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Oh my goodness, it was even better than 2007!!

When we approached the theatre, I suddenly thought: “What if Lee has the night off???” A sigh of relief when I saw his name on the cast-list!

There’s a new narrator: Jenna Lee-James, and – oh boy – what a narrator she is! A very powerful voice especially in the high notes, she acted so well with the kids, she looks sweet and has a gorgeous figure (yes, I’m afraid you can hear the envy in those last words 😉 ). After her opening song, Inge and I looked at each other, our jaws dropped and we mimed: what a voice!
If the opening was an example of what was to come, we wouldn’t be disappointed.

The backdrop slowly went up and there he was…. the same reaction from the crowd, shouting, cheering, clapping, and the same reaction from Lee: his huge smile. Compared to last year, he seemed more relaxed. That’s only logical after so many performances. I’m sure he’s more confident about his talent and – although no one in the cast slacked – it must be more of a routine. His acting has improved, it’s more natural and he looked so at ease. Gosh, it was wonderful seeing him on stage again.

Hats off to the complete cast. Last year we sat on the balcony and there you hear the choir, the “whole”. From our seats at row H, we could hear the individual voices and they’re all great. I love the songs where the brothers sing in harmony, especially “Those Canaan Days” with the long “where diiiiiiiiiiiiiiid *deep breath* diiiiiiiiid they go“, priceless! We enjoyed Dean Collinson’s Pharaoh immensely! The guy is so good, he really brings the house down.

All too soon it was time for the final. They got a standing ovation, something you rarely see in the UK (quite different from Holland where everyone stands up as soon as the last note dies down, lol), everyone danced and sang along with the Joseph Mega-mix and when Lee rose to the top of the auditorium at his wobbly platform the crowd went completely mad. Again… that wonderful smile from Lee.

We bought some merchandise and left the theatre. I stepped out of the door, made a U-turn and was first in line to wait for Lee 🙂 There was a big crowd, but there wasn’t any pushing, which was a good thing. When Lee came out and waved, it was madness again – lol. I still don’t understand exactly what it is that makes so many people (aged 6-95) go absolutely crazy when they see Lee. Yes, he’s handsome and he has a wonderful voice, but there are more singers/actors who have the same qualities. Still, Lee manages to bring out the teenagers in every woman at the theatre (me included, I have to add).

I was frantically clicking my camera, hoping to catch at least one good picture, which is hard, as he tries to avoid the flashlights as much as possible and looks from the picture cards in his hands to the crowd, his head a bit down. All of a sudden he turned to me, looked me right in the eyes, winked, nodded, said “hello” and somehow I managed to say something back and hand him my program, which he signed…. *sigh* ROFL! Never felt more stupid in my life!! 😀 But I don’t care, it was worth it!

Felt a bid sad, as this was probably the last time I saw Lee in Joseph. On the other hand, he can’t stay in Joseph for ever and there are so many more leading roles he can play. I missed seeing him in Phantom and Miss Saigon, but who knows…
He will be in Joseph until January 2009, but I won’t be in London again until August ’09. Let’s just hope we’ll get a chance to see him then – whether in Joseph or another production.

Thank you Lee, for making my day 😀

If you’re a fan, you’re very welcome to join the Lee Mead Fanlisting!

Credits: Photographs by Tristram Kenton © The Really Useful Group Ltd 2007/2008

Karen from Scraps of Mind sent me this Award. My first Blog award 😀 I don’t think I deserve this as I’m such a bad blogger, but it’s highly appreciated. Everyone likes winning, right?

The rules of the award:
* The winner can put the logo on her blog.
* Link the person you received your award from.
* Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
* Put links of those blogs on yours.
* Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated

So here are my nominations in alphabetical order:

Anni from Hootin’ Anni. A wonderful blogger, lots to read on many different subjects, great sense of humor!

Caroline from Country Inn. Caroline is one of my life-jackets (I’m lucky to have two). My favourite graphic designer and an awesome friend.

Dru from Dru’s Dippity Do Da’s. A sweet person and such a devoted blogger, never a dull moment when Dru is around.

Lady Jane from A Lady’s Diversions. We share the love for books, Harry Potter, Josh Groban, Jane Austen and probably much more.

