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Brief awakenings: White Rose The Musical @MaryleboneTHLDN

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A fascinating and daring act of defiance in Nazi Germany by a group of university students in Munich is given a slightly perplexing rock musical treatment in White Rose, the musical. Something seems amiss in this earnest and occasionally tuneful show. It lags more than it inspires, which is surprising given the tragic and compelling history of the real-life characters the show depicts. Given that young people are increasingly likely to vote for far-right parties across Europe, it’s an opportunity to look at a time when they had a different perspective on the future. Perhaps something has been lost in the translation or the larger space of the Marylebone Theatre where it plays.  The White Rose were a group of university students in Munich who sought to undermine the Third Reich through publication of a series of pamphlets urging passive resistance to the Nazi regime. Over a brief period between June 1942 and February 1943, they distributed their pamphlets across campus using ...

Music: Matthew Morrison



Matthew Morrison somewhat exploded onto the stage last night at the Hammersmith Apollo. Well there was a lot of bass noise anyway. In fact, it was hard to pass any judgement on the show given the bass drowned out his vocals most of the evening. The ladies shouting for him to get his shirt off seemed more audible. The technical problems were not just with the base but also with late pick ups, cameras in the way, projections running on a laptop that was low on batteries. Still, Matthew Morrison couldn't be accused of being low on batteries however as he sang / danced / bounced on stage for almost two hours.

It was a great performance and Morrison is a very likeable performer. Highlights included a medley of songs from West Side Story accompanied by bongos, which thankfully someone recorded and sent to Perez Hilton (above). There were also a number of tracks both from Glee and his new album Summer Rain that were a treat, including Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

The show lasted two hours and included a proposal of marriage from one of Morrison's friends to his girlfriend. It was an awkward moment that came out of nowhere and perhaps a telling warning for any women thinking of dating singer / actor / dancer types (or their friends) and keeping a low profile at concerts... On the plus side there was an incredible performance of Don't Stop Believing by JC Chasez, where he reached notes no man should surely try to attempt at home...

The show could have benefited from being a bit sexier. Despite the repeated calls from women with impressive vocal projection in the audience shouting for him to remove his shirt, it did not happen. It was a shame as the ladies in the audience were hardly rough and worn like Take That fans. They were much too nice and seemed more interested in dancing and taking photos. They would have enjoyed it, in a sensible kind of way. And besides, he took his shirt off for South Pacific so that must count as art... And ladies, if you have found this page by searching "Matthew Morrison Naked" you should probably check out the clip form his performance at charity fundraiser Broadway Bares. It is very artistic and for a good cause...



All told it was a girls night out for slebs like Chelsy Davy and other hangers on... I was just going along for the ride... First impressions from the hangers on (or at least Johnnyfox) in the boo below... Go see him live or get his album...

Listen!

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