REVIEW: IN THE HEIGHTS - LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

I was lucky enough to see this production by Liverpool Youth Theatre.

In The Heights was written by the incredible Lin-Manuel Miranda and premiered on Broadway in 2008.  It tells the story, set over three days, of Usnavi de la Vega who is the "narrator" of the show and who owns a small bodega in Washington Heights.  The musical focuses on Usnavi and the people with whom he grew up and is really about friends, family and a sense of belonging.

From the moment the first titular song "In The Heights" began I knew I was in for a treat

Usnavi was played by Jamil Abbasi - and he managed the fast rap written by and for Lin Manuel magnificently - his Usnavi was funny and charming and he led the show fantastically.   Triple threat Ellie Norton played Nina, Usnavi's childhood friend recently returned from Stamford University with a bombshell to drop to her parents.  Ellie played this part wonderfully and her version of "Breathe" was a highlight and just spine tingling.  A faultless performance.

There are too many cast members to go through everybody but I want to make a special mention also to Esme Bowdler who played Daniela - she was very funny throughout and "Carnaval Del Barrio" (my favourite song) was stunning.   Emily-Louise Lockhart who played Camila performed "Enough" with such passion! I  also want to mention Scarlett New who played Abuela Claudia.  I have seen In The Heights twice before but this was the first time that the song "Paciencia y Fe" really struck me and gave a sense of Abuela's moving back story.

This production had everything - from set design to costumes to stunning colours and use of lighting.  Great choreography and ensemble work.  There was a lot of humour and also some tragedy - I will admit that tears were shed when one of the characters passed away (no spoilers!) at the end of the song "Alabanza".

If I have one tiny criticism it was that sometimes the levels seemed a little out - it was a struggle to hear the lead vocals over the backing at certain points - but other than that I can't fault it.

There was a real sense of teamwork and camaraderie amongst the cast and that paid off.

The future of the north west's musical theatre life is secured if Liverpool Youth Theatre are anything to go by.  A well deserved standing ovation.

Anything Goes

Multi-tasker.  Jack or Jill of all trades...Glutton for punishment??

As a "theatre mum" (or dad!) you have to be super talented yourself. Okay, so you may not be the one performing in front of hundreds of people in a show, and you may not be able to act, you may have two left feet and a voice that sounds like a cat in a washing machine -  but you will find yourself having to wear a number of metaphorical hats.

Let me take you through some of the roles that you, as a theatre parent, may be expected to take on....

1. Agent

Firstly you have to get your kid the work in the first place - sign them up to the theatre groups, find the best teachers, seek out the auditions, message those in the know, get yourself known, spend time emailing and messaging.  Without your detective work the journey can't even begin and your child will be left just playing on the Xbox or singing into their hairbrushes at home.

2. PA and diary coordinator

So your child gets into the theatre group of their choosing.  Yay! The rehearsal schedule comes out.   You have to know where to get your child to, and what time, for how long, and what they need.  And as show week gets closer it gets more and more complicated.  There are more rehearsals at different times and different places.   And if they're rehearsing for more than one show at a time it can really become confusing.  Get yourself a diary or online calendar or you're stuffed.

3. Counsellor

Yes, despite your child OBVIOUSLY being the next Hugh Jackman or Idina Menzel, auditions may not go well all the time.  They may not get the role they had their heart set on.  Despite them (and you) being convinced that they are BLATANTLY first choice for Jean Valjean or Elphaba, the casting panel may not agree.  And then you have to deal with the fall out when they actually get cast as "whore" or "munchkin number 2".  You have to be there for the disappointments as well as the successes.  And believe in them and make sure they believe in themselves.  It's a tough gig.  There will be tears.  Be there with the tissues and hugs.

4. Chauffeur

With all the to-ing and fro-ing you will spend a significant amount of time in the car taking your child to said rehearsals and shows, spending numerous hours sitting around waiting for them to finish rehearsals and shows, and having to organise your own life around your child's schedule.

5.  Marketing assistant

So, the show dates are confirmed - now we need to get bums on seats - get the crowds in to see your little darling perform.  So you need to spend several weeks nay months advertising your child's show.  Get the poster up on your Facebook profile.  Retweet it on Twitter.  Do a quick post on Instagram.  Bore all your friends stupid with *child's latest show* spam.  You never know, it might help sell a few more tickets.  Or it might make all your friends hate you.  It's a risk you need to take.

