West Side Story – Day 24

This maybe a briefer blog than usual as it is well past 11pm in Sydney. We have just returned to our hotel having attended a performance of West Side Story. This was performed by the Sydney Opera House, but was held on an outdoor stage situated at Mrs Macquarie’s Steps. To put this in context this is directly across the harbour from the Opera house, so that when you look back at the Opera House the Harbour Bridge behind frames it. This was to the right of the stage as we looked at it; to the left was the towering skyline of modern Sydney. These were all illuminated.

 

A huge stage had been constructed on the water, the actual design being modelled on graffiti daubed New York Subway cars. Firstly the evening was very kind to us, it was clear and warm. As neither the stage nor the auditorium has any cover this very beneficial.

The massive stage area meant that the musical’s huge cast had plenty of room to show off their dance skills. To my untutored eye the choreography and standard of dance was brilliant. Marian assures me that the singing was great. So this combined with the evocative setting and the strength of the original musical meant that it was a fabulous evening’s entertainment. Many of the songs are classics, and to hear them performed by top artists was a privilege. The setting of the stage within an iconic city skyline complimented the performance perfectly. A really great evening’s entertainment.

 

Earlier today we had ventured out on the ferries again, visiting Watson’s Bay, which is the site of the first settlement of Australia. It is also stunningly situated between the harbour and the Pacific Ocean.

The blog maybe restricted in future days as tomorrow we are boarding the cruise ship to explore the East Coast of Australia, and the internet connection will not be as good.