Hydra with Green danger, explosion, and loneliness inspo!

/starlight express/

☼︎ rq'd by @crisstinah! ☼︎

A little Cats Regents Tuggelurina

Dinah, Hydra, and Tassita

Zur Abwechslung mal eine andere Stephen-Schwartz-Show (von denen an diesem Wochende 5 in London gespielt wurden, dafür keine einzige von Sondheim!): Wir schafften es dank zwei Laufzeitverlängerungen eben noch in die letzte Vorstellung von Pippin im sonst eher zu Laufzeitverkürzungen tendierenden Charing Cross Theatre. Pippin, das wissen wir, ist der verunsicherte Sohn Charlemagnes, und auf der erfolglosen Suche nach außergewöhnlicher Erfüllung, nur um schließlich doch der bürgerlichen Gemütlichkeit anheimzufallen. In dieser verglichen mit dem Fosse-Spektakel, das wir sonst verwenden, extrem reduzierten Hippie-Variante für 8 Schauspieler und zwei Musiker benimmt es sich ein bisschen wie Hair, was hier aber durchaus Sinn macht, und ist ganz hinreißend. Besonders Jaydon Vijn.

In 2008 the BBC televised it’s nation wide search for Nancy and Oliver in Cameron Mackintosh’s brilliant new revival of ‘Linnel Bart’s musical masterpiece’.  5 years later the Oliver UK Tour performs it’s last few shows at the Bristol Hippodrome with an Oom-pah-pah, wowing and dazzling all of it’s audiences on the way.

This fantastic show works brilliantly to make you feel as though you have been transported to the smoky streets of a Dickensian London, with its incredibly detailed and elaborate set designs and costumes leaving you with a variety of beautiful sights and faces to gaze upon. The setting is beautifully dark and gritty, combined with stunning bursts of colour to contrast and maintain the elements of fun and energy through out the darkest and deepest scenes. For example Nancy’s vibrant red dress illuminates the gloomy mysterious Public House of happy drunks. The combination of the darkness and the spots of bright colour makes this show perfectly plausible and realistic, giving it that edgy, yet hyper active feel of life in the Victorian era.

The company is so large you will be blown away by the sheer power of their united voices during songs like Consider Yourself and the beautiful Who Will Buy?.   Oliver, played by Joseph Bennet at this performance, has a stunning voice which is showcased perfectly in Where Is Love? His voice suits this perfectly simple song brilliantly, helping to reiterate why he is such a fantastically enchanting Oliver.   13 year old Jaydon Vijn played an amazingly lovable Dodger. This cheeky-chappy was perfect for the role and was clearly giving the performance everything, and was truly remarkable in doing so.   Iain Fletcher played a brilliantly terrifying Bill Sykes. He really got under audience member’s skin and managed to even frighten some, which highlights the remarkable power of his acting. The perfect Bill Sykes.   The lovely Samantha Barks, plays a beautifully powerful and fiery Nancy who’s stage presence is completely on par with Bill’s, showing her to be the most perfect Nancy imaginable. Barks portrays and creates a lovable character within this role, who will leave you grinning as she illuminates the stage with just her smile and dimples in every scene which she features.   Neil Morrisey plays a perfectly hilarious, and in a strange way, lovable Fagin, collecting applause from his very first scene. Scary, funny, fantastic, from Bob the Builder to the mocking of audiences, this Fagin has it all! He’s just brilliant!

Songs to keep an ear out for:    For me Consider Yourself is the first of many breath taking numbers. The explosion of colour and charm leaves you grinning and dancing along in your seat. Vijn highlights to audiences just how perfect he is for the mischievous role in hand.   Pick A Pocket is a perfect introduction to the Thieves’ Kitchen, Fagin and their sneakily clever way of life. Brilliantly hilarious which will no doubt make you laugh out loud at more than one occasion.   As Long As He Needs Me. Wow! Barks beautifully belts out this wonderful number, sending shivers down spines as she does so. She demonstrates the power and brilliance of her voice as the scene is brilliantly stripped back to the basics, showing her stage dominance and authority. Simply breathtaking.

This masterpiece is funny, lovable, witty, scary, and one of the best shows I have even been lucky enough to see! I wouldn’t necessarily call this a family show, but I would advise any theatre or Dicken’s fan to go see this. Now. Whilst you still have the chance before it closes on the 24th of February. It is outstanding!! I cannot rave highly enough!!