My Shrek Tour Day in Sheffield

You'll have to excuse me if I start repeating some of the things I've said in my other Shrek Tour write up's. I have after all now seen the show 14 times :)

My latest trip on Saturday 30th May took me to The Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.

I'd contacted Faye last week to see whether it would be more convenient for us to catch up before or after the show. On this occasion she said she'd prefer to meet between the matinee and evening performance at about 6:15pm.

I'm incredibly grateful that despite being extremely busy Faye always finds the time to meet for a chat so I'm very happy to fit in with whenever suits her best.

It's just under two hundred miles from my house near Bristol to Sheffield which should take about three and half hours if you don't encounter any hold ups.

However, knowing I was meeting Faye before the show I didn't want to risk being late so I set off just before midday.

Traffic was heavy but there were no major problems so even after a couple of tea stops on route I arrived in Sheffield in plenty of time.

I decided it would be a good idea to get to the stage door for about 6pm and message Faye to let her know I'd arrived; telling her I didn't mind waiting and to just pop out whenever she had a few minutes to spare.

However, no sooner had I got my phone out my pocket than I heard a voice from behind saying "Hold on Andy, no need to tweet. I'm right here."

I'd recognise that voice anywhere, it was Faye.

She certainly caught me on the hop. I'm not sure whether I looked shocked, excited or as if I was about to faint; I definitely felt all three.

Faye had just made it back to the theatre after nipping out to grab a bite to eat and a cup of tea at Starbucks.

I don't have the best memory so I often take a few notes to help remind me of things I'd like to ask and I normally go over them as I wait for Faye outside the stage door. With her arriving early I didn't have chance to look at them this time but luckily I somehow managed to remember most of what I wanted to say.

I now have another treasured photo to add to my collection. As you can see from the picture at the top of the post Faye looked absolutely stunning. She really is as beautiful as she is talented, and in my opinion her talent is unequalled.

We didn't take a selfie this time, Faye asked a friend / colleague who was standing nearby to take the shot. I think her name was Amy and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her because I was in a bit of a Faye daze on the day and may have forgotten.

It was great to see Faye looking so well as she was suffering with tonsillitis and a subsequent illness a few weeks ago. Hopefully that's all behind her now.

She said that apart from being a little tired she's back to full health, which I was relieved and delighted to hear.

She's a very busy bee at the moment, working on Shrek and also auditioning for parts in all sorts of exciting shows. I can't give out any details about potential roles but I know someone as talented as Faye is unlikely to be out of work for long. I'm sure her next dream role is just around the corner.

Any show - TV or Stage - would be very lucky to have her.

The picture below was taken in Iceland where Faye and Gareth spent a wonderful few days a couple of weeks ago.

She said it was the perfect holiday and just what they both needed, a relaxing break where they could just switch off and enjoy each others company. She said it's a spectacular country that she'd love to visit again someday.

As there are evening trains to Manchester Faye has decided to commute. Apparently the journey takes about an hour so she doesn't get in much before midnight, but there's no place like home and it's a rare opportunity for her to sleep in her own bed.

She has two now of course, one in Manchester and one in London. :)

She told me there were train strikes scheduled for this week and that she hoped her very kind brother Jack might be her chauffeur if the need arises. Thankfully those strikes have now been cancelled. The powers that be obviously decided they couldn't leave a Princess stranded in Sheffield.

Before we said goodbye there was just time for me to give her a little gift I brought back from my recent holiday in Cornwall.

Then, after a quick hug, I wished her well for the show and went to take my seat in the stalls.

I know I've said this before but she really is one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet and I feel very lucky to know her.

Shrek the Musical is two and half hours of non stop fun. It's the perfect night out for all the family, a fantastic modern fairytale story brought to life by a sensational cast.

This was the fourteenth time I'd seen it and I loved it every bit as much as the first.

Last time I was at the Lyceum Faye stole the show as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and she did it again as Princess Fiona in Shrek.

I enjoyed watching Britains Got Talent last week but nobody on that show compares to Faye Brookes who was simply out of this world on Saturday.

Having the opportunity to see someone as talented as Faye perform is a real privilege.

I'm already looking forward to my next trip to the swamp in Norwich at the end of June but it will be a little bittersweet because it's Faye's final stop on the tour and therefore my last visit to Duloc. However, I know there are more exciting times ahead for this very special actress and I can't wait to see what comes next.

I simply can't thank Faye enough for being so lovely at stage door. Chatting with my favourite leading lady is always the highlight of my day.

No Unlucky 13 For Me!

Yesterday I made my 13th trip to see my favourite actress light up the stage in the spectacular Shrek Tour.

It certainly wasn't unlucky 13 for me because last night turned out to be practically perfect.

I say practically perfect. . . . .

I did have a moment of panic when I arrived at the theatre and saw the cast list which said that Eva Bailey was playing Fiona.

I'd been in contact with Faye earlier in the day so I was pretty sure this was a mistake but it was still a great releif when she appeared on stage to welcome us to 'Fiona the Musical'.

It's impossible to imagine anyone other than Faye playing the Princess, she is quite simply irreplaceable.

It was the full cast last night and they were all on top of their game.

Dean gave us an Ogre full of layers, Iddris is a bundle of energy wrapped up in fur as Shreks noble steed and you'll find yourself in fits of laughter everytime Gerard - who plays Farquaard - is on stage.

That said, there is no denying the star of thr show is Faye Brookes.

Every time I see her perform I'm completely blown away and amazed by her sensational expressive acting and breathtaking vocals.

Some might say she's lucky to be blessed with the looks of a Princess, the voice of angel and acting skills to rival anyone on this planet. Well I say we're the lucky ones to be able to follow this remarkable lady on her journey to stardom.

As always after the show I went to the stage door to meet up with Faye.

She's super quick de-greening after 10 month's practice so I didn't have to wait too long.

We had such a lovely chat. I've met her nearly 30 times now and have seen her fairly regularly on the Shrek Tour so I don't get quite as nervous as I used to. We're almost like friends :)

We talked about so many things it's impossible to remember them all. We chatted for 10 minutes at the stage door and for another 10 minutes as I walked with her back to my car which was on route to her digs.

We discussed the show, the amazing cast, life on the road, Gareth - who had spent most of the week with Faye in Birmingham - , the next leg of the tour in Glasgow, the cast list mistake which nearly gave me a heart attack and much, much more.

