I became an anglophile in 1989, some months after I had visited England for the first time. I was watching Michael Palin going Around the World in 80 Days*. My anglophilia led me to always dream about moving to London.

My interest in (and sometimes obsession with) theatre began with hearing Philip Quast sing Stars on a Les Mis CD at a friend's during the summer of 2001. The whole thing was quite a revelation.

In 2004, while at a performance of La cage aux folles in Oslo, I had an epiphany brought on by euphoria. The epiphany let me firmly believe I was supposed to somehow end up working with theatre. This was a whole year after I had already started planning my move to London.

Yesterday I could hardly contain myself as I sat down to see Philip Quast in La cage aux folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory here in London. I couldn't quite let myself believe he was going to appear and only realised he actually was there, live in the flesh, as he stormed out on stage to the grand opening of...knocking a mic stand over. And he looked like my uncle.

Bad omen.

Fortunately, the event turned out very nicely. The dancers were good, the supporting artists were good, the stars were...well, good. Very good, in fact. But once again I am being biased and completely unable to negatively criticise a play I love. Apparently one should blog from a critical viewpoint, otherwise one cannot be taken seriously. After all, one's not supposed to fully enjoy a night out.

Sheesh.

I liked it a lot and will spend more money there, so I don't really care about other amateur and pro critics out there who may not have loved it unequivocally.

I'm a bit worried about the long dance scene, though (the one actually NOT involving the Cagelettes). I have no idea how they are going to keep up that pace eight times a week for three months. Perhaps it helps that they cycle to work, who knows.

Anyway, this was only the third preview (the press night has been moved to the 9th of January) and I think it bodes well. And if any Quastie out there is planning to go (let's face it--who isn't), I would suggest getting a seat towards the right side of the auditorium (when facing the stage). If you're easily embarrassed, like me, stay away from the tables. Sitting by them, I mean. I would assume you wouldn't be inclined to dancing on top of them. And be there to pick up your tickets at least 30 mins before it starts; 45 mins is better (if you want a seat towards the middle). Don't bring extra clothes. Bring water instead. You'll see what I mean.

Alright, the practicalities out of the way, I have two comments about the timing: One, clearly the comic timing of saying the name "Al...bert" is MUCH easier in Norwegian simply by the way the name is being pronounced. Imagine "BERT" in Norwegian as opposed to the rather tame English "bert". Two, I am quite certain they'd harvest (more) laughter by shifting the emphasis from "If you don't open this door, I swear I'll get someone...to knock it down" to "If you don't open this door, I swear I'll...get someone to knock it down", and also, Monsieur Stafford (currently understudying for Douglas Hodge as Albin (yes, PQ plays Georges...it really is a wicked dream come true)) could get a lot of laughs out of pausing before mentioning Sybil. Just milk it.

The technicalities out of the way (after all, no one has read this far and if they have, they would know I really don't know what I'm talking about), I must say I'm impressed with my internet connection at the moment. It has only disconnected itself briefly a couple of times while I've typed this. Still, it's merely a fluke, I'm sure (optimistic as always), and it may be down again tomorrow and stay like that for days.

Mmmmmmmm...Don't Tell Me by Madonna, LOVE the video. But I digress. Perhaps I should face the fact that it's getting very late and I have to go to work in just seven hours.

Oh, by the way, those who know me very well will be pleased and utterly surprised by hearing that I have made THREE phone calls on behalf of myself in the past two days. That should last for the rest of the year, for sure! I still don't understand how I've been able to do a good job as a call centre operator for four years. *Confessions of someone with a fear of calling people*

*) Palin later made a travel series called Full Circle.

Labels: dennis storhøi, music, musicals, philip quast

Some people may have a hard time believing this...but then I don't know why they're in here reading my blog...I simply love the music of Tim McGraw. Not all of it, mind, but quite a lot of his songs are really good. Just to See You Smile is quite possibly my number one favourite among his many hits. Those who aren't surprised, know that my music taste is quite eclectic. :-) My mum is actually still surprised about my favourites. Then again, I just think she's forgetting it's all her fault. After all, she listens to music all the time, so I grew up to their (now) old cassettes and the radio. Let me tell you, it's amazing I enjoy death metal and progressive techno at all. One should rather think I was a huge fan of Elvis Presley. Mind you, I *did* inherit my mum's fascination with The Beatles, although her favourite period is their earlier years, whereas I like the albums from 1966 onwards more. I also inherited my parents' interest in opera, a natural progression from my very early contact with (the popular term) classical music.

Of course, I'm also a snob about it and feel I have little in common with people who just like one genre of music. Tsk, tsk.

And now I just have to mention that The Internet is for Porn from Avenue Q and The Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot are two gems that are difficult to listen to while on the tube since I always start laughing out loud.

*puts on old top favourite Comedy Tonight from Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum instead*

Labels: Monty Python, music, musicals

Hairspray on Wednesday. Bloody marvellous. I wasn't going to go more than once, but now I think I have to. That musical is fast becoming one of my favourites, for sure! Mel Smith was off sick, but his understudy was very good and the whole thing was spectacular. I got there about five minutes late (note to self and tip for the rest of you: If you're going to the Shaftesbury Theatre, do NOT get off at Piccadilly Circus unless you like exercising and have a lot of extra time. No. 210 is NOT down at the Piccadilly end of Shaftesbury Avenue!), but "luckily" they were late as well and the show didn't start until 10 mins after that. The auditorium was hot, so I didn't really need the mountain of clothes I was wearing, but two and a half stinky hours later I was still very, very happy, so never mind.

It was great fun seeing Michael Ball in drag. He did look and sound like his normal self after the show, though, which is much more preferred.

As I have to leave now to go home after a hard day at work (oops, just realised I forgot to take the last 25 mins of my lunch break), my drooling over review of Thursday's La Cage aux Folles will have to be posted tomorrow, or whenever I have the time (cannot promise anything; my life is crazy and it shifts from one direction to another quite unexpectedly these days).

Labels: musicals, philip quast, theatre

Just stopping by to say that I should have updated many times lately, but due to being a customer of BT Broadband (i.e. not being able to go online from home) and extraordinarily busy at work, I have not had the chance. I also got a new job, so will be working at least every day for 24 days in the transition period. Almost six days down, 18 more to go. Yay...

Went for an Indian on Friday to celebrate the new job; very nice meal. Think I may have found a new favourite there.

Spent my holiday (obviously not being able to go online) studying a lot and playing a bit (this is officially The Autumn of All The Major Game Releases, which has led me to spending money I don't actually have on games like Hellgate: London (PC) (running between the tube stations shooting zombies and aliens, brilliant), Football Manager 2008 (PC) (leading FK Tønsberg to Champions League glory for sure...just have to get them promoted from the 2nd (3rd) division first), Crysis (PC) (a must-have for my DirectX 10-hungry gfx card and Vista x64), Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (PS3) (I'm sure I can skate like a pro in the real world if only I could bring my PS3 controller along), Assassin's Creed (PS3) (over-hyped, over-hyped, over-hyped; good gfx, but boring so far) and Bioshock (PC) (Another DirectX 10-game, this one with almost disgusting violence). And I still haven't really played Caesar IV and X3: The Reunion which I bought many moons ago. I just installed them and left them hanging. Stupid.

New game coming up: Rock Band. Seems really, REALLY cool. I could finally learn to play the drums, haha! Unfortunately the price will be around GBP 150-160, and for that amount it is definitely not worth it.

Also went to the Norwegian seamen's church a couple of weeks back to visit their Christmas fair. Nice to see some proper Christmas decorations for once (I never knew Harrods was tacky until I visited their Christmas department a few years ago, followed by a short trip to the Princess Diana memorial in the basement), and also to stock up on some highly needed Norwegian food. Proper mustard, pickled herring in tomato sauce, Sphinx chocolate, YUMMY. I already made plans for my Christmas dinner weeks ago, so am really looking forward to that.

And on that note, I do not want any Christmas gifts this year - I have been trying to persuade people to stop giving me stuff for Christmas for years now, but it has been very difficult. Hopefully last year's expensive parcels made a few people think again. :D I would much rather friends and family spent their money on something nice for themselves or some charity or something. I am actually happier without all the gifts because I always end up with a bad conscience when people buy me things. In other words: Better for everyone!

However, what I should be doing (and, to a certain extent, am doing) is writing something. Not just anything, although that is good exercise, but something to help my play idea along. I have several ideas, but should really be concentrating on just one at a time. After all, I'm a complete novice at this and need to learn a lot about myself and procedures before I can start calling myself a playwright (although I have printed business cards with that title on them already, LOL!), never mind having been published. Ahem. The problem is I keep sidetracking myself by reading fascinating history books that I claim are relevant to my writing (The English Language and The History of Theatre), but are in effect little but tools of procrastination.

OK, back to work, last day of my shift here, then three days training at the new place, then six more days here, two of training, seven here and HOPEFULLY a weekend off before the real job starts. Oh, happy day.

Labels: gaming, Norway, personal, writing