Ghost: The Musical

http://www.ghostthemusical.com/?gclid

Last weekend I took my mum to see Ghost: The Musical (based on 1990 film starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze) for a surprise for her 50th Birthday. I think most people would agree that Ghost is just one of those timeless films, in the same league as classics such as Dirty Dancing and Grease. A film that never gets old and can be watched again and again by all generations. So I think anyone that tries to recreate such an iconic film is taking a huge risk but I have to say, we were both thoroughly impressed.

The remake certainly does the film justice and doesn’t loose any of the magic from the original. It’s a brilliant piece of theatre, the staging and effects throughout the entire show is astounding, and every scene and illusion is created perfectly to the smallest detail. Likewise, the show is supported by a top notch cast.

Both vocally and visually, the entire cast were very strong. Sharon D Clarke, who stars as Oda May Brown, stole the show for me with her witty and believable portray of Whoppie Goldberg’s original role, keeping in perfect character throughout while still making it her own.

Cassie Levy (Molly Jenson) has a beautifully effortless voice, conveying great emotion throughout and maintaining brilliant chemistry on stage with Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat). Fleeshman’s strong vocals shone, alongside his great stage presence. Also....definitely one for the ladies to look out for!! The boy from Coronation Street has bulked out and looks super hot! ;-)

As for the songs, I'm not sure there is a classic in the making, but they were catchy, easy to listen to and worked well. As you would expect, Unchained Melody played a large role in the show, appearing several times but has been given a modern and playful twist.

I think Ghost works so well as a musical because the production doesn’t derive too far from original script and they have kept the charm and character, along with the moments people love about the film. One criticism I would have is that I felt the final fight scene was a little rushed and could have been made more powerful.

I would certainly recommend Ghost The Musical as one to watch. Fans of the film won’t be disappointed by a shoddy attempt at a show, and those who have never seen it can experience the magic of Ghost live. It’s an old classic refreshed and bought to life, and something to continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

                 

Les Miserables - anything but miserable!

I finally lost my Les Miserables virginity, but my god was it worth the wait!!! So much so, I've already seen my second show!

The Plot
Les Miserables follows the struggles and redemption of prisoner, Jean ValJean, and his life on the run. ValJean serves 19 years for a petty crime and after breaking his parole when released, he adopts a new identity and is a well respected man in the community. He is constantly overshadowed by his past through Javert, a prison guard who is determined to arrest him once again. In  his new life, ValJean meets Fantine and vows to take care of her and, as she lay on her death bed, he promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette. Cosette is in the care of scoundrels, the Theander's who treat her as a slave before ValJean rescues her and raises her as his own.

10 years pass and Cosette and ValJean move to Paris and it is the time of the rebellion. Here we meet the students, including Marius and daughter of the Theanders, Eponine. Cosette is a grown woman who meets and falls in love with student, Marius, who in turn falls in love with her. Marius enlists the help of Eponine to see Cosette again and unbeknown to them both, Eponine is also in love with Marius.....

We follow the students journey though the fight for revolution, where ValJean saves both the life of Marius and Javert. In turn, Javert's sense of morality is tested when he has the opportunity to arrest ValJean. After the rebellion, Marius morns the death of his fellow students and questions his survival. ValJean considers both his future, and that of Marius and Cosette and decides he must leave to prevent Cosette from future hurt and danger. Marius and Cosette marry, and upon realising that ValJean saved his life, Marius takes Cosette to see her father upon his deathbedone last time.

Was it any good?

So I may be a little bias, but I thought that Craig Mather (Marius) was fantastic (Craig is a friend of mine from school, hence the biasness!). Marius is Craig's debut role in the West End but he was completely at home and from his performance, he could have been there for years! At my first show I was a little disappointed that Alfie Boe (Jean ValJean) was unable to perform but his stand in was superb, especially for someone who is only 22! I had better luck the second time round and Mr Alfie Boe was just phenomenal, his performance was faultless and his voice, out of this world! The show would have been worth the second trip to see him alone if nothing else! I was also lucky enough to catch the 26th Birthday show, which made it that little bit extra special!