Unfortunately I wont be able to make it up to Glasgow to see Faye but I did give her a little friend who promised to keep her company when she travels north of the border next week.

I have a West Highland White Terrier named Max who Faye has met on 2 or 3 occasions. His friend Hamish - who is also native to Scotland - was over the moom to hear he'd be accompanying a Princess back to his homeland.

There was just time for a quick selfie - which I love - before I had to let Faye go and get some much needed rest ahead of 4 shows this weekend.

As always I can't thank her enough for being so kind, thoughtful & friendly. She's just as special off stage as she is on it. A star in every way.

My Easter Treat in Birmingham!

Well Easter 2015 would have to go down as one of the best ever for me and that is almost entirely down to the brilliance and kindness of the adorable Faye Brookes. (I say almost, I did also enjoy watching Bristol Rovers win 5-1 on Good Friday.)

After another showstopping performance as Princess Fiona, I met up with Faye at the stage door for a lovely chat.

Birmingham is only about 100 miles from my home near Bristol but it still took over 2 hours to get there, mainly due to the traffic in the City centre.

It was the 12th time I've seen Faye in Shrek but as I mentioned before, it was my first trip to the Hippodrome and I have to say I was really impressed. They've done a fantastic job with the modern glass fronted exterior rebuild and inside they've kept many of the traditional theatre features.

I didn't realise, but this is a new theatre for Faye too, as Legally Blonde used the nearby Alexandra theatre when they visited the City.

The show was superb as always and I actually noticed some subtle changes Faye has made to her performance. She has a new reaction to when she sees Shrek climbing the tower and when saying 'Why didn't he come rescue me' in the next scene.

Everytime I go I notice something new and exciting in her performance. Faye is such a remarkably gifted actress, she is never anything less than sensational but she likes to keep things fresh and has the talent to mix things up.

It doesn't matter how many times you've seen her perform or what role she's playing, you could never get bored watching Faye, she is so captivating on stage.

After the show I went to the stage door to wait for my favourite leading lady.

I know I've said this before but words cannot express how much it means to me that Faye always takes the time to chat. Despite feeling very tired after a heavy workload and a 2 show Saturday, she was so nice, so friendly, so patient, so typically Faye.

It was one of the best chats I've had with Faye and I was even able to walk with her as she made her way back to her digs, which were very close to where my car was parked.

The picture at the top of this post is my first ever selfie. Well, technically speaking it was taken by Faye, but surely that counts? :-) As you can see, despite being tired, she was looking as beautiful as ever & it's definitely one of my favourite stage door snaps.

Of course being Easter I couldn't go empty handed. Before we said goodbye I was able to give Faye a Booja Booja Easter egg. Hopefully Princess Fiona is allowed an Easter treat.

I eventually got home at 1:30am, a little tired but still buzzing after another magical day. (Although getting up early for golf on Sunday morning was a bit of a struggle.)

As you can tell, Faye absolutely made my Easter and I really can't thank her enough!

The Real Angel of the North!

I still can't quite believe that on Sunday I was walking through the streets of Newcastle with the real Angel of the North, Miss Faye Brookes.

I'd made the looooong trip to Newcastle to see her in Shrek for the 11th time and despite barely having chance to catch breath between shows, she still made time to meet me for a quick chat.

I'd booked for the 1pm performance which finished at about 3:30pm. That gave Faye just 90 minutes to remove all her ogre make-up, get changed, grab a bite to eat and prepare for the next show which strated at 5pm.

The fact she still found time to meet me shows what a kind & thoughtful person she is.

Do you like my tweet? If you've seen Shrek you've probably already guessed it's to the tune of 'I Know it's Today'.

During our chat I was able to tell her how much I enjoyed the show and that she once again blew my mind with her stunning performance as Fiona. The venues may change but Faye's brilliance never falters and her voice is so special I'd travel to the end of the Earth to hear her sing just one line of a song.

I asked her whether she'd enjoyed her 9 day break between Canterbury and Newcastle but unfortunately she'd been unwell for much of it. She and Gareth therefore just had a relaxing time at home, which is actually a rare treat with their hectic schedules.

They did find time to catch up with a few friends and the above picture was taken on one of those occasions at a nearby London bar / restaurant.

Apparently there are still many cast members suffering from illness. This winter seems to have been a partiucularly bad one for viruses and with such a gruelling schedule I suppose it must be difficult not to get run down..

In just 5 days in Newcastle Faye had rehearsals, 8 performances, press night and promotional work, all while trying to settle into a new venue.

She and Gerard Carey who plays Farquaard also did a special talk for the 'Friends of Theatre Royal' on Saturday morning.

As you can see from the above tweets the event was a massive success.

It seems everyone who was there thoroughly enjoyed it, especially Sarah Cassidy who managed to get a photo with Shreks special Princess.

Faye told me how much she likes Newcastle and the beautiful Theatre Royal. It's another venue she has been to before and has many happy memrories from her time there with Legally Blonde.

Her digs are really nice and not too far from the theatre but after a tiring day she usually takes a taxi. The cast choose their accommodation from a list of available places. Faye usually uses self serviced apartments where she can cook her own food and live more like she would at home.

I told her that I nearly went to Skipton the previous day to see Gareth. I was passing pretty close as I travelled up to Newcastle after watching a football match in Halifax on Saturday afternoon.

I didn't quite make it in the end but it would have been nice to see him perform and say hello. I'm a fan of anyone who puts a smile on Faye's beautiful face and nobody does that better than Gareth.

Faye said she is looking forward to a couple of days off and would be heading to her family home in Manchester straight after the 5pm performance to see her Mum on Mothers Day.

She tweeted this lovely message and picture of the two of them later that evening.

Some of our chat took place at the stage door and some as I walked with her to a nearby Pret a Manger where she was hoping to grab a bite to eat.

Eventually I had to let her go and make my way back to the car.

I decided not to take my camera and ask for a picture on this occasion because I knew how little time she had between shows. Hopefully I didn't hold her up too much and she was ready to go back on stage at 5pm.

I can't thank her enough for meeting me. She really is as lovely as she is talented.

Before I made the long drive home on Monday morning I said goodbye to this noble steed who was living in a field outside my hotel on the outskirts of Newcastle.

