Hello everyone!

I know. It was last summer and I publish this almost one month of 2020... simply, I was lazy, then I had school, then... I couldn't bring myself to write this earlier. And this is the reason why I don't remember all the details.

Let me just say it's going to be a LONG chapter. This time, I was there for 2 weeks! And even longer that I actually got myself to see more musicals!

No airport fiasco this time 😂 I flew with EasyJet both ways. Except that I unnecessarily panicked on my way back because Pisa and Prague were next to each other on the board which shows the gates and the Pisa said it's closing in two minutes, and when I went here it said Pisa and I almost started crying that it already closed. 😂 When I went back I realised my gate wasn't even announced yet. But hey that happens to everyone.

Alright so the first week I was in the accommodation with the group, I had my own room (yay), however the cheaper room was only available for the first week so for the second I moved to a YHA acc where I had to share a room with three other people.

For the first week, the programme was basically the same as last year but we also had just singing workshop for Les Mis and on Wednesday, instead of seeing the Les Mis backstage, because the theatre is under reconstruction, we went to see the theatre of a play called The Starry Messenger, which I had never seen before. It's a very lovely theatre, we could even take selfies on stage, unlike during the backstage tour of Les Mis last year. We went through almost the entire theatre, the guide told us all we asked and THEN someone told us that THE Cameron Mackintosh was IN the theatre! The guide (who was also the theatre's manager) came to us wide-eyed telling us that HE just passed by asking what's going on in here-meaning our group. When we were leaving, they told us he's behind one closed glass door, and we all went to peek through here. One girl said he's the one with the green shirt, but I couldn't see anyone with a green shirt behind that door. 😅 Oh well. Guess I'll meet him... when I'm more succesul.

We went to see Wicked and afterwards I actually waited here to get selfies with the actors. I got almost everyone except Glinda, because I wanted to get tickets for Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat they were playing, but got it the next day because the were already closed.

During the Les Mis workshop, it was better than last year because they let more people to play one role. At first I wanted to be Cosette (sorry, Éponine is too mainstream and a lot of girls wanted to be her) then I realised I don't know it that well so I sang Marius' part instead, but hey, it didn't really matter. Also considering there were about six Cosettes and one guy who decided to be Marius, it was better to have another one.

Then there was the Wicked workshop, as we did the same choreographies as last year, and for the scenes, we got the scene right before Popular - and this time I decided to be Glinda bcs last year I was Elphaba. I really hope this year I will get into a scene with Fiyero - not to repeat all the scenes again.

On Friday, we also had an industry Q&A. The actress (really cannot remember her name now) told us a story about one of her friends who is 40, worked at a bank and one day she simply decided she's going to be an actress, and now she's very successful. When I asked her where did that friend get training or how did she do that, she told me she actually doesn't know. But then she told us that drama school isn't actually that necessary... well yeah, if you have experience, unlike me. But that story made me think I might have a chance.

The last day of first week we had Mamma mia! masterclass again, same as last year. I did recognize some of the choreography we did.

Now for the second week - the first two days, after acting, singing and dancing classes, we had Phantom and Lion King workshop. I actually chose to do Phantom on both days, because Lion King is much more about dancing and I felt much better during Phantom. We learned choreography from Masquerade (it's actually pretty easy), and then did the opening scene at the audition. And guess who raised her hand if she can play Raoul. XD

Yes. We were offered characters, and this one guy (same as Marius the first week, btw) raised his hand, and because they wanted to split us up into two groups, they needed another Raoul, I raised myself up to it, because why not? If I can't be Christine, because we were not doing a scene with her, I'd be Raoul. And I tell you, I enjoyed it so much and even sang the part "A collector's piece indeed..." better than the boy, so the lectors at the end said: "You were all pretty amazing. And especially her." pointing at me, I thanked them. "Is Raoul like a role you want to play or...?" so I explained the thing if I can't be Christine, I'd be Raoul... but then I realised, it'd be enjoyable to play even Raoul for me. In a travesti cast or in an all female cast of Phantom. 😅 I'd be the most caring and protective Raoul to Christine. Anyone want to be my Christine? Hehe. But we'd have to leave out that spin during AIAOY because even thought I'm trying to work out and gain weight I'm still a weak stick-woman. The next day I was one of the porters as not to block the role for other people.

