see Adam many times in the role and he was outstanding every time. I was lucky to see him with the three phenomenal ladies I mentioned above as Satine, and Adam always took such good care of them in scenes together. 

The Elephant Love Medley was always one of my highlights for the show. Getting to see Adam and Tanisha’s performances from the Can Can seats in the summer was the perfect, perfect night. The whole show is visually a masterpiece for the eyes, so getting to see it all so close was such a joy. I took my friend Abbie, she hadn’t seen the show before and so got the ultimate experience on her visit to the Rouge. It’s a night I won’t forget. 

The entire company is made up of so many talented, talented people. 

Special mentions to Katie Ella Dunsden, Tasmin January, Jonathan Cordin and Craig Ryder who always stood out in the ensemble numbers when I went. 

Moulin Rouge is playing at the Piccadilly Theatre!

Mary Poppins (2022) 

I was lucky enough to attend a Tech Talk before the evening show of Mary Poppins one night. It was fantastic to learn all the ins and outs of the technical aspects, like learning how Mary flies over the audience at the end of the show but ssshhhh, that’s a trade secret so I ain’t telling! 😜 

The show itself was as brilliant as ever. It was also the debut performance of Monique Young as Mary Poppins and what a performance she delivered. Excellent acting and a gorgeous vocal. If I didn’t know it was her first show, I would have thought she’d done it for years. So seamless and I absolutely was a mess and bawled my eyes out when she flew over the audience at the end. 

Ed Fringe (2022)

Okay beans. Answer a question for me. 

Who’s more mad? Me for suggesting an Edinburgh Day Trip or Sarah for agreeing to it? 😜

Yep. You read correctly. We did a day trip fringe. Overnight coach up there. About 14/15 hours in Edinburgh and then the coach straight back. It was BONKERS but honestly such a fun day. It was great to see a couple of shows and to have a wander round the city, exploring our old haunts. Deffo be back for a proper trip again. But wanted to mention it nonetheless. 

Cursed Child Cast Change (2022) 

Cast Changes don’t get any easier. Even after all this time. So I made my way back to the Palace to see the company’s last show together and I could never pass up an opportunity to see James McGregor perform on stage again! Deffo got deja vu though seeing him in his last performance in the show again 😜 haha. 

Although I never got the opportunity to see James don the Scar and Glasses I wanted to give him a mention regardless. (MY BLOG. MY RULES! 🤪). 

My friend Lucinda saw his debut and has told me the confrontation scene was as epic as I thought it would be. I’m so happy he got to play Harry Potter and whilst I’m gutted I never got to see him take on the role, knowing that many, many people did get to balanced it out. 

Newsies (2022)

So that first preview of Newsies in London on November 29th wasn’t gonna happen without my bum being on a seat in that building. When tickets were released I was determined to score tickets for it. I was nervous I will admit, just because this show means so much to me. It’s one of my favourite musicals and I came across it at a difficult time in my life, and the musical has come into my life again at another difficult time. The music is iconic. That soundtrack has been on repeat in my house more times than I can count. Newsies did not disappoint. An outstanding company. Choreographically it’s insane but what a wonder to behold. The energy in the room was like NOTHING I have experienced before. The whole company looked like they were having the best time and feeding off the energy the audience were giving them. I cried three times during the whole show. Once at Carrying The Banner cos in my head my brain was screaming ‘HOLY FUCK YOU’RE SEEING NEWSIES’, once at Watch What Happens and once at the end of the show because my brain was then screaming ‘HOLY SHIT YOU’VE JUST WATCHED NEWSIES’.

Ryan as Davey, Bronté as Katherine, Josh as Race were three standouts in that first preview but the TALENT on that stage is limitless. The whole company are all stars and the Troubadour Theatre lights up so bright when the whole cast are on stage shining brightly. 

Bronté as Katherine is PER FEC TION. LITERALLY. Comic timing - flawless. Acting - on point. Vocal - outstanding. I did cry, like full on ugly cry, at her Watch What Happens (it’s also my favourite song too so no pressure there 😜🙊 hehe). I can’t thank her enough for her beautiful performance 💛

I also NEED to give a shout-out to the lovely Clarice Julianda on leading the Brooklyn lasses as Spot. All Fansies know that’s Tommy Bracco’s track and he’s a powerhouse but Clarice is equally as fierce, strong and a force to be reckoned with. The perfect person to take on the role of Spot in London for the show's premiere. Seeing the bit in the show where all the Newsies are cowering about who was gonna go and tell the Brooklyn Newsies made me giggle. REPRESENTATION MATTERS. GIRLS ARE A FORCE!! 

Newsies is playing a limited season until April 16th at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. I can’t urge you enough to go and get tickets. Best. Night. Out. Ever. 

(What a last show of 2022 I got to experience!) 

So that pretty much wraps up this bumper edition of my Theatre for the past two years (ish. Haha).

For a year where I only got half a year of theatre in I think I did pretty well before business resumed the following year.

Before I sign off I do want to touch on the fact that for myself personally, it’s been a rollercoaster the past two years and I’m once again reminded of one of my favourite quotes which I’ll leave with you here. ‘Musical Theatre can save you, even if only for two or three hours at a time’. We all need saving sometimes and where better to escape everything than a theatre.

