Theatre and Painting and Arts, Oh My!

Musicals, Musicals, Musicals!

2013-07-30T11:38:00.000+01:00

A nice little selection of show-dedicated pages I've made, all about some of my favourite shows and Musicals! I'm a huge fan of many, but especially the ones below. So, grab a coffee and please enjoy this selection of some of my favourite fan pages :)

Parade the MusicalSEE FULL PAGE

Hairspray (Musical)SEE FULL PAGE

Equus (Dan Radcliffe)SEE FULL PAGE

The Lion KingSEE FULL PAGE

RENT by Jonathan LarsonSEE FULL PAGE

Rent Remixed (London)SEE FULL PAGE

The Edinburgh Festival 2012SEE FULL PAGE

Les Miserables (2012) 27 x 40 Movie Poster

2013-07-29T11:32:00.000+01:00

Awwww one of the offical cast posters for the musical film adaptation of Les Miserables. Starring the gorgeous Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Les Miserables Movie Poster. Russell Crowe (Javert) 18" x 27"

2013-07-28T11:30:00.000+01:00

His vocal acrobatics came under a bit of attack for his performance in Les Miserables - but I liked Russell Crowe. Although he looks super pensive in this picture - like he's going to through himself off a bridge or something!

Les Miserables Movie Poster 18" x 27" - the Thénardiers!

2013-07-27T11:28:00.000+01:00

BEST.POSTER.EVER

Les Miserables Movie Poster. Marius and Cosette. 18" x 27"

2013-07-26T11:18:00.000+01:00

All together now - aaaaaaaaah! All the loveeeeeeeerrrrrrs...I mean...A heart fullllll of looooooove!

Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) looks so worried in this poster! But beautiful! Or maybe the worried face is incase people think she's called Courgette?

Buying the Les Miserable film soundtrack?

2013-07-26T11:00:00.000+01:00

I was so impressed with the soundtrack for Les Miserables. The recording was executed really well - I even liked Russell Crowe - although he got a lot of flack for his lack of singing!

All in all, I loved it.

Ooooh and here's a link incase you wanted to check out how they made the screen version of Les Miserables. A beautiful little book about going from stage to screen:

Les Miserables Mini Movie Poster. Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) 11" x 17" Master Print

2013-07-25T11:13:00.000+01:00

More Hugh Jackman as Valjean - grrrrrr! Do you prefer the first one, or this one?

Les Miserables Movie Poster. Anne Hathaway (Fantine) and Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) 18" x 27"

2013-07-24T11:11:00.000+01:00

Anne Hathaway looking rather demure as Fantine - I don't know why they didn't use the image of her toothless and with no hair!

Les Miserables Posters!

2013-07-23T11:07:00.000+01:00

Things I love about Les Miserables, the film: Not only is the cast amazing - including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Segfried - but it SOUNDS amazing too!

So what does every great epic film musical need? Fine posters, that's what! Here is a selection of some of the best Movie Posters for Les Miserables currently available.

From individual head shots of the Les Miserables characters, to groups shots of the Les Miserables cast, in fine poster form!

For a selection of all the Les Miserables Movie Posters currently on Amazon.com, go here now!

Of course, the iconic Les Miserable image! The little girl, from the stage show image, thought to be a young Cosette...representing the French Revolution with innocent beauty. Such a powerful poster!

Theatre Bingeing...

2013-06-30T17:21:00.000+01:00

This month, I've seen quite a lot of stuff at the theatre. I saw Viva Forever, A Chorus Line, Merrily We Roll Along, The Cripple of Inishmaan and Much Ado About Nothing...the latter was actually at the cinema...but it's Shakespeare, so still counts, right?

The reason I saw Viva Forever was out of curiosity, more than anything - I got a great ticket for £20 - fab! I was OK, but the lack of story made it pretty boring, if you want to hear about its misgivings, I wrote a mini review about it here. At the other end of the spectrum that day, was A Chorus Line, which quite frankly, made Viva look like a school play. But the saddest part is, shortly after, ACL announced it's closing! So sad.

Merrily was without a doubt the highlight of the month. It was glorious. The acting was so good. I was really taken with Josephina Gabrielle's portrayal of Gussie, the way she seemed to get more innocent and quieter throughout the show really was awesome to see...well crafted character acting. If you don't know what it's about, you'll see why that's so fascinating to watch.