He was trying to convince me he's 7th stand in for Donkey in Shrek Tour but I think he was winding me up.

The Shrek swamp is such a Big, Bright, Beautiful place it's always a little sad to leave but luckily I only have to wait 3 weeks before I can do it all again.

My next trip to see Faye is on Saturday 4th April in Birmingham! Can't wait!

A Special Friday 13th in Canterbury!

As you'll probably know if you follow the blog, I made my 10th visit to the swamp to see Shrek the Musical UK Tour last Friday.

I'm actually still buzzing from my lovely chat with Faye and Gareth after the show but I suppose I should probably start at the beginning.

It's nearly 200 miles from my house near Bristol to Canterbury, so I set off in what I thought was plenty of time. However, awful weather and horrendous rush hour / afternoon traffic on the M25, meant a journey that should take about 4 hours, ended up being closer to 6.

Thankfully though that proved to be the extent of my bad luck on Friday 13th. The rest of the day really couldn't have gone any better.

Although my journey had taken rather longer than expected, I still arrived at the theatre with about 45 minutes to spare.

I've travelled all over England watching Faye perform but I love the Marlowe and it was great to be back. Even in the mist it looked particularly impressive glowing Shrek green.

After a quick cup of tea I took my seat in Row H of the stalls and waited for Showtime.

As you'll probably remember, the penultimate performance in Aberdeen was cancelled due to cast sickness and there were still a few absentees for last Fridays show. However all the stand-ins were superb and those who didn't know, would certainly not realise they were watching understudies; such is the talent of this incredible cast.

Faye herself has not been well and has also had to contend with a few injuries but that didn't stop her from giving another stellar performance as Princess Fiona.

It's a fantastic musical with a fabulous cast but Faye is unquestionably the star of the show. Her powerhouse vocals, coupled with her sensational comedic acting and immense stage presence make her one of the finest young actresses in the industry today.

If I haven't lost count, I've now seen Faye perform 32 times in 5 different shows over the past 4 years and every time I come away completely astounded by her talent.

There is nothing I can say about the show that hasn't already been said. It's 150 minutes of musical theatre magic. Non stop fun from start to finish for viewers of all ages. Take your kids along, take your grandparents along or just go along yourself, I guarantee you'll have an amazing time. I cannot recommend this spectacular show highly enough.

It was a horrible wet and windy night in Canterbury but luckily I'd prearranged to meet Faye in the foyer after the show, which enabled me to wait in comfort instead of standing in the rain outside the stage door.

A priceless picture of me with my favourite couple!

When she arrived she brought with her a little surprise. Gareth was in tow carrying their bags because although she had been commuting each day from their apartment in London, they'd decided to spend Valentine's weekend together in Canterbury.

He hadn't actually seen the show but had driven down that evening especially to be with his Princess.

The picture above may be the first since his visit to what he called a 'very dodgy barbers' last week but as you can see, he needn't have worried.

I'm sure there are probably a few Gareth fans reading this and I just want to say what a genuinely nice guy he is. I last met him at the Marlowe 2 years ago and it was great to have another opportunity to speak to Faye's lucky man.

He didn't come empty handed either, I'm sure I noticed a few Valentine's treats for his special lady with their luggage :)

I didn't get chance to ask him about his music but he has said in a recent interview that he hopes to have a new album out by the end of the year. Unfortunately I expect a duet with Faye maybe too much to hope for, but I can dream :)

He and Faye seem so well suited and obviously very much in love. A perfect match, a perfect couple and I really hope they have a lifetime of happiness together. I have a feeling they will :)

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Gareth for being so patient while I had a lovely chat with his girl.

Faye as always looked absolutely stunning. A remarkable transformation from the green ogre that left the stage just 30 minutes before.

There really is no beauty in the world that compares to Faye's smile. Breathtakingly beautiful, and I mean that quite literally. Another 10 minutes in her company and I'd have probably required CPR :)

We talked about what she'd been up to since I last saw her in Manchester, her holiday in Germany and the 3 weeks at Her Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen.

I was able to tell her how much I enjoyed the show and that - as always - I was completely blown away by her amazing performance. Every time I see her as Fiona I notice something new and exciting. She is such an incredible and captivating actress.

Although not normally a superstitious person she said she might have to reconsider after a very taxing Friday 13th. I won't go into details but I've had a similar thing happen to me and it's extremely stressfull. It makes her performance that night even more remarkable.

She told me how she's delighted to be back at the Marlowe Theatre. It's not only a fantastic new state of the art venue in a wonderful historic city, but it's also where she and Gareth first met. Prior to him joining Faye in Legally Blonde, they were at the Marlowe doing promotional work for the Sleeping Beauty pantomime; so Canterbury obviously holds many happy memories for them both.

Before I let them head off to their hotel - which was just a stones throw from the theatre - I was able to give Faye a few chocolates and let her know to expect some flowers the following day.

She is such a lovely person who regularly favourites and / or retweets fans messages on twitter. She's always happy to chat at stage door and was even kind enough to give me her personal email so as I can contact her with any blog related queries. I feel lucky to be a fan of someone so special and I really can't thank her enough.

It means the world to me that Faye always takes the time to meet up when I go to see her in a show, and chatting with her and Gareth on Friday topped off the perfect day.

I'm already looking forward to my 11th Shrek adventure next month. It involves a 650 mile round trip to Newcastle but worth every second on the road to see Faye Perform.

Beautiful Princess at the Palace!

After 6 weeks and over 50 performances Shrek tour's time at the Palace Theatre in Manchester finally came to an end on Sunday night.

It's been an incredible run which has entertained over 120,000 mancunians over the festive season.

I was there for the final show and there wasn't a spare seat in the house. As you can tell from my tweets I had Shrek-tacular time.

After the show I caught up with Faye at the stage door.

We had a lovely chat about Christmas and she thanked me for my present which I'd given her when I saw her back in December.

I'm delighted she seemed to be genuinely over the moon with the gift because it's always a little tricky trying to buy for someone you care so much about but maybe don't know as well as a close friend or family member.

As a fan, knowing Faye liked the present & appreciated the gesture really made my day.

We talked a bit about her week off and how every cast member is definitely ready for a break after their tiring schedule over the festive season.