Thanks for reading, make sure to come back next year to see what I got up to and what theatre firsts I got to experience… (will deffo do better at uploading on NYE)

Until next time, cheerio! 

[asdamagicbiscuits]

These are too cute ☺️💛

Pride Plush Turtles by themaryj on Etsy

[asdamagicbiscuits]

My Top Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2020 (in no particular order other than roughly chronological.)

This year has definitely been unlike any other but let's dive into the goods shall we!

My Birthday Book Of Mormon trip and Gin Tour

The first adventure of the year saw me head to the Beefeater Gin Distillery and have a tour with a tasting of a few gins in their range. It was really lovely there and the room where all the stills were blew my mind to pieces. I couldn't believe that it was in London and the sheer size of their production. It set up the day really well for my trip to the theatre to see Book Of Mormon in London’s West End for my birthday. It’s one of those shows that is hilarious, with phenomenal performances from the entire cast. It ended a fantastic birthday in London.

Book Of Mormon Cast Change and Phantom

Now I was in London for the Book of Mormon Cast Change and I had a free afternoon. I wasn’t sure what I was going to see, I had no solid plans so was going to see where I ended up. Naturally I ended up at one of the longest running shows in the West End and saw the matinee show of Phantom. Wowzers. This was my first time seeing the current London company and it was so great to see so many familiar faces and some performers I hadn’t seen in the show yet. It was incredible to see Georgia Ware as Meg again, she’s a stunning dancer and the voice of an absolute angel. She’s really made Meg her own and gives such a great performance. You want to keep an eye out for her name as I know great things are gonna happen for her! Josh Piterman as the Phantom. HOLY SHIT THAT MAN CAN DELIVER A PERFORMANCE! Honestly from start to finish I was captivated. GORGEOUS vocals. Brilliant acting. So for anyone who hasn’t seen the show (spoiler alert) the Phantom sings his last line in the show and walks over to the chair for the last bit of magic in the show. Josh finishes singing the last line and whilst he’s walking over to the chair the entire audience bursts out into applause, and I’m not talking polite applause. Oh no. It’s the kind of applause you do when you give a standing ovation. (which I very nearly did!)

I’ve seen Phantom over 60 times and in all my visits I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was thoroughly deserved and Josh is just incredible. My biggest regret is that I only saw him once. The atmosphere during a company’s final performance together at cast change is always electric and such a buzz of energy which feeds through to the audience. The Book Of Mormon cast change was no different. It was such a fantastic performance and the company were phenomenal!! It was so great to see Luke George on stage again and it still blows my mind that it was the last time I saw him on stage this year.

Stephen Rolley was on as Elder McKinley and it was my first time seeing him in that role. He did a brilliant job, comic timing was impeccable, a stunning vocal and the acting was on point! A masterclass in theatre performance.

Les Mis - Leo Enjolras

Now this was actually my second visit to the new production of Les Mis at the Sondheim Theatre, having seen the show towards the end of January. Buckle in for my thoughts as this is gonna be long! Okay so that score of Les Mis I know so well. The original production is so ingrained in me I can tell you what is happening during what piece of the music.

Seeing the new production felt like seeing a friend I hadn’t seen in years. They were the same at the core but they looked a bit different. I really enjoyed some of the changes they made and it was so great to see everything from so close. The set was really great, I loved the transition from the beggars into the factory during At The End Of The Day. The new production is very visual with the sets, a lot of work has gone into them and they are gorgeous.

The whole company were absolutely fantastic and all did a wonderful job in the show. I really loved the changes they made to Fantine’s story. The Factory Foreman is now Fantine’s first customer and her story is much more violent and harsh, which makes her already heartbreaking story even more sad.

It was great to see Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, I was really surprised by her performance. Having see her as Eponine so many times I just couldn’t picture her in the Fantine track. She took such great care of my favourite character and absolutely blew me away with her performance. I Dreamed A Dream was absolutely breathtaking. Acting was brilliant, vocal amazing. Flawless performance! This visit was to see the lovely Leo Miles don that red waistcoat and lead a revolution on the West End barricade, he covered the role on the UK tour but I wasn’t able to get in and see him in the role. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to see Leo on stage again and to see him in the iconic role of Enjolras from the front row was incredible. I was so engrossed from the moment he stepped on stage through to the last note he sang in the finale. The acting, the interaction with the other people on stage and of course the vocal, were all flawless. I hope 2021 brings me another opportunity to see Leo in the iconic red waistcoat of the revolution.

We Will Rock You Tour

Now I saw the London production many years ago when I was in college so I was really excited and curious to see how it would translate on tour. The tour was fantastic, the cast were incredible. It was the best last show of 2020 I could have asked for (even if I didn’t know that at the time) It was so great to see Jenny O’Leary on stage again as Killer Queen, such a deliciously villainous performance in the best possible way. Ian McIntosh was phenomenal as Galileo, powerful vocals! I Want To Break Free is one of my favourite parts in the show and he nailed it. I was really lucky to get to see first cover Scaramouche (I’ve lost my programme so unable to name her. Sorry) she blew me away with her entire performance. Another gorgeous vocal. Her and Ian stole the show with Pressure (another of my favourite songs from the show)!

Before I sign off I just want to give a massive shoutout to all the artists in the industry who have brought the arts into the homes of many during this pandemic.

