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LONDON 2009: 4 NIGHTS 4 SHOWS Last month (from the 8th to the 12th of December) my boyfriend and I went on a holiday trip to London, one our favorite places in the world (of the little part of the world we know), where we spent four nights and had a wonderful time. I can’t say that I’m a big fan of museums (some of them can be really boring), but I’m curious by nature and I do enjoy some art. So, this time around, we saw an interesting exhibition at Tate Modern entitled “Pop Life”, with works from Andy Warhol to Jeff Coons (very hardcore images) and |
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at Tate Britain an exhibition of the work of painter Turner and the big Masters, but I confess I was disappointed by it. The most exciting was a work by Miroslaw Balka, that consisted of a huge dark shipping container where we were forced to move in the unknown darkness. It’s an experience! Walks through St. James Park and shopping were part of the menu. Curiously this was the first time that I went to London and didn’t buy anything at Dress Circle. It’s the miracle of the Internet. Now I can buy anything on-line and I no longer need to buy lots of CDs at the shop… Well, I miss that. Last, but not least, Musicals. Is there anything better than seeing a musical live on stage? I sincerely doubt it. This time we saw four shows and here are my little reviews of them: |
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT I loved the movie, but things don’t work quite as well on stage. The story and characters are all there, but some of the musical numbers are forced and I regret to tell you that Jason Donovan didn’t convince me. It seems like he’s playing himself and he fails to impersonate his character. On the other hand Tony Sheldon is terrific as Bernadette and Oliver Thornton is as irritating as his character. Anyway, this is a true camp festival for all senses. There’s colour, music, lights, rhythm, outrageous costumes and shirtless boys. Unfortunately, the choreography is uninspired, but this is a fun show and by the end we feel like we’ve just lived a big loud party. My Rate: |
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SWEET CHARITY Years ago I saw a London revival starring Bonnie Langford, that production recreated the original one by Bob Fosse and I simply loved it. Now is time for a new production and I simply loved it. Done in the small stage of the Menier Chocolate Factory, this winning show has in Tamzin Outhwaite the ideal Charity Hope Valentine; she’s is simply adorable and I just wish they had changed the end so she could marry Oscar. At her side Mark Umbers is a perfect Oscar and a remarkable Vittorio. As her two “dancer” friends, Josefina Gabrielle (who’s also an hilarious Ursula) and Tiffany Graves are having the time of their lives; the rest of the cast plays a multitude of characters with heart and soul and the result is contagious (one word for Ebony Molina who’s simple fantastic in the “The Rich Man’s Frug”). Matthew White direction hits all the right spots, takes full advantage of the wonderful cast, don’t miss any of the fun stuff and makes us fall in love with Charity. Although there’s no way to separate this show from the work of Bob Fosse on our imaginary, Stephen Mear had the courage to create new choreographies, strongly inspired by the work of Fosse, and deliver contagious and funny dance numbers. On the whole this is a great recreation of a true classic of the musical theatre, not to be missed for any reason in the world. My Rate: |
SISTER ACT The funny 1992 movie was asking for a musical adaptation and I’m glad to say that it has been successfully translated to the stage. Physically, this is a huge production, but it has a big soul and its heart is in the right place. It’s almost impossible not to be enchanted by the fabulous nuns, they’re simple great and when they sing in perfect harmony, chills run up and down my spine. The music score, with fabulous orchestrations by Doug Besterman, works with the book like a match made in heaven and the result is truly uplifting. Director Peter Schneider keeps the show moving in the right way and by the end he has the audience in the palm of his hands. I just wish the choreography was more exciting. As for the cast, Patina Miller delivers Deloris with a strong hot voice, but she lacks the comic timing and the warmth of Whoopi Goldberg. Sheila Hancock is a very convincing Mother Superior and Katie Rowley Jones, Jennie Dale and Allison Harding are absolutely delightful as the three main nuns. The male cast also has a good time, specially Ako Mitchell as Eddie. This is a heartening musical, hard to resist and with some great songs (a rarity these days). Don’t miss it! My Rate: |
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LEGALLY BLONDE The creators of this musical truly captured the spirit of the hit movie and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell keeps the show running without dull parts and with plenty of rhythm and humor. In the leading role Sheridan Smith is perfect and has great support from Jill Halfpenny as hairdresser Paulette, Alex Gaumond as Emmett and hunk Duncan James as Warner. Surprisingly, the weak point is the choreography; there’s no big moment (I believe “Whipped Into Shape” was suppose to be it, but it didn’t work for me) and I know that Mitchell can do better, much better. The score isn’t my cup of tea, but it serves the purposes of the show and there’re a couple of interesting numbers, my favorite being “There! Right There”, that puts the question “is he gay or European?” (the highlight of the evening). Anyway, this is an entertaining show, although it may be a too pinkish and shallow musical, but I saw it with the right crowd (screaming teenagers) and I let myself go. My Rate: |
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