Really glad to be back at the Millenium Centre here in Cardiff for two more performances of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s Saturday 20th August 2016 and with only three more shows to go until it’s run in Cardiff ends. Chitty moves on to another city, to wow audiences there,as it has done here. A fabulous feel good show that’s fit for all the family. I categorically love it, just wish it was here a lot longer, but you can’t have everything you want in life, that would be too easy.

Today’s action begins with the matinee performance, and as usual, runs like clockwork. I have to say each show is amazingly similar to the others I’ve seen, everyone in the right place at the right time, so slick in its production with sets and props, leaving nothing or no one hanging around waiting for cues etc. For me this is the sign of a great show, with everyone working in unison and harmony, to provide the audience with the best show that could possibly be given at any performance, on any given day. Works for me every time.

 Again I have to say I’m so impressed with Carrie Hope Fletcher, her voice is so good, it’s a privilege to hear her sing time after time, she is amazing. I know I keep saying this, but it’s one of  the main reasons I keep coming back to watch. Along with the brilliant Lee Mead, who’s voice is also amazing and probably the best I’ve heard playing Potts.

I can’t credit the whole cast enough, every person, from the Children to the Ensemble and all the main cast not to mention the Orchestra are just superb. It’s so special for me to come here and watch show after show, still laugh and cry in the same spots during each and every performance. I must be getting sentimental in my old age, I’d probably cry at Peppa Pig,knowing me.

I must admit to now being hooked on the theatre, my whole week revolves around visiting on weekends and whenever I can,to watch brilliantly executed shows. I have yet to see a bad show, and probably in my lifetime, never will, as I seem to love everything I see. 

So to the evening performance and yet another fantastic show, so many fabulous scenes, everyone of them is just brilliant to watch, and so magical, giving the audience something to marvel at, every time.  So it’s home now but back for the last show tomorrow. 

Here at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for my 7th performance of this magnificent show that is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This musical has really surprised me, I didn’t expect it to be as good as it is. I knew I would enjoy it, but didn’t think to the extent that I could watch this every night and never get bored with it.  I think it’s down to the amazing cast the production team has assembled, a massive credit to them.

Without further ado on to today’s performance. There are 6 child actors and actresses playing the roles of Jeremy and Jemima Potts. (Henry Kent, Hayden Goldberg and Elliot Morris playing Jeremy with Lucy Sherman, Caitlin Surtees and Darcy Snares as Jemima). I have to mention them as they are so brilliant, just like Billy Elliot previously, and have a lot of pressure on them to perform in front of huge crowds at the Centre. I suppose it’s hard enough for seasoned actors to stand on that huge stage and portray a good performance, with those masses of filled seats rising up as far as the eyes can see. But for young children to come out day after day and perform to the standard I’ve seen so far, is really incredible. And a huge credit to them, as some of them could be major stars of the future. Let’s keep this standard going and encourage our young stars for the work they can achieve in future years.

Of course if we are talking children, we have to mention the dreaded Childcatcher (played wonderfully by Matt Gillet). We first see him at the end of act one. His costume and makeup is really good and actually is a little scary, especially with the voice he has as well. Very authentic and chillingly good. In act two we see a lot more of him as he tries to take Jeremy and Jemima prisoner in his cage. Of course he gets his comeuppance as all baddies do, but still very convincing.

Finishing off the act is the lost children in the sewers, and as I always say these kids were brilliant and well deserve another mention for just being brilliant,(as I might have said in my first blog on Chitty). Again I have to say another great performance by all, well loved by a very pleased audience including me. Well that’s it for today, back next week for more Chitty, can’t wait.

Well it’s Saturday 13th August 2016, and I’m back in the Bay at Cardiff’s Millenium Centre for two more performances of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

During my working week I downloaded (with i books of course) a copy of Carrie Hope Fletcher’s new book ‘On the other side’. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I struggled to put it down and actually finished reading it 24 hrs after I started. A wonderfully written piece of literature and totally blew me away. I laughed, cried and really got so into the book so much, I’m re reading it, as it’s so good. Not only is Carrie an amazing singer with a beautiful angelic voice, she can write a really good novel as well. I look forward to her next book, and her next musical role after Chitty. 

