Judy Garland once graced the stage of the Birmingham Hippodrome and now over 40 years after her death Tracie Bennett brings "End of the Rainbow" to the theatre giving audiences a dramatic insight into the final events of her life.
Judy starts off as a camp diva, refusing to go on stage and ends up flailing around her London hotel as she is forced into drink and drugs by the life she's led. The emotional ending really hits home. And a few references to The Wizard of Oz are sure to keep the audience chuckling.
Bennett gives a truly magnificent performance as Judy. One moment I found myself chuckling away at her over the top camp performance and the next I was taken aback as she wobbles around stage drunk and dosed up on drugs. It's not surprising that London audiences loved her, and it's not at all a surprise that Bennett will be reprising her role on Broadway. From Judy's voice to her dramatic personality, Tracie Bennett embodies the character.
The show features many of Garland's much loved songs including "The Man That Got Away", "The Trolley Song" and "Over the Rainbow"... Not only are these songs orchestrated beautifully by a small band, but the likeness in the leading lady to Garland's voice is uncanny. Bennet really does capture that deep husky tone that Judy was famous for.
Hilton McRae, Norman Bowman and Robert Maskell give excellent performances to as Anthony (Judy's pianist) Mickey (her fiancée) and various other roles. The relationship between the men in her life and Garland was portrayed beautifully by these fine actors.
I couldn't help but feel emotional as we see the events leading up to the star's tragic overdose after which Bennet performs "Over the Rainbow" to a standing ovation. The shows leading lady definitely gave it her all and fully embodied the Hollywood star.
Finally, a piece of pure class entertainment is getting the recognition it should! This show deserves every success it gets and it's easy to tell that Broadway will lap this production up.
See this show on the rest of the UK tour... It's one not to miss.
For tickets and information visit http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Showing posts with label over the rainbow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label over the rainbow. Show all posts
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Sunday, 30 May 2010
West End News
The past few weeks have seen the London theatre scene buzzing with excitement: Danielle Hope is to be Andrew Lloyd Webber's new leading lady, Sister Act sees a cast change, Lee Meed joins Wicked and of course, Hair had it's closing notice.
It's a full range of emotions.
Let me tell you, Danielle Hope was definately the right decision for Dorothy, she had the charm, charisma and passion whilst the others seemed to lack the acting skills needed for such an iconic role - that is to say the other potential Dotties won't go on to great and wonderful things. For a start, many of them have been auditioning for shows and drama schools.
Sister Act had it's cast change which bids farewell to the great performers but I'm sure it welcomes some wonderful replacements... Shame it's set to close before the of the year.
In a similar fashion Lee Mead recently joined Wicked as Fiyero, replacing Lewis Bradley who was temporarily acting in the role whilst Lee finished other projects, Lewis has returne to his understudy position. Funny how they were both finialists on "Any Dream Will Do" and Lee won? Ironic? What's even more ironic is the fact that Rachel Tucker (the new Elphaba) was also a finalist on Webber TV talent search... It seems that's the only way to get into the industry these days.
And of course, the hippy musical Hair recieved it's closing notice recently. We say goodbye to the show on Sept 9th. Shame. Where else do you see naked hippies in London?
And there we have it... Highs, lows and the domination of Andrew Lloyd Webber in the West End...
It's a full range of emotions.
Let me tell you, Danielle Hope was definately the right decision for Dorothy, she had the charm, charisma and passion whilst the others seemed to lack the acting skills needed for such an iconic role - that is to say the other potential Dotties won't go on to great and wonderful things. For a start, many of them have been auditioning for shows and drama schools.
Sister Act had it's cast change which bids farewell to the great performers but I'm sure it welcomes some wonderful replacements... Shame it's set to close before the of the year.
In a similar fashion Lee Mead recently joined Wicked as Fiyero, replacing Lewis Bradley who was temporarily acting in the role whilst Lee finished other projects, Lewis has returne to his understudy position. Funny how they were both finialists on "Any Dream Will Do" and Lee won? Ironic? What's even more ironic is the fact that Rachel Tucker (the new Elphaba) was also a finalist on Webber TV talent search... It seems that's the only way to get into the industry these days.