Inishmaan was very good. Everyone has gone nuts over Daniel Radcliffe, but to be honest, I just didn't get him. His irish accent wobbled on a few occasions, and there was something weirdly introvert about the way he took the scene in his hotel room, where he kept coughing. It was like he forgot he was in a theatre. I don't know. Don't get me wrong though, he was good, I just don't get what all the fuss is about.

Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing was fantastic though. An understated movie. Filmed over 12 days at Whedon's house and featuring familiar faces, for all Angel fans. The black and white tone gave this film a simple and classy edge. I really enjoyed it, and can't wait to get it on DVD.

Dignity in the Workplace. A response to Jess Gow's blog.

2013-06-09T18:57:00.000+01:00

A few times last week, I noticed the same blog post getting shared on my Facebook homefeed. It was from a blogger I hadn’t heard of before. A Girl In the Dark - recently posted a charming and clever blog entry, and faux application to be Artistic Director of the National Theatre. Of course, it wasn’t a real and actual application. I have to say, I loved it. Having worked in professional theatre, I smiled to myself at certain salient points that someone might only really understand if they had worked in theatreland themselves.

It stayed with me and rattled around my head. Whether she knows it or not, she touched on some very important issues about life in the theatre workplace., that struck a chord with me. It felt good to know that someone else shared a similar opinions as me. Then, I was somewhat horrified when I read her follow up post about an Actor who made her feel like an idiot, by implying that by raising issues, such as her choosing to only work with actors who came with no ego, she was attacking the industry she was in.

The thing that stood out for me, was the issue of bullying in the workplace (or rather her quips about invoking a rule to only work with a company that were "normal" human beings and not pretentious, vicious lovies). So, the response from whoever-this-big-name-actor-is, was to "suck it up"...is this an acceptable response from anyone, in any industry? I wonder what the HR dept of your standard company office would think about that?

And here lies the problem. Weirdly, theatre seems to govern a certain reverence from people, like a hallowed arena. From people I’ve spoken to and twitter feeds I’ve seen, the perception of the public about a theatre company, is that it runs smoothly and everyone is like a happy family. Actually get behind the safety curtain, it can be, and often is a different matter altogether.

I've worked in the West End with a beautiful family-like company… and also with a fractuous, back biting company. I've worked with uncomfortable regional theatre companies and very comfortable national theatre companies. I don’t know what it is about Theatre compared to other industries I’ve worked in, but the egos you can come across are astounding. Of course, also, the humble and lovely people you meet are as equally astounding.

What I don't understand is, why no one seems to call out those who possess the drama school, stage brat, diva attitude at work? In my experience, it just doesn't happen. Weirdly though, it's not just actors, it's stage managers and behind the scenes folk too. Getting bums on seats, and making money is the priority of theatreland, understandable. But sadly, it's not about protecting your company from infectious negativity and diva-like bullying.

When I read about the actor who seemed to slam Jess’s blog post, I rolled my eyes, and thought "fucking typical". Here is someone, putting something out there that, in my opinion, Company Managers, Producers and yes, Equity should listen to.

Why doesn’t people's behaviour have an influence on their career? And yes, of course it does sometimes – I know of some theatre folk with reputations for being unreliable, that some producers probably wouldn't touch with a bargepole. But there isn’t any sort of “we will work with you, if you work like a professional” culture. In some ways, the subtext of Jess’s blog being sssh’d by whoever-that-actor-is was, "I doesn’t matter how people treat you if you the audience loves them, you need to just get on with it and put up with them". If this was any other workplace, you could probably talk about it with your manager, and they might be able to do something, because there is a duty of care, particularly respecting every employee’s right to dignity in the place. The problem here though, is that the theatre industry is so bloody competitive, people are scared to rock the boat, and would rather get on with doing what they love, rather create a problem, and potentially be asked to leave.

This is wrong.

My friend posted a really interesting article about bullying in the arts, so at last, it is being brought to light...but will articles like this ever make a difference? Will the issue keep developing, or will the people who actually speak up, at work, just get pushed to the back, in silence?

