Next Interviewee....Gilly Langley

 

 Gilly Langley with Sheridan Smith, Noel Coward's Theatre

Photo Credit: Gilly Langley

I now have the pleasure to interview Gilly Langley, a fellow musical theatre and theatre fan! 

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

Highlights are seeing Peter Pan with Bonnie Langford on Bonfire Night, aged 10 years old, at the Leeds Grand Theatre that really got me into musicals and theatre. 

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?

I've never looked back after seeing Miss Saigon in London, which was amazing, then on tour and also following Bonnie Langford all over and saw everything she did.

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

I recommend Matilda with genius lyrics and such an incredible piece of theatre.  I also love Billy Elliot blows my mind seeing the talent of the kids performing in a very powerful show

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

I would love to see The Book of Mormon. I was really looking forward to the Bridget Jones musical but it isn't happening now

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013?

Highlights of 2013 were working when Rent was at the City Variates and meeting Kerry Ellis.  Wow! Also working when 9-5 The musical was on at The Grand Theatre which was a great show.  Natalie Casey and Bonnie Langford came to say goodbye on the last night. 

Gilly Langley with Kerry Ellis, Leeds City Varieties

Photo Credit: Gilly Langley

What show are you planning to see next?

Planning to see Rent in concert again and Miss Saigon when it opens again in London's West End. My dream is to visit New York's Broadway and see a show.

May I take an opportunity to say a big thank you to Gilly for taking part in this interview.

Next Interviewee....Julie Moriarty

 I now have the pleasure to interview Julie Moriarty, a fellow theatre fan and a lover of Alan Bennett plays.

Julie Moriarty

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

Always from a young age my Grandma took me to theatre - Tommy Steele in Singin The Rain at the Beck Theatre in Hayes. I moved into London at the age of 20 and started to see shows; We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys.  I then moved to Brighton in 2002 and re took up my love of theatre by seeing a melody of plays every Tuesday; Just Like That,  Tommy Cooper Story, Taboo (Boy George story), Women In  a Van, Alan Bennett story and many more. Wherever I have moved to I seek out the theatre.  I'm very lucky to live in Leeds what with the Grand Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Alhambra in Bradford. I have now seen loads of theatre there - 1984, Farm Boy (Michael Murpogo), Goalposts for Jumpers, Sweeney Todd, Loserville and Soul Sister (The story of Tina Turner) to name a few.

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journeys?

I was very excited to see Luke Evans who I had seen in Taboo (The boy George story) in Brighton. This actor blew me away with his strong rocking sound and was just brilliant to watch. I went to see him in Rent at St Martin's Theatre in 2006/2007 starring with Denise Van Outen. Again I was in absolute awe of him, his acting and strength of voice, so fantastically powerful.

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

I have just seen 1984 with was done fantastically. But the good one is Ghost, which I believe is touring round at  the moment. Do see it if you get the chance too.

(Taken from and photo Credit: http://www.ghostthemusical.com)

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

I believe I have seen what I would have like to seen although I'm looking forward to see War Horse in 2014 on the UK Tour.

 (Taken from and photo credit: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk)

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013?

I think Ghost was fantastic at the Grand Theatre, the effects were great and knowing that Dave Stewart out of the Eurthymics has a huge contribution to the music enhanced it.

What show are you planning to see next?

I am planning to see On The One Hand this week (commencing 18th November 2013) at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this week.

May I take an opportunity to say a big thank you to Julie for taking part in this interview. 

Next Interviewee....James Flockhart

I now have the pleasure to interview James Flockhart, a fellow theatre and Wicked fan.

James Flockhart (Photo Credit: James Flockhart)

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

When I was younger I always had a passion for performing although when it came to performing myself it was very little apart from the odd school production. I think I must have liked the whole attention side of it all and being on stage or watching a performance all seemed very magical. Some of the shows I saw were at Blackpool Pleasure beach at their Ice Rink and they staged professional shows yearly which I saw regularly with my Nan and Grandad.  Seeing these very slick shows with amazing routines and costumes must have started my obsession. 

When I was 19 years old, a friend and I went to see Chicago at London's Adelphi Theatre (shortly before it transferred to the Cambridge Theatre) slightly selfish on my part as I wanted to see the show so I paid for tickets for us to see the show. Well I can firmly say it was the greatest show and performance I had ever seen! I don't think you forget your first West End show and probably why I went back three times before I ventured out into other West End shows. Since then I have seen over 500 shows and it has changed my life.

What have been the highlights of your musical theatre journey?

This is tough question for many reasons.  Highlights of my musical theatre journey are probably the friends I have made; I have met so many what we tend to call ''stagey'' people and many of whom I regularly go to shows with again and again. My ''stagey'' friends are not just my friends, they are my family and I am extremely grateful they came into my life. Other highlights are to do with shows like Wicked, which has brought many wonderful people into my life and Wicked has also changed my life, it got me to go to Broadway to see Kerry Ellis as Elphaba for one. 

          Kerry Ellis is one of my favourite performers, 

  She made me love Wicked and has and always will have a place in my heart.

(Photo Credit: James Flockhart)

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

On tour at the moment I would recommend highly either the touring production of Wicked or Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, both are incredibly fantastic, with wonderful casts and choreography. Wicked of course is my favourite show anyway so the tour was bound to impress me.  Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is a new one of me but it is such a fantastic show which is so ahead of its time, filled with incredible Cirque Du Soleil type choreography and a gorgeously talented cast, Seven Brides or SB47B as it has been often referred to has just announced Bromley, Wimbledon and Oxford to its tour so there is hopefully a location for everyone. 

