Wicked

       I was really excited to see Wicked. I'm a massive fan of The Wizard Of Oz and so to find out about the witches of Oz before Dorothy, was something I found really interesting. The show has received rave reviews and has won 90 international awards. However upon seeing it, I'm sorry to say I was left disappointed. I'm sure there will be lots of people out there who will love it, so even though I didn't like it please don't take it as me saying "don't see it".

       Firstly, I'm not a big fan of the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The last time I went to the theatre was in the early/mid 90's when I went to see Starlight Express, which ran for over 7,400 performances at the theatre. Back then I was young, and actually I don't remember the theatre being that big. Now however I am much more aware of the fact that the theatre is massive. In fact it has the greatest capacity of any West End theatre, with seating for 2500. I was sat in seat X39 in the Stalls, which is 22 rows back. The seat is £65 and personally its the first time that I felt Id paid far to much.

       For me, when I go tot see a show, I like it to feel that they aren't using microphones, like they are singing with just the power of their voice. For me most shows in the West End do this, however in the Apollo Victoria it is beyond obvious that microphones are being used. This for me stops me getting involved with the story and the characters involved. It automatically disconnects me from the show. The sets and costumes however, created by Eugene Lee and Susan Hilferty, are fantastic and are in fact probably the best part of the whole show. They were really the only reason I enjoyed watching. I probably would have left otherwise.

       As for the performances, well they were good. Not outstanding but good. Maybe the fact that I could always hear a bit of reverberation due to the microphones, but the voices were really not as good as I had been expecting. Don't get me wrong, Louise Dearman as Elphaba ad Gina Beck as Glinda are perfectly good singers, but they didn't blow me away. Saying that, I loves Gina's performance of the song Popular. Comically perfect both in timing and the cuteness of how she sings it.

       As I said before, I am a massive fan of The Wizard Of Oz and so the most disappointing aspect of the show was the story. Not that its badly written, though its not great, its that some of it completely contradicts The Wizard Of Oz. I cant really say what exactly, as if you go and see Wicked I don't want to ruin the story, but the whole dream like state that Dorothy appeared to have been in in The Wizard Of Oz is completely thrown out of the water. I know that for the show they stay true to the book on which its based, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West written by Gregory Maguire and published in 1995, so I blame that totally on Mr Maguire for ruining a perfectly good story. Now if the book had been written before the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum and published in 1900, or before the popular 1902 Broadway musical and the well-known 1939 film adaptation (both titled The Wizard Of Oz), then I would reconsider my dislike. However when he wrote the story both the book, musical and film had all been released and were all well loved. So why on earth did he change the story? Why ruin a good thing? I don't get it.

       As you have probably gathered I'm not a fan of the show. I can almost see why its a popular show and I'm not going to say don't go and see it. It just wasn't for me. Tickets and Info

Relatively Speaking

 

       I often don't go to see plays in London for the actual play itself. I go to see them more for the people that are in them. This was definitely the case for Relatively Speaking. Simply, Felicity Kendal. Like most people she came to my attention is The Good Life, a British TV show which ran from 1975 to 1978 with four series and 30 episodes (including a Christmas Special and a Royal Command Performance). She had done a few TV shows before that, but The Good Life shot her to stardom. I wasn't around during the original broadcasts, but I discovered them in the early 2000s when the were repeated on television. I found, and still find, them to have aged very little. Obviously some of the jokes relate to events that happened at the time and therefor go right over my head, but it hasn't lost any of its charm and is relevant to the climate change debate and the enthusiasm in allotments and self efficiency that has seen a revival recently.

       Relatively Speaking is showing at the Wyndham's Theatre where I went to see Quartermaine's Terms (My review of the show). Its a wonderful theatre. For Quartermaine I was sat on the top balcony in the second row to the back. For this performance of Relatively Speaking however I was sat in seat J4 of the Stalls. Although this was right on the end of the row, I still had a fantastic view, as the action all takes place on the centre of the stage. The Stalls seating at the Wyndham's isn't particularly big, only going back to row P (with a few extra seats forming rows Q and R). Certan websights say that this seat isn't good and not worth what you pay. However for this production is was a perfectly good seat.