I decided to leave theatre a couple of years ago. I lived the dream for a little while, but the reality and the pay cheques meant that I couldn't sustain a career. I'm happy though, seeing people I worked with go on to bigger and better things, and still fulfilling my theatre appetite with frequent theatre binges. Personally though, I wouldn't say I was bullied, but I certainly saw a lot of things that I knew weren't right, and I probably should have, or could have said something, anything, to someone. But, I put the reason I didn’t, down to fear. I adored each and every moment I spent working in theatre - it didn't feel like work, it felt like a priviledge. I was there to make a piece of theatre. The purpose of my being there, ultimately, was the show. The show must go on (cliché, but imperative). I saw people be obstructive at detriment to a show because they weren't happy about this or that, I saw people deliberately defy company managers, as well as constantly bitch about the producers… and just generally create a bad atmosphere. Idiots.

On one show, I didn't really have a defined role, I would just do extra things, whatever I could to help out, and make “it” work. I remember once, when we moved into our theatre, and knowing the cast were heading to the stage for the first time, I helped finish off hoovering the stage for one of the stage hands. Upon some of the company appearing, I remember being greeted with a sneer of "Why are you doing that? That's not your job"...I felt dumbfounded, I felt like shouting back; "you mean, we're too good to clean?". It didn’t feel like they were joking either. It was ridiculous. For some (I really emphasise "some") professionals in theatre, it's clear that the only reason they're there, is for themselves and to massage their egos. It’s not for the show at all. They want things to run their way, or no way.

You can't afford to have such an ignorant and abhorrent attitude in life, so why is OK to have that attitude in theatre? Why isn't it spoken about more? Do drama schools have a class about "being a professional in the industry" and teaching respect for each and every director they work for, even if they don't agree or particularly like what they're doing? They’re in someone else’s show, to be directed. They’re working with a team of Stage Managers, who are there to help the Company and the Director put together the vision. The contract was signed to show that you agree to work with them, not work against them. Without the Producers, you might not have a show in the first place, so for pity’s sake, don’t bitch about them.

So, whoever this actor is, I hope they understand that by Jess and other people pointing out that the theatre isn't always as rosy, as it's fans might feel it is - that that blog was an opportunity to make a stand to highlight the better way...not to see it as a reason to chastise someone for pointing out the fundamental Right of each and everyone of us - dignity in the workplace.

One day, if ever I end up with millions, and running my own Theatre Company, with my portfolio of international Theatres, oh and with my own production company to boot - I will be employing those with impeccable reputations, with a proven track record of demonstrating a fantastic work ethic. I have no room or time for people who have an ego that is the size of the West End itself. No time for anyone who can make someone else feel uncomfortable, without having the balls to apologise when appropriate.

By the way, this is never going to happen…my career focus isn’t on theatre at the moment…so, if anyone wants to live this out for me, I would happily oblige by buying an ice cream in the interval and then helping you hoover the stage at the end of the evening.

Thanks for reading this ranty post.

Marc :)

LOVE NEVER DIES - More Musical Movies - Broadway Theatre on DVD...to avoid!!

2013-05-30T16:00:00.000+01:00

Ok...I have another bummer of a show that was filmed on DVD. If you love Andrew Lloyd Webber, you'd love this...if you don't...then burn it...

Broadway Theatre on DVD: LOVE NEVER DIES

In short, Andrew Lloyd Webber shouldn't have made this show. As a stand alone show on it's own, I guess it's not too bad, but the problem is, it's a sequel! Yes, a sequel! To the classica musical, Phantom.

The thing is, when you watch it, you get caught up in the story telling being so different to the previous incarnation. We all knew Ben Elton shouldn't be let near a musical since he vomitted on the stage, added a guitar, and called it "We Will Rock You".

You know, just to put it in a nutshell for you..it sucks!

NEVER FORGET - More Musical Movies - Broadway Theatre on DVD

2013-05-27T11:00:00.000+01:00

Something a bit different this time, that I feel I must express...This Musical on DVD SUCKS...Don't watch. Bad production. Boring story...zzzzzzzzz

Broadway Theatre on DVD: NEVER FORGET

Ok, I confess. This is the DVD I watched last night that bored me so much, I started to think "Hey, I need to blog this, with my Musicals filmed for DVD, to warn people about this one".

