A blog about all things theatre, as well as a rebirth of the original Front of Tabs blog. Feel free to comment.Find me on Twitter @VickiElleryJ
Front of Tabs
“I’m never sure if I’ve still got the universal sense of humour. The rule of thumb is, if it makes me laugh, it should make the audience laugh.”
- Dillie Keane (Fascinating Aida)
Fascinating Aida have been around for over 20 years, however it has only been early 2011 that I first watched one of their videos on YouTube “Cheap Flights.” From seeing this video I tried to find as many clips as I possibly could of their songs. Luckily, in November 2011 they were coming to the Birmingham Town Hall, so I bought tickets as soon as I could. My friends and I went to the concert and it was rib-achingly hilarious, featuring gems of songs that are incredibly memorable and fantastically written. At the end of the show, they said that they would be returning in February, so, naturally, I bought tickets instantly. I went to see them last night and they were absolutely brilliant, yet again. Their comic timing is second to none and the performance never gets old. They have created a show that is just an absolute classic and no matter when you decide to go and see it, whether it is the 2nd or 10th time, you will STILL laugh.
Check out the their website for tour dates and further information. You definitely don’t want to miss this show. http://www.fascinatingaida.co.uk/
“Each day I live
I want to be
A day to give
The best of me
I’m only one
But not alone
My finest day
Is yet unknown”- Whitney Houston
May you Rest in Peace. A vocal inspiration.
Pictures from www.whitneyhouston.com and http://on.fb.me/A2MPfb
” ‘Katherine the Curst,’ A title for a maid, of all titles the worst.”
- The Taming of the Shrew
The RSC production of The Taming of the Shrew is absolutely astounding, with an incredibly talented company and some familiar faces amongst them. Lisa Dillon and David Caves take the roles of Petruchio and Katharina with a fiery chemistry keeping the audience hooked from beginning to end.
As normal, and sometimes under appreciated, the staging is cleverly designed making the comedic interludes even funnier and it helps add to the pace of the entire show.
If you get chance to see it, either at Stratford (until 18th Feb) or when it begins the tour (touring to Newcastle, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Richmond-upon-Thames and Bath) I highly recommend it.
‘Lucy Bailey’s new production proves startling, blissfully funny and unexpectedly moving’
Daily Telegraph
“It’s so wonderful… if your whole day is rotten, once they start the music, it seems to melt away”
- Donald O’Connor
It’s Saturday 4th February and tonight is the opening night of Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre in the West End. This has always been one of my all-time favourite movie musicals and I went to see it live at the Birmingham Hippodrome a couple of years ago. The show was fantastic and I was anticipating the performance of the title song at the Royal Variety Performance. I found the stage to be a bit too sparse during the sequence, but I think this was due to the size of the venue and watching it from a sofa. It shows just how much of a difference can be made if you are in a theatre, compared to watching it on TV.
Anyway, the sequence above always puts a smile on my face and it is a fantastic part of both the film and the stage show. So good luck to the cast of Singin’ in the Rain and in the words of Cosmo aka Donald O’Connor “Make ‘Em Laugh” !!
“Softly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it, Secretly possess you”
- The Phantom of the Opera
This is Nick Pitera. I have been following his videos for over a year now and he really is a hidden talent. His most recent video (posted above) is a One Man Phantom of the Opera and he sings the parts of Raoul, Christine and the Phantom. The range in his voice is unbelievable, coupled with the haunting music from Phantom of the Opera this is a brilliant video. Watch and enjoy!
“Played to 55 million people around the world in 42 countries and 21 different languages”
Yet the first time I managed to see this show was only yesterday (Saturday 28th January) and it was absolutely fantastic. I can see why people continually go back again and again to see it and I am not in the least surprised that yesterday’s performance (like every other one) was sold out. What an amazing achievement for a show that has been going for nearly 27 years. The cast, leads and ensemble members, were equally talented and Javert’s understudy (Shaun Dalton) was on yesterday afternoon and blimey, he was outstanding. It would be a sin to not pick out the talent in the amazing cast they currently have. With Ramin Karimloo playing Jean Valjean effortlessly, Caroline Sheen as Fantine and the breathtaking Alexia Khadime as Eponine, to name but a few.
Out of the whole show there were so many amazing highlights (basically the entire show) but two parts that completely blew me away was the ending to Act I with ‘One Day More’ and Alexia’s interpretation of ‘On My Own’ which was unbelievably beautiful and I felt as if I was hearing the song for the first time, it was raw, stripped back and utterly outstanding.
Anyway, the clip above is from the 25th Anniversary, so listen and enjoy!
Here I am, I still go on, you know, like the tides.
- Angela Lansbury
With all the talk of the Olivier 2012 awards, I wanted to just quickly post up my ultimate highlight of the 2011 awards ceremony. Angela Lansbury performed “Liaisons” after Stephen Sondheim was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