The other two workshops we did were Matilda, which was mostly choreography, and The play that goes wrong.

We also had stage combat lessons, and during one dance course we did a choreography from Cats!

In the end we had singing audition talkthrough. I forgot to mention that during the singing classes, our teacher worked with each of us individually for a few minutes, and I brought my score for With one look from Sunset Boulevard. It is way more talking like than I was taught. I wish I could sing it this way, but both of my singing teachers (faculty and private) insist on me singing it classically... oh well.

Now to the shows I've actually seen, unlike the previous year. The first week, I decided to go and see Joseph and the amazing technicolour dreamcoat, because it had a limited run at the London Palladium. I bought the cheapest ticket for like 10£, standing. But it was worth it.

I loved the music and the simplistic scene they created, and also the actual coat of Joseph.

The narrator was played by Sheridan Smith. Haven't heard of her before this. Good voice, but she couldn't hold some of the notes as long as they were written, f. ex. in Jacob and sons. I also did not expect her to play not only the narrator, but also Jacob, Mrs Potiphar, and the prison keeper. It was a little weird, but I got used to it.

The Pharaoh was Jason Donovan, I'm sure some of you have heard about it. I have to say, he was good, but he wasn't really fitting for the role. Pharaoh is the parody of Elvis, and he didn't really recreate his sound...

During Benjamin calypso, it's one of my favorite songs, the beggining was sung by this one kid who.... sounded horrible. I was worried she's going to sing the entire song, but then the actual Isachaar shoved her aside doing the "shhhh" gesture at her, and sung the rest. He was really good, but they added beatboxing in the song as to modernize it at one moment, well, I could have missed that. But it was enjoyable overall.

Simeon, as I found out later when reading the programme, was before in Jesus Christ Superstar live arena tour, and he was excellent, I dare to say.

Now to the guy who played Joseph - guys, I fell in love that night. (yeah, yeah, "not again!", whatever) Jac Yarrow is the most adorable creature I've ever seen. And man, does he have a voice! I found out he's actually about half a year younger than me... well, I feel old, let me retire pls. Now seriously, the show is returning this year, I hope we will get a cast recording, because of Jac. But the curtain call was a bit disappointing - he got the 3rd bow. Jason wend 2nd and Sheridan as the last one. Okay, I could understand that she was basically leading the show, but I believe Jason and Jac should have switched. Jason might be a pop star but Jac literally played the title character, and the Pharaoh only has like two songs in the show...

Unfortunately I did not catch any selfies until a week later, because the night I went I couldn't find the stage door. And you could imagine , my immature fan girl squeal when I walked back to my hostel because I got a selfie with Jac.

Next show I saw was Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican centre. Amazing. I sat at the first gallery, so I embarrased myself later because I couldn't recognize the actors at the stage door. But when one guy came out few people who were there said "Oh this is Jesus!" I asked for a selfie, and forgive me for saying that - aside from wonderful voice and acting, damn, this guy was HOT. When I told this the next day, because a girl I knew from previous year went there a day before me and she was the reason why I went because I saw it in her story on Insta, and she asked me how I liked it, I told my impression of Jesus, and one of the "managers" of WEA quoted- "Jesus was hot." it made us all laugh. Yeah, I'm stupid. Google Robert Tripolino. Judas was also great, and I have selfies with him, Jesus, Annas and Caiaphas. Thanks to my dumbness I missed Mary Magdalene and Kind Herod. But to my excuse, Herod had this gold thing all over his head so I couldn't recognize him without it.

Another show was The secret diary of Adrian Mole, and it was aside from Wicked in the academy's program. It was a little bit silly, but I enjoyed it. Lucky kids.

Now let me brag. I saw Evita. I had my ticket booked months before, because the previews started only about two or three days before I was leaving London. I saw it in the Regent's park Open Air theatre. Thankfully it didn't rain. And let me boast, I have selfies and autographs from all three main actors.

It was a pretty modernized production. Simple costumes. Evita had her hair loose, no blonde wig, she only had two types of costume - white short dress, and under it a two piece suit- shorts and something like a sport bra, but it was shiny, and she wore sneakers. Ché had two shirts, at the beginning one with Che Guevara, then he changed to one with Evita's face, and after a while put two tapes over it to cross it. In the end, he stripped. Perón had one suit the entire time. Also at the end, after lament, they brought Eva her traditional white gown and blonde wig with the bun, so it was at least symbolic.

