The day after our adventure into the Surrey Hills, we were up again and headed to Victoria station to return the hire car. A small getting-petrol adventure later, we caught the Tube to St Pancras, then the Thameslink out to St Albans. We had been invited out to see my friend Bri and her partner Patrick, who had just moved there earlier in the month. It was also the beginning of the Christmas market there and the lights were being turned on that evening!
We started with a lovely long wander through the markets, a nice mix of decorations and delicious food stalls. We ate and drank a lot of samples! It was a very cold day though... So we headed to the cathedral. Last time I visited St Albans, I didn't go into the cathedral as it was closed, so I was keen to see inside. It is beautiful, and very interesting. Some parts are Norman, others Victorian, and as the new times came in, they not only mended what needed fixing, but often they changed old things too. There are many paintings with faces scratched out because they were 'not right' to the next era, plaster walls with lines drawn on to make them look like bricks (that doesn't really work, by the way), and bits of the cathedral rebuilt in different styles as parts had crumbled and been fixed. It had also been extended several times, and if you get married in the cathedral, it is the longest walk down the aisle in all of Britain... You have to walk done the entire length of the cathedral, and not even in a straight line!
When we had finished admiring the cathedral, we finished off looking at the markets, then decided that a pub lunch was called for (mostly so we could sit inside and stretch out our drinks). I had a fish finger sandwich and a yummy rhubarb G&T! We spent a while in the pub, just catching up and enjoying each others company. Then we returned outside, heading to the Clock Tower to catch the lights turning on.
We didn't judge this very well in the end. We bought our tickets to climb the Clock Tower (I didn't like the stairs, they were very claustrophobic), then climbed to the top with about 10 minutes to spare. However, about 10 minutes after they were supposed to be turned on, we gave up and went back down. They were still making speeches! We went back into the markets to make a few purchases (Christmas presents and Honeycomb whisky liqueur), and by the time we came back all the lights were on! That was a little disappointing, and by this time it was 6pm, very dark and still only a few degrees above 0, so we headed home on the train for chocolate pudding in our pajamas in front of the TV. All in all, a very successful weekend!
Monday 27 November 2017
Day Out: Surrey
This weekend just passed, we were invited to a wedding reception in Dorking, so we hired a car for the day and decided to go and explore! We picked up the car at 10am and headed straight down to the beautiful Surrey hills. At this time of year, with the colours of the leaves all out and the roads through the forest, it is an absolutely gorgeous part of the countryside.
Unfortunately, I was not feeling very well straight away, and did spend most of the day feeling quite carsick, but I tried my best to look past this and enjoy the day. We headed first to East Horsley, which wasn't a place with anything in particular, but a useful place to start our exploring. We found a cute little pub with a yummy lunch menu to eat at, then drove through the winding roads to Leith Hill, a tall hill with a Tower on the top. The Leith Hill Tower is a single, freestanding tower which stands alone of the top of the hill. Having climbed it, and standing inside the top (you can't go outside at the top of the Tower) you are higher than the Shard, and can actually see all the way to London! It wasn't a bit affair, but it was a lovely place to take a look.
After Leith Hill Tower, we drove to another hill, up on a route which El Husbando has cycled up in the past to Box Hill. There are may walks around Box Hill, which is a National Trust site, and we checked out the visitor and information centre before we headed most of the way around the hilltop walk. We even managed to watch the very end of the sunset; watching the last sliver of sun actually disappear was really cool - I'd never seen it quite like that before. Afterwards, we did a little more driving before finding a nice pub for dinner, where we had a drink (it was too early for dinner when we'd arrived), watched some rugby, then had dinner.
A quick change in the back of the car later, we were headed to the Manor House that the wedding reception was in. It was a lovely reception, and we managed to arrive just in time for the first dance! There was drinking and dancing, and the bride and her bridesmaids had the loveliest 20s inspired dresses. It was a little awkward though, in that we only knew the groom, and so we spent a lot of our time just talking to each other and listening to the band in our black tie finery. The party continued until midnight, but at around 10pm after cake, we said farewell and drove home to London. We were even in bed by midnight!