So that wraps up 2020’s Theatre Highlights and whilst it wasn’t quite the spectacular start to the new decade I was hoping for, I still feel very lucky to have seen what I did.

Of course with everything I was supposed to see this year now happening next year, 2021 is gonna be so jam packed full of spicy Theatre adventures and I CAN’T WAIT!!

It’s been a very weird one this year for the industry. For me, Theatre is escapism from the real world. It’s a place of solace and of healing. Theatre is 100% therapy, a place where for two and a half hours, it can save even the most lost of souls. 

These past 9 and a half months have been hard. For everyone, but especially for an industry which seems to have been forgotten.

Theatre is so ingrained in me as a person that it feels like part of my soul is missing.

I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to have a small part of the world I love during this whole shit show. My singing lessons have been the biggest godsend ever and I’m so thankful for my singing teacher being flipping amazing!

Until that time when theatre fans, performers and staff alike can set foot and return to the place many call home, I think the world will be a less welcoming place.

As always, thanks for reading gang.

Make sure to come back next year to find out what I got up to! In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy, don’t hoard loo roll, keep smiling and until next time, cheerio! 

[asdamagicbiscuits]

On Remembrance Sunday we remember the fallen, every person who gave their lives in the hope of a better future and who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for fighting for my future and the sacrifice you made will never be forgotten 💛 Lest we forget #remembranceday #rememberancesunday https://www.instagram.com/p/CHV98D6HGQR/?igshid=14du9zkpc95ls

[asdamagicbiscuits]

I had a singing lesson today (socially distanced of course, I’m in the corner of the room as far away from Adam as I could and had just taken my mask off. Hence my red lil face) and it was so so magical. Bashed out 4 songs, one we hadn’t even worked on at all, and blew @adam__pettigrew ‘s mind 😜 pretty happy with how they all sounded! Therapist, Singing Teacher and all round top bean! Very lucky to work with the best teacher!! ☺️🎭🎶🎙 #singingismytherapy #topbean #theartsareviable https://www.instagram.com/p/CGkT-wCHxHB/?igshid=1vek4y1yh5227

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Theatre Highlights 2019

My Top 11 Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2019 (in no particular order other than roughly chronological.)

Let's get stuck in!

Panto at the Palladium

So my first theatre trip of the year saw me head off to Panto land at the Palladium to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was great to see Danielle Hope on stage again and she was the perfect Snow White. Massive shoutout to Simeon Dyer who was ace as one of the Dwarfs in the show, it’s not everyday you get to see your pal on stage in their West End Debut, he did a brilliant job. The Palladium always delivers fantastic Pantos and I’m excited to see what their next one is!

Book Of Mormon

So Book Of Mormon was again one of those shows I wasn’t rushing to see, that is until Luke George went into the company. I had heard a lot of things about it and I was worried as I had been told if you get easily offended that I wouldn’t like it. I saw it and loved it. It was nuts and very tongue in cheek humour. Turn It Off is one of my favourite numbers in the show, the company are fantastic in it! Tom Xander as Elder Cunningham is pure magic. No other way I can describe his performance. He’s so cheeky and mischievous, the PERFECT Cunningham. Paired with Dom Simpson as Elder Price they are a dream team. You and Me (but mostly me) is such a joy to watch. It was also so lovely to watch Luke and see him on stage again. He is as brilliant as ever!! The Book of Mormon is playing at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End and it’s also on tour too!!!

Cursed Child - Year Three

I think I said this in last years post but Cursed Child combines two of my biggest loves Harry Potter and Theatre. The Year Three company were exceptional and I saw a huge array of covers. Martin Johnson, Danny Dalton, April Hughes, Jordan Bamford, Leah Haile and Susan Lawson Reynolds. I can remember all the shows when I got to see them and the little details of their performances. Also as #KeepTheSecrets is over I’m gonna talk about April as Delphi. I ADORE April as Delphi. Like hands down my favourite interpretation of the role. Delphi is so sweet and then BAMN. That switch is flicked and her true intentions come out but even then April brought such a warmth to her that I found myself really sympathising with Delphi. She’s just a very misunderstood character and I just wanted to give her a hug. On the other side April’s interpretation of Myrtle is ICONIC!!! That giggle she does in the moment after Scorpius ask if everything’s going to be okay? And Albus replies going of course it is. Pure brilliance!! Also I have to mention the fact I FINALLY got to see James McGregor as Draco. It happened gang. I don’t know how I managed to get to see him three times, still blows my mind as I was worried I wouldn’t get to see him once but I did. It actually happened. ‘Twas beyond brilliant in every sense of the word and well worth the wait, exceptional performances!

Shitfaced Shakespeare

Another fantastic season for those boozey Bard loving beans! The Taming of the Shrew and Hamlet in London and Midsummer Nights Dream on tour. It’s always a joy to see them perform on stage. For those of you who read last years Highlights I can confirm that I broke the curse. I got to see Saul Marron Compère THREE times!!! He also was the drinker for the show of Midsummer I saw in my hometown on the tour. It was lovely to revisit my first show I saw them do, plenty of laughs and so much fun! Bring on next season for more Shakespeare, laughs and most importantly - booze! 😜 haha

Venice Preserved/The Provoked Wife

Now my theatre highlights wouldn’t be complete without me seeing a show Natalie Dew was in. This year I got to see her in Venice Preserved and The Provoked Wife both at the RSC in Shakespeare land (Stratford Upon Avon). Both shows were absolutely fantastic and I gotta mention Sarah Twombly who really stood out in The Provoked Wife as Mademoiselle, stunning performance! I adored Venice Preserved so much I saw it twice! It was gritty, edgy and the whole production value was fantastic! It was also so good to see Nat in such a different role, it’s not everyday you get to see your stagey fav play a dominatrix. She was so badass, strong and the moment at the end of the play with the look the gave another character, I’m getting chills just thinking about it. Perfection!

