Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Patrick Sullivan. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Patrick Sullivan. Sort by date Show all posts
Thursday 9 May 2019
Georgia Carling and Patrick Sullivan: Surviving a Millennial Jukebox, Museum of Comedy | Review
Georgia Carling and Patrick Sullivan: Surviving a Millennial Jukebox
Museum of Comedy
Reviewed on Wednesday 8th May 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
Bat Out of Hell may have closed at the start of the year but that doesn't mean the love for the show and its cast has dwindled. In fact, the fans may be even more supportive now as they jump at each chance to keep the memories alive. Last night that was helped by Valkyrie and Blake themselves: Georgia Carling and Patrick Sullivan who put on a concert as part of Monsteers Artistry's new series. The pair took to the stage of the intimate Museum of Comedy to bring us a night of beautiful vocal entertainment as they sung us through some of their favourite songs.
Despite both having their starring moments in Bat, it was an enthralling treat to hear both performers really sing and show the audience just how talented they are. Their various song choices allowed us to hear cutesy, lilting moments alongside huge belt numbers, each and every one of which was performed with intensity and vocal prowess.
Patrick Sullivan's gloriously smooth tone is a true delight to hear as he skilfully masters huge songs including The Streets of Dublin (revive A Man of No Importance please) and Sam Smith's Lay Me Down. Patrick's natural charm leads the audience to feel welcomed and the space of the Museum of Comedy is perfect for a semi-informal concert.
Georgia Carling's infectious personality bursts out from the stage as she provides not only killer vocals but a magnetic stage presence which enchants the audience and has them in the palm of her hand. Georgia's rendition of The Story was completely magical and Before He Cheats brought a sassy side to the night's proceedings. Georgia has a special skill of being able to capture a crowd whilst remaining natural and relaxed as she allows the audience to bask in her talents.
Alongside the natural banter of Georgia and Patrick, the pair were joined by ex-Strat and fan favourite, Benjamin Purkiss who brought spades of humour and vocals beyond belief to the nights proceedings. Stacy's Mom was a comedic standout and Matt Corby's Brother was a vocal gem of a piece which Ben performed stunningly.
In a night where every song was a delight, some other highlights included Patrick's masterfully controlled version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face; They Just Keep Moving The Line which Georgia performed with gusto and honesty; Dream On which was a battle of the powerhouses Patrick and Ben; and Lucky which was magically performed by Georgia and Patrick.
If you weren't at the Museum of Comedy last night then you really missed out on a fantastically performed concert with treat after treat from three of the most talented performers the West End has to offer. I can only hope this isn't the last time we see and hear this trio perform. If you want to witness truthful, magnetic performances then look no further than Georgia, Patrick and Ben!
Follow Monsteers Artistry for information on future concerts and events
photo credit: Rishi Rai
Thursday 22 November 2018
In Conversation With... Patrick Sullivan | Doctor Dolittle | Interview
After starring as Blake in Bat Out of Hell, Patrick Sullivan has swapped a motorbike for a cycling bike and a whole load of animals, as he becomes Matthew Mugg in Doctor Dolittle. Patrick told us what we can expect from the show, what Matthew is like and what he'd love to do next...
Can you tell us a little bit about Doctor Dolittle and what we can expect?
Doctor Dolittle is a beautifully charming family show. It deals with important issues like the way we treat animals and in turn the environment. It has real heart and integrity and stands up against some of the more well-known family classics like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
You recently starred in Bat Out of Hell which is very different from this show, what drew you to Doctor Dolittle?
It was actually that huge difference that attracted me! I had the most incredible time creating and working on Bat. As a cast we were given such freedom to develop and adapt our characters. I had never done a show like Doctor Dolittle and reading the script the character I play, Matthew Mugg, really felt like something I wanted to work on! It's a very traditional show with great song and dance numbers which I've always wanted to do!
As you mentioned, you’re playing Matthew Mugg, what’s he like as a character?
Matthew is a very sweet innocent guy, with the best of intentions. He's an Irish immigrant and so doesn't have any family of his own in Puddleby, where the show is set, so he builds his own family when Doctor Dolittle takes him in. We see Matthew repeating this gesture when he takes in a local orphan Tommy Stubbins. He is driven by a kindness and warmth of character that I find very admirable!
Puppets are a key part of this production, what has the process of learning to work and move with them been like?
It's been a very rewarding challenge! I have had zero experience with puppetry prior to this show so I was really starting from the ground up! It's fantastic to be able to create reality where animals can pack a suitcase or do a dance number! It's really magic!
Have you got a favourite puppet in the show?
I might have a soft spot for him Chee Chee the chimpanzee...
Can you sum up Doctor Dolittle in five words?
Charming
Rich
Joyous
Fun
Heartwarming
If you had a magic wand, which show would you do next?
Oh a very difficult question. I don't really have a favourite show! I would love to do A Man of No Importance or else Catch Me If You Can. I think those are two shows that have never got the attention in London they deserve.
