Lessons learnt in Life - number 487, 396(z): When planning to write a trip report take notes whilst on the trip. I have found, when accessing the darker, deeper, murkier parts of my mind that Im not remembering things quite as clearly as Id like: Im pretty sure that I went on holiday with my partner and,not as my mind would have me believe, Shakira, the Chuckle Brothers and the cast of Phantom of the Opera.
As promised I am today writing about SHOWS.
Now I have a fair experience of shows - having been an actor in a previous life (younger, thinner life, with more hair and a spring in my step), so legwarmers, unsuitable footwear and sequined unitards were part of my everyday life - so though I can be fussy, I can also be hugely appreciative.
My new favourite show is Finding Nemo the Musical. For those of you who have not seen this it is WDWs only fully sung show (i.e. all the actors are singing live with no pre-recorded tape). You see the actors who work the puppets: theyre right there alongside their characters and add facial and physical expression. It is fun and, at times, very affecting. It looks wonderful and the puppets are beautiful. Marlin was great with a good clear voice and just the right edge of anxiousness at the beginning moving onto bravery and regard for Nemo. Dory (effectively the other lead) was an audience favourite. I liked her though sometimes she let the character of her performance overtake words but she was fun. Nemo was enthusiastic and was a nice performer. The knockout for me was the guy who played Crush. I know this is a winner role - everybody likes the character so you start off in a great position. However the actors singing was incredible. I was almost out of my seat cheering him - he deserves a better curtain call (he also plays a fish so sings Crushs song whilst dressed as another character). The show plays in the old Tarzan Rocks theatre, which is now closed to the elements. The entry queue needs to be sorted out as it takes an age and is basically one VERY long line. Also the exit could be better - the whole audience goes out through 2 small doors. So queue early and see this. (Warning: the show is about 40 minutes which is quite long for small children so make sure you have a toilet trip before you go in ). Sit in the back section so you then get to see the actors who appear on the walkways in the middle of the theatre - including one man who, whilst very good, was never made to fit into a skin tight lycra costume.
Although not technically a show, do go and see Turtle Talk with Crush in EPCOT. Very clever and very funny.
Still love the Legend of the Lion King, a sung (by 4 characters, the rest are on tape) and danced show - with acrobats. I particularly like the tumble monkeys and the adagio dancers with the girl who does the wire work as the bird, though all are very good. My usual complaint is that the singers diction isnt good enough (This is a common complaint with me), I still have no idea what the man who sings Be Prepared is saying (am usually distracted by the man juggling fire anyway). On a positive note the couple who sing Can You Feel the Love Tonight didnt fiddle around with the tune too much this time - sometimes I dont think that even Elton John would be able to find his melody in there! Still end up with a, manly, tear in my eye and a heart swollen with emotion every time I see this though (which is better than a tear in my heart and a swollen eye I suppose).
Beauty and the Beast in MGM is, I believe, the longest running show in WDW and its easy to see why. Running about 25 minutes its a good distillation of the film. Well sung (by Belle and the pre-recorded cast) and nicely acted and danced. The show is beautifully and cleverly designed. Its really a MUST. Dont miss the pre-show either which is fun and well done.
Indiana Jones is great and shouldnt be missed either - if Beauty and the Beast is a must for the girls then the boys HAVE to see this. Its exciting and funny and theres fights and guns and fires and everything! (Both boys and girls will enjoy both shows - see, thats me reflecting diversity that is!). Lights, Motors, Action is another good show for the family (but mainly boys - off all ages) though it can take a while to get it and out - its a big auditorium. Take an ice cream.
I find the Voyage of the Little Mermaid a puzzle. There are some great lighting effects in this (the ceiling of the theatre has a moving blue light projected over it so it looks like youre under the sea (do you see what I did there!), but the plot is very disjointed. Theres a bit of a puppet show using a blackout cloth and florescent characters (very good this), then Ariel comes on sitting on a rock and wails for a bit (actually this years girl sang very sweetly - they often dont), we get Ursula and a bit of animation and then theres some random man whos pleased to see shes got legs (typical man - doesnt even bring her flowers but notices her legs. Mind you, shes thrilled so is probably a cheap date). Now I assume that this is the romantic leading man (usually because he has a jutting chin and a, badly fitting, dark wig) but other than a tiny bit in the animation its the first time we see him. Ive never seen the film of the Little Mermaid (will I have to leave these boards never to return, unless I learn valuable lesson about life?), so am at a bit of a disadvantage and I know that the tines who watch this love it, but its all a bit odd - like going out of the movie to get an ice cream and then wandering back in to the wrong screen - whos he? What are those? How long? (a worrying flow of conscious there that probably says a lot about my movie preferences!)
