Not Quite Donne

In my lame "yo, I'm too lazy to post" phase this weekend, I forgot to mention in my morning Percy/Oliver squee post that I saw Evita this weekend!

OMGAMAZING. I've loved this musical since I was a child, as I used to listen to the 1976 Concept Recording record my mom had. Julie Covington's "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" = ♥. I know not everyone is a fan of Evita, as it is Andrew Lloyd Webber's most discordant/over-the-top rock operas, but there's just something about the mad harmonies and Tim Rice's lyrics (their last collaboration!) that grabs me. Plus the Evita story is fascinating.

I also quite like the movie, though I will say that when I rewatched it this weekend post-musical, some of the cinematography I used to really like looked a bit sloppy. But still, I really enjoy the arrangements they did for the music, despite the fact that they lowered most of Eva's songs to suit Madonna's (lack of) range. It's a really good soundtrack, and I've never particularly liked the Broadway recording (with Patti Lapone and Mandy Patinkin - the arrangements are too muddled/bombastic and I prefer more nuance in my Eva).

But the new London cast. Oh, the new London cast. Sir ALW has outdone himself. I thought the cd was good. But the show was BETTER. The orchestrations are even stronger live, and they put real power behind the big show numbers. The whole cast is FABULOUS, particularly the Che because OMG HIS HIGH NOTES, but the show, of course belongs to Eva. She may be only like 5 foot tall (she's really petite!), but she's a powerhouse - even when dancing her ass off, her singing is clean, emotive and crisp (she's actually Argentinean, so the crisp refers to her diction :D). Plus, yes! Her being Argentinean lends a real authenticity to her portrayal, I think. She doesn't need to put on an accent, unlike a few other actors who try and it sounds really pretentious.

I usually don't really like Magaldi or Peron's big song numbers, but I think they've finally cast two really solid male performers who compliment both the Eva and the Che, and I really enjoyed them. Che had hints of indie wannabe boy, but he really pulled off the second half (high notes!). The Waltz for Eva and Che was FAB.

So, yes: if you're in London and want to see a really good musical, I highly recommend the new Evita. I saw the travelling company in Boston three years ago, and this far surpasses it in every single way. I wasn't convinced Evita really worked as a stage musical until now.

Squee. (thank you thegreenquill for taking me!!!! ♥)

Equus. EQUUS.

Okay. Well. Yes.

Spoilers Ahoy.

( I may have some unpopular opinions, to be better expressed in a forthcoming formal review )

That's all I can think of for now. I need more time to gather my thoughts. I'm also not home, so now's no time to sit down and do a proper write up. Obviously I'm approaching this very critically, with the eye of a theatre/film critic, not as a squeeful fan. Feel free to initiate discussion in the comments; I'd be happy to elaborate on any point, clarify or quantify my answers.

In conclusion: DAN IS FUCKING SHORT AND I WANT TO CRY.

And, no, I didn't see him after, but I plan on going back when the back stage door isn't so crazy crowded. I did see the girl who played Jill, as I mentioned.

Dude. In two hours, I will be 30 minutes into Equus. That is CRAZY.

And once I am coherent (and after the obligatory squeeful post), look for a formal review. It may take a few days, but I'll have a jump on the papers, who don't have their press night until a bit into previews.

*waits for wheatgerm to arrive*

So last night I drank more than I ever have in my life. I can no longer officially say that I have never been drunk. Wow. I mean, I wasn't out of my mind but I was babbling and apologising for babbling and definitely had seriously compromised motor functions in general.

It was so much fun! Now, I'm one of those people who doesn't think you need alcohol to have a good time, but the London t00bs are just so fun when they're drunk. And lizardspots is so warm and squishy. Yes, fandom, I spent my evening with my arms around Lizard and my head (near) her lap. You are now officially jealous, I know.

But, yes, with my first proper drunken experience must come my first proper moment of drunken stupidity, right? I think I broke my camera. I do believe, if (fuzzy) memory serves that I dropped it. Now, I have dropped this camera before as, even when completely sober, I am ridiculously clumsy, but this seems to have set it all wonky, and now if you direct the lens anywhere near a light source while taking a picture, you get a yellow haze and lines all over the picture.

I am searching Argos now for a replacement, and making a monthly budget to see if I can even afford a replacement. Argh, blech and bother!

In other, related news, I think I must seriously reconsider my sexual position. wheatgerm, who looked totally hot last night, said she thinks I'm hot. That is simply awesome. I really must stare at naked women for a spell and see if I could actually go lezzers. Because all the London t00bs = totes hot. Me = unfortunately totes het. This = problem. . starrysummer: I know you're probably laughing right now.

Must admit, I still feel slightly loopy. I am not hungover, as far as I know (wouldn't I feel like shite? I don't, really), but I do feel woozy as from lack of sleep. lizardspots and I stumbled (well, I did, she was 100% sober because she is cooler than I am) home at 5:30/6 a.m. and I only slept until 1 (she got up at 11!), so mostly I am feeling sleep deprived and possibly have some residual alcoholic effect going on. I need more tea.

This post has been brought to you by the letters WTF?

And GIP! Because Emma and I totes need to go drinking sometime.

I am 90% certain I just saw SIR IAN FUCKING MCKELLEN.

HE SMILED AT ME. OH MY GOD.

I lived here SIX MONTHS last time I was here and didn't see any celebs in my allegedy-celebrity filled area. I've been here SIX DAYS and I see SIR IAN MCKELLEN.

EMPHATIC SQUEE HERE.