If you could go back to any era, when would you go to and why?
I know this isn’t the question but I'd much rather go into the future a hundred years and just see how it all plays out.
What’s your top piece of advice for aspiring performers?
Perform as much as you can. I was very lucky growing up in Ireland where there was considerably less competition for shows, especially for boys, so I was given loads of opportunities to play parts and develop a stage craft before I ever went to college! I was very lucky but there are still opportunities to be had if you look in the right places!
Also just try and be nice to people! It’s easy to forget to treat people with respect.
A massive thank you to Patrick for taking the time to chat to us. Doctor Dolittle is currently touring the UK until 2nd November 2019
Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell
photo credit: Alastair Muir
Friday 16 November 2018
Doctor Dolittle (UK Tour), Churchill Theatre | Review
Doctor Dolittle (UK Tour)
Churchill Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 15th November 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★
He talks to the animals, sings with the animals, dances with the animals and is now in a musical with the animals. Doctor Dolittle follows the "impossible" man who understands animals better than people so with the help of his parrot Polynesia, learns their languages to help cure all their ailments. After a run-in with the local magistrate, Dolittle escapes prison to go on a mission to find the giant pink sea snail. There's also a budding romance between Dolittle's right hand man, Matthew Mugg and the magistrate's niece, Emma Fairfax.
This UK tour features book, music and lyrics by original Doctor Dolittle composer, Leslie Bricusse who, alongside Director, Christopher Renshaw, has reinvented the story to make it an entertaining show for the entire family.
Mark Williams takes on the title role and does so fairly well. Whilst he speaks most of his songs, he does so with an energy that fits the character. It would be nice to have the role sung more seeing as this is a musical, but Williams' performance does fit the show well.
It's the Doctor's friend Matthew Mugg, played by Patrick Sullivan who steals the show with his magnetic charm and personality. Matthew is an instantly likeable character who holds the show on his shoulders with charisma. Sullivan also shines vocally with his beautiful tone- it's just a shame we don't get to hear a bit more. As Matthew's love interest, Mollie Melia-Redgrave is excellent and provides great support as Emma Fairfax.
The other stars of the show have to be the intricate puppets designed by Nick Barnes and directed by Jimmy Grimes. A host of animals hop, slide and prowl around the stage, filling the space with liveliness and spirit. Especially memorable are the wonderful seal (Evonnee Bentley-Holder ) and dog, Jip (Jacob Fisher and Richard Vorster) who, like all the animals, are controlled masterfully by the ensemble. Vicky Entwistle also gives a lovely performance as Polynesia and cleverly disguises herself with the puppet to make us forget she's even there, which really brings a hint of magic.
Tom Piper's set is very simplistic and at first comes across as amateurish but as the show continues it becomes fitting and works well to create the storybook like atmosphere. However, the sets being a little larger and more vibrant would add a lot to the show, as would some more inspired lighting. At times it feels like there is an inconsistency with the show. Whilst the basic sets and beige costumes are, I assume, supposed to leave space to highlight the puppets, they instead feel too rushed and cheap compared to the puppets which are so bright and detailed.
This isn't a masterpiece of a show but it is a whole lot of fun for families. Act two is certainly aimed at children but does have some magical moments of choreography (Josh Rhodes) as well as a star feature from the giant pink snail which fills the stage and seems to wow many of the younger audience. For a fun night out and a reminder of why we should protect and love animals, go see Doctor Dolittle but don't expect a monumental show.
photo credit: Alistair Muir
Thursday 24 January 2019
Vision of You: Live with Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton, The Space at Studio 88 | Review
Vision of You: Live
The Space at Studio 88
Reviewed on Thursday 24th January 2019 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
After releasing their album Vision of You, back in December, Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton have taken their exploration of the backstories of Falco and Sloane (the pair's characters in Bat Out of Hell) to new levels with a series of concerts about how the duo came to be.
Featuring a mixture of the Vision of You album and additional songs, the evening is an entertaining and dramatic look at two well loved Bat characters and is certainly a fitting antidote for the fans still mourning the loss of the show at the Dominion Theatre. Starting from when Falco and Sloane meet with 'Falling Slowly' and ending with a bittersweet duet about the couple's life and romance, 'Always Remember Us This Way', Rob and Sharon do a brilliant job of storytelling and taking the audience on a journey.
Of course, both Rob and Sharon are vocal powerhouses and they don't fail to deliver top notch performances that are gritty but controlled. Combined with Steve Corley's magical, musical skills and the intimate but booming Space at Studio 88, the couple are able to show various sides of their voices and complement each other remarkably.
The ups and downs of the Falco Family relationship are brought to life further by Erin Ong's beautiful artwork which is projected between songs to fill in the story gaps. There are a number of aspects of the artwork, staging, lyrics and costumes that directly mirror Bat Out of Hell, and avid fans will have a great time picking out the subtle references to the show. Fans will also hear some familiar people accompanying the artwork, with Georgia Carling, Katherine Hare, Jordan Luke Gage and Patrick Sullivan lending their voices to dramatic points in the plot and bringing their Bat characters to the screen.
