Singin' In The Rain

       I fell in love with Singin' In The Rain about 5 years ago when I first watched the 1952 MGM film, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. The performances of all three in the film I still find spellbinding. What I wasn't aware of until recently is that Gene Kelly was also the co-director as well as the choreographer on the film, and therefore one of the main driving forces behind it. For me the film has most definitely stood the test of time, as its one of the few films made before 1980 that I can actually watch and enjoy. Even in the modern age of HD, 3D and soon (if the rumours are true) 4D, it is still as fresh and interesting as it’s always been.

       Because of my love for the film, I was hesitant to see this production. My friend recommended it to me however last week, when I told him of my hesitation. I trust his judgement, so decided to bight the bullet and go. I'm so glad I did. I must say however that if you’re going thinking it’s going to outshine the film, you'll be disappointed. The production is great, but it could never compare to the large sets, sweeping camera shots and location shooting of the film.

       The Palace Theatre, where the show is on, has had an exceptional history with the shows it has housed. It has played host to, most notably, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Mis and Spamalot. The last time I went however was in 2011 for one of the last performances of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. The theatre, unlike most in London, the amount of gold in the decoration is almost non-existent. The main colours are grown and blue/green with the seats in what can only be called burgundy. This colour combination makes for a welcome change from the other theatres and gives a more relaxed atmosphere.

       When I went to see Priscilla I was in 15G of the Dress Circle. This time I was in 26F of the stalls. Both seats had great views though, as with most shows, sitting more towards the centre is always best. This is especially true for this production as action does occur on the edges of the stage. I would recommend being in the stalls and, if you want to be 'included' into the show a bit more sit as near to the front as you feel able. I was six roes back, but still got 'included' and it really added to my experience.

       The production is sublime, and stays exceptionally close to the film. Staying as true to the film as they did, means that it hasn't spoilt my love for the film. In fact I immediately wanted to watch the film as soon as I got home. The set is great, and although the main backdrop of the stage doesn't actually change, you still get transported to the different locations in which the show is set. The smoothness of scene changes was great, and the design of it overall and the ingenuity of some pieces must earn Simon Higlett the set designer, some congratulations.

       Adam Cooper and Louise Bowden as Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden were good, but the show was most definitely stolen by Stephane Anelli as Cosmo Brown and Zara Warren as Lina Lamont. As soon as Stephane started singing Make 'Em Laugh the whole audience loved him. Singing it brilliantly and having such wonderful comic timing, while performing a difficult routine is defiantly something that shouldn't be overlooked. All I could hear was people gasping and talking to each other every time he moved. You could tell it was tricky for him as he was extremely out of breath at the end. Lina Lamont is usually played by Jennifer Ellison, however she was unable to perform when I went to see it so her understudy, Zara Warren, took the role. Zara was phenomenal. How she is only an understudy I will  never know. Her performance was well constructed and her voice was, in its own was, sublime. Her rendition on What's Wrong With Me was one of the best I've heard, and had the audience in fits of laughter.

 

       The rain effect used during the title song, if your not sure the title of which is Singin' In The Rain, was fantastic. With over 7000 litres of water being used during the song, of which 2500 has to travel through a quarter of a mile of piping to fall from above, the scene was captivating. Yes, the rain starts rather suddenly and the noise of the rain machine starting did spoil the feel a little, but the overall visual effect is something that has to be seen.

 

       My initial reservations where totally unfounded and going to see the show proved that. If your not sure, GO! It is a great show for all ages. You need to hurry though, as it closes on 8th June. But don't fear. It then goes on a tour around the UK and Ireland, stopping in 16 different cities all the way until October 2014. Tickets and Info

 

 

 

Beautiful Thing

       This production marks the 20th anniversary of the plays first performance on the 20th July 1993. The original production had a fantastic reception from audiences and critics and so, like this production, went on a UK tour. The play made its West End debut in 1994 and then in 1996 the Beautiful Thing film was released. It was only intended to be seen on television, but the outstanding response it meant the film was shown in cinemas and has since gained cult status.

       This new production is going back close to the shows beginnings by not appearing in a massive West End theatre. In 1993 it was shown in The Bush Theatre which only holds around 80 people. The current production is in The Art Theatre, an independent commercial theatre providing unique and innovative entertainment which seats just 350 people. Not as small as The Bush Theatre, but certainly not as big as the other West End theatres. This intimacy in the theatre works well for the show. The theatre itself feels very 'underground' with totally black walls and faded red seating. With this production its best to sit either in the balcony or at least half way up the stalls. I was in B3 in the stalls and found myself looking slightly up for the whole production. Not terrible, but not brilliant.

