Saturday 23rd December 2017, and after my exceptionally brilliant 5th Anniversary day on Thursday, it’s back at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for another performance of Miss Saigon to lead into Christmas. The last few blogs have mentioned all of my favourite songs in Act one, which there are so many. I’m going to continue today with a few more, this time from Act two, and again there are so many excellent pieces to choose from.

The act starts with a real tear jerker in ‘Bui Doi’ sung by the superb voice of Ryan O’Gorman with back up from the Male Ensemble, every time I hear this it brings a tear to my eye, no matter how many performances I see, it happens to be one of my two top favourite songs in the whole show. As the show moves on we see the rejuvenated Engineer in Bangkok with ‘what a waste’, yet another brilliant song and a scene so full of activity, it adds to the spectacle of this incredible musical. The scene moves to another beautiful song from Kim and John with ‘To much for one heart’, a total change from the previous one, but wonderfully sung and yet again a few more tears to add to the collection.

The Wow factor carries on with a spectacular scene for ‘Kim’s Nightmare’, a massive section of the show with the entire cast, some incredible singing from everyone taking part, this has to be seen to believed. As the scene changes again we move on to the second of my top favourite songs in the show, Kim and Ellen start off with ‘Room 317’ a really emotional piece before Ellen has a solo called ‘Maybe’, an incredible song, full of emotion and beautifully sung, it’s this song that, for me is the best song in the show, and has me in tears every time. This is followed ‘ The Confrontation’ yet another fabulous song from Ellen and Chris.

The final song in my favourite selection is ‘An American Dream’ sung by the Engineer and the Ensemble, an upbeat dream of a song, with loads of visual references to go with it. This leads to the end of the show, which is yet another tearfest in its own right, with some superb music through to the shows climax.

I’ve been lucky to see both Kim’s in recent performances, and lately had the opportunity to see Emily Beth Harrington in the role of Ellen, as with Zoe Doano their singing voices have been superb, making ‘Maybe’ the stand out song of this fabulous musical.

Thursday 21st December 2017, a day off work to celebrate my 5th Anniversary of watching theatrical shows, mostly at the Millenium Centre here in Cardiff Bay. For the record I’ve seen 151 different shows, with 418 performances of those shows. And to break it down even more 342 of those have been at the Centre. Today therefore is a very special day for me, which gives me the chance to celebrate even more, with two performances of this excellent musical.

Today I’m carrying on with my musical appreciation of the fabulous songs on offer in this show. Continuing with the next scene we move to 1978 in Ho Chi Minh city ensemble with ‘Morning of the Dragon’, a fabulous song sung by the Ensemble and the Engineer, stunning music with equally stunning voices make this a scene never to be forgotten. Another beautiful piece just happens to come up next with Kim and Ellen giving us this amazing duet, so beautifully sung this always brings a tear to my eyes.

Three more songs spring into life before the end of act one. ‘You will not touch him’, is another extremely moving piece, a duet between Kim and Thuy, a really powerful performance from both, bringing a tear yet again as the scene ends. The scene moves on to the Engineer and his next piece’ If You Want to Die in Bed’ a change of tempo to a more comical approach which lifts you a little after the past few sad scenes. We end act one on another tearfest moment as Kim sings ‘I’d give my love to you’ another beautiful piece of music, bringing the act to a fitting end, which makes me crave more, bring on act two.

I have to say a massive thank you to the Development staff at the Centre for making my day even more special, all of them have been so generous to me over the year and I have to thank them all so much. Also the bar staff and management have been equally amazing throughout the year, and especially today. In fact I’ve made so many friends here over the years, most of them have been VSA’s and volunteers who take time to meet and greet, generally making me feel so welcome every time I’m here,a huge thank you to those guys as well. In all the staff here at the Centre are the best people you could ever meet. Long may this friendship with this incredible theatre continue.

Saturday 16th December 2017, finally to the weekend, the snow has gone and I’m back in Cardiff Bay for two more performances of the brilliant Miss Saigon at the equally brilliant Millenium Centre.

For the afternoon performance we have Joreen Bautista as Kim, with Barnaby Hughes as John. The Evening has Sooha Kim in the role of Kim.