Faye said she hoping to go away for a few days for some well earned rest and recuperation. Hopefully she'll have a lovely holiday, she's certainly earned it.

She's probably jetting off to warmer climes because when she gets back she'll be heading to Aberdeen in northern Scotland for the next leg of the Shrek tour.

Temperatures up there rarely get above freezing this time of year and there is often heavy snowfall and strong coastal winds so she'll definitely need to wrap up warm.

Hopefully the highland beasty I gave her will look after her and bring her more luck than the leprechaun did in Ireland.

My only regret from yesterday is that I didn't take my camera to the stage door because Faye was looking breathtakingly beautiful and I wasn't able to get a picture. I won't be making that mistake again.

Eventually I had to let her go and start my long trip back to Bristol.

Unfortunately traffic was very heavy due to the big match at Old Trafford but I finally got home just after midnight, still buzzing after watching another magical performance from my favourite leading lady.

Check back tomorrow for a special post featuring a collection of snippets from Manchester Shrek reviews where critics and fans wax lyrical about Faye's remarkable performances as Princess Fiona during the shows stay at the Palace Theatre..

My Christmas Came Early!

As the title says, my Christmas came early last Saturday when I went to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to see Faye in Shrek the Musical for the eighth time.

Not only was it a fantastic show in which Faye sparkled from start to finish but I also got to have a wonderful Christmas chat with her at the stage door and meet her lovely Mum who was waiting to give her a lift home.

Anyway, probably best I start at the beginning.

@GasAttacK 

Sing a song 
Yes a travel song 
When you gotta go somewhere... 
@ShrekUKTour road trip to see the wonderful @Faye_Brookes @PalaceAndOpera

It's about 200 miles from my home in Bristol to Manchester and with the Christmas traffic I thought I should leave plenty of time. I set off at about 11am, stopped a couple of times on route for a bite to eat and eventually arrived at about 4:30pm. As expected the traffic was very heavy.

That gave me time to park up and enjoy a cup of tea and mince pie at Patisserie Valerie which was handily situated just 100 yards from the theatre.

@GasAttacK 

Quick cuppa in Pat Vals before @ShrekUKTour @Faye_Brookes & my first visit to @PalaceAndOpera! Mmm can I resist the mince pies? I think not!

I'd never been to the Palace Theatre before but I have to say I was really impressed. A beautiful building, particularly inside and I had a perfect view of the stage from my seat in Row D of the stalls.

All the cast were on top form, particularly Faye who stole the show with another stunning performance showcasing sensational acting, exceptional comic timing, step perfect dancing and the most incredible vocals you're ever likely to hear.

Her first appearance in the show comes very early when she welcomes the audience to 'Fiona the Musical' and to be honest her performance is so mesmerizing that isn't so far from the truth.

Unfortunately Gerard Carey wasn't on as Lord Farquaad but his stand in - Steffan Harri - did an excellent job in his absence. The entire cast are supremely talented and never fail to deliver a fantastic high energy performance. Saturday was no different and it was clear that the entire sell out audience at the Palace Theatre were loving every minute.

At the interval I often tweet about the show but on this occasion I was so completely blown away by Faye's performance that despite sitting with my phone in my hand for 20 minutes, no words seem to do it justice.

Act 2 is just superb right from the off with Faye delivering a stellar performance of 'Morning Person' and also includes the hilarious 'I think I Got You Beat'.

In fact the only thing wrong with Shrek the Musical is that it's so good the time flies by and it's over all too soon.

After the show I had to dash back to the car because I'd left Faye's present in the boot. When I returned to the stage door I saw who I thought was Faye's Mum, however I wasn't 100% sure and didn't like to ask. Luckily she recognised me and came over for a chat. 

It was so nice to hear how much she enjoys and appreciates the blog I run for her daughter and she also told me that Faye's Dad is always logging in to read the latest reviews when he's away working on the oil rigs.

She was so lovely and friendly it made my trip even more special and it's now easy to see how Faye has become such a wonderful person.

In her younger days Faye's Nan - who was 80 on Saturday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) - also performed at the Palace theatre and she was meant to be there with Faye's Mum to watch her Grand Daughter perform. Unfortunately she wasn't very well and couldn't make it so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish her a speedy recovery and hope she gets to see the show before it leaves Manchester.

As it happened Faye's Mum didn't get to see the show either because there had been a mix up with the tickets; the theatre had arranged them for the matinee by mistake. 

Faye was obviously a little upset her Nan was feeling unwell and probably annoyed the theatre messed up her Mums tickets but you certainly wouldn't have known it from her performance. So professional. So talented.

I didn't have to wait too long for her to come out the stage door - probably because I was having a great time talking to her Mum - and we had a lovely chat about the show, Our Zoo, Christmas and Priscilla Presley.

I personally think it's a travesty that a show as good as Our Zoo wont be back for a second series and a real shame we won't see more of the beautiful Agnes Franklin on our TV screens next year but Faye was quite philosophical about it. She's been in the industry long enough to not take anything for granted and accept what will be, will be.

I'm sure her brilliant performance will at least lead to many more TV opportunities in the future.

Faye and her Shrek tour co stars recently met up with the cast of the Snow White panto which is taking place next door. That includes a certain Priscilla Presley. Faye was commenting on how good she looks for her age and I have to say, after seeing the pictures you'd never believe she was 70 next year.

Faye is very much looking forward to Christmas at home and being re-united with her Prince Charming Gareth Gates. However they both only get one day off so it's an extremely busy and tiring festive season for them both. Faye has NINE shows this week including two on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday! 

I hope Faye, Gareth and their families have a wonderful Christmas day full of festive cheer and that she likes the present I gave her which I purchased in Cornwall back in October. It wasn't what I was intending to get but I was browsing in a gift shop and this item had her name on it. I thought it must be fate and decided I had to buy it.

As we were talking, a very kind gentleman - who was also a big fan of Faye - offered to take the picture you can see at the top of this post. I hadn't adjusted the settings on my camera correctly but after a few photoshop adjustments it's actually come out really well and it's another picture I'll treasure.

I eventually had to say goodbye and make my way back to the car. Luckily I'd booked into the Travelodge in Oldham so I only had a 15 minute drive before I could go to sleep and dream about my amazing day. 

