Evita - Runway Theatre Company

CAST

Eva Peron - Jennifer Hardie (Tuesday, Thursday, Sat Eve)

Eva Person - Caroline Telfer (Wednesday, Friday, Sat Mat)
Che Guevara - Johnny Collins

Juan Peron - J Campbell Kerr

Augustin Magaldi - Tom Russell

The Mistress - Christina Rose Leon

SYNOPSIS -

'EVITA' features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice and it is one of their most successful musicals. The show is based on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron who became the leader of the nation rising from nothing to become one of the most famous political figures in the country's history. The show tells her rise to fame through the eyes of the people, using a narrator to tell her journey.

Until last night, I had never experienced the musical 'Evita' on stage. Of course I had listened to all of the famous songs as most have, but I was yet to watch a live performance of it. Runway Theatre Company always put on a good show, no matter what they are performing - and this show is no different.

Jennifer Hardie is perfect in the role of Eva Peron and does not disappoint. The show's most famous song "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is a highlight and is powerfully delivered to her supporters on stage. She is accompanied by J Campbell Kerr as Juan Peron, who gives an incredible performance without fault, which is something that can be said about the production in general. Che Guevara was played brilliantly by Johnny Collins, who seemed to only be off the stage for about 5 minutes, yet still managed to give an excellent performance with a powerful voice. "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" was performed faultlessly by Christina Rose Leon in the role of The Mistress. Magaldi was performed brilliantly by Tom Russell, who delivered an excellent performance of "On This Night Of A Thousand Stars".

This production has a very strong ensemble cast. As a group they sounded and looked fantastic, along with the direction from Robert Fyfe, musical direction by David Dunlop, and Choreography by Greg Robertson. 

Overall, this production of Evita is amazing. I am already looking forward to coming back for the saturday matinee performance as I will get to see Caroline Telfer in the role of Eva Peron. If you are going to see the show sometime this week, prepare to be amazed. It feels as though you are watching a professional production!

Matilda The Musical

I have just recently come back from London where I went to see Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. I had never seen the show before but it had been recommended to me many times.

Cast - Children 

Matilda - Tasha Chapple

Bruce - Arthur Yamaguchi

Lavender - Polly Grace Coombes

Nigel - Denzel Eboji

Amanda - Kira Caple

Eric - Rory Toms

Alice - Robyn Ashwood

Hortensia - Annabel Otterburn 

Tommy - Joshua Cameron

Adults

Doctor - Tommy Sherlock

Mrs Wormwood - Kay Murphy

Mr Wormwood - James Clyde

Michael Wormwood - Joshua Wyatt

Rudolpho - Jason Winter

Mrs Phelps - Lisa Davina Phillips

Miss Honey - Lara Denning

The acrobat - Charlotte Scott

The Escapologist - Antony Lawrence

Miss Trunchbull - Craige Els

Matilda is a stage musical based on the novel of the same name by Roahl Dahl. It was written by Dennis Kelly, with musical and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

Since seeing Matilda I have definitely added it to my list of favourite musicals. It is hilarious, magical and moving. We were sitting right in the front row for the performance that I was at, and I didn't see anyone put a foot wrong. The children in the show are wonderful, and you can tell how well rehearsed ever single number is.

Matilda is a fabulous family show. It has strong tunes, great lyrics and enough funny moments to make even the most revolting child laugh. Tasha Chapple was a great Matilda, who had a lot of talent and it was clear that she was having a lot of fun on the stage. James Clyde and Kay Murphy are memorably vile as Matilda's vulgar parents. Lara Denning also stands out with her great voice as the sweet and kind teacher who helps Matilda.

For me, it was Craige Els as Trunchbull who very nearly stole the show. Els' comedy timing makes Agatha Trunchbull both terrifying and hilarious all at once and is the cherry on the cake of this wonderful production.

