You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart.

The weekend consisted of a trip to see both the saturday matinee of Wicked and to see Neil Hannon playing a solo Divine Comedy gig at Somerset House.

Wicked, a show I've got more than a passing acquaintance with. I got to see it  first not long after it first opened in London 13th October 2006 when Idina Menzel was resprising her role as Elphaba and she blew me away with her vocal ability.  Adam Garcia was Firyero and Helen Dallimore played Glinda.

Since then I think I've asked my guy if we can go see it again probably twice a year since then. He's been strict with me and pointed out the fact that we really needed to see as much of the other muscials on offer as we could and grudgingly I've agreed, but still I've wanted to Wicked again for a very long time.  A happy coincidence happened when my chap booked tickets to see the Divine Comedy, it was announced that Lee Mead was taking over the part of Fiyero and that made it a must and my boy knows when he isn't going to win.

Wicked is a big ensemble show and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Rachel Tucker who has recently taken over the role of  Elphaba, I'll admit I had low expectations for her, she wasn't my favourite Nancy, not by a long way but her time in We Will Rock You has been good for her because her performance was really good and vocally much better than I was expecting. In fact she killed the Wizard and I.

Lee was intense and I think Fiyero could do with being played a touch lighter but I'll forgive him anything you can't fault him vocally and he really is a team player in the ensemble.

My chap was a little bit naughty and managed to take some pitctures of Act 1 my pick of them are below.

wicked

More on Divine Comedy later.

Keep Buggering On

Celebrating the end of term.

I'm not a teacher, but I do work in education behind the scenes with the administrative side of things so this is the busiest time of year for my team right now. So much so I'm sick of the sight of my colleagues and I've got my head down answering queries so that I can blow the joint Friday afternoon and head off to London for the weekend.

This short break in London is my treat for surviving the year and while I'm there with my partner we're going to indulge our mutal love of musical theatre and music and we're seeing Wicked for the second time and the Divine Comedy at Somerset house.

I literally cannot wait. Firstly because weighing up all the shows I've seen and loved; I would rate Wicked as one of my all time favourites. I love the themes of being an outsider and of friendship and love. I really enjoy the way it's told with humour and there is a big sense of spectacle in seeing the production. I was lucky enough to see it when it first opened in London with Idina Menzel (who originated the role of broadway) reprising her performance of Elphaba. I can remember being utterly blown away by her voice and I've been a huge fan of her's ever since.

This time Rachel Tucker, who was one of the wannabe Nancys in I'd Do Anything is taking on the role. I'm hoping she's going to be great. I have to say I enjoyed her performance as Meat when we went to see We Will Rock You but whether she can measure up to Idina Menzel I'm less convinced.  Having said that I am more than willing to eat my words come Saturday afternoon. I am very excited about seeing Lee Mead as Fiyero; I saw him in Joseph a couple of years ago with my Mum (her birthday trreat) and we were both very impressed.  I'm hoping to score an autograph.

The evening will be taken up with the Divine Comedy or rather Neil Hannon and a Piano in the courtyard at Somerset House.  Again, I've seen the Divine Comedy before at the Lowry a number of years ago now in the Quays Theatre which is a really intimate space and really draws you in at a gig.

It's a really full Saturday we're having which is great.

Three days and counting.

Keep Buggering On