Friday 31 January 2014

A Theatrical Tea Adventure!


This isn't strictly a theatre blog but my recent experience was having Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea where I was invited to 'tumble down the rabbit hole'!  It was definitely a theatrical but pleasant experience!  A fellow theatre acquaintance had afternoon tea there and this arose my curiousity.  After visiting the website I'd immediately booked a table for a future visit to London.


I came across the Sanderson's Hotel on my wanders on a past London trip.  It was good to knowing where it is because I knew where to go!  The hotel may have an ordinary appearance but a luxury one in its own right; I was greeted with eclectic and unique interior decor of furniture which was complimented with soft lighting and adequate spacing.  I took in the atmosphere and ambiance whilst waiting from my early arrival.  When it was time I approached the restaurant's reception desk, reconfirmed my reservation and was taken to my table.


I  began 'tumbling down the rabbit hole' when I was introduced to the choice of teas served in glass caddies.  I chose the the strawberry flavoured tea.  I usually don't sweeten my tea but if you do you experience the musical box of where the sugar cubes are kept.  The waitress opened the vintage book which contained the menu and I received a riddle which was wrapped round my napkin:

If you have it, you want to share it.
If you share it, you don't have it.
What is it?
A Secret

I loved the atmosphere around me whilst having my tea in the hotel's courtyard garden.  It felt surreal hearing retro/eclectic music from the adjacent long bar and at the same time I was hearing the calming rush of water from the courtyard's coffee.  Nevertheless it was pleasant enough and it being winter the courtyard was covered with adequate heating.

 

The home made savoury items were wonderful especially the miniature quiche; I also loved the freshly made savoury and sweet scones and I was truly spoilt for dessert especially the Matcha green tea and white chocolate mousse served in chocolate tea cup and the Drink Me Potion.  I loved the handiwork of the Strawberries and Cream homemade marshmallows and Carrot meringue among pea shoots.  You can check out its menu here!

A good afternoon out even if the experience doesn't come cheap but I feel it was worth the couple of hours indulgence of a Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea.  I highly recommend it if you're into this sort of thing.  I'm now inspired to try out Scrumdiddlyumptious Charlie and the Chocolate Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych which I've booked for a future London trip!

Wednesday 22 January 2014

A mother and daughter's love of Musical Theatre....Interviewees....Alison and Lauren Myers!

I now have the pleasure interviewing Alison and Lauren Myers, whose love for musical theatre runs over at least two generation in the families!


 Alison and Lauren Myers
Photo Credit: Lauren Myers


 Alison Myers

Please tell me how you got into musical theatre/theatre in general?
I always loved watching the old musicals on TV with my Mum when I was younger and we always went to pantomimes at Christmas time. I didn't get into musical theatre until 1994 when I went on a works trip to see The Phantom of the Opera in Manchester and absolutely loved it! I just wanted to go straight back in and watch it again, and it still has the same effect on me almost 20 years later!

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?  
The highlights of my musical theatre journey so far have been seeing Ramin Karimloo in The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and Les Miserables, seeing Alfie Boe with Matt Lucas in Les Miserables, and after loving her voice for many years, Elaine Paige in The King & I.

What shows do you recommend that are currently playing in the West End or Regionally? 
I always recommend my two favourite shows, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables but would also recommend We Will Rock You, for me, three timeless classics! I also think everyone should see Blood Brothers at least once and for something a little lighter I would recommend Hairspray.

Are there any shows that you haven’t seen that you would like to?  
I would like to see everything! I'm very tempted by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, possibly due to very fond memories of the book, so that features quite highly on my "want to see" list!

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013? 

 Alison with Geronimo Rauch (Jean Valjean in Les Miserables 2012/13)
Photo Credit: Lauren Myers

My highlight of 2013 without doubt was seeing Scott Davies perform with Anna O'Byrne in The Phantom of the Opera, closely followed by Geronimo Rauch and Tam Mutu in Les Miserables. I also got to see my daughter Lauren perform in her first musicals in her school productions of Annie Get Your Gun, The Eighties Show and Annie, and am looking forward to many more!

On my next trip to London next month, I will be seeing The Phantom of the Opera, Once and Les Miserables. I am so looking forward to seeing Gero's Phantom so he'd better be performing that day!


Lauren Myers

Please tell me how you got into musical theatre/theatre in general?
I got into theatre via my Mum. I've always loved it from a young age!
   
What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?

