|
Post by inthenose on Jun 30, 2022 17:20:52 GMT
Back To The Future is a musical. One that has won awards. So suck it up slackers and make like a tree. Just because it is a musical doesn't make it a good one necessarily... And as I've already made the point, the new musical category was pretty slim pickings this year (to the point they nominated Drifters Girl which got 2-3 stars pretty much universally.) It's a great spectacle, its just the wrong art form for the piece... Fair enough. The only thing I would question is how well commercially it would've done as a play. If it wasn't a musical, it almost certainly wouldn't have happened at all. Which is fine if you didn't enjoy it, but bad for those who did. Harry Potter is really the only comparison I can think of which has been successful. And HP as a brand is infinitely more popular, profitable, relevant and recent than BTTF. As for the arena tour "extravaganza" option, War of the Worlds is really the only profitable example of a similar ilk I know of. They usually always flop - it's the very reason Lord of the Rings didn't get financial backing. Because it wasn't Cirque and guaranteed a return. "Walking with Dinosaurs", "Batman Live" et al all lost absolute fortunes.
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Jun 30, 2022 17:21:52 GMT
I can only see it lasting another six months really. The Adelphi is always high on peoples list when bringing new productions into town and the second it starts to flag it’ll be out to make way for something else. I agree. I've never understood why though as the Adelphi is a dreadful theatre, my least favourite.
|
|
|
Post by danb on Jun 30, 2022 17:34:06 GMT
I think its just the science of having 1400 seats in a very central location. The lack of FOH space is abysmal and my original seat for BTTF was like a trick in a funhouse.
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Jun 30, 2022 17:44:25 GMT
I think its just the science of having 1400 seats in a very central location. The lack of FOH space is abysmal and my original seat for BTTF was like a trick in a funhouse. There's not a good seat in the house. The Dominion is also dreadful.
|
|
2,822 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jun 30, 2022 17:54:35 GMT
Back To The Future is a musical. One that has won awards. So suck it up slackers and make like a tree. Just because it is a musical doesn't make it a good one necessarily... And as I've already made the point, the new musical category was pretty slim pickings this year (to the point they nominated Drifters Girl which got 2-3 stars pretty much universally.) It's a great spectacle, its just the wrong art form for the piece... I was just joshing.
|
|
|
Post by vernongersh on Jun 30, 2022 22:44:54 GMT
Visually exciting (although not all scenes) but some of If not the WORST music, maybe ever? Roger and Olly were great and having fun with their respective roles. Lots of schtick. But, wow, I cannot believe a musical at this level could produce such bland music.
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Jul 1, 2022 2:47:12 GMT
Visually exciting (although not all scenes) but some of If not the WORST music, maybe ever? Roger and Olly were great and having fun with their respective roles. Lots of schtick. But, wow, I cannot believe a musical at this level could produce such bland music. Well, to be fair, you say it's both "bland" and the "WORST music, maybe ever?" in the same paragraph. Personally I'd rather sit through the BTTF score being done really well, than see a show with catchier songs - Legally Blonde, for example - when it is being absolutely butchered. My opinion was there were some decent songs, but nothing memorable. Really fun show regardless.
|
|
3,114 posts
|
Post by Rory on Jul 2, 2022 15:30:44 GMT
|
|
2,822 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 5, 2022 20:23:12 GMT
Fantastic news to hear that this MUSICAL is extending!
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Jul 9, 2022 14:02:33 GMT
Olly has announced he is leaving at cast change august 15th. Rumour has it most of the principal cast are leaving too!
|
|
1,457 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by marob on Jul 9, 2022 14:31:25 GMT
Interesting. Can’t remember who it was, but someone on here said that when a show announces a long extension it’s actually in trouble and it’s days are probably numbered. Can’t help thinking of Cinderella’s announcement of a 12 month extension. Certainly looks like there’s plenty of availability, so it’s not like it’s the hot ticket it was when it first opened.
Not surprised most of the cast are leaving, some of them must have been with the show about three years by now.
|
|
2,381 posts
|
Post by robertb213 on Jul 9, 2022 14:32:07 GMT
That will be a big loss, Olly is brilliant in the show. It's a spot-on replica of Michael J Fox's performance, he'll be hard to replace.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2022 15:20:17 GMT
Interesting. Can’t remember who it was, but someone on here said that when a show announces a long extension it’s actually in trouble and it’s days are probably numbered. Can’t help thinking of Cinderella’s announcement of a 12 month extension. Certainly looks like there’s plenty of availability, so it’s not like it’s the hot ticket it was when it first opened. Not surprised most of the cast are leaving, some of them must have been with the show about three years by now. Yes it's often a way to try and get an advance, group bookings etc and judge public interest (unless it's an established long runner). A year or more extension usually isn't a great sign, it's been seen so many times (like you say, cinderella being the most recent example). Is Ollys attendance still bad?
|
|
4,603 posts
|
Post by Mark on Jul 9, 2022 15:31:19 GMT
That will be a big loss, Olly is brilliant in the show. It's a spot-on replica of Michael J Fox's performance, he'll be hard to replace. If I’ve heard correctly, the replacement is direct from New Jersey and had universal raves for his debut role.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2022 15:43:13 GMT
That will be a big loss, Olly is brilliant in the show. It's a spot-on replica of Michael J Fox's performance, he'll be hard to replace. If I’ve heard correctly, the replacement is direct from New Jersey and had universal raves for his debut role. Luke suri ?
|
|
642 posts
|
Post by greeny11 on Jul 9, 2022 15:49:19 GMT
I'd assume it'd be Ben Joyce, given Luke Suri is joining the London cast.
