Rent in Concert - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (30/04/2013)

As a fan of the show, I was incredibly excited to have the chance to see it performed again live in the theatre. Rent is such an empowering and moving show, its hard not to do it justice. Unfortunately for me, this production wasn't exactly the fine example I was hoping for. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the show, it's hard not too, but it had its faults. 

As it was billed as Rent in Concert, I wasn't expecting to see a fully staged production of the show, but by the interval I was left confused as to what is was exactly. The majority of the cast, seemed to be acting out the story, brilliantly I must add, and treating it like this was a low scale production of the musical, while others seemed to have no connection with the story and were simply treating it as a rock concert. Unfortunately, poor direction left the show feeling under-rehearsed and inconsistent.

Tony Awards 2013 Nominations ANNOUNCED!!

BEST PLAY
The Assembled Parties Author: Richard Greenberg
Lucky Guy Author: Nora Ephron
The Testament of Mary Author: Colm Tóibín
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Author: Christopher Durang

BEST MUSICAL
Bring It On: The Musical
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Kinky Boots
Matilda The Musical

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
A Christmas Story, The Musical – Joseph Robinette
Kinky Boots – Harvey Fierstein
Matilda The Musical – Dennis Kelly
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella – Douglas Carter Beane

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE
A Christmas Story, The Musical, Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Hands on a Hardbody, Music: Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Lyrics: Amanda Green
Kinky Boots, Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper
Matilda The Musical, Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Annie
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Pippin
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

The Phantom of the Opera - Birmingham Hippodrome (13/03/2013)

“Hear it, feel it secretly possess you” is exactly what this production does. I have to say, as a fan of the original London production I was in two minds about seeing the ‘re-worked’ tour. I was not disappointed. Although certain aspects of the original, in my opinion, worked so much better and did not need changing, in no way did it dampen my enjoyment.

After just over 25 years, some people may think “why fix something that’s not broken?”, which I agree with to a certain extent. What it does do though, is gives the show a fresh feeling, as though you were watching it for the first time all over again.

Although there was no falling chandelier in this production, the visuals were incredible. The new set design, by Paul Brown, was genius. Just as stunning as the original.

The thing that makes this production so brilliant though, were the outstanding cast, who have obviously worked so hard to bring this story to life. Katie Hall brings a fresh new take to Christine, and makes a more believable undiscovered talent. Her vocals were faultless, in which her rendition of ‘Think of me’ ended with rapturous applause. Simon Bailey, for me, played a rather bland and boring Raoul, which I’m not sure if I liked or not. Either way, he still brought something fresh to the role and is indeed a talented actor.