Lauren Myers with Sierra Boggess (Fantine (2012) in Les Miserables)  
Photo Credit: Lauren Myers
   
My highlights of the journey would just be seeing the talented people perform. That's magical in itself, but seeing my idol, Sierra Boggess would have to be one of the best highlights! And also meeting the performers backstage and at stage door!

What shows do you recommend that are currently playing in the West End or Regionally? 
I highly recommend Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Ghost and Mamma Mia.

Are there any shows that you haven’t seen that you would like to? 
I haven't seen Wicked or The Lion King yet.  I would love to see them!

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013? 
Meeting and seeing so many amazing performers! It's hard to pick just one. Just the chance to see them is a highlight in itself but having the privilege of them speaking to you at stage door is even better!

What show are you planning to see next?
I'm planning to see The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Once next.

I would like to say a big thanks to Alison and Lauren for taking part in this interview.  Please keep tuned for more interviews!
 

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Next Interviewee....Hannah Bridger

I now have the pleasure to interview Hannah Bridger, a fellow theatre fan and a lover of variety of things produced on stage.

 Hannah Bridger
Photo Credit: Hannah Bridger

Please tell me how you got into musical theatre/theatre in general?

Ever since I was small I have always been influenced my older members of my family, for instance my Great Grandmother, she lived to a ripe old age, but she was on stage in the 1920s. I have always had a pull towards the theatre and music. 

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?

Every trip to the theatre is always an experience - top two Highlights for me is The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011 which was amazing!  National Theatre's Frankenstein, in 2011 as well, starring Johnny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch.  And also Ramin Karimloo (Jean Valjean) and Hadley Fraser (Javert) in Les Miserables in 2012.

What shows do you recommend that are currently playing in the West End or Regionally?

Every year so many brilliant productions are put on stage. So I personally would recommend my favourite film that has been turned into a play, such Blithe Spirit which will be playing from March 2014. But if you wanted a production that is playing at the moment I would recommend The Phantom of the Opera or 39 Steps.

 Seeing The Phantom of the Opera in February 2013 and meeting Marcus Lovett (Phantom 2012/13) after the show.

Are there any shows that you haven't seen that you would like to?

Yes I would like to see Strangers on a Train and Mojo. Luckily I have them booked for January 2014.

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013?

For me, it would be seeing Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House.  It was superb and the music was thrilling!
 
What shows are you planning to see next?

I plan to see Mojo, Stangers on a Train, Blithe Spirit, Woman in Black and The Weir.

If there was any film that you would like to see be made into a stage production what would it be?

Brother, Where art thou? and I would like to see Calamity Jane brought to the West End as well.

May I take an opportunity to thank Hannah for taking part in the interview.  Please keep tuned for future interviews!







Sunday 12 January 2014

Next interviewee...Lynette Woodhead

I now have the pleasure to interview Lynette Woodhead, a fellow theatre fan and a fan of Oliver Tompsett.

Lynette Woodhead (At Adelphi Theatre)
Photo Credit: Lynette Woodhead

Please tell me how you got into musical theatre/theatre in general?

I've been going to the theatre for as long as I can remember.  My mum took me to the pantomine and the ballet but the first thing I remember was seeing Sally Anne Howes (In The Chitty Bang Bang movie) in the The King and I which to me was the most beautiful thing.  So my musical journey began; Joseph led to Blood Brothers, Evita, which soon led me to my first West End show, They're Playing Our Song, and onto Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.


What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey? 

My favourite shows in the past have been Aspects of Love and Witches of Eastwick.  I have been lucky to see many greats, Elaine Paige, Stephanie Lawrence, Michael Ball, John Barrowman and Tommy SteeleMore recently I have found my huge love of Wicked which I've seen 10 times to date and my favorite performer at the moment is Oliver Tompsett in We Will Rock You.  I love all my new friends I've made on my journey and hope to meet those I haven't met yet one day.



Lynette Woodhead with Michael Ball (Sweeney Todd in 2012)
Photo Credit: Lynette Woodhead


Are there any shows that you haven’t seen that you would like to?  
  
Hope to get to see The Book of Mormon by means of the lottery one day. 

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013?



 

 Lynette Woodhead at Apollo Victoria Theatre
Photo Credit: Lynette Woodhead


Enjoying my huge love of Wicked and seeing Oliver Tompsett in We Will Rock You.

What show are you planning to see next? 

I'm looking forward to this year to more We Will Rock You and have got Rock of Ages booked in my home town, Hull. 

May I say thanks to Lynette for taking part and please keep tuned for more interviews!

