1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Nov 30, 2019 23:34:24 GMT
Of all the productions of Gypsy I've ever seen, this was certainly the most... recent.
And the show has one of the greatest overtures in the American musical theatre canon. You DO NOT cut chunks out of it. At least, you don't if you have any taste.
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 23:36:51 GMT
Forgot the most important info. Started at 7.35 and finished at a whopping 10.50. Interval felt it might have been a couple of minutes longer than normal but not significant. I don’t see how they could tighten it up really, it was very slick. Is it usually that long? I can’t recall the Savoy version being so late. And lovely to meet our very own North West reporter david 👋
|
|
343 posts
|
Post by Jonnyboy on Nov 30, 2019 23:37:59 GMT
You’ve either got it, or you ain’t. And Ria’s got it. I knew she’d be good in this and she is. She plays it big, big, big and if you don’t like that vibrato/tremor she’s developed in recent years then don’t see it because it’s present throughout. If that doesn’t bother you then she knocks it out of the park, and got extended applause for Rose’s Turn. The whole cast are good. Melissa James confidently handles the evolution of Louise and the transformations in act 2 as she becomes a star are cleverly executed in the round. Dale Rapley as Herbie is great and has more than a touch of the Carl Malden’s about him. Fantastic dancing by Louis Gaunt as Tulsa. Gimmick is hilaire with a fabulous Mazeppa and an Electra with Rupaul's Drag Race UK twist... I’ll say no more 😆 One minor issue was the US accents of a couple of the male ensemble, but it’s first preview FFS given them a break! 😡 It’s four big teddies from me 🧸🧸🧸🧸 Did you see the Staunton Gypsy? How does this compare?
|
|
1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Nov 30, 2019 23:38:20 GMT
Forgot the most important info. Started at 7.35 and finished at a whopping 10.50. Interval felt it might have been a couple of minutes longer than normal but not significant. I don’t see how they could tighten it up really, it was very slick. Is it usually that long? I can’t recall the Savoy version being out late. And lovely to meet our very own North West reporter david 👋 It could lose twenty minutes without cutting a word. The pacing is incredibly slack.
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 23:38:53 GMT
Of all the productions of Gypsy I've ever seen, this was certainly the most... recent. And the show has one of the greatest overtures in the American musical theatre canon. You DO NOT cut chunks out of it. At least, you don't if you have any taste. People have buses to catch sf ! seriously though, I don’t know it well enough to notice that. How much was cut?
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 23:40:48 GMT
You’ve either got it, or you ain’t. And Ria’s got it. I knew she’d be good in this and she is. She plays it big, big, big and if you don’t like that vibrato/tremor she’s developed in recent years then don’t see it because it’s present throughout. If that doesn’t bother you then she knocks it out of the park, and got extended applause for Rose’s Turn. The whole cast are good. Melissa James confidently handles the evolution of Louise and the transformations in act 2 as she becomes a star are cleverly executed in the round. Dale Rapley as Herbie is great and has more than a touch of the Carl Malden’s about him. Fantastic dancing by Louis Gaunt as Tulsa. Gimmick is hilaire with a fabulous Mazeppa and an Electra with Rupaul's Drag Race UK twist... I’ll say no more 😆 One minor issue was the US accents of a couple of the male ensemble, but it’s first preview FFS given them a break! 😡 It’s four big teddies from me 🧸🧸🧸🧸 Did you see the Staunton Gypsy? How does this compare? Yes, and no Ria isn’t as good as Imelda. That’s why it’s not five big teddies 🙂
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 23:42:16 GMT
Forgot the most important info. Started at 7.35 and finished at a whopping 10.50. Interval felt it might have been a couple of minutes longer than normal but not significant. I don’t see how they could tighten it up really, it was very slick. Is it usually that long? I can’t recall the Savoy version being out late. And lovely to meet our very own North West reporter david 👋 It could lose twenty minutes without cutting a word. The pacing is incredibly slack. Lol I’m thinking we don’t agree on this one!
|
|
3,074 posts
|
Post by david on Nov 30, 2019 23:42:35 GMT
As a 1st preview, that was absolutely terrific from the cast tonight with a really slick production that flew by. Ria Jones was for me sublime both vocally and in her portrayal of Rose. She nailed her big numbers with ease. Melissa James as Louise was brilliant. Totally owning the second Act with her numbers. The biggest laughs of the night came from “You Gotta Get a GImmick” which was just so much fun to watch. From reading the programme, the fantastic musical score is realised by an orchestra of 8 which are housed in the 1st Gallery. I didn’t notice any sound mixing issues tonight and really enjoyed listening to them. The choreography was slick and being such an intimate auditorium it really was a joy to watch (particularly Louis Gaunt). As an added bonus, it was nice to bump into our very own BurlyBeaR tonight! 🐻 I think the REX has another hit on its hands with this production. 4⭐️. Get yourself a ticket for this!