Today I’d like to talk about some of my favourite songs in the show, which, for me, could take a while, as there are so many fabulous musical numbers written into this stage production. The show explodes into life with ‘The heat is on’ sung by this incredible cast, just to get you in the mood for things to come, followed by a beautiful piece of music ‘TheMovie in my mind’ sung by Gigi (Na-Young Jeon) and Kim (Joreen Bautista or Sooha Kim). I love this song it’s always beautifully sung and brings a tear to my eye. So does the next with ‘Why God Why’ from Chris (Ashley Gilmore), yet another with a fabulous voice, so impressed with the quality of the performers on show.

Moving on to the next of my favourites which happens to be in the next scene, ‘Sun and Moon’ is another beautiful, harmonious piece sung by Chris and Kim, before moving onto ‘The Wedding Ceremony’ later in the scene, sung by the girls along with Kim and Chris, and if that’s not enough the scene ends with ‘Last Night of the World’, a fabulous song sung again by Chris and Kim. So much great music and that’s only half way through the first act, which is based around Saigon in 1975.

I think I’ll leave it there for today, otherwise I’ll go on all night, so I will carry on with more great songs on a later blog, plenty of time to go in the run.

After a rather hectic start to the morning with 4 inches of snow in Rhymney, I’ve finally made it to Cardiff Bay to watch two performances of Miss Saigon at the Millenium Centre. Really can’t wait to see this fabulous production again, it’s lavish, beautiful, full of amazing scenes, great music played by an incredible orchestra, with a host of truly magnificent singers throughout.

A few cast changes for the Matinee with Joreen Bautista as Kim, and Vinny Coyle playing Chris, again both actors are just brilliant in their respective roles. The show seems to grow in stature every time you watch. You think it can’t get better, then it surprises you, and suddenly it does get better. I’m really lucky in that I get to see it once more today, this time with Sooha Kim in the role of Kim, (who just happens to be brilliant as well).

With all the shows I watch I never seem to get bored, in fact the more I see them the more enthralled I get, even when I watch two in the same day. The theatre has a massive influence on myself at the moment, so much so I’m approaching my 5th anniversary of watching amazing shows, mostly at the best theatre in the world (The Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay).

Today’s performances were again outstanding, so much passion put into each and every show. The scenes with Ellen, Chris and Kim in both acts really bring tears to my eyes, very powerful, tense drama. It’s also worth a visit just to watch Ryan O’Gorman and the Ensemble sing Bui Doi at the start of act two, again brilliantly sung and so powerful. A brilliant show worth watching again and again.

Saturday 2nd December 2017, and after the success of Tiger Bay – the Musical (which I only saw 8 times) it’s time for a change and another new show. Miss Saigon is touring the country and has made its way to the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay for the next 6 weeks. Yet another show I have yet to see live, watching on dvd is nowhere near as good as actually being in the theatre, with all the atmosphere and the hype surrounding such a major musical work. I also cannot wait to listen to the amazing voice of Ryan O’Gorman, having watched him as Tom Collins in Rent, and realising what an incredible voice this guy has.

What can I say, fabulous show, stunning voices from a fabulous cast. Music at its best played by an incredible orchestra. The biggest set I’ve ever seen at the Centre, complete with a stunning lighting rig. May I also say the sound system was extraordinary, with speakers on every level, giving you the impression of having your very own speaker, with exceptional quality to go with it.

The shows producers have come up with two stunning actresses to play Kim. The matinee saw Joreen Bautista and the evening performance from Sooha Kim. An incredible performance from Red Concepcion as the Engineer with some fabulous singing from Ashley Gilmore (Chris) and Ryan O’Gorman (John). May I also add some outstanding voices from all of the cast, who really make this show so delightful to watch and listen to.

Most of the scenes in this production are incredible, with so many unforgettable moments, including the iconic helicopter scene, which, literally takes your breath away and has to be witnessed first hand to be fully appreciated, just incredible. Need to see this fabulous show again, hopefully more on the way next week.

Saturday 25th November 2017, and for my second show this at back to the Millenium Centre was n Cardiff Bay for my 8th and final performance of Tiger Bay – the Musical. I’m really going to miss this excellent show, with so much amazing talent on offer, it was a privilege to have seen this 8 times, I could have seen this many more times, and really hope that the Centre can get this brilliant production out on the road for a UK tour in the not to distant future.