       Alan Ayckbourn wrote the play, in fact Relatively Speaking was his first big hit in the West End. It had it West End premier in March 1967 at the Duke Of York Theatre, almost two years after its first ever performance at the Library Theatre in Scarborough. In fact all but four of his plays have had their first ever performances at the Library Theatre. Interestingly, the original London cast of Relatively Speaking contained an actor for whom the role massively helped his carer. His name was Richard Briers. Richard shot to TV fame playing Tom Good in The Good Life. His Wife in the TV show was played by Felicity Kendal, who plays Sheila in the current production on Relatively Speaking.

       As with most of Ayckbourn's plays, Relatively Speaking shows real life, all be it in the extremes. Max Bennett, Kara Tointon, Jonathan Coy and Felicity Kendal all play reality (if that makes sense) exceptionally well. They were all totally believable and that helped draw me, and the rest of the audience, deep into the story. The sets are brilliant and really portray the setting of the play well. Actually, the set of the opening scene reminded me of the University room of one of my friends which really drew me into the lives of the characters.

       Kara Tointon is absolutely sublime as Ginny, just as she has been in all her stage roles. She makes such a believable character and I was hooked to following how her character progressed and reacted throughout the show. I felt she stole almost every scene. Max Bennett is also brilliant as Greg. Without being detrimental to his ability, he plays the fool extremely well. He also makes a believable couple with Kara's Ginny. His comic timing is wonderful and he just fits the role perfectly.

       Unfortunately however I was disappointed by Jonathan Koy as he was, quite frankly, average. This was a surprise as he has been involved in so many theatre and TV projects. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't terrible, but I expected so much more. I was also disappointed be Felicity Kendal. She was better than Jonathan Koy, however she wasn't as good as I had been expecting. for the first half of the show, Felicity's character, Sheila, got steadily more and more drunk. She played this exceptionally well. The interval cam mid-conversation. Upon returning after the interval only a few moments of time is meant to have passed. Felicity however had seems to have 'sobered up' as it were, and never got back to a similar state in inebriation that shed had got to before. This made her character slightly less believable. I hate to say it, but just like Jonathan Koy, Felicity was unfortunately just average.

       This is a comedy for the serious theatre goers as well as the first timers. It's subtle and over the top at the same time. Not one for the younger members of the family, but definitely a good night out. A staple of the London theatre scene that I'm sure will keep coming back onto the stage and will please audiences every time that is does. A good thing to note is that including the interval it only lasted two hours so you can get home at a much more reasonable time than with a lot on West End shows. Tickets and Info

Liza (On An E)

        This is a show that at first you think not everyone will love. NOT TRUE. Trevor Ashley, who is an Australian musical theatre star, makes his West End debut as the iconic Liza Minnelli. Bringing this larger than life woman to the London stage Trevor both laughs AT her life, but shows a true love and affection for the lady he is impersonating.

       The show is playing at The Vaudeville Theatre. Certainly from the stalls this feels like a very intimate theatre, which suits the show perfectly. With the obligatory London theatre red seats, but magnificent white and gold walls, you could almost be at an opera house. It certainly feels a lot more special and upmarket than many other theatres in the West End. The stall seating nearer the front if quite flat, so ones view can be obstructed slightly be the people in front. I was in seat F15 and had a lovely view. With an audience made up of a lot at Liza fans, it was a wonderfully entertaining and memorable evening. There was also a lovely atmosphere before the show with people talking and chatting, about Liza and about looking forward to seeing the show.

       It was slightly disappointing, but not totally unexpected, that there was no programme for the show. There was a free A4 printout of people involved in the show, but nothing one would consider a programme. I would have like something with a bit about Trevor's career and past shows he's done. You can buy a CD of him performing the show live in Melbourne, which is only £12. With the hit songs you'd expect teamed with some that you wouldn't think of. The live band on stage really adds to the atmosphere and makes it much more of a concert than a show.

