Jersey Boys, Prince Edward Theatre, London, June 2013

I went to see Jersey Boys as part of a hen-do, probably not the usually musical hens go to but it is one I have never seen before so I was actually looking forward to it.

I had also heard a lot of good things about the musical, apparently it is David Beckham's favourite, if it good enough for him I was sure it would be good enough for me.

For anyone who has never seen it, or even heard of it, Jersey tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons during the 60s, a New Jersey band made up of boys from the wrong side of the tracks who invented their own unique sound and were inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. They have also sold 100 million records worldwide

As far as sets go it is pretty sparse and uses a lot of Roy Lichtentstein pictures, which I loved. 

Now I went into this not really thinking I knew any Four Seasons songs, how wrong was I.

The production includes - Beggin' which was used as a sample by Madcon in 2007; Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What A Night, Walk Like a Man, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) and Big Girls Don't Cry to name a few. I was singing and dancing to songs thinking - I know this!

It also made me want to go and back the Four Seasons back catalogue. 

Ryan Molloy plays Frankie Valli and has done so for a number of years, he was excellent going from the young, naive 16-year-old to showman.

All the cast was so good and it really made me want to find out a bit more about the band.

I can see why people love it and there definitely were some fans in the audience. I for one would love to see it again.

I saw it at the Prince Edward Theatre, where it has been for five years, and sat up in the upper circle, which was a little scary at first but when the show started it was the last thing on my mind I was so enthralled by the musical I completely forgot where I was sitting.

From March it will be in the Piccadilly Theatre as Viva Forever has now closed.

 

If you want a nostalgic, feel good musical, although there is a little gritty drama thrown in, set in the 60s and full of loads of songs you will know go to Jersey Boys you won't regret it.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert, UK tour, The Mayflower, Southampton, June 2013

Anyone who has read this blog before will know that firstly I love musicals, secondly I really love Priscilla Queen of the Desert and felt there should be national day of mourning when it closed in the West End of London. 

Imagine my delight then when it was announced that Priscilla was on the move and coming to Southampton Mayflower.

Now I saw it at the beginning of June and have been a bit snowed under with exams, holiday prep and just work in general so I  have been unable to write about the tour, but thought with a free evening I would put pen to paper, so to speak.

The basic story from the West End and Australian show is the same, three drag queens travelling across the desert from Sydney to Alice Springs to perform at a Casino.

There is still the fascination with Kylie Minogue, the American one it has been changed to Madonna. Most of the songs are the same except the opening song of 'Downtown' has been changed to 'It's Raining Men' which works really, really well. They have also added 'True colours' which is in the US version.

Obviously stage-wise there are restrictions, especially when it comes to the bus. Priscilla is reduced to a bottom bit with screens near the top, however, it still works, you can imagine the bus is there and also it means that it is less likely to break down, as it sometimes did in London.

Noel Sullivan, of Hear'Say fame, was Tick on the week I went and was really good. He has amazing vocal ability and really camped up the character as I think sometimes people try to play Tick a bit safe as Adam is the overly camp one. It does seem though I am never going to see Jason Donovan in the role, as I have seen Ben Richards and Richard Grieve but never Jason.

Graham Weaver played Adam and although I love the original Adam - Olivier Thornton, Graham did a really good job.

Bernadette this time was played by Richard Grieve who I had previously seen as Tick and to be honest I think his Bernadette was amazing. I think he really suited the role better than the role of Tick. He was brilliant and really was a good looking woman...

There is so much colour and glamour when you see Priscilla that you just want to dance all the way home. I hope they keep touring as I never get tired of this musical, well I have seen it four times. If you want to see it, go to the tour!

Viva Forever, Piccadilly Theatre, London - Preview

As you know I am a child of the 90s and I am a massive fan of The Spice Girls.

So imagine my delight when I heard many months ago that the legend that is Jennifer Saunders was writing a musical using their songs and it was being produced by Judy Craymer, the producer behind Mamma Mia. So far, so good.

Again imagine my delight when a friend told me her sister could get us preview tickets for the musical for only £35.

The show officially opens tomorrow but last Tuesday I was sat in the theatre watching it.

I have to admit as a massive Spice Girl fan I was a little nervous, worried it was going to be a re-hash or telling their story. When you listen to the songs they are little stories and I was worried the story wouldn't do the songs justice.

I won't give too much away but basically the story is set around Viva and her three friends who are a band. The enter a reality show (X-Factor style) however, their mentor decides that maybe Viva would be better on her own...

I will admit that I loved this musical. There is great humor  as you would expect from something written by Jennifer Saunders, the songs fit nicely into the story and don't seem forced. 

Obviously I saw a preview so the actual show maybe slightly different from the one I saw. However, I did get to see Jennifer and Judy who were watching in the audience, brilliant to see two greats in real life.

As you would expect the classics are in there Too Much, Wannabe, Say You'll be There and Who Do You Think You Are. Also included is Do It and Denying great Spiceworld album tracks.

My favourite though is Geri Halliwell's Look At Me it is made for a musical.

It also has a great cast Viva is played by Hannah John-Kamen, who is making her debut. Her voice is amazing. Other cast members include comedian Lucy Montgomery who you may recognise from Absolutely Fabulous, The Might Boosh and Tittybangbang; Simon Slater;  Sally Dexter; Sally Ann Triplett who was in Mamma Mia; Tamara Wall who played Martina in Eastenders and was the original Brooke in Legally Blonde.

If you are a Spice Girls fan you will love this musical it is all about Girl Power - love and friendship. If you hate the Spice Girls maybe give it a miss. I cannot wait to see it again with my mum and sisters.