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Post by thistimetomorrow on May 18, 2023 20:07:20 GMT
I really liked their production of Anyone Can Whistle so had high hopes for this, but unfortunately just didn't really enjoy it that much. I thought some of the score sounded awkward to sing with the key changes/gender swaps and Gabrielle's Finch was just quite boring for me. I did really like Annie Aitken's Heddy and generally enjoyed Allie Daniel's Rosemary too though.
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56 posts
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Post by TheOneOnTheLeft on May 20, 2023 17:54:39 GMT
At today’s matinee director Georgie Rankcom played Rosemary, stepping in for Allie Daniel (with this they did a decent job, considering they are not a performer). The whole production is a mess, though. I am all for new concepts and “reimagining”, if you want to call it that way, but all involved have to be at the top of their craft which I think is not the case here. (This goes from direction to design to choreography to the cast itself, with some exceptions, notably Annie Aitken.) Having seen great performances there in the past, I have to say that I am more often disappointed at the Southwark Playhouse these days.
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Post by sph on May 26, 2023 0:06:09 GMT
The reviews and awards for this seem to list Bennett and Daniel as the standouts - but for me it was Annie Aitken who stood out head and shoulders above everyone else. Great acting and vocals.
I found this particular production to be cheap-looking and dull. I don't think the gender-blind casting really made the statement it seemed to be trying to, and a lot of the time, when I heard a line or a song I'd think "Ok, but that would probably land better in the original versions..."
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4,462 posts
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Post by Being Alive on May 30, 2023 22:54:58 GMT
This is two stars but only just, I was close to giving it 1 star which I don't actually think I've ever done before.
Every single person is miscast. Not a single genderblind choice works I'm afraid. Tracie Bennett being called Sir and Mr whatever was absurd. It just feels to me like they got two weeks into rehearsals, realised what they were doing was absolutely bananas and didn't work, but carried on.
It got pulled to 2 stars by the band and it's varied members, and the voices in a couple of the big production numbers. Otherwise this is a totally unintelligent mess.
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4,596 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 4, 2023 7:35:42 GMT
Well, it was fun to hear where the theme for JCS comes from...but this musical has not aged well, and the score is average. If the book was darker or a total satire, then I could see the point to it.
The gender casting was fine but not insightful. Perhaps a total reversal of all roles would have worked better ?
I liked Gabriel Friedman, the neon ladder and the band. However this is not a piece I will listen to or want to see again.
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1,266 posts
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Post by mkb on Jun 4, 2023 7:48:19 GMT
I am fond of the film, and very much enjoyed the 2011 Broadway revival of this musical with Daniel Radcliffe. Sadly, this latest interpretation has sucked out all of the joy and comedy.
The show is meant to be populated by stereotypes -- the tyrannical, uncaring boss, the roguish but lovable chancer climbing up the ladder, the ditsy, wannabe girlfriend, the villainous colleague -- but by subverting types and apparent genders, there is nothing left to recognise and laugh at.
The costumes could not settle on period either, some being evocative of 50s, some 60s and some 70s. Wigs/hairstyles were period for half the cast and 2023 (i.e. actors' own) for the rest, which made little sense.
Of the performances, only Allie Daniel stood out for a sublime singing voice, but was nevertheless unconvincing as Rosemary.
I'm afraid I can only concur with those who have said this affair is a complete mess, and not an enjoyable one at that.
Two stars.
Act 1: 15:04-16:28 Act 2: 16:48-17:41
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jun 4, 2023 9:39:19 GMT
I was a bit on the fence about booking this one; and with the reviews on here - quite glad I haven't. Thanks TB'ERS for all your posts - really insightful!
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Post by shownut on Jun 4, 2023 10:29:38 GMT
The show is meant to be populated by stereotypes -- the tyrannical, uncaring boss, the roguish but lovable chancer climbing up the ladder, the ditsy, wannabe girlfriend, the villainous colleague -- but by subverting types and apparent genders, there is nothing left to recognise and laugh at. I totally agree. That was exactly how I felt but couldn't quite come up with the proper words.
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Post by apubleed on Jun 4, 2023 13:29:43 GMT
I did see the 2011 Broadway revival and ultimately that is the kind of interpretation I preferred. However, I actually really enjoyed this quirky LGBT gender bending type take on the show. I think the problem for me wasn’t the concept it’s the execution. I really think they could have made it funnier by swapping some of the cast or the Director getting more out of some of the current cast. The lead actress in particular - amazing voice, no charisma very little humour. A rare example of a production I’d prefer to listen to a cast recording of than see.
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Post by sph on Jun 4, 2023 13:30:13 GMT
The show is meant to be populated by stereotypes -- the tyrannical, uncaring boss, the roguish but lovable chancer climbing up the ladder, the ditsy, wannabe girlfriend, the villainous colleague -- but by subverting types and apparent genders, there is nothing left to recognise and laugh at. I totally agree. That was exactly how I felt but couldn't quite come up with the proper words. Same here. It would be fine as a student production experimenting with gender as part of a thesis. As a piece of fully-realised musical theatre? Just didn't really land. Also, have to say, it was cast VERY young which we're seeing a lot in musicals nowadays. There are so many wonderful seasoned actors who are still age-appropriate for leading roles out there.
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18,820 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 4, 2023 15:45:52 GMT
There’s a free ticket on the Noticeboard for the matinee on 13th June.
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1,316 posts
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Post by tmesis on Jun 4, 2023 19:32:38 GMT
What a tedious afternoon at the theatre this proved to be yesterday. Act One in particular felt interminable. I last saw this at Wilton’s Music Hall in 2017, a production I found enjoyable but just lacking the last amount of professionalism which I thought this might provide. Wrong!…this was amateurish in the extreme with poor performances and a dreary, cheap set. I have also never attended a gender-blind performance that felt more I’ll-judged and pointless.
As a musical it’s far from perfect and the two really good songs: ‘I believe in You’ and ‘Brotherhood of Man’ come right at the end, but it can be made to work far better than this.
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Post by Fleance on Jun 4, 2023 20:54:35 GMT
There’s a free ticket on the Noticeboard for the matinee on 13th June. It has been taken. Hope the taker enjoys the show more than tmesis did. I love the show, saw the revival with Matthew Broderick as well as the movie, which should be commended for casting a few of the original Broadway cast members (Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee of course; as well as Broadway supporting stalwarts Sammy Smith and Ruth Kobart). I'm sorry I'm going to miss the Southwark production. I don't mind interesting revisions on occasion. I even enjoyed the current production of Camelot!
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22 posts
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Post by mistertonymac on Jun 5, 2023 12:52:26 GMT
I have two tix for this thursday that i can't use now. Not sure of the etiquette but would be happy to give someone - I have them on email
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 6, 2023 12:43:26 GMT
the two really good songs: ‘I believe in You’ and ‘Brotherhood of Man’ come right at the end, but it can be made to work far better than this. Just 2? What about 'Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm' 'Been A Long Day' 'Paris Original'? All great songs in Act 1. Well, in every other production they are . If only The Bridge Theatre were doing a Frank Loesser double bill of Guys and Dolls and How To Succeed...That cast would be fantastic in these roles.
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