During my first show I was lucky enough to catch Matt Lucas as Theander and he completely made the role his own and provided light comic relief perfectly. Again, I could not fault him, he had the entire audience eating from the palm of his hand. Speaking to some of the more 'experienced Les Mis goers', it was the funniest rendition they had ever seen. Definitely a job well done!! The next Theander (Cameron Blakely) had some very big shoes to fill for my second show, but again, such a sterling cast, he didn't disappoint.

In both shows, I have to say all of the cast were top class. Eponine (Alexia Khadime) is no stranger to the West End and rightly so, she has such beautiful voice and I could listen to her singing On My Own time and time again. For me, Cosette (Lisa-Anne Wood) was the only one I thought was a little weak in comparison to such a strong cast. By no stretch of the imagination was she bad, not at all, but I think she stood out as the weaker link because the rest of the cast were top class!

As I said, this year is the first time I've seen it and I definitely wasn't disappointed, it was everything you could want from a musical - emotional, powerful, funny, charming and memorable. It comes highly recommended and I think a third trip may even be on the cards.........

http://www.lesmis.com/home_uk.php

Lee Evans - Roadrunner

Not much to say apart from...top show!! I went to see Lee Evans for the first time on Monday at the NIA in Birmingham and I definitely didn't leave feeling disappointed. The self dubbed, 'Monkey Boy' is a comic genius! He put on a fantastic show, I was laughing from start to finish with so many gags that I could relate to on a daily basis! He lived up to expectation and was on top form as he delivered his carefully crafted lines. As always, his stage presence was spot on and he hasn't lost any of his traits that make us love him, and was sure to deliver exactly what the audience wanted...a song, a sketch and two hours of brilliance! It's great to see a comedian who doesn't use any offensive humor and to see someone so humble and appreciative (he even took the time to sign autographs and shake hands while on stage at the end of the show). A genuinely nice, grounded guy and if your lucky enough the chance, I definitely recommend going along to one of his shows. I can't commend him enough and can't wait for the DVD to be released :-)

http://www.leeevans2011tour.co.uk/

The Inbetweeners

The Inbetweeners Movie

This is probably going to be quite controversial but after all the hype and build up for this film I have to say that I left feeling a little disappointed......

Set in Malia, The Inbetweeners movie follows Jay, Neil, Simon and Will on a lads holiday after they finish their final year at school. Its two weeks filled with sun, sea, sand, clubs, alcohol and sex. And to be honest....thats about it....!! Unsurprisingly, the lads book a cheap clubbing holiday and end up being stuck in a grotty old hotel. They meet a group of girls on the first night and each fall for one of them by the end of the film. The story line is predictable, lazy and sloppy and it felt like they were trying too hard to be funny...

Any real 'Laugh Out Loud' moments were very few and far between, the plot was lacking in substance or story line (and the acting wasn’t great either.....). I know they aren't trying to re-create Shakespeare but some ryhmye or reason would have been nice. The film is pretty stereotypical and even though the cast specified that they didnt't want the film to come across as one long episode of The Inbetweeners, well sadly, thats all it was.
One of my favourite scenes was the dancing scene (part of it is shown in the trailer). This is something that will be replicated in clubs up and down the country I'm sure!!!!

Maybe this is one for the guys but for me it doesn't compare to the likes of The Hangover and Bridesmaids, and old school comedy classics like Kevin and Perry Go Large. I expected to leave the cinema with tears streaming down my face and my sides sore with laughter, sadly I didn't. Don't get me wrong, I've definitely seen worse but I just wasn't blown away.

You Against Me

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

You Against Me is a modern day Romeo and Juliet, tackling everyday struggles, stereotypes and issues. It is a story of courage, revenge, loyalty v's honesty, intimacy, betrayal, morality and forbidden romance.....


Following the discovery that his sister has been raped, Mikey McKenzie is intent on seeking revenge on her attacker.


With allegations that her brother is a rapist, Ellie Parker tries to defend her brother and wants to believe his innocence.


Downham sensitively tackles a very serious and complex theme, highlighting the effects on both families after such a horrific incidence and how love and loyalty effects an already delicate situation. It is a battle on both sides between doing what is right and protecting the ones you love.


Mikey and Ellie’s relationship begins as a strategic way of obtaining information about each other’s families to use against each other but becomes complex as they inadvertently begin to fall in love with one another.

This tests their values and virtues and their perspectives change as they have experienced the full force and consequences of their sibling’s actions. Both characters go through a life changing and character defining experience. Ellie is bound by her parents' increasing pressure to protect and defend her brother and their family. However this is challenged by the knowledge of what is right, her conscience and her love for Mikey.


