Kim's 'Oliver' Review from 6/5/09 (Sarah as Nancy)

Kim was lucky enough to see Sarah as Nancy on the 6th of May - 2009, YAY. Here is her review, Enjoy..

Oliver - 06/05/2009

On Wednesday 6th May, I trekked up to London to see a certain Miss Lark treading the boards of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane playing Nancy. How ironic, it seems, that it was almost a year to the day that Sarah got voted off I'd do anything, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's quest to find Nancy, which was ultimately won by Jodie Prenger. However with Jodie on holiday and the understudy, Tamzin Carroll doing just six shows this week,Sarah Lark stepped into her shoes, and I am mighty glad that I was there to see it. Theatre Royal Drury Lane,the biggest and most haunted theatre in the West End is an imposing sight, it's HUGE! Just off Covent Garden it's easy to find and very hard to miss, as we walked in, a massive crowd had already gathered, but not enough for me to notice the at this performance sign, and there it was Nancy - Sarah Lark. Looking up I saw Fagin - Rowan Atkinson, who if the truth be told I was just as excited to be seeing, to me he's a comedy genius, and one of his shows, Mr Bean being a favourite of mine. Also performing we had Burn Gorman as Bill Sykes, James Donaghey as Oliver and Ross McCormack as Artful Dodger.

After climbing about a million stares and being greeted by 400 school children, all there supporting fellow pupil Ross we finally took to our seats. I don't want to ruin anything for those who haven't seen the show, but it is amazing.I guarantee you'll be hooked from "Food, glorious Food" to the finale. I have to mention how amazing the set is,it literally lifts up to reveal Fagins Den, awesome!

Rowan Atkinson certainly doesn't disappoint, from his applauded entrance....Boys - "FAAAAAGIN!!", Fagin - "Whot?" to him skipping off into the sunset he is a top performer. He will make you laugh at the most random moments as well,for instance when Bill brings out a ring he's stolen..."Bill, this is all so sudden", and he insults those sat in the Balcony....*looks to the stalls*" I will look at the rich people" ... *looks to the Balcony* "and I will look at
the poor people", he will get a laugh every time.

About an hour into the show who should come running across the stage and down the stairs into Fagins Den but Sarah Lark!! After getting a hug from the boys and a cheeky "What's wrong with a bit of danger then, Fagin?" she breaks into "It's a fine life" and then "I'd do anything" I love the chemistry between her and Oliver here, it's like she truly is comforting him,rather that just acting it. Sarah is full of life, really bringing out Nancies fun and caring side, we even get a little growl in one of the songs. All the comments about her being too nice looking and being too short proved to be ridiculous, as Sarah strode across the stage with such confidence and attitude, you really believed she was a rough and tough east end woman.The second half does concentrate quite a bit on Nancy, and through seeing Sarah live before there was no doubt that Sarah could sing and dance, but can she act? The answer - yes she bloomin' well can!

Opening the second act with "Oom pah pah" Sarah made it look like so much fun, I had to use all my self control to stop me singing along! There's just so much energy amongst the whole cast, it really is incredible. This scene becomes quite dark with the arrival of Bill, this is where Nancy sticks up for herself,and gets a whack across the face for her troubles, this build us up to "As Long as he needs me" Nancies signature song. I've heard Sarah sing this live before and it was absolutely mesmerising, but this time it was breathtaking,it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, the last three words ..."heeeee neeeeeds meeeee" were incredible. The raw emotion and pain on her face were heart wrenching, and her expressions could in fact, Mr Humphries, be seen from the back of the stalls. The next big "Nancy Test" for Sarah is delivering that line, "I'll lay my mark on you Bill, and I don't care if I hang for it" and I can guarantee everyone in the audience believed her. I have to say, Sarah's grin during the finale was awesome, her bow to her sell out audience came with the most amazing roar of cheers , all totally well deserved. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Oliver and Dodger, they looked like they were having a blast up on stage.James's "Where is love" was beautiful and pretty much perfect, he played the naive, weak orphan perfectly, but you could see the menace in his expression when he gets angry! I think he and Ross will both be incredible leading me when they are older. Ross is also a fantastic Dodger, he is hilarious and has a great voice too.

Burn Gorman's portrayal of Bill was terrifying! To the point you're glad when he dies at the end! (oops, sorry if I gave anything away!)
He even got boo'd when he took his bow!

Also a massive thumbs up to all the kids! Who were all so professional and soooo cute!! And all of the cast, everyone gave an awesome performance.

All the songs in the show are fab! I absolutely love "That's your funeral" and "I shall scream" but my personal favourite is, "Who will buy", it was so well done!

Don't be despaired if you don't get to see Sarah as Nancy, you'll get to see her in her other roles, yes roleS! I managed to watch the show again, this time seeing Tamzin as Nancy, who is really incredible; it was interesting to see how differently she played Nancy to Sarah. Tamzin's "ALAHNM" was so beautiful, and a real delight to watch. Sarah pops up throughout the show, you could play a game of "Spot The Lark!!", from carrying the wobbly jelly, to dancing through "Oom Pah Pah", and then selling her strawberries in "Who will buy"!

All in all, it's a truly magic show!! Go and see it, take the family, have a sing along and enjoy!

Also you can see Sarah as Nancy tomorrow, matinee performance! :)

Cabaret review - 'An Afternoon With Sarah Lark'

Hey everyone,

Sorry this review is really late but I was staying in London until yesterday and I had no time to write one.

Also just to say sorry that I couldn't get a video or anything like that because I was told I wasn't allowed a camera. It would of been great aswell!

Well I was already in London from the night before, So we just went out about half one and got the tube or should I say a few to Highgate where the Lauderdale house was. We arrived there about ten to four and there was quite alot of people already there, then we went and picked up our tickets and took our seats about half way between the front and the back it was quite a good view. The place was then packed out to the max, which was great to see!

