Manic Monday's (and other days as well)

Hello everyone, well I've officially started back at uni so my life is currently manic...I mean, for goodness sake, I haven't even written up my last Rocky experience from the end of September...it's coming soon people. Anyway, if truth be told my Musical of the Month would be exactly the same as last month as I still haven't managed to take the Newsies CD out of my car CD player for more than a day yet (well except for when I crashed my car but that's another story boo hoo). However, that may be a bit dull for me to go rabbiting on about the same show (I know I do it for Priscilla...oops) so for any of you who are interested in this fabulous show here's the link to my last Musical of the Month. But what about this month, well I'm going to cheat and do a play not a musical as the other show that has been completely taking up my life is Adult Child/Dead Child by Claire Dowie. 

This play has been monumental to me this past month (well actually for quite a few months) as my friend, Holly, and I decided to put it on at our university. The date we performed was the 10th October (so actually it was pretty near the start of October but hey ho) and, as far as we could tell, people seemed to enjoy it and learnt something from it. 

The play itself focuses on a person (who is non gender specific) who is assumed to be schizophrenic and explores the reasons why they have ended up that way. The play raises issues such as lack of love, loneliness, loss of childhood, friendship, parental abuse and mental health; however, Claire Dowie (the playwright) claims she wrote the play about nothing at all. 

For our depiction we chose to opt for portraying the play in a in-yer-face style so there was a lot of going up to people as shouting in their faces, pushing people and at one point I went over and sat on a person's knee for five minutes. This seemed to heighten the tension and create more dramatic impact to the play. 

We, also, had the audience sat separately and in the round. The separation was so that people would feel isolated and, particularly wouldn't be able to grab onto their friends hand if they became scared; they'd have to deal with their fear themselves, just like the character did. We chose to do the play in the round as we felt this made the audience closer to the play (they weren't just sat in one big block). Furthermore, the roundness of the audience was akin to a brain, which depicted the fact that the play was happening within the character's brain. We extended this thought by chalking words such as 'crazy' and 'lunatic' on the wall so as to show that these were the words spinning around the character's head as it was what other people were calling them; it, also, brought to life the phrase "The writing's on the wall". 

Additionally, we based our concept around childhood as we felt that the main impact on the character's life was their childhood. This resulted in the space being strewn with toys from our childhood, including building bricks, toy trains and a very large teddy to name a few. 

The highlight, and also the worst moment, of the play for me was when I accidentally pushed one of the audience members a bit too hard and they fell off their chair (ooops). Although I was extremely worried it was, also, very hard to stop laughing and lots of the audience came up to me at the end saying how bad they felt for laughing. Luckily said audience member, who just happened to be my boyfriend (and no I don't usually go around beating him up, I just didn't realise quite how strong I was) was ok and the show carried on quite well after that. 

We are now very sad that the experience is over and are hoping to revive it at some point. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experience of performing Adult Child/Dead Child by Claire Dowie; if any of you have any other topics you'd like me to cover in the coming weeks please comment below or tweet me at @GreenGirlsRox and I'd be happy to oblige (I'm a bit theatre-less at the moment). 

Anyway, love you all

Kat

Xx

 

P.S. Please forgive me of any speling errors as my computer has only just been fixed (thanks to the my amazingly clever boyfriend and his brother) after becoming very infected so I don't have Microsoft Word yet to spell check everything on.

Carrying the Banner

Hi everyone, I can't believe we're nearly at the end of September already meaning that I'm about to start my 3rd and final year of my uni course...now that's majorly scary. Well anyway, enough of that, let's get going with the Musical of the Month for September. 

Now I did mention this show a bit in my vlog about Washington and New York but I wanted to do a bit more of a full review to just emphasise how amazing this show is. The show in question is said to be coming to London in Spring 2014 to either the Savoy or Piccadilly Theatre (but don't quote me on it). It, also, won the Tony for Best Choreography and Best Original Score. Finally, it is now one of my favourite shows ever and I cannot get enough of it. I am, of course, talking about Newsies, which is currently playing at the Nerderlander Theatre in New York. 

