Saturday 13th May 2017, with my second blog of the day. Another milestone for me this weekend,as it’s been one year since my first ever blog (WNO’s In Parenthesis on 14th May 2016). This afternoon and evening I’m back at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for three performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Another musical I have never seen before, so not sure what to expect. Although I think watching it three times should give me a good insight into the show. With the music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the lyrics from Tim Rice, it does show a great deal of promise to a first time viewer, and even though I’ve heard the music from the show (CD), you can’t really put it all together from that part alone.

With some well known celebrities taking the role of Joseph in the past, for this tour we have Joe McElderry playing the lead, who I must say has a fantastic voice along with Lucy Kay as the narrator. Lucy has such an amazing voice, so good. The singing in the show is phenomenal, with beautiful choral voices from the children of the choir (from the Bristol school of performing arts), mixed in with the brilliant voices eminating from the ensemble and lead cast members.

This show has so many different musical genres from Country music scenes, a singing Elvis as Pharaoh (played brilliantly by Ben James-Ellis), and a bit of Calypso music at the end of the show. Joseph is a real family fun filled show, it has great staging with a wonderful light show to add to its many attributes. The band in the pit are also magnificent, playing for the whole show, this fantastic ‘ALW’ score. Such a treat to watch this musical 3 times in one day. The dance routines scattered within the show were so crisp and sharp throughout all three performances.May I also add how surprisingly good the whole show was, I even cried in some parts, mainly due to the wonderful singing on show. An absolutely magnificent show which really impressed me totally, definitely one to see next tour.

There is one last thing I would like to add in an attempt to make audiences more in touch with the performers. I’ve noticed recently that not many shows are using a cast board to make people aware who plays who. As I write a blog for every show I see, it would be nice to know these facts, as more of the ensemble would probably get a bigger mention, and therefore more publicity, which could lead onto bigger roles and so on. So come on you show producers out there, get more cast boards on tour productions.



The weekend is back upon us, it’s Saturday 29th April 2017, and I’m back at the Millenium Centre here in Cardiff Bay for the last two performances of Sister Act, before it moves onto another venue. Today will be the perfect opportunity to watch both leads. Alexandra Burke has been playing the evening performances with Joanna Francis taking over on the Matinee shows. I’ve already seen Alexandra twice, so it will be nice to watch a different actress with a different take on the role of Delores van Cartier.

For this afternoons performance Alice Stokoe will take over the role of Sister Mary Robert with the absolutely superb Sally Peerless returning to her role as Tina, also appearing in the Ensemble and playing her flute and sax to perfection, I really enjoyed all her performances I managed to see.

The talent on stage is amazing, with yet again, all the cast being totally fabulous. Joanna Francis is a brilliant Delores, and such a great stand in for Alexandra, keeping up the pace of the show, as if she has been doing it all year. Alice Stokoe is another actress with a fabulous voice, and being really new to the musical didn’t show at all, again, it looked like she had been there all along. All the leads in this production are so good, with a massive help from the Ensemble, really bringing the music and harmonies to life, from start to finish. I must admit to some tears falling at certain stages, mainly due to the incredible vocals in the show, (I must have mentioned that at least a hundred times already), but when a show can make you laugh, cry and say Wow in all its entirety, then that is the sign of a great show, in my eyes.

For the evening performance we have Alexandra Burke back as Delores,who was just brilliant, as usual. Again yet another fabulous show, two in the same day and both phenomenal performances, every person seems to put in so much into each and every show, making the audience love every minute. For me watching brilliant shows like this really helps and just makes the whole weekend come alive. 

One more thing before I end. April has been an incredible birthday month for me, with 18 performances of shows over the period. Dirty Dancing, Cirque Berserk, Rent, The Commitments, The Play that goes wrong, Sister Act and Caroline Sheen. Quite a lot to put in over 30 days. I loved every show I watched, but I have to say that Rent was just Brilliant, probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Caroline Sheen was Magnificent. Also Alexandra Burke and Sally Peerless from Sister Act have been immense on the performances I’ve seen so far. Wouldn’t it be brilliant to see Caroline Sheen, Christina Modestou and Lucie Jones, with backing from Andrew Hopkin (Piano) and Sally Peerless (Vocals and Sax), and a guest appearance from Alexandra Burke, appear in Ffresh Caberet bar for a few evenings, now that would be a classy evening’s entertainment. Although I think I may be dreaming a little bit, but you never know, stranger things have happened.

