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Posts Tagged ‘weddings’

Mamma Mia! – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted in Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 17, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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This show opens with a voiceover warning people of a nervous disposition that platforms and white lycra are worn during this production. This somewhat sets the tone for the whole show – humour, colour, energy and of course some terrifically ABBA-esque costumes.

The storyline is simple enough – Sophie Sheridan and her mother Donna live in Greece. Sophie is getting married and wants to meet her father…the only problem is that she doesn’t know who her father is out of three potential candidates, so she invites all three without her mother’s knowledge. Naturally, chaos ensues as past memories are raked up. And when you throw together Donna’s best and oldest friends Rosie and Tanya, three men who have no idea why they have been invited to the wedding, and a host of young men and women, there is bound to be action, raunch and a little romance…

Accompanied by some of ABBA’s best known and loved songs – including Super Trouper, Take a Chance on Me, Lay All Your Love On Me, Money Money Money, Does Your Mother Know? and of course the title track – this is such a fantastically feel-good show that it did not surprise me one bit when there was a standing ovation at the end, with audience members dancing in the aisles.

Helen Hobson was great as Donna, and Gillian Hardie and Emma Clifford were wonderful as Rosie and Tanya respectively. In the performance I saw, Sophie was played by first understudy Blaise Colangelo, who was ideal for the part – so loveable and sweet. The three possible fathers were Sam played by Jon Boyden, Bill played by Christopher Hollis, and Harry played by Jamie Hogarth. Their three distinct characters were portrayed excellently.

I don’t see how anyone could fail to enjoy this show, and the beaming faces on the audience as they left the theatre were testament to what a wonderful time everyone had. If you get chance to see this production, do yourselves a favour and buy some tickets!

 

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With This Ring (2015)

Posted in Film Reviews, tagged , , , , on February 12, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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In this TV movie, three women attending their friend’s wedding on New Years Eve make a pact that by the same time next year, they will all be married – or at least engaged. Each of them has their own romance dilemma – Trista (Regina Hall) has just hooked up with her ex-boyfriend and everyone but her can see that she is too good for him; Viviane (Jill Scott) is still in love with her ex-boyfriend. They have a son together and she decides that if they can’t make it work out this year, then she is going to give up on him and find someone else; finally, there Amaya (Eve), who is involved with a married man and determined to get him and his wife to split.

I enjoyed the film, largely due to the charisma of the three leads (especially Hall and Scott). Yes, it’s predictable – or at least Trista’s story is – but on a Friday night after a busy week, a romantic comedy with some poignant scenes, is exactly what this viewer needed.

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Year of release: 2015

Director: Nzingha Stewart

Writer: Nzingha Stewart

Main cast: Regina Hall, Jill Scott, Eve, Deion Sanders, Stephen Bishop, Jason George

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The Wedding Singer – Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

Posted in Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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This musical is based on the 90s hit film of the same name, which starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Robbie Hart is the wedding singer of the title, whose life is ruined when his fiancee dumps him on their wedding day (I know it doesn’t sound like much of a comedy at this point but bear with me). Meantime, his friend Julia is desperate for her boyfriend Glen to propose to her, although the audience can see right from the start that Glen is an unpleasant character and not good for her – or to her – at all. As Robbie and Julia become closer, they both start to wonder if there might be something more between them…

Let me start by saying that if you are looking for a feel-good show with lots (loads!) of laughs, you won’t go far wrong with this one. It’s also dripping with 80s nostalgia, from the clothes to the hairstyles, so if like me you have a fondness for the 80s, with it’s bad fashion sense and perfect pop, you should definitely check this out.

A word about the music though – the score is all original music written specifically for the show. I felt some trepidation about this; I love 80s music and would have liked to have heard some BUT the songs here are so catchy and enjoyable that if you don’t know them at the beginning, by the time each one ends you will find yourself humming along.

The cast were all great – Jon Robyns was very likeable as Robbie and perfect for this role. Ray Quinn was also excellent as the nasty Glen. Cassie Compton brought the same sweetness and vulnerability to the role of Julia that Drew Barrymore did in the film, and Ashley Emerson was very funny indeed as Robbie’s band mate and friend Sammy. For me though, there were three standout members of the cast – Samuel Holmes as friend and keyboardist in Robbie’s band, George – in complete Boy George regalia; Stephanie Clift as Julia’s cousin and best friend Holly; and Ruth Madoc who played Robbie’s feisty grandma Rosie. (George and Rosie have a number together towards the end of the show, which had the whole audience in hysterics).

This is simply one of those shows that leaves you with a huge smile on your face – full of happiness and fun. I highly recommend it!

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Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)

Posted in Film Reviews, tagged , , , , , , on June 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Jack Singer (Nicolas Cage) loves his girlfriend Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker, in her pre-Carrie Bradshaw days), but has no intention of ever getting married.  But when he realises that if he doesn’t commit to marriage, he will lose Betsy, he decides that they should go to Las Vegas and get married straight away. However, when they arrive in Vegas, and before they go to get married, they are seen by Tommy Korman (James Caan), a wealthy professional gambler. Korman immediately falls for Betsy, because she reminds him so much of his dead wife.  He sets up a rigged poker game with Jack, and when Jack inevitably loses and ends up owing Korman $65,000, which he has no hope of being able to pay, Korman suggests that he gets to spend the weekend with Betsy in lieu of payment.  Jack is reluctant and Betsy is furious.  However, she agrees to the plan, and even starts to have a good time with Korman.  Jack meanwhile is overcome with jealousy and decides to follow the couple…will Betsy fall for Korman’s charms – or will true love conquer all?

I really enjoyed this movie.  Sarah Jessica Parker is as endearing and sweet as ever, and Nicolas Cage – not normally an actor I particularly enjoy watching –  is perfect in his role.  James Caan meanwhile, is suitably devious.  There is also a great cast of supporting characters, and while the film never strays far from the main storyline, there are a couple of extremely funny scenes which, while probably not necessary in terms of moving the story forward, certainly added to the laughs.

This film is a romantic, old-school comedy, with some tender moments, and some slapstick moments.  In many ways, it had a similar plot to the drama Indecent Proposal, which came out a year later, but this film is far more enjoyable.  There are plenty of laugh out loud scenes, and I certainly came away from it with a big smile on my face.  Highly recommended!

Year of release: 1992

Director: Andrew Bergman

Writer: Andrew Bergman

Main cast: Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker, James Caan

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