Jersey Boys

So for my birthday, which was about a month ago, I decided to go see a musical. A friend told me they went to see Jersey Boys and that it was amazing, so I went to see that. Alone, on a Thursday night. I didn't want to have to drag along any friends because it was so expensive, and I knew I would enjoy it even if I was on my own. I got there about 20 minutes early, and bought myself a programme. I settled in my seat and started to get to know the characters and the actors I'd be seeing that evening. I was a little nervous about not knowing any of the songs in the musical thought. 

Later on, I was happily surprised there were a few familiar numbers and I did sing along a little. The actors really got the crowd going, and used the stage really well. Everyone was really engrossed in their performance. The only people that weren't happened to be the couple next to me, who left during the interval. I really enjoyed the extra room to place my bag though. And I was really happy to give them a standing ovation at the end. 

Seeing Jersey Boys made me want to sing and dance, and see more plays and musicals, because you really learn about their story but the theatricality of everything really stands out too. It was really fun, and engaging. It was an amazing show, and a perfect evening out. 

Here's their website: http://www.jerseyboyslondon.com/

(all images in this post were taken from the website)

The Globe Theatre

A few weeks ago I was able to go to the Globe Theatre for the first time. My flatmate Emily’s birthday was in July and I wasn’t here to celebrate with her. So instead of buying her a gift I thought I should get her an experience that she’ll love and remember. Much better than a bottle of wine she’ll drink and forget about. So we went to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to see Macbeth. 

Thankfully it wasn’t a cold day, and we chose to go to the matinée show so we were able to enjoy the show with the perfect natural light, and we didn’t freeze sitting in the stalls either. After entering from one side of the globe, we were in a cute little courtyard where you could purchase a pillow to sit on during the performance or a snack. 

They rung a bell about 5 minutes before the performance and everyone was excited for the start. The play was amazing. The cast would come out of different doors, and certain lines were spoken from the middle of the crowd, especially the scenes with the witches. At one point a helicopter was so loud that Macbeth even waved to it and we all laughed. It was as though we were part of the story with the cast and it was great. 

I’ve seen Macbeth several times and this was by far the best. The only negative thing about the Globe is that the roof is open, so you shouldn’t go see a show towards the end of autumn because you will be cold. But I really recommend you go if you can, because they are the best at what they do and that’s why they perform there. 

Here’s the website for the Globe Theatre: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

The Old Vic

On the 1st of June I went to see Sweet Bird of Youth, a play by Tennessee Williams at The Old Vic theatre near Waterloo station. The theatre is beautiful. The entrance is very small, but you do have to pass by some gorgeous white pillars to get to the main doors. The box office is all perfectly matching with the carpet and the staircases. Along the stairs there are photographs of actors and performers who have performed there in the past. Once you get inside to the seating areas, you see how few seats there are, and how intimate the experience will be for you the spectator. 

The edges of the different circles are designed in a baroque style, as well as the ceiling of the hall. The stage is a very irregular shape, and you can see the step up for the first scene already in position. One thing I love about theatre, is when the lights go down. All of a sudden everyone is silent, everyone wants to see and hear the performance and no one speaks. That moment when the lights go down is probably my favourite. It shows that people still appreciate the arts. 

The play was interesting and even though it was written a while ago the problems carried through out it are present in the past. People do depend on their looks and their youth to help them get by in life, but once youth fades, it is difficult for you to succeed and be as good as you were before. Kim Cattrall played a  very dramatic character, and I think she performed wonderfully showing the weaknesses and the strengths of the character well. The other actors however had difficulty with performing with a Southern American accent and therefore their performances weren't as good as hers. 

Here's the theatre's website: http://www.oldvictheatre.com/