Hi all, I promised I'd be back and back I am. So I thought I'd share with you all just a small part of my magical bithday celebration this year. Like Les Mis I am 25 years young this year and to celebrate I used the theatre vouchers I was given as my leaving present from English Heritage in March to take myself off to London and see Les Miserables.
Now the reality is that, as much as I adore the musical, I would probably have used the vouchers for a different show if it wasn't for the fact that there are two very special people currently performing in it - the first (and probably the better known to most of you) is Matt Lucas [of Little Britain fame], the second (and the real reason I was desperate to go) is a singer by the name of Alfie Boe.
Alfie took the lead in the 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 last November, but before that was only really known in classical circles. Better known for his operatic works, he was a shock to everyone when he crossed the genres so easily and took the musical world by storm. To put it simply, I was mesmerized by him. His rendition of the well known 'Bring him home' had me close to tears - the first singer to ever achieve this. So the short and long of it is, when it was announced that he and Matt were doing a run in the west end after the success of the O2 and I had the chance to go the night before my birthday, I didn't think twice.
An uneventful journey from Birmingham to Euston passed and I had some time to kill before I could book into my hotel, so I went to sit with a cup of coffee outside the British Museum and admire their Australian garden which has been planted in conjunction with Kew.
Coffee finished I went to check in to my hotel - which was the next block/street over from the BM and I cleaned up before heading out to kill a couple of hours before I was due to meet up with a lady I'd met online at Alfie's website called Sylvia. As I rounded the corner from the hotel I had to giggle, what I hadn't realised was I was ontop of the Dominion Theatre where the London production of We Will Rock You is based (awsome show by the way) and on top of their foyer balcony stands a very large, gold statue of Freddy Mercury.
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As I headed out on the Oxford Street - renowned for its shop and retail therapy, I was once again reminded why I loathe London as a cityu to live. It was so crowded and no one says excuse me and the background noise is such that you can barely hear yourself think. Some may like this hustle and bustle but me? no way! searching for somewhere quieter I dived down one of the side streets and wondered aimlessly before stumbling upon one of Hummingbird Bakeries 3 stores. Now I am obsessed with Hummingbird Bakery Cookbooks and I adore their red velvet cupcakes, so I just had to take the opportunity and go in for a spot of indulgence - afterall, they don't have any stores outside of London!
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After a relaxing cupcake and cup of tea I decided to make my way back to the hotel so I could shower and change in time for an early dinner and meeting Sylvia. Upon arriving at Balans and being greated enthusiastically by Sylvia, we decided to start as we meant to go on and ordered two Mojito's whilst we took in the menu and chatted. As we talked a bit about ourselves and our love of the theatre, she let it slip that she used to work for Cameron Mackintosh - owner and manager of the Queen's Theatre and Les Miserables! Digging for more information she explained how she'd met many of the previous big names in her job, including Micheal Ball and Colm Wilkinson (the original Jean Valjean).
Just as we were about to leave we were met by another Alfie fan and a close friend of Sylvia's, Anna. She had been given hospitality tickets for an early birthday present and was as excited (if not more so than me). As we made our way to the theatre my anticipation grew - I was beginning to wonder if I was hoping for too much.... was it really going to be as magical as I wanted? Pushing the wondering thoughts aside, Anna came and found Sylvia and me, after being greated by her 'host' for the evening and told us that she'd convinved them to let us join her at half time in the private room whilst she had her Champagne reception. With that added perk to look forward to, I settled into my seat to read my programme and take in the general splendor of the theatre.
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Well, what can I say - if I was worried that I was aiming to high in expectations they were soon put to rest as the cast soared high above them. Seated 3 rows from the front of the stage I was able to hear everyword without their microphones and really see their expressions. Alfie took my breathe away, the power in his voice is incredible, whilst his acting makes you feel like you're there on the stage with him. There is no doubt in my mind that he could sing any role he wanted too; operatic or musical, and he would have the audience spellbound. He is one of those truly rare talents that can't be moulded to fit the norm in my opinion - and a refreshing change to see someone that had never trained to do musical theatre not only achieving success but owning the stage.
Matt Lucas was a refreshing breathe of air, the role of Thenardier has always been a comic character in an otherwise stressful and tension filled show. In his O2 performance you could see how much he loved the show and how eager he was to ensure he did the role justice, but on the Queen's stage he made the role his own. His interpretation, comic timing and overall stage presence proved yet again that it's not always just those who are trained into the theatre that can play these complex characters which such success, but sometimes - just those who have the upmost respect for the part can also do the role credit. In Matt's case - he will be the only Thenardier who will ever rival the original played by Alun Armstrong.
By the interval I was in need of some time to stretch my legs - being relatively tall I always struggle with the leg room at theatres - and I followed Sylvia and Anna into the private room at the side of the stage. The host had (at Anna's request) prepared three glasses of Champagne so we could all join her in a bit of glamour as we studied some of the original cast photos and costume designs.
Me, Anna and Sylvia
As the second half began I was once again captivated with the show, but slightly sad in the knowledge that this magical night was soon to come to end - but as it turned out, not quite as soon as I had thought. When the final curtain came down Anna grabbed my hand and told me to stay close. As she weaved me inbetween people leaving the show she took me to the stage door and parked me on the railings in the prime position to see Alfie and Matt when they left. Sylvia came to us shortly after and had her camera ready in her hand and sure enough when Matt left and was greated by other fans, he spotted us and came to sign my programme and Anna's before heading down the rest of the line. Shortly after, Alfie too made his exit and he spotted Sylvia next to me and cracked a cheeky grin - Sylvia has met Alfie on many occassion over the last 5 years (since his classical career started) and he knows her well. Joking with her that she couldn't possibly want another autograph she explained that she was there with me and it was my birthday. He kindly wished me a Happy Birthday, signed my programme and then asked me if I'd like a photo..... ummmm YES!
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So my birthday celebration ended on a high and and I got to meet my idle. It really was the most magical of evenings! And then to top it all off, I got to spend most of my actually birthday at home with my mum opening cards and recieving some really fabulous and unexpected birthday presents.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end and I was back in work today - but mum and I are seeing Alfie again in December in his first tour and everytime I look back at my pictures I get a grin on my face.
xxxx
