#I was lucky enough to have Harry's Chris Bean come over and shake my hand

[thatonebadideapanda]

About last Thursday...

Mentally still here. Physically still not recovered. Never laughed so much in my life!

Goodbye, dear sweet Peter Pan Goes Wrong on West End. Maybe we'll meet again someday.

[khoicesbyk]

My Two First Loves.

First Time Love. Part 2.

A/N: I’ve read a multitude of books. And this one is becoming one that I thoroughly enjoy. So; Talley Ho! *in my Sherlock Holmes voice*

Rated: Mature. Contains suggestive content brief violence and strong language. You know? The usual from me. 😁 | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Characters: Isaiah Harris (LI) and Kailah Price (MC) | All Characters: names (except MC) are property of Pixelberry. And all characters are 18+ | A/N 2: This is a story about sexual discovery. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised. | A/N 3: Song and Story Inspiration: Craig David-7 Days and Personal | Snoh Aalegra-I Want You Around | Tiana Major9 feat EARTHGANG-Collide | Cookiee Kawaii-Vibe (If I Back It Up) | Lonr feat H.E.R.- Make The Most | H.E.R.-Say It Again | Boyz II Men-Uhh Ahh and In The Still Of The Night | Phonte And Eric Roberson-It’s So Easy | Eric Roberson-Morning After, Softest Lips, Picture Perfect, Dealing and Mark On Me | Alicia Keys-Butterflyz (The Drumline Mix) | Ace Hood feat Chris Brown-Body 2 Body | Bobby Valentino-Lights Down Low | Current Word Count: 3,850 words

Part 2 picks up where Part 1 left off.

After leaving her best friends house party; Kailah found herself speeding through the nearly empty streets with Isaiah. They were on their way to his house. She was both excited and scared; at the prospect of actually being alone with him. A million different things, ways and situations ran through her mind; as to how the rest of the night could go between them.

Before they got to his place, Isaiah pulled into the parking lot of a 24 hour CVS Pharmacy.

“I’m gonna run in here right quick. You want anything?”, he asked her. “Yeah. Gummy worms and a soda.”, she replied. “Well that’s a pretty vague answer.”, he told her. “How is that answer vague? You asked me what I wanted; and I told you.”, she said. “You said gummy worms and a soda. What kind of soda? Orange? Grape? Root beer? Coke? Pepsi? Sprite even? I mean there are at least 50 different soda varieties! And we haven’t even gotten the diet versions.”, he says to her. “Well in that case: Pepsi. Wild Cherry Pepsi to be exact.”, she answered. “Finally! Be right back.”, he said before disappearing inside. While he was inside, Kailah took a moment to gather her nerves. She knew she wasn’t in any imminent trouble or danger for that matter; and even if she was she knew Isaiah would keep her safe.

Before long; he re-emerged with a plastic CVS bag in his hand. “Guard this with your life.”, he said to her in a mock ominous tone. She giggled and said, “sir! Yes sir! I shall guard this with my life! By the way, we near your place?” “Yup. ‘Round the corner. Why? What are you planning?”, he asked. “Ohhhh I’m drawing a treasure map and I need a spot to mark with an X.”, she replied. “Fair enough. Well get ready to mark X on your map. We’ll be there in a sec.”, he told her; before starting the engine.

Soon; they were pulling into the driveway of a quiet yet quaint little house. He dug his keys out of his pocket as he led her to a side door. “Secret entrance. VIP’s only.”, he whispered. “I feel so lucky! I finally made it to the VIP door!”, she teased. “Don’t make me take you home!”, he told her. “Not to point out the obvious but you did.”, she said with a wink and a smirk. “You’ve clearly been around me too long.”, he said to her as he unlocked the door.