Before I did however, I finally came up with a tweet which came close to explaining just how special I think Faye Brookes is:

@GasAttacK 

The best actress I've ever seen! The best voice I've ever heard! The nicest person I've ever met! @Faye_Brookes

Thank you Faye, you made my Christmas!

My Oxford Shrek Day!

Love the above picture. Faye looks positively radiant. 

Oxford is only a 200 mile round trip from my home near Bristol so I didn't have to leave too early for my planned meeting with Faye at 4:45pm yesterday.

Still, I didn't want to be late so I set off at 1:00pm and was parked up not far from the theatre with an hour to spare.

We'd arranged to meet prior to the show - which started at 5:30pm - because she is commuting to Oxford from her London apartment and would have to rush off after to catch the last train.

Unfortunately, as it turned out, it wasn't possible for her to come to the stage door in the end. There was a lot going on with the show because Leo Roberts was standing in as Shrek and she was needed at work. The production team are working the cast extremely hard and with barely an hour between shows there simply wasn't time.

Anyone who goes to see this wonderful show probably doesn't realise just how much hard work goes into the fantastic spectacle you see on stage. The entire cast really are doing an incredible job because however tired they may feel their performance levels never dip. They always are and were again, sensational. None more so than Faye.

Despite a hard week Faye absolutely sparkled throughout. A truly awe-inspiring performance from start to finish. She really is an exceptional actress and a true professional who never fails to deliver.

The word special is often overused but it certainly applies to Faye.

After the performance I often listen to audience members discussing the show in the foyer. Yesterday almost all were talking about the the excellent cast and Faye's name - well Princess Fiona - was mentioned on countless occasions as being particularly impressive.

Every time I'm lucky enough to see her perform I become more and more astounded by her talent.

Her acting as I've mentioned a thousand times is so sensational, so brilliantly expressive that there are no words to do it justice and she really does have the most beautiful, breathtaking voice I've ever heard. She was simply born to be on stage.

The role of Princess Fiona is made for someone with her all round talent and it's an absolute fact that no one could play it better than Faye Brookes.

The show yesterday was every bit as fantastic as I remember from my previous 6 visits to the swamp. It's one of those rare shows you never tire of seeing. The funny sections actually get funnier the more you see them and you always come away with a huge smile on your face. It's a feel good show for all the family.

I'm already looking forward to my next Shrek adventure in Manchester Sunday 14th December. Hopefully I'll have chance to catch up with Faye and give her a Christmas present to thank her for another memorable year of on stage magic.

Princess Fiona & Lucky the Leprechaun!

Yesterday I made my way to Duloc for another Shrek adventure. It will be my last for a couple of month's because I wont be able to make it over to Belfast or Dublin which are the next two destinations on the tour.

I was meant to be meeting Faye before the show as she had a train to catch afterwards and wouldn't have any time to stop and chat. However 3 month's on tour had caught up with princess Fiona and after an early start for an 11am matinee she soon became Sleeping Beauty.

Soon after I got to the stage door she messaged me to let me know she'd fallen asleep after her earlier performance and was currently on her way back to the theatre after dashing out to get some food.

As she approached the stage door she was attacked from behind by an onrushing donkey. He was lacking his usual fur and makeup but seemed as friendly and jovial as he does on stage.

We did have time for a brief chat and I was able to tell her how amazing I thought she was in last weeks Our Zoo. I also let her know that I've told everyone I know to make sure they're watching and to look out for Faye's character Frankie. Needless to say they were all genuinely impressed.

Starting today the cast actually get their first week off since the tour started back in July and Faye said they're all ready for a break. Travelling all over the country, living out of a suitcase and putting on eight incredible high energy shows every week is bound to take it's toll. That said, if they are tired, they certainly don't show it in their performance. They have been nothing short of outstanding everytime I've seen the show.

Faye has exciting plans for this coming week. I hope she has a great time and enjoys here well earned break. It's a bit hush hush so I can't say any more but if you follow Faye and Gareth on Twitter I'm sure all will be revealed shortly.

We also discussed the amazing view from Faye and Gareth's new apartment in London. As you can see from the picture above which Gareth tweeted last week, it really is spectacular.

Before she dashed off to get ready for the second show I was able to give her Lucky the Leprechaun. Thanks to Legally Blonde whenever I think of Ireland I think of Leprechauns so I purchased Lucky to take care of Faye when the Shrek tour visits Ireland.

After a quick hug I made my way round to the main entrance, collected my ticket and took my seat in Row F of the stalls.

Faye takes my breath away everytime I seen her perform and yesterday was no different. The best all round performer in musical theatre, period. Sensational acting, step perfect dancing and the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. It will be a travesty if she gives up singing completely to concentrate on TV, maybe they could sign her up for Nashville.

Below is another glowing review of this wonderful show. This one was written by James Hamilton for 'Impact Magazine'

SHREK THE MUSICAL, THEATRE ROYAL NOTTINGHAM
IMPACT MAGAZINE REVIEW

Shrek the Musical is fun. Feeling rather optimistic about seeing the production it was refreshing to see such an innovative take on a film which was grounding breaking in both animation and child/adult comedy genres. The play does have flaws, but then when you are laughing uncontrollably it is unlikely those shadows will haunt your mind for long in this excellent performance.  

The story is essentially the film. The edits which are made do fit well, adding a focus to the ‘freaks’ and their freedom, both literally and metaphorically, and whilst the feeling of being yourself no matter what is nice, it does feel more catered towards the younger audience.

The music, however, does move heavily away from the film, a factor which has both pros and cons. For a film soundtrack which, perhaps surprisingly, was so popular when released certain people may feel an absence and disappointment that Shrek is singing a new power ballad rather than looking glum to the melancholic ‘Hallelujah’. But this flaw represents a poor attitude to take, as the music composed both fits more appropriately to the action and complements the comedy and superb singing skills. Moreover for those real diehard fans ‘I’m a Believer’ has a killer curtain call which will likely have the upper raptures toe-tapping and humming along.

But where the musical shines is design. Immediately you can tell that this performance has been moved from the West End because the overall technical aspect is fantastic. The set is polished and flows with a seamless ease, impressive from curtains open to curtains close. From swamp to castle, the ability to swap locations is practiced and brings refreshing colour to a period where plays rely so heavily on darker repertoires.