Next Interviewee....Rob O'Keefe


 Victoria Palace Theatre, London
Photo Credit: Rob O'Keefe

I now the pleasure to interview Rob O'Keefe, a fellow musical theatre fan and a lover of Miss Saigon.  He tells me about his exciting musical theatre journey.


Please tell me how you got into musical theatre/theatre in general? 

The Journey started with a TV programme when Terry Wogan introduced the gorgeous Lea Salonga and heard the unbelievable score for Miss Saigon.  I had been to the theatre before, seeing Time with Cliff Richard a few years before, which I enjoyed but it didn't make me think that I HAD to go back. So I booked for Miss Saigon, primarily due to how gorgeous Lea was, and I fell in love with the show, which to date I've seen about 16 times: Original cast, 10th Anniversary performance, both performances on the last day in London, and once on Broadway.
 

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?

Jermyn Street Theatre, London
Photo Credit: Rob O'Keefe


Miss Saigon is my first and still favourite show and Lea Salonga is sublime! I was lucky enough to be at the Hey! Mr Producer show, my first and only Royal Command! Seeing the very talented and really nice Sarah Lark in Cabaret with Cassidy Jansen at the Jermyn Street Theatre.  Bit of background, my first attempt at a website was called The After Show Party Page as I've always wanted to get into an after show party and still an on-going dream of mine.  Well after seeing the excellent show at Jermyn Street Theatre, Sarah (who I "knew" together with her family, from her Am Dram days in Cardiff) and the others invited me with other friends to a local pub, and we chatted and had a great time, still one of my best nights in London, and the nearest i've got to an After Show Party so far!


The "muck it up" Matinee of the final day of Tonight's the Night, the first of these traditional "extra" performances, I saw both shows that day as well and loved the feeling of being part of a group of fans who "knew" what was happening.

Another time I felt that was at The Voice of Musical Theatre shows in Cardiff back in the 1990's where I attended the heats (all day on a Sunday from early morning to late afternoon) both semi finals (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) and the final Saturday night, where the core group of fans attended all and got treated to the excellent singing, just voice and piano at the heats, and in the semi's and final, with the excellent BBC orchestra under the baton of the maestro Mike Dixon.

What shows do you recommend that are currently playing in the West End or Regionally? 


 The Commitments at the Palace Theatre, London
Photo Credit: Rob O'Keefe

The Book of Mormon and The Commitments in the West End and are both brilliant!


Are there any shows that you haven’t seen that you would like to? 

Regret not seeing Damned Yankees when Jerry Lewis was over.
What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013?


Seeing The Book of Mormon.

What show are you planning to see next?
 
I've booked Miss Saigon in May and hopefully Wicked on tour before and Happy Days after.
 

May I take the opportunity to thank Rob for taking part.  You can read about his Musical Theatre adventures via his site and wish him a Happy Theatre Going 2014!  Please keep tuned for more interviews!




Friday 10 January 2014

Next interviewee....Hannah Scregg

I now have the pleasure to interview Hannah Scregg, a fellow theatre fan and an aspiring performer who tells me her ambitions to perform on stage.

 
Hannah Scregg (Photo Credit: Darren Bell)

Please tell me how you got into musical theatre/theatre in general? 

I think I’d always been interested in performing; I still have the videos of a 4-year-old me in my first nativity play at school and I wasn’t afraid to throw myself into it to say the least! I continued to take part in school plays through infant and junior school, as well as joining the dance club, but it wasn’t until I saw my first West End show, The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, aged 11, that my interest really took off. I was so inspired by the wonderful performances I’d experienced that day, and, having just started secondary school at the time, I made sure that I took every performance opportunity that arose. I think I was 12 when I went into an audition room for the first time; funnily enough, it was for one of the younger Von Trapp children in my school production of The Sound of Music. I didn’t get it, but I was in the chorus for the show, and I was in the chorus for the main school musical every year for the five years I was there.

I think it was probably at about the age of 14 that I decided to take my interest further; I joined the school choir, took up singing lessons and started to look for groups which I could do outside of school. At the age of 15, I started at a local youth musical theatre group and at the Saturday School at Guildford School of Acting; it was at this point that I properly started dance classes too and I’ve never really looked back since!

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?
 
It’s very hard to pick just a few! I’d probably have to say that seeing my first West End show was a very special experience, but Wicked was the third show I saw in the West End and it had an impact on me like nothing ever had before. I went as a part of a school trip; I’m very thankful that I did as I might never have discovered it otherwise! I also have to say that seeing both The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables for the first time are experiences I will treasure for life; my love for them both only increases every time I see them. My first ever Stage Door photo was with Kerry Ellis after I saw her as Nancy in Oliver, so the memories of that will stay with me for a long time. Also, going to the Royal Albert Hall to see her in her ‘Anthems’ tour was very special; at present, it’s the only time I’ve been to that venue, and it really is a very beautiful building. In fact, I find that the first time I visit any theatrical venue or experience a particular show or theatre related event is always something I remember for a long time afterwards. 

