west end live

West End Live is an annual event showcasing the best entertainment West End has to offer. Because Leicester Square is currently undergoing a face-lift, this year it is being held in Trafalgar Square. I heard about this on the radio and since I'm not working today, I went. After all it's free! But it's not just about songs and dances because aside from musical performances, there are exhibits from The Science Museum, the London Film Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the National Gallery and more.

A picture paints a thousand words, daw. Kaya, I'll just let these photos do the talking.

At least 10,000 people witnessed today's event.

Even Crazy Frog was there.

And Jack Sparrow.

Where's Waldo?

Apparently, Free Run has 15 Guiness World Records. Members of the group take on parkour, stunts and martial arts.

Defying Gravity at 1120.

Phantom 2.0

I wonder if this is as "bad" as the movie?

Billy Elliott

Lend Me a Tenor is a new Musical Comedy that opened just last week.

Betty Blue Eyes is about a pig with, you guess it, blue eyes. The musical is a Cameron Mackintosh production.

Velma and Roxie.

The cast literally rocked the crowd. I hope to see this show soon.

Dark clouds mean ...

Mother. . . Rain

Amazingly, everybody stayed where they were.

The Jersey Boys singing in the rain. Great performance.

The music of Abba.

Thriller Live is a show celebrating the career of the King of Pop - Michael Jackson.

Didn't enjoy this act so much. The American humor seemed lost.

Seriously?!? I really didn't get this.

Hope to see this one soon, too. A movie starring Tom Cruise is actually in the works.

The London production stars Shane Ward - winner of X-Factor.

Vintage Batmobile.

And if you needed reminding, the Olympics is coming to London real soon.

33

Happy anniversary to my beloved Teatro Tomasino. The university-wide theatre guild of The University of Santo Tomas celebrates its 33rd year today.

My stint in UST was definitely memorable because of Teatro. They say most of life's important lessons are learned outside the claasroom. And it couldn't be more true in my case. UST gave me the diploma eventually but Teatro Tomasino molded me into the person of strong will that I am today. The organisation and its members shared knowledge and wisdom to me that I will be eternally grateful for. Most importantly, the guild taught me how to love. I lost it but because of Teatro, I found another one that's even more beautiful.

Incidentally, this year's first production is "Ang Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna" by Floy Quintos. I invite you all to watch because I can't. Check out their FB page for more details.

Happy Birthday Teatro. As we say in theatre, break a leg!

avenue Q

Best described as a theatrial version of Sesame Street but with very adult humour, Avenue Q follows the story of Princeton, fresh from uni and armed with a BA in English diploma as he embarks on a journey of self discovery. Bull! The show is about the residents of a fictional street located "in an outer-outer borough of New York City", an odd group of people and monsters, whose lives haven't turned out as they'd always planned.

Last Saturday, I saw it again with 8 other people from work. It was a team building/ slash Christmas party kinda event. I suggested that we do this instead, but got beaten when the team voted for a London jolly. I first saw this with Ketty four years ago and loved it. This time, I was still laughing my head off just like when I first saw it. It was crude, rude, politically incorrect and hilarious with a capital H.

The songs come on thick and fast, accounting for more of the show than any acting. Good thing the songs are great because it really gave me a serious case of LSS. Topbilled by an accomplished cast, they were brilliant! I was also pleased to see West End superstar and proud kababayan, Joanna Ampil as Christmas Eve. Although I felt she looks and sounds too sweet for the role. She ended up as Miss Saigon rather than a failed Mrs. Chinatown which is what the role called for. Nevertheless, they were all fantastic and all of us enjoyed it. A couple of my colleagues even commented that it was even better than what they've expected it to be.

After the show, we headed to Covent Garden where we had dinner. I had a big plate of Penne Carbonara which was a little salty for my taste. Not that it mattered to me because I finished my plate faster than Usain Bolt's blazing run at the world championships last year.

my trash can be your treasure

Kapamilya stars visited London town last week. Not that I cared. I didn't even know they were here. And even if I did, I don't give a flying f*ck about them anyway.

3 of my Brit friends spent a day with the Pinoy celebs as members of their security detail. According to them, the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was packed, with least 2000 besotted Filipino fans screaming and shrieking when their idols appeared on stage. It was a good show, they added. And a big hit with them was Pokwang, who, they thought was hilarious. My mates couldn't understand a thing she said but she, apparently, left them in stitches.

Anyway, the picture above is an autographed poster of the event. They thought I'd be pleased to have it. Unfortunately, they were wrong. Seriously. And they call themselves buddies, eh? hehehe. So if any of you, my 7 readers, want it. Lemme know and I'll post it to you.

why do I love glee?

