Here I Am Again

I thought I would let you know about the recording of Kristina från Duvemåla from Carnegie Hall.

If you remember I posted a video from the concert back in September when it happened and the CD finally came out last week, just in time for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Helen Sjöholm stars as Kristina, the role she originated back in 1995, alongside Russel Watson as Karl Oskar, Louise Pitre as Ulrika and Kevin Odekirk as Robert.

The music by Benny and Björn is simply enchanting with it's flowing melodies and two part harmonies similar to those ABBA ones we know so well. The whole 35 track soundtrack is slightly tedious to get through due to the depressing story (I don't want to put you off by telling you it - Wikipedia it if you must!) but track number 30, Helen's performance of 'You Have To Be There' makes listening to the whole thing worthwhile. Her voice is outstanding and her performance is simply sensational. I am told she received a three minute standing ovation at the Albert Hall last week which I'm sure was deserved if her performance on the 14th was as flawless as it is on this recording. She makes a beautiful song even more beautiful.

I bought this soundtrack only really knowing one song. It was a huge gamble even though I am a B&B fan. I was most definitely not disappointed and I'm thrilled that I actually made the decision to buy it. I don't know if I could handle seeing the show as it is possibly more sad than Les Miserables and Miss Saigon put together (I was in floods of tears at both) but I would love to be given the opportunity. I don't know if it's quite ready to be made in to a full English production - some of the translation from the original Swedish lyrics is a bit harsh and due to the amount of words sometimes crammed in to one line it makes understanding the singers quite difficult. I have no doubt that if you are a hardcore musical theatre fan then you will LOVE the music in Kristina.

Oompapa Oompapa...

...that's how it goes! Well it does when Kerry sings it!! So Kerry Ellis took over as Nancy on Monday, so far haven't really spoken to anyone who has seen it but I found this AHHHHHHMAZING clip on Youtube of the end of As Long As He Needs Me. So for your enjoyment, presenting KERRY ELLIS!

I'm going to see her next Thursday so I will definitely be posting a review - I will try and be unbiased but you all know I worship the ground that Kerry walks on so sadly this will affect my judgement of her lol. I probably won't get it posted until the following Monday as I get home from London late Friday night and then have the Scottish National Cheerleading Championship on Saturday and Sunday which will be keeping me busy. So visit Monday and I'll have it up for you :)

As Long As...

...You're Mine?? He Needs Me?? Two songs, one previously sang by Kerry Ellis and another one that she'll be singing in the very near future, 20 days in fact. So I thought I would draw your attention to a little update on her website :)

"I started rehearsals on Monday for Oliver and am having a ball. I met some of the gang boys who were great fun, I'm loving it already and I'm not even on the stage yet!! It can only get better!!!!!! O and watch out around London and on the tubes you may soon see a face you know ha ha x"

So I am going to see Kerry in Oliver in a month today (YAAAAAAY) and I'm super excited. Prepare to see a countdown in all my posts until then! I'm loaded with work at the moment (stupid journalism degree and stupid Meet Me in St Louis - my current show!!) so I'm struggling to find time to get good stuff to post but I'll keep trying!!

Not exactly a musical but...

...I actually love this! I go in to hysterical laughter every time I watch this (or think about it) and it's time I shared it with those who maybe haven't seen it. This is from Gavin & Stacey SE03EP02 :) Starring James Corden and Sheridan Smith as Smithy and Rudi and their take on Estelle and Kanye West's American Boy :) Enjoy and don't fall off your seat due to laughing too much!!

Oh and I plan on recording my own version of this with a friend so will post it when we do :)

Giddy On Up...

...and giddy on out! This is the new single from Legally Blonde star Laura Bell Bundy. She's gone back to her country roots and I just can't stop singing it! Unfortunately the single isn't available in the UK so I have to make do with Youtube. The song is really catchy and I love the video :) LBB looks fantastic (and she DM'd me on Twitter so I totally love her hehe).

There! Right There!

Look it's my Legally Blonde video diary!! Videos recorded by me, pictures taken by me and the girls, music is "So Much Better" by the London cast. I did not record this and do not own this. No copyright infringement is intended by this video.

The Heat Is On In Saigon.

Well it was when Kerry Ellis played Ellen! Miss Saigon is one of my favourite musicals ever and I saw it on tour years ago. I think I saw Kerry as Ellen but I am totally unsure as I lost my program and don't even remember the date lol. Anyway I have been giving my Kerry obsession a bit of a rest lately but since I just booked my Oliver! tickets (Thursday 8th of April, anyone else going then??) I feel I need to post some more Kerry love!! (Sheridan I still love you but the last four posts have been about you so I need to give my other obsession some attention!!)

Here is Kerry singing 'I Still Believe' from Miss Saigon. The girl playing Kim is Ima Castro. For those of you who don't know Miss Saigon (shame on you!), Kerry is the second singer.

Is it just me or does anyone else get goosebumps when Kerry sings "It's all over I'm here there is nothing to fear..." etc. But this whole musical gives me goosebumps so it probably is just me!! But I get them even more when I listen to Kerry singing this.

I heard tale somewhere that Cameron Mackintosh would be producing a film of this musical. If so, Kerry for Ellen!! Although she might be unavailable due to the upcoming We Will Rock You movie that is also in the pipeline in which I hope she will be playing Meat :)

So Much Better...

Well hey there. I just got back from Legally Blonde for the second time and this time actually met Sheridan Smith :) She was super lovely and loved us because we gave her a teddy :) We all got a hug and a kiss each from her and she complimented our outfit efforts :P

The show was just as amazing as last time with the added humour of things going wrong!! The dog refused to bark on cue in 'Ohmigod You Guys' and Margot dropped the dressing gown and magazines right down to the stage when she put them behind the door in 'What You Want'. The charm on Elle's bracelet fell off in Paulette's salon after 'Ireland' and Elle's resume wasn't in her bag during 'Chip On My Shoulder' but she covered fantastically well and earned an extra cheer from us for it :) Serena then dropped her frappacino after 'Road trip road trip!' which was funny.

Down on Skid Row...

First post of 2010! Hiya everyone, happy new year and all that jazz. May it be full of musicals! I know it will be for me! This year I've already seen We Will Rock You and I'm heading back to Legally Blonde in a week. After that I've got Oliver lined up (Kerry Ellis yayy), hopefully a little Wicked trip when the cast changes too (no Kerry Ellis but new cast and Rachel Tucker so yayy)! I'm going to drag my mum to Legally Blonde so that would be third time and we're thinking maybe Mamma Mia or Sister Act too :) I booked Hairspray tour tickets last week and also got an Avenue Q trip coming up later on in the year so keep an eye out for that!

Well recently I've been stalking Sheridan Smith a little and found this little gem of a recording! Now I didn't think anyone could top Kerry Ellis' growl but my oh my can Sheridan sing! Here she is singing 'Suddenly Seymour' in the final night of Little Shop of Horrors.