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 30, 2019 23:44:37 GMT
With a run time of 2.5hrs incl interval, it flew by. whaaat? One of our watches is wrong!
|
|
3,074 posts
|
Post by david on Nov 30, 2019 23:47:55 GMT
With a run time of 2.5hrs incl interval, it flew by. whaaat? One of our watches is wrong! Oh dear was it 3hrs? I need a new watch or lessons in how to read a clock!
|
|
152 posts
|
Post by alnoor on Nov 30, 2019 23:56:21 GMT
Saw it tonight as well. Agree with all that has been said. Really enjoyed it.
|
|
1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Dec 1, 2019 0:14:44 GMT
Of all the productions of Gypsy I've ever seen, this was certainly the most... recent. And the show has one of the greatest overtures in the American musical theatre canon. You DO NOT cut chunks out of it. At least, you don't if you have any taste. People have buses to catch sf ! seriously though, I don’t know it well enough to notice that. How much was cut? They skip the part with the melody of You'll Never Get Away From Me, and the transition from that into the melody of Small World. And the (re) arrangement isn't particularly well done.
|
|
1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Dec 1, 2019 0:19:32 GMT
It could lose twenty minutes without cutting a word. The pacing is incredibly slack. Lol I’m thinking we don’t agree on this one! Apparently not! Usually,a production using this version of the text (that is, retaining the short reprise of Small World and the bits of the hotel room scene that were cut from the Staunton revival) would come in under three hours.
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 1, 2019 0:56:02 GMT
People have buses to catch sf ! seriously though, I don’t know it well enough to notice that. How much was cut? They skip the part with the melody of You'll Never Get Away From Me, and the transition from that into the melody of Small World. And the (re) arrangement isn't particularly well done. Ok, I 100% respect your detailed knowledge of the score. But what I noticed during that overture was that the audience was quiet, and as I looked across at them (I was sat at stage level under the orchestra) they were looking up at the orchestra and smiling and taking it all in. Savoy? Not so much. I suppose there’s an argument to be had about how authentic a production has to be to be “valid” but from what you’ve said were elements cut from the Imelda version too. Did you only hate the REX version because of the technicalities?
|
|
1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Dec 1, 2019 8:18:14 GMT
They skip the part with the melody of You'll Never Get Away From Me, and the transition from that into the melody of Small World. And the (re) arrangement isn't particularly well done. Ok, I 100% respect your detailed knowledge of the score. But what I noticed during that overture was that the audience was quiet, and as I looked across at them (I was sat at stage level under the orchestra) they were looking up at the orchestra and smiling and taking it all in. Savoy? Not so much. I suppose there’s an argument to be had about how authentic a production has to be to be “valid” but from what you’ve said were elements cut from the Imelda version too. Did you only hate the REX version because of the technicalities? "Hate" is a stronger word than I would have chosen. I think there are a few very nice things in this production. The scenes between Louise and June in the first act are lovely, the strip sequence is terrific, and the set is excellent. And the elements of the production that are less successful are somewhat mitigated by the writing, which is flat-out brilliant. This is just as much an American classic as, say, The Iceman Cometh or Death Of A Salesman or Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf. And this production, at this point, doesn't do it justice, and neither does the leading lady. Ria Jones sings it very well. Compared to other people I've seen in the role, her acting choices are completely one-dimensional (yes, even compared to Bernadette Peters, who has the acting range of a two-speed blender). Rose's Turn, last night, wasn't a nervous breakdown, it was Ria Jones doing the showstopper. It was a bit like watching Philip Schofield trying to play King Lear. I think she's great in the right role, I loved her Norma Desmond, but in this, I'm afraid, I didn't think she was very good at all. And the orchestrations are mediocre, the pacing is atrocious - this show should not be three-and-a-quarter hours long - and most of the accents are appalling, and the gimmicky casting of Electra doesn't work. It was a first preview, and there are things that can be fixed, but the biggest problem here, unfortunately, is that Rose requires a brilliant actor who can also sing, and Jones is an excellent singer who can also act a bit.
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 1, 2019 9:14:47 GMT
Something they do need to fix in previews is that in the Act 1 opening scene and in the dressing room confrontation between Rose and Louise in Act 2, a rail of costumes is rolled on as part of the set. If you’re sat in the wrong place (me) it completely obscures the action until the actors move around.