The show then started just after half four and on first came the presenter Tim McArthur and he sang a song that I can't remember, I really do have a bad memory sorry I think it's because ive left it so long to write a review..then he introdued Peter St James who came on and sang his list of songs he had. He had a great voice and was really funny, he sang quite a load of songs and then Tim came back on and then it was a 15 minute interval. As you can see im skipping to the Sarah part lol.

So after the break Tim came back on and sang another song again I don't remember the song, very bad I know but I do remember he was fab! Then he introduced The Lark saying how he had worked with her a few times and that he had the night before actually and said how lovely she was to work with. He also said that they changed clothes one time but he didn't say much more about that haha, he also said about her past shows. Then he said that she was suposed to be support in a Cabaret there way back in March but of course he found out before that Sarah was one of the final 12 Nancies and simply couldn't do it and he said he had to say she was sick haha.

Then on came Sarah to a massive round of applause and some wooooos, one being from me sorry I can't help myself haha. I don't remember two songs she sang and some of the things she said so I will try and tell you what I remember and my friend has an audio recording that I will listen to and write up the whole thing for you all. It's not very clear so there is no point in uploading the audio itself. So she came out and it was just her singing along with the piano which was played by her friend Damian Sandys, who I thought did amazingly well and she had no mic, she sang a song that I don't remember but it was quite a funny one it was brilliant and she had everyone laughing. Then she spoke a little bit and she then said she was going to sing a medley of some of her favourite love songs, I got a bit excited haha. It's the first song I don't remember what it was the 2nd in the medley was ' The Rose'(I thought I was going to start crying at this one) and the 3rd was 'When I Fall In Love' or I think it was in that order I so wish I had the song list LOL. Anyway she sang them so beautifully, it was great to hear her sing with just the piano, everyone was so quiet just listening I was sorta mesmorized as usual...lol again she got a massive round of applause and wooing! Then I think she said she was going to sing a song from 'Wicked' and then she started to sing 'Popular' which I really love, she was really funny doing it as she was at 'Hits of the West End' her facial expressions are so good and she was pointing at people at some points like the "how to fix your hair" very funny! Everyone was laughing away! She said about how she can do her comedy and serious aswell and she just wanted to show that by singing 'Popular' after the love songs or something like that and I think its when she made a joke about her height saying she was 1 inch off being a midget and about going to auditions and them being like "Aw she's only 12" and she said that she was nearly 15 though...it might of been before she said that or later but really I can't remember sorry LOL anyway everyone was laughing loads. She then spoke about IDA and saying she was now going to sing a medley of her favourite weeks on the show, now I really did get excited at this point! It started of with the tune to 'Maybe This Time' but then she started to sing 'Take Another Little Piece Of my Heart' and I let out a 'woo' woops! It was outstanding and then she went into 'Midnight Train To Georgia' she did the growl!! I was like yay yay yay. She finished with 'Maybe This Time' which was lovely as usual! She was then talking about the concert at St Pauls and Adam Gwon im sure then she sang a song of his which if I remember was called 'Again' It really was an amazing song, sang amazingly - loved it. Oh also at one point when she was speaking it was really quiet and then these fireworks started going off outside and she said "Yeah I put them on for you" everyone was laughing so much and I even clapped it was so funny - I was still laughing when everyone stopped, woops lol. Then she sang 'Always A Bridesmade, Never A Bride' which was just hilarious, honestly Sarah is so funny I could just watch her all night even just talking lol. Up next was 'The Winner Takes It All' before she started to sing she was saying how Nancy was her dream role and saying how she played Sophie in Mamma Mia but that she would love to play Donna who sings 'The Winner Takes It All' in a few years. This was just even better with just the piano her voice is just oustanding and yes I did notice the eyes in this one - I bet you thought I wasn't going to mention them, my friend said "Her eyes really do sparkle" I kept getting a lump in my throat during this one but I managed not to cry! I think it was deffo my fave. Oh but I forgot to say Sarah started off at first wrong haha woopsy she sang the wrong words and stopped and was like I did this another time and noone told me and I was just walking around in a circle(and she started walking around) like "help" LOOL. She then said she was going to finish with 'As Long As He Needs Me' which as always was sung with such emotion and I really can't wait to get the chance to see her play Nancy(which I hope I will - my friend has a plan but we really won't mention that..) She thanked her family and friends and everyone for coming and showing support and said to anyone ive forgot you know I really mean it- bless. She then ran off and we were then asked if we wanted one more song so yay she came back and sang 'Tell Me its Not True" again with such emotion and power I just loved her singing this song so much, her voice was pretty much perfect throughout the whole cabaret - simply amazing. Everyone gave her a massive around of applause and cheers and she was so greatful. There is a load that I have missed out so I will deffo try and post up the whole thing when I get that audio. I am really glad I chose to travel down to London as it was an amazing afternoon and I would quite happily do it again, Sarah is worth it.

I also got the chance to talk to her afterwards even though she was in a rush, so bless her for that. She was lovely as usual, before she came over to us she was talking to a boy and she turned round and said "Hey Julie" or "Hey You" or something along those lines then turned back round and continued talking to the boy haha. Then she came over and I gave her the wine and flowers I had and said that I didn't have to do that and then gave me a cuddle etc my friend told her he cried when she got voted off IDA lol and she said she would be selling strawberries or something in 'Oliver' I also said that my friend wanted a picture and she was like "Yeah sure wack em out" or something along those lines, something funny anyway lol. I was also trying(I forgot what I wanted to ask lol) to ask her if she would be covering holidays in 'Oliver' but she said she didn't know yet and then she was talking to someone else, she was trying to talk to everyone even though she was in a rush, so lovely then we got those pictures that are below - was funny having them done.


Ive not said every single detail..but it is basically how it went oh and I had the pleasure of meeting her parents and brother etc who are just really lovely people aswell - So that was nice.

xxx.

