I had to include West End as, well, I live in London so the West End cannot be ignored.
1. Ado Annie - Oklahoma
I was actually in Oklahoma in a small production, part of 'Axis Productions', they put on shows after 1 week of intense rehearsals. Ado Annie has two great songs, a solo and duet, plus she's funny. I was a Cowboy (severe lack of boys and people who could act), even had a name and lines. But Ado Annie, I think would be fun to play.
2. Lilli Vanessi / 'Katherine (Kate)' - Kiss Me Kate
She has some great songs and she always arguing with people. Simple reasons but I think the show great with some hilarious scenes. I saw it about three years ago at the Young Vic, absolutely brilliant show. I also love The Taming of the Shrew, and would have loved to just play Katherine.
3. Velma - Chicago
Again, another awesome character and she has some of the best songs, Roxy is just nothing compared with her vamp, plus she never really admits to killing her sister and husband AND she gets away with all that jazz.
4. Richard Hannay - The 39 Steps
Sometimes men get all the best roles. This production was just superb, with no set and only props and 4 actors, 3 playing multiple parts, I couldn't stop laughing. Everything was timed perfectly. A similar play, Jeeves and Wooster, with 3 actors, 2 actors playing multiple parts again was very successful, Hannay is the one narrating and he never actually leaves the stage.
5. The Pirate King/Ruth - The Pirates of Penzance
Recently and briefly brought back to the stage by Mike Leigh, I missed this show and I didn't hear fantastic things about it, but the source material you cannot beat. The Pirate King has the best songs, but Ruth also plays an important part in the whole thing. Its the Pirate King I really want to be, mainly thanks to Kevin Kline who played him in a filming of the stage production back in the 80s.
I loved the 39 steps when I saw it. I didn't expect to laugh out loud but it's hilarious! And my husband who isn't as keen on theatre me loved it too! Velma would be an awesome role to play!! And the super cute outfits wouldn't be horrible to wear!
ReplyDeleteI love this list, and I totally agree with you, Ado Annie would be a ton of fun.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of 39 Steps. I need to check that one out.
ReplyDeleteAhhh Pirates of Penzance!! I watch the Kevin Kline version every leap day. I was in pit for this one and it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tradition. Love the film, we used to watch it all the time when I was young, we searched for years to find a DVD copy, in the end we were given a copy by a friend.
ReplyDeleteI first saw it at Richmond Theatre, then a few years later at Criterion Theatre where it is now, but it is in its final weeks. Better catch it soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you! She gets to have a laugh and I just love 'All or Nothin' song.
ReplyDeleteIts got the power - I think its the genius of the multi roles that also makes it comedy gold. Yes! 1920s get up would be great to wear :)
ReplyDeleteRuth????!!!! She's almost as lame as mabel! You'd make a great Katherine I reckon :) omg just read the comment below about watching pirates of penzance every leap year - I say we adopt her tradition x
ReplyDeleteBut Ruth has some good songs. I did say I'd rather be the Pirate King. But maybe its just film Ruth that was ok. Excellent idea! x
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