Hugh Jackman – The Man. The Music. The Show.

When you open a show with the song ‘This is the Greatest Show’, you clearly have confidence in what you are telling your audience. The success of the musical ‘The Greatest Showman’, has been very obvious if not to some critics. It retold a story in such a way that people just wanted, if not needed, to revisit time and time again. I know for I am one of those people.

When Hugh Jackman announced he was under taking a tour I did not think there would be chance to see him. However, chances appeared and I have to say I am so glad that chance was grabbed. I am a fan of all sorts of films and musicals oddly enough. I was brought up to appreciate these from my parents. Not everything was a winner for me but it gave me my way of gauging what I enjoyed.

As the opening song finished it actually felt, for me, as though I had heard much more. My gut feeling was, yes this is going to be a very good show.  I was slightly wrong, it was a brilliant show. There was energy, power, emotions and a real connection to the audience which is not easy to do in one song. 

But the show was not just about songs. It was about the Man as it said. Hugh Jackman, talked about his life, his desires, his successes and the not so successful bits. It was a show.  It moved from the raw power too humorous, the emotive and to the audience. I know I keep saying that but for me, he wanted us to enjoy ourselves. I certainly did and I did break my promise of not singing. Although I doubt very much my off-note singing could be heard by anyone but me, as I sang along to ‘A Million Dreams”. You can’t help but do that now can you.

There was an orchestra and company integrated into the show. Again, this for me was as it should be. I know that too, sounds odd but it just was right. There were songs from all sorts of shows and some amazing singers. The sound was perfect, not ear blasting which can be off putting. 

In the second half we were introduced to a naughtier side of Hugh Jackman for a time and very entertaining it was. One audience member really got into the swing of things. Bister Village will never be the same. There were songs from ‘Singing in the Rain’, ‘Guys and Dolls’ and the song ‘Mack the Knife’. All of them had his own mark to them, his take which worked wonderfully well. 

I won’t say all that happened as if you get the chance to see this you will want to be surprised. For myself, as the show ended I wanted to stay in my seat and watch it all again. That is a measure for me which tells me how I felt. I don’t often want to just see something again straight away. OK not wholly true, numerous movies, a few musicals, the odd concert. This was one that just made me want to see it again. It is that good.

Part of the theme of the show was breaking down barriers. It was not over played yet, it was clear to me how Hugh Jackman and the company embraced much more than the music. It was cleverly interwoven throughout the show. In the end, it was an uplifting spectacle.  

Tagline: ‘All the numbers added up to make 110%’

PS – https://drawnonwords.co.uk/a-million-dreams/