The State Of The Vic Address...
Nov. 2nd, 2013 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vic_amy_zIt’s been a busy few weeks recently, with a few more still to come, but I wanted to make a post about everything I've been up to lately - to remind myself of what’s been going on more than anything! Lots to cover so we’d best crack on... (Be warned - here be gratuitous wordage and pic spam!)
Will Young in Cabaret at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne...
First up, having not been able toafford get tickets to see this production in London, I was lucky enough to be able to see the touring production of Cabaret at a local theatre. I have tried, on multiple occasions now, to have coherent thoughts about this production, but mostly I keep failing because all I can come up with is: WOW!
Some stills from the show (not taken by me)...
I have seen several different productions of this musical over the years (and been in two myself); I've studied it, loved it and know if off by heart, but this one is by far and away the most breath-taking I have ever seen. Will Young was simply brilliant in the role of the Emcee; a perfect mix of creepy and lecherous yet somehow sympathetic. Siobhan Dillon as Sally Bowles was also amazing, and her rendition of the title song absolutely killed me; I have never cried so much in a production of Cabaret as I did in this one. (NOTE - My idea of a good musical is one that leaves me bawling hysterically so this is a good thing!) The supporting cast were all great in their roles too, the only exception being Lyn Paul as Fraulein Schneider. Her German accent was terrible and her singing was weak, which was such a let-down when the rest of the cast were so strong.
I could probably wax lyrical on the wonder of this production for at least a couple of thousand words, so I'll try and rein myself in here... The set was cleverly simplistic, done mostly with a variety of screens and uprights coming in from the flies, with a few pieces of furniture on wheels (beds, mirrored units and a staircase) that all served dual purposes, so scene changes were executed quickly and easily. There was a similar economy with the cast, as apart from the seven named roles, the rest of the parts were played by the four Kit Kat boys and four Kit Kat girls. The introduction of boys into the chorus line-up was something that happened in the Donmar Warehouse revival, and it really adds to the versatility of the chorus. And to the pretty ! The chorus were very dance-orientated and there was also a lot of nudity required (both male and female) so I understood why they went with more traditional dancer-types rather than the more grotesque show-girls that I've seen in other productions.
Much like the Donmar Warehouse production, this version put back a lot of the horror and darkness that had been stripped out in previous productions that sought to make it a happy, dance-y musical packed full of show-stopping numbers, neatly sidestepping the issues of homosexuality, prostitution, abortion and the backdrop of the rise of the Nazis in the lead up to WW2. Yeah, it ain't a happy musical! The finale, if you still had any moisture left in your body after 'I Don’t Care Much' and 'Cabaret', could tip you over into severe dehydration. I don’t really think that any description could do it justice; it was incredibly powerful, emotional and painful to watch. The final tableau sees the Emcee and the entire chorus turned into concentration camp prisoners; literally stripped naked and vulnerable, huddling together as snow starts to fall...
My friend and I lead the standing ovation from the balcony and we didn't even care... All I can say is, if you get the chance to see this production, seize it with both hands. And take tissues!
Queensrÿche at the O2 Academy, Islington...
On a happier note (and what notes they were!) I got to see my favourite band ever play this month. Well, kind of... I have loved Queensrÿche for over twenty years, but recently they parted ways with their lead singer, Geoff Tate who was always the main draw for me. However, he came out of the whole split fiasco (which has left two bands operating under the same name!) looking something of a giant dick, I'd heard good things about the guy the band had replaced him with, Todd La Torre and good things about the shows they were doing so I didn't have to think too long about getting tickets.
The O2 Academy in Islington is a lovely venue with great views, but it does always remind me of the James Marsters days, with the Poodles who queued from six in the morning, and enjoying much mirth at their expense in the endless queues. Needless to say, Queensrÿche fans are a little older and a lot wiser, and even joining the queue half an hour before the doors opened meant that I was right on the barrier - score! In a break with gig tradition, the support act were on promptly within fifteen minutes of the venue opening, so there was no tedious waiting around for an hour and a half - double score!!