Unfortunately, I was not feeling very well straight away, and did spend most of the day feeling quite carsick, but I tried my best to look past this and enjoy the day. We headed first to East Horsley, which wasn't a place with anything in particular, but a useful place to start our exploring. We found a cute little pub with a yummy lunch menu to eat at, then drove through the winding roads to Leith Hill, a tall hill with a Tower on the top. The Leith Hill Tower is a single, freestanding tower which stands alone of the top of the hill. Having climbed it, and standing inside the top (you can't go outside at the top of the Tower) you are higher than the Shard, and can actually see all the way to London! It wasn't a bit affair, but it was a lovely place to take a look.
After Leith Hill Tower, we drove to another hill, up on a route which El Husbando has cycled up in the past to Box Hill. There are may walks around Box Hill, which is a National Trust site, and we checked out the visitor and information centre before we headed most of the way around the hilltop walk. We even managed to watch the very end of the sunset; watching the last sliver of sun actually disappear was really cool - I'd never seen it quite like that before. Afterwards, we did a little more driving before finding a nice pub for dinner, where we had a drink (it was too early for dinner when we'd arrived), watched some rugby, then had dinner.
A quick change in the back of the car later, we were headed to the Manor House that the wedding reception was in. It was a lovely reception, and we managed to arrive just in time for the first dance! There was drinking and dancing, and the bride and her bridesmaids had the loveliest 20s inspired dresses. It was a little awkward though, in that we only knew the groom, and so we spent a lot of our time just talking to each other and listening to the band in our black tie finery. The party continued until midnight, but at around 10pm after cake, we said farewell and drove home to London. We were even in bed by midnight!
Theatre Trip (Kind of): Go, Noah, Go!
GO, NOAH, GO!
Little Angel Theatre
Date: 22nd November (Wednesday), 10am
Seats: Many...
So this theatre review is a little bit odd... You see, we went to see this show on a school trip! The Reception and Year 1 students travelled to the Little Angel Theatre in Islington by bus. Always a fun experience with terrible London traffic and 4 year olds who keep saying 'are we there yet?'. When we arrived, we had just enough time for a bathroom stop before heading in to our seats (and yes, I have a real ticket for this just like all my other shows!).
The show was a Caribbean interpretation of the Noah bible story. There were only 2 actors, who used puppets, wooden animals and a small array of props to help them. They even sang a bunch of songs without any accompaniment.
Interval was time for biscuits and bathroom, then the same again afterwards. We even managed to stop any of them falling asleep on the way back on the bus (mine are really got at sleeping on buses, apparently)! The show was okay, but kids seemed to really enjoy it, and that's the main thing, isn't it?
Date: 22nd November (Wednesday), 10am
Seats: Many...
So this theatre review is a little bit odd... You see, we went to see this show on a school trip! The Reception and Year 1 students travelled to the Little Angel Theatre in Islington by bus. Always a fun experience with terrible London traffic and 4 year olds who keep saying 'are we there yet?'. When we arrived, we had just enough time for a bathroom stop before heading in to our seats (and yes, I have a real ticket for this just like all my other shows!).
The show was a Caribbean interpretation of the Noah bible story. There were only 2 actors, who used puppets, wooden animals and a small array of props to help them. They even sang a bunch of songs without any accompaniment.
Interval was time for biscuits and bathroom, then the same again afterwards. We even managed to stop any of them falling asleep on the way back on the bus (mine are really got at sleeping on buses, apparently)! The show was okay, but kids seemed to really enjoy it, and that's the main thing, isn't it?
