The Aldwych theatre is quite small, and we had very good seats in the stalls. Before the show began I was buzzing with anticipation: Experiencing music and a story you know very little about is just the most exciting prospect. The stage was very small, but the sets turned out to be the most beautiful I've seen, and added so much to the atmosphere of the music.

The show began with the rousing 'The Vaults of Heaven'. Then the Whistle overture swept you along as a beautiful sunset sky appeared. The 3 main children were really lovely together, and Lottie Mayor as Swallow was out of this world. When she sings 'Whistle Down the Wind' with her father, as the family remember their dead mother, I don't think I've ever been so touched by a song. Such perfect feeling and sentiment, ALW is a true genius.

The rest of the 1st Act is about the children discovering The Man. Marcus Lovett as the man was so great, and I think I've probably seen Swallow and The Man as good as they'll ever be played. The whole interaction between the children and The Man in the barn was just so lovely, and by the interval I was just blown away by the show.

There was no way the 2nd Act could be better than the 1st, and it wasn't, but only because the song of the Townspeople was the one song I thought could have been better. 'A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste' was one of the most awesome songs I've seen, with Amos and The Man singing their hearts out. We were also treated to a huge rumbling train, live snakes, and some fire too.

The finale was very uplifting, with the family singing WDTW to comfort each other under the magical sky. The audience gave riotous applause at the end, as it deserved. This was the best musical I've seen, a really beautiful experience. I hope the show runs and runs because I want to see it over and over again.

Here are the songs and how much I enjoyed them:

1.The Vaults of Heaven (10)
2.Overture (10)
3.I Never Get What I Pray For (9)
4.Home by Now (10)
5.It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This (9)
6.Whistle Down the Wind (10)
7.The Vow (10)
8.Cold (9)
9.Unsettles Scores (10)
10.If Only (10)
11.Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts (10)
12.Long Overdue for a Miracle (10)
13.When Children Rule the World (10)
14.Annie Christmas (9)
15.No Matter What (10)
16.Try Not to be Afraid (10)
17.A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste (10)
18.Charlie Christmas (9)
19.Off Ramp Exit to Paradise (9)
20.Safe Haven (8)
21.Wrestle with the Devil (8)
22.Nature of the Beast (10)
23.Finale (10)