       This is a fantastic production. With laughs throughout, with emotional and serious moments dotted in at the perfect points. Admittedly the storyline of two boys in a rundown Thamesmead council estate falling in love through the various trials and tribulations of their lives, isn't for everyone, but it is a play that has spoken for a generation of the gay community and is a fantastic story. The majority of the audience were older members of the gay community, though it wasn't exclusively confined to them. The play doesn't really have mass appeal to a wide audience anymore and that's a shame. The set has been brilliantly executed by Colin Richmond who has also created the wonderful costumes.

       The production is propelled forward by the brilliant performances of Jake Davies and Danny-Boy Hatchard as the two main characters Jamie and Ste. The only negative I have about either performance, is that sometimes Jake can be a little over the top when laughing. Suranne Jones, who plays Jamie's mum Sandra, is, as one might expect, brilliant. She by far steals the show and its well worth seeing the show just to see her performance.

       If your not in London, don't panic. The show is going on a UK tour.

13 April – 25 May

ARTS THEATRE | London West End

28 May – 1 June

LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE | Liverpool

3 – 8 June

WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE | Leeds

10 – 15 June

THEATRE ROYAL | Brighton

 

 

       This show is defiantly one for avid theatre goers looking for something a little off the beaten track. Tickets and Info









Les Miserables

       I last went to see Les Miserables in, I think, 2005. I have always had fond memories of the show and was looking forward to seeing the show again. Like a lot of people, I'm sure, I went to see the 2012 film in the cinema. The film was fantastic, though the show had made a bigger impression on me. Immediately after coming out of the film, I was determined to see the show again.

       The show is now in its 28th year and has been in its current home, The Queen's Theatre, since 2004. Before this it was in The Palace Theatre, where it had been for 18 years. The Palace Theatre is, from what I remember (I was last there over a year ago when I went to see Priscilla), a lovely big theatre, with swathes of seating and huge stage. The Queens theatre is a lot smaller and therefore feels a lot mot intimate. This is a good thing but if, like me, you are off to the edge of the seating (I was B3 in the Dress Circle) you can see into the wings of the stage. This is very off putting when you can see all of the scenery, and sometimes actors, getting into position. If you are only two or three seats nearer the centre, your view would be massively improved.

       The theatre is lovely, with a brilliant lobby area and some great merchandise. The seats have a good amount of leg room though they feel a little to close to the ground and are a bit hard, so I was slightly uncomfortable for most of the show. My view of the far right of the stage was blocked slightly by a guard rail and this did interfere for some parts of the show. On the whole though the view was good. The theatre, like a lot in London, is almost drowned in red. though this works well with the show.

       Like Phantom the show has been running for a long time however, unlike Phantom, Les Mis has lost none of its quality or charm. The cast is immaculate in both quality of acting and in singing. The sets are brilliant, and the forming of the barricade will always be something I look forward to. If I were to be picky, and I will be, I had a slight issue with Samantha Dorsey as Cosette. Its her professional debut and so I want to be as nice as I can, but you can tell she hasn't had much experience. She was a little to Disney. This really isn't that good for this role or for the show. I couldn't help but continually notice her top row of gleaming white teeth and the strange facial expressions she was pulling, which I can only assume were meant to be anguish. The show also has a young talent in Danielle Hope as Eponine. People in the UK will know her for winning the BBC show Over The Rainbow, which meant she was cast as Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Wizard Of Oz in 2011. She left the role of Dorothy almost a year after her first performance, and has played Eponine since June 2012. She is a good performer in Les Mis and holds the role well. She has made a good transition between these two roles that, I'm sure you will agree, are complete opposites of each other.

       Unfortunately for the performance I went to see there were two cast changes. Instead of Geronimo Rauch playing Jean Valjean it was played by Chris Holland and instead of Vicky Entwistle playing Madame Thenardier it was played by Nicky Swift. Both were brilliant in their roles, but I was looking forward to seeing Vicky Entwistle, known for playing Janice Battersby in Coronation Street for 14 years, as this role marked her West End debut. Saying that however, Nicky Swift was brilliant, however she is slim and for me Madame Thenardier is a large lady, mainly because I think of Jenny Galloway when I think of the character as she played it brilliantly for a number of years. As I am on the subject of Thenardier, I would just like to say that Cameron Blakely plays the man himself fantastically, though he does look a little like Sacha Baron Cohen from the 2012 film.

       I would love to give the show 5 stars, however I feel it wasn't as polished or as good as I feel it can be. Like with Phantom I could here the staging move, though only occasionally and not as loud. Also in some of Samantha Dorsey's scenes her Disney style detracted from the feel of the show. However Jamie Ward as Marius completely lifted the whole show, as his acting and singing are brilliant, with his rendition of Empty Chairs At Empty Tables pulling at the heart strings of the whole audience.

       This is defiantly a show you should go and see, and long may it continue in the West End. Tickets and Info