"We roll along... merrily, merrily..."

Poster for the 2013 London revival. (Source)

When I got round to booking tickets to see Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory, it was unfortunately already sold out so all I could hope for was a West End transfer and I am still over the moon that this actually took place and I got the opportunity to go and see another Sondheim.

Merrily We Roll Along at Harold Pinter Theatre, London
Performance: Wednesday 24th April 2013 at 19:45
Seat: Front row Circle
Cast included: Mark Umbers (Franklin Shepard), Jenna Russell (Mary Flynn), Damian Huntley (Charley Kringas), Clare Foster (Beth), Glyn Kerslake (Joe Josephson), Josefina Gabrielle (Gussie Carnegie)

Merrily We Roll Along was a very different kind of musical to anything I had seen before. The narrative flows backwards from the main character, Frank, now having a successful career to when he was young and inexperienced. It highlights the key moments in Frank's life explaining how he got to where he is. The show is to a great extent about the friendship between Frank, Charley and Mary and the way it has changed over time.


The first Broadway production of the musical, in 1981, did not do well despite the involvement of Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince. The reviews were bad and the production closed after 44 previews and 16 regular performances. Merrily is a fairly difficult one to put together and it's not your box standard Broadway musical so if you are looking to see lots of big, flashy ensemble dance numbers, this is not the show for you. The complexity of the narrative stems from the certain abstract element and the fact that it has been reversed makes it different to many other musicals. Personally I think Merrily could even be viewed as a play with singing rather than a musical in a similar way to Blood Brothers for instance.

The score is ingeniously woven together to connect the main characters and this made the whole production feel complete and because many of the songs sounded musically similar, it was easy to focus on the plot and the lyrics instead of getting carried away with the melody - something Sondheim does very well. In addition, I particularly liked the smooth scene changes which were accompanied by the ensemble singing a reprise of the title song. (I have a big problem with awkward/slow scene changes in general but in this show they were top notch on every possible scale.)

Trailer for the West End production:

I guess one of the big challenges with Merrily is that you have to find actors for the three leads who are able to play the characters at all ages. You can't choose anyone too young because they are unlikely to have the life experience to convincingly portray the character at an older age but on the other hand, you can't take it to the opposite extreme as that is likely to generate the opposite problem with the actors not necessarily being convincing as youngsters. I thought the casting overall was very successful. I was surprised to see Clare Foster walk on stage too. I did not realise she would be in this show. I saw her play the female lead in Crazy for You at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2011 and really enjoyed her performance then. Seeing her now as Beth really made me appreciate her versatility as an actress as the two characters are very different.

'Singin' in the Rain' - didn't get wet!

Trying to post some of these old reviews here...

This was my second visit to Singin' in the Rain and a very impromptu one for that matter. I found earlier on in the day that Charlotte Scott, the understudy for the female lead, would be playing Kathy Selden that night and of course I had to go and support Charlotte. For those of you who haven't read my blog before, Charlotte used to be one of the understudies for Glinda in Wicked and she is a phenomenal triple threat performer. This was my opportunity to see the show again as well which I had planned on doing because when I went to see it in August last year, I had a balcony seat and could see very little.

(Source)

Singin' in the Rain at Palace Theatre, London
Performance: Tuesday 9th April 2013 at 19:30
Seat: Row F Stalls, bought just before the show for £25
Cast included: Matthew Malthouse (Don Lockwood, u/s), Stephane Anelli (Cosmo Brown), Charlotte Scott (Kathy Selden, u/s), Jennifer Ellison (Lina Lamont), Peter Forbes (R F Simpson)

This time round I had a brilliant seat which was just out of the catchment area of the splashes so I had great fun sitting and watching everyone in front of me getting wet (for those of you who don't know, this West End production has actual rain falling on stage and the actors enjoy kicking the water into the audience so if you sit in the first 3-4 rows, you tend to get wet). The tourists, to begin with blissfully unaware of what they had put themselves in for by sitting at the front, were the most entertaining.

Plot summary (the plot closely follows that of the 1952 film of the same name): Set in 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen couple during the silent film era in Hollywood. According to Don, their relationship is strictly professional despite Lina's objections and the wedding rumours circulated by fan magazines. Don bumps into Kathy Selden, an aspiring actress with both singing and dance talent, and falls for her, which Lina certainly is not pleased about. At the same time, the audiences are going crazy about the newest invention in the film industry, the 'talking picture'. Will Lockwood&Lamont, who have up to now been known for their looks alone, be able to continue satisfying their fans? And what about Kathy?