As they stepped in house; a voice called out, “Izzy! Baby that you?” He flinched at the name but replied, “Yeah ma! It’s me.” An older black woman came around the corner. “Ohhh! I didn’t know you had company with you.”, she said. “Yeah I do. Ma this is Kailah. Kailah this is my mom Verna.”, he said as he introduced the two to each other. “Ohhhhhhhh this is the little girl you haven’t been able to shut up about? Well I’ll say one thing; you were right Izzy, she’s definitely cute.”, she says to her now very embarrassed son.

“Ma!”, he groaned.

“Pleasure to meet you Ms. Harris”, she said to his mom. “Pleasures all mine sweetie. And please call me Ms. Verna. Only people allowed to call me Ms. Harris are his teachers.”, his mom replied.

“So what are you up now, son? I thought you were going to that party you told me about.”, she said to him. “I was but it got boring; so I asked her to come back here with me.”, he told his mom. “Say no more baby. Well y’all have fun and for the love of God Izzy; lay off the damn drums this late at night!”, she told them. “Ugh! Just kill my creativity, why don’t you?”, he replied. “I’m gonna kill more than your damn ‘creativity’; if I get one more complaint about the noise!”, she warned him.

“Yes ma’am! No drums this time I promise!”, he told her. “Alright! Well I’m headed to bed. I only stayed up; because I wanted to make sure you got home safely. It was nice to meet sweetie.”, she said with a small smile. “You too Ms. Verna.”, Kailah replies. “I’ll see you in the morning, son”, she said before kissing him on his cheek. “Night ma!”, he told her. “Night baby!”, she called out.

When he turned to Kailah; she had a teasing smirk on her face. “What?”, he asked her. “Izzy, huh?”, she replied with a wink.

He rolled his eyes and said, “it’s a family nickname! And if I ever hear you say it outside these walls; I will never talk to you again!” She threw her hands up in mock surrender and said, “I promise you that; I will go to my grave with this. No one will what your family nickname is.”

“Thank you! That’s all I ask.”, he said as he switched on a light switch. “I stay in the basement to give ma less of a headache so: Ladies first!”, he said to her before they both made their way down the steps to the basement.

“¡Bienvenidos a mi casa!”, he told her when they got to the bottom of the stairs. “Niiiiice!”, she said as she looked around. “Thank you! I did it all myself!”, he replied. “You really did all of this?”, she asked.

”Yup! Everything from the walls, to the floors, the paint and even the bathroom. All done by me. Been at it; since I got out of juvie back in January. The only thing I gotta do now is behind that door right there.”, he said as he pointed to a door with caution tape on it. “That was an old storage room but; when I get through with it, it’ll be my studio. That way; Ma won’t kill me for playing my drums.”, he explained.

To say she was impressed was an understatement. The basement was completely remodeled and looked better than her place. “I never knew you were so handy! You’ve done an amazing job so far.”, she said to him. “‘Preciate it. The only other people who’ve been just as impressed are my sister and Ma. My brother doesn’t come down here; so he hasn’t seen what I’ve done.”, he told her.

After setting the CVS bag down on the kitchenette counter; she noticed the drum set and a guitar in a corner. “So, not only are you clearly handy but; you play the drums and guitar too?”, she asked. The more she learned about him; the harder she fell for him. “Yeah I play. I also write music. And don’t tell anybody this but I sing too. Music is like football to me. It helps me channel my energy.”, he told her.

“The more I learn about you; the more impressed I am.”, she said to him. “Don’t let golden boy hear you say that. He won’t like having competition when it comes to you.”, he said with a smirk. “Jay isn’t the jealous type.”, she told him. “Oh no? Then why does he glare daggers whenever he sees me around you?”, he asked her. “Because he’s overprotective, that’s why.”, she said to him. “Uh huh. You keep telling yourself that.”, he said to her.

Deep down she knew he was right; Jaylen was extremely jealous of all the time she spent with Isaiah. But what was she to do? She wasn’t going to break up his relationship with Brandi. Even though; she desperately wanted to. She couldn’t bring herself to ruin a friendship she’s had for years.

Isaiah noticed the look on her face as he sat down on his oversized bean bag chair. With his Arizona Fruit Punch in his hand; he said to her, “look I’m not trying to make you feel like you bad.”