I was a bit sceptical about seeing this show as I didn't really know what it was about or too much about the music; but WOW when I came out of that theatre I had had one of the best night's I have ever had at a theatre!

The whole cast were just incredible, especially the young boy (Nicholas Lampiasi) who played Les and the guy (Corey Cott) who played Jack. I seriously don't think I've seen such a strong cast in a really long time. 

The dancing, well you could see why it won a Tony, was cool, quirky and very, very fun. There was even a tap number in King of New York, which was exactly my cup of tea. 

The set was simple yet effective as it mainly consisted of metal structures that interlinked and moved around...it was probably more exciting to witness. 

The story itself was sweet and had a brilliant message full of love, hope and joy. It was one of those stories you could watch again and again and again. 

The main reason Newsies is Musical of the Month though is because I have not taken CD out my CD Player since I got back from New York. The music is just phenomenal and I cannot get enough of it. I think the real amazing thing is that every song is amazing: you get so many shows where just one or two songs are great and you end up skipping the rest, well this isn't like that, all the songs on the album are fantastic and completely out if this world. I think my favourite of all would have to be Watch What Happens but that's mainly because it's the main female song so I can really get my teeth stuck in when singing it...truth be told they're all my favourites at different times of the day. 

Overall, Newsies is a great show and if the rumours are right I encourage everyone to go and get tickets as well as buying the CD right this moment. 

I hope you've enjoyed reading a bit about Newsies. If any of you want to ask any more questions about it my Twitter is @GreenGirlsRox but please remember if you don't follow me I won't be able to see your message which is sad. 

Love you all lots and see you soon. 

Love Kat

Xx

Bare it all at the Fun Fair

Hi everyone, I feel all behind like a dog's tail; it's already the 17th September and I have written about West End Bares. So, shall we get that sorted? 

I went down to London with my friend Ellie and after unpacking we headed for Covent Garden to do a bit of shopping, which, yes, did include the Disney Store of course. We, also, had dinner at a Bella Italia and got a tad tipsy and had great fun trying to get the waiters to bring us extra strawberries rather than straws! (You probably had to be there.)

After this we headed off back to our hotel to get ready for the party that is West End Bares. For those of you who don't know, West End Bares is a show where West End stars get together and take their clothes off to raise money for the charity MAD Trust, and this year's theme was All The Fun Of The Bare. And I tell you what, it certainly was fun!

Featuring stars such as Matt Krzan (Book of Mormon), Callum Train (Top Hat) and Jenny Victoria Wickham (Dirty Dancing) and acts such as Popping Candy, Bearded Ladies and House of Mirrors, West End Bares was certainly a night to be remembered. 

Personally, the highlight of the show for me was when Lisa Riley and Anita Dobson persuaded Robin Winsor (off Strictly Come Dancing) to strip by auctioning off his clothes...you may not see the attraction (other than the fact he's majorly hot) but when you're a huge Strictly fan like me, even being that close to him was pretty amazing!!! Plus I got a photo with him at the after party, which was pretty special. 

That's another good thing about West End Bares, if you go to the 11.59pm showing you can, also, but tickets to the after party and get to meet the stars of the show. The tickets when the after party is included are £65 which when you consider that's cheaper than your average top price West End show tickets plus the money is going to a good cause, it's definitely worth it. 

What I found incredibly special was that the entrance into the section where the show took place was done out like a circus tent and they were serving cocktails that were blue in colour and came in a zipper bag with a plastic fish in. To me it was these touches that made the night extra special. 

Overall, I had an amazing time and, as always will leave you with some pictures below. 

From Left To Right and Top to Bottom: 1. Bare it all at the Fun Fair, 2. The Carousel Horses, 3. Me with Robin Winsor, 4. The Rotation, 5. The Show, 6. Ellie and Me Getting Ready, 7. Ellie and Me with the Carousel Horses , 8. West End Bares Calendar, 9. The Robin Winsor Auction. 10. One of the Freaks, 11. It's Getting Bigger, 12. The Rotation, 13. Poppin' Candy, 14. The Freak Master.

