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Post by danb on Apr 19, 2024 14:53:03 GMT
I’m just pleased that the 101D tour is bypassing Bristol so we aren’t clogged up with another week of tat!
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Post by danb on Apr 19, 2024 13:02:39 GMT
I think what's happened here is exactly how I feel about the state of London theatre in general. New work like Opening Night that is (in my eyes) bold and fresh can't succeed and we have to endure rubbish like 2:22 and Heathers until the end of time. Sidenote: I read an article the other day complaining about how millennial tastes/nostalgia has a chokehold over the TV/theatre getting produced and prominence right now. Heathers, Mean Girls etc etc. It’s down to who is buying theatre tickets at the moment though surely? Heathers & Mean Girls are not new properties by any means, but obviously key into a cash rich theatregoing generation. As theatrefan62 said the previous generation were all about the jukebox musicals. At least the current crop are keen to grab hold of the new like ‘Hadestown’ & ‘The Little Big Things’ showing that they aren’t completely governed by ‘teen girl theatre’. ‘Bold & Fresh’ is another mans bete noir. 2:22 is just another ‘bought & paid for’ production that can be thrown up at a moments notice, just like ‘Heathers’ at very minimal expense & technical demand, to fill a gap.
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Post by danb on Apr 19, 2024 11:34:51 GMT
(For what it's worth) are you all familiar with Kristina? It was Benny & Bjorn's next musical after Chess. It took some time as after Chess I guess their focus was on the Mamma Mia! musical. It's about the Swede's immigrating to America. It's not as 'rock' based as Chess. It's more choral. One or two really stand out numbers! There was a concert version of this at the Royal Albert Hall over 10 years ago now, starring Russell Watson. I’ve never listened to it but perhaps I should. Thanks for the recommendation. Is it in English or Swedish (or both)?
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Post by danb on Apr 19, 2024 10:37:23 GMT
Anyway. I’d love to see this. One of the best MT scores of all time. Agreed. Musically, it’s a masterpiece.
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Post by danb on Apr 18, 2024 15:22:47 GMT
How long is this show?
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Post by danb on Apr 18, 2024 15:20:02 GMT
This. It can’t be long.
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Post by danb on Apr 18, 2024 12:07:24 GMT
The ‘Next To Normal’ section was great. Gave a good cross section of the show (although perhaps a little ‘light’). It has made me want to see it, and Jack Wolfe is a total star. If they bring ‘Tommy’ over here from Broadway he would be my choice for the lead.
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Post by danb on Apr 18, 2024 11:03:42 GMT
I did not think this came over well at the Oliviers. The use of the actors own accents (to me) does not work and create any kind of cohesive world (particularly for me Grace and Mel) - and Hades needs to sing about another octave down... Just caught up on the Oliviers and this didn’t come across well at all. What a missed opportunity to sell the show.
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Post by danb on Apr 18, 2024 9:16:46 GMT
It’s his special baby though! If he’s excited about it then so should we be. If it fills a theatre and keeps Shaftesbury Ave ticking along nicely fair play to him but it doesn’t enthuse me. Half of me thinks “C’mon Cam, you’re loaded. Take some risks on some exciting new things.” But I realise that I wouldn't if it was my money, so why should he?
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Post by danb on Apr 18, 2024 6:00:34 GMT
OK great. I’m a terrible human, agreed. I’m not sure how rank amateur producer Michael Harrison would feel about your accusations of his competence. i know this is *theatre* board but omg there’s no need to be this dramatic any time someone disagrees with you 😂 Daaahhhhlling, drama is my life! 🤣
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 21:19:50 GMT
OK great. I’m a terrible human, agreed.
I’m not sure how rank amateur producer Michael Harrison would feel about your accusations of his competence.
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 21:17:18 GMT
Oliver is going to the gielgud and old friends has already been announced to be doing LA and then NY, so it won’t be that Thats a lot nicer than filling a barn like Drury Lane isn’t it? I’ve never felt it was a ‘big’ show. I guess Cameron telling us that it is by putting it in the Palladium & Drury Lane, might make it so.
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 21:08:01 GMT
I meant that the ‘production’ is paid for. The set, the costumes etc. The initial outlay. They have the bare bones to mount the production. With the revolving door of fillers the GL appears to house it wouldn’t surprise me if they have a very favourable deal too. Families going to see Oz will spend a lot more than spectators of Lehman or Skys Edge.
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 19:59:42 GMT
He’ll still be looking for ways to get his money back for that puppet.
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 19:41:33 GMT
How about Betty Blue Eyes..? Yes, that’ll be it! 🤣
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 19:07:03 GMT
Nothing that anyone has said here is worthy of a morning radio announcement…well maybe MG but it won’t be that. It’ll be bloody Oliver moving back into Drury Lane won’t it?
