Sky's Musical Corner - Musical Q&A with Rachel

1.  What’s your favourite musical ever?

Like books, asking me a favourite musical is almost impossible, but amongst my top shows that I tend to see every time there is a new production are Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Then again amongst some of the newer musicals I’ve seen I also love Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots.

2.  What comes to mind when you hear the word Musical?

A fabulous time to be had at a theatre. I love shows that have a mix of song, dance and acting – so basically a musical. Generally if I hear the word musical, I want to know what show is being referred to, and either then want to see it, or possibly have seen it in the past!

3.  Have you ever seen a Musical on the West End or Broadway?

I’m very lucky that I live in London, and would regard musical theatre as one of my hobbies, so try to get into the West End to see shows as often as I can. Often 5 times a year or more.

4.  What’s the next musical you want to see?

Today I have just come home from a touring production of Rocky Horror, but also booked tickets for Funny Girl and Groundhog Day the Musical. Also on my hit list for later in 2016 are School of Rock, Rent and possibly Dreamgirls (although I recall falling asleep watching the film).

5.  Which musicals have you seen live?

You really want a list? Seriously that will either bore you in its length, or just make you incredibly jealous! 

In the last 12-18 months or so alone I have seen High Society, Gypsy, Kinky Boots, Aladdin the Musical, Bend it Like Beckham, Elf the Musical, Mowtown the Musical, Mrs Henderson Presents, In The Heights, Rocky Horror Picture Show (twice), Beautiful the Carole King musical and I can’t help but think something else but can’t put my finger on it!

Other shows currently on in London that I have seen, either in the current production or in the past include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Thriller Live, The Lion King, Guys and Dolls, The Bodyguard, Showboat, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, Dirty Dancing & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

There have of course been many more since the first show I was when I was 7 sparking a life time of love of Musical theatre from me!

6.  What’s your favourite song out of a musical?

Another question that is almost impossible to answer, however there is something about Fabulous from Sister Act that has me bopping up and down continually when I listen to it.

7.  Who’s you favourite Musical actress?

Beverley Knight, Imelda Staunton and Sheridan Smith (so long as she is good in Funny Girl when I see it – I loved her in Legally Blonde).

8.  Who’s you favourite Musical actor?

Currently its a toss up between Killian Donelly and David Bedella, but given he was the best Frank-n-Furter I have ever seen in Rocky Horror, possibly him!

9.  Best Musical movie you have ever seen?

Hmmm...best not favourite, I know that the High School Musical films I really loved and would like to see on stage, maybe not the best but they are good fun.

10. Which book would you turn into a musical?

Now this is also tough, and I’m sure I have put it in a review before that I would love to see a soundtrack to a book, but I’m not great at imagining what book could become a musical, would rather leave that to the pros!

11.  Which musical has the best soundtrack?

Some of my most listened to sound tracks recently are Bend It Like Beckham, Sister Act, Legally Blonde, Fame, Hairspray, generally any that get me up and dancing while I listen to them at work are good! 

12.  Take your favourite Musical and put together your own dream cast.

I’m sorry Simona, unlike your wonderful fantasy casts for books, which I love seeing, I am happy to take casts for Musicals as I see them...

That being said David Bedella is my ultimate Frank-n-Furter in Rocky Horror he just owns that part!

13. Who is your favourite Musical composer?

Andrew Lloyd Webber – I have loved so many of his shows over the years.

14. Which Musical made/makes you cry?

Blood Brothers and Miss Saigon both spring to mind as ones that had me in tears by the end. In fact I’ve not been able to re-listen to the Miss Saigon soundtrack since seeing the show (back in the 90s in London, not its most recent run).

Rachel’s Random Reads can be found at https://rachelsrandomreads.blogspot.co.uk/ and I can be followed on twitter at @gilbster1000

Thank you so much Simona for allowing my onto your great blog to wax lyrical about musicals, which are clearly my other love along with books.