Sorry everyone - just realised how annoying it is to keep on quoting the original message

I'm a numbskull!

Thank you for that review Jeanie, it really sounds like you and your daughter had the time of your lives I am positively frothing with excitement now! September can't come soon enough.

Thank you Jeanie, for that great review,if you're not in the business, you should be. I'm so delighted that the star quality we spotted on ADWD is now in the West End!

Thanks again

Thanks Jeannie,

For me, it was like being there all over again. Thank you for striking the right balance between lots of detail and not spoiling it for JATATD virgins! It's not easy to do this.

I think we need to emphasise though at this show is ADDICTIVE!!! Once is definately not enough - it should carry a health warning really!

Top tip about the heat as well. We weren't hot at the front because I think the stage and orchestra are airconned (I now remember Lee's goosepimples!), but obviously everywhere else is so wear thin clothes and take a thick hanky!

Jeannie i'll add my thanks for such a wonderful review I'm so pleased that Lee is shining like the star we all knew he was.

I almost feel like i was there myself reading it. You have a fabulous way with words.

I'm dying to see it but haven't even got tickets yet (long story) so reading reviews like this brings it so much closer and allows people like me to share in the experience.

Thank you xxx

I must add my thanks to the great review Jeannie. So when are you going to become a professional MT reviewer? You could make a career out of it.

Thanks VERY much Jeanie for an excellent review. It makes me hungry to see it and to think I debated going or not going because I live in Scotland. However, I have bitten the bullet and I'm going in October. Not got brill seats but they are better than none.

It is lovely to hear that Lee does as good a job as I knew he would and that he is well received by the audience. I now hope the official critics are as kind when the show finishes the previews. Fingers crossed.

Rosie

Talantra, I don't know if you already know this, but you can turn off the e-mail notification of PMs. I never get any e-mails when people PM me.

Brilliant review Jeanie. I really enjoyed reading it and you had just the right mix of little details and telling us about his actual performance. You really should do it professionally.

Oh if you twist my arm.

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments.

Wish I could review shows for a living - sounds like a dream! Anyone want to give me a job?

Looking forward to reading the next review and being able to relive it all over again.

*takes hold of Electrat's arm and twists gently*

Chloe has just read my review.

She wishes to point out that she is not a pixie nor a smurf, and is therefore not five inches tall as I suggested........!

Ooops! Easy mistake.......:0

Jeanie, thanks for the wonderful review, and I'm now even more excited to see it. Only problem is, I can't decide whether to drink lots of water to ward off the heat or hold off on the water due to the poor toilet facilities...?

I thought I had, but I'll double-check.

Thank you!

Jeanie - many thanks for a wonderful review. Am struggling to think of any questions, it was so comprehensive . Am sooooo delighted for Lee - by the sound of it, it was difficult to tell who was loving the show more - Lee in performing, or the audience in watching! I'm so glad to that he got such a reception. Was it a standing ovation at the end?

Thanks also for the useful tips. As I have seat A17 in a couple of weeks, I now know to wear cool clothing, go to the loo before arriving at the theatre and to preparing for a pogo-ing (!) conductor!

Also, NoahsArk - thanks for a great review of Sweeney Todd and I'm glad Daniel lived up to your expectations. Interesting to note the similar comments that both Daniel and Lee sounded so much better a) live and b) singing decent songs.

Mini-rant - why do theatres always seem surprised that ladies might need the toilet at some point? It's just in providing only 2 or 3 loos it seems to be an afterthought that, you know, someone might occasionally need to use it!

Certainly was a standing ovation! Everyone was on their feet in the stalls, and we looked up and saw everyone in the Grand Circle and the Upper Circle all standing. There was one curtain call, and everyone was still standing, cheering and clapping when the lights went up. Reckon the audience would have liked a couple more curtain calls, but looks like the theatre reckoned that was our lot!

Jeanie, that was a great review from start to finish. I like all the details as well, from start to finish. I liked the bit where Lee hit Preeya with his coat - was that in the script, I wonder?
Can't wait for Friday!
Two more days at work to get through first
(I'd soon be whining if I hadn't got a job at all!)
Keep the reviews coming please! I'll post mine next week - I'm right at the back but I have A SEAT!!

I'll post my review later. I saw it last night and it was amazing!!!

Looking forward to it Stuart

Oh yes, please do - glad you had a good time!

Ok, we arrived at the Adelphi at around 7:20pm, thinking people would already be in their seats, but the foyer was still packed. We bought merchandise (very cheap), but the Lee t-shirts and camels aren't arriving until later this week.

We took our seats, we were 3rd row from the back at the side but still had a great view. 7:30pm came and went and still no show! Around 10 mins later, Bill Kenwright walked in!! He stood up the back for the first half.

Then the show started at around 7:50pm. The children's choir ran up to the stage and Preeya came on. She is an amazing singer. She did struggle with some parts though (the "Jacob" in "Jacob and Sons") but these were quickly forgotten. Then, Lee levitated down to the stage and started singing ADWD. He was astounding. It was at this point when I heard someone say, "The Lord is in the building". And he was!!! ALW was standing up the back next to Bill!! He was just nodding his head in time to the music. I thought the sets were very basic and not really what I expected from a West End show. It looked a bit like an amateur production.

The first half was amazing. ALW and Bill made a quick escape just before intermission (never seen anyone run as quickly as ALW leaving the theatre). The interval was 20mins long.

The 2nd half then started and it wasn't really as good as the first. It seemed as if they were trying to make up time to make the show longer. The sets were better in the second half however. Not enough Lee. Just after "Benjamin Calypso", ALW came back and just stood at the back again (we saw Bill get into his car at intermission). There was also a rumour that David Tennant was there.

I felt as if the show was too short but the second half was too long if you catch my drift. It felt as if they were trying to make up time with the CED reprise, the megamix, the late start and the long intermission. It also felt as if ALW was just using Lee as a way to extend the show's life span.

Lee is one of the best Joseph's I have ever seen. He hit every note perfect (although he messed up his words in a few songs). He also acted the show really well.

At the end, one of the ushers told us Lee would be doing singings at 10:30pm if we wanted to wait in the foyer, but we decided against it (it was 10pm just now).

Overall, I'd give the show 7/10, mainly because of Lee, but the show still needs an AWFUL lot of fine tuning.

Thanks for that Stuart

RE: Stuart's Review

*confesses* I have only ever seen the DVD but I find the french song a bit boring in that. Have you seen many versions? Is it that this one is trying to draw itself out too much or is it just the structure of the Joseph musical that made you dissatisfied with it?

I have seen the movie, versions with Stephen Gately, Darren Day and an unknown Joseph and I have been anoyed by the structure each time.