You’ll Never Walk Alone – The West End Unites for the Phillippines, Queens Theatre, London 02.03.14

With two weeks of being apart, it was back to my favourite place in the world! However tonight I was travelling up on a Sunday, which with some theatre shows is a rarity, but it was for an amazing cause. This particular performance or as they put it Gala, was first bought to my attention on twitter, with the announcement that made it to hard to resist! I can’t remember who tweeted it first, but Julie Atherton, Simon Lipkin, and Jon Robyns had all confirmed the reuniting of the original London cast of Avenue Q, the first west end show I ever went to the stage door to, and the first time I met Jon and Simon. (the Photos below are from 2006, apologise for the state I look)  

So with this announcement myself and Hayleigh purchased tickets! Now being a charity event, held at the Queen’s Theatre, home of Les Miserable, the pricing for the tickets were quite high, especially if you wanted a brilliant seat in either the stalls or the circle, but with the budget I’m currently working for, it was up in the upper circle for this performance, and front row of that circle (as  this wasn’t a performance of Les Mis the restricted view they warn to ticket buyers wasn’t directed to this performance) Now if I remember correctly the pricing for the tickets was £32.50, our view wasn’t too bad, but we did have to lean forward to get rid of the banister view, which wasn’t to much of a problem for us, we were just happy to be part of it. However with theatre comes Theatre Friends and from the Jon Robyns concert I did make a few! this particular theatre friend was also coming to the show that night,  sadly she was quite unwell, she came for the first half but she just couldn’t stay for the second, so she offered my self and my friend Hayleigh her seats, we were very thankful as she was seated front row! So for the second act we got to view all the performers up close! I did not complain!

 

The photo on the left is our view from the first Act up in the upper circle.   ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone; The West End Unites for the Phillippines, A Star Studded Gala in Support of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).  This was the charity that was supporting the DEC and there help with the typhoon that hit the Philippines on November 7th, and to help raise awareness and money to help those that need further support. It was lovely to be apart of this event, and there were so many west end stars, and some celebrities that were there to support to. The first celebrity to hit the stage was the host for the evening Gok Wan, who was followed by the cast of many west end performers each performing something for the show:

– Joseph Apostal (The Voice) – Julie Atherton (Avenue Q) – Blake (British Vocal Group)  -Cynthia Erivo (Sister Act, I Can’t Sing) -Luke Evans (Rent) – Danielle Hope (Wizard of Oz) – Cassidy Janson (Wicked) – Francine Lewis ( Britain’s Got Talent Finalist) -Simon Lipkin (Avenue Q, Rock of Ages) – Hugh Maynard (Sister Act, Miss Saigon) -Pasha & Katya (Strictly Come Dancing) – Joanna Riding (Guys and Dolls) – Jon Robyns (Avenue Q, Spamalot) -Giles Terera (The Book of Mormon) – Emmanuel Vass (Filipino Pianist) -Micheal Xavier (Pyjama Game)

These headliners were then supported by a very talented chorus throughout the performances.

Now from the cast list you can see that there is a range of performers, from Singers, to dancers, and Pianists to impressionist. all performing with songs, acts, and steps to entertain the audience.

The show opened with the Philippines national anthem (Lupang Hinirang) and those who came stood up in respect. . When the final note ended it was then on to Danielle Hope singing from the musical Pippin with the ensemble. Now I did watch Danielle on Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and I know she can sing. However we really didn’t get to ‘hear’ her sing as much as we should have. Now I understand that this show was not rehearsed as much as shows on the west end, but mostly in the day time, and I can understand that this means the technical rehearsal may have been a little rushed, for when Danielle started to sing, the microphone was going off then on and then off again. It was quite irritating and you could tell those in the audience were struggling to understand what was going on. However those on stage seemed non phased and kept performing with the professionalism that they know they have. It ended with a cheer but I still would have liked to have heard more of the song, as Pippin is a musical I would love to see come to the West End! The technical side of the show seemed to improve after this number, i’m not sure if this is because of the microphones from then on were mostly handheld rather than hidden, but I couldn’t complain nonetheless. the Act one followed with performances from Joseph Apostol singing ‘Summertime’ from Porgy & Bess, Michael Xavier and Joanna Riding doing a number from Pajama Game warming the audience, and given them an insight on what was soon to hit a stage soon in the West End, and attempting to sell Tickets, I have never seen Michael perform but I have heard amazing things from him, so was interested to see what all the fuss was about. I can say that the man is very good looking, and yes does have a very nice, calming voice! They were followed by Hannah Waddingham singing Climb Evr’y Mountain, and then Cynthia Erivo singing from The Color Purple ‘I’m Here,’ Her voice was stunning and it got me extra excited about seeing her perform in I Can’t Sing!  later in the month!

