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You can’t stop the boats: Sorry We Didn’t Die At Sea @ParkTheatre

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Sorry We Didn’t Die At Sea by Italian playwright Emanuele Aldrovandi and translated by Marco Young, has made a topical return to London at the Park Theatre after playing earlier this summer at the Seven Dials Playhouse. In a week when leaders and leaders in waiting were talking about illegal immigration, it seemed like a topical choice . It also has one hell of an evocative title. The piece opens with Adriano Celantano’s Prisencolinensinainciusol , which sets the scene for what we are about to see. After all, a song about communication barriers seems perfect for a play about people trafficking and illegal immigration. One side doesn’t understand why they happen, and the other still comes regardless of the latest government announcement / slogan .  However, the twist here is that the crossing is undertaken the other way. People are fleeing Europe instead of escaping war or poverty in Africa or the Middle East. It’s set sometime in the not-too-distant future. There is a crisis causing p

Music: Daniel Boys

Thanks to a large volcanic ash cloud which stranded Johnnyfox in New York (not that he minded by his tweets), I was lucky to catch Daniel Boys at Pizza on the Park Thursday evening. Daniel has appeared in various shows including Avenue Q and has recently released an album  So Close, that has become very popular...

All of this has given him the opportunity to showcase his talents and charm in the intimate space of Pizza on the Park. It was Daniel, a great band and an audience. An audience that appeared to be mostly very appreciative women. There must be something about his boyish charm, enthusiasm and lovely vocals that drives women crazy. While they weren't throwing an underwear on stage I wondered whether this was simply because they weren't wearing any.

Anyway, Daniel performed mostly on a stool behind a music stand and looked loveable. This might have seemed a bit odd if you were directly in front of him (unless you like singing music stands), but fortunately I was off to the side. What was nice about the performance was his ability to give a fresh interpretation to a number of songs I had heard many times before. And of course he sounded great. I would prefer if artists could avoid the songs of John Bucchino and go for something lighter and fresher sometimes, but I guess you can't have everything.

Daniel stayed around signing autographs and his album is a treat. But so is seeing him live. This series has sold out but he is appearing at other venues later in the year... Pizza on the Park closes this June and while I will miss the eighties decor, I suppose all good things have to come to an end... As the audioboos suggest, while the men at my table weren't about to throw their underwear, good times were had by all. And it wasn't just the wine talking (hic).

Listen!
via AudioBoo

Listen!
via AudioBoo

Listen!
via AudioBoo

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