Giving the Nation a new syncopation, the people called it Ragtime...

[neverwhere]

I just got back from the new London production of one of the best musicals ever made, Ragtime. I love this show. I saw the original Toronto cast in 1997 before the writers altered the script and changed a few of the songs for Broadway, and fell utterly, madly in love. The songs are just glorious, full of passion and meaning, and the story is completely engaging, ensnaring the audience and making you really care about every single person on stage. And there is no finer show for chorus numbers -- I love Les Mis as much as anyone, but it's nothing compared to Ragtime -- when all the people gather on stage it's not because the song would sound better with more voices, it's because they really feel the same anguish and joy and love as the others, the stage positively radiates with their shared emotions. It's an absolutely amazing sight. For the London production the entire show had to be re-staged, because there weren't any theatres large enough to accommodate the lavish sets of the original version. But I thought it was even better without them -- having a bare stage and the orchestra on a balcony above brought an intimacy that was lacking in the original, and made you focus more on the story, which is of course what it's all about. After the show there was a Q & A session with the actors who played Mother, Father and Tateh (who looked exactly like Adrian Brody *winks at brandybuck and mrs_puppethead ;-), and I got to gush at them about how wonderful the show is, and how they shouldn't worry about being compared to the Broadway version (as some careless person had asked about earlier), as both productions were brilliant in their own way, and I couldn't have enjoyed myself more, which made them all grin hugely and give me a round of applause. Wheee!
So that was fun. :)


I have a new toy that is completely taking over my life. Yes, that's right -- I am now the proud owner of a Playstation 2. Fear me. *giggles*
I was going to write a long ramble about my current addiction to Kingdom Hearts, but I just can't be bothered. Suffice to say -- it owns me. ;-)


Happy birthday ladydarkrose, and welcome new friend inblackink! *happy smooches*


WillnotthinkaboutBushBlairandinsanephoneywar. Nononono. *chants with fingers in ears*


Oh, and Kiss Me. I'm Irish. *beams proudly* :)

Comments

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Her monkey is named Cheeky. He's harmless, I promise. *grins*

I'm terrified of clown dolls, which are like ventriloquist dummies only even more frightening. *shudder*

[eyre-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

And I'm afriad of balloons, so none of us are going to a circus anytime soon, are we?

Re:

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

i have a clown doll in my room named lucy. she's really not that frightening because she's painted all pretty. i guess she's more like a pretty harlequin that a clown doll... no funny colored hair or big red nose.

eesh.

[eyre-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

So what's the distinction between harlequin, mime and clown?

Re:

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

clowns have funny hair and big red noses and they're kinda frightening.

mime's are just... mime's.

and harlequins are brightly colored, but the makeup isn't scary.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Harlequin -- character from Commedia del'Arte, who played the fool against rival Scaramouche and harboured an unrequited love for Columbine.

Mime -- silent actors who use body and facial movements only to express emotions and act out scenes.

Clowns -- evil hell beasts sent to torment the unwary populace with their mocking glance and malicious behaviour. Clowns = PURE EVIL. :)

[brandybuck.livejournal.com]

*giggles* You dork.

*GLOMPS!*

(Mi piace molto la Commedia dell'Arte -- preferisco il Arlecchino, ma adoro anche' dolce Pierrot!)

Re:

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Aiiii!

Mi amore! *throws arms around you and squeezes tight* :D

(How do you say 'You RULE' in Italian? ;-)

[mrs-puppethead.livejournal.com]

Sssshhhhhh. Don't talk about clowns or alabastard will send his red-nosed minions after you.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

As if I didn't have enough to be fearful of tonight...:-P