Then came the moment of which was the reason that I was in the audience that night. Once Cynthia had walked of the stage, from the back walked on Jon Robyns and ‘on’ his arm was Princeton the puppet from Avenue Q! The reunion had begun. Jon started Rod of with a small joke, saying that he was going to audition for Miss Saigon, it warmed the audience up, and then walked on Simon Lipkin with Nicky, and the being that they were in the Les Miserable set he went to the barricade and stated that he was very impressed with Russell Crowe’s performance in the film version of the Les Mis, When Princeton informed him that it was wood he was speaking to, Nickys return was “same thing isn’t it?” The audience applauded and you could tell the Simon was not expecting that reaction (but to be honest I also think the same thing!)

They were then joined buy the rest of the original cast, with the adding’s of Cassidy Janson, and Irene Alano-Rhodes, to give there reprise of ‘The Money Song’, and yes they went out in the audience to gather money for the charity. It was great to see them all up there! though I will admit I was upset that I didn’t see Julie do Kate Monster, and instead it was Cassidy, it just really wasn’t the same. But Julie would follow close behind, and perform ‘Special’ with Lucy the Slut.  Having seen her do this

performance at the royal variety I couldn’t wait! Loved every minute of it and the photos I tweeted were favourited by Julie herself which was a bonus!

The reunion had come to a close, and the audience applauded and cheered, myself with them! The only thing also I could say which was a disappointment however was the fact that the puppets themselves, weren’t the originals…and to many of those who really don’t see the difference those who know the show and love the show would realise, Rod is supposed to be a lighter blue, and have blonde hair, not dark blue with black hair (you can kind of see these in the photos) Also Trekkie isn’t that dark, and Nicky isn’t as dark of green. Now I know that these are the puppets they are using currently in the UK tour, but I would have liked to have seen the old puppets, it just wasn’t the same, but nevertheless the performance was great!!

The rest of Act one was given by the female ensemble with the ‘Wedding Ceremony from  Miss Saigon, and Luke Evans also from the same musical performed ‘Why God Why,’ and closing again from the same musical was Hugh Maynard with the male ensemble performing “Bui Doi” I myself have never seen the musical Miss Saigon but having watched these few song performances, it is now on my list of ones to see this year, or next! Its doing pretty well at the box office at the moment!

so as I said before during the interval we were given the chance to go to the front row, and when settled Act 2 began. This act particular had a lot more variation to this performance, which the showings of Blake performing ‘Manila’, Emmanuel Vass playing piano and his James Bond Concert Etude, Francine Lewis doing her impressions made famous from Britains got talent, and Pasha and Katya from Strictly dancing to ‘If I Was Your Man’ by Bruno Mars, it was nice to see different acts performing, and be wowed by the variety it gave the show.

Along with these acts were musical numbers also, such as Junix Inocian performing ‘World of Possibilities/Just So’ from musical Just So. Julie Atherton, Danielle Hope, and Cassidy Janson triode together and performed ‘Make Him Mine’ from Witches of Eastwick. Michael Xavier was honoured to sing ‘Heaven Watch the Philippines’ as his solo. Cynthia Erivo sung ‘Sister Act’ and again gave me Goosebumps! Each of them bringing the talent of the West End to its fullest!

The closing numbers, of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ (Carousel)  and ‘Anything Can Happen’ from Mary Poppins were brought together by everyone who performed  in the show, the cast were fully enjoying themselves which just made it just that much enjoyable to know that you also were part of it, and part of something special and important, it also made me happy that I too had helped the great cause! The Chief Executive of DEC stood up and made a speech on how important it was to help raise this money to help the families and public of those effected by the Tsunami, bringing realisation to the situation. He was given a standing ovation and very rightly so.

 

The night was a success, sadly however as it was a Sunday train times were rubbish, which meant that waiting at the stage door was a little unsuccessful. We did see Jon and Simon before the show and had a quick chat, but as they were rehearsing there wasn’t time to take photos, and during the finale Jon Spotted us in the audience, which led to a wave from Princeton himself. But after the show it was only a quick photo from Simon, and a signing of the programme from Cynthia.  It seemed that everyone else must have been taking photos for publicity so sadly we had to run away for the last train. Jon did later tweet me to apologise, but I said no worries, I’m sure they will be a next time! Believe me!