I do have one big problem with all of Disneys shows - the majority of the staff who introduce them. Now I do realise that its boring saying the same things many times each day but they tend to say it very, very quickly and sometimes we get a very squeaky voice too. Play guess the words to ease boredom or else count the people wearing leggings who shouldnt be. Or else see if you can get an American whooping because of where you are from. You know the type of thing, someone says My names is Wenslydale Porkside- Huttenfluffer III from Penciltip Iowa and people cheer. Try making one up, My name is Humphrey Bennington-Smythe-Jones-Foxkiller-Farquarsssssssooon from Merthyr Tydfil lets hear it from the UK massive. ( I have new game like this I want to try in Universal. When you give your name on the ET ride its because he thanks you at the end. This year we gave out names as Lars and Teagan and there were 2 other people in our vehicle. Thanks you Lars, Teagan, Melody, Frank ET said. The bad man in me wants us to give our names as Mo and Fo)
Outside of the parks we went along to Seaworld and hugely enjoyed Blue Horizons. It has a silly storyline attached, which quickly becomes irrelevant, so theres just some random woman prancing around like a multi-coloured leotard clad stork,, but the show itself is very good. The Shamu show has been changed. Its now shorter and is framed in one of the most sickly displays Ive ever witnessed. Its one of those jaw trembling, false emotion, inspirational events. Some may love it - I dont. They also do a salute our heroes segment where they ask military personnel (both US and UK) to stand so they can be applauded. You can tell the UK ones. Theyre the ones squirming with embarrassment. The best show at Seaworld, to my mind, is the Clyde and Seamore Show. Its very funny (in a corny way) and you mustnt miss the mime at the front as you take your seat. He is worth the price of entry to the park!
In closing I note that somebody asked what I thought about fashion in WDW. I find it very amusing. People wearing clothing with a lack of inhibition that I can only marvel at (and good luck to em too)! My favourite example of this lack of awareness was the person wearing a t-shirt saying save a tree - eat a beaver. Why do many men wear their polo shirts tucked into a belted pair of shorts? What is the fascination with wearing leggings? Some are so tight it looks like two lads having a fight in a bin-liner. I am particularly enamoured with hair styles. Hair piled up in massive fountains of curliness that make them look like the love child of Anita Dobson, Brain May and a set of amorous curling tongs. What do they do to small boys? They all seem to have what I call Kramer versus Kramer hair - as seen in innumerable TV shows and the depressing 70s film. Its a mass of thick, collar length hair (must be very hot for them) cut in almost a bowl shape. Imagine an unkempt Suzy Quatro visiting her mothers hairdressers. Why do so many men sport ill advised facial hair? The type that, in the UK would mean you were a member of the Freddy Mercury Appreciation Society. Or wore leather gloves as a hobby. There, Ive probably offended enough people now.
Lastly in an earlier post I said that I didnt think that Kev and Matt were a gay couple. I can say this is certainly true because as well as having a message form Kev, Ive also seen some of the pictures in their posts. A gay man would NEVER make some of those shirt choices gentlemen.
Later dudes.
As promised I am today writing about SHOWS.
Now I have a fair experience of shows - having been an actor in a previous life (younger, thinner life, with more hair and a spring in my step), so legwarmers, unsuitable footwear and sequined unitards were part of my everyday life - so though I can be fussy, I can also be hugely appreciative.
My new favourite show is Finding Nemo the Musical. For those of you who have not seen this it is WDWs only fully sung show (i.e. all the actors are singing live with no pre-recorded tape). You see the actors who work the puppets: theyre right there alongside their characters and add facial and physical expression. It is fun and, at times, very affecting. It looks wonderful and the puppets are beautiful. Marlin was great with a good clear voice and just the right edge of anxiousness at the beginning moving onto bravery and regard for Nemo. Dory (effectively the other lead) was an audience favourite. I liked her though sometimes she let the character of her performance overtake words but she was fun. Nemo was enthusiastic and was a nice performer. The knockout for me was the guy who played Crush. I know this is a winner role - everybody likes the character so you start off in a great position. However the actors singing was incredible. I was almost out of my seat cheering him - he deserves a better curtain call (he also plays a fish so sings Crushs song whilst dressed as another character). The show plays in the old Tarzan Rocks theatre, which is now closed to the elements. The entry queue needs to be sorted out as it takes an age and is basically one VERY long line. Also the exit could be better - the whole audience goes out through 2 small doors. So queue early and see this. (Warning: the show is about 40 minutes which is quite long for small children so make sure you have a toilet trip before you go in ). Sit in the back section so you then get to see the actors who appear on the walkways in the middle of the theatre - including one man who, whilst very good, was never made to fit into a skin tight lycra costume.
Although not technically a show, do go and see Turtle Talk with Crush in EPCOT. Very clever and very funny.
Still love the Legend of the Lion King, a sung (by 4 characters, the rest are on tape) and danced show - with acrobats. I particularly like the tumble monkeys and the adagio dancers with the girl who does the wire work as the bird, though all are very good. My usual complaint is that the singers diction isnt good enough (This is a common complaint with me), I still have no idea what the man who sings Be Prepared is saying (am usually distracted by the man juggling fire anyway). On a positive note the couple who sing Can You Feel the Love Tonight didnt fiddle around with the tune too much this time - sometimes I dont think that even Elton John would be able to find his melody in there! Still end up with a, manly, tear in my eye and a heart swollen with emotion every time I see this though (which is better than a tear in my heart and a swollen eye I suppose).
