Travelling the world as International Cabin Crew has many perks. The opportunity to see every corner of the globe without having to pay for it, the good places, the not so good places, and the downright feral places. The opportunity to shop for needless items on every layover. Knowing exactly which deli in New York to go to get the best cream cheese in your bagel. Knowing exactly where to go in Hamburg to get the best winter woolies. Or where to find the best Sushi on offer in Sydney. For the culturally minded thespians amongst us, the opportunity to see live theatre around the world is also right on your doorstep. Over the last 12 months, I have been fortunate enough to have seen a plethora of the planets major musical offerings, which is just the tip of the iceberg for what I have seen in the past.
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert;
Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Take one revolving pink bus, several lashings of feather boa, three diva's, a trio of men dressed as women and throw in a journey across outback Australia. Priscilla, based on the movie from the early 1990's, is hilarious. In one of the most original adaptations of a movie-to-musical performance, you can't help but be mesmorised by the colour, the costumes, the singing, the humour and the simple obsurdity of this show. At the Lyric Theatre in Sydney, I was so fortunate to stumble across a 2nd row ticket, which got me so close to the action that the infamous ping pong scene sore a little orange ball come flying right at my head!
Miss Saigon;
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
When the heat is on in Saigon, and there is a war going on, why not make a hit mega-production about it! The story of the American Soldier who falls in love with a Vietnamese prostitute, who produce a baby but are forced apart when the troops flee Saigon. Never expecting to see each other again, the soldier marries another woman back at home, and the triangular form of love ensues. Having known the music for a really long time via my 19 years of piano playing, I was so happy to finally see the Australian cast do absolute a stellar job at taking me on a journey to the town formerly known as Saigon. Unexpected twists at the end left me a little shocked, and humming the tunes all night long
Spamalot;
New York, UNITED STATES
Monty Python on stage, in the musical version thereof, Spamalot was OK, but I can't say I was totally fulfilled by it. I also don't know whether my jetlag had played a part in my diminished enjoyment levels, but for an afternoon matinee spectacular, it was a bit of fun. In true Python form, Spamalot was full of humour, gags and chuckles, the songs were clever, witty and well perfomed. Starring Clay Aiken, from American Idol fame, I couldn't help but think of him as less of the Knight he was meant to be, but more the South Carolina popstar singing Bridge Over Troubled Water from his failed attempt to win the Idol Crown.
Mystere;
Las Vegas, UNITED STATES
Cirque du Soleil. Treasure Island. Vegas. Outdoing everything, this is perhaps the most beautiful, inspiring, creative, and talented thing I have ever seen. The most magical costumes, haunting live music and vocals, acrobatic artistry and comedy rolled into a 2 hour performance of epic proportions. After securing 2nd row tickets, we were able to watch every detail of the artists tumble, bungee, contort, and do things I still maintain are humanly impossible. This was our first taste of the many Cirque productions out there. I really can't wait to see more!
Legally Blonde;
New York, UNITED STATES
Pure, bottle blonde drivel! Unfortunately, as musical producers sometimes do, they take a relatively cute teen-movie, and turn it into a highly commercialised, over-acted, over-sung pink extravaganza geared toward the prepubescent female audience. They seemed to enjoy it, however, so I guess the target clientele are satisfied, but for this avid theatre-goer, I am happy to chalk that one up to being a memory best forgotten! Fun, but a little limp!
Mary Poppins;
New York, UNITED STATES
Simply SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPELIDOCIOUS! Disney on Broadway's new production of Mary Poppins was just delightful. With the Banks' House recreated in its enormity on stage, and several new songs written just for the musical version, I saw this show with Bridget and Tracey from my crew, and my good friend Julie, a Purser from the other Emirates New York flight that was in town that day. After becoming a little intoxicated from the super-sipper sized vessel of red wine we consumed prior to the curtain going up, we thoroughly and genuinely enjoyed this show. And yes, it
is true; a spoonful of sugar DOES help the medicine go down. In the most delightful way.
A Tale of Two Cities;
New York, UNITED STATES
Originally a Charles Dickens' novel about an impossible love battle set in the revolutionary days in London and Paris, this show had been touted as the new Les Miserables. I tried so hard to not go into the show thinking of it like that, and allowed myself to enjoy it for its own individual merits, and that I thoroughly did. Not knowing any of the music, I was captivated by the songs, the staging, and particularly the snow-falling-in-parkland-Paris scene. Unfortunately the critics of Broadway didnt agree with Victoria, Miguel and I, and slated the production which has ultimately led to its demise just four months after it began playing.
On the horizon, with the A380 commencing flights to London from 01DEC, there will be so many more opportunities and more shows opening up to my eyes with the West End becoming in frequent reach. As you can see, in 2008 alone, it has been a busy theatrical year, and I can't wait to see what becomes of the rest of this year, and into 2009.
169 Cities. 56 Countries. I present to you, The World as travelled by The Flying Kiwi. Yes, there are loads of gaps still undiscovered. Some of these gaps, though, will remain undiscovered!