“It’s not you Isaiah. It’s…everything else.”, she told him. “Come sit with me.”, he told her. She walked over to him and to her surprise; he pulled her into his lap.

She felt content as they sat like that. The world didn’t matter whenever she was with him. She felt safe. She didn’t feel like she had to hide or pretend to be something that she’s not. And in truth; he felt the same way about her. He broke the companionable silence when he asked, “it’s too quiet in here. How about a little music to set the mood?” He playfully wagged his eyebrows at her; which caused her to roll her eyes good-naturedly. “Ugh! You’re so cheesy!”, she told him. “Which one? Breadsticks or pizza?”, he asked her; causing her to chuckle while shaking her head. “Let me just…”, he trailed off as he reached behind him and switched on his wireless speaker.

Soon; the whole space was filled with ‘Tiana Major9 feat EARTHGANG-Collide’. She laid her head on his shoulder. He soothed her. His strong arms cradled her. With her right hand on his chest; she could feel the beat of his heart with every rise and fall.

“You look like a girl with something on her mind.”, he told her. “It’s nothing, trust me.”, she replied. He tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him and said, “I’ve never seen someone so quiet about nothing. It’s about golden boy, isn’t it?” She sighed and nodded her head yes.

“Like I said earlier; I didn’t bring you here to make you feel guilty or bad. So if you want me to take you home—“, was all he said before she cut him off, “no. God no. I want this. Hell, I need this. I need you. I want you. It’s just…”, she trails off. Not sure what to say or how to say it. “You love him? Is that what you’re trying to say?”, he asked her. She nodded her head yes; before burying her face in the crook of his neck. The guilt hit her like a dagger to the heart.

“Look at me Kai.”, he said as he brought her face up to look at him. “I’m not mad at you. I’ve always known there was something between you two. I see it every time you look at him. I guess I just wish that…you’d look at me the same way you look at him.”, he told her before taking a shaky breath.

“I do Isaiah I swear I do. The way I feel about him is the exact same way I feel about you. When you look at me; I feel like the only girl in the world. When I’m around you; I don’t feel like the world is closing in on me. I’ve known Jay my whole life basically. So; falling for him was easy to do. And I thought that was it. Until the day I met you. That’s the day everything I thought I knew went out the window. I thought you and I would just be friends at first; but now we’re so much more than I ever expected…”, she trailed off biting her bottom lip.

She was a mix of emotions; many of which she wasn’t even sure what they were. All she knew is that she wasn’t trying to hurt Isaiah.

He cradled her closer and kissed her forehead. “Thank you for telling me, babe. Again; I’m not mad at you. I know that it’s complicated. I’m just happy that you at least feel something for me.”, he told her.

With his left hand resting on the outside of her right thigh; he started absentmindedly rubbing his fingers in a circle. It caused her to let out a soft moan against his neck. He took notice and went from absentmindedly rubbing her thigh with his his fingers; to pointedly rubbing it. He wanted to gauge her reaction.

When he heard her moan again; he twined his right hand into her hair and brought her mouth to his. He wanted to devour her mouth. He let his tongue play with hers. He soon broke their kiss in favor of kissing down her neck.

“Yesssssssssss…”, she moaned. It felt good to feel his mouth on her skin. That’s when he stood up with her in his arms and carried her to his bed. When he laid her down on the mattress; the kissing between them picked up steam. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

He stopped long enough to look in her eyes and say, “Kai…look at me…tell me what you want.” After taking a deep breath; she said to him, “I want you…I’m just…I…”, she trailed off. It didn’t take him long to figure out what she was trying to say. With a low chuckle he asks, “are you trying to tell me that you’re a virgin?” Biting her lip; she nodded her head yes. He kisses her forehead sweetly and says, “I’ll be gentle babe, I promise.”

