Hats Off Sydney 2005

[Sally]

I don't know if I can write much of a review for this as there were so many people there that I didn't know and the programme doesn't say what everyone sung and it's not entirely in the correct order either (Blame Barry Crocker!) Anyway yes, I made it up to Sydney, go me! And didn't get lost once. Didn't even get remotely bamboozled. Was calm, poised ice queen, but that's for another time. My first trip to Sydney, and I actually just found on an old thread here where I'd said, in reply to a plaintive "who's left to do Sydney's?":

Tamsin! (Which means I'll have to get myself up to Sydney cos really, HS was ages ago)

Guilty as charged Although I wasn't going just to see the one person. There were a few others. And a few more, as it turned out ;D

Overall impression first: Melbourne's was better. But then Melbourne's had many Eureka people - but it doesn't just win through that default (although it does mean Sydney'd have to try damn hard to compete!). Melbourne's, as we know, was Sondheim. Sydney's was a grab-bag, which was mostly good, but there were a few choices I could have done without. Think backing tracks (although that wasn't bad itself in every instance, just most), cheesy 80s pop songs, disco feel; not my scene. But there were also brilliant shining moments which easily pushed aside the "why are they doing that?" occasions. Number one, 'All I Need is the Girl' which Andrew Koblar also did at Melbourne Hats. If I'd been asked what one number from Melbourne's I would have loved to have reprised at Sydney, that was it, so it was very much an aww-yay-jump-up-and-down-in-my-seat-(and-new-determination-to-work-on-wings)-moment

Next in line, Scott Irwin: "I feel pretty". I nearly fell off my chair! Absolutely love Scott more and more each time I see him. But last night truly was superb For those not there, he and three others did a medley of pretty much all the big leading lady songs you can think of. It was hilarious. And they looked very debonair too. Especially Scott ;D (But not quite as debonair as someone else whose name I shan't mention ) Absolutely brilliant...I don't think I have any words to describe it all, except that I laughed until I cried. Hopefully Nadine can be a bit more enlightening for those of you still wondering!

Lucy Durack - another Metro Street song which was absolutely gorgeous. And she's such a dear little thing as well! Spent half the song thinking, I swear I've heard that before, until I decided it probably just sounded familiar because of hearing other MS songs. It was really an amazing song - not that you'd expect any less, of course.

Next, Tamsin. Gorgeous. (I need another adjective) 'Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now' from Hairspray - but of course with others, and I really wish Tamsin could have had a spot all to herself (although it was a fun song for her to perform). It certainly has been a long time since HS so it was wonderful to finally see Tamsin again anyway - and I love how even when she's singing with others, you can still hear her voice coming through the strongest.

Kaye Tuckerman - brilliant. Another laugh-till-cry moment.

Oh dear...I have written down here 'Defying Gravity!!!' (yes, with the Carboni-esque multiple exclamation marks) but I can't remember who it was now.. anyway, she was wonderful. As was Natalie Gamsu, who picked on the man next to Nadine I'd heard a song of hers before and wasn't at all keen, but wow she was on fire last night ;D And GREAT choice of song.

Amanda Muggleton - always wonderful. And loved the outfit And so glad to finally see Hayden Tee, after missing his Butterfly Club show. Hayden, come back, do more!

Danielle Barnes - definitely want to see her in more things now. Julie Jordan wasn't really a strong enough character for her. And Deone Zanotto - yay for her being there as all I'd previously seen is what's on the Andrew Lloyd Webber 'Masterpiece' DVD, which was enough to tell me to keep an eye out. (And then, I just stumble blindly..)

Loved Jay Laga'aia barking at the audience, "sing!!"

And who was it who did the Bryant/Frank song? I have a pretty good idea but can't be certain as they were two I'd never seen before. Both brilliant and must be seen again, muchly. And above all, LOVED the song. Can't figure out if it was done at All Roads Lead To Home or not, or if it just sounded familiar due to other Bryant/Frank songs.

