Thanks Korky
Yes, that is the photo.
Really like the hat too.

Like Ahouch, can't wait to hear about Big tonight.
Exciting day. 👍

Can I second that. I am not time challenged but certainly technically challenged. It is great following everything that is happening.

Morning all
Think the photo with Zoltar was in LA in about March this year BBThis time last year Jay was doing Strictly here.

I am getting ready to throw a hissy fit.
I ordered the Big CD on 7 Nov when the despatch date was 1 December.
We now know that there was a delay in the CD being sent out because of tweaks made to the score and certain songs having to be re-recorded. Fair enough.
But the message I received from the Big 'store' on 1 December said 'We are now expecting to despatch your CD during the week commencing the 5th December. We will send you a shipment notification as soon as they have been despatched.'
Zilch heard from them - three clear days after the 5th, though I read somewhere that the CDs will be available to purchase at the theatre in Dublin. If they can get the CDs to Dublin then as far as I'm concerned they should also be despatching mine by now as they've had my money for a month.
I am not a happy bunny.

Anyone else had the CD on order since before the 7 Nov, and received an 'it's on it's way' email?

Nellie - if you go on the Big website, it now says CD ready for dispatch 12 December - not too long before you get it.

We can help, I know he looks like a benign, genial buffoon but dreaming of The Donald will only bring you misery - come back from the dark side to us, to daydreaming about a blue eyed, curly hair, singing and dancing dork. Do you need us to stage an intervention, lock you in a darkened room with videos of J playing non-stop to bring you back from the brink of oblivion Just give a sign and the Jaybusters (bit like ghostbusters) will be there to blast your American into green goo

Thanks for that update Lola, but it wouldn't have hurt them to send another email about the updated dispatch date.
And, IMO, still not acceptable if people going to the theatre today can buy the CD. Means they'll get it about a week before me. Unless it's sent first class in which case it'll only be five days.
If it is on sale today I would have got it quicker by asking Polly-T to buy it for me and post it. Which is a stupid state of affairs.

Double post.
More like 'bring you nightmares'.


Now I must away. Gotta get ready for a visit by at least one man (possibly two) who is (are) going to spend some time working on my plumbing. As in 'fitting a new central heating boiler' to replace the one which went kaput last week.

Sorry my posts are a bit ' bitty ' but trying to catch up due to RL being full on at the moment.
Spreeathen I think the pic is recent as Jay is wearing the thick grey jumper that he has being wearing frequently in the last few days ( hope someone is doing his laundry for him, maybe Maureen now she is in Dublin! ) and his hair and beard length are as he has been wearing recently.

I am worrying a bit about the WE announcement of Big. I would have thought we should have heard something by now. I think there might be a bit of a problem not only to find a theatre that is still available for next year but also one that is suitable for the production. Everyone that has been lucky enough to see it, has said that the sets are amazing and very mechanically complex. So a theatre that has a stage large enough and is able to accommodate all the mechanics is needed. It might be a tough call.

Most London theatres are very old and not very big. The stage at the Phoenix theatre visited recently, probably would not be big enough to accommodate Big

Fantastic article in the Irish Times this morning - thanks for the link Deise Days

https://twitter.com/daysdeise/status/806776497050566656

I'm sure they'll find a theatre to fit, sets are often complex these days. Maybe the announcement is being timed for maximum PR impact. Plymouth was a preview, with virtually no mainstream press coverage, tonight's the premiere, the 13th is press night. I'm sure we'll see something soon. All focus on Dublin for the next month, then it will concentrate on the WE opening.

Great to hear that the CD will be on its way soon - I'm sure the tweaks are worth waiting for!

Oh but his hair Lola, his orange glow....😍

Actually It's an actor called Eddie.😂

Haven't posted for quite a while,the run up to Christmas is very busy for us , work wise,so just haven't had the time, just wanted to wish Jay and all the cast, good luck,for their opening night in Dublin.sure it will be fabulous.only wish I was going.

Yes BB - West End is being mentioned in all the interviews so like you said the announcement will most likely be made for Maximum effect
According to the Irish Times Michael Rose has ambitions to bring Big to Broadway so fingers crossed for successful runs in Dublin and West End

Am sure the BIG CD will be on its way to you soon Nelliek - the wait will be worth it following the additional tweets they made to it. I asked the other day at BGET about it and they said they are awaiting it to be despatched - am hoping it will be there tonight with the other BIG merchandising

Yes that article was interesting, and I agree Michael Rose looks like he has his eyes firmly fixed on taking the show to Broadway, which I'm sure would delight and excite Jay in equal measure!