She smiled softly then kissed him again. Soon; they were pulling and tugging each other’s clothes off. A wolfish grin crossed his face as let his eyes roam her naked body. “Ohhh I’m gonna enjoy this!”, he said to her. Her eyes widened as she took in all of him. “Yeah! What you said!”, she replied. Once again; his tongue explored her mouth and vice versa.

He started kissing down her jawline to her neck. From her neck; he explored her breasts. She had never had a guy explore her body that way; but she felt like she could get used to it.

The sensation of his warm mouth tasting and teasing both of her breasts and nipples; sent electric tingles running through her. She let out a broken moan that to him; was like the music playing in the background.

“Do you like that, babe?”, he asked. “Yes. I do like it.”, she replied with desire in her voice. He continued his pleasing of her breasts; eliciting different sounds from her. “So, my good girl has a weak spot, eh? Good. Let’s see if I can find another one.”, he said before continuing to kiss his way down her body.

His mouth was like magic. It ignited a fire within her. He placed featherlight kisses on her rib cage and across her stomach. All while letting his fingers play with her nipples. “Yesssssssssss…more!”, she begged. It felt good. God it felt so good. “Well! Well! Well! What do we have here? Is my good girl begging me for more, eh? Well let me not keep you waiting.”, he told her as he got to her thighs.

She swallowed hard as he coaxed her legs apart. She was both scared and turned on by the vision she had before her. He was poised to eat for days. With a devilish grin and a wink; he dove head first into her precious lady bits.

“Heeeeeeellllllllllooooooooo!”, she shrieked as he went to work on her love nest. Every last nerve ending in her body came alive. The heat in her body rose 30 degrees. Her body trembled as he continued his assault.

She needed a break before she passed out. But when she tried to pull away; he had other plans. “Nahh! Don’t you move!”, he growled as he pulled her back towards his mouth. Eventually she gave into the sensation of him eating her out; and what a sensation it was. Every moan, shriek, gasp and shout did nothing but fuel him. His sucking, licking, teasing, torturing of her sensitive clit and fingering of entrance; sent her over an cliff she didn’t even know she was near. Until she heard him say, “Cum for me baby girl. Let me taste you.”, he told her as he sucked on her clit.

“Ohhhhhhhh God! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yesssssssssss!”, she screamed as her body convulsed, stars burst in her eyes and she flooded his mouth. She laid back on his bed trying to catch her breath. She could hear him chuckle as she did.

“Congratulations babe. You just had your first orgasm.” He told her as he kissed and nibbled his way back up her body. “God you taste like cotton candy! Maybe I should call you that from now on.” She greedily devoured his lips. Tasting herself on his lips was intoxicating. Isaiah had managed to turn her out.

“Are you ready, babe?”, he asked as he looked in her eyes. “Yes. I’m ready.”, she replies. She watched him pull a small box out of his jacket pocket. “Are those what I think they are?”, she asked. “Why do you think I went to CVS? I’ve been wanting to fuck you since homecoming.”, he answered. She smirked while shaking her head. “Judging by that look on that beautiful face of yours; it’s been on your mind as well.”, he said with a wink.

After putting the condom on; he climbed on top of her and lined himself up with her entrance. He whispered to her, “take a deep breath, babe.” She did what he asked her to do.

That’s when he spread her lower lips apart and slid inside her. Doing so, stretched her out. It didn’t hurt. It just felt new and different to her. A small moan left her lips as Isaiah slowly started moving against her. “Goddamn you’re so fucking hot and tight!”, he told her. It felt good to them both; up until a point it started to burn. It caused her to squirm and bury her head into his shoulder; because of the sensation.

He stopped long enough to calm her down. “I know. I know. It’s alright babe. You gotta relax. The more you relax; the more we’ll both enjoy it.”, he told her as he peppered her forehead with soft kisses.

After taking a few very deep breaths and getting used to the feeling of him inside her; she captured his bottom lip between her teeth. “Dangerous!”, he told her with cheeky smile. “Shall we continue?”, she asked him. “If you insist!”, he told her. Soon; the room was filled with the sounds of their bodies coming together.

