Viva For-Now - The new Spice Girls musical

St. Pancras Hotel was the perfect location to launch a new British musical where the motif, creative team and subject matter all scream national pride.  The building was actually used by The Spice Girls in the “Wannabe” video 16 years ago but yesterday the girls returned as women, in slightly more clothing with acrimonious splits seemingly behind them, to launch the musical based upon their music, “Viva Forever.”

Another pop musical? I thought we had moved beyond that fad and re-working films for the stage was the new trend.  But apparently not, despite the arrival of “9 to 5” and “The Bodyguard” musicals we also see a new Tina Turner musical and now “Viva Forever.”  God forbid, we take the box office risk of attempting a new musical with an original book and score.  But The Spice Girls musical, “Viva Forever”, could be different.  The Spice Girls may not have the longevity of Queen or ABBA but they are a modern pop phenomenon in their own right and judging by the hype around the launch yesterday, “Viva Forever” has a good a chance as any at succeeding in the West End.

“Viva Forever” has been whispered about in theatre-land for a few years now but launching it in 2012, a golden British year for Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee seems fitting.  The production team is all home-grown too; Producer Judy Cramer has had global success with “Mamma Mia!” and playwright Jennifer Saunders is an English sweetheart of comedy.  Cramer clearly knows how to make a pop musical work and from my experiences in “Mamma Mia!” she creates a warm and happy working environment.  Throw in the wit of Absolutely Fabulous’ Saunders, a great British director in Paul Garrington and The Piccadilly Theatre and you have a powerful British cocktail; all you need is some Pimms and a cucumber sandwich.

The Viva Forever emblem shows a girl bursting out of the Union Jack; echoes of girl power and that infamous Geri dress, it declares all things “Spice”.  The story concerns a young girl group entering a TV reality competition and all the pressures of fame and friendship that come with it.  Reality TV?  Hardly innovative Ms Saunders, but then the old formula of girl meets boy, they break up and get back together is done to death without raising an eyebrow.

So why do I think Viva For-Now?  Gone are the days of musicals that endure such as “Les Miserables” or “Phantom of the Opera”; either audiences don’t return as they once did or the pull from the armchair and 100s of free channels has become too great compared to growing theatre ticket prices.  Musicals are closing far too often but I know similar things are happening in many industries, 2012 is sadly also synonymous with financial struggle as well as great English events.

  “Everything in life is only for now” say the profound lyrics in the musical “Avenue Q.”  I sing them every night and it can be a great comfort when crying about boys, money or split ends but it also means things should be enjoyed too.  I think theatre-land will embrace this new musical not just as a new job opportunity but because of the team and ethos behind it.  My past experience of singing Spice Girls music has been limited; Wannabe in Kingston Bentalls Centre to win some Superdrug So? Perfume (remember that!!) and a dodgy karaoke version of Viva Forever in Magaluf.  But I am sure that I, along with hundreds of others, will be studiously learning six part harmonies to “Mama I Love You” and practising walking in platform trainers again for the auditions.

But can I beg one thing Ms Cramer?  You don’t need Selena Gomez or that girl from Tracey Beaker in the lead role, Mamma Mia! has done terrifically well for over 10 years with unknown musical theatre talent and “Viva Forever” seems strong enough to sell itself too, so don’t cave in to box office pressure. 

So in these precarious times in the West End it may be only “Viva For-Now” instead of “Viva Forever” but lets enjoy it; our inner teenager will totally let our adult-selves pay for a ticket even if those famous five ladies don’t make an appearance!

(This post was origianlly written for The Huffington Post) http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/daniella-gibb/viva-fornow-the-new-spice_b_1629842.html

The Pressure of National Pride

The nation's buttocks have finally unclenched this morning after a tense few moments last night where we all believed that this was the time; England were going to win a penalty shoot out and fly into the next round of Euro 2012. Because we did all believe that for a split second didn't we? The curse would be broken and this would be the year that we lifted the trophy.

But it didn't happen. We were gutted for a bit, sighed and then said "Well, Wimbledon starts tomorrow!" Phew, what good timing, it is as if Roy Hodgson planned it so we could all transfer our fierce national allegiance to Andy Murray without any guilt.

