"Shakespeare Was Good, But Charles Was Better!" - Dicken's Abridged, Arts Theatre, London. 14.12.13

After hearing the news of Jon Robyns ending his run as Sir Galahad in Spamalot, I will be honest and was quite upset, but before he left he announced that he and Kit Orton (Sir Lancelot) would be part of the Cast of Comedy Dickens Abridged, well I was sold, and after my friend has received a tweet from Jon himself, saying you will have to come and see me in Dicken's,...10 mins after she had bought the Tickets and on a busy Saturday 14th December in London, it was off to be entertained!

 

Tonight's show was performed at The Arts Theatre, which is near by to Leicester Square, I had past it many times in my many journeys to London, so I was kind of intrigued to see what it was like. It was small but then where it was based it didn't feel like a big theatre, but then I've been surprised before. We were based in the stalls, and of course Row A seats 8 and 9 coming up at the price of 39.50, and our view was pretty good to say the least!

The set was quite simplistic with 4 huge books placed on the sides of the stage, and small books stacked up here and there, on stage left there was a piano also, throughout these books were used as sets, and props for instance David Copperfield was opened up to reveal Charles' Bed, Oliver Twist was the grand entrance for one scene, and A Tale of Two Cities...brought a sad end to one scene.  The small books stacked up were compartments for props, wardrobe, and other surprises, kind of like Mary Poppins you didn't know what they were going to produce next! the simplistic set allowed the audience to focus a lot of the cast, and i'm glad they did keep it simple!

Being called Dicken's Abridged and with the poster having Charles Dickens placed right in the centre, its pretty easy to tell that this musical play is in fact based around Charles Dickens life and the novels he wrote, with a twist however...for within this 90 min performance along with the life story of Charles himself, was I believe 8 classic stories that Charles had written. How this was told was through many new and creative songs, which the actors sung, and played there own instruments to play the music, (I think the best thing about this show was because of this, and the performers didn't even have microphones! there was something that was just traditional with that to me). I could tell I was going to be viewing something totally different and from the first number The Ballad of Charles Dickens which stated from the very beginning Shakespeare was good, but Charles was Better! It confirmed my theory, what is also funny about particular line is, the director of the show is a creator of The Reduced Shakespeare Company if you see what I mean? The show flowed throughout, and sometimes you didn't know who was going and who was coming on, but when they did appear they would be someone very different! How they did it that fast! Totally Mystery! Now in between the telling of Charles Dicken's life they performed the stories, the Stories such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby, and Christmas Carol were performed with a few scenes for each, and stories like Bleak House, Little Dorrit, and The Old Curiosity Shop were a simple yet comical performance of Balladeer (Gerrad Carey), he simply walked along the stage stood by the isle played his guitar and in a 30 -60 sec song he produced the synopsis of those very tales, and then walked off, leaving the audience laughing.  The best thing about this show was that throughout you could tell that the small cast were really enjoying themselves, I was rather jealous! But they them two brought the audience in, and made you thoroughly enjoy your evening. 

I was also quite cheeky at the end of Act 1, as Charles Dickens shows a newspaper and then flings it into the air, which that night had landed hanging off the stage, when they walked off and it just layed there I couldn't help but think I WANT IT...so I slipped it off the stage, and had a gander and what it said, then a quick photo, however during this photo the stage hand came out and looked on the ground...you guessed it, I bowed my head in embarrassment and passed it back to her...I really didn't take it honest...then pose for a photo...but having shared it on Twitter and their Facebook page it got quite a bit of publicity! including retweets, and comments and a share from the Director himself! So I guess I could say TOTALLY WORTH IT!


