Evita at Norwich Theatre Royal

On the afternoon of Saturday 27th July 2013 I attended the matinee performance of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita at Norwich Theatre Royal. Bringing to life the dynamic, larger than life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita tells the story from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood.

This fantastic performance of Evita starred Marti Pellow as Che, Madalena Alberto as Eva and Mark Heenehan as Peron. We were treated to all the musical numbers including Oh What a Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall and Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Evita has more than twenty major awards to its credit and was always going to be one of the highlights of the year at Norwich Theatre Royal.

In a cinema in Buenos Aires in 1952, the film is interrupted by a news announcement: Eva Peron, the thirty-three-year-old wife of Argentina’s President Juan Peron, has died. In flashback, we see scenes from Eva’s extraordinary life. Born Eva Duarte, the youngest of five children of a single mother, she escapes her origins in the small town of Junín and heads for the bright lights of Buenos Aires, where she works  her way to a career as a radio actress and film starlet before becoming first the mistress and then the wife of Juan Peron, soon to be president of Argentina.

Adored by the common people, who affectionately call her Evita - Little Eva, she is regarded with suspicion by the military and social elite. Sceptical too is the figure of Che, who acts as a narrator and commentator throughout this remarkable story of a woman who rose to become the spiritual leader of her nation.

This was a brilliant afternoon to be at Norwich Theatre Royal as the story of Evita took us on an emotional journey full of passion and style. The drama and music of Evita are very compelling and intense. This was a show to remember that thrilled a full Norwich Theatre Royal and received loud applause at the end of the performance.

Aspects of Love at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On Friday 15th March 2013 I attended the Aspects of Love concert from The Oriole Singers at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. This lunchtime concert party featured a choral suite from the operetta by Andrew Lloyd Webber arranged by Francis Shaw. There was a retiring collection for Christian Aid.

The Oriole Singers were conducted by Martin Wyatt with Accompanist Heather Wyatt. Beverley McInnes was guest soloist at this wonderful Friday lunchtime concert. The programme consisted of In the still and the peace of the moment - Martin Wyatt, Ode to the Five Senses - Martin Wyatt, Love is the sweetest thing - Ray Noble, Foggy foggy dew - Trad, arranged by Britten, Will she wait up for me? - T Sterndale Bennett, Happy Talk - Rodgers and Hammerstein, Reading from the 4th Century Greek Prelate Eusebius, Excerpt from Cello Suite No.3 - Britten and Vocal Selection from Aspects of Love - Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Aspects of Love tells the dramatic story of a young man's enchantment with an actress. The songs sang gave hints at the different phases of love. Infatuation, lust, joy and sorrow that this overwhelming emotion entails. Love changes everything, Flirtation - Mermaid Song, Courtship - The first man you remember, Elopement - Seeing is believing, Bliss - Chanson d'enfance, Cautionary tale - There is more to love, Gentlemanly rivals defer to each other - She'd be better off with you, Nostalgia - Other pleasures can't compare with you, Desolation - Anything but lonely and Summary - Love changes everything.

This was a fun and enjoyable concert at St. Peter Mancroft Church which proved to be the best place to spend Friday lunchtime as we experienced a wonderful programme of music. In the still and the peace of the moment be still and at peace with God.

The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre

On Saturday 29th December 2012 I attended the matinee performance of The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End. This incredible musical from Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber is based on the novel Le Fantome de l'Opera by Gaston Leroux.

The Phantom of the Opera opens in Paris in 1911 at an auctioning of the contents of the Paris Opera House. The contents include a fabulous chandelier in which the auctioneer proceeds to tell the story of the legend of the Phantom of the Opera. Suddenly you are transported back a time when the Paris Opera House was at the height of its powers.

At that time, the opera house is, claimed by many, to be inhabited by a ghost. If this ghost is in anyway offended or annoyed then he will cause mayhem in the opera house. The ghost or phantom then decides to help a lowly chorus girl, Christine Daae by giving her music lessons through the wall of her dressing room. He pretends to be the spirit of her dead father and as a result of this she becomes a talented singer who is then thrust into the limelight.

