WEST END UNPLUGGED EPISODE 1****

 

By Imogen

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XS5kyr9kyA&t=5s

Available until: Unknown

West End Unplugged is a series of four online concerts featuring the stars of the West End. There are three or four each week and they sing songs from current and past West End shows. And future West End shows because we do have a future. I refuse to accept anything else so sort it out Boris.

The first guest was Alice Fearn. She had her blonde hair loose and wavy and she was wearing a long dress in forest green. It really suits her. She sang Me and the Sky from Come from Away really well. Excellent diction and emotion. Just the right amount to show the character’s love of flying but also showing she’s a professional and she knows what she’s doing. Nobody would believe for a minute that she’s 51 but that’s ok. I plan on looking exactly like Alice when I’m 51.

Next she sang The Wizard and I from Wicked. It’s nice to hear other songs besides Defying Gravity but Defying Gravity is still a better song. Just saying. But The Wizard and I is a harder song in some ways. First you have to accept that people really wanted you to sing Defying Gravity. It also has a big range, some quite complicated rhythms, the tune doesn’t always go where you expect it to and a lot of it is telling a story (an imaginary conversation between Elphaba and the Wizard) rather than just expressing emotions and you really have to bring the words across. It’s nice that Alice is wearing green as nobody would wear Elphaba’s green face if they have a choice.

I don’t know much about Tim Howar. He’s quite old but he doesn’t look it. He has nice hair and he speaks very well. He sang Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi which is in the musical Rock of Ages. His character is called Stacee Jaxx which is such a weird name for a boy. I didn’t really like the song because it was too rocky and it went in an almost country direction at times but he has a good rock voice. He’s actually sung with English National Opera in On the Town and Chess. He walked out halfway through the opening performance of Chess when his wife gave birth so he obviously has his priorities in order which is always good to see in a man.

Sandra Marvin was in Emmerdale but one day her character Jessie sang a song and I was just like she NEEDS to be in the West End. I think she must have agreed with me because she left Emmerdale and joined Waitress. She sang I Don’t know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar which was really moving. I think Mary Magdalene has lightly weird taste in men, I can’t stand men who think they’re God’s gift and they must be even more annoying when it’s actually true.

Sandra also sang I Will Always Love You which is in The Bodyguard. It’s so nice to see a really sincere performance from someone who really feels the words. Most people are just showing off and pretending to be Whitney. I hate it when people show off. It’s really not attractive. Sandra’s dress was pinky with ruffles and even the brown belt looked quite stylish. I wish brown wasn’t fashionable. It’s not a good idea, so few people look good in brown.

Sandra was in Romantics Anonymous which will be available online from 22^nd-27^th September. You’ll have to book tickets and they’re £15 but maybe you can find someone to pay for you. The performances are based around particular regions but you can book any of them. I’m going to watch the Scottish performance which has made my dad very happy. Not happy enough to give me money because duh, he takes the whole Scottish thing way too seriously but parents are so much easier to deal with when they’re in a good mood.

It's annoying the way they keep getting old celebrities onscreen telling us to donate. The more they nag, the less I want to do it. It’s just rude. Some of us can’t make payments online anyway. Do you want me to steal my mum’s credit card? Because I don’t. I’ve done it before and it really didn’t turn out well.

Tim came back to sing Pity the Child from Chess. Luckily his wife didn’t give birth halfway through this time. I’m not sure about the song but he sounds like a real rockstar and he’s not nearly as decrepit as the real rockstars who have probably all been taking drugs. The cellist is good too.

The finale was Alice and Sandra singing That’s Life which was in the Frank Sinatra musical and the musical TV series Smash. Sandra sings so well in this style. I wasn’t sure if Alice had the right voice but she nailed it, she’s so versatile. I’m quite jealous actually. Great hair, great voice, she’s got everything. They can both really belt the high notes too. No screech whatsoever.

It was a good concert but it’s a shame they didn’t have anyone young and fit like Matthew Croke or Alistair Brammer. Tim looks great for a 50 year old but I couldn’t date him, it wouldn’t be decent.