Newsies - Troubadour Wembley Park

There was a very good flash ticket sale, so I did book a few extra performances, including both this weekend's matinees. Wembley with football on is quite an experience. The theatre security were having a tough job only letting people with tickets in (rather than football fans looking for access to a bar).

To put all fears aside, this is still an excellent show post cast change. Too many people covering different roles this weekend to really name, but I suspect there's illness going around. Forbes Masson (the new Joseph Pulitzer) is very different to his predecessor, much more speech signing in style, but perhaps he had a cold.

Rory Shafford, who had taken over Elmer for a while, is now back working through the swing roles, of which I believe he debuted three of them this past weekend. He did get to be Henry today, so got to travel on the zip wire (which I'm sure they could sell tickets to fans to try out for extra revenue - that, and the slide too).

We got some nice extra dancing from Mukeni and Jack at the end of Saturday's show, which is always appreciated.

Arcangelo did his best to sell me a paper today. Next time. How could I say no to that smile?

They didn't seem that short of cast today, but there were only four light fittings in place for the swinging and they didn't get raised for spinning at the end, which was odd. Maybe crew shortages.

The highlight today was seeing Matt Trevorrow's debut as Jack Kelly. What else could be said other than describing Matt as the most adorable Jack Kelly ever? Even where he had to make some quick line changes, they still all made sense. To paraphrase something Matt announced on stage yesterday, "he's famous". Hope I get to see him again. Lots of well deserved applause and cheering for Matt at the end, including from everyone on stage.

I shall be back there on Thursday evening.

...where?

I'd quite like to see someone else in the role of Jack Kelly as I have only ever seen Michael and would be nice to see a different interpretation of the role.
I'd also like to know if Matt is from Cornwall as his surname is very Cornish.

I said it would ‘look’ great. Nothing else.

Funny you should say that. I was there for the matinee and the woman with a bag of posh popcorn was irritating me (that, and the people behind translating for their children, although they did get the message in the end - I tolerated the ice rattle).

The matinee was largely on time, but they have had a few role covers this week. No shows this coming week, so they may have chance to get everyone back up to speed. Otherwise, no real insights to add to my previous visits. The speakers around the stage cause a few problems. I was there earlier in the week and not only watched several audience members walk into them, but Rory too (who continues to move seamlessly from cover to cover). They always manage to pick a really talented Romeo as well, and fantastic to have Spencer swinging right over me. Third time I've seen Bobbie Chambers as Katherine as well and she really makes the role her own. Do catch her if you can.

I'm booked in for reopening night.

A slightly jokey description as there are no performances now until Wednesday 10 May. Then they have another break at the end of June.

Thanks. Didn't know that. Makes sense as one or two of the cast I follow on IG have posted pics of them going in holiday.

This is the case every show

Yes, it’s a real shame this isn’t selling so well at the moment. I’ve been a few times recently, and there have been plenty of offers. I don’t think the theatre location helps.

Apart from the first show back (terrible sound for the first half and plenty of people on for different tracks), everything else has been smooth. Lots of covers getting their debuts. I narrowly missed Samuel Bailey as Crutchie. But I am getting Damon Gould’s second performance as Davey, so still winning.

Morgan Gregory is swinging effortlessly into lots of roles. Quite a star. Mukeni Nel (did you know, he used to be in Cats?) makes everything look effortless every show. But, let’s face it, everyone is excellent!

I came very close to a full untorn paper too (both the seats next to me got one). I’ll have to keep trying!

I was lucky enough to catch Lindsay Atherton's debut as Katherine yesterday. She was very good.

Thursday night, they managed to fill the place, and so it was busy with theatre students and had a great atmosphere. I ended up in a little Mountview cluster (which, having been to Mountview four times in the past week, was quite a coincidence). All I can say is one of the students (who I won't name) was not too used to having actors swinging towards her. The graduating year of Mountview are such a nice bunch of people.

There's only a few weeks left before this closes. No visits this week as I'll be away, but to be fair, when I can tell if someone has had a hair cut, or is covering up a new piercing, I'm probably going too often!