Laur's Hits of the West End review!!

Sorry this took so long to write, I’ve not been well! Boo to that! Julie, Kim and Jeanne have pretty much covered everything from Hits of The West End, but here’s my review anyway! And yes it’s like a million words long - I do like to ramble on a bit! =D …sorry!



I'm sure I said it in my Mathilde review, but watching Sarah perform live is actually amazing. She just has this incredible ability to draw you into any performance - her eyes just capture every emotion perfectly! Seriously, I'm convinced she could sing the contents of a dictionary to the tune of the Macarena and you'd still be mesmerised!! 'Hits of The West End' did not disappoint! It had such a variety of songs and not only did it showcase Sarah's talent and versatility, but the entire cast were magnificent!!



The show opened with a fantastic overture which was a medley of songs from musicals, including Oliver!, Wicked and ‘The Phantom of The Opera’. When the overture was over, the opening bars of ‘One Night Only’ from Dreamgirls played and on stepped The Lark in a sequined purple dress! She sounded incredible! An fantastic opening to a fantastic show!


The next number started off a trio of songs from Cabaret and also introduced the male lead vocalist, Niall Sheeny. He sang Wilkommen, which was very entertaining! It was a shame we didn‘t get to see him dance because of his injured foot, but hearing him sing was enough- what a voice! This led into an amazing rendition of Mein Heir, which was sung by the other lead female vocalist, Emma Kelly. And the dancing from the ensemble was great! Then, of course, The Lark took to the stage again with ‘Maybe This Time’. If you thought it was amazing on ‘I’d Do Anything’, it doesn’t even compare to seeing her sing it live! It was beautiful! (And kudos to her for walking down those stairs in those heels - eek!)


The dancing talents were shown off again in the next two numbers- All That Jazz (sung by Emma Kelly) and The Cell Block Tango from Chicago! Cell Block Tango was up there in my favourite performances of the show - the choreography was brilliant, with the chairs and everything! And the audience loved it!


Two songs from Joseph followed, where Niall was joined by a choir of children from a local school. He had exactly the right kind of voice for Joseph! This was followed by another Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, ‘Superstar’ from Jesus Christ Superstar, which was sung by the other male lead, Jamie McKillop! It was so full of energy! Made me want to dance!


One of my absolute favourite performances was Sarah singing ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ from Hairspray! Anyone who reads DS or anything will know the Larkabouts are pretty keen to see Sarah as Tracy Turnblad! Watching her sing that further convinced us that she’d suit the part to a tee! She has awesome comic timing and is a brilliant dancer! It was a fab performance from the entire cast - major kudos to Matthew Malthouse the choreographer! Another Hairspray song followed: Nicest Kids In Town, which was brilliant! I loved how they changed the role call so that they were saying there own names! And Jamie as Corny Collins was brilliant!


Niall then came on and sang ‘Music of The Night’ from Phantom- I absolutely loved it! It was followed by a series of songs from Les Miserables: ‘At The End of The Day, leading into Sarah singing ‘I Dreamed a Dream’. That’s one of my favourite songs from a musical ever, ever, ever, I was a *bit* excited when I heard she’d be singing it! It was actually incredible! It me tear up! Director Michael Martin then gave an outstanding performance of ‘Stars’ - such a good voice!!! And Emma Kelly gave a beautiful performance of ‘On My Own’, which was followed by another of my favourite ensemble performances - ‘One More Day’!


Sarah then gave another show stopping performance. This time it was of ‘As Long As He Needs Me’. Like Jeanne said in her review, watching her sing that it was almost as if she *was* Nancy! Of course I’m totally unbiased when I say I think Sarah’s version at Hits tops any of the Nancies’ ALAHNM from IDA… And it was a million times more exciting watching her sing it because it had been confirmed that Sarah’s going to be the first cover for Nancy in the West End! Woo!


The Grease medley that ended Act I was really fun! And the dancing was ace too! And Emma Kelly’s rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ was one of the show’s highlights!


Act II started with the wee kids back on stage singing ‘Santa Evita‘! The ensemble then performed ‘Money Kept Rollin’ In’, which has been stuck in my head since last Thursday! It was ace! Sarah then returned to the stage in the most gorgeous dress eveeerrr to sing ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end! Is there anything this lady can’t sing!?


We then got some tunes from Dirty Dancing! The first was ‘Yes’ performed by Emma and the female ensemble members! Then Jamie performed Hungry Eyes, which I loved! Sarah and Niall then took to the stage with ‘Time of My Life’ and the Larkabouts went a bit mental! But we got a wee thumbs up, which was ace! Haha! And the dancers in this were FAB!


Wicked, my favourite musical, was the next show we heard songs from. First Emma and Jamie gave a beautiful performance of ‘As Long as You’re Mine’. This was followed by the performance I’d been most looking forward to: ‘Popular’! Sarah was hilarious! She totally became the character of Galinda! Everyone in the audience was laughing along and it definitely got one of the biggest cheers of the evening! Sarah absolutely neeeeds to play Galinda in the West End! Emma then returned to the stage and gave another show stopping performance of Defying Gravity! Definitely her best performance!


We then got a spot of cockney from Niall as the ensemble returned to the stage to sing ‘Step in Time’ from Mary Poppins! Once again the choreography was incredible


The performance of the evening came next. Sarah came onto the stage and began to sing ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ from Blood Brothers. We’d heard her sing this in her audition clip for IDA but hearing it live was a million times better. It was one of those performances that actually takes your breath away! She was joined by the ensemble near the end, and everyone put so much emotion and power into it that it was just… wow!!


A slightly more light hearted few songs followed as we were treated to ‘I Want To Break Free’, ‘Radio Ga Ga’ and ‘We Are The Champions’ from We Will Rock You. ‘I Want To Break Free’ was my favourite of Niall’s performances, and ‘Radio Ga Ga’ needs an honourable mention for best choreography of the show! Made me excited for going to see WWRY in January!


