Hello for the third time this
week (it’s still week beginning 12th 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 (17th
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!
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