Saturday 18 November 2017
Theatre Trip: Kinky Boots
KINKY BOOTS
Notes: Well, this was spontaneous! Bri messaged me around 4:30 this afternoon, asking if perhaps I was free and would like to go to the theatre. Turns out that a friend who was going to go was sick, and I was the first person she thought of! Of course, I said yes. It's been too long since we caught up anyway...
Adelphi Theatre
Date: 17th November (Friday), 7:30pm
Seats: Upper Circle, H12
Date: 17th November (Friday), 7:30pm
Seats: Upper Circle, H12
(With Bri, Patrick and Felicity!)
Notes: Well, this was spontaneous! Bri messaged me around 4:30 this afternoon, asking if perhaps I was free and would like to go to the theatre. Turns out that a friend who was going to go was sick, and I was the first person she thought of! Of course, I said yes. It's been too long since we caught up anyway...
We met at the theatre just before the show, and headed to our seats. We were quite a long way up, but we had no trouble seeing all the action. I think that it was actually better to be able to observe some of the choreography from higher up.
I didn't know much going into this show - it was about drag queens, shoes, and written by Cyndi Lauper. That's it. But the story was surprisingly touching, and the songs were good, while very pop-oriented. I didn't walk out singing any of the songs, which is usually not the best sign, but it was wickedly funny! Also, the Angels (Lola's backup dancers) were incredible - and all guys in drag, that looked fabulous and danced like demons in 6 inch heels. They were amazing.
The leading characters were pretty good. They both had a few vocal hiccups that were definitely noticeable, but they were good. I liked Lola best. One of the things I thought was odd, though, was that even though the show is set in Northampton, all the characters sang and talked in American accents. Being in London, I would have thought it was easier to do Northampton properly...
All in all, a really fun night. While this show wasn't high on my list, I'm glad I saw it. And now, I think I need new shoes...
Saturday 11 November 2017
Theatre Trip: Apologia
APOLOGIA
Trafalgar Studios
Date: 9th November (Thursday), 7:30pm
Seats: Stalls AA3-5
Date: 9th November (Thursday), 7:30pm
Seats: Stalls AA3-5
(With Joel and Jess N!)
Cast Changes: Isaure Barbe-Brown (Claire)
Notes: We got these tickets from the TodayTix app too, on Rush. You can only buy 2 at a time, so thank goodness we got next to each other! We met at the theatre, grabbed dinner, then in to get tickets and programmes before the show. That was when I saw all the signs (and there were a lot) that said that Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones from Doctor Who, for those of you who don't know her) was out and her understudy in. That didn't affect my friends, but I am still disappointed. Freema played my favorite companion, and I wanted to say thank you to her for that. I guess I'll just need to find another play she's in.
Notes: We got these tickets from the TodayTix app too, on Rush. You can only buy 2 at a time, so thank goodness we got next to each other! We met at the theatre, grabbed dinner, then in to get tickets and programmes before the show. That was when I saw all the signs (and there were a lot) that said that Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones from Doctor Who, for those of you who don't know her) was out and her understudy in. That didn't affect my friends, but I am still disappointed. Freema played my favorite companion, and I wanted to say thank you to her for that. I guess I'll just need to find another play she's in.
When we bought our programmes, we were given a slip which repeated the fact that Freema Agyeman was out, and also said that the understudy for Kristin was playing tonight... When we looked in our pragrammes, we found out that Kristin was Stockard Channing's character! She was the main draw to see this play, so we were very disappointed. In fact, one of my friends almost simply left the theatre... Except we are very glad we didn't. As soon as the play started, the first character walked on stage... And it was Stockard Channing - thank goodness! We all looked at each other in relief.
The play itself was really compelling. It focused on a family gathering for dinner - the matriarch (Stockard Channing's character), her son and his partner (fiance, although they don't know it yet), and the partner of her other son, as well as an old family friend. As the dinner progressed and more and more is revealed, everything begins to fall apart, and by the end, everyone is separated. It was like a mix between funny family comedy and shocking drama!
