Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, UK Tour

Hello for the third time this week (it’s still week beginning 12^th October 2015 I just haven’t had time to write my posts). Well after a really great day with me Nanny Cora, not getting in from London till about 1am, we are up the next day (17^th October 2015) and by 11am we are on the road again, this time to go and see the touring production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Norwich Theatre Royal. I love the Theatre Royal in Norwich, it has so many touring musicals and plays and its lovely that people can see these performances right on their doorstep (or a small drive across Suffolk/Norfolk). No calamities this time; Nanny Cora drove us there and back so I could enjoy yet another Pinot Grigio; it’s the theatre one must. I had to park and what with the lead up to Christmas (ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!) and it being a Saturday in Norwich it was chock-a-block, a nightmare, the three main car parks were full up and I had nowhere to go. Me being a wonderful grandson I had dropped Nan off at the pub and I went round looking for a space. I went close to the theatre, due to Cora’s walking – although she managed it in London well done Nan! – So I finally found a little disabled space and boy did I jump in that (well drive carefully); Cora’s got one of those blue badges so it’s fine. I then go and meet her at, wait for it, wait for it, Weatherspoon’s for our lunch – we can’t be posh two days running; beer and a burger is fine with me. Cheap and cheerful, can’t go wrong. While I was parking Cora had made friends with bloody half the restaurant; getting ladies to go and buy her drinks and saying bye to the old granny that tried to look 30; she is popular our Cora. So we finish our food and drinks and head on up to the Theatre Royal. Not a long walk but it does involve a steep bit but we took our time; no need to rush; the performance can wait for us.

 

I don’t need to describe the décor of the Theatre Royal, I am sure I have told you all that in a previous blog. I will get straight onto the musical. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – well I have to say I was pleasantly impressed with this show. Me, nor Cora, had seen this musical before and knew nothing about it or the film that form its basis. We knew people that said it wasn’t as good as the film (famously starring Michael Caine) and saying the musical was not as funny. I think it’s great to go and see a musical for the first time and having no knowledge of what it’s about. We definitely benefited from this; we loved it. The show is based on the 1988 film of the same name. Spoiler Alert if you are going to see it and know nothing about it skip to paragraph three please; you deserve to experience it how we did. However for those that want to know or those that have already seen the show/film it is about two con men that set about scamming women for money. The musical premiered in the USA in 2004; moving to Broadway in 2005 playing just over 600 shows. The musical has had many American national tours and international performances however it did not reach the West End until 2014; previewing in late 2013 out of London. The original cast included Robert Lindsay as Lawrence and Rufus Hound as Freddy; I bet those two were bloody hilarious in it. The original Broadway production was nominated for 11 Tony’s (2005), winning one for Leading Actor in a Musical (Norbert Leo Butz for his role as Freddy). The original London production was only nominated for two Olivier’s this year, Choreographer and Actress in Supporting Role; losing out on both. This year at the Olivier’s there was stiff competition and I guess this is why it did not do well.

 