Saturday 22nd April 2017, and would you believe it, I’m back at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for my 2nd performance of Sister Act. This has been a phenomenal weekend for me, with the superb vocal talent of Caroline Sheen on Friday, (who I’m still raving about to anyone who will listen), a show I will never forget in my lifetime, have I mentioned just how brilliant Caroline’s show actually was, and that voice, fabulous absolutely fabulous. On to tonight and the vocal talents of Alexandra Burke and Sally Peerless, three superb vocalists in the space of two incredible days.

Sister Act is another ‘feel good’ show, with again some fabulous singing from a Fantastic cast. With most of the cast playing the instruments live on stage, the backstage band covers the times we don’t see the on stage musicians. The set is designed to maximise the space on the stage, with a balcony area for the musicians to assemble for the big numbers, along with a glamorous, party-like finale to the show, where all the stage areas are used to their full potential. 

So to tonight’s Performance, and as usual, the singing was outstanding, from all the cast. The scene where the Nuns enter, playing their instruments and singing horribly out of tune, bring laughs galore to the auditorium. Although it must be so hard to sing that badly when you know yourself, just how good you can sing. The music is definitely 70’s style, with that disco feel to the proceedings, and I must admit to loving the music of the late 70’s and early 80’s, so this is right up my street.

I have to mention Just how amazing Alexandra Burke and Sally Peerless were in tonight’s show. Both have beautiful voices and use them so well. If Caroline Sheen was also in the show, it would have been absolutely superb.

An unexpected extra birthday treat today (Monday 17th April 2017), with a visit to the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for a performance of Sister Act. This musical has Alexandra Burke (in the lead role), as Delores van Cartier and is directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. So it promises to be another feel good show, to round off the Easter holiday weekend.

One of the changes for tonight’s performance sees Sally Peerless as Sister Mary Robert. I remember a few years ago watching Saturday Night Fever which featured Sally in the cast, she played a mean saxophone live on stage, and was brilliant,just thought I’d mention that. One other thing to add, what a fabulous voice she has to go with her musician skills.

Alexandra Burke is fabulous, her voice is just heavenly, and she has great support from all the other cast, who also have some really amazing vocal ranges to choose from. Aaron Lee Lambert as Curtis was also brilliant. Another part of this show I really like is that most of the cast play the instruments live on stage, which add to the party so much, making you realise just how talented this assembled cast must be. 

I was very impressed with this production, very funny, brilliant music, fabulous singing and a very colourful set with a tremendous light show. Definitely one to watch again, which I probably will biting its two week run at the Centre.

Saturday 15th April 2017, and for my second treat on my birthday I’m back at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for the evening, and 2nd performance of the feel good musical ‘The Commitments’. Having watched it last night, this is yet another show I can’t wait to see again.

The cast for this musical are fabulous, with so many great vocals filing this vast auditorium, it’s a pleasure to sit and listen. Brian Gilligan (last Night) and Ben Morris (tonight) were brilliant as Deco, both of them have excellent voices. The three girls in the band also have tremendous voices, Amy Penston (Natalie), Leah Penston (Imelda) and Christina Tedders (Bernie). Yet another treat for me to listen to today. A special mention to Sam Fordham as Mickah, truly terrifying and brilliant at the same time. A wonderful performance.

Another feel good show full of life and exuberance. The band themselves made up from the cast were again superb, really rocking the foundations of the centre to its core. Thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight, definitely glad I got to see it twice before this week.

So today has been another great birthday. Two excellent shows to add to my growing collection, and still more to come over the next few months.

Friday 14th April 2017, start of the Easter break, so I’m back at the Magnificent Millenium Centre in the equally magnificent Cardiff Bay, for a performance of the hit musical ‘The Commitments’. One of the many shows I’ve never seen before, I don’t think I’ve even watched the film version either. Although watching tonight will add another musical to my growing list.

The story centres around a young man who tries to put together a soul band in Dublin. A fast paced, funny, musical with great singing by a fabulous cast, most of them playing the instruments on stage. I have to say the music was excellent, some of my favourite musical pieces, sang live, with plenty of heart and conviction.

Really enjoyed tonight’s performance, nice and loud and getting everyone in a great mood, which is what amazing live theatre can do. It’s well worth a visit to watch this show. I have to say it’s fantastic and really looking forward to another visit tomorrow for one last show before it moves on. 

Apologies for the short blog tonight, I intend to write a bit more for my next visit to this entertaining musical.