Poster for the West End production. (Source)

 Singin' in the Rain is in the style of a traditional Hollywood musical. Not only is the plot the same as in the film; the whole show is very, very similar. Personally I really enjoy the old-fashioned style for those long dance breaks in the music for grand ensemble numbers and the often featured tap dancing.

Charlotte did a wonderful job as Kathy. It was great to see and hear her performing again. She really does have an exceptionally beautiful voice and I have never seen her tap before so that was new. She and Matthew, who played Don, had a lovely chemistry between them. Stephane Anelli as Cosmo did an excellent, hilarious performance of Make 'em Laugh, one of my favourite songs from the show. Frankie Jenna's dance solo also deserves a mention as I was in total awe of her. In terms of Lina Lamont, I had really enjoyed Katherine Kingsley's portrayal of the character back in August and I knew topping that would be quite impossible. That is one difficult part to play, I must say. She is one of those unintentionally funny characters, funny without realising or thinking she is funny, so if you try to play her funny or over the top (which is also very easily done), it doesn't work. Katherine Kingsley, for me, found the perfect balance.

I do recommend this show both for those people who have seen the original film and for those who haven't. Seeing a musical live is an experience on a whole new level to just seeing something on a screen. Watching it rain inside is a surreal experience for a start. Singin' in the Rain is currently on a UK tour. 

'9 to 5' - the Dolly Parton musical

Dolly Parton - obviously a legend. I was already in possession of the Broadway soundtrack for this musical but that was mainly due to Megan Hilty and Stephanie J Block singing two of the leads rather than being a fan of the musical itself. Therefore I was not familiar with the plot but now, having seen it, I must say it was... interesting...

9 to 5 (UK tour) at Richmond Theatre
Performance: Friday 15th February 2013 at 19:30
Seat: Right rear stalls
Cast included: Mark Moraghan (Franklyn J Hart), Jackie Clune (Violet Newstead), Gemma Maclean (Judy Bernley u/s), Amy Lennox (Doralee Rhodes), Bonnie Langford (Roz Keith), Mark Willshire (Joe)

(Source)

Plot summary: Judy starts a new job after her husband left her. Her office working skills aren't exactly as great as her CV suggested, however. In fact, she has never worked let alone worked in an office. However, Violet, one of her supervisors takes her under her wing and helps her out even if their boss, Hart, threatens to fire her. Violet and Hart's secretary, Doralee also discover their reasons to dislike Hart and the three women unite to stand up against their boss.
A few plot twists later, Hart is hanging above the bed in his own bedroom in a harness while Violet, Judy and Doralee ponder what to do with him and how to keep the office from noticing his absence.

So the show is very much about women getting their revenge, girl power, whatever you want to call it. Rather reminds me of my psychology teacher at college. She was very feminist. I think she would have loved this show. Anyway, the show made me laugh because many of the plot twists were unexpected or simply random. To an extent I can understand why the show didn't do well on Broadway (April '09-September '09) though and I don't think it would do brilliantly in the West End either if it ever decided to come into town: it isn't that great a story line and not all people laugh at pure randomness like I do. Even I didn't come out of the theatre thinking 'Wow! That was so much fun! I want to go again!' I suppose 9 to 5 could be compared to something like Mamma Mia! seeing as it is a feel-good, cheesy jukebox musical too but I felt that 9 to 5 was aimed mainly at adults rather than being a show for the whole family like Mamma Mia! very much is.

Original Broadway Cast. From left: Stephanie J Block, Allison Janney and Megan Hilty. (Source)

If I was to give one mention for the best performance, that would undoubtedly go to Bonnie Langford. For the information of my non-British readers, she is a famous stage actress over here. I had never seen her perform live before this despite the fact that she works at Richmond Theatre quite a lot. I did not expect her to be so petite - she was tiny! - nor did I expect her to be such a good dancer and in such a good shape for her age. Langford also won over my friend Christie who came to see the show with me and who was slightly doubtful to begin with.

9 to 5 would work as a straight play also as it is based on a film of the same name from 1980. It does not have that many musical numbers in it which made it come across a little bit like play with song and dance anyway. The plot is complicated (and weird) enough to be interesting on its own (where something like Mamma Mia! most definitely needs the umph provided by the musical theatre aspect). Having said this, I do love the perkiness of the soundtrack.