Today I need to mention how good the set for the show is. It’s well constructed with a giant windmill frontage as its base. The use of projection imagery adds to the quality of the show, especially on ‘Hushabye mountain’ where a moon and yacht drawn on the windmills interior wall literally comes to life in front of your eyes. The scene is so beautiful, with Lee Mead singing as well, it reduces me to tears every time. 

Imagery plays a vital part in all the car scenes as well. (I have to say the car itself is just magnificent, and gleams from all sides as it manoeuvres around a fixed stage on its very own base). I love the way the car follows the scenery as it turns on its axis, such well choreographed scenes by the technical department of the show. It makes you appreciate just how much effort goes into this musical to make it so polished day in day out, for the audience to wow at every performance.  And that’s just act one. 

In act two the set is a little more easier to manage with roll on pieces. Except for, of course, Chitty herself, where we have the full regalia laid out for her, as we head to the finale. The sewer scene is another of my favourite sets and actually looks like it’s supposed to, only larger and cleaner.  A really good set, like this, can help to make the audience bond with the show, drag them in and make them feel ‘one of the family’, so to speak, as this clearly does for me anyway. I think that’s another reason why I see so many shows, quite a lot of times, in any particular run.

Couple the set and Chitty herself, with the fabulous singing voices of Lee,Carrie, the two amazing child actors (who play Jeremy and Jemima) and all the cast, a superb storyline (that almost everyone knows and loves), easy to remember songs played wonderfully by the orchestra and you get this finished product, which dazzles and delights throughout.

To finish off tonight I have to say that the two performances I watched today were outstanding. It really made my whole day to view these, and can’t wait to come back tomorrow for one more show this week.

Sunday 7th August 2016. Back at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for two more performances of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. After watching two shows yesterday can’t wait for today’s instalments of this wonderful show. With a small cast change as Nia Jermin comes in as Baroness Bomburst. I must admit she was very good in the role and proves that understudies from the Ensemble are worth their weight in gold.

I’ve been wondering why I keep crying at most of the shows I see, I think I can now explain it a little better after watching this show. The music is brilliant and starts off at a great pace, but then all of sudden there is a quiet reflective scene, where everything slows down and this amazing song hits at your heartstrings. The song that starts that off is ‘Hushabye mountain’ sang by Lee Mead in act one. Another is ‘Lovely Lonely Man’ from Carrie Hope Fletcher.  And finally ‘The Doll on a Music box’ sung by Carrie and Lee, both from act two. These three songs are exquisitely sung and just make me drift away to another realm, tearing at my emotions, causing the tears to flow. I think every musical I’ve seen has these mascara moments built in, and for me it really makes the show come to life, as so many different emotions run through your head, for a few hours of release from the humdrum working day.

Moving on to the other songs in the show, which most of the world and his dog know, the most famous being the title track itself, followed closely by Truly Scrumptious. The songs here work a lot better on stage than the film version, mainly due to crowd interaction with the onstage cast. ‘You Two’ and ‘Toot Sweets’ are well worked numbers  with Potts and his two children coming together for the former, and introducing Truly to the mix for the latter.

Everyone remembers ‘Me ol Bamboo’ sung at the fun fair with some Morris dancers thrown in for good measure. And not forgetting ‘Posh’ with Grandpa, Jeremy and Jemima.  We all know these tunes and it’s nice to get them out of the cupboard and have a good old fashioned sing along with them (not out loud of course). And that’s only act one.

Act two has’The Roses of Success’ another popular song with Grandpa and his 6 inventors jollying along the proceedings. Then after ‘lovely lonely man’ we have the unforgettable ‘Chu – Chi face’ by the Baron and Baroness, who later perform ‘The Bombie Samba’ to great applause.  Another of my favourite scenes is ‘Teamwork’ where Potts and Truly meet the lost children and together set about a rescue of Grandpa, Jeremy and Jemima. A great song performed by Lee, Carrie and the child Ensemble (who again are just so good). I must say that both performances today were brilliant as always and I can’t wait to come back next week for more of the same. With so many timeless, classic songs ringing out in this huge and fantastic theatre, no wonder I truly love this show. Any musical that can reduce me to tears every visit must be really good. 

Saturday 6th August 2016. Yet again back at the wonderful Millenium centre. For my first two performances of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, on its three week run in Cardiff. Another show I’m really looking forward to see, especially the amazing voice of Carrie Hope Fletcher, ( it’s worth going to see the show just to see her perform). 

