Dublin adventures part 1
After a slightly delayed but entertaining flight over to Dublin, CMSJS, Jnb, Speedy and I arrived in Dublin and checked into the very lovely Clayton Hotel.
I had forgotten my toothpaste and teabags so asked reception where the nearest shop was and was part way there when I bumped into Sally from Twitter, waiting for Jay near the theatre. As Sally is an expert Jay stalker, I lingered and before long Jay and Damien appeared, resulting in the earlier video. He looked very well and so young!
On my way back from the shop, I called in at the box office and discovered that they had some stall tickets at 30 euros so after a few communication challenges, we decided to see Big this evening. Polly also joined us for the show.
This was my second viewing of Big but I was still really excited, but nothing at all nervous.
Well, unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed it, more in fact than the first time in Plymouth.
There were quite a lot of changes, to the first half in particular, more dialogue explaining the plot, tweaks to the choreography, more little bits of interaction between Josh and Susan, and I think the key of some songs may have been changed. It was a bit quicker and slicker, plus the orchestra didn't drown out the singing the way it had a bit in Plymouth, plus Diana was less shouty. I liked her tonight much more than in Plymouth.
Jay was really good, more relaxed, more little touches, than in Plymouth, full of energy. I thought he sang better than in Plymouth and even though he was a bit croaky towards the end, I thought his singing was stronger and had a really lovely tone. He has such an interesting voice to listen to. Lots of light and shade- sorry don't really know how to explain.
Standing ovation at the end- there looked to be other Jay fans in the audience.
Jessica did not perform but her understudy was excellent.
It was a different Billy and little Josh to Plymouth as well and they were very good. Jay made a point of signalling them out for applause at the end of the show and gave them lots of encouragement.
After the show, we lurked at the stage door and Jay appeared quite quickly. By now KLTKD had joined us. Well Jay hugged us all. Lots of photos were taken. He was his usual lovely charming self. He admired Speedy's warm shoulder. Damien was also there and chatted about the WE. Still seems likely but he suggested that further changes would be needed to the show when it went to the WE to make it is bit more pacey. I asked Jay what he was going to do next. He said he had a few options but would be quite glad to do nothing. Understandable. He must be shattered.
There were a couple of fans there from the US, who had timed their holiday to England and Ireland to coincide with Big. One of them asked Jay to design a tattoo for her, which he happily did. We think it was lyrics from the show.
Well, after a successful stage door lurk, we went onto the nearby Ferryman pub to sample the Guiness. KLTKD collected Ahouch on the way. Diana and friends were also in the pub. On my way to the bar, Ahouch and KLTKD suggested that I went to the bar downstairs as there was less queue. I thought CMSJS had followed me but I could not find her and looking round what I thought was the exit to the front of the bar, was a little snug where Jay and Damien were having a drink of Guinness. I felt properly embarrassed,like some kind of stalker ( I draw a subtle distinction between a lurker and stalker (!)) and quickly exited.
After a suitable quantity of very excellent Guinness, we went back to the hotel, pausing for a photo. We were joined in the photo by a gentleman from the post office union who had been at a party in the pub, marking the closing of the post office.
The people of Dublin are certainly very friendly!
Night all.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
After a slightly delayed but entertaining flight over to Dublin, CMSJS, Jnb, Speedy and I arrived in Dublin and checked into the very lovely Clayton Hotel.
I had forgotten my toothpaste and teabags so asked reception where the nearest shop was and was part way there when I bumped into Sally from Twitter, waiting for Jay near the theatre. As Sally is an expert Jay stalker, I lingered and before long Jay and Damien appeared, resulting in the earlier video. He looked very well and so young!
On my way back from the shop, I called in at the box office and discovered that they had some stall tickets at 30 euros so after a few communication challenges, we decided to see Big this evening. Polly also joined us for the show.
This was my second viewing of Big but I was still really excited, but nothing at all nervous.
Well, unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed it, more in fact than the first time in Plymouth.
There were quite a lot of changes, to the first half in particular, more dialogue explaining the plot, tweaks to the choreography, more little bits of interaction between Josh and Susan, and I think the key of some songs may have been changed. It was a bit quicker and slicker, plus the orchestra didn't drown out the singing the way it had a bit in Plymouth, plus Diana was less shouty. I liked her tonight much more than in Plymouth.
Jay was really good, more relaxed, more little touches, than in Plymouth, full of energy. I thought he sang better than in Plymouth and even though he was a bit croaky towards the end, I thought his singing was stronger and had a really lovely tone. He has such an interesting voice to listen to. Lots of light and shade- sorry don't really know how to explain.
Standing ovation at the end- there looked to be other Jay fans in the audience.
Jessica did not perform but her understudy was excellent.
It was a different Billy and little Josh to Plymouth as well and they were very good. Jay made a point of signalling them out for applause at the end of the show and gave them lots of encouragement.
After the show, we lurked at the stage door and Jay appeared quite quickly. By now KLTKD had joined us. Well Jay hugged us all. Lots of photos were taken. He was his usual lovely charming self. He admired Speedy's warm shoulder. Damien was also there and chatted about the WE. Still seems likely but he suggested that further changes would be needed to the show when it went to the WE to make it is bit more pacey. I asked Jay what he was going to do next. He said he had a few options but would be quite glad to do nothing. Understandable. He must be shattered.
There were a couple of fans there from the US, who had timed their holiday to England and Ireland to coincide with Big. One of them asked Jay to design a tattoo for her, which he happily did. We think it was lyrics from the show.
Well, after a successful stage door lurk, we went onto the nearby Ferryman pub to sample the Guiness. KLTKD collected Ahouch on the way. Diana and friends were also in the pub. On my way to the bar, Ahouch and KLTKD suggested that I went to the bar downstairs as there was less queue. I thought CMSJS had followed me but I could not find her and looking round what I thought was the exit to the front of the bar, was a little snug where Jay and Damien were having a drink of Guinness. I felt properly embarrassed,like some kind of stalker ( I draw a subtle distinction between a lurker and stalker (!)) and quickly exited.
After a suitable quantity of very excellent Guinness, we went back to the hotel, pausing for a photo. We were joined in the photo by a gentleman from the post office union who had been at a party in the pub, marking the closing of the post office.
The people of Dublin are certainly very friendly!
Night all.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
. She tends to put rum in her plum jam, but she does have a brother who lives in La Reunion so annual access to same.
