18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 16, 2017 15:24:03 GMT
He got very emotional in Birmingham to and made the heart sign ... acted as if he was taken a back by the response when he walked down for finale ... at one point did a Liza crouch like she goes at live from radio city *splutter* 😆😆
|
|
18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 16, 2017 18:57:54 GMT
Since seeing the show I downloaded the Douglas Hodge/Kelsey Grammer version and I am LIVING for it
|
|
2 posts
|
Post by sunshineyday on Jun 18, 2017 11:36:09 GMT
I just had to sign up to post about La Cage Aux Folles... although I've been to many, many musicals over the years, this is one of my favourites without a doubt. I've seen this particular production in Oxford on opening weekend, in Wimbledon in March and in Woking last week and I've really enjoyed watching it grow and seeing the performers become more comfortable in their roles.
It is the first time I've seen the musical version of this (although I have also seen the French film and The Birdcage) but I can't imagine anyone else but John Partridge as Albin. His performance is heart wrenching at times and very funny at others, and his voice is outstanding - this is the first time I've seen someone get a standing ovation both at the interval and at the end of the show. His version of I Am What I Am was beautiful and emotional. The accent also works for me because he's said in interviews that he uses his home accent (he's from Manchester) as he takes inspiration from his mum to bring the necessary vulnerability to the role. And it really works.
Adrian Zmed feels right as Georges and I see chemistry between him and John as Albin. His calm tenderness is the perfect opposition to Albin's tendency to overreact and fly into a temper. In Woking, Paul Monaghan (who usually plays Dindon) was understudying and he was actually great as well, assuming he hasn't played Georges much or at all previously. Also praise needs to go to the Cagelles who have come along so much since the show opened in Oxford, especially as they're all very young and I think for some of them this is their biggest role to date. In fact for me, I really enjoyed all of the cast in their roles. There is a lot of talent on that stage.
At a time when there's so much turmoil and uncertainty in the world, this musical was a beacon of light to me and I left the theatre with a huge smile on my face and an earworm in my head that lasted days.
|
|
18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 18, 2017 17:06:29 GMT
Thank you for your post John
|
|
185 posts
|
Post by boybooshka on Jun 21, 2017 10:15:24 GMT
It's not my favourite production of the show, that would still be the Menier production. But still i think it's pretty decent. Like others have said it took me a while to adjust to the northern accent, but once i got used to it i thought it was fine. Although i didn't totally shake off the feeling that the entire show had been relocated to Blackpool! The only weak link for me was the actor playing Jacob, i know it's not the strongest role as written but his performance to me felt like a heterosexual A level drama student playing CAMP! After reading peoples comments on here and reports from friends who have been to see it, it sounds like Partridge gets very "emotional" at the end of every performance. It's good that after so many years in the business that the audiences response still can have that effect on him. No cynicism here at all
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2017 10:37:39 GMT
The only weak link for me was the actor playing Jacob, i know it's not the strongest role as written but his performance to me felt like a heterosexual A level drama student playing CAMP! This reminds me of my favourite piece of direction from to an actor in a production of 'The Normal Heart'
"Oh dear, you are not a homosexual gentleman are you? ....learn"
|
|
185 posts
|
Post by boybooshka on Jun 21, 2017 10:54:53 GMT
The only weak link for me was the actor playing Jacob, i know it's not the strongest role as written but his performance to me felt like a heterosexual A level drama student playing CAMP! This reminds me of my favourite piece of direction from to an actor in a production of 'The Normal Heart'
"Oh dear, you are not a homosexual gentleman are you? ....learn"
Haha, love it! i guess that's what meant by the phrase ' a practising homosexual" ?
|
|
2 posts
|
Post by sunshineyday on Jun 22, 2017 7:26:14 GMT
Thank you for your post John Just someone who goes into shows expecting to be impressed rather than looking for flaws. I'll take that as a compliment though
|
|
18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 22, 2017 8:04:34 GMT
Thank you for your post John Just someone who goes into shows expecting to be impressed rather than looking for flaws. I'll take that as a compliment though Just my little joke We certainly can use as much positivity as you have to give so keep them coming, and welcome to the forum.