       You can see throughout the show, that Trevor has an obvious love for and admiration towards Liza herself. With wonderful comic timing and exuberant characterisation, he makes a lovable personality even more lovable. At times the whole theatre were in fits of laughter. As someone who isn't a major Liza fan, I have now fallen in love thanks to him. Trevor is a little bigger than Liza and he doesn't look exactly like her, but that soon gets forgotten with his ability to capture Liza's mannerisms perfectly. His voice is also exceptionally close to the real thing. He spoke in his natural voice at the end of the show, and I was shocked at just how strong his Australian accent was. It was amazing how well he was ably to subdue it and in fact make it completely disappear for the show. During the short interval and after the show, I overheard a lot of people say that they were big fans of Liza and that the show was fantastic. You cant get much better than true fans of Liz loving the show.

       You need to be quick at its only on for a limited time. First night was yesterday and it finishes on the 18th May. There are only 5 more shows. With prices from just £17.50 to £38.50 its well within the budget of most people. The only thing is that the theatre only accepts cash, so go prepared. If you can get a ticket, GET IT!! Tickets and Info

Matilda

 

       I really do have to start this review by saying Matilda is probably one of the best, if not the best, musical in the West End I've seen. It's in close contention for the top spot with Pricilla Queen Of The Desert (which, by the way, is now on a tour in the UK and North America and is showing in Italy and Stockholm - Info)

       Matilda is showing in the Cambridge Theatre, which I feel is one of the best theatres in the West End. With a wonderful blue shell-like ceiling and wide swathes of seating, you get a brilliant view wherever you sit, even from the seats on the top level right at the back ,which for Matilda are £25, (you do miss some of the performance that takes place near the front of the stage). The red seating and blue surroundings of the theatre give a relaxing feeling and suite the performance which, being true to the book, is very much orientated to children and the young at heart. The theatre has most recently played host to productions including Chicago, Grease and Jerry Springer The Opera. All wonderful productions, and the theatre suited all of them.

       As you enter the theatre you are greeted by an empty stage, surrounded by books and illuminated letters covering the walls and ceiling of the stage and coming part way out into the auditorium. As soon I entered I was in awe. From the offset, with the opening number Miracle, you know your going to be in for a good time. The production team have made it wonderfully accessible to the whole family, but understandably its geared to a slightly younger audience. Some of the jokes throughout the show are infantile, juvenile or childish. It felt a bit stupid at first, but after a while I accepted its silliness and fell in love. It's what makes the show.

       There are 9 child roles in the show, which are shared by 29 performers. All of them are absolutely mind-blowing and I was in awe of all of them. I am sure they will all have brilliant careers in theatre. The role of Matilda is shared between 4 fantastic young ladies and when I went it was played by Lara Wollington. She was brilliant in her comedic timing and gave a wonderful childishness to the role that I don't think was present in the film Matilda, released in 1996 and staring Mara Wilson in the title role. The film, by the way, is one of my all-time favourites. The musical is, in my opinion 100% better. Lara is completely wonderful, though doesn't quite steel the show. That is done by David Leonard as Miss Trunchball. He adds a whole new femininity to the role that wasn't present in the film, which makes her much more of a human and realistic character. I'd go so far as to say even lovable. Of course, David still makes her a horrid and mean character who, as it says in the book has 'never been little'. Although every seat in the house has a good view, if you want to get the best experience with Miss Trunchball, and don't worry you wont be put in Chokey, you will need to sit in the stalls as close to the central isle as you can.

       In the 1996 film the two roles of Matilda's parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood, were played brilliantly by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. In this production they are played by Steve Furst and Annette McLaughlin. Steve was brilliant and really added something to the role. He's had much character acting experience both on TV and on stage as he has, so I'm not surprised as to how good he was. I felt almost as though he was performing just to me. That is the sign of a good actor. Annette on the other hand I found disappointing. The mother is a wonderfully idiotic character with a mean streak running through her core. I actually found the performance rather lacklustre.