Downham also explores two completely different families in social standing. One that appears to have everything and one that has seems to have nothing. It shows just how similar they really are and shows the strength of relationships and family ties, and of family love and first love. We see that often outside perceptions and social expectations are far from reality.


This is a true tale of love conquers all and once you start reading it you will struggle to put it down. It’s an easy read with a powerful message and shows that life is not just black and white. It is compassionate, compelling and brilliantly written. This is the first book I've read by Jenny Downham but definitely a name I will be looking out for from now on!

Not so Super 8

Set in 1979, Ohio, a group of early teens sneak off to a old train depot to film their own low budget, zombie movie. Here the group play the only witness to a train crash, caused by a white van driving down the train line. When going to investigate, they are told to forget what they have seen otherwise they will be killed, along with their families.
In the following scenes, the teens begin to notice strange goings on, including all of the dogs in the town going missing and people disappearing. Meanwhile, the group continue to make their film and we see the two main characters, Joe Lamb and Alice Dainard, begin to fall for each other, much to the dismay of both of their fathers and friend, Charles. We learn that the tension between the Lamb and Dainard family stems from a previous accident where Deputy Lamb blames Alice’s father, Louis Dainard, for the death of his wife (we never find out exactly how she died).


The US Airforce takes over the investigation of the train crash and strange goings on in the town and their suspicious behaviour makes it clear that they know more than they are letting on.

The teens decide to take things into their own hands and try to determine what has been happening and how to sort it . They soon discover that aliens are behind the madness, who after several years of being on the recieving end of experiments, no longer trust humans.

Is it any good?

I found this film very slow to start and thought there was a lack of story line. There was no real build up or climax to the film....in the end the alien is just trying to rebuild its ship to go home (like ET...only bigger and angrier!). The film ends with the alien completing his ship and leaving in peace.

There was not much background information given to us to truly empathize with the characters and no storey lines were developed enough. In this type of film, I would usually expect the children to become the heros, which is the final asssumption but there is only a brief moment of understanding between the creature and Joe, which doesn’t really work.

I did however find the relationship between the two teens (Joe and Alice) believable. Both Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning (you may recognise her as the younger sister of Dakota Fanning) are very strong and portray their characters with realism and feeling. They are definitely worth looking out for in the future.

http://www.super8-movie.com/

Lloyd Webber proves that Love Never Dies

Love Never Dies, Adelphi Theatre, London

Set ten years after Christine and Raoul escape the Phantom and the events of the Paris Opera, Love Never Dies see's the Phantom reunited with his love obsession, Christine, and the paths their decisions ten years ago have created.

The plot:

We learn that the Phantom escaped the angry mobs of Paris with the help of Madame Giry and Meg Giry and is living in the 'wondrous show land', Coney Island. The Phantom has created 'Phantasma', a show world of freaks and glitz and glamour which allows him to hide from the world. Meg is his star performer who is constantly seeking acceptance and praise from the Phantom, who is still tortured by grief and nursing his broken heart at the loss of his one true love. He longs for her to return to him and hear her voice once again...

Christine has become a world renowned star and is mysteriously invited to perform in New York at Phantasma. She arrives with her husband, Raoul and their 10 year old son, Guastave. It is obvious that their relationship is not all she hoped it would be and, although they love each other, they are caught in a somewhat unhappy marriage. We learn that Raoul has become a heavy drinker who has gambled away their fortune. Unaware of who is behind the invitation, Christine and is lured into performing by the offer of money and the bright lights and vows to sing one final time.

Upon arriving in Coney Island, Christine is reunited with former stage partner and friend Meg and will once again be performing alongside her. Soon after her arrival she learns who is behind the invitation, and is blackmailed into performing when the Phantom threatens the life of Gustave.

In a twist of events, Christine and Raoul’s son, Gustave, is actually the results of  a night of passion 10 years ago between Christine and the Phantom after Christine went to the Phantom to rekindle a relationship, only to be left alone. Christine is sworn to secrecy of Gustave’s true descent and the Phantom swears to leave everything he owns to his son.