Ok, ok, ok, it's a cute show. It's original...but let's not beat about the bush - this show is so boring, and dull. The music is OK, it's the music of Take That. If you're a Take That fan, great. If not, stay away.

I watched the DVD extras about how they made this show. They said that when they were writing it, they didn't want to shoehorn Take That's tunes into the story. What a load of crap! The story is about some guys making a Take That tribute band...so they don't shoehorn the songs, they just SING them, because they are pretending to be Take That, not to help tell the story! Lame! Some of the songs help the story, but mostly, the songs are presented in a "now the boys will sing Take That's song Babe"...puuuuhleeeeeeeeeease...come up with something clever. It's clear the producers wanted to make a Mamma Mia, but ended up making a mamma of a mess!

The cast are fine, there isn't one performer who stands out as an exceptional performance. The story is cheesy. Euuurghhh...don't waste your money on this. Unless you LOVE cheese - then it's riiiiight up your street!

COMPANY - Musical Movies - Broadway Theatre on DVD

2013-05-21T10:30:00.000+01:00

Welcome to more from my selection of Broadway Theatre filmed LIVE. This series of blog posts is dedicated to Broadway Theatre that is on DVD, and has been filmed LIVE. This is not about filmic adaptations of Broadway Theatre. These DVDs will help you feel like you are at the theatre, watching the show.

This page is NOT about Hollywood, it's about BROADWAY...on DVD!

Just wanted to make that clear...kthxbai

Broadway Theatre on DVD: COMPANY

I saw this exact production on Broadway in 2008...it completely knocked me over. The whole cast play instruments, sing and act...the talent is phenomenal. The story is simple, but so beautifully told. There aren't many memorable songs from the show, but what this show perhaps lacks in memorable show tunes, more than makes up for in style, class and exquisite production value.

SWEENEY TODD - Musical Movies - Broadway Theatre on DVD

2013-05-19T11:15:00.000+01:00

Woohoo! I have more Musical Movies on DVD, that were filmed live on Broadway for you. For the next few weeks, here on this blog you will find my recommendations for musicals that have been filmed live and released on DVD, giving you Broadway Theatre on DVD in your very home. Beautiful! I have some DVDs that are just rubbish - and some that should be watched over and over and over and over...you get the idea.

Broadway Theatre on DVD: SWEENEY TODD - THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Broadway DVDs don't get much better than this. Legend Angela Lansbury, in one of the greatest pieces of Musical Theatre ever...Home entertainment doesn't get much better.

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a phenomenal musical, and starring Angela Lansbury and George Hearn...DVD musical theatre can't get better, right?

INTO THE WOODS - Musical Movies - Broadway Theatre on DVD

2013-05-18T11:09:00.000+01:00

I thought I would reignite this little blog of mine, and share some of my favourite Musicals that have been filmed live, in Broadway or West End Theatres. The Best Broadway Theatre on DVD. Musical Movies in Your Home!

More and more recently, musical productions from Broadway and from the West End are being filmed live, and released on DVD, to watch in your own home. How fabtastic is that? (Yes, I said FABtastic). Theatre is fabulous, now you can watch it comfortably from your couch!

Broadway theatre on DVD is a very exciting experience. However, there are some stinker of shows out there to buy on DVD, as well as some DVD that simply must be in your DVD collection. When it comes to Musical Movies, I like to think of myself as an avid fan, and amateur pro - I mean, I'm no critic, but I know what entertains me, right?

So, here we go:

Broadway Theatre on DVD: INTO THE WOODS

I used to own this on video tape, way back when, and now own it on DVD. I've watched it over and over. It is up there as one of the best Broadway Musicals to be released on DVD. Not only is the cast phenomenal, but in terms of production, this show should be watched by everyone.

It's a musical twist on Fairy Tales, when they all collide...when they all go into the woods. Absolutely fantastic musical!

Gimme a break...

2009-06-10T19:43:00.000+01:00

Please excuse this somewhat erratic post that I'm about to bestow onto you. My mind is running 20 to the dozen and thought it was high time I posted something, suffice to say I've been slack of late, is quite the understatement!