Lots of people hold the opinion that this one, Get Out and Stay Out, is the best song in the show. Just a little bit too long perhaps. Sung by Stephanie J Block here. Can I just say: she is pure brilliance. The way she builds this song with her voice and emotion is fantastic as is her breath control.

Personally I like the sound of the harmonies in this one, Shine Like the Sun, performed by Megan Hilty, Stephanie J Block and Allison Janney:

There are lots of 9 to 5 clips available to watch on YouTube if you want to find out more :)

Introducing: My motorbike

As people may recall, I bought myself a motorbike in December. For the time being it is only a small one as I have not taken the test for a full licence yet and so I currently ride with L plates.
To explain this to my readers in Finland and abroad (bear with me UK people), L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) are to be displayed on all learner (someone who has not yet passed their driving test) cars and motorcycles. In order to ride a scooter or a motorcycle up to 125cc, one has to pass a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) which is more of a training day or two instead of a formal test. The certificate awarded from this is valid for two years and allows the person to ride freely with the above engine restrictions in mind as long as they display L-plates front and back. However, they are not allowed to carry passengers or go on motorways (which you wouldn't really prefer do anyway on a 125cc machine). Within these two years one can do the test for a full licence or they can simply take the CBT again after the two years is up. 

As my first bike I went for a black Yamaha YBR 125. My friend warmly recommended this particular make and model, which he had started off with himself too, as it is very easy to handle and it is fairly inexpensive. You don't want to be spending a fortune on your first bike if you know you want to replace it with a bigger one once you have a full licence (which I am aiming to do).
I bought it new as there is a dealer nearby and they had a good offer going on. I am glad I decided to go for a new bike because the guys at West London Yamaha have been subsequently very supportive and helped me out with, well, healing my bike when I have gone and wrecked something...
People keep saying it's really dangerous on a motorbike but so far I have been more dangerous to the bike than it has been to me. I have had the bike for nearly four months now and the throttle, wing mirror, rear tyre, clutch leaver, clutch cable and the rear light bulb have all been replaced once already...

My bike is called Brianna. I just referred to her as 'bikey' until someone pointed out it sounds like 'pikey' so I thought maybe she needs a proper name. I absolutely love driving around on her. Driving a bike to college and work takes half an hour less than undertaking the same journey on public transport. This is the case even in the morning traffic as on a bike I can filter past a large number of queues on my way. Around Greater London, you can usually park a motorbike for free as well so it is really an excellent way to get around. 

22nd December 2012: parked outside the house for the first time.

I can't wait for the warmer summer weathers. The engine and tyres work much nicer in the warmth and maybe then my fingers won't feel like icicles. I love my bike though! It gives me an enormous feeling of freedom and it has really made me enjoy driving again (by the time I passed my practical car test, I hated driving). I only regret not getting into bikes sooner.

Things that happened in 2012

I saw a post like this in someone's blog and I thought it was quite a nice idea: recap on all the major things that have happened in 2012.

• January: I started taking classes in tap and musical theatre as well as continuing with private singing lessons.
• February: I started working as an optical consultant again after having dropped out of my Law course at university at the end of last year and having spent Christmas in Finland with my relatives.
• I started seeing a lot of shows, musicals in particular, as I now had the funds to do that. By doing this, and also by going to musical theatre cabarets, I got meet a lot of the fellow musical theatre fans I had spoken to on Twitter.
• April: I performed in a cabaret, Insane about Broadway, at Charing Cross Theatre after taking a musical theatre Sunday programme. 
• I started taking jazz and ballet classes in addition to tap.
• June: I had a problem with my gums so I went to the dentist's for the first time in about four years.
• I successfully auditioned for a 1-year musical theatre foundation course.
• July: The Olympics taking over London - Londoners were mostly dreading it but everything went smoother than expected. I went to see women's handball in the Olympic Park.
• September: I visited Finland for the first time since the beginning of the year.
• I started my musical theatre foundation course and became a part-timer at work.
• October: I was allocated the role of Little Bo-Peep in an amateur pantomime in January and rehearsals for the show started.
• December: I passed my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) and bought myself a motorbike which I started using for commuting to college and work.

"I am Little Bo-Peep!" "Oh no, you're not!" "Oh yes, I am!"

My friend Ford mentioned in passing that he was going to audition some people for a panto which he would be assistant directing.