Finally the cast performed some songs from Mamma Mia - Sarah giving a fantastic performance of ‘The Winner Takes It All (Meryl Streep, eat your heart out =P), and the ensemble joining in for Dancing Queen, Mama Mia and finally Waterloo- to which the cast took their bows! Of course we gave Sarah a standing ovation!


We had the pleasure of meeting her on both Thursday and Friday, she really is a complete star! We were also lucky enough to meet her family, who were absolutely lovely! =)

Sara's Three Phantoms Charity Concert Review

Thank you very much for this review!

Having been most upset at not being able to arrange to go and see Sarah perform at Hits of The West End with the rest of the Larkabouts, I found I was lucky enough to do the next best thing which was to see her perform at the above concert in Cardiff on Sunday 28th September.


Originally I booked to see Sarah and Fran two of my favourite Nancies, I was a little disappointed when I found out I would only be seeing Sarah perform on the Sunday but not overly as I was still going to be seeing Fran on the Saturday in Bristol. So on Saturday I trekked off to Cardiff and had an interesting evening, then Sunday I was very excited to be seeing the Lark perform.


I arrived at St David’s Hall and luckily everyone else was arriving at the same time as I had no idea where I was going once I got to the door. There were loots of people all buzzing round the foyer and we were soon invited in to take our seats.


The concert got off to a great start with Pete Karrie, John Owen-Jones, and Nic Greenshields (who was replacing Ramin Karimaloo who had to pull out due to ill health); performing Music of the night together you wouldn’t have thought the evening could have got any better after that performance.


Next we had a little information from the compare for the evening Sian Lloyd and a brief fact file on the evenings performers.


Peter Karrie then came back to the stage and gave us a prologue to the song he was about to sing – Heaven on their minds from Jesus Christ Superstar which was followed by John Owen- Jones Kiss of the Spiderwoman.


Following on from these two sensational performances was Nic Greenshields with a beautiful rendition of If I can’t Love Her from Beauty and The Beast.


Sarah’s first performance was next and this was the one I had been really waiting for especially having spoken to Laur earlier in the afternoon and being told that Sarah had worried that she would not be back from Glasgow in time to perform, but right on cue to probably the biggest cheers so far of the night in a wonderful flowing dress she gave a really moving performance of Maybe This Time from Cabaret it was ten times better watching her live and to see the acting through the song and this one performance alone made me so glad I had travelled the 200 odd miles to watch the show.


Next we had Peter Karrie back with Minnie the Moocher and his insistence that the audience relay everything he sung which worked fine till about halfway through when no one was able to repeat what he’d sung but it was still fun and he got why no one sung back but his facial expression was classic.


John Owen-Jones was back again he spoke to us about being a father and the song he was about to sing then went into New Words from ‘In the beginning’ at the end of this wonderfully moving song Nic Greenshields appeared at the side of the stage and John looked at him then announced that during the afternoon there had been a change to the running order and no-one was really sure what was happening and Nic then in good humour said I’ll go again then and sidled back off the stage suitably embarrassed as John Sung Sonny Boy.


Nic then came back to the stage and John said ..”Nic you really are tall aren’t you? It could be said your Larger Than Life” no surprises then as to what Nic was to sing next from My Favourite Year.


The next performance was from The Debbie Chapman Dancers a highly energetic dance routine to the music from Ladies Choice (Hairspray), and then Peter Karrie was back with High Flying Adored from Evita, I truly sensational performance and He was joined by the other leading Lady for the night Elin Wyn Murphy who was absolutely breath taking. Elin then continued with Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.


John was back with Anthem from Chess then the final act of the first half of the show was Peter Karrie and Children from the Encore Theatre and Stage Academy singing a Joseph Medley


After the interval the show recommenced with The Three Phantoms and Elin singing ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ each phantom on stage at a different part of the song taking over the lead, they all had a way of just commanding the stage. Elin then went on to sing Wishing.


Next in store was John with Love Changes Everything followed by Nic with I’m Martin Guerre. Then it Was Sarah’s turn again with Her wonderful rendition of As Long As He Needs Me which was stunning and the dress I’m sure was the one she wore when they did the Wicked task if not the exact same it was very similar.


The programme then jumped around a bit and I think it was Peter Karrie with The Impossible Dream followed by; Nic with There is Nothing Like A Dame from south Pacific. We then had an even more incredible dance performance after a short pause that even confused the musical director John Quirk, this time the performance was to You Can’t Stop The Beat from hairspray. ‘Piece of Sky’ from a file called Yentl, John with his ambition of singing a bond theme sang ‘Thunderball’ and Peter told us the background to and sang ‘You Never Through a Party for Me’. The order here may be a bit off and I apologise but I really can’t remember the exact order at this point but.


We were then back on track with Sarah and her incredible ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ this is by far my favourite performance from Sarah it was a real tear jerker and she got a huge round of applause for this performance.


Then Sian advised that all the cast would be in the foyer at the end of the show to give autographs and photos for anyone who wished to catch any of them which was a big relief as I had no idea how I would have got to see Sarah otherwise not knowing Cardiff at all and certainly not knowing where the cast would exit the building from.


Then the finale was started by Geraint Llyr Owen singing ‘Castle on a Cloud’ which was incredible , Elin sang I dreamed a dream John sang Bring Him Home and then John, Elin, Nic & Peter sang One More Day.


There then followed rapturous applause and Sarah and Geraint were brought onto the stage as well for a full standing ovation and three return calls to the stage in which the swapped the order so poor wee Sarah was no longer stood next to the towering giant of more than 6ft that is Nic Greenshield.