I went yesterday at an hours notice, I looked at the map to see how it had sold and there was a single seat just asking to be bought. My prebooked visit with pals is later in the month so it will be interesting to see what changes.
|
|
1,102 posts
|
Post by zak97 on Dec 1, 2019 11:08:36 GMT
Is Rebecca Thornhill u/s Rose?
|
|
3,074 posts
|
Post by david on Dec 1, 2019 11:14:21 GMT
Is Rebecca Thornhill u/s Rose? Had a look in the programme. No info is given unfortunately about u/s as far as I can see.
|
|
|
Post by learfan on Dec 1, 2019 11:20:23 GMT
Website now saying 3 hrs 5 minutes, it was saying 2.55 the other day. Seems long for a musical.
|
|
236 posts
|
Post by undeuxtrois on Dec 1, 2019 18:01:52 GMT
Is the programme 4 quid? Bit worried about the running time of this cos I'll have to get the last train home, and we all know how reliable northern rail are...
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 1, 2019 18:31:11 GMT
I don’t buy them so can’t tell you, sorry.
Would they exchange you for a matinee perhaps?
|
|
236 posts
|
Post by undeuxtrois on Dec 1, 2019 18:59:03 GMT
I don’t buy them so can’t tell you, sorry. Would they exchange you for a matinee perhaps? Not sure cos I've got the 7 quid under 25s ticket and it was only available for evening performance so I would be able to pay any extra
|
|
3,074 posts
|
Post by david on Dec 1, 2019 19:04:05 GMT
Is the programme 4 quid? Bit worried about the running time of this cos I'll have to get the last train home, and we all know how reliable northern rail are... I can confirm that the programme is £4.
|
|
1,437 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by marob on Dec 1, 2019 21:12:58 GMT
Well I was looking forward to this, but I can't believe it's 3 hours 15. The train I usually get is hourly and leaves Piccadilly at 53 minutes past, so I really hope this gets cut down quite a lot by I see it in January. According to a google search the Imelda Staunton production was 2hrs 50. Is this just really leisurely paced or are there significant differences?
|
|
5,274 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 1, 2019 21:54:12 GMT
Well I was looking forward to this, but I can't believe it's 3 hours 15. The train I usually get is hourly and leaves Piccadilly at 53 minutes past, so I really hope this gets cut down quite a lot by I see it in January. According to a google search the Imelda Staunton production was 2hrs 50. Is this just really leisurely paced or are there significant differences? I gather that Ria Jones cruise ship singer vibrato adds a further 25minutes onto the running time..
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 1, 2019 21:59:40 GMT
I’ll be providing bed and breakfast facilities during the run. 10 minutes walk from the REX. No pets, no smokers, no &Juliet haters... 😐
|
|
1,907 posts
|
Post by sf on Dec 1, 2019 22:47:38 GMT
Well I was looking forward to this, but I can't believe it's 3 hours 15. The train I usually get is hourly and leaves Piccadilly at 53 minutes past, so I really hope this gets cut down quite a lot by I see it in January. According to a google search the Imelda Staunton production was 2hrs 50. Is this just really leisurely paced or are there significant differences? The Staunton production made a few small cuts, but they account for five or six minutes of running time at the most. Gypsy is never a *short* show, but it usually comes in under three hours; the issue here is pacing, and I would hope that's something they'll work on.
|
|
4,958 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by TallPaul on Dec 2, 2019 12:51:24 GMT
I’ll be providing bed and breakfast facilities during the run. 10 minutes walk from the REX. No pets, no smokers, no &Juliet haters... 😐 A 'proper' breakfast, or something pretentious and healthy, and does a house-trained monkey count as a pet?
|
|
18,800 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 2, 2019 13:03:54 GMT
I’ll be providing bed and breakfast facilities during the run. 10 minutes walk from the REX. No pets, no smokers, no &Juliet haters... 😐 A 'proper' breakfast, or something pretentious and healthy, and does a house-trained monkey count as a pet? Smashed “advocaado” on artisanal wholemeal bloomer, quinoa flakes with your choice of non dairy milks, home made artisanal quince marmalade. Artisanal vegan sausages. Decaf Nicaraguan coffee-style beverage or fennel tea. **We are a palm oil free business** While you’re dealing with that I’ll be round the corner at Greggs 🥧
|
|
|
Post by xanady on Dec 2, 2019 14:59:20 GMT
Comedy gold on this thread...brilliant!😂Will you be making a booking,Tall Paul?
|
|