Tuesday 13th November 2018, today is the first of a number of performances of ‘Wicked’ here at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay this week. With a few weeks off from work I’ve the chance to spend my holiday here in the Bay enjoying my favourite musical and walking around taking in the scenery as I go.I’ve recently been mentioning the songs of Wicked, today I’m moving on to Duets in the show. The first of those is ‘What is this Feeling’, a song from Glinda and Elphaba, summing up how the two girls feel about each other, loathing seems to be general consensus. I love this piece of music with the ensemble joining in on Glinda’s side towards the end of the song, it makes the song stand out.

Following on is a duet between Dr Dillamond and Elphaba entitled ‘Something Bad’, where Elphaba discovers how the animals in Oz are being treated, much to her disapproval.

Two more diets appear in act one, the first is another song from Elphaba and Glinda entitled ‘One Short Day’, this time Elphaba invites Glinda to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard. What follows is a fabulous song involving the ensemble as well, with shades of Green appearing all over the stage, it’s bright, colourful and loads of fun to watch and pleasing to the ear as well.

The final duet of act one is probably the most well known. ‘Defying Gravity’ is an incredible and poignant song from Elphaba and Glinda, a powerful piece of music, showing off the amazing voices of the two girls. As Elphaba is forced to head out alone without Glinda by her side, the song moves towards its crescendo with an explosive end to act one, with Elphaba flying high and reaching some soaring notes as the act ends. Everyone I’ve seen as Elphaba has been just amazing during this scene in the show.

I’ll cover more duets (from act two) on my next blog. Meanwhile the all important cast for tonight’s performance is shown in the caption below.

Once again I have to commend Amy Ross who is an amazing Elphaba and Charli Baptie as Glinda who has been magnificent throughout. I really cannot fault her performance in all the eight shows I’ve seen, so good and so talented, a privilege to watch and listen to.

Sunday 11th November 2018, day three of my Two week break, so I’m back in Cardiff Bay at the Millennium Centre for another performance of ‘Wicked’. Yesterday I talked about Elphaba’s solo songs, today it’s time to look at Glinda’s. Elphaba has three, while Glinda only has one with a part song as her second.

Glinda’s most famous solo is half way through act one with the iconic ‘Popular’ a fun song with Elphaba, as they become friends after a night on the town, so to speak. I love this piece of music as it shows the total difference between the two girls, and how they cope with the everyday things life throws at you. I’ve mainly watched Charli Baptie playing this role in Cardiff, and May I just say how brilliant she is during this song, her mannerisms and powerful voice really stand out, also it’s so funny to watch, very impressive performance.

Glinda’s other solo is in act two as Fiyaro and Elphaba run off together leaving Glinda alone and vulnerable, she has a few lines to sing as a reprise of ‘I’m not that Girl’ (Sung in act one by Elphaba), although, for me it’s not long enough, a beautiful song like this needs a little more for a voice as stunning as the actress playing the role.

For this matinee performance of Wicked the role of Glinda is played by the brilliant Charli Baptie. All 7 performances so far I’ve seen her and I have to say, once again she has been outstanding every time, her rendition of popular is the best I’ve seen in my many viewings of this show.

A full cast list can be seen on the caption below.

Once again another fabulous show, really made this a great Sunday and the end of a four show weekend, watching the best musical in the world. Although the final word must go to the two Amy’s (Ross and Webb) I’ve seen so far playing Elphaba, both of them are just so brilliant, I keep saying this on every show, but it’s true, absolutely amazing performances.

Saturday 10th November 2018, another visit to the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay for two more performances of ‘Wicked’. Today I’d like to talk about the numbers concerning Elphaba’ solo songs. We first see her as a student in act one,with ‘The Wizard and I’ a great introduction to the amazing voice we hear throughout the show, lyrically perfect as she sings about her life as a young girl of a different colour to the rest and her hope that the Wizard can ‘de-grennify’ her. A really beautifully sung piece of music with an amazing and powerful ending from the the talented actress playing the role.

The next Elphaba solo also in act one,is the equally beautiful ‘I’m not that Girl’, as she discovers her love for Fiyaro, who happens to be with Glinda at the time. Fabulous song with yet more superb lyrics and stunning vocals, a tear forms (every show) as the song progresses to its natural end.

The final Elphaba solo appears in act two, with ‘No Good Deed’, her most powerful of the three, as she is on the run and has lost the company of Fiyaro. A really impressive vocal exchange and emotionally charged piece of music, as she tries to cast a spell to save Fiyaro’s life. The applause around the auditorium at the end of the song shows just what this means to the audience, and its role in the final sequences of this incredible musical.

The actress playing Elphaba today is the brilliant Amy Webb (who I also saw yesterday in the role). The full cast for today’s show appears on the photo below.

I have to commend the performances of the whole cast, outstanding once again. For me Amy (Webb) and Charli seem to work brilliantly together from show to show, their voices are so incredible bringing huge performances from both, every time they take to the stage, so impressive, definitely worth their weight in gold to this superb musical.

