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Michael arrived at about 12.30, which we were grateful for, as it was pretty cold!
Scott opened the door of the people carrier, and Michael climbed out, saying something about “It’s illegal!” (I
 assume he meant because Scott had had to double park it to get Michael to the door).
He was in cheerful mood, and called out “Hello everyone”, then started to make his way through the crowd – there were, maybe, about twenty of us.
He said to someone, “I am nervous – you’ll be nice to me, though, won’t you?”
Someone asked him if he’d had a good Christmas, and he said, “I had a lovely Christmas, thank you – loads of children jumping on my head! I ate and drank far too much” – (patting and looking at his tummy) “Hello? – I apologise for what you are going to see waddling on stage tonight….Atkins Monday!!”
With that, he had reached the stage door, and with a cheery “See you all later!” he was gone. We all disappeared for some lunch, and to get warmed up!
Concert - Part One
The excitement was really building when the red curtains drew back to reveal the orchestra already on stage – Callum walked on stage to enthusiastic applause, then the music started – Jellicle Ball.
As this finished, we knew the time had come. The orchestra struck up the first notes to “This is the moment”, and seconds later we heard Michael’s lovely voice. Then he appeared, and the house erupted into ear-splitting applause!
Michael came down the steps, looking resplendent in full evening dress, and absolutely gorgeous. He sang the song so beautifully – he gave it everything, and fully deserved the applause at the end, which went on and on. Michael stood there, smiling broadly – he gave that little shrug of the shoulders and giggle that he does when he is chuffed at the reaction he is getting.
When the applause died down, he spoke briefly about appearing at the Royal Opera House at Christmas –
he was obviously thrilled to be there.
When the orchestra started the music to “Show Me”, after an intro from Michael, he knew what we were thinking (this is usually one of Michael’s “naughty” songs!) – he raised his eyebrows at us and grinned, as if to say, “Yeah, I know what I normally do here, but this isn’t the time or place!” He then proceeded to sing it normally – but we still enjoyed it.
 He sang all my favourites, including “Boy from Nowhere” (wonderful as usual) and “Not while I’m around”. Before singing the latter, he commented that the next two songs were connected with conversations between children and parents. The second song of the two was Gethsemane. He poured so much emotion into this song - he made you want to hug and comfort him – he looked exhausted at the end, and deservedly received a standing ovation.
The first half of the concert finished with Michael and his four guests – Caroline Sheen (Truly in Chitty), Celia Graham, John Owen-Jones and Michael McCarthy –
joining together to give a truly memorable rendition of “One Day More” from Les Miserables. I’ve always loved this one, and - well, it blew your socks off!!!
Concert - Part Two
Michael started the second half with “Oh what a circus”. He seemed, to me, to be really starting to relax and enjoy himself now.
Before introducing the next song he said, “Did you all have a good Christmas? I did – ate far too much” (had his hand on his stomach) – “Never mind.”
Not long after this, Michael introduced Jason Carr, who had worked with him on Alone Together at the Donmar. Michael was having a great time at this point, looking agonised at the prospect of having to sing the nine-minute medley again. “I hope I can remember this – it was two years and ? months ago – you’ll be kind, won’t you?!” Then, to Jason: “I see you’ve brought your piano with you – sit yourself down.”
While all this had been going on, the piano had been brought onto the stage, and the curtains had been drawn in front of the orchestra, leaving Michael and Jason alone on the stage. Michael introduced the “Medley from Hell”, groaning and grimacing, and turned towards the curtains - then, over his shoulder to us, said, “I feel like Eric Morecambe here!” – and disappeared behind the curtains. (For the benefit of those who don’t know, Eric Morecambe was a much loved British comedian, who is sadly no longer with us. On his TV show, he was always disappearing behind the stage curtains, then re-appearing).
Jason sat there alone, and suddenly a white, shirt-sleeved arm (Michael’s) appeared through the curtains, giving the thumbs-up to Jason to start playing (giggles all round)! Jason did as he was told, and Michael burst through the curtains in his sparkly silver jacket – to great applause! (You could tell people
 were thinking “Yo, Michael – you’ve got it with you this time!” - Remember Harrogate, when Gareth forgot to bring it?!)
Michael went through his medley with great success, and at the end, the curtains went back, and to laughter from both
us and the orchestra, he staggered around the stage, looking exhausted, saying “Oh my God!”…..“Blimey!” .
He then took off the silver jacket, handed it to Jason to take off-stage with him, and put his black jacket back on.
A bit further on, Michael asked us “Did you see the 100 Best Musicals?” (Yes from the audience) - “Did you agree with all the choices?” (No from us). Michael, pulling faces: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer – hello?” (Giggles from the audience) “Eight Mile ? from Eminem – I think not..” (Sorry, I don’t know the title of that one, and can’t remember what Michael said!).
Michael went on to say that most of his favourites made the top twenty – and introduced “Tonight” from West Side Story – sung by him, with Michael McCarthy and John Owen-Jones. Wonderful stuff.
The show was moving on, and Michael said that the rest of it would be dedicated to Christmas, and went on to sing “O holy night” and “When a child is born” – these were beautiful. He then went on to say that it wouldn’t be Christmas without a really cheesy Christmas medley. This started with White Christmas, and went on with Frosty the Snowman and others – at one point Michael said “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” – it finished with Michael and his four guests all singing together in a line, doing (semi) high kicks and having a great time! They received huge applause at the end, and looked well chuffed. Once Caroline, John, Celia and the other Michael had left the stage, Michael went on to sing his favourite Christmas song, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas”. During this song, Michael walked out off the normal stage, past the footlights, onto the very front of the stage, saying as he did so “They told me not to come down here!” – a spotlight followed him as he walked to the side of the stage and sang to the people there, then, still singing, jerked his thumb back in our direction as if to say “I’d better go and see them too”, and walked over to our side, singing to us. Heaven!!!!!
At the end of the song, the applause was utterly deafening, and endless. Michael stood there looking so happy, and emotional - he wrapped his arms around himself, hugging himself, with all the love he could feel coming at him. Then, making his way back to the main stage, he said, “I bet Pavarotti’s never done that!”
Towards the end of the second half, Michael and his four guests joined together to sing "Do you hear the people sing?" from Les Mis - it was fantastic, and received a standing ovation and deafening applause!!
 One of the encores was Love Changes Everything – the applause was becoming louder and longer all the time, and Michael was looking more and more overcome – at one point he covered his mouth with his hand, another time he looked round at the orchestra as if to say, “Listen to that!” He said to us “Thank you for one of the most wonderful, special evenings of my life”.
We reached Help Yourself, and Michael had us all standing up and clapping (before he came back on stage, we were all yelling, clapping and stamping on the floor for him to return) – he said as the music started, “You can try and come down the front, but I don’t think you’ll get very far”. During the song, he ventured out onto the very front of the stage again, stopping to kiss one lucky lady, and giving his customary, enthusiastic demonstration of “Grabashare” – I think he felt safe letting himself go now!
At the end, when the applause died down, he turned to the orchestra, screwed up his nose, and said, "Oh, I don't want to go!"
As the show finally drew to a close, Michael said that “It’s been a really special year – I’ll see you in 2004, hopefully” (got a little cheer). He said about going to Australia – “I’m going from the Royal Opera House to the Sydney Opera House – I like that.”
Michael finished by singing “I wish you love”, and brought a wonderful, memorable, spectacular evening to a close.
We wish you love too, Michael .
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