Update

Been phenomenally busy and hence no updates recently but, i have a back-log to get through and there will be a number of posts as soon as I return from the Edinburgh Fringe in about a week.

Sorry for the lack of recent updates but, watch this space.

Tim.

The Eagles – Long Road out of Eden Tour (08/07/2009)

This is the original line-up, no fakes or substitutes here, Glenn Fry, Don Hendley, Joe Walsh and Timothy.B.Scmitt and they haven’t lost any of their appeal.

Joe Walsh has a reputation as a bit of a ‘Bad Boy’ but, that guy can play a guitar like few others I have ever seen, so he has to be forgiven for being a bit ‘off the wall’.

Everything form ‘Deperado’, ‘Hotel California’, ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ and ‘Witchy Woman’ through to tracks from ‘Long Road Out Of Eden’ (which is in itself Multi-Platinum).

Definitely one for the fan of a certain age and as Fry says, since these guys are the Band that refused to die (they have a knack of breaking-up for years and then re-forming to make brilliant Albums), if you can get to see it, I would recommend you do.

Unfortunately their short stay in the UK is over now but, I am sure they will be back and you simply have to get to one of their concerts, you will not be disappointed !!

Tim.

Once in a Lifetime – Motown Legends Live (26/06/2009)

I am a big Motown Fan and as such I had very high expectations of the night, I am glad to say I wasn’t disappointed.

Starting with Junior Walker’s All Stars, unfortunately Junior is no longer with us but, some original musicians from the group gave us a couple of classics in ‘I’m a RoadRunner’ and the immortal ‘Shotgun’, saxophone to die for.

The Miracles, without Smokey Robinson but, a number of hits ‘The Tracks of My Tears’, ‘Tears of a Clown’, ‘Going to a Go Go’, ‘I Second That Emotion’, the list is endless and probably my highlight of the show.

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, it is fair to say that Martha really knows how to work an audience and with classics such as ‘Dancing in the Street’, ‘Jimmy Mack’ and ‘Nowhere to Run’ she has plenty of opportunity to show her talents.

Mary Wilson of The Supremes makes it much easier to remember that Diana Ross was not the only member of that group and in fact Mary and Florence Ballard were there first, a string of hits had the audience dancing in the aisles.

The whole of the second half was dedicated to The Commodores, now don’t get me wrong, I like these guys (even without Lionel Richie), tracks such as ‘Easy’, ‘Three Times a Lady’ and ‘Sail On’ are brilliant, I even like ‘Brick House’ but, playing it constantly for a large chunk of the set, I thought was going a bit too far.

If you like Motown, you will be sad you missed this one !!

Tim.

The Thorn Birds – A Musical (02/07/2009)

I am afraid this will probably be the most negative review I have written so far and I must make it clear that this is not down to the professionalism of the production and all of those involved.

Simply this wasn’t my ‘cup of tea’, based on the Book by Colleen McCullough and the TV Series starring Richard Chamberlain, it is a tale of ‘forbidden love’ between a young girl and a priest, set in 1920’s Australia.

One performance that stood out to me was Andrea Miller as the aging Mary Carson, some top class acting but, not enough to provide engagement from the show for me.

It’s touring and just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it will not be for you, so have a look at the Web Site and if you think it might be a good night, give it a go :

Thorn Birds Web Site

Tim.

We Will Rock You (01/07/2009)

This is the Touring Production (sign of a really good Musical is the ability to hold the West End and tour as well) which kicked-off in Manchester and is now resident at the Birmingham Hippodrome for the summer.

Having seen this is the West End so often, on opening night in Birmingham I was mildly concerned that there would be disappointment but, there wasn’t and it’s a wonderful show.

Pretty much everything from the West End has been included, even the Video Screens and I had thought that would a problem, all complimented with a excellent actors and musicians.