Apologia contained 5 actors. The understudy was pretty good, and so was the family friend character. He was played by Desmond Barrit, who I saw on my GAP year (2008) as the Wizard in Wicked! He was essentially the comic relief throughout the play. The main male actor (Joseph Millson) played both of the brothers (they never appeared on stage together), and he was really good. The brothers were played well enough that even though they were the same actor, their personalities were vastly different! Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith from Downton Abbey) played the fiance and she was brilliant. Her character was non-confrontational to the extreme, but still managed to keep putting her foot in it. In fact, she reminded me of myself, making weird out of context comments in an effort to defuse the situations. Her American accent was also great! And then there was Stockard Channing, the absolute legend (possibly best known for playing Rizzo in the Grease movie). She was fabulous, still really great. She had great long monologues, emotional moments, and pulled them off brilliantly. The whole play ended with her sobbing, the kind of sobbing that you do when you are so upset you can't even cry. That got all of us a bit, she was just so full of regret and sadness.
After the show we went to the stage door. We didn't have to wait long this time! We met Laura, who was very sweet, took time to sign and take pictures for us. We commented on the fact that she was so different in this to Lady Edith, which made her laugh. Then Stockard came out. She was much less receptive. She did still take photos and sign for us, but she seemed like she wasn't interested and wanted to leave. It was a little disappointing (especially after Natalie Dormer being so amazing the night before), but it was still lovely to have met such a legend. We were so glad that we were able to see her perform.
The play itself was really compelling. It focused on a family gathering for dinner - the matriarch (Stockard Channing's character), her son and his partner (fiance, although they don't know it yet), and the partner of her other son, as well as an old family friend. As the dinner progressed and more and more is revealed, everything begins to fall apart, and by the end, everyone is separated. It was like a mix between funny family comedy and shocking drama!
Apologia contained 5 actors. The understudy was pretty good, and so was the family friend character. He was played by Desmond Barrit, who I saw on my GAP year (2008) as the Wizard in Wicked! He was essentially the comic relief throughout the play. The main male actor (Joseph Millson) played both of the brothers (they never appeared on stage together), and he was really good. The brothers were played well enough that even though they were the same actor, their personalities were vastly different! Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith from Downton Abbey) played the fiance and she was brilliant. Her character was non-confrontational to the extreme, but still managed to keep putting her foot in it. In fact, she reminded me of myself, making weird out of context comments in an effort to defuse the situations. Her American accent was also great! And then there was Stockard Channing, the absolute legend (possibly best known for playing Rizzo in the Grease movie). She was fabulous, still really great. She had great long monologues, emotional moments, and pulled them off brilliantly. The whole play ended with her sobbing, the kind of sobbing that you do when you are so upset you can't even cry. That got all of us a bit, she was just so full of regret and sadness.
After the show we went to the stage door. We didn't have to wait long this time! We met Laura, who was very sweet, took time to sign and take pictures for us. We commented on the fact that she was so different in this to Lady Edith, which made her laugh. Then Stockard came out. She was much less receptive. She did still take photos and sign for us, but she seemed like she wasn't interested and wanted to leave. It was a little disappointing (especially after Natalie Dormer being so amazing the night before), but it was still lovely to have met such a legend. We were so glad that we were able to see her perform.
Explore London: Part #1 of the Magnificent 7
(Forgot to post, oops! This was written so long ago, and I meant to put photos in it. It's from the summer!)
This holidays, one of the things I decided I wanted to do was to visit the Magnificent 7 - London's 7 major cemeteries, which were established in the 1800s and most are still used. They are around greater London, and upon research, I discovered that in 3 different cycling loops, I could cycle to them all! I also took el Husbando's camera along with me to snap some pics.