In the West End there are too many shows to mention but I will name a few, Mojo which has just opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre is a must stop for the cast alone.  Also Barking In Essex at the Wydhams Theatre is a wonderful comedy filled with laugh out loud moments.  Musical wise I would recommend The Bodyguard, although I have not seen the new cast led by Beverley Knight the show is wonderful and I am sure Beverely Knight is rocking the roof off the Adelphi Theatre.

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

Some of the shows on my list to book are Mojo, From Here To Eternity, and Henry IV starring Jude Law.  I will get round to booking them soon, there is so much to see in the West End its hard to choose sometimes, although I do generally end up seeing most shows, which probably shows why I have no money.

What have been your theatrical highlights in 2013?

As mentioned Seven Brides For Seven Brothers has to be one of the most amazing shows of the year.  Seeing Heather Headley in her final performance in The Bodyguard was one incredible night and I couldn't believe how talented that lady is! I also made my annual trip to New York and a few show which really stood out were Spiderman, Newsies and Bare. All three were so incredible, I always feel, no disrespect to the West End but Broadway is much more toned and sleek. I do adore America and I think that makes it all more enjoyable.

Heather Headley made me love Whitney Houston songs and I am so looking forward to seeing her again 

when she opens The Bodyguard on Broadway.

(Photo Credit: James Flockhart) 

 What show are you planning to see next?

I don't have many shows booked for the remainder of the year but I have recently this month seen Wicked five times. I think I have got my addiction back, this Saturday just gone I made my 44th and 45th visit back to Wicked, after going on Monday night to see the brand new cast which was led by Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba and Savannah Stevenson as Galinda. I had to go back for a double showing, the matinee and evening performances of Wicked. The matinee warms me up and by the evening I am so excited to see the show again. So I am sure Wicked is one of the next shows I'll see. Both Willemijn and Savannah are absolutely incredible both vocally and acting wise and also Jeremy Taylor is the best Fiyero to grace the Apollo Victoria - grab a ticket now!

May I take an opportunity to say a big thank you to James for taking part in this interview.  He can be contacted on Twitter: @jamesflockhart and also his blog.

 

Next Interviewee....Kat Caunter

I now have the pleasure to interview Kat Caunter, a fellow theatre fan and blogger.  She is the admin for Musical Theatre Appreciation Society on Facebook and reviews for Last Minutes Tickets.

Kat Caunter (Photo Credit: Kat Caunter)

Please tell me how you’ve got into musical theatre and/or theatre general in the first place?

I got into musical theatre by doing quite a bit of drama at Primary school. Because I liked it my mum took me to see Joseph in Nottingham which was good but not too impressive. Then when I was 10 years old we went to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and I fell in love with the whole genre. The next show we saw was Mary Poppins which I loved but then my friend started going on about this show Wicked when I was 11/12 years old and said we should go and see it together well from then I was hooked particularly after seeing West End Live the first time. Bit random but that's basically it.

What inspired you to get into blogging?

This is a bit of a strange one but quite simple. I've got a friend who runs a beauty blog who was getting really successful so I thought why not do it for musical theatre? And here we go!

What have been your favourite posts you’ve blogged/reviewed? 

I love reviewing all shows because I love writing and seeing musicals. Saying that though reviewing my favourites (Wicked, Priscilla and Newsies) are always fun. I, also, had fun when I got to review Spamalot for Last MinuteTickets, but really reviewing all musicals is great.

What have been the highlights of your blogging/reviewing journey?

I'd probably say that the highlight of my blogging journey was being asked by Last Minute Tickets to review Spamalot as this meant free tickets to see the show and going to the press section and getting free drinks. It's, also, good when the stars of musicals retweet or comment back to you...that leaves me really happy.

Kat Caunter with Oliver Thornton, Rocky Horror Show, 2013 (Photo Credit: Kat Caunter)

Are there any shows/performers that you haven’t reviewed/interviewed that you would like to?

I would really love to interview any star from a musical although Oliver Tompsett, Oliver Thornton, Kerry Ellis and Idina Menzel I would LOVE to do. As for shows I'd love to so La Cage Aux Folles and I Love You Because...and all the new ones.

What shows do you recommend which are currently playing in the West End or on tour nationally?

I'd really recommend Wicked (Apollo Victoria) and Priscilla (UK Tour) as people who read my blog could predict . As for a slightly random one I'd really recommend One Man, Two Guvnors (Theatre Royal Haymarket) as it was the funniest thing I've ever seen. I'll probably think of loads more in the coming days but for now those are my definite recommended shows.

What is your piece of advice would you give for anyone who is new to blogging/reviewing?

Kat Caunter with Regan Shepherd, Farrah/Young Bernadette in Priscilla, 2003 (Photo Credit: Kat Caunter)

Probably just be yourself and be nice and chatty with your readers. Don't write too much (I know this is coming from me who can write for England!). Finally, just give it a go, you won't lose anything from trying!

Finally, what has been your 2013 theatre highlights?

Theatre highlights of 2013 at the moment are going to New York and seeing Pippin, Kinky Boots, Wicked (again) and NEWSIES (one of my new favourites). I better, also, include following the Priscilla tour around, including going to Belfast!!!

May I take an opportunity to say a big thank you to Kat for taking part in this interview.  She can be contacted on Twitter @GreenGirlsRox and also her blog.

Please keep tuned for my next interviews!