Musical of the Month: The Perfect Rom Com

Hi everyone, well as it's nearly the end of September I thought I better do my 'Musical of the Month' post. As I said in my last 'Musical of the Month' (http://stageright11.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/musical-of-month-large-dose-of-glitter.html) if I was being truthful I would probably have to say Priscilla every time. However, although there are some people I know who wouldn't mind me rambling on about the amazing-ness that is Priscilla, I suspect that the majority of you would get a little tired of it.

So "What is the 'Musical of the Month'?" I hear you cry. Well, after rediscovering the CD in my car I have decided to go for a little known musical called 'I Love You Because...'. To clear things up, I have never actually seen the show as it was last on in the West End in the September to October of 2009 (I think...please don't kill me if I'm wrong) at The Landor Theatre, and it wasn't until 6 months later that I fell in love with this show.

I first heard the music on a gem of a radio show called Westenders. This broadcasts every Sunday between 6 and 8 in the Lincolnshire and Humberside area and if Elaine Paige is Phantom these guys are Priscilla (whoops...mentioned it again). Don't worry if you don't live in Lincolnshire or Humberside though as you can always access it though the internet on 'Listen Live' or 'Listen Again' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7zf)

Anyway, as I was saying before I stared promoting, I first heard of 'I Love You Because...' when someone requested the title track on Westenders and from that moment on I was hooked; it was one of the most beautiful and touching songs I'd ever heard. So after hearing this the next time I was in London I hot footed it to a certain musical shop to buy the CD and wow...just wow! The whole soundtrack is one of the most magical things in the world, with so many moving and/or uplifting melodies. However, the magic does not stop there as this soundtrack is one of the most hilarious things I have ever heard; how a song can touch your heart and make you roll around the floor laughing at the same time is beyond me but 'I Love You Because...' somehow manages it.

It, also, doesn't matter too much that I've never seen the show, in terms of understanding the music, as you can pretty much pick up what's going on just by listening. Basically, there's a guy (Austin) who is in love with a girl (Catherine) except he finds out she's sleeping with another man so his friend (Jeff) suggests the best way to get her back to hook up with another woman. At the same time a girl (Marcy) has just broken up with her boyfriend and her friend (Diana) suggests that to find the ever elusive 'perfect guy' see needs to date someone 'perfectly wrong' while she's on the rebound; hence Austin (who leads one of the most structured lives known to man) and Marcy (quite normal but, also, a bit flighty) meet. So, to cut a long story short, whilst they date with the idea that by doing so they will get their perfect partner, however, along the way they fall in love with each other...awwwww. Additionally, Jeff and Diana, who set up a 'friends with benefits' relationship, also, end up falling for each other...yet again...awwww. As you can see, the storyline is basically about life and love with a bit of comedy thrown in for fun (if you want more information check out http://www.iloveyoubecausethemusical.co.uk/) and as the title of this blog suggests, it is the perfect rom com.

So, you know what you've got to do know, go and listen to this amazing soundtrack and be wowed...oh and look out for the show resurfacing...I'll let you know if I hear anything :).

To finish, I will leave you with some paintings I did that took inspiration from the songs of 'I Love You Because...'...some are better than others but oh well I'll let you see them all...

 

 

01. Another Saturday Night in New York

 

 02. Oh Waht A Difference

 

 03. The Actuary Song

 

 04. But I Don't Want To Talk About Her

 

05. Coffee

 

06. The Perfect Roman

 

07. Because Of You

 

08. We're Just Friends

 

09. Maybe We Just Made Love

 

10. Just Not Now

 

 11. Alone

 

12. That's What's Gona Happen

 

13. Even Though

 

14. But I Do

 

15. What Do We Do It For?

 

16. Marcy's Yours

 

 17. Goodbye

 

18. I Love You Because...

 

I hope you enjoyed the paintings.

Were any of you lucky enough to see 'I Love You Because...'? If so, what did you think?

Let me know what you think of the soundtrack by commenting below.

Oh, and please click the 'Subscribe by email' button at the bottom of the page :)

 

Love

Kat

xx

 

 

Rally The Masses People!!!

Well, I have finally got round to writing my blog on Rock of Ages (ROA), which I last saw on 2nd September...my only excuse is I've been drowning under pre-uni reading :(. Anyway, here we go...

On the 2nd September I went to see ROA at the Shaftesbury Theatre for the 4th and 5th time. I was originally going to the matinee and that alone as I had to show my friend the amazingness of Oliver Tompsett as Drew before he left at the end of this month (it has now been announced he will be joining We Will Rock You as Galileo...new favourite musical!!!). However, we were both persuaded (well it doesn't take a lot where musicals are concerned) to go and see the evening show as well.

My obsession with this show started because of a certain Mr Tompsett who I was already in love with after seeing him in Wicked a number of times. As soon as I heard he would be in ROA I just had to buy tickets. However, I was completely blown away by the whole package of the show enough to go back and see it one day after the other (I thought that was mad enough at the time) and then twice in one day.

You may wonder what the point is of seeing the same show twice in one day as all the jokes and quirks will still be fresh in your mind. Well, have no fear, I was still in hysterics the second time and was still blown away by the brilliance of the whole performance.

As hinted at, the show overall is absolutely hilarious, brilliantly written and has a killer soundtrack. The storyline is not the most challenging in existence but then who really wants to sit there analysing in a feel good show, so I'd say its line is perfect for the show's mood. My only advice with the storyline is that it, and some of the jokes involved, are rude and sexual so it always worries me when I see parents bringing their 6 year olds...this is not a show for the kids!!!