Every single sound she made not only energized him but; they sent chills down his spine. “Don’t stop! Please don’t stop!”, she begged. His stroke was driving her crazy. “Yeah that’s it baby! Take it! Take this dick! You feel so good! So damn good!”, he said through clenched teeth. He couldn’t think straight. All he could think of was good this was to him.

When he intensified his stroke; it sent her into a tailspin. She wanted him. She needed him. And she was getting him. She felt everything. She felt whenever he pulled out, when he surged back in, when her muscles clenched around him and especially the way he throbbed inside her. It was amazing. It was new. It was intoxicating. And when he hit her G-Spot; she lost it.

“Ohhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyy God! Yesssssssssss! Yes! Yes! Yes! Right there! Right fucking there!”, she screamed. “Is that it? Is that what you want, baby? Just like that?”, he asked her in between strokes. “God yesssssssssss! I want that! God! It feels so good. You feel so good!”, she managed to say as she dug her nails into his back. Her head was spinning from the pleasure. “If you think that feels…good. I got something that will feel…God…even better!”, he managed to strain out.

Before she could say anything; he pulled out and flipped her over so that she was on all fours. “I am about to end you!”, He growled in her ear. His words sent heat running throughout her entire body.

Once he was in position, he closed his eyes, grabbed her hips and plunged into her. ”Shit! That’s it! Fuck yes! Ohhhhhhhh fuck me!”, he shouted. She was in another world. He was constantly and relentlessly hitting her spot. “Fuck yes! Oh my God! That’s it! Just like that! Isaiah! Don’t stop! Don’t fucking stop!”, she screamed. “That’s it babe! Tell me what you want! Tell me how you like it!”, he shouted. The pleasure was rich and amazing to them both. “God you’re so fucking wet! Give it to me baby girl! Give it all to me!”, he growled in her ear.

With sweat rolling down his back; he was getting close. “Shit! I’m so close! And it’s all yours baby! Take…it…babe!”, he shouted in a strained voice. And when he hit her G-spot one last time; that was it for her. “Fuck yesssssssssss!! That’s it! Right there! Right! Fucking! There!”, she screamed as the heat in her body and her orgasm drowned her in emotions; taking her out. He joined her not too long after. “Jesus Fucking Christ! That’s it baby! I’m there baby girl! It’s…all…yours! I…fuuucccckkkkk yesssssssssss!”, he shouted as he gripped her hips and unloaded into the condom.

When he pulled out; they were both tired and satisfied. He wrapped his arms around her; and snuggled close to her. Resting his chin on her right shoulder; he said to her, “Sorry if I was a little rough with you. It was just too good. You were too good.” She turned over in his arms and smiled. “I’ll be fine…Izzy.” He groaned before he kisses her sweetly. After laying together for several minutes; he asked, “I’m hungry. You want something to eat?” “I got gummy worms remember?”, she told him. “You need more than sugar in your system. So, pizza rolls or Hot Pockets?”, he asked. “Both!”, she answered. “Just steal my heart why don’t you!”, he said before getting up to get them some food.

Later; he took her home. After walking her to the door; he pulled her close for one last kiss. It sent tingles throughout her body. When the kiss ended she was warm all over. “I’ll see you Monday?”, he asked her. She nodded her head yes as a response. “Good. I’ll text you later.”, he said before kissing her on her forehead. She watched him speed off and went inside and straight to bed.

It was bright and early Monday morning; and Kailah was in home room with her mind a million miles away. She was still thinking about him and the night they shared together. She could still feel his lips on her skin.

That’s when he came strolling into class just as the late bell rang. “Good morning everybody! What another glorious Monday morning!”, he exclaimed. “Well; good morning to you too, Mr. Harris! Nice of you to join us…on time.”, Mr. Morton; the home room teacher said to him. “Weeelllll hello Mr. Horton!…er I mean Morton. Hello Mr. Morton.”, he said to him. “Well! You’re in a good mood, Mr. Harris.”, he said to him. “Of course! I had a good weekend, Mr. Morton.”, he replied. “Ohhh! I take it you did something productive this weekend?”, Mr. Morton said to him. With his trademark smirk; he replied, “I’ll say.”

