Now we will interview Mark Johnson, a fellow theatre fan and blogger from Leicestershire who loves seeing musical theatre and plays in the West End and regionally.
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| Mark Johnson (Photo Credit: Mark Johnson) |
Please tell me how you’ve got into musical theatre and/or theatre general in
the first place?
Originally the first shows I saw were the big Christmas
pantomimes here in Leicester at De Montfort Hall when I was 4/5 years old and then the
first real memory of theatre was seeing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat with my family again at De Montfort Hall in 2001. From here I
developed but my true love of theatre came from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in
London, I ended up seeing it over 10 times during its West End run at the
London Palladium, from there I've seen shows ever since.
What inspired you to get into blogging?
I think I first started blogging
when a friend did, and from then on I began doing blogs after shows and it just
grew from there.
What have been your favourite posts you’ve blogged/reviewed?
I've been
very fortunate to take part in four Blogging/Social Media events for the Royal
Shakespeare Company covering their productions of A Soldier In Every Son , Much Ado About Nothing , Boris Godunov and Titus Andronicus. The first two (Soldier
and Much Ado) of these involved watching a scene from the plays, and then
having a question and answer session with the cast involved with that scene.
The latter two Blogging events (Boris and Titus) involved getting a free ticket
to a full performance of the play and then attending a question and answer
session. All four of these events have been brilliant and I've really enjoyed
writing the blogs up for them. I also have a personal awards blog I do, where I
update it after every show and have a big list and pick my own awards from the
shows I've seen, look out for my blog at the end of the year!!
Are there any shows/performers that you haven’t reviewed/interviewed that
you would like to?
I'd love to just cover any musical really.
What shows do you recommend which are currently playing in the West End or
on tour nationally?
Forthcoming to the London is the Royal Shakespeare Company's
Richard II starring David Tennant in the title role, I was fortunate to see the
production in Stratford-Upon-Avon and if you can get a ticket I'd definitely
suggest you see the show at the Barbican. Also in London I'd suggest that you
check out Matilda, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Jersey Boys and in
general any West End Musical.
On tour, I'd suggest checking out the 20th Anniversary concert tour of Rent.
I'd also recommend checking out the forthcoming production of Chicago at my
local theatre Curve in Leicester. Seeing as I'm writing this blog in November (2013),
I'd also say that you should check out your local pantomime.
For 2014, Betty
Blue Eyes, Shrek, Rock Of Ages and then 2015, Lord Of The Rings would be the
highlights ahead for me. In general though I'd say wherever you are check out a
show at your local theatre.
What is your piece of advice would you give for anyone who is new to
blogging/reviewing?
Write about things you enjoy, for example theatre, cause if
it's something you enjoy you'll enjoy writing about it and it'll come out
naturally.
Finally, what have been your 2013 theatre highlights?
Theatre highlights for
me this year would be the Royal Shakespeare Company's outstanding production of As You Like It in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the 40th anniversary touring
production of the Rocky Horror Show. In London, Shakespeare's Globe production
of A Midsummer Nights Dream was hilarious and great fun and also the wonderous
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.
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| Mark with Rachel Grundy, Rocky Horror Show, 2013 (Photo Credit: Mark Johnson) |
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| Mark with David Bedella and Kara Lane, Rocky Horror Show, 2013 (Photo Credit: Mark Johnson) |
May
I take an opportunity to say a big thank you to Mark for taking part in this interview. He can be contacted on Twitter:@leicestermark and also his blog