 

I hope you enjoyed my blog about West End Bares and if you feel like supporting the MAD Trust please check out their eBay site which has some amazing things on it, as well as, checking out the West End Bares calendar. Also, I love to hear from you if you saw West End Bares or just like musical theatre in general so please either comment below or tweet me at @GreenGirlsRox (remember I can't get your tweets if you don't follow me). 

Love you all

Kat

Xx

Musical's of the Month - It's Up to You, New York, New York!

Hi everyone, I know I'm dreadfully late with August's Musical of the Month but it's because it's a little special. That's because it focuses on four musicals rather than one and is actually a vlog (well actually two vlogs, as if I'd done just one it would be mega long!). Now I've never done one before so I hope it's ok and I hope you enjoy. 

 

Part 1 - Washington D.C., Kinky Boots and Pippin

 

Part 2 - Newsies, Wicked and Ellen's Stardust Diner

 

 

Kinky Boots - The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Cast in Order of Appearance - Main Parts Highlighted. 

Mr Price - Stephen Berger

Young Charlie - Sebastian Hedges Thomas

Young Lola - Marquise Neal

Simon Sr - Eugene Barry-Hill

Nicola - Lena Hall

Charlie Price - Stark Sands

George - Marcus Neville

Don - Daniel Stewart Sherman

Lauren - Annaleigh Ashford

Pat - Tory Ross

Harry - Andy Kelso

Lola - Billy Porter

Lola's Angels - Paul Canaan, Kevin Smith Kirkwood, Kyle Taylor Parker, Kyle Post, Charlie Sutton and Joey Taranto

Trish - Jennifer Perry

Richard Bailey - John Jeffrey Martin

Milan Stage Manager - Lucia Spina

Pippin - The Music Box

Cast in Order of Appearance - Main Parts Highlighted. 

Leading Player - Patina Miller

Fastrada - Charlotte d'Amboise

Berthe - Tovah Feldshuh

Lewis - Erik Altemus

Charles - Terrence Mann

Pippin - Matthew James Thomas

Catherine - Rachel Bay Jones

Theo - Ashton Woerz

Newsies - Nerderlander Theatre

Cast in Order of Appearance - Main Parts Highlighted. 

Jack Kelly - Corey Cott

Crutchie - Andy Richardson

Race - Ryan Breslin

Albert - Garett Hawe

Specs - John Michael Fiumara

Henry - Iain Young

Finch - JP Ferreri

Elmer - Evan Kasprzak

Romeo - Tommy Martinez

Mush - David Guzman

Katherine - Caitlyn Caughell

Darcy - Hogan Fulton

Nuns - LaVon Fisher-Wilson, Julie Foldesi and Liana Hunt

Morris Delancey - Michael Fatica

Oscar Delancey - Brendon Stimson

Wiesel - John E. Brady

Davey - Ben Fankhauser

Les - Nicholas Lampiasi

Joseph Pulitzer - John Dossett

Seitz - Mark Aldrich

Bunsen - Nick Sullivan

Hannah - Liana Hunt

Snyder - Stuart Marland

Medda Larkin - Julie Foldesi

Stage Manager - John E. Brady

Mr. Jacobs - John E. Brady

Scabs - Tommy Bracco, Jacob Guzman and Jess LeProtto

Mayor - John E. Brady

Spot Conlon - Tommy Bracco

Bill - Garett Hawe

Governor Roosevelt - Tom Alan Robbins

Wicked - Gershwin Theatre

Cast in Order of Appearance - Main Parts Highlighted. 

Glinda - Tiffany Haas

Witch's Father - Michael DeVries

Witch's Mother - Kristen Gorski-Wergeles

Midwife - Briana Yacavone

Elphaba - Lindsey Mendez

Nessarose - Catherine Charlebois

Boq - Michael Wartella

Madame Morrible - Carol Kane

Doctor Dillamond - John Schiappa

Fiyero - Derek Klena

Ozian Official - Michael DeVries

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Tom McGowan

Chistery - Christopher King

All cast lists are correct for the days I saw them on (some do include the understudies) 

The music used in the videos is:

The President's March - Victor Herbert

Step One - Kinky Boots

No Time At All - Pippin

King of New York - Newsies

What Is This Feeling - Wicked

Once again I hope you enjoyed watching my vlog's and I'd love to hear feedback from you either by commenting below or tweeting me at @GreenGirls Rox.

