25 posts
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Post by theatrespy on Jul 29, 2016 8:34:20 GMT
The Stage's Mark Shenton has tweeted that booked into Noel Corward Theatre for September opening.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 8:38:49 GMT
The Stage's Mark Shenton has tweeted that booked into Noel Corward Theatre for September opening. Called it!! Haha, if Cameron is so heavily involved with this show then it makes sense for him to put it in one of his empty theatres! Wonder if it'll be a limited season or open ended?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 9:08:56 GMT
The Stage's Mark Shenton has tweeted that booked into Noel Corward Theatre for September opening. Hurrah! I frankly can't be arsed to schlep all the way to Chichester so this would be great news. And there's to be a cast album too apparently. I do hope they will be taking the title literally and pricing the tickets accordingly.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 29, 2016 15:50:24 GMT
Well it doesn't surprise me that Cam Mack is transferring this into the WE given all the time and money lavished on the show. I just cannot see it setting the town alight at all. Even with discounts I cannot see it appealing.
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Jul 29, 2016 16:03:15 GMT
I'll be happy if it does come to the Noel Coward purely as this does sound like the sort of show I'd love and I know I won't make it to Chichester. That said, I can't see this being a financial hit, even in a small theatre, and won't extend beyond a limited run. It just seems for a show of this style to financially succeed you nee a name, like Imelda, or a show that is a family known, like Singin' in the Rain, and Half a Sixpence is sadly lacking in both departments.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Jul 29, 2016 16:04:13 GMT
Emma Williams back at the Noel Coward? It appeals to me.
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5,269 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 30, 2016 11:30:47 GMT
I'm sorry but this will die a death if it transfers. Seriously. I admire CM for staging it.. But I just cannot see who it will appeal to beyond the few show people (who haven't seen it in Chichester already). It's old fashioned.. And not a classic like a Carousel/My Fair Lady. Very risky indeed IMO
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 11:33:55 GMT
I'm sorry but this will die a death if it transfers. Seriously. I admire CM for staging it.. But I just cannot see who it will appeal to beyond the few show people (who haven't seen it in Chichester already). It's old fashioned.. And not a classic like a Carousel/My Fair Lady. Very risky indeed IMO Atleast if it does transfer then it'll be to the Noel, where it has a better chance at surviving as the theatre is only 800 seats. Wouldn't last if it went to a bigger theatre - I totally get what you mean though
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6,294 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 30, 2016 12:00:51 GMT
I can't imagine it'll have a long run at the Noel Coward. I imagine 6-8 months tops.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 30, 2016 12:12:43 GMT
A great break for Charlie Stemp as Kipps though almost straight out of drama school with only and international tour of Mamma Mia and Ensemble in Wicked to his credits. Now the starring role in a WE show!
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117 posts
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Post by bramble on Jul 30, 2016 13:17:05 GMT
the trouble is as good as Mr Stemp is at dance and song he has not enough experience to carry this show, He nearly always acts as though he has been well drilled like the children in Mary Poppins i.e. someone else's idea of how he should be, This unfortunately ends up making him just look lost and hopeless.I still think they have turned something simple and charming into a big brash vulgar noise".Rain" is turned into a poor mans ascot gavotte".Flash bang" into a camp romp.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 19:37:09 GMT
It will do fine in a Cameron Mackintosh theatre for a limited run. If they do 2 weekday matinees, they should be ok, although that didn't help Mrs Henderson or Show Boat.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 22:21:25 GMT
Baz appears confident of a transfer
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 30, 2016 22:42:16 GMT
Saw this, this afternoon in a packed theatre and if this doesn't get you leaving the house with a smile on your face and a spring in your step nothing will.
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1,330 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Jul 31, 2016 0:33:07 GMT
Saw this, this afternoon in a packed theatre and if this doesn't get you leaving the house with a smile on your face and a spring in your step nothing will. Also saw it this afternoon and enjoyed it hugely (far more than I thought likely after I'd read this thread!) but then I don't know the original well enough to be offended by the changes though I did notice a stylistic difference between old and new. I was impressed with young Charlie Stemp as Kipps even though his voice wasn't quite in the same league as his wonderful footwork, but the biggest grin-inducer for me was the gorgeous sound of the full ensemble in the big production numbers.
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7,497 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 31, 2016 6:02:42 GMT
A thumbs up for me also. Went to see it yesterday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the new songs worked really well especially "pick out a simple tune" which is now stuck in my head. Loved the big production numbers. You can see money has gone into the show with a massive cast, fabulous costumes and a great set. I thought Charlie Stemp was perfect at Kipps and must have the biggest grin in theatre, and what a dancer. As others have said, not sure about how successful a west end run would be but I can see the show doing really well if it went on tour. Great afternoon out.
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31 posts
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Post by stompboy on Jul 31, 2016 14:42:36 GMT
Seems like it was a bit of a board outing to Sixpence yesterday afternoon... I was there too! I wasn't quite so keen as the other members... perfectly enjoyable (as with the otehrs I enjoyed Charlie Stemp as Kipps) but I just found it rather uninspired. It relised on the fab full company numbers for 'wow' moments - but I found that even those were predictable in the choreography and presentation. It's not one of the most popular musicals so a lot of the numbers dn't stick and I was gagging for Flash! Bang! Wallop! by the time came round for it... which was certainly the showstopping number of the show but still left me feeling like I wanted more. It's not a show I wouldn't recommend (like Damsels in Distress) but it's definitley no Gypsy or Guys and Dolls, and I would think a West End transfer could be extremely risky!
