The Kissing Dance

Yep - this is definitely a theatre blog. Whatever. It's not my fault that the most important events in my life are the shows I go to see! Well, it is actually. But I am unashamedly a theatre geek, so I don't care.

Well this time - as I may or may not have mentioned in my previous post - it was The Kissing Dance, a (relatively) new musical by Howard Goodall, lyrics by Charles Hart (lyricist for Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies amongst others!). Relatively new, because it was first performed by the National Youth Music Theatre in 1998, a production in which coincidently, starred Gina Beck in the role of Kate Hardcastle, which she is currently reprising at the Jermyn Street Theater in the professional debut of the musical.

Although excited (anyone who knows me/follows me on twitter/has read my blog will know that Gina is my all-time favourite actress/singer!) I was also quite apprehensive as I walked into the theatre. Seating only 70 people and the stage a mere 8x4 metres, it seemed a world away from the magnificent and spacious West End venues, though situated only round the corner from Her Majesty's Theatre, home to Phantom of the Opera. However, this only lends to it's quirky charm.

Although my favourite musicals are, and will continue to be Phantom, Love Never Dies and Les Miserables, it was refreshing to see a musical comedy. The Kissing Dance is hilarious - I don't remember a scene in which I didn't laugh, and I was particularly impressed with the ease at which humour and romance were entwined to deliver a beautifully sweet and witty musical.

Warning - Spoilers!

The plot revolves around the country house of Nonesuch, where Mr and Mrs Hardcastle are frantically preparing for the arrival of a suitor for their daughter Kate. The girlish glee of Kate and her cousin Constance is infectious as they sing about their beau's - for Constance is romantically linked with Kate's suitor's friend, and hopes for a proposal from him - "my dear cousin, we shall be ... friends in law!" However, while Kate's suitor, Marlow, is said to be handsome and brave, he also possesses a terrible shyness around women of his own class - a trait which Kate fears will prevent them from getting to know each other. To add a little conflict, Constance has been left a substantial dowry of jewels from her late parents - a dowry which Mrs Hardcastle intends for her half-witted son to have! She believes them to be all but betrothed, when really Constance has her heart set on her beloved George Hastings, and Kate's brother Tony is in love with the local barmaid! And everything is further twisted when, upon inquiring the whereabouts of Nonesuch at the local pub, Marlow and Hastings are led to believe that their destination is some way off - Tony's idea of a practical joke. They believe the Hardcastle's home to be an inn at which they intend to rest before continuing on their journey. And cue a hilarious mix-up in which Marlow manages to greatly offend his future father-in-law, a man who he believes to be landlord of the inn. George and Constance bump into each other, but upon learning the truth, Hastings decides not to tell Marlow that they really are at Nonesuch, for his nerves could not handle such a revelation! Instead, he leads his friend to believe that some lucky twist of fate has caused Kate and Constance to be staying at that very inn. Lets just say that the meeting between Kate and Marlow is little short of excruciatingly painful, and forces Kate to resort to desperate measures to win her man! If that is not enough, Tony agrees to steal Constance's jewels from Mrs Hardcastle so Constance and George can run away together, and he is free to marry his barmaid. And after five minutes of knowing Tony's character, you'll realise that this is not the best idea ...

If you enjoy mad plot-twists, witty humour and romance, this is the perfect show to see! Gina Beck is beautiful, funny and charming as the pretty Kate Hardcastle, but even I have to admit that it was Beverley Klein, who plays Mrs Hardcastle, who stole the show. With her perfect comic timing and complete over-dramatic-ness , she brought a whole new level to comedy. Her outrageous costume itself is a reason to visit! Among others who stood out (though I would like to mention them all!) was Gemma Sutton, who plays Constance. I really loved the scene where she had to pretend to have a 'midnight tryst' with Tony to keep up the pretense that they were in love! Ian Virgo (who played Tony in the NYMT 1998 production) and Dylan Turner made a wonderful duo as Marlow and Hastings. Dylan, I would like to say, is really quite handsome (as well as having a good voice ... I think ... :P) and Ian played up his character's opposites - excruciatingly nervous in the presence of Kate, yet devilishly flirtatious to common 'maids'. Jack Shalloo is hilarious as the half-witted Tony, yet lovably so, and he manages to single-handedly wreck the lovers plans, then bring them back together!

I could mention everyone, but just one more goes to Lila Clements for combining acting, dancing, singing and playing the flute! All of which I love :)

The set and costumes were perfect for the tiny space, and the original music a refreshing change from the well-known (and still well-loved!) popular west-end shows. The Kissing Dance runs only until April 23rd, so get your tickets now!