Tonight’s last performance was amazing yet again, a tearfest at the end, with two weeks of sheer brilliance, I have to mention the orchestra, who have been magnificent throughout, under the Baton of David Mahoney. The cast have also been magnificent, with the show getting better on every performance. I have to say we have found two stars for the future in Ruby Llewelyn and Louise Harvey, who were just magnificent. The lead cast and ensemble were phenomenal, as they always have been and as I’ve said before, so much talent on offer, to make this show really special. For me it has been just brilliant.

Saturday 25th November 2017, coming to the end of my show weekend with the first of two musicals today. Firstly I’m at the New Theatre in Cardiff for ‘Legally Blond’, which happens to be my 150th single show, another milestone in my watching career. With an all star cast including the brilliant Lucie Jones, along with Bill Ward and Rita Simmonds.Looking forward to watching this show, it has that feel good aura surrounding the production, and the Brilliant Lucie Jones should definitely bring that to the show. Looking at the show programme I see a few other names from previous shows with Liam Doyle (Fiyaro in Wicked), Mark Peachey (Mamma Mia and Lion King), I always look to see how other stars I’ve seen before, appear on other shows, it’s nice to see them back in different roles.

So to the show and a cast change with Lucyelle Cliffe as Paulette. Really fabulous first act, so colourful, funny and great singing from the cast. The costumes are excellent, really colourful and full of life itself. I have to say that Lucie Jones as Elle is absolutely fabulous, spectacular voice, and so full of beans, an amazing talent. I can’t say enough about this girl, she was fabulous as Maureen in Rent, and just incredible with this. Lucie made this show so amazing to watch, that’s the biggest accolade I can give, and she thoroughly deserves it.

Again the production team have assembled a really good cast, so many good aspects, good dance routines from the ensemble, really impressed with the end result. I loved the court scenes in the second act, so funny and fabulously choreographed. I felt like getting up and dancing along with them. Brilliant just brilliant. A massive thumbs up to the whole cast as well, just Superb.

The show is another one of those musical extravaganza’s you just have to see, it makes you feel so warm and happy inside, a little bit like Hairspray or Mamma Mia, wouldn’t mind seeing it again on its next tour.

Part of my long weekend of watching musical extravaganza’s, with another visit to Cardiff Bay and the Millenium Centre, for more of the absolutely brilliant Tiger Bay – the Musical. It’s Friday 24th November 2017, and a beautiful sunny day, perfect for a long walk around the Bay, another pastime I really enjoy, listening to some of my favourite songs on my playlists, just having a ball of a day so far, also taking in the stunning views, before tonight’s show.

Continuing on today with the music and songs for this amazing show. Act two now comes into focus, and again, this is full of wonderful pieces. We begin with the opening sequence and a reminder of the story so far. Moving onto the child cast performing the Rigging Class, I must say these kids are so talented and just add momentum to a scintillating score. Moving onto ‘Someone Else’ another beautiful song by Rowena and Themba, these two (Vicki and Dom) have such fantastic voices. The next scene is one of my favourite parts of the show, as Ianto and the Marquess (Louise or Ruby sing with the legendary John Owen Jones) continue with ‘My name is John’, a brilliant song with a touch of comedy to it and a twist built in as well. Another point on the subject, as I’ve said before the two girls who play Ianto, Ruby Llewelyn and Louise Harvey are brilliant, such young local talent, so much confidence, really impressed with both girls.

As the plot moves on with Ianto and the Marquess heading out into the bay, the scene changes again to Morgan’s Shop where we hear the iconic song of the show. Every musical has one and this is probably going to be the one to define this show. Sung amazingly, brilliantly in fact,by Vicki Bebb, ‘Who I Am’ is the song of the show. Every time I hear this song I have tears in my eyes, it’s so beautifully sung and brings a huge cheer from the audience. It also showcases the magnificent voice Vicki has, I could never get bored listening to this magical piece of music.

