pmsumner

Whilst in London over the bank holiday weekend & more, we saw three shows:

1. Hairspary
2. We Will Rock You
3. La Cage aux Folles

I loved two of these, and tolerated one. You can probably guess which is which without too much effort.

Hairspray, let's just say it, was AWESOME. It's such a feel-good show, so happy, energetic, full of life, and upbeat. The storyline of the show is subtly different from the film, but that's to be expected due to scenery considerations. The actors all put everything in - and Michael Ball was having a great time. Or at least it seemed that way, considering that he made his other half (the understudy for Wilbur) corpse like a good'un during "Timeless to Me". Oh that was hilarious :) They've obviously got a bit of leeway during that song, but he was being so rude! I don't know how the other guy managed to keep going at all to be honest. I would highly recommend this show. On the Mary Poppins and Wicked scale (where Mary Poppins and Wicked are 10), this is a 10.

We Will Rock You. Urgh. Jane wanted to see this and I've been dragging my feet for years because I really didn't. It wasn't at all what I expected - and I don't mean that to sound positive. It suffered from Mama-Mia-itis, where the back catalogue has been crowbarred (never mind shoehorned) into a storyline. There's nothing wrong with the acting or voices, the staging or anything like that. My entire problem was that, I guess I don't really like Queen enough to see their stuff re-imagined. A below average 4/10 from me.

La Cage aux Folles. I didn't know this show at all before seeing it, except for knowing that when we were going it was Graham Norton's last night, and the song "I am what I am" comes from it. Beyond that, a mystery. After managing to fitwedge my ample posterior into the very narrow seat, I was slightly worried when the director came out and announced that Mr Norton had managed to break some of his ribs. However he also announced that he was determined to do the show, and was dosed up on painkillers. Hurrah.

I don't think it's wrong of me to say that it was spellbinding. I was thoroughly drawn in and believed every word that every person on stage said. It was hilarious throughout and touching at many moments. Graham Norton's "I am what I am" was heartfelt and totally believable - he sold every bar of the song despite not being what you might describe a "natural" singer.

The men, the dancers I mean, oh my can they move! Me in drag is one thing, and a scary thing at that. They were astonishingly good drag queens.

So, also on the Mary Poppins/Wicked/Hairspray meter, I give this show a 10. I wish it was in a theatre with slightly wider seats, because I spent the second half standing, but the show - 100% awesome.

I've been unwell since Thursday morning, with a sore throat developing and a head getting steadily worse. I spent a few hours on Thursday evening in bed and struggled to even wander round Chester.

I think judicious application of wine and whisky last night may have killed it off because this morning I feel a lot better. Throat's still scratchy and head's not quite right, but definitely much happier.

I am sucking down water like an elephant though, feel so dehydrated.