Edinburgh Fringe

Each year my trip to Ed Fringe just gets better and better and this year was no different. I managed two trips this year and saw a whole host of different shows which were all incredible and I got meet some lovely people, both leafleting and chatting to a few of the actors before the show. I’ll leave a link to my Ed Fringe post so if anyone wants to check out what I saw give it a read - here. Massive shoutout to the Bodily Functions gang as they were super lovely, Friendsical cast, David Colvin was so lovely too, the Shitfaced Shakespeare and Showtime lot. I could go on. But I’m buzzing to see what Ed Fringe 2020 will bring!

The Indian Queen

When in France, go to the Opera? So this still links with theatre but I want to talk about Pierrefonds, it’s my blog so I can do what I want 😜. Firstly BIG shoutout to my friend Sej, the only person mad enough to agree to go to France with me to visit a castle and to see an Opera. So firstly Pierrefonds. I still can’t believe I got to visit the castle where they filmed Merlin. It’s been on my Bucket list for many years now so thrilled I finally got to tick it off. It’s a gorgeous place in the cutest little village ever, genuinely would move there if there was more theatre. 100% will be going back again and would recommend to anyone about going. I had a great time! The other part of my trip saw me go and watch my very first Opera, The Indian Queen! The Opera House in Lille is stunning, so so beautiful. Now I can’t comment on what happened at the beginning as I was raging at the subtitles being in French, it wasn’t until it was 10/15 minutes in that I realised it was all sung and spoken in English. (yep. I am that dumb and yes it took me that long 🙈) I loved how they had the screens move around in the background with the opera on. It had been prefilmed and all the actors were in costume whereas the actors were all in blacks performing it in front of the screens live. As a first venture into the world of Opera, wasn’t what I was expecting at all but I really loved it. It was also so great to see James McGregor on stage again too!! He’s very good!!

Fiddler On The Roof

Wow. Just wow. I was completely blown away by Fiddler On The Roof, the set was gorgeous and how the company went through the auditorium felt so natural. You really felt like you were in Anatevka and part of the community. The whole company were phenomenal!! Andy Nyman as Tevye delivered one of the best performances I have ever seen from any West End Lead. His vocals and comic timing were on point!!! Maria Friedman as Golde played really well opposite Andy’s Tevye, they are a formidable duo. I’m so happy I was able to see them on together. Molly Osbourne as Tzietel and Joshua Gannon as Motel really stood out, stunning performances. Hands down the best show I saw this year without a doubt and I wish I could go back in time and relive it!!

Mary Poppins

Now Mary Poppins is so very dear to me. The movie is an absolute classic, a timeless piece but I had never seen it live on stage before. I had my tickets booked since January when they went on sale and it did not disappoint when I finally got to see it in November. Charlie Stemp was a brilliantly charming Bert and Zizi Strallen was, excuse the pun, ‘Practically Perfect in every way’ as Mary. I sobbed my way through the show and when Zizi flew up over the audience at the end of the show I was in bits. The best way I can describe it is when you love something so much and your just full of nostalgia and emotion and that’s how it came out. Step In Time, Feed The Birds And Practically Perfect were all highlights for me. I have so much love for the whole company for delivering a phenomenal show and I can’t WAIT to return to Cherry Tree Lane once again next year. Although hopefully I will be able to get through the show without crying next time. Haha. Mary Poppins is currently playing at The Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End.

Dear Evan Hansen

Now I had to be the only person in theatreland who wasn’t rushing to get tickets or proper hyped for it. It was one of those shows for me which I was like - I’ll see it eventually but I’ll let the rush of people pass and I’ll go when it’s all died down. Then the cast got announced and I was okay. I need to see it and I need to see it in previews as I need to see Rupert Young on stage again. Thankfully one of my best friends Johanna was desperate to see it when she was over in November and she managed to sort us tickets. (Thanks Chummy. You’re the best. Love you) It generally was such a phenomenal experience, the audience was so quiet and the only sounds you could hear were the quiet sniffs of people crying. You could hear a pin drop and I don’t believe I will ever experience anything like that ever again. That’s great Anne but why has it made it into your highlights? Don’t worry. I’m getting to that gang 😜 haha. The whole cast were phenomenal. Sam Tutty was flawless as Evan, I connected immediately with him. I was sold and invested from the beginning. The fact there is only 8 people on stage for the whole show blows my mind. Like WHAT?! Outstanding performances from all. In particular Mr Rupert Young as Larry. Now the only thing I knew about the show was that You Will Be Found closes the first act. That’s all I knew, didn’t read up on it or listen to the soundtrack before hand. I went in completely blind! Now You Will Be Found starts and I can hear people crying and I’m sat there thinking. This is great. I haven’t cried at this. Brilliant. The thing which broke me and had me sobbing was when Rupert Young broke down and cried during You Will Be Found. That is what got me and I can relate so much to it. How I view it is that Larry has delayed grief and that happened to me personally so it really struck a chord with me. I’m basically a convert and this is a piece of theatre everyone needs to see and I can see it running for a very long time in London. Dear Evan Hansen is playing at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End and if you haven’t already, GO BUY A TICKET!!