Furthermore costume is sublime. The characters are based on fairytale creatures after all, and thus offer a beautiful creative range which is explored to the maximum. Pinocchio, 3 Little Pigs and ogres all come to life on the stage and feel believable. But what is the most impressive element for me is the sheer ingenuity behind the designs, not merely relying on make-up or masks. The audience witnesses puppetry, ventriloquism and full body transformations to name but a few. Particular mention has to go to Lord Farquaad and the Gingerbread Man, whose whole characters are so well conceived and hilarious that they light up the stage with just their presence. Also the dragon is a sight to be seen. Fact.

The actors must also have credit where credit is due. Shrek and Fiona (Dean Chisnalland Faye Brookes respectively) were both impressive; humorous with the drop of lonesomeness which comes from their saddened existences. Both also pack a fierce punch vocally, Brookes clearly has the outline of a trained Broadway singer (easily projecting her voice into the power ballads of the higher register numbers).

Idriss Kargbo as Donkey definitely has the eccentricity of the role, although his annoyance did sometimes come across as being annoying annoying rather than funny annoying. This might be a result personally of searching for Eddie Murphy within the role (a flaw of a good film and not the actor himself). However the standout again comes in the role of Lord Farquaad played by Gerard Carey. For a man with a huge power complex, witty one-liners and huge potential for physical and gestural humour, Carey exhibits and uses the chances perfectly.

Shrek the Musical in a nutshell is the film. It uses lines, songs and jokes which for fans of the film is great, seeing as the film caters humour for such a wide range of audience. Whilst at times the play did feel it was dumbing down to child humour, it then sparked a glimpse of adult humour which lightens it up. Ultimately it is a play which does not take itself seriously – for the better. When a play can parody Les Miserables, Wicked and The Lion King along with itself, then it is a chance to experience a highly enjoyable and professional production.

When Words Fail, Faye Understands

Yesterday I made my 4th trip to the swamp to see the incredible Shrek tour. This time my destination was the Theatre Royal in Nottingham.

It was a last minute booking I decided on after missing out on seeing Faye in one of my scheduled shows in Bristol when she was unfortunately unable to perform due to a hip injury.

It worked out quite well because I was already heading in that general direction as I had tickets to see Bristol Rovers match at Lincoln.

So I was very much a Morning Person yesterday, getting up at 6am to make sure I was on the road by 8am. It's about 200 miles from my house to Lincoln so after a stop for lunch and a few minor hold ups I eventually arrived at the ground at 2pm; an hour before kick off.

Rovers remarkably pulled off a great win with a last minute goal so I set off for Nottingham at 5pm already in good spirits.

It's a little over 40 miles from Lincoln to Nottingham and the journey took just over an hour but by the time I'd found somewhere to park about a mile from the theatre, there was only half an hour before the show. I stepped it out and got there with 10 minutes to spare.

My seat on this occasion was 3 rows from the front, which I'd normally say is a little too close but it did enable me to pick up every facial expression and nobody gives a better expressive performance than Faye. Simply sensational.

There are very few shows you could happily go back and watch every day but the Shrek tour is one of them. Every time I see it, I'm counting the days until my next visit. This time that happens to be in 2 weeks, Sunday 28th September.

The audience - which I should point out appeared to be 90% adult - were in stitches from start to finish and couldn't wait to get on their feet to give a well deserved standing ovation at the end.

I would travel pretty much anywhere to see Faye perform because to me she really is perfect, in a league of her own. However, the Shrek tour have managed to put together a superb cast and they all play a part in making this such a great show.

As usual after the show I headed round to the stage door to wait for my idol to appear.

She soon came out looking as stunningly beautiful as ever and although I'm practically speechless in her presence we actually chatted for a good 10 minutes.

Obviously I told her how much I enjoyed the show and she said that she's now completely over the injury she'd had the previous week and was back in tip top shape. That was a great relief to me because Faye's health and happiness is always my main concern.

We spoke a bit about Amsterdam where she enjoyed a lovely 3 days away last week. It was somewhere she had always wanted to go and Gareth managed to arrange it as a wonderful surprise for her Birthday.

I honestly believe Faye and Gareth are for keeps. They really do seem like the perfect match and it's obvious they are very much in love. They do both have very busy schedules but they've found a way to make it work and after today's show Faye will be heading off to join him at their new house in London as she has a couple of days off.

Last week in Bristol I gave her two of the three presents I'd got for her Birthday. She said she loved the bracelet, which I was really delighted about because I was a little unsure it was Faye's style when I brought it. She hadn't had chance to try the Dragon Phoenix tea yet but Gareth has taken it down to their new London home so maybe she'll get the opportunity to enjoy a brew this week.

Last night also gave me the opportunity to give her the other Birthday gift which I didn't take to the theatre last week, a bottle of Prosecco. She said she would have loved to drink it that very night but unfortunately she had to be up with the birds on Sunday. The cast had to be at the theatre by 9am today for the 11am matinee so she thought it best to keep it for another time. Probably wise :)

@Faye_Brookes

Last time I was up this early doing a show @marlowetheatre with @Gareth_Gates @gorgeAJ ... WOW. #SleepingBeauty #canterbury

I told her how amazing it was to see her on TV in Our Zoo and that I can't wait to see more of her character 'Frankie' in the remaining episodes. She confirmed her part grows with the story and that there are some great scenes to look forward to. There could also be some exciting news coming soon regarding series 2, so watch this space.

Faye would like to do more TV work in the future and clearly has the talent to do so. Hopefully Our Zoo might open a few doors for her.

Obviously I'm so very proud of Faye and love seeing her on TV but I can't help being a little sad that at some point I probably wont be able to see her perform live. She really does sparkle on stage, it's like she was born to be there. I think what I'd be most upset about is not having the opportunity to meet her in person at the stage door. Maybe when the time comes she would be kind enough to meet me for a quick chat somewhere near where she was working. I'd be happy to travel any distance to spend 10 minutes in her company.

We talked about a few other things but I'm afraid they are not for public knowledge and I'd never break Faye's confidence. I'm just pleased she knows she can trust me with personal information.

By the time I got back to my car, sent Faye a thank you tweet and travelled the 175 miles back to my home in Bristol it was 2:30am. A 20 hour day and over 400 miles travelled but it was more than worth it.

