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I've just spent the entire day working on an entirely uninspiring assignment which is due later this week. I didn't even manage to finish it, although I think perhaps I'm over the hump. Two more events or observations to reflect on ... anyone interested in contributing? It's worth 70% ... so this isn't really one I want to bomb out on. I could do with a little inspiration before finishing it off as I've completely lost interest. Not good. Oh well. I'm counting on the assumption that I'm too intelligent to accidently fail. Hopefully the assumption pays off.
Meanwhile, I went to Phantom of the Opera on Friday night!! And I've been meaning to post about it ever since. It was such an incredible show ... loved it to bits, as expected of course. In bizarre news though, we had two Phantoms! So confusing. I immediately checked the cast board on arriving at the theatre, and I was thrilled to see Anthony Warlow's name listed next to the Phantom. Given his recent medical concerns, I certainly wasn't expecting to see him ... just hoping.
But he was on, and I was so excited to finally see him performing the role. I guess he was still trying to save his voice though (for the closing weekend matinees perhaps?), as he didn't do the entire show. They kept subbing another guy in and out. It messed with my head so much! I know Anthony Warlow's voice, and I know his face, and this other guy certainly wasn't him. He was brilliant, don't get me wrong ... his voice was amazing, and he certainly looked the part. He made an incredible Phantom. He just wasn't Anthony Warlow. He wasn't even the same height ... biggest give away was when the Phantom suddenly became shorter.
I kept doubting myself though ... I've never heard of them continually changing the lead character. It was bizarre! I've seen them change a character once when one actor falls ill, but not this continual changing. I started questioning my sanity, and what I was seeing. First I started to think it wasn't him, and that the cast board was wrong, and clearly we had the understudy. But then he'd come out or even just sing and I'd be utterly convinced it was him, so then when they changed again I started to doubt my ability to recognise someone I really ought to be able to recognise. And then he'd return and I'd wonder what the problem was. It was so, so confusing!
And the most amusing part of the entire experience is that I'm fairly sure at least half the audience realised nothing. Even when the understudy came out for curtain call immediately after Anthony Warlow performed the final scene, people seemed to be completely ignorant. Such a bizarre experience. But it was Phantom, and Anthony Warlow was in the role for the majority of the show - at least, for all the most important scenes. And it was incredible!
I'm going to see Phantom of the Opera!! I bought tickets last night. I'm so excited!! I've been resisting for so long. Nearly all of my friends have seen it already. Everyone has been telling me how incredible it is ... something of which I have absolutely no doubt. I've been smiling, and nodding, and politely agreeing, while turning green with jealously.
However Phantom is one of many shows I have already seen multiple times. And it's getting ridiculously expensive to see a show these days. So I was struggling to justify the expense for something I've seen before. Silly me trying to resist though ... I knew it was eventually going to happen. They've just released the final two weeks, and I've just had the most hideously busy week at work ... meaning a significantly higher pay this week than usual. The timing seemed to be telling me something.
So Phantom is my reward for an insane week. I'm going on the Friday night just before closing at the end of April. Seeing as all my friends have been already, I'm dragging my parents along ... they missed it last time it was in town, so it didn't take much convincing. Our seats are fantastic too ... very front of the balcony! I'm so excited!!
And now, I must run ... heading to the airport to fly to Cairns for a CanTeen camp. Such fun!! One of these days I'm going to catch up on my uni work. Maybe.
Is there really any good reason to see a film in any way other than Gold Class? I always seem to forget just how much more enjoyable the movie-going experience can be. On Friday night I finally saw Pirates 3 in a regular Senstadium cinema ... and I spent the entire almost three hours fidgeting and trying to get comfortable. Admittedly, I have just spent the vast majority of five weeks sitting in a car ... so my usually quite well behaved back probably isn't at its best at the moment. The semi-comfortable, high-backed seats of the regular cinema just don't compare to Gold Class though.
Today, by contrast, I joined a group of friends and friends of friends to see the fabulous new Harry Potter film in the luxurious comfort of Gold Class. I haven't been to a Gold Class cinema since the last Harry Potter film came out ... and I just can't work out why not. I seem to have just plain forgotten how good it is.