"Oooh! Can I come and see the show when it's done?" I asked.

First verse of the nursery rhyme.

"You can come and be in it," he replied. 

And so I ended up going to the auditions and was cast in the title role of Little Bo-Peep (although the story revolves around her, she is not actually the one who appears in the show the most).

A short synopsis: Fanny owns a farm which she runs with her son, Freddie. Little Bo-Peep is Freddie's girlfriend and she looks after the sheep on the farm. The problems start when a Lady Sneering appears and has such a crush on Freddie that she asks Mefisto, the magician of a touring show, to make Bo-Peep disappear so she can have Freddie for herself. 

For the Finns and other people outside of the UK reading this, I may need to just explain the concept of an English pantomime. It is not a show where the actors don't speak but a musical comedy usually performed around Christmas time. It is often based on a well-known fairy tale (our one, Little Bo-Peep, is based on the nursery rhyme where she loses her sheep). Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan for instance are very standard ones. Pantos are targeted at the whole family with singing and dancing slotted into the play and  they would not work without the participation of the audience. Gender lines are often crossed with men playing women's parts and vice versa and the characters, although obviously named according to the story, tend to be very much the same and exaggerated. You have a dame, a yokel, a comedy duo etc.. The jokes are usually bad and there are witticisms flooded with sexual innuendos which children are oblivious to but which are amusing for the grown-ups. 

Bo-Peep in Toy Story. (Source)

Confession: I have never seen a pantomime let alone been in one. I will go and see one before we perform ours though so I actually have a proper idea of what we are aiming for. I am also lucky to have Ford, who knows what he's doing, there playing Freddie. 
The atmosphere within the group doing the panto, Manor Players, is absolutely lovely and I am always looking forward to going to rehearsals. They currently take place four times a week so I have virtually no free time. If I am not at school or work, I am in a rehearsal. I like being busy though when it comes to things I genuinely enjoy doing though. Really looking forward to performing this.  

Poster for the panto below. Do come and see it if you have the opportunity :) It will be lots of fun! 

Manor Players website: http://www.manorplayers.org/

                                

Overdue update

Apologies for being so quiet on here: I always seem to be on the go at the moment :/

Firstly, my course is going well. To begin with it was tough with a minimum of 14 hours of dance/body conditioning every week but I have gotten into the routine now and I certainly should have a beach body by the end of the year. In terms of dance classes, we have ballet, jazz, commercial and tap. Some of the jazz classes are technical and some are musical theatre based in which we learn routines from shows.
On top of dance, we have various classes in acting and singing. So far we have covered a bit of Stanislavsky, Shakespeare, acting through song (a BIG component) and acting for TV among others.

Aside from me there are only 4 people on the course which means that no hiding can take place: you will get caught if you haven't done your work. However, it is above all a positive thing because of the vast amount of time the teachers have to spend with each of us giving individual feedback. 

I would be lying if I said I have not improved in all the different areas. However, I have noticed particular improvement in terms of core body strength, flexibility and stamina. I have never been much of a dancer and only started dancing upon the realisation that if musical theatre was what I want to do, I will have to learn to dance decently. The course has made me rather enjoy dance and because my fitness level is higher, my body doesn't wear out as quickly and I am able to enjoy the exercise more. In addition, my technique and ability to remember routines have improved which makes everything more fun. 
My confidence has gone up a lot as well. It is not a big deal for me to get up and sing in front of the class anymore. I used to have a problem with my voice locking up as soon as I had an audience but as I have learned to accept that I can sing and produce a fairly good sound, it has made me relax significantly.

So far we have covered a lot of West Side Story: acted out some scenes, practiced a Puerto Rican accent, sung Somewhere, worked on the dance routine to Cool and at the moment we are putting together a whole musical theatre number to America. We have also danced to Grease and In the Heights among others.

On a Friday morning we do work on individual production numbers. Each of us gets to choose a song from a musical which is then choreographed so that everyone can be in it. You get to sing and act your own song and everyone else become the ensemble. I am doing So Much Better from Legally Blonde for that. Gives me a reason to learn to sing and dance in heels as well. I bought a gorgeous pair of tan-coloured character shoes with 2 3/4" (~7cm) heel which are also incredibly comfortable and I love wearing them. I must post a picture on here soon. Or maybe I should do a video blog...(?)

Over the Christmas holidays I promise to catch up on reviews of shows and such on here so stay tuned!