As he took his seat; he noticed her outfit and texted her.

Isaiah: nice outfit 😍 how long before I get to take it off? 😋😏

All she could was smile.

This is the longest fanfic I’ve ever written. It was worth it. I hope you like it.

😘

K.

Tag list: @txemrn @chetachisblog @choicesficwriterscreations @lucy-268

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Theatre Highlights 2018

My Top 10 Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2018 (in no particular order other than roughly chronological. I combined things together to make it easier to read and talk about without doubling back on myself). Let's go!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

My first London theatre trip of the year saw me and my very good friend Hannah make our first visit to see Cursed Child. After a year and a half of trying to get tickets we finally won the Friday Forty and had PHENOMENAL seats - we couldn’t have asked for more with front row stalls, just off centre. It meant that I could see every detail of everyone's performances and the slightest of reactions which I may have missed sitting elsewhere. The show blew my tiny mind. I turned to Hannah in the interval of part one and said that this was going to be the best thing I saw this year and as the year draws to a close I can safely say past me was VERY much correct!! The things they achieve on stage are outstanding and just goes to show anything is possible with theatre, including magic!

In my six visits to see the show I’ve seen some of the brilliant covers in both the second and third year companies including Gideon Turner - First Cover Harry Potter Year Two, Tom Peters - First Cover Harry Potter Year Three, James McGregor - First Cover Bane Year Two and Three, April Hughes - First Cover Delphi (I have SO MUCH I want to say about April’s performance but #KeepTheSecrets and all that but everyone needs to see this girl as Delphi!) Ed White, Tom Mackey and Martin Johnson were the covers I had on in the principal company playing Draco Malfoy, Albus Potter and Amos Diggory/Dumbledore respectively on my first visit to the show and I was genuinely blown away by their performances. I have to talk about Ed and Tom’s performances as they were incredible and stole the show for me.  Firstly, Ed as Draco. Now like many other fans I grew up reading the books and watching the films and everyone was very much I love Draco, he’s great. He’s such a layered character. Now I didn’t get why everyone was so obsessed with him, like what am I not seeing? Then I saw Ed as Draco and was like Oh. Okay, NOW I get it. Ed brought such a warmth and a heart to the character I hadn’t actually noticed before and completely changed my opinion on how I view Draco. The bit which got me was whenever Draco was talking about Astoria and especially the scene in the ministry with Scorpius. It was beautifully acted and a stunning performance. It was a similar thing with Tom as Albus, going in to watch the play I had an idea of what Albus’ character would be like having read the script before hand, yet watching the story unfold Tom played it completely different to how I pictured it in my head. I laughed, I cried and I just wanted to give Albus a hug at the end of it. Those two really stick in my mind when I think back to my first visit and even a year later I’m still talking about it. 

Lastly, as I’m aware this is only the first section and it’s already massively long, I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, shout out to all the Swings, especially on this show as they are all phenomenal and all the tracks are so intricate and they play multiple characters in a single ensemble track, it must be so challenging on cut shows making sure it all gets covered. Loving ya work Swing Team!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is running at the Palace Theatre so make sure to grab your tickets!!

Miss Saigon UK Tour 

I was so thrilled to get to see this wonderful show again on tour three times after having seen it in London. It was just as moving and powerful as it was in London and hats off to everyone involved with getting the show on the road. You’ve done a grand job. It was lovely to see Zoë Doano on stage again, she delivered such a beautiful performance as Ellen and stole the show with Maybe. The whole company were exceptional, Sooha Kim as Kim and Ashley Gilmour as Chris were such a fabulous pairing. Last Night Of The World was so gorgeous and my favourite song in the show. Barnaby Hughes and Vinny Coyle were standouts in the ensemble and it was fabulous to see James McKeon at the helm conducting, doing a marvellous job. Love your work James!

