UK Show Reviews and Michael Moments - 11
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Great Show. (29th Jan 1998, Wembley Arena). Can't wait for your next project Michael! Gemma Smith 195.194.177.139 <G.K.Smith2@Student.Derby.ac.uk> Derby, West Midlands England - Monday, February 02, 1998 at 05:07:16 (PST)
i saw lord of the dance at wembley, london. what an amazing show. thankyou all. claire wilcock 152.163.206.105 <cwilco1@aol.com> - Monday, February 02, 1998 at 11:37:49 (PST)
Well what a week we had last week. Brian and I have immersed ourselves in LOTD and loving every minute, in fact its been at bit tricky fitting in normal life. It all started on Sunday 25th, it was wonderful to meet up with Maria, Linda, Teri and Larry, Merrybeth, Alby, Heli and Janne, Anne, Michelle, Kate and Andy. The show was wonderful and Linda and we were lucky enough to have great seats. (Brian and Larry had stayed behind at the Hilton, and Brian introduced Larry to the delights of Caffreys Irish Ale.) We didn't stay behind on that night to see Michael as according to the security guard they were all watching the Super Bowl game. The next night was so different this must have been the day Michael got his new record and will always remain in our hearts and minds as our Group Michael Moment. The show was electric as usual and we were all in marvelous spirits, we managed to get a few more autographs from the Troupe, and we took photos outside the Arena under the Wembley LOTD sign for a memento. We then headed round to where Michael's Rolls Royce would appear, it was so cold that night, I thought my toes would break off through frost bite. But our spirits were warm, we were all in good humour and happy to be together. When the Rolls Royce did appear we nearly fainted when he got out of the car. Daire was with him and I think a couple of other dancers I didn't recognise (sorry to say) . Daire came up to us first and chatted, Michael had gotten out of the other side and was speaking to some other girls from Spain. This poor Spanish Girl was desperately trying to ask Michael something but her Engish was failing her. So he said not to worry he would speak to us while she tried to remember (or words to that effect) Apparently she was a big fan of Daire so she wanted to ask Michael to pass something onto Daire, when Michael pointed to Daire in the car she was beside herself and rushed round to him. Michael seemed so happy to see us and thanked us for waiting and said we must be freezing. He lent forward and gave Maria a big hug, I then mentioned to him that we were all VBers. I couldn't have forseen what was to happen next (it's at times like these you wish there had been a video camera present ). Michael's face lit up and he pulled me forward and planted a kiss on my cheek, he then proceed to greet everyone warmly with hugs and kisses and handshakes. What was special for all of us there was to see Alby give Michael her CD you could have heard a pin drop as he looked and listened intently to her. I am so glad that Linda had the foresight to ask Michael for a group photo owing to the fact that there were 6 different nationalities present (go to the top of the class that girl). I can't remember everything that was said but I do know that Michael wanted you all to know how important the VBers were to him. He also mentioned that there would be some special news (which turned out to be his new World Record for tapping). I wish he had told us there and then, we would have literally been dancing in the streets. When he finally got back in the car, it seemed strange that my feet which had been dead with cold seemed to be revived, it must have been the kiss! We then went back to the Hilton for drinks and to relive the moment. We had a wonderful time, and didn't roll home until 6.00 a.m. I had to be up at 8.00 to take the kids to school. Tuesday's show was attended by Merrybeth, Maria, Alby Linda, Julie, Anne and Michelle. We were all scattered about different parts of the Arena, but when we took our seats, we all stood up and waved to each other. I was more prepared for the cold weather, tights, two pairs of socks, trousers and trainers hardly glamorous but after last night I thought who cares as long as you are warm. Maria decided to go back to the Hilton and not wait, I think all the late nights had caught up with her and she was feeling a little sad as her trip was coming to an end, so I gave her a hug goodbye. We didn't have to wait so long that night for Michael, but I think he was in a bit of a hurry. What was so nice was that Alby was able have a word with Michael and get the kiss she longed for. I was so pleased for her. She was absolutely floating afterwards. It was then a sad moment as Linda, Julie and I had to say our sad farewells to Merrybeth, Alby, Heli and Janne. I felt quite down driving home on my own. On Wednesday I went with my Sister in Law Sue who has now become a Flathead, no persuasion necessary, she was swooning in all the