The love Sharon and Rob have for the characters they have created is evident through their album and live performances, and the work they have put into these concerts is so visible. It's clearly a labour of love for the duo and it's only right that all three performances at The Space have sold out. Bat fans will love this character development, but even if you're not a fan of the show, there's no way you'd be underwhelmed by the incredible talent and dedication the pair exude.
If you want vocal gymnastics, raw performances, drama, angst and romance, then Vision of You, both live in concert and recorded is for you.
photo credit: Specular and Olivia Mitchell
Wednesday 29 August 2018
Bat Out of Hell Sing-along, Dominion Theatre
Bat Out of Hell | Sing-along
Dominion Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 28th August 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
I'm going to start this post by saying it's not really going to be a review but more of a babbling-praise-fest for the amazing team at Bat Out of Hell and the fantastic sense of community they have created over their various runs.
It's no secret that I wasn't the biggest Bat fan when I first saw it at the Coliseum, but since then, something has changed and I just can't get enough of the show. Sure, the story is lacking but the performances and intricacies of every element just make it a complete extravaganza for all the senses and you can't help but feel energised and elated every time you see it. I certainly don't think the show is everyone's cup of tea, but if you go into it ready to be shocked, wowed and dazzled, then there's not much that can go wrong.
I've raved about them on twitter and praised them vastly in my previous posts about the show, but last night's sing-along just brought to light again, the incredible talents of the entire Bat cast. Whilst not everyone in the audience was singing along (the lady next to us told us to stop, so we just sang LOUDER) those that were, were giving it their all just like the cast do every night (minus all the dancing, quick changes and acting they do on top). My friends and I were going pretty full out in our sing-along "performances" but were giving no where near the energy and precision the cast provide night after night and we were still exhausted. This just highlights further the immense talent and stamina of the cast who perform night after night, giving it 150%; I truly believe you'd be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded, powerful cast in the West End.
The sing-along itself was a wonderful thing to be a part of; I've been trying (and failing) to be a bit subtle about my adoration for Bat but last night I fully embraced the love and fangirling. With a small screen above the stage and a couple of others dotted round the theatre displaying lyrics, it was clearly shown which songs the audience were invited to sing along to. Much of the audience seemed to come out of their shells and start belting for their lives in Act 2, with Objects In The Rearview Mirror and I Would Do Anything For Love being clear audience/fan favourites. The microphones being turned up also meant that none of the cast's vocals were missed and we were still able to bask in the beauty of their voices. These sing-along performances not only give fans a chance to live their best lives, singing along whilst hearing their favourite songs live, but also puts the message out clearly that the normal shows are not for people to sing at. When you pay for a ticket to the theatre, you want to hear the performers sing, not someone next to you, so these special performances provide the perfect outlet and are a happy medium for everyone.
The Bat community are a wonderful family, that's for sure. I have only recently gotten into the show but have been welcomed in with open arms and have experienced the kindness and generosity of the fans several times already. The fans support not only the cast and show itself, but each other. A number of people at the singalong had met through the show and bonded over their love for it, so to see and hear them celebrate that was truly magical to be a part of. I expect the future singalongs and the upcoming last show of Patrick Sullivan and Andrew Polec will continue to highlight the fantastically dedicated community and show how music and theatre can really bring people together.
I'm aware this post really has very little content and is just me putting my post-show Bat thoughts out into the world but I felt I had to write something because the sing-along has made me feel so energised, inspired and content. The generosity of the cast with both their talent and time is fantastically motivational to see. I personally find stage-dooring very awkward but find myself drawn to it at Bat, purely to gush at the cast about how amazing they are. Despite having been rehearsing all day, performing a show a preparing for a double show day, the cast members who came out were so gracious and giving of their time. It's been discussed many times before that casts don't owe coming out and chatting/signing to any audience members, but it is great when a cast so clearly appreciate the people who support them and their show.
If you get the chance to see a normal show or a sing-along, you should grab it with open arms. If you haven't seen Bat Out of Hell before, go into it with an open mind and I am sure you'll leave feeling elated. If you have seen it before, then you know what to expect and can just relish in the pure spectacle of it all!
Shoutout to the cast and crew at BOOH for bringing this sing-along to life and also to the producers who have stepped up the game continually with this show by trying new things and always finding ways to include and give back to those who support the show.
Shoutout to the cast and crew at BOOH for bringing this sing-along to life and also to the producers who have stepped up the game continually with this show by trying new things and always finding ways to include and give back to those who support the show.
I am a mixture of larynx pain and adrenaline but couldn't be happier to have been a part of this exhilarating and special show... can I say I've played Raven now I've belted out It's All Coming Back to Me Now at the Dominion!?
Further Bat Out of Hell sing-along performances are taking place on September 25th, October 31st, November 27th and December 31st and the show is booking until January 5th.
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