November 2011 Archives

And so it is, the farmer’s wife left the stable door open for just a second and this old nag bolted. Well, it was more of a slow bewildered trot but he left the stables and returned to grassy pastures new and un-grazed. We went out with an almighty bang on Saturday and I know the show will continue to go from strength to strength with the new company.

So it’s back to that ‘resting’ actor thing we often experience but so rarely talk about. But to be honest, that’s exactly what I want to be doing - resting. I’m looking forward to relaxing, catching up with friends and deciding what’s next on the to do list. I’m back to a 9-5 day job too, but only after a week or 2 of theatrical come down.

Lots has happened since my last post, including the quite unexpected revival of musical classics that are hoping to take the West End by storm. Leading the trio and already settled at the Novello,Crazy For You is set to be joined by the Chichester Festival production of Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace in February and Top Hat will then tap its way into the Aldwych after a lengthy UK tour concludes in March.

It also sees West End stalwarts Summer and Scarlett Strallen return to town as they both vie for audiences as leading ladies in Top Hat and Singin’ in the Rain respectively.

I’ve been wanting to use that title for ages; oh the joys of being easily pleased. And after a fantastic staycation last week, I’m into my last two weeks in War Horse. It’s mildly terrifying to think I’ve spent two years in the same building but also rather marvellous.

During my week off I finally managed to get to the Piccadilly Theatre to see London’s newest ‘new’ musical Ghost. And what a sensation. It ranks up there with one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while and offers something brilliantly new whilst being strangely familiar - and having never seen the film I really didn’t know what to expect.

Leading a superb ensemble, Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman are quite the leading pair and provide epic and indeed effortless vocals, with Levy being a shining light throughout. More surprising perhaps is the new score, which feels happily current and provides ample opportunity for fully staged numbers in a show that is largely based on four lead characters.