Now as I have before the cast was very small, and Dickens was performed by 5 Actors:

 

Gerrard Carey - Oliver Twist, Tiny Tim, and Others

Matthew Hendrickson - Mr. Warren, Mr. Micawber, and Others

Damian Humbly - Charles Dickens and Others

Kit Orton - The Artful Dodger, David Copperfield, and Others

Jon Robyns-Fagin, Scrooge, and Others

 

Sadly tonight Kit Orton was unwell, and at the beginning of the performance Adam Long, walked to centre stage to tell the news of Kit not performing that night, and in his place would be himself instead, the audience clapped and cheered, which led Adam saying "ha, lets see if you will still be doing that after!" Now Adam Long was the writer and director of this show, and a founding member of the Reduced Shakespeare company, in the beginning of the program he explains the idea's that created the show, from his memories of Christmas where his friends that he grew up with "Hippies, Punks, bikers, and computer programmers would hire the Cow Palace exhibition hall in San Francisco and transform it into the streets of Dickensians London" people would then buy tickets and would dress as their favourite Dickens Character and walk down these created streets, "there would be Dickensian Crafts for Sale, Dickensian Food and drink, Dickensian music and dancing" it is a tradition that continues to this day. Then through his memories of these events and singing Knocking on heavens door with these fellow friend blended in to then create Dicken's Abridged, "Its a mash-up of California, and Dickens: The Grateful Dead, meets The Ghost of Christmas Past...with a touch of Mars Brothers thrown in for good measure. (which now explains why throughout the cast speak in an American accent, yes ok I was a tad slow!)"  Although it was disappointing that Kit was unwell, but watching Adam perform I will say was a treat, and also you could tell the cast were enjoying it too, they even made the cheeky comments about his performance, like when he had a very long and tricky line to make Gerrad quickly came out with "you got there in the end!" You could tell that Adam was very happy with his work, and he should be!

 

 

Now being that all the members of the cast perform the many characters of the Charles Dickens novels, including the female roles! Damien was a great Charles Dickens, with great presence when he performed the role, and my word did he really love the bludgering scene of Nancy from Oliver Twist!

Gerrard Carrey was very funny, and a great comedy performer, he always had a very innocent face, and his Catherine Dickens Outburst was Classic! As well as Agnes from David Copperfield! But what I laughed out the best was his Tiny Tim, where his crutch became an electric guitar, you just didn't see it coming! Matthew Hendrickson, Mr Warren's Song was very emotional, performed in a way of a heartbreak break up song in a musical yet this time was just Charles Dickens leaving the Factory for a better life, was a very good start to the show, and then appearing later beside Charles while he lay sick in bed! Jon Robyn's, most of his character's that  he played would either have his guitar on his back, or was sitting at the piano for most of them, and you could tell that he was enjoying every bit of it! When he played Ellen Charles second wife, the Galahad hair flick made an appearance, though not sure if it was as good! and Ellen's dance moves were very good if I do say so myself.  His other roles were also very good, and he defiantly left us in a Christmas mood with him leading the story of Christmas Carol with the role of Scrooge, and the swift change from Top hat with a wig, to Night cap with a Wig! No one suspected a thing!

 

I did not get a chance to get a photo with everyone, but my programme is well and truly autographed! I was lucky did get one with Gerrard Carrey, and of course my favourite Jon Robyns, who was kind enough to have a chat with us after the show! We even had a quick chat with Adam Long too, and he laughed when I replied it was NOT me that took the newspaper to which he replied "oh that was you!"...oh no they were on to me! but it was all in good humour.



This show at the Arts Centre is only running to the 4th January 2014, and I really want to go again, I feel it is one of the those shows again that every time you go, you will come out seeing something a little bit different then you did the one before, which is why I want to go again...but if you get the chance the GO! but if you didn't you missed out...REALLY missed out!

"I Dreamed a Dream in Time Gone By..." - Les Miserables, Queens Theatre, London 2.12.13

So finally after much waiting and patience, my 24th birthday came around, and within my Birthday card from my Mum and Dad, was money, to go towards purchasing tickets for Les Miserables in London, that night I searched the Web, and luckily my friend had the money, cause I found Row C seats 8 and 9 for the 2nd December, they were two good to let by, and I received my confirmed e-mail minutes later! I was Finally going to see Les Miserables and I couldn't have been happier, and it was all I could have asked for, and more!