Rage But Hope

I was very lucky to be able to catch this show at Ed Fringe this year so I was thrilled I was able to make it in to see it again during its London run in November. I stand by everything I said before and it was fantastic to see the development of the piece, which is a current and important issue we all should focus on. The whole company delivers stunning performances and I adored the addition of Matt’s characters monologue. I felt it tied together what he said in a conversation with James earlier in the piece and it gave much more depth to his character. The Layla’s List monologue remained one of my favourite moments in the play and goes to show the importance younger generations have and that they are far wiser than their years suggest so not to under estimate them. Let’s preserve this world for many more generations to come. The writing is stunning and hats off to Stephanie Martin for an incredibly well written play. The scene at the end of the play was new for the London run and I felt it really hammered home the message. Tell the truth. Act Now!

So that pretty much wraps up 2019’s Theatre and what a year it was.

2020 - a New Year, a New Decade and I can confirm a lot more Theatre adventures.

Thanks for reading, make sure to come back next year for my 8th Theatre Highlights (that is MAD!!) to find out what I got up to!

Until next time, cheerio!

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Is it too soon to start planning next years @edfringe trip? Asking for a friend. 🤷‍♀️☺️🎭🎶💛 #edfringe2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/B3DOLYJHW4e/?igshid=1fp7tcdzq7b0v

[asdamagicbiscuits]

So it’s the last day of @edfringe 2019 so thought I’d share a few pictures of what made my Fringe! ☺️🎭🎶🍻🎩 #edfringe #makeyourfringe #edinburghfringe #completeditmate P.S. I posted the goofy photos with Katarina and Alice because I look tired in the normal photos I had with them 🙈 P.P.S. Nick is AWESOME!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1nsHu1nj7R/?igshid=1y1av81fsm16f

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Ed Fringe 2019 - #MakeYourFringe

Hey all

It’s been a hot second hasn’t it! So I saw some great stuff at Fringe this year which would have made my end of year Theatre blog post insanely long so I’m treating you to a cheeky post exclusively about Fringe shows! This is what I saw! Who knows maybe one of the shows I’ve mentioned here will #MakeYourFringe...

Showstoppers

This was my first show of my visit to Fringe this year and I wasn’t sure what to expect to be honest. I really enjoyed it, it was set in an Owlery (what a blooming great location) and the talent on that stage was dripping off it!! The skills required to do what they do blew my mind!! Hats off to them and the songs were fantastic!!

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical

I ADORED THIS SO MUCH!! Me and girls loved it so much that we went again the next night and I think that in itself is a testament of how good it was. Funny, witty, with a gorgeous score sung by four fantastic people!! I need an album of it, the finale is stunning!!

They are selling out night after night so make sure to prebook your tickets for this one! I can’t recommend this enough!!

Hot Flush

This was a show we booked last minute. We met two lovely girls leafleting it and they very kindly gave us two free tickets so we only had to buy one to see their first show. Set in a bathroom during a hen night with an all female cast. I was sold instantly! It was a great show and I really enjoyed it, a fab way to end our first day on Fringe! The Cast were fantastic and hats off to the two girls for staying in character when part of the backdrop fell down and the entire room burst out into laughter. It was the most serious part of the play and to have that happen but to keep focused and in the story. Great job.

Bodily Functions and Where To Find Them

Now I can’t take credit for this show. Sarah gets all the credit for finding this one. Now anyone who knows me knows I’m not afraid to talk about gross stuff like the three Ps. Poop. Piss. Periods. So Sarah sends me a link going ‘Anne I’ve found your perfect show’. The emoji they used had me sold from the get go. 💩 I was so keen to see it, didn’t know what to expect but it was hilarious, the writing was completely brilliant. Some of the stuff they said we have all thought! It had a serious issue at the root of the play and at the end it was hard hitting when it got dropped. A fantastic piece of theatre and I so wish I could have seen it again. One of the promo lines was ‘breaking down stigmas one flush at a time’ which I’m all for. More so about periods that the other two Ps but that’s another story for another time. I will end this bit about the show with the question - When was the last time you talked about poo?

The Amazing Bubbleman

I saw this on Fringe last year, loved it so much that I had to go again this year! Bubbles are one of the best things in the world, an ace show perfect for kids and adults alike. The stuff which is achievable with bubbles is mind blowing and I 100% recommend this show but prebooking is essential as it does always sell out!!

Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody

This is another show I saw on Fringe last year. I saw it twice last year and twice this year. A must see for any Potter fan!! Especially if you want to know THE REAL reason behind Tom Riddle’s ascension to the Dark Lord we all know today. Hilarious, moving and you will leave with the biggest smile on your face, I’ve cried every time I’ve seen it! The score is beautiful and the cast are all so lovely!

If you can’t get up to Edinburgh to see it on Fringe they are doing a run down in London at the Kings Head Theatre!! Everyone must see this show!!!