...As far as Art goes, I don't have too much report on my behalf, but I did visit my friend Jackie's excellent exhibition recently. We share a common interest of painting without a brush (woop woop), but she uses oils...I'm an acrylic boy, myself. Check out her stuff, it's great.

...As far as Theatre goes, I've been pretty busy. When I'm not seeing it (recent outings include: Jonathan Larson's 'Tick Tick Boom' (bravo, Leon) and a surprisingly good Gareth Gates in 'Joseph'), or being concerned about shows closing (poor 'Spring Awakening'), or distracting myself with intriguing announcements (Julie Taymor and U2 bringing us 'Spiderman the Musical' on Broadway(!!??) or the sublime Sheridan Smith opening in 'Legally Blonde - the Musical' in London), I've been hatching some directorial plans (possibly including a large cast, possibly not...cards-firmly-close-to-chest) and umming and ahhing about returning to the stage (y'aaargh, it's been at least 5 years and promised it was all behind me) in a potential Theatre Company 10 year anniversary reunion show...all in the light of 'Billy Elliott - the Musical' sweeping the board at the Tonys this week - winning 10 awards...!

My new website is very nearly ready to go live...as soon as it is, I'll post the link :)

Until such a time...

An Inspiring Theatre Company...

2009-04-06T23:07:00.000+01:00

I've just come back to Columbus, Ohio...and within days end up at the theatre watching something rather stunning. It was a production by the Available Light Theatre Company called 'Dirty Math'. If you can get down to the Riffe Centre, downtown Columbus, I totally recommend that you do.

The play deals with the absurdity of the economy and the crisis we are all in. The amount of research and development that must have gone into this show is bloody amazing. Giving light and shade, this theatre company is a force to be reckoned with. Witty, satirical, informative and sobering - more people should see this show...click below to find out more:

Moving Art...

2009-03-23T20:23:00.000+00:00

It's been a while. I'm working on a commission right now (more about that in another post), but for the moment I thought I would share with you a piece of art, of another kind. Film. I made this pop-video after a night out. Enjoy.

'The' comment...

2008-11-09T16:08:00.000+00:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to update this beautiful blog. To say things have been hectic, is quite the understatement. I got back from DC this week and am now getting ready to go back to the UK, where I plan to rest for a while until my next travelling adventure.

A lot of people have been asking me about the infamous comment from Jenny, at my recent art show so I thought I would share it with you all now...

19th September – I’m writing this w/ my left hand since my right is currently occupied. Side note, I’m training myself to become ambidextrous…it’s coming along quite nicely – but you probably don’t believe me judging from the handwriting alone. So I didn’t read your entire description of the exhibit (short attention span…) but I just wanted to contribute this thought (I put down what I was holding…my L hand was makin’ me crazy…)
LOVE IS FREEDOM.
There are so many notions of what love is in this world, and I’ve only met one person who I actually understands what love actually really really is: Thank God he’s my boyfriend, right?..................
So many people think that love is giving or showing that you care or sharing or doing things for someone else. While you may do all of that BECAUSE you want to – that’s not love.
LOVE IS LETTING GO.
It’s letting everyone be themselves and letting you be yourself. People say ‘I love you’ as if it’s some kind of reward, and they say ‘but I love you’ like it’s a stipulation. Love is not a term reserved for the person you have sex with and marry. Love is for everyone.
I LOVE EVERYONE ON THIS ENTIRE PLANET.
I even love you. Not because we’ve had an intimate connection, but because if I were even to meet you, I’d accept you as you are and let you be you and me be me. There’s no such thing as ‘unconditional love’ because there’s no such thing as ‘conditional love’. I feel that so many people give their love under certain conditions – in which case, it’s not love at all. It’s slavery. It’s rewarding behaviour that you want to see. Like I said…
LOVE IS FREEDOM.
Be free, and you will love and be loved. I hope that this all makes sense. It’s kind of foreign to some people – they just don’t understand and that they’re actually destroying their boyfriends by trying to force them to quit smoking (like I did, for example) I finally read some books by Miguel Ruiz and discovered that love is something quite the opposite of what everyone I see does. Sorry to sound harsh – it’s just how I feel. OK, I’m wrapping up now. I hope this becomes good fuel for thought and perhaps comes out somewhere on the other end. I just don’t get a chance to tell people this because they just don’t get it. But I felt comfortable here because
1) I wrote it out
2) The exhibit is about love
3) I thought I should speak out how I truly feel about the topic.
…sorry it turned into a novel…it’s just that love is so important – it deserves as many words.
[symbol] Jenny

Ain't she sweet!?