|
|
|
Post by theatreboy1 on Jun 24, 2017 23:53:43 GMT
Apparently coming into town next year with David Essex or Kelsey Grammer
|
|
18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 25, 2017 0:00:45 GMT
Apparently coming into town next year with David Essex or Kelsey Grammer Stop that! Kelsey Grammer? (Essex would be terrible. Too self conscious).
|
|
2,452 posts
|
Post by theatremadness on Jun 25, 2017 0:32:12 GMT
Apparently coming into town next year with David Essex or Kelsey Grammer Oh that would be AMAZING (Kelsey Grammer, not so much David Essex...) I wonder if it would be a revival of the Menier production, as that's the one that ended up on Broadway with Grammer, or whether it would be a new production, but with Grammer still involved. No offence to Bill Kenwright, but I can't quite see him pulling such a name...
|
|
263 posts
|
Post by ilovewemusicals on Jul 1, 2017 10:08:48 GMT
Saw the tour in Wolverhampton on Thursday night and honestly think it's one of the best shows I've seen this year. The set is magnificent and John Partridge really does give his all to the roles of Zaza/Albin. He has a really expressive face, which adds so much to both the comedy and heartfelt moments. His ad libs with the audience were hysterically funny. I Am What I Am maybe not the best but still very passionately done. The relationship between him and Adrian Zmed was believable. Adrian seemed to stumble on a few lines but still gave a really stellar performance. Marti Webb, if underused as Jacqueline, made a real impression whenever she did get to use her phenomenal voice (much stronger than when she was wearing it out in Tell Me on a Sunday). I think the show is very slow to get going; We Are What We Are far too long and it seems like an age before Albin comes on but after that it's a really fun-filled farce.
Added bonus was we got to attend a post-show Q&A with Adrian and Marti. Marti told me she prefers doing an ensemble show to a solo one like Sunday. She didn't know what she was getting herself into when she took on Sunday and it was scary being onstage alone. The cast seem really close knit and that does come across in the show.
|
|
119 posts
|
Post by theatregeek on Aug 1, 2017 12:59:26 GMT
After the cancellation of the Aberdeen dates of this tour I planned a weekend in Glasgow to go and see this. I saw the Menier production twice so it had a lot to live up to - I wasn't expecting the Menier production after reading some of the comments on here so I went in with an open mind. Overall I enjoyed it - it's a great show, so it would be hard to completely screw it up. However, I had to work really hard to "feel" for Albin (or Alvin as one of the Scottish reviewers called him. This show is really emotional in parts but it took me until the 2nd half to feel the emotion. I was prepared for the accent after reading this thread, and I thought I would get used to it, but sadly I didn't. My friend knew nothing of the show and the first thing he said after 10'ish minutes was "why the Northern accent? It is just annoying" and it was. There was a lack of chemistry between the leads too, sadly Adrian was just too old - or John was too young - it was too hard to believe the relationship. Marti Webb was great! I knew the part was small, but she actually made it her own. So, overall feeling at the end? Enjoyable, but ultimately disappointed, maybe not if I hadn't seen the Menier one. Sparse audience sadly at Saturday matinee.
|
|
571 posts
|
Post by westendwendy on Aug 1, 2017 14:27:51 GMT
I really hope this show comes into the West End but NOT with John Partridge. He loves himself, is wrong for the role, the accent is horrible and he is too young.
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Aug 1, 2017 14:29:52 GMT
I am going to see it tonight in Sunderland and am just going to see Adrian. Proud Grease 2 fangirl.
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Aug 1, 2017 19:59:11 GMT
It's the interval.
I like everyone else but deary me.... how annoying is John P?
Is it just me?!
|
|
18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 1, 2017 20:30:34 GMT
A bit much?
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Aug 1, 2017 22:49:28 GMT
Just a bit.
He said after he was very ill as yesterday he was bitten by a spider.