Firstly may I say what a wonderful show this is, great fun for all the family. For me Carrie Hope Fletcher as Truly is just magnificent. Her voice maybe the best I’ve heard at the centre (in a musical), and I must admit to having a tear in my eye as soon as she started to sing, as her Angelic tones rang through my head reducing me to real tears,as she sang ‘Lovely lonely man’in the second act. An absolute joy to watch and listen to, can’t wait for tonight’s performance.

 Chitty has a great blend of comical scenes,dance routines and general mayhem. The really good set helps the show to flow along seamlessly, with of course, the car as its main centrepiece, looking so good you want to leap on stage and drive it home after the finale. 

Lee Mead as Potts jnr is fabulous, as he marries his acting skills and singing voice together perfectly. The brilliance of Andy Hockley as Potts snr is totally believable and really well played, he also has a good singing voice. The young actors playing Potts children (Jeremy and Jemima) were so so good and deserve a special mention for just being brilliant, (reminds me of Billy Elliot all over again). And of course Carrie Hope Fletcher as Truly Scrumptious, just Magnificent (as I might have said a little earlier).

The scenes with Boris and Goran (Sam Harrison and Scott Paige) as the bumbling Vulgarian spies along with the Baron And Baroness played by Shaun Williamson and Claire Sweeney, provide the comedy slapstick section of the show, with a wonderful Samba dance by nearly the whole cast and a great performance by Claire adding to the proceedings, (I have to say Claire has a great singing voice as well). Matt Gillet as the scary and creepy Childcatcher, He played his part to perfection, looking menacing from the moment he came on stage, with some fabulous make up and costume to match. And not forgetting the toymaker (Ewen Cummins) and his part in a memorable performance of Chitty.

As usual the Ensemble were tremendous and always deserve a mention, every time they perform. Along with all the other child actors who graced this fabulous stage, they also must be mentioned for, again being so brilliant. And while I’m on the subject praise the Orchestra, as they were just superb throughout

The evening show was also so amazing and I even cried in the same place as I did for the afternoon. Again Lee Mead and Carrie Hope Fletcher were amazing.I’ve been lucky enough to see Carrie in Les Mis, War of the Worlds and now Chitty, what an amazing talent we have in our theatres at the moment. I would also say the whole cast were totally brilliant again. Really made my day to watch two brilliant shows with such a wonderful cast.

I was very impressed with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and would urge people to go and see it before it’s run in Cardiff. I’m back tomorrow for more shows, so something different to talk about then.

Saturday 30th July 2016. After a week with no show I’m glad to be back at magnificent Millenium Centre for two performances of Chicago. Can’t wait to see this show, I’ve never seen it before (not even the film) so have been looking forward to this all week. Chicago features the fabulous Hayley Tamaddon as Roxy Hart, Sophie Carmen -Jones as Velma Kelly, John Partridge as Lawyer Billy Flynn and Sam Bailey as Mama Morton.

Set in Chicago in the late twenties Roxy kills her boyfriend and ends up in jail with Velma and Mama Morton. There she meets the famous lawyer Billy Flynn and a whole new adventure begins. From  the start of this fabulous show we have some exquisitely performed dance routines from the whole cast. I have to say I was gobsmacked throughout the show with just how good this was. Everyone was so in step with the next, it was just awesome. WOW that’s as much as I can say.

The singing was just so good from the start. All that jazz began the act with the superb Sophie as Velma, and what a voice she has. As we meet Roxy we have another superb voice in Hayley Tamaddon, I never realised her voice was so good. Sam Bailey (again such an amazing voice) really belted out her songs with wild applause. And John Partridge, well what to say, his voice, especially that note in the song ‘we both reached for the gun’. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a note sung live for that amount of time without a breath, with several key changes thrown in, absolutely breathtaking (sorry about the pun), you had to be there to appreciate it. I don’t think I will ever hear that again for a while (yes I will, I’ve got another show tonight). Towards the end of act one the story rolls on with Velma singing and dancing to ‘I can’t do it alone’ (which was totally amazing, and then the fabulous duet with Roxy and Velma (my own best friend), before Roxy tells everyone she’s expecting a baby and act two approaches on that bombshell.