Monique from Jikkemiene. A very sweet lady with green thumbs and I envy her crafting abilities! 😉

Nicole from Skiing Housewife. My online sister and such a sporty woman! I don’t know where she finds the time as she’s addicted to games as I am 🙂

Pat from Eeyore’s Ramblings. Pat is my other life jacket 🙂 We go back a looong time and I don’t think there’s anyone knowing more about Harry Potter than Pat!

Lord of the Rings… the main reason for re-scheduling our London trip from August to July – and I’m so glad we did! I’m not a LOTR fan at all. Haven’t read the books, fell asleep during movie #1 and didn’t bother to see any of the sequels. But when I heard some of the stageshow-songs and found the clips at YouTube, I just had to see it… It was more than I could ever hope for.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the perfect setting! The stage is surrounded by tree roots stretching out into the auditorium and covering several of the boxes as well, giving the impression of sitting in Middle Earth. While the public slowly filled the theatre and people were looking for their seats, the Hobbits appeared one by one, on stage and amidst the public (standing on the back of the chairs), carrying a net, trying to catch fireflies. A female hobbit walked through the aisles carrying a basket full of apples (and eating one herself), a male Hobbit sat on stage knitting, others were talking. Their costumes, out of proportion, made them look short and chubby. At the point where everyone in the audience found their seats the Hobbits sang (and danced) ‘The Springle-ring’. A wonderful opening of the show.

Rosalie Craig (Arwen) is my absolute fav! What a voice and I loved her elegant hand movements (see clip in my previous LOTR post). Unfortunately I never got to see Laura Michelle Kelly play Galadriel – other than at the YouTube videos. Her replacement, Abbie Osmon, is beautiful and although her voice is good, it lacks the power of Laura’s voice.

Both Inge, my SIL, and I had to get used to a darkhaired Legolas – as opposed to a blonde Orlando Bloom in the movie. But after watching Michael Rouse, we don’t believe that blondes have more fun 🙂

Aragorn (Robbie Scotcher) looked exactly right for the part, great voice as well. Frodo and Sam were wonderful, as were the other two members of the quartet, Merry & Pippin. Gandalf (Andrew Jarvis) has a strong speaking voice, I’m sure everyone would have been able to hear and understand each word, even if he wouldn’t have used a mic. Saruman however couldn’t convince us, but – as always – that is my personal opinion and everyone is entitled to disagree with me!

I won’t go into too much detail as it’s best to let the show surprise you, I just want to add that there’s so much to see. A huge spider, aereal movements, Gollum’s big entrance (a head-first 50ft vertical slither down the front of the stage), the rotating stage breaking down into 17 sections (all moving independently to raise mountains and create battlefields), BEAUTIFUL costumes and make up, gracious floating elves, wonderful voices, and last but by no means least: the Orcs!! They scared the living daylights out of me!

At the Q&A session after the show two actors – James Byng (Frodo) and Peter Howe (Sam) – told the audience that they were sad the show is closing down (the theatre is scheduled to host the new production of ‘Oliver!’, which will open later this year). When asked about his favourite part of the show ‘Frodo’ said it used to be scaring the audience when he was an Orc – he was recently promoted to play Frodo – but now it was the scene with Sam where they sing about their friendship in ‘Now and for Always’, which is a very touching moment indeed.

Now and for always from the Toronto production:

Apparently LOTR will open in Germany next year, and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ creative team is developing a touring version to launch in New Zealand, also in 2009, before being presented in cities across Australia and the Far East. After that there will be a smaller touring production in the UK.
If it lands in your neighbourhood, you should definitely try to buy tickets, it’s well worth it!

All pics © LOTR – make sure to visit the website for show footage, behind the scenes videos, music and photos.

If you want to view more videos, check out my LOTR Playlist at YouTube.

It’s madness! Almost midnight and I have to get up at 5 AM, should be in bed, but I’m too nervous to sleep. Suitcase isn’t completely packed yet, still have to add some things. Feeling down, weird, just when I should feel happy and excited. I know it’ll be better once we’re on the plane, but “the night before” is the thing I hate. That feeling of “I’m sure I forgot to pack something… but what is it?” The fact that I’m terrified of flying isn’t helping either :p

Oh well, in just a few hours it’ll be over and I will start to enjoy the trip…

Don’t have too much fun without me!

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