2,557 posts
|
Post by viserys on Feb 27, 2018 1:44:41 GMT
Apparently they cast Reva Rice (the original Pearl on Broadway) as Mama.
|
|
66 posts
|
Post by bodobear on Feb 27, 2018 19:07:16 GMT
They have four “Jubiläumsshows” actually. Every evening show from 14th to 17th June. Still debating if I WANT to afford that or if I’m fine with just going to a preview show... (which is basically half the price compared to one of the birthday shows...). Ah yes so they do! Wonder what's special about them (and what's different to the matinees on those dates) to justify the massive price hike! Will be v keen to see the new version ASAP though. Apparently, they justify the prices with: red carpet, meet & greet with some of the cast, welcome glass of champagne, pre-show in the auditorium, access to the aftershow party including finger food buffet and memorabilia for the 30th anniversary (I guess something like the book they handed out for the 25th anniversary). I know a lot of past cast members have been invited for one of the weekend shows, so I'm tempted to book that but it's still a massive price hike compared to "regular" shows...
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2018 22:19:23 GMT
Ah yes so they do! Wonder what's special about them (and what's different to the matinees on those dates) to justify the massive price hike! Will be v keen to see the new version ASAP though. Apparently, they justify the prices with: red carpet, meet & greet with some of the cast, welcome glass of champagne, pre-show in the auditorium, access to the aftershow party including finger food buffet and memorabilia for the 30th anniversary (I guess something like the book they handed out for the 25th anniversary). I know a lot of past cast members have been invited for one of the weekend shows, so I'm tempted to book that but it's still a massive price hike compared to "regular" shows... Ahhh, thanks. Hmmmm, might just have to get a ticket and worry about the debt later! Think must be the Sunday night with the ex cast members as most of rows 1-5 and Parkett are blocked out for that performance! Assume Arlene will be there :-) hopefully ALW too.
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Feb 28, 2018 14:25:58 GMT
The main anniversary show is Sunday 17th. There are 215 previous cast members returning! Great news they cast Reva - I’m sure she’s on a pretty packet! I wonder who will understudy her?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2018 21:23:14 GMT
The main anniversary show is Sunday 17th. There are 215 previous cast members returning! Great news they cast Reva - I’m sure she’s on a pretty packet! I wonder who will understudy her? Just booked Sunday 17th - couldn't resist!
|
|
66 posts
|
Post by bodobear on Feb 28, 2018 21:47:47 GMT
The main anniversary show is Sunday 17th. There are 215 previous cast members returning! Great news they cast Reva - I’m sure she’s on a pretty packet! I wonder who will understudy her? Just booked Sunday 17th - couldn't resist! I am very tempted to book but the prices are really putting me off... The two confirmed understudies for Reva are Bianca Atalaya and Rochelle Sherona. Bianca did Aladdin in Germany before and Rochelle just graduated from Urdang. I definitely know of one of the staying girls to understudy Momma as well but not allowed to say yet.
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Mar 1, 2018 17:54:14 GMT
I wonder did it put anyone (Papa’s) out of a job? I know Richard Woodford is currently Electra so it wouldn’t affect any understudies. Also would the covers to Mama be swing ensemble surely? Carraiges and Componants? So many questions and I’m still sad they didn’t bring Belle back.....
|
|
66 posts
|
Post by bodobear on Mar 1, 2018 18:26:21 GMT
I wonder did it put anyone (Papa’s) out of a job? I know Richard Woodford is currently Electra so it wouldn’t affect any understudies. Also would the covers to Mama be swing ensemble surely? Carraiges and Componants? So many questions and I’m still sad they didn’t bring Belle back..... Yes the current 1st Cast Papa has to leave due to the changes. One of the understudies is leaving (not sure if related to the changes as well), the other two are staying but obviously with different covers. The understudies for Mama are either swings or in the ensemble but not all their roles have been confirmed.
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Mar 2, 2018 7:29:46 GMT
And if they ban Diesel in Germany what will happen to Greaseball? Haha....
|
|
2,557 posts
|
Post by viserys on Mar 15, 2018 6:46:56 GMT
They've announced the very predictable anniversary special discount - 30,000 tickets at 30 Euro, bookable this weekend only for performances from 18th May through to the end of the year.