Friendsical

Apologies for the shock but I hadn’t actually seen Friends until a couple of years ago. So I was extremely late to the party but I fell instantly in love with all the characters (Joey and Chandler being my favourites) so a musical about Friends. Completely down for this! WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN DONE BEFORE?

I adored it so much. Every actor on that stage had captured the essence of the characters they were playing so well. Sarah and Thomas as Monica and Chandler blew my socks off so much I’m still looking for them!! The songs are so infectious and I need a cast album. Like NOW!!! Also did you know Joey is a strong dancer? As after seeing Jordan Fox shine in the show it’s officially canon that Joey is a dancer!!

They are on at the Fringe until the end of the month and have a few more venues on their tour so definitely check it out!!

Shitfaced Showtime - Alice Through The Cocktail Glass and Shitfaced Shakespeare - Macbeth

I don’t think these shows need much explanation!

Two of the great Fringe staples for me, I have so much love and time for all those Musical and Shakespeare booze loving beans! A trip to Fringe wouldn’t be complete without seeing those guys up on stage!!

If you haven’t seen them I have one question for you - WHY? What have you been doing? GO. GO IMMEDIATELY. Like stop reading this and go book tickets. I’ll wait.

Yous all good? Grand!! It’ll be the best hour of your life, I guarantee it.

Echoes of Villers-Bretonneux

Okay. Bit of story context first before I talk about the play.

So leafleting is a big, like MASSIVE, part of the Fringe. Now there technically isn’t a right or wrong way to leaflet. But don’t be like the twat at Fringe last year who made me nearly shit myself as he made me jump when trying to give a leaflet. He saw me coming and I knew he was gonna do something. I walked away from him without taking a leaflet.

Now what catches my attention and will make me go and grab a leaflet is if they make it a bit different with what they are saying like ‘have some colourful tree’ or are just standing and quietly leafleting. Now I was walking down the mile with a friend on my way to our next show and I saw Shane standing on the corner at the bottom of the Mile, in his costume, quietly and politely leafleting. I felt so bad that I couldn’t stop and chat but I took a leaflet and after reading it I really liked the look of his show. I’m so thrilled I was able to get in and see it. Absolutely one of the Fringe Highlights for me! It was about an Australian solder in World War One. It starts in modern times but it seamlessly switches to the past really easily and I thought Shane did an absolutely fantastic job!! Brilliant play and I can’t urge you all enough to go give it a watch.

Thunderstruck

I’ve written this part last as I can’t quite work out how to explain it. I don’t think I know enough words to express how phenomenal this is. Like it’s a stunning piece of theatre, truly breathtaking. It’s funny, moving and so emotional. I cried every time David Colvin played the bagpipes; even playing badly it was beautiful in its own way. Also he has a gorgeous singing voice, lovely tone to it!!

I can’t recommend this highly enough. I left the theatre after seeing it the first time and I knew once wasn’t enough for me. I had to see it again. I took a friend who loves the bagpipes with me the second time and she loved it just as much as I did.

The finale gave me chills and what a way to end the show. David gave his all on that stage and in that finale it all came to a magnificent conclusion.

Go. Go book a ticket as it’s the best 75 minutes you’ll have!!

Rage But Hope

This show closed my Fringe trip and I couldn’t ask for a better way to end it. Powerful, hard hitting, tackling a subject which is so important we address the issue now whilst we have time. The writing is just phenomenal, Steph Martin did a fantastic job and such a diverse cast of talented actors. Each monologue sparked a new wave of thoughts and I left Edinburgh with so much to think about.

So that was what made my Fringe this year. I hope this has helped if anyone is looking for stuff to see. I didn’t want to give too much away as I take spoilers very serious!

If you are up at Fringe or are heading up, I hope you have a fantastic time!

Thanks for reading, until next time, cheerio!

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Love love love this magnet from New Zealand. It’s so pretty and colourful ☺️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B0eHos6nq3h/?igshid=16ngx41099aau

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Saw this. Liked it. Stole it. Posted it. Credit to whomever this belongs to. Loving ya work! 👌👍☺️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx-f0DKHczE/?igshid=r8h66e6s5hdm

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Had an ace time at Book Of Mormon tonight!! So loved getting to see @lukeygeorgey shine on stage again like the superstar he is!!! Absolutely smashed it and I can’t wait to go back and believe again!! ☺️🎭🎶 #girlsouting #bookofmormon #stagey https://www.instagram.com/p/BtwlBNKHk5f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g7kpz8977rbp

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Theatre Highlights 2018

My Top 10 Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2018 (in no particular order other than roughly chronological. I combined things together to make it easier to read and talk about without doubling back on myself). Let's go!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

My first London theatre trip of the year saw me and my very good friend Hannah make our first visit to see Cursed Child. After a year and a half of trying to get tickets we finally won the Friday Forty and had PHENOMENAL seats - we couldn’t have asked for more with front row stalls, just off centre. It meant that I could see every detail of everyone's performances and the slightest of reactions which I may have missed sitting elsewhere. The show blew my tiny mind. I turned to Hannah in the interval of part one and said that this was going to be the best thing I saw this year and as the year draws to a close I can safely say past me was VERY much correct!! The things they achieve on stage are outstanding and just goes to show anything is possible with theatre, including magic!