Act two begins with the Entr’acte and the amazing band, fixed on stage throughout, with some pretty inventive conducting from an exuberant band leader, really kicking off this act with a bang. Moving on with Roxy’s husband (played brilliantly by Neil Ditt) and that famous song Mr Cellophane. I must admit to a small tear during that scene, (along with the hanging scene as a Hungarian female prisoner is hung for her crimes). A few moments of reflection as we move through emotions. Such an amazing show follows on with Velma takes the stand and razzle dazzle, brilliantly sung (and danced) by Sophie and then John. Another fabulous scene is the Velma and Mama Morton called ‘Class’ before the finale hits the scene, where Roxy and Velma finally make it with a double act. A good ending with the band leader introducing all the cast, which I thought was a good gesture and something I wish other shows would do, because the ensemble are so good and need a mention for all their hard work.

With a fixed set throughout and the band on stage all show, this made a really slick show,full of comedy, great songs and fantastic dancing. I just wish I could have seen this show a lot more times on this run, but I will definitely be seeing more of this brilliant show on its next visit to Cardiff.

Well it’s Saturday 23rd July 2016, with no show to see today. So I thought a little preview of what’s to come for me, in the next few months. ‘Chicago’is up first at the Millenium Centre, Cardiff next week, followed closely by multiple viewings of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’with the amazing Carrie Hope Fletcher at the same venue. After that we have ‘Mandela Trilogy’ with the Cape Town Opera company. A busy August for me then.

September is a quieter period for shows with the Welsh National Opera in residence at the centre. This season we have ‘Macbeth’, ‘Merchant of Venice’ and the brilliant ‘Kiss me Kate’. Looking forward to watching these Operas. Before that, at the beginning of September at the New Theatre, Cardiff is ‘No Man’s land’.A play starring Ian Mckellen and Patrick Stewart. Can you believe that, two of the greatest stage actors ever. In Cardiff. Wow, that is going to be a fantastic evening.

October and November, and another busy few months with ‘Mamma Mia’at the Centre (multiple showings of that as well). And in the process of booking tickets for ‘Billy Elliot’at the Bristol Hippodrome, really got to see that show again, so hopefully will be booking a few more tickets in the next few weeks (already got two dates in the book).

So onto December and ‘Mary Poppins’at the Centre (multiple shows again would you believe). Also looking to book tickets for one of my favourite bands ‘The Shires’ at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, in November. Lots of shows coming up, really looking forward to all of them. And next year another bumper crop of superb theatrical productions coming to Cardiff. Can’t wait for these as well. 

Saturday 16th July 2016 at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff for the last two performances of Billy Elliot the musical. A very emotional day for me as I’ve fallen in love with this superb show, I can’t believe it’s moving on to another venue, really going to miss this, thank heavens for the dvd of the live London show.

For the matinee performance we have Billy (Lewis Smallman), Michael (Elliot Stiff), Debbie (Lilly Cadwallender) and the role of the Small Boy (Isobelle Chalmers). Yet another fabulous performance from everyone in the cast this afternoon. Lewis was just immense today,as usual. A real privelage to watch such a young man perform to perfection, so so good, just magnificent.

The evening performance has Billy (Matthew Lyons), Michael (Henry Farmer), Debbie (Italia Ross) and Small Boy (Isobelle  Chalmers). Another fabulous show tonight. Brilliant performances from all of the cast. Matthew is just superb in the role as Billy (just as Lewis this afternoon),with Adam and Haydn thrown on as well, all of the Billy’s are just so good it’s hard to differentiate,as I’ve said since the run at the centre began.

As this is last few shows in Cardiff, I have to congratulate the whole cast and team at Billy Elliot for making this show one of the best I have ever seen. I have seen all four Billy’s, all four Michael’s, the three Debbie’s and the three Small boy roles. Every single one of these performers has been absolutely brilliant and it is this fact that has brought me back time after time to watch this show. I could have seen every show and never get fed up of watching it. Superb entertainment throughout.

I have to mention the amazing adult cast, which were all simply fabulous. Annette McLaughlin as Mrs Wilkinson has been just magnificent, what a performance, which never faltered throughout the whole time I saw her on this amazing stage. Martin Walsh, Scott Garnham, Nikki Gerrard,(Charlie Martin as her understudy) and Andrea Miller as Billy’s family were again outstanding throughout, and who could forget Daniel Page as mr Braithwaite and Luke Cinque-White as Billy’s older self. Wow, just amazing. Of course the entire ensemble were just superb (as I talked about yesterday), they contributed so much to making this a really spectacular musical experience.