I dunno if I should book. Part of me is curious to see what they'll be doing this time, part of me can't bear to see the show further messed with.
|
|
1,329 posts
|
Post by CG on the loose on Mar 17, 2018 23:57:55 GMT
Just remembering that ALW was asked whether anything would come from the Starlight workshop recently at The Other Palace. He said that they were going to put a number of changes worked out there into the long-running production in Germany - which I assume is this one! - and then who knew what might happen after that...
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Mar 21, 2018 22:36:44 GMT
I got meeeee blah blah blah blaaaaahhhhh
It’s the worst tune ALW has ever written. I’ll scream if they put it in.
And to think they cut Lotta Locomotion!!! GRRRR
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by Raven on May 5, 2018 19:27:01 GMT
So, it looks like we are losing both Ashley and Buffy...they are replacing Ashley with Belle and Buffy with a coach called Tassita. Apparently Tassita was used in the London workshop but I never went so someone else may have to enlighten us as to what kind of coach she is. Really not sure I like the thought of there not being either Ashley or Buffy, to be honest. We kind of thought Ashley would go but Buffy too? Not sure how the fans will react to that.
Casting wise a few more names have been confirmed: Rose Ouellette as Dinah Georgina Hagen as Pearl Sjoerd van der Meer as Electra Ben Carruthers as Caboose Richard Woodford as Greaseball Darius James as Flat-Top Blake Patrick Anderson as Rusty Daniel Holley as Dustin
I believe Gemma Archer, Lacy Jordinson and Danielle Lockwood are remaining as swings but this has yet to be confirmed. No news as to who Sian Jones or Carla Pullen will play nor the cast of any of the components.
|
|
3,776 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by d'James on May 5, 2018 19:35:19 GMT
Belle was in the workshop too.
Tassita was the quiet carriage.
Reva Rice is playing Momma. Blast from the past.
I hope they don’t use I Got Me as much as they did in the workshop.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by Raven on May 5, 2018 20:03:01 GMT
Tassita was the quiet carriage. So we can expect a lot of singing from her then?
|
|
3,776 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by d'James on May 5, 2018 20:05:41 GMT
Tassita was the quiet carriage. So we can expect a lot of singing from her then? Yes that’s what I thought. She kept shushing people until a big number started and she was happily joining in.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 6, 2018 0:27:44 GMT
Belle was in the workshop too. Tassita was the quiet carriage. Reva Rice is playing Momma. Blast from the past. I hope they don’t use I Got Me as much as they did in the workshop. Indeed they both were. Pretty small roles in the workshop. Not helped by lack of Girls Rolling Stock. Anyway, anyone going out next weekend for the goodbye shows? Or for the opening weekend of the new version June 16/17?! As a diehard fan have thrown caution to the wind and going out for both!
|
|
3,776 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by d'James on May 6, 2018 0:36:17 GMT
I heard Girls’ Rolling Stock was only cut on the early UK Tours so they didn’t have to pay the actresses as much.
If true, I hope the rules are different in Germany so it’s never cut; it’s a massive moment (let’s not think too much about how a silent carriage would sing it). Also the German choreography for the song is much better than the last UK Tour version.
|
|
66 posts
|
Post by bodobear on May 7, 2018 14:39:02 GMT
Belle was in the workshop too. Tassita was the quiet carriage. Reva Rice is playing Momma. Blast from the past. I hope they don’t use I Got Me as much as they did in the workshop. Indeed they both were. Pretty small roles in the workshop. Not helped by lack of Girls Rolling Stock. Anyway, anyone going out next weekend for the goodbye shows? Or for the opening weekend of the new version June 16/17?! As a diehard fan have thrown caution to the wind and going out for both! I’ll be there for the Goodbye Shows of course and going to the preview on 7th June. Still debating about the 17th but might wait until after the preview and decide then. Seeing Michael having to go on Sunday does not actually make me want to go back as much - in addition to the changes.