Love you lots

Kat

Xx

One Singular Sensation

Hi everyone, hope you're all ok...I'm feeling a little behind on blogging but here goes. 

Well last week I was living in London as I was doing the Musical Theatre Audition Techniques Course at Arts Educational. Over my life I've got used to the write up to courses being slightly exaggerated in relation to what the course delivers so was completely amazed when this did exactly what it said on the tin. I have to say it was, probably, the most useful, interesting and fun thing I've ever done! I haven't done any other Musical Theatre course so I haven't got anything to compare it to in that sense but in terms of life experience it was definitely one of the best. 

Well during the week (on the Wednesday) my mum came down and we went to see A Chorus Line together before it closed. My main reason for picking the show was because I love the song One and, thus, thought I'd love the show. I have to say I was a little worried about the fact there was no interval due to the show being set in real time. However, although I did get a tad restless toward the end, this didn't really seem to bother me; the only really strange thing was just getting up and walking out the theatre rather than having an ice cream in the middle, if that makes sense. 

The show itself was rather strange but very good. The plot centred around an audition and the life stories of the auditionees so probably doesn't sound the most exciting, however, it was fascinating and exiting with some great songs thrown in there. 

As I mentioned I went to go and see the show because of the song One so of course I loved it when they performed it. The other songs were really good too and all had little funny quirks, just like the characters who were singing them. The other song I knew already was What I Did For Love; now I don't want to spoil the show so I won't go into too much detail but I have to say I wasn't expecting it to be sung in that sort of context...any of you who've seen A Chorus Line will probably get what I mean and for those of you who haven't, well, it's probably not what you think...knowing what the song is actually about makes it so much more powerful to me now; it's a song anyone who wants to be in showbiz or has succeeded will get. 

Now onto the set...well what appears to be a rather bland black stage is transformed into a classy performance space when the mirrors turn round and actually create a beautiful space to perform. The addition of the mirrors adds depth and another layer to the dances. For a set that is very minimalistic it is, also, very beautiful. 

And, finally, the actors...well they were just amazing and all round triple threats. For the performance I went to there was quite a lot of understudies (LucyJane Adcock was Cassie, Genevieve Nicole was Sheila, Alice Jane Murray was Judy, Harry Francis was Mike and Michael Steeldon was Mark), nevertheless there were all fantastic and you couldn't tell at all. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the show and am very pleased that I went. I would urge you to go and see it before it closes as it was a one of a kind show. 

As usual, I'll leave you with a few photos from my trip.

The London Palladium

 

 Me Outside the Theatre

And finally, keep your eyes peeled as I'm jetting off to Washington and New York this coming Monday so will be blogging (or perhaps vlogging) about some of the theatre out there. 

Other than that I'd love to hear your opinions by either commenting below or tweeting me at @GreenGirlsRox. 

Love

Kat

Xx

It is a Plane...I've Just had its Wings Clipped!

Hiya everyone, just a quick-y this time as I know I've done many, many reviews on this show before (please click the venues to see: Manchester, Oxford, Wimbledon, Southampton and Nottingham). I've just a few points to add about the amazing show that is Priscilla. 

Well, after I'd seen the show in Wimbledon I turned to my mum and said that for my birthday I just wanted to be as happy as I was at that moment...and so it was decided that we'd go and see Priscilla as my birthday treat. It just so happened that the show was in Belfast!!!

So after a lot of planning we jetted off to Belfast. The city itself was really nice even considering we spent an hour on my birthday walking the wrong way in the pouring before deciding to get a taxi...this did mean we found a really nice hairdresser to re-straighten my hair!

So what do I have to say about the actual show? Well, firstly Noel Sullivan was playing Tick rather than Jason Donovan. When I'd seen Noel in Southampton I hadn't been too sure and, especially as I'd fallen in love with Jason in the role the week before in Nottingham, I was a bit disappointed when I realised it would be Noel. Well, I needn't have been as he was fantastic and had really grown into the role. I now really don't mind who I see play Tick again, out of the two, as both are a-maze-ing and play the role uniquely but super-ly as well. 