I sometimes dread to think how I come across to Faye when we meet. I get so nervous. A little unorthodox but this time I had actually written down a few notes because I normally end up forgetting everything I'd planned on asking her as soon as she comes out the stage door. I'm sure I still appeared very anxious but it did at least mean the only thing I forgot was to get a picture.

Despite this, she was as adorable as ever and 'When Words Fail, Faye Understands'.

My 3rd Trip to the Swamp!

Sunday should have actually been my 4th trip to see Shrek. I had tickets for the previous weekend but unfornately Faye injured her hip flexor and was out of the show for a few days.

I was obviously disappointed and I couldn't face seeing someone else play Fiona - it would be like going to a Taylor Swift concert and getting a tribute act instead - so I decided not to go.

Although I'm sure the stand in is great, Faye is simply irreplaceable.

Yesterday was an incredibly busy day for Faye. It was the last Shrek performance in Bristol meaning the cast had to pack up their lives ready to move on to the next venue. On top of that both Dean Chisnall (Shrek) and Gerald Carey (Lord Farquaad) were unable to perform so they had extra rehearsals to ensure the stand in's were ready to step in.

Luckily Faye is a genuinely nice and caring person so despite her hectic schedule she was kind enough to agree to meet me before the show for a quick catch up.

I was quite concerned about her injury so it was great to see her looking so fit and well. She said there is still some discomfort but it was an awful lot better than it had been earlier in the week. Apparently the Shrek tour has it's own physios, so many thanks to them for helping our Princess make a speedy recovery.

Although they ended up being a few days late, I was finally able to give Faye her birthday card and presents. She thinks I spoil her but nothing could repay her for the joy I get watching her sparkle on stage. She also regularly converses with me via email and twitter which I appreciate SO much.

I was able to tell her that I'll be returning to the swamp next week. My football team Bristol Rovers are playing at Lincoln and I'd be travelling through Nottingham on the way home so it was too good an opportunity to miss. Hopefully I'll have another chance to chat with Faye after the show at the stage door.

The show just gets better every time I see it. The Shrek and Lord Farquaad understudies were great and I may not have even noticed Dean and Gerald were missing had Faye not told me beforehand.

I've probably seen Faye close on 30 times now, in 5 different shows, and every time I come away completely astounded by her talent. Yesterday was no different.

Her acting during 'I think I got you Beat' is absolutely FANTASTIC and that scene is probably my favourite part of the show. I love 'Morning Person' too and yesterday was the first time I noticed her cross eyed moment, SO funny.

Faye is just an all round superstar and I would encourage everyone to see her in this great show while you've got the chance.

My Bristol Shrek Adventure - Part 1

Yesterday I made my way to the Bristol Hippodrome for the first of three Shrek shows I'm booked to see over the next 3 weeks.

Obviously I was hoping to catch up with Faye afterwards and having seen the forecast I went prepared with my brolly. Which fitted nicely into the gift bag carrying Faye's birthday chocolates.

I sailed into Bristol - not literally - and was in my seat with 20 minutes to spare.

You already know pretty everything there is to know about this Shrek-tacular show from the reviews I've featured on the blog but what they don't say is that it's getting even better.

It was fantastic when I saw it in Leeds but now - 4 weeks on - they've taken it to a whole new level.

The cast have really settled into their roles and the subtle changes they've made to their performance work perfectly. The numerous funny scenes are now even more hilarious.

Faye - who was sensational in Leeds - was simply breathtaking last night. An absolutely mind blowing performance. Her portrayal of Princess Fiona is simply out of this world.

Not only is she an exceptional actress but she is also blessed with truly incredible vocals. I could happily listen to her sing all day. The most beautiful voice I've ever heard, period.

After the show I headed to the stage door to meet the lady herself and surprisingly there was no sign of the heavy rain they'd forecast.

I didn't have to wait too long before she came out, still trying to clean her skin of the green ogre paint she has on in the final scene of the show.

The chocolates I gave her were originally meant for my trip to Leeds but it was SO hot back then I was worried they'd melt. I therefore arranged for good luck flowers instead, meaning the chocolates turned into an early Birthday present.

Faye's Birthday is actually September 3rd but princesses start their celebrations well in advance.

@Faye_Brookes  ·  Aug 17

“@mialincoln89: @Faye_Brookes is it your birthday Hun?? Xx” 

EVERY DAY UNTIL THE 3rd x

We talked a bit about the show and how they've somehow managed to improve on perfection since Leeds. She's loving being part of such a spectacular musical.

They are doing 8 shows a week though which is understandibly tiring and they sometimes need a bit of physio to help with aches and pains. A lot of work and effort goes into the incredible show we see on stage.

She also said how much she enjoys being in Bristol, which was nice to hear given it's my home City.

Faye had booked a taxi to take her to her temporary home in Clifton so I couldn't keep her chatting for too long but I'm hoping to have the opportunity to see her a at least couple more times before the show heads to Nottingham.

No sooner had we said our goodbyes and her taxi was about to pull off I realised my brolly was still in the gift bag with her chocolates. Luckily I just managed to catch them. Had I not I expect Faye would have thought a well used umbrella was a rather stange Birthday present.

I'm already looking forward to my next Hippodrome trip on Sunday 31st. CAN'T WAIT

Leeds, Shrek & The Best Princess Fiona !!

I had to battle horrendous traffic on my 450 mile round trip to see Faye in one of her first performances as Princess Fiona in the Shrek the Musical UK Tour at the Leeds Grand Theatre. I encountered numerous delays - particularly on the return journey - & spent over 9 hours on the road but it was more than worth it to see Faye in her wonderful new role.

Thankfully despite the hold up's I arrived in plenty of time and was in my seat 10 rows from the front of the stalls with 15 minutes to spare.

They'll be many show reviews written by theatre critics over the next few weeks, many of which we'll feature here on the blog. I'm going to concentrate on Princess Fiona & Faye.

Fiona's story is bascically that of a Princess who at the age of 7 was locked away in a dragon gaurded tower to live in isolation until she was rescued by Prince Charming. She had also been cursed to live a double life, by day a beautiful Princess but by night an Ogre. Her Prince Charming turned out to be a big green ogre named Shrek but they still fall in love and eventually share a kiss which ends the curse. Though not as you may think ;)

As you may have guessed I'm a huge fan of Faye & could happily listen to her sing all day. I may be slightly biased but I was completely blown away by her performance & in my opinion Princess Fiona is involved in the 5 best songs in the show.