I know it's not for everyone but I always make a point of watching the support act, because I know what a bloody tough spot it is to fill. There have only been a couple of times where I've been truly disappointed by a support act, mostly I just find myself vaguely underwhelmed. There have also been a handful of times where I've been blown away by a support act, and this was one of them. Aeon Zen are a British prog band and they had me from the first note. Amazing vocals, complex harmonies, varied rhythms and blisteringly good musicianship - I could see their influences in a lot of bands I already love. Even a few technical difficulties didn't detract from their set, and I didn't hesitate to buy all of their albums from the merch stand. I chatted to their bass player for a bit too and told him how much I'd loved them. It wasn't until I looked them up on the Interwebs later that I realised he was only 23! Damn...
The moment the lead singer came up to the audience and I nearly wore him as a hat!
The main event was even better - they opened with 'Queen Of The Reich', which involves a note of such epic proportions that it makes me eyes water just thinking about it (F5 for those of you with a musical background) and the singer didn't even break a sweat. They then proceeded to play songs that I've never heard Queensrÿche play live before, simply because I'm not old enough to have gone to their gigs in the 80s when they last played them. Todd La Torre's vocals absolutely blew me away (and Geoff Tate left some pretty big notes to be filled) and the crowd seemed to be behind this new incarnation of the band one hundred percent. It will be interesting to see if the other version of Queensrÿche tours over here and how they compare.
The set list in full (mainly for my benefit because I'm sure that no one else cares):
01 Queen Of The Reich
02 Speak
03 Walk In The Shadows
04 The Whisper
05 En Force
06 Child Of Fire
07 Warning
08 X2
09 Where Dreams Go To Die
10 The Needle Lies
11 Prophecy
12 My Empty Room
13 Eyes Of A Stranger
Encore:
14 Fallout
15 Take Hold Of The Flame
16 Jet City Woman
17 Silent Lucidity
18 Empire
Lead singer Todd La Torre and bass player Eddie Jackson
Guitarists Parker Lundgren and Michael Wilton
After all that, there was still time to buy merch, chat to the support, get the tube and be back at the hotel bar for a well-deserved beer before 11pm. See, this is what happens when you go to see a grown-up band where the evening starts promptly - everyone can be home at a decent hour (Velvet Revolver, take note...)!
Hastings Bonfire Night Parade & Fireworks...
No, I know it's not the 5th of November just yet, but down here we do Bonfire Night to our own timetable. I've posted about this delightfully Pagan, Health & Safety nightmare of a celebration that's steeped in the lore of smuggling and anti-Catholicism before on LJ, in 2004 and 2005, so I won't repeat the history lesson. Suffice to say, it hasn't got any less loud, crowded or downright fricking dangerous with the passing of years - the flaming torches still look like they're in danger of singeing the crowds, the flares still burn your retinas if you try looking directly at them and the bangers are still loud enough to make your teeth rattle!
The procession coming up All Saints Street...
Flares a-blazing!
Also, no matter how old I get, fireworks will still make me stand and gaze up at the night sky with my mouth hanging open like an overawed toddler, making the occasional gasp or squeal at a particularly pretty explosion or a particularly loud bang. And long may it continue! The Bonfire celebrations display is about fifteen minutes of relentless pyrotechnics that leaves the town shrouded in cordite, with merry revellers in the fountains and screaming toddlers in pushchairs. There's an abundance of fried goods and sugar being sold on street corners, everyone has to walk into town and back home again because the roads are all closed, and a good time is had by all! See the pretty...
Ooh…!
Ahh…!
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel, London...
I do enjoy a good afternoon tea, and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
merlins_sister and I are making it our life's work to test drive as many of them as possible! Y'know, for science... For the proper traditional experience, I still haven't found anything to beat Claridge's, but if you're looking for afternoon tea with a twist, then I would highly recommend the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel in London.