Let me count the ways. (Apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

1. A diverse cast of relatively unknowns but with,



2. as Randy Jackson would put it, mad talent. Pipes, check. Moves, check. Acrobatic skills, check, check, check.



3. Cool tunes. And an even more amazing musical score.



3. Brilliant dance sequences.



4. Inspired performances and production numbers. This is my favorite thus far!



5. Wicked sense of humour.



6. Great quotes and clever story.

7. The New York Times called it "blissfully unoriginal in a witty, imaginative way". Whilst the Entertainment Weekly gave the show an A, posing the question: "Has there ever been a TV show more aptly named than Glee? It both embodies and inspires exactly that quality."

8. It's freaks and geeks meets a Cameron Crowe movie set in High School Musical on crack. For the record, I've never seen the latter. And not planning to either. Seriously.

9. And even if it may be implausible at times, the show has enough reality to make it believable. Moments on the show that make one ask oneself, why don't I do that in real life? Inspire, I think, is the word.

Some people believe that the easiest way to change people's behaviour for the better is to find something mundane, like a really boring task, and make it fun to do. Everyone in glee seems to have fun. And as a viewer, the fun part kinda rubs on you.

10. "With my lost saints, --- I love glee with shallow breath,
dog smiles and crocodile tears, of all my life! --- and, if Fox choose,
I shall but love glee better after it is axed."

----------------------------------------------------------

If you can't follow it on tv, watch the episodes here.

susan's humble pie: recommended for everyone

Didn't expect that, did you? What a way to tell the skeptics (in all of us), up yours!

I guess, in the end, life really hasn't killed the dream she dreamed. Gobsmacked, I am. Watch it here.

mabilis lang 'to. parang si-me-co.

* I have yet to hear a Christmas carol this year. If I were in the Philippines, this wouldn't have been a problem since some radio stations play the first Christmas carol on the 1st of September.

* Have you tried eating beer-battered chips? It's the bomb!

* Go for glory. To the Filipino athletes competing in the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, goodluck.

* GMA gets Medalla de Oro for defending human rights. They must be having a laugh?!?!

* Teatro Tomasino - the university-wide theatre guild of UST- will be staging "Twosome" at the Albertus Magnus auditorium on December 11 and 12. This twinbill production features Chris Martinez' "Welcome to Intelstar" and Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero's "Wanted: Chaperon" both directed by John Lapus.

* The Manila Ocean Park is already open. Have any of you been there yet? Any good?

* Finally saw Les Miz in West End. Ketty and I queued up three times (the last one at least for 30 minutes in bitter weather) to get tickets. Apparently, that weekend was very busy. The guy at the box office even told us how lucky we were to get tickets as the show was sold out. Unfortunately, the seats weren't together and with restricted view. It was a good show though. The performances were remarkable. Joanna Ampil's portrayal of Fantine was spot on. Her "I dreamed a dream" number was stirring.

* Did you know that we have to pay for a TV license here in the UK? A colour TV Licence costs £135.50 and a black and white licence costs £45.50. And you'd think they'll produce quality shows after that. Not!

* "Jack Bauer" begins his 48-day prison sentence. 48 divided by 2 is 24. Wala lang.

* Don't forget to switch off the lights when not in use.

sari-saring potpourri

There are 26 copies of The Order of The Phoenix in Maidstone Library. As of 1300 today, all of which had been checked out. I guess all of us wanted to re-read the book again (this is the fourth time I'm reading the book) before the new film comes out.

-------------------

If you are reading this in Manila, be sure to check out the Virgin Labfest at CCP. Some of the country's best in theatre will be participating in the said festival. One of them is a very good friend who will be appearing in "Three Sisters" directed by Jose Estrella.

Joel, break a leg! I have always admired your talent and your audacity to chase your dream. There is nothing more important than following your heart's desire and living your passion. All the best pare. Btw, goodluck on your impending career on cable tv. Naks, pa-autograph pag-uwi ko. hehehe

--------------------

Speaking of good friends, happy birthday to Remy and JR. Have a wicked day and remember: y'all will get it all, only not everything at the same time!

--------------------

And talking about dreams, my cousin Lala's PCIJ feature has been posted on the Ateneo website. Well-done! Please write more.

--------------------

Read this new commandment of the Philippine Catholic Church: Thou shalt not wear skimpy clothes to mass.

It's really alarming how some people consider going to church as an opportunity to display their new clothes. I remember one of my teachers in highschool telling our class: "Sa simbahan ang punta n'yo, hindi sa gimikan."

-------------------

For three years now, I've been telling myself (and those who cared to listen) that I'll be going to Wimbledon. This year, it looks like it's going to happen. My mate and I are planning to catch one of the men's semi-final matches at the All England Club next week. I hope it doesn't rain.

