UK/EU tour of WICKED

Happy to announce that I will be joining the UK/EU tour of WICKED the musical for two years. It's a dream show, dream job. I am grateful and fortunate for this opportunity considering the amount of people who auditioned for the West End and touring productions. On the road again with a wonderful show!

My new Showreel-ta-da!

Thanks to Misha at Pelinor: http://www.pelinor.com/

First official photos of Wicked tour rehearsals.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a505078/wicked-uk-and-ireland-tour-first-rehearsal-pictures.html

Updated News July 2013

Will be heading off on UK/EU tour for 2 years: 2013-2015. News to follow when I have permission to update. Just recorded drama, narrative and commercial voicereels which have been uploaded to my various sites and 2 showreels, one of which will be linked as soon as it is upgraded. Been a busy girl and currently on holiday in Australia. Getting ready to move on up and move on out.

Found this photo on the internet...memories.

My new Commercial and Drama Voicereels from Guy Michaels at www.roundisland.net.
Very happy with it-woohoo!

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF THE LONDON UNDERGROUND

150 YEARS-LONDON UNDERGROUND: Quite surreal imagining people in 1863 fashion/attire traveling in beautiful, quaint little train carriages underground in London. It must have been quite frightening at the time much like using the first lifts-1853 and escalators-1892 where people threw up because of the motion even though they ran at a much slower pace in those days. Fascinating to think of the millions of people over 150 years traveling on the Underground, quite astounding and extraordinary. We are now much more impatient, rushing to get everywhere on time. If the train doesn't come within a minute we are frustrated and people fight to get 'packed in like sardines' into carriages, let alone diving for a seat and the tactics involved, all coughing and sneezing over each other (an incubator for germs). With the sizeable population working and living in London the Tube system is undeniably overcrowded. It breaks down constantly and has signal failures, fire alerts etc. More than that, I noted in horror 10 years ago, the amount of people throwing themselves under trains so now the 'person under a train' announcement doesn't even raise an eyebrow, which is very sad. The cost of tickets go up every year and we expect more for our money but with overcrowding, especially peak hour commuters (tracks cracking under the weight), it desperately needs expansion which takes years to plan, cost and set into motion. Where to from now oh underground and what will you look like in another 150 years time I wonder? More space age I hope and running at great speeds!

THEATRE and MOVIE REVIEWS MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2013

Proof-Menier Chocolate Factory-Sunday March 30. 2013

Jamie Parker as Hal and Mariah Gale as Catherine in Proof at the Menier Chocolate Theatre Photo: Alastair Muir

I had to recall the movie, which came out a few years ago but thought the plot and characters well substantiated and thoroughly engaging enough, especially when it comes to higher education Maths for this to be a Tony award winning play. Mariah Gale plays Catherine the protagonist, a very clever actress but sounding a bit like a robot with her dry wit, abandoning university in order to care for her father, brilliant mathematician Robert (Matthew Marsh) who has a breakdown and eventually dies. This raises the question, is there a link between genius and mental illness? It’s odd trying to get one’s head around a play about Maths and mathematicians, referred to as geeks, when there aren’t many mathematical terms or explanations of theories (proof) within the text. It does though, purport the idea that Maths is in itself beautiful because of its truth and science, which is something I will never have the intellect for despite being a musician. Handsome, clever and charming actor Jamie Parker plays the perpetually frustrated Hal, whom I last saw at the Globe, as one of the professor’s ex students, who when trying to plough through the professor’s notes is given a key by Catherine to a draw which unlocks a notebook containing the next big original proof. After having slept with her, he doubts whether the work is actually that of Catherine as she claims and hence the breakdown in the relationships between the sister, Claire (Emma Cunliffe), Hal and Catherine. Catherine lives in fear of inheriting her father’s mental illness at a young age and many prickly scenes ensue.

The set is a dilapidated and neglected back porch of a house in Chicago, which sets up the play well. A thoroughly enjoyable piece at the Chocolate Factory. 