I cannot pretend to be a huge sports fan but like many others I do love a good International tournament. Whether it is tennis, football or the Olympics I have been known to actually switch on the TV during the summer months or at least visit the pub and not insist on my boyfriend talking to me for 90 minutes. During Euro 1996 my parents were shocked when I ripped down my pictures of Mark Owen and Robbie Williams, that I had blue-tacked with great care all over their newly painted doors, and replaced them with cut-outs from the sports pages of Michael Owen, Alan Shearer and even David Seaman! I became obsessed for a few weeks and even last night I let my "inner bloke" out and sat in front of that tense penalty shoot-out gasping into my takeaway.

Something about sporting events unleashes our national pride and the same can be said for the Royal Family in recent months. Red, white and blue face paints are no longer reserved for passionate middle-age Tim Henman fans or hoards of rotund men abroad shouting into television cameras like William Wallace; it is now cool to paint your cheeks and declare yourself a Duchess of Cambridge wannabe and walk the streets of London. I almost bought some myself the other day in a fit of patriotism.

But I do worry about those England footballers this morning. Obviously the media have swooped down on Hodgson and the Three Lions giving opinion, criticism and blame. Fans of Cheryl Cole feel vindicated and can smugly say "See I told you that Ashley was worthless" and Gareth Southgate can breathe a sigh of relief at no longer being Britain's Most Wanted as a result of our elephant-like football memory. If I get a line wrong on stage or fluff a singing harmony I don't get vilified, just a note from the director the next day. It doesn't make the theatre journals and I am merely mocked light-heartedly by fellow cast members... but then I am not being paid £60,000 a week.

So Murray is next to feel the warmth and force of a nation's support and then we'll turn our attentions to Adlington, Hoy and Pendleton. Are the red, white and blue outfits too much? Are we adding extra stress to these high-level performers with a pressure cooker of support that in reality can only lead to their failure? Or should they just buck up and bask in our admiration and practice a little sports psychology to drown us out and focus on the win?

So don't worry Andy Murray we'll pretend to turn over the TV channel and not care how you play. I won't put all my eggs in one basket or perch hopefully on Murray's Mount eating strawberries, (I can't afford them.) That way you can chill out and focus on your game and hopefully get to that final. All our trophy hopes are with you. Now, where are those blue face paints I need to perfect the St Andrew's cross on my cheeks.......?

(This post was originally seen on The Huffington Post online newspaper. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/daniella-gibb/a-sporting-chance-the-pre_b_1626779.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-sport)

Tweet all about it! Tweet all about it!

As you may know, I have finally succumbed and opened a Twitter account.  It became increasingly obvious that my quill-writing and carrier pigeon form of communication had become archaic and for someone who writes a blog I shouldn’t be so moralistic about sharing online.

And like all social media it has become obsessive.  You check each day to see who is following you and get excited when you find someone new to follow.

But what is this need to “follow” and be “followed”?  People are always interested in knowing covert details which others may not be privy to.  We all love the “behind the scenes extras” on DVDs or to read a celebrity “bare all” in a Heat magazine exclusive.  Well, you wouldn’t catch me wasting my hard-earned pennies on that drivvle but you catch my drift.

We “follow” celebrities or interesting people on Twitter in the hope of catching a glimpse into their worlds.  If you play that “which 10 people would you invite to a dinner party” game, Stephen Fry is nearly always on somebody’s list and that is reflected in the 4,473,205 followers he has online (as of today’s date.)  He is so online savvy that you could argue he championed the whole tweeting thing and he has 6 blogs.  Yes 6, now I feel insignificant!  Here is a traditional wordsmith who knows how to transfer his skills online.

Photograph: Steve Forrest/Rex Features

Obviously social media has its downsides as reflected in a story a few weeks ago about a high society couple displaying their acrimonious divorce all over the internet.  It prompted a media fury about the use of these sites with columnist India Knight commenting “Never tweet when you are feeling hurt or upset, drunk or if your family is falling apart,” and Janet Street Porter in The Daily Mail to say “This modern compulsion to let it all hang out makes my flesh crawl.”  It is an opinionated but brilliant article and I have to say that I agree with the majority of it, take a look at the link below.