6. Sales Co-ordinator

If any of your friends still like you then they may want you to get tickets on their behalf  - so you have to organise who is going with whom, on what date, to which show (matinee or evening) and whether you need to get them full price, senior or child tickets.  And get them ordered.  It's not simple.  It's expensive. But it will be worth it.

7. Costume designer

Shortly before show week you may be asked to sort out some costume for your child to wear in the show.  Usually you won't get enough notice to order anything and end up having to frantically search Amazon Prime for anything you can get within one day.  If you do happen to have anything that vaguely fits the brief at home then it probably won't fit and you will need to make sure you have a supply of safety pins.   But don't worry, you'll learn to "cobble something together" that will do.  Charity shops are always good.

8. Make up artist

They all need make up.  Even the boys.  It's the stage lighting you see.  Get some in and learn to do it (confession: I still can't do it).

9. Dance teacher  

If you have a smaller child then it may be hard for them to remember the dance routines.  My 5 and 7 year old were recently in a show and struggled to remember.  The answer? Make sure you watch some rehearsals, learn the dances yourself and practice with them at home! It's fun! And who knows, you could end up being the next Darcy Bussell! Or not......

 
10. Accounts assistant

You'll need money.  Lots of money.  Subs, uniform, lessons, costumes, show tickets, fuel money, programmes, raffle tickets.  It's not cheap.  Never add it all up.

11. Caterer

Providing food for the various rehearsal times.  Making packed lunches, even on a Saturday.  Supplying lots of bottles of water.  And show week providing pretty much the whole of your child's dressing room with food.  Because you're nice.

12. Manager

Basically, your theatre kid needs you.  They need you to organise them.  And though you may get little thanks (which, let's face it, you will) IT IS ALL WORTH IT! When you see their happy little faces on the stage.  When you're the proudest parent IN THE WORLD after a show - "See that kid on the stage? I'm his/her mum!"  Totally worth it.

So yes.  Jack or Jill of all trades, multi tasker and glutton for punishment.  But above all, a proud parent of a fantastically talented kid and all round just BLOODY BRILLIANT.

Dedicated to all my theatre mum and dad friends x

REVIEW - HAIRSPRAY JR AT THE PYRAMID, WARRINGTON

My youngest two children are part of a children's theatre group in Warrington called Showkids UK.  Showkids is a group for 5 to 11 year olds ran by four talented and enthusiastic tutors (and it is the "junior" version of Warrington's well known youth theatre group Codys).  Last weekend it was time for them to perform the most recent show they have been rehearsing, Hairspray Jr.  There were two shows in the one day, quite a tiring challenge for this young cast?..but you know what kids are like...full of energy...and their enthusiasm was clear to see. 

If you don't know the story of Hairspray it's based in 1962 in Baltimore. It centres around Tracy Turnblad a dance-obsessed teen who watches "The Corny Collins Show" and is infatuated with Link, the star of the show. If you've seen the movie (which famously featured John Travolta as Tracy's mother Edna) you will know that the subject matter is actually very serious as it tackles racial segregation. Showkids' version was understandably toned down for the youngsters and focused instead on segregation of rich and poor kids. And it worked very well too.

The main roles were played wonderfully. The children had worked hard on their American accents and their characterisation. I am not going to go through every role but will just single out a couple... Tracy was played fantastically by Erin who has a beautiful voice and definitely has a bright future ahead. Max played Edna Turnblad and he did so brilliantly...he mastered walking (and dancing!) in heels and I could definitely see a nod to John Travolta in his performance! Jamie as Link did a great job in his first main role and Charlotte as Penny was a wonderful character, beautifully acted. Dan who played Corny Collins lit up every scene he was in. As did the two Wilburs (played by two Joes!). Special mention to Amy as Motormouth whose solo "I Know Where I've Been" was very moving and extremely well performed. (I may have had something in my eye....)...

All of the principals and ensemble did such a good job.  All in all I found Hairspray Jr to be an excellent show which featured some very talented up and coming performers!

But!  The show wasn't over! There was a final section where the Showkids sang a selection of songs from High School Musical, Moana, Jersey Boys, Madagascar the Musical and The Greatest Showman. (And there was even an onstage cameo by the tutors at the end - yay!).

You could tell that all the children absolutely loved doing the show and that was reflected in the fantastic audience reaction. Well done Showkids.