Whats on Stage??

And so, on Sunday evening,  it fell upon us to attend another glittering night of mingling with the theatrical greats in London's West End. As if we were going to say 'No' to an opportunity to dig out a nice frock and a pair of high heels, or  needed even more persuading to soak up the atmosphere of the very excitable thespian community. This was a much looked-forward to event which didn't disappoint. At all.

For starters, we had to make our way in to the theatre by running the gauntlet of autograph hunters (some clearly professional, judging by the amount of photos they wanted signed, tsk tsk) and paparazzi. As predicted, the camera's stopped flashing the moment we got close but that's OK. We like to keep a certain 'je ne sais quoi'. We walked past a couple of girls being interviewed about why they loved theatre so much and who they were here to see. 'Sheridan Smith!' they squealed.

Sheridan Smith.
That was a name we would be hearing a lot over the course of the evening.

We reflected on the fickleness of MT fandom as we had been followed in by an anonymous actress we know to have sung in Les Miserables and Hairspray amongst others.  West End MT is a pretty close knit circle, with the same faces moving from one show to the next, swapping roles with friends and popping off on tour until the next part appears.  As such, we pondered on how the cameras and squees which ceased on our entrance (and that of our anonymous friend) could potentially burst into life next year if she stepped into the right role with the right fanbase..... how fickle the lot of a theatre darling can be.



 In the foyer we spotted Phyllida Law, who flashed us a radiant smile. Quite frankly, if we look like that when we get to her age we would be happy fairies. The woman is stunning. Naturally stunning, seemingly without the help of any nips and tucks and fillers. Her face moves and everything. And she is so elegant! She really is someone to aspire to. But back to the show!

You know what?  It was nice to be able to attend an Award Show at all.
Usually not the place for Joe Public plebs like us, it makes you feel paying your theatre dollar as we do (all too often, in some opinions) is worthwhile if you get to have a say in rewarding the efforts of those you have seen.  And even better, get to see them receiving the gong. The Oliviers, far more worthy, are closed off from those outside "the industry", much like the Baftas and the Oscars etc. 
(EDIT 27.2.11 Just an amendment to say that the powers that be must have been reading our blog.  For the first time in 10 years, you can get tickets to the Oliviers!!  Sadly, we fairies have overstretched ourselves recently so will have to dress in a fab frock and wtach it on TV through our tears. Sob.)

But these awards are voted for BY US and are a much humbler affair.  However, according to the organisers and recipients, also a bit naughtier, more fun, and more important because bums on seats and touching an audience is not only what keeps them in work, but the reason they do what they do.

So bless all at Whats on Stage... we love them for their honest shit-just-checked-the-awards-have-all-got-the-right-names-on-God-we`re-so-excited-whose-coming?-wear-what-you-like-we-aren`t-going-black-tie-tweet-all-day-now-we`re exhausted-and-we`re-off-to-Maccy-Ds approach to public relations.

One of these days, we are certain those that vote (ie us) won`t be able to go to the show, but for now it`s still low budget enough for them to want us in the audience.  It looked like they may have even used Powerpoint for the backdrop. Aw!!  We felt very sorry for the poor head of WOS who actually won the raffle and came on stage to yells of "Fix!" and so made them redraw it. Poor love.  You put on a great show, we would have given you the prize any time!



But the show itself was fab. Fab fab fab.  Introduced by the one and only Biggins, along with Sheridan Smith and Miranda Hart as trusty sidekicks, it was of course largely award oriented, but interspersed with musical numbers from La Boheme to Umbrellas of Cherbourg. (Enjoyed the ooh-la-la-ness, not so keen on the op-e-raaaa).  We had the lovely Ramin singing Green Day on acoustic guitar with a contemprorary dance and gospel choir accompaniment (whaaat??), before bringing on Hadley Fraser for a blast of Sheytoons Blue Grass merriment. We had Hannah Levane raising the roof, along with Alfie Boe, and the casts of Departure Lounge and ...... Even a sneaky preview of Ghost from the wondrous Caissie Levy.  What a voice that girl has.  Spellbinding.  (Even made us kind of curious to see the show, despite our fear it may turn out to be as awful as the movie.)



All this, and we got to see Biggins dressed in blue gingham asking if there were any friends of Dorothy in the house.  Such pure cheese.  Twas a joy to behold.  Even with the screeching fangirls behind us.
Why why why has it suddenly become OK to scream, yes, scream

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

 whenever a favourite person or show appears or is mentioned? AT EARSPLITTING VOLUME.  Shush dears. We love the boy Ramin too, but it nearly did our fairy heads in.  He wasn`t the only one to receive such approval though. Nope.  All things Wicked and Legally Blonde (especially Sheridan Smith) also got the honours.  Now considering she was hosting, and also picked up several gongs, you can only imagine our poor heads.  We like Sheridan though.  Not her fault she has such ardent girlfans, and we especially like her as she reacted to the presence of Ramin the way we would. ie dumbstruck and pathetic.  In view of the sheer amount of Legally Blonde love on show, we have decided that at some point we will go to see what all the fuss is about, even though it doesn`t appeal really.  Cheap tickets here we come.

The winners are all on the WOS site, along with videos of the night.  Everyone is so happy!  (seems they found the free champagne that eluded us...)
Whats on Stage site

Oh, and our favourite Tweet of the night.... (anonymous of course) So good it was retweeted by many and therefore founds its way to us......

"Can someone take one of the 3 awards Cameron Mackintosh is holding and hit him on the head with it for casting the Jonas child."

Our sentiments exactly.