This phantom worships Christine and is determined to make her a star. He demands that the opera house management cast her in a starring role in the new opera Il Muto but the manager, Raoul refuses to do so. As a result of this the phantom, angered by this refusal decides to cause chaos in the opera house. He is chased but manages to evade capture by causing a fabulous chandelier to crash to the ground.

Later on, we see the Grand Masquerade Ball. Six months have passed since the Phantom’s last appearance and people have started to think that he has gone forever. In that time, Raoul and Christine have become engaged which causes the Phantom to return in a fit of jealous rage.

He makes new demands of the management and tries to win back the affection of Christine but she is committed to Raoul who she loves deeply. In a confrontation, the Phantom demands that Christine comes back to him or Raoul will die.

There were brilliant performances from Marcus Lovett as The Phantom, Sofia Escobar as Christine Daae and Simon Thomas as Raoul as a packed Her Majesty's Theatre enjoyed a Christmas treat in London's West End. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mesmerising score along with the fantastic scenery and breathtaking special effects, magically combined to bring this tragic love story to life.

Joseph at Theatre Royal Nottingham

Thanks to East Midlands Trains I made the journey to Nottingham on Friday 26th October 2012 which included a visit to Theatre Royal Nottingham to attend a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Keith Jack as Joseph and Laura Ingram as the Narrator. This was a wonderful opportunity to see this Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a dream and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colours comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favourite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. He is purchased by Potiphar where thwarting advances from Potiphar's wife lands him in jail. When news of Joseph's gift to interpret dreams reaches the Pharaoh (wryly and riotously depicted as Elvis), Joseph is well on his way to becoming second in command. Eventually his brothers, having suffered greatly, unknowingly find themselves groveling at the feet of the brother they betrayed but no longer recognise. After testing their integrity, Joseph reveals himself leading to a heartfelt reconciliation of the sons of Israel. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.

Any dream will do and I'm dreamed of seeing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. My dream came true at Theatre Royal Nottingham where the cast put on a brilliant show full of many splendid songs including Jacob and Sons, One More Angel in Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph. This was a show of many colours and was full of fun. The audience was full of smiling faces as the magical of this musical spread throughout the whole theatre.

Then Joseph said to his brother, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Tell my father about all the honour accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

Starlight Express at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

On Saturday 1st September 2012 I returned to Nottingham for the matinee performance of Starlight Express at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall. With music from Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics from Richard Stilgoe this musical opened in March 1984 and now in 2012 a whole new generation can enjoy the spectacle and fun of Starlight Express.

The show is a complete theatrical experience with love, triumph, sportsmanship, rivalry, danger and thrills. Complete with 3D film and new sounds and projections this is one event I definitely didn't want to miss. This show is a full two hours full of roller skating fun with a brilliant soundtrack that will have you tapping your feet.

The plot revolves around a group of toy railway trains, portrayed by actors on roller-skates, who come to life inside the mind of a small boy. The characters race to become the 'fastest engine in the world', and in the end, the underdog, Rusty,  triumphs, winning the race and the heart of a beautiful observation car, Pearl. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Nottingham Royal Concert is a brilliant venue and was the perfect place to witness Starlight Express. It was an exciting afternoon which takes you to another dimension. Don't be a laughing stock be the king of the track. If you can, go and see this new production of Starlight Express. It's lots of fun.

Singing fun at Eaton!

On Sunday 1st April 2012 I attended the final concert in the Eaton Concert Series 2011/12 season at St. Andrew's Church, Eaton, Norwich with Gerard Carey and Neil Ricketts bringing us The Great American Songbook. They were performing at very short notice and had to put together their programme just before the start of the concert.

Gerard Carey graduated from London's famous Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and is currently appearing with Broadway legend Tyne Daly in Terrence McNally's Master Class at London's Vaudeville Theatre. Neil Ricketts has accompanied and conducted various choral societies and choirs in numerous concerts over the past 25 years.

When October Goes is a ballad based on lyrics by Johnny Mercer with music by Barry Manilow which was sung brilliantly by Gerard Carey. Neil Ricketts treated us to a wonderful version of Gershwin's Summertime before the concert finished with Gerard Carey dressed in a kilt gave us a Scottish version of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs including Jesus Christ Superstar. This was a fun finish to this season's Eaton Concert Series.