After a brilliant day in London, feeling festive after going to the Winter Wonderland, and enjoying the fair at leicester square! We walked past M&M world, and down the road that led to the Queens Theatre, a quick search of the Stage door and then we waited for them to open the doors to front of house. This was my first time of course at the Queens Theatre, and I will admit I was surprised at how small it was, and our seats as I said before Row C seats 8 and 9 costing £72.15 (I was thankful for my parents to give me the money towards these seats, Les Miserables is constantly on high demand having full houses for most of their performances, so it is highly unlikely that you would find good cheap seats unless you queue for day tickets at the theatre, or await if there has been any cancellations), the view was not one to be complained about and we were able to see everything that was happening, and no restrictive views! We were that eager to get into our seats, and were the first ones in, and at first the famous logo wasn't on the curtain, but when it appeared the butterflies in my stomach were on high speed!

When the lights dimmed it was show time, and the orchestra was playing, a smile spread across my face, and it didn't leave it till the standing ovation (though moments of tears did come across in some scenes, tissues are advised for this show!)

The scenery for Les Mis, is very simplistic, with the odd props of furniture such as table and chairs, but it is the revolving stage that creates the swift change of scenes, as Les Mis is forever flowing with its beautifully sung music. The only huge bit of staging which is hidden on the sides until it is brought forward in the scenes in Paris, where the wall has been built during the revolution, this wall creates the streets of Paris, and the main setting for the revolution, and when it changes, you forget what it was before. It was just so smooth, and with there being less scenery, it enabled the audience to focus on the characters and the story that was being sung!

The Story of Les Miserable, is created by many stories told though the amazing characters, the main focus is prisoner 24601, who was freed from his 19 years on the chain gang, Javert the head policemen informs him that he will always be a prisoner, which proves true for while he is trying to find a life for himself again, he finds himself one of an outcast, when a Bishop brings him a kind heart, he decides to start his life anew "Who am I? I'm Jean Valjean!" 19 years past since Valjean broke parole, changing his name he becomes quite successful, and mayor, one on the workers of his factory Fantine, who is working to pay for medicines for her daughter, gets wrongly dismissed and is driven to selling her locket, hair, and becomes a whore selling herself to men, but when she gets into a fight with a prospective customer, and is about to be taken prisoner by Javert, Valjean demands that she be taken to hospital.
Valjean, carrying on his kind hearted spree, then rescues a man who was pinned beneath a cart, reminding Javert of the abnormal strength of 24601, who informs the real Valjean that a man has been recaptured in his name, this shakes Valjean who unable to see an innocent man go to prison, confesses that he is the prisoner.  Jean Valjean goes to the hospital where Fantine is on her deathbed, he promises her that he will find and look after her daughter Cosette, when Fantine passes, Javert arrives to arrest Jean Valjean, who pleads that he be allowed to follow his promise to Fantine, Javert does not agree, and they fight, Valjean escapes.
Cosette has been lodged with the Thenardiers, who have been treating her badly, while they indulge their own daughter Eponine with toys and dresses, Jean Valjean arrives and pays the Thenardiers to allow him to take Cosette away, and raise her as his daughter.
9 years pass, and in the city of Paris unrested as the likely demise of the popoular leader General Lamarque, the only man who is left in the government who shows any feeling for the poor. Thenardier have now become living on the streets, and set on Jean Valjean and Cosette, who are rescued by Javert, who luckily does not recognise he is who he is searching for.
Eponine who with her family now living on the street, but is friends, and secretly in love with student Marius, she reluctantly agrees to assist him in finding Cosette to whom he saw in the streets and has fallen in love with her at first site.
With the loss of Gernal Lamarque, a group of politically-minded students go out into the streets, to find support for the revolution.
Elsewhere Cosette is forever thinking of Marius, whom she has fallen in love with as well. Eponine finds Cosette and brings Marius to her.  While she is there she prevents an attempt by her fathers gang to rob Valjean's house. Which led Valjean to believe it is Javert after him, and tells Cosette that they must flee the country to be safe, "ONE DAY MORE"
The students build the barricade. Noticing that Eponine had joined the insurrection, Marius sends her away with a letter to Cosette, which gets intercepted by her ValJean.  Eponine goes and decided to rejoin her love at the barricade.
With the barricade built, and the revolutionaries defy an army warning to give up or die, Javert is exposed as the police spy. Then on returning to the barricade, Eponine is shot and is killed in the arms of Marius, who finds the true feelings in the song of "A Little Spot of Rain"
Valjean joins the barricade in search of Marius. He is given the chance to kill Javert but instead lets him go. The students settle, and in the quiet of the night, Valjean prays to god to save Marius, "Bring him home."  The next day the rebels are all killed.
Valjean however escapes into the sewers with an unconscious Marius, while trudging through them they come across Thenardier, who is robbing the corpses of the dead, and then after Valjean comes across Javert, and pleads once more for time to take Marius to hospital. Javert lets him go, and unbending the principles of justice now shattered by Valjean's mercy, he kills himself.
Marius now recovering unaware of whom rescued him from the barricade, is left to mourn for the loss of his friends though the song "Empty Chairs, and Empty Tables."  with the care from Cosette he recovers well, and Valjean confesses the truth of his past to Marius, and insist that he must leave.
During the wedding of Cosette and Marius, the Thenardiers try to blackmail Marius, saying that Cosette's father murdered, and with proof of a ring which he stole from Marius in the sewers leads Marius to realise that it was Valjean who rescued him that night .  He takes Cosette to go to Valjean, where she learns for the first time her own history, before Valjean passes and join Fantine, and Eponine in heaven.

