I won't delve too deep but just in case I'm putting a trigger warning for this post as there is discussion about mental health, suicide and self harm.
Amélie wasn't something I knew prior to attending the press night at Leicester's Haymarket Theatre back in July 2019 - I had heard of the film but never seen it. That night my life changed. I was swept away in to a dream like land of Parisian bliss. I was so impacted there and then by it, so much so that I went again the night after and thus began my Amelie journey.
Across the tour I saw the production 7 times, those 2 in Leicester, once in Birmingham, once in Malvern, once in Woking, once in Eastbourne, and once in Reading. That meant a fair bit of travelling but every time it was worth it to feel that joy and escapism into a happier world. When the production transferred to The Other Palace it was amazing. That intimate space was perfect for the production. The buzz on that last night was so special. Then we didn't know what the future looked like for the production but hoped there would be one.
The days after the production closed to original company gathered and recorded the London Cast Album which was released a few months later. There were rumours gathering regarding a transfer to the West End and the Criterion Theatre. But alas we all know what came along and pull a big full stop in our lives.
The wonderful thing about the album coming out when it did was it kept that connection and hope that the show gives me alive. That special feeling that you get when you let music swell through your entire body. We had a glorious Zoom listen party on the day of release and there was a wonderful Tweet along with some of the cast too. The music in this show is astonishingly good. 'When The Booth Goes Bright' is the song that means to most to me, I just connect to it and on my worst days I've been known to have it on repeat for hours.
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| The stage in the Criterion. |
Fast forward to this year and with the West End hoping to open with reduced capacity socially distanced performance Amélie was back being rumoured. Then the Twitter account started teasing a countdown, that countdown led to the announcement that Amelie was back and in the West End at The Criterion Theatre. I can't explain how incredible it felt when it was announced and it went on sale. After a rough year of lockdowns and all that came with it knowing that on the other side we'd get Amélie again was so precious.
For me this show quite literally saved my life (I know that sounds stupid and over dramatic but it did). Back in 2019 I was at a rock bottom place again, the only way I could see out was you know doing bad things to myself. But then theatre and particularly this show came along. It gave me hope, maybe there are people a bit like me out there - Amélie in particular is one I feel a connection with cause of how isolated she can be/feel. Amélie told me to not give up. It's worth fighting on, and that push has helped me in my recovery. I'm no longer on anti-depressants, I'm going to be 5 years self harm clean next month.
2020 rocked everyone's mental health but getting through that and then one of the first theatre shows back after so long closed being Amélie was the most special thing for me. That day going down to see it with my pals Emmie and Sarah was just glorious. From the train ride down, the walk we took instead of the tube, the lunch we ate in Leicester Square and then walking up to theatre. That first watch back was so emotional and moving.
Over the course of the summer I've been 8 times including that first one. I've been fortunate enough to share visits with friends and family and each time has meant everything to me. Trips like the one for my 30th birthday where a number of us gathered at the Theatre Café before the show.
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| A punnet of Raspberries outside the Criterion. |
This is a show all about connection and to get to share this show with others that you already have a connection to is perfect. I've been lucky enough to make friends through this show with people who will be friends for life - you guys know who you are. I see it a lot on social media too, the impact this show has had on others and the friendships they've blossomed because of it. Isn't that just the most magical thing? I'm quite socially awkward so sometimes meeting people I can be a little withdrawn but I can firmly say that these guys are such lovely humans.
That connection is enhanced by how much of a connection you can make with the characters on stage. I often wonder which character I'm most alike, and I think I'm a weird mix of Amélie, Lucien and Raphael! The characters are so beautifully brought to life by the outstanding cast of actor-musicians. Truly I've never seen such a talented bunch of people. Each time it still blows me away how effortless they make everything look.
The cast throughout my Amélie journey has been outstanding. Most of whom have returned, and most of whom I've seen on every occasion I've seen the show. Audrey Brisson IS Amélie, she is so perfectly cast in the role and embodies every little beat of the character. Chris Jared is glorious, he has such a wonderful vocal tone to his Nino and that building chemistry between him and Audrey throughout is so well played out.
I could go on listing everyone who has been in this show but I do want to give special mentions to Jez Unwin who is just one of the best actors I've ever seen. He emotes with such raw pain and feeling that you can't helped but be moved when watching him. Johnson Willis is another who never fails to move me, I've found a connection to 'The Girl With The Glass' more this time around and the divine vocals of Johnson and Audrey combined. Special love to two remarkable female performances by Kate Robson-Stuart and Rachel Dawson. Both never miss a beat with their sheer talent and musicalilty. Outstanding. Johnson Willis is another who never fails to move. Samuel Morgan-Grahame, who superbly portrays grumpiness in this production but he is also a LOT more than that, I'll have so many fond memories of watching him in this show, especially in the old person scene where he's often mixed things up - the birthday cake moment on that 30th trip was amazing.
To round this post up I just wanted to throw a HUGE thank you to everyone who managed to bring this show back and maintain it during this difficult time. Even looking back now at how differently things were when the production opened back in May to now September and how we're no longer socially distanced audiences. It must have been a huge risk to the producers bringing it back in this time but I'm sure they're glad they did. All the stage crew, lighting, sound teams have done such an incredible job.
To everyone at The Criterion Theatre, you've been amazing. I've loved visiting this gem of a venue which is so perfectly sized for this production. The front of house teams have always been really welcoming and helpful and the box office, particularly Becky, has been so good at dealing with enquiries.
So what next? There's rumours already stirring of a possible 2nd tour but we'll see. First we've one last trip to The Criterion for 2 more shows which are going to be so moving. I've cried more times this week than I did during the entirety of lockdown! There will be a future for Amélie but this cast and this production will stay with me forever. It's been the perfect show in every aspect. Thank you Amélie 'I'll never love anyone as much as I love you'
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| Reflections in the rain. |
