West End Shows!

Some of you may not know that before I was an ED, I was an Opera Singer, and even before that I was the lead singer in a band. But even before THAT, I fell in love with Musical Theater and I was able to perform in some very good productions in my teens and early 20’s. And for those of you who are reading about my adventures from Australia, you will just love this… in 1986 I was the lead singer at the Swagman Theater Restaurant in Ferntree Gully. That was my first (and last) ever experience of dinner theater. 9 shows a week, no understudy. You get the picture. I have to say when that place burned to the ground in 1991, I might have cheered (just a little bit). 1980’s Swagman advertisement coming up HERE - SO “tits and feathers” (cringe).

Anyway, during this era of my singing life I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in the Australian Contemporary Singing Competition semi-final. A trip to Sydney, and the opportunity to sing with a pro ensemble was a really big deal for me back then. I was not quite 20 when this adventure happened and it was then that I met the incredible Alison Jiear. We clicked and after some extraordinary adventures that weekend, we began a friendship that has lasted almost 40 years. Honestly, I have seen Ali maybe 4 or 5 times in the past 38 years, but somehow we have always been able to pick up where we left off. She moved to London, I moved to the U.S., but I have always followed her successes (and challenges) and we have always re-connected with the same energy and respect for each other that was ignited all those years ago. Here’s a shot of us at the final!

Anyway, just prior to visiting London again, I reached out to say “G’Day Mate” and “Watcha up to?” And she says “Sister Act on the West End”. Sister Act!!! I love that show. So guess who bought two tix to the show?!

I know, right? You hardly recognize me without the 80’s perm! We were lucky enough to be able to meet Ali before hand for dinner, and then again after the show for a wee drink. And I can honestly say, time just melted away and we were back to talking ARPO language (anyone get this?), and all the crazy memories we have. Such fun!

For a much less special, but equally entertaining night, we went to see “The Show that Goes Wrong” at the Duchess Theater on Tuesday night. What a hoot. In some ways this show reminded me of typical British slap-stick humor. You know, the the physical humor where the dead body on stage has to move because some steps on their hand, or a portion of the scenery malfunctions and everyone has to pretend it didn’t. SO FUNNY, but after 2 hours of literally EVERYTHING going wrong, we had had enough.

Highlight of the evening, sipping a drink with Immy at “Spoons” before the show (see above), shopping at Selfridges for new perfume that would meet the incredibly strict British travel guidelines (thanks Joe Malone for having small bottles), and eating yummy Japanese food with my incredibly worldly daughter, who apparently knows all the places to go.

Evening started and ended with a famous London soaking drizzle that literally soaks you to the bone, and a very long bus ride on the 188 back to Deptford to drop off Immy and a further jaunt to my flat afterward. Very happy I bought my crappy “purse-size” umbrella.