8 Days to Christmas
Hi there
Just got in from a lovely evening! We all went to see Evie (Grand-daughter) perform in her school musical,Annie. Absolutely delightful. It was great to see the kids and characters on stage. Miss Hannigan in particular was so talented! He will go far. But what am I saying. They were all simply awesome.
And tomorrow we are all off to see Lionel Bart’s Oliver at the Gielgud Theatre in London. So it’s been quite a week of orphans!
School musicals and professional Shaftesbury Avenue productions might share the same scripts and songs, but they live in very different worlds. School shows are all heart — slightly wobbly sets, brave voices, proud parents, and that unmistakable thrill of young people discovering confidence, teamwork, and the joy of telling a story together. The magic lies in the effort and the courage it takes to step on stage. £7.50 a ticket, rickety plastic chairs, and a bunch of kids selling bags of popcorn for a quid in the corridor – for charity.
Shaftesbury Avenue, by contrast, is pure polish: seasoned performers, flawless lighting, orchestras in the pit, and productions honed to perfection night after night. £200 a ticket. Ouch.
One reminds us why theatre matters in the first place; the other shows just how extraordinary it can become when craft, experience, and scale come together. So think of us tomorrow. Shaftesbury Avenue here we come!
What was the best musical you have ever seen? And where was it? London? New York? Or was it local? Do share ! I am so enjoying reading your news and experience too.
Love and Clarity
Barb x x x
34 thoughts on “8 Days to Christmas”
Hi Barb,
You can’t beat a school production to raise your spirits. I have seen a fair few nativity stories performed by little ones, little waves to mum and dad didn’t appear in rehearsal but were often seen in the actual performance. At my school every girl would be in either the Junior or Senior productions so there was safety in numbers. I remember one particularly shy girl singing her heart out on stage because she forgot we could see her , makes me smile now too. Fantastic memories.
Enjoy the West End tomorrow.
Love Zara xx
believe it or not I have never been to a musical. it’s on my bucket list but choices, choices. Enjoy your time together. That’s the most important thing. 😊
believe it or not I have never been to a musical. it’s on my bucket list but choices, choices. Enjoy your time together. That’s the most important thing. 😊
Now, there’s a question for me to ponder. I’ve only seen two musicals live, both in London, quite a few years ago. I think I liked The Lion King best, can’t remember which theatre it was at though. Loved it all, bought the CD, still have it and play it. Enjoy Oliver. I live close to a school, and last week they had their plays on, and when walking my dog early evening, there were a few children going to school in their costumes, so lovely to see. xx
Enjoy the theatre tomorrow, Barb, and remember to “Consider yourself at home” during the performance! Back in the early 70s I had the privilege of helping to run a Youth Club that was attached to the local church. I somehow convinced the “powers that be” that appropriate cultural visits to the West End would be good for the members. So I organised visits to see the original casts of Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell and The Rocky Horror Show! Unfortunately they cottoned on after the third one and no more happened! But we thoroughly enjoyed those shows! 😄👍🏻
I saw Jesus Christmas Superstar in the West End in the early seventies. Probably 1972or 1973. We went in the sixth form. I remember it well.
ohhhh favourite. musical that’s a hard one. I really enjoyed the king and I. but I did already love the film.etc etc.. xx
enjoy tomorrow x
Moulin Rouge for professional but The Forbidden Planet from our local amdram society. My husband couldn’t get past the first 10 mins of the film Moulin Rouge and only agreed to go to the theatre when he realised there were at least 20 people who would have taken his place. His face said it all when we took our seats he was there under sufferance. When we left he said it was the best thing he had ever seen and couldn’t stop raving about it. Xxx
Sounds like Evie and friends did a great job 🥰 I’ve not been able to see many musicals at the theatre but the two I did see Top Hat and The Bodyguard were beautifully done. Have seen so many wonderful movies/films as of course almost all Hollywood movies were and all Bollywood movies are musicals – so many memories associated with each and every one 💖 Much love xXx 🦋💕
Love musical theatre. Have seen quite a few over the years, my first London production was ‘me and my girl’ in the late eighties. We then went on to see productions at The Alhambra in Bradford and Sunderland Empire. My all time favourite is ‘War Horse’. I have seen that 4 times and would go again. The puppetry is absolutely amazing. We took the grandchildren to see Mary Poppins and that too was brilliant 🙂
Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for this, you are really stretching my brain to rekindle all kinds of memories and emotions, I love, love, love it.