The music is truly amazing, however it is 80's rock so if this is not your style I would suggest you stay away. The volume, I would say, is possibly louder then We Will Rock You, so yet again if you have an aversion to loud music stay away. On the other hand, if loud rock music is your thing I strongly suggest you beg, borrow or steal a ticket just for the pleasure of sitting through over 2hrs of amazing songs.

So what about the actual talent in the show? Well, on the 2nd September the majority of the cast was understudies. My main worry that Lonny, who is normally played by the amazingly talented Simon Lipkin (another obsession of mine), was to be played by Nathan Amiz. As I watched the show for the 4th time I did not have high expectations as I didn't think anyone could get near the perfection of Simon's Lonny, nevertheless, I was completely wrong and although Nathan portrayed a different type of Lonny, it was still one of the most hilarious things is ever seen and I have to say I'm rather disappointed that Nathan is leaving with the upcoming cast change, although the good news is that Simon is staying...YAY!!!

The other main cast members that were understudied were Stacee Jaxx (normally played by Shayne Ward), Dennis (normally played by Justin Lee Collins) and Sherrie (normally played by Natalie Andredu). Now I'm not normally one for celebrities taking roles in shows as they are normally picked for their name and not their talent, however, in the case of Shayne and Justin I take back this statement as the two of them are fabulous and yet again it's a shame they'll be leaving when the cast changes. The understudies for all the above roles (Dylan Turner as Stacee, Grant Anthony as Dennis and Cordelia Farnworth as Sherrie) were amazing and completely matched the brilliant talent of the actual cast members...in a sense it's a shame that there are not more lead roles as all the understudies deserve one.

Onto the parts that weren't understudied...as you can probably guess I thought Oliver Tompsett (Drew) was absolutely fabulous and could not be faulted. Near the end of the show, in the song 'Oh Sherrie' he holds a note for flippin' ages...trust me it's one of the most amazing things I've ever heard...the guy is just fabulous!!! The other cast members are Jodie Jacobs (Regina/Candi) and Sandi Moffat (Franz) who are truly hilarious, Rachel McFarlane (Justice) who has one of the most powerful voices I've ever heard and Rohan Tickell (Hertz) who is just brilliant...oh and not forgetting the ensemble who are the most talented group of people ever. If you get chance to see the current cast before the cast change I strongly advise that you take the opportunity with both hands. Nevertheless, I'm sure the next cast will be just as talented...well I'll let you know as I'm sure to be sitting in one of those super comfy seats at the Shaftesbury again!!!

Before I go I will mention a few other points. Firstly the set is so clever yet basic and the lighting is out of this world although a little bit blinding at times. Additionally, during the show, the in house team wander round selling beer and other drinks...just be warned you are in a London theatre so the prices are astronomical!!! Also, if you sit on the front row you need to remember to keep your feet in to avoid any near misses of tripping cast members up when they come running by. And finally, if you're staying in a hotel you may want to apologise to the cleaning staff for the state your room will be in when you return...I'll say no more but you'll see if you go!!!

So, basically, go and get tickets for this amazing show...go on go...what are you waiting for...GOOOOO!!!

And I'll leave you with a picture of me with the amazing Mr Tompsett...however it is from the 1st time I saw the show as he's in costume and in the pictures from the last shows I look  like a startled chicken :(

Have any of you seen ROA? Did you think it was amazing as I did? PLEASE comment below...oh and click on subscribe by e-mail (at the bottom of the page) as well :)

Love you lots

Kat

xx

Revealing All

Hi everyone, I'm here to do the third instalment of my blog on the amazing time I had at West End Bares. However, this one is slightly different from the last two as it is a picture gallery of my two amazing days in London.

Nevertheless, before I start there are two things I would like to say:

Firstly, I would like to thank Rob for taking the majority of these pictures, which are truly amazing!!!

Secondly, as the name of the event suggests there will be a few revealing pictures so if this will offend you, as much as it pains me to say, it's best you stop reading now and come back and read my next blog about Rock of Ages which I will publish shortly!!!

 

So let's get on with it...

 

 The Opening Ceremony

The First Event - Sailing

 

The Secong Event - Synchronised Swimming

 

The Third Event - Gymnastics

 

The Forth Event - Wrestling

 

Interlude - The Pants Project

(All the West End shows and some celebrities designed a pair pants that are now being sold on ebay. To find them just type West End Bares in the search bar)

Here is Oliver Thornton in the pants he designed

 

The Fifth Event - Table Tennis

 

The Sixth Event - Boxing

 

The Seventh Event - Equestrian

 

The Closing Ceremony

 

The Rotation

(the final picture is of Alys and I putting our MAD money down Oliver Thornton's pants!)

 

The After Party

Alys and Emma with their West End Bares bras 

 Me with Olivia Phillip

 Me with Oliver Thornton

 Alys and I getting our things signed by Oliver Thornton

Matt Krzan, Callum Nicol, Oliver Thornton and Olivia Phillip

 

And now for some fun pics...

 

The Long Walk Back

(The first four pics are of Sharon, Janette, Alys and I being allowed on some really nice Policemen's motorbikes. The other pics are of Sharon, Janette, Rob, Alys and I having a bit of fun with a broken telephone box) 

 

The Morning After the Night Before...a.k.a. Maxwells

(The first pic is of the Alys' favourite...The Japanese Slipper) 

 

I hope you enjoyed looking through the pictures of West End Bares and my time afterwards.

Sorry about the layout...even with some help from one of my best friends Megan (http://megsbudgetboutique.blogspot.co.uk/) I still couldn't work out (other than in a few cases) how to lay the pictures out other than just going down the page!!!

 

Love you all

Kat

xx