-------------------

Lastly, the missus shares her recipe for the best kare-kare here. I swear by the only blonde hair in my body (one and a half inches long on my left arm), it's really masarap!

solilokiya sa likod ng pulang telon 1.0

Theatre makes me disappear. For half an hour or so, it's as if I don't exist. I become a different person. I look and sound like me but it's not really me. I assume a character that's not my own. I have a new story. I am another person. And I love it.

The experience albeit temporarily gives me a chance to go away and at the same time, forget. My problems don't matter anymore. There on stage, my personal troubles can't hound me. They don't exist. I feel so powerful. And I feel absolute freedom!

But just like in real life, these things come to an end. The sounds fade and the lights go out. Finally, the curtains draw to a close. I run to the centre of the stage to take a bow. And suddenly I hear it. The sound of two hands coming together. A clap that eventually turns in to applause. And it is at this very moment that I realise how fortunate I am to be me.

I so miss it.

teatro, teatro

Going to the theatre this weekend? Well, there are loads of theatre and entertainment venues in London, so finding a show that will interest you is never a problem. I only managed to take a few photos because of the rain. I just love English weather! Anyway, here's a few pictures of what's on in the West End.

on stage- the lord of the rings

I saw a preview performance of The Lord of the Rings at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London last Tuesday. Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's books, the production is described by Matthew Warchus - the show's director- as Shakespeare meets Cirque du Soleil. I dunno about the Shakespeare bit but it sure was an amazing show of special effects and acrobatics.

When it premiered in Toronto last year, the critics panned it. Apparently, a reviewer from the New York Times dismissed it as "larely incomprehensible" whilst the Toronto Star headlined its review “Why we’re bored of The Rings”.

It wasn't as terrible as I expected it to be. In fact, it's not even as bad as what the reviews say. Sure there are flaws. I saw a preview performance, remember? The show doesn't officially open until June 19th, so I expect some changes will be made before that.

People who saw and will see the show will most likely remember the production's sights rather than its sounds. The stage revolves 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise, sometimes at the same time. It has sections that rise and lower to create ramps, mounds, cliffs and gullies as the action goes on. The lights design and special effects are very impressive.

In the opening scene, Bilbo is seen in the middle of the stage making his speech about his retirement. When it was time for him to say goodbye, he slipped the ring onto his finger and vanished right before our eyes. I was very impressed. Another impressive scene is Gandalf's confrontation with Balrog in the mines. The clever use of lights, shadows, wind, confetti and a gigantic red eyed monster made the scene rather spectacular.

Kudos to the costume designer for the wonderful costume pieces. I especially like The Dark Riders and the Ents garb. How they were designed to enhance the actors movements when they moved made the characters really believable.

I was a little disappointed by the actors. I found most performances flat. Especially that of Gandalf. It was weak and whenever he says something, I begin to feel sleepy. The actor who played Aragorn didn't deliver as well. He lacked presence and didn't appear or sound convincing at all to be the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Gondor. Also, the love story between him and Arwen wasn't believable. In the end, this part of the story felt like a just scene filler. Used only to make the show even longer. Such a shame because Arwen has a good voice.

If there's an award for the best actor in this production, Gollum will win hands down. He first appeared in the beginning of Act II. And what an entrance! Look at the picture of the stage, Gollum climbed down head first from the left top corner of the stage. And when he reached the floor, he stood up and walked. I was watching him like a hawk, expecting him to release himself from wires (discreetly of course) but I didn't notice anything. He just walked. Until now, I'm still in awe! Distant second are Merrie and Pippen who were actually funny, sometimes. They elicited most of the show's few laughs.

The songs are okay, except for one. The road goes on, sung by Frodo and Sam, I think is the best song in the bunch. It's lovely! The melody is great. It talked about the hobbits' adventures and friendship. The show only featured a few scenes about Sam and Frodo's friendship so when they sang this song it was really wonderful. The actors' voices blended beautifully.

(The London version of this song is slightly longer.)

The Battle of Helm's Deep was good. The choreography, I think is very inspired. The elves were holding a some sort of a stick with a green cloth (Symblosing the Ents. Very clever!), using it as a weapon to fight the orcs.

There are sub-plots from the books and the films that didn't make it on stage, which is understandable. Yet despite the cuts, the show still lasted for a little over three hours. I'm going to be honest by saying that there are parts that really dragged and bored me. The show was divided into three acts. My favorite is the second act because it didn't feel rushed and because Lothlorien's just beautiful. The ending, however, is a bit of a downer. I was expecting a big finale, which the production failed to deliver.

Will I recommend this show for people to see? Absolutely! Because despite its flaws, it was still one helluva theatre experience.