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on tour is really funny. I mean some of the comedy is predictable but it generally is a funny show. The performance we saw had Kevin Stephen-Jones (understudy) playing Freddy; he wasn’t bad but definitely didn’t steal the show (I would have like to of seen Michael Praed in the leading part as he has been in a lot). Freddy was played by Noel Sullivan who is known for his time in the band Hear ‘Say. He was bloody brilliant! He had a lovely voice and he could genuinely act; plus he made the role of Freddy hilarious and I was laughing out loud throughout; especially during the scenes as Ruprecht. Andre is portrayed by Gary Wilmot; another guy that can make the audience laugh and apparently he is famous for something I am not aware of, Cora informed me. Geraldine Fitzgerald played Muriel and apart from her bingo wings during one of the dancing scenes she was also very good. The role of Christine is played by Carley Stenson who is best known for playing Steph Cunningham in Hollyoaks. She again had a really beautiful and powerful voice and plays a funny character with some big surprises. One part of the show that was really funny, and not actually supposed to happen, was the song ‘Love is my Legs’; well Sullivan and Stenson couldn’t keep their cool and totally lost their professionalism. I do not judge them at all; it really was a funny scene and they just could not look at each other without laughing. It was really clear they were losing it which made it even funnier, one point Sullivan looked at the audience and mouthed ‘sorry’. HAHAHA thinking about it makes me chuckle; its fine guys it made the show unique and I love it when a live actor has a giggle on stage. It showed how funny the show was. I also need to mention how much I admire Noel Sullivan; definitely not letting fame go to his head. He was out in the foyer as the show finished, flogging his CD, and Nanny Cora asked him to sign my programme he did this so nicely and had a chat with her. “Nice genuine guy” Cora said. My favourite part of the show has to be ‘Oklahoma?’ which is sung by Jolene, portrayed by Phoebe Coupe. Unfortunately this character is only in Act one and therefore Coupe becomes part of the ensemble after Jolene’s exit. It is such a shame as she was so funny in the show, proper psychotic southern American, and had a really nice singing voice even if it was with the accent; hands down favourite song of the show.

 

I think I liked the musical so much because, in my eyes, it was original. It is a shame it did not last long in the West End however gypsy had to take over the Savoy (and boy am I glad it did; refer back to previous posts please). The show incorporates humour, beautiful dressy costumes and a decent original score. The book is by Jeffrey Lane with music and lyrics by David Yazbek; the songs are very different and allow the cast to show off their talents which is great. Certain songs take on a funny side yet other songs do have a serious tone behind them and show passion and love. Jerry Mitchell directed and choreographed the production and the dances are wonderful. Although a quite modern musical it did have some really old fashioned dance routines which is something Cora likes to see in a musical and was superb. In some ways it reflected aspects of Top Hat Scenery and dance routines. The set was pretty basic but portrayed what was necessary. Costumes in the show are great and they vary with the characters, so well done Peter McKintosh! The ensemble are so active and on the stage for a considerable amount of time so I wish I could mention them all yet haven’t got the finger energy to write their names separately – ask me to photocopy the programme and I will send it out. That’s about it I think, really worth seeing, especially if you have no idea of what to expect. It is full of laughter and was the best musical of the weekend by far. It also has that emotional side, but not for very long. The tour is running until the end of November, so there isn’t long to see it – Woking, Wimbledon, Southend and Southampton. Performances at Southampton will see Mark Benton playing the role of Andre which will be hilarious. He is a very, very funny guy, I saw him play the role of Edna Turnblad on the tour of Hairspray (unfortunately prior to the start of this blog); but he was great in it and I don’t doubt he will do this role and show the same amount of hilarity he did for hairspray. So go and see it and be a bit rotten yourself!

The Commitments, Palace Theatre, West End

Me and me Nan (supposed to be Nanny and I – whatever English grammar) travelled to London (Newbury Park) on 16^th October 2015. I have to say Nanny Cora drove all the way there with no hiccups so well done you! We got into the city centre via tube and went to get our tea. Me and Nanny Cora always have a good laugh on our little theatre outings and this one was no different. We caught up on the family, my Nan’s busy social life and also filled her in on what’s been going on in my world. We went to Caffé Concerto, a little Italian restaurant on Leicester Square. We were going to go to some other restaurants but when you’re as flash as me and Cora you gotta go posh. It was a lovely little restaurant although the advertised live music and the CD player did not really marry up in my eyes. I had a Pinot of course while Cora entertained a vodka and lemonade. Lovely chicken meal was enjoyed by both. We did have some posh (thought they were more like) couple sit next to us and one woman got right on my nerves. All she wanted to talk about was all the places her friends have houses abroad and that she stays in these beautiful places, just beautiful. No one cares love – if you’re having a conversation during your meal keep it to the table and not the whole restaurant please. Bloody posh people, who think they’re posh, but don’t like spending a penny get on my tits. She had a small hot chocolate, no food as she apparently had a salad before coming out, tried to take her friends doggy bag for herself and then didn’t even pay for her drink. Bloody cheapskate! So we finish our meal and take a nice careful stroll up to the Palace Theatre; reminiscing about our last trip to the Palace Theatre, four years ago, to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (love this show and going to see the tour (again) in February 2016 so watch this space).