After a brief sojourn around the National Gallery (to look at the improving works of art obviously, not just because they have free toilets and a gift shop, honest) we took a lovely wander through Soho and up towards Oxford Street. There may have been a few stops along the way to purchase essentials such as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, obscene amounts of chocolate from Hotel Chocolate andoffensive amusing greeting cards from Scribbler. What? These are essentials where we come from! Other than that, we were basically wandering with no real plan, which was lovely as the area north-west of Soho was not one I'd walked through before so we spent a lot of time looking at the architecture, marvelling at the variety and deciding where we fancied living!
When we reached the Sanderson Hotel, I have to say that I was slightly apprehensive. Standing on the same site that was once the Sanderson wallpaper and fabric retail outlet, it has the most offensively tasteless exterior of any five-star hotel I've ever seen, mostly due to it having the misfortune of being built in the architectural void that was the 1960's. However, after the closure of the retail store, it was massively refurbished throughout the 1990s and re-opened as an ultra-modern hotel in 2001. The first view of the inside taught me that I shouldn't go around judging books by their covers (or even hotels by their architecture) because the interior is stunning - modern, chic and quirky - a theme that carries through to the afternoon tea.
The dining room is also very modern, dimly lit and very busy - it's clearly a very popular afternoon activity. Once at our table, we got to peruse the menu that comes hidden inside a little vintage book, and we were brought a selection of teas in miniature bottles to sniff and select from. I already knew that I was going to order Earl Grey andmerlins_sister only drinks coffee but the flavours smelt delicious (rhubarb & custard, strawberries & cream, chocolate & peppermint and apple pie) and I appreciated the opportunity to have a whiff!
When the tea arrived, my teapot had a paper crown on and playing card faces on the side, and the rest of the crockery is similarly themed. The Earl Grey was also some of the best I've tasted, sweetened with sugar that came out of a musical box complete with twirling ballerina. We had a variety of sandwiches rolled like wraps (ham & mustard on tomato bread, cucumber & cream cheese on spinach bread, smoked salmon on rye bread and egg mayonnaise on lemon bread) with both cheese and fruit scones and miniature goat's cheese quiches.
Then followed the mirth of the 'Drink Me' bottles - little brown glass bottles filled with a passion fruit coulis and a crème brulee topping to be sucked up through a tiny straw. The contents were absolutely delicious but getting it up through the straw required skill, dedication, cheek muscles of steel and the ability not to laugh at the faces your dining partner is making in order to pull off such a herculean feat! We may have failed with the last part, and ended up laughing until we cried, wondering if our lovely afternoon was going to be cut tragically short when one of us accidentally turned our own head inside out trying to suck up the last few drops of passion fruit crème brulee! Fortunately, the noisy dining room meant that decorum was optional (but you wouldn't get away with it in Claridge's!)
The remainder of the desserts consisted of a cream and jam layered Victoria sponge clock, a colourfully striped white chocolate cheesecake with a surprise mango centre and a dark chocolate cup filled with green tea mousse - all delicious. There were also marshmallow mushrooms and carrot meringues hidden amongst the pea shoots growing out of the teacup that formed the top of the cake stand. And if that wasn't enough, you could also opt to visit the jelly bar in the outdoor courtyard, where they had fresh fruit jellies in green apple, lychee, strawberry and coconut & lavender flavours. Well, it would have been rude not to - and the strawberry and apple jellies were yummy!
I have a couple of sensible photos of the tea, but most of them have Lego Peter and Jared in them (yes, it was the kind of place you could get away with taking pictures of Lego people for their 'Lego Adventures' Tumblr!)
The musical sugar box...
The tea in all its glory...
My regal teapot...
'Drink Me'... (but run the risk of death by hilarity!)
After several hours of eating (broken up only by a short walk to the jelly bar and excessive laughter) it was all we could do to waddle our way back towards public transport, but not before the hotel gave me one more reason to come back again - the impossibly beautiful doorman who smiled and held the door open for us. I think that [Bad username or site: merlins sister @ livejournal.com] was trying to say something to me at this point, but I honestly couldn't hear her over the pretty!