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259 posts
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Post by emsworthian on Aug 4, 2016 6:34:16 GMT
Saw this at a packed matinee yesterday and a thumbs up from me. I wouldn't describe it as a great musical but a hugely enjoyable one (It lacks the emotional depth to be great). The Stiles and Drewe numbers I'd describe as "pleasant polyfilla" with the exception of "Pick Out A Simple Tune." That was definitely catchy and the routine where the starchy upper classes at a musical soiree let their hair down was hilarious. I'd watch the show again just to see that.
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Aug 5, 2016 11:27:37 GMT
Just listened to Flash Bang Whallop on Michael Ball's show, and on this basis I would like to see this in the West End. It just seems to have energy and fun, even if it's not the best musical.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2016 19:25:17 GMT
I really enjoyed it this afternoon. It's a five-star revival of a three-star show. It's the book that's the problem and even Julian Fellowes can't fix that.
Regardless, I really enjoyed myself and it reminded me of why I fell in love with those old school British musicals.
It's very dated. Will it sell? I don't think so, but it deserves to, if only for the star turn from Charlie Stemp.
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391 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Aug 9, 2016 12:31:22 GMT
I saw this again last night, it's a solid show held together with a strong cast. I adore Emma Williams but felt she was having an "off-night" yesterday. It was lovely seeing Gillian Lynne in the audience. {Spoiler - click to view} I saw this again last night, it's a solid show held together with a strong cast. I adore Emma Williams but felt she was having an "off-night" yesterday. It was lovely seeing Gillian Lynne in the audience. A difference I noticed from a preview is that one of Lady Punnet's lines have been changed in Act 2 when Arthur has lost his money. She used to say something like "I'm really busy" and be cold to him, but this time she was warmer and said something like "You chose the right girl". I think I preferred her being cold to him as it implicated Helen as nasty, but I don't see her that way.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2016 13:10:54 GMT
Just listened to Flash Bang Whallop on Michael Ball's show. Two things that stand out and reminded me from Saturday.
William David Brohn's exquisite orchestrations.
And Gerard Carey's scene-stealing performance as the photographer in that scene.
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391 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Aug 9, 2016 15:09:54 GMT
And Gerard Carey's scene-stealing performance as the photographer in that scene. "I can't quite fit you in"
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 9, 2016 16:37:32 GMT
I usually love a bit of innuendo (that's why I like Ryan's posts) but I thought the innuendo during this scene was quite out of keeping with the style and period of piece. Just a cheap laugh except the Chichester audience the night I was there didn't!
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Aug 13, 2016 15:12:30 GMT
I really enjoyed it this afternoon. It's a five-star revival of a three-star show. It's the book that's the problem and even Julian Fellowes can't fix that. Regardless, I really enjoyed myself and it reminded me of why I fell in love with those old school British musicals. It's very dated. Will it sell? I don't think so, but it deserves to, if only for the star turn from Charlie Stemp. Watching the show now and completely agree. A five star production of a three star show. It's actually a little boring. Charlie Stemp is delightful though (as is Emma Williams as always). The new songs are just super but act one a little pedestrian... Thank goodness it makes up for it with two amazing numbers and a gorgeous ending in Act 2. One thing though.... With the photographer in Flash Bang Whallop - why does the musical theatre world want to portray gay men as comedy mincey over the top fruits that the audience laughs at? I found it rather offensive to the LGBTQI+ communities sorry.
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5,269 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 13, 2016 19:55:22 GMT
Saw it today. Wow what a dull afternoon in the theatre.
Totally lacking any spark at all. Anyone saying its a five star show clearly have not seen a truly great show. You think it's on a par with Gypsy? Or Showboat? No, didn't think so.
Emma Williams as lovely as ever but what a rubbish character. Vivienne party also good and Charlie stemp (?) was fine but slightly irritating in a 'just graduated drama school' way.. All tits and teeth - no real character. The new songs are totally unmemorable and great songs like "If the rains got to fall" are just thrown away.
It finally takes off at Flash bang Wollop (offensive gay photographer aside) but it's too little too late.
this must not transfer
Thanks Mr Mackintosh for ruining what was a charming show to begin with.
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5,269 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 13, 2016 19:58:49 GMT
Yes that photographer was really offensive. A cheap attempt at laughs to wake the audience up. It shows a huge lapse in taste. I really enjoyed it this afternoon. It's a five-star revival of a three-star show. It's the book that's the problem and even Julian Fellowes can't fix that. Regardless, I really enjoyed myself and it reminded me of why I fell in love with those old school British musicals. It's very dated. Will it sell? I don't think so, but it deserves to, if only for the star turn from Charlie Stemp. Watching the show now and completely agree. A five star production of a three star show. It's actually a little boring. Charlie Stemp is delightful though (as is Emma Williams as always). The new songs are just super but act one a little pedestrian... Thank goodness it makes up for it with two amazing numbers and a gorgeous ending in Act 2. One thing though.... With the photographer in Flash Bang Whallop - why does the musical theatre world want to portray gay men as comedy mincey over the top fruits that the audience laughs at? I found it rather offensive to the LGBTQI+ communities sorry.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2016 20:14:49 GMT
Is it like that line in Les Mis... "This one's a queer, but what can you do?"
*Groan*
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Post by Honoured Guest on Aug 13, 2016 20:51:20 GMT
Thanks Mr Mackintosh for ruining what was a charming show to begin with. And Lord Fellowes of Downton.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Aug 13, 2016 20:53:47 GMT
Is it like that line in Les Mis... "This one's a queer, but what can you do?" *Groan* Calm down. It takes place nearly two centuries ago.
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