right places. Originally Sue had said she didn't want to stay behind to see Michael due to work the next day, but after the show she was keen to hang around still on a high. There was no way we could get near enough for the after autograph signing session in the foyer, so we stood on the stairs and watched and waited for Michael to come out. It was wonderful to watch Michael make such a fuss of all the little kids. Sue announced at work the next day that she was in love with our Michael - poor girl addicted like me only cure is to keep going to more shows. On Thursday Brian and I met up with Michelle and Anne in the Hilton, first of all then we made our way to the Arena and arranged to meet up at interval. Brian and I couldn't get seats together I had to sit immediately behind him. It's funny I can't say Brian used the binoculars all the time but when Kelly, Bernadette, Cora, Mairead, or Anne appeared he was following them all round the stage! (Of course he also had to check out the girls in Breakout!) After the show Brian and I rushed out to the front of the foyer and as we were amongst the first we thought we would Go For It and wait in what I call the rugby scrum to see Michael up close and get his autograph. The security guards all linked arms and as I am only 5' 2" , I could hardly see over the top of them. We got to know the security guards quite well, and joked and laughed with them, amid all the pushing and shoving. The security guard suggested I rest my programme on his shoulder for Michael to sign. It was so hot and we were crammed together like sardines. I was so relieved when Michael finally came out, there was a huge cheer, the crowd surged forward and the security guards had to act as a buffer. I got brief glimpses of Michael and he looked so gorgeous. Brian managed to take some really close up shots so it was worth it. I got the autograph I wanted. When we finished we were wandering about outside, not really wanting to go home and still high from the show, when purely by chance, we bumped into Helli and Janne which was a lovely surprise (as we had thought they had gone home). It was a real pleasure to share my LOTD shows with such lovely people. I apologise for not posting sooner but it has taken me all this time to get myself together. BRIAN, I admit to being a Raving Looney Flathead (RLF) and I'm proud of it, but you are turning into one too, I recognise the signs, you keep demanding that we book more shows, and I can't get to see the VB because you are always on it or ICQ! NEWSFLASH ! Michael has just added Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd Feb. to the tour at Wembley so get in quick. Linda and I have managed to get booked up for front row seats for the 22nd Feb. with our families and friend Cairin from Wales. Love Vanessa. Vanessa 195.147.13.71 <vanessa@brivan.globalnet.co.uk> Hemel Hempstead, England - Monday, February 02, 1998 at 16:11:32 (PST)
Greetings to you all!! We have public transfer on strike and as I walked towards train station this morning I listened some great Irish music with my CD player.... Still occupied by Wembley and wanted to post some thoughts. We ordered the tickets in summer and after half a year wait I found myself sitting at Wembley 26th Jan. Still couldn't believe it. We met other VBers on Sunday already and instantly felt that I was among friends. The stadium there resembled much like our Arena here in Finland and before the show started I didn't feel as if I would be in some special place. We didn't have very good seats, but we could see the entity of the show well. But it was only when I saw Michael for the first time and heard the first clicks that I realised that I was really there, this was it, this was what we had been waiting for! The show was unbelievable! I had seen it on video but it is very pale compared to the show itself. I had cold shivers running through me throughout the whole show. Amazing! Many numbers that seemed not so interesting on video looked quite different. For example siamsa. Before the live performance I didn't think much of it, but now...I just love it! And so do the dancers apparently. After the show we met the others again, the feelings were so intense we just hugged each other, I was so impressed. Off to the gate we went after we had seen some of the dancers and band members. To me, it wasn't so bad, the coldness I mean. I had the advantage fo coming from a cold country so I promised to others to start complaining little later, which I did. I must admit though that there has been times when I have been much worse, so it wasn't the coldness that wiped my memory. We had a great time while waiting and I think others have covered that so well already that I can't think of anything to add to it. Finally, Michael came. We didn't realise not until later how lucky we were when he came out of the car. At that time I could have been knocked over with a feather. What a charisma that man has!!! I'm usually very eager to take photos and after the meeting I realised that I had taken only three or so! What can I say... Here is a good time to stop since obviously, I can drink only so much coffee at a time ... Love, just love Heli 192.58.70.43 <akasha@cc.hut.fi> Helsinki, FINLAND - Tuesday, February 03, 1998 at 04:22:31 (PST)
