Tuesday, 19 May 2009

A brief encounter with Jeremiah James - April 09

CAROUSEL - Savoy Theatre - London 30th April 2009
After a break where I didn’t see the show for a few weeks I was excited about finally seeing two performances on the same day & in the capital...my first trip to the theatre in London. Going to see a show is a ‘lottery’ as for a few days before I was wondering to myself if everyone was in good health(thanks Zak!) and I would get to hear the main cast...but all was good,I settled into my seat...let the shows begin! For an afternoon performance the theatre was over 75% full & the atmosphere was pretty good! Jeremiah & Alexandra(Silber) without a doubt,are the perfect ‘stage’ couple! They compliment each other when they share the stage-they bounce off each other so, so well.Individually they’re two different characters...Alexandra’s voice is crystal clear,but then there’s the heart stopping moment when Jeremiah sings on his own during “If I loved You” then later on for “Soliloquy"-after Billy realises that he’s going to be a father.Jeremiah’s vocals are outstanding & if anything,he’s getting better-he’s tweaked the voice & is now sounding more american than ever(I said similar to him after the show).He’s made the role of ‘Billy’ his… Since the show was a touring-show last year,there have been slight alterations (to the set in general,lines have been altered,etc,etc...they were obvious to me, but everything is for the better without a doubt!) Of course,the rest of the cast must be given a mention...Lauren Hood is extremely comical in the role of ‘Carrie’,Diana Kent as ‘Mrs Mullin’ (the scenes she does with Jeremiah are so,so funny if I may say so...esp. when he’s ‘Bounced’ ),Graham Macduff as ‘Jigger’-the bad-boy...he’s one of those men who has such a tremendous stage presence without having to utter a word...whoever picked out the entire cast for this show way back last year got it spot-on!
best wishes
Jacqueline

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