Trance. Film preview at Greenwich Picture House. Sunday 24^th March. 2013

This is Danny Boyle’s latest movie, a psychological thriller based on an art heist and whilst good and intriguing is also confusing and requires much concentration to connect the nuances and dots. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this dream like state film, which boasts stars such as Rosario Dawson playing Elizabeth the hypnotherapist who physically bares all on screen, James McAvoy plays Simon the inside job guy with a gambling problem and Vincent Cassel plays Franck a thief and gang leader. It’s a head-spinning plot about the mind, hypnoses, truths and untruths based on a theft at auction of a very expensive Goya painting (and we have no idea who is going to buy it?) The latter, being obvious right from the start. Unfortunately we end up sympathising with all characters at some point during the movie and are left not knowing who the good or bad guys really are? A disjointed film which leaves one guessing.

Paperboy at Greenwich Picture House.

A sexually charged film which includes: the ‘n’ word, gore, race-politics, blood and intestines, violence, the gutting of a croc, oh and did I say sex? Great film set in 1969, shot as a documentary but doesn’t quite hang together well and is quite disjointed. I think it gets lost in the mix of genres and overall style of what it should be, which is what, we don’t quite know? The cast are terrific with the likes of Nicole Kidman, her best work in a long while and not wooden, all grown up and seriously gorgeous Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey with incredibly believable film make-up (it had me looking for flaws) and very scary and chilling John Cusack. The film is set in Florida, which sweats and whilst some scenes are set in swamps, there were no real crocs to be seen which was odd? The film is admirable but is missing the WOW factor.

AUSTRALIAN ACCENT

Beautiful photo from Aquabumps: www.Aquabumps.com, https://www.facebook.com/aquabumps?fref=ts

I recently did a Youtube clip for my performing buddies who often ask me to speak in an Australian Accent. Hope this helps a bit but please watch Home and Away or Neighbours to pick up the accent as well.

2012 Retrospective

2012-A YEAR IN RETROSPECT

The good, the bad, the ugly

The end of 2011 and the start of 2012 saw me returning to the motherland, Australia, where visiting and catching up with friends was a complete delight. I decided whilst sitting on the top deck of the Manly Ferry with the wind in my hair and sea spray on my face I would volunteer my services for either the elderly or the destitute from now on at Christmas and this year I did just that. Joining my dear friends Tim and Christopher I was one of many volunteer hosts for the ‘Pensioners Alone At Christmas’ luncheon in Chiswick. With no singing involved I chatted to them, cut up their food, took drink orders, hung up coats and made sure they could get to and from the toilets without much trouble. It is a task I know all too well organising little people and supervising children with their school dinners for infants in primary.

SHOWS, AUDITIONS AND OTHER BITS

I have had many positive experiences this year but as many if not more disappointments. Some dear friends both in Australia and London have gone off the radar which has been upsetting and I am none the wiser as to why? This year also only yielded 2 shows of 3 weeks each: Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music and a return to the International tour of Chicago. I managed 13 show knock backs which entailed getting to the end of the audition process (usually up to 4 rounds) sometimes having to learn 10 pages of script and as many pages of music, 24 hours before the finals only to not get the job. I will keep trying in 2013 and hope for a big show to get ahead financially as the day to day school teaching, whilst difficult and stressful, means that I live hand to mouth, constantly in financial catch up, because the amount of school holidays in the UK is nearly 2 months more than Sydney.

GRADUATION

In January I graduated with a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre, pathway producing which I am absolutely thrilled about and so grateful for the assistance and advice given to me by so many people in my research, work experience and essay writing. Without them I could not have achieved it. So it’s Wendy-Lee Purdy BME, MA (I don’t get to write it anywhere else but here-ha!)

MY BREAD AND BUTTER, SUPPLY SCHOOL TEACHING

I am thankful and fortunate to have school teaching as a career which goes hand in hand with performing because other actors tend not to have a two careers running simultaneously. I have currently taught in 102 London schools with 2 of those schools being private and the majority of the State and Church schools (which are State education) difficult, challenging but rewarding. The disadvantage of teaching in so many schools is that I am sick with colds/infections all the time because the pupils are sick with different strains of everything. Ah, the life of a supply teacher.