This very story is told throughout through song, and it is beautifully done, and I was blown away!

Who is it that sings this production, but an amazing talented cast, and this night was played by:

Jean Valjean - Chris Holland (understudy)

Javert - Tam Mutu

Fantine - Na-Young Jeon

Thernadier- Cameron Blakly

Madame Thernadier - Wendy Ferguson

Eponine- Carrie Hope Fletcher

Cosette-Jade Davies (understudy)

Enjolras - Niall Sheehy (understudy)

Marius - Rob Houchen

Jean Valjean played by understudy Chris Holland, was great, his voice and portrayal of Valjean was heart warming, and you could tell that he was loving what he was doing, I was anxious to hear his Bring Him Home  for having listened to Hugh Jackman sing, and in my opinion ruin the song, i was so happy to have it replaced by Chris, his voice was warming and emotional, LOVED IT! Being an understudy when he left at the stage door he did swiftly walk away, but I just couldn't let my first Jean Valjean walk away and not say hello and thank you. Lucky we caught him and got a photo and signature, he was quite surprised to see us, but thankful also, and responded to my tweet :)

 

We were lucky that we had Tam Mutu play Javert having been on holiday the week before, and he is so amazingly strong within his role, that when you see him in person you wouldn't believe he was Javert.  He completely took on the role, and his final song was jaw dropping good, and the way they perform his killing of himself is so original (you will have to see it, to understand) He was lovely to chat with and also replied to my tweet :)

Na-Young Jeaon who played Fantine, had me in tears in her finale scene, she was lovely and her voice was beautiful.

 

Carrie Hope Fletcher played Eponie and the moment she hit the stage, I kept staring at her, and I felt I defiantly know her from somewhere but where I couldn't tell? I looked at the program and she is a YouTuber, band I may have seen her on the interwebs, but only recently did I find out that she is actually sister to Mcfly's Tom Fletcher! so I guess she is the closest im ever going to get to a Mcfly! anyway her performance was great and I LOVED her Eponine, you could again tell that she really loved what she was doing her final song again had me in tears, I didn't want to see her go! She was lovely to meet as well :)

 

The Two top Students Marius and Enjolras performed by Rob Houchen, and Niall Sheehy the 1st cover understudy.  Im so Jealous of Rob as Les Miserable has marked his first west end Debut and what a show to do it for! You could really tell why, he was a natural, and you fell in love with him, my friend who doesn't usually cry at shows actually broke her during his song Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and it was so moving! Niall Sheehy, I had seen often on twitter by Oliver Tompsett, he was understudy for Fiyero, and also auditioned for Jesus for the Jesus Superstar Arena tour, so it was great to finally see him on stage, and he did not disappoint, he was lovely to talk to not only because of his Irish accent! How he kept his eyes open during the end of the Revolution scene was brilliant!

