Richard McElvain’s performance of The Chess Player based on Stefan Zweig’s short novel is radical and respectful, frightening and enlightening – a good tale is being promised in the story which forms the framework on a cruise ship and we will not be disappointed. McElvain has not only adapted Zweig’s Schachnovelle, post-humously published in the … Continue reading Defining and living quality time with Richard McElvain as The Chess Player in London, Barnes
Author: Sadie takes the Stage
I am a London-based stageblogger with roots in Hamburg: While discovering the world I share what inspires me on all kind of stages – contact me if you have an idea of what to review next via sadietakesthestage@hotmail.com
Running out of princes with Aladdin in London’s west end
“We are running out of princes” is a beautiful statement in the week of the royal wedding and heard in the Disney musical Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s west end. It will not be the only scene that makes me laugh out loud. The story, the cartoon and most of its score … Continue reading Running out of princes with Aladdin in London’s west end
Mindfreaked by Criss Angel in Las Vegas’ Luxor pyramid
You cannot go to Las Vegas without seeing a magic show, an illusionist, some high-profile legerdemain –this is the conclusion after having had dinner accompanied by a celebrity magician even I heard of back in Europe without following casting shows like America’s got Talent: The famous Shimshi jumped acrobatically around the stage, played mind games … Continue reading Mindfreaked by Criss Angel in Las Vegas’ Luxor pyramid
No Vanilla at Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity on Las Vegas’ Strip
I am lucky enough to go on a trip to Las Vegas and decided to embrace it: After all, this is a stageblog and this is not only Sin City but also the place to look out for stages! One third of my company really wants to see a burlesque show but is (when I … Continue reading No Vanilla at Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity on Las Vegas’ Strip
Don’t Panic: Waiting for the Moog with Bach in the Kings Place, London
When you are booking tickets for an event to go with someone who is far more passionate about the topic, artists or genre than you are, be aware that your idea of a night out might be challenged afterwards. I am accompanied by a Moog owner, synthesizer collector and sound engineer to the Kings Place, … Continue reading Don’t Panic: Waiting for the Moog with Bach in the Kings Place, London
All that Fusion at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London
Ticked off my London bucket list is Ronnie Scott’s, the capital’s most famous and probably oldest jazz club and a worldwide known, legendary institution which opened in 1959. No one in our group of four has been here before but tonight is the night. Tickets have been ordered eight days in advance and by then … Continue reading All that Fusion at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London
A little Night Music in Florence, Italy
It must easily be the rainiest days Florence has seen in a while but the two of us are here for a single weekend, no longer, and therefore the city needs to be discovered quickly. The first evening is spent entirely with wonderful Tuscan food but for the second we plan something else. Flyers in … Continue reading A little Night Music in Florence, Italy
Wall Street’s Dry Powder in Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is a new city for me and I am immediately enchanted. When you grew up in Germany it is unlikely you have come across The Sound of Music and if you are Austrian you might have thanks to American, English and Japanese tourists. I was only introduced to it when I moved to London … Continue reading Wall Street’s Dry Powder in Salzburg, Austria
American Dogfight in Vienna, Austria
“It means nothing to me, Oh Vienna” sang Ultravox and you will hum it for sure when you’re admiring the imperial grandness of the Austrian capital – just do not take literally what you are actually singing, I am sure the locals hear it all the time, along with lots of Falco’s “Amadeus, Amadeus”. I … Continue reading American Dogfight in Vienna, Austria
A Cave of Wonders in the British Museum in London
Sometimes we come across something by pure chance and we know immediately it is going to be relevant and important for the rest of our lives. When I was in my college years it was music-wise Franz Ferdinand’s self-titled debut album, Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love and Björk’s Medulla. Film-wise it must have been Kill … Continue reading A Cave of Wonders in the British Museum in London
