Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Thursday 02 March 2023.

Thursday 02 March 2023...I went to two events today... 3pm matinee show. MAMMA MIA! live at The Novello Theatre,Aldwych, London WC2. I first saw this great musical based on the music of Abba over 10 years ago. The crowd is pretty much 75% female as expected, and the theatre looks pretty full. The show is on for around 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 65 mins and 70 mins. All those great Abba songs are woven into the storyline. It really is a totally excellent show, and you can see why it has been running for so many years. The musical includes such hits as "Super Trouper", "Lay All Your Love on Me", "Dancing Queen", "Knowing Me, Knowing You", "Take a Chance on Me", "Thank You for the Music", "Money, Money, Money", "The Winner Takes It All", "Voulez-Vous", "SOS" and "Mamma Mia". Over 65 million people have seen the show, which has grossed $4 billion worldwide since its 1999 debut.A film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Stellan Skarsgård and Julie Walters was released in 2008. As of 2020, the show has productions in London's West End, where it is the sixth longest-running show in West End history,as well as various foreign productions. Its Broadway incarnation closed on September 12, 2015, after a 14-year run, making it the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history. then 6.30pm to 8.30pm....private view... A HARD MAN IS HARD TO FIND! at The Photographers Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1. A Hard Man is Good to Find! celebrates a clandestine visual culture of gay men’s bodies that emerged in the post-war period, during a time when making and distributing such images was a criminal offence. Including work by John S. Barrington, Cecil Beaton, Guy Burch, Basil Clavering, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Bill Green, David Gwinnutt, Angus McBean, Patrick Procktor, Ajamu X and many more. This exhibition highlights key areas of London which were a focus for men seeking out men to photograph. It maps out a territory of risk and possibility across Highgate, between Chelsea and Wellington Barracks, in Soho, Brixton, Portobello and Euston. From 03 March to 11 June it is a paid ticket as there are three exhibitions here on different floors. Handy to find some stools here to sit on as the venue has a full time cafe and basic bar. Over 100 guests for complimentary white wines and bottles of Vedett lagers. ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ Wednesday 01 March 2023...5.15pm to 9.15pm... LUCKY VOICE - press showcase - 1 The Avenue, Devonshire Square, London EC2. Lucky Voice has welcomed a brand spanking new venue just a 3 minute walk from Liverpool Street station. From nights out with friends to work dos, Lucky Voice is the perfect place to visit if you’re after something a little bit different. With 9 pods in total, each private karaoke room fits between 6-20 singers and provides touch screen technology, access to the ever growing catalogue of an impressive 11,000 songs (which include 11 languages), and of course the famous Lucky Voice “Thirsty” button for food and drink service. The bar area is open every night until late, with live DJs on the weekend and even London’s biggest Wrecking Ball for you to get your ultimate Miley selfie on. Enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) from the extensive drinks menu, plus draught beer, wine and soft drinks galore. Even better, choose from a selection of small dishes, sharing plates, pizzas and desserts to ensure tummies remain full during your karaoke session. The venue can be hired out by small groups, and is open 3pm to 2.30am. -------- We were early arrivals , so we got seats and a table which was handy , as we were here for four hours. The venue holds around 200 over all it's rooms , and tonight has a nice full buzzy atmosphere. The DJ is playing tunes loudly and folks are singing and dancing along, including the bar staff. The karaoke rooms are private so if you feel a bit shy , it is in front of your friends and not strangers. We had a stint in there and i was signing singing Bon Jovi, The Killers, The Sex Pistols etc. One of the girls I am with wins the first prize in the raffle, which was a cocktail making evening for six. Lots of complimentary drinks and food including...three different cocktails(gin, vodka, Bacardi), prosecco, wines, beers, various pizza slices, calamari rings, canapes and brownies. Everyone got a goodie bag with a few items in on departure. A very enjoyable evening.