2012 LONDON OLYMPICS

Being able to attend 13 events including the opening ceremony rehearsal, beach volleyball, men’s and women’s gymnastics, diving, water polo, boxing, weightlifting, volleyball, fencing, judo and athletics was a feat in itself considering the ticketing nightmare but what a joy it was. It didn’t compare to my 21 events, costing approximately $250, at the sunny Sydney Olympics in 2000 but I managed to squeeze the London events, 2 of those being free, into a week at a financial cost of £655 (AUD $1,018.74). Unlike Sydney where I was able to attend every event I wanted to, in London, I had to settle for events that I wouldn’t normally see such as weightlifting, judo etc. It was great though, to see the Torch relay up close and personal, the best athletes in the world complete at a top-level meet and support teams Australia and GB in state of the art venues. It was also interesting to note the difference in venues and how the sports have evolved between 2000 and 2012, which was quite remarkable.

THEATRE, CONCERTS AND CINEMA

Being a member of the Audience Club allows me to attend quite a bit of theatre and concerts at a minimal cost. I could attend theatre every night of the week if I chose but most of these venues are fringe and some theatre productions can be a hit or a miss. As a result of the Audience Club and being a member of Greenwich Picture House (I also get free previews) I have started to write little reviews about everything I see because I see so much, which I put on a public Facebook page, a Tumblr and my Blog page, the Audience club and Stage Status reviews. Some of the theatre and concerts I see are full priced and out of that list the play Chariots of Fire, was a standout production with incredibly clever staging that took my breath away. In the New Year I will need to catch the new musical productions Matilda, Book of Mormon, Bodyguard and A Chorus Line.

LODGINGS

Arriving back in London after my visit home I moved to beautiful downtown Greenwich, the home of the National Maritime Museum and Observatory where the Greenwich Mean Time clock and line is. Living like a 52 year old student can be difficult when I have a perfectly lovely flat in Sydney. I often move around because of touring which means that I have to uproot often and living out of a suitcase can be really hard work especially after 24 years. I will devote another blog page about the disasters of digs, which are many (the good ones are few). Suffice to say awful digs can be challenging or what I democratically describe as ‘character building’. I think though, I am now done living in other people’s homes, with crazy landlords and landladies! 

THE HIGHLIGHTS!

The highlights this year were attending the Scottish family wedding in Glasgow and the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. I attended the Thames River Pageant, the Diamond exhibition at Buckingham Palace and the procession of ‘The Most Noble Order of the Garter’ at Windsor Castle and what a glorious day it was too! I have managed to attend a few seminars run by the Actors Guild, an engagement, wedding drinks, retirement party of my favourite head teacher at my favourite school, graduating class reunion, afternoon and high teas, the Ball Gown and Hollywood Costume exhibitions at my favourite museum the V&A and had a lovely 52^nd Birthday dinner thrown for me by dear friend John. For my birthday, as a treat, I had a spa day at the Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden and also the Thermae Bath Spa in Bath, which boasts a top floor, outside heated pool with bubbles. I swear I could sit there all day! 

WHAT NEXT?

Plans to get to NY are still afoot but I need a NY theatrical agent. I also need to get a show and voice reel up and running as well as my one-woman-show and recorded albums on iTunes but it all costs money. I will be starting out pretty much the same in 2013, school teaching and auditioning with the hopes that a big show will come along to get me out of London. Touring on the road is where I am far happier and relaxed. I adore cities such as Bath, Cambridge and York which are my favourites but above all I need to find some sun because there has been very little here this year. There is no doubt that I suffer from ‘Season Affective Disorder’ by lack of sun with these endless grey skies but if this list of ‘things to do’ doesn’t happen this year I will head home to Sydney at the end of August/ September and move back into my flat for a few years for my soul, my health, sun, recharging of the batteries and a better quality of life.

BLESSED

Fingers crossed, things change for the better in 2013 for not only me but a whole lot of people I know who have struggled in many ways this year. I am ready for a big move upwards instead of sideways or backwards. I am also blessed to have a great, exciting yet challenging life and whilst I have the ability to stand and walk, not be riddled with disease as some people I know, I am truly grateful and thankful. It only takes one look at a Paralympic athlete to see the courage it takes to lead their lives and be the best they can be, to remind me of what I have, not what I don’t have. I need to ‘take heed lest you fall’ and remind myself that I am blessed and ask what can I do for others and what sort of role model am I for young and old alike? 

