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.

Chicago at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

On the morning of Saturday 18th August 2012 I caught the early Norwich to Nottingham train. After a morning spent at Nottingham Castle I made my way to the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall to attend the matinee performance of Chicago. Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery...all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.

This musical is based on real life events back in the 1920s when nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with Cell Block rival, double murderess Velma Kelly they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn. With an amazing soundtrack which includes All That Jazz, When You're Good to Mama and Razzle Dazzle this was a sensational afternoon's entertainment.

Ali Bastian starred as Roxie Hart while Tupele Dorgu thrilled as Velma Kelly. Billy Flynn was played by Stefan Booth on an afternoon that raised the temperature at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall. Adrian Kirk's Ragtime Band were permanently on stage during the performance bringing us all the musical numbers. With this Musical coming to the end of it's run in London's West End this was the perfect opportunity for me to catch the magic of this Bob Fosse show.