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Post by distantcousin on Jul 2, 2020 8:59:45 GMT
I'm probably missing something but I found A Bed In The Lentils really dull!
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 1, 2020 21:12:22 GMT
I'm guessing it's because Bennett wrote with the original actors in mind, or at least tweaked them when they'd been cast - Comer was the first one where I felt (particularly in the first scene) that we were watching Comer play Walters play Lesley, but that could just be because Bennett it wrote it to exploit the turn of phrase that Walters was good at. Is that why I 'heard' Walter is certain parts even though I haven't seen her do it? It was so easy to imagine how she'd do it, where she'd put the emphasis on certain lines. I didn't mind this version to be honest but having read comments I wasn't expecting much so maybe that helped. Wasn't quite sure about the accent, wasn't sure if it was just sometimes her character putting on her 'working voice' hence you sometimes had an accent and sometimes didn't. Yes, I felt exactly the same. Know Julie's work so well, that despite never having seen her original, I could hear her voice in my head as Jodie said the words
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 1, 2020 21:11:05 GMT
Her Big Break sounds incredibly dated now. Julie Walters telling of her extra work on Crossroads was funny because it was believable and the mix of delusion and bravado about the dodgy movie was played perfectly. Jodie Comer didn't even provoke a smile never mind a laugh with the lighter moments. And in the #metoo era I just sat there thinking no actress would be that naive these days. It was clearly still set in the 80's though?
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 1, 2020 15:23:47 GMT
It was always one of my favourites, but I got nothing from Comer at all. It all felt a bit flat and was almost boring in places. Felt exactly the same. And I'd never even see the Julie original to compare (although have read the script) Another slight issue with some of them is that the limitations of lockdown filming locations (East Enders residences!) is that the furnishings can seem too modern for the time period, and in the case of Soldering On, not grand enough to reflect the story.
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 1, 2020 11:00:57 GMT
The Jody Comer fans were out in force on Twitter last night, claiming she's the greatest ever actress, so beautiful, a goddess, why isn't she a Dame, etc etc. I particularly liked the one who praised her stunning performance, even though they admitted they hadn't a clue what it was all about! Oh I saw!! I didn't realise she had such a throng of worshipers.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 29, 2020 8:29:47 GMT
Yes, I saw the Peter Capaldi version with I think Con O Neil as Mickey and Rebecca Storm as Mrs J. Sublime. Peter Capaldi? Wow!
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 27, 2020 18:42:56 GMT
Bloody hell, Martin Freeman gabbled through A Chip In The Sugar like he had a plane to catch later!
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 26, 2020 19:41:06 GMT
The actor in Playing Sandwiches to me really didn't have a firm enough grasp of the text. It was a mediocre performance
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 25, 2020 22:59:15 GMT
When did any criticism of Israel start equalling "anti semetism" in this country? I'm mystified
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 25, 2020 11:11:25 GMT
I've watched the first 4 today. Harriet Walter also brilliant in Soldiering On, a better production than the original. Jodie Comer not so good in Her Big Chance. Quite flat, I thought. Jodie is definitely underplaying it. And her accent is all over the place
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 24, 2020 20:09:32 GMT
It's exactly that. Actors of the correct age for the two additional pieces would have been in high risk category when they were filmed. Once there are fewer restrictions perhaps they might think about doing them. I'd love Anne Reid to do Cream Cracker - amazing to think that's she almost ten years older than Thora Hird was when she did the original. Her one-minute piece for the BBC was an hint of what could be. Yes to Anne! Inspired choice!
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 23, 2020 23:24:27 GMT
Some people on Twitter have already noticed some line cuts - in Her Big Chance and A Lady Of Letters. The latter even came with a trigger warning for people offended by 1980's thoughts and opinions!
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 23, 2020 16:57:07 GMT
I agree this is PR nonsense. The set is NOT 34 years old. The chandelier has been replaced at least 3 times already, if not more. The candelabra are not the originals either. No doubt they'll try and claim the Angel is unsafe - but then fix it! There's no new health and safety legislation that's suddenly come into render its use unlawful. No new legislation, no, but periodic inspections are required, and are far easier to do thoroughly when a production is closed! Reading through some of the comments on this thread you'd think treason was being committed by anyone dating to touch so much as a bolt or screw in the original set... seems like quite an alarming over-reaction to me! I know, right?!?!
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 23, 2020 15:21:38 GMT
the trailer is HERE! Not long now (looks like they are doing it "period" by the clothes and furnishings?...) Those 'period' furnishing are the current Eastenders sets. Maybe because i watch Eastenders that i dont feel it's being done in another period. Looks modern to me.
I didn't get enough of a glimpse! And I don't watch EE to recognise them
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 18, 2020 13:27:07 GMT
the trailer is HERE! Not long now (looks like they are doing it "period" by the clothes and furnishings?...)
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 18, 2020 13:21:16 GMT
For me it's a toss up between Aspects of Love and Sunset Boulevard. I do have a soft spot for Evita. I know I may be going against the popular consensus here but I love the film. It's really Antonio Bandaras' film. I love how it's a bit gritty and really shows the workers- the descamisados- of Argentina of the time (Generally speaking) Lloyd Webber only tends to write several songs and repeats the underlying score throughout the whole show. I love the film too - it was brilliant and my first introduction to the piece. Very powerful.