|
|
2,557 posts
|
Post by viserys on May 9, 2018 17:43:15 GMT
So the awful sound is going to get worse. They confirmed that the "orchestra" will be reduced to NINE people. Brass and woodwind are out. I'm sorry but when I revisited the show for the first time in ages last year I was shocked by the sound, so this doesn't bode well. Used to be 22-24 people when the show started.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 18:13:13 GMT
So the awful sound is going to get worse. They confirmed that the "orchestra" will be reduced to NINE people. Brass and woodwind are out. I'm sorry but when I revisited the show for the first time in ages last year I was shocked by the sound, so this doesn't bode well. Used to be 22-24 people when the show started. Hmmmm, mixed feelings about this one. Starlight is an uptempo pop score and I think a heavily synthesised keyboard dominant sound can work well. Certainly IMHO the most recent tour had the smallest band thus far but I thought the sound was epic (better than I have ever heard it in Bochum, though being in a theatre rather than the mini arena of Bochum with it's high ceiling I think makes the sound stronger and heavier - sorry I don't know any technical terms when it comes to sound design!) That said I like my Starlight bold and unsubtle.... HOWEVER, this is probably being done only to save money. Don't get me started on them getting rid of the 6 follow spots and changing to those weak automated ones - could barely see anything in February. Hopefully they've improved them. Also has the cast board in the foyer been mended or been scrapped?!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 18:15:50 GMT
Oh the score also sounded great in The Other Palace and this was with an 8 piece I think, 3 keyboards, 2 guitar, 1 bass, drums and that thing that plays the Starlight Express intro. You blow in to it, looks like a microphone lol.
|
|
2,557 posts
|
Post by viserys on May 9, 2018 19:18:02 GMT
Oh the score also sounded great in The Other Palace and this was with an 8 piece I think, 3 keyboards, 2 guitar, 1 bass, drums and that thing that plays the Starlight Express intro. You blow in to it, looks like a microphone lol. OK, well, let's hope it will sound good then. Apparently ALW is heading over himself for a sound check. I was just stunned by how bad it sounded compared to how I remembered it, but perhaps that was just downsizing while using the original score and these are new arrangements. And yea it's about cost cutting, both the orchestra members and the light operators that are being replaced by automatic stuff. Here's the full article, if you're interested: www.waz.de/staedte/bochum/starlight-express-in-bochum-baut-zum-jubilaeum-stellen-ab-id214245449.htmlApparently there's heavy re-decorating going on, not sure if the old cast board will ever return. You will probably see before me as I won't be going til mid-July!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 21:21:28 GMT
Oh the score also sounded great in The Other Palace and this was with an 8 piece I think, 3 keyboards, 2 guitar, 1 bass, drums and that thing that plays the Starlight Express intro. You blow in to it, looks like a microphone lol. OK, well, let's hope it will sound good then. Apparently ALW is heading over himself for a sound check. I was just stunned by how bad it sounded compared to how I remembered it, but perhaps that was just downsizing while using the original score and these are new arrangements. And yea it's about cost cutting, both the orchestra members and the light operators that are being replaced by automatic stuff. Here's the full article, if you're interested: www.waz.de/staedte/bochum/starlight-express-in-bochum-baut-zum-jubilaeum-stellen-ab-id214245449.htmlApparently there's heavy re-decorating going on, not sure if the old cast board will ever return. You will probably see before me as I won't be going til mid-July! Really interesting article, thanks for posting. (Just ran the whole thing through Google Translate!). Is interesting isn't it, you never know what is cost cutting for the sake of it and what is embracing new technology. Not a problem unique to Starlight. Re the band, remember when they reduced the Les Mis band and sound was generally inferior. Then they did the new orchestrations for the 25th anniversary and with the smallest band so far it sounded better than ever.... Hope the cast board will still be there - I'll let you know!
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on May 14, 2018 12:17:15 GMT
Last show last night. Lots of emotion on social media.
Buffet, Ashley, Bobo, Hash and Papa have all been cut in the new show that starts in 3 weeks.
I really hope they don’t destroy the Bochum production!!!!
|
|
66 posts
|
Post by bodobear on May 15, 2018 16:12:06 GMT
Great atmosphere in the theatre for the last show!