We all then made are way to the foyer and hung around for the cast. Sarah was just incredible she eventually got to the table where she was supposed to be and was signing autographs and talking to people in amongst hugging friends and family that came over. I was privileged enough to be able to pass on a message from Fran at which Sarah was delighted and explained how much she wished Fran had been there with her, she was also so happy to be able to tell everyone that she would be staring in Oliver and was really looking forward to starting rehearsals with Jodie and the rest of the cast on November 3rd. You could see she was desperate to get to her family, but her Gran came over as we were about to have a picture taken and she was so sweet even though I think she did think I was a little insane to have travelled as far as I did for the concert but for me it was worth every minute.


Sarah was a joy to meet and made my weekend complete.

My Review of Hits of the West End!!

Sorry im so late with this, it's just I was away for the weekend and what not and had no time! I will just write my view on the show on Thursday and just a little about Tuesday - Im going to base it on Sarah mostly but the rest of the cast were amazing!



Well on Thursday I was going with the Larkabouts as I went with my friends on Tuesday. So I met Laur and Kim outside the Town House, they had gifts for me as I was a little bit upset which was so lovely(thanks guys). So we went in and we were just talking about how excited we were and I was saying how amazing Sarah was on Tuesday.



Then we went to our seats, we were 4 rows back I think it was...the place was filling up with not that many seats left empty - I thought BRILLIANT! We had our tshirts on(It's All About The Lark - well because it is haha) and we had glow sticks and fart whistles - strange people I know!! Then the band started to play some music so we were singing along to that, I was too excited! Then first song Sarah sang was 'One Night Only' this was just beautiful, I was glad I got to see it as I was late on Tuesday! Sarah looked amazing in this...ok ive saw it twice but I really do have a bad memory..I think she was dressed all in white actually no..ive been informed it wasn't white it was purple see what I mean - I think she just mesmerizes me that I can't remember anything else other than the performance lol..anyway just gorgeous. Up next was Niall with a delightful performance of 'Willkommen'then Emma after with a great performance of 'Mein Heir' with the other girls. Sarah came out from the top of the stairs with an amazing slighty different from IDA performance of 'Maybe This Time'the crowd gave her a massive applause and we were wooing of course! Emma and the girls then came back for 'All That Jazz'. Then came 'Cell Block Tango' with the 5 girls including Sarah - this was one of my favourite performances of the show. They were up on chairs during the performance I was sat going "omg I hope she doesn't fall" because she had massive heels on!! It was a great performance, very funny. Sarah got to show off her vocals, acting and dancing in this one, it got one of the biggest cheers of the night. Next was the school kids with Niall singing 'Any Dream Will Do' and 'Close Every Door' they were all amazing it was cute! Jamie then sang 'Jesus Christ Superstar' which was also great! Then I think I was actually about to pass out as I knew what was coming next - It was Sarah singing 'Good Morning Baltimore' there was Sarah in the middle of the stage behind a duvet with her hair in wee cute bunches - aww! When she started to sing I swear I thought someone was going to need to pick me up off the floor by the end haha as this was a song I really wanted her to sing. It was truly amazing she gets into character so well, I didn't want to look away incase I missed one little expression and during the performance she did this little adorable laugh - I have no doubt that she would be an amazing Tracy!! Next was Jamie with..'Nicest kids in town' with the rest of the cast joining in, we really got to see Sarah dancing in this one - just amazing she can really move! Niall then came back on stage with 'Music of the Night' I thought this was fantasic. We then moved onto Les Miserables with 'At The End Of The Day' which was most of the cast but no Sarah...then on she comes to sing 'I Dreamed A Dream' and omg I had a tear in my eye it was just gorgeous and she has this sparkle her eyes all the time - its just so moving. Then came the Director of the show Michael Martin with a wonderful 'stars' multi-talented this man is! All the cast then came back for 'Do You Hear The People Sing' which was great and then Emma again with 'On My Own' which was beautiful. Then a song i'd been waiting to hear Sarah sing the whole thing it was 'As Long As He Needs Me' this was just amazing! I mean WOW I loved it and the fact she is going to get to play Nancy at some point is just even more amazing. On came the cast for 'Grease' and then Emma sang 'Hopelessly Devoted To You' one of her best songs of the night. The guys then performed 'Grease lightnin' which got the girls screaming of course lol. They finished the first act with 'You're The One That I Want' with Sarah back on stage only dancing this time but she is an amazing dancer!



Act two opened with the school kids back singing 'Santa Evita' and 'Money Kept Rollin' both great and then there was a spotlight at the top of the stairs and on came Sarah in the most gorgeous dress she looked really beautiful! She sang 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' I didn't look away for one minute I was mesmerized by this performance! Emma and the girls then came back on stage for 'Yes' with an amazing dance routine following them was Jamie singing 'Hungry Eyes' I really liked this. 'Time Of My Life' was next with Niall and Sarah singing this it was quite a fun performance and sang amazingly by both. We were making loads of noise when Sarah first came on stage for this and she was smiling and gave us a thumbs up lol bless! The song ended with a little kiss - awww! Emma and Jamie duetted with 'As long as you're mine' from Wicked and then next was the performance of the night for me, it was Sarah singing 'Popular'! This gave Sarah the chance to show off her funny and quirky side it was an outstanding performance she had everyone laughing and her facial expressions were classic - she would make an amazing Glinda, oh and we also stood up to clap for this!!. Another song from Wicked with Emma singing 'Defying Gravity' I loved this a bit much thought it was her best performance of the night., I was ruining it a little by singing along haha. We then had a little bit of Mary Poppins with Niall singing 'Step In Time' and some of the cast doing some great dancing. Then on came Sarah to sing 'Tell Me Its Not True' it was so emotional and deffo a tearjerker - I had a little tear, I tell you its her eyes, she has the most gorgeous eyes and she does something with them. The rest of the cast then joined in it was an AMAZING performance. Some songs from We Will Rock You came next, first was Niall with 'I Want To Break Free' I thought this was his best song of the night - he has an amazing voice and hes a bit gorgeous aswell...haha. Next was the cast all in white for 'Radio Ga Ga' the choreography for this was just WOW I loved it plus I was dancing away in my seat - everyone was clapping along. Then it was Niall supported by the cast for 'We Are The Champions' the audience really started to get into it by this point most were waving there arms in the air it was great! Then I knew what was coming the song I really wanted Sarah to sing('The Winner Takes It All') my heart actaully started to beat faster I thought I was going to need an ambulance LOL then she came on and just WOW my heart was still beating faster(No singer has ever made that happen before - she must be a bit special) it was sung so beautifully with loads of emotion(you could hear it in her voice) and THE EYES again..I need to ssssh about the eyes but eek just love her performing to be honest! At the end we had all the cast for ' Mamma Mia' and the 4 leads singing 'Dancing Queen' and then to end with 'Waterloo' the audience were all clappin and singing and dancing it was a great atmosphere! Then the cast took a bow with Sarah last she really did get the biggest cheer, we all stood up when it was Sarahs turn and so did the people behind us and we were making so much noise. So that was it finished then everyone was cheering when they went off stage and then the woman next to me said "You were brilliant and she really was amazing" then a woman came over to me and said "your friend was outstanding she really was" I was just like "my friend?" haha! Then when we were walking out a man goes "that little blonde is really oustanding" I was like oh I know haha. Then we walked out a bit more and I swear half the audience must of been saying how truly amazing Sarah was I could hear loads talking about her it made me smile!