In my six visits to see the show I’ve seen some of the brilliant covers in both the second and third year companies including Gideon Turner - First Cover Harry Potter Year Two, Tom Peters - First Cover Harry Potter Year Three, James McGregor - First Cover Bane Year Two and Three, April Hughes - First Cover Delphi (I have SO MUCH I want to say about April’s performance but #KeepTheSecrets and all that but everyone needs to see this girl as Delphi!) Ed White, Tom Mackey and Martin Johnson were the covers I had on in the principal company playing Draco Malfoy, Albus Potter and Amos Diggory/Dumbledore respectively on my first visit to the show and I was genuinely blown away by their performances. I have to talk about Ed and Tom’s performances as they were incredible and stole the show for me.  Firstly, Ed as Draco. Now like many other fans I grew up reading the books and watching the films and everyone was very much I love Draco, he’s great. He’s such a layered character. Now I didn’t get why everyone was so obsessed with him, like what am I not seeing? Then I saw Ed as Draco and was like Oh. Okay, NOW I get it. Ed brought such a warmth and a heart to the character I hadn’t actually noticed before and completely changed my opinion on how I view Draco. The bit which got me was whenever Draco was talking about Astoria and especially the scene in the ministry with Scorpius. It was beautifully acted and a stunning performance. It was a similar thing with Tom as Albus, going in to watch the play I had an idea of what Albus’ character would be like having read the script before hand, yet watching the story unfold Tom played it completely different to how I pictured it in my head. I laughed, I cried and I just wanted to give Albus a hug at the end of it. Those two really stick in my mind when I think back to my first visit and even a year later I’m still talking about it. 

Lastly, as I’m aware this is only the first section and it’s already massively long, I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, shout out to all the Swings, especially on this show as they are all phenomenal and all the tracks are so intricate and they play multiple characters in a single ensemble track, it must be so challenging on cut shows making sure it all gets covered. Loving ya work Swing Team!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is running at the Palace Theatre so make sure to grab your tickets!!

Miss Saigon UK Tour 

I was so thrilled to get to see this wonderful show again on tour three times after having seen it in London. It was just as moving and powerful as it was in London and hats off to everyone involved with getting the show on the road. You’ve done a grand job. It was lovely to see Zoë Doano on stage again, she delivered such a beautiful performance as Ellen and stole the show with Maybe. The whole company were exceptional, Sooha Kim as Kim and Ashley Gilmour as Chris were such a fabulous pairing. Last Night Of The World was so gorgeous and my favourite song in the show. Barnaby Hughes and Vinny Coyle were standouts in the ensemble and it was fabulous to see James McKeon at the helm conducting, doing a marvellous job. Love your work James!

Titanic UK Tour 

Now for those long standing readers of this yearly blog post, some might remember back in summer 2016 I saw Titanic at the Charing Cross Theatre and just fell in love. 

Well fast forward to 2018 where I got to see this fabulous show again three times on tour. It was just as moving, emotional and breath taking as I remembered. The first time I saw the tour was in Southampton I was physically shaking before the show had even started because I love it so much. It’s safe to say I was a pure wreck during that show. I had cried three times by the end of the first song and by the end of the show I’d cried so much there was no moisture in my eyes whatsoever. It was so great to see so many returning performers who I’d seen in the show in London. Dudley and Judith are sublime as the Strausses and of course it was so brilliant to see the heart and scene stealer that is Victoria Serra, who I have to say was born to sing Yeston’s music. Such a gorgeous vocal and performance. Ladies Maid will always be my favourite song in the show and Victoria leads it beautifully. I have a lot of love for that girl. 

I have to mention Kieran Brown, who was wonderful as Murdock, and Chris McGuigan, a sublime Jim Farrell, who were standouts each time I saw the show. 

There are pieces of theatre which just move you so much and deserves to be seen by everyone. Titanic is just this.

Madagascar The Musical UK Tour 

I went to this see this with my friend, Sejuti, and we went to go see Shane McDaid in the show. We were probably also the only people there without kids but we LOVED IT!!! Such a fun show, great music and the penguins were hilarious. My favourite bit was when they were in the antarctic! Excellent comic timing. I’m far from the target audience for this show but I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. Great for adults and kids alike and I’m definitely going to be seeing it again when it comes closer to me. 

Madagascar the Musical is on tour during 2019, check their website for tour dates. 

Shitfaced Shakespeare 

It’s not a secret how much I blooming love this company. As always it’s top notch Shakespeare, hilarious antics and you are guaranteed to have the best hour of your life when you go and see any production they do. This year they had Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet in London and Hamlet on the Fringes so got introduced to two new (well new to me) Shakespeare plays. Ophelia becoming Queen and turning Arass’ were a thing which happened in that time right? 

Got some great compère and drunk combos and two shows I had been waiting to see for over a year so I was happy!!

Unsure how they will top this year but undoubtedly it’ll be genius whatever they do! The big thing for me in 2019 though is to see Saul Marron compère more than once per a season. Am I cursed to only see him once a year? 😢 I hope not! Will update you all on if I manage it next year! 

Keep your eyes peeled on what shows they are doing at the Fringes and in London next year, make sure to grab your tickets when they go on sale in 2019, it’s gonna be a corker for sure!! 