But the majority of people don’t use online media to tell you about their fungal infections or cheating spouses, it can be a positive, networking and professional tool.

It struck me as I was breathless with giggles about to go onstage the other night that those backstage moments are the reason people follow me and other Avenue Q-ers online, (sorry #avenuequktour if I have the Twitter lingo down!)  We have no celebrity status, but people are interested in what we do and enjoy being part of our banter.

Tweeting away at work! photo by Katherine Hall

There is a large following online for theatre folk because people are passionate about our craft.  As Michael Simkins pointed out in The Telegraph actors now “face a critic in every seat”; it is not just judging journalists we have to worry about but anybody with an internet connection and an opinion.  Various online forums provide an outlet for every Tom, Dick or Harry’s views and you learn the hard way not to Google yourself!  According to one candid Les Miserables fan I cannot act and the best bit about my performance as Eponine was that I died.  Harsh!  We live in a democracy and everyone has free speech; but that didn’t soothe me as I wept over my laptop or fellow actress Sofia Escobar who responded over Twitter to her critics prompting Simkins’ article.

You have to be tough to survive in the online world, harden that skin and put on your self-esteem armour.  Or maybe we could not go looking for such things online?  Use these tools to promote, connect and inform but maybe try not to go looking for other people’s opinions on you.  It can only lead to stress because if you believe the good ones you have to believe the bad too, whether the person is a world-renowned theatre critic or Joan from Milton Keynes who has seen Wicked 1044 times. 

But everything is just opinion and the only opinion that counts is the one you have of yourself.

So I plan to enjoy Twitter.  Yes I will nose into Stephen Fry’s day and tell the world about Trekkie’s onstage flatulence but I won’t take it too seriously and I won’t become part of the Twitterati and force my opinions onto everyone else. 

That’s what this blog is for!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2156636/JANET-STREET-PORTER-This-modern-compulsion-let-hang-makes-flesh-crawl.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/9332035/Actors-must-dodge-the-slings-and-arrows.html

Dear Julian Fellowes......

When girls are little they have to make one major decision, not if Harry from One Direction would be a better boyfriend than Justin Bieber, but whether to do horse-riding or dancing. 

You cannot do both hobbies as a child; you only have so many free hours between SAT exams and getting on league tables and you parents need money left to actually eat, but mainly because each discipline trains your muscles in completely opposite ways.  Trust me; a girl I went to drama school with had spent her youth galloping and gymkhana-ing with great skill but her plie in ballet looked rather like she was squatting over a French toilet.

I chose dancing, as the cupboards of old leotards and tap shoes at my parents’ house will testify, but I sometimes have rued this decision.  You see, despite doing exciting things in my career I still have yet to fulfil one major dream – to be in a Period Drama.  And I always thought that if I was proficient on a pony then that might just tip it for a casting director.

Until a few years ago I had my heart set on becoming the next Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice after the wonderful Jennifer Ehle, but since Keira Knightley kicked that pipe dream in the gutter, I have a new quest.....

To be in Downton Abbey.

I want to be in Downton Abbey, dear Mr Fellowes if you are reading!  I wasn’t born with the arched dark eyebrows for nothing.  I can look haughty and conceal how I am feeling behind emotive eyes; indeed, I am told that my grumpy morning self does this quite frequently!

I have even bought a dark green 1920s cloche hat, I have only worn it to vacuum my flat in so far but it is currently touring with me in my car, in case I should run into Mr Fellowes and he requires a visual aid to my suitability.  So I have the look, the hat and a fairly posh sounding voice but I am not sure if my curvy bum would suit the flapper style frocks. But at the rate at which Mr Fellowes’ scripts steam through the decades I could be cast just in time for the 1950s!

Ah Pemberley! If you look really hard you can spot Colin Firth in the lake!

I know I am a female cliché to be drawn to period dramas but I love the stories, the outfits and the romance.  Forbidden love set against a back drop of war or intelligent feminism trapped in a pre-progressive era.  It is recipe for fine acting and compelling reading and viewing; characters in Corrie don’t go through any life drama that isn’t experienced in an Austen or Dickens novel.

