Us fairies love a bit of history. We also love a good story, or a conspiracy theory. And we quite like a rollicking tune and a bit of razzle dazzle. Saturday was a combination of the best of everything (thanks to Tamsin; she has the best ideas! -Karina)...
It started at the O2, where we attended the Titanic Exhibition. Both of us have been fascinated with stories of the ill-fated ship since we were knee high, so seeing artefacts and this bit of history so acutely brought to life was amazing. Tamsin has a remarkable capacity for remembering lines from the film, (and clearly, a lamentable lack of decorum - Tamsin) and our tour of the exhibition was peppered with a soundtrack provided by her (she does the voices too by the way:'...It's been 84 years, and I can still smell the fresh paint... The china had never been used... The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was...!'). However, for all the fascination we have with this subject and the undeniable glamour of the era, the undercurrent of the exhibition is sombre; and when faced with very human evidence of the disaster (a solitary boot, a full bottle of champagne, personal items) you're reminded this was a huge disaster and tragic human loss. Right up until the exit from the exhibition, where you are faced with the Titanic Shop, where you can buy a snow globe with the ship and an iceberg for a tenner, or roll yourself up in a replica of a third class blanket. Poor souls were probably trying to keep warm in those very same things until they froze to death in the water. You can even buy a lump of original Titanic Coal in a display box for £35. Huh?!?!? So the souvenirs got a big thumbs down from us.
For the history boffs out there, the exhibition is well worth a visit. It does bring home the human cost of the disaster as well as the sheer arrogance and stupidity of ignoring 6 ice warnings. Very poignant. Even if it did mean we spent the rest of the day humming the Titanic soundtrack and remembering and re-enacting scenes from the film ("Hold my skirt, Jack!'."Can`t you just tuck it in your pants?"..or was that French and Saunders...?); Oh yes. Indeed we do 'drink like men', and 'spit like men'.
We know how to live. Then we went off to a real party...
The Adelphi beckoned for a viewing of 'Love Never Dies'. Cast change, dontcha know, and we'd bought our tickets thinking we'd be waving goodbye to Ramin Karimloo. Fantastic show. The atmosphere was amazing, and from the very first scene, Ramin was on fire!!! Literally; we're not sure we've ever heard him sing so well. From soft, barely audible whispers to menacing growling to belting top notes that sent shivers running down our spine - he was magnificent.
Sierra Boggess, Joseph Millson, Summer Strallen and Niamh Perry were among those taking their final bow and they gave it their all. It'll be interesting to see where their careers will take them next. We've enjoyed seeing them in their parts and since they have originated the roles they played, seeing how those who take over those parts will interpret them will be intriguing. There were lots of emotions on show, and Sierra got a lengthy and well-deserved ovation for her final rendition of the title song. Naturally, we are now waiting with baited breath to see David Thaxton as Raoul (but you knew that) - not saying Joseph Millson wasn't good in the part because he was. Brilliant. But yes, Thacko and his legendary lungs need to be heard on the stage of the Adelphi alongside Ramin's golden tones. As we write, the first performance is on it's way with the new cast...and we have tickets. Though not for a month or so...
It's worth mentioning, that after our first viewing of LND we weren't big fans. We saw it a second time and the music had really grown on us (let alone hearing Ramin's interpretation for the first time...) and by the third time, after the changes, we were hooked, and saw the show for what it was: a complete, robust, fantastic bit of theatre. The changes really do make all the difference. We would go on record as saying that if we'd seen the 'new' version first, we would never have had any doubts about this show. And we know a thing or two about shows!
There are still rumblings and murmurings on the ether about this show, probably caused by pathetic little sabotage attempts by pitiful groups such as 'Love should die' (and our ranting on this topic is also on record...) - all we're saying is this. Before anyone has an opinion on this show, go and see it for yourself. Hear the music, listen to the singing, take in the beauty of the sets, the talent of the cast...then decide. This is a show worth seeing and worth loving. Though Miz will always be our golden child, LND is running a close second. And not just because of Ramin either. It's a show that really, really works. It's up for heaps of Oliviers so clearly it is hitting the right spots...we're obviously not the only two people appreciating it.
And speaking of the Olivier's...yes.
We caved.
Of course we bloody did.
So we're in the nosebleed seats. So what? Our credit cards are making pitiful little whimpering noises, hobbling along on crutches and too scared to peep out of our purses, but so be it. We have frocks and crippling shoes, and dammit we are gonna use them. We'll soon be frog marched by our loved ones to personally book appointments with Martin Lewis the money expert but HAH is what we say!!! We'll be quaffing champagne and watching the show and SEEING BARRY MANILOW ( All together now;'...Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl...') and whatsisname from 'Lost' and Michael Ball twinkling away as only he can and and and...! Oh, we are happy. Very happy. And naturally we'll report back whatever we see and hear. Which should be many delights as the wondrous JOJ is performing as well alongside Sierra. And a tribute to Sondheim (Although not huge Sondheim fangirls, we recognise an MT legend when we see one ).
Considering we thought this was going to be a quiet few months for fairykind, we're not doing too badly at all.....
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