Having the chance to go to the Whatsonstage Awards and to the Covent Garden Piazza for the Olivier Awards were also extremely incredible experiences, just getting to be a part of two of the biggest events in the theatre calendar was a dream! West End Live too, that’s always an excellent weekend!

Oh, and of course, making my own West End debut in a summer school showcase at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 2011 was a life-changing moment; I remember bursting into tears during the dress rehearsal onstage because it was the fulfilment of a dream I’d had for so long.

What shows do you recommend that are currently playing in the West End or regionally? 

Well, I have to say that my top three are definitely Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, and I’d recommend those to absolutely everyone! Definitely Once as well, such a special and unique experience. Other shows I’ve thoroughly enjoyed include Matilda, and away from musical theatre, The 39 Steps; it’s absolutely brilliant! I think The Jersey Boys and We Will Rock You are the best of the jukebox musicals, but, so far, it’s very rare that I’ve come out of a show disappointed, so I’d just say that everybody should try to see as many different shows as possible.

Are there any shows that you haven’t seen that you would like to? 

There are quite a few on my list at the moment! I haven’t seen Book of Mormon yet so I definitely want to see that at some point. I’d like to try and see the likes of The Commitments, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Miss Saigon when the revival opens later this year. I’m gutted that I never got the chance to see The Light Princess; I’ve seen so many stunning reviews and I would have jumped at the opportunity to go had one arose.

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013? 

 
Myself with Lindsay Mendez (bottom, Elphaba) and Tiffany Haas (top, Standby Glinda)
Photo Credit: Hannah Scregg

I think a definite highlight for me has to be going to New York for the first time and seeing three Broadway shows, dream come true! I saw Newsies, Annie and Wicked, and I was lucky enough to meet Lindsay Mendez and Tiffany Haas at the Gershwin Theater Stage Door after Wicked!

Seeing Once for the first time also stands out to me, I came out completely heartbroken but absolutely overwhelmed at the sheer beauty of the piece. I also think that getting the chance to go inside the tent at Chichester’s ‘Theatre in the Park’ when I went to see Barnum was so magical, definitely a theatrical experience like no other! I’ve seen several other shows for the first time this year, including Hairspray, Singin’ In The Rain and The Lion King, and I can honestly say that seeing something for the first time is definitely a memory I always treasure; first experiences of a show always hold a special place in my heart! A Chorus Line at the London Palladium was also a highlight for me this year; probably one of the most ridiculously talented casts I have ever seen, I was absolutely overwhelmed with emotion during certain points. It was extremely relatable and touching, I’d recommend it to anyone if it hadn’t finished its run. 

This year I got the chance to step inside a West End dressing room for the first time; on the day of my West End Showcase I visited the dressing rooms of Raoul, Christine and Meg, and it really felt so special to be in there! I also got the chance to have a Phantom of the Opera ‘Masquerade’ workshop with Anna Forbes, who was the current Meg at the time, which was a wonderful experience. 

I’d also have to say that a very special moment for me was at the Stage Door of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre after the concert of A Little Night Music; my favourite Cosette and one of my favourite Christines were both there and my photo with both of them has pride of place in my sparkly frame!

Myself with Olivia Brereton (left) and Lisa-Anne Wood
Photo Credit: Hannah Scregg

What show are you planning to see next?

I’m definitely planning to see Wicked again as soon as I can; Savannah Stevenson, the current Glinda, was my acting teacher when I first started attending the GSA Saturday School so I’m going to be so proud when I see her up there! I’m also almost certainly going to end up at The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables again soon; Olivia Brereton is one of my favourites in the role of Christine so I definitely need to see her again while she’s there. In terms of new shows, I’m going to try and see the revival of Miss Saigon during the summer holidays sometime, as well as attempting to tick off some of the shows I mentioned above that I haven’t seen yet.

I also just have to say that I’m extremely grateful to have met so many wonderful friends through my passion for musical theatre. It’s a true honour to be part of the close-knit community and it’s always lovely to find those who share my passion so we can discuss shows, share opinions and experiences and go on trips to the theatre or related events, so thank you! 

May I take the opportunity to thank Hannah for taking part in the interview.  Have a great musical theatre going and performing 2014!