Okay, so it's expensive. Quite ridiculously expensive really. But at least you can see what you're getting for your money. The improvement is so significant, so obvious ... you really do appreciate it! Well, I did anyway. Those seats are the most comfortable seats ever ... I want one at home. There is no more comfortable way to lie back and watch a film. And the cute waiter people bringing food and drinks throughout the film is so lovely! Amongst other things, I had a sundae today which was quite possibly the best sundae I have ever had. So yummy.
I must question the decision to open it up to children though. When it first opened, I did wonder why they restricted it to 18+ ... but I've come to appreciate it. I love kids, clearly! But there are times when you'd rather they weren't around. Like, for example, in a movie ... when they often have a tendency to talk and ask questions in a rather annoying fashion.
Or, even more frustratingly ... they are foolishly given packets of chips or lollies which they then proceed to rustle noisily throughout the movie, as the three young girls in our session did today. Reminded me very much of the Sound of Music experience during the final performance in Sydney, when a huge row of annoying children sitting immediately behind us were given chip packets, leading not only to complaints by other audience members, but by the actors on the stage as well. It's one thing to open Gold Class up to children, but can these children not be reminded of polite audience behaviour? Grrr, so infuriating!
Oooohhh, and one more thing! Whose idea was it to allow babies into Gold Class!? Seriously, whoever made that decision deserves to be shot! If we're paying $36 for a ticket, we expect uninterrupted viewing! I certainly don't want to be hearing a baby crying, no matter how briefly. That's what babysitters are for, or the designated babes in arms sessions. Babies are lovely, but not in a Gold Class screening. Really.
Anyway, a fabulous afternoon all the same. The three young girls were quite well behaved, and the baby was impressively quiet for almost the entire film. My complaints are, for the most part, based on a matter of principle. And the film ... incredible, of course. I'd forgotten how much I love the world of Hogwarts and muggles. Bring on the excitement and anticipation of next book!
Freakish coincidence! Maybe I'm grasping at straws here ... but it seems freakish to me. This afternoon, I was browsing through my "on this day" posts ... and read about my night at the theatre in London in 2004 when I saw Julia Stiles and Aaron Eckhart in Oleanna. The name jumped out at me ... Aaron Eckhart ... because it sounds awfully similar to Aaron Echolls, Logan's villainous father on Veronica Mars. Yes, I make bizarre connections like this. Let's link the serious theatre actor from a real life West End show to a dead, fictitious, Hollywood actor on a tv show.
Anyway, the connection was made, and the name as such was remembered. Aaron Eckhart. Not an actor I knew particularly well, or would have any hope in recognising ... but a name I would now at least recognise given the bizarre connection. So imagine my surprise when tonight, while at the movies with my friends, I see a preview for No Reservations - the new Catherine Zeta Jones film ... starring none other than Aaron Eckhart himself!
I hadn't even heard of this guy outside of the London theatre. He was completely unknown to me when I saw the play, and I'd barely thought of him since then (three years ago to the day!). When I read my post this afternoon, I had to double check what I was reading to make sure I'd read the name right. And mere hours later ... there's his name flashing across the screen at the cinema. Freakish, right? I think so.
The IMDB has had a facelift! I have no idea when this happened ... it may well be old news, as I can't even recall when I last looked something up. It's all looking fancy and redesigned though ... I must say, I'm rather a fan! On top of which, I just discovered the trailer for The Nanny Diaries ... such a cute book! With Grayer, and Mrs X, and the Harvard Hottie ... I hope the movie lives up. Scarlett Johansson and Laura Linney are a positive inclusion, surely.
Meanwhile, Hugh is tipped to play Rhett Butler in a Broadway production of Gone WithThe Wind. How thrilling, but why does he have to be so famous and popular? Broadway is such a long way away ... I liked it when he did stuff a little more locally. ;) Seems this reporter paid a little less attention to that time of his life though. Clearly not a true fan. Or perhaps London and Australia are interchangeable?
Okay, must do some uni work. What a thrilling prospect for a weekend day.