jacob wrote:
It was a pleasure to meet a forum member from Australia
You're very welcome
I was back in the Old Dart this Christmas and took in a few sporting events and theatre shows, one of which just happened to be BETM. Actually saw it a few times, good show that.
Here are some potted thoughts about it. Not too much detail (or coherence) because I'm still quite
hungover tired.
A very large pleasure it was to see Ms. Lemon again in the role she was born to play. Her voice is as strong as I remember whether lambasting Tony prior to the
Angry Dance or singing the higher key in
The Letter. I found Mr. Marquez to be excellent as the new Dad, a highlight being his definite response to the question "You are completely behind Billy...?", no stuffing around, perfect pitch. And it was quite different to see Dad as someone who is quite ripped
. The new Tony, Tom, was very good as well and is a nice chap too.
Further mentions to Barnaby who is the Older Billy par excellence, without equal worldwide. And also to Mr. Bardsley who played Dad and George with aplomb (not in the same show
). Liked the line about a "nice lean rump" (for comedic reasons). Speaking of which, the new George is good but I would've liked a bit more repartee at the commencement of Act 2. Surely the unholy coalition you lot have in Westminster provides adequate fodder.
One further mention to Caroline? who understudied Mrs. W for one show. Her appearance in pink leg warmers at
Finale was an undoubted highlight of the whole trip
My word it was cold over there, I got frostbite having a smoke. And almost fractured a NOF walking around on the ice
Managed to catch all the four Billys this time around. Had to give them back though after some stern words from the wranglers
For me, Dean Charles embodied everything I like about the London show. Expressive and intense in his actions, here's a kid not afraid to tell you to f**k off if you deserve it. Every line delivered with conviction, after more than a year at the job he seems completely at ease as Billy allowing you to relax and enjoy. Not even a dodgy handbag hat could faze him. His Christmas eve show was the pick of the bunch and needed minimal gin enhancement.
Rhys is an excellent dancer. He's very flexible and his lines are terrific. Also his voice is truly exquisite. Much the same can be said of Scott too, a lovely voice, his turns are very solid and I loved the Highland touches. Aaron was good too, he gave the impression of being a very gutsy type of kid.
The crowds were quite sparse in the week before Christmas but this was true of most of London. I guess everyone was camping out in Terminal 3. However after Christmas the theatre was easily >90% full, only the boxes were empty but I guess only fools would want to sit there
. I queued for day seats once and there were lots of people in front of me. Surprising really, didn't think it was still that popular. Not like that horrible Wicked show across the road. The city was very busy as well so had many chances to experience the great British tradition of queuing.
I noticed a new arrangement to the music, a change vastly for the better. More prominent guitar work I think including a nice plaintive acoustic underneath
Grandma's Song and also more flourish to the drumming. It was also a relief when sitting in B15 to not have to see the show through a whirr of flailing limbs. Good job, MD's.
Well that's it as I continue to thaw out. No one will read this as it's January, but if you did my eternal thanks and pity. Anon, to mourn the death of Australian cricket.
ps; go see War Horse if you haven't. I'd have gone again if there was time, especially now I know when the gunshots happen