Name of Show: Apollo Victoria 80th Birthday Gala
Date: October 10th 2010 Evening
Starring: The cast of Wicked London, Sharon D. Clarke, Oliver Tompsett, Bucks Fizz.
Words and Music: Various
Opened: One night only
Theatre: Apollo Victoria
Seats: L2&3 (Limited View)
Seat Review: Fairly good seats, you can’t see the screen at the back or the back right hand corner of the stage.
Price: Approx £30
Visit number: One night only so first!
Rating out of 10: 10
Recommend: Definitely…I’ll be at their 90th Gala!
Describe it in 5 words: Perfect, pure entertainment, unbelievable, spectacular.
Strengths:
Many theatre fans, celebrity and not, descended on the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London to celebrate its 80th birthday. The theatre has seen many movies, artists and productions through its gorgeous green doors and last night, many of these were remembered in many, sometimes unusual, ways.
The first half was dedicated to the time that the theatre, previously the New Victoria, was a movie theatre and to the many bands and artists that have performed in the theatre. These included Frankie Valli, Arethra Franklin, Joni Mitchell and Dean Martin.
The second half, hosted by the fabulous Christopher Biggins, paid homage to all the shows that have called the Apollo Victoria Theatre ‘home’. These included The Sound Of Music, Bombay Dreams, Starlight Express and, of course, Wicked.
Highlights of the show were:
- the return of ASHLEIGH GRAY to the Apollo Victoria stage. Ashleigh, Nikki (Davis Jones aka Deej) and Sarah (Earnshaw) performed Strip Polka at the beginning of the show.
- the return of OLIVER ‘HOT THIGHS’ TOMPSETT to the Apollo Victoria stage. He was Fiyero for so long and really made that role very difficult to fill for his successor.
- the STARLIGHT EXPRESS feature at the end of the show which received a very worthy standing ovation
- JAMES FOX performing some Billy Joel classics, my favourite was Piano Man. He was also very genuine at Stage Door.
- WAYNE SLEEP and JACK WILCOX’s choreography – simply but hilarious.
- LOUISE DEARMAN singing Goldfinger. I seriously underestimated this woman. Glinda really doesn’t show off her vocal range – she rocked the place and proved us all wrong!
- SHARON D. CLARKE singing Midnight Train To Georgia – POWERHOUSE of a voice, amazing stage presence.
Flaws: The only downer that was put on the night was the problem caused by the microphones. In almost every number there was some sort of problem with them. It didn’t bother me until Niall Sheehy’s solo was completely mute. I was quite close and so could hear…just. I also wasn’t impressed with Jersey Boys and Bombay Dreams miming two of the three songs they each performed, although I loved the music they mimed to.
All in all it was a really special night to be in the audience for. It was probably a logistical nightmare for the backstage team. It finished 75 minutes late so we missed our train and got stranded but it didn’t matter, it was 100% worth it and I’m so incredibly grateful to the friend who bought me the ticket for my birthday.
Did you go the AV Gala?? What were your personal highlights???
MH xXx
Buy tickets here for Wicked and other one off performances at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
P.S UPDATE 12/10/10 – Read the comment below re. Bombay Dreams miming