Just to end on Tuesday Sarah was just as outstanding as she was on Thursday and im sure she was just the same all week - her voice never fails her!



Also I got to meet Sarah both nights, she really is a lovely, genuine, down to earth person. She is happy to speak to everyone and get pictures and shes really funny aswell. She is STAR, she has the most amazing voice and I can't wait to go see her perform again. Oh we had her a tshirt made which she was happy to put on she loved it loads - as you can see her with it on in the picture below. Oh and I got a high five from THE LARK oh yeah haha.



Julie xx

When the Larkabouts met Uncle Mike the ledge!!

Well on Thursday night some of us Larkabouts met a wee legend that is Sarah's Uncle Mike! He told us what he thought of the show and another few things... here they are...picture above(nevermind me I don't know whats going on there haha)

So we asked him what he thought of the show? He said..
He thought everyone was great and he really enjoyed it.

What was his Favourite performance of the night from Sarah? He said..
Popular( I have to agree it was outstanding)

His favourite show Sarah has ever been in? He said..
That it was Snoopy!(I'd of loved to of seen this)

His favourite IDA performance? He said..
It was Midnight Train To Georgia!

Who was his 2nd favourite Nancy? He said..
It was Samantha!

Favourite song he's ever heard Sarah sing? He said..
There's A Fine Line - from Avenue Q.

Just want to say thanks to him for this and he truly was a lovely man! Ledge!!(and he does know it) LOL.

Julie xx.

Kims Hits of the West End review - Yeaaah!

"Hits of the West End"...What a show!!
It took us back to the 1800's of East End London in Oliver, fast forwarded us
to 1900s Germany in Carbaret, and to Argentina in Evita.
We watched them fall in love in Dirty Dancing, saw High School sweethearts in Grease
and saw the pain and sorrow of Blood Brothers. We danced with ABBA and rocked with Queen,
and got thrown into the fairytale of Wicked! We woke up to Hairspray, and joined the barricades
of Les Mis. Whatever was being performed, by whoever was performing it, theres no denying the versitility
of this amazing cast.



The cast consisted of four mainleads; Sarah Lark, who has the mose amazing voice. Niall Sheehy - who stepped on a nail
during dress rehearsal on Monday, but battled through the pain to perform with true star quality. Emma Kelly - Who will
be playing Sharpay Evans in the new touring production of High School Musical, though I would love
to see her as Elphiba in Wicked!, and Jamie McKillop, who I am sure will be gracing a West End stage in no time!!



The show opened with Sarah performing 'One Night Only' from Dreamgirls, it was an absolutely amazing opening, with a funky
little dance routine. Next up we got our first glimpse of lead male Niall with a cheeky little performance of
'Willkommen', which led us to Emma and the girls with 'Mein Heir'. Up again came The Lark with a truly
gorgeous performance of 'Maybe This Time' - we saw her do this during I'd do anything' but watching it live
just made me go 'WOW!!'. We then had Emma and the girls back for the Chicago classic - 'All that Jazz' which
led to one of my favourite performances of the night, 'Cell Block Tango', which feature the female cast of Louise McCarthy,
Grace Harrington, Pippa Higgs and Katie Lowe as well as Emma and Sarah. It was the perfect opportunity for them
all to show off their singing, dancing and acting, with solos each, and the routine consisting of some
tricky chair choreography, it was a truly showstopping performance.
We then got shown some local talent, in the form of Schoolchildren. They were used in 'Any Dream will do'
and 'Close every door' with Niall on lead vocals. We then get our first real introduction to Jamie, who doesn't
disappoint with his rendition of 'Superstar'.
Up next, and another favorite of mine, was 'Good Morning Baltimore' with Sarah taking the role of Tracy, she
plays the loveable dancing geek perfectly - a future role? I think so!! It was a very quirky performance with
four dancers emerging from behind Sarahs duvet. Staying with Hairspray we got 'Nicest kids in town', with Jamie playing the
cheesy Corny Collins to perfection, it was an absolutely brilliantly choreographed performance!
Niall then came back on stage with 'Music of the Night', which I though was fantastic, though he was sure he couldn't hit the
low notes, I can assure him it was truly fab!!
This then took us to my favorite musical - Les Miserables. They started with a great rendition of 'At the end of the day',
and then onto Sarahs ' I dreamed a dream' - which (without being biased), was probably one of the best versions of it I have
ever heard, Sarah does the most amazing performance with her eyes, and you just become mesmerized in them, stunning.
We then got a real treat with a performance of 'Stars' from the Director Michael Martin, the cast came back for 'Do you hear the
people sing?' Following that came 'On my Own', probably one of my favorite musical songs of all time, I was gutted when I
heard Sarah wasn't singing it I was a bit gutted, but Emma did an amazing show stopping performance, this led to the cast
performing 'One Day More', which, again, was one of my favorite performances of the show.
Up next was The Lark with 'As Long as he needs me', this was made better by the fact that Sarah had just been announced as
first cover for Nancy in the upcoming Cameron Mackintosh production of Oliver. Really exciting times for Sarah!!
On came the rest of the cast for 'Grease', leaving Emma on the stage to perform 'Hopelessly Devoted' which really was a
'WOW' performance! On came the boys with 'Greased Lightnin', with Jamie playing Danny, Niall as Kenickie and the rest of the
guys; Ross Fountain, Ross Carpenter, Billy Mitchell (who is goooorgeous in real life) and Gavin Eden, performing
a brilliant rendition of the classic. Back came the girls to finish the first half with 'You're the one that I want'.