Titanic UK Tour 

Now for those long standing readers of this yearly blog post, some might remember back in summer 2016 I saw Titanic at the Charing Cross Theatre and just fell in love. 

Well fast forward to 2018 where I got to see this fabulous show again three times on tour. It was just as moving, emotional and breath taking as I remembered. The first time I saw the tour was in Southampton I was physically shaking before the show had even started because I love it so much. It’s safe to say I was a pure wreck during that show. I had cried three times by the end of the first song and by the end of the show I’d cried so much there was no moisture in my eyes whatsoever. It was so great to see so many returning performers who I’d seen in the show in London. Dudley and Judith are sublime as the Strausses and of course it was so brilliant to see the heart and scene stealer that is Victoria Serra, who I have to say was born to sing Yeston’s music. Such a gorgeous vocal and performance. Ladies Maid will always be my favourite song in the show and Victoria leads it beautifully. I have a lot of love for that girl. 

I have to mention Kieran Brown, who was wonderful as Murdock, and Chris McGuigan, a sublime Jim Farrell, who were standouts each time I saw the show. 

There are pieces of theatre which just move you so much and deserves to be seen by everyone. Titanic is just this.

Madagascar The Musical UK Tour 

I went to this see this with my friend, Sejuti, and we went to go see Shane McDaid in the show. We were probably also the only people there without kids but we LOVED IT!!! Such a fun show, great music and the penguins were hilarious. My favourite bit was when they were in the antarctic! Excellent comic timing. I’m far from the target audience for this show but I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. Great for adults and kids alike and I’m definitely going to be seeing it again when it comes closer to me. 

Madagascar the Musical is on tour during 2019, check their website for tour dates. 

Shitfaced Shakespeare 

It’s not a secret how much I blooming love this company. As always it’s top notch Shakespeare, hilarious antics and you are guaranteed to have the best hour of your life when you go and see any production they do. This year they had Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet in London and Hamlet on the Fringes so got introduced to two new (well new to me) Shakespeare plays. Ophelia becoming Queen and turning Arass’ were a thing which happened in that time right? 

Got some great compère and drunk combos and two shows I had been waiting to see for over a year so I was happy!!

Unsure how they will top this year but undoubtedly it’ll be genius whatever they do! The big thing for me in 2019 though is to see Saul Marron compère more than once per a season. Am I cursed to only see him once a year? 😢 I hope not! Will update you all on if I manage it next year! 

Keep your eyes peeled on what shows they are doing at the Fringes and in London next year, make sure to grab your tickets when they go on sale in 2019, it’s gonna be a corker for sure!! 

Edinburgh Fringe

I don’t know where to start here. I had simply the best time. I slept a lot as I was knackered but I saw some BRILLIANT shows and Edinburgh is such a gorgeous city as well, especially at Fringe where it’s so busy and got a lovely atmosphere about it. (Still gutted I never found where the pretty Edinburgh Gin Bar at Fringe was. I saw some lovely photos on Instagram!) Fringe staples were Shitfaced Shakespeare and Showtime obviously, did you even do Fringe properly if you DIDN’T see one of those shows?! Another show which I loved whilst up there was Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Parody. Saw it twice and oh my word they were all so fantastic and it was hilarious. I also cried when Muffin died. BOTH TIMES. Legit it got to me. The Amazing Bubbleman - mind blowing, Out Of The Blue, Paddington’s First Concert, Gulliver Returns were some of the fantastic shows at Fringe I saw. I also bumped into my old headteacher on the first night I was at Fringe, at Shitfaced Shakespeare, so I ended up going to see the show he had brought up with a few of the A level drama students at my old school. I was really surprised at how well I followed it (we all know how confused I get at plays. It doesn’t always end well) and all of the girls delivered excellent, solid performances. 

I’m already BUZZING to go back to Fringe next year and the magical waffle place of dreams is actual perfection, very much worth a visit!!