Edinburgh Fringe

I don’t know where to start here. I had simply the best time. I slept a lot as I was knackered but I saw some BRILLIANT shows and Edinburgh is such a gorgeous city as well, especially at Fringe where it’s so busy and got a lovely atmosphere about it. (Still gutted I never found where the pretty Edinburgh Gin Bar at Fringe was. I saw some lovely photos on Instagram!) Fringe staples were Shitfaced Shakespeare and Showtime obviously, did you even do Fringe properly if you DIDN’T see one of those shows?! Another show which I loved whilst up there was Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Parody. Saw it twice and oh my word they were all so fantastic and it was hilarious. I also cried when Muffin died. BOTH TIMES. Legit it got to me. The Amazing Bubbleman - mind blowing, Out Of The Blue, Paddington’s First Concert, Gulliver Returns were some of the fantastic shows at Fringe I saw. I also bumped into my old headteacher on the first night I was at Fringe, at Shitfaced Shakespeare, so I ended up going to see the show he had brought up with a few of the A level drama students at my old school. I was really surprised at how well I followed it (we all know how confused I get at plays. It doesn’t always end well) and all of the girls delivered excellent, solid performances. 

I’m already BUZZING to go back to Fringe next year and the magical waffle place of dreams is actual perfection, very much worth a visit!!

Shitfaced Showtime

Again like with their sister show, I have a lotta love for those musical booze loving beans. I was lucky enough to catch this show twice on Fringe and then once in London. It definitely is a theme with me that at Showtime I always see the drunk I see the show I’m at is compère the next time I go and it’s pure coincidence but I love that it’s worked out like that. I was THRILLED to get to see Nick, the Musical Director, as the drunk on the last night of Fringe, genuinely don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard before ever. It was a show I really wanted to see at some point and shout-out to Jessica and Beth for doing an ace job looking after him. I’ve said this before but I’m gonna say it again, everyone needs to see a Shitfaced Showtime production and every Musical needs to get the Shitfaced treatment as it’s pure brilliance how they put it all together!!

And lastly, someone cast Issy Wroe-Wright as Fantine as the pipes that girl has are out of this world and she’d slay it. #IssyForFantine 

Phantom Cast Change 

Cast Changes don’t get any easier and this year I had to say goodbye to the lovely Leo Miles who was a swing and then moved to ensemble and Second Cover Raoul (he was flawless as Raoul. Definitely one of my all time favourites.) I’d watched Leo in the show from when he joined back in 2013 so to see him leave was sad but I’ve loved watching him on stage those five years and seen his journey. He is one of the loveliest people on the planet and destined for great things and I’m so excited to see him in the Les Mis tour next year! 

Twelfth Night - Young Vic Theatre

Now no theatre highlights of mine would be complete without mentioning Natalie Dew and the show she was in. As I mentioned earlier on that Cursed Child was the best thing I saw this year, it was equalled by Twelfth Night at the Young Vic. I did a review of it which is also on here if you want to check out my full thoughts.

However in brief, it was sheer brilliance. The music was INCREDIBLE and getting to hear Nat sing again was so fantastic (there may have tears) and also getting to see Rupert Young perform live was great. Rupert hands down has one of the best Male voice I’ve ever heard. The tone and quality of it was just gorgeous. I could talk about this show all day, uplifting, delivers such a good message at the end and so good for the soul. 

‪42nd Street‬

‪42nd Street has featured before in my highlights but I want to talk about the brilliant covers I’ve seen in the show this year. Firstly all the principals in both companies are a joy to watch and so fantastic.‬

Hannah Faith-Marram - First Cover Peggy

I only saw Hannah as Peggy once but oh my word she blew my away. Her dancing was beautiful and crisp, lovely vocal and her smile lit up the whole stage. Her interpretation of Peggy was so sweet and everything she did felt so organic. Me and Rebecca, the friend I went with, felt very lucky to get to see Hannah and Philip together as Peggy and Billy. It felt like we were watching a piece of pure magic up there!

Phillip Bertoli - First Cover Billy and Pat

I’ve been very lucky to see Phillip as both of his covers. In year one I saw him twice as Pat and in year two I’ve seen him twice as Billy. He is exceptional in both roles and  also in his ensemble track, he suits the era so well. It’s like someone picked him out of the ‘20s and popped him in present day. Everything about his performance, you can’t help but watch him in the dance numbers. It’s a very classy performance

Ryan Glover - Second Cover Andy/Swing

Want to give a special mention to Ryan as not only was he performing as Andy during one show he also was on in the ensemble during one of the dances as they were on a cut show that performance and I thought he did an outstanding job! 

Finally I just want to say that I’m so gutted this show is closing, the West End won’t be as bright without this wonderfully uplifting show. Thank you to both the original revival company and the second year companies for bringing me such joy over the past nearly two years. You’ve all been magnificent!! Make sure to catch all those hoofers on stage at Theatre Royal Drury Lane before the show closes ‪on January 6th‬ and don’t forget to go see it in the cinema when it’s released!!

Well, that wraps up a very stagey 2018. I’ve got some exciting stuff planned for 2019 so it’s looking to be a good one!! 

Who knows what will make it in next year but I sure know it’s gonna be one fun stagey ride! So make sure you come back next year and find out what my highlights for 2019 are!

Until next time, cheerio!