Loop #1 was about 14 miles all up, which in terms of just cycling time was about an hour and a half (30 minutes each leg). I headed south on this loop, to West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium first. It was in a lovely area, and was reasonably well-kept. I wandered around there for about 45 minutes, I guess, before heading to Nunhead Cemetery (which is now a local nature reserve). Nunhead was much more interesting, with 2 gate houses guarding the entrance and an Anglican chapel on the site too.
When it was full in the mid-1900s, it was abandoned, and was only reopened in 2001. This makes it very atmospheric, with lots of overgrown woodland areas and tombstones which are falling, tilting, and overgrown. It was a much better place for photos than West Norwood, and very beautiful! I wasn't able to find the spot, but apparently from a certain place you can even get views over to St Paul's Cathedral! So lovely.
Then, I rode home. I'm planning at this stage to do Loop #2 next week (the eastern loop, with 2 more cemeteries), and Loop #3 the week after (the remaining 3 - north and west). It was a long, hard day, especially given I cycled to the Proms that evening too, but totally worth it!
This holidays, one of the things I decided I wanted to do was to visit the Magnificent 7 - London's 7 major cemeteries, which were established in the 1800s and most are still used. They are around greater London, and upon research, I discovered that in 3 different cycling loops, I could cycle to them all! I also took el Husbando's camera along with me to snap some pics.
Loop #1 was about 14 miles all up, which in terms of just cycling time was about an hour and a half (30 minutes each leg). I headed south on this loop, to West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium first. It was in a lovely area, and was reasonably well-kept. I wandered around there for about 45 minutes, I guess, before heading to Nunhead Cemetery (which is now a local nature reserve). Nunhead was much more interesting, with 2 gate houses guarding the entrance and an Anglican chapel on the site too.
When it was full in the mid-1900s, it was abandoned, and was only reopened in 2001. This makes it very atmospheric, with lots of overgrown woodland areas and tombstones which are falling, tilting, and overgrown. It was a much better place for photos than West Norwood, and very beautiful! I wasn't able to find the spot, but apparently from a certain place you can even get views over to St Paul's Cathedral! So lovely.
Then, I rode home. I'm planning at this stage to do Loop #2 next week (the eastern loop, with 2 more cemeteries), and Loop #3 the week after (the remaining 3 - north and west). It was a long, hard day, especially given I cycled to the Proms that evening too, but totally worth it!
Friday 10 November 2017
Theatre Trip: Venus in Fur
VENUS IN FUR
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Date: 8th November (Wednesday), 7:30pm
Seats: Stalls P9-10
Notes: On coming out of this show last night, all I could say was 'woah'. But I should start at the beginning of the story.
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Date: 8th November (Wednesday), 7:30pm
Seats: Stalls P9-10
Notes: On coming out of this show last night, all I could say was 'woah'. But I should start at the beginning of the story.
Ever since this show opened, I have been entering the lottery every day through the TodayTix app (#notsponsored) and every day, getting the same 'better luck next time' email. Which is what happened yesterday... And then my phone rang at 5:30 just after I got off the train, and it was TodayTix! Turns out when a lottery winner fails to pick up their tickets, they draw a new winner...... THAT WAS ME.
Cue crazy running home to put the payment through, organising what to have for dinner (Pret), and leaving home again without even taking my boots off. We made it to the theatre, with food and plenty of time. I was a little disappointed that the seats weren't front row, but I don't think it mattered, the theatre was quite small anyway.
The show itself was so intricate. There were only 2 characters, Thomas a playwright and Vanda, who shows up late at night, in the middle of a storm, to audition for a play. So there were the characters, and within that, they played the characters reading the play. This included dramatic changes of accent, sometimes with only a second in between. All done flawlessly, of course. And there's even another character. All the characters, 'real' and fictional (yes, it's mildly confusing), were so interlinked. It was funny, and sexy (the inner play is based on a book which helped coin the term S&M), and really touching at times.
