THE KING AND I DUBLIN SHOWS

The King and I has a long and illustrious career on the international theatre circuit winning many awards since its debut in the 1950 and it is coming to Dublin for a short run. Based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon The King and is a hugely popular production and had played to millions of people the world over. The King and I stars Ramon Tikaram as the The King of Siam, whose West End credits include Bombay Dreams, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and TV’s This Life and Josefina Gabrielle as Anna whose musical highlights include The Witches of Eastwick, Sweet Charity and the lead in Oklahoma! at the National Theatre. The show runs in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from the 22nd of May till the 26th ad tickets are selling fast. The Grand Canal Hotel are offering a superb package including Pre-show Meal, Ticket to Show, Night's Accommodation and Full Irish Breakfast for just €109 per person sharing midweek and €129 per person sharing on Friday or Saturday. Book early to avoid disappointment. Click here to BOOK.

CALENDAR GIRLS RETURNS TO DUBLIN

Calendar Girl's returns to Dublin this February for a brief stop over following a hugely successful stint in the capital in 2011.

The hysterical show sold out for its entire two week run last year, with a not too small amount of them staying with us. A quick vox-pop of those checking out of the hotel last year left us in no doubt of the quality of the show so be warned...this is its final visit to Dublin.

The original Calendar Girl herself Miss Lynda Bellingham returns to the show with Camilla Dallerup, Jan Harvey, Sue Holderness, Deena Payne, Lisa Riley, June Watson and Ruth Madoc with Kevin Sacre as Lawrence the photographer and Joe McGann as John.

Calendar Girl's tells of a group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference. Based on an inspiring true story, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious!

Packages in the hotel start from just €109 per person sharing Monday to Thursday and €129 per person sharing Friday or Saturday. As with all our theatre packages the deal includes pre-show meal, ticket to show at Grand Canal Theatre, night's accommodation and Full Irish Breakfast the following morning.

Book soon as its selling fast and won't be back...although we've all heard that before. Anyone for Riverdance?

Book Here

OMG

SCROOGE GRAND CANAL THEATRE REVIEW

I think I've made my feelings pretty clear on musical on this blog before...I don't particularly like them.

I ignored my gut instinct and was pleasantly surprised when I attended Hairspray in November, so when the girls from the theatre offered me a ticket to see Scrooge I was a little excited. I've always been a bit partial to the Christmas tale of the man who hated Christmas.

Not being a huge fan of the festive season myself and Scrooge have a lot in common. But like him and unlike the weather my feelings on it have thawed in recent times. Speaking of weather, the walk to the theatre from the Grand Canal Hotel was treacherous. Office shoes are not made to walk on ice and snow covered pavements.

I tend to drive everywhere because walking is for people who have too much time on their hands so I hadn't really prepared myself for the conditions. On walking out of the hotel I was immediately in trouble...a bit like Bambi was I. At one point I was hanging onto the side of the railings guiding myself very slowly along the path...that is until I was humbled by the site of a woman casually walking along the ice beside me while talking on the phone. So I manned up and tried to walk unaided. It was difficult but the 8 minute walk did take 25.

On arriving in the Grand Canal Theatre I picked up the tickets said hello to the girls and made myself home at the bar with a lovely glass of red. I have to say my seat couldn't have been better. I shared an isle with Pat Kenny, Gay Byrne and Brian Ormond, all of whom looked enviously on at my central location while they were seated in the wings. Thanks girls.

Air conditioning under the seats if you don't mind!!! I was really at home. The show kicked off with some singing...not sure about that, but I quickly warmed up the Tommy Steel's brilliant performance as Scrooge. I believe the man is in his 70's? Well he certainly uses all his experience in the show. His facial expressions and body movements alone are enough to keep the audience entertained. Funny and entertaining in equal measures Steele certainly knows what he's doing...but after over 1,500 appearances in the West End you'd expect him to.

But there is much more to this musical than Mr Steele. The set is stunning and really does make you feel like you are in the 1800's, not that I know what it feels like it to be from that era but you get the point. I know these guys have probably been performing this show in London for a couple of hundred years but their timing was really on the money, especially considering this was just their third show in Dublin.

I read earlier that day that the special effects guy that worked on Harry Potter is involved in the production so I was interested but a little skeptical to see what he could do on stage. I was blown away. People appearing, disappearing explosions, ghosts and mirrors that were there but not there. Stunning stuff.

Don't ask me to name check any of the songs or the actors because I have an awful memory and I was too cheap to buy the brochure but there were fine performances all round. None more than little Darren Dixon who plays Tiny Tim.

So all in all if you are looking for something to get you into the Christmas spirit...if you excuse the pun, than Scooge is your man. Walking out into the snow covered Grand Canal Square made it all the more apt and enjoyable...that is until I tried to take a step and nearly ended up looking at the stats. Which brings me to my biggest tip for anyone looking to venture down to see Mr Steele...don't wear office shoes.

OMG

I DON'T LIKE MUSICALS...BUT

Have to admit that i'm not the biggest fan of Musicals. The emergence of Glee has only cemented this opinion so when I was offered two tickets to Hairspray...only the threat of being single again forced my hand.
So what did I think? Well the Grand Canal Theatre is very impressive. I know the guys in the hotel have been raving about it for months but some of them were also raving about Glee...you do the maths. But OMG...what a venue...what an area.
Dublin has undergone a sea change since (don't mention the Celtic Tiger)...well a while ago. But the Grand Canal Square area really is a beautiful addition to the city. Stunning buildings, some of which look like complex logo land structures, surrounded by restaurants. It was a good start as i made my way into the show.
The theatre itself is a fine building, all shapes and corners. One of the things I hate about theatre is the standard of seats that you get...obstructed views...big heads in front of you. There is nothing of that in the Grand Canal Theatre. Spacious, air-conditioned and stunningly red.
To my surprise the rest of the audience looked normal...not that there is a typical musical loving person look but it was a good start nonetheless. Oh and I was on an aisle seat which helped.
So the show. Before I start I have to confirm that I've never seen the movie...any of the movies...for reasons I've already mentioned, so I had no idea what to expect other than the distant memory of Michelle Pfeiffer and John Travolta in the trailer of the 2007 movie adaption.
A cross-dressing Michael Ball (slightly disturbing image) apart, this was a bit of craic. Performances were for the most part excellent, even if vocals are occasionally strained...I'm no Simon Cowell, but in particular the villains who are a little grating on the ear.
Now don't get me wrong I haven't morphed into a Musical junkie, but my eyes have been opened a little. Mamma Mia is coming to the Grand Canal Theatre on the 4th of October next year and I've already got my ticket...I've always been a bit partial to Sweedish pop...Oh! and I'm going to Scrooge.

I'll report back.

Yours,
Ollie McGrath (OMG).

DIRTY DANCING COMES TO DUBLIN

Fantastic news theatre lovers...our friends over in the Grand Canal Theatre are brining the world famous smash hit musical to Dublin in 2012.

Seen by millions across the globe Dirty Dancing, tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Dirty Dancing is told by a tremendous cast of 37 and featuring 35 hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping I've Had The Time Of My Life.

The show kicks off on the 17th of January 2012 and runs right through till the 25th of February.

Now that might seem a distance off but i was talking to the lovely ladies in the box office and they tell me that tickets are ALREADY selling very fast.

But fear not. We have put together a package for people hoping to attend the show. As with all our theatre packages...enjoy a pre-show meal, ticket to the show, night's accommodation and full Irish breakfast the following morning from just €109pps.

Click here to make your booking or for more informatio.