REVIEW: Love Never Dies

It's been a long wait but here it finally is, my review for Love Never Dies!

I went to see it 2 weeks ago on a Saturday matinee performance at the Adelphi Theatre and was incredibly surprised at how different it was to how I expected. Here's a clip of some of the sings/parts, with Ramin Karimloo (who I saw! <3) singing, he is AMAZING not even theatre trained, started off in a rock band! It's not long but gives you a feel of the show :)

Being an avid Theatre Fan, especially of musicals (it's the only thing I have on my ipod and listen to whilst working) I have of course already seen Phantom of The Opera, the story before Love Never Dies and it is MY FAVOURITE show of all time, it's a classic, has everything and Andrew Lloyd Webber's definitely the reason it is one of longest running musicals in London, and is still NO1 with ticket sales.


Also I have had the Love Never Dies Soundtrack since it's release last summer, and already know all the words to the songs, and most of the storyline from the songs.


This was a good thing as I really felt in with the show when I watched it but also it has so many changes from the CD that I was shocked at some parts, lyrical changes and character changes.

It did definitely keep the suspense up for me, as it seems to have has many changes since the opening night, but all definitely for the better!!

The main change was the beginning, they completely cut out the first 3 songs, all the Prologue, so that it starts with 'Till I hear you Sing' at the 'start' rather than all the back story and Prologue which is set at the end of the show.

I think this was a really clever choice as although I loved the prologue ( in the same format as the beginning of Phantom) song it did make the beginning of the show slow going and did not leave the storyline a mystery.
This way the twist at the end can be kept a surprise and leaves the option for a couple of different culprits!

They even went as far to set the way for the audience to think that it will be Madame Giry that sets up the twist at the end, by removing Meg's anger toward Christine in the song 'Dear old Friends', redoing 'Madame Giry Confronts the phantom as couplet between Meg and Madame Giry, and setting up suspicious little things like her going into the Phantoms workshop and picking up the gun.....

The main reason for Raoul, Christine and Gustave going to America was also changed, instead of going to close Mr Y's (Phantom's) Phantasma, they were invited by Mr Hammerstien (MR.H) to sing at the Manhattan Opera House, then the Phantom blackmails Christine with Gustave's safety, to come and sing.
This fits in better with the suspense, and the song 'Dear old Friends' as otherwise Meg and Madame Giry would of been aware that Christine was coming to Coney Island.

Seriously fits in better with the storyline, and songs , and really creates more drama at the end as it is such a shock and you really feel for both Christine and Meg. I think the lack of sympathy was one of the main problems that they encountered before the changes were made , but it definitely wasn't a problem now...

I COULDN'T STOP CRYING !

The scenery was amazing,  I could not believe how marvelous the set was... really has moved with new technical ability and although so modern, still fit the time perfectly!
The Cast was marvelous, especially Sierra Boggess(Christine) Ram,in Karimloo (Phantom) who just worked marvelously together.

If you have the chance to see it....GO!!! Because love never dies!!!!

I was so glad that they were nominated for so many awards at the Whats On Stage award including Ramin getting best Musical Actor, gthey are nominated for many more at the Olivier awards this month!

If you want any more info or want to chat about anything musical I'd love to just add me on Twitter!

And I have Definately used the word Definately too much in this post. Definately.

Hope you enjoyed my review!

REVIEW: Frankenstien at the National Olivier

Friday night I went to one of the preview showings of Frankenstein at the National Olivier in London.

Before you all cry that you are unable to get to London and see it and curse at me from your pc screens I have some news....

 National do this amazing thing called NTlive wihch means they broadcast it across the UK and US  and Europe via cinemas, they are doing many of Fankenstein and I may go see it again! have a loook, its not expensive and you can pick which role you see, ie:which one oyu want with their kit off! I I would defiantly recommend it, scorll down on the Frankenstien link to see)

I love living so close to London, It took 35 mins to drive in from my house, probs because it was a really quiet time but it never takes more than 1 hour.

It is a new adaption of the original Mary Shelly Novel by Nick Dear and produced by Danny Boyle...
Yes, the same man who did Slum dog millionaire and 28 Days Later <3

Of course it was going to be good, it had Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in it.

 but it wasn't good.

It was .................OUT OF THIS WORLD!
As you may know, the part of the creature and Victor Frankenstein were being played by both actors and swapped for each performance, they had released this info, but as it was a preview they would not release who was playing which part so i was in complete suspense until the start.

I have never been to the Olivier Theatre before, although have been to the Southbank many times, and it is THE BEST theatre in London, amazing view from wherever you sit, almost like an auditorium and it has a HUUUUGE Drum stage which most actors would get lost in.
The play itself was absolutely amazing, the best I have EVER seen and sure to pick up much recognition and awards after the Press and Opening night.

WARNING SPOILERS

Ok before I start babbling on about it, I must say that only 4 seats to my right was sitting DANNY BOYLE himself....EEK! was so amazing and Nick Dear was sitting behind him taking notes!

The Scenery and stage production was amazing, the ceiling was completely miscellaneous light bulbs which were used throughout the play for sunlight/flashes. The drum stage revoled and raised up, and sunk down , it rained on stage, they rolled grass out, Yes it was truly IMMENSE.

When you enter the theatre the Creature is already on stage inside a 'womb' of two skin like sheets in a loop and is revolving on the stage, you can see the body press on the 'skin' and when the play started it became dark red and he was 'born' out of it.
This is when we found out that our 'creature' for the night was Jonny Lee Miller.

Although there has been raving about BC (Benedict Cumberbatch) and I am a complete fan and love him, I thought Jonny lee miller was a breathtaking creature and I completely lost myself in his acting.
He is naked for the first 20/30 mins of the play, because it is very close to the original story and the creature could not be born in clothing, it just wouldn't suit the story or style of production at all. Yet it was not awkward at all, you completely go past the fact there is a naked writhing man on the stage and get engrossed in the character.

Benedict was an awesome Victor, LOVE LOVE LOVED his costume, tight trousers, high boots, tweed cape with fur collar, very his style and he played the complexity of the part so well.

They were such a good team that I could not see how it could of worked with any other pair, they elled and conflicted just as the creature and it's creator should.

There was a few scary moments, first when Victor and his wife Elizabeth are in the bedroom and he leaves after a conversation to kill the creature then as he shuts the door the creature springs forth from the bed which had been on stage all along!

I screamed.


The second was when the creature horrifically raped Elizabeth then when Victor came back into the room, put her body between his legs, held her head and twisted her neck until it clicked and she fell limp.

Once again  I screamed.

I would love to see it again but with the roles vreversed as I am curiosu how Benedict would paly the creature and vice versa but it is SOLD OUT :( I am going to see if there are any NT LIve performances near me,and if it will be released on DVD as the National do this alot.

Yeah, I probably need to end it there, otherwise I will babble on for HOURS, although I could not speak for the rest of the night after seeing it, just toooo intense.

Another review post on Love Never Dies Tomorrow!