think, think.. I CAN remember yesterday....
ok. yes. yesterday.
Started off getting train from home to college. Only... err... got up there in time to JUST miss the London bridge train that'd have been very handy- london bridge being on the jubilee line, as is Swiss Cottage. But I missed the train. And the Victoria train, due in 10 minutes, was delayed by a further 15. very tedious. So I didn't even get on the underground til 9.30 when I needed to be in college at 10. I hadn't had breakfast, as usual feeling so sick first thing I didn't eat. And as I didn't have time to stop anywhere, I got to college running on empty. And also, I had no cash. all in all, not a successful morning. by the time we took a break from our pinning and fabric cutting, I was getting pretty wafty - Viv lent me a quid for tea and biscuits. That got me through til nearly lunchtime, but I was really not doing well. I made my excuses and said that I'd not be back unless I felt able to continue.
FORTUNATELY Mazz, Thingywot and Jared were meant to be meeting me for Lunch - but for whatever reason Jared was working all day. So Mazz and I waited for TW... Love that girl, but she's always late! Once we'd got her, got money, then got lunch. As I was still feeling very vague, and also missing some equipment, and Mazz was going don to John Lewis, and I really don't like being alone when I'm feeling that bad, I went along. Justified enough? We actually spent most of the afternoon sitting in Starbucks, or on buses. Went to John Lewis, got the pattern drafing stuff I needed, and bumped into Jodie Jacobs, button-hunting. Lovely to chat briefly to her... passed her again later on Berwick Street too. Did get to Borovicks, and got the Angel Fluff. Well, not the Ostrich fluff I had in mind, at £20/boa, and I'd need three boas.... I got white marabou with silver tinsel in, 10metres for £20. I'll use it double to make up the thickness. And it's extra shiny! However... I went to pay by debit card. It wasn't having any of it. Wasn't taking my credit card either. NOR would the system take another lady's card... I ended up writing a cheque, but my card that goes with the cheque book is not a cheque guarantee card, because that'd make life too easy. Abbey, it seems, don't DO that. Fortuntely the guys in Borovicks' know me, and a couple of girls working there had had the smae problems with Abbey, so we had a bit of a whine... end result being they took my cheque when REALLY, strictly speaking, they shouldn't have.
After that drama, we wandered down to shaftesbury ave, going past the club Hedwig was in that night, double-checking that indeed we did know where it was. At this point, Mazz decided she wanted pizza. Thin, italian pizza. PROPER pizza. What a shame there's no Pizza Express in Soho... no, I didn't hit her. But I did guide her to the Pizza express just up from the Prince of Wales, which, I believe, is the original restaurant in the chain. We just had a pizza each, but Jen had dough-balls and a bit of Mazz' and mine. Since we'd occupied a table for a good while and really not eaten much, and the staff had all been LOVELY, we left a pretty generous tip.
HEDWIG
Now, I know that as I had been too spaced to get to college that afternoon I really should not have gone out to a show in the evening- and had we not been booked, and seeing one of only 6 shows, I would have cancelled. But as it is, there is no other opportunity to see David Badella's Hedwig again. So Mazz and I queued up, to get into the foyer - it's very much a club setup at too2much, formerly "Raymond's revue bar". All very posh... small merchendise stand had big t-shirts! yay! nd hed-heds! YAY! AND they took debit cards, yaaay! AND mine actually worked! So I am sitting here in a new black Hedwig t-shirt. And considering how to personalise it, it's very pretty.
We were guided upstairs and seated in a booth, it's all booths and tables and a small cabaret stage, and two pole-dancing platforms. So tasteful... I was right up leaning against one of the pole-dancing stages. The one on the other side of the room had a table and chairs, with audience seated up there. I'm sure they didn't feel self-conscious at all... we were in at about 7.15, show supposedly starting at 8. hah. by 8.30 almost everyone on the guest-list had arrived... great people-watching time, and being with Mazz is great too, 'course we understand each other so much more than most of the rest of the world. Interesting audience too- some real fans behind us, almost entirely a theatrical/gay scene, the crossover market.
