Post by BVM on Apr 18, 2024 7:30:20 GMT
As Eastbourne is not too far from where I live, went to see the show yesterday specifically to catch Luke Street as Jesus. His Simon is absolutely breathtaking so really wanted to hear him do more than one song.
Anyway, had a row B seat, just medial to the side speaker stack and was both literally and metaphorically blown away. This guy has such a sensational voice, bridging musical theatre and rock with perfection. Powerful, accurate and with gorgeous tone and quality.
I knew of him as I was a big Bat Out Of Hell fan, but unfortunately never saw him cover one of the leads - really wish I had. Anyway, booked again for Salford Lowry to see his take on Judas.
Overall, show in great health. Entire cast have really grown on me since I first saw it in Manchester. They had tough acts to follow given some of the MT legends that have previously appeared in this. Shem as Judas and Ryan O'Donnell as Pilate in particular I was slightly reticent about on the opening weekend but they have truly grown into their roles. Hannah Richardson is also sublime as Mary.
And I've said it a million times before, but Drew McOnie basically turning this into a dance musical with continuous flowing stylised movement (in a way like Cats) is an act of pure genius.
Easily the best thing touring the UK currently IMHO. I'll really miss it when it's gone. Website has last date as Blackpool in Autumn with "further dates to be announced." I rather suspect further dates won't be announced though and that will be that as recently saw the amateur version is available to licence again from the same date.
Also wonderful to have an ALW tour that isn't a cheap looking Kenwright production as they are few and far between. Other I guess than the Michael Harrison Joseph but that is such a let down compared to the RUG version. Lord knows where the next quality tour will be coming from. Guess the best I can hope for is that David Ian takes Cats out again (this is surely due!?)
Anyway, can't rave enough about the OAT production, in all it's incarnations. Wish there was a cast recording. Much as I love the 1996 Lyceum OLC, that is almost 30 years old now and would be nice to have Tom Deering's adaptations to the ALW orchestrations preserved. Never gonna happen alas.....
Birmingham next!
Anyway, had a row B seat, just medial to the side speaker stack and was both literally and metaphorically blown away. This guy has such a sensational voice, bridging musical theatre and rock with perfection. Powerful, accurate and with gorgeous tone and quality.
I knew of him as I was a big Bat Out Of Hell fan, but unfortunately never saw him cover one of the leads - really wish I had. Anyway, booked again for Salford Lowry to see his take on Judas.
Overall, show in great health. Entire cast have really grown on me since I first saw it in Manchester. They had tough acts to follow given some of the MT legends that have previously appeared in this. Shem as Judas and Ryan O'Donnell as Pilate in particular I was slightly reticent about on the opening weekend but they have truly grown into their roles. Hannah Richardson is also sublime as Mary.
And I've said it a million times before, but Drew McOnie basically turning this into a dance musical with continuous flowing stylised movement (in a way like Cats) is an act of pure genius.
Easily the best thing touring the UK currently IMHO. I'll really miss it when it's gone. Website has last date as Blackpool in Autumn with "further dates to be announced." I rather suspect further dates won't be announced though and that will be that as recently saw the amateur version is available to licence again from the same date.
Also wonderful to have an ALW tour that isn't a cheap looking Kenwright production as they are few and far between. Other I guess than the Michael Harrison Joseph but that is such a let down compared to the RUG version. Lord knows where the next quality tour will be coming from. Guess the best I can hope for is that David Ian takes Cats out again (this is surely due!?)
Anyway, can't rave enough about the OAT production, in all it's incarnations. Wish there was a cast recording. Much as I love the 1996 Lyceum OLC, that is almost 30 years old now and would be nice to have Tom Deering's adaptations to the ALW orchestrations preserved. Never gonna happen alas.....
Birmingham next!