We went to see Lord of the Dance last night (3 Feb) in Manchester for my Mother's 60th Birthday. Although I had watched the show on video over and over nothing could compare with the outstanding performance last night of both Michael and his dancers. It was absolutely wonderful, so full of energy and pleasure. Even my brother, who didn't really want to go, came out vowing to get his baby daughters into dance lessons! We had a wonderful evening - the glow hasn't worn off yet. Thank you all for all your hard work in preparation and performing so well after doing the show over and over. Viv Williamson 152.163.206.87 <Viv0Gary@AOL.COM> Wirral, UK - Wednesday, February 04, 1998 at 03:53:42 (PST)
Good afternoon you all!!! Happy Birthday (now late, then early) TERI!!!! {{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}Still catching up the sleep I lost last week and due to the fact I must wake up early, you got here one tired flathead... Wembley continues... The monday 26th was definately the best day for us. After the VB-MM, we went to the hotel and as you know by now, we had a great time. I would like to add only one thing. I was really fascinated about the fact that when Liam played his accordion, he sat on the accordion case and not on the chair. I found it very interesting detail... Tuesday... Show was as stunning as the day before and again we had these far,far away seats. We gathered to the gate and waited for Michael. Again, my memory fails me, but Alby, I remember your moment and it came even clearer when I read your post...Fantastic! I remember the kiss however, but nothing else much... Hoping that some day my memory WILL come back and I would remember more... Ok, I am going to be boring and skip to Thursday: We had seat with restricted view but we were closer to the stage. So close that I could hear Michael practising behind the curtain for the first time, click, click... To hear it better I went so close to the stage I could and practically half of me was over the rail when I reached towards to stage. There was this family sitting close to me when I performed my climbing and they smiled at me(probably thought: poor girl is a bit out of her mind) and I smiled, knowingly, back to them. Before us there was three young girls and when the first part was over, they all said very spontaneously as one voice: OH..MY...GOD! And started talking that how can he top that what they had just seen. I almost said: Oh yes he does... This time we could see the faces of the dancers much clearly and we could also see them when they waited for their turn to enter the stage. It was very lonely outside but luckily we saw Vanessa and Brian one more time :-). I tell you, it was the VBers that I met who make our trip so special. Especially MARIA who made it so easy for us to get to know some of the troupe. Thank you dear, thank you so much! I shall always remember you all in my heart. One thing I forgot: Thank you ALBY (and who else was present), for NOT saying: Alan Rickman who....?!!! You have no idea how frustrating it is when you have to explain the whole story over and over. Love and energetic Wednesday, Heli 192.58.70.43 <akasha@cc.hut.fi> Helsinki, FINLAND - Wednesday, February 04, 1998 at 04:09:48 (PST)
Saw Michael last night. I am still on a high. What a show! Seeing it live is far better than the video - if only the night could have lasted forever. Margaret H 158.43.192.51 <xrd06@dial.pipex.com> Keighley, England - Wednesday, February 04, 1998 at 04:22:56 (PST)
MANCHESTER SHOW REPORT!! .....read on! Annmarie and I had a great time at the opening night of Lord of the Dance in Manchester Nynex Arena last night (Feb 3rd)! This was despite the fact that I was feeling decidedly unwell all of the previous two days. We took along two complete 'newbies', who had never even seen the show on video or anything, and needless to say we weren't disappointed! Before the show Annmarie somehow managed to persuade me to part with over eighty quid in merchandise, so I was feeling pretty skint as we took our seats. The Arena is huge - there must have been at least 10,000 people and there were very few empty chairs. I won't go over how great the show was because you know that anyway... but since we last saw LOTD in Chicago, the show seems to have 'developed' quite a lot... and has almost totally changed in places compared to the video. Helen and Daires performances now have far more character, with many more punches, growls, sneers and crouches - and thats just Helen! Then came Kelly Hendry as the temptress - ten out of ten! I know Joe Horn will argue, but I think a certain Miss Norris has some serious competition here! Her routine for 'Gypsy' was