Friday 9th November 2018, back at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, on my first day of a two week theatre break. Tonight will be yet another Milestone for me, as this performance becomes my400th at the Centre. A major achievement in my eyes, as I’ve only been watching theatrical shows for about 6 years. It’s also pretty amazing that this milestone happens to fall on a day I watch my favourite Musical of all time ‘Wicked’. This musical hits all the right notes, Fabulous songs and music throughout, great colourful costumes and a really good storyline.I’ve been asked on numerous occasions ‘why Wicked, what makes it so good’. For me it’s the plot, a story of the most unlikeliest friendship that is never compromised. Even after extreme difficulties, the bond is never broken. Add in the usual lies, told by those in charge to get what they want, to manipulate the country in to what they want to achieve, and you have a cracking story to put to music and song, totally changing your view of the so called ‘Wicked Witch of the West’. Even though I’ve seen this so many times, I still have tears forming on quite a few of the scenes throughout the show. Mainly due to the sheer brilliance of the production as a whole.

Tonight’s cast has Amy Webb as Elphaba, joining her as Glinda will be Charli Baptie, the rest of the cast list is detailed in the shot below.

Once again tonight’s performance met my expectations, Amy and Charli really made my night as special as this show always has, they were both exceptional and such a privilege to watch for the third time together over the past week. Many more to come over the next few weeks with a bit of luck.

Sunday 4th November 2018, back at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay for another performance of ‘Wicked’. Only one show today but a chance to watch on a Sunday for a change. I do wish that a few more productions would perform on these days instead of Monday, make a nice weekend of things and an opportunity for more people to visit the theatre. A bit controversial probably but it seems a waste of a weekend in my opinion.

Anyway enough of my point of view and onto the show. The cast for today comprises the following, Amy Ross comes back in to play Elphaba with Charli Baptie continuing as Glinda. Also Benjamin Yates continues as Fiyaro, while all other cast members are the same as yesterday’s list.

Yet again another fabulous show, Charli was exceptional once again as Glinda (I’ve seen her three times now) and it was fabulous to watch the superb Amy Ross as Elphaba once again, (haven’t seen her in the role since Bristol), amazing characterisation and a stunning voice to go with it. It’s great to be able to watch the different actresses take on the character they portray. So many good things arise from watching this brilliant musical, which seems to make me keep wanting to see it multiple times. A short blog today as I’ve got loads more opportunities to talk Wicked in the next few weeks, before the end of the run in late November.

Saturday 3rd November 2018, and finally a chance to to watch Wicked at the Magical Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. As you can see from the title I’ve seen this show a few times, and it’s still the best musical I have ever seen, I also intend to view this on a few more occasions while it remains in the Capital.Time to reintroduce myself with the cast for the two performances today. Elphaba is played by Amy Webb (first time I’ve seen her in the role), with Charli Baptie in the role of Glinda. Aaron Sidwell is Fiyaro (Benjamin Yates takes over for the evening role). Stephen Pinder plays the Wizard, Kim Ismay is Madame Morrible, with Nessarose played by Emily Shaw. Having been at the tour opening in Bristol back in March, it will be nice to see how far this cast has come, although I must say that they were excellent then, so they should be absolutely phenomenal now.

Firstly I have to commend Amy Webb on such a commanding performance as Elphaba, I’ve seen Amy (Ross) and Nikki on previous trips to Wicked (Bristol) with both totally magnificent, today Amy added a third to that list, such superb talent from all three so far. Her voice was amazing, so good to listen to.

Charli Baptie’s performance as Glinda today was another massive positive for the show. Fabulous rendition of the role and superb voice to go with it, couldn’t have wished for two amazing Elphaba’s and Glinda’s to start my run of shows at the Centre.

Let me mention the amazing support cast who kept the show alive with some incredible performances to match the principle actors. Wicked has me in tears for most of the show, and today was no exception, made by this superb cast. Two performances today really made my day, so brilliant to watch, I will never get fed up of this tremendous musical, really can’t wait for more chances to visit this show. Watch this space.

Saturday 1st September 2018, another weekend rolls into place, with an opportunity to watch one of the best musicals ever created, at one of the best theatres in Britain today. So I’m at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff for a performance of ‘Evita’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. I absolutely love this musical, having seen it previously at the New Theatre here in Cardiff, on many occasions.

Today’s cast has the absolutely amazing Lucy O’Byrne as Eva Peron, with Glenn Carter as Che, while Mike Sterling plays Juan Peron, who were also just superb in each role. Loads of great voices pack the Ensemble, including Oscar Balmaseda as Magaldi and Peron’s mistress played by Christina Hoey, who I’m so looking to see as she gets to sing one of the best songs in the show ‘Another suitcase in another hall’.

So many excellent songs through the performance, ‘ Oh what a circus, On this night of a thousand Stars, Eva beware of the city and Buenos Aires’ all follow on from each other and set the tone for the rest of the first act. The highlight of act two of course is ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’ along with ‘High flying adored’, ‘Rainbow High’ and ‘The money keeps rolling in’, to name but a few. Although I have to say that all the songs are just superb, and sung brilliantly by the cast.