THEATRE and MOVIE REVIEWS JANUARY 2013

Theatre and Movie Reviews 

January 2013

                                   

Pitch Perfect. Odeon Greenwich

Tuesday 1^st January. 2013

I decided on members ‘tight arse Tuesday’ at Odeon, I would attend the feel-good movie Pitch Perfect where the singing was none other than, perfectly pitched. I wasn’t sure what I was in for but assumed it would a Glee like movie, which it is, only wittier, sharper, ruder and more sarcastic. Avenue Q’s Jason Moore, directs Pitch Perfect, a comedy set in Barden University with various a capella groups who perform much like a high school glee club except there is no backing band and all the sounds come from the mouth. Not having seen the flick Bridesmaids, I have not encountered Australian comedian Rebel Wilson who plays Fat Amy. One of the first lines she utters is, that she is from Tasmania and performed in Fiddler On The Roof with aboriginals, noting that it was very Jewish. From then on, I was hooked line and sinker and in true Ozzie style she steals the movie with her ‘say it like it is’ one-liners. The female warblers the ‘Bellas’ take on their male counterpart the ‘Treblemakers’ and in true fashion they go through the ropes of regionals, semi-finals then the final competition. New college student Beca (Anna Kendrick) is a straight faced, out of sorts, would be DJ who spends her time mashing up tunes, dreaming of making it big in LA but eventually uses her passion to take the group to the finals. The ‘Bellas’ are used to performing safe but standard routines singing ballads, which puts everyone to sleep, until Beca comes on the scene with the intention of updating the group. The music in the film is a blend of current and recent pop mashed up tunes as are the dance moves, meaning this film will soon be out of date. Like Glee the film has characters that are weird and whacky but the perfect comedy duo, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks team up as the commentary for the competitions. A light frothy way to take away the blues, this film can put a smile on your dial.   

THEATRE AND MOVIE REVIEWS NOVEMBER 2012

Theatre and Movie Reviews November 2012

Dead On Her Feet at the Arcola Theatre

Friday 2^nd November. 2012

The advertised photo depicts two modern day dancers throwing themselves around the dance floor. After reading the blurb I anticipated a big ‘dance off’, expecting to see Jive and explosive dance moves with people’s sweat flying off their brows into the audience but how disappointed I was. Nobody seemed to dance except leading actor (i.e. minimal tapping towards the end), promoter and con artist with questionable morals, Jos Vantyler as Mel Carney. Vantyler was admirable and energetic but was cast young for the role, working hard at being convincing for what the age of the character required. Carney puppeteers the make believe audience and dancers with his bullying and menacing ways. He even performs on a swing above the other actors as if the whole scenario is a circus and he the ringmaster. The storyline has strong parallels with a modern day Big Brother house where everyone is vying for fame and fortune only to become unhinged and self-destruct whilst lashing out in a verbally aggressive and physically violent behaviour against each other. The writing consisted of intelligent dark comedy dialogue which was often delivered too quickly but also laboured the point that this was the 1930’s depression where people would do anything for a buck or ‘three square’ a day having their morals questioned on how far they would go to live the American dream? From Horace McCoy’s 1935 novella They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? The play is set in Pulaski Falls (characterised as the dead end of the US) during the 1920/30’s marathon dance craze which took America by storm but rather than skill, is an endurance test of how long couples could dance for. We follow three couples in their brief gaping storylines with notable female Bonnie (Kelly Gibson) who’s expressionless voice and deadpan eyes delivers great one-liners. Another character McDade played by Ben Whybrow is supposed to be the muscle but is slight of build, indeterminate and poker faced being forced to confront his own actions by coming out of his shell at the end of the play. The play itself is frenetic, intense and the characters desperate and needy but it has an unbalanced quality to it especially in Act Two where all the characters become deranged, manic and angry. I didn’t walk away feeling emotionally drained or having sympathy for any of the characters but felt overwhelmed by lack of suffering and unsatisfying ending. Besides the lack of dance, the costumes were not all 1920/30’s in style and the backing music modern which left the piece feeling displaced and disjointed in its period. An ambitious piece depicting our dog eat dog modern day world with its consuming and crushing effects of capitalism.