There being only two actors, they had to be good, and they were incredible. David Oakes played Thomas, and though I had never heard of him, he was absolutely incredible. And, of course, Natalie Dormer. She was phenomenal, changing not only accents, but also mannerisms in a split second. She had so many lines and was so compelling to watch. Most shows, there's a moment where I wonder how much of the show is left... This show, that didn't happen. At all. I was enthralled the entire time.
Afterwards, we went to the stage door. It was a reasonably long wait, but after about 40 minutes, they both came out. I got signatures from both! I told Natalie that I had won the cheap tickets, and she congratulated me on that and high-fived me! Then, as I had given my phone to el Husbando, I said, "Is it okay if my husband and I grab a selfie with you?" She said, "Of course, come here husband!" He'll be bragging about that forever. And she also called us a lovely couple. She was just the nicest, made time for everyone, called everyone 'my love' or similar, and took photos with all. What an incredible night.
Sunday 5 November 2017
Tasty Treats: J. Sheekey
Yesterday, el Husbando and I shared our very first wedding anniversary together! We took the day relatively easy, sleeping in, going out for brunch, catching a movie (Murder on the Orient Express, highly recommend), but we had a nice dinner planned. And it was amazing.
We went to a seafood restaurant near Leicester Square called J. Sheekey. We had looked at a range of restaurants, but the menu here was extensive and also many many things looked delicious.
And the food was incredible. We started with drinks - an apero cocktail for me (which featured prosecco, lime juice, gin, and bitters among a few other things - like a cross between a gin and tonic and a lemon, lime and bitters) and a martini for el Husbando. His martini came with seaweed to enhance the flavour, and it was a really cool taste!
While we waited a little while initially for anything (about 10 minutes), our server was then very apologetic and attentive, and we were very well looked after.
For entree, I ordered prawn, salmon and tune tartare, which had a little cook but was delicious, and el Husbando loved his squid salad. We also split the salmon sashimi, which was phenomenal. Definitely the best sashimi we've had in almost a year (since whenever we last went to our old Sydney local Japanese). It was so melt-in-your-mouth!
For mains, I took the recommendation of the server, and ordered the herb grilled tiger prawns. They were perfectly cooked and again, delicious. I was just a bit sad there were only 4. El Husbando thoroughly enjoyed his grilled octopus, and we shared yummy chips too.
We even still had room for dessert - honeycomb ice-cream with chocolate sauce (el Husbando), and Bramley apple pie with ice-cream and cream. The cream was so thick and delicious, and we even had a glass of Saturnes each, it being a special occasion and all.
The best part? We just walk a half hour home to walk off some of the food, then we're home. What a lovely night.
We went to a seafood restaurant near Leicester Square called J. Sheekey. We had looked at a range of restaurants, but the menu here was extensive and also many many things looked delicious.
And the food was incredible. We started with drinks - an apero cocktail for me (which featured prosecco, lime juice, gin, and bitters among a few other things - like a cross between a gin and tonic and a lemon, lime and bitters) and a martini for el Husbando. His martini came with seaweed to enhance the flavour, and it was a really cool taste!
While we waited a little while initially for anything (about 10 minutes), our server was then very apologetic and attentive, and we were very well looked after.
For entree, I ordered prawn, salmon and tune tartare, which had a little cook but was delicious, and el Husbando loved his squid salad. We also split the salmon sashimi, which was phenomenal. Definitely the best sashimi we've had in almost a year (since whenever we last went to our old Sydney local Japanese). It was so melt-in-your-mouth!
For mains, I took the recommendation of the server, and ordered the herb grilled tiger prawns. They were perfectly cooked and again, delicious. I was just a bit sad there were only 4. El Husbando thoroughly enjoyed his grilled octopus, and we shared yummy chips too.
We even still had room for dessert - honeycomb ice-cream with chocolate sauce (el Husbando), and Bramley apple pie with ice-cream and cream. The cream was so thick and delicious, and we even had a glass of Saturnes each, it being a special occasion and all.
