Opening night - Chitty

xbons · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: Opening night - Chitty

It's the opening night for Chitty tonight. Very Happy

All the best Aled!

I just wish I could be there!

And please stay safely in that car! Laughing

xbons · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:27 am Post subject:

Well - it sounds as if all went well! Very Happy

A report from welshbird08 on Aled's forum reads:

"Oh My Goodness!!

What an amazing show - standing ovation at the end from everyone!! Please go and see Aled in this - he was fantastic - including me old bamboo! Everyone was excellent and it was fresh and exciting!

Not going to say too much about the performance as I don't want to spoil it for everyone - but if you haven't got your ticket yet - then get one - its better than London!!!!

Spoke to Aled afterwards and he said he was knackered - his legs in particular being very tired, but really enjoyed it - asked for us all to come along and see him and to clap loudly!! Claire was there too and they are staying Cardiff for the duration of the show as its school holiday time soon so they stay together and minimal travelling!

Looking forward to reading other people's experiences !

PS - I've bought more tickets to see the show again!"

I can't wait for my visit later this month, now! Smile

Mia · Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Cowbridge

I also went to the opening night of Chitty and you're right it was fantastic, I've always been an admirer of Aled and thought he gave a polished performance.My daughter Nia is very lucky as she plays his daughter (Jemima) and I felt very emotional watching her on stage with Aled. Maybe one day i'll get the chance to thank him for giving my daughter a wonderful experience.
Regards
Maria

xbons · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

Lovely to hear from you, Mia, lucky lady you! And welcome to classicalx

Well it is my turn tomorrow - I'm going over to Cardiff for the matinee performance, and yes, looking forward to it very much.

I'll look out and see if it is Nia playing Jemima tomorrow too!

I'll report back at some point when I have recovered.... Laughing

xantha · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

Have fun tomorrow Xbons, I'm looking forward to a full report when you get back

Mia · Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Cowbridge

Well Xbons I hope that you enjoy the performance tomorrow however Nia will not be performing she's back on stage on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July, due to their age (Nia is 9) they have to split the role, there are 3 children who play Jeremy and 3 who play Jemima. I hope that you enjoy it though, i'm going again on 30th July.
Nia is very lucky to be playing alongside Aled he's wonderful with her I know she thinks a lot of him and will miss him when the show comes to an end.
Take Care
Maria

xbons · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

Hi Mia,

Yes I had a great time, thank you! - lovely!! Aled told me afterwards it was not Nia as Jemima Sad

- sorry about that!

It is interesting your comment on what your daughter thinks of Aled - I thought he was wonderful with the children - really great, so gentle. You could see him behaving as the father I have no doutb he is with his own children. All the children seemed to genuinely adore him. I loved him singing "Hushabye Mountain" as it was so much his style of singing, and almost brought tears to my eyes! (no I am not joking! Smile

).

He certainly keeps going throughout the show - not only the dancing but so much movement all the time, he is constantly on the go. He said afterwards that he does find it exhausting doing 2 shows in a day, as it is so energy consuming - but at least he has lost weight again!!! He is loving doing it himself - I think that is obvious anyway.

I'm so glad Nia has enjoyed being on the show with him - tell her I'm sorry I missed her! I can't make it again, but would certainly enjoy a second performance if I could!

xbons

Mia · Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Cowbridge

Hi Xbons,
I'm glad that you had a lovely time watching Chitty, lucky you getting to chat to Aled.Although I see him at Stage door after every performance that Nia does with him I don't like to approach him as he probably just wants to get home to his family,and everyone must want to chat to him as he seems so approachable,and genuinley a lovely person.
I've just come home from Cardiff where Nia did a show tonight and she's back with him tomorrow for two shows. Lucky her.
Take Care,
Maria

xbons · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

Mia - approach him! He ALWAYS has time for people - ask him to sign a programme for Nia! I have never known Aled refuse, ever. I told him on Thursday that Nia's mum had posted a very nice comment on here, so - go for it! And let me know what happens.....!! Laughing

xbons

Mia · Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Cowbridge

Hi Xbons,
I mentioned to Nia about Aled signing something for her and apparently there is going to be an evening when they will be- able to obtain all the crew's signatures from the show. If the opportunity arises and there is a moment when I can quietly say thank you to Aled for the experience that he has given to Nia then I will, my problem is that I don't want to be a pain to anyone.
Take Care
Maria

Mia · Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Cowbridge

Hi Xbon
We took Dafydd,Bronwen and Iwan to see Nia in Chitty last week and they thought the show was fantastic,our youngest son Iwan who is 4 just sat in amazement throughout the whole show, at the end Iwan turned to me and said "I love Dadi" my husband had overheard this comment to which he gave a big smile which was quickly dropped when Iwan said "no, I love Nia's dadi, the one in the car" I couldn't help laughing obviously Aled had given a convincing performance !!!
Regards
Maria

xbons · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:32 am Post subject:

Nice story, Maria Very Happy

But Aled does come across as a really great father, doesn't he? - loving and also great fun. It seemed to me that all the children genuinely enjoyed him - hopefully he is picking up new and younger fans through Chitty! I hope Iwan's real dad didn't mind..... Laughing

Who is playing Jemima for the last afternoon / evening? - do you know? Nia will miss Chitty when it is all over! Do they have a grand party for everyone including the children (and children's families!)?

In terms of being a pain -I can honestly say that Aled NEVER ever makes anyone feel they are a nuisance - the total opposite. He will really appreciate thanks, too. Like most performers, the appreciation of the audience matters a lot to him. And for Nia, and for you, it is the one opportunity - take it! Honestly, Aled will makeyou feel totally welcome

xbons

Silwa · Joined: Oct 16, 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Denbighshire

Hi

Yes wasn't Chitty amazing!!! I took the boys at the beginning of August and unknown to us we had front row seats (as they were EE I did think we were about 5 rows back) and it was wonderful as the boys were fascinated by everyone in the pit! We were lucky too to get to see Aled after the show! I said that I thought musical theatre was wonderful to which he replied it was "hot" with a laugh! Doing all that dancing and singing etc on stage under those lights must indeed be very hot! You could see he was having a fantastic time doing it! The cast worked so well together! It was pure joy to watch from start to finish!

As an impulsive last summer holiday thing we went again a couple of days ago - Friday! We were sat a bit further back and had a fantastic view of the stage! We were 2nd row of the 2nd bit of the stalls! It was wonderful to have had the 2 different seating places as you get different experiences in both! The boys loved it when some of the characters came out into the stalls! Notably the "funny baddies" as they called Goran and Boris who were so good!! Again we loved every minute from start to end! Aled was absolutely fantastic in the role! I wonder if he'll do any further theatrical roles like that one?
Sadly we didn't get to see Aled after the show! Had I had any pennies left we would have gone again the next day if there were tickets - yep the show was that good! Laughing

xbons · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject:

Well, this is still headed "opening night at Chitty"and last night it finished! Laughing

From all reports it was a great last night with a standing ovation for all the cast, and lots of tears of sadness that it was all over! I understand that Aled gave all the children who played Jemima and Jeremy presents which will be much treasured, I am sure.

And now for Aled it is back to his usual routine -such as it is!! But he certainly seems to have had a real good run at being Mr Caractus Potts! Laughing