The show did eventually start... While I might get hit for this, it's a compliment- really - but David Badella as Hedwig reminds me of Jodie Jacobs. That's a compliment to David! :D What can I say about Hedwig... the show is amazing. The music... the story, the character... the GLITTER! David's Hedwig is fairly butch, he's never gonna convince anyone he's not a man in drag. But that's part of his character. I could wish for some more planning in his costumes tho. His entrance - stunning, the fringed cowgirl dress. But under it he has a black corset-type top and a miniskirt that's almost like a loincloth - I don't know how to describe it, it's just the simplest shape to cover the area without giving anything away. but the black top possibl has been recycled as it isn't really big enough- it comes below "bust"-line in the middle and shows (argh, need anatomic knowledge) a kinda dip between pecs - very masculine. having it 2" higher would add to the illusion, certainly during the beginning of the show when it's more necessary. As the show progresses and we find out more about him, and the complexities of his gender, the feminine illusion dissolves and it doesn't matter.
Sitting, as I was, right in the corner and leaning on the pole-dancing stage was amazing view - and pretty tough for me. He sang "Origin of Love" from there... a song with unfailingly makes me cry BUCKETS. And he was right there, in the spotlight, and by default, so was I... but I managed not to actually tear up. go me in control. The cabaret venue worked brilliantly for the piece, of course, as that's where the roots of the show are. Only problem was the location of the screen with the graphics was upstage centre - but upstage meant 6' from the front, and directly behind the band. There was very little room, and the screen was obscured, so the graphics were quite hard to see. They didn't have the kare-oke for "Wig in a box" at all...
In fact, the whole performance was not without tchnical hitches. There must have been something wrong for it to start 30 mins late! The dialogue when Hedwig flings open the fire escape door to listen in on Tommy's concert was not smooth- first time, light and no sound... nice ad-lib about how Trafalgar Square's not so close after all... and then later sound but no light. But it's of little impact on the drama of the show.
It gets so surreal at the end! After the tomato-smashing (which Mazz noticed this time- when we saw the show at Heaven we were in front and the action was behind us at that point) it becomes so much harder to follow. Does Hedwig herself become Tommy? David Badella's altering vocal tones is brilliant, he was practically unrecognisable as Tommy. And so shiny... yay for spray body glitter! And then he comes back stripped almost naked, without wig, without makeup... Midnight Radio makes me cry so much too! Fortunately by this point a lot of people are quite emotional from the power of the storyline and the performance, plus I was just in the corner, so not a problem to cry.
The only actual weakness I found was the girl playing Yitzhak. I just don't think she's right for the part. She's tiny, petite, elfin. And while she does have a good strong voice, her mid-voice, ie. singing backing harmonies etc, wasn't so good. And she really didn't drag up well... but then she was bound to be compared to the girl in the film of Hedwig, who looked convincingly male in drag and is effectively perfect in the role. And while I can appreciate the symmetry they are attempting in the final scene, as Yitzhak returns as a woman, it doesn't quite work... She wears a long mesh dress, under which she has basically hotpants and a sports-bra underwear, in very similar black block shapes to Hedwig's. however the long mesh dress is arather baggy, shapeless affair on her, and she has the blonde wig shoved over her natural brown hair. It is a VERY quick-change, but as she returns she doesn't undergo the necessary transformation from pathetic miserable man to glamourous woman.
But then, this is ME and I will nit-pick at anything. The show was FANTASTIC. afterwards, Mazz took her last ride ever on a Routemaster - the 38 bus route is being replaced by modern bendy buses as of tomorrow... GRRRRRR... and I waited for a 13 back to Swiss Cottage. waited. and waited. and waited... 30 mins... and then 2 came along at once, of course.
Now, it's lunchtime... this morning I was in by 9.45, only to find out I don't NEED to be in college at all today, so I could have gone home last night and relaxed all day, only to come to town this evening to see "Underground". It does look to be an interesting show... wherever it is...