Overall, Matilda is a brilliant show that I cannot recommend highly enough. The songs stand out both on their own but also blend well into the show. If you ever get the chance to see this musical I urge you to do so.

Dylan Saunders - 'Confluence'

Many of you may have heard of the theatre group 'Team Starkid' through online musical hits such as the 'A Very Potter Series', 'Starship' and most recently 'Twisted'. On the 30th of September, one of their original members Dylan Saunders (pictured below) released his debut album. 

For Starkid fans, Dylan has always been a favourite due to his strong singing voice. The name of the album is 'Confluence'. I pre-ordered it recently and so today I was finally able to listen to it for the first time. It was everything I had hoped for and even more; a mix of song styles, great lyrics and catchy tunes. If you haven't bought confluence yet it is available on iTunes - you won't regret it!

Singin' In The Rain UK Tour

CAST:
Don Lockwood - James Leece
Kathy Selden - Amy Ellen Richardson
Cosmo Brown - Stephanie Anelli
R F Simpson - Maxwell Caulfield
Lima Lamont - Vicky Binns
Dora Bailey/Miss Dinsmore - Jacqueline Clarke
Roscoe Dexter - Paul Grunert

In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina's latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden, an aspiring actress is brought in, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to see this musical. Having only ever seen the 1952 film, I didn't know how it would be transferred onto stage.
The show was definitely much better than what I had been imagining. The singing was great, and when it came to the dancing, there was not one person on the stage who was out of time. 

James Leece as Don Lockwood and Amy Ellen Richardson both bring a lot of talent to each of their roles, and create a loveable pairing. Vicky Binns gets a lot of the laughs as the troublesome, yet harmless, Lina Lamont. She is spot on with comic timing, especially in the film clips that are shown. Personally, I enjoyed Stephane Anelli as Cosmo Brown the most. He has great delivery of one liners and almost steals the show in ‘Make Em Laugh’.

Like the movie, Singin’ in the Rain the stage show delivered all-singing, all-dancing entertainment, with help from a highly talented cast. James Leece clearly had fun during the title track ‘Singin’ in the rain, where Don dances in the street and swings from lampposts, kicking puddles of water all over the first few rows - which fortunately made the whole audience laugh. The songs and dance routines including the great 1920s costumes brought the performance to life.

The buzz from the audience was obvious from the start, with everyone clearly enjoying it from beginning to the end. The standing ovation at the end just showed how loved this musical is.

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James Leece, Amy Ellen Richardson & Stephane Anelli.

RIP Robin Williams

I know that I haven't posted on this blog for a while (I will start again soon) and this isn't the type of post I would normally make, but I felt like I should do it anyway. I'm sure you've all heard the sad news of the great actor and comedian Robin Williams' death.  He was loved by many, which is shown just by the amount of messages and posts there were the morning that the news was heard. No matter what, Robin Williams would always be able to make me laugh. I remember watching Mrs Doubtfire, Jumanji and Aladdin when I was younger. If you haven't watched any of his stand up, I highly recommend it. I felt like I should share some tributes to Robin Williams, just to show how much he will be missed by everyone. Credit to everyone who owns these pictures.

The Best Friend Tag!

Hello! I have just made a video with my friend Jess - “ The Best Friend Tag”. Click here if you want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUJlXdR_3qc
She has also made a video with me in it - “Beauty Questions Tag” which you can find here. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEeQRWL1CFY

Please leave a comment of anything you would like me to review/videos you would like me to make.

Megan x

Holidays!

Hello! I haven't been posting recently as I am on holiday in Almeria in Sunny Spain. 

Having a lot of fun here and getting slightly sunburnt! 

Yes, that is a picture of me in the boot of a car. Don't ask why.

I have a few things lined up to review when I get home but in the mean time you can check out my youtube channel: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCBZD5fzGWC_uL7sHGDFUG0w

I will be posting a vlog of my time here in Spain when I get home, so look out for that! 

Hope you all have a nice summer!