Month: May 2013

Wicked

Wicked SignWhat a Wicked Weekend. And what a Wicked show.

As a special birthday treat for my Newly Teenaged Daughter (NTD), I offered to take her to London to see a West End show. She chose Wicked, at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, and what a great time we had. She is a fan of The Wizard of Oz, and The Return to Oz, able to explain the plots inside -out and back-to-front, so she was keen to see, as she put it, the backstory to the witch.

I watched the show as a fan of musicals, a singer, and a writer.

The way the threads of the story weaved throughout, connecting with the original film, and the skilful way in which they were tied at the end, was ingenious; the singing was amazing, and the lyrics were flowing and very clever.

Wicked StageThere was a buzz and a chemistry between the cast, and both NTD and I enjoyed the scenes between Glinda and Elphaba in particular; there was great wit and classic timing.

It was a thrill to see Harriet Thorpe in the role of Madame Morrible. Since first seeing her as Carole Parkinson, the receptionist who kept her baby in her desk draw, in The Brittas Empire, I’ve been a fan. NTD stared at me in bemusement when I said, ‘Morning, Mr Brittas. Yes, Mr Brittas.’

And let’s not forget the music and the orchestra. It was wonderful to hear live music, and watch the conductor, who more than once had a smile on his face.

Winky2Wicked is about to go on tour, and NTD and I highly recommend a viewing.

With the following morning spent at the Science Museum, pressing buttons and checking our personality traits, and the afternoon at the Victoria and Albert Museum, we caught the teatime train home, our heads full of colours, songs, the future, and sculptures.

I think our dreams must have been pretty special last night – we’re just too tired to remember them.

What a Wicked way to turn thirteen.

Take care.

Laura x

If It’s Monday, It Must Be Dorset

Celia, Vanessa, Jan and Laura. 4 of 9 Romaniacs
Celia, Vanessa, Jan and Laura. 4 of 9 Romaniacs

If it’s Monday, it must be Dorset.

My goodness! What a busy few days. How on earth do touring pop stars know what day of the week it is?

I’m taking a breather after four days of travel, fun and learning.

On Thursday, I was in London, at the Romantic Novelists’ Association Summer Party, where the Romantic Novel of the Year was announced, as was the winner of the Joan Hessayon Award. The room was packed with writers, agents, publishers, and plentiful canapés, which I had to turn down, as with two of my fellow Romaniacs, I had eaten earlier.

I made a fashion choice that day; I opted to wear my Wonder Woman GoGo boots.

You're a wonder...
You’re a wonder…

Friday, I returned home.

Saturday, I was up and out of the house by seven, and on my way to Reading for another of Julie Cohen’s fabulous writing courses. I could tell you what I learned, but if you’re a writer, you really need to experience Julie’s workshops for yourself. They are insightful, interesting, helpful and fun. Amazing, actually. After ten hours in the company of new and established writers, I drove home, my head full of ideas, and my hands itching to swap the steering wheel for a pen and notebook.

With minimal sleep, I was up just after seven on Sunday morning, preparing for a trip to Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire to visit family. It was a long, but lovely day.

As Gajitman drove home, and the children played on their electronic devices, I closed my eyes and ran through all the things that had happened since setting out to Waterloo on Thursday morning – trains, meetings, laughs (lots of those), conversations, hugs, kisses, challenges, sleep deprivation – and I smiled.

The clock at Waterloo Station
The clock at Waterloo Station

Take care.

Laura x

 

 

Singing and Jedi Training: Our Best Shots

American Idol InsideWhilst on holiday, in Florida, I found myself on stage, singing in The American Idol Experience.

One minute, my family and I were enjoying the warmth and sunshine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the next I was positioned on a gold star, singing ‘One Way or Another’, to the first-line producer, a lovely lady, named Katrina. She asked me to sing ‘Black Velvet’, and then I chose a song from their list, ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, and gave that a go. I was complimented on my rock voice and was put through to the next round.

I’m not new to singing, but I have rested my voice for nearly two years, due to ill-health, and like every muscle in the body, if you don’t use it, you lose it, and my vocal chords weren’t at their best. I was thrilled I still had enough there to impress Katrina.

Whilst waiting to audition to the second producer, I practised my two songs, sipped water in the green room, which was actually red, and renewed my Italian vowels. ‘Smile when you’re singing the eeee sound,’ my teacher would say.

American Idol On Screen

Gently ushered into a smaller room, I took my place on another gold star, held the mic in my hand, and gave it my best shot. Well, Pat Benetar’s best shot, to be precise. It hit the spot, I was congratulated and told I was through to the live show later that day.

Now, for someone who was originally heading for the Star Tours attraction, I exited the Idol building with a certificate, my contestant number, and a time to return for a ‘fluff and puff’, which included hair, make-up and vocal coaching.American Idol Spotlight

Sometime after five pm, standing in the clothes I’d put on first thing, hair shuzzed and cosmetic improvements made, I was on stage, in front of a live audience, doing one of my favourite things. Performing.

American Idol Audience ShotI saw my family, watching, willing me on, smiling, as they have done on so many occasions when I’ve been in competition, or gigging. I have always sung to my children – nursery rhymes, pop songs, musicals – from when they were first-born, and I was told it was an excellent way for them learn word patterns and rhythm. They are both musical. My son could sing before he could read, and was up on stage at the age of three, with me, singing Abba’s ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’, and my daughter plays piano, and dances.

I love that they love music.

Well, if I had won and gone on to that evening’s final, I would have competed for the chance to enter the full-on, proper American Idol, as the prize for the over all winner was a dream ticket to participate in the TV show. As it turned out, I was to appear on stage just the once that day, but it was all good; my son was training to become a Padawan at 8pm, and I didn’t want to miss seeing him defeat Darth Vader.

Padawan Training Ground
Padawan Training Ground

Take care.

Laura x