Started off getting train from home to college. Only... err... got up there in time to JUST miss the London bridge train that'd have been very handy- london bridge being on the jubilee line, as is Swiss Cottage. But I missed the train. And the Victoria train, due in 10 minutes, was delayed by a further 15. very tedious. So I didn't even get on the underground til 9.30 when I needed to be in college at 10. I hadn't had breakfast, as usual feeling so sick first thing I didn't eat. And as I didn't have time to stop anywhere, I got to college running on empty. And also, I had no cash. all in all, not a successful morning. by the time we took a break from our pinning and fabric cutting, I was getting pretty wafty - Viv lent me a quid for tea and biscuits. That got me through til nearly lunchtime, but I was really not doing well. I made my excuses and said that I'd not be back unless I felt able to continue.
FORTUNATELY Mazz, Thingywot and Jared were meant to be meeting me for Lunch - but for whatever reason Jared was working all day. So Mazz and I waited for TW... Love that girl, but she's always late! Once we'd got her, got money, then got lunch. As I was still feeling very vague, and also missing some equipment, and Mazz was going don to John Lewis, and I really don't like being alone when I'm feeling that bad, I went along. Justified enough? We actually spent most of the afternoon sitting in Starbucks, or on buses. Went to John Lewis, got the pattern drafing stuff I needed, and bumped into Jodie Jacobs, button-hunting. Lovely to chat briefly to her... passed her again later on Berwick Street too. Did get to Borovicks, and got the Angel Fluff. Well, not the Ostrich fluff I had in mind, at £20/boa, and I'd need three boas.... I got white marabou with silver tinsel in, 10metres for £20. I'll use it double to make up the thickness. And it's extra shiny! However... I went to pay by debit card. It wasn't having any of it. Wasn't taking my credit card either. NOR would the system take another lady's card... I ended up writing a cheque, but my card that goes with the cheque book is not a cheque guarantee card, because that'd make life too easy. Abbey, it seems, don't DO that. Fortuntely the guys in Borovicks' know me, and a couple of girls working there had had the smae problems with Abbey, so we had a bit of a whine... end result being they took my cheque when REALLY, strictly speaking, they shouldn't have.
After that drama, we wandered down to shaftesbury ave, going past the club Hedwig was in that night, double-checking that indeed we did know where it was. At this point, Mazz decided she wanted pizza. Thin, italian pizza. PROPER pizza. What a shame there's no Pizza Express in Soho... no, I didn't hit her. But I did guide her to the Pizza express just up from the Prince of Wales, which, I believe, is the original restaurant in the chain. We just had a pizza each, but Jen had dough-balls and a bit of Mazz' and mine. Since we'd occupied a table for a good while and really not eaten much, and the staff had all been LOVELY, we left a pretty generous tip.
HEDWIG
Now, I know that as I had been too spaced to get to college that afternoon I really should not have gone out to a show in the evening- and had we not been booked, and seeing one of only 6 shows, I would have cancelled. But as it is, there is no other opportunity to see David Badella's Hedwig again. So Mazz and I queued up, to get into the foyer - it's very much a club setup at too2much, formerly "Raymond's revue bar". All very posh... small merchendise stand had big t-shirts! yay! nd hed-heds! YAY! AND they took debit cards, yaaay! AND mine actually worked! So I am sitting here in a new black Hedwig t-shirt. And considering how to personalise it, it's very pretty.
We were guided upstairs and seated in a booth, it's all booths and tables and a small cabaret stage, and two pole-dancing platforms. So tasteful... I was right up leaning against one of the pole-dancing stages. The one on the other side of the room had a table and chairs, with audience seated up there. I'm sure they didn't feel self-conscious at all... we were in at about 7.15, show supposedly starting at 8. hah. by 8.30 almost everyone on the guest-list had arrived... great people-watching time, and being with Mazz is great too, 'course we understand each other so much more than most of the rest of the world. Interesting audience too- some real fans behind us, almost entirely a theatrical/gay scene, the crossover market.