almost totally different from Gillians... pelvic thrusts, lifting her dress up, gyrating against parts of the set, and more besides! Michael was great, but looked a little tired when you saw him close up on the big screens. He's added extra moves and extra 'gyrations' to his performance too! Ann Buckley sings with far more character and 'nuance' than before. There are even improvements to the lighting and sound, notably a tremendous surround sound 'thud!' as the feet go down on Michaels punch at the end of acts one and two. Did anyone notice that 'Strings of Fire' had a bit 'chopped' somewhere in the middle? I don't think so. The 'flute jam' (which still doesn't appear on the programme, even though its been re-vamped to include Kelly and Catriona) just simply ROCKED the arena - I think I would sell my own grandmother to get a copy of that on CD! I was surprised that at the end of act two (but before the 'Planet Ireland' accapella bit at the end) there were only a few people on their feet, although everyone else was cheering and stamping feet! However, when the troupe came back on stage the place just erupted and Michael and the cast simply blew the place apart with a precision final routine! This got the whole Arena on their feet and everyone was standing and shouting 'one more!'. We got one encore and another excellent 'thud!' before the fireworks and everyone headed for the doors. John and Jane who we took with us were just blown away by the whole thing, and vowed to come and see the show again! They came with us as we headed for the stage door. There were a couple of other people there, who turned out to be from the next village to us! They'd travelled the 120 plus miles to be there as well! However, I'm afraid there isn't really anything to report. The troupe got on a bus and headed off, and we had a nice chat with the band, particularly Jason Duffy who signed our programme, but by the time we left (about 11.45pm), Michael was still in the Arena. The security guy said that he wasn't coming out till 1am, and I'm afraid that was just a bit too late for us! However, we were treated to an impromptu display by the Arena backstage manager, who had discovered his car had been broken into, and REALLY lost his temper - wheelspinning, driving at 40 - 50mph in the compound, jumping around, kicking things over, slamming his car doors REALLY hard. Needless to say his choice of language was rather offensive when one of the waiting fans suggested lightheartedly that he should 'be careful'. Anyway - having seen the show three times now, I would say that last night was far and away the best performance by all the cast! If you've got tickets for this, you've got something to look forward to! We've already got tickets for a show in weeks time, so we'll see you there! Jeremy Gartland 194.176.64.174 <jeremy@gartland.octacon.co.uk> Cleveland, England - Wednesday, February 04, 1998 at 08:18:47 (PST)
great show at manchester ninex 3\2\98 look forward with great anticipation to saturdays show on 07\02\98 thanks maureen bond 194.168.61.235 <james.wilcock@virgin.net> accrington, u.k. - Wednesday, February 04, 1998 at 08:07:58 (PST)
Went to see the show at Wembley Arena last month. It was very clear that Michael wasn't really feeling up to performing but we're very glad that he decided to go on - we would have been so disappointed to have travelled to London and not seen him. There was no sparkle in his step - and although the show wasn't a patch on the first time we went to see it, we still had a good time. However, can you get a message to the costume designer? Who on earth thought that putting the Dark Lord in an outfit that looks like a reject from Space 1999 would be a good move? It's a truly awful costume. The original costume, black shirt, fancy braces was much more effective - and sexy! Please do something about it, it really spoilt the effectiveness of the menace built up by the music and the dancing. Shame. Fiona Veal 195.8.77.217 <jimveal@clara.net> Chesterfield, England - Thursday, February 05, 1998 at 06:27:46 (PST)
(Ed: [g] what would she have thought of the "Purple Power Ranger" look! [g])
Saw the show last night at Nynex and I really agree with Fiona Veal's comments about her Wembley visit - somewhat lacklustre performance from Mr Flately and as for the Star Trek reject costume - it was AWFUL! Not too keen on those screens either. Otherwise it was excellent entertainment, wonderful music, sound, lighting - but then you know all that! Nell 194.66.20.100 Manchestor, UK - Thursday, February 05, 1998 at 07:39:27 (PST)
Wow !! Absolutely fantastic - give me more ! Saw the show at Wembley (Jan98) actually MET & SNOGGED Michael, and got his autograph. I died and went to heaven!! Tracie Meager 195.99.51.40 <tmeager@lineone.net> Swindon, Wilts England - Thursday, February 05, 1998 at 08:10:11 (PST)
(Ed: Translation is "snogged" = kissed.....just to help you 'mericans out [g])
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