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 10:53:29 GMT
Starter for Ten at Bristol Old Vic, and Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Edward Scissorhands. Both wonderful, albeit in very different ways. ‘Starter for Ten’ was certainly the most surprisingly enjoyable. I was discussing it with a friend who had seen it from the uncomfortable gods at the BOV, and he didn’t enjoy it as much but could certainly see the promise. I do think that it needs to stay in smaller playhouses rather than go big, because its charm played a major part. Internationally, my favourite was ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway, even without Lorna Courtney (who had something more pressing to do on a Saturday night). It just made more ‘sense’ with an American voice, although David Bedella’s Lance still stole the show (was he intentionally channelling Dev from Corrie? Hilarious!) and Najah Hetzbergers cover Juliet who was sensational. These are the two things that I have enjoyed most so far this year.
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 9:50:29 GMT
There is a filmed version on Amazon freevee you could have a look at if you wanted an idea of the tone etc. I wouldn’t watch it all, but just to give yourself an idea.
I disagree that they need to lean into the camp more; it shouldn’t be. It should be deadly serious with the naturally campy bits speaking for themselves .
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Post by danb on Apr 17, 2024 8:04:55 GMT
I’ve just watched The Greatest Hits on Disney+ wouldn’t really recommend it. It shares ideas with quite a few (better) films such as About Time and High Fidelity. Overall it just seemed a bit empty- lacking feeling and characters to care about. 2⭐️ Can we just not mention ‘About Time’…😢😢😢😢
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Post by danb on Apr 16, 2024 16:49:43 GMT
I was literally about to write '"don't cancel me but audience behaviour will be dreadful"... Literally my first thought. #Pray4ManchesterfordPalace&OperaHouse Katy Perry sounds a bit ropey these days singing ‘Firework’ but not, I suspect, as bad as Andrea of Urmston.
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Post by danb on Apr 16, 2024 15:00:31 GMT
Dare I say ‘Heathers’? I know TOP isn’t West End, but it extended its original run, won ‘some’ prizes, misguidedly went into a W/E playhouse and is now eyeing its 4th(?) season.
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2024 18:41:34 GMT
I don't think it will come back to London. It will go down in theatre history as one of those shows you can say "I was there". However, in this case, I hope I am wrong as I would dearly love to see it again. I'd LOVE to see it again too, but Jamie will have other projects (and as he's very publicly said, if Scherzinger had said no the project wouldn't of moved forward) and he'll want to build on the success of Sunset in his next projects. It did feel like lightning in a bottle, but I'd love to see her do it again... I saw it twice. I feel incredibly lucky to have it as a memory, but I wouldn’t want them to flog it to death.
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2024 14:12:56 GMT
Cheryl Tweedy. I'd love to hear her sing As If We Never Said Why Aye. *see Britney Spears comment above. ☝️
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2024 12:32:52 GMT
I think, when they cast Faith Brown in the tour they had the right idea, but her voice wasn’t quite strong enough to give you the Norma chills. Finding a ‘performer’ who can embody Norma; all that she is and has-been is a lot more specific than casting someone who can sing it well. I just wish our Jane had the acting chops for this because vocally she would knock it out of the park.
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2024 11:56:37 GMT
During the run I kept asking if might extend/come back and did come to accept all the reasons given here as to why it wasn't! But yeah, I also wonder if having received the most Oliver's an ALW show has ever had if they may now re look at this. It is tricky. I don't think any MT star is bigger than a show. But Nicole in this does come close! Tucker gave a vocally flawless performance but (for me) it really wasn't the same. I would like to see another run. Less keen on it dragging on or touring if it leads to the product being diluted. But hey, what big musical has never been diluted IDK! As for who could be Norma? I think there is someone out there. But someone nobody could predict! And we’re back to Lesley Joseph…
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2024 11:03:02 GMT
Britney for Norma. The problem with recasting is Jamie Lloyd will be on to something else, so casting someone bonkers would be a risk, and while a safe pair of hands would make an enjoyable show, the sheer surprise that Nicole could do that, is gone. Aguilera, perhaps. Spears? Can’t actually sing live to any sort of acceptable standard which kind of rules her out.
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Post by danb on Apr 15, 2024 7:29:20 GMT
She’s shown she has the stamina on that mammoth ‘Sister Act’ slog!!
Maybe lose the black slip dress though.
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Post by danb on Apr 14, 2024 18:14:04 GMT
This. Stop looking at yesterday with todays filter. None of these concepts were commonplace in Freddie's lifetime.
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Racism
Apr 14, 2024 13:59:38 GMT
via mobile
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Post by danb on Apr 14, 2024 13:59:38 GMT
I don't really have much to add other than I bloody hate racism and there's just no need for it. I agree with nick that perhaps we might see the last gasps of it as generations come through. When I listen to my children's response to any off-colour remark that is sexist, homophobic or racist it does indeed give me hope that it will die out this generation or the next. Whilst respect for others in general appears to be on the decline, these specific aspects are just “not cool, man”.
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Post by danb on Apr 14, 2024 12:57:43 GMT
She’ll be moving into the street before you know it.
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