The show moves on again, with the ensemble taking over, giving us more great songs that ring out around the auditorium, until we move to another beautifully sung piece of music, ‘Taste of Home’, again the credit goes to Vicki and Dom for this fabulous song. This leads us to the finale scenes, with more superb songs and another twist in the plot heading our way. The whole cast just keep singing throughout the final scenes, with John Owen Jones adding his incredible vocal talent to the fray. I have to mention one more song sung by Klondike Ellie (Busisiwe Ngejane) ‘Just like all of you’, is yet another superb song, and with Busisiwe’s stunning voice we have a fabulous ending to an incredible show. As I’ve said before the whole cast are exceptional, with every member having such fabulous voices, that’s why this show is so good.

Thursday 23rd November 2017, another short week in work, enabling me to to attend more showings of the brilliant Tiger Bay Musical at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Having watched this amazing show 4 times last week, I need to carry on from there with another blitz of performances in its second week, starting with another two today. This musical just gets better and better, and because I watch from different seats all over the auditorium, I manage to get to see different aspects of the show literally every time. Today I’m in The raised stalls and the upper circle, changing the whole performance from matinee to evening. I love the fact that I’m able to achieve this, as it does actually enhance each show, as you notice things you wouldn’t have noticed before from each separate vantage point.

Today I’d like to talk about the music (written by Daf James) and songs (lyrics by Michael Williams) for this show. Again I’ve been so impressed with how surprisingly good this section of the Musical has been. Loads of catchy tunes, a few masterpieces that could one day become associated with this show, and a general all round wow factor, as these songs come at you thick and fast.

John Owen Jones starts us off before we begin to see the whole cast with the opening sequence. The songs at the start are lively, catchy and really singalongable if you’ve seen it as much as I have. We meet Rowena (Vikki Bebb) with a sweet song sung along with the Shop girls and mr Locke. Leading on to Rowena singing ‘There are moments in your life’, a beautiful song, which calms down proceedings a little after a brilliant and hectic opening. The pace then speeds again until we hear the excellent John Owen Jones with his song to his lover ‘Mary’, yet another beautiful piece of music sung to perfection. Another song I totally love is ‘Harbour Master of your heart’ sung by O’Rourke, Rowena and Klondike along with members of the Ensemble.

An aptly titled song followes with the cast performing ‘let the Brains Dark Run, which moves nicely, once again to yet another beautiful and moving song Shadowlands (for me, one of the best pieces in the first act). Act one’s finale is another highly rousing piece of music sung by the whole company, bringing down the curtain for a brilliant first act. Act two tomorrow

Continuing my long weekend of watching theatrical shows, it’s Saturday 18th November 2017, back at Cardiff Bay for two more performances of Tiger Bay – the Musical, premiering at the magnificent Millenium Centre. Yesterday I spoke about the host of amazing voices on show in this musical, only getting as far as the Male cast, so in fairness I want to talk about the fabulous range of female voices.

I have to start with Vikki Bebb,extremely talented and a fantastic voice, such a pleasure to sit and listen to her belt out these songs in the best theatre in the world. I’d never heard Suzanne Packer singing before, but I was quite surprised just how good her voice was, and a real treat to know that a well know actor can actually sing, (reference to the abysmal Les Mis film with well known actors that could not sing). Moving onto Busisiwe Ngejane who plays Klondike Ellie, yet another beautiful voice, whose tones ring out over this magnificent auditorium.

As with yesterday and the Male contingent, the same things happen all over again, with even more fabulous voices heading our way, in the form of Zoe George, Lucy Elson and Elin Llwyd, with simply wonderful harmonies eminating from this trio. As usual it doesn’t end there, with Liz May Brice as the medium along with the remainder of the female members of the Ensemble, adding their vocal talents to proceedings.

Another brilliant aspect of this show is the casting of two local Welsh schoolgirls in the role of Ianto. Louise and Ruby just ooze talent, literally stealing the show at every opportunity. These youngsters will only get better and are at that age when shows like Matilda should show an interest.

I’ve heard a few reports that the music sounds like sections from other shows, (myself I can’t see that), so what, in the music world I’ve heard so many top artists nicking other peoples music and adding their own lyrics just to sell records. We never seem to complain about that, so why can’t we just leave this Superb show alone and just concentrate on the fact that it’s really good entertainment and has some of the most beautiful singing voices on offer, with every single cast member giving their all. I think we need to talk more about the positives on any given show than bringing up negative press, I think that’s why I love everything I see, I look for all the good things and disregard any not so good. There I’ve said it.