And of course, the hippy musical Hair recieved it's closing notice recently. We say goodbye to the show on Sept 9th. Shame. Where else do you see naked hippies in London?
And there we have it... Highs, lows and the domination of Andrew Lloyd Webber in the West End...
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
West End Alert: Sister Act to close in London?
A few weeks ago I posted the following blog:
"As I was lerking around Twitter today I came across some suprising rumours... Sister Act the musical looks like it might close! (insert dramatic chords here)
However shocked I am it all seems to make sense... According to my inside theatre people, the London Palladium is set to house the new West End production of "The Wizard of Oz" (with the Dorothy that Andrew Lloyd Webber has been searching for) and Sister Act is rumoured to be going on a UK tour.
Complete bad times! The show has been open for roughly a year, not long enough at all in my opinion. However "Oz" isn't set to open until Spring 2011. Does that mean we might have Sister Act playing atleast until the end of the year?
Meh, that's showbiz. Remember, you heard it here first!"
Now it seems it's all true! (insert more dramatic chords here)
The show is to close 1st Jan 2011 and from the 31st May 2010 Simon Webbe (from boyband "Blue" fame) will be joining the cast as Curtis Shank.
In it's place at the London Palladium, "The Wizard of Oz" will commence it's run from 29th March 2011...
So, get your tickets for both shows before the Sister's make way for Dorothy!
"As I was lerking around Twitter today I came across some suprising rumours... Sister Act the musical looks like it might close! (insert dramatic chords here)
However shocked I am it all seems to make sense... According to my inside theatre people, the London Palladium is set to house the new West End production of "The Wizard of Oz" (with the Dorothy that Andrew Lloyd Webber has been searching for) and Sister Act is rumoured to be going on a UK tour.
Complete bad times! The show has been open for roughly a year, not long enough at all in my opinion. However "Oz" isn't set to open until Spring 2011. Does that mean we might have Sister Act playing atleast until the end of the year?
Meh, that's showbiz. Remember, you heard it here first!"
Now it seems it's all true! (insert more dramatic chords here)
The show is to close 1st Jan 2011 and from the 31st May 2010 Simon Webbe (from boyband "Blue" fame) will be joining the cast as Curtis Shank.
In it's place at the London Palladium, "The Wizard of Oz" will commence it's run from 29th March 2011...
So, get your tickets for both shows before the Sister's make way for Dorothy!
Monday, 19 April 2010
Over the Rainbow
Every Saturday and Sunday night I find myself glued to my TV screen watching Andrew Lloyd Webber search for a new Dorothy for a new West End production of "The Wizard of Oz".
On the Sunday night show, the potential Dorothy's perform a "mash up"... I use the term lightly as from what I've always understood a mash up is not singing one song after the other, that's called a medley.
Come on BBC, sort it out! Either call it a medley or get a new musical director to actually arrange a mash up!
Ranting aside, I love the programme and am backing Lauren or Danielle.
Time for more ranting... What is the British public playing at? The past two weeks have ended up with the completely wrong girls in the "dreaded sing off". I'm worried that we're gonna end up with tuneless Emilie treading the boards in those Ruby Slippers!
One of my favourite parts of the show is the "Dorothy farewell" when the booted Dorothy is perched on a flying moon singing "Over the Rainbow"... Let's hope we see Emilie or the super tall one sitting on it next week.
Although, they better be careful on that flying moon with that ash cloud and all that...
On the Sunday night show, the potential Dorothy's perform a "mash up"... I use the term lightly as from what I've always understood a mash up is not singing one song after the other, that's called a medley.
Come on BBC, sort it out! Either call it a medley or get a new musical director to actually arrange a mash up!
Ranting aside, I love the programme and am backing Lauren or Danielle.
Time for more ranting... What is the British public playing at? The past two weeks have ended up with the completely wrong girls in the "dreaded sing off". I'm worried that we're gonna end up with tuneless Emilie treading the boards in those Ruby Slippers!
One of my favourite parts of the show is the "Dorothy farewell" when the booted Dorothy is perched on a flying moon singing "Over the Rainbow"... Let's hope we see Emilie or the super tall one sitting on it next week.
Although, they better be careful on that flying moon with that ash cloud and all that...
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