Musical - Our House

John took me to Harrogate in half term to eat at Jenson Button's new restaurant which was fab.  We were having a nice wander around Harrogate in the afternoon and caught a glimpse through the window of the stairs in the amazing looking theatre.  We wandered round to the front to see what was on and it was a local production of Our House, the Madness musical.  It was one I had heard of in London and was vaguely interested in seeing but didn't feel desperate.  We had some other options of things to do in the evening but I did feel a pull towards it as the evening went on and John kindly said we could go.  And I was so pleased then that it was as good as it was and I enjoyed so!  Thank you John! 

I didn't know if it was the Buddy-style of band musical or the Mamma Mia-style (see Jersey Boys post) and it turned out to be Mamma Mia.  It was a big cast number, reminding me of Jesus Christ Superstar, though maybe not quite as big, but equally good.  I am having to rethink my thoughts of amateur theatre - my first experience of South Pacific in Malvern is now seeming more like the anomaly! Just initially I thought there were a few cringey members of cast singing and acting their hearts out in the chorus, but I got over that and many of the cast impressed me - especially the 2 boy side kicks and the 2 girl side kicks.  The only other thing that was a bit of a let down (to the show as much as to us) was the sound, it wasn't always possible to hear what people were saying!

Just before the interval, it occurred to me that the show was doing a Sliding Doors style thing showing 2 storylines.  I was worried that it had taken me so long to realise and was wondering whether to blame myself or their staging.  John and I talked about it in the interval and began to realise especially during the second half all the things going on to explain it to us!  I'm glad we realised! 

I knew the song 'Our House' beforehand, and there were a couple of others that I then recognised during the performance.  It was quite moving in the end and I was teary and overall thought it was a good show! Time now to wikipedia Out House and Madness.


I have included these two photos taken on the day to show my haircut!