Category Archives: Over the Rainbow

The Search For A Screecher I Mean A “Superstar” Is On

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I know what you’re thinking, “Dominic is going to say how terrific the new Andrew Lloyd Webber TV search show is”

Nothing very super or starry about this TV show I’m afraid to say.

Well you’d be wrong, I may have waxed lyrical about Over the Rainbow, however last night’s Superstar was so dire I didn’t even bother watching until the end.

Personally I’m not a huge fan of ALW’s Jesus Christ Superstar, I think it’s very much of its time and ALW as we find in his later career writes much better music, when he doesn’t try to write rock songs. His strength is in ballads and more sumptuous orchestrations I think.  So it was always going to be a struggle to watch this show, but as a fan of previous ones I thought this would be at least fun.

How wrong I was, all it consisted of was of singers screeching constantly, it appears ALW wants a “rock star” for Jesus, fair enough, but not sure if screeching equates to rock star though.

The show lacks one thing – Graham Norton, without a presenter I felt it was falling flat and illustrates how much the success of the previous shows was down to Graham Norton. The judging panel seemed a bit dull and seemed to spend the majority of their time sitting their nodding their heads like those dogs on car dashboards. The producers clearly felt that as the public won’t know who David Grindod is, they’ll not include much footage of him, a shame as he’s the most qualified on the panel to make judgements.

The judges David Grindod, ALW, Mel C and Jason Donovan. Dawn French will be joining them in future episodes (not sure why though)

I know the arena tour is selling well, but again those leave me cold, what’s the point in going to the O2 to see the show on large screens? I might as well get a dvd and watch it at home.  I’m not convinced large-scale arenas are suitable for musical theatre.

So I won’t be watching future episodes, it all felt a bit tacky and lacking. I’m sure they’ll sell bucket loads of tickets and sell the tour out – which is the real reason for the TV show, whether a superstar will truly be found I’m not so sure. Especially as they’ll need to step out from the starlight of it’s leading lady Mel C, aswell as watch out for Judas, Tim Minchin who I reckon will steal the show.

The Wizard of Oz – The London Palladium – Review

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After purchasing my tickets at the end of last year, I’ve been patiently waiting 7 months, but the day arrived and I was finally off to see The Wizard of Oz.

At work usually on a Thursday or Friday afternoon, one of the team has a quick visit to the local sweet shop, to give us a sugar rush and treat. This show was the theatrical version of a sweet shop visit to me. So many reviews that I’ve read seem to have missed the point about this show. My criteria for going and now reviewing the show is totally different to how I’d review a straight play for example. I’ve not been to see a big scale “commercial” musical since Betty Blues Eyes , and so I was in need of my theatrical “sugar rush”.

So was this a Vimto Bon Bon of a show (yummy and great) or more of a Parma Violet (yuck!) ?

A Wizard if ever there woz

Michael Crawford is the title character, and I was genuinely excited about seeing him live for the first time. he also has other roles in the show. His (new) song as Professor Marvel, is a charming number and he delivers it with the right touch of humour and sentiment. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s also written the song “Bring me the Broomstick” for the Wizard, which gives the chance for Michael Crawford to fill the Palladium with his strikingly powerful voice and was a great close to the first Act. When he’s not singing, his acting is witty and just right for this role. Corny to say, but he really is a “Wizard if ever there woz”!

I’d voted for Danielle Hope in Over the Rainbow and was watching with anticipation to see how she had settled into the role now that she’s been doing it for four months. She certainly was the right choice for Dorothy, she has a stunning voice and exhibits a great warmth from the stage. Her interaction with the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man is perfect. Most of her scenes involve her being with Toto and she handled him brilliantly (yes the dog steals many scenes and possibly the show!).

This broomstick has a few tricks up it’s sleeve too

Hannah Waddingham is excruciatingly evil as the Wicked Witch of the West, suitable boos from the audience were signs of this. She has a good number (again another new addition) “Red Shoe Blues” which was excellent.

The Dress is Sponsored by Swarovski

Emily Tierney is a magical Glinda, her entrance in Act one is breathtaking and she has probably one of the most amazing dresses in any musical I’ve seen.

Edward Baker-Duly, David Ganly and Paul Keating as the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow have great fun with these roles and play perfectly to the audience. Paul Keating does some demanding physical theatre with his Scarecrow, Edward Baker-Duly does a great tap routine and David Ganly has some of the best laughs of the show, and he knows how to deliver his lines to get the best reactions. (I loved his, “I’m a Lion in Winter” and “I’m proud to be a friend of Dorothy”  lines).

The new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, certainly contain their hallmarks but I thought they fitted in well. I especially liked the final song of “Already Home”, which is beautiful.

I was disappointed by the choreography which can at best be described as “functional”, the (admittedly few) large cast numbers certainly did not give me a wow factor from the choreography which to me is necessary part of musicals like this.

The sets are amazing and the new double revolve at the Palladium is a serious piece of kit that is fully realised to its potential in this production and I’m sure will become a key reason producers choose this venue for future productions. The twister scene has been well documented as to how effective it is, and Jon Driscoll is certainly the Wizard of projection in the world of theatre, I loved his work in Love Never Dies, and he excels again here.

So this was a perfect “sugar rush” of musical theatre. It’s a superb production, everything is slick and perhaps a bit saccharine, but that’s kind of the point of these types of musical surely? An extremely enjoyable piece of entertainment.

For tickets go to  : http://www.cheaptheatretickets.com/london/london-palladium

Over the Rainbow – it’s not over yet

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I’ve held off writing about BBC’s Over the Rainbow, but now feel it’s time to have a quick blog about it.

Much has been said and written about these shows, both positive and negative, I personally think they’re a good thing for the musical theatre industry and theatre in general. I also think they make great TV. This years show has had a few surprises, most notably that each week a different pair have been in the sing offs.

The choice of panel is rather interesting, I can understand Sheila Hancock and John Partridge but I’m not sure why Charlotte Church is there, I don’t feel she adds anything and her constant interruptions when John is being asked his opinion are annoying to say the least. I really like Sheila’s observations and John’s comments are always constructive (more so than John Barrowmans’s “Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic”!) The girls are really privileged to be getting such input this early in their careers.

I was genuinely saddened to see Stephanie leave this week as I thought she would be a contender for the semi if not the final. I’m sure she’ll continue training and will have several offers coming her way very soon. I look forward to seeing her in a production in the not too distant future in the West End.

In my view there are now three I feel could be Dorothy and one in particular;

Danielle, is Dorothy for me, I think she’s grown each week and for the last two weeks has given the performance of each Saturday night, last weeks was just brilliant. Each of the panelists agreed (for once!) that she gave the performance that most stood out on Sunday.

She has a great stage presence and poise that some of the others don’t have and her vocal and dance talents are up to West End standards despite her age. It’s up to the public vote and I sincerely hope she at least gets to the final, and ideally win it.

It’s a double elimination this weekend, so it will be exciting to see which two go, as long as it’s not Danielle, I’ll be happy!