As far as I know roles will be changed as follows: - Hip Hoppers changed back to Rockies - Buffy replaced by Tassita - Ashley replaced by Belle (as in the workshop) - Hashamoto renamed to Manga - Bobo replaced by Coco (female engine) - Purse cut/merged with Volta - Killerwatt as new component (similar to Krupp) - Brexit added as engine
I Got Me will be added as the new song for the carriages.
I wonder if they are changing something about “Pearl” as both Sian and Carla won’t be covering the part next year - even though they’ve both played Pearl for many many years...
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 15, 2018 20:47:01 GMT
Great atmosphere in the theatre for the last show! As far as I know roles will be changed as follows: - Hip Hoppers changed back to Rockies - Buffy replaced by Tassita - Ashley replaced by Belle (as in the workshop) - Hashamoto renamed to Manga - Bobo replaced by Coco (female engine) - Purse cut/merged with Volta - Killerwatt as new component (similar to Krupp) - Brexit added as engine I Got Me will be added as the new song for the carriages. I wonder if they are changing something about “Pearl” as both Sian and Carla won’t be covering the part next year - even though I’ve both played Pearl for many many years... Was also there this weekend, was an incredible atmosphere, had a brilliant time. Although I am always positive about Starlight changes, I did reflect at the time that the current Bochum version will be hard to beat. We shall see! Just hoping it's not changed beyond recognition, though guess that is unlikely. Shall miss the Hoppers. Though I liked the London Rockies, I always found the Bochum costumes with the massive headgear quite ugly. Was quite sad at the "RIP Hoppers" HH1 said at the end of Right Place.... The rest of the character changes am not so worried about, though will take time to get used to no Ashley or Buffy.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 10:47:38 GMT
Great atmosphere in the theatre for the last show! As far as I know roles will be changed as follows: - Hip Hoppers changed back to Rockies - Buffy replaced by Tassita - Ashley replaced by Belle (as in the workshop) - Hashamoto renamed to Manga - Bobo replaced by Coco (female engine) - Purse cut/merged with Volta - Killerwatt as new component (similar to Krupp) - Brexit added as engine I Got Me will be added as the new song for the carriages. I wonder if they are changing something about “Pearl” as both Sian and Carla won’t be covering the part next year - even though I’ve both played Pearl for many many years... Was also there this weekend, was an incredible atmosphere, had a brilliant time. Although I am always positive about Starlight changes, I did reflect at the time that the current Bochum version will be hard to beat. We shall see! Just hoping it's not changed beyond recognition, though guess that is unlikely. Shall miss the Hoppers. Though I liked the London Rockies, I always found the Bochum costumes with the massive headgear quite ugly. Was quite sad at the "RIP Hoppers" HH1 said at the end of Right Place.... The rest of the character changes am not so worried about, though will take time to get used to no Ashley or Buffy. Posted a review over on Belle's Domain if anyone interested....
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on May 16, 2018 17:46:34 GMT
Was also there this weekend, was an incredible atmosphere, had a brilliant time. Although I am always positive about Starlight changes, I did reflect at the time that the current Bochum version will be hard to beat. We shall see! Just hoping it's not changed beyond recognition, though guess that is unlikely. Shall miss the Hoppers. Though I liked the London Rockies, I always found the Bochum costumes with the massive headgear quite ugly. Was quite sad at the "RIP Hoppers" HH1 said at the end of Right Place.... The rest of the character changes am not so worried about, though will take time to get used to no Ashley or Buffy. Posted a review over on Belle's Domain if anyone interested.... The new song “I got Me” is HORRIBLE! And repeated soooooo many times in interludes and races and the melody is monotonous and soooo annoying!
|
|
3,776 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by d'James on May 16, 2018 18:49:08 GMT
Posted a review over on Belle's Domain if anyone interested.... The new song “I got Me” is HORRIBLE! And repeated soooooo many times in interludes and races and the melody is monotonous and soooo annoying! It was repeated far too much and meant other good bits got cut. The night I saw it there was basically no remaining ‘Engine of Love’ melody (which comes in many different songs) - so sad.
|
|