Phew! Well done if you waded through all of that. TL;DR? Vic has been out and about doing stuff, and lots of it! In the coming weeks, I'm getting ready to perform in 'Calendar Girls' for the second time, while still rehearsing for 'Guys & Dolls' that goes on in March, and also rehearsing for 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' that goes on in April, plus rehearsing the electric band for our Christmas gig and getting the acoustic band ready for an open mic night before the end of the year. Occasionally I get an evening off, on which I get to go to Tesco!
Hope you're all keeping well. If you don't hear from me for a while, just assume that I'm rehearsing for something, and you'll probably be right…!
Will Young in Cabaret at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne...
First up, having not been able to
Some stills from the show (not taken by me)...
I have seen several different productions of this musical over the years (and been in two myself); I've studied it, loved it and know if off by heart, but this one is by far and away the most breath-taking I have ever seen. Will Young was simply brilliant in the role of the Emcee; a perfect mix of creepy and lecherous yet somehow sympathetic. Siobhan Dillon as Sally Bowles was also amazing, and her rendition of the title song absolutely killed me; I have never cried so much in a production of Cabaret as I did in this one. (NOTE - My idea of a good musical is one that leaves me bawling hysterically so this is a good thing!) The supporting cast were all great in their roles too, the only exception being Lyn Paul as Fraulein Schneider. Her German accent was terrible and her singing was weak, which was such a let-down when the rest of the cast were so strong.
I could probably wax lyrical on the wonder of this production for at least a couple of thousand words, so I'll try and rein myself in here... The set was cleverly simplistic, done mostly with a variety of screens and uprights coming in from the flies, with a few pieces of furniture on wheels (beds, mirrored units and a staircase) that all served dual purposes, so scene changes were executed quickly and easily. There was a similar economy with the cast, as apart from the seven named roles, the rest of the parts were played by the four Kit Kat boys and four Kit Kat girls. The introduction of boys into the chorus line-up was something that happened in the Donmar Warehouse revival, and it really adds to the versatility of the chorus. And to the pretty ! The chorus were very dance-orientated and there was also a lot of nudity required (both male and female) so I understood why they went with more traditional dancer-types rather than the more grotesque show-girls that I've seen in other productions.
Much like the Donmar Warehouse production, this version put back a lot of the horror and darkness that had been stripped out in previous productions that sought to make it a happy, dance-y musical packed full of show-stopping numbers, neatly sidestepping the issues of homosexuality, prostitution, abortion and the backdrop of the rise of the Nazis in the lead up to WW2. Yeah, it ain't a happy musical! The finale, if you still had any moisture left in your body after 'I Don’t Care Much' and 'Cabaret', could tip you over into severe dehydration. I don’t really think that any description could do it justice; it was incredibly powerful, emotional and painful to watch. The final tableau sees the Emcee and the entire chorus turned into concentration camp prisoners; literally stripped naked and vulnerable, huddling together as snow starts to fall...
My friend and I lead the standing ovation from the balcony and we didn't even care... All I can say is, if you get the chance to see this production, seize it with both hands. And take tissues!
Queensrÿche at the O2 Academy, Islington...
On a happier note (and what notes they were!) I got to see my favourite band ever play this month. Well, kind of... I have loved Queensrÿche for over twenty years, but recently they parted ways with their lead singer, Geoff Tate who was always the main draw for me. However, he came out of the whole split fiasco (which has left two bands operating under the same name!) looking something of a giant dick, I'd heard good things about the guy the band had replaced him with, Todd La Torre and good things about the shows they were doing so I didn't have to think too long about getting tickets.
The O2 Academy in Islington is a lovely venue with great views, but it does always remind me of the James Marsters days, with the Poodles who queued from six in the morning, and enjoying much mirth at their expense in the endless queues. Needless to say, Queensrÿche fans are a little older and a lot wiser, and even joining the queue half an hour before the doors opened meant that I was right on the barrier - score! In a break with gig tradition, the support act were on promptly within fifteen minutes of the venue opening, so there was no tedious waiting around for an hour and a half - double score!!
