Post by Lynda on May 27, 2010 13:33:20 GMT
Took myself off to London on a last minute whim.
Went to see Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in west end.
Primarily to see Matthew Barrow (Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins etc.) in his first west end show.
There was an added bonus with there being an ex Josephite namely Jez Unwin playing many roles in SC.
Tamsin Outhwaite the lead wasnt on, but that wasnt a concern to me as often the understudy is better than a name.
Tiffany Graves was Charity, some of her previous roles have been Velma in Chicago (west end) and Tonights the Night (uk tour). She was outstanding.
During "Hey Big Spender" the girls arent leaning against a bar facing the audience as in the film. So that was a bit different.
Charity works in a hostess dance bar and is looking for love but is very gullible.
First half dragged and my mind was beginning to wander. But it was nice to see Matthew on stage quite a bit. Loved his hippy hair, talking of which I actually preferred Sweet Charity to Hair the musical. Both musicals of their time of course, for me Rhythm of Life, If my friends could see me now, I'm a brass band, I love to cry at weddings, being amongst my fav songs. Wonderful Bob Fosse type dancing in The Pompeii club scene with the boys and girls dancing the frug. I was loving that scene and secretly wished Matthew was is in it, when all of a sudden towards the end he appeared too. Quite made my visit.
There is quite a high stage so for once I was glad I didnt get a front row seat. Had Row G left aisle seat which juts out a bit so didnt have anyone in front of me, plus 2 empty seats to the right.
The actual ending is different to the film. In fact the opening scene is how I remembered the ending. Apparently the show has been played around with a little. The three men in Charity's life all being played by the same actor too.
There is a very funny lift scene with one of the characters having a a panic attack.
Show ended with the bows so no reprise as we had been warned when we took our seats that there would be a fire drill at the end of the show and everyone was to leave, as if it were a real fire alarm. So no collecting coats from the cloakroom or visiting the loo. I have never seen a theatre empty so quickly!!!! The cast of course also had to leave and go outside in their stage clothes. So I was able to get a few pics. I spotted Sergio (who used to be Rocky in RHS ) talking to the cast, he of course is now in Legally Blonde.
During the journey down to London the train driver announced he had forgotten to stop at Watford !!!! A teenager was always trying to get a free ride from Birmingham to London by hiding in the loo.
I waited 40 mins for a bus from Charring Cross to Euston but there were delays due to a demonstration,so I decided to cross the road to the railway station and get a taxi, and of course when I was in the taxi, I looked over the road to where the bus stop was, there was my bus coming along. sods law. Oh well it dont hurt to ride in style now and then and as I was meeting two friends before I got my train home I needed to get to my destination as cheesecake at Ed's Diner had my name on it.
On my return our carriage was plunged into darkness for about 10 mins. Got to love public transport.
If you get chance go see Sweet Charity, I think it finishes in January. I will certainly be making a return visit. ;D ;D ;D
Went to see Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in west end.
Primarily to see Matthew Barrow (Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins etc.) in his first west end show.
There was an added bonus with there being an ex Josephite namely Jez Unwin playing many roles in SC.
Tamsin Outhwaite the lead wasnt on, but that wasnt a concern to me as often the understudy is better than a name.
Tiffany Graves was Charity, some of her previous roles have been Velma in Chicago (west end) and Tonights the Night (uk tour). She was outstanding.
During "Hey Big Spender" the girls arent leaning against a bar facing the audience as in the film. So that was a bit different.
Charity works in a hostess dance bar and is looking for love but is very gullible.
First half dragged and my mind was beginning to wander. But it was nice to see Matthew on stage quite a bit. Loved his hippy hair, talking of which I actually preferred Sweet Charity to Hair the musical. Both musicals of their time of course, for me Rhythm of Life, If my friends could see me now, I'm a brass band, I love to cry at weddings, being amongst my fav songs. Wonderful Bob Fosse type dancing in The Pompeii club scene with the boys and girls dancing the frug. I was loving that scene and secretly wished Matthew was is in it, when all of a sudden towards the end he appeared too. Quite made my visit.
There is quite a high stage so for once I was glad I didnt get a front row seat. Had Row G left aisle seat which juts out a bit so didnt have anyone in front of me, plus 2 empty seats to the right.
The actual ending is different to the film. In fact the opening scene is how I remembered the ending. Apparently the show has been played around with a little. The three men in Charity's life all being played by the same actor too.
There is a very funny lift scene with one of the characters having a a panic attack.
Show ended with the bows so no reprise as we had been warned when we took our seats that there would be a fire drill at the end of the show and everyone was to leave, as if it were a real fire alarm. So no collecting coats from the cloakroom or visiting the loo. I have never seen a theatre empty so quickly!!!! The cast of course also had to leave and go outside in their stage clothes. So I was able to get a few pics. I spotted Sergio (who used to be Rocky in RHS ) talking to the cast, he of course is now in Legally Blonde.
During the journey down to London the train driver announced he had forgotten to stop at Watford !!!! A teenager was always trying to get a free ride from Birmingham to London by hiding in the loo.
I waited 40 mins for a bus from Charring Cross to Euston but there were delays due to a demonstration,so I decided to cross the road to the railway station and get a taxi, and of course when I was in the taxi, I looked over the road to where the bus stop was, there was my bus coming along. sods law. Oh well it dont hurt to ride in style now and then and as I was meeting two friends before I got my train home I needed to get to my destination as cheesecake at Ed's Diner had my name on it.
On my return our carriage was plunged into darkness for about 10 mins. Got to love public transport.
If you get chance go see Sweet Charity, I think it finishes in January. I will certainly be making a return visit. ;D ;D ;D