 

The Palace is a lovely theatre and oh so grand. Nanny Cora was commenting on how the fixtures were beautiful and the interior décor was epic (not that she uses the word ‘epic’, lol!). I particularly like the little gargoyle things that are all the way round the dress circle. The theatre also has four tiers although I don’t know if they use the highest one – what would you see? As always I try and get a seat in the stalls – such a bloody snob. The theatre opened in 1891 and is a grade II listed building. It’s right on the crossover of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road, huge theatre and basically unmissable, unless you’re blind. I really love how the theatre really makes it obvious what is playing at the theatre and some really notable productions over the past 15 years include Priscilla, Singin’ in the Rain and Les Misėrables; with a big statue of something on the top. I have just realised I have not told you what we went to see – The Commitments – they had a drum kit and saxophones; Priscilla had a huge heel. Well I have to admit I did not rate the show at the beginning. It just felt a bit flat and I didn’t really see where it was going. I did enjoy the performance by the end but I have to say it is nowhere near my favourite show and would believe it not to reach my top 20, maybe not even top 30. The storyline just seems repetitive if I am honest. I recently saw Sunny Afternoon (you may remember) and it follows a similar story of the rise, trials, tribulations and triumphs of a band; the difference being that Sunny Afternoon is based on The Kinks and Commitments based on a fictional band based on the book, and later film, by Roddy Doyle, of the same name. Strangely Sunny premiered in 2015 whereas The Commitments in 2013; possibly as I saw Sunny before Commitments it may have made the latter less interesting. I do not want to make out the show was poorly made or the singing was bad, it was good, it just didn’t excite me as other musicals do – but I am very glad I saw it.

 

 

The Commitments is directed by Jamie Lloyd. It is set in 1986 Ireland, focusing on two young guys setting up a soul band however need more members to make the band a success and need a manager. The songs are all known songs so I guess this makes it a jukebox musical. Some classics include ‘What Becomes of the Broken Hearted’, Knock on Wood’, ‘Think!’, ‘Satisfaction’, ‘River Deep Mountain High’ and ‘Mustang Sally’; congratulations to Alan Williams who was musical supervisor and arranger. All these are grand songs and they have a really good beat behind them and the cast do this justice. I say cast, one thing I did not rate about the musical was that only about 20% of the cast sing, and me being a musical theatre addict I like to hear various voices and different characters singing their songs. The character that sings the majority of the songs is Deco who is currently portrayed by Brian Gilligan. He really is a talented actor and singer; he basically performs a live soul rock gig, while acting a two and a half hour west end show. He is very funny and has got the character perfected. The original Deco was played by Killian Donnelly (who is mentioned in my Kinky Boots post) and I can imagine his voice would have been gorgeous in this (his voice on the Memphis soundtrack is also beautiful).

 