I know it's not for everyone but I always make a point of watching the support act, because I know what a bloody tough spot it is to fill. There have only been a couple of times where I've been truly disappointed by a support act, mostly I just find myself vaguely underwhelmed. There have also been a handful of times where I've been blown away by a support act, and this was one of them. Aeon Zen are a British prog band and they had me from the first note. Amazing vocals, complex harmonies, varied rhythms and blisteringly good musicianship - I could see their influences in a lot of bands I already love. Even a few technical difficulties didn't detract from their set, and I didn't hesitate to buy all of their albums from the merch stand. I chatted to their bass player for a bit too and told him how much I'd loved them. It wasn't until I looked them up on the Interwebs later that I realised he was only 23! Damn...
The moment the lead singer came up to the audience and I nearly wore him as a hat!
The main event was even better - they opened with 'Queen Of The Reich', which involves a note of such epic proportions that it makes me eyes water just thinking about it (F5 for those of you with a musical background) and the singer didn't even break a sweat. They then proceeded to play songs that I've never heard Queensrÿche play live before, simply because I'm not old enough to have gone to their gigs in the 80s when they last played them. Todd La Torre's vocals absolutely blew me away (and Geoff Tate left some pretty big notes to be filled) and the crowd seemed to be behind this new incarnation of the band one hundred percent. It will be interesting to see if the other version of Queensrÿche tours over here and how they compare.
The set list in full (mainly for my benefit because I'm sure that no one else cares):
01 Queen Of The Reich
02 Speak
03 Walk In The Shadows
04 The Whisper
05 En Force
06 Child Of Fire
07 Warning
08 X2
09 Where Dreams Go To Die
10 The Needle Lies
11 Prophecy
12 My Empty Room
13 Eyes Of A Stranger
Encore:
14 Fallout
15 Take Hold Of The Flame
16 Jet City Woman
17 Silent Lucidity
18 Empire
Lead singer Todd La Torre and bass player Eddie Jackson
Guitarists Parker Lundgren and Michael Wilton
After all that, there was still time to buy merch, chat to the support, get the tube and be back at the hotel bar for a well-deserved beer before 11pm. See, this is what happens when you go to see a grown-up band where the evening starts promptly - everyone can be home at a decent hour (Velvet Revolver, take note...)!
Hastings Bonfire Night Parade & Fireworks...
No, I know it's not the 5th of November just yet, but down here we do Bonfire Night to our own timetable. I've posted about this delightfully Pagan, Health & Safety nightmare of a celebration that's steeped in the lore of smuggling and anti-Catholicism before on LJ, in 2004 and 2005, so I won't repeat the history lesson. Suffice to say, it hasn't got any less loud, crowded or downright fricking dangerous with the passing of years - the flaming torches still look like they're in danger of singeing the crowds, the flares still burn your retinas if you try looking directly at them and the bangers are still loud enough to make your teeth rattle!
The procession coming up All Saints Street...
Flares a-blazing!
Also, no matter how old I get, fireworks will still make me stand and gaze up at the night sky with my mouth hanging open like an overawed toddler, making the occasional gasp or squeal at a particularly pretty explosion or a particularly loud bang. And long may it continue! The Bonfire celebrations display is about fifteen minutes of relentless pyrotechnics that leaves the town shrouded in cordite, with merry revellers in the fountains and screaming toddlers in pushchairs. There's an abundance of fried goods and sugar being sold on street corners, everyone has to walk into town and back home again because the roads are all closed, and a good time is had by all! See the pretty...
Ooh…!
Ahh…!
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel, London...
I do enjoy a good afternoon tea, and
merlins_sister and I are making it our life's work to test drive as many of them as possible! Y'know, for science... For the proper traditional experience, I still haven't found anything to beat Claridge's, but if you're looking for afternoon tea with a twist, then I would highly recommend the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel in London.After a brief sojourn around the National Gallery (to look at the improving works of art obviously, not just because they have free toilets and a gift shop, honest) we took a lovely wander through Soho and up towards Oxford Street. There may have been a few stops along the way to purchase essentials such as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, obscene amounts of chocolate from Hotel Chocolate and
When we reached the Sanderson Hotel, I have to say that I was slightly apprehensive. Standing on the same site that was once the Sanderson wallpaper and fabric retail outlet, it has the most offensively tasteless exterior of any five-star hotel I've ever seen, mostly due to it having the misfortune of being built in the architectural void that was the 1960's. However, after the closure of the retail store, it was massively refurbished throughout the 1990s and re-opened as an ultra-modern hotel in 2001. The first view of the inside taught me that I shouldn't go around judging books by their covers (or even hotels by their architecture) because the interior is stunning - modern, chic and quirky - a theme that carries through to the afternoon tea.