Shitfaced Showtime

Again like with their sister show, I have a lotta love for those musical booze loving beans. I was lucky enough to catch this show twice on Fringe and then once in London. It definitely is a theme with me that at Showtime I always see the drunk I see the show I’m at is compère the next time I go and it’s pure coincidence but I love that it’s worked out like that. I was THRILLED to get to see Nick, the Musical Director, as the drunk on the last night of Fringe, genuinely don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard before ever. It was a show I really wanted to see at some point and shout-out to Jessica and Beth for doing an ace job looking after him. I’ve said this before but I’m gonna say it again, everyone needs to see a Shitfaced Showtime production and every Musical needs to get the Shitfaced treatment as it’s pure brilliance how they put it all together!!

And lastly, someone cast Issy Wroe-Wright as Fantine as the pipes that girl has are out of this world and she’d slay it. #IssyForFantine 

Phantom Cast Change 

Cast Changes don’t get any easier and this year I had to say goodbye to the lovely Leo Miles who was a swing and then moved to ensemble and Second Cover Raoul (he was flawless as Raoul. Definitely one of my all time favourites.) I’d watched Leo in the show from when he joined back in 2013 so to see him leave was sad but I’ve loved watching him on stage those five years and seen his journey. He is one of the loveliest people on the planet and destined for great things and I’m so excited to see him in the Les Mis tour next year! 

Twelfth Night - Young Vic Theatre

Now no theatre highlights of mine would be complete without mentioning Natalie Dew and the show she was in. As I mentioned earlier on that Cursed Child was the best thing I saw this year, it was equalled by Twelfth Night at the Young Vic. I did a review of it which is also on here if you want to check out my full thoughts.

However in brief, it was sheer brilliance. The music was INCREDIBLE and getting to hear Nat sing again was so fantastic (there may have tears) and also getting to see Rupert Young perform live was great. Rupert hands down has one of the best Male voice I’ve ever heard. The tone and quality of it was just gorgeous. I could talk about this show all day, uplifting, delivers such a good message at the end and so good for the soul. 

‪42nd Street‬

‪42nd Street has featured before in my highlights but I want to talk about the brilliant covers I’ve seen in the show this year. Firstly all the principals in both companies are a joy to watch and so fantastic.‬

Hannah Faith-Marram - First Cover Peggy

I only saw Hannah as Peggy once but oh my word she blew my away. Her dancing was beautiful and crisp, lovely vocal and her smile lit up the whole stage. Her interpretation of Peggy was so sweet and everything she did felt so organic. Me and Rebecca, the friend I went with, felt very lucky to get to see Hannah and Philip together as Peggy and Billy. It felt like we were watching a piece of pure magic up there!

Phillip Bertoli - First Cover Billy and Pat

I’ve been very lucky to see Phillip as both of his covers. In year one I saw him twice as Pat and in year two I’ve seen him twice as Billy. He is exceptional in both roles and  also in his ensemble track, he suits the era so well. It’s like someone picked him out of the ‘20s and popped him in present day. Everything about his performance, you can’t help but watch him in the dance numbers. It’s a very classy performance

Ryan Glover - Second Cover Andy/Swing

Want to give a special mention to Ryan as not only was he performing as Andy during one show he also was on in the ensemble during one of the dances as they were on a cut show that performance and I thought he did an outstanding job! 

Finally I just want to say that I’m so gutted this show is closing, the West End won’t be as bright without this wonderfully uplifting show. Thank you to both the original revival company and the second year companies for bringing me such joy over the past nearly two years. You’ve all been magnificent!! Make sure to catch all those hoofers on stage at Theatre Royal Drury Lane before the show closes ‪on January 6th‬ and don’t forget to go see it in the cinema when it’s released!!

Well, that wraps up a very stagey 2018. I’ve got some exciting stuff planned for 2019 so it’s looking to be a good one!! 

Who knows what will make it in next year but I sure know it’s gonna be one fun stagey ride! So make sure you come back next year and find out what my highlights for 2019 are!

Until next time, cheerio!