<3

Direct from the West End

Okay, this was supposed to be a space for me to philosophically reflect upon my life and the world around me, but who wants to read that?! So it's become much more of a theater blog. Which is fine with me!

So, last Sunday, I went with my mum and sister to see the last of 3 new shows, Direct from the West End. We had booked the tickets months ago, ever since I heard that Gina Beck (who I saw in Phantom of the Opera last year) would be performing. And it certainly did not disappoint!

I saw the show in Windsor's charming little Theater Royal, and was lucky enough the be in the front stalls! Those two hours of the best of musical theater went far, far too quickly for my liking. The wonderful cast (listed below) opened with A New World, from the musical Songs for a New World. Despite not being familiar with the song, it was a wonderful opening to the show. They continued from strength to strength, singing songs from the best loved of all musicals, including Phantom of the Opera (my personal favorite!), Love Never Dies, Wicked, We Will Rock You, Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Cats. Not to mention several lesser-known, but just as great musicals.

The amazing west end cast included:

Samantha Barks - Who absolutely smashed (in my opinion) The Wizard and I. If she is not cast in Wicked in the next few years, then I will be shocked and that show will have missed out on a great opportunity! One of the youngest west end stars out there, and currently performing in Les Miserables at Queens Theater, I predict that she has a bright and sparkly future ahead of her.

Anthony Hansen - A name I admit I was not familiar with, but will definitely be remembering! He had such a cute twinkle in his eyes when singing I Love You Baby, and such a charismatic presence! He has recently joined the cast of Wicked, and I for one am certainly looking forward to booking tickets!

Scott Garnham - Definately has a talent for comedy! He had the audience in the palm of his hand, cracking cheesy theater-related jokes throughout the night. But it was his soaring vocals in songs Til I Hear You Sing and Maria which sent goosebumps down my arms. A co-producer, and founder of Musical Ovation LTD with Martin Neely, he is to thank for bringing this show to us.

Rachel Bingham - Another name I hadn't heard of before, but her voice astounded me. A perfect rendition of both As Long As He Needs Me  and The Winner Takes It All, she is another reason why you should buy a ticket to see Les Miserables in the West End!

Jessie May - Currently performing as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia, Jessie was definitely one of my favourite performers of the night, the sheer exuberance she emitted was infectious, and her vocals absolutely stunning. She performed both the love duet All I ask Of You and the rockier Somebody To Love to equal high standards, displaying her ability to slip into such different roles. I'm seeing her in Mamma Mia in a few weeks, so expect another review!

Killian Donnelly - Currently Enjolras in Les Miserables, he was yet another super talented and charismatic member of the cast. Like Jessie, he showed his capability for different roles as Raoul to Jessie's Christine in All I Ask Of You and strutted his stuff in Superstar  from Jesus Christ Superstar. Backed up by the whole cast and including some questionable dance moves, this song was one of the most fun!

Jeff Nicholson - As the foreman and u/s Javert in Les Miserables, he is not displaying his full talents. After his joining the lovely Gina Beck in Phantom of the Opera and taking a chilling solo in Music of the Night, I am considering starting a petition to get him to wear the mask! However, his highlight was definitely Song of the King from Joseph, backed up by the whole cast and again including some questionable, but highly entertaining dance moves! Inspired by Elvis ... I shall say no more.

Gina Beck - Last, but definitely not least! My personal favourite musical theater performer, after seeing her as Christine Daae in Phantom last year, she was who I came to see. A beautiful performance in the title song of that musical, I think everyone who was there would agree. She was especially amazing in her solo Memory, and lent her beautiful soprano voice to Cosette (whom she previously played at Queens Theater) in One Day More and to Maria in Tonight. She is going to be starring in The Kissing Dance from March-April in an off west-end venue, so get your tickets!

The entire performance was uplifting, exciting and all together enjoyable. The idea of taking a cast of extremely talented west end performers with a repertoire of well-loved songs to venues outside London is genius. I for one hope that the success of these shows will inspire many more!

Highlights I have not yet mentioned include Fugue for Tinhorns from Guys and Dolls performed by comedic trio Scott, Killian and Jeff. I didn't know the song before, but they did it wonderfully! Jessie May's Welcome to the Sixties was awesome, her vocals faultless and her acting of the song very energetic.

One of the things I think that made the show such a success was the sheer amount of fun the performers themselves seemed to be having, and the great way in which they interacted with each other. While extremely successful in their solos, the ensemble performances stood out as the best. If another show comes up, I will be the first to get tickets, and advise everyone else to do the same! Even if you are not particularly a fan of musical theater, this is a perfect show to attend simply to have a good fun time. And who knows, this fabulous cast may just be able to convert you!

xxxxx