Film: ARGO Preview at the Greenwich Picture House.

Sunday 4^th November. 2012

ARGO is a sensational dark but comic, thriller genre film worthy of rave reviews. I was, as per usual sceptical about the 1979 setting but it is a factual and an honest depiction of the period in every way based on a true story with photographic evidence, during the credits, of the actual hostages and scenes in Iran. The production went to remarkable lengths to reproduce the exact time and place these events occurred. To think that this actually happened is not only on the edge of your seat stuff but quite extraordinary and we can be grateful to President Clinton for releasing these CIA files so this film could be made. The film directed, performed and produced by Ben Affleck (co produced by George Clooney) dramatises the two nations, Canada and the US (CIA) joining forces to extract six US embassy officials who are hiding in the house of the Canadian ambassador during an Iranian revolution. Affleck says, "If I was making a political movie I'd say it, but this is a movie about imperialism, about democracy and the tyranny of totalitarianism."  It’s Affleck’s third directorial offering and whilst having skills as an actor, writer and producer his talent is showcased in this film. He demonstrates finesse i.e. subtlety of action, performance and skill with his CIA character which is understated and perfectly pitched. Affleck says "I don't think I'm a better actor than director, or better writer than actor. I just try to make movies and to me these things are all co-mingled.”  The comedic scenes come from long time favourite actors Alan Arkin and John Goodman who had me chuckling in the aisles. This film serves as both a cultural, historical and political lesson, which no one can deny. It is worthy of an Oscar or two and Ben Affleck, who has a degree in Middle Eastern Affairs from the University Vermont, is deserved of praise for this outstanding film.

Film: SKYFALL at Greenwich Picturehouse

Thursday 1^st November. 2012

The 50^th Anniversary, latest instalment of the 007 series doesn’t disappoint. It’s as thrilling and dazzling as ever with its action packed sequences: fast and furious scenes over rooftops, marketplaces, tall buildings, motor bikes, new guns and cars including rolling out the original Aston Martin which, is a delight to see, luscious landscapes, beautiful people and a list of stunt artists which stack the rolling credits at the end. The cinematography by Roger Deakins is outstanding with opulent and breathtaking scenes filmed in Istanbul, Macau, Glencoe, Shanghai and the desolate Scottish Highlands. Sam Mendes as the latest 007 director continues the look and feel, which is sacred to the Bond series. I did though, feel this movie slightly more understated than the last few Daniel Craig Bond films with reference made to Bond aging physically and mentally (though still able to pull off the scariest of dinking games) but we also get closer to who ‘M’ is (played by Judi Dench in her 7^th Bond film) as her story is central to this film, the ultimate control she has over her agents and her complete disregard for their safety. Set mostly in London it was a joy to see my current home city in a new light through the camera lense with iconic buildings and local references made including Belmarsh prison which is just down the road from me. In this film we get closer to who James Bond really is and where he came from so the Bond mystique is slightly demystified. Javier Bardem makes for a malicious computer hacker and brilliant minded, evil foe Raoul Silva who has comic banter with Bond providing the humour for the film. Ben Wishaw is the new ‘Q’ who is a rather geeky modern character making jokes about the old fashioned guns and exploding pens which is not his choice of technological weaponry. When I heard Adele’s song Skyfall on the radio I wasn’t impressed and felt it lacklustre longing for a belting Shirley Bassey tune but on hearing it at the cinema with the moving images it does suit the film as the opening Bond theme.  The end of the film says that James Bond will return and we are in no doubt that he will but how the next film will outdo this one is anyone’s guess?

FLASH MOB at the Peacock Theatre.

Saturday 3^rd November 2012.