The dining room is also very modern, dimly lit and very busy - it's clearly a very popular afternoon activity. Once at our table, we got to peruse the menu that comes hidden inside a little vintage book, and we were brought a selection of teas in miniature bottles to sniff and select from. I already knew that I was going to order Earl Grey and
merlins_sister only drinks coffee but the flavours smelt delicious (rhubarb & custard, strawberries & cream, chocolate & peppermint and apple pie) and I appreciated the opportunity to have a whiff!When the tea arrived, my teapot had a paper crown on and playing card faces on the side, and the rest of the crockery is similarly themed. The Earl Grey was also some of the best I've tasted, sweetened with sugar that came out of a musical box complete with twirling ballerina. We had a variety of sandwiches rolled like wraps (ham & mustard on tomato bread, cucumber & cream cheese on spinach bread, smoked salmon on rye bread and egg mayonnaise on lemon bread) with both cheese and fruit scones and miniature goat's cheese quiches.
Then followed the mirth of the 'Drink Me' bottles - little brown glass bottles filled with a passion fruit coulis and a crème brulee topping to be sucked up through a tiny straw. The contents were absolutely delicious but getting it up through the straw required skill, dedication, cheek muscles of steel and the ability not to laugh at the faces your dining partner is making in order to pull off such a herculean feat! We may have failed with the last part, and ended up laughing until we cried, wondering if our lovely afternoon was going to be cut tragically short when one of us accidentally turned our own head inside out trying to suck up the last few drops of passion fruit crème brulee! Fortunately, the noisy dining room meant that decorum was optional (but you wouldn't get away with it in Claridge's!)
The remainder of the desserts consisted of a cream and jam layered Victoria sponge clock, a colourfully striped white chocolate cheesecake with a surprise mango centre and a dark chocolate cup filled with green tea mousse - all delicious. There were also marshmallow mushrooms and carrot meringues hidden amongst the pea shoots growing out of the teacup that formed the top of the cake stand. And if that wasn't enough, you could also opt to visit the jelly bar in the outdoor courtyard, where they had fresh fruit jellies in green apple, lychee, strawberry and coconut & lavender flavours. Well, it would have been rude not to - and the strawberry and apple jellies were yummy!
I have a couple of sensible photos of the tea, but most of them have Lego Peter and Jared in them (yes, it was the kind of place you could get away with taking pictures of Lego people for their 'Lego Adventures' Tumblr!)
The musical sugar box...
The tea in all its glory...
My regal teapot...
'Drink Me'... (but run the risk of death by hilarity!)
After several hours of eating (broken up only by a short walk to the jelly bar and excessive laughter) it was all we could do to waddle our way back towards public transport, but not before the hotel gave me one more reason to come back again - the impossibly beautiful doorman who smiled and held the door open for us. I think that [Bad username or site: merlins sister @ livejournal.com] was trying to say something to me at this point, but I honestly couldn't hear her over the pretty!
Phew! Well done if you waded through all of that. TL;DR? Vic has been out and about doing stuff, and lots of it! In the coming weeks, I'm getting ready to perform in 'Calendar Girls' for the second time, while still rehearsing for 'Guys & Dolls' that goes on in March, and also rehearsing for 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' that goes on in April, plus rehearsing the electric band for our Christmas gig and getting the acoustic band ready for an open mic night before the end of the year. Occasionally I get an evening off, on which I get to go to Tesco!
Hope you're all keeping well. If you don't hear from me for a while, just assume that I'm rehearsing for something, and you'll probably be right…!
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Date: 2013-11-02 10:04 pm (UTC)The next afternoon tea has a lot to live up to... ;o)