CAROUSEL - Edinburgh Festival Theatre - Oct. 08

CAROUSEL - Edinburgh Festival Theatre:7th October 2008
Tonight was the first of seven,yes seven performances I was due to attend in one of the most historic cities in the world.To be honest with you I didn’t know what to expect from the evening,as this was the first ever live musical that I had ever attended. One thing that I did learn was not to believe what you had seen written by other ‘reviewers’ previous to the performance you are due to attend.Take your seat,sit back and enjoy… From the outset,I couldn’t fault the singing or the acting in anyway.There were emotions of every kind over the 2 and a half hour show.The two genuine stars that shone the brightest were Jeremiah James & Alex Silber.I won’t “beat around the bush"-it was the prospect of hearing Jeremiah in this ‘classic’ musical that drew me to wish to attend so many shows.And I will tell you Jeremiah delivered big time in his role as Billy Bigelow.His voice was simply breathtaking-the range of emotions that were poured from his vocals were unbelievable...and when ‘that’ scene happened...I had tears in my eyes big time...it was heartbreaking in some ways yet a joyful evening in others… At times Jeremiah drew me into his own world with his delivery of voice to the music."Soliloquy" was Jeremiah’s moment-the stage belonged to him...there were other outstanding moments-but this stood out on it’s own. Alex Silber was,for me an unknown before tonight.But I will be looking out for her in the future.Why i’ve not heard of her before beggars belief to be honest.She is going to be one of the ‘west end’ greats in the years ahead.I believe she is that good! As for Jeremiah,for a man of young years,he’s been around for so many it seems. CAROUSEL in a few weeks is heading to the west end and for all who will be there to see it-you are in for a real treat.But remember HIS name - it’s going to catapult Mr James into the next world of superstardom,but for a man with his attitude to life he will remain firmly on the ground. I wouldn’t give such high praise to just anyone but I believe in my heart that Jeremiah and the term ‘stage greats’ are made to go together.
Jacqueline