       As I stared off this post, this is one of the best shows I've ever seen in the West End and it is one that I would recommend the whole family seeing. Due to the cast of 29 children playing just 9 roles I'm definitely going to see it again, making sure it's someone different as Matilda. Who knows, it might be even better next time (though I find that hard to believe). Tickets and Info

If I could I'd give it more than 5. Oh screw it ..........

Billy Elliot

       Billy Elliot has been entertaining audiences in London since 2005, but I've only just got around to seeing it. Its also currently touring in the US. There was one reason for this. Well two. Firstly, I've always felt that there has been something better to see when I went to see a show. Secondly I am a massive fan of the film made in 2000 and so, as with Singin' In The Rain or Beautiful Thing, I didn't want my love of the film to be spoilt. It wasn't, and I am so glad I went.

       The theatre, The Victoria Palace Theatre, has been the home of Billy Elliot from the beginning, and is a theatre I have never visited. AS with most London theatres is decorated opulently with red and gold. The seats a comfortable, but the leg room was a little lacking. I was sat in seat K7 in the Dress Circle, second row from the back. A reasonable view, though I would have liked to be a little closer. The view was brilliant, with only a few areas blocked (though this wasn't really important for the show). Normally I would advise you to sit as close to the middle as you can, but not here. Obviously the extreme edges of the seating and being to far back in The Grand Circle will affect you view and block areas of the stage. Any where else will be fine. The seats were mainly full of older people and teenagers, though there were a few families. This didn't surprise me and actually made for a nice atmosphere before the show.

       Billy Elliot is set in Britain during the miners strike of 1984/5, in a northern coal mining town. The story follows a young boy, Billy Elliot, as he discovers a love for ballet. We follow his struggles growing up as young boy with a love for dance, against the wishes of his widowed father and domineering brother. I wont go to into the story to much, as if you haven't seen the film (or the show) I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.

       For me the film was 10 times better. Not that the show was at all bad. The film had, in 2000, a budget of around £3million and the crew had the ability to use brilliant locations and studio sets. This obviously cant compare, no matter the budget, with a stage in a London theatre. The set is, however, fantastic, in fact shockingly good in places. The wonderful design by Ian MacNeil, transports you back to the 80's, helped wonderfully be Nicky Gillibrand's costume design and the lighting of Rick Fisher. It could quite as easily however be confused with a story taking place now as the sets and costumes seem to transcend any specific time and year. The main set piece doesn't really change, however parts of it move around, up, down, appear and disappear. It all happens with such fluidity that it doesn't interfere with any of the action going on around it. I'm sure that's due to the show running for 7 years. I just hope that it doesn't end up like Phantom where the team behind it appear to get complacent.

       For me, Billy will always be represented by the actor that played him in the film, Jamie Bell. Billy Elliot was Jamie's first film, and he has gone on to become a brilliant actor, being in films such as King Kong, Jumper and Tintin. With the stage production the role of Billy is shared between four young actors. When I went to see it I had the privilege of seeing Redmand Rance, a young 12 year old performer form Portsmouth. I must say he was exceptionally good, and was very close to being on an equal par to Jamie Bell. In the movie the role of Billy's best friend, Michael, was played by Stuart Wells. Unfortunately, due to enrolling in the army soon after the film was released, and only leaving it in 2008, we heard very little from him in the way of acting roles (mainly small TV roles and one film in 2003). On the stage the role is wonderfully played by Thomas Moore. At such a young age he is taking on a role that deals with homosexuality and cross dressing, but plays it with respect, wonderful comedic timing and a sense of playfulness.

       Although I would recommend seeing the film over the show, it isn't one to rule out. With wonderful musical numbers, written be the one and only Elton John, and a story line that is hart breaking and upbeat at the same time, its a show the family will love. Just be aware that there is a lot of swearing both by the adults and by the children. Tickets and Info