Bits and Pieces.

Silver Art Award.

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Elvis

Working at a theatre is extremely fun most of the time. I get to see amazing shows regularly for free, and the atmosphere is generally filled with excitement. However, I’ll admit that there are some shows that I dread. And the cover groups are those sorts of shows. Especially Valentine’s day, with  a fake Elvis. I can’t claim to be an Elvis fan. Before this concert I had only heard a few of his songs before,  and ‘Hound Dog’ never really did anything for me. The show began with a quick introduction by a man in an all-american style costume, with silky chaps and a bright white hat. He tried to build up some anticipation, then he announced Ben NAME to the stage. Did he really look like Elvis? I can’t say I’m sure, even a week later. He had the black slicked back hair and shiny costume, but like any impersonator, his look wasn’t identical. Neither was his singing voice, or the Tennessee accent with which he spoke to the audience with in between songs. I’m no Elvis expert, but I wouldn’t take him for the real thing. Ben NAME  had previously won an Elvis impersonator competition in Memphis, so I guess he must have been the closest thing to the real deal! It was Valentine’s day, and the holidays are usually a good time to go to the theatre. The audience consisted of families, older people there for nostalgia, and a hen party. It was so packed that the usual seats that us staff usually got to sit on where taken, meaning we had to stand for the entire performance. I’ll admit that having sore feet may have affected my judgement on the show. Over the second half of the show, we had problems with women running to the front of the stage to dance and collect the scarves that the fake Elvis would throw – after wiping them across his sweaty neck. They acted like he was the real thing, grasping towards him for the chance of snagging a neckerchief to take home. Us staff had instructions to make sure that the front was kept clear during the songs, and some of my co-workers got screamed and sworn at when asked to move back to their seat. It wasn’t my favourite audience that we’ve ever welcomed into the auditorium. The shift was long and unpleasant and when I was asked if I wanted to go home I practically skipped out the back door. Cowardly, I was leaving behind co-workers who had to deal with an extremely large queue of fans waiting to get photos and an autograph with Ben. His true English accent was hilarious to hear, but didn’t make up for the faint smell of sick that two separate children had left behind. From the perspective of a performance, the show was well organised. The show progressed through Elvis’s career, as did the costume stages. The musicians were all very talented, and the lighting and smoke machines were exciting to look at. Imitators are generally never something I’d consider going to see, and we get plenty of tribute acts visiting the theatre. Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones, ABBA, etc, have all toured through our way, if only as alter egos if never in person.

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Singalong the Sound of Music

As I work at a theatre as a member of the front of house staff, I am to see shows almost every week. Usually there are the usual expectations of theatre – musicals, comedians etc. However, annually, a company puts up a large screen and plays the movie musical, ‘The Sound of Music’. Named a ‘sing-a-long’, lyrics are placed on screen, and the audience members are actively encouraged to sing along. I love the sound of music, and I have watched the movie several times, and have even seen a stage production of it many years ago. I think to enjoy this experience, you would have to know the story and characters inside out. Throughout the film, the spectators were prompted to make jeers or oohs whenever characters arrived, or acted in a certain way. When Maria put one hand on her head, they said ‘Oh!’ When it was two, they made sure to ‘Aah’. The Duchess was hissed at (which I thought was a tad unfair to that character) and Rolf the Nazi was barked at like a dog – ‘Rolf Rolf!’ The introduction before the film even began took fifty minutes, as a woman taught the audience the cues. Each participant was given a goody bag. It consisted of cards to hold up at the opportune moments, a scrap of curtain fabric, an ‘invitation’ to Captain Von Trapp’s party, a party popper (for when Maria and the Captain kiss) and a fake edelweiss flower. Participants were actively encouraged to dress up. Some imaginative children dressed up as ‘brown paper packages tied up with string’. Others came as stereotypical Austrian Frauleins. There was one Nazi, and for a reason I am still unsure of; a very colourful clown. Never had I seen so many nuns in one room. Unfortunately during the costume competition I wasn’t in the auditorium, so I didn’t get to see who won, although I know that second place went to a ‘naughty’ nun, with knee high socks and plenty of tattoos. My co-workers and I took many group photos of the nuns. A few of them were bearded, and not exactly thrilled to be there! Needless to say, the confetti from the party poppers were not pleasant to pick up at the end of the show! They got absolutely everywhere. My shift started at 5:45, and I left home at 11:15, so for me it was a long shift. Although I only wafted in and out of the auditorium, everyone in the theatre could hear the movie as it played. The volume was very high. I also made sure to pop inside for the interesting moments. The tickets cost £15 each. I thought that was quite expensive for a film, but the venue was an excellent place for a movie and the audience did get extras. A screen was pulled down over the stage so the projection was as large as a regular cinema, plus during the interval the audience could buy drinks from the bar. It’s clear that the sing-a-long is an experience like no other, and for some it’s a tradition that they follow every year. As the fliers state: ‘The audience is the star.’