Ever since I’d seen the Rocky Horror Show at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen back in 2006, I’d wanted to see it again.

I, along with my sister, one of my cousins and one of my best friends all headed to the theatre to see the show this time around. I’d booked early and had managed to snag 3rd row seats for us (given the small size of the theatre, these are practically on the stage).

On arriving at the theatre and purchasing a programme, we discovered that David Bedella wouldn’t be performing in this show and instead, the part of Frank-N-Furter would be played by Stuart Ellis. I must say, I was a bit disappointed by this as I thought David was brilliant back in 2006 and I was looking forward to seeing him play the part again. Nevertheless Stuart did a fantastic job stepping into the role.

The show started bang on 7.30pm, with the band bursting into life for the opening number, “Science Fiction Double Feature”. Hilarity ensued from there onwards.

Just in case you didn’t know, Rocky Horror Show is one of the few shows where you are allowed to shout back at the actors on the stage (at appropriate times of course). There were some absolute crackers in Aberdeen tonight . Now I know that my family read my blog, so I’ll refrain from putting some of the ruder callouts on here. Anyway, here are some of the funny moments-

Columbia: I loved you, I loved you and what did you give me?
Audience Member: Herpes!

Rocky: Is it true that you that you don’t like men with big muscles Janet?
Audience Member: Just one big one!

Gerrard Kelly (narrator) to loud, obnoxious audience member: “You’re sitting in the dark surrounded by 2000 strangers. I’m on stage with a microphone. God has a plan, you’re not in it. Zip it!”

I wasn’t really sure what was going on during “There’s a Light” as I heard a bit of a commotion in the middle of the stalls. As it turns out, some idiots sitting in the dress circle had brought water pistols to simulate the rain for the scene. Totally inappropriate for the theatre.

I think the funniest part in the show was the bedroom scene between Brad and Frank-N-Furter. Again I’m not going to go into great detail other than that there was a great deal of hilarity because someone coughed up a hairball. Mid delivery of a line, Brad guffawed with laughter. Midway through the scene Riff Raff popped in and he was on the verge of laughter too. The audience was in hysterics (and I was crying with laughter). It’s the first time I’ve seen actors crack up like that on stage

At the end, there was a encore, where the audience had to do the Time Warp (I think everyone knows the dance). Fantastic party atmosphere!  One question though: how can the men on stage dance in such high heels?!  It’s not fair- I can’t even walk in the bloomin’ things

Overall the evening was absolutely brilliant though and I’ll be there next time the show comes back!

Mood : chipper   Music : Time Warp  by  Rocky Horror Show Cast

I’ve now scrobbled 80,000 songs via last.fm. One could say that I listen to too much music…..

Anyway, the 80,000th song was “Heartache Tonight” by Michael Bublé. It’s from his latest album Crazy Love and was originally an Eagles song.

Here’s to the next milestone!

Mood : blah   Music : Home  by  Michael Bublé

Yesterday evening, I attended the Proclaimers gig at Montrose Town Hall. The concert was the main event for the hugely successful Montrose Music Festival which ran from 28th-30th May. Normally, the headlining act play at the very beginning of the festival although this time, the Proclaimers had other gigs planned so that’s why it was delayed.

One of the luxuries of attending a gig relatively close to home is that there’s no lengthy amount of travelling involved. Doors were at 7pm: I left my house at 6.50pm. Despite the fact it was a sunny evening, it was quite chilly. The doors opened 15 minutes late so at that point, I was regretting leaving my jersey in the car. When I did get in, the place was empty- I could have wandered up to the barrier for a place but I knew better after going to the Deacon Blue concert there last year. The hall gets *really* hot and there’s no air conditioning. Last time, I popped out into the corridor several times to cool down. Originally, I was going to be attending the concert alone but as it turned out, 4 of my family members were there so I spent the evening with them

I’m not sure what time the support act Tommy Reilly came on at, but he didn’t seem to be on too long (unless time went by really quickly). Think he was off the stage by about 8.20pm so he might only have been on 20-25 minutes? I thought he was alright- I seem to be quite into acoustic music right now. He didn’t really get the crowd going but that’s because there was still a general lack of crowd. Had the place been a little fuller, I think he would have gone down quite well. Apparently he’s got an album coming out very soon so all the best to him.

After standing around for a little while and chatting to my family, one of the roadies appeared on stage at 8.45pm to introduce the Proclaimers. They launched into Notes and Rhymes. Cue the crowd going nuts (and rightfully so). Admittedly, I don’t know many of the their songs but I knew all the main ones. You can’t grow up in Scotland and not know the words to I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). That said, here are my highlights-

Notes and Rhymes- I didn’t know this song before the concert but it did a good of getting the crowd going.

Letter from America- again, this is one if their more well known songs. Of course, the whole place was singing along.

I’m On My Way- everyone knows this one, young and old. Back in 2001 it was included on the Shrek soundtrack so even kids know this tune. People were clapping, singing and stomping on the old wooden floor.

Sunshine on Leith- a sad song which had people waving their phones. There was even a guy waving a lighter in the front row- is this even allowed any more!?

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)- this is the song I wanted to hear live. Like I said before, you can’t grow up in Scotland and not know this song. When you’re at an event and this song is played, people generally go nuts. It was brilliant tonight!

One other thing I’d like to say about the show- what a fantastic lighting set-up they had.  Really pretty colours and all done without the use of strobe lighting (which kinda annoys me).

Normally, concerts finish around 10.45pm-11pm as that’s around the time for curfew when you’re in a residential area. However, just after 500 Miles, the band went off stage (this was about 10pm). As the crowd began stomping and chanting “we want more, we want more!” I was quickly trying to send a text home saying I was going to need picked up ASAP. The band came back on for the encore and finished at 10.10pm. That was it. It took at good while to get out of the hall considering that I was quite near the front by the end. It was really strange to see that it was still light outside too

Overall, I enjoyed the concert as it had a great atmosphere however, I thought it was a little on the short side (this coming from the girl who is a bit spoiled in terms of the artists she’s seen perform……Bruce Springsteen and his 3 hour set at Hampden and so on……).

It wasn’t until after the concert that I realised that there was a distinct lack of banter with the crowd. The band gave a few song dedications along the lines of “this song is for so and so” and said they remembered visiting Montrose once but that was about it. Yes, people go to concerts for the music but banter between the crowd and the band is all a part of that and it was something that was missing last night. Other than that, it was a good night

The Proclaimers (taken with my mobile)

Here’s a setlist I swiped from another website-

Notes and Rhymes
Born Innocent
What Makes You Cry?
Letter From America
Cap in Hand
I’m On My Way
Sweet Little Girls
The Light
Sean
In Recognition
Whole Wide World
Lets Get Married
Three More Days
You Meant It Then
Shadows Fall
Sunshine on Leith
Then I Met You
There’s a Touch
Life With You
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

**Encore**
Over and Done With
The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues

Mood : awake   Music : Sunshine On Leith  by  The Proclaimers