Monday, 11 November 2013

"We eat Jam, and Ham, and SPAM!" - Spamalot, Playhouse Theatre, London 8.10.13

So having just seen Rock of Ages for the third time, I guess it was time to go and see Spamalot for the third time also! Not only because it was a special of 2 for 1 tickets on a Tuesday, but because The Warrick Davis was playing for only a limited time only Patsy! Then after I bought the tickets I found out that it would also be part of the last weeks of Jon Robyn's run as Sir Galahad! I was so thankful that he was playing that night, and I got a cuddle later on!

So again im not going to go through the whole story line of the show and the venue that can be found on my first review Here, however with the deal being 2 for one myself and my mate Jessica had central stall tickets for G14 and 15, they had a great view, however those that sit in front could get in the way and I was finding myself moving from side to side to get a look in, in parts of the show! but for 29.75 each I wasn't complaining (I think the deal is going on still now! So go buy!)

The cast tonight was brilliant no understudies whatsoever!

King Arthur - Les Dennis
Lady of the Lake- Bonnie Langford
Patsy - Warrick Davis
Sir Bedevere - Robin Armstrong
Sir Robin - Rob Delaney
 Prince Herbert - Adam Ellis
Sir Lancelot - Kit Orton
Sir Galahad - Jon Robyns
I suppose the first person I should talk about who was new to the cast is THE Warrick Davis, Oh my god!! he was made for the role! he was brilliant!! he had the timing, the moves and amazingly the voice! (sings always look on the bright side of life!) just everything you could want for Patsy, and what was brilliant is they just laughed with him with his height, the bit with the shrubbery, where he was struggling to lift it, and in the end, he just dropped it pulled a handle out of it and then just rolled it off like a carry on suitcase! LOVED IT! He looked like he was enjoying himself so much up there, and loving working with the cast, he even made fun of Les when he had to sing his we are know longer the knights who say Ni! "Even I have to admit sir...that was embarrassing!" Having known Warrick as a massive film star mainly Star Wars, and for me Harry Potter, it was such a blast to get to meet him at the end at the stage door and get a photo. Now I have met two professors in the wizard world! Professor Umbridge, and now Professor Flitwick!!
Warrick Davis
 
Then there was the new cast Bonnie Langford, a west end star, and returning to play the Lady of the Lake, she was as she is a WEST END STAR, she really knows how to bring a character to life, and not just through her voice but her facial expressions! Her What ever happened to my Part was such a highlight, as she took centre stage! Les Dennis, totally forgot how good his voice was, having forgotten that I have seen him before perform in Legally Blonde the musical at the Mayflower Theatre! He was a great enjoyment as King, and although his Knights who say Ni was 'Embarrassing' its great to see him also getting in with the cast and just laughing with themselves and the audience.

Les Dennis
Bonnie Langford
Adam Ellis
I will admit that I missed Graham McDuff at the performance, as I will always loved his Lancelot, but Kit Orton was very funny also, and not to shappy in his little Lancelot pants (you will have to see the show for that) but the other group, Robin, and Rob, and Adam all the great character they were the 2nd time around, and even got a quick photo with Adam at the stage door, but like I said I am so pleased that every time I have been to see the show Jon Robyn's has played Galahad! He is a lovely guy, and a terrific actor, and im not sure if this is bad or good, but to me its amazing! Because of the fact that he actually remembers me and is happy to give me two cuddles to get a nice photo!

Jon Robyns!
Warrick, Kit, Bonnie, Les, and Jon have all now ended there run with Spamalot, at the moment Carley Stenson from Hollyoaks is playing the Lady of the Lake, and the others i'm not too sure, however Dick and Dom are now announced to be playing King Arthur, and Patsy during the Christmas term.
 
But one thing is for sure, I am off to London on the 14th of December to go and see Jon Robyns, and Kit Orton in Dicken's Abridged, so hopefully another photo and cuddle is on the cards!

Although I myself am not sure if I will go and see the show again, because the memories I have I'm not sure I want to replace, but all the same Spamalot is such a great show! So go and get tickets and be prepared to laugh out loud!



Im Wanted...Dead or Alive! - Rock of Ages, The Garrick Theatre, London 30/8/13

So it was a given, after months of not seeing the show, and a Theatre Offer and seats that could not be refused, I was off to the loudest Theatre in London! Garrick Theatre, to see for the 3rd time Rock of Ages. When I bought these tickets a few days later they announced that it was closing on November 2nd, I was so thankful that I got the chance to see this amazing show, 3 times, with the amazing cast that it had, it will be truly missed on the West End, but already Twitter is announcing a Tour...and I'm hoping that means a trip down to Southampton Mayflower at some point next year....maybe?

To finish off the lovely Bank Holiday weekend in the month of August, myself and 2 good friends took ourselves to London, we walked about Covent Garden, and then I took them to their first trip to Harrods (As I couldn't believe that they had both not have gone there, and 1 friend even worked there!!). We then enjoyed the 50% off food at the Slug and Lettuce and chilled out at Trafalgar Square, we walked up to the Garrick Theatre to prepare to be Rocked!

This time I remembered from last time to get seats that weren't under the circle, and we managed to get seats B 7,8,9 and that meant we were dead centre of the row and a perfect view from the stage! And it just felt good because they only cost us £35.50!!
 
Now I have already explained the venue and what the storyline of this Musical is, in my first blog here, So I wont go into detail again, this blog is based on the performers and this time round I had some new faces and some old :)
 
So Tonights cast was as follows!
 
 

Lonny - Nathan Amzi (understudy)
Drew - Ian McIntosh (Understudy)
Sherrie - Natalie Andreou
Dennis Dupree - Daniel Fletcher
Stacie Jaxx - Tim Howar
Hertz - Rohan Tickell
Franz - Sandy Moffat
Regina - Jodie Jacobs
Joey Primo - Dylan Turner
Justice - Racheal McFarlane
 
 
First off I shall do the firsts, now before the show I was aware that Ian McIntosh would be playing Drew that night, having followed him on twitter and that he had placed his dates on a tweet, so I was quite excited! Then during the day, I knew that Simon had been signed off from work due to a trapped muscle and he also confirmed in a tweet that he wasn't on, so I knew Nathan being the first cover would be most likely playing Lonny!
 
Boy did Nathan really bring the house down! Normally playing the role of the Mayor and Agent of Drew, seeing Nathan shine as Lonny was a great experience, with some liking towards Simon in the role, such as the scarf, he also brought his own characteristics in the performance, from the very beginning, such as the entrance when he slid down the stairs and slammed right into the wall! He had the audience in fits of laughter! Not going to lie also he totally made my night, being so close to the stage, it is clear that the actors can see the audience, and throughout you get small glances from them, but Nathan just topped it all off, cause it was Myself that night that got the invitation to the Dressing room at the interval (didn't mean you get to go, but he Lonny points at you and says "you my Dressing room, 2 Minutes Now!") I was just smiling after that, and apparently you could tell!! Even though I love Simon to bits, it was really nice to see Nathan perform as Lonny, he is a very sweet guy, and it ended with me getting a cuddle, and a follow on Twitter (NO Complaints There!)
 
 
Then there was Ian, With Tim Driesen having left for Amsterdam to go and perform as Freddie in Jersey Boys, Ian because the first cover of Drew, and I was so happy because he was AMAZING! He had all the quirks that Drew needed, the shyness, the dopiness, and yet the sexy, sweet guy! I was so excited to also hear his voice belt out all the songs, especially loved Oh Sherrie (That song always will be my favourite!) His Voice was amazing and perfect for Drew, and when listening to him it kind of reminded me of when Oliver is in the role! Loved him and he is such a sweet guy also, Catch him now in The Commitments, at the Palace Theatre playing the role of Deco on Sunday evening performances. (That is one of the list, and wouldn't mind a theatre trip on a Sunday!)  
 
Having seen the show 3 times now it was about time I was honoured with the presence of the lead girl Natalie Andreou who plays Sherrie, and get to see how she performs the role! I wasn't displeased, I was worried at first cause I did have trouble hearing her at the beginning (especially the bit about the where she keeps her money and valuables) but then as it went on it was clearer. She was just great, and i'm so Jealous of her body! But she had the moves, and the voice to be a terrific Sherrie! Im so thankful I got to finally see her before the show ended, and meet her also! :) She was quite surprised it was my first time seeing her! Sadly though she ran away before I could get a photo but I do have that one from West End Eurovision! (she is the one of the far right)
 
Those were the 3 performers that I had yet to see and I wasn't upset! it just made my last experience seeing the show totally an amazing one! How many times can  girl get invited to a dressing room!
 
As for the rest of the cast, Sandy so pleased that he has played my Franz all the times I've been to the show, it just makes his Franz just the one to remember and Love, and the same goes with Daniel as Dennis, although my first time was Justin Lee Collins, to me he will always be Dennis and he was made for the role, (Though sadly due to his new show Miracle on 34th Street, the EPIC beard is no more! sad times). It was also my second time seeing Tim Howar, as Staciee, and ill admit the first time I wasn't so sure, but the second time around he grew on me, and I enjoyed him more the 2nd time round.
Sandy Moffat, and Dylan Turner Sandwich!

Daniel Fletcher

Tim Howar
 
Then there is Jodie, and Racheal and Rohan in the roles of Regina, Justice and Hertz, two times seeing Jodie, and Hertz, and Justice I had the pleasure of 3 times :) they were just as good, as the first time around! And a photo with them all is just the icing on the cake!  
Jodie Jacobs

Rachel McFarlane

Rohan Tickell
 
This show will be truly missed in London by the many supporters and Fans it brought. I myself feel lucky to have had the chance to have seen it three times! Like I said though the Venues are starting to be named for the Tour, and if it does make an appearance in Southampton I shall be first to see what it is like there... and will be interesting to see what the cast is going to be too!