Although she is part of the 'Big Bright Beautiful World' opening, Princess Fiona's story really starts about 15 minutes in with her first song 'I Know It's Today'. This song actually features 3 Fiona's. The youngest has only been locked in the tower for 23 days & still wakes up each day expecting to be rescued. The next has been locked away for 958 days but is still sure Prince charming will slay the dragon & carry her to safety. The 3rd is a slightly bipolar Faye who has been locked away for 8423 days & is struggling to believe that all Princess fairy tales have a happy ending. Faye plays this perfectly everything from the singing to the facial expressions are staggeringly brilliant.

Faye is actually involved in about half of the shows 20 songs but I'm going to skip ahead to 'Morning Person'. This is soon after we find out that by night the Princess turns into an Ogre & Fiona is celebrating the start of a new day. This is most peoples favourite song of the show & I have to admit it's mine to. It's pretty much a solo number for Faye & she gets to showcase her fantastic singing, sensational dancing and brilliant acting in 10 wonderful minutes of on stage magic. In some ways this reminded me of 'What You Want' from Legally Blonde. I can't really explain why but I'm sure you'll see what I mean when you've had chance to see the show.

'Morning Person' is quickly followed by 'I Think I got You Beat'. This is another of my favourites & features Shrek & Princess Fiona arguing over which has had the harder life & ends in a farting contest. Honestly, it's hilarious and Faye's comedic acting is simply superb. You really HAVE to see it.

My 4th choice is 'This Is Our Story'. It's a happy ending song when Fiona & Shrek get together & realise they're perfect for each other. Again, Faye - dressed as an Ogre - performs this impeccably. Stupendously expressive, as she is throughout the entire show.

I couldn't finish without mentioning 'I'm a Believer'. It is primarily sung by Shrek, Fiona & Donkey but involves the whole cast & it's a fantastic end to a truly remarkable show. I can't wait to see it again when it lands in my home City of Bristol in about 3 weeks time.

I can't over emphasize just how much I enjoyed the show or how breath-takingly incredible Faye is in her new role. It's just perfect for her. Sometimes it's difficult to put into words just how special she is, just ask Shrek, When words fail . . . . .

After the show I had a lovely chat with Faye at the stage door. She was as adorable as ever & as you can see from the above picture, looking as beautiful as always.

She explained how she's having to readjust to being back on tour nearly 2 years after she hung up her blonde wig from Legally Blonde. Obviously it's more tiring than when you're based in one place & all the cast have been working extremely hard in ridiculously hot temperatures.

Her favourite song from the show is 'I Think I Got You Beat' & as I mentioned above it's definitely one of mine too. The performance of Dean Chisnall (Shrek) & Faye in this number is just sensational & had the whole audience in stitches.

We chatted a bit about press night, future tour destinations & her blossoming relationship with her very own Prince Charming Gareth Gates before I let her escape with her friends who had been waiting patiently nearby.

They'll be many reviews appearing online after this weeks official opening night but I'd question the sanity of any critic that doesn't say the Shrek the Musical UK Tour is a must see show for all the family & that Faye Brookes who plays Princess Fiona is one of the most accomplished young leading ladies they've ever had the good fortune to see perform.

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Here is a great video previewing the show in Leeds & it includes a lovely little interview with Faye. Check it out:

A Perfect Day In Manchester !!

It had been a hard few days for me leading up to my trip to Manchester to see the final show of 'That Day We Sang'.

Work had been stressful but my main concern had been for my dog Max who had been staying at the veterinary hospital with suspected stomach cancer. Thankfully the exploratory operation came back clear and he seems much better but we have to wait for the biopsy results before we'll know the final diagnosis.

I needed something to lift my spirirts and the opportunity to see Faye in Victoria Woods brilliant play for the second time helped get me through the week.

However, what really made my day and for a few minutes at least made me completely forget all my worries, was my chat with Faye.

We'd arranged to meet inside the Royal Exchange at 6:30pm. I got there a little early but I didn't have to wait long before she came out and gave me a big hug.

I know how busy she is and that she had a show to prepare for so I thought she might just have time for a quick hello but we chatted for what must have been nearly 20 minutes.

When you're talking to someone you admire as much as I do Faye you have a million thoughts spinning round in your head so come the end you feel a little dizzy and retaining the finer details of what you've discussed isn't that easy but I'll give it a go.

We obviously talked about 'That Day We Sang'. Faye explained how much she enjoyed playing her part in such a fabulous play at one of the UK's most iconic theatre's and how great it was to work with such a wonderfully gifted cast. She also praised Victoria Wood, saying that her brilliant script made every cast member feel important and an integral part of the show.

We also discussed other shows and potential roles. I even found out she's a fan of Jersey Boys which is currrently my favourite West End show. She once auditioned for one of the lead female roles but unfortunately on that occasion missed out. Needless to say it's a highly competitive business and nobody gets every role they audition for.

She has of course worked in London playing the roles of Frenchy and Sandy in the hit musical Grease and she's hoping that further opportunities to perform in the West End are just around the corner. I'm sure they are, Faye would be an asset to any show.

As I may have mentioned after my first trip to see Faye at the Royal Exchange she has just agreed to take on a FANTASTIC role in an INCREDIBLE musical which has me buzzing with excitement. I can't release any details just yet but trust me you wont be disappointed, so keep checking back to the blog for the big announcement.

She really enjoyed performing in the BBC show Atlantis and would love to do some more TV work. Thankfully she has recently made some contacts which could help make that possible. She clearly has the talent and ability to be equally amazing on screen as she is on stage. 

We talked about various other things - most of which are now a little hazy - before I had to let he go to get ready for the final performance of 'That Day We Sang'.

The show as you already know from the numerous reviews I've featured on the blog is an absolute treasure and I'm looking forward to seeing the TV adaptation later this year but the highlight of my day was definitely my chat with Faye. She probably doesn't realise how much it meant to me but hopefully she'll read this because I'd like her to know how lucky I feel to be a fan of someone as wonderful as her.

She's beautiful inside & out and a star both on & off stage. Thanks Faye, you're the best.