Also whoever directed this, I wasn't even looking for that, but it seemed that Eva and Ché had too many moments in here it made me think this person must ship them. For example, when Eva first met Perón, Perón said "Are you here on your own?" Ché sat (the theatre is a giant staircase, so the actors were moving up and down the entire time) in the middle of them while Eva and Perón were on the sides. When Perón said this, our narrator stood up from sitting, (as if "I'm here with her!") and when Eva said "Yes", he sat butthurt back down. Not so subtle message here.
There were a few other scenes like that. And for some reason I was the only one in my area of seats that was laughing at this and all the other funny moments, the audience seemed so frigid to me. Then again, it was the first or second preview, so... the people might have gone here just because it was discounted and not really care about the show.

Eva was played by Samantha Pauly. I know this show has one problem, and her name is Patti LuPone. Why is she a problem? Because too many people are biased on her, and that's why any production can't survive for too long. But I am not. I love Elaine Paige, Julie Covington and Caroline Bowman. Ms LuPone is way too screechy for me, no offense...

Samantha was amazing. She made her own Evita and wasn't trying to imitate anyone. This is the point where all the Patti stans will criticize her. But if you are not a part of that cult, you can appreciate Sam or any other actress.

Trent Saunders played Ché. Same thing, impressive. There was one moment when I pitied him though - during Waltz for Eva and Che, he just started stripping. I kid you not. They weren't waltzing - and in the end Eva splashed him with two buckets of water (or paint???) and one full of confetti, and the poor guy had to sit there almost naked and wet until the end of the show.

Perón was Ektor Rivera. Great voice and acting, only I have to say, he's a bit too young and good looking for the role, no shade. One of the review even said something about Rivera being seductive as Perón - I admire this guy's performance, but that is not what I look for in the president, if you know what I mean. He's meant to be about 25 years Eva's senior, and commanding.

I was the only one at the stage gate, but all three seemed to be so happy that it's the first preview and someone is already asking them for autographs. Especially Samantha. Or they were acting, IDK. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I also find it very symbolic that I saw this live for the first time 100 years after Evita was born. I knew there were celebrations in Argentina (if only we went there one year later... well what can I do)

The last show I saw was Phantom again. Or wait, I don't remember whether I saw Phantom or Evita first now... doesn't matter. I hoped to see Amy Manford, but it was Kelly Mathiesson, well, she was just as amazing. I met our teachers from WEA at the stage door, both from the Phantom workshop and also Les Mis workshop from the first week, the same one we had last year, she now plays in Phantom. I also wanted the autographs from all three leads, but for some reason, Raoul either ran through the front door or we didn't recognise him. But I got both Christine and Phantom's, as well as both Giry's, Carlotta's, Piangi's (who accidentally signed himself in monsieur André's bio😅)and several chorus members along with our teachers from WEA.
Also, by the way, the Phantom was Tim Howar, who is originally a rock singer, but he pulled the Phantom really well. We had to wait for him a bit longer, but especially for me it was a real highlight because he asked the small group who was here where we are all from, and when I said Czech Republic, he was all like "Oh my god I love Prague! And Jaromir Jagr is my favourite hockey player!" (I don't really care about this guy and if you never heard of him doesn't matter, all you need to know is that he's Czech and apparently was very successful in either Canada or the US in hockey, but even thought I don't care about him it was great to hear this.)
Also, I bought both the programme and souvenir brochure, and also a rose and a hoodie. I'm awful when it comes to merchandise. 😆

(If you can't see it, the bow says Think of me)

The true reason why I bought this was because I actually wanted to buy a hoodie at Joseph's, (as in, can't have Joseph's coat so I will have a hoodie) but they weren't selling anything until the next week apparently, so I bought this thing instead. 😹 But hopefully next year they will sell it at Joseph, I already saw it on their page. 😃

Alright, I believe this is it. I really hope I will get to London this year again, see Joseph and Evita again because they're returning, and maybe Six, because I really started to be interested in it. I also wanted to see School of Rock but unfortunately it's closing before summer... but Les Mis is supposed to return so I might go see it instead.

Who has Instagram you can check all the selfies I took with the performers, I didn't want to put them here.

The Wicked programme is from the previous year, FYI.

I hope you all are well, and thanks for reading.
EvitaChristine