Part Two kicked off with the schoolkids coming back for 'Santa Evita' and 'Money kept rollin' in', everyone one left the stage
to a spotlight shining to the balcony with Sarah stood there in the most AMAAAAZING ballgown, performing 'Don't cry for
me Argentina' - this really showed off the powerfulness of her voice and it genuinely made the hairs on the back of my neck
stand on end!
We were then treated to Emma and the girls doing a fab performance of 'Yes' with a catchy dance routine and fab vocals, following
that came Jamie with 'Hungry Eyes', which was simple but beautiful. Up next, Niall and Sarah doing 'Time of my life' with
the rest of the cast treating us to some 'Dirty Dancing'...we we're spoiled by the tremendous vocals and the fantastic
choreography!
Emma and Jamie duetted with a fab 'As long as you're mine' from the musical Wicked! It really was a heartfelt performance,
which led to another or my favorite performances of the show - 'Popular', it gave Sarah the chance to show off the
cheeky and playful side of her fantastic acting abilities...It made me giggle from the start to the end..(especially the
cross eyed bit!!) ... Following this came the showstopper 'Defying Gravity', which was sung by Emma...I think this was her
best performance of the night, and for her to sing with such power and enthusiasm, I have no doubt she would make an
AMAAAZING Elphiba, with Sarah as Galinda, pleeease!!
We we're then treated to a but of Mary Poppins in the shape of Niall donning his best cockney accent and performing
'Step in time' which had one of the best routines on the night!
Next, my favorite performance of the whole entire show....'Tell me it's not true' from the tearjerker Blood Brother, with Sarah on
lead vocals being back up by the amazing cast, it really was one but bring a tear to your eye.
Next up Niall with a great 'I want to break free'.... He really does have an amazing voice, I only wish we could have seen him dance!
Following thins, and with the award for the best choreography came 'Radio Ga Ga '.....I don't think I could put into words how
great it really was. We we're then treated to Niall on vocals again with 'We are the Champions, supported by most of the cast.
Last but not least we we're given some 'Mamma Mia' in the shape of 'The winner takes it all' from Sarah, a group performance of
'Mamma Mia' and then to finish the show a quartet performance of 'Dancing Queen' and 'Waterloo'.



The show really was an amazing event, and it showed how incredibly versatile those performers really were.
To top off an already amazing evening, I got to meet most of the cast afterwards. They were all so lovely and
happy to pose for photos, and we're interested with your opinions of the show!



I have no doubt that the whole cast will move on to bigger things, because they all did a truly amazing job!
And a big clap for the backstage cast too!



Now, plllleeeaase tour with the show! =D

Jeanne's Review of Hits of the West End!!

Just want to thank her so much for this review - Who went on Monday. I also went last night but im going on Thursday again so I am going to hold off my review but I will just say Sarah Lark is a STAR.

Here is Jeanne's review...

So, thanks to Glasgow being not the easiest place to navigate (I got lost twice); the guy not being at the reception desk in the hotel (so it took me 20 minutes to get booked in); & then getting the wrong door 1st time (it’s the glass doors at the side, not the main entrance) I ended up missing the first ten minutes of the show. I ran up the stairs and walked in, and there she was… Sarah Lark, dressed all in white, centre stage, rocking it up. I barely paid attention to the nice lady who was showing me to my seat, & I was so mesmerised by Sarah that I didn’t register what song it was (I think it might have been One Night Only).
Finally settled in my seat (front row of the gallery, sandwiched between 2 groups of old women), I had a good look around the hall. It’s a small, intimate venue, so even sat up in the gallery you can clearly see the stage, set out with a central staircase up to a little balcony. It was about 2/3 full, & I think the audience was mostly the families of the kids in the show (plus a large amount of OAPs).


Anyway, back to the show. There were a couple of group songs from Cabaret (Willkommen & possibly another one) then the lights faded and the spotlight drew the audiences attention to the balcony, there stood Sarah Lark, whose mic wasn’t working, unfortunately, but her voice carried well enough without it to be able to recognise Maybe This Time… It didn’t take long for someone to hand her a handheld mic and we could finally hear her properly. She made her way down the stairs onto the stage to sing the rest of the song. Her performance wasn’t as powerful as when she sang it on IDA, but it was absolutely beautiful & note perfect (which goes without saying really, & was the case with all of her performances). And she really is so small, the stage isn’t all that big and much as she does completely own every inch of the stage, she seemed ever so small stood there on her own.
There was another song, but I don’t remember what, All That Jazz, possibly, I’m assuming it was a Chicago song, ‘cos the next female group song was Cell Block Tango… Sarah had ‘Annie’s part, lamenting (with endearing, wicked humour) about her ‘single’ Mormon husband who had 6 wives. The performance involved a rather complicated dance with chairs, Sarah slipped at one point but she recovered so gracefully & seamlessly that it looked as though it was part of the routine. I must admit, I was a bit worried about her being up on the chairs - especially after her little slip - they were quite high & spaced quite far apart and she’s only got little legs.


