Third time is the charm, or why I love a crankier Hugh Laurie : MonteCarlo concert.
Third time is the charm, or why I love a crankier Hugh Laurie : MonteCarlo concert.
Three times the same concert, in the span of one year may seem a lot, but no ; because it wasn’t the same man playing. Last year, Hugh was a beginner in this music business ; despite the act, and the confidence, you could sense some insecurity, some shyness left. He kept checking on us, to see if we liked the show. He still had the House look, and the House posture, even if you could not mistake him for his character. In Paris, 15 days ago, he was thoroughly enjoying himself, giving a well written, well trained performance. In Monte Carlo, he delivered an impeccable performance in a more hurried fashion. Even if he was charming and witty, and the show was perfectly professional, it felt more like a job well done than a personal pleasure yesterday. I’ll explain.
The venue : Salle des Etoiles, MonteCarlo. A gorgeous place by the shore. The roof and walls can be opened if needed, which they did during the dinner and supporting act : the view is impressive. They did close it again for Hugh, for a better sound rendition, I suppose. There was a dinner, before the concert. Supposed to be served from 8.30 to 10 pm, before the concert started at 10.30. But the very wealthy audience kept arriving late, eating late, which led to the concert starting more than 20 mn late, which led to a slightly pissed Hugh, IMO, waiting backstage.
He was cheerful, though. Greeted us in multiple languages, since MonteCarlo is an international place : French, Englis, German, Russian. Less French than in Paris, which left me a bit nostalgic. Asked if the dinner had been good, with a bit of jab in his tone. I think the guy doesn’t like to wait, and he, obviously, had a schedule. So he left at the previously due hour, cutting 20 minuts in the show : he spoke faster, there was no whiskey ceremony, no Careless Love, no final Tanqueray. Only one (short) encore with Changes. And, despite, being deprived of 20 mns of Hugh, I like that. I like that he is confident/perfectionist/ not vanilla enough to do as he had decided to. Even if circumstances that he is not responsible for are not in his favour.
The jokes and explanations were here, a few ones I hadn’t heard before : James Booker was gay, which wasn’t easy at his time “and still isn’t”, “you may think I’m a music nerd (whispering “which I am”). He nursed the same shot of “10 years old apple juice” for the entire show. He danced, quite happily, still voluntarily clownishly, but not in a dislocated way. Looking closer, he is perfectly in rhythm even if it could not seem so : http://t.co/uvJ7iprZ. He thoroughly enjoyed himself during Sister Jean’s song, and is still in awe of his band : http://t.co/cM5pojsV.
The audience was - well, older. And quieter, even if they clapped and sang as requested. There was a group of very dolled up women, tho, who did a lot of noise and cheering at first. They made sure he knew it was a birthday party. He asked the birthday girl for her first name and age. She said 40, he said really? Is this your name or your age? Again with a bit of edge. Then sang and played a bit of Happy Birthday for her. Even if it was kind of cute, his voice wasn’t particularly warm. I got under the impression he just wanted to quiet them down. At the same time, a member of the crew came to them and asked them to calm down. Which they did, more or less. They hummed and waved at him a lot, staye up while we were all seating. He made a point of ignoring them after that. They were all busty, spectacular and blonde. On behalf on all the non blonde, non busty, non spectacular, Hugh, Thank you.
My man, who hadn’t seen him before and isn’t particularly fond of blues, agreed that the show was very professional, and that Hugh’s voice was way better than he expected. Given the audience’s reaction at the end, they had a good time. I’m not sure Hugh will consider it one of its best memories. I liked seeing him a bit more sharp, tho. I like that the guy isn’t only a nice, smiling, well bred, self deprecating Brit.
So, next year?
Three times the same concert, in the span of one year may seem a lot, but no ; because it wasn’t the same man playing. Last year, Hugh was a beginner in this music business ; despite the act, and the confidence, you could sense some insecurity, some shyness left. He kept checking on us, to see if we liked the show. He still had the House look, and the House posture, even if you could not mistake him for his character. In Paris, 15 days ago, he was thoroughly enjoying himself, giving a well written, well trained performance. In Monte Carlo, he delivered an impeccable performance in a more hurried fashion. Even if he was charming and witty, and the show was perfectly professional, it felt more like a job well done than a personal pleasure yesterday. I’ll explain.
The venue : Salle des Etoiles, MonteCarlo. A gorgeous place by the shore. The roof and walls can be opened if needed, which they did during the dinner and supporting act : the view is impressive. They did close it again for Hugh, for a better sound rendition, I suppose. There was a dinner, before the concert. Supposed to be served from 8.30 to 10 pm, before the concert started at 10.30. But the very wealthy audience kept arriving late, eating late, which led to the concert starting more than 20 mn late, which led to a slightly pissed Hugh, IMO, waiting backstage.
He was cheerful, though. Greeted us in multiple languages, since MonteCarlo is an international place : French, Englis, German, Russian. Less French than in Paris, which left me a bit nostalgic. Asked if the dinner had been good, with a bit of jab in his tone. I think the guy doesn’t like to wait, and he, obviously, had a schedule. So he left at the previously due hour, cutting 20 minuts in the show : he spoke faster, there was no whiskey ceremony, no Careless Love, no final Tanqueray. Only one (short) encore with Changes. And, despite, being deprived of 20 mns of Hugh, I like that. I like that he is confident/perfectionist/ not vanilla enough to do as he had decided to. Even if circumstances that he is not responsible for are not in his favour.
The jokes and explanations were here, a few ones I hadn’t heard before : James Booker was gay, which wasn’t easy at his time “and still isn’t”, “you may think I’m a music nerd (whispering “which I am”). He nursed the same shot of “10 years old apple juice” for the entire show. He danced, quite happily, still voluntarily clownishly, but not in a dislocated way. Looking closer, he is perfectly in rhythm even if it could not seem so : http://t.co/uvJ7iprZ. He thoroughly enjoyed himself during Sister Jean’s song, and is still in awe of his band : http://t.co/cM5pojsV.
The audience was - well, older. And quieter, even if they clapped and sang as requested. There was a group of very dolled up women, tho, who did a lot of noise and cheering at first. They made sure he knew it was a birthday party. He asked the birthday girl for her first name and age. She said 40, he said really? Is this your name or your age? Again with a bit of edge. Then sang and played a bit of Happy Birthday for her. Even if it was kind of cute, his voice wasn’t particularly warm. I got under the impression he just wanted to quiet them down. At the same time, a member of the crew came to them and asked them to calm down. Which they did, more or less. They hummed and waved at him a lot, staye up while we were all seating. He made a point of ignoring them after that. They were all busty, spectacular and blonde. On behalf on all the non blonde, non busty, non spectacular, Hugh, Thank you.
My man, who hadn’t seen him before and isn’t particularly fond of blues, agreed that the show was very professional, and that Hugh’s voice was way better than he expected. Given the audience’s reaction at the end, they had a good time. I’m not sure Hugh will consider it one of its best memories. I liked seeing him a bit more sharp, tho. I like that the guy isn’t only a nice, smiling, well bred, self deprecating Brit.
So, next year?