London Weekend

This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting London's West End for my 21st Birthday and got to see three shows - Billy Elliot, Wicked and Matilda. Having seen all of these shows multiple times, this is just a picture blog of what we got up to and cast comments and seat reviews.

Billy Elliot

Victoria Palace Theatre - 4th May 2013 - 2.30pm

Seats: Stalls B5-6

This was the third time I had seen Billy Elliot and I definitely don't think it will be the last. This show has stood the test of time in London's West End, and this beautiful Theatre now stands alone among the major refurbishment of London Victoria. At this performance we had a full cast and Tade Biesinger excelled in the role of Billy. Tade had also played the role of Billy on Broadway and he really lived and breathed the part and seemed to thoroughly enjoy every minute onstage. Our restricted stalls seats were good value for money and the only downside of sitting so close was being unable to see the fantastic footwork displayed by the cast. Great performances came from Gillian Bevan (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad) and Simon Ray Harvey (Mr Braithwaite) The ensemble choreography is stunning and the ballet girls at this performances had fantastic energy. Billy is well worthy of his recent BBC 2 Audience Award at the Olivier's 2013.

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre - 4th May 2013 - 7.30pm
Seats: Stalls C

Everyone who knows me, knows I am a Wicked fanatic and this was my 12th visit to the Apollo Victoria. On most occasions we sit in the 'Restricted Stalls' seats found on the end of the aisles and in fact they are really no more restricted than the £65 seats next door! I was really hoping that for this performance Louise Dearman would be on as Elphaba as was disappointed that we had gone previously and she was off ill. (Standby Elphie Hayley Gallivan was a superb replacement and the disappointment soon disappeared.) I was thrilled that Louise Dearman was on for this performance and she really excelled in the part and I am still unable to decide whether I prefer her portrayal of Elphie or Glinda the best. Lucy Van Gasse was beautiful as Glinda in the absence of Miss Gina Beck and her characterization of the role was very fresh and 'Blonde.' One thing I really like about the Apollo Victoria is that in the absence of a major principal, standby photograph sheets are included in the programme and I think this is a really nice touch.

The view from our seats

On our return back to our hotel (The Reuben's at the Palace) we were 'thrillified' to find that our room had been turned down with a 'Wicked' Theme and we had been left some 'Oztastic' cupcakes to enjoy after the show! Yummy!

Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre - 5th May 2013 - 3.00pm
Seats: Upper Circle G17-18

After a lovely full english breakfast we set off to Covent Garden for shopping and to see the matinee performance of Matilda the Musical. I have seen this show now three times and have previously blogged about the show (Check it out)....
Again we had a full cast and had the pleasure of seeing Miss Lucy Mae Beacock in her final performance as Matilda - what a talented young lady. Our seats were in the middle of the upper circle and we had plenty of room to stretch our legs. The only difficulty in these seats were that we had to lean forward multiple times in order to see the cast when they positioned themselves at the front of the stage. These tickets weren't listed as restricted although we felt that for the price we payed we shouldn't have had difficulty in seeing the cast. I have however sat front of stalls on a previous visit, but on reflection much preferred sitting higher up in order to take in the amazing choreography. Parents should note that the Cambridge Theatre Upper Circle is very high and the children behind us had difficulty seeing the show and spent most of the First half kicking our chairs! However we had a great afternoon at Matilda and would thoroughly recommend this show to Families and lovers of the film!

Our view from Grand Circle Seats G17/18