Getting onto the singing, I thought the standard was out of this world, I’ve mentioned Lucy already, but I need to reiterate just what an amazing voice she has along with Mike and Glenn, they added so much to this production. Whoever the producers cast on any given tour, give their all and it shows in the quality of these productions.

The dance routines were really good to watch as they took place throughout the show. I should also commend the Orchestra in the pit for their stunning portrayal of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s excellent music.

This musical is up there in my all time favourite top ten. It’s just superb and beautifully put together. It remains iconic in every way and will continue to watch on every tour possible, for as long as is humanly possible.

Saturday 25th August 2018, and after a trip to Whitstable earlier in the week for a family wedding, (which was absolutely incredible), I’m back at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay for the Beatles musical ‘Let it Be’. Another musical I have yet to see, so this will add to my growing collection of shows. I’m quite looking forward to this, although I must admit to not being a huge Beatles fan, I prefer the band members solo careers, but knowing me as I do, I’ll probably love it.

The cast has Emanuele Angeletti as Paul, Michael Gagliano as John, John Brosnan is George, Ben Cullingworth as Ringo, with the fifth member the ‘musical director’ Michael Bramwell, who played all the other instruments the cast couldn’t.

These guys have actually blown me away, for me they are better than the original band, I’m loving this show, now that’s something I never thought I’d say. I love the little interludes between each set, showing different themes and songs of the period as the band progress through their timeline. I’d forgotten how many good songs these guys actually wrote, with the choice of playlist suiting this particular musical, only including their best songs, in my opinion anyway.

If the first act blew me away, then act two just sent me to moon and back. The imaginary concert was just superb, with loads of my favourite solo tracks played even better than the originals. I even had tears in my eyes at some of the songs, which I never thought I would for this musical. I have to mention the guitars during the show, played brilliantly by the onstage cast, in fact the whole session was jam packed full of magnificent musicianship (if that’s even a word) and amazing singing. A truly magnificent cast and only 5 people on stage.

I was a bit apprehensive about ‘let it Be’, but as usual I was wrong, it’s a absolutely fabulous musical extravaganza and definitely one to watch again.

Saturday 18th August 2018, and after a three week break from the Theatre, I’m back at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay for the stage presentation of ‘Summer Holiday’ with the brilliant Ray Quinn in the title role. A film I may have watched hundreds of years ago as a kid, probably haven’t seen again for over 40 years, but if I’m honest, I’m actually looking forward to it, a chance to add another new show to my growing list and experience the wealth of theatrical talent that the UK has in abundance.

The one thing that determines a good show for me, is how I feel coming out of the theatre. Today I could have skipped around the Bay. I thoroughly enjoyed this musical, so much fun, some iconic songs brilliantly sung, the band in the pit playing their hearts out, great dance routines and a totally fabulous ending, getting the whole crowd involved.

Ray Quinn has such a fabulous voice, as does Sophie Matthew, although I was quite impressed with the whole cast, they all had great singing skills, put to the test in a classic stage remake of a classic film. I especially love ‘Bachelor Boy’ in the first act, also happens to be one of my favourite songs as a young lad growing up in the valleys. Along with a cracking duet of ‘The Young Ones’ in Act Two. Come to think of it, I was quite impressed with all the songs in the show, all sung brilliantly by a talented cast. Another musical I would watch again, if it tours again that is.

Saturday 30th June 2018, after a 6 week break with no shows, I’m finally back at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, for two performances of ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’. Again this is one of those times where I never really took much notice of the film, in fact, I cannot even remember watching said film, so this is a new experience for me, and another show to add to my growing tally of theatrical entertainment.Firstly can I just say ‘Oh My god’ what a fantastic musical, I never expected anything like this, just superb from start to finish. The cast for today’s performances bring another set of new names to enthuse over. Once again superb singing from all the cast including Emma Williams, Jonny Fines, Ian Mcintosh ,Jessica Daley and Keisha Atwell, I love the way the production team have changed the iconic 80’s songs in the show, to match up with the scenes, and just how well the cast come up with superb renditions of each song.

As they sang ”I want to know what love is’, which just happens to be one of my all time favourites, I just had tears in my eyes, the same could be said for ‘Alone’ in act two, another one of my favourite 80’s songs, with the same outcome. Another song that took my heart was ‘Family man’ sung brilliantly by Ian Mcintosh. Every number in that show was sung just superbly, I couldn’t fault any of it, and wouldn’t want to. Even songs I never liked when sung by the original artists, I totally loved with this cast singing them, and for me that’s a major success for any given show. The vocal talent we have in the UK is just awesome, we get to see new singers every week who totally blow us all away.

The finale had me as well, sadness and happiness in the space of a few minutes and the whole cast joining in with with ‘Up where we Belong’ to enormous cheers from a full, gratified audience.

I was so impressed with the whole make up of this wonderful musical extravaganza, watching it twice is even better, the Orchestra in the pit really helped with some wonderful renditions of great songs, musically they were incredible, another I would watch over and over even on future tours. I’m so glad to be back watching brilliant shows at a fabulous theatre, I never want to leave it so long between performances again, six weeks is way too long.