Emma Matthews performs ‘You’ll Be Taking Control Of My Army’ from Partenope

I saw Opera Australia’s Partenope, starring the wonderful Emma Matthews, last week and forgot to blog about how sexy it was. Unf. 

Ben and I going over our weekend plans. (at Noel Coward Theatre)

Dear tumblr, 

I demand all of you go see this and blog your experiences so that I can live vicariously through you. Considering the level of success of past productions my hopes are not high, but I would see it at least twice if I was in New York right now. Then again, maybe it will be a huge success and run until 2014 when I plan to return. Who knows?

I was going to be productive today but I just discovered the PBS Broadcasts of Live From Lincoln Center are available in Australia too. Now I have to watch One Singular Sensation! Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch and Ring Them Bells! A Kander & Ebb Celebration. 

My friend and UK travel buddy Emily knew how much I wanted to see Longing at Hampstead Theatre when in London, so she bought me front row seats for my birthday. I was lured by the original proposal - a reputable writer (William Boyd) adapting two of Chekhov’s short stories for the stage, under the direction of Nina Raine. THEN the casting was confirmed - Tamsin Greig (aka Fran from Black Books, Caroline Todd from Green Wing and Beverly Lincoln in Episodes) AND Iain Glen (aka Ser Jorah Mormont from Game of Thrones and Sir Richard Carlisle in Downton Abbey). Oh my god. 

I know selecting productions by the featured stars is frowned upon … but YOLO and all that. I’m now seeing Kristin Chenoweth, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Tamsin Greig, Iain Glen, James McAvoy, Rufus Sewell and Kristin Scott Thomas while in London. 

I just got home from Opera Australia’s brilliant production of John Doyle’s Lucia di Lammermoor (a co-production with Houston Grand Opera and Teatro La Fenice). One thing I really appreciated about the minimalist set is the way it drew immediate focus to the performers - and that’s the way it should be. Unf. I audibly moaned when Emma Matthews hit Lucia’s famous high E-flat. I want to go back and see it tomorrow. In fact I’d sit through it again right now. 

I’m off to see the Melbourne opening of Opera Australia’s Madama Butterfly tonight. Very excited, not only for the show but also because it’s the beginning of their Spring season here which also includes an intriguing new production of Salome and then Emma Matthews in John Doyle’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor. 

The 2012 Australian cast of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum perform ‘Comedy Tonight’. 

I now have tickets to see Elaine Paige (in Concert), Stephen Sondheim (Q&A in conjunction with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) and eventually Angela Lansbury (Driving Miss Daisy) in Melbourne. I’m liking this influx of theatre idols heading to Australia. Now just waiting on a few select others … 

Unlike New York I plan to pre-book because these shows will be popular, many just opening when we arrive (and I’m not having another The Book of Mormon situation like in NYC). However Les Miserables is super pricey so if any of you have experience rushing let me know!

• The Book of Mormon
• Viva Forever! (Yes, the Spice Girls Musical. Judging myself so you don’t have to.)
• The Woman in Black (has anyone rushed this one? It’s more popular now thanks to the film so tickets are already slim.)
• Matilda: The Musical
• Peter and Alice (with Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw)
• Les Miserables

I’m seeing at least 15 shows this month (I really do love Melbourne in festival season). This makes me happy as it is. However I just realised that included in this line-up are house seats to see Elaine Paige in concert and then An Evening with Stephen Sondheim. If my tumblr becomes a succession of posts along the lines of “i3hrerqiuytoiqv3ty4i3q4yr”, you now know why. 

I also saw Nilaja Sun’s one-woman show No Child today. Wow. Wow wow wow. Based on her experiences teaching in one of New York’s toughest schools it did lean towards the inspirational teacher trope but not enough to spoil a fantastic feat in terms of performance creation and presentation. The audience lept to their feet as soon as it finished, like they had been busting to express their joy for the entire hour. Standing ovations, let alone cheering standing ovations, are fairly uncommon in Australia - but this deserved it.