One of the more random things I've heard at Stage Door.
|
|
114 posts
|
Post by showbizkid on Aug 2, 2017 0:05:49 GMT
Jon is HORRIBLE IN THE ROLE and loves himself. That accent and characterisation is just vile
|
|
243 posts
|
Post by musicallady on Aug 2, 2017 14:29:11 GMT
It's the interval. I like everyone else but deary me.... how annoying is John P? Is it just me?! No. I've always wanted to see the show but I couldn't sit through a show with Mr Partridge in it. Can't stand the bloke.
|
|
4,550 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Mark on Aug 4, 2017 8:48:27 GMT
Saw the show last night in Sunderland and whilst it was enjoyable, it's not a patch on the wonderful Menier production which I saw five times at the playhouse. The main thing for me was the choreography and staging just seemed quite amateur when compared to the Menier production. Liked John but what's with all the backphrasing, wish he would have just sung the score as written. Set was pretty decent for a touring production.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Aug 23, 2017 10:19:50 GMT
This thread was on page 3 of the Musicals section of the board and I hate to drag it to the top really but I caught this show in Brighton last night and just could not resist commenting.
I have seen many productions of La Cage in my time including the original London Palladium production with Denis Quilley and George Hearn and of course the Menier Chocolate Factory production with Douglas Hodge. This production was the worst I have ever seen.
John Partridge (who to be fair was very hard working - 8 shows a week in a demanding role) was appalling in the role. I just did not understand his acting choices or perhaps how he was directed. He appeared to be in a totally different show to the rest of the cast, who were attempting to perform La Cage, while he thought he was in pantomime! Who thought that a northern accent was a good idea - it fixed the show firmly in Funny Girls in Blackpool rather than the La Cage Aux Folles on the French Riviera! The accent of course disappeared (almost) during the musical numbers which he managed to murder with odd phrasing and belting. His performance as Albin was vile, crass, self indulgent, hammy, totally lacking in warmth and charm. He almost sank the entire show single handed.
Marti Webb was a joy in a small role and the actors who played Anne and Jean-Michel were charming.
The set had a great retractable staircase with peacock sliding frames at the top - clearly all the set budget had been spent on this as the rest of the set consisted of 4 tatty cloths that looked like left overs from a production of Hello Dolly to signify Albins apartment, Chez Jaqueline, and a street on the French Riviera. Lighting was flat and dull. The costumes, however, I thought were excellent. I genuinely have seem far better amateur productions on this very stage!
This was by far the worst production I have seen of the show. There was a discussion on another thread about the quality of touring musicals compared to the West End and unfortunately this exemplifies what folk outside London deem to be acceptable. I have to say that the show went down a storm (even in Brighton which I thought would know better) huge laughs and a partial standing ovation at the end from a packed theatre! Clearly my standards are far too high or other peoples standards have slipped!
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Aug 23, 2017 11:42:44 GMT
Clearly my standards are far too high As a member of the I-Loved=It camp, I'd say your standards are too parsleyesque.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Aug 23, 2017 12:39:28 GMT
your standards are too parsleyesque I will take that as a badge of honour! I didn't leave at the interval though - but I was very tempted. Perhaps leaving at the interval qualifies for an advanced parsleyeque badge - I will do my very best to achieve this!
|
|
1,089 posts
|
Post by tonyloco on Aug 23, 2017 13:17:16 GMT
Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly does 'parsleyesque' mean?
|
|
18,778 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 23, 2017 13:20:54 GMT
I have to say that the show went down a storm (even in Brighton which I thought would know better) huge laughs and a partial standing ovation at the end from a packed theatre! Why? What's special about Brighton that the rest of "outside London" hasn't got?
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Aug 23, 2017 13:22:42 GMT
There is poster on here who goes under the name of Parsley. He/she goes to the theatre a lot but seems to like very little and is known for leaving at the interval on numerous occasions. Their opinion is often at odds with the majority on this board. So I was being likened to Parsley having slated La Cage - so parsleyesque!
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Aug 23, 2017 13:28:50 GMT
I have to say that the show went down a storm (even in Brighton which I thought would know better) huge laughs and a partial standing ovation at the end from a packed theatre! Why? What's special about Brighton that the rest of "outside London" hasn't got? As Brighton (allegedly) has a high gay population and has seen many local productions of the show by amateur societies I assumed the audience would be a little more discerning.
|
|
578 posts
|
Post by michalnowicki on Aug 23, 2017 13:34:56 GMT
is known for leaving at the interval on numerous occasions. Slander! As far as I know Parsley never left at the interval.
|
|