2019 Overview

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you my highlights from 2019 

Becoming an Auntie, Not Once But Twice
I became an auntie again both at the beginning and at the end of 2019. I already had a little niece, and now I have two little nephews.

Seeing the 'Rocky Horror Show' Twice in January
I have been wanting to watch the 'Rocky Horror Show' on stage since I saw it on Sky Arts back in 2015. I was originally only supposed to have going the once, but I enjoyed it that much that I went back for a second time, while it was still playing in Manchester for its third and final week. I don't think we have asked for a better cast. Ben Adams and Joanne Clifton made the perfect Brad and Janet, Stephen Webb as Frank n Furter was outstanding, and Kristen Lavercombe's Riff Raff just keeps getting better every time.

Going Seeing 'Breaking the Rules' For a Third Time
This has been another show that I have been wanting to get back too, as I haven't seen it since it's original tour back in 2016. This show just keeps getting better, and its improved loads during the last few years as it seems more natural and free flowing. It's a lovely show, and I'm hoping to go and see it again in the future.

Birthday in Chichester
I went to Chichester for a few days to celebrate my birthday, and I went to watch Terence Rattigan's 'The Deep Blue Sea' at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre. It was a lovely few days in Chichester, and the locals couldn't do enough to help me. They also have a little market on Wednesday, which was nice and I also didn't know anything about this market until I stumbled across it while working through the town centre. The theatre production was beautifully put together, and the cast was on top form. 'The Deep Blue Sea' really suited the Minerva Theatre due to its more personable layout.

Seeing a1 For the First Time
I have waited the best part of 20 years to watch a1 perform live. What a fabulous evening that was, as I went to the concert on my own and came out with a few new friends. We were treated to the classic a1 hits from the late 90s and early 2000s, as well as some new material that has yet to be released. I think that has got to be the only concert were I felt it the following morning (after three hours sleep), and it was worth it and I would happily do it all over again.

No Longer a Beginner Flute Learner
I never thought in a million years that I would saying that I'm no longer a beginner flute learner, and I'm really looking forward to what the next few years bring. I'm having at least year off from doing my grades, as the syllabus for woodwind instruments is due to be updated in 2021. So, we going to be focusing on my development as well as working on kinks that need working out.

My First Blog Collab
During the Summer I did a post related to Discontinued Jo Malone products. To do this post I worked alongside another Jo Malone fanatic called Michael James, who managed to source the information that I needed to do these two blog posts. It was a lot of fun going through products that Jo Malone no longer sells, especially the range of the skin care that I remember fondly.

Concert Review: a1 - The Reunion Tour 2019

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of seeing a1 perform live on the 4th November 2019 at Manchester Academy 3. This was a very unclose and personal concert as Academy 3 holds just over 400 people, and what a very fun and enjoyable evening it was.

The show opened up with the opening verse of 'Forever in Love' and then the more upbeat 'Same Old Brand New You', followed by a combination of 'Be the First to Believe/ Summertime of our Lives'. What a fun way to kick off a concert with late 90s nostalgia, and we also had our first dance lesson of the evening as we got shown the moves to 'Be the First to Believe'. We where then treated to an acoustic version of 'One More Try', which was lovely to listen too. We were then treated to another dance lesson for the number 'Ready or Not', and the dance was created by Paul; and then the music began to flow, and then it slowed down just a little bit for the ballad of 'Walking in the Rain', which was followed by the audience jumping up and down to 'Don't Wanna Lose You Again', which is such a fun modern pop number. I loved listening to 'Heaven By Your Side' live, as its one of my personal favourites from their debut album. Then we had the medley that was entitled 'The Songs We Never Did/ Rarely Performed', and this included the hits 'Here Comes the Rain', 'I'll Take the Tears', 'Tomorrow', 'Make it Through the Night', 'When I'm Missing You','Hey You' & 'The Things We Never Did'. We were then treated to 'Learn to Fly', which was then followed by 'I'm in Love and I Hate It', which also involved a little bit of audience participation. We then got treated to their latest single that was released last year entitled 'Armour'. Then it was back to a1 classics that everyone knows and loves with the lovely 'Everytime', and the ever popular 'Caught in the Middle'; which was actually the acoustic version.

We then had a short break, which was followed by an encore in the form of the very popular and very lovely Benthm 'Like a Rose', which everyone knows and loves; and the show closed with their first ever Number One 'Take on Me'.