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Jul 9, 2022 16:44:10 GMT
The biggest challenge will be replacing Roger Bart. You need someone with charisma, stage presence and strong acting chops. Very tricky part to cast and Bart was so good. The casting lives or dies by Doc Brown’s replacement, in my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Jul 9, 2022 16:47:37 GMT
I'd assume it'd be Ben Joyce, given Luke Suri is joining the London cast. Ben Joyce has said he’s taking extended time off to rest his voice.
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Jul 9, 2022 16:49:08 GMT
The biggest challenge will be replacing Roger Bart. You need someone with charisma, stage presence and strong acting chops. Very tricky part to cast and Bart was so good. The casting lives or dies by Doc Brown’s replacement, in my opinion. I know Mark is leaving, but Mark was equally as good as Roger, if not better if you want a more movie version of the role.
|
|
|
Post by inthenose on Jul 9, 2022 16:56:55 GMT
The biggest challenge will be replacing Roger Bart. You need someone with charisma, stage presence and strong acting chops. Very tricky part to cast and Bart was so good. The casting lives or dies by Doc Brown’s replacement, in my opinion. I know Mark is leaving, but Mark was equally as good as Roger, if not better if you want a more movie version of the role. I’m sure he was great. Sadly I won’t get a chance to see him… I can only judge based on who I saw, and everyone else was terrific in the cast - but it was Roger Bart on the night I attended that held everything together. If they can cast equal to him in terms of talent and status, I’ll be back after the cast change in a flash.
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Jul 10, 2022 8:58:25 GMT
Christopher Lloyd, Claudia Wells, Donald Fullilove and Frances Lee McCain will be at Wednesdays show.
|
|
2,822 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 10, 2022 17:08:28 GMT
Some great directorial tweaks to this since I last saw it - new graphic and light sequences, particularly in the second half intro, tighter gaps between scenes (particularly George McFly's entrance in the gym hall / lunch scene); the peeping-tom tree scene has tidied up the branch break/collapse, though still clumsy with that applause point before it snaps. I'd prefer it if the song ended with the fall. It's interesting seeing this show evolve.
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Jul 10, 2022 17:11:28 GMT
Ben Joyce has been announced as the new Marty!
Roger Bart is STAYING and in talks to transfer to Broadway next year.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2022 17:18:30 GMT
|
|
642 posts
|
Post by greeny11 on Jul 10, 2022 17:27:55 GMT
I'd assume it'd be Ben Joyce, given Luke Suri is joining the London cast. Ben Joyce has said he’s taking extended time off to rest his voice. Not that much time off
|
|
501 posts
|
Post by anthony on Jul 10, 2022 18:36:40 GMT
The biggest challenge will be replacing Roger Bart. You need someone with charisma, stage presence and strong acting chops. Very tricky part to cast and Bart was so good. The casting lives or dies by Doc Brown’s replacement, in my opinion. Which, I guess, they won't. Bart will open the show on Broadway and the West End version will close with it.
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Jul 10, 2022 19:33:19 GMT
Full cast announcement tomorrow at 11:45 on WOS. Anyone got any spoilers?
|
|
1,435 posts
|
Post by showtoones on Jul 10, 2022 19:41:15 GMT
Olly missed a ton of shows so hopefully Ben will get two shows off a week so he will show up for the other ones.
|
|
2,822 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jul 10, 2022 19:44:53 GMT
Think the changes referred to in that article are already being woven in to the show judging by today's performance. I forgot to mention the blue led rimmed glasses worn by the ensemble in 21st Century plus some new red and blue hidden lighting in the various panels that frame the stage. If anybody hasn't seen this for a while, it's well worth seeing how they're working out new solutions and constantly improving. The lighting sequence in 21st Century is absolutely mindblowing now - its like they've put the tech desk on steroids. The moment the car hits 88mph on the return to 1985 was much tighter too with Doc walking on stage sooner than he has done previously. It kept the momentum nicely. Oh, and the sound was noticeably louder today too. All in all, this show is improving every time I see it, and I admire the way the producers/directors are refining it constantly.
|
|
|
Post by danb on Jul 10, 2022 19:53:50 GMT
Almost as if they are making it good enough for a Broadway stage ☺️
|
|