Hey Everyone. I'm back.

So, this musical kinda crept up on me... and I'm so pleased it did. It's Finding Neverland.

OK, first a brief summary. So, if you have seen the movie 'Finding Neverland' you will know exactly what this musical will be like. If not, be prepared to cry... a lot.  The movie features Jonny Depp and Kate Winslet.

It's the Story of J M Barrie who is the author of Peter Pan. The story is about how he met the Llewelyn Davies family, (Widowed mother and her 4 sons). He forms a close bond with the family and Neverland and the world of Peter Pan is created through his play with the children. And yes, one of them is called Peter.

***SPOILER ALERT*** The mum dies.

She gets too ill to go to the opening of the play of Peter Pan, so they bring the cast to their nursery and give them a private performance... at that point i am a wreck.

So back to the musical. It has music and lyrics written by Gary Barlow, (you know the guy from Take That), and its beautiful. There are some stunning songs both epic and film like, to heartfelt, very moving duets and solos.

I first heard about it because an actor I am rather fond of was in the preview cast... Mr Jeremy Jordan. (Now in the grey area of the internet, events occurred that meant I could watch the preview version of the show featuring Mr Jeremy Jordan and Laura Michelle Kelly). It's incredible. Unfortunately, when the show transferred to broadway, they dropped Jeremy for a "Name". That "Name" was Matthew Morrison of Glee. I'm not going into it... but it was the wrong decision (in my eyes). 

If you want to hear the differences, just youtube it. The Jeremy videos go up and down so if you catch one, watch it. I'll attached some videos.

OK, first up is one of the most beautiful scenes I have seen in a show.

This is from the preview performances featuring Jeremy. Ahh Jeremy. This is the scene where they perform the show for the family because the mother is too ill to attend the opening. (side note, its playing in the background as I'm writing and I have welled up.)

Here is the title song from the Musical. Its beautiful. I feel it embodies the childlike feeling Peter Pan should give you. This was at the Tony awards a few years ago before the show was playing. They got Jennifer Hudson (ahhhhh) to sing it. 

Here is a cheeky recording from the Broadway version of the show. It features Laura Michelle Kelly singing her main song in the show, call All That Matters. Again, I feel its a very powerful, extremely well written song, and performed awesomely by Laura.

I'm just going to leave this here. I don't think it needs any description.

So Finding Neverland. I haven't seen it live. I really want to but am concerned about what state I will be in at the end of it. If my reaction to Dear Evan Hansen is anything to go on... it may be a very wet experience :p This stunning musical is supposed to be opening in London this year so fingers crossed it will hurry up.

I wasn't too bothered by Peter Pan growing up. Now whenever I see anything to do with him I'm a mess thanks to this show. It's a very powerful piece of work.

I'd love to know what you guys think of it and please go and check out the rest of the soundtrack.

Till next time.

Your musical nerd - Robin