I really like it that they're taking the trouble to get everything just right, what a far cry from the rather haphazard efforts of the KD production team.

It'll be great craic tonight, I'll be thinking of you all as the theatre buzzes before the orchestra strikes up that fabulous overture. Can't wait to be in a theatre to feel it for myself!

Polly-T - have a wonderful time this evening.
As the orchestra strikes up spare a thought for all your fellow Jalionistas sitting at home (green with envy), who will be there with you in spirit.

The other night when I and then CatO posted random 70's music I fully intended to follow it up the next day with a 70's Christmas song, but life got in the way and I didn't. I've always loved this song so I was really sad to see that Greg Lake has died today. So a couple of days late;

https://youtu.be/RXCEdrnaFlY

Hi everyone
Damien said that only 5 or 6 theatres across the UK and Eire could stage Big because of the set, including Plymouth and Dublin.

Is there a matinee today?

ETA- Thanks for the link Lola. Sorry to hear about Greg Lake.

The Mayflower in Southampton is a huge stage. My fingers are firmly crossed.

There is a conversation about Ireland and Dublin in particular in the NAT thread downstairs so I have asked if anyone is going to see Big starring Jaypet!

Just popping to say I hope everyone going to see Big in Dublin has a wonderful time. I'm really envious!
How do I go about getting the CD ? I don't want to wait until London but don't know how to get it.
Didn't Jay say in one of the radio interviews that he was tied up with the show for 6 months ? Must have another listen.
Will be waiting anxiously for all your reviews.

Just had another listen to the radio interview and when they were talking about kissing on stage Jay said this is us for the next 6 months. Maybe joking ?

Thanks Nelliek - very much looking forward to it now! - whether I meet Jay will depend on crowds and also with it being opening night he may be busy with family etc - i thank Maureen and Aliona are over - he did mention them in one of the interviews yesterday


Yes there is a matinee today - there was a tweet pic earlier from a school coach who were travelling to Bord Gais today - I won't post it as it has children in it and Jay isn't in it
Yes Lola - sad to hear of the passing of Greg Lake RIP today - quite a choir building up in heaven


It will be nice to think of Jay and Big the Musical getting a long run in WestEnd
Anyway back laters or tomorrow with report -

I ordered mine via the BIG The Musical website - all the merchandise is available there.

http://bigthemusical.co.uk/

Agree about The Mayflower, Gill. What about the BIC in Bournemouth too? I should think there would be more of a chance of seeing J in a limited UK tour than an extensive one.

I agree that Jay would be thrilled to take Big on Broadway and perhaps tour a bit in the US. He'd have such an eclectic audience.

And thanks for the Jaynspiration!

*

Love's orchestra strikes up
To the baton of time
Finely tuned instruments
With each other then chime

The melody's played
With layers of sound
Building to a crescendo
With feelings unbound

My heart must be bowed
Like a fine violin
So care must be taken
To keep your hand in

Pluck at my heartstrings
As on a great harp
But do not be flat
And never be sharp

Strum with your fingers
As if on guitar
And please do not tire
Before the end of the bar

Beat your own drum
If you wish but beware
Modesty's vital
In this great love affair

Stay always in tune
And in the right key
For then you and I
Will have unity

Let's sing in harmony
With no discord
Like a perfect tune
Tapped on a keyboard

Keep up with the rhythm
Of sublime symphony
With a perfect flourish
To yield rhapsody

Don't break your strings
Or we'll disengage
And you will be playing
To an empty stage

Hello everyone!
I just wanted to report something weird that happened last week while I was abroad.
I checked on the BBC Strictly youtube channel the most popular videos and for my utter surprise the Jive was nowhere to be seen - like it never existed on the youtube page.
I first panic and planned to ask if any of you can still see it because I just couldn't imagine what could have happened.

Then I remembered that it was geo blocked. To be honest, I thought the geo- blocked videos only display that message - the video cannot be played in your territory, because I've had those messages, but I can still see the video is there.
However with the Jaliona Jive - if you try to access it from abroad - there is no trace of evidence that it has ever been on the BBC Strictly.

I remember when Aliona made her rant on twitter over the same video and people said she was over-reacting. Honestly, I was ready to over react over this! I was fuming! Honestly this specific dance looks like it was never ever been published.

I think we should write to the BBC, they must have "forgotten" to un geo block it surely.
What's the logic to keep it blocked anyway over a year after it was aired?!?

Luckily I can see it now again, finally. Still slightly fuming though.