My very favourite musical was The King and I with Yul Briner and Deborah Kerr they did it for a very short stint at the Paladium when I was in my twenties…. I’ll treasure that memory for ever..
I have to pass on this extremely amusing story about a friends 5 year old little boy playing the Inn Keeper in the school Nativity this week. All was going swimmingly well. We were all bursting with pride until….my friends little boy spotted his Mummy standing up at the side of the hall. From that moment onward he proceeded to hold up his little middle finger above his head for all to see…he didn’t miss a line, his timing was impeccable….cos it was just as he said “there’s no room at the Inn”. My friend was horrified. Half the audience was smirking the other half were very uneasy in their seats. My friend was trying to gesture for him to put arm down to no avail. She quietly sidled up to a couple of teachers to say there must be something wrong, cos there is no way he would be doing that otherwise. Once the Nativity was over they all came running towards their parents. My friends said to her little boy, that was brilliant buddy, what was with the hand? He said “one of the little girls bit my finger in the playground today, and I wanted to show you” 🤣 phew!! My friends has now asked for an explanation to be put on the end of the official school video.
Have a brilliant time up in the WestEnd. Love and hugs xXx
My mum and sister took me to see Phantom of the Opera in London for my 40th birthday, it was fabulous xx
Would love to see a professional musical. Will enjoy something on You tube. Enjoy yourselves with the rich and famous. Tell us who you see.
I love musicals of all sorts but have never wanted to see Les Misearables. But we went to see a cinema showing of the West end 25th anniversary. Concert which was showing v at cinema in a local town because I love Alfie Boe and he was playing Valjean. Bought the tickets weeks in advance and then our car gave up the ghost two days before. Decided we couldn’t go then decided to taxi each way to get there. We loved it so much we travelled to stay in London the following year when he and Michael Ball did the actual West End production and have loved it ever since regardless of who plays the characters.
I saw Oliver at the London Palladium it was wonderful. Enjoy xxx
I do love a musical – so lucky to live in London with access to the West End! My sons’ first theatre trip was to see the Lion King – they were blown away by it. We were in the balcony and my youngest didn’t realise that wasn’t the only seating – at the interval he could suddenly be heard shouting ‘Mum! There’s people down there!’ as he went to the front and spotted the dress circle & stalls!!! He was also a very cross star in his first school nativity as he decided that the tunic he was wearing was really a dress and took exception to it! Happy days xx
Oh gosh so many musicals to choose from
West Side story, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Lion King, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera absolutely brilliant but school plays are the best. So many memories
Enjoy Oliver
PS. Barbara, we are just back from Regensburg what a stunning place
Barb
I loved seeing White Christmas with all the family at Southampton and Grease at Chichester – both local theatres.
The most memorable was the ballet- The Nutcracker- great seats near the stage, young daughter, dancers in tights, questions!! Perhaps not quite so great?
Have a lovely time today in London.
Now to find Bip.
Jesus Christ Superstar, an amateur production, in Lincoln Cathedral. The atmosphere was incredible. It gave me goosebumps, made me cry and It was so moving.
Enjoy Oliver, have a great time with your family xxx
Hello Barb, what lovely experiences, I can just imagine the pride of watching Evie. My favourite would be Lion King, I have seen it twice and would love to go again. Have a wonderful time on all your outings with Grace, Mark, Dave and the family. Bx
Oliver with Ron Moody as Fagin closely followed by Topol in Fiddler on the Roof all in London. Also Nutcracker at Covent Garden. No way I would pay £200 for a ticket these days, the local venue is about £30 per person and supports local theatre troupes. They are very good.
Morning Barbara, I’m so glad you got to see Evie performing, seeing my grandchildren performing in plays and carol concerts is one of the best parts of Christmas as far as I’m concerned!
It’s Carols in the playground this afternoon.
I haven’t been to a musical for a while now as I don’t find them affordable but when I used to go my favorite was ‘Blood Brothers’.
I will be taking my Daughter and youngest granddaughters to the pantomime in Stevenage onNew Year’s Eve – I’ve been to the same venue for around forty years-it’s a family tradition that my own parents started when my children were young, I love it!
Enjoy your selves this evening x
When I still lived at home in Sheffield, Mum and I used to go down to London to see ballets and musicals. I particularly remember Singing in the Rain with Roy Castle and Tommy Steele, but they were all fab! For my Mum’s 80th birthday we went on a coach theatre trip and hotel to see Lion King and my brother stayed with our Dad. We had a wonderful time!