But that wasn't all we were treated too, as an audience we got chance to listen to a couple of exclusive songs that haven't been released yet, and are not due to be released until sometime next year.

a1 managed to put a fabulous concert, and it was such as fun filled evening. I've never been to concert like it, as they give the audience a few lessons so then they can join in; which also included a work out along the way; as well as a bit of Panto. I also really enjoyed the stripped back feel to it, as they was only a screen as well as Mark's keyboard/ digital piano and Christian's guitar; which proves that you don't need the fancy sets to put on a good show or in a1's case a fabulous, and a very long time coming show. We were treated to a1 trip down memory lane, as well as a sneak peak into some upcoming newness.

I also went to this concert on my own, and I ended up making quite a few new friends on the night. This is also something that's also never happened before while I've been out at a concert.

I would like to thank a1 for putting on such an amazing show, and it was certainly worth the 20 year wait. I will be back to see a1 again in the future.

Theatre Review: The Rocky Horror Show 2019

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of going to see the current tour of 'The Rocky Horror Show' twice at the Opera House in Manchester. The first performance I went to see was on the 11th January, and this was a matinee performance; and the second time I went was an evening performance, which was on the 23rd January.
  I've been wanting to see 'The Rocky Horror Show' live ever since I came across the 2015 version on Sky Arts a few years ago.

Cast
The Narrator - Beverly Callard
Brad Majors - Ben Adams
Janet Weiss - Joanne Clifton
Frank n Furter - Stephen Webb
Riff Raff - Kristian Lavercombe
Columbia - Miracle Chance
Rocky - Callum Evans
Eddie/ Dr Scott - Ross Chisari
Phantoms - Reece Budin, Shelby Farmer, Katie Monks & Jake Small

The first act opens with a strong rendition of 'Science Fiction/ Double Feature', and this acts as a prologue before we get into the main act. We then meet Brad and Janet, and they have just attended their friends wedding. On their way back home from the wedding they run into some car trouble and they need to get some help, but the only place nearby is a castle a few miles down the road. When they arrive at the castle they are welcomed in by Riff Raff who informs Brad and Janet that they have arrived on a rather special evening. The audience are treated to an awesome version of the "Time Warp" followed by a strong, but ever so slightly cheeky rendition of the iconic "Sweet Transvestite". Brad and Janet are then invited up to Frank's lab where we meet Frank's latest creation called "Rocky", who backflips around the stage with both energy and ease.

The second act opens up with the famous bedroom scene between Janet and Frank, which is then followed by Brad and Frank. The aftermath of Brad and Janet's bedroom encounters with Frank is that Janet is lusting after more despite being engaged to Brad; and Brad is filled with regret as he really loves Janet. Around the same time all of this is going on Dr Scott makes his way to Frank's castle unknowingly without the knowledge that Brad and Janet are already there. While everyone is present Frank promises them a floor show that they won't be forgetting anytime soon. The floor show features Brad, Janet, Columbia, Rocky and of course Frank; which features a very strong, but fun filled rendition of "Rose Tint My World". This was then followed by a soft, but also slightly powerful "Don't Dream It, Be It".
  The finale for the 'Rocky Horror Show' is absolutely brilliant, as everyone gets up and dances to the "Time Warp" in the aisles, and we even get treated to another fabulous rendition of "Sweet Transvestite".

A special mention must go to our narrator Beverly Callard when did a wonderful job at keeping up with all of the heckles from the audience, and I must mention that some of the 'come backs' she came out were absolutely brilliant on both occasions.

Songs

Science Fiction/ Double Feature (Laura Harrison)
Science Fiction/ Double Fiction opens up the first act, and is performed by Laura Harrison who plays the Roxy Cinema Usherette, and this also sets the scene for the 'Rocky Horror Show' for the 70s. Laura provided us with strong and powerful vocals during this opening number and is a glorious way to open a show.

Dammit, Janet (Ben Adams & Joanne Clifton)
This is the number where we get to meet Brad and Janet, and is also the number where Brad proposes to Janet. Joanne's vocals are soft, sweet and delicately high pitched; where as Ben's vocals are rounded throughout, which provides a lovely contrast to the piece.

Over At The Frankenstein Place (Ben Adams, Joanne Clifton & Kristian Lavercombe)
This has got to be one of favourite numbers of the entire show. It's also the number where we get to meet the legendary Riff Raff. Kristian's vocals during the mid section are amazing, especially the octave leap from the arpeggio as it closes with a very strong vibrato. Joanne's vocals are still on the high side while still being quite delicate, and Ben's vocals are still quite rounded with a just a bit more power behind them.