Beauty and the Beast in MGM is, I believe, the longest running show in WDW and its easy to see why. Running about 25 minutes its a good distillation of the film. Well sung (by Belle and the pre-recorded cast) and nicely acted and danced. The show is beautifully and cleverly designed. Its really a MUST. Dont miss the pre-show either which is fun and well done.
Indiana Jones is great and shouldnt be missed either - if Beauty and the Beast is a must for the girls then the boys HAVE to see this. Its exciting and funny and theres fights and guns and fires and everything! (Both boys and girls will enjoy both shows - see, thats me reflecting diversity that is!). Lights, Motors, Action is another good show for the family (but mainly boys - off all ages) though it can take a while to get it and out - its a big auditorium. Take an ice cream.
I find the Voyage of the Little Mermaid a puzzle. There are some great lighting effects in this (the ceiling of the theatre has a moving blue light projected over it so it looks like youre under the sea (do you see what I did there!), but the plot is very disjointed. Theres a bit of a puppet show using a blackout cloth and florescent characters (very good this), then Ariel comes on sitting on a rock and wails for a bit (actually this years girl sang very sweetly - they often dont), we get Ursula and a bit of animation and then theres some random man whos pleased to see shes got legs (typical man - doesnt even bring her flowers but notices her legs. Mind you, shes thrilled so is probably a cheap date). Now I assume that this is the romantic leading man (usually because he has a jutting chin and a, badly fitting, dark wig) but other than a tiny bit in the animation its the first time we see him. Ive never seen the film of the Little Mermaid (will I have to leave these boards never to return, unless I learn valuable lesson about life?), so am at a bit of a disadvantage and I know that the tines who watch this love it, but its all a bit odd - like going out of the movie to get an ice cream and then wandering back in to the wrong screen - whos he? What are those? How long? (a worrying flow of conscious there that probably says a lot about my movie preferences!)
I do have one big problem with all of Disneys shows - the majority of the staff who introduce them. Now I do realise that its boring saying the same things many times each day but they tend to say it very, very quickly and sometimes we get a very squeaky voice too. Play guess the words to ease boredom or else count the people wearing leggings who shouldnt be. Or else see if you can get an American whooping because of where you are from. You know the type of thing, someone says My names is Wenslydale Porkside- Huttenfluffer III from Penciltip Iowa and people cheer. Try making one up, My name is Humphrey Bennington-Smythe-Jones-Foxkiller-Farquarsssssssooon from Merthyr Tydfil lets hear it from the UK massive. ( I have new game like this I want to try in Universal. When you give your name on the ET ride its because he thanks you at the end. This year we gave out names as Lars and Teagan and there were 2 other people in our vehicle. Thanks you Lars, Teagan, Melody, Frank ET said. The bad man in me wants us to give our names as Mo and Fo)
Outside of the parks we went along to Seaworld and hugely enjoyed Blue Horizons. It has a silly storyline attached, which quickly becomes irrelevant, so theres just some random woman prancing around like a multi-coloured leotard clad stork,, but the show itself is very good. The Shamu show has been changed. Its now shorter and is framed in one of the most sickly displays Ive ever witnessed. Its one of those jaw trembling, false emotion, inspirational events. Some may love it - I dont. They also do a salute our heroes segment where they ask military personnel (both US and UK) to stand so they can be applauded. You can tell the UK ones. Theyre the ones squirming with embarrassment. The best show at Seaworld, to my mind, is the Clyde and Seamore Show. Its very funny (in a corny way) and you mustnt miss the mime at the front as you take your seat. He is worth the price of entry to the park!
In closing I note that somebody asked what I thought about fashion in WDW. I find it very amusing. People wearing clothing with a lack of inhibition that I can only marvel at (and good luck to em too)! My favourite example of this lack of awareness was the person wearing a t-shirt saying save a tree - eat a beaver. Why do many men wear their polo shirts tucked into a belted pair of shorts? What is the fascination with wearing leggings? Some are so tight it looks like two lads having a fight in a bin-liner. I am particularly enamoured with hair styles. Hair piled up in massive fountains of curliness that make them look like the love child of Anita Dobson, Brain May and a set of amorous curling tongs. What do they do to small boys? They all seem to have what I call Kramer versus Kramer hair - as seen in innumerable TV shows and the depressing 70s film. Its a mass of thick, collar length hair (must be very hot for them) cut in almost a bowl shape. Imagine an unkempt Suzy Quatro visiting her mothers hairdressers. Why do so many men sport ill advised facial hair? The type that, in the UK would mean you were a member of the Freddy Mercury Appreciation Society. Or wore leather gloves as a hobby. There, Ive probably offended enough people now.
Lastly in an earlier post I said that I didnt think that Kev and Matt were a gay couple. I can say this is certainly true because as well as having a message form Kev, Ive also seen some of the pictures in their posts. A gay man would NEVER make some of those shirt choices gentlemen.
Later dudes.
more soon please 
Shame on you!