 

Last but not least, the Comedy Duo of the Thernadier's, from the moment of Master of the House, or any moment they were on the stage, they lightened up the atmosphere, and had the audience giggling. The ending scene especially was excellent, with the cheeky stealing of the silverware and getting caught, there faces were priceless, and both lovely people to meet!  

So after years of waiting, the night came to an unwanted end, and I finally saw the one musical that I was set on seeing this year, and now I have seen it...yes you guessed it I want to go again and again, and again! However I would like to view it in the circle next time preferably in the front of it, to see the set from high above and see how it differs the experience, I know it means saving the pennies, but I know it will be totally WORTH IT! Les Miserable you were not a disappoint me and I shall be back!

"They Live in You! They Live in ME!" - Disney's The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre, London 18.10.13

 In September I was given the invitation to go to the theatre, by my old job and take a good friend to the West end for the first time! After much thought, and a good way to introduce her to London Theatre, we chose to take her to Disney's The Lion King, and the Lyceum Theatre on the 18th October for the evening performance.

The Lyceum Theatre from the very beginning is a stuning theatre, with the beautiful tall pillars and the many signs of Mufasa's face, and inside is just as beautiful.

This was my third time seeing this show, the first was during the time I lived in America, and saw it on Broadway, however I have seen the show here before at the Lyceum, which was a couple of years before this showing, I was seated up in the upper circle quite centre, and the view up there was great to see everything yet sometimes it was quite limited, and the common £1 binoculars were bought to see some of the performers. Tonight's showing however I was based in the stalls Row R seat 13, which was located to the right of the stage in the Aisle with another aisle in front. Our view of the stage was great and the bonus of being in the aisle made the experience so enjoyable! I was so lucky to have paid only £32.50 for my seat, bust usually this seat would cost in the £60, its a top selling show and not often on offer except the ones that you would purchase if you were paying for a meal and top price tickets, and normally £32.50 tickets are those up in the Upper Circle which are perfectly fine.


As I said being in the Aisle is a great spot especially in the stalls, as from the beginning of the Lion King you are a brought into the African plains during the "Circle of Life" as the song is sung, the animals parade down the aisle, we were placed in the aisle of the Rhinosauraus, (in the other was the Elephant) and the birds, and had the Springbok, walk in front of us. You couldn't help but smile, and be amazed at how the animal puppetry just brought them to life, and sometimes couldn't tell the difference! The aisle was also used many times to 'Break' the fourth wall, during the song "Be Prepared" I completely forgot it was used until the Hyena's came snapping at us, and we also had young Simba run past, after escaping the stampede.

So if you want the full effect I recommend going to see the show in the Stalls, to see the Animals, or the first rows of the Circle I have heard are also a great view.

The Lion King, is one of Disney's top grossing films, which was loved by many and still to this day my favourite Disney Film.  It was one of the first animated films to get an Oscar! The story is the tale of a New born king to be, Son of Mufasa and Sarabi, the King and Queen of the Pridelands, Simba. However the jealousy of the Kings Brother Scar, turns to revenge and murder, as he murders his brother and blames Simba, who runs away from the Pridelands. Scar believing that his hyena sidekicks, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, killed Simba, places himself as King of the Pridelands, however Simba escapes and takes himself to jungle where he meets the two comic characters of Timon and Pumbaa, a meerkat, and a warthog, who had turned there back on the World, and live there life the 'Hakunna Matata" way "it means No worries." While Simba carries on the Hakunna Matata way back in the Pridelands all is not well with the Hyenas eating everything and driving the animals out, the Lions are left to starve and it is Nala, a childhood friend of Simba to go and find help. She finds Simba who helps him see that he is the Future king, with a little help from Rafiki (the amazing baboon) and the spirit of this father Mufasa, he returns and takes what is his from his Lying Uncle, and becomes the true King of Priderock!
Now does this story kind of, sort of sound familiar? Well after a big debate with my old English teacher, but it has been proven and is true that The Lion King is based on Shakespeare's play Hamlet, you know brother of king, murders him to get the thrown, and then the son is to go and get revenge on his uncle to get the thrown back...minus obviously Scar marrying Sarabi, and everyone dying at the end, yes it is pretty much the Story!