I thoroughly enjoyed this show entitled Flash Mob where ‘Dance Worlds Collide’. The audience consisted of young and old at heart, all there for one reason, to see some great dancing and they did! This dance show crafted under Artistic Director Gary Lloyd who has worked on Thriller Live, Hair, Top of the Pops live has done an extraordinary job of combining different styles of dance all on the one bare stage except for lighting. The dance styles included are Irish dance, hip-hop, pointe, tap, Latin and contemporary with: Contemporary duo Alleviate and Irish Dance duo Brosena from Sky 1’s Got To Dance, Charlie Bruce winner of So You Think You Can Dance, The Elektrolytes (providing the humour for the show) from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, R. Elle Niane from Street Dance 2 3D and Edwar Ramos from Latin Black and Black Energies Dance Companies following performances from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The energy was bouncing off the walls and for me the outstanding star of the evening was multi skilled and uber talented Charlie Bruce. You couldn’t take your eyes off her as she is quite remarkable with her talent and stage presence. The evening finished off with the whole audience on their feet dancing a routine put together from the dance styles combined and everyone had a ball. A great night out for all the family. 

Preview: SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS-Arcola Theatre

Monday 12^th November. 2012

I thoroughly enjoyed this production at the current building site, which is the Arcola theatre. Sweet Smell Of Success is directed by Mehmet Ergen, choreography by Nathan M. Wright, MD is Bob Broad, design/sound by Ed Borgnis and lighting by David Howe all who manage to transform this fringe venue into a credible performance space looking twice the size of the actual stage and sounding like a large Musical Theatre production. I was very proud of my friend Nathan, along with the creative team, managing to cast performers with impressive CV’s bringing excellent acting, singing and dancing skills to this production. Nathan’s choreography was a standout ensuring every inch of the floor was used creatively: dance duo lifts, turns, lines, a pretend floor elevator, combination of dance styles mirroring the music (including a highlighted dance routine in Act 2), minimal set pieces moving on and off in-between routines having their own choreography all rehearsed with precision. The production is based on the 1957 Hollywood film about a ruthless columnist wielding a mighty sword, the pen, and nominated as a musical for 7 Tony Awards: music by the late Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Craig Carnelia and book by John Guare. Olivier award winning actor David Bamber leads this cast as JJ Hunsecker recently seen in Betty Blue Eyes and as Hitler in Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie, Adrian der Gregorian as Sidney Falcone (who has a voice to die for), Caroline Keiff as Susan (Wicked and Legally Blonde), Stuart Matthew Price as Dallas (also golden voiced and was in Shrek), Celia Graham as Rita (Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies). A strong ensemble cast holds the scenes together like glue providing the commentary and conscience (or voice of reason) in the plotline as well as the surrounding minor characters to perfection. I can heartily recommend this show as a fine example of fringe theatre that has had money spent on it and it shows. A delightful evening's entertainment with great jazz which exceeded my expectations.  

TABOO at the Brixton Clubhouse

Tuesday 30^th October 2012

Photo by Roy Tan

I remember seeing Boy George and the Culture Club in Sydney at the height of his fame. The fashion at that time was all about what Boy George was wearing and the shops were filled with 80’s period clothing from London. Who would have thought that I would meet London flatmate and dear friend Zee Asha in 2009 as one of his backing singers on that tour and who still works with George on and off to this day? During this tour I had no idea about George’s drug problem which only came to light for me a few years ago whilst he was performing community service as a result of being arrested. I was delighted at seeing this ‘rag to riches’ musical, directed by Christopher Renshaw, book by Mark Davies Markham, in which George’s musical prowess, composition and lyrics surpassed my expectations. The show hasn’t aged much since the original production at the Venue in 2002 but has, with the addition of new songs and a tightening or reshaping of the script been made quite appropriate for now. Whilst the Brixton tube station attendants and locals on the street had no idea where the Brixton Clubhouse was I found the intimate cabaret venue perfect for the production with the bar also being used as a stage area. I fell in love with some of the Act 2 Mike Nicholls and Christine Bateman costumes; the bondage trousers and kilt combo outfits which were most eye catching. The voices of the cast whether in harmony or solo singing were thrilling to hear, so well done to Anne Vosser for casting bright young talent making the most of George’s score. What astounded me was the acting of newcomer Matthew Rowland’s character George and Adam Bailey’s Marilyn who when not bitching and backstabbing each other, literally threw themselves with ‘gay abandon’ into their drug fuelled scenes. Paul Baker as Philip Sallon is cutting whilst providing humorous comedic moments in the piece and Billy-a struggling professional celebrity photographer is played by Alistair Brammer who is young, good looking and sultry voiced. He is the would be love interest to Kim played by Niamh Perry and as the central youngsters in the story, find their way in life and love. Popular pieces include Everything Taboo, Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and Karma Chameleon which feature in this musical representing the ostentatious and epicurean times of London in the 70’s, 80’s. A gratifying evening’s entertainment which an acquaintance next to me described as the best musical she had seen in a long time.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Friday 16^th November 2012