To see what else I've been doing online click here

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All Good Things...

2008-10-29T23:34:00.000+00:00

...Must come to an End. If you didn't know already, my exhibition: "Love. A Condition of Absolute Value" (hence the picture I've added to this post) ends tomorrow, so if you haven't seen it, you have less than 24 hours to get down to ModMod on High Street, Columbus. It's been a long and at times, hard process, and I've learnt so much from the whole thing. For my first show, I must say, I'm very pleased. I can't wait to get my "Comments book" back and post some of them on here, there are some absolute classic...and of course, Jenny's epic comment, bless her. I'm off to WashingtonDC this weekend, so when I get back I'll enlighten you all.

In theatre news, this week I've heard that AvenueQ is to close in the next few weeks, sad news. I don't know what's up with the West End this year, but everything seems to be closing, or reducing it's runs. It looks like Hairspray is still going strong though, but who knows if the 'economic crisis' will take it as it's next victim. A strange rumour I heard this week also, is that Zac Efron is to take over from Daniel Radcliffe in Equus on Broadway...not sure I can see Disney letting THAT happen!

A Process...

2008-10-24T22:18:00.000+01:00

A lot of people have been asking me, how do I go about creating a piece of art? It's a hard thing to explain, as I just do it, instinctively. To try and explain, here are some photo's detailing the progress of a commission I painted this summer (the process starts at the top, left to the right, then the bottom, left to right:

I hope you can see the differences between each picture. I start with a sketch then build. The hardest part is knowing where to stop.

If you want to see any more of my commissions, click here

Or, if you interested in having a chat about something I could paint for you, feel free to email me.

(or to see any of the other stuff I'm up to online, you can do so here)

An inspiring lady...

2008-10-21T22:11:00.001+01:00

I'm not going to make a habit of posting things here that deviate from theatre or my art, but I just wanted to share this with you. It's an old(ish) blog from the UK artist Imogen Heap. In it, she talks about what she has been doing for her forthcoming album and how she has been experimenting with unusual sounds to fit in with some of her tracks. I find her process of creativity both highly interesting and very inspiring. A true artist. Hope you like it.

read more | digg story

Feeling Inspired...

2008-10-16T21:08:00.000+01:00

This week I got free tickets to see Broadway production of "Frost/Nixon" (that started at the Donmar, in London), very good it was too, it felt very appropriate too as election fever is sweeping America right now. It was also the finale of Project Runway last night.

These two things have got my creative juices flowing again and I'm feeling ready for another exhibition. If you haven't had chance to check out my work in Columbus yet, there's not long left until the show ends, so go go go! I still have lots more travelling in store before I go back to the UK...tomorrow I'm off to Mickey and friends at DisneyWorld...I've never been to a Disney Park, so I'm very excited. We're spending all day Saturday in Animal Kingdom, so we may even bump into the Lion King, who knows.

I'm currently in the process of setting up an online store, where you can buy prints of my art and other lovely fangdangled things...but I'll post links on here as soon as I'm done :)

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY WEBSITE

Jenny...

2008-10-07T20:26:00.000+01:00

So, I had my 2nd Gallery Hop show last Saturday, and I'm happy to report that it went very well. It's funny having the work on display, that you've spent weeks and week putting together. The feeling of vulnerability is immense. What will people think? I was pretty gobsmacked to have people coming up to me and thanking me for my creativity, an amazing feeling, let me tell you!

Since my last show, I had a rather extensive comment left for me, from a lady called Jenny. When most people leave me a message in my comments book, it's usually a short and succinct statement...Jenny's comment went on for 6 pages! She liked my overall concept, being about love, and well, she had a lot to say. She signed her name along with a symbol she has a tattoe, it was like a mix of a heart and a peace sign. So, I added in a new piece to the show. I thought the black and white reflected nicely the ink on paper reference. Good ole Jenny, eh?