All That Jazz

There are a few theatre shows, especially the famous ones, which have movie versions. Like Oliver, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Les Miserables, Hairspray and Mamma Mia, to name a few. Well what is the difference between the theatre version and the movie version, which one is better? Though I have only thus far seen Phantom, Chicago and Les Mis, but I daresay, the difference is huge. Theatre is way better. Even if the stage effects can never compete with the digital technology of movie effects nowadays, but the acting is of another level, hearing the powerful live singing, actually seeing the actor cry and even noticing occasional showers of saliva as they deliver their lines in oozing emotions – going to a theatre is an experience one can never forget. IMHO it is more difficult to act on a stage, to connect to a live audience. It is more challenging. There’s no take two in theatre, that’s why I greatly admire the enormous talent and skill that every theatre actor must possess.

I took my guests, Erskine and Jake, to watch Chicago at West End last Saturday. I had booked the tickets one week ahead through LastMinute.com, where I got discounted best available seats. I was a bit worried at first that what if they would not fancy it, that paying a lot for one ticket would not be worth it. But the moment the show started and sexy ladies sang and danced and even performed splits in nothing but black fishnets, I knew I did not need to worry. During the break I still asked to confirm if they really were enjoying, though I was careful not to gloat. They were literally grinning when they answered that they (referring to the female actors in nothing but fishnets) did not have to sing. Oh well what can I say – boys will always be boys!


It was very enjoyable. Definitely better than the movie. One thing is still the same after having watched the theatre is that I still prefer the Velma Kelly character (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie) than Roxie Hart (played by Renee Zellweger in the movie). She has more kick and spunk.

So what’s next on my list? Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera again, Oliver!, Wicked, Les Miserables again and then, errm I am open to suggestions (anyone?). I will conquer the West End! God help my pocket...

List of West End theatres (from Wikipedia, scroll down)

• If no show is currently running, the play listed is the next show planned (dates marked with an *).
• If the next show planned is not announced, the applicable columns are left blank.

Theatre	Current show	Capacity	Opening date	Closing date
Adelphi Theatre	Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat	1500	2007-07-06July 6 2007	2009-05-30May 30 2009
Aldwych Theatre	Dirty Dancing	1200	2006-09-28September 28 2006	Open-ended
Ambassadors Theatre	Stomp	330	2007-10-04October 4, 2007	Open-ended
Apollo Theatre	Three Days of Rain	796	2009-02-10February 10, 2009	2009-05-02 May 2, 2009
Apollo Victoria Theatre	Wicked	2208	2006-09-27September 27 2006	Open-ended
Cambridge Theatre	Chicago	1231	2006-04-27April 27 2006	Open-ended
Criterion Theatre	The 39 Steps	588	2006-09-20September 20 2006	Open-ended
Dominion Theatre	We Will Rock You	2163	2002-05-14May 14 2002	Open-ended
Duchess Theatre	Plague Over England	479	2009-02-16February 16, 2009	2009-05-16May 16, 2009
Fortune Theatre	The Woman in Black	432	1989-06-07June 7 1989	Open-ended
Garrick Theatre	A Little Night Music	656	2009-03-28March 28 2009	2009-07-25July 25 2009
Her Majesty's Theatre	The Phantom of the Opera	1216	1986-10-09October 9 1986	Open-ended
London Palladium	Sister Act	2286	2006-11-017 May 2009*	2009-02-21Open-ended
Lyceum Theatre	The Lion King	2100	1999-09-24September 24 1999	Open-ended
New London Theatre	War Horse	1100	2006-06-28April 3rd 2009	2009-03-28Open-ended
Noël Coward Theatre	Calendar Girls	872	2006-06-28April 4 2009	2009-03-28Open-ended
Palace Theatre	Priscilla Queen of The Desert	1400	2007-07-24March 10 2009	Open-ended
Piccadilly Theatre	Grease	1232	2007-07-24July 24 2007	Open-ended
Phoenix Theatre	Blood Brothers	1012	1991-11-21November 21 1991	Open-ended
Prince Edward Theatre	Jersey Boys	1618	2008-03-18March 18 2008	Open-ended
Prince of Wales Theatre	Mamma Mia!	1160	2004-06-09June 9 2004	Open-ended
Queen's Theatre	Les Misérables	989	2004-04-03April 3 2004	Open-ended
Shaftesbury Theatre	Hairspray	1400	2007-10-11October 11 2007	Open-ended
St Martin's Theatre	The Mousetrap	550	1974-03-25March 25 1974	Open-ended
Theatre Royal	Oliver!	2196	2009-01-14January 14 2009	Open-ended
Victoria Palace Theatre	Billy Elliot	1550	2005-05-11May 11 2005	Open-ended