The show did eventually start... While I might get hit for this, it's a compliment- really - but David Badella as Hedwig reminds me of Jodie Jacobs. That's a compliment to David! :D What can I say about Hedwig... the show is amazing. The music... the story, the character... the GLITTER! David's Hedwig is fairly butch, he's never gonna convince anyone he's not a man in drag. But that's part of his character. I could wish for some more planning in his costumes tho. His entrance - stunning, the fringed cowgirl dress. But under it he has a black corset-type top and a miniskirt that's almost like a loincloth - I don't know how to describe it, it's just the simplest shape to cover the area without giving anything away. but the black top possibl has been recycled as it isn't really big enough- it comes below "bust"-line in the middle and shows (argh, need anatomic knowledge) a kinda dip between pecs - very masculine. having it 2" higher would add to the illusion, certainly during the beginning of the show when it's more necessary. As the show progresses and we find out more about him, and the complexities of his gender, the feminine illusion dissolves and it doesn't matter.
Sitting, as I was, right in the corner and leaning on the pole-dancing stage was amazing view - and pretty tough for me. He sang "Origin of Love" from there... a song with unfailingly makes me cry BUCKETS. And he was right there, in the spotlight, and by default, so was I... but I managed not to actually tear up. go me in control. The cabaret venue worked brilliantly for the piece, of course, as that's where the roots of the show are. Only problem was the location of the screen with the graphics was upstage centre - but upstage meant 6' from the front, and directly behind the band. There was very little room, and the screen was obscured, so the graphics were quite hard to see. They didn't have the kare-oke for "Wig in a box" at all...
In fact, the whole performance was not without tchnical hitches. There must have been something wrong for it to start 30 mins late! The dialogue when Hedwig flings open the fire escape door to listen in on Tommy's concert was not smooth- first time, light and no sound... nice ad-lib about how Trafalgar Square's not so close after all... and then later sound but no light. But it's of little impact on the drama of the show.
It gets so surreal at the end! After the tomato-smashing (which Mazz noticed this time- when we saw the show at Heaven we were in front and the action was behind us at that point) it becomes so much harder to follow. Does Hedwig herself become Tommy? David Badella's altering vocal tones is brilliant, he was practically unrecognisable as Tommy. And so shiny... yay for spray body glitter! And then he comes back stripped almost naked, without wig, without makeup... Midnight Radio makes me cry so much too! Fortunately by this point a lot of people are quite emotional from the power of the storyline and the performance, plus I was just in the corner, so not a problem to cry.
The only actual weakness I found was the girl playing Yitzhak. I just don't think she's right for the part. She's tiny, petite, elfin. And while she does have a good strong voice, her mid-voice, ie. singing backing harmonies etc, wasn't so good. And she really didn't drag up well... but then she was bound to be compared to the girl in the film of Hedwig, who looked convincingly male in drag and is effectively perfect in the role. And while I can appreciate the symmetry they are attempting in the final scene, as Yitzhak returns as a woman, it doesn't quite work... She wears a long mesh dress, under which she has basically hotpants and a sports-bra underwear, in very similar black block shapes to Hedwig's. however the long mesh dress is arather baggy, shapeless affair on her, and she has the blonde wig shoved over her natural brown hair. It is a VERY quick-change, but as she returns she doesn't undergo the necessary transformation from pathetic miserable man to glamourous woman.
But then, this is ME and I will nit-pick at anything. The show was FANTASTIC. afterwards, Mazz took her last ride ever on a Routemaster - the 38 bus route is being replaced by modern bendy buses as of tomorrow... GRRRRRR... and I waited for a 13 back to Swiss Cottage. waited. and waited. and waited... 30 mins... and then 2 came along at once, of course.
Now, it's lunchtime... this morning I was in by 9.45, only to find out I don't NEED to be in college at all today, so I could have gone home last night and relaxed all day, only to come to town this evening to see "Underground". It does look to be an interesting show... wherever it is...