The Commitments did not receive any Olivier nominations and I cannot comment further as the competition that year were some musicals I have not yet seen; although Killian was nominated for best actor in a musical for the whatsonstage.com awards. The other singing was done by the three Commitmentettes; who were portrayed by Jessica Cervi (Bernie), Natalie Hope (Natalie) and Hollie O’Donoghue who I think played Imelda at the performance I saw (according to the cast pictures in the programme). The staging was one aspect of the show that I did love, the props and transitions between scenes were fantastic and different clubs, environments and homes were all well portrayed (well done Soutra Gilmour; set and costume designer). I also loved how the rain was demonstrated via a person holding a hose pipe over the actor and then that person mopped it up – it was very raw and quite funny and really worked within the setup of the musical. Certain runners and stage supervisors were almost part of the cast, coming on and reacting to the scene and moving various props or staging in and out; I really likes this raw and inconspicuous approach. One thing that I found difficult to manage was the lighting (sorry Jon Clark, Lighting Designer). It was so bright at some points of the performance, including before the show started and the interval as well at some of the points where the cast are at a gig, making it super difficult to look at the stage and see what was happening. I guess this is why the show was not nominated for any awards in regards to lighting. The Commitments was nominated for The Evening Standard award for best night out (losing out to The Book of Mormon – which is fabulous); plus this award has about 10 nominees. I can appreciate why it was nominated; it was a good night out. The finale and last few songs are really like being at a live rock soul gig; the audience get involved, everyone’s on their feet (even nanny Cora for two songs) and Gilligan really gave his all out at this point and even embraces some audience participation which adds to the genuinity of being at a live gig. The only problem with this is that you always get some idiots in the audience who like to have all the limelight on them and the weirdo in front of me and Nanny Cora, well we thought he was having seizures his head and arms and legs were flailing about; it was highly distracting when trying to watch a musical. However as Cora stated, if I’d of had a few more pinots it would have most probably been me so I shouldn’t judge. So although I have not rated The Commitments as the best musical in the 21sty century it was very good and has lasted just over two years in the West End. It is due to close in early November so there is not much time left if you do want to see this show. If not just watch the movie I guess.

 

Annie on Tour; Birmingham Hippodrome

Hello all; this has been a busy week for musicals and I apologise that it has taken me so long to write my blog. I have suffered with the ol’ man flu this week and it hasn’t yet gone. I have a low pain/illness threshold so a cold is a serious thing for me. Anyway on Tuesday 13^th October I travelled to Birmingham to see ‘Annie’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome. I was working in Shrewsbury and had little to do during my evening so planned to go and see Annie. I really couldn’t be arsed to go with my man flu but as I had paid the money I motivated myself to go. I rushed for the train as I have serious panic when times are involved; hate being late for a train or performance. So I manage to get to the train just in time! I have an awful story to share. I was sitting on the train happily minding my own business, reading one of my books when a man turns to me and asks what time the train is due to arrive at Birmingham New Street. I answer the man politely, “six pm”, and he thanks me. Well the next thing he places his hand down the front of his jeans and starts to rub his genital area, this is so light itch. Well I am absolutely shocked and don’t really know how to approach this situation. I mean if it was Colin Farrell I wouldn’t have exactly minded but as it was an old guy on a Shrewsbury to Birmingham train my desire for him was non-existent. I thought the best thing to do is stare at my book and pretend to read; I couldn’t actually read I was appalled and mortified at this man’s behaviour, in a public place – in day light! Luckily another gentleman with decent social standards sat next to me and blocked the view of the man having a quick Tommy Tank on the train. Right I have digressed into something I had to share but want to permanently forget now. So I arrived in Birmingham and had a little stroll to the Bullring where I had my Nando’s and a nice glass of Pinot Grigio. The restaurant was so busy being 6:15pm so now I begin to panic as I think will I get my food in time and will I make it to the Hippodrome? Well I did get a table, I did get my butterfly chicken in time and I did down my wine and ran to the theatre. Apart from my indigestion pains and heart palpitations (me and running have never mixed) I got to the theatre in plenty of time and settled in my seat. You may have realised I am all by myself on this theatre trip. Some will think sad, and you are most probably right!