The male ensemble did a little song or maybe this was where Jesus Christ Superstar fit in…. if it was, I wasn’t impressed with the guy who sang it.
Then Sarah appeared, with her hair in bunches, looking truly adorable, stood behind a makeshift ‘quilt’ for Good Morning Baltimore. By the chorus, we find out why she has such a radiant grin, as the quilt is moved aside to reveal 4 men hiding behind there. It was clear that Sarah was absolutely in her element with this song, & the group song of You Can’t Stop The Beat (I think) which followed. This was Sarah at her absolute bubbly, happy, confident best, and the dance routine was amazing – that girl can really move! I am now convinced that she would be amazing in Hairspray, & I believe that she would thoroughly enjoy every second if she was in it too.
Now my memory fails me, I think once the Hairspray songs were finished, the children came on stage for Any Dream Will Do & Close Every Door from Joseph. I could be completely muddled though, I don’t remember where the Joseph songs came at all.
Sarah’s next song wasn’t one that I recognised, a soft, simple ballad, something about dreaming a dream, possibly. Whatever it was, it was absolutely beautiful and almost made me cry. Another song (or was it 2, I forget) that I didn’t recognise, probably from the same musical as the dreaming a dream song, but I honestly couldn’t tell you what they were.


There may have been more, or maybe this was where the Joseph songs fit in, but Sarah’s next solo was As Long As He Needs Me. She was wearing the red dress that she wore in the Wicked mission & every inch of her, from head to toe, just screamed ‘Nancy’. Again, her performance was not as intense as on IDA, but that’s probably ‘cos it wasn’t such an emotional moment. And I don’t know whether the orchestra was too fast, or what it was, but she seemed to be rushing through it… No long notes, barely a pause to breathe, but beautiful & emotional none the less. It truly tugged at my heartstrings and I feel honoured & proud to be able to say that I have seen Sarah Lark perform all of ALAHNM live on stage – even if she doesn’t get a chance to be in Oliver, for those few minutes, I got to see her as Nancy.
The first half of the show closed with a little medley of songs from Grease, starting with Greased Lightening, then into You’re The One That I Want, which Sarah joined, again, looking as if she was completely in her element; immersed in the mood & character of the song.


After the interval, the show re-opened, with the children again, and some big group songs from Evita…. Now, I only know 3 songs from Evita, & they weren’t those, so I don’t know what they were. Sarah’s absence in these group song seemed wrong somehow, the whole ensemble (including the kids) were ‘reunited’ to re-open the show, and Sarah wasn’t amongst them. However, I knew that it meant another solo was coming up. Everyone left the stage, and there she was, up on the balcony, in the most beautiful ball gown, looking every bit like a Disney princess (in a really good way, a classy, breath-takingly beautiful Disney princess). She managed to tackle one step on the stairs, but the skirt was so big that if she’d tried the whole staircase, she might just have fallen. So, from the top step, she gave a heart-wrenching rendition of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.


There were (possibly) one or two more songs, before one of the other female singers did a great job of Defying Gravity, and as she was leaving the stage, we saw (for the first & only time in the show) a little hint of acting as Sarah ‘accidentally’ bumps into her with a chair, and we hear how brilliant Popular would be, if Sarah were in Wicked! & it would, indeed, be wicked… Sarah has a humbleness about her that belies the lyrics of the song, and gave it a rather hilarious, endearing charm, and I was grinning and laughing through the whole performance. It was, by far, my most favourite performance of the whole night, & I would give an arm & a leg to see her in Wicked.


Another group song, maybe just the men but I don’t remember (my memory is so bad), and then a duet. Sarah stood at one side of the stage, the lead male stood at the opposite side, with the rest of the performers doing some wonderful dancing, as Sarah & the guy sang The Time Of My Life beautifully. & they even had a little kiss at the end…. Aww, how sweet.


Sarah’s next song (honestly, I’m gonna stop trying to tell you what happened between Sarah’s songs, ‘cos I just do not remember) was Tell Me It’s Not True…. & her audition video did not do justice to how wonderfully Sarah sings that song. The song started as a solo, then one by one the rest joined her as ‘backing’ singers. Even with every voice singing, it was Sarah’s that could be heard resonating above the rest. That was true in every group song that Sarah participated in, her voice carried loud & strong above everyone else.


There was a We Will Rock You medley next, which finally, got the audience participating with some clapping going on.
And from Queen, to Abba, with Sarah singing The Winner Takes It All…. Again, her mic wasn’t working, & again, her voice carried well enough without it to be able to identify the song. A young man brought her out a handheld mic, and it seemed to take her a second to realise that she needed to sing into it – lol. I’m sure there was another Mamma Mia! song, it may have been Mamma Mia… I forgot. The show ended with everyone back on stage for Dancing Queen, with Sarah, the 2 main male singers & the other main female singer doing a quartet of sorts. And there was some brilliant dancing going on too.


Everyone took a bow, one by one, with Sarah last… looking a bit lost & humble - not quite used to being the ‘star’ just yet - and almost desperate to get everyone else to join her from where they were stood at the sides of the stage. So she beckoned them all to join her, much as she did to the Olivers in Together Wherever We Go, and the took a bow together then danced happily off the stage to rapturous applause.


All in all, an amazing show, even with the sound problems they seemed to be having throughout the night. I’m a little disappointed that Sarah didn’t get to sing with the kids, since she has such a natural, easy rapport with children. But, it was definitely worth the 7 hours of train rides & the getting lost in Glasgow, and it has definitely made me even more desperate (if that’s even possible) to see Sarah where she belongs; shining brightly as a leading lady in the West End.

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xx.