[title of show] takes you back to a time before the fast paced social media where word of mouth for a positive show came from chat boards, video diaries or (god forbid) blogs. A simple staging makes it an ideal (and economical piece to stage), but it’s sweet and earnest take on just putting on a show, and putting it out there and taking a chance gives this show its heart. With a strong and energetic cast and endless musical theatre references, it’s hard to resist and it’s currently playing at the Southwark Playhouse . It opens with Hunter (Jacob Fowler) and Jeff (Thomas Oxley) as struggling young writers in New York City. An upcoming New York Musical Theatre festival, inspires them to write an original musical within three weeks to make the deadline. As they discuss ideas, writers block, distractions and endless other good and bad musicals, an idea for a show emerges. Which is about writing a show for a musical theatre festival. Their friends Heidi (Abbie Budden) and Susan (Mary Moor
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Opera preview: Aida
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I couldn't pass up the chance to see David McVicar's production of Aida at the Royal Opera on Tuesday. I liked the first time around so an invitation to see the dress rehearsal with a few other bloggers seemed like an awfully sensible way to spend a Tuesday morning.
After getting past the crowd of old age pensioners and students that seemed to make up this preview audience (and they are a tough crowd - well the pensioners anyway - steer clear of their elbows), having a strong cup of coffee, we settled down in our seats to watch the drama unfold. Johnnyfox and I were given the choice of the stalls or a box. We opted for the director's box.
There is something thrilling about this production of the opera that lingers with you. It is alternatively bloody and sexual, but never feels out of place or over the top as Aida productions can tend to be. Instead there is an intimacy that draws you in to the central characters and recurring themes of war and love. War comes first, and chatting with associate director Leah Hausman after the opera she noted that it is war or "guerra" that is what gets mentioned most. The love of course being the love triangle of Amneris, daughter of the King of Egypt, Aida, her Ethiopian slave and Radames, Commander of the Egyptian army.
This production avoids anything obviously Egyptian or gilded. There are no pyramids or sets that could be at home at Harrods. Instead it draws upon costumes and rituals from other ancient societies. The effect makes it a more primitive and austere production, which combined with the bouncing breasts and scenes of a sexual nature, has to be perfectly suited for these times.
There have been a few tweaks that have improved things over the 2010 production. Amneris is not loaded down with a headdress which the first time around put a barrier between the character and the audience. Olga Borodina (pictured above) delivers an impressive performance with emotion and power. She still looks tough and you wouldn't want to be in Aida's shoes (even if she has a soft spot for her slave), but the character makes more sense. This is important since despite the title, the opera really is all about her.
Opposite Borodina is a curiously boyishly enthusiastic Roberto Alagna. His interpretation of the role gives a clarity and emotional connection and it is a thrill watching these two stars together.
There is also a stunning new martial arts choreography during the the triumphal march scene, which along with an impressive set of corpses that descends from above, is quite a visual feast. It doesn't look easy and the rehearsal video below suggests it is not...
We did suggest to Ms Houseman afterwards that future productions could consider stringing up an actor up there during the march to twitch a bit for added realism, but what you see already is probably enough. I have tended to lose interest in Aida after the end of act two, but in this production there is enough drama in the second half to keep things moving apace.
The Royal Opera orchestra under conductor Fabio Luisi sounds great and moves at a frantic pace that adds to the intensity. By the time act three comes to its emotionally intensive end, I was feeling exhausted. The chemistry between the leads combined with the intimacy of this production works very well here and it continues throughout the second half.
Last year this production did not get raves, but I would have to respectfully disagree. It is a great production that has got better. Performances run until 15 April and seats are still available. A boo from the new media / bloggerazzi is below featuring @seehearlive, @oughttobeclowns, @jakeyoh and @johnnyfoxlondon.
An added treat was a trip backstage during the interval. While the production looks more glamourous from the audience's perspective it was fascinating watching the guys test the set ahead of Act III, and note the constant jets of moist air falling from above. It keeps the dust down and helps the singers voices. It feels slightly refreshing as well (although it did remind me to a trip to a murf I once went on).
Postscript: Micaela Carosi playing Aida in the dress rehearsal would withdraw before opening night due to pregnancy. Perhaps those hormones were probably playing a greater role than anyone suspected at the time but it just goes to show there is never a dull moment at the opera. Thanks to the folks at the Royal Opera for their hospitality. Photo credit: Royal Opera / Bill Cooper
David McVicar's oddly modern production of Rigoletto is back at the Royal Opera House . This modern and minimalist dark production has evolved over the years. It is better lit now but there is still an orgy and full frontal nudity within the first thirty minutes. This enables anyone not in the stalls an excellent view of a flaccid penis and a nicely shaved bush. But as time goes it seems more and more superfluous to the main focus of this tragedy of a court jester who seeks revenge. Here is hoping that the production continues to evolve... Conductor John Eliot Gardiner keeps the music well paced. Dimitri Platanias in the title role sounded great and received a rapturous applause for his interpretation of the role. You get a sense more of the doting father rather than the court jester or cursed man here. Vittorio Grigolo plays the Duke and sounds too lovely to be the cad the role calls for, but it is hard not to like when he is on stage anyway. And it is easier to understan
Nowadays no self-respecting gay play can be staged without full frontal nudity of some kind. It feels like the default response for the modern gay play now that gay rights are no longer an issue . Afterglow, currently playing at Southwark Playhouse , serves it up in spades. From the beginning, three men are in a bed, naked. There’s what appears to be a very brief exhalation of ecstasy, before the obligatory rush to the shower. But the gratuitous nudity and excellent performances can’t conceal this is a pretty conventional and predictable story about a fantasy couple. The three men in the simultaneous orgasm at the start of the piece are Josh, Alex and Darius. Josh and Alex seem to live in a New York world where they can afford a rooftop apartment in Manhattan while holding jobs as a theatre director and a grad student in chemistry. As writer S. Asher Gelman based it on his own experiences, perhaps gay plays with full frontal nudity are the way to achieve financial security
Damn Yankees at the Landor Theatre is one hell of a fun, sexy show. A great cast of dancers and singers give this show about a man who sells his soul to get on his beloved baseball team (and give them a chance of winning) new legs and balls. It also helps to up the ante with the sexiness with some healthy doses of cleavage and legs (and that's just the men). The musical is a retelling of the Faust story set in the 1950s when the New York Yankees dominated the game.
His interpretation of the role gives a clarity and emotional connection and it is a thrill watching these two stars together.