Now my memory's failing me, and I don't want to just write random things such as "dancing guy!" and someone must remind me what song Amanda Harrison did. And what everyone else did, for that matter

[whachutalkingabout]

Defying Gravity was performed by Margi De Ferranti! she is pure brilliance! I would agree with you about Andrew Koblar, I would have to say he and Hayden Tee are two of the most amazing people in the industry! The opening song of the second act 'Turn Back oh Man' was directed and choreographed by Hayden and Andrew.
Amanda Harrison performed 'only the good die young' from We will rock you. I have posted the running order I hope this helps! It running order was changed on the night, but it does list all the numbers.

Hats Off 2005

ACT ONE

Orchestra Fanfare (Beautiful Girls from Follies)
Host Introduction – Kaye Tuckerman
Introduction – Garry Scale with 8 dancers from Sydney Dance Company (underscored with Theme from A Man And A Woman)
1. Dale Burridge with 10 female dancers then Drag Queens – Beautiful Aussie Girl
2. Mitzi Mackintosh and Drag Queens – Man I Feel Like A woman
3. Danielle Barnes, Deone Zanotto, Emma Langridge and Lisa Callingham – It’s A Woman’s
World
4. Shaun Rennie and Lisa Adam – www.alicam.com
5. Jay Laga’aia – No Woman No Cry
6. The Leading Men – Women’s Medley
7. Lucy Durack – Late Again
8. The Lion King Women – Dreamgirls Medley
10. Natalie Gamsu – Bad, Bad Woman
11. Daniel Scott and Jack Webster – Mr Bojangles
12. Amanda Muggleton – Mad About The Boy
13. Kaye Tuckerman – Grandfather
14. Toni Lamond – If He Walked Into My Life
15. Trevor Ashley and Dancers – Pop Princess (Never Can Say Goodbye,Enough Is
Enough,Don’t Leave Me This Way)

ACT TWO

16. Band Fanfare
17. Godspell Cast – Turn Back Oh Man
18. Michael Falzon – Ain’t that A Kick In The Head
19. Barry Crocker – I Am Woman
20. Andrew Koblar – All I Need Is The Girl
21. Kate Hoolihan and Cherine Peck – Do Right/Natural Woman Medley
22. Hayden Tee – Fine Fine Line
23. Idea Of North – Man In The Mirror
24. Amanda Harrison – Only The Good Die Young
25. Margi De Ferranti – Defying Gravity
26. David Hawkins and 3 girls– Wig In A Box
27. Raffle Draw – Aunty Mavis and Garry Scale
28. Tamsin Carroll, Tracey Wilson-Stewart and Amelia Cormack – Momma I’m A Big Girl Now
29. Christine Anu – Amsterdam
30. Shauna Jenson, Women and Male Dancers – It’s Raining Men

[Sally]

whachutalkingabout said:

Defying Gravity was performed by Margi De Ferranti!

Thankyou I thought looking at the programme that it might have been her, but not being familiar with her, I wasn't entirely sure.

The opening song of the second act 'Turn Back oh Man' was directed and choreographed by Hayden and Andrew.

I think that was mentioned actually. And yes, it was incredible!

And thanks awfully for the setlist - that does help in remembering the ones I was only half sure of! eg. Shaun and Lisa, I thought it was them. Loved their song.

The Leading Men – Women’s Medley

That was a treat indeed

[Talissa]

tamsinann said:

(But not quite as debonair as someone else whose name I shan't mention )

Shut up. You're not helping

A couple of those choices seem slight stretches to fit the theme, but there are some wonderful ones. I'm so glad Amanda H sang No One But You. That was my absolute favourite moment in WWRY, and she's absolutely beautiful singing it.

And if I'd been there, that would have been the first time I'd heard Late Again sung by a woman. I've heard it by two different men so far, I think. Gorgeous song. All the Metro St songs I've heard so far are.

[Sally]

Talissa said:

Shut up. You're not helping

Sorry But I did like it

And if I'd been there, that would have been the first time I'd heard Late Again sung by a woman. I've heard it by two different men so far, I think. Gorgeous song. All the Metro St songs I've heard so far are.

Where had you heard it before, and performed by whom? I'm trying to determine whether I would have heard it before myself! It really was a gorgeous song, and Lucy did it so beautifully

[Talissa]

Well, I've heard Matthew sing it, of course, but not when you were there. That is, if it's the one I'm thinking of. I'm fairly sure that's what he said the title was.