#1
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:16am
I just returned from my first visit to London, and I had a fantastic time - as you can probably guess from my new avatar of me hugging a Trafalgar Square lion.
The theatre was phenomenal, the food was yummy, the architecture was stunning, and the men are gorgeous, so really, I had no complaints. I'm planning on writing some more thorough reviews and post them on my Facebook (along with my 800+ photos), so feel free to add me/read them at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715590459.
Otherwise, here's a quick run-down of what I saw:
A Little Night Music - A gorgeous, intelligent, enchanting production. All-around solid, and I liked that it played more like a play with music than a musical. I loved Hannah Waddingham as Desiree - her younger take on it gave the story a freshness I haven't seen before.
Sunset Blvd - While I don't understand why it needed to be done actor/musician style, it was again a solid production, and Kathryn Evans was a phenomenal Norma Desmond. We were in the 3rd row and could see every nuance to her facial expressions - she really can say anything she wants with her eyes!
Priscilla Queen of the Desert - We were in the front row for this one, and it was an evening of pure fun. London's answer to Xanadu, only ten times gayer.
Warhorse - Brilliant. The most unbelievable puppetry I have ever seen onstage, far outweighing The Lion King. If this ever made it to Broadway, I'd hope the horse teams get a Best Actor nomination or something. A beautiful example of taking a very simple story and expanding it into a theatrical masterpiece.
Madame De Sade - Judi Dench and Rosamund Pike put in top performances, but script wise, this was by far the weakest of the shows I saw. Much of it was spent talking about far interesting things that happened offstage and between scenes.
Phantom of the Opera - I have seen this show 15 times around the US, and this was by far the best performance.
Oliver - I use to despise this show, but Rowan Atkinson and the breathtaking scenic design turned my opinion around.
Waiting for Godot - I've studied this play to death, but never quite understood it until experiencing it in the hands of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. Then again, those two could read me the phone book and I'd pay to hear it.
Three Days Of Rain - Another piece I never liked until actually seeing it, and of course, James McAvoy can do no wrong.
Billy Elliot - I'm running out of superlatives for this post, but suffice it to say, the perfect way to end my London theatre-going.
The theatre was phenomenal, the food was yummy, the architecture was stunning, and the men are gorgeous, so really, I had no complaints. I'm planning on writing some more thorough reviews and post them on my Facebook (along with my 800+ photos), so feel free to add me/read them at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715590459.
Otherwise, here's a quick run-down of what I saw:
A Little Night Music - A gorgeous, intelligent, enchanting production. All-around solid, and I liked that it played more like a play with music than a musical. I loved Hannah Waddingham as Desiree - her younger take on it gave the story a freshness I haven't seen before.
Sunset Blvd - While I don't understand why it needed to be done actor/musician style, it was again a solid production, and Kathryn Evans was a phenomenal Norma Desmond. We were in the 3rd row and could see every nuance to her facial expressions - she really can say anything she wants with her eyes!
Priscilla Queen of the Desert - We were in the front row for this one, and it was an evening of pure fun. London's answer to Xanadu, only ten times gayer.
Warhorse - Brilliant. The most unbelievable puppetry I have ever seen onstage, far outweighing The Lion King. If this ever made it to Broadway, I'd hope the horse teams get a Best Actor nomination or something. A beautiful example of taking a very simple story and expanding it into a theatrical masterpiece.
Madame De Sade - Judi Dench and Rosamund Pike put in top performances, but script wise, this was by far the weakest of the shows I saw. Much of it was spent talking about far interesting things that happened offstage and between scenes.
Phantom of the Opera - I have seen this show 15 times around the US, and this was by far the best performance.
Oliver - I use to despise this show, but Rowan Atkinson and the breathtaking scenic design turned my opinion around.
Waiting for Godot - I've studied this play to death, but never quite understood it until experiencing it in the hands of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. Then again, those two could read me the phone book and I'd pay to hear it.
Three Days Of Rain - Another piece I never liked until actually seeing it, and of course, James McAvoy can do no wrong.
Billy Elliot - I'm running out of superlatives for this post, but suffice it to say, the perfect way to end my London theatre-going.
"Artists are always on the vanguard of change: they give the community a vision."
"Desire comes from the Latin "de sire", or "of the father", or "of the stars". We want what is magical, what is out there, what is of the stars. And so our characters should as well."
"If there are people who don't believe in you, don't hang out with them. Wish them well, wish them peace, and move on."
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