Yes, many hotels and cultural centres have tried to fill the gap, but none have really hit the right button until this year.
On arrival at the airport, I saw the posters for “World tour of Sound of Musicals”. I thought “this is it” and I must visit this show.
On our arrival we were met by the entire cast in a welcoming presentation line. Tables were all set up in a nice ambient setting and we were escorted to our seats by the floor staff.
As soon as we sat at the table the drinks started to arrive. Bottled drinks were already at the table but the beer was served by the floor staff. At 8pm the theatre was full, not a single seat left and the lights dimmed for the proceedings to start.
The lead of the show came on to the stage and informed us that as soon as he had finished his introductions the show would begin. At 8.15 pm the warm up act, a tribute to Frank Sinatra, came onto the stage.
This act was superb. As it began the meals were brought to the table. The main course was roast pork, two veg and mashed potatoes. This delicious course was followed by a very light Tiramisu.
At the conclusion of the tribute to Frank Sinatra all the meals had been finished and tables cleared, but the wine, beer, and soft drinks continued to flow freely. The spotlights came on and the main show itself began.
This show time spectacular is a world tour, visiting countries around the globe that have been made famous by stage musicals.
The show kicked off in America with an energetic rendition of 42nd Street before moving to France and a rip-roaring version of the “Can Can” from the Moulin Rouge.
This was followed by the bar scene from Les Miserables and the title song from the fabulous Phantom of the Opera.
From France we went to Austria for the celebrated Sound of Music and the famous “Do Rey Me” song.
We then travelled down to Italy to enjoy some culture in the form of the “Nesson Dorma” from the famous opera Turandot by Puccini.
Egypt was the next country and of course, this was represented by a fantastic performance of the lead hit from Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.
The next country visited was Ireland with a version of River Dance that would have put Michael Flaherty himself to shame.
We then took the long journey to Argentina for the rock opera Evita and the emotional lead song “Don’t cry for me Argentina” followed by some fabulous Argentinean folk music.
As the tour approached its conclusion we returned to America for a bit of High Society and Singing In the Rain. The cast then wowed us with some amazing dance routines to the tunes from Chicago.
The final musical was Dirty Dancing and before we knew it the time was 11.20 pm.
Somewhere during all this, there was an interval of about 20 minutes but I have no idea where, in the excitement of the evening, it was placed.
After curtain calls, of which there were many, the cast left the stage and lined up again at the exit to say goodnight to the audience.
To quote another well know song: “What a night, it really was such a night”.
Long live "Sound of Musicals" and we wish them well for the future. Long may the show continue to bring much pleasure and happiness to all the people that visit it.
Well done everyone.