There is a little too much canonisation of the Harold Prince production.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 18, 2020 13:19:20 GMT
Although Sunset is my favourite show and Phantom second, they aren't as uniformly strong (to me) in terms of score as Evita (normally my third choice) which for a start is sung-through, which I love, but has so many brilliant melodies and incisive lyrics.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 17, 2020 10:35:01 GMT
I don't think the book is bad. The plot is coherent and makes sense from what I remember.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 16, 2020 20:28:28 GMT
Julia Hills, the original star, is currently touring with the Calendar Girls musical. Some of you may also remember the lovely 1-night original cast reunion concert version at the Palace Theatre with Philip Schofield as the narrator. I was at that concert and still have a flyer for it that said that Glenda Jackson was originally going to be the narrator.
The concert recording is actually my favourite of the ones that are available. The vocals sound better on it than the OLCR, which can sound a little shaky in places, especially Julia Hills (who married her co-star from The Hired Man, Paul Clarkson!)
Oh yes, I listened recently and Julia Hills vocals were atrocious at times - I couldn't get through the whole recording.
I have the 2008 recording, which is fine but is lacking in actual recording quality. Sounds like it was done very cheaply.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 16, 2020 20:24:56 GMT
At last!
I saw it on Broadway back in 2002 (with Adam Pascal and Maya)
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 16, 2020 13:05:55 GMT
Yes, that one confuses me. I thought maybe it was because all the other cats have humans and homes, even Gus and Skimbleshanks, who live in a theatre and a railway station/line respectively. Grizabella seems to be a stray. Other than that, I have no idea what she's done to offend the other cats. I'd give two reasons: The "kinder" explanation (for the other cats) is that Grizabella was a haughty "glamour puss" who thought very highly of herself while she was in her glory days and it's now a "look how the mighty have fallen" disgust and the others not forgiving her for her earlier uppity attitude (think of many C-list celebs who turn their back to the normal world they came from, think they're suddenly a cut above them and when they've fallen by the wayside and try to return, realize they have alienated everyone at home). The other "crueler" explanation: They are just disgusted by a formerly "gorgeous" glamourous cat, who's now old and scruffy, just like humanity often goes "ugh, have you seen what has become of her? Awful!" (and it's usually her, rarely him, men can go wrinkly and bald all they like). The line in her short poem goes "The postman sighed as he scratched his head: 'You'd really had thought, she'd ought to be dead'". Then of course the poems were written in early 20th century, when there was a whole other attitude towards prostitution and "loose women" who were out to have a good time (and not nicely married, staying at home to serve their husbands and masters), so this might also be reflected in the other cats' attitude, even though the show is somewhat timeless. Also don't forget that Grizabella used to look a lot scruffier in her earlier 80s version with the unkempt curly mop of "hair" (fur?) and played by older singers. I personally really can't get behind the "new look Grizabella" being played by extremely good-looking youngish performers like Nicole Scherzinger and that new glossy sleek wig she wears. Good explanations, HOWEVER Nicole, Beverley Knight, Kerry Ellis, Leona Lewis etc were really no younger than Elaine, Betty or many of the other original Grizabella's back in the day. (all in their 30's)
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 13, 2020 12:38:29 GMT
It would be good to see a production of Blood Brothers that isn’t the Kenwright production. totally. It could do with a major reinvention.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 13, 2020 11:59:19 GMT
She's a great artist with a fine career but she does come across as a bit churlish in this interview. Call me old-fashioned but it's really not very gracious to be so critical of successes you should be grateful to have had but, hey, at 72 I guess she's entitled. She may, though, be in danger of going the LuPone route! She's saying that the original production of BB was a totally different beast to what came after. And the criticisms she highlights are the shortcomings I find too.
Interested to know how different this earthier original production was!....
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 11, 2020 19:59:33 GMT
Originally I was very wary about the hype over it - I knew little about it other than it sounded too American for me!
However, I went to see it at the Palladium in 2013 and my mind was blown! I literally became obsessed with it. Something about it really tapped into something. It was funny, poignant, exciting, daring, authentic, thought provoking - everything I love about a musical.
I went back to see it again within weeks, and then when news came of it's premature closure, a third time.
Played the cast recordings to death and rate it probably top 15 favourite musicals.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 11, 2020 19:50:46 GMT
Excellent new interview with Barbara Dickson. Part 2 is what you want. Quite scathing about the productions of the show that were made after the original. doctortheatre.blogspot.com/
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 11, 2020 14:14:14 GMT
Her version of Memory is thrilling. I bought the 25th anniversary concert CD (wish I'd gone to the gig!)
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 11, 2020 14:12:42 GMT
Excellent new interview with Barbara Dickson. Part 2 is what you want. Quite scathing about the productions of the show that were made after the original. doctortheatre.blogspot.com/
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 11, 2020 14:12:06 GMT
THe album is superb. I didn't know a lot of the songs, but I prefer her version of Promise Me to the original!
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 3, 2020 20:14:56 GMT
The original finale was far better than the revival version. Far more emotional 'The Story Of Miss Saigon'
Is that a book?
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 3, 2020 20:06:44 GMT
They certainly know how to write an emotive if not slightly manipulative overblown tearjerking finale. MS is their best. The pacing and structure of that final scene is breathtaking. Blows the stupid helicopter out of the water. The original finale was far better than the revival version. Far more emotional I'm trying to recall how different it is? Not that much?
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