Wonderland

Oh please, you know I love a power ballad and campness! Mixed with a glass or two of wine, Ima have a fabulous time on Saturday!

Didnt even notice!

I was there tonight too.

Whoever rewrote the book only had one good idea: to turn this into a show targeted towards yummy mummies in their early late-40s who have an existential crises. I thought that was a path in the right direction if one is to seriously "target" their musical. The rest is really foolish. I have no issues with shows who know themselves and don't pretend to be something they aren't. This show at least knows its true self. Funny enough, this is the theme of the show, isn't it? The show actually could be better with a slight rewrite to the existing book. If only the book took a similar tone to the songs. things would flow much better. It's very clear that the score and book were developed individually with no one overseeing a seamless integration. There are times that I convinced myself that this was Kerry Ellis sings Wildhorn, and only bothered to pay attention during the songs- some of which were well placed, and some weren't. The best song, written for this specific production, "This is Who I Am" sung by Alice and the Mad Hatter (following her rehab) is so out of place, and so unnecessary especially after Alice has JUST completed singing a showstopping-type ballad. But we all loved it, and the boys behind me clapped until their palms bled.

Natalie McQueen can sing and has a belt that rivals Kerry's dancing, but her OTT character was so poorly developed. Is she supposed to be a Joker-type sexy mama or is she supposed to be funny too? Wendy Peters..Sorry I'm not British and I don't live here so I don't know what goes on daytime TV, but this woman is delightful and is an old school Broadway dame. If there was ever a decent size Hello Dolly production, she should be Dolly. She was fun and very focused. I felt embarrassed for Dave Willets at the beginning..dressed up in that costume, paws up and prancing all over this place. But then he started singing, and I was impressed by how at his age, his voice is actually rather beautiful and was hoping for him to sing some more. Naomi Morris as Alice's daughter is great. Lovely presence, great voice though slightly misdirected after she enters the looking glass. I felt that she channelled Linda Blair too much and was wishing someone who exorcise the demons out of her.

I'm not a big fan of adapting American shows for a British audience (a la Wicked and Lion King), but in this case, "Anglo-filing" Wonderland worked quite well, and I didn't find myself annoyed.

So yes, much to my embarrassment, Ali enjoyed Wildhorn's Wonderland in Wimbledon. Many people judged me on Facebook after I posted a picture of the curtain, so I hope to get tickets to Who's Afraid of the Virginia Wolf matinee tomorrow to redeem myself.

Glad you liked the bits and pieces I posted about it. It was a harmless night at the theatre. I'm sure they meant no offense when they put it together.  ALSO, and if I were to be serious, I think it presents the ensemble, who clearly look like they just popped out of art school, a great opportunity to tour with a West End leading lady and work with her. In all fairness, everyone up there looked like the were having a very good time.


To answer your question, I live in Bahrain, but I'm here more often than I should for a dose of musicals. 

All I can say is that yes both songs are still there.

Looking at the theatre, it doesn't look like there are bad seats TBH. There don't seem to be any obstructions.

Thank you both!

The 2 songs i mentioned are both my 'go to' songs in the shower. Nothing beats a good power ballad in a shower

Oooo are you going to the matinee or evening performance? I am going to the evening one!

Thursday matinee.

Kerry was brushing at her hair all the way through. Extremely distracting and totally unprofessional from someone so experienced.

Don't understand why she has not been pulled up on this.

I've seen some crap in my time and this is right up there.... It was terrible. It made absolutely no sense. I love the OBCR and think the score is good, but you wouldn't know it from this production.

Dave Willets was the only half decent thing about it. The girl playing the daughter was the worst thing I have seen on stage in a very long time.

The stalls were not even half full. We got our tickets thus week and were right in the middle of row G.

At least Tweedledee had a good pair of legs to look at.

Compared to what else was on that stage he was great. I thought 'I Am My Own Invention' was very delivered really well.

I'll stick to the cast recording.

Anyone else seeing the show tonight??