Some well known faces, Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts from Coronation Street) as Pop gives a forthright performance, Jonathan Wilkes as Khashoggi proves that he can turn his hand to something other than the ‘romantic lead’ and Georgina Hagen (fresh from ITV’s Britannia High) as Meat, showing that she can be a little bit ‘bad’ as well as her nice character on TV.

I have to say it is great and have since been back for the Saturday Matinee, with tickets for at least a further two performances already in-hand.

Demand has been high and you will be lucky to get in but, give it a try as you will kick yourself if you don’t !!

Birmingham Hippodrome Web Site

Tim.

Joseph (30/06/2009)

Currently on tour with Craig Chalmers (from Any Dream Will Do) as Joseph, I caught-up with it at The Grand in Wolverhampton.

It is difficult to say anything really bad about this classic from Lloyd Webber & Rice, I have yet to leave a performance without that ‘buzz’ you get from a really good night at the theatre.

I always thought Craig was a good ‘outside bet’ for winning the role in the West End but, with Lee Mead there he was always going to find it difficult, however he has now grasped the opportunity with both hands and almost made the role his own.

Supported by Rachel Louise Miller as The Narrator and Scott Cripps as Pharoah (working the audience like ‘The King’ himself !), don’t let this one go by without catching it near you.

I can’t really say much more about a production that has everything you could want but, I will mention Sam Cassidy who played probably the most convincing Benjamin I have ever seen and there is more to the part than might initially meet the eye.

Look up the details on the Web Site :

Joseph Touring Web Site

Tim.

Dreamboats & Petticoats (27/06/2009)

Probably one of the best New Musicals to hit the circuit recently (Bill Kenwright can certainly pick them !) and about to do a stint at the Savoy Theatre in London.

Brimming with talent across the board, particularly the amazing Ben Freeman (previously Scott Windsor from Emmerdale) who surely must have a career in Musicals set for himself now.

Set around a Youth Club and the lives/loves of the members, this is just the epitome of a ‘Feel Good Musical’, packed with hits from the 50’s/60’s and what more could you ask for !

David Cardy (you will remember him from Birds of a Feather amongst others) takes the senior role as Older Bobby, re-living his youth through his son Bobby, played brilliantly by Scott Bruton of X Factor fame.

Ben Freeman plays the cocky Norman and he is straight out of the ‘top drawer’, full of bravado but, with hidden insecurities.

Special mention has to go to Daisy Wood-Davis, still in her second year at Italia Conti and yet portraying the young Laura as if she had been doing this for years.

I always like it when the Band is part of the story and this is absolutely the case, what a wonderful set of musicians Adam Welsh, Stuart Ward, Michael Kantola, Sam Palladio and Robin Johnson are as well.

To be honest there isn’t really a ‘weak link’ at all in this production but, I simply can’t mention everybody, even though they all deserve it.

Having seen this at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham, I have to admit to twice (Matinee and Evening) in one day at the Liverpool Empire on this occasion, it is that good and I will be back to see it in Wolverhampton later in the year !!

If the word unmissable was meant to describe anything it was this show, so get on over to the Web Site and find out when it is in your area :

Dreamboats and Petticoats Web Site

It’s billed as The Ultimate British Rock’n’Roll Musical and I think that says it all.

Tim.

Disco Inferno (23/06/2009)

This is new one on me, although it has traits of ‘Boogie Nights’, ‘Slice of Saturday Night’ and ‘Tonight’s the Night’, based on a book by Justin Sepple the production is set (not surprisingly) predominantly in a Disco and has a plethora of hits from the 70’s including ‘Crocodile Rock’, ‘I Love to Love’ and the title track ‘Disco Inferno’.

It tells the story of Jack who works at Disco Inferno but, wants desperately to be a singer and is given the opportunity to do exactly that by ‘The Devil’ in the form of Lady Marmalade, played very well by Michelle Burgess who unfortunately didn’t get a chance to sing the song that the character was named after, which was disappointing.

