Musical Theatre is what got me into the theatre. It’s something I have always dreamed to do one day. Yes, me, on stage. As I’ve got older I have explored different types of shows. However, I always come back to singing and dancing!
I am so lucky to live in the North East. We have so many fab theatres to go to. My favourites are Sunderland Empire and Nothern Stage. Two very different theatres. The Northern Stage offers some amazing contemporary pieces and intimate audiences. Whereas Sunderland Empire is historically grand and beautiful. It’s fab for huge broadway productions and great stage setups.
5. Avenue Q
The first kind of puppet show I have ever seen. Avenue Q is a quirky, hilarious show, Full of foul mouth puppets and jokes I couldn’t stop laughing. The songs are so catchy too. After a while, you stop noticing the actors with the puppets and the just take the characters for who they are. It came to the UK back in 2006 and there’s no surprise to why it has won awards for the best musical comedy show.
4. The King and I
I used to sit in front of our TV as a child and watch this movie. My TV was a lot bigger than it is now! I would sit and think about how much I wanted one of those dresses. And to dance like that!
When I saw it one stage my expectations were blown out of the water. The stage production and cast were amazing. I cried, I laughed. I went with my mum and will never forget seeing that on stage for the first time. When it comes to the musical theatre this is a class act.
3. War of the Worlds
Earlier in the year, I went to see small intimate showing at Northern Stage. The production of The War of the Worlds was amazing. No more than 10 rows of us pretty much sitting on top of the stage. Saying the stage is an exaggeration as there wasn’t much of that but a lot more improv.
The production was 4 actors. Just 4. The whole show. The HG wells famous novel was relocated back to the North East for this performance. It was a magical performance somehow with only 4 people on a small stage. The show was packed full of action and suspense. It will always bring me back to how theatre is supposed to be.
2. Kinky Boots
This guest post by Mellisa Marshall went down a treat. I was unable to make the showing however the buzz around the visit to the North East was certainly seen. It was talked about for weeks after and I’m still sitting here waiting to see it for myself.
Melissa talks about the warm hearting story behind the drag and its ability to make you laugh and cry.
1.Blood Brothers
It is really hard to narrow down the best musical theatre shows to come to the Northeast. Blood brothers are one that is so relevant now then it was back then.
Set in Liverpool, it hits hard to home about how different the north is to the South. But also, as a whole of the UK how we are living in a tough time and need our families to support us. It left me feeling like I wanted to make a difference. I want to work so hard to do something with my life and make sure no one has to struggle around me. But also made me really that’s impossible to do. That is exactly how the show makes you feel.
So there is my top 5 from this year. You can read the reviews for more details on the performances and cast. I hope this has given some inspiration for you to try out some musical theatre if you haven’t already.