Christine must once again choose between her 'angel of music' and the life she has led with Raoul. The Phantom visits Raoul and makes him a proposition; if Christine performs, Raoul must leave alone, if not, they are free to leave as a family. Raoul eventually leaves Christine when she performs despite his efforts to discourage her.

Meg becomes increasingly jealous of the Phantom's obsession with Christine, feeling shunned after the years spent devoted to looking after him and trying her hardest to impress him, driving her insane with grief, and kidnapping their son. Christine and the Phantom learn of Meg's actions and reach her before she is able to bring any harm to Gustave. The Phantom reasons with Meg before she can hurt herself (showing the softer side to the Phantom that the audience falls in love with in the original show) but in a moment of emotion and despair, Meg fires the gun, which tragically kills Christine.

Is it any good?

After months of waiting to see Love Never Dies, the show did not disappoint, but equally did not amaze. It seems to be that a widely expressed view, and one that I would have to agree with, that Lloyd Webber's most recent instalment is very good but just a little bit strange...

I found that, unfortunately, Love Never Dies lost some of the traditional charm that The Phantom of The Opera oozed, as did the character of the Phantom. Bizarrely, the Phantom seems to be more widely accepted, however he still possesses the evil side to his character shown through trickery, blackmail and threats. I felt that I lost some of the empathy felt for the character that was built in the Phantom of the Opera in his bid to win back the affection of Christine until the end scenes.

Those who love the traditional aspects of theatre may be disappointed due to its modern twist. I have to say that I thought the stage show was excellent, with clever and effective production and projections. I loved the phantoms lair, with all of his weird and wonderful characters and possessions. The dangerous nature of the connection and tension between Christine and The Phantom is still strong, as is the thin line between love and obsession, and the audience is able to empathize with Christine and the love she feels for the Phantom and Raoul.

Overall I thought the cast were strong. I could not fault Christine and I thought that both Raoul and Meg were very strong. Although great on her own, I did feel that the duets between Meg and Madam Giry didn't quite work. I really liked the three 'freaks' (Fleck, Squelch and Gangle) and would have liked to have seen more of them. Gustave was a little shakey in parts and on the whole I liked The Phantom once I got over his 't' pronunciation and somewhat 'raspy' breath in areas.

Although I felt Love Never Dies was lacking in trademark songs that have the power to send chills down your spine and leave you with goose bumps from head to toe, such as Music of the Night and All I ask of You in The Phantom of the Opera, the title song, Love Never Dies is truly beautiful and was faultlessly performed.

Though it is not one of Lloyd Webber's best, it is definitely worth watching but won't have the same legacy as its predecessor, which can be considered nothing short of a masterpiece.

http://www.loveneverdies.com/

Thorpe Park - Review

It has always been my view (and that of many others) that Alton Towers is the leading theme park in the UK for thrills and entertainment but after my visit to Thorpe Park on Sunday, I believe it’s finally facing some tough competition!

The park boasts more than 30 rides and attractions, including a dozen extreme thrill rides such as Stealth and Nemesis Inferno rivalling Alton Towers' Rita and Nemesis.

The parks newest additions include Storm Surge, which was a little overrated in my opinion, Saw the ride and Saw Alive. Although we whimped out of the Saw Alive maze, the ride was fantastic. It has the perfect balance of theme and ride, and for those who aren’t satisfied and are seeking an extra fright, Saw Alive is there to give that extra scare! They have introduced a couple of live actors to the ride to give a taste for the maze.

Equally impressive is Colossus, one of the parks older rides, and Samurai. For those who are less daring, there are lots of less extravagant but just as fantastic rides, including Quantum, Rush, the Rapids and Log Flume. And for those who don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of a splash, Tidal Wave is great fun, but be sure to take a spare set of clothes!!!

 
Younger guests won’t be disappointed as there are also plenty of rides tailored to kids. Apart from Storm Surge, the other ride I found did not live up to expectation was X:\No Way Out. I didn't really understand it and it never really got started for me.

Unfortunately the day was slightly dampened by the rain, but our spirits were still up, especially as the crowds got fed up with the rain, leaving the queue lines at a mere 10 minutes each. By the end of the day we were truly exhausted after a fantastic day!

All in all a great family day out, with a brilliant choice of rides, food and shops. The price is wpretty standard, matching most theme parks, but there are plenty of by one get on free vouchers flying around as an extra incentive!!

www.thorpepark.com