After having a great day teaching at my 100^th London school I was looking forward to this show despite the trek from South East London to the New Wimbledon Theatre boasting ridiculously expensive glasses of champagne and toilets at the back of the theatre whose comedy hand blowers can be heard when the door opens during the performance. After the show came down I felt quite melancholy despite the story of a heartfelt plight of a shy girl, Little V singing her glimmer of hope ‘Papa Can You Hear Me’ and the many jokes and laughs along the way in this tragic comedy. Jim Cartwright has written and directed this play where the show’s bleak storyline is set in working class Northern England and Lou Boo’s working man’s club giving the impression that life is a struggle for survival and there must be a better life out there somewhere? The vaudevillian acts before the show and Bingo during interval provide light entertainment and an immersing of oneself into the club culture of days gone by. The individual performances are worthy of praise but as I read in a colleagues review the connection between the characters leaves a lot to be desired and they lack chemistry, which is a shame. The set looks like a rickety National touring set with poor sight lines but the lighting design suits the iconic venue. Beverley Callard from Coronation Street as Mari plays a wonderful alcoholic, mutton dressed as lamb, shouty and domineering mother living in her broken down, crumbling home and newcomer Jess Robinson who plays LV does an admirable job of her multi-vocal impressions but I felt she didn’t quite nail them all. However, her scene stealing Act 2 nightclub moment is quite breathtaking. Ray Quinn moving into a straight acting part is more than capable but lacked a connection with LV as there isn’t much of an opportunity to enhance their storyline. I was disappointed that colleague Joe McGann wasn’t performing the role of Ray Say but thought Sally Plumb as Sadie Mae was outstanding and very comical without having anything to say. The play captures the sentiment of the film but doesn’t really hit the high notes for me whereas the film can fill in the gaps and flesh out the storyline.

Film: Twilight-Breaking Dawn Part 2. Greenwich Picture House

Sunday 18th November. 2012

Photo credit: Summit Entertainment. LLC

What a fitting end to the Twilight series of books and films written by Stephenie Meyer for all those ‘Twihards’ out there. It had moments of blood, beheadings, gore as well as glamour and humour. In fact, the whole cinema broke into laughter at one point, which is a relief, as the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. I noted changes in the storyline from the book to the movie keeping the scenes fast paced otherwise it would have become quite tiresome and boring. Characters Bella Swan played by Kristen Stewart (often wooden) and Edward Cullen played by Robert Pattinson (often inaudible) found fame and launched their careers with the Twilight series. Their characters have become immortalised on screen winning the hearts of millions who have followed them on film and social media, which in turn makes the Twilight saga a huge box office success. The recent scandal and infidelity of Stewart with married film director Rupert Sanders was thought to have a negative impact on the release of this film but as they say in showbiz, any publicity is good publicity even if it is bad. Stewart and Pattinson presented a united front for the press release of this film and their current relationship status seems to be on track. The first film, Twilight and the second, New Moon was so poorly scripted and acted in parts that it could have been a complete flop if not for the beautiful looking cast which made vampires and werewolves (bare chested Taylor Lautner with die hard abs) exciting and glamorous. Stewart starts to act in a more natural manner during this film, which is a relief, but the computer-generated image of the baby is not believable and awkward. It’s disappointing they didn’t use a real baby as child actor Mackenzie Foy who plays Renesmee (with whom Lautner as Jacob Black has imprinted upon) is a worthy future soul mate .The point of the film is the final showdown between the ‘good’ vampires including new vampire Bella Swan and werewolves against the ‘bad’ vampires or Volturi from Europe led by Martin Sheen as Aro blazing a trail to a comical conclusion. I was more impressed by the enormous list of stunt artists in the credits and the cast list with photos, which kept me sitting in my seat right to the end. Charles Grant writes that the film debuted at £15.85m at the box office, which is not a bad day’s taking.