As my current acting contract draws to a close and I start to reconsider auditioning and re-applying myself to a full-time writing career this is one dream I cannot shake off, heaving bosoms, pointed glances and witty asides are never far from my mind.

copyright Carnival Films

I know we all cling onto compliments if we are told we look like someone famous (although I once went to an audition and got told I was like a young Anthea Turner???) and it is pitiable how much we enjoy these moments. 

But if I had a pound for every time someone has said to me “Don’t you look the spit of that Lady Mary in Downton,” well I’d have at least a tenner.......

.......and I’d spend that on horse-riding lessons!

A Canterbury Tale.......

Avenue Q has 7 weeks left on the road; my shoulders are relieved, my bank manager is anxious and I am becoming nostalgic.  I have been re-visiting all of the cities we have seen in my mind and I think we will have experienced a fair cross-section of The British Isles in 6 months. 

Back in April, whilst wandering around the beautiful city of Canterbury, I pondered over pilgrimages as I saw the shrine of St Thomas Becket in the cathedral.  Millions of people have journeyed to this site, the most notorious being the characters in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to see where the Archbishop was murdered in 1170 - travellers are on my mind again!  People are inclined to travel for various reasons; so, of course, my brain began to make comparisons with my own group of troubadours.

A pilgrimage is “a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance, typically to a location of importance to a person’s beliefs.”  So where should we actors head for?  Stratford-upon-Avon?  The BBC? Or maybe Greece to holiday where theatre first began, (that’s if the Euro holds out.)  Chaucer’s pilgrims told stories as they trudged from Southwark, across the South Downs, towards Canterbury; lusty tales of adultery, money and power – Chaucer obviously felt that everyone has a story worth sharing.

My current travelling companions hail from Japan, USA, Australia and the UK and we all, too, have histories and stories to tell.  Indeed, I choose to divulge mine here online.  It is “en vogue” to tweet, blog and ‘status update’ our stories nowadays; I would hardly call my blog here classic literature but perhaps tweeting our nightmare train journeys is the modern day equivalent to Chaucer’s roaming tales.  Young Gabby in the company is a wonderfully witty tweeter @GabbyBro, especially with her #dailylesson tweets, so I have cast her as our “Avenue Q Chaucer!”

                                                                                                               

“At night was come into that hostelry,

Well nine and twenty in a company

Of sundry folk of aventure ye-fall

In fellowship, and pilgrims were they all.”

General Prologue, The Canterbury Tales            

                “Rehearsing new cast of# avenuequktour at    

@Jerwood Space, Southwark, heading to Canterbury in April” 

General Tweet via Twitter in 2012

In the “Eat, Pray, Love” generation, we often believe that escaping the humdrum of everyday life will help us find solutions to life’s problems.  After messy break-ups or crappy auditions I am sure that a month in an Indian ashram is the only answer, hoping that meditating and yoga at dawn will help heal the loneliness, insecurity and general self-loathing.  You could say that the middle-class youths rite of passage, the “gap year” is a pilgrimage of sorts; dealing with the inability to go to Uni or settle down until they have found themselves via fish-bowls in Bangkok or skinny dipping in Sri Lanka.

This beach in Cuba helped my troubled mind a bit!

I don’t mean to be derogatory because travel can truly broaden the mind as you experience new cultures, food and ideas.  That can only be a good thing for the soul but sometimes you can find new things closer to home, as I try to prove weekly with my tourist guides to Swindon and Rhyl as I endeavour to see the best in places!  A friend once said to me that wherever you may go, you will still have the same issues and troubles because no amount of air-miles will make them disappear.  Therefore running away isn’t going to help; only standing still and dealing with stuff head on will sort you out and it also saves a fortune!

We, on the Avenue Q tour, all have our own reasons for our theatrical pilgrimage; ambition, a desire to escape normal life or just paying mortgage.  We may have wheely suitcases instead of the clothes on our backs and be seeing the South Downs through a South Eastern train window instead of on our knees like poor King Henry II, but perhaps our motive are similar; to pursue a personal goal. 

I’m not sure if our journey has “a spiritual or moral significance” (I certainly found none of the above in Coventry,) but every journey and its participants deserves recording, whether it is online or in a leather-bound book.