Obviously having been given the chance he desires by a ‘back door’ route, nothing goes right for Jack and he eventually realises that he doesn’t need to ‘make it’ with the assistance of ‘Old Nick’ but, can do it himself.

A talented cast were unfortunately beset by sound and set problems, the worst of which being the occasional failure to turn the microphones off when the principal cast left the stage, leading to some interesting back-stage conversations.

Having said this there were some good performances and I would specifically mention Kris Evans as Tom for some great comedy moments, Louise Toal as Kathy probably the best voice in the production giving a classy rendition of ‘Streetlife’ and a cameo performance from Mark Jones as Nick Diablo (another employee of Satan himself).

Argosy Musical Theatre Company picked a relatively difficult show to produce and provided an entertaining evening.

No sign of a Web Site again but, if you want to know what this group are doing in the future, keep in touch with the Crescent Theatre :

Crescent Theatre Web Site

Tim.

Annie (18/06/2009)

The Harlequins are a Youth Group based out of Redditch, covering all of the ‘artistic roles’ of this production (acting, dancing and music) they provided a very creditable performance of Annie.

The touching ‘rags to riches’ story of Little Orphan Annie and her search for the parents that abandoned her only to be adopted by the Billionaire Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks, never loses any appeal and has a roller-coaster of emotions (I must admit to a tear or two !).

Highlight for me has to be Rosie Seal as Miss Hannigan, brilliant performance and Sue Pollard who is about to take the role on tour should watch out.

Other notable characters, Olivia Withey as Annie, just cute enough without over-playing it and a top voice for one so young. Shomari Perry as Rooster, oozing confidence and a great performance of Easy Street with Miss Hannigan and Lily St. Regis (played very well by Rebecca Frazer). Finally the role of Molly, always have to find just the right girl to play this if the audience don’t really love her it can fall flat but, they adored Caitlyn Moonan.

Despite the individual mentions above all of the cast deserve praise for an entertaining night and it would be unfair not to mention the MD (Andrew Smith) and Choreographer (Adele Robinson).

All pulled together with aplomb by the Director (Jonathan Southall), I can heartily recommend this company.

Haven’t been able to find a Web Site to point you at but, if you are in Redditch and want to know more, I am sure it will not be difficult to find them, contact the Palace Theatre for a start.

Future Productions planned are Bugsy Malone, Cinderella and Les Miserables, so they are an ambitious outfit and good luck to them.

Tim.

Tempest in a Teacup (17/06/2009)

Another quality production from Side by Side who never cease to amaze me, there is many a company who could learn a trick or two from this talented group.

Tempest in a Tea-Cup (quite obviously based on the Shakespearean Tragedy) is a brilliant mix of theatre, dance and music, performed by a wonderful cast and directed with usual impeccable style by Susan Wallin.

Although seen very much as a tragedy, this performance had me lurching from laughter to tears and everything in between, I left having experienced virtually ever emotion and that is unusual from any show.

Difficult to pick out any specific performances as everybody and everything was simply a ‘right fit’ but, I have to mention three highlights :

Sarah Field as Miranda who must have the most infectious smile on the planet, don’t ever lose that.

David Atkins as Ferdinand who has to be the only actor I have known to be able to get a laugh by just pushing a broom on stage, not something that you would expect to be that funny but, the audience dissolved at his first entrance in Act 2.

Paul Taylor (Stephano), Toby Shaw (Trincolo) and Francis Muller (Caliban), a comedy trio to beat them all, I have never laughed so much, there must be a career in comedy beckoning for at least one of these guys.

Having read this entry you will now want to see the show and be disappointed that it has finished at the Stourbridge Town Hall Theatre but, fear not as the Edinburgh Fringe has this production so you still have a chance to see this theatrical feast.

For more information check-out the Web Site :

http://www.stourbridge.ac.uk/students/sidebyside/

Can’t recommend this one highly enough.

Tim.