Some of my favourite scenes (outside of Billy’s amazing dances) came from the the Small Boy role, played so brilliantly by three young girls (Isobelle Chalmers, Bonnie Burgess and Nichola Turner). They added so much fun and hilarity to the proceedings and deserve a special mention for just being fantastic.

Billy Elliot the musical has been absolutely amazing throughout, I cannot fault any of it. I would put it with Wicked, Phantom, Les Mis and Only the Brave as one of my favourite, favourite shows of all time (yes I meant to put favourite twice). I just hope it comes back to Cardiff on a uk tour very soon. 

Friday 15th July 2016, back in Cardiff at the Millenium Centre for two more performances of the brilliant Billy Elliot (The musical). Can’t believe there’s only two more shows to go at the Centre (after today), looking forward so much to watching them all.

For the matinee We have Billy (Lewis Smallman), Michael (Elliot Stiff), Debbie  (Lilly Cadwallender),and the role of the Small boy (Isobelle Chalmers).

For the evening show Billy is played by Haydn May, Michael by Samuel Torpey, Debbie by Italia Ross and Small boy is played by Isobelle Chalmers.

The cast ensemble is the focus today, haven’t mentioned them too much, but all of the shows I’ve seen they have been amazing. From the first scenes as the miners assemble on stage awaiting news of the strike, with ‘The stars look down’ going through to ‘Grandma’s song’ and’Solidarity’ these guys are just brilliant, filing this huge stage with three unforgettable scenes. Also have to mention the giant dresses in the song ‘Expressing yourself’ to come on stage in these huge costumes and actually do a tap  routine is genuinely amazing, and a credit to the actors playing these roles.

On closer inspection (the fact I’ve seen it so many times) ‘Angry dance’ really brings out the work the ensemble do, building the scene for Billy to dance around. A great routine is turned into an even better one, which makes watching it a very special end to the act.

Act two begins with ‘Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher’, a fantastic send up at their xmas party, involving the whole cast. A definite crowd pleaser and just brilliant to watch. We next see them at the climax to the show, this is where we see the best of any ensemble, with an absolutely fantastic acapela version of ‘Once we were Kings’, put together with the sounds of the lift shaft heading down the pit, this brings the whole show to a fitting end, with the odd tear or two thrown in for good measure.

To sum up the ensemble are the unsung heroes of any show, and deserve all the praise they can get, simply due to the fact that every single one of them is superb. They work as a well oiled team, play understudy roles and definitely should not be forgotten. 

Thursday 14th July 2016, and I’m back again at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff for my 9th performance of Billy Elliot the Musical. I just can’t keep away from this superb show and there’s still two more days to go before it ends its run in Cardiff.

For tonight’s performance we have Billy (Matthew Lyons), Michael (Henry Farmer), Debbie (Italia Ross) and the Small boy (Isobelle Chalmers). Another fabulous performance by all as usual, it’s so good to see so many different young actors playing these roles to perfection. Brilliant,as I’ve been saying since the first show here in Cardiff.

I feel I have to mention the production team at Billy Elliot the uk tour. Every performance I have seen has been amazing, with everything in place at the right time to enable all of the cast to do what they do best. The set just magically seems to roll along from one scene to the next with hardly any effort noticed by the visiting public. Although I expect that’s not the same backstage, credit given to the guys who keep everything going, making the show so incredible to watch.

The sound for this show is stunning, from  the quality of the band playing their hearts out in the pit,to the special effects sounds ringing through the auditorium, I have to mention Angry dance at the end of act one, a powerful and loud scene fit for a close of any act of any show. Also at the end of the second act with Once we were kings, the sound of the pit lift doors closing,running down the pitshaft to a grinding halt at the bottom,really made an impact, you actually thought you were in that lift, the sound resonating throughout the whole building. So realistic and more credit to the sound engineers who put this aspect together.

The lighting for the show was also really good and highlighted the areas of most importance throughout, although I would say that sitting in different areas of the theatre gave a different light sensation to the viewer. The stalls seemed darker in certain scenes than the upper circle, for instance. And I think that is the beauty of seeing it so many times from different vantage points, you get the feel for this and it makes the viewing much more enhanced. A lot of this is also down to the fabulous Millenium Centre and the way it is designed, everything changes with each show depending on where you sit, and that is another reason why I see shows so many times.

In all a superb achievement from all the production team for making this one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Looking forward to coming back tomorrow for more of same.