Pantomime Time

Dick Whittington at Milton Keynes Theatre - Christmas Eve

It is our tradition now that we go to the Christmas Eve pantomime and despite the snow, this year would be no exception.  We hadn't got tickets for Mike as he was due to be working - but had been sent home from work ill that morning (they wanted him well for Christmas morning) - so it was to be just Jamie and I.  I knew my friend J was going to be there with children and grandchildren and thought I would keep an eye out for them but wouldn't have been suprised if I missed them.  We saw them which was lovely, lots of hugs and kisses and lovely to meet her grandchildren. 

They were sat in a similar part of the theatre to us it turned out but J and S headed in, Jamie and I followed a couple of minutes later only to spot a couple of spare seats near where J and her family were sat.  What a coincidence we were sat next to them- couldn't quite believe it!! but jolly lovely it was too.

The panto was Dick Whittington which was a change for MK so I was eagerly looking forward to sharing a whole new experience with Jamie.  It was good in all of its aspects - costumes, staging, lighting, etc all worked well but there was something missing - it just seemed to lack that extra little bit of  pazzazz that the panto has had for some time here in MK (we were lucky to have Bradley Walsh for 2 or 3 years on the trot who was brilliant).

There were some stars past and present - Dirk Benedict - Face from the A Team, Joanna Page from Gavin and Stacey, Shona Lindsay who appeared to have been in most of the famous musicals doing the rounds, Graham Hoadly as the Dame, Tucker was Dick and Stavros Flately.  Dirk Benedict tried hard but just didn't quite pull it off as the baddie - he was too nice, Joanna Page and Tucker were no more than average and Shona Lindsay good but not outstanding.  Graham Hoadly was good as the Dame but then its difficult to get a panto dame wrong and perhaps the biggest cheer of the night went to Stavros Flately (making hay whilst the sun shines and who can blame them).

There was nothing wrong with the show, but there was something missing too.  The real highlights were the 3D section which brought a new dynamic to panto and Stavros Flately who were genuinely funny.  Hope next years is more up to MK standards.


Ciao
Sue
XX
Reading challenge 15/16 - currently reading Learn to Be An Optimist by Lucy MacDonald

The Hills Are Alive - The Sound of Music - Milton Keynes Theatre

On Tuesday evening, we all went to see the Sound of Music starring Connie Fisher and Michael Praed (from Dynasty!). It was very enjoyable indeed. All the performances were incredibly good and even Mike enjoyed it - he has a habit of falling asleep at the theatre!









Of course all the songs were there Climb Ev'ry Mountain, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi (which Jamie and I sing in the car quite often!) and my favourite Edelweiss.







I was very impressed with the way they portrayed the political events in the story and brought a sense of menace from the Nazi's, and the way the audience became the audience at the music festival. The set worked well and the costumes were colourful and looked spot on.








It was interesting to see Michael Praed, Prince Michael of Moldova from Dynasty (I used to love it!!!!) and I was impressed by his singing , I always used to love him in Robin Hood too. Connie Fisher, well she was good, but not for me outstanding, a very solid and workmanlike performance, but for me she appeared to lack charisma.








The children on the other hand were absolutely wonderful, the stage really did light up when they came on, they were funny, brilliant at their roles and sang wonderfully. For me they were totally magical and were the highlight of the show.

Overall a very enjoyable evening.

Ciao

Sue

XX

Reading challenge 9/16 - currently reading Lovers and Players by Jackie Collins

Joseph and His Dreamcoat Again!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Northampton Derngate - Friday 5th June

Another usual Friday, but doesn't Friday always have that little bit extra about it, I guess 'cos the weekend is coming. All the usual bits done and dusted ready for this evening.

Jamie and I headed out at about 7pm, off to Northampton to see Joseph, yet again. We are fiends for JATATD and have now seen it 6 times (bad I know), but we love it.

We've seen it at:-

Milton Keynes Theatre - can't remember who played Joseph;

Adelphi Theatre - with Lee Mead

Adelphi Theatre - with Lewis Bradley

Dunstable - can't remember who played Joseph

Northampton - Craig Chalmers as Joseph (2008)

Northampton - Craig Chalmers as Joseph (2009).

Jamie and I watched the BBC 'Any Dream Will Do' every week and totally loved it, my fav was Lewis and/or Keith (depending on the day!), Jamie loved Lewis and we voted for him in the final quite a few times, I'm a bit embarrassed to say! Jamie was so into it that we have now also seen quite a few of the 'Josephs' in one show or another.

Lee Mead - in Joseph

Lewis - at Aylesbury in a songs from the musical and then in Joseph

Seamus - in Evita

Anthony - in the touring Joseph

Craig - in the touring Joseph (twice)

Daniel Boys - as support for John Barrowman (I must catch up with the review for that and a couple of blogs around that date),

which now leaves 6 to see, although I have protested that I do not want to see Chris (or as we called him Chris with the teeth) under any circumstances, just one of those things, his teeth annoyed me, sorry don't know why but they just did. Next one possibly Ben, if he is still in Hairspray.

The production was pretty much the same as we saw last time, Craig plays Joseph very well and has lost a lot of his 'cabaret entertainer' mannerisms and become more 'stagey', he was in good voice and appeared to be enjoying himself. He got a great reception. Sadly The Derngate was only about half to two thirds full, although it meant Jamie and I had a box all to ourselves which was yummy. Joseph was at The Derngate last year and is at MK Theatre in a few weeks time so perhaps the audience was spread out. We know and love all the songs and are singing away quietly!

The real star of the show for me was Sam Cassidy, the young man who played Benjamin, I will be looking out for his name in the future. He had real star quality, the kind of John Barrowman type, can't take your eyes off him when he is on stage thing! He was the best Benjamin I have seen. Now whether it had anything to do with his long blonde hair, good looks and cheeky persona who knows, but I suspect I'm nearly old enough to be his Mum, now behave Sue!

We bought Craig's CD, which we played on the way home and actually it was jolly good, quite a few nice songs on it, and one of my fav's too Run To Me, an old Bee Gees song (I've been playing Andy Gibb a bit recently too, I do every so often, it was tragic that we lost him so young). As Craig was signing them afterwards, I said to Jamie do you want to meet him, so he said yes, although when it was our turn (and the queue was only short about 4 or 5 ahead of us) he turned really shy. We then waited whilst he signed a couple more and then he did some photos, here is the photo of Jamie with him.

We had an enjoyable evening. Now if Andrew Lloyd Webber or Bill Kenwright sees this, do you think you could sort out a production of Jesus Christ Superstar as I would really love to see that one again, TIA guys!

Ciao

Sue

XX
(reading challenge 0/16 - currently reading Only Dad by Alan Titchmarsh)