So the Birmingham Hippodrome is a very modern theatre; even though it first opened in 1895. It did have an exterior re-vamp in 2001 and it has had some serious work done to the interior to, I imagine. It is a very nice place to go and see some shows and the décor is really lovely and modern. The Hippodrome has all the facilities you would expect to see in the West End which is why many of the big touring productions have a stint at the Hippodrome. It is also a huge place seating just shy of 2,000 people. The staging was beautiful. I had never seen Annie on the stage before. I have seen three different versions of the film production (my favourite one being the 1982 one with Carol Burnett as the wicked but remorseful Miss Hannigan). I am not one for modernising something that is fab so the new Annie was good but nowhere near my favourite (although I do love Sia’s modernisation of ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile’ – I am such a hypocrite). The props and staging were outstanding; and the jigsaw pieces reminded me of the Matilda staging. I am not sure if the jigsaw pieces are usual staging material for Annie performances in the past, however it was really effective. Lighting was also another positive of this touring show; the jigsaw pieces lit up and the mood was wholesomely set from the lighting. I also loved the costumes in Annie; set in the poor streets of New York City and the homeless people in Hooverville to the extravagant rich dress sense of Daddy Warbucks and his staff are beautifully wonderful. One thing that did let the costumes down was Miss Hannigan’s tights that were all scrunched up at the bottom and this put me off (for this Mr Revel Horwood I give you a 6! – Jokes loved you). The final thing I comment on before discussing the cast is the songs; how I love the Annie soundtrack and I have been singing (making up my own lyrics of course) all week and visiting Mother and Father this weekend well it has got on their nerves; “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow”. Of course the classics of ‘Maybe’, ‘Hard Knock Life’, ‘Little Girls’, ‘Easy Street’ and ‘Tomorrow’ were all fabulous and Annie’s songs melted my heart. I have of course purchased a soundtrack and due to the popularity of Annie there are so many to choose from. On iTunes many were Broadway productions however being a huge West Ender I decided to go with a 1998 original studio cast album. The cast (including Ruthie Henshall; love Ruthie as Grace Farrell), has been in the car, in the shower and prior to sleep all week. Love It!

 

Right quick rundown of the cast and my thoughts on them as I need to get two more posts done and due to sickness and business I still have not written them. I have to say that the cast were fantastic and all gave it 110%. I will start with my favourite character, the horrible and mean Miss Agatha Hannigan. As I said the Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood played Hannigan. He was great, good singer, had the moves, funny character and that New York accent was fab. Apart from his tights he really did the role of Miss Hannigan justice. I was worried as I really wanted to see Horwood play the role however Lesley Joseph (best known for her portrayal as nosey neighbour Dorien Green in Birds of a Feather) is playing the part on Saturdays and I would still love to see her in the role (it is running for a while so I may have to go back on a Saturday). Joseph has played Hannigan before in the West End, at the same time as Lily Savage (a.k.a Paul O’Grady), and boy would I have liked to see her (him) play the role. I am sure Joseph gives a great performance so don’t be disappointed if you do not get a chance to see Horwood; hopefully she can feature more heavily in a future post. The role of Annie was portrayed by Sophia Pettit on the night I went to see it (Team Waldorf; there are three sets of child casts alternating on this tour, the others being Team Roxy and Team Astoria). What a bloody powerful voice for such a little girl. Her voice really suited the songs of ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Maybe’ and she deserved the standing ovation she received. The other children (Molly, Pepper, Kate, July, Duffy and Tessie) also had great little voices and boy did they have some moves; really puts my drunken Macarena to shame! The other main characters who deserve a mention are Alex Bourne playing Daddy Warbucks, Jonny Fines as Rooster and Grace played by Holly Dale Spencer. All three of these had fantastic voices (I almost wish I had this cast recorded album) and really added to the performance. As I have said I could have easily been sat on Shaftesbury Avenue with a dreaded tube journey looming sitting watching this rendition of Annie. The final mention of the cast goes to Sandy played by Amber the dog (I do love a live dog on stage for a musical). I really would urge people to go and see Annie on tour, I am thinking of going again as it was honestly spectacular. The tour is showing until June 2016 however Horwood is stopping the role of Hannigan prior to this date where I think Joseph will take over the role full time (not confirmed). It is going to some big towns and cities up until this date so go and check it out!