My favourite is Les Miserables – the music is just amazing!
Have a wonderful time!
I hope you enjoyed Oliver, it has had good reviews. All three of my children were in school productions and AmDram theatre, with my youngest also taking part in her ballet school shows, all of them excellent – the unexpected mishaps just add to the enjoyment!
I love musical theatre, I just can’t afford to go anymore. My retirement present from work was theatre tokens and I used them to see Come From Away, one of the best shows I’ve seen, along with War Horse (I cried bucket loads through both!). My daughter and I thought we’d take each other to see the new Paddington musical, then found out good tickets were almost £300! No chance of seeing that, then! Recently our nearest regional theatre had the tour of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which I saw, and was surprised by the cast – Paul Nicholas, Hayley Mills and Rula Lenska – all still excellent.
We do love musicals, my first live stage production was Starlight Express when it opened in London in the mid 80’s as a surprise birthday present. Since then we have seen a lot both in London & Birmingham along with Come From Away in Leicester & an Am Dram production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in Edinburgh. Our nephew was in a Youth Theatre production of Les Mis & our eldest granddaughter is studying Musical Theatre at ArtsEd in London so fingers crossed one day we will be able to see her in the West End.
We are off to see Fiddler on the Roof this afternoon at the Alex in Birmingham – a belated birthday present to us both.
For those that can get into London easily the theatres release unsold tickets for that day at 10am on an app called TodayTix. Our granddaughter has seen several really good musicals since she has been down in London.
Barbara have a fabulous time watching Oliver tonight with the family – I don’t think popcorn will be a £1 though !!
My favourite is Mama Mia, saw it in Barcelona, didn’t matter that it was in Spanish, still loved it! Saw it a second time in Edinburgh, still brilliant.
The King and I at the Palladium back in the early 80’s with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr was my first taste of theatre productions and of being up ‘in the God’s’.
Enjoy tonight’s production.
I love musicals – participating in school (Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer) and at Uni (Grusche in our musical version of der Kaukasische Kreidekraus – in German). Loved our boys’ Y6 performances at primary school in Mary Poppins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Have seen many locally and in London but the Highlight was probably Blood Brothers back in the 80’s. I remember leaving the theatre and going straight into Tower Records at Leicester Square to by the cassette of the sound track. I don’t know where it went but I have managed to get a CD of the same production.
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I’ve not been to see a show for a while now but I’m a very big fan of Phantom of the Opera. I’ve seen it many times and absolutely love it!
I have a few favourites. Toronto, Canada has a very active theatre scene. I loved Phantom and Mama Mia, but one of my favourites was Come From Away, the story of Newfoundlanders providing accommodation, food, support, …. after 911 when planes were grounded. One on route to the US landed in Gander, Newfoundland. An amazing story of resilience, kindness, care, laughter and support.
you cannot beat an infant production of the nativity play.
One such production, a small king asked Mary what was the name of the baby.
Mary speaking in a very loud voice said “Colinl”
The whole room was in hysterics.
priceless.
I love musicals. Cabaret, Chicago, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers but the one which first came to mind was a secondary school performance of Miss Saigon. Not the most memorable music but very moving.
As children my parents always took us to London to see a show and have a meal. My favourite was West Side Story but did I cry. Seen it a few times since and it still has the same effect.
Hope you enjoyed the shows Barbara.
Take care
Not having my own children I’ve probably only seen one or two nativities of the step ones due to space, seen plenty of video clips of grandchildren and nieces and nephews! Seen a fair few musical/shows, a few in London – Starlight Express was one of my faves saw Phantom too but really can’t remember that for some reason. Most recently saw Mamma Mia and talk about feel good factor – I gulped at £54 per ticket for Oxford but it was worth it. Saw Oliver a few years ago here too. I reckon I’ll have to say Blood Brothers as my absolute favourite, first time with Clodagh Rodger’s and David Cassidy (only went because he was in it – a matinee in Oxford) and seen it probably 7 times since ! Can sing it all the way through! Have a god evening ! X
I’ve been lucky enough to see quite a few musicals and it’s too hard to choose a favourite- can honestly say I’ve never seen a bad one. My friends grandson is in Oliver – he’s done a few local productions but this is his West End debut so looking forward to seeing him in January.