The best part? We just walk a half hour home to walk off some of the food, then we're home. What a lovely night.
Theatre Trip: Dr Seuss' The Lorax
(I know it's been a while - I haven't been up to much exciting, and been working hard. Plus, a trip to Australia!)
DR SEUSS' THE LORAX
Old VicTheatre
Date: 2nd November (Thursday), 7:00pm
Seats: Stalls B11 (front row!)
(with Joel, Jess N, Lisa, Miranda and Eric)
Notes: What an interesting show! This show was basically the story of the Lorax (with added bits and songs), and it was so very, very Dr Seuss.
I didn't know anything except the story going in, nothing about the production itself or any of teh actors. In terms of actor, I don't feel like there many standouts - but that was the best possible thing in this show. They were an amazingly solid cast who worked well together flawlessly. The two best, I felt, were the Lorax (David Ricardo-Pearce) who had a full, rich voice which really suited the puppet. The other was the other main character, the Once-ler. He was an actor who I vaguely recognised from various things - he has been in various British shows (Simon Paisley Day). He was very cheerful and optimistic, and his character really followed the line of the story well.
The musical numbers were really well written and all the lyrics fit really well - they all rhymed in perfect Dr Seuss style and were also quite funny.
The stagecraft in this show was absolutely fabulous! the Lorax, obviously, was a highlight - a waist high puppet controlled by 3 puppeteers (head and right hand, left hand, and feet)! They were a flawless team and he was very realistic looking, especially with his mannerisms. So clever. The Truffula trees were made of string suspended from the ceiling to be easily manipulated, and there were quite a lot of manipulate-able set pieces which were used to great effect (like tree stumps, the large wagon, and the giant tree-chopping machine). The creations were brought to life in a beautiful way, with the Swanee-swans in puppet form (on a long stick) to show them flying through the sky, as well as a few cast members dressed in similar costumes for dancing and other parts of the show.
It really felt like a Dr Seuss book come to life - oh, and the banana costume guy was hilarious! I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time.
Thanks for the recommendation, Joel - it was fabulous!
DR SEUSS' THE LORAX
Old VicTheatre
Date: 2nd November (Thursday), 7:00pm
Seats: Stalls B11 (front row!)
(with Joel, Jess N, Lisa, Miranda and Eric)
Notes: What an interesting show! This show was basically the story of the Lorax (with added bits and songs), and it was so very, very Dr Seuss.
I didn't know anything except the story going in, nothing about the production itself or any of teh actors. In terms of actor, I don't feel like there many standouts - but that was the best possible thing in this show. They were an amazingly solid cast who worked well together flawlessly. The two best, I felt, were the Lorax (David Ricardo-Pearce) who had a full, rich voice which really suited the puppet. The other was the other main character, the Once-ler. He was an actor who I vaguely recognised from various things - he has been in various British shows (Simon Paisley Day). He was very cheerful and optimistic, and his character really followed the line of the story well.
The musical numbers were really well written and all the lyrics fit really well - they all rhymed in perfect Dr Seuss style and were also quite funny.
The stagecraft in this show was absolutely fabulous! the Lorax, obviously, was a highlight - a waist high puppet controlled by 3 puppeteers (head and right hand, left hand, and feet)! They were a flawless team and he was very realistic looking, especially with his mannerisms. So clever. The Truffula trees were made of string suspended from the ceiling to be easily manipulated, and there were quite a lot of manipulate-able set pieces which were used to great effect (like tree stumps, the large wagon, and the giant tree-chopping machine). The creations were brought to life in a beautiful way, with the Swanee-swans in puppet form (on a long stick) to show them flying through the sky, as well as a few cast members dressed in similar costumes for dancing and other parts of the show.
It really felt like a Dr Seuss book come to life - oh, and the banana costume guy was hilarious! I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time.
Thanks for the recommendation, Joel - it was fabulous!
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