The other thing I really wanted to say was how beautiful Belfast Grand Opera House is. I walked into the auditorium and was just stunned by the magnificence and the ceiling was fantastic. It's such a shame it's so far to travel for me as it really was one of the most beautiful theatres I've ever been in and I urge you, if you're ever in Belfast, to see a show there just so you can marvel at its splendour. 

That's all I really need to say as I do know I go on about this show but there are so many new things to see plus each venue is different...I mean the evening performance in Belfast was the best and most electric yet! 

So all that's left to do is leave you with a few photos of my trip...

From Left to Right: Mum and Me at Belfast Grand Opera House; The Outside of Belfast Grand Opera House; Me with Liam Marcellino (Ensemble); Me Outside Belfast City Hall; Me with Regan Shepherd; Me at the Airport with Belfast Bear; The View from George Best Belfast Airport; Me with Richard Grieve; and Me in the Grand Opera House.

 

Right I'll love you and leave you. Please comment below or tweet me at @GreenGirlsRox if you have any comments on this blog or just want a chat. Keep your eyes peeled for my next blog on A Chorus Line. 

Love you lots

Kat

Xx

Someone Left the Cake Out in the Rain

Hello everyone, hope you're all well as July draws to a close. Now I've know I've already done my Musical of the Month post (please click here to view) but Well I just got to say a little bit about my latest trip to see Priscilla. I know I've seen this many times before (please click the locations to view my previous blogs: Manchester, Oxford, Wimbledon, Southampton) but there are a few extra things I'd like to say. 

Firstly, it was really nice to see the show on sort of home turf. This past week the show was in Nottingham which is what I class as my local theatre...there is a theatre in Lincoln but it never gets any of the big tours. But, really, sitting down to watch the show so close to home was really something special plus it allowed me to see it three times in a week with breaking the bank on a hotel. 

The other thing I was amazed at was how many new things I saw, which considering by last Friday I was onto my 7th tour is something. 

I was, also, really pleased with Jason Donovan. I know I've seen him before but he really, really impressed me this time. There's some Priscilla fans who aren't too keen on his performance as Tick but to me he's just right for the role. I don't know whether it was because he was the first Tick I saw but when I imagine Tick I think of him. Furthermore, this time I was especially impressed with his voice and characterisation, which was really hilarious. Well done JD...you rocked Notts. 

Another thing to mention is that Nottingham was a venue where the Diva's didn't fly. I'm presuming that this was because the theatre didn't have capacity for flying as that is what was said when they didn't fly in Torquey. It was a bit of a shock to begin with but I don't feel it detracted anything from the show and, actually, they way they did it worked really well. 

Additionally, Nottingham was another venue, like Wimbledon, where the dance captain, Ian Oswald, along with Aaron Sweeney-Harris came out during the interval and chose people. Now you could only go up once in a week, which is fair enough, so I managed to get up on Thursday. I was picked to go on Wednesday but too many people had been picked by accident so I volunteered to go back as I had two more chances...what really impressed me was that both the guys remembered and saved me a slot on Thursday...this Priscilla cast is just so amazing and filled with such lovely people...perfection. 

Finally, I can't leave without mentioning the two guys who, for me, steal the show...I literally can't take my eyes off them. Please give a big cheer for Alan Hunter and Regan Shepherd. What makes them even better performers, other than their great legs, brilliant characterisation and stunning charm, is how nice they are at the stage door. I'm not saying that everyone else isn't nice, just that these two are exceptionally nice. Additionally, it was Regan's birthday last Thursday so I got him a little gift...just a framed painting I'd done. 

All in all I had a great time last week and can't wait to see it again on my birthday next Thursday in Belfast (yes I'm double showing as well!). 

I'll leave you with some pictures from my trip.

 

Me Outside the Theatre

Jason Donovan

 

Me with Regan Shepherd (with the birthday present I gave him)

Me with Alan Hunter

 

Now all that's left to say is I hope you enjoyed reading this. If any of you are Priscilla fans please either comment below or tweet me at @GreenGirlsRox...I'd love to hear from you. 

Love you lots

Kat

Xx