Now the story may have been influenced by a famous play, but having studied this production for my university dissertation 2 years ago, I was aware from the very beginning that Julie Taymor, the Director, and creator of all the puppets, and visuals wanted the Lion King to present not the story itself but HOW the story was told, and if I do say so myself she truly pulled it off. Having loved the animated film, while watching this production, you don't just wow at the story, as I myself no off by heart the script! (my sister and I used to recite it at the back of the car on many family outings) but I was blown away by the sets, and the puppets, and how the were shown, you truly cannot take your eyes off the stage, and because of that the experience of this show is amazing! The great thing about it, is it is the costumes that create the scenes, with the simplistic staging behind of maybe the sun rising, or a small change in the lighting, drawing yourselves into the many animals, and foliage that the actors portray, it truly is beautiful, and so thought out.

Now onto the Actors, I myself was not aware of anyone who was performing in this production, the cast was as follows.

 

Rafiki - Nteliseng Nikela

Mufasa-Shaun Escoffery

Sarabi - Gemma Knight Jones

Zazu - Mark McGee (2nd understudy)

Scar - Andy Mace (Understudy)

Shenzi - Sarah Amankwah

Banzai - Taofique Folarin

Ed - Hugo Barista (Understudy)

Timon - Jaime Golding (Understudy)

Pumba - Keith Brookman

Simba - Jonathan Andrew Hume

Nala - Melina M'Poy

 

We did have many understudies this night, but it didn't matter, because as long as they created the character is was a success. Ntelising was brilliant as the amazing comic Rafiki, making the audience laugh, even though at some points they were not aware of what she was saying. Shaun's Mufasa was strong and powerful, and suited his role well! with the deep voice that only Mufasa can have! Zazu was portrayed by the second understudy who usually portrays the comic character of Ed, but tonight Mark was on top form as Zazu, as although Rowan Atkinson is the voice in the animated film, its great to see different portrayals of this character, and I love how they break Character at the end of "I just can't wait to be King" where he asks "Where is my bird?" Andy Mace played the role of Scar, and I'm sorry I really didn't enjoy him as the villain, I don't think he put his all in, and with the amazing lines that scar produces in the show and found him quite stiff in parts that he could really have stolen the show with, he didn't do Scar Justice, I preferred the lead actor of the role George Asprey when I first saw the show in London.

The trio of Hyena's were good, and I am always surprised that they cut down a lot of there roles, having shortened "Chow Down!" and the "Madness of Scar" songs in the London production I feel that the Hyena's don't get the great comic moments that they did on the one on Broadway, and sadly they are the two favourite songs. Timon played by Jaime Golding was brilliant! He took Timon in his stride and had get comic timings with the help of Sidekick Keith with Pumba, especially loved the change of rather than Hawaiian dancers at the end, with the introduction to the Irish dancing, complete with Timon in a Irish dress! Genius.

Simba and Nala played by Jonathon, and Melina were a great couple, though I felt that sometimes during the songs they weren't as strong as though I have seen in the past, for Simba "Endless Night" and "He Lives in You (reprise)" those songs are just beautiful, and although his voice was great, I still feel that it could have been stronger, and at the end of "He Lives in You" The finally is where Simba steals the song, but again I didn't feel the same this time.

All in all, Lion King is a performance that I will never get old of, because its just so visually spectacular that it just makes you want to see it more and more, its a childhood memory, and love. It is defiantly one to take your family to, or just go and see to smile, and get lost.  I will be going to see this show again someday, there is no doubt about that!