Time Warp (Kristian Lavercombe & Company)
Fabulous vocals are provided by Kristian, Laura and Miracle during this party favourite. Both Kristian's and Laura's vocals are strong and pwerful, and by contrast Miracle's voice has a lovely sweetness to it.

Sweet Transvestite (Stephen Webb)
This is when we get to meet the legendary Frank n Furter. Stephen provides us with a strong but rounded vocals, with an element of cheekiness thrown in.

Sword of Damocles (Callum Evans)
We finally get to meet Frank's latest creation called 'Rocky'. Callum backflips around the stage with both grace and energy, which is impressive to watch.

Hot Patootie (Ross Chisari)
'Hot Patootie' follows straight on from 'Sword of Damocles', and we get too meet Eddie during this very short lived number.

I Can Make You a Man (Stephen Webb)
'I Can Make You a Man' is performed with grace, with elements of both fun and cheekiness. It also has a feeling of a ballard.

Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me (Joanne Clifton)
This is the number where Janet begins to lust for more after tasting Frank's 'forbidden fruit'. Joanne has done a fantastic job at tackling this particular piece, as it has a tendency to creep into the high register of the stave.

Once In a While (Ben Adams)
A little fact about 'Once In a While' - It's actually a deleted scene from the original film. This is also part of the show where Ben's gorgeous boyband vocals begin to come out a little more. The first time I watched this being performed by Ben my brain couldn't quite figure out if I was watching the 'Rocky Horror Show' or an A1 concert. A fun, but an unusual experience to have while I sitting in the stalls.

Eddie (Ross Chisari & Company)
I adore whole upbeat feel to the piece, especially the chorus. The whole cast looked as if they were "having a ball" while performing this number on stage.

Planet Schmanet Janet (Stephen Webb)
This is the number where we begin to see a change in Frank's character, and Stephen's vocals and phrasing actually emphases the change of Frank.

Planet Hot Dog (Laura Harrison)
Let's just say that the lovely Laura gets a little carried away with this one, and this works wonderfully with Magenta's character.

Rose Tint My World (Callum Evans, Miracle Chance, Ben Adams & Joanne Clifton)
Stockings and suspenders at the ready, as it's time for the first number of Frank's floor show. This is when we see Brad, Janet, Columbia and Rocky dressed in corsets, stockings, suspenders and also heels. This is an absolute joy to watch, and the vocals on this are strong throughout.

Don't Dream It, Be It (Stephen Webb)
This is a gorgeous number which is performed as a solo by Stephen. Stephen's vocals are soft, with a subtle element of fullness.

Wild & Untamed Thing (Stephen Webb & Company)
This is fun, but also a very fast paced musical number.

I'm Going Home (Stephen Webb)
Another lovely solo performance provided by Stephen.

Finale: Time Warp & Sweet Transvestite (All Company)
This has got to be one of the most enjoyable curtain calls I've ever experienced, as all of the audience joins with both the "Time Warp", and also the reprise of "Sweet Transvestite".

Audiences

Matinee
My first visit to the 'Rocky Horror Show' was a matinee performance, and it was a full house. I was actually surprised at how many people got dressed up as it was a matinee. This was also a very lively and outgoing audience, which made the experience and the enjoyment so much better. I was made to feel extremely welcome during my first visit to the castle.

Evening
The evening performance I went too was a mid week performance, and this was also a very quiet evening performance, which took me a little bit by surprise as I was expecting it to be much more lively than the matinee performance that I had previously attended. The livelier audience members where in the dress circle, while the quieter ones where seated in the stalls. But, again I was made to feel very welcome by other members of the audience, and also the whole cast.

I thoroughly enjoyed both of my experiences seeing the 'Rocky Horror Show', and I got made to feel extremely welcomed by both audiences and also the cast. It's most fun I've had for a very long time, and I haven't felt as 'high as kite' in a very long time and the fact that it's lasted for a good few months is actually a testament on how this brilliant this show can actually make you feel; even a few months after watching live.

I would highly recommend that you go and the latest tour of the 'Rocky Horror Show' if you  enjoy musical theatre, a 90s kid (like myself), or if you want to watch something that gives you that feel good factor. I would also recommend that you double and triple your tickets for this tour, which is what quite a number of the audience members are doing.

- The current tour is on tour in the UK until November. 
- Ben Adams & Joanne Clifton are on the current tour until the 25th May 2019
